It wasn't a scream.
It wasn't his scream, at least.
Rather, it was a series of echoes reverberating in his mind, strange yet eerily familiar in a way that stirred terror.
The sound was deep, as if it were an extension of an ancient voice, a voice that no longer belonged to him.
He opened his eyes suddenly, a cold gasp escaping his lips, his body convulsing under the weight of shock.
He was lying on the ground, his back pressed against cold, hard stones, the smell of ash filling his nostrils.
Faint flames danced in the corners of a stone cell, casting long, twisting shadows that resembled lurking specters.
Then came the whispers.
'Finally… it's Zero.'
The words were spoken, but he wasn't sure… Was that his voice? Or was it the echo of something older?
He raised his hand slowly, his eyes focusing on his skin, on his left forearm. There, the number [0] glowed faintly in a dull red, warm to the touch, as if branded into his flesh.
And in that moment, the memories began to flood in.
100 lives… and now, no more.
Life 100: He was a great king, fighting to the death in a battle that had no outcome but defeat.
Life 99: He was a scientist, discovering a way to create artificial meat, but dying from the toxicity of his own creation.
Life 75: He was an assassin, his life ending in a narrow alley, short-lived.
Life 50: He was a holy knight, ending up crucified as a traitor.
Life 10: He was a slave, hanged in front of the woman he loved.
Then… Life 1.
It stopped.
Blurry. Hazy. His mind searched for it, but he couldn't reach it.
"You're awake, then? Your turn is coming soon."
A deep voice resonated in the cell. It was commanding, rough, as if its owner was accustomed to giving orders without expecting objections.
He lifted his head slowly, his eyes adjusting to the faint orange light. Before him stood a grotesque ogre, its greenish-black skin stretched over a broad, swollen face. Its shoulders were massive, and its expression was unreadable.
Stared at him for a moment, then spoke in a gruff, tired voice:
"Your turn?"
"Yeah! You'll fight now. It's your match. I don't want any more delays from you."
'Fight?'
Part of him didn't understand the concept, while the deeper part… pulsed with a strange anticipation.
"Oh yes… it's the fight… it is."
He whispered the words as if savoring them.
His face paled… yet his lips twisted into a wide, distorted smile.
He stared at the ogre creature before him, looking at it as if it were a delicious meal.
The ogre showed no reaction, simply turning its back and moving away calmly, as if it had more important matters to attend to.
Then, he moved quickly, searching for any reflective surface… anything that could show him his reflection.
He stopped at a stagnant pool of water. He bent down slowly, his gaze piercing the darkness… until he saw his reflection.
A strong face with prominent cheekbones and a sharp jaw.
Gray hair… almost silver, long and unkempt.
His eyes... Intensely red?!! cold.
His build was lean, but not weak. It was agile.
But what truly mattered… wasn't this.
What mattered was his soul.
He had trained it, honed it over dozens of lives, turning it into an unbreakable weapon. He had planned everything for this final life… it was his. No one would take it from him.
And yet…
"I've lost so many memories this time."
He gritted his teeth. "Fuck this."
'Is it because it's Life 0? Damn…!'
He took a few steps forward, his gaze wandering down the corridor ahead.
What caught his attention was the strangely carved wall directly in front of him.
It wasn't just random engravings, but intertwined shapes forming a distinct image.
"Oh, I suppose you're excited."
The heavy voice interrupted his thoughts again, and he turned slowly.
The massive creature was approaching, returning quickly, its features still devoid of clear emotion, but it was smiling… or at least, something resembling a smile.
"Your excitement is justified. It's been a quick round."
Then it continued in a more serious tone:
"Your opponent… since entering the arena, hasn't died in the last five rounds. I think he's determined to reach the end."
"Is he that strong?"
The beast let out a short laugh. "Oh…"
It leaned closer, then whispered as if sharing a secret: "He's terror incarnate."
"Now, hold out your hands, human. Time is pressing."
He didn't need much time to understand. He stepped toward the rectangular opening in the bars, extending his hands outward.
A strange binding, resembling dead branches or a distorted tree trunk, pulsed faintly as it wrapped around his wrists.
The door creaked open with a heavy groan, and with steady steps, he exited the cell. The grotesque ogre moved ahead, leading him through a corridor drowned in shadows.
'Lead me where you will… show me this world! I will live!'
He muttered to himself.
He believed it, as an absolute truth.
But amidst his thoughts, one thing continued to bother him…
His name.
But it didn't matter, he was sure his name would be spoken soon.
He stared at the repulsive ogre and its foul stench as they continued forward until they reached the end of the corridor, where the path curved slightly to reveal a massive iron gate, sealing off the strange passage.
Then, with a forceful push, the gate creaked open slowly.
And then came the light.
The light seeped into the dark void, bright… too bright.
He wasn't prepared for this simple thing.
He felt his weakness manifest in that moment, his soul trembling slightly, his eyes squinting from the intensity of the light. Despite his 100 lifetimes, he always lost to this simple enemy: the first light.
He stepped out of the gate hesitantly, as if emerging from a long-darkened shell.
Finally, the screams came from all directions, shouts filled with anger, hatred, and malice.
"Damn, it's him! Finally."
"The cursed human!"
"He burned my brother!"
"Bastard! Shit, may this race go to hell!"
The anger was boiling in the arena, the number of spectators was large and growing. How could it not be, when it was a human? Amidst a crowd of monsters who vowed to see his blood splatter everywhere.
"Go on, Egologia! Good luck!" the ogre said as it released his bindings.
'Egologia?'
He lifted his head slowly.
'Oh… my name?'
The ogre retreated, closing the gate behind him with a metallic clang.
And the hateful creatures grew even more hateful: "HELL! await you!!!…"
He raised his head slightly, gazing at them briefly, his lips parting in a faint smile.
'Hell? Nah! that's fine, but before that, I'll create my paradise here… in Zero.'