I was awakened by the scorching sun and the splash of waves brushing against my face. Confused, I looked around — everything felt unfamiliar. I couldn't comprehend what had happened. I stood up and scanned the area, unsure of what I was thinking. I tried to recall something, anything. But I couldn't. I couldn't even figure out where I was, let alone who I was. It was as if my entire memory had been wiped clean.
Without knowing why, I felt drawn toward the bushes ahead and started walking into them. Something inside me told me I needed to go that way.
I kept walking into the forest, my body starting to ache with every step. One thing became clear — something major must have happened to me before this.
I had no idea how long I'd been walking, but judging by the sweat soaking through my clothes, it must have been quite a while. The place was eerily silent; I hadn't come across any sign of life since I arrived. Then, suddenly, I heard a loud noise. Without a second thought, I rushed toward the sound.
There, I found a waterfall. I drank the water and decided to rest there for the night. I lay down beneath a large leafy tree, eating fruit that grew from its branches.
The next day, I continued deeper into the forest. I didn't know where I was going — I just kept moving forward. After walking for about half a day, I finally stumbled upon a village nestled within the woods.
I entered the village. Though small, it seemed fairly populated. I walked into a bustling tavern. But the moment I stepped inside, the noisy room fell silent, and every eye turned to me. Slowly, I searched for an empty seat and sat down, puzzled by the constant stares.
A large, muscular red man with horns approached me.
"You're not from around here, are you, kid? I know every soldier and villager in this town, but I've never seen you before," he said.
"Yeah," I replied.
"Who are you? Where do you come from?"
"I don't know where I'm from. And… I don't know who I am," I answered in confusion.
"Then, what do you want to order?"
"Can I have something to eat? I haven't eaten all day."
He left without a word. The tavern's chatter resumed as before. Not long after, the big man returned, bringing me a plate of food. I devoured it quickly, starving. When I finished eating, he came back over.
"Here's your bill."
"I don't have any money to pay for it," I said, not even having glanced at the bill.
"I figured," he replied, crumpling the bill in his hand.
He started walking away and gestured for me to leave.
"Please, let me work to repay the food," I offered, feeling guilty watching him go.
He led me to the back of the tavern and pointed to a pile.
"Take those crates and stack them neatly over there. Then wash all the dishes. After that, clean the horse stable out back."
I was stunned by the amount of work he gave me. But I didn't complain. I got to work immediately. That day was exhausting. I lifted heavy boxes, washed piles of dirty dishes that kept growing, and when night fell, I cleaned the horse stable.
Once I finished, I collapsed onto a heap of hay to rest. But before long, the big man called me inside. The tavern was now closed. He had prepared a meal for me on the table. We ate together.
"You're pretty responsible. Even without money, you were willing to work to pay your debt. And you did a good job," he said.
"Thank you, sir. I just didn't want to leave without making it right."
"So, how did you end up in this little village?"
I told him everything — how I'd woken up on the beach, and how I wandered until I found the village.
While sipping his wine, he asked, "So, where will you go next?"
"I don't know. I'm just trying to remember who I am… and what my past was like."
"What's that?" he said, noticing my left wrist.
I looked and realized there was a tattoo — an S shaped like a serpent.
"I don't know what it means either," I said.
"Maybe it's a clue to who you are. Could be the initial of your name."
"How do you know?"
"Because the Elangmada soldiers tattoo their initials onto their bodies. You might be one of them."
I paused, thinking deeply.
"So, what will you do now?"
"For now… maybe I should stay here while I try to recall my past."
"That sounds like the most rational choice."
"You can stay at this tavern and help me run it. Since you don't know your real name, I'll call you Snekers. How about that?"
"Alright, sir."
"And you can call me Mr. Roder."
So I decided to stay in this small village and take on the name Snekers. I helped Mr. Roder run the tavern, not knowing how long I'd remain here. But deep inside, I knew that one day I would leave to continue my search — to find out who I really am, and where I came from.
The only clue I had… was Elangmada Soldiers.