❖
Dayu…
Dayu!
Dayu…Dayu…Dayu…Da…-yu…
*Pop*
"…"
Ugh, what happened?
My consciousness wavers, my head is spinning, and my vision is blurred. I feel like I just woke up after a fall.
Ngh—
A few seconds pass, and I'm finally able to see clearly. The outlines of objects become sharper and colors slowly return to normal.
Wh—
Whoa-whoa-whoa—W-Why… do I have snakes wrapped around my arms?!
They are stiff and cold to the touch. They don't move at all, remaining still as if they were petrified… how strange.
Anyway… where the hell am I?
I am very confused… my mind is empty like a bottomless abyss. I don't know who I am, I don't remember where I come from, or even what my name is.
Wait a second, I was dreaming about something before…
Someone was calling me with a worried voice… I think I heard my name.
It was Du-…Da-…Dayu, if I'm not mistaken.
No matter how hard I try, I only remember this, nothing else.
What could have happened to me…?
This isn't good at all; the fact that I have no memories makes me shiver, giving me a sense of unease.
I mean, it seems like the beginning of something… like one of those stories in books where the protagonist suffers from amnesia?
Yeah, it really seems that way…
Hmpf— nah, what am I thinking?
Even though it's true I really don't remember anything… right now I'm in a narrow alley, surrounded by low walls on all sides.
Wait, is it possible that… someone abandoned me here?
What if they threw me here after hitting me hard on the head?
No—no, even worse… what if they used me as an experiment then dumped me here because everything went wrong??
No, come on, maybe I'm overthinking it.
Mmh…
Well, if I stay here, nothing will change. First of all, I need to figure out where I am.
I pull myself together and climb over the wall in front of me.
Ugh—
The sun blinds me for a moment.
After overcoming the obstacle, I stand still, looking at the surrounding environment.
… Woooooooww!
An entire city stretches out before me. There are enormous buildings and structures full of golden gears moving slowly. Every now and then, they make a metallic sound that echoes through the air.
The city is crowded: I see all kinds of creatures and strange animals used as means of transportation. Some have four legs and a sort of smoke coming out of their backs, while others look like giant insects covered in armor.
Everything has its own distinct characteristics.
Some buildings are very tall, others are wide and low with gigantic doors. There are vast squares and very high towers reachable by golden elevators that slowly rise and descend. Suspension bridges connect the neighborhoods, some so long they disappear on the horizon.
The buildings are made of stone and shining metal, gray and black in color.
The detail that strikes me most is that, on most of the male creatures, a heart can be seen exposed in a small glass case.
It's… very unsettling. I can't look away.
In particular, the hearts of the younger creatures are a bright purple, while in the older ones, they become a duller purple. Furthermore, the position of the heart changes: some have it in the left or center part of the chest, while others have it at the hips.
Also, almost everyone has black or brown hair. I, on the other hand, have very bright white hair that almost seems to shine under the sun.
Wow… it feels like I'm in a very developed city. It's heavily populated and has enormous and peculiar buildings, almost frightening because of the impression they make on me.
Wait… if I was really born here, maybe I have a heart similar to theirs?
Overcome by curiosity, I lift my shirt.
EHHH???— okay, maybe it was a given that I'd have a heart like theirs.
My heart glows with a very intense light blue, enclosed in a small glass case positioned just below my left pectoral.
As soon as I lift my shirt, a wave of stares falls upon me.
Everyone looks at me with surprise, whispering something among themselves as if something rare had happened.
Tsk, what's their problem?
I lower my shirt and pull up the hood of my sweatshirt. Then I walk off, acting like nothing's wrong.
Slowly, everything seems to return to normal… at least for the moment.
Let's see… what can I do?
Now I'm wandering aimlessly, but as I walk, I notice quite a few things.
The city is full of places to host creatures; some are called 'Zuwa Goethen' and others 'Suy Goethen'.
They're very strange names.
"Uia, ia tarurei teai?"
"Foianar narot, eri foianar!"
Uh?
I constantly hear an unusual language spoken by the creatures.
"Well, not that much has changed…"
"Ureiot? Nothing at all?"
It seems some speak my same language, while others speak a very different one.
It's so peculiar that I can't understand it at all… but how many damn vowels are there in the sentences they say??
It seems this really is a very strange world… I find it hard to believe I was born here. I mean… it's true I don't remember anything, but not even the primary language?
Or maybe it's a language that appeared after I was born… no, wait, that can't be since my body is already big and developed.
Ahhh— I'm not making any sense of this… how I wish I had my memories back…
… Maybe I'm rushing a bit, I know, but there are too many strange things before my eyes to stop!
Anyway, I have to think rationally, what would my current self do in this case?
…
There's no point in thinking about it. I don't remember anything, so how could I figure out what to do now?
Well, it's better to start with something. I'll find a way sooner or later.
I'll try this inn, hoping to get some information.
The place is called 'Zuwa Goethen', like many other similar spots.
As soon as I enter, I notice many creatures sitting at large, luxurious tables decorated with special fabrics and lights.
There are really peculiar foods; some seem soft and squishy, and when chewed, white smoke comes out of the creatures' noses and ears.
Around them, there are also glasses and pitchers of light blue drinks that give off an intense and pungent scent, almost enough to stun the senses.
This environment is so strange that it distracts me too much… it feels like I've walked into some kind of den for drinkers.
I approach the counter, which is large and made of dark wood, with engravings and shelves full of bottles and containers of different shapes.
Behind it stands a massive creature, as tall as me, with broad shoulders and well-defined muscles. His skin has a strange tint, somewhere between gray and green, and his face is marked by small scars. His eyes are small but alert, and his large hands handle the glasses with great skill, cleaning them at a remarkable speed.
As soon as he notices me, the creature approaches slowly with firm, heavy steps, making the wooden floor creak.
"Uia! Taruop nariatia tarurip dia urenarure?"
Ehh?? How the hell am I supposed to answer him with this incomprehensible sentence?
"Umh… I… you see… I don't…"
"Ah, excuse me, you speak the other language. So, what would you like to order?"
Uff, thank goodness…
Better try to talk to him in a friendly way.
"Well, I need some specific help…
I woke up in this world with no memories and I'm looking for someone who can help me… so…
… can you help me, buddy?"
"Eh? Memories? We don't sell memories here! If you're not ordering arianar or narearifo, you can get out of here!"
Arianar and nare-what? And what would those be…?
Well, I guess they're foods or drinks since I'm in an inn.
"Umh…
Come on… surely you know something you can tell me, right? Or, can't you help me with the language of this place, huh?
Heh-heh…
…Heh"
He's…
…he's staring at me with a furious look…
Mmm… alright then, it's better if I go somewhere else.
"I-I'm sorry, maybe I have the wrong place… and… thanks for your time. Goodbye." — I say to him, whispering in a low voice.
Apparently, he has no intention of helping me. After all, he answered me with an impolite tone… so it's better not to push it any further.
"Mmp— Grgh."
The creature behind the counter grunts, turns his back, and goes back to cleaning the glasses.
I leave the inn and set off again.
As I move forward, I try to ask for help from the creatures passing by, but none of them seem to have any intention of stopping or answering me. Some continue without giving me a glance, others just say a — Sau saoria?! — which is obviously incomprehensible to me.
What could—
*Zwann*
WOAH—
Suddenly, a horde of strange flying animals crosses the sky above my head. Their sudden passage makes me jump, but I still manage to stare at every detail of their appearance without losing sight of them.
They are about a meter and a half long and half a meter wide, with eight sturdy legs—four on the right and four on the left—covered in shiny blue scales that sparkle in the sunlight.
Armor of the same color covers the upper part of their body, protecting the dorsal area like natural armor. Their flight is precise and coordinated, and the rustle of the armored wings fills the air with a metallic and hypnotic sound.
Atop them is a group of peculiar creatures. They look fascinating and unsettling at the same time: they wear long light blue robes covered in shiny armor, and their faces are completely hidden by masks that reflect the light in an eerie way.
My curiosity takes over. Without overthinking it, I decide to follow them.
The beasts fly at a moderate speed, so I'm able to keep up with them.
After walking for a while, I arrive at a very crowded place.
I move slowly through the crowd, trying to figure out what's happening beyond the creatures.
Everyone seems very interested, staring at something intently. Maybe it's a demonstration? Or some specific event?
The creatures are all looking in the same direction, with great interest and fear in their eyes.
Ngh— a strange, oppressive feeling is welling up inside me.
I push my way through and try to see what's happening for myself.
Finally, after making my way through the crowd, I arrive within a few meters of a large plaza and can clearly see what's in front of me.
To the right, there's a very exhausted female creature. She has pink braids falling over her shoulders and a purple heart with a small light blue part on her chest. She is covered in blood and looks injured, with visible cuts and bruises. She is struggling to breathe, as if she were very tired or in pain.
To the left is a completely different creature. He is over two meters tall and has black skin that seems to absorb light. He wears a tunic that covers the lower part and half of the upper part of his body. He wears a mask with six eyes and two horns that stop just before a halo floating above his head. To his left, an hourglass floats in the air, and on his right arm is a twisted twig, like a natural ornament.
He has that exact aura of —I am judging your existence— .
Both creatures are wielding weapons.
The creature on the right has a small spear, light but sharp. The creature on the left wields an enormous greatsword, heavy and menacing, with a golden circle near the hilt and skulls attached irregularly along the blade.
Who could this tall and scary creature be? From his imposing presence, he seems to be someone of great importance…
It's better not to get involved in other people's business. For now, I'll just stay and watch.
There's a deathly silence around me, everyone is still… I can even clearly hear the dialogue between the two creatures.
" *Whew*… Chrono… *whew* how long do you plan to keep ruining this city— *whew*…"
"…"
The imposing creature remains motionless, in silence, carefully observing the scene.
"*Whew* you're the only piece of shit here who has ruined everything and everyone— *whew* "
The struggling creature continues to breathe heavily and complain; she is in really bad shape.
With one last effort, she gets up and lunges toward the other menacing being. The latter remains still, and just as the female creature is about to reach him, he delivers a powerful front kick.
*Woosh*
With a snap of her fingers, she teleports behind him before he can hit her and immediately prepares her attack.
*KKKRRRUUSSSSH*
A… A-Ah? H-How is it possible to have that kind of strength…?
Without even time to react, the imposing creature turns around and sinks his arm into the other's body, grabbing the heart and crushing it into a thousand pieces.
I can't believe what I just saw…
With incredible strength, that frightening creature pierced the heart of the other being using just one arm…
Poor thing… she died in a horrible way.
Afterward, the scary individual vanishes into a cloud of dust, leaving behind only silence and the smell of burnt dust. The strange figures on the flying beasts arrive immediately after to clean up the area, moving with great speed.
Wow… I didn't think something so cruel could happen so suddenly…
The crowd around me, which had witnessed everything, doesn't seem surprised at all. Everyone watches with indifference and a strange expression on their faces, as if they were used to these scenes.
How is it possible to stay so calm and indifferent after an event like that?
Maybe I should start worrying…? Is it normal to witness things like this in this city? Ugh… I hope I never have to face anything like that…
⧗
*Gurgle*
…
Five hours have passed.
I spent the whole day wandering around without any results…
Aghhh —
As if that weren't enough, now I've gotten hungry too; my stomach won't stop growling.
Besides, it's turning into night too.
I don't have money, nor a place to go; all that's left is for me to sleep in an alley…
While I'm looking for a place to sleep, I notice that the inns are full even at night.
The streets are as crowded as if it were any time of day.
*tap* - *tap* - *tap* - *tap* - *tap* - *tap* - *tap*
—Uh?
Suddenly, I hear fast, distant footsteps behind me; it seems someone is following me in the darkness.
I try to look around carefully, and out of the corner of my eye, I notice a hooded figure on top of a building.
I try to speed up my pace, but as soon as I move faster, the creature follows me, nimbly jumping from one building to another in the shadows, showing impressive speed.
I also notice that it's very short; it looks more like an animal than a creature.
I really want to know why it's following me…
First the language, then the strange flying beasts, today's terrifying episode, and then a mysterious being haunting me in the dark…
… is there anything normal or peaceful in this city?
And also… everything is happening so fast… what the hell…
Suddenly, the creature's steps become faster and faster.
I hear its light and silent leaps behind me; my heart is beating so hard from fear that it feels like it's about to explode. Its eyes glisten just beneath the hood, fixed on me.
*Arghhh*
Without even time to react, the hooded figure pounces on me and forcefully drags me into a dark alley.
"Wai—"
From the cloak that hides its appearance emerge four light blue paws with purple fangs.
The front paws block my mouth and chest, while it uses the back ones to support itself and maintain its balance.
"Mhh…MH!"
Ngh— damn, I can't talk.
I can't even move… its limbs exert a terrifying force on me.
How strong can a creature like this be? Or is everyone this strong in this city?
Afterward, the creature moves a back paw to my shirt and lifts it slightly.
"WOOOOOOOOHH! Orioriari… light blue… never seen this color before! "
The creature stares at my heart with great interest, murmuring sentences that I can only half-understand.
"Taruuu… so someone with a completely light blue heart really exists aririoipi!!!"
Unable to speak or move, I can do nothing but watch it as it speaks ambiguously.
After carefully examining my light blue heart, the creature looks up at me and, as it lowers my shirt, utters more words.
"Iaret, you come with me for the eriariup"
After those words, the creature strikes me with its paw.
*TUM*
"Oya, maybe I—"
I lose consciousness, without understanding what it says next.