Tecnomagic Engineer

...Sounds of Flowing Water...

- "GASP... huff... huff... cough... cough... cough... D-damn... cough... cough... huff... huff, w-where am I?" I wondered as I woke up, still by the riverbank.

- "W-what happened? … huff… ARGH... MY... H-HEAD... IT... HURTS..." I said as I got up, holding my head and, staggering, walked out of the water.

- "huff... huff... d-damn it... w-we were running away and... then..." I recalled, struggling at that moment, as I walked a few meters and, on the drier bank of the river, let myself fall to the ground again.

- "... and then... my mother... my... mother..." I said, as I brought my hands to my face and let the tears flow uncontrollably.

Five years... That was practically my age at the time when all that had happened. There were only a few months left until my birthday, and was all this I was going through supposed to be a gift? For a long time, I wondered if it had a greater meaning or if the Gods watching over us were just very bored and made all this for their amusement. After all, what other explanation could there be for what I was living through? Overnight, I had lost everything: my parents, friends, my objects that I considered extremely important... everything, EVERYTHING. It had to have some meaning, even if minimal.

And then, that day, lying by that river, while listening to the water flow and the wind making the leaves of the trees sway... while I was there, trying to digest everything that was happening, haunted by the last memories I had of my mother, who looked at me with a sad expression, almost as if asking for forgiveness for something she never did, while an arrow pierced her skull... while trying to forget all that, burdened by an inexplicable guilt, I understood. I finally understood what was happening. I finally understood who were the culprits for all that. I finally understood how I was still weak, incapable, and immature, even though I thought I was a genius. I finally understood how I had been abandoned by those I trusted and, most importantly, I finally understood and had a first glimpse of what I wanted to be from then on.

That glimpse, although very quick, made me realize something clear, something I said to myself out loud, something that, in the future, would change the course of kingdoms, empires, and even the world itself. Lying there, under those trees that swayed more and more fiercely, as if a storm was approaching, while crying over the loss of everything I had and who I once was, I said the following phrase while laughing:

- "... HA... HAHA... HAHAHAHAHAHA... I SWEAR HAHAHAHA THAT NO MATTER HOW, WHERE, OR WHEN, I SWEAR I WILL BRING HELL TO EACH ONE OF YOU, YOU DAMN PIGS! HAHAHAHA..."

At that moment, a rage I had never felt or even thought of feeling took over me. And, for the first time, I understood that, for all that humans were doing to themselves and to other living beings, it was necessary for someone to become something worse than all that. Something that would make them fear every time they heard its name, something thousands of times worse than the very demons they feared. There, I decided to become that and make them pay, slowly, for everything they had done to me and to the people who were so special to me.

From then on, I decided to get up. Even though my body refused and complained of pain, I simply ignored it. Limping, wet from having just come out of the river, and with several injuries and probably some fractured ribs, I continued to push myself towards the forest. The day, as I said, was cloudy and windy, as if a storm was approaching, so I couldn't tell the approximate time by the light of our mother star. I decided, first, to plan my next steps to survive in that place.

I didn't know where I was or how long I had traveled along the river. Maybe I was already close to the sea, but I couldn't tell at the moment. Only when I could walk better or find a high enough place to have a better view of the distant terrain would I have an idea of where I was. Fortunately, my old kingdom geography book contained some maps, detailed for the time, that would help me a lot during that journey. In addition, the remaining knowledge I acquired from other books and the daily experiences my father had provided as training, in case I found myself in a scenario like that, would certainly be useful in the near future.

Knowing this, I felt a little less stressed and a bit more persistent to continue at that moment. The first thing I did from there was to make a splint for my injured leg and support for my injured body with some branches I found nearby and some ropes made by intertwining a type of plant whose leaves are very resistant, called Fynllorath. Thus, I managed to provide some relief to my bones from the weight of my body.

After that, the next step was to gather materials to make a fire and obtain water and food. Water wouldn't be hard to find since I was near the riverbank. As for food, it didn't seem extremely complicated either, as where there's a flow of water, there's usually life. I could find animals, both in the water and nearby, as well as trees with fruits.

I then looked for a dry branch large enough to start with. Next, I found a smaller branch that could be carved, creating a rounded tip on one end. Finally, I found a curved branch to complete my improvised fire-starting kit. This knowledge, although not originating from this world, was still clear in my mind. The name of this method was the "Egyptian Bow Drill," a primitive friction technique with two sticks to generate embers. So, I began the preparations. After a few minutes of effort and sweat, I finally managed to light a small fire, enough to illuminate, warm, and prepare food.

With the fire lit and my initial space organized, I focused on obtaining water and food. I walked to an area of the river with larger stones and looked for one with a natural cavity. That stone would serve as an improvised pot to boil water. Heating the water over the fire would help eliminate impurities and harmful microorganisms. Although an uncommon practice for the people of this world, I understood its importance. This thought struck me strangely. After all, how did I know all this? These knowledge pieces seemed to come from a life I barely remembered, but without them, I might not survive.

To find food, I decided to use a varied approach, starting with fishing. I created an improvised rod with a branch, a cord made from natural fibers, and a hook of two intertwined small sticks. After some time looking for bait, I found a worm called Kozvhyn, known as the "wood plague" for destroying the trees with the best-quality wood but excellent for attracting fish. With the bait attached, I headed to a rock that jutted into the river and cast my line.

While waiting, I observed the surroundings. Near the fire, I noticed a group of trees very close to each other, which could serve as a base to build an improvised shelter. I was reflecting on how to assemble it when I felt a tug on the line. Something had bitten the bait. Carefully, I began pulling the line, struggling with the fish's resistance. After a brief battle, I brought it out. It wasn't a special or rare fish, but it would fill my stomach and restore my strength.

I returned to the fire with the fish and prepared a tripod with three branches to roast it. While the heat did its job, I went to the nearby trees and began erecting the shelter. I used branches to create rudimentary walls, leaving a gap as an entrance. For the roof, I used more branches and covered them with dry leaves. I also discovered a tree whose outer bark, already dead, was easy to peel and worked as an excellent insulator against rain and moisture. With this additional protection, the shelter was more resistant and safe against the weather.

After that, I returned to the fish, which was almost ready, only needing to roast the part not yet in contact with the fire's heat. So I turned the fish and waited until it was done. Before eating, I mentally thanked for the food that would give me strength to continue. I devoured the fish and drank the water that had been boiled, though it was no longer hot. It brought me a sense of relief and renewal, even if temporary, much needed in that hell I found myself in.

While the fire crackled before me, I began to think about everything that had happened. I looked at the dancing flames, remembering the highs and lows of my life. Despite being only five years old, I had already faced more challenges than many people.

I lowered my head, and the words escaped without me realizing:

- "Damn... How am I going to keep going now? Mom? Dad? Can you hear me?... Hahaha, I guess not. What would you do at this moment? Hmm?..."

I tried to hold back the tears, but it was impossible. They streamed down my face, and I stayed there, sitting in front of the fire until night fell. The stars in the sky and the two moons shining became my only witnesses. Witnesses of a childhood no child should know.