The Keeper of History

As soon as Lein pressed «Yes», his consciousness, body, and very essence of his soul were seized by an unknown force, as if someone had yanked him out of reality, dissolving the boundaries of the familiar world.

Though Lein couldn't understand why, he felt a strange sense… of familiarity.

As if… he had been in such a state before.

But Lein couldn't truly focus on this strange feeling.

Lein opened his eyes and tried to look around.

There was darkness.

Not a single trace of light.

He could turn his head, look around, but it felt as if nothing changed at all.

In this place, there seemed to be no time…

And no space.

«It's like I'm… floating. But also standing somewhere.»

Lein tried to touch himself.

But…

He felt nothing.

He tried to say something out loud…

But he heard nothing.

— Heeey!

«No sound…»

In this strange space filled with endless darkness,

there was no sound,

no smell,

no sensations.

Only thoughts.

And only the soul.

Naturally, Lein was confused.

He couldn't do anything.

Not even prove that he was alive.

«I… am alive! As long as we think, as long as we can reason — we live. I think… I reason… and therefore… I live!»

Lein calmed himself a little.

Though fear still lingered, he no longer panicked.

After some time, within the space of endless darkness, Lein saw a bright yellow light.

«The Story!» — Lein shouted in his mind with relief.

And at that very moment, he heard a familiar, pleasant whisper:

[Chosen One, you have gathered your courage and decided to challenge a Fragment of the Story.]

[Your bravery and determination know no equal.]

[You are the first to challenge a story fragment in your city.]

[The Story welcomes the brave, and you are entitled to a reward:]

[Congratulations, you have received your first title — Fearless.]

[Would you like to know the details?]

— A title? Wait, there's something more important right now. What about the demon? Am I safe at the moment?

[Hint: You don't need to worry about your life within the space of darkness.]

— I take it… you won't show me mercy and kill it for me?

[Additional hint: The Story has no right to interfere without its master's permission.]

— So you have a master? Is it… a deity?

[Hint: You are too weak to know the details.]

— I see… Fine. Let's see what this title is about then.

Lein only seemed calm on the surface.

But inside…

Only he knew how many turbulent thoughts and theories were swirling in his head.

And many of them even frightened him.

«Not strong enough… What if this is a war between deities? Wait, if there are gods, then are there angels too? Do gods really exist? Or am I just overthinking this?»

From this storm of thoughts, a pleasant whisper pulled him back:

[Titles:]

[Title: Fearless]

[Rank: 1]

[Note: Each title has its own rank and effect. The higher the rank of your title, the stronger its effect.]

[Effect: The braver your soul, the stronger your will. The strength of your will is the key to defeating darkness.]

[Potential: The title can evolve up to level 6.]

[Note: The maximum level of titles is 8.]

[Title description:]

You stared danger in the face and did not look away. You outsmarted the demon and emerged from the encounter unharmed.

Your bravery and cunning have been recognized by the Story itself.

You have been granted the title — Fearless.

Lein studied his new title with interest for a while.

After what seemed like a few minutes, he sighed.

— I don't get it. What do you mean by will? I thought you'd give me something related to combat, or at least something to help kill that demon.

Lein heard no reply.

The text before him didn't change.

— Ignoring me? Fine then. Actually… I'm even glad you gave me time to calm down.

Indeed.

What Lein needed first and foremost was time to think through the current situation and collect himself, recovering from the shock and getting used to reality.

Gods were no longer just fairy tales.

Nor were demons.

And perhaps angels.

And the system itself…

Maybe…

The Story deliberately chose this interface from popular books or comics.

Lein smiled faintly.

— Enough stalling. I'm not Fearless like you describe me. I just… do what needs to be done. And now… I'll try to survive.

After Lein said this, the text in the Story window changed completely, and he heard a pleasant whisper:

[Chosen One, prepare to overcome your first fragment.]

[Fragment level: 1

Fragment goal: Make a choice.]

[Note: Remember, your choice will determine your path.]

[Special note: Your actions carry influence on the Story.]

[Are you ready?]

[Yes/No]

Lein stretched his hand forward.

— And what happens if I press «No»?

After his words, the text changed:

[Are you ready?]

[Yes/Yes]

Lein was taken aback.

He could have continued the joke and asked:

«What happens if I press nothing?»

But he didn't.

He smiled weakly and pressed «Yes».

«A choice without a choice.»

Lein immediately felt himself falling…

somewhere…

into nowhere.

Into the void.

He was being pulled in all directions, as if his body, his soul, and his consciousness were being stretched. If he could have looked at himself from the outside, he would probably have seen his body stretching like taut rubber.

In this fall there was no place for thoughts.

Each one, barely born, seemed to blur and slow down, stretching, losing clarity and sharpness.

His mind sank, and his reaction dulled.

But gradually, he began to adapt to the strange pressure.

The sensations became slightly clearer.

And then… Lein felt it.

Cold.

«Feelings?.. I… can feel?»

And then his eyes were blinded by light.

Instinctively, he squinted, covered his face with his hand, but the radiance didn't lessen.

Endless darkness was replaced by unbearable brightness, piercing cold, and the heaviness of sharp, alien sensations of the body.

The only thing that remained unchanged — was the Unknown.

He still didn't understand where he had ended up.

Why did this cold pierce to the bone?

Why did the light mercilessly cut his eyes?

«I… I'm going to… go blind! Come on, just fade already!»

But as if mocking him, the light flared even brighter.

«How can it even get brighter?..»

And then, Lein suddenly felt a cold breeze.

He could once again feel his body.

The light also began to gradually diminish and eventually seemed to evaporate.

Just as suddenly as it had appeared, it vanished.

Lein opened his eyes.

He already guessed where he had been thrown.

Around Lein was an icy hell.

Mountains covered in snow everywhere.

Frozen lakes and rivers.

Yes, Lein had been pulled into the world of Snow and Cold.

«Well… I guess it could've been worse. Although… I'm just in a shirt and trousers. If I don't find proper clothes soon, I'll simply freeze to death. Ugh… it really cuts right to the bone. Hmm… And… what now?»

Lein hugged himself, shivering from the cold winds.

He looked around a little, searching for signs of life.

«I just hope the demon isn't inside my eyes. Eyes are the mirror of the soul, so I'd rather keep them closed. But unfortunately, for now that's impossible, I have to find something. The Mirror Demon… I hope it freezes to death.»

— Story, at least give me a hint where to go.

A second later he heard a pleasant whisper, and a familiar interface appeared before his eyes:

[Hint: Any fragment can be completed without the help of the Story. Each fragment has a way to clear it. Look for any signs of life and fulfill your purpose.]

— In other words, you won't help me. Question, does every Chosen One have to not only finish the fragment but also escape the demon?

For a while, the Story remained silent.

When Lein had almost lost hope, it suddenly whispered:

[Additional hint: Long ago, in the icy mountains of the world of Darkness, there was once a people. Adventurers believe they are still alive, but now hide from foreign eyes. Perhaps you will be lucky enough to stumble upon one of their lairs, hidden somewhere nearby.]

— Now that's more like it. Much better. So, somewhere nearby…

Lein understood the hint, but soon realized it wouldn't help him much.

There was too much snow around, perfectly covering any traces of the lair of this mysterious people.

«But it exists. They wouldn't be fools not to mark it somehow. Especially if this has been an icy hell since ancient times, they must have accounted for the snow. But by what criteria…»

Lein suddenly shivered again from the frosty wind.

— A-a-achoo! Damn… I'm already sneezing…

«I need… to find this damn… lair quickly. Or it's over for me.»