Chapter 1: Awakening

A beautiful Elven woman with a pale complexion and long silver hair sat under an ancient tree. We were near the lake and her familiar scent drifted to my nose, something that I longed for. My Elven friends around us played their harps and instruments and then sang a gentle song. It was serene and was comforting to my senses. 

 The scenery suddenly shifted, I was seated on a throne as a ruler of my domain. Different races served under me: Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, and men then other unnamed beings that inhabit the world. They all bowed down to me, acknowledging my rule. 

 My dream was cut off by the loud alarm, it was getting annoying but I ignored it. As the sound became louder I was unable to endure it. I woke up and turned it off.

"Great!!!" I exclaimed loudly, worried about the time. It was nine o'clock in the morning already. 

 That day was the last day of my employment in a well-known corporation. There was no excuse for being late that time, especially if I were to have good records on my CV. Life of a salaryman was not easy: punctuality was always expected, overtime, good conduct, and being an outstanding employee. Those were just the prerequisites, but lasting long for ten years? I needed to perform harder. 

I had no regrets about my life as a salaryman for the past five years. Rather, I would miss some aspects like the lifestyle I led. The next day would be different, less stress means less money, but it would be a better change to my stressful life. Starting my own business was something I looked forward to. Life as a businessman would not be as cutthroat compared to an employee. The environment would be friendlier too and more relaxing.

 At nine-thirty, I arrived at my workplace. A meeting was to start at nine forty-five which gave me fifteen minutes to prepare. On my way to the twenty-second floor from the bathroom, I hurried up. Just in time, I arrived at the room where I thought the executives were waiting for me. To my surprise, no one was there.

None of the executives nor my superiors were present. I found it strange that the room also had the air conditioning turned on to eighteen degrees, however, I began to sweat.

There was a seat facing the wall before me. The scene gave me chills and my sweat turned cold.

Suddenly, a voice thundered in the room, "Impressive! Good grades in elementary and was great with sports, and excelled with the highest honors in senior high. During college, a noteworthy achiever with the highest standing. Graduated with the highest honors but was not content with engineering, proceeded to study chemistry. Lastly, holder of a degree in Ph.D. in philosophy! What a wonderful achievement, befitting to my proud creation!"

"Creation!?" I questioned the strange person.

 Everything looked normal inside the room, but the person talking to me creeped me out. I knew he was not part of the company. Therefore, I decided to call the security. As I tried to reach for my phone, my hand was suddenly electrocuted.

"Not a word!" The creepy person warned me as he swiveled his chair before me.

He didn't look normal, but someone out of the ordinary. His entire eyes were bluish and I could feel his aura that glowed translucent blue around him.

"What do you want from me!?" Feeling scared I asked the mysterious person.

"Elios, right! I believe it is you!" The strange person hovered in the air as he called me by a strange name.

I shrieked loudly as the unbelievable and scary scene unfolded before me, "Who are you? What are you!?" My cold sweat intensified as my legs froze while shaking.

"I am glad that you're peaceful and lead a successful life with your memory wiped out. I cannot allow you to remain oblivious to your real identity!" The creepy man began chanting a strange language.

While he continued, the surroundings the ground and my surroundings started to shake. The glass windows cracked with the intensity. I retreated to the door behind me and reached for the know but it won't budge.

The strange man stopped chanting and then shouted, "ELIOS WAKE UP!!!"

I gasped for air as my chest rapidly rose and retracted. My mouth and throat felt dry and the temperature lowered eight degrees Celsius. I started to feel dizzy because of the cold temperature.

My stomach pain did not help then I lost consciousness, everything went dark.

I woke up suddenly, after opening my eyes I saw a staff nurse on her table looking at the records. Feeling embarrassed, I realized that what happened was not a good impression of my company. My resignation should have taken effect, signed thirty days ago. The problem would be my certificate of employment after the incident.

I called the attention of the nurse and asked while stuttering, "W-what happened?"

"You passed out near the entrance. You're lucky the security guard immediately found you and called for help. You hit your head on the wall as you collapsed, luckily there were no serious injuries. I suggest you get home when you feel better!" The nurse advised.

Hearing her words, I protested, "This is my last day of work!"

"That's unfortunate!" She paused and explained, "There's nothing to worry about the incident, I'll take note of it and submit your medical records to the HR Office. That way, your exit papers would be cleared!" 

Looking at my state as I forced myself up, the nurse advised, "Get some rest, I suggest staying here in the clinic until two o'clock in the afternoon."

I turned on the other side of the bed, "Figures!" My eyelids became heavy and closed my eyes, drifting to sleep. 

"Elios… ELIOS!" A strange voice called by a strange name.

Opening my eyes, the clinic was empty. No one was there, the staff or the nurses. It was dark and I didn't know what was happening. A moaning sound resembling that from the movies made me think that there was a zombie apocalypse.

Feeling better, I rose from bed. I opened the door and noticed that outside, the entire door was empty. Not a soul was there and the moaning turned to groaning. I raced to the exit hearing what I heard. As I approached the doors, it wouldn't budge. 

 I thought of it as a prank at first, however, April Fools was still far away. I don't even believe that the company would invest in bullying me. I noticed something in the air was not right, and I hoped it was not paranormal. 

 "Who are you?" I gathered my courage, interrogating the silhouette of a creature before me.

 As the door near the hallway creaked, it was followed by loud footsteps that were getting closer. Judging from its sound, it came from a huge creature. I prepared as it got close.

 "Fear not, my king!" A large, bluish-skinned creature wearing a loincloth said as it revealed before me.

 I had never seen such a creature before, it had three eyes with the largest on its forehead. As it genuflected before me, it meant that it had no hostile intention towards me.

 "No need to bow down, please stand!" I told the creature who glared at me in return.

 I froze in fear seeing its hostile glare. Maybe I was wrong with my initial assessment of it. However, it suddenly laughed and said, "You haven't remembered, do you?"

 "WHAT!?" I almost jumped in fear. 

"You were our only hope. Your death may be a sad one, dear liege but return to us. Do not let those beings manipulate you!" The creature begged as he spoke.

 I did not understand what the creature meant and replied, "I don't know what you are talking about..." 

 "Elven Demon Lord, Elios! You had exceeded immortality and were leagues above any gods. Free us, then we will rule this world together!" The creature continued to beg in front of me. 

 "Mister... Mister Shayne?" The nurse tried to wake me up from my deep sleep. 

 Unable to respond to her calls, the nurse called the doctor, "I need the doctor right now!"

 Fully awake, I grabbed the nurse's hand, "No need!"

 Seeing that I had grabbed her arm, I apologized and exited the clinic, "I am sorry, I will take my leave now!" 

 After leaving our company, not a speck of worry left in my mind. Everyone I knew was surprised by my sudden change of look. My confidence was the first thing they noticed about me. The difference in my posture also improved my stature. There were no notable changes. However, the bits and pieces of my memories started to return. 

 I smugly looked at the sky and declared my mind saying, "I am no longer Shayne McLane. I am Elios Siggrith! I will be here to settle a score!"

 After that, I looked upward as if I were taunting the gods from above.

 "You'll pay for what you all did to me, I swear it!" I grinned maliciously at the god who may have known about my memories. 

 I looked at the sky and smirked. My intentions towards them should have been telegraphed by now, to the gods above. With me awake, they will be on the move once again.