PROTOLOG

My world is bland. Faces are blurred, voices are muffles, memories are faded. I'm submerged in a dark realm that keeps me away from reality. The world seems to go on without me, time leaves me behind. All I can do is watch through eyes that hold no life at the rest of the population. I'm here, but my soul isn't. It's floating aimlessly, begging to be acknowledged somehow.

Regardless, I continue walking amongst the rest of them with a flawless mask. Unbeknown to them, my smiles are forced, my laughter's a façade. Before I knew it the mask edged into my face, clawing at the skin until it was permanent. I can no longer tell which is really me.

I thought it would be better now, I met them, they seemed to care. We had fun together, we were a good team. The warm embrace of obliviousness was too comforting, I accepted it without hesitation.

I thought they cared, but I was mistaken. I misinterpreted their actions.

We always had our share of bickering, she would insult me, he would add his two-cents, I would try to hide thoughts like 'I know' and 'you couldn't be more right' behind my obnoxious behavior. There words stung. It felt as though they looked right into me, discovering all of my insecurities and mocking me with them.

"Deadlast!"

"Worthless!"

"Useless!"

If I cold, I would go back to that time, for those times I favor much more than now. Now my days consist of vengeful villages releasing their rage on my body, her insults that seem much worse than before, and his ignorance that seems anything but real. After his departure from this world, everything went wrong. Why can't they understand? Why are they still taking his side?

I decided it was too hard. The mental strain became too much for me, so I wiped myself clean from emotion. Happiness, cheerfulness, excited, were gone, leaving giant gaps that were immediately filled with pain, hatred, anger, and most of all, vengeance. Yes, that's exactly what I want. I want them to feel true pain and sadness. They will have no choice but to acknowledge me. All I need to do is obtain it. Power. That is the deciding factor. If I can get my hands on enough of that, I will be unstoppable.

"I think I can help you with that"

That was the first time I heard him talk to me.