The Land of Etherio

Final Reader! 5

Overall, my life was pretty good.

I managed to pass my tests thanks to some super-genius friends in the nerd department. The fundraising committee and I managed to make so much we had leftovers for the School. My music teacher said I had talent but I honestly can't say I do.

The team made great progress in training after school today thanks to our coach. When I got home my dad and my older brother were playing a friendly game in the yard. My mom told me I could play with them when I was done with homework.

I didn't complain as I headed to my room. "Wait, a box came for you" my mom called out. "That's probably the book I won in a contest" I answered and as I fetched it before going to my room again. I was always lucky.

My friend had gotten me into this type of stuff and I got carried away. I was planning on giving it to him but while I had it I might as well just skim it a bit.

I opened it but it was entirely blank except for a single sentence: "Welcome to Etherio". And then it all started....

I woke up in a dark,wet cave that smelled like an armpit. It was a rough corridor of jagged rock walls and a fairly smooth floor.

To one end there was the dim light of a cave entrance and to the other was a strange sort of lodging.

It consisted of a few rugs that lay across the floor. Strangely, I didn't wake up there. On the walls were a sort of cave paint in barbaric, crude depictions of animals.

Trinkets and miscellaneous paraphernalia were thrown around. There were amulets, chains, purses of rubies....what was this stuff even doing here?

At the very back was a chest. It had a large lock on it. There wasn't a key so I didn't bother but I really noticed what I was wearing. I was barechested and had leather bracelets on my biceps. I had on hideskin shorts and a pelt loin cloth.

It was dark so I to really feel my way around this stuff. I decided to go outside. I was starting to question this stuff. Was it a dream or a prank?

I headed towards the cave entrance and the light had become almost blinding. I emerged in a place that was the embodiment of the color gray.

It was a coastal village-like settlement. There was a row of docks filled sea vessels. None of them were modern, they were all old, wooden ones like from a pirate movie.

Maybe I'd meet Johnny Depp.

I began walking down to the village. It was so empty I thought all the actors were on break. But seriously, the set was so real.All the details were so accurate, down to the weathering on the wood of the carts.

Suddenly, I heard a shuffling behind me. I turned to see it and saw a small child, no older than 7.

"Hey there, little buddy" I called out "Can you tell me where I am?".

The kid looked really awkward and then crying really hard. "Funny. I always thought I was good with kids".

Then I heard the doors swinging open and people crashing out. They were all in costumes related to the set.

A few of the men were carrying pitchforks and the women were carrying frying pans. "Get away from our boy, you horrid half-breed!".

I guess this was the scene where they chase out the monster. I had better get out of here before I get in the way.

I turned to the side and started walking. "Get out of our town, beast!" another screamed. Strange, I couldn't see the other character so this must be a rehearsal.

Then they started throwing stones. They didn't feel that painful so I assumed they were props. But they kept on throwing them.

"Hey guys, can you please stop? " I asked. "Be gone! " they shouted. They started throwing insults among the stones.

"Guys, can you just tell me what this is? " I begged but they didn't stop. I knocked a stone to the side.

The people grew angrier and they ran past me. I turned to see that the stone had hit the child and he was bleeding from the side of his face.

They started towards me and I ran. I ran up the cliff face and past the cave. I ran into the forest that was beyond the precipice.

I could still hear screaming. They were still after me. I ran so deep into the woods that I had gotten lost.

The sun had begun to set. I came by a stag drinking from a small pond. I approached slowly. Carefully, I stepped on the few brown leaves that littered the forest floor.

As I got closer, I noticed that its large majestic antlers were shimmering silver. It seemed almost magical.

The stag raised its head, looked in my direction and ran off. I was thirsty and decided to drink. The water had looked so clear that the stag's almost perfect reflection had showed, but when I looked, I was horrified.

Staring back at me was a warped image of me. My skin had a green tint to it and my body was bulging beyond human proportions, even though I exercised they was impossible. My teeth grew large in an underbite that permanently stuck out from my mouth. I was covered in red and blue tribal tattoos similar to the markings in the cave. My blonde hair was shaggy and messy. And the longer I looked, the clearer I remembered what they called out when chasing me.

"The Beast of Ravens' Edge!".