I Took And Chewed A Bit On A Piece Of The Dried Meat

In the beginning, the traveling itself was very exhausting. I took breaks often, even tho I walked at a comfortable pace most of the time. I drank lots of water, really, lots. Until I was reminded that the content of my flask was only finite, and that there wasn't always water around to refill it.

Learning that was rough, but I think I'll never forget that again.

In the Night I mostly sat up a small fire and slept next to it. After these long days of walking I was mostly deep asleep within moments after lying down. Looking back on that I was pretty lucky actually. It was foolish to just set up camp out there, especially when you're going to be sleeping like a rock till sun up and beyond. I could have got attacked by animals, robbed by other people... IT could have taken over. But I was lucky, nothing happened.

Woke up every time just like I laid down. With the exception of being rested & kinda stiff from sleeping on the ground.

Must admit, even now the whole walking all day is still quite exhausting, less than in the beginning, and even less if I'm on horse-back part of the day, but I guess it will never quite stop taking most of your vigour.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Anger

Tsar Bomba

I went through everything once more in my mind. I was forced to go through it all over agin. The smell of smoke and burning flesh. The screams of anguish. The guy who kicked in our front door. The voice and the laugther of the madman who set mother ablaze...

Every. Single. Detail.

Picture Anger by BluDrgn426

Music Tsar Bomba by Avatar

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

I pondered over what he said for quite a while I'd be not the only one that dies... What does he mean with that? Is he saying that he'd die too...? Or someone else? But why would someone else die because of my death? And how would he know that? No... that doesn't make sense, he must be talking about himself. But... why?

Night was falling over the forest. The fire had extinguished some time ago, not leaving a single ember. Which meant two things, I was beginning to get used to the cooler air, and I didn't have to worry any more about extinguishing the fire myself.

I found a suitable branch for sleeping on quickly. I guess my latest experience has loosened my demands to such branches a bit, but it did seem stable and fairly comfortable. And the climb up to it didn't seem like much of a hassle either.

As I had reached my chosen sleeping place I sat there just watching the moon for a while. How it curiously looked as if it had a face and was watching me... or rather all of the forest... or even more.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

It was a horrible view.

What was left of my hair were a few long, light strands. By far longer than my hair.

My eyes were… black. Deep black. Like ITs territory. The left one looked like it could fall out every moment.

As I saw my mouth… or rather jaw, my heart stopped.

Nothing that would resemble lips in any way. Two rows of razor sharp teeth. Like I had a mouth filled with daggers. And it was wide. Very wide. My… jaw… went nearly from ear to ear.

How could I close this mouth? I would surely hurt myself.

I tried. Now I knew where the blood had come from while deer hunting.

I bit right through what one could call my “skin”.

My skin looked like someone had burned it off. I had neither ears nor nose.

I could’ve never dreamed of such a creature. Not in my wildest nightmare. But there I saw it. Worse than the worst thing I could imagine. And it was my reflection.

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Growling Like a Wolf

Vista Point

Still walking while lost in thought I bumped into a tree. Ouch! Wait --- it's already this dark? I need to find a place where I can stay this night.

After looking around for a short time I found a suitable tree and climbed it. It's been a long day walking, my feet are hurting and my belly is grumbling. I hope there is a town on the other side of this forest.

After a while I fell asleep -- with my stomach still growling like a wolf.

Picture Blood Tree by FreShPAiNt [EDITED]

Music Vista Point by Kai Rosenkranz

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

We went back shortly after. Neither of us said much. I looked at her every now and then, to see if she got hurt somewhere. Physically she seemed fine, but I was sure there had to be some serious mental & emotional damage after that.

She didn't tell me what had happened. She might think I know what happened, that I saw it all, but had no control over it. Or maybe... No, I had to stop overthinking this, without asking I can never guess what she thought. It was simply not possible to think myself into having no idea at all of whats up with me. I know not all of it either, but I know some important bits.

“Ingrid-”

I tried to break the silence, had to find out what happened.

“Whatever happened, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you beforehand, but I don't want people to know, for their safety. And now I'm forced to not tell anyone”

She didn't answer. She just continued walking, looking at the ground, staring far far away. Just like I did back then. Seeing that helped me a bit, helped me understand. It was a different situation, a different enemy, a different time, but I think it was somehow still very similar.

“Please Ingrid...” I put my hand on her shoulder “...please, I beg you, tell me what happened. I don't know, I cannot tell you why, not even what, but I never remember those...” I paused, carefully looking for the right word, to stay true to my contract “...those moments”

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Morrowind Soundtrack

First the other hand, then my feet, head after that, then legs & arms and in the end my whole torso

that was the first time I actually looked into the pond again and didn't just drink from it

I had longer hair than ever before was quite a bit taller and naturally I had aged a bit even gotten a few stubbles I had 'gained' a few scars all over my body too

But I didn't stop there, didn't walk back home I had to learn to control this turning to the best I could

Transforming my whole body took a few winters & since I was sure this wouldn't be the last time I had to do it I had to drastically improve that time

It took a bit longer than another two winters nearly reached the third but in the end I was able to turn within a few days and although it took far less energy now I still felt like I could eat an elk afterwards

Picture cave by pilot-whale

Music Morrowind Soundtrack by Jeremy Soule

Note from the Author

I know I'm a lil late but, Happy 2k16 to everybody ^^

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Intro

Suddenly IT stood in front of me. I could clearly see it although its form wasn't stable. Constantly changing. I wanted to continue to talk to it, but I couldn't. My mouth didn't want to move. Like my lips had been sewn together. I panicked a bit.

Although there wasn't much to see in the darkness I looked around. Maybe there was something here. Then I noticed I had a sword fastened to my belt. I recognised the handle. It was the sword I had forged myself. It wasn't exactly the masterpiece of a well known Weaponsmith, but it worked well for me.

I drew it out of it's sheath to get an even better look. But as soon as I drew my sword, IT jumped at me.

Picture Demon by AlleywayNightscholar

Music Intro (City of Vultures) by Rise to Remain

© The Zero 零 Squad, 2013-2016

Dark Cave Ambiance

Back in my dreams. As always he was standing right beside me; waiting, laughing, provocating.

But this time I was ready, I knew what to do.

Again he did the first hit, a stiff right. As usual. Blocked.

Ok, now turn. In that moment I realised something, but I didn't even have time to think it.

I woke up

''Damn that bastard!

Wait, calm down. This was your own fault.''

I had totally forgotten how I turn my eyes. I knew how to, but couldn't recall the steps. It had become automated.

Like breathing.

So I stayed awake. Sitting in my cave, remembering how I turn my eyes, trying to apply that principle to my arm.

But it was exhausting. By far more than turning my eyes,

I could feel this 'energy' stream trough my arm, but it wasn't enough.

I'm unsure how long it took exactly, sitting in the darkness of that cave the whole time. But after what probably was a dozen days or so I finally did it.

I turned my right arm back to normal. Only the lower part but now I knew how to do it.

Picture Hand Study 1 by irysching [EDITED]

Music Dark Cave Ambiance (Part 1) by Cr1msonKing

© 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