The Hanged King

Insects love the dark, damp places and especially caves. In addition to insects, certain types of mammals can also be found. Such as bats, rats, bears, the occasional wolf pack and even, if lucky, humans.

The cave is a special type of biosphere. If complete darkness, disorientation and claustrophobia are not a drawback. In this place there can be lakes, mines of valuable minerals, and depending on the years, subway forests.

If one considers all of the above factors, it is possible for a man to survive in a cave. As long as he is aware of the cave's resources and knows how to manage the space.

In addition, it is fairly easy to defend from external threats and offers a safe protection from the dangers of the weather.

However, it is also a sword of Damocles for its inhabitants. The deeper a cave is, the more gravity it exerts on matter.

Not to mention the dangers of natural gas bubbles, the temperature rise due to the proximity to the planet's core, the dangers of collapse in the face of earthquakes and the scarcity of oxygen.

Obviously, the human determined to live in this environment must be prepared to face the local fauna, which is just as dangerous.

Within the embrace of the darkness of a planet's bosom can be found all sorts of unknown animals. Even more dangerous than those found in the depths of the ocean itself.

In a cave, deep in the Amazon forest, a man finds himself fishing in one of these subterranean lakes.

It had been six months since he had woken up in the middle of the jungle. He was dressed as an Asian poacher, and soon a series of memories overwhelmed him for an instant.

According to his memories, his name was Yang Wu Guanyu. A former member of China's special forces, an army deserter and a murderer.

It was puzzling, for he did not call himself that. His name was Sophocles, and he was a prominent head of state in Athens. He had triumphed in the Peloponnesian War and subdued all of Asia at his feet. However, not everything is perfect, and he soon caught leukemia, a disease unknown at the time. By no means was he going to die in such a pathetic way.

As he had no descendant of his own, he took his best disciple and instructed him in the art of politics, war and psychological manipulation.

His death was a strategic plan to provoke a casus belli and attack the Persian Empire. The cause of death, poisoning by belladonna in wine, the same day he had traveled with the Athenian embassy to the Palace of Persepolis. He wondered if his disciple would have been successful in the war against Persia. Certainly, man plans, but in the face of death, all his designs are dust.

He was not a man of mysterious knowledge, like those philosophers of Greece. He preferred action to words. Yes, he meddled in political games and military strategy. However, he did not pay too much attention to discovering the mysteries of life.

Once, he participated in a theater when Socrates was giving a lecture.

He tried to understand, and even proposed to follow the works of the philosopher to better understand his teachings.

However, his words seemed so vague and he became frustrated. He did not want to waste time on such trifles again.

Another time, he met Diogenes the Cynic. And to think that the contradiction between that man and Socrates, Plato and that whole coven of thinkers would be so great.

He immediately won a place in his heart. It is a pity that Diogenes, so attached to his beliefs, had no written work and no legacy apart from his occasional words and speeches.

Back to the present. He chose this cave because it was on the edge of a cliff. The only predators that would want to come in for shelter would be only carrion birds, snakes and an occasional monkey that lost its way. In addition, atop the cliff were several fruit trees of mangoes, pomegranates, avocados and strawberries.

And at the base of the cliff, there was an occasional camp of orangutans. The orangutans were not for eating, they have too much fiber. But because of their feces, various plants had found a home there.

Such as potatoes, watermelons, pumpkins and peanuts. Basically, it was the perfect place to survive.

Inside the cave, Sophocles was roasting carp that inhabit the lake. While waiting for food, he was skinning a wild boar to store his resources.

─While I can survive a few months with this routine, I was never one to be sedentary. I need to find a way back to civilization, there are many things I would like to confirm firsthand. Also, I find myself frustrated sexually. In my previous life, I didn't have it so huge hahahahahaha.

Sophocles decided to prepare everything necessary for his trip. He had dried meat, fruits and enough water. In addition, a bow and several arrows and all the equipment that the original body had.

He was eager to discover this new future.