Chapter 01

In an unknown place a small and minuscule fiber of consciousness emerged from nothingness itself.

Surrounded by a seemingly endless sea of darkness, the little fiber of consciousness dove in and was carried away by the waves of the unknown. Floating and swaying slightly among the small unknown particles.

The little fiber of consciousness had no awareness of itself or its own existence, it just floated there aimlessly. The only sense that the fiber of consciousness had within it, was the insatiable feeling that it had to grow more. It had to grow and grow, only then could it survive this turbulence.

And following those instincts, the little fiber of consciousness began to grow. Quickly expanding everywhere and encompassing all that little world that surrounded it. Quickly its sense of self grew stronger and stronger.

It resurfaced among the waves and it was after an indeterminate time, when the small fiber of consciousness finally realized something incredible....

At some point, without knowing when, it had obtained a body of its own.

Its new body was a handful of cells that continually reproduced, died and revived at an accelerated rate and in a cycle that seemed to have no end.

Seeing that handful of cells evolving and creating a new form of being, the little fiber of consciousness finally realized its own existence.

It realized that it was a living being.

A living being with a body and a mind.

The little fiber of consciousness felt an enormous joy at the realization of better understanding its own existence.

It discovered that it was alive.

I am a living being!

it shouted with excitement.

It wanted to jump for joy.

But it couldn't, as its body was still changing.

And at the same time that it realized that it was a living being, it also realized a problem.

It didn't remember who it was.

The little fiber of consciousness knew it was "someone" before it woke up in this place; it could feel very clearly inside that it had a past, a history, a background behind it, but it could not remember it. Why can't I remember it?

'Who am I?' It asked itself.

Its memories seemed incomplete. And while it searched for answers within itself, little by little it was discovering a small internal world which was covered by a layer of blurred and mysterious mist.

What is this place?

That little inner world was within it, buried deep within its own existence. As the little fiber of consciousness observed that mysterious hidden inner world, it began to feel that something within that mist seemed to be calling it. Something was hidden in there, and that something seemed to be calling out to it.

With time the little consciousness began to understand that behind that layer of mist was hidden an enormous amount of memories fragmented into thousands of shining particles.

Those little shining particles were its memories.

It was the answer it was looking for.

The little fiber of consciousness anxious to discover who it was, felt an unbearable desire arise to obtain those small fragmented particles of memories. And after that, it did not hesitate to try to dive into that little hidden inner world.

It wanted to find out who it was.

Filled with desire to know who it is, what its name is and why it exists, it tried to reach those fragmented memories, but sadly no matter how hard it tried, it could not reach those memories. The layer of mist that covered that inner world acted as a barrier that prevented the little consciousness from getting hold of the memories.

Why can't I!?

They're my memories! Why won't you let me get them!?

It shouted in anger and sadness.

It felt an enormous frustration of having the answers it sought at its fingertips, but not being able to get hold of them.

The tiny fiber of consciousness continued to try to snatch the fragments of memories without success.

It was too weak to try to break the barrier that protected those fragments of memories.

If it wanted to succeed in breaking that barrier, it had to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could it break that damned barrier.

After understanding this, the little fiber of consciousness temporarily put aside the issue of fragmented memories and put its focus on its new body. Its body, which until now was nothing more than a cupule of cells that joined and multiplied over and over again, had at some point taken shape and become an mass of flesh.

A small tube had formed to become what seemed to be the base of its new body.

The little fiber of consciousness watched in amazement all the transformation and development at an incredible speed that was taking place in its new body.

First that little tube was formed as center of its new body.

Then that little tube underwent a transformation which made it grow, elongating upward to form what would become the spine of the entire body.

Before long, in the upper part which could be said to be the head, a pair of hollows emerged to give shape to the formation of eyes, ears, nose and a canal which would give shape to the throat and an underdeveloped mouth.

Then came a pair of limbs that began to grow on the sides of the body as small protuberances.

These protuberances were the hands and legs of its new body.

By this time, the little fiber of consciousness that was observing all the development of its new body, knew to identify that it was it...

It was a fetus.

A fetus in the process of becoming a human being.

900p

***

Chapter 01 - Version 2

In an unknown place, a small and minuscule fiber of consciousness emerged from nothingness itself.

Surrounded by a seemingly endless sea of darkness, the little fiber of consciousness dove in and was carried away by the waves of the unknown, floating and swaying slightly among the small particles.

The little fiber of consciousness that emerged in this place had no awareness of itself or its surroundings; it simply floated there with no apparent direction. The only sense that the little fiber of consciousness had within it was the insatiable feeling that it had to grow more; it had to grow and grow, and only then could it survive this turbulence.

And following those instincts, the little fiber of consciousness began to grow, quickly expanding everywhere and encompassing all that world that surrounded it. Quickly, its sense of self grew stronger and stronger.

It resurfaced among the waves, and after an indeterminate time, the small fiber of consciousness finally realized something incredible...

At some point, without knowing when exactly, it had obtained a body of its own.

Its newly obtained body was a handful of cells that continuously reproduced, died and revived at an accelerated rate in a repetitive cycle that seemed to have no end.

Watching as that handful of cells evolved and transformed to create a new being, the little fiber of consciousness finally realized its own existence.

It realized that it was a living being.

It realized that it was a living being.

A living being with a body and a mind.

Upon realizing this, the little fiber of consciousness felt an enormous joy. It now had a better understanding of its own existence.

It discovered that it was alive.

I am a living being!

it shouted excitedly.

It wanted to jump for joy.

But she couldn't, because her body was still developing.

And at the same time that it realized that it was a living being, it also realized a problem: It didn't remember who it was.

The little fiber of consciousness knew it was "someone" before it woke up in this place; it could feel very clearly inside that it had a past, a history, a background behind it, but it could not remember it. Why can't I remember it?

'Who am I?' It asked itself.

Its memories seemed incomplete. And while it searched for answers within itself, it gradually discovered a small inner world covered by a hazy and mysterious veil of fog.

What is this place?

That little inner world was within it, buried deep within its own existence. As the little fiber of consciousness observed that nebulous hidden inner world, it began to feel that something within that fog seemed to call to it. Something was hidden there, and that something seemed to call to it.

Over time, the little consciousness began to understand that behind that veil of fog lay a vast amount of fragmented memories in thousands of shining particles.

Those little shining particles were its memories.

It was the answer it was looking for.

The little fiber of consciousness anxious to discover who it was, felt an unbearable desire arise to obtain those small fragmented particles of memories. And then, it did not hesitate to try to dive into that little hidden inner world.

It wanted to find out who it was.

Filled with desire to know who it is, what its name is and why it exists, it tried to reach those fragmented memories, but sadly no matter how hard it tried, it could not reach those memories. The layer of mist that covered that inner world acted as a barrier that prevented the little consciousness from getting hold of the memories.

Why can't I!?

They're my memories! Why won't you let me get them!?

It screamed with anger and sadness.

It felt enormous frustration at having the answers it was looking for at its fingertips, but not being able to get hold of them.

The little fiber of consciousness continued to try to snatch the fragments of memories without success. It was too weak to try to break through the barrier that protected those fragments of memories.

If it wanted to succeed in breaking that barrier, it had to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could it break that damned barrier.

After realizing this, the little fiber of consciousness temporarily set aside the issue of fragmented memories and focused on its new body. Its body, which until now was nothing more than a cluster of cells that joined and multiplied over and over again, had at some point taken shape and become a mass of flesh.

A small tube had formed to become what seemed to be the base of its new body.

The little fiber of consciousness watched in amazement all the transformation and development at an incredible speed that was taking place in its new body.

First that little tube was formed as center of its new body.

Then that little tube underwent a transformation which made it grow, elongating upward to form what would become the spine of the entire body.

Before long, in the upper part which could be said to be the head, a pair of hollows emerged to give shape to the formation of eyes, ears, nose and a canal which would give shape to the throat and an underdeveloped mouth.

Then came a pair of limbs that began to grow on the sides of the body as small protuberances.

These protuberances were the hands and legs of its new body.

By this time, the little fiber of consciousness that was observing all the development of its new body, knew to identify that it was it...

By then, the little fiber of consciousness that observed the whole development of its new body, knew how to identify what kind of creature it was....

It was a fetus.

A fetus in the process of becoming a human being.

930p

________

Otro, pero esta vez sin espaciado

Chapter 01 - Version 2

In an unknown place, a small and minuscule fiber of consciousness emerged from nothingness itself.

Surrounded by a seemingly endless sea of darkness, the little fiber of consciousness dove in and was carried away by the waves of the unknown, floating and swaying slightly among the small particles.

The little fiber of consciousness that emerged in this place had no awareness of itself or its surroundings; it simply floated there with no apparent direction. The only sense that the little fiber of consciousness had within it was the insatiable feeling that it had to grow more; it had to grow and grow, and only then could it survive this turbulence.

And following those instincts, the little fiber of consciousness began to grow, quickly expanding everywhere and encompassing all that world that surrounded it. Quickly, its sense of self grew stronger and stronger.

It resurfaced among the waves, and after an indeterminate time, the small fiber of consciousness finally realized something incredible...

At some point, without knowing when exactly, it had obtained a body of its own.

Its newly obtained body was a handful of cells that continuously reproduced, died and revived at an accelerated rate in a repetitive cycle that seemed to have no end.

Watching as that handful of cells evolved and transformed to create a new being, the little fiber of consciousness finally realized its own existence.

It realized that it was a living being.

A living being with a body and a mind.

Upon realizing this, the little fiber of consciousness felt an enormous joy. It now had a better understanding of its own existence.

It discovered that it was alive.

I am a living being!

It shouted excitedly.

It wanted to jump for joy.

But it couldn't, because it body was still developing.

And at the same time that it realized that it was a living being, it also realized a problem: It didn't remember who it was.

The little fiber of consciousness knew it was "someone" before it woke up in this place; it could feel very clearly inside that it had a past, a history, a background behind it, but it could not remember it. Why can't I remember it?

'Who am I?' It asked itself.

Its memories seemed incomplete. And while it searched for answers within itself, it gradually discovered a small inner world covered by a hazy and mysterious veil of fog.

What is this place?

That little inner world was within it, buried deep within its own existence. As the little fiber of consciousness observed that nebulous hidden inner world, it began to feel that something within that fog seemed to call to it. Something was hidden there, and that something seemed to call to it.

Over time, the little consciousness began to understand that behind that veil of fog lay a vast amount of fragmented memories in thousands of shining particles.

Those little shining particles were its memories.

It was the answer it was looking for.

The little fiber of consciousness anxious to discover who it was, felt an unbearable desire arise to obtain those small fragmented particles of memories. And then, it did not hesitate to try to dive into that little hidden inner world.

It wanted to find out who it was.

Filled with desire to know who it is, what its name is and why it exists, it tried to reach those fragmented memories, but sadly no matter how hard it tried, it could not reach those memories. The layer of mist that covered that inner world acted as a barrier that prevented the little consciousness from getting hold of the memories.

Why can't I!?

They're my memories! Why won't you let me get them!?

It screamed with anger and sadness.

It felt enormous frustration at having the answers it was looking for at its fingertips, but not being able to get hold of them.

The little fiber of consciousness continued to try to snatch the fragments of memories without success. It was too weak to try to break through the barrier that protected those fragments of memories.

If it wanted to succeed in breaking that barrier, it had to become stronger.

Only by becoming stronger could it break that damned barrier.

After realizing this, the little fiber of consciousness temporarily set aside the issue of fragmented memories and focused on its new body. Its body, which until now was nothing more than a cluster of cells that joined and multiplied over and over again, had at some point taken shape and become a mass of flesh.

A small tube had formed to become what seemed to be the base of its new body.

The little fiber of consciousness watched in amazement all the transformation and development at an incredible speed that was taking place in its new body.

First that little tube was formed as center of its new body.

Then that little tube underwent a transformation which made it grow, elongating upward to form what would become the spine of the entire body.

Before long, in the upper part which could be said to be the head, a pair of hollows emerged to give shape to the formation of eyes, ears, nose and a canal which would give shape to the throat and an underdeveloped mouth.

Then came a pair of limbs that began to grow on the sides of the body as small protuberances.

These protuberances were the hands and legs of its new body.

By this time, the little fiber of consciousness that was observing all the development of its new body, knew to identify that it was it...

By then, the little fiber of consciousness that observed the whole development of its new body, knew how to identify what kind of creature it was....

It was a fetus.

A fetus in the process of becoming a human being.

930p

-------------------

1-7 Monster

I wanted little more than a peaceful night. A good sleep followed by a healthy breakfast. Simple, effective, vital.

Fate laughed and said no.

Rain bombarded the land, every drop a precision bomb that found the slightest crack in my roof and gleefully introduced itself to the floor below. I had no tubs, so with little choice I was forced to use my pots and fans to collect what amount they could.

All night long, I repeated a cycle. Sleep for a short time, awake, empty pans into the driving rain outside, and keep Gol from stealing my food. The beast refused to sleep outside, and after a time I could not bear its incessant whines and scratches upon my door. I had foolishly taken mercy and let it in.

I was only thankful that it was too lazy to explore, and had slumped down in the corner to doze off. It stirred whenever I did, and before long I was thwarting its attempts to snatch up morsels left from my supper.

I judged it to be just before dawn when I finally gave up on sleep and heaved myself out of bed for good.

Gods, what a shitty start to my day. Just another day and I could have gotten those hides stretched across the roof and not had to deal with all this. But such was life, and regrets would not change what had happened.

The aerial bombardment had given way to a light drizzle, I found as I yanked the door open. It pattered lightly against my fur as I shuffled across the yard, headed to the cellar for more meat. Garek’s thickened hide meant I felt only vague dampness as my hooves squished into the wet earth. With a grunt, I stooped and heaved the stone slab aside. Only to stop in horror as I looked within.

Even in the dim morning pre-light, I could see the water below. The cellar was flooded.

To say I took it well would be a lie. I could feel curses rising, only to be choked back down as I struggled to rein in my emotions. Okay, it was a setback. An inconvenience. A product of my own oversight, much as I was loathe to admit it.

No one’s fault but my own.

With little else to do, I waded down into the flooded chamber and took stock.

The water was up to my knees by the time I had descended all the way down. Much of the meat was soaked, hung as close to the ground as it was. Salted by the butcher and smoked by me, it was wet now. Obviously. The cellar was useless to me, now that nature had made clear its fatal flaw. Just a hole in the ground to symbolize my wasted effort. It spoke to another problem.

I had constructed my house my modern methods, but without modern tools. Sure, I had shaved logs into crude boards with the supernaturally sharp edge of my axe, but they were still crooked and imperfect. The entire structure was serviceable, but not truly what I needed.

I would have to rebuild, in the future. If memory served correctly, the sound way would be to build a proper cellar first, with stone -copious amounts of it- for the floor and walls, then cover it with a sturdy floor and then make a house atop. Le’rish’s lodge seemed to be the best idea for me currently. Large, rather spacious, and simple to make.

But that would be done at a later time when I was caught up on other tasks around the farm.

For now, I had a cellar full of soaked meat to carry out, and a hungry Gol to fend off. I chose not to, in the end. Just tossed it some of the wettest portions of meat and watched it disappear down the badger-bear-thing’s throat.

“I’ll find a use for you someday.” I vowed with a sigh and began to haul the dripping meat inside. And there was the problem with my house. It took most of the available space to hang the cured meat from the ceiling, even packed into the corner. I had built it for myself to live in, and little else. The goods I had bought from Hullbretch took up what space the hanging meat did not, and I was left with very little space for myself.