(Self Notes)

[Shadow]

\Mirror/

"speaking"

'thinking'

*action*

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I was Dreaming again, only this time my surroundings were very unfamiliar, I was in a cramped white cube shaped room with bare ceramic tile walls, the room was small enough to feel crowded with me alone. An iron door appeared right in front of me, the door's upper slot slid open and a pair of pale eyes stared through. His voice sounded young, sweet and melodious "My name is Caiz Nightwood and I'll be the one to slay you, Exile." I realized he must the so called hero meant to kill me "Shut up, you haven't even been born yet." he wasn't listening, muttering quietly to himself. "Anyway, what the hell is this, your Dreamspace is lame.". One thing bothered me, he knew my circumstances, the term Exile is often use to describe those who defy the Otherside, and unfortunately such things are usually permanent.

He seems to have stopped mumbling. "Exile, I intend to ruin you, I won't simply kill you, some things are worse than death after all" "You finished? Can I go now, your Highness?" At this point I'm pretty sure he's reincarnating too, like I did. I frown, this is my chance to confirm Self Notes, theory. "Is this The Machine?" I asked, he tilted his head "Are you stupid? No don't answer that. I came here to make a point, and maybe see what sort of person my target is, a disappointment." 'I'll take that as a yes' he finished speaking and the slot was slid shut. Darkness filled the room, I could hear small sounds in the dark like the squeaks of mice or rats, the sounds of wriggling insects, pushing against me. I started to feel a pressure behind my eyes, needles of pain tore into me, all over my body was blinding pain. A sensation like having fire ants biting you under your skin. Then blessed relief, I felt reality reasserting itself.

I woke up in a cold sweat, it wasn't quite morning but close enough, I began exercising trying to take my mind off the ghost pains. I heard a groan and found Rorry had unexpectedly woken up "Oh! So diligent!" he grinned and soon joined me, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. (I'll tear that bastard apart) 'Yeah that hurt like a bitch' (Don't act like a tough guy, I thought you were gonna die!) I frowned, it was kinda weird he didn't kill me, I stopped. Rorry looking at questioning 'It must have something to do with Will' \Probably! Anyway, Little Notes is gonna see if she can set up some effective mental defenses/ 'Good, I hope she leaves him something nasty' \Of course, who do you think she is? *sigh* You going to get serious now?/ I nodded slowly, then forgetting she can't see me, sheepishly replying 'Yup' I told Rorry I needed the toilet and he nodded, returning to his training.

I looked for a suitable clearing and began meditating for a while. I called Shadow [What the fuck do you want?] I smile "To get stronger." [Finally. Are you ready asshole?] "Yeah lets get this show on the road." Shadow takes control of my body, stretching unnaturally I could feel him modifying my body, bones snapping, muscles shifting. {I have you given 'that' ability} 'Cool, can I have my body back?' {I'll fuck your mom} 'Oh God' [Just kidding, kid. I'm not that bad] I sigh with relief, heading back.

Stew is standing in the middle of the campsite holding a large black bag. "Good mornin lads. I brought breakfast!" he empties the contents of the back with great enthusiasm, a large boar corpse drops with a thud. We both do a double take, the boar is huge, 7 foot tall with a body to match, It had a few odd features like its green eyes, lacking pupils and irises, it probably relies on smell and hearing. It had black teeth and horns, It's throat was slit and very cleanly. I frowned, reevaluating my opinion of my Uncle.

Stew smiled "Okay boys, for todays training you'll butcher this boar and make an edible meal out of it, I'll catch you both later!" he left abruptly in a blur. I couldn't believe my ears! How eas- I had retrieved my knife and brought it to the skin of the boar, Rorry likewise followed my actions, oddly focused. "I don't think this is as simple as it sounds" he had said. The skin seemed to resist the knife. I scowled.

'Thought so, hey Shadow I should be stronger right?' [Erm, not really] 'Whaaaat? Why the hell not?' [Look at least I gave you the ability, its a complete cheat after all] I grunted.

Rorry and I spent the first half of the day sawing into the flesh, strangely the meat didn't spoil. "I bet this'll taste great! And we'll probably an get awful lot stronger too right?" I chuckled "Sure, let's just get this done." we cleaned the meat throwing away the entrails, skewering the meat and began cooking it. A delicious scent filled the clearing, we were both smiling proudly "Ehhehehehehehekakakakaka" my smile died. Stew was watching from a distance, laughing creepily, the meat was done and I took the first bite. 'Delicious' I smiled broadly, then I felt something weird a nauseous feeling a palpable. I stood up wildly gesturing at Rorry not to eat it. He just smiled, assuming the opposite *facepalm*. My sickening feeling only got worse and I soon emptied my stomach and I faintly heard Rorry chucking. "What the hell was that!" I shouted, Stew was still smiling, it pissed me off. "Why didn't you tell us it was poisoned!?" he laughed "Oh? Would the boar have told you as you took it's life, the poisonous properties of it's meat?" I scowled. "In the wild you can die anytime, you need to think of everything! To survive, one not only needs the skills of a survivor but the mind of one." he said, It made sense in a way.

"Ah for now, since you failed, you have another task! You must find your way home." called Stew, as he disappeared. Rorry and I shared a determined smile 'Next time we meet, old man, I'll kick your ass!'

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Thanks for reading, if you can point out any inconsistencies or typos I would appreciate it.