A/N: Of a tribute to the new anime, and of the life time master piece.
Chapter 1
I.
I am swallowing lung fulls of water whole, and I couldn't hear anything else other than the thumping of my heart. It is so loud that it's deafening.
I couldn't get out, because someone was holding me down. Someone is forcing me to stay within the waters, and no matter how much I struggled, it seemed to be useless.
I am going to die, I know it. But I am not scared, because I know exactly where I will go when I do.
But I don't know if I will remember this life.
II.
There is nothing in this world that is worse than waking up in a strange place and having everyone crowded around you as if you are an alien.
However, that was how I found myself three years ago, in a room that is made out of concrete, bricks, leaks and tears, and finally, many bunk beds.
I tried to sit up, and I saw so many people-mostly children, surrounding me and asking if I was alright.
It took me ten minutes to understand that I am not in my own body anymore. Because these hands belonged to a girl of a younger age. Perhaps just barely legal, and somewhat malnourished.
I asked for water, and a mirror. The latter was a mistake. When I look into it, I saw a strange face staring back at me, and this face was miserable.
There seemed to be a perpetual frown on this face, and the chopping bangs along with dry hair. There are a few acnes and break outs, with a scar that extended from my neck to the bottom of my jaw. Other than that, a pair of long eyes and full lips. Except the lips were so chapped I couldn't tell the edge between the petal and the skin.
Many kids who has the same color hair I do circled around me and asked me how I was doing. I stared at them at first, then croaked out a "fine."
My own voice scared me. Not only does it sound like an old woman's, it also spoke a language that I have never heard before.
And when I tried to calm down, I finally was able to decipher syllables from these kids that I could understand from. Some of them were asking me how I was, and some were asking if I need water. Some were quiet yet kept staring at e, and some held onto my hand and wouldn't let go.
After drinking two cupful of water, I saw a woman came into this room while scattering the kids away. "Leave your sister alone, she's healing!"
When they were all gone, the woman asked me, "Are you alright?"
I nodded, because I was too numb to feel.
She then said, "Go to the bathroom and clean yourself up. Heavens forbid that you fall down again.
III.
When I was in the bathroom that had a broken ceramic sink that leaked brown water, I realized a few things.
I may not be on earth anymore. I think I've crossed dimensions. Reason being a few. First, this language is not one that I have ever heard of. I can speak it fluently and I can understand. But to my knowledge what I speak of is English in my mind, but the moment it came out it became this strange way of communication. Second of all, I don't think that there is any race of people where their hair would be naturally green.
As I was grabbing onto my long stranded but heavily split ended hair, I examined each one and discovered they are all the exact same color from the roots to the ends. They are a light green color that mixed with a very faint hue of blue. Perhaps if I take care of it more often, it would not be so malnourished.
But I am not healthy. I could tell. When I look into the mirror I see someone who has been through death. I look so devastated, horrified, and tired that I even surprised myself. This face isn't ugly, but it's not particularly pretty either. Especially under these circumstances.
A timid figure crawled into the bathroom when I was carefully examining my face, and he tugged on my shirt and said, "Yui, please don't do stuff like that anymore."
I look down, and presumed he's my brother. "Do what?" I asked him.
He has a small and roundish face. With thin hairs and a somewhat chubby pair of hands. His eyes were bright when he asked me to bend down and whispered, "you know, like activating your superpower."
I was so surprised that my jaw dropped.
"I have super powers?" I asked, feeling amazed.
"Yes, if you concentrate really hard." He said. "Your fingers, they burn."
I looked down at my fingers and saw nothing but a split nail. But this was not a time for chit chat, because that woman, presumably my mother, dragged me out of the bathroom and had me sitting in front of a long table, ready to eat.
This entire family seemed very poor and in near destitute. I saw a man, presumably my father, entire face stuck with dirt and mud, came into the room and washed his face from a container that contains water, and splashing everywhere. After him, more kids lined up behind him to wash their hands. Most of them are much younger than me, and there are two or three that's younger than my age, probably around their teens. There are eight in total, and my mother sat down in front of the table and begin cutting up loaves of-what I can only assume is bread, because it turned out to be a yellowish color with a lot of air holes in the middle. And I was distracted, immediately, by the presence of poverty within this room. This table may be long, but it's cracked and chipped. The plates are not ceramic, rather plastic. Also the forks are also the kind that I see in the food court-disposable. But they have been washed over and over. Everybody treasured what they have in front of them, because they stood in line to get bread. Only mother and father sat down on the two sole chairs, while mother holding up my youngest sibling, who still requires breastfeeding.
I looked up at the ceiling, and discovered the roof is made out of dried grass-not just any dried grass, dried seaweed. I have seen this type of roof being used before on a reality TV. It was a ridiculous concept-famous stars and their families goes to the country side for two or three days to experience the "farm life". And the reality was that my country is in fact a polarized form of rich and poo-
I suddenly stunned myself.
Why do I have memories of my past? I woke up and for the first ten minutes I couldn't remember anything. All I could do is to be amazed at the situation I was in. I was amazed because I did not think that any place in this world would be as bad as the room I was in. It was shabby, full of beds, dirty, smelly, and also extremely crowed. Now that I think about it, why would I have the urge to think this place is not very habitable? Does this mean that there was something in the back of my memory that I've lived better in and now that I compare the two, obviously I don't belong here?
I seem to be capturing images of strange places, high buildings, and very familiar but similar language.
I want to scream.
There was an image that's so clearly imprinted in my mind that it hit me like a tidal wave, and it contained me, standing on top of a very tall sky scraper, and ready to jump-
I screamed.
This startled everyone as the woman who is called my mother quickly hushed me and pushed me into the small bedroom I was in earlier. She was placing her hands over my mouth and forcing me to be quiet. I screamed and kicked harder until her yelp and loosen her grip on me. When I regained conscious a few seconds later, I saw her blowing on her hands, which has a burnt mark on top.
"Yui." She said, her eyes a bit cold, "Come outside with me."
I breathed in deeply and stepped outside, and once again the view amazed me.
The sun was setting, and in front of me is fields and fields of vegetation. Wheat, to be exact. They seemed to be waves and waves of gold as the breeze blows by. I looked behind me, and right standing at the corner of our little house, was where bundles and bundles of wheat was.
My mother with her sad eyes, begin.
"Yui, you were not born to be here, to be stuck here in this household. Our family makes our living out of harvesting and selling wheat. Everyday we go into the field and work this land. Every day. Month after month,and year after year. In the future when your father and I die, one of your brothers will inherit the land, and his family will continue to harvest wheat."
I opened my mouth to say something. The truth is, I know that I was not supposed to be here, because apparently I've taken over Yui's body, and now I am supposed to live her life. But this has been a drastic turn of events. It turns out that I possibly will not have to harvest wheat for the rest of my life. I did not think, however, that my mother was this intelligent, because after all, she was the wife of a wheat farmer.
Speaking of, my father, who still loved middle aged, tall, and intimidating, walked out of the house. Behind him, my small brother and sisters were peeking out from the door. My father reached into his pockets and jacket-as if scraping up his bones and meat-handed me some bills. I want to take it, because in the back of my mind, I knew that without money, I couldn't survive in this world at all. But this little bit of cash seemed to be my whole family's entire saving-and I know that before I get to where I wanted, I will surely squander it all away, with the fact that this world has a strangeness which I do not know of, therefore this isn't earth, and I don't think anybody here speak English either.
My father shook his head, and said, "Your sister, she sent these to us a few years ago, before she... and we saved them up. This is only a small portion, we used the rest on your brother and sisters."
"My sister?" I took the money but asked timidly, because speaking this language is still weird to me.
"Yes, Komugi." He said, "She won many contests playing Gungi."
"Ah." I focused on the fact that I've learn a new word. Gungi, it must be some sort of sport. She must be athletic.
"Yes. She died shortly after she sent us this." My father said, "So with what happened today... Maybe you can be like her. Finding your place in this world. But it's not going to be here in this wheat field."
I looked at his wrinkled and tired face. In truth he is not in his top physical peak, but his words and actions were that of someone who has spent his whole life working in a place with no imagination. I know he longed -both him and my mother-longed for to go outside, the place in which this world must have contained more of, but they must stay here and take care of my younger siblings. Only after a couple hours of interaction with them I understood what they wanted to say. Apparently my sister ventured outside and found her true calling to be something along the lines of playing a sport. She became famous playing it, and I should also pursue whatever it is that I'm good at.
That night, I tossed and turned on my bed, which didn't really help with the sleeping. I lie awake at night, trying to think about my past and gathering up all the memories I could find while combing through them one by one. It was until very early in the morning that I slow came to a realization that I indeed have gone through a parallel universe, and the reason was because I attempted suicide.
As to the reason why I committed suicide, that memory is a blur. I cannot even attempt to think about that part of me, because if I do, my head start to hurt like crazy. So I let it go and focused on the boring, everyday aspect of my previous life.
It's a place with cars, rocket ships, man going on moons, fast food, and comfortable memory foam mattress. So far the last item was the thing I missed the most. I am not sure this world has technology like that, but my "father" is right. I cannot stay in this wheat field forever. I've been to university back in that world, I've had a decent education, and I had dreams and goals, and I should fulfill them, no matter where I am.
This still is a strange world though, and I should take note of that.
IV.
The next morning I drifted in and out of sleep while everybody rustled around me. I got up after making sure I couldn't go back to sleep again. Surprisingly my head doesn't hurt as much as yesterday, and I think I am in a pair of fairly capable state of mind. Despite that lump that disturbed me-
Huh, turns out that lump is a small box of my personal items. There are some bills, some colorful stone and jewelry, all of which I think is ridiculously cheap and ugly and was surprised I ever kept them. There's also some pieces of paper, and they look like road directions or maps. The owner of this body must've previously planned to get out of this place too.
After closing the box, my mother brought in a small bundle like bag. She hand it to me and said, "inside are some necessities you need for traveling. You must take care of yourself, do you understand?"
I replied with a single syllable answer. She smiled a little before shooing all the kids back into the living room, leaving me alone with the room and the bathroom.
I washed and got dressed, which, discovering in dismay, I only had one set of extra clothing. They are the simplest form of dress: jeans and t-shirt. I think this body is so malnourished and underfed that it eliminated the need for a bra.
Before I leave for good, father carefully told and wrote down the instruction from here to the nearest town. When I stepped out of that little hut, I turned and around and saw everybody-big and small-has their eyes glued onto me. Suddenly the little boy whom secretly spoke with me yesterday suddenly said, "Yui-chan, don't forget us, ok?"
I swallowed and nodded. These people and their tattered clothing seemed to be depending on me for something big-something far greater than just survival.
I can't stay here. After confirming that, I turned around and faced with the open path that extended ahead and seemingly into the edge of this world.
Then I am on my way, when the sun just peaked out of the mountain tops.
I was munching on the bread crumbs when I looked down at my left hand and tried to concentrate very hard to emit some flames. Unfortunately it doesn't really happen because I tried my absolute best, and there wasn't even a hind of smoke.
Pissed off, I stomped on, and was reminded by my father's words-there's at least three miles to the nearest town, and if I hurry, I might make it in a couple hours.
But I thought I should strengthen my physical ability. I am confident in my mental ones, but not very certain of my physical. So I strapped my little bag tightly onto my bag and tied it up together across my chest. After that, I started a slow jog.
At first my body has me coughing every few steps, but I slowed down to a pace that is very nearly the same as walking briskly-and I figured this is the pace that I could accept. So I continued at this pace for the next fifteen minutes until I decided that a single more step would mean death.
And I took my water bottle and drank it all up.
After realizing that I am stuck on this little dirt road with no more water left, I became scared. The sun was glaring down at me with such cruelty that I could literally feel the moisture evaporating off from the top of my head. Quickly, I started the little jog again. This time I reminded myself to take in breathes every three steps through my mouth, and I felt a lot better.
However this didn't last long either. I ran for almost half an hour until I saw a hint of civilization, and quickly I stopped running. After much joyful thoughts, I walked towards the town.
The moment I stepped into this small town, I could feel myself being watched.
It was then I realized, this country isn't as free as I thought it would be. A guard who stood by the gates asked me if I have papers to exit the country. After rummaging through my bag, I pulled out a small piece of ID, and he let me through, while pointing to the direction of the Airship Dock.
This place is entirely creepy. Everyone did not dare to look around, and everybody walked briskly with only one destination in mind. This isn't exactly the center of culture and arts, I would say. Everything in this place screams order, obedience, and silence. There are photos of a fat guy in heavy make up everywhere. I supposed it must be the leader of this country.
There was a lineup at the ticket sales. I quickly ran up to the lines.
Nobody talked at all. As if they were afraid and they know they are being over heard if they do.
When it reached me, a pretty girl was inside the booth.
"Where to?" She asked."
I already examined the map inside my bag. The previous me had a star written over Republic of Padokea. I suppose that's a nice place to go to. So I said, "Republic of Padokea."
"That will be fifty thousand Piel."
I was shocked by the number. My hands reached inside my pocket and counted five bills of ten thousand Piels to her. I already prepared myself this that there was no way this money, which looked like a lot, could actually amount for anything. But the inflation rate was so ridiculous that it's outrageous. Why can't they cut back a few zeros on these bills and start at one. Back in my world, two dollars can by you a drink.
"Have a safe flight." She said in a smile, and stamped a ticket and gave it to me.
I took the ticket and looked around once more. There are guards right next to me, asking me to enter the Airport. I swallowed before entering that room that looked like a warehouse where failed businesses come to die.
The airship was not comfortable. It was not meant to be, anyways. But I thought at least I could get a bed spread.
It wasn't until months later I realized how hard my parents worked just to get me a permit to get out of that god forsaken country.
The ride was fulfilling, I suppose. I've been on many flights before, so there was no need to be excited. Besides, everyone on the place looked as if everybody owed him three hundred dollars, so I calmed myself down.
I begin going through my luggage, and found that small box again. Inside there was a tiny notebook that was tattered. I picked it up and tried to read some of it. I am so unfamiliar with the language in this world that I must pronounce every letter out before linking them into words. Thank God I have no problem speaking this language.
This notebook is filled entirely with dreams and random illusions. Because the first few pages are filled with "ifs"
"If I ever get out of East Gorteau, I will go to Padokea and work while support my family."
"I will get out of East Gorteau and marry someone outside of this country, so he can save me away from this horrible place."
"If I ever get out of East Gorteau, I will find Kumugi and heal her eyes."
"If I ever get out of ..."
And so on.
I decided to shove the notebook back in the box and go to sleep for a while.
V.
I was woken up with a jolt, when the Airship landed.
After about five minutes later, I found myself in a small convenience store right outside the airport.
Now this looks more like something I was used to. It has cars, busy streets, people making noises, crowded scenes, and farmer's markets. You can tell a lot of this country by what's in this store. I figured. Since I went around the entire convenience store and closely examined each shelf and comparing the ones I know to this strange new one.
The first thing I figured is that this world has a common language that included all continents and all countries. Of course that does not rule out the fact there are ethnicities and minorities, but this one country seemed to united all culture and world together. It made easier communication, easier travelling, and easier negotiation. Especially in this country, which after much embarassment coming from the store clerk because I asked what country is this and he stared at me as if I was crazy, the Republic of Padokea. It has eleven provinces, three metropolis cities, and a large airship doc that facilitate the importation of goods.
I was very surprised by the goods, because they came from all over the world. It means this country is very agreeable with free trade. Thinking of this, I asked the clerk, "isn't it very inconvenient to ship things by blimp? Why is there no planes?"
The clerk replied after making sure I was sane and not about to hack him to pieces, "there are no such thing as planes."
My head almost bombed apart.
No planes? No planes?! So the transportation is entirely by blimp? Air ships? Seriously?
Therefore I quickly asked, "Is there internet? Is there computers?"
"Of course." He pointed to the cash register, which is monitored by computers. I also found that it's actually more advanced that what I remembered from my world. I took things off the shelf, it already accumulated on my account.
I bought two foot long sandwiches which has been sealed in bags. They won't go bad that soon. I also refilled my water bottle, and made sure this body is highly hydrated.
"Are you travelling somewhere?" The clerk asked me."I heard this year's Hunter exam takes place in the Cifica Oceans."
"Hunter exam?" I asked while I stuffed the sandwiches into my bag, "is it some sort of occupation to provide for exotic beasts..."
"Sort of." He seemed to be used to my ignorance. So he explained, "hunters are a rare position that not many people can get to. They are people awarded with a license that is very valuable, and they are extremely strong. There are all sorts of hunters like Gem hunters, Archaic hunters, Gor-"
He stopped talking because I dropped everything in my hands and couldn't breathe.
"Hunter!? Hunter!?"
I slapped my hands onto the glass counter with force. "Hunter!?"
He shrunk away from me and seemed to rethink his judgement about me as a mentally sane person.
I didn't notice, because I screamed on the top of my lungs.
This world is a book! It's a wildly popular series that is nothing more than a piece of fiction from a single person's mind. How is it that I transferred myself from the world of reality and planes-into a world of assassins and ants people-
I am going to die. I knew it. I knew it.
XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX
A/N: Oh dear, as soon as Yui and the reader gets over the fact that these worlds are transferable, the better we can get on with the story.
