First Step

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the mutation unlock was over.

Yes, it finally was over...

Emir collapsed onto the ground, panting, and sweating profusely.

It was as if he didn't know what pain was before today.

Yet he also felt the same for triumph.

It was a sense of accomplishment that he believed to not have existed.

Then suddenly voice spoke up, breaking the silence:

[Well done, Emir.]

[You've crossed your first step.]

He nodded, still trying to catch his breath.

[Thank you, voice.]

As he lay there, staring up at the night sky, he began to think about what was to come.

Hunting monsters was dangerous, more so in ruins, and he knew that there was a high chance that he might not come back.

But he also knew that it was something that he had to do for himself.

"A grave for my enemies and a grave for me, no?"

He whispered, half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Emir knew that he would embark on a perilous journey in the near future, one that could end in death for both him and many of his enemies.

'Be it monsters and humans all would fall beneath my feet.' 

He was determined to see it through...

To the bitter end.

And if that meant that he too would end up in a grave, so be it.

He was ready to pay that price.

But despite all the danger, he was excited—weirdly so.

"Nothing in this world is certain but death and well... taxes."

Emir let out a chuckle.

'...Oh yeah, I can't be forgetting my voice companion, can I?'

Whatever it was and wherever it came from did not matter to him.

What mattered was what it would ask for in return...

Something great for sure.

He needed to prepare to either fight against it or work with it, but that was a problem for the future him.

Soon, Emir stepped inside and made his way towards his room.

After a quick bath, he was greeted by his family, who were patiently waiting for him at the dinner table.

"Emir, are you alright? You were outside for quite a while."

"Brother!"

His mother asked, her eyes scanning him for any signs of injuries.

"I'm fine, Mom. Just a little tired." He replied, giving her a reassuring smile.

'It's understandable that they are worried though...'

'I was training for almost the whole day, after all.' 

Emir approached seven-year-old Lily, who was sitting at the dinner table.

He embraced her for a moment, affectionately ruffling her hair, before planting a gentle kiss on her right cheek.

"Schtooop."

'We finally reached the same height, huh?' 

And as they sat down for dinner, he couldn't help but feel grateful for them.

'Truly, family are the only ones you get unconditional love from...'

Emir began to wonder why...

Just why hadn't he felt the same with his previous family?

His sister and mother had always looked out for him during his five years in this world.

Always there for him.

But those of before had done the same.

Then... why was it that he only cared for these two?

An answer came to mind, or rather a potential one:

'My memories must've been tapered by that voice.'

'Otherwise, the way I act right now wouldn't make sense, unless...'

'Unless the entire thing is fabricated.'

'…'

Emir stopped eating, his mind lost in a myriad of thoughts.

'I need to think this through.' 

Breaking the comfortable silence, he spoke up:

"Hey Mom, Sis, I'm going to bed now... goodnight yeah."

His mother looked at him with concern in her eyes.

"Is there anything wrong, dear?"

"No—"

"You usually lick your plate clean when you're eating... If something is bothering you, you can tell me."

Emir gave her a small smile.

"I'm really fine, Mom."

"Are you brother?!"

"Yeah, just a bit tired from my training today, so I don't feel like eating too much... but I'll be okay after a good night's sleep."

Laura nodded, still looking worried, but didn't press the issue any further.

Lily, on the other hand, gave him a concerned look with puffed-up cheeks, before turning to Laura.

"Mama, is he okay?"

His mother placed a hand on Lily's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Yes, dear. He's just a bit tired. He'll be fine after some rest."

'...Is it that weird that I'm not finishing my food? Do they see me as a glutton?'

Suppressing a chuckle, he supported her, saying:

"She's right, you know. Just a bit tired after my training today. Anyways, there's no need to worry too much."

"Goodnight."

He stood up from the table and headed towards his room, feeling both physically and mentally exhausted.

As he lay in bed, he couldn't shake off the feeling of disquietude that had crept up on him.

Emir knew that he wasn't the same person that he had been in his previous life, but he couldn't help but wonder if there was something more to it.

'Did the voice tamper with my memories?'

'Am I a puppet in its hands?'

He shook his head, trying to dispel those thoughts.

Emir couldn't afford to let paranoia take over him, not when there was so much at stake.

'Even if it did, I know that me and my family are real, and that's enough.'

His eyelids grew heavy, and his breathing slowed, as he felt himself drifting off to sleep.

His mind began to float atop the dark sea that was his future. 

Would he be able to keep his family safe?

Or would he meet his end in one of the ruins, his body left to rot in the darkness?

Only time will tell.

…

As Emir slept, he dreamed, but it was no ordinary dream like those experienced by most people.

His dream was a chilling nightmare, one that left him feeling helpless and utterly alone.

He found himself standing in the middle of a dark, deserted street, a cold breeze sending shivers down his spine.

The air was thick with a sense of foreboding, and he could feel his heart beating faster with each passing moment.

Suddenly, he heard a cry—a baby's cry—and he realized that it sounded familiar as if he heard it before.

Emir started running towards the sound, hoping to find the source of the cries.

As he got closer, he saw a dark figure in the distance, and his mind instantly went into overdrive.

He was trying to find out who it was.

And the figure helped him.

They suddenly turned around, and Emir was shocked to see the figure's identity...

It looked just like him.

But not the 'him' from this life.

It was the past him.

The man who now faced Emir, picked up the crying baby off the ground...

And tightly squeezed it by the neck.