The Journey

The dark figure noticed Alex, its eyes glowing red. Alex shouted, "JAM, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE AND CALL FOR SENNA!" Jam panicked and rushed inside the house, freezing in fear as he saw the scene unfold.

Alex brought out his bright axe, swinging it at the dark figure with all his might and anger, but the figure dodged effortlessly. It whipped Alex with a dark, sinister tendril, sending him crashing through the window.

Jam stood paralyzed, unable to move, his mind blank with terror. The dark figure then began to grow wings on its back, grotesque appendages forming slowly, looking like blood-soaked strands with no feathers.

With a swift, terrifying motion, the figure tackled Jam, causing him to scream in pain as they flew onto the roof. The dark figure threw Jam with brutal force, causing him to hit his head on the roof before he continued to fall, eventually passing out from the impact.

As Jam regained consciousness, flashes of his past memories flickered before him—fragmented scenes of a rainy night in a car with an unfamiliar yet somehow familiar woman at the wheel, followed by blinding lights. His head throbbed under the bandages as he woke up in bed, disoriented and panicked as the memories began to piece together.

Realization dawned on him—he wasn't from this world. He recalled snippets of his childhood, but the memories were incomplete, leaving him shattered and confused. Unable to bear the weight of uncertainty, he collapsed to the floor, overwhelmed by emotion.

The sudden crash caught Senna's attention downstairs, and she raced upstairs, frantic. "Jam, are you okay?!" she exclaimed, seeing him curled up in distress. Jam's tears flowed freely as he had a breakdown, murmuring repeatedly, "Who am I? Who am I?"

His thoughts returned to the horrifying incident with the dark figure. He blamed himself for freezing, unable to save Alex and his family. "Alex and his family died because of me," he cried out in anguish.

Senna embraced him tightly, trying to soothe his anguish. "It's not your fault, Jam. Alex is alive," she reassured him gently.

"What about his grandparents? Are they still alive?" Jam asked desperately, clinging to a faint hope.

Senna shook her head sadly, and Jam's heart sank further as he realized the extent of the tragedy. He wept uncontrollably, mourning the loss and struggling to come to terms with the harsh reality of his new world.

A few minutes later, Jam fell asleep while Senna continued to comfort him. Alex arrived at the house, and Senna went downstairs to meet him.

"How's Jam, Senna?" Alex asked, his voice filled with concern.

"He had a breakdown a while ago. I think some of his memories came back, but he wouldn't say anything yet," Senna replied.

"Thanks for the help, it means a lot," Alex said gratefully.

"No problem. How are you feeling lately?" Senna asked, noticing the anger in Alex's eyes.

"I'll kill that fucking monster, no matter what," Alex said, clenching his fists in anger.

"Are you going to the city? If they won't let you in because we're peasants, just ask for my sister. I'm sure she knows you," Senna suggested.

"Oh, that's right. She's an adventurer. Thanks for everything, and please thank the whole village for helping us," Alex said.

"It's nothing. I hope and pray that you have a safe journey. I'll make sure to tell everyone that you send your regards. When will you leave?" Senna asked.

"Maybe tomorrow..." Alex said, determination in his voice.

"Good luck, Alex. I have to go now. Goodbye," Senna said, offering a supportive smile before leaving.

Alex watched her go, feeling a mix of gratitude and determination. He knew the road ahead would be dangerous, but he was resolved to avenge his grandparents and protect those he cared about.

The next morning, Jam woke up feeling lightheaded. He noticed his right knee was dislocated but partially healed by Senna. Although not completely fixed, he knew he needed to rest. He saw crutches beside him, picked them up, and went downstairs. He found Senna cooking a meal.

"Good morning, Jam. I made you breakfast. Come down and eat," Senna greeted him with a smile, though worry lingered in her eyes. When she noticed Jam using crutches, she added, "Sorry that my healing magic wasn’t enough to fully heal your knee."

"It's alright, thanks for everything, and I'm sorry for not doing anything," Jam apologized, feeling useless.

"Hey, I told you it's fine. Just eat your breakfast. Here you go," Senna said, placing a plate in front of him. As Jam ate, he asked, "Where is Alex, Senna?"

"About that, he asked me to give you this letter," Senna responded, handing him a folded piece of paper. Jam read the letter, discovering Alex’s plans to become an adventurer.

"So he wants to become an adventurer? He left this morning?" Jam asked.

"Yes," Senna answered.

A few minutes later, Jam stood outside, staring at the tombstone of Alex’s grandparents, mourning their loss. Fully aware now that he wasn’t from this world, he felt lost. He turned to Senna and asked, "May I know the name of this world?"

"I thought Alex told you. It’s Eryndale," Senna responded.

Jam pondered for a moment, then spoke, "I need to find out how I ended up here. But that also means…" He looked at Senna. "Senna, I've decided to go with Alex."

"What?! But it's danger—" Senna began, but Jam interrupted.

"I need answers, Senna. My memories came back, at least a little part of them. I’m not from this world, that’s all you need to know. I still don’t know everything about myself, but I remember some things from my childhood. That’s why I need to go."

"Wait, you're not from here? What do you mean by that?" Senna asked, confused.

"It seems like I got transported here, but I don’t know how it happened. That’s why I need answers," Jam explained.

Senna looked hesitant but nodded in support. "Okay, but please be careful. You still don’t have any magic and can’t defend yourself."

"I’m aware of that. That’s why I’m going to follow Alex," Jam said.

"Wait, I forgot to mention something. They won’t allow peasants into the city," Senna warned.

"Why is that?" Jam asked, confused.

"The prince declared it after his brother, the king, was killed by a peasant. That’s why," Senna explained.

"So how will Alex get into the city?" Jam asked.

"My sister Selene is an adventurer with the Shadow Blades guild. She knows Alex and can help him. But you haven’t met anyone there, so how will you get in?" Senna asked.

"I’ll find a way. I need answers," Jam said determinedly.

"Okay, I’ll support every decision you make. Just be very careful, please…" Senna said worriedly.

"I’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll come back in one piece," Jam reassured her.

"That’s good to hear…" Senna said. Then she asked, "When will you leave?"

"Tomorrow," Jam said.

"What?! Your leg hasn’t healed yet, you idiot! Wait until it’s healed!" Senna scolded him angrily.

Jam laughed, patting Senna’s head. "Yes, I will rest."

Blushing, Senna rushed back inside the house. Jam looked back at the tombstone and said, "Thank you for these past few months. I hope you rest in peace, Grandma and Grandpa." He then went to rest.

One month later, Senna called out, "Are you ready, Jam? The carriage is already outside!"

"Yes, just a minute. I’m looking for the gift. Ah, there it is," Jam said.

"Hurry up, Jam. They're waiting," Senna urged.

Jam hugged Senna. "Thanks for everything. I’ll be back," he said.

"You better come back," Senna replied shyly.

Jam waved goodbye to Senna, the kids, and the villagers as he left Rosewood Village. He wondered what the future held for him as he set out on his journey.

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