Kingdom of the Malaise (8)... or is it?

Walking into the archway, My feet carried me down the myriads of stone steps.

A small was present on my face as I felt myself descending to the depths to this supposed toxic sewers.

Brandishing my sword, I grinned in anticipation as my sword was held up in preparation of any dangers coming my way.

Which was why I was so prepared to have the judgement of mind to bring up my shield quickly when I felt the tingles in my mind warn me of an incoming projectile.

Quickly bringing the red shield up, the anticipated force that was supposed to arrive and crash into the shield wasn't there.

'?'

Frowning only one thought rang in my head.

"The hells going on?"

Speaking aloud I lowered my shield and looked at the strange thing that was in front of me.

It was a floating party hat that defied the laws of physics and stayed suspended in the air.

Frowning even more I brought my shield down upon confirming that there were no further dangers...

I still kept them in my hands though.

"Geez, it seems you're even more suspicious than ever now, kill joy"

A familiar voice entered my ears from the side and caused me to perk up.

Turning around with a grin, it turned out my suspicions were true and that my senses weren't deceiving me in the slightest.

It was the God of Fun and Games.

However, despite my initial surprise and consequential happiness at seeing the figure that was responsible for dropping me into this world for reasons unknown to me.

I couldn't help but feel confused.

"God of Fun and Games? Why are you here?"

Idly waving his hands the young boy spoke, his multicolored eyes looking somewhere distant.

"Just call me Fun, or Games, both are fine" A grin rose on his face. "Can't have you calling me that all the time can we?"

"Um..." Despite feeling slightly off put by the lax attitude that the God of Fun and Games had put up in front of me I nodded.

"Yes Fun"

"And get rid of that serious tone, I might be a God but I'm not your king"

Hearing those words I could tell there was a deeper meaning to them before nodding.

"Okay then"

Hearing his words a glint appeared in Fun's eyes as he seemed to find what he was looking for and moved his hand and grasped for something.

"By the way Slade?"

"Yes?"

"Did you know it was New Year's eve?"

Blinking I thought back to the time I had fallen into this world.

This world followed the same time as my old one so accordingly three months should've passed after my death.

'Huh, it's been that long?'

"Yeah it has"

Not even feeling surprised that Fun could read minds now I sighed.

"But that couldn't be all there is to it right? Than you would just pull something incredible while congratulating me, like a party of sorts but influenced my godly powers"

Pouting Fun nodded.

"Well... that's true, it kind of slipped my mind to be honest but...!"

Snapping his other finger as his other hand continued to grasp the air for something.

They suddenly moved away from their positions.

Suddenly, the duo were standing on top of a flat mountain top that had a clear view of the stars above head.

The sky itself parting away to reveal the starry sky beyond it, the beautiful painting of a black void painted by the myriads of stars reached through the air.

I could only gaze at the stars in wonder.

I usually had clear access to the stars of the night and could witness the beauty of it all, I usually stayed out of the cities just for that reason.

In this world I could see the stars of the night more commonly and could admire their beauty more often although they nowadays took a backseat in my mind.

However the stars of the night this time... had a strangely compelling feeling to them.

It was as if they were watching me.

"That's because they are young chosen one"

"Huh?" I looked confusedly at Fun as he seemed slightly triumphant as he used both hands to grope for something in the air.

Blinking at the unfamiliar term I opened my mouth to speak before the God of Fun and Games suddENLY SHOUTED WHAT THE FUUUUU---

The GoD oF FUn ANd GaMES PUlLEd hIs ARMBACKANDCAUSEDAGIANTTREETOCOMETUMBLINGTHROUGHTHEAIR.

The God of Fun and Games looked at the tree and pouted while speaking. "As expected, is this my limit?"

"What is the meaning of this God of Fun and Games!"

The Tree somehow pushed itself up from the ground and rooted itself upright before speaking with a confusion evident in their voice.

"Oh don't give me that crap TreeBriarWood, you were having fun describing Slade's adventurer's right? Only makes sense that you congratulate the New year with him..."

The God of Fun and Games stared at the stars above as the... HWAT ZA FACKING HELL!??!

The Tree blinked as it stared at the young boy that somehow seemed larger than he actually was.

"...What do you mean God of Fun and Games?"

"I didn't tell you my name which already shows a lot"

"... Fuck"

"Umm... Excuse me Fun? Who is that... tree?" I felt incredibly confused as Fun conversed with a talking tree for some reason that shouldn't have surprised me but somehow did.

Glancing at me I looked at the tree in confusion as a voice continued to echo in my mind repeating everything I was thinking abou-

"Stop it TreeBriarWood."

"Sorry"

Blinking as the voice suddenly disappeared from my mind I looked at Fun.

"What was that?"

"That my friend was the Author of this novel"

"The what?"

Ignoring my question Fun pointed to the sky where the stars were present at.

"And those stars up there you see? They are the readers that are reading this novel as we speak"

"The Fuck?"

---

Hello there, this was the New Year's special chapter and I am the talking tree in this chapter.

It's nice talking to you guys... or writing to you guys??? I don't really know and don't feel like diving deeper into, all you need to Know is that I'm TreeBriarWood.

In reality I also wanted to make a Christmas special for you all, but the timing just wasn't right.

So I settled on this chapter where our MC was entering basically a new biome.

Magical doo hicky things I don't feel like explaining about.

Now than, even though you guys are probably confused about what's happening I'll explain.

I am wishing you all a happy New year.

Especially you guys who have granted this novel the Power stones that served to attract more people to this novel.

Special mentions here, skip if you want to. :)

Lonnie_Barrar

LUVTTU

Shuzai

Benghazier

WereWolf1987

Tam132

stinkclaw

Federico_De_Baggis

chewdon

kurosive

Matson0

Maske

BlackOni

Daoist1HmrCk

the_big_bad_wolf_D

Itachi_4444

Busellok

Red_Bell

Aden_Sky

GenosForce

Lector007

DaoistIPkDW5

Redelta

Rogolath

Phantomkloud

VladimierDraculTem

jinee_DK

nonamejestwitness

Klasdan_Aros567

Aboooood1

Same_Jake

Special Mentions: LUVTTU, Lonnie_Barrar, Shuzai, Benghazier - Thanks for being here since the start and donating power stones.

Thank you guys for sponsoring me with power stones.

And to the people who have been here since this chapter had only a few chapters to it's name I thank you.

---

"So that's what it is?"

Several intangible figures made of starlight descended from the skies as they walked around me.

I felt incredibly embarrassed as they chattered in some unknown language to each other as I giant digital clock continued to tick down slowly.

"Hey! It's nearly there!"

The stars quietened down at Fun's voice as a Giant Tree was grudgingly holding the giant digital clock for all to see.

Even though people were surrounding the tree from all sides the Tree decided to say fuck logic and made it so that the clock could be seen from all sides.

"Hey Slade! You probably won't remember all of this later so it's no matter but just know this!"

As the clock continued to tick down understandable words flowed into my mind.

"10!"

"All of these people!"

"9!"

The God of Fun and Games gestured to the throng of intangible beings made of starlight.

"8!"

"They are all watching your journey and always have been!"

"7!"

"They will watch when you go to the toilet!"

"6!"

"They will watch when you marry a woman!"

"5!"

"They will watch you until your life ends!"

"4!"

I felt incredibly confused as I looked at the God of Fun and Games.

"3!"

"What do you mean by that!?"

"2!"

The God of Fun and Games only gave a mysterious grin as time seemed to slow around me.

"1!"

The Digital clock somehow had turned into a giant hourglass as the last few grains continued to flow through the crack.

All around me, figures made of starlight continued to jump in the air as they were surrounded by figures made of the same starlight.

And for some reason, I felt like someone was hugging me from behind with a loving embrace.

And before I could turn to find out who it was, the world returned back to normal and the hugging sensation disappeared.

"0!"

At those words all hell broke loose.

"HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!"

+++

Happy new year everyone!

Enjoy it with your friends, Pets and family!

Welcome to the Year 2024 Everyone! 

Hopefully there is no God damned plague :D

Set your news resolutions everybody, because it's gonna be a long ride...

From your author.

 - TreeBriarWood

Tree

:D