I Just Ignored Him In That Moment, Even Considering That For A Moment Could Have Been A Severe Risk.

Birds... frogs... the stream in the distance... the wind in the trees... Damn it!

I opened my eyes and stood up again.

I looked at the sky, it was the first time I had done that all day. The sun is setting... lets see, two hares... had one in the morning, some berries too... guess I don't have much of a choice... either one risk, or the other... but which is the safer bet?

With every step I took I felt my energy being drained. I had to eat something, now. Even if it wasn't enough. I went back to the beck, took with me some branches on the way to make a fire.

I skinned and gutted the hares. Threw the rests into the forest on the other side of the stream. Something would surely come to eat that, but I wouldn't want that over here.

I fastened the hares to each their stick, and set both by the fire. Washed my hands in the water, drank some, and laid down besides the fire.

What should I do? I can either take the risk of hunting at night, or take the risk of sleeping while hungry and drained of strength. After having some food I should be able to get up on a tree, if I find one, but what if he... IT thinks of any shenanigans in the meantime.

Yøû kñöw Ï cån hær yôú?

… Shut up.

Yòú... Yôü... Yøµ...

I-I-I What?

He snarled at me. Didn't hear much more from him after that.

I laid on my side, watching the hares by the fire, the fire itself, how the flames danced their warm, but destructive dance on the wood...

Sleep... or Hunt?

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

POWER

I looked at my hand for a moment clenched it in triumph

Moments later I was lying there anew with that fucktard right beside me

''Are you ready to lose to me another time?''

''Not this time.'' I said grinning

I held up my right hand

Closed my eyes

Concentrated

Drove the energy from deep inside into it

As I opened my eyes again they were there.

Those deep black talon like claws My skin slowly falling off, revealing what is beneath

It was difficult to hide my agony the pain of the transformation was tormenting but I managed

I was still grinning, like a maniac and I looked at him, saw fear in his eyes

I felt amazing,

POWERFUL

''Hey, you're cheating. That ain't part of your body''

''I made it part of mine''

Then his face turned

He began grinning it felt like looking in a mirror and then I realized

This wasn't me

''That's all I wanted to hear, boy. You may pass''

Picture Glowing by Eemeling [EDITED]

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

And less than the blink of an eye later I was standing on solid ground.

I took a quick look around Nothing nearby and stretched my body. Loosening up those stiff muscles felt great.

There were some berries right nearby. Small, kinda round, orange-red-ish berries. I pondered over whether I should try some or not. I inspected the bush a bit. It took a while but I found traces of animals eating those berries... or some leaves.

After a bit of thinking I concluded that it must have been some berries. I was quite sure of it.

For safety sake I took one and pressed it in my hands. They were rather juicy, had a few seeds inside too. Didn't smell foul either. So I took the chance and tasted a bit of the juice on my hand.

It was quite tasty.

So I gathered what I could find on that bush in my bag. Wasn't much but it was a change to eating just roasted rabbit. And as I found out a great addition to it too.

Picture Rosehips. Bacche di rosa canina. by Giovanni

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Note from the Author

Sorry for the delay. Really messed up with the queue date on this one :D

Raw Rabbit

Distant Horizons

My stomach was rumbling Nothing edible in sight --- at least nothing I know is edible. I hope that I find another town soon. Else I'll starve in this forest.

I noticed that there where many animals around now. Although I only saw that beaver in the days before. Maybe if I somehow manage to catch a rabbit --- no, I wouldn't be able to make a fire here and raw rabbit doesn't sound very good.

Continuing through the forest I thought about what I could find here that was edible.

Picture Deer by IntroducingEmy

Music Distant Horizons by Jeremy Soule

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Wâtchã døìñg bûddy? Hüntîñg?

Why would you care? Just fuck off again, go wherever you hid all this time.

Lêmmë güês$s, yøû åré döwn fôr zæt $ståg zêrë? Î'll gïvè yøü å hænd...

No-

WAAAAAAAHHH!!!

The stag looked around shortly, with terror in it's eyes, and fled immediately.

How did you...? Why did you...? WHAT do you want!?

Jüs$t wâñnå hævê sømê fún Ha Ha Ha Ha

“What happened there? Besides us there's nothing around, but still it fled.”

I nearly jumped up as she suddenly appeared behind me.

“I... I... I don't know... I... I was just about to take an arrow... then it ran”

“Why so on edge? Thought it ran from a wolf who was creeping up on you?”She laughed

If she only knew what it really ran from... If she'd know there are worse things than wolves around... But I can't tell her... Or can I?... No. For her sake I won't tell her.

Wo-ow Whö'$ zât cütîé?

Just. Shut. Up.

“Hey. You still with me? Why so tense all of sudden?”

“What... oh... eh... it's nothing. Really.”

“Doesn't sound like nothing to me. What are you so worried about? Tell me, I can see it in your eyes.”

“No... I can't. Please trust me on this one... I can't... I won't. And there's no persuading me”

“But-”

“No!” Damn, that came out harsher than I meant to. Come on, apologize“I'm sorry Ingrid... it's just... I'm unsure myself what actually is up. Please, trust me, you don't want to know.”

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

The End of Nothing?

Lucid Dream

The night after I ‘awoke’ in my dreams again.

Blackness all around me, as usual.

But something was off, as if the blackness would end a few paces in front of me.

Has that always been there? Did I just not notice it?

I went closer.

Wondering what and if there was anything beyond that 'end', I carefully stretched out a hand.

My hand was stopped. It was cold and hard. And it had a rough feeling to it. Like stone. Or Bricks.

Does… does this... ‘thing’ end anywhere? But how can an end, end? And how can this nothingness even have an end? Are those the boundaries of my mind, my dreams?

I held one hand on this… whatever it was, this stone thingy. I held one hand on it, and went along, without ever letting go.

After some time, I noticed something glowing.

Light? Here? How can this be?

I went closer. At a faster pace.

The lights were moving, and they twinkled every few seconds.

I began running towards it, since I didn’t seem to get closer.

Suddenly I realized what those lights were, they were eyes. A pair of glowing, twinkling eyes. And they had seen me.

Picture The Black Wall by Eleni Tsami / eilidh

Music Lucid Dream by Neeko Freeman

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

“Gate keeper? Of what gate?”

“One of them who stand between you and your goal.”

“One of them?”

“Yes. One. But enough talk, you want through here, right? Then fight me.”

He changed his stance. Bent his knees slightly, raised his hands. He had no weapons, but he had his fire. Wherever he takes it from, he has control over it.

“How about this. I know you’ve got your fire, and I’ve got my sword. Let’s make this fair instead. No weapons, no fire, just bare fists.“

I took the risk of trusting him.

“You sure about doing this? My fighting involves far more movement than yours”

“You heard me, I won’t go back on that.”

An evil grin spread over his face.

“You’re on, boy”

His eyes began glowing red.

Might have been a bad idea to trust him

Picture Hellsing Fan art by Sharprock86 [EDITED]

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Kioku

There I was; No arms, No legs, lying in a pool of my own blood. And around was nothing. Again. Like the first time I was here. Just me and this... nothing-ness.

Is this how people die? What happens to them after they died? No afterlife, no great god waiting for you?

Suddenly a drop of blood fell on my face. As I turned my head IT was standing right over me. Scared the shit out of me.

$$$cärêd? Ha ha ha ha Ït's $ssûrrêlÿ mørrrê fùn tô ssséé ÝØÛ $sstrrûgglë øût thërê, sssø Ï'll gîvë cøntrrrôlè båck tø yôu Ha ha ha ha

Picture source unkown

Music Kioku from Jigoku Shoujo

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Back to the Forest

Be Yourself for Me

I walked around. The place was familiar. It was hard to make out anything, but I knew where I were. I was at the backside of the house.

Why do I look like this? Could it be that... this is ITs form? As soon as that thought struck me another of those gleaming Humans came, and behind it many more. I was scared.

They don't know who I am... or what. They must be out to either kill me or scare me away. Without making much of a ruckus I fled into the forest. I knew I would be safe from humans there, at least for the night. I hope this spook is over by dawn.

Picture Dark Territory by DarkSilverflame

Music Be Yourself for Me by Dark Matter

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

That was by far easier said than done

I waited two days and nights by the road but not a single person came by Why hasn't anyone come by this road yet? No, don't give up now, you need some clothes you gotta be more patient.

So I waited.

Three more days I waited Then finally someone came by

A man. He was wairing a basket on his back, probably filled with stuff he wants to sell somewhere. He was older than me, already had snow white hair but he was very young for having such white hair. Last time I saw Martin he probably was older, and had just grey hair Guess it's different from person to person

I followed him for a while it was hard to attack him This helpless, innocent, old man who just was looking forward to earn some coin

Still I had to do it Either that or I had to wait even longer

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016