Chapter 2 The First

The world is full of myriad wonders and mysteries that one will discover. To some, it is a place full of hope, but for some unfortunate, it is a living hell that slowly cripples your mental state.

If Leo hadn't fallen from his old world, this world might have been just the same old Earth that he had once known very well.

But as he created new things and influenced the surroundings, he created a new form of energy. The power of the mind, mana. Unlike other energies, mana was very transparent and useful. With enough mana, one could do anything they put their mind to.

And on this new earth, it was no different. Mana stayed dormant in one's brain before it was awakened and then used. However, the amount of mana varies from living to be to other living beings. So, each creature possessed unique levels of power and abilities. We will delve more into mana and its intricacies as we explore this world together.

*****

Leo finally found it home. After spending what felt like years alone, he finally saw other life. As Leo couldn't wait, he instantly delved and entered the Earth's atmosphere. As he plummeted through various clouds, he could feel gusts of wind grazing through his skin. Leo's mind was racing with anticipation as he quickly neared the ground. As he landed on the lush green earth very harshly, he could feel that strong impact. The dust and earth particles flew everywhere as Leo landed.

"Ouch!" Leo groaned as he struggled to get up, dusting off his clothes.

He looked around and saw that he was in the midst of a vibrant forest, rich with the sound of chirping birds and rustling leaves.

"So, this really is Earth" Leo thought to himself as he inhaled the fresh oxygen that cleansed his lungs. He felt like after a long time something that was missing was full again.

"Am I really back? Are they here?" Leo asked aloud. Leo wasn't in the right state of mind. He felt melancholic, hopeful and finally relief. The relief of not being alone. The relief of seeing his loved ones.

He didn't know what happened suddenly, but he was glad that it happened. Leo finally lets a smile creep on his face as he stumbles with joy.

"I wasn't doomed after all, I wasn't punished, ha!" he exclaimed as he felt the weight of his isolation leaving his shoulders.

It took a while for Leo to finally sort out his emotions. As he was calming down, he looked around again and noticed the liveliness of the forest. Little birds chirp happily on the branches, bees buzz by the intoxicating flowers, and squirrels dart around the trees. The scenery moved Leo's heart.

"When was life so beautiful?"

****

As the light dimmed around the forest, Leo finally returned from his immersed thoughts.

"I should look around for other humans," Leo thought to himself as he began to move through the forest.

He walked carefully, avoiding the branches that obstructed his path, and listening intently to the surrounding sounds.

As the sun had fully set down, the forest was immersed in darkness. Leo realized it would be difficult for him to find his way in the forest, but nonetheless, he decided to keep going.

"I should meet with Amy as soon as I can" he muttered to himself with determination.

He continued to walk through the forest with no sense of direction, his mind clouded with thoughts of reuniting. He didn't know that traveling in the night in a forest would get you lost, so he just kept on traversing god knows what directions. The branches and bushes scratched his skin and the pieces of stone on the ground hurt his feet, but he kept on going.

"Aaaaah-Oooooooh"

Wolves were howling in the distance. Leo felt like it was very close to him. Leo's heart pounded as he quickened his pace, trying to get away from the howling. As Leo ran for his life, he felt that he stepped on something squishy. He couldn't care less about what he just stepped on as he continued to move away. The eerie feeling crept on his skin and he broke into a sweat.

As he walked Leo stumbled on a small clearing. Leo stopped in his tracks and spotted a small light flickering near the edge of the clearing.

"Finally, a human!" Leo exclaimed with relief as he rushed towards the light. Leo kept on running to the fire as if it was his lifeline. As he got closer, he realized that there was no one near the fire. But, still, he noticed a pot on the fire, emitting a delicious scent. It was boiling with fresh meat and vegetables.

As Leo was approaching the fire, he felt cold sharp metal on his skin.

"Move then you will die," a deep voice says.

Leo was shocked at the sudden threat. He had goosebumps all over his body, his limbs screaming with fear. He completely blanked.

"Who are you, stranger?"

"Aa-aa-h" Leo stuttered, struggling to keep his mind rational.

"Say again" the voice commanded fiercely.

"Leo, My na..me i-sss Leo"

"Affiliation, tell me who you belong to!"

Leo still overwhelmed by fear, stumbled and managed to let out a word.

"Ame-eeric-a"

"You, northern scum, dare to trespass into our land? Die you bastard!" the voice growled.

Leo's heart sank as he realized that his death was imminent.

"Plea...."

He felt the cold dagger sink into his skin.

He jolted, but the firm hand of the man held his head down. He writhed in pain as the dagger pressed his skin.

"Huh, you have a sturdy body, it seems. It's fine it just means that you will die slowly in my hands." the man said with malice.

Leo's mind raced, trying to escape his opponent's clutches.

"You have the desire to live, don't you? A great desire. However, it was a mistake to come here. Now, leave you, fucking savage!"

The dagger pressed more into his skin with even more force than before. Leo gasped in agony and bolted up and down.

"Pleasse, let me .."

"You have no right to speak after what you had done, demon!"

The pain was too much. As Leo collapsed, he didn't notice the faint golden glow in the man's dagger. As he lay there helpless, the man dropped him to the ground. He could not focus and only wait for his death.

The man then continued to press with both hands on the dagger, trying to cut through Leo's neck. The faint golden glow in the dagger became brighter and brighter as the dagger finally started to sink into his flesh. Leo's vision faded, and the last thing he saw was a massive scar on the man's left eye.

****

"Hey, are you okay?" a soft voice asked.

Leo slowly opened his eyes, completely shaken as he just got killed. He sat up, his mind still trying to process what had just happened.

"Did I die? I am sure I did, but why am I still here?" Leo looked around and the surroundings felt familiar to him. Very familiar.

The grayish ceiling, the white walls and the furnitures, it was all familiar. It was his house.

"Leo, you're sweating all of the sudden, are you ok?" the voice calls out for him.

Leo was pulled away from his trance. As his pupil focused on the voice, he realized where he was.

His fiance was there with a worried face.

Leo suddenly felt the urge to cry and as if Amy understood him perfectly, she embraced him.

"There, there, little boy."

Leo hugged her back tightly, not wanting to let her go again.

"You must've dreamt about me, see I am completely fine," Amy said with a teasing smile.

Leo hugged her even tighter.

"I love you."

"I know Leo, I know."

Leo took a deep breath and felt relieved.

"Thank you for being here with me, Amy. It means so much to me." Leo said as he let a small tear drop from his eye.

"I'll be always with you, Leo," Amy said as she caressed Leo's cheeks.

It felt like eternal happiness as he continued to embrace her in his hands.

***

"Why, why, why am I back? Leo screamed in agony.

"Weren't I just hugging her? Why did I have to come back?"

"WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY?"

"Wasn't it just a horrible dream? Wasn't it just my imagination?" Leo yelled out in pain.

Leo's voice scared the nearby animals as he continued to shout.

He was back in the forest where he just got murdered.

Leo closed his eyes, feeling dejected and hopeless.

Leo then realized it.

"If I die, would I go back? It must be the case, right?"

"Haha, I figured it out. I'll just have to die to return."

He sprung up and took off his clothes. Leo then started to rip them and connect them to create a rope, which he could himself with.

After he completed the rope and hung it on the nearby tree, he hesitated.

It is a natural feeling, the fear of death. It is how biological beings are, the instinct to survive.

Leo hesitated.

"Didn't I already die once? How hard could it be to do it again?"

Leo took a deep breath and tried to insert his neck onto the rope. He lifted his leg from the ground and was about to take the final step, but he felt fear. Leo took another deep breath and prayed for courage. He closed his eyes and did the act.

The rope tightened around his neck and Leo writhed in pain.

"Ahahaa"

Leo started to struggle as his hand frantically reached for the rope. He didn't feel like dying anymore, he didn't want to experience pain. He was scared and panicked, his legs flailing and barely touching the ground.

"Please, god save me."

No longer Leo remembered the reason why he wanted to die. He just wanted to escape the suffering he was feeling. The world started to twist and turn black as his mind started to slip out. He could not muster anymore strength to fight the rope around his neck, strangling him like a snake.

He heard the sound of cloth ripping as his mind faded away.