''I'm sorry, Max, but the tests show the disease has started affecting your motor functions. This was the reason you collapsed at school,'' his family doctor revealed with an apologetic frown as he flicked through some paperwork.
''Thanks to your parents' meticulous planning, their insurance has secured you a room at the Golden Horizons Hospice Facility,'' he went on. ''The bus will be here in the morning to pick you up.''
Max smiled when hearing that. ''It's not a surprise I got Huntington's Disease. I've been such a weak child, but always thought it was my fault.''
The doctor let out a soft sigh, resting a comforting hand on his, speaking gently. ''You were never to blame. Your family did everything they could until the crash took them from us. Now, you'll have the chance to reunite.''
He watched the older man rise, his eyes tinged with sorrow. ''Unlike some of us, I'd give anything to see my Mary once more,'' he said sadly. ''But enough of the sentimental talk. I have a gift for you, my boy. I'll have the nurses bring it to you shortly.''
''Thank you, Marcus,'' he replied to the man who had been there since he was left alone in this world.
Max had grieved his family a year ago, but he was suddenly struck down by Huntington's Disease, which was the reason why he couldn't live a normal life of a fifteen-year-old boy. This didn't stop his love for ancient history. Friends and teachers brought him books; he eagerly dove into them whenever the pain grew unbearable or when he found himself confined to bed.
He gazed out the nearby window and looked at the nearby park. Lost in his thoughts, Max barely noticed time slipping away until the sun dipped below the horizon. A sharp knock jolted him back to reality. ''Come in,'' he croaked, his voice frail and raspy from a dry throat.
His nurse, Annabelle, walked in with a sweet smile. ''Hello there. Dr Rushborn asked me to bring these here.''
After speaking, she lifted a bag full of books and energy water, making his eyes widen as she continued. ''He said these are fascinating reads, the drink will make you feel better.''
''Thank you,'' Max replied as the older woman put the stuff on the bed.
''You're welcome darling,'' she replied sweetly. ''I'm sorry for what's happening to you. It's not fair.''
He waved her away. ''I've already accepted my fate, and hopefully, in my next life, I don't end up with a disease like this and can meet my parents again. I miss them greatly.''
Annabelle shook her head and ruffled his hair. ''You amaze me sometimes, so mature for your age. Now enjoy your books; The transport will be here in the morning.''
Following that, she left the room as he took a swig of the sweet-tasting water, pulling out the first book, reading the name. ''Life of a Hunter-Gatherer: Beasts of the Wild.''
His eyes widened before he started reading and learning about the life of early humans and the nightmarish beasts they lived alongside. ''This is fascinating; to be able to witness Mammoths walking the world would've been amazing.''
Max continued reading and getting stuck in the book, only to stop when a horrible pain shot through his body. He grabbed his chest as his heart began hurting just as a beeping noise rang out. Just then, a sudden low hoot caught his attention, prompting him to glance at the window.
A strange-looking grey owl was sitting watching him with a curious look in its glowing blue eyes. Moments later, Doctors rushed in, and Marcus loomed above him, his voice urgent as the animal vanished like smoke. ''Stay with us!'' a voice echoed in his ears.
His fading consciousness registered the man's gaze flicker to Annabelle; he focused again. ''He's in cardiac arrest. His heart is shutting down, the disease has taken its toll on his body.''
Moments later, a white light blinded him as a woman's soft voice echoed in his mind. ''Come to me, follow the path, my Beast Master.''
Max felt his soul being pulled somewhere and didn't try to stop it, thanks to accepting his death and not wanting to fight anymore. Just then, the hospital machines flatlined, and the people in the room became nothing but a blur. He appeared in a primal clearing surrounded by trees so big they pierced the clouds.
''Welcome, Max. I must say watching you has been heartbreaking,'' the stranger said. ''But I'm here to offer you an opportunity to live another life, a life that suits you.''
''Huh?'' he blurted out as a tanned woman appeared.
She had long, flowing brown hair, big blue eyes, and a smile that nearly charmed him if she hadn't continued talking. ''You've suffered, you've lost, but pushed on until death took you from your world.''
The stranger leaned forward with a knowing expression. ''I've been waiting for your soul to leave. The moment this happened, it allowed me to bring you here instead of being taken by the River of Souls.''
''Soul?'' he muttered in confusion. ''And where's here?''
''Yes, my chosen,'' the woman answered, her warm smile radiating quiet confidence. ''My world, Arda. It will be both familiar and strange, a brutal place that will test your limits, yet I believe it will forge you anew, stronger than you've ever been, so you can help the Varna rise.''
Max started getting excited, but she continued. ''I will give you a gift, and I know you are aware of such things, which should help you thrive within the Varna Tribe and beyond.''
She waved her hand, and a screen popped up in front of him.
[THE BEAST MASTER SYSTEM: A gift from the Goddess Erda, who blessed you as her chosen, this gives you many benefits while leveling up]
[Name:]
[Level: 0]
[Experience: 0/100]
[HP: 1]
[STR: 1]
[STM: 1]
[CHA: 1]
[INT: 2]
[BP: 1]
[Skills:]
''It's like the RPG games I've played,'' he muttered, a big smile crossing his face. ''This could be good, but what's BP?''
[BEAST POINTS: You can spend these on your Attributes - One point raises an attribute by one - Earned through System Quests/Kills]
Max's eyes widened when he saw the notification pop up, prompting him to ask. ''You're Erda?''
The woman inclined her head with a knowing nod. ''Yes, and you'll be born into a tribe that reveres me,'' she revealed. ''They'll suit you well, a strong, spirited people, perfectly matched to you.''
''Awesome!'' he exclaimed, which made Erda giggle.
She stepped forward and wrapped him in a hug. ''Now go forward and enjoy this gift. Live the life you want.''
Following that, the goddess whispered something, and his world went black. The next thing Max felt was being submerged in warm water, confusing him even more. He tried to open his eyes but only saw darkness. Just then, he was suddenly sucked down and blinded as voices reached his ears.
Max opened his eyes only to be shocked to the core when realizing was in some kind of hut with straw as a ceiling, that's when a wild-looking woman came into view, staring at him, a love-filled smile crossing her face as she began speaking, but he couldn't understand until a notification popped up.
[Common Tongue Unlocked - Sorry, I forgot the language - Erda]
''My little warrior,'' the woman's words made his gaze snap to her.
His new mother had untamed, golden, and emerald eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity Max had never seen. She looked wild, like the hunter-gatherers from books. Uncertain of her, his thoughts were interrupted by a deep voice. ''His snow-white hair mirrors the lost tribes that came before, blessed by the Snowfather.''
Max turned to see a towering man, a giant with long, curly black hair and a beard that cascaded to his stomach. Built like a fortress, his body bore scars, each one hinting at battles fought. He looked ready to take on the world, causing his eyes to widen at the sight, making the stranger smile.
Just then, his mother booped him on the nose and said. ''Now Erda has accepted you, your naming ceremony will be in a few days, but I've chosen the name of the man who brought our people together, Argo, but you, my little warrior, will grow to become someone even stronger.''
Argo gazed at his new mother, a smile breaking across his little face. Her eyes softened as she returned the look, but their moment shattered when frantic screams pierced the air from outside the hut. His father snatched a spear from the wall and bolted out the door. A gust of frigid air swept in, carrying the scent of something wild.
His mother wrapped a thick, fur-lined blanket around his body, shielding him from the cold. Before the door could swing shut, something else darted inside, landing with a soft thud on a wooden beam overhead. She gasped pulling him closer, her body tensing as she positioned herself between him and the intruder.