The journal lay beside Subin on the bed, left open to the last page he was reading.

  Subin stared at it from his bundle of blankets, eyes half lidded in a glare, curled around a pillow. He had been in this position for who knows how long, and it was starting to piss him off.

  He didnt even know what he was supposed to do with this information. Maybe the things in the journal have some amount of truth to them. But what was he supposed to do with that?

  If this Demon King person erased his memory then how was he supposed to actually do any of this?

  They said something about there being a list of things to do he can use as a test for the information, which, how would he know if it was fake or not if they were pre-made?

  This was so frustrating and was bullshit. Ok great, hes here supposedly to lead some people he doesnt know, in a world that is his ‘original’ one?

  With nothing but this stupid book hugging this pillow thats pretentiously soft.

  A grunt sounds out as he throws the pillow away from him, watching as it thuds against the room dividers, and plops to the floor in a soft puff.

  Of course it didn’t even throw in a satisfying manner.

  Fine.

  Fine.

  Let’s see whatever this stupid list of things is supposed to be.

  The writing from before had cut off where he had stopped, as if the King was finished with whatever strange forward they decided to greet Subin with.

  It picks up on the next page, a simple sentence followed by a list.

  ‘These things are what you need to do within your first week of returning, all should be completed before you awaken within a month’s time.

  ‘You don't need to worry as much about how you act during this first month, as the others are used to you being disoriented at first, but these are things I always do, no matter what.

  ‘First, in the study there is a crystal ball on one of the shelves. This is a communication device from you to your people. In its basic function it is one way to all of your people, and that is what you need.’

  Subin glances at the stairs from his bundle of blankets. He’s not going back down the weird stairs just to see if the dumb thing exists.

  —------------

  The orb sits gently in front of Subin on the bed.

  He assumes it's the right one, since any other crystalline structure down there appeared to be in its natural shape, and not, you know, a sphere.

  The thing had the same quiet level of fanciness that every other damn object in this room had - hell he thinks one of those teacups had a gemstone on it earlier. Who does that?

  It was one of the clearest gemstones he’s ever seen, and perfectly round. If someone told him it was one of those blown glass orbs he would have believed them without a question.

  He turns back to the journal, its pages laid open beside where he set the orb.

  ‘You will need to send a message with this, and it should be simple for you. Magic has always come easy for us, and this time should be no different. Especially since you are not trying a spell, but just to power an object with mana.’

  ‘All you will need to do is place your hand on it, and imagine threads spreading from your fingers into the crystal. This will form a connection and then you simply need to focus and speak these words with confidence.’

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  There's a gap in the writing here, and then small quick writing is placed between it and the next line.

  ‘Please sound as sure of yourself as possible, Reader. My generals will pick up on any waver and be worried.’

  Their what? Subin thinks, staring at the smashed writing.

  Of course. Of course they have generals, they're a king, and he's got to pretend that it's fine because otherwise they'll be worried?

  He buries his head in his hands for a moment and sighs. The warmth from his breath lingers on his hands as he processes.

  He can try this stupid crystal ball magic, and if it doesn't work, then bam this whole thing is fake as hell.

  Then he’ll walk out those doors and figure out where the hell he is and how to get home.

  Picking up the orb and turning it over in his hands he examines the clear object. It's cold to the touch, and just feels like glass, with a hard smooth base carved with symbols he doesn't recognize.

  If it's fake, then whoever rigged it up might have just rigged it for him ‘attempting’ to follow the instructions in the book, so that's what he'll do. Follow it to the letter, but none of that stupid concentrating and threads bullshit.

  Logically, it would be set up to do something as he put his hand on it for long enough.

  Subin sets the ball back down on the bed, and rests his hand on top of it.

  He stares at it, waiting for anything to happen as he holds his hand there. Not that he's sure what he's supposed to be looking for other than something.

  Maybe a color change or some lights or something? That's what he’d rig it up to do at least.

  But nothing happens. It just stays exactly the same

  Okay sure. Fine.

  He'll try the stupid magic thing.

  He pauses for a moment, considering closing his eyes but decides against it. If something is going to happen, he wants to see it.

  The page with what he's supposed to say is sitting next to him for if it works so he has to keep his eyes open anyways.

  Focusing on his hand, he concentrates, imagining a bunch of threads in the palm of his hand. It reminds him of when he was little and would pretend to move things with his mind like a superhero.

  He has to fight back a snort at the mental image, not wanting to lose his focus.

  ‘And now…’ he furrows his brow, thinking of the threads moving from his hand into the crystal ball.

  Nothing seems to happen, and he starts to sigh.

  ‘Of course it didn't work why woul-’ his thoughts are cut off as he makes a half strangled sound. He can feel something moving out of his hand and into the ball.

  It doesn't feel like a part of his body once it's outside of his palm but he still feels connected to it, and the ball starts to glow a soft blue color.

  ‘Shitshit- oh fuck what the fuck is- oh god the paper the message thing oh fuck.’ The journal is nearly knocked off the bed as he scrambles to grab it and look at the message.

  “Hell-o,”

  Subin winces immediately as his voice cracks on the first word he says, both due to not saying anything all day, and from the surprise at hearing his own voice echoed into his ears.

  It sounded like someone was standing behind him, and his voice still had a strange feeling to it, like it wasn't quite his.

  ‘Fuck I need to keep reading’ he reminds himself before he can get too into his own head.

  He coughs quietly to try and settle his throat then continues.

  “Welcome back everyone.” Subin shuddered, the echo of his voice in his ears putting him on edge, but if he wanted proof, this really felt like it.

  Which means he needs to pull off sounding as confident and sure of himself as he can.

  “I am sure none of you truly need a reminder of this, but in case you are disoriented, here it is.”

  “Try and remain as inconspicuous as possible. If you are able to make your way back to our lands, do so. If not, either remain hidden and pretend you have not awoken yet, or find a way to slip away.”

  Subin's voice was steady, something he was thankful for as he felt like he was shaking, he was calling people who would be able to spot he was not truly their ruler right to him.

  The next lines didn't help the sinking feeling in his chest either.

  “I am sure you all know the rules I have laid out by now, but do not kill. If you must engage, do so to capture the opponent, or escape. We do not need to bring any unwanted eyes upon the castle.”

  “If you are ones who are able, integrate yourselves into human cities and find out how long it has been.”

  Oh he is so fucked. He is so, so fucked Jesus Christ what the hell has he gotten himself into?

  Or what did this past self throw at him?

  Fighting back a groan he leans his head back. He can't worry about who to be mad at right now. Finish this and then he can… who knows, figure out a way to curse the old him even more.

  “Try not to be caught, but if you are, continue with the same story, that you have awoken in preparation for my return. Keep them guessing on where or when I will appear.”

  “I thank you all for your loyalty, and apologize once again for the beginning of another cycle.”

  It feels like an invisible hand is squeezing Subin's lungs as he says the last line, and he prays that only he hears the slight waver it causes in his voice.

  “But I know this time it will be different.”

  Subin rips his hand off the crystal, plunging the room into darkness he didn’t even know had fallen yet.