Searching for civilization (Part 1 - Waking)

"I know this must be confusing, years have passed for you. But actually, only a week has passed at most. If you have managed to break free then it will be less, if not then you would have used all the energy the crystal can support the illusion with."

"Hence if you have not reached the end, where you had to face that which you hold dearest, then prepare for the magic keeping you safe to fail soon."

'What the hell? You knew that would happen!' Edvard shouted in his mind, his anger and hate growing even more. His thoughts tried to sort this out, to accept it and tell himself that it was all fake. Yet, the events were still firmly planted in his mind.

He couldn't allow his hopes to grow only to be shattered again. He could not accept that those years had been but a few days. He couldn't accept that the pain had not been real.

'No! It was indeed a real hell.'

No words would change Edvard's mind. It had been hell, and he would never be the same.

Edvard swore that he would make the elf pay, no one should ever have to go through all that. He just could not accept any of it.

However, still, his mind spun trying to make sense of things. While his heart refused to accept, refused to move on, his mind did not care. It took in the information, took in the magic and what was possible on Earth. Trying to make sense of it all.

Recalling the last moments, tears freely flowed down his cheeks as he smiled. His mind telling him that it was not really her, just a memory cruelly manipulated by magic.

'Yawen... That was not really you... You might still be. No! You are still alive! I can feel it!'

This spark grew and overcame Edvard's anger and depression. It overcame his worry for false hope, it overcame everything logical and burned into his soul. He swore he would do his best to find her.

To protect her and find a way home. To find a way to their children.

"This gift, along with the sword, clothing, and language, should enable you to survive in the human world. I wish you the best of luck, and that you will manage to find your beloved and your way back home."

"I would be negligent if I did not warn you, from your memories I know you are used to peace. Hopefully, the illusion has prepared you for a much harsher world. Be careful of all you meet, as most have alternative plans."

'No shit…' Edvard sneered as he finally started standing up.

No matter his hate for the elf, he would not ignore anything. He knew that to survive he needed to be informed, even if the information was half-true or even false, it would be better than no information. For even false information would inform him of something, even if it was just the speaker's intentions.

Setting aside his hatred he let it brew as he focused on his true task. Revenge would not help Yawen, nor would it enable him to go home. No matter what hell he went through, he had to keep that in his mind.

More than anything though, Edvard had to accept that the elf seemed to truly think he had done something good.

"If you are still alive in ten years' time, come back to the forest. By then I should have gotten control of my land and people. I might be able to help your quest. You certainly will be able to help me alleviate the xenophobic nature of humans and Vespes."

Edvard felt like laughing upon hearing this. 'Does this elf really not understand what he did to me?' Sneering Edvard tried to clear his mind as the last moments came again, new tears streaming, the pain feeling as real as could be.

"The last thing you will need to know is where to go. Follow the setting sun until you reach a lake or river. If it is the former, head South to find the river flowing towards the sea. Following it you should be able to reach human settlements within a month's travel. Good luck, my friend."

Edvard sneered at the last part, feeling that it was a mocking gesture. Though he did not discount what the elf's message said. He just felt like every word was a cruel joke.

Still, he knew he couldn't do much alone. The first thing he had to do was ensure that his hope was not false. That Yawen was indeed alive and well, that she was not in danger. And for that he needed a network of people, he needed power.

"One good thing to come out of the hell," Edvard mumbled as he found most of the memories of the illusion starting to fade as a dream would fade when one woke. Only, the worst memories stayed vividly burned into his mind.

Yet, his muscle memory and instincts remained.

Turning towards the table Edvard saw a pile of clothes and on top of the clothes a magnificent dark silver blade and a beautiful crystal. The crystal shining brightly, likely the source of the voice.

"If this isn't reality, but another trap or trick. I am going to lose it." Edvard mumbled as his memories of his previous life; of his first date with his wife, his childrens' birth, their first days of school. As all these wonderful memories resurfaced and the twenty years plus of hell faded more like a dream would.

The memories' return calmed Edvard and made him extremely emotional. Standing still with tears streaming down he waited for his emotions to calm down. Joy filled him as he realized that he had not lost himself. That he had not lost the memories he held dearest.

Though he certainly was still changed.

With tears of joy flowing down his cheeks, Edvard turned his attention to the sword. He realized at a glance that it was of supreme craftsmanship. He had never gotten official training, but through the years he had learned how to craft his own weapons and armor.

The blade itself was a dark silver, nearly gray color. The hilt had a mixture of rose red and cyan, the grip like it was made for him. Taking a casual swing Edvard couldn't help but smile.

The blade was a shortsword, limiting its usefulness against beasts but Edvard preferred it as such. A shortsword was far easier to hide, he was certain that people would covet the blade if they knew how to spot a masterfully crafted blade.

In any case, he was planning to make a spear and bow for the monsters of the forest. Such weapons of the hunt were far more effective when facing larger creatures.

Taking his time Edvard changed into the clothes, simple rough leather clothing a poor hunter would likely wear. The material immediately irritating his skin, Edvard knew it took a few days for that to go away.

Not wishing to leave his lab clothes, knowing their durability and general usefulness he used the blade to cut them and turn them into a backpack. Also saving all the items he had had on him in there. With a hope to possibly one day make use of them to find the others or a way home.