The Rusted Skeleton

By law, Asdak does not exist. Anyone can kill him and face no consequences. He wakes in the wilderness of a magic continent with no memories. His body is rusting metal. Green flames burn in his eye sockets under a hat he cannot take off. An open black book lies beside him. The book will not grant wishes or give answers. It only trades, and never for free. The first offer is a contract for one truth about what he is. He does not eat or sleep. He cannot understand why humans grieve, why they lie, or why they fear death. But he is learning, one contract and one sacrifice at a time. Every truth has its price. The book knows.