What was that smell...?

It was a thick, dank stench reminiscent of an animal carcass rotting in a stagnant body of water.

‘What's going on?’ I couldn't help but think.

Darkness latched onto my eyes, encroaching my mind and my thoughts, preventing my consciousness from solidifying.

All my senses were numbed, and it felt as though I was suspended in a dense pool of mud. 

Moreover... I was suffocating; choking on lungfuls of the thick, pungent mud... 

What...?

Then how the hell could I 'smell'? And why wasn't I panicking about the fact I was drowning? 

‘Somehow, I know I can't die in this place,’ I thought, mentally scrambling to connect thoughts. 

It was strange, but this feeling of warped logic and sluggish thoughts was awfully familiar… Right, it's similar to when I'm about to take control of a dream...

A dream! 

I sat up, emerging out of a bog of filth. “...Or a 'Mental World,' I suppose.”

Seamlessly, my slow state of mind returned to normal and I regained motor control over my body. 

Wheezing out a few mouthfuls of mud, I slowly stood up, incredulously staring around. There were a few trees and bushes in the vicinity, nothing too dense; nothing too sparse either.

Once I caught my breath, it wasn't hard to recognize this place. 

An ear-splitting thunderclap suddenly reverberated, bright blue lighting branching out across the sky. The next moment, hail and heavy raindrops began barraging down.

“Home,” I murmured, lifting my head. I cupped my hands, collecting a tiny pool of rainwater in them, then splashed it on my face, cleaning away the grime. 

Sluggishly, I trudged out of the mud pit and followed a trail that ran deeper into the forest. Though, it was a little different, what with the should-be-lake that turned into a pool of mud rotting with fish, I knew if I followed this path I'd eventually reach a familiar sight.

The wind howled ghoulishly in my ears, obstructing my hearing, and making it hard to focus. I shuddered uncontrollably, it was the perfect rainstorm. A wet, freezing one at that. But that didn't matter for too long, for I soon reached my destination.

Letting out a relieved chuckle, I added pace to my steps and rushed into the lonely cabin ahead. With a soft click, the door opened, an inviting air spilling out from within.

As I walked in, I half-expected Roshni's welcoming voice to greet me upon entry. That proved to be a wishful thought.

I let out a sigh, removing my wet, dirty clothes and throwing them on the floor. Then I made my way to the bathroom, jumping into the shower.

Warm water splashed down my body, bringing a calming heat. 

Relaxed, I reflected on the last moments before I fell unconscious. My consciousness suddenly went into hyperdrive, the fight flashing clearly in my mind's eye. 

It was overwhelming, every one of my senses were heightened—from what seemed to be a memory of the fight, I could smell scents I didn't notice during the moment, hear sounds that were far too soft or distant to detect, and see details making up the entire area.

I cried out softly, clenching my teeth, rooting my senses back to this dream-like reality. “...Breath.”

Taking a few moments to collect myself after snapping out of the deep trance, I closed the shower faucet, dried myself, and left for the master bedroom.

On my way to the bedroom, I trailed my hands along the smooth, wooden walls, slightly mesmerized by how vivid and real this Mental World felt.

After putting on a breathable, silken robe, I made my way to the living room, sitting on a sofa.

I hummed, enjoying the sound of the rainstorm outside. This, indeed, was quite the situation I found myself in… One moment I was dead, the next I was fighting a monster.

“...Hearthborne,” I said, touching the left side of my chest. “Just what was she?”

Of course, there was no one to answer my question, except my own wild musings. And the most rational thing I could think of was that she was a demon. After all, the ‘hearth’ part of the creature's name could refer to Hell…

I put a hold on my thoughts, boredom overcoming me. I willed the Statblock into existence, but the interface didn't respond.

Frowning, I tried conjuring a smartphone into my hands, but nothing happened. This didn't feel like a dream at all…

…Wait, could it be…?

I quickly shot up from my chair, my silky robes slightly sliding down my shoulders, and ran into the garage, opening the door. 

Grabbing the keys hooked on the wall, I unlocked my truck and got into the driver's seat. The vehicle's powerful engine purred to life.

Without thinking too much, I stomped down the gas pedal, crashing past the slow-opening garage door and swerving haphazardly onto the gravel road.

I struggled to breathe. Something felt off. Did I really…

“Don't lose yourself.” I held the steering wheel steady. “...Just drive.”

I turned on the windscreen wipers, the movement of the device as it kept wiping away rainwater relaxing. 

When I tried to tune into the radio, all the channels emitted high-pitched, static voices. 

At this point, I was racing a hundred and fifty miles per hour through the forest, trying to get to the city as fast as possible. 

My sense of what was real and what wasn't was severely dismayed… I just needed to do a few reality checks.

I shook my head.

That wasn't it, was it? Without a doubt, I was sure this was a ‘dream’…

But—

“I can't stay here,” I mumbled, driving onto the empty tar road to St Serla. It was an irrational impulse that was triggered by something beyond me, but I trusted it simply because it was familiar. 

The road was completely empty, giving me the ability to drive as recklessly as I pleased, pushing my car's supercharged engine to its utmost limits.

I couldn't help grinning, the rush brought by driving this fast was addicting. I was having the time of my life when, without any warning, my senses churned.

I was flung out of the driver's seat, through the front window, and into the air. There was no pain. Only confusion as I watched the front of the car crumble—it looked as though I plowed into a giant invisible wall.

I tumbled through the sky like a broken rag doll, looking at the vehicle get smaller and smaller before it vanished completely from my field of vision.

I'm not falling back down, I realized, spinning awkwardly to gain some form of control over the terrifying momentum flinging me into the clouds.

But that didn't seem necessary, as the next moment my back struck something hard; all the force pushing me up disappeared instantly.

I wheezed sharply, the air knocked out of my lungs.

…Th-, that hurt, I grumbled with a sigh, stumbling to my feet slowly. 

Looking around, I noticed a few concerning things. I was standing in the middle of a me-sized crater in some backyard, dust swirling formlessly around my ankles. Overhead, was a clear blue sky with a gentle yellow sun looming over everything.

As I moved, I left trailing after images. Sometimes they'd suddenly appear in front of me, then blink out of existence the next second — other mirage-like copies would just float a few inches around me, lifeless.

Disorientated, I moved closer to the house, the realization that it was my childhood home taking me aback for a moment.

The back door was open, so I just let myself in. A slimy feeling wriggled between my intestines as I stared at the decrepit interior of the house. 

It wasn't that the house was old or cheaply constructed — it was just badly managed. The floors were sticky with a thin film of grime, furniture dirt-stained and worn…

Letting out a scoff, I opened the fridge and took out a can of soda, gulping it down. 

It felt as though I was chugging down pure nostalgia, this particular brand of soda, Cherpies, was discontinued years ago…it tasted just as I remembered.

I crumbled the can in my hand. “How do I wake up?” 

The mirages crowding the kitchen, living room, and perhaps the rest of the house echoed my words. Strangely, neither of their voices overlapped…

…Annoying bastards.

After sampling a few mouthfuls of Mom's pasta salad, I closed the fridge, peeling off and pocketing the small picture that was posted on it. 

Closing my eyes thoughtfully, I bobbed my head side to side. The most logical thing to do would be to wait patiently…but, with my body in comatose ‘outside,’ that'd be impossible.

I had to wake up. 

I needed to wake up.

The scenery that greeted me when I opened my eyes changed. This time, I found myself floating in a clear, blue lake. 

I lifted a hand, water spilling from my palm and trickling down my forearm. The frigid water sparkled blood-red, the giant crimson moon in the sky basking it in resplendent luna light.

It's so cold… I thought, closing my drooping eyelids, embracing the waters as I went adrift. …Yet so warm.

Rapidly, all the strength in my body seeped. The feel of the water against my skin was blissful—like a euphoric, electric shock. It beckoned me to rest; to finally relax my strained psyche; to ignore the muted voices reaching my ears…

“———”

“—”

“——”

The muffled voices cooed in a chaotic symphony. Louder, then they'd quiet. But they wouldn't stop, disturbing the peaceful ambiance; asphyxiating my being.

Perturbed, I opened my eyes with great difficulty. The drowsiness slowly dissipating. And with lucidity came worry.

Phantom pains began throbbing across my body, especially around my shoulder, spine, head, and upper back. 

I tried to ignore the pain, focusing on the disembodied voices. They weren't as loud as before, but I could still make them out as clearly. 

Ah...How could I forget? I thought, disgusted. This level of negligence…it reminded me of my younger years. When I was trapped in that hell. How can I rest whilst I'm in mortal danger?

Rage swelled within my chest. Didn't I promise myself? I wouldn't go back. I won't. I can't.

‘There's no time for rest.’

There was never time for rest.

The periphery of my vision began to redden and narrow, swirling. My perspective was changing; the picturesque night sky flickering out of existence, replaced by blinding light.

“—was that the last of it? Hah. Forget it.” A worldly, feminine voice echoed, dismaying my weak consciousness. “Hurry and start stitching the wounds that aren't over any major organs, Astrette.”

“Master, please! This isn't the time for jokes!”

There was a condescending snort. “Whose lack of attention caused Rine's untimely death?”

“That again? I felt like eating roasted pork, so I let the pig die. And besides…” 

“She was my beloved pet. You had no right! I'll keep bringing it up, lest you stop disappointing me.”

I finally fully pried open my eyelids, though the drivel I was hearing made me doubt if I truly woke up.

“You were—! Uh? Ma-, Master? I think he's waking up…” 

With great struggle, I brought focus to my eyes and scanned the bright room. But my vision was of little use, all I could make out was dull, dancing colors. 

“This stubborn bastard…” A pause. “Bring me four ounces of Ikosie essence.” 

“...Four?” the younger-sounding woman repeated doubtfully. “Are you—”

“Four.” 

Amongst the various pains throbbing through my body, I felt a gentle prick on my neck. Soon after that sensation, my muscles stiffened painfully, then, without a fighting chance, I embraced darkness once more.

***

A wispy white fire sparked to life in an abyss that could be considered as ‘a space of nothing.’ At first, the wisp's flames twisted nervously, but that didn't last long. It grew slowly, soon taking a humanoid shape. 

This glowing silhouette looked around the expanse calmly, taking into account the infinite potential it held, then mumbled, “...DaEiir Phfanl.”

[Prerequisite met for acquiring the Skill: Cognitive Eidolon]

As soon as I whispered the True Name of my consciousness, the thoughts constantly running simultaneously in my mind became coherent. The feeling of staring at myself from countless different perspectives ceased overwhelming my psyche. And more importantly, I became the absolute despot of my Mental World.

I smiled, summoning the Skill Info through the Statblock.

Skill Card

Skill: Cognitive Eidolon

Skill Rank: Black Ruthenium

Skill Level: 1 [Level Locked]

Skill Perks: •Accelerated thought processing •Perfect Memory •Body of Consciousness  •Mind-bend •Increased Wise (+20) Note:  •The current perimeters of the skill requires that you be within the bounds of your Mental World to activate. •Increase Base Wise Stat to disable the Level Lock.

 

I smirked slightly. Even though I knew the Skill would lose effect as soon as I woke up, it was a skill with little bounds.

Those two women…I should reward them when I wake up. 

But first, I should at least affirm If I will wake up. The flames making up my aetherial body condensed into flesh, bone, and sinew. And within moments, my body was in the exact condition as it currently was outside.

This was possible because I could perfectly ‘remember’ how each wound felt; how those wounds affected my internal systems. 

With this information, I used the perks my newest skill gave me and the authority I had within the Mental World to age the body. 

One month. Two. If things went accordingly, I would be walking around without issue in three months. That was if the two ladies treating my body didn’t make a lethal mistake during my surgery. And the information used was mostly based on my natural healing factor, I didn’t consider the medicines the two used on my body.

“...”

I sighed out the angst clenching at my chest, expelling it before it could grow. In the first place, as soon as the drug called Ikosie essence entered my bloodstream, I died—my brain did anyway. 

Worrying would not help my situation, I just had to place my trust in those two. 

I forced myself to focus on anything other than my dying body, unless my consciousness started collapsing, I wouldn't act. I couldn't.

I snapped my fingers, conjuring a replica of the village in my mind. It wasn't perfect, for only buildings and paths I actually saw could be recreated, but that was enough.

Grrk…

The mental effigy of the old lady growled, her pointed teeth stained red with blood. 

She took a long stride, lunging at me, lashing her tendrils. I simply stepped back a little, moving my head to the side to avoid a lethal attack. My eyes strained as I tried to predict the tendrils' movements.

Faster, fiercer, the monster's attack patterns overwhelmed my senses.

I wasn't making use of the Cognitive Eidolon skill, so it was difficult to keep up. A lot of attacks reached me, but none were harrowing—though, I didn't know how long that would last.

But still, I was determined. 

There had to be a way to defeat the monster without Soulsparking.

The Hearthborne lunged, keeping her hands and head low, her tendrils spiraling speedily through the air toward my chest.

I rolled to the ground while twisting my body painfully, a few muscular appendages thrashing against my neck and back—splitting my skin open.

Before I could even try to analyze how serious my wounds were, the creature was on me. Off the corner of my eyes, I saw her deftly raise an arm, then instantly run her claws through my skull.

My consciousness snapped, reigniting a moment later. The trauma of experiencing such a hyper-realistic death weighing on my psyche.

I gritted my teeth as my body reformed with the simulated reality. “... Again.”

The creature showed a distorted grin, her figure blurring out the next second.