Not again. I thought to myself. Why me, why now?

The vast lands lay before me, in a perpetual sunset, blanketed by the eerie glow of the sun still yellow in the dark expanse of space. It was a common, yet untimely experience. I had traversed these same shadowy valleys for the past 7 and a half years now, and I die a different horrible death each time... each and every time.

I had just gotten back from a night in the bar. I was too drunk to walk home, so I just stayed in the tavern for a night. Didn't cost much, but I really didn't want to deal with this AND tomorrow's hangover.

I've been told things. They tell me to just keep on, to survive. Surviving's the only chance I got, right?

The crimsons... they let off a hum... I swear they do, but the locals tell me otherwise. Well, that's if you could call them locals, they're a figment of my imagination... right? Anyways, just the odd cabin with a sweet old man ready to make me the most unholy yet delectable meal.

Crimsons! Ah yes, crimsons, they're these bright red trees that're scattered throughout the hills of what I now know as "Crivseria", the forest of crimsons.

This time felt like any other. The landscape was different, trees reshuffled, paths redirected, and hills shifted around. It was trying to disorient me. It smelled the same, the same musty scent that made my nose clog in hatred.

Bzzz... Bzzz.

My body didn't know if to run, duck, or just freeze in place.

I could see it... A bug the size of an average cat flew in place, looking around like it was trying to find me. This early? I haven't got weapons, food... or anything. Well, at least it'll end quickly. I thought to myself. No, you have to survive this time.

I'd been telling myself that for years. And I got so close a few weeks ago. The sun almost rose... I was almost free. If only the bug didn't come and pierce me in the fucking neck.

So I ran. I ran as fast as I ever could. Immediately, I heard the bug start flying towards me, each Bzzz getting louder than the last. Keep running. The gravel under me crunched and crumbled, my feet ached, my body ached, everything ached. Keep running, just keep running.

No, I can't keep running. Just give up, let the bug kill you. You got unlucky this time. It's fine. Why survive when you know you can't?

Keep running, you have to survive.

What's the point?

The point is freedom.

The two voices in my head were clashing as my body struggled to keep me conscious, though I was in a dream, so I guess I wasn't conscious.

The path split. Pick right. No pick left.

I went left.

Then I tripped, slamming myself headfirst into the dirt. My head ached, the pebbles digging into my skull. Cracking into the soil.

You're dead, see what's the point?

At least you tried, right?

Bzzz... Bzzz. bzz...bz..b.

It got quieter and quieter... and then it was gone.

I sighed in relief, wiping the blood off my nose and cracking my neck. Then it was time, I just had to walk, this comes every time. Every single fucking time, I just have to walk.

Another hour... or two... or maybe three.

I didn't even know nightmares could last this long.

You can't keep going right?

Yes, you can.

Take a break.

No you... shouldn't... I shouldn't.

I picked voice two nearly every time.

Then I saw it, the wooden cabin that all of my hopes and dreams lay in. I could rest. I could finally rest. The walking... it made me hungry... it made my feet hurt... but I had to survive, I can't stay like this any longer. I WILL NOT STAY LIKE THIS ANY LONGER.

But it was different this time. I saw not one, but two cabins, then a third, then a fourth, then a bigger one, then a smaller one.

No, this was wrong, right? I can't be seeing what I'm seeing. Esteron?

Finally... 7 and a half years. I had been waiting for this. I kneeled to the ground. I was free, I was free from the nightmares.

I could sleep.

I was home...