The Rusted Skeleton

Asdak wakes up in the wilderness of a magic continent with no memories. His body is made of rusting metal, green flames burn within his eye sockets, a hat he cannot remove sits upon his head, and a black book lies open beside him.

The book does not grant wishes or provide answers. It only trades. It is the only thing in this world that tells Asdak the truth — but it never speaks for free.

Yet in a world built upon magic, rules, and identity, Asdak has none. Legally, he does not exist. The rule is simple: anyone can kill him, and no one will be held responsible.

Asdak does not need to eat or sleep. He cannot understand why humans grieve, why they lie, or why they fear death. But he is learning. Every encounter with a world built for the recognized breaks something he thought he understood.

An outsider without an identity, living in a world built for those who are acknowledged as existing — searching for the truth behind what he is, and why he was brought here.