1 Birth

In the unknown planet, the aftermath of a long-forgotten war lingered on the battlefield known as Deathfield, or the Death-forest, where the final clash had occurred. The once barren battleground had transformed into a colossal crimson jungle, stained with the blood of fallen soldiers, growing over their bodies in a mere couple of weeks.

Within the dense forest, an enigmatic phenomenon unfolded. Dark brown blood coalesced into a levitating ball, a few meters above the ground. Pulsating streaks of blood emitted a vivid red light.

As time elapsed, the coagulated blood gradually assumed the form of a ten to twelve-year-old humanoid. The pulsating globules converged toward the right side, where the heart should be. Inside the chest, a bright red light pulsed like a heartbeat, hardening the blood into flesh, forming a heart slightly larger than normal.

The heart began to beat in sync with the light pulses, initiating a web-like network spreading from the heart throughout the body - the veins and arteries - thus completing the semi-integrated circulatory system.

From the pelvic region to the upper part of the brain, 82 organ-like structures formed, with veins and arteries intertwining around them. The organs matured, rendering the creature unconscious yet translucent, except for its organs, suspended within the blood, which continued to levitate.

Upon the organs' completion, cartilages spread from the skull to the vertebral column, forming ribs that attached in the middle, creating the sternum, shoulders, hip bone, and pelvis. This process gave rise to arms and legs.

As veins and arteries attached to the bones, they transformed into capillaries, seeping into the cartilaginous skeletal system. The circulatory system was now wholly integrated into the body.

The skeleton began to harden as nutrients from the blood flowed into the bones. After some time, the bones were entirely solid, except for certain areas like the front top of the skull.

With the blood-filled cavity, no more blood could enter. The internal blood hardened into soft bony tissue, creating blood marrow. This process allowed the body to produce its own blood using nutrients from the existing nourished blood. The blood marrow also generated white blood cells, conferring immunity to foreign invaders or diseases. With this, three vital systems of the body were complete.

Concurrently, as the cartilaginous skull formed, the blood around the spine changed into muscles, with veins and arteries growing into the blood. The muscles attached to the bones, separating into tendons, muscles, and joints.

As time passed, the entire body became covered with muscles, with veins and arteries visible on the surface. In the eye sockets were eyes, completely white, seemingly rolled back into the skull.

Subsequently, skin began to grow in layers. The first layer, with capillaries, was smooth, followed by another layer with hair follicles and capillaries. The final layer was smooth, adorned with short, thin blond hair.

Finally, the body was complete, resembling that of a normal young boy, except for a few peculiarities. It possessed two extra organs - one behind the belly button and another beneath the thyroid gland, containing an unknown liquid. Additionally, small ant-like antennae, approximately 3 inches long, protruded from the top of the ears, covered by a thin layer of skin.

The boy's body looked extremely weak and pale due to the exhaustive process of creating skin, bones, flesh, and muscles, depleting the nutrients in the blood for energy.

As this process concluded, the boy's body rose up into the sky, facing downward, with legs hanging. The surrounding clouds turned red, accompanied by visible lightning. Gradually, weak lightning bolts fell around the body, getting closer until they struck the boy's form. It was as if the lightning and clouds were sentient, meticulously targeting the boy. The process continued for another forty-five or so strikes, until finally, the last and largest bolt, silver with streaks of red, struck the boy, clearing the sky.

As the lightning made contact, the sky started to clear, and the body dropped to the ground, laying face down. Signs of life were evident in its chest, gently rising and falling. The grass in front of its mouth swayed with the rhythms of its breath.

After a while, the boy opened his eyes slowly, feeling an excruciating pain, as if his eyes were soaked in acid. Growls and screeches escaped his throat, but no coherent words. His attempts to move were met with severe agony, as if someone had torn his muscles apart. Even biting his lips revealed the absence of teeth.

Undeterred by the pain, he mustered the strength to push himself up, turning face-up. However, the pain intensified, his eyes and brain throbbing. An immense sense of danger engulfed him, making him shout, yet no sound came out. He felt isolated, screaming and screeching for help, but there was only silence, leaving him with a profound sense of loneliness. Attempting to open his eyes again, he failed, unable to react to his own commands.

The pain overwhelmed him, pushing him to the brink of unconsciousness, but he fought to stay awake.

In the wake of his demise, memories of the brutal attack flooded Lex's mind. Those thugs, filled with anger and hatred, had mercilessly stabbed him multiple times in the stomach after he defeated them in a hand-to-hand championship. His thoughts spiraled, questioning why he deserved such a fate, as he had been content with his past life.

Lex had been a prodigious martial artist, destined for greatness. His future seemed bright and full of promise.

But the overwhelming hatred pushed him to his breaking point. Clenching his lower back muscles, he fought through the extreme pain and managed to sit down. His surroundings were dimly lit by tiny flickering lights resembling candles, emanating from the crimson-hued trees in the mysterious forest.

Forcing himself to observe the surroundings, he noticed the dark figures of numerous trees. Glancing down at his own body, he discovered he was naked, malnourished, and incredibly thin.

Desperate to move from his vulnerable position, he mustered all his strength and began to drag himself towards the safety of the trees. He knew he had to take action in this unfamiliar and perilous forest.

After an arduous struggle, he reached a tree, the pain making him numb to his body's sensations. Leaning against the trunk, he closed his eyes, yearning for some rest.

The morning sun pierced through his eyelids, waking him from his sleep.

As he opened his eyes slightly and beheld the new world, he was astounded. The crimson trees and the dark ground covered with patches of crimson grass painted a surreal scene.

Gradually, his eyes adjusted to the peculiar lighting. He realized that he was indeed in the heart of a vibrant jungle, unlike anything he had ever seen on Earth. There was no red jungle back home.

Though his senses returned, hunger and fear gripped him. He noticed that his body had undergone changes; he lacked nails, teeth, and hair.

Determined to push through the pain, he managed to stand, using the trees for support as he stumbled through the jungle. The whole place seemed to exude an otherworldly energy.

Puddles of a strange red-brown liquid dotted the terrain, but he couldn't bring himself to drink it.

Venturing deeper into the jungle, he finally encountered something that wasn't red - baseball-sized blue berries hanging from a shrub.

He rushed towards the shrub and fell into it, eagerly plucking the berries. A purple liquid oozed onto his hand, but he disregarded any potential poison. The taste was surprisingly delightful - sweet with a hint of sourness. He devoured the entire shrub, satiating his hunger.

Soon, however, he felt movement beneath him as if the shrub's vines were attempting to ensnare him. He quickly pulled away and fled.

Following the direction of the sun, he noticed the trees increasing in size and density. The jungle seemed to envelop him, but the berries he consumed quenched his thirst and kept his strength up.

Gradually, the pain subsided, and his complexion improved.

As the sun began to set, he sought a safe place to rest for the night. Searching the hollow trunks of the trees, he found shelter in the largest one. Entering through the hole, he found the interior dark and cold, a stark contrast to the outside.

Preparing for the first night in this enigmatic realm, he braced himself for whatever challenges this strange world would throw his way.