Ash and Spear is known for being one of the longest, most tedious, and most gratuitously cruel games in existence.
Beyond the Ebi-Nur River, positioned between two hills, stood a man. He had crimson eyes, slate-gray hair, and skin as white as fresh snow; his nose and lips looked as though they were sculpted from fine porcelain. This was the game's protagonist, Qin Di Shan.
Before him sat a woman, Bo Wu Lan, sobbing quietly. Whether she wept from sorrow or from the agony of her shattered ribs was unclear—and to Qin Di Shan, it didn't matter. He reached into the inner pocket of his coat and pulled out an obsidian pocket watch titled "Myths of the Night Dominion." He began to chant the incantation:
"Great Ancient Lord of Night, I beseech thee, I pray to thee. Open the gate to that other world, my home; blind the eyes of the heavens, and let me bypass the very concept of reality itself."
The watch began to glow with a sickly green light as yellow runes swirled into the air. The atmosphere grew heavy. Behind Qin Di Shan, a portal tore open, revealing his old village. He stepped through, leaving Bo Wu Lan behind without a second glance.
Qin Di Shan looked around. The village had been razed long ago, but he didn't care. His only goal was to find Urum. The sight of the ruined streets, where he had played since childhood with Dan Jiang, Qian Fang, Long Hu Pao, and Urum Ni Xing, tore at his heart.
He turned toward the center of the village and froze in horror.
"Urum..." Qin Di's voice emerged from his throat so cold and guttural that he even startled himself.
All around were the "corpses" of destroyed houses. In the center of it all was Urum, nailed to a cross. She must have been hanging there for a long time; her clothes were tattered, and her internal organs were spilling out. Her skin was a rotted, gangrenous green. Overhead, carrion birds circled.
He shifted his weight slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from her. His legs finally gave out, and he collapsed to his knees.
[Ending 5: "Disappointment"] [Your correction has not been accepted]
"What? Are you kidding me? Do I seriously have to read the rules now?" I muttered. I grabbed my head and rubbed my heavy eyelids. "God, I just need to sleep."
I stood up, my legs trembling slightly, and stumbled until I fell onto the bed. Darkness flooded my vision.
Light stung my eyes. My nose caught the scent of... apples? I slowly opened my eyes, my head throbbing with pain.
The first thing I saw was my own body lying in a slightly chilled bathtub. I looked around. To my right was an open window. To my left, a tiled bathroom with a sink.
I gripped the edges of the tub, stood up onto a red rug, and approached the sink. Looking back at me from the mirror was Sven Laocard. One of the "villains of the week" from Ash and Spear. A boy with black chin-length hair and pale, flawless skin. He looked about ten years old—exactly one year before entering the Academy. After mobilization comes death.
"What the hell is this? Is this a prank?" I dug a nail into my chin. God, no. Technology hasn't advanced far enough to simulate real flowing blood, real pain, and the metallic taste of blood.
This was reality. I had no explanation for it. Yet, the corners of my mouth twitched upward involuntarily. Maybe this is just... brain exhaustion from hunger? Hallucinations before death? It would make sense—even the feeling of pain. But this felt too vivid to be a mere dream.
I pulled the plug from the bath, grabbed a towel from the rug, wrapped it around myself, and walked out.
I found myself in a simple room: a bed, a built-in wardrobe, a writing desk, a chair, and a massive political map of the world. I went to the wardrobe and picked out some slightly frayed gray clothes. This was likely his domestic attire. I flopped onto the bed.
Even if this is a delusion or a fever dream, I have to pretend to be Sven. Otherwise, Arthur or Darius will kill me. Why is this happening to me?
I have to act like Sven, or they'll mistake me for a Shifter or one of the hundreds of other illusion-based monsters. In the game, he was the "conscience" of the story, wasn't he? Kindness, justice, intelligence—at the start, he was disciplined, strict, and gallant. Qin Di only killed him because of a clash of perspectives, though Qin Di had intended to betray him from the start. I finished dressing.
Knock—knock.
God, I hope that's a maid. "Come in!" I called out.
The door opened to reveal Aruna, a cute maid around 18 or 19 years old. "You are expected in the dining hall," Aruna said, her voice sullen. "Fine, I'm coming," I replied. She closed the door.
I rubbed my eyes. Sven's parents would be downstairs; I had to play the part of the obedient son.
I left the room and followed the maid through the opulently decorated corridors of the Laocard estate. In the dining room stood six chairs; five were empty. I took a seat in the middle.
Only Sven's mother, Marie Laocard, was at the table. She was a beautiful woman with red hair and crimson lips, dressed in a simple blue floral dress.
"You took your time," Marie said, sounding slightly irritated. "I fell asleep in the bath," I said. "You should have slept at night," she sighed.
I picked up a spoon and began to eat the lukewarm soup. "Don't choke," Marie remarked.
In the game's community, she was one of the most "waifu-ed" characters. I'd seen the fan art. Fortunately, she wasn't my type.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked. "Do you really think they should wait for you?" Marie countered. "No." "Your father is at the monthly conference of the 42 Rulers; he'll be back in two days. Aurion is with the tutors. Teia is in the library reading. And don't forget, in an hour and twenty-five minutes, you have fencing lessons with Uncle Bennett. So finish up and get to your sword."
I finished lunch quickly and headed back through the luxurious hallways to my room. I collapsed onto the bed.
"God, I'll probably wake up back home. When I do, I'm definitely getting some water and food. This exhaustion is getting to me."