Shadow hearts

(Attempted novelisation)

By Lucia Widdop

Chapter 2 - Nothing plain here

I stood staring at the train tracks trying to avoid staring at her.

It'd had been a long night and she was still unconscious I'd set her on the ground and she lay curled up in a ball.

As I turned to look at her I couldn't help but worry that she wouldn't wake up even though I was sure that the mysterious voice would have plagued my mind had I let her die.

I finally took a look at her clothing…wow.

She wore a dark blue and white minidress decorated with white buttons on her chest, her hands were clad in white gloves, her underskirt consisted of layers of white ruffles and when the breeze lifted up her skirt aside from her pink underwear, I noticed her legs were wrapped in white stockings and her feet in black study shoes, judging by the gold cross around her neck she was a devout Christian.

Brilliant.

I heard the scuff of her shoes as she got to her feet and I turned face on to speak with her.

I'd been thinking of what to say maybe compliment her? (But that would seem like I was only after one thing.)

Ask her about her magic? (Nah she'd think I was evil)

Tell her about myself? (And say what exactly?)

She looked at me… Shit say something!

"Yo there. Finally comin' to, huh?

If you're lookin' for the train, it's long gone"

She wasn't running away! Maybe now was the time to make my move then she could show her appreciation…

She looked around wildly almost scared.

I laughed "Pretty exciting, huh?

You getting a tingly feeling?

Right about here?"

I moved forwards but it seemed I'd scared her because she jumped back in shock.

She shook her head as if shaking the wild thoughts she was having away.

"N-no…Stay away!" she said her voice shaking.

Bloody hell I wasn't about to take her virginity I was just having a little fun!

"Stay away? I haven't even done anything yet."

I was trying to convince her to just trust me but I hadn't thought about how I'd phrased that sentence.

She shook her pretty little head again.

"Stay…stay back, please…I…I can't.

No…I…I can't do anything, I…" she trailed off.

She sounded terrified rambling on, what did she mean `I can't?`

Can't what? Do magic or do anything…sexual?

Before I had a chance to calm her down she'd already run off.

Shit!

I tried calling her back.

"Huh! Uh where do you think you're going? I'm telling you, it's not safe that way."

No response, I tried again.

"Aw, give me a break…Hey girlie!

Don't run off like that!"

She wasn't replying I ran forwards but sank to my knees as the stupid voice immobilised me going on about dark and light being reunited and protect and find your reason for living… Something stupid like that.

What on earth was that supposed to mean? That this one girl held my destiny?

"Arrgh! That hurts… Not that damn voice again…!"

I wasn't even talking to the girl anymore just empty space.

I stood muttering to myself.

"Stupid voices! Okay, I got it…I'm supposed to protect her, right…?"

The voice didn't reply.

I ran forward wondering where the girl had gone when I heard a scream high pitched and feminine what had she landed herself into this time?

I found her unconscious (again!) after being attacked or something.

I laughed assuming that she could hear me tried to get her to stand up and talk to me seeing as I'd bothered saving her.

"Huh? Hey! What are you doing? Get up!

Were you attacked or something? I TOLD you it was dangerous, didn't I…"

No response. Hmm it seemed that I was the one getting all tingly inside…

I considered making a move I mean it was obvious she wouldn't do anything so what could one little move do?

Nothing.

I tried again.

"…Um hello?"

Still nothing Jesus Christ why wasn't she getting up?

I wondered if she'd mind me touching her…

Nothing.

This was just plain mean laying there in her short little dress and I couldn't even do anything because that would be wrong.

I started to get impatient this was my destiny?

Following around a girl who passed out all the time?

"Hey! Girl! Don't just lie there like a dead fish! Get up!" I yelled.

She must have heard that because hey eyes snapped open and she climbed to her feet dusting the dirt off of her dress.

Then she turned saw me and jumped back.

The best way to massage a man's ego… run away.

"I bust my hump savin' you then you take one look at me and run off…

Then you faint? You got no manners y'know that?" I said.

Finally she spoke.

"A…A monster just suddenly…" she started.

"Yeah there's a lots of hungry wolves and bloodsucking' bats around here. You're probably attracting them. You smell pretty good y'know" I said after all it never does hurt to compliment a person and I was feeling kind of bad after going off on a rant.

No reply I turned round to look at her actually feeling a bit self conscious where as she was prim and proper I'd been fighting monsters and most likely reeked of stale sweat.

"Anyway don't go running off like that okay?

Cause if I don't do what the voice says, my head's gonna split open!" I finished.

She looked confused.

"Huh?" she asked.

"…Don't "huh" me." I replied.

"Someone, or something is pretty damn insistent that I protect you." I said.

"Protect…me?" she asked.

I walked over towards the waters edge and looked into the distant.

"That's right. It's always "Go protect that person!" or "Go to that town!

Stupid voice jumps into my head all the time. And now it's orderin' me to protect you." I finished.

She looked at me she wasn't replying but I could tell she was listening she didn't seem afraid she seemed more… intrigued.

I decided to continue but be a bit more cool abut it I felt the need to impress her she made me feel different more…humane.

"Anyway, at least I'm never bored. Wherever it tells me to go, there are always plenty of monsters." I finished.

"So that's why you were on the train?" she offered.

"Yup." I replied.

After years of being alone it was nice to have somebody to talk to about things maybe she'd understand…

"But thanks to that voice, I'm turning from your ordinary bad-boy type into a real psycho." I said.

I wondered if she was psycho too maybe then I wouldn't be so… alone.

"What about you? Hey, are you psycho, too? Do you see weird things?" I asked.

I was expecting an outright "NO!" or a "Of course not!" but her reaction surprised me.

"…Maybe." she replied.

Little miss mysterious huh? She didn't seem so… dark as me in fact she seemed the total opposite what magic did she have?

I decided not to ask didn't want her to get scared again.

"Well you don't see quite like me, but…Whatever.

We can't just chat all day.

First we've got to find a place to rest and I'm getting' hungry." I said.

"Whoa, almost forgot.

My name's Yuri. You can call me Yuri" I said.

She tested the name out but it sounded different in her English accent, to be honest I thought it was kind of cute the was she attempted my foreign name.

"Yuri…I'm Alice Elliot. Please call me Alice" she said.

I smiled to myself 'Alice' seemed so fitting for her.

I laughed "Alice, huh? Even your name's cute." I said.

She didn't respond and I felt a twinge of embarrassment she obviously wasn't interested in me.

"Okay! I got it! I won't touch you!" I yelled in frustration her lack of reaction was so much more irritating than an outright rejection made me feel more… humiliated.

I turned away still embarrassed.

"Right, we're off!" I said.

I began walking and she followed me.

Once out of the clearing I attempted to go right but the route was blocked off by a small body of water.

Great we couldn't stay here too long what if that Bacon guys lackey's showed up or something then what would I do unlike Alice I hadn't yet had the pleasure of sleeping I was wiped but I knew that I couldn't and wouldn't rest until I knew she was safe.

We walked forwards following the only available route across an old rickety bridge I had no idea where we were and it didn't help that Alice was dependent on me.

We didn't really talk I couldn't think of anything to say without asking her personal questions. She remained quiet not complaining about walking even though she was probably still tired.

I was so absorbed in my thoughts and musings that it took me a few seconds to realise that we'd reached a dead end.

"A dead end." I tutted.

"Um…Maybe if we do something with that sluice gate, we'll be able to cross the river…" suggested Alice.

Damn her for being smart I felt so stupid and that God awful embarrassing feeling was creeping up on me again.

"Ah, of course! Yeah, I was just thinking that same thing." I lied hoping I'd fooled her.

No response.

Great now I felt REALLY embarrassed, it called for a distraction.

"Er, anyway. Let's have a little search then." I said.

The first gate was rotten, great that narrowed down our chances.

We ran to the second gate it would have worked but had no handle oh joys.

We reached the third one.

" Yeah, the gate itself is rotten but that handle might work." I said to Alice.

"Okay then. Let's give this a go" I said.

I pulled as hard as I could and managed too wrench the handle away from the rotten gate. I felt quite proud as it was only my first try and even Alice seemed slightly impressed.

"Aha!" she said figuring my plan.

I laughed unable to resist bragging a little.

"Not bad, Eh?" I boasted.

She didn't reply so I pocketed the handle and ran to the second gate without a handle and managed to slot the handle into place.

"Okay! Perfect! Little rusty, but I ain't complaining!" I smiled and fumbled around with the gate.

There was the sound of rushing water, didn't seem we'd be crossing that river just yet.

After fighting a couple of wolves and venomous spiders Alice and I weren't feeling to great. I had a few Thera leaves in my pocket which I didn't mind sharing but Alice had a better idea.

She opened her Bible which she'd been using to whack the monsters with.

(Seriously, you have no idea how funny that is!)

She opened it and raised her arms chatting some strange spell in a strange language.

Latin maybe?

Before I had chance to ask she released her magic and my body was bathed iin a warm, golden light like sunshine.

I felt much stronger, she repeated the spell healing herself.

"So this is you're magic? Healing?" I asked her.

She smiled.

"It's white magic" she said.

I smiled back at her she had a really pretty smile and after the spell I felt great.

"Th…thank you Alice" I stuttered.

She smiled back "Your welcome Yuri, thank you for saving me twice earlier" she said.

I felt the tingly feeling in my stomach again.

"Your welcome Alice" I said.

It was then when we realised that the Sluice gate wouldn't be done anytime soon.

"Looks like it'll take a while for the water to drain…

Hey, I say we take a rest over there." I said.

"R-right." she nodded.

Thankfully she seemed trusting me.

We managed to light a fire and Alice curled up on the plains and finally fell asleep, I'd offered her my jacket but she'd politely refused.

Maybe she didn't trust me so much after all?

I sat there watching her I'd saved her twice and she'd gone to sleep?

Not even one kiss? A peck on the cheek? A hug?

What was that all about? She had some nerve!

Screw it I was going to do it…

Her mumbling interrupted my train of thought (Ha no pun intended!)

"Father…" she moaned unexpectedly.

Dad? She was dreaming bout her dad ? Seriously?

Don't tell me she had some weird complex or something!

Boy why was I stuck protecting this damn girl?

Whew I was tired just listening to her heavy breathing and knowing I wasn't alone made me want to sleep myself…

Suddenly I felt a strange aura.

Heard shallow breathing which wasn't Alice.

I jumped to my feet ready to fight whatever was hiding, it'd been a long night I wasn't taking any shit now!

A figure appeared in front of me, him!

He wore a green military trench coat and chunky military boots and his face was hidden behind a fox faced mask.

He laughed as if he'd planned this.

"Heh. At last. We meet…" he said.

I jumped in surprise I hadn't expected this.

"F-father! What…What are you doing here?" I cried.

"I've come to visit, boy. The souls of the monsters you've killed are quite lonely, you see…" he answered.

My mouth went dry in fear and I could feel my heart pounding in fear, something which I hadn't felt in long time since…

"Souls of the…monsters?" I asked.

He ignored me turning to Alice.

"What a lovely face. And yet, I must show proper courtesy. It is thanks to this woman's power I am even here." he replied.

I was so confused how could someone so pure and holy even have tethers to the darkness?

"Her power? What?" I yelled.

He remained impassive.

"Haven't you noticed? This world overflows with the ghosts of the monsters you've slain. The gate of eternal darkness was closed until now, you see this woman is causing it to open!" he exclaimed.

He paused for a second before continuing.

"The ghosts sealed inside the darkest depths of you heart… they call to me, boy. And that demand that I devour your very soul!" he laughed.

I turned but he vanished taunting me then he reappeared behind Alice then in front of my face.

I jumped and clenched my fists willing them to stop shaking.

"Stay away…" I warned.

He vanished twice more appearing wherever he fancied.

Rage fuelled me, "STAY AWAY!" I shouted.

He appeared in front of me nose to nose ready to fight.

I felt myself losing my mind knowing that if I fused I would be a danger to everyone including myself and Alice.

I pummelled him but then he did a magic attack draining away all my life force.

On the brink of death I used a Thera leaf feeling stronger I braced myself for the next move.

He fused the same fusion soul I had the 'Death Emperor' using the special move enclosing me in darkness.

I felt myself slide into the darkness closing my eyes hoping Alice would manage alone and get away before he took her too.

I opened my eyes and stood ready for my afterlife in hell but instead I found myself in a graveyard.

"Ugh… What's going on?" I asked talking to nobody in particular.

I walked forward looking around shocked.

Where was I?

It was just like my dreams!

I raised my fists, DAMN that fox faced guy for killing me!

Where was he?

Nothing.

So he didn't come with me? I couldn't believe this!

It was a pretty lame illusion…If it was an illusion.

I walked forward a bit more taking in my surroundings, the pale

Grass, the ancient tombstones with runes carved into them, the twisted tree's the blue lantern above the exit the rusted fence…

It was the exact graveyard from my dreams…

Of all the memories I'd had of life why here?

Couldn't I have found mom and dad instead?Nope, I'd just got to the part in my dreams where I get lost and wake up in a cold sweat just before a monster gets to eat me.

No, no, NO!

I'd had nothing but trouble ever since that stupid voice showed up!

Maybe I'd lost it completely.

First, Dad jumped out f my nightmare and showed up right before my eyes and now I WAS in the dream!

I saved that girl and I barely got a SMILE. C'mon aren't they supposed to get all dewy- eyed, "Ooh, Mr. Yuri thank you ever so much! SMOOCH!" Ain't that how it's s'posed to go?

Oh man now I felt all depressed.

I walked over to a tombstone the only one where the rune was glowing, a brilliant green.

Yeowch! Those tombstones things creeped me out.

I laughed feeling reckless wouldn't it be funny if all the monsters I'd slain started pouring out?

It would hardly matter if I was dead now would it?

Hey maybe I could fight and not feel pain!

And if I won I could get to see mom and dad!

I examined the glowing tombstone.

Seal of Earth.

I jumped as a monster jumped out of the thing scaring the living hell outta me.

Yes! Time for some action!

The first thing I did was fuse.

If I was gonna fight the bastard may as well give it my all.

I screamed as my body shifted into that of a monster.

I could feel bones braking and reforming, my limbs extending as I lost all sense of my human form… or at least for now.

First thing I did was use the curse attack and raise my special attack power ready to annihilate the supposed Raging tiger.

Then I drained its magic preventing it form being able to destroy me with its might.

It raised it's arms green magic circling him as he dragged stones up with his magic and flung them at me.

Didn't hurt as much as I'd expected to be fair.

Time for my special move.

I willed up all the darkness within me, darkness from my past, darkness of my heart, darkness of my soul.

It built into a huge wave which I finally released from my demonic skull.

Magic seeped forwards encasing the monster in purple tinted mist, it didn't kill the monster but it did some damage at least I knew I had a chance against this monster.

Its turn, it used a healing spell but it didn't seem to help it that much it didn't even cover half of the damage I had done and I still had plenty of fight left in me.

I didn't bother wasting magic on it I had too much adrenaline surging round me I sprinted towards it and pounding it with my fists before jumping twisting and knocking it down with my feet.

The monster dragged itself back up but it was hunched over panting; it was close to his death.

It used a pitiful spell preventing him from my Physical attack but my magic was low and I could feel my mind slipping I didn't have much time in this form before I completely lost my mind.

I ran towards it, I got two punches in before it keeled over backwards dead to the world.

I laughed stupid guy well I'd beaten him this time!

I knew he'd show up did I really think I'd concede to him?

I bet he thought he'd beaten me but second time round it didn't go like he'd planned!

I gasped suddenly I felt awful, I sank to my knees as a violent impulse welled up inside me.

Then I noticed, an extra soul to fuse with.

This was my…power?

Maye then I wasn't dead if I had a new spirit!

It mde sense now he hadn't killed me I'd either been knocked out of I'd just fallen asleep and this was a dream. Either way it seemed that I wasn't dead or not yet anyway.

I decided to check out some of the other tombstones.

I noticed there were six and each one had a different elemental seal carved into it: dark, light, water, fire, earth, and wind.

I ran over to a gate which seemed to be part of the rusted fence.

Maybe I could get through here?

It wouldn't budge but it appeared as if it was possible to get to the other side.

When I looked I could make out a sunset or something?

Finally I walked up some steps and saw a huge door guarded by four floating masks.

The door was stone and embellished with swirled patterns, there was no lock on it but it seemed to be held shut by something maybe magic?Then I realised it was THAT door…

I assumed that these masks would talk to me too just like they always had in my dreams.

"…Now I see, so it was you all along pullin' the strings eh?" I observed.

The green mask with the swords on it answered me.

"We are pleased to see you, boy…

The detestable young Harmonixer who damned us to eternal hell…"

"No need to thank me. But to be honest, I really haven't missed you guys at all." I quipped in response.

The red mask square mask laughed at me.

"Your pathetic bravado can't hide your fear." it said.

That got my back up.

What was it talking about.

Even if I was afraid (which I wasn't honest!) how dare it call me pathetic!

"Keep laughin'! I'll slice that stupid mask in two!" I threatened.

The pig faced gold mask laughed next.

"Your mind may not be able to comprehend this place, but your heart understands it full well." it rasped.

I didn't answer.

"Yes. This world is a reflection of your own mind's darkness, darkness you have created yourself." it finished.

I looked at all four of them and didn't reply, was it right?

Did this place show how evil and crazy I was?

The silvery blue grail mask was last.

"Ho ho ho… The more of our brethren roaming around the world you strike down, the more you shall become saturated with venomous Malice, born of bitter vengeance…And when the limit is passed, so then shall HE be reborn into the world of the living.

Ho ho ho… The man, the very thought of whom makes you shrink in terror…" it chimed.

I stared fixatedly at the door and I could have sworn I saw the fox faced guy appear in it.

"Enough! Shut your stinkin' mask face! That's enough!" I yelled.

I was on a rant now stupid soddin' masks!

"You think I'm scared! Don't make me laugh! I've been huntin' monsters for over ten years. I can handle one of two of those guys with the flick of a finger!

You got that, you bodiless freaks!" I yelled.

The sword mask laughed at me.

"…Don't get so excited. You loved your father so much, that now you're wandering aimlessly in search of him." mocked the ghost.

I could feel my blood pressure rising these masks… So annoying!

"Stay out of this! Look, I'm just out for revenge for my parents. It's none of your concern!" I shouted.

The Staff mask started laughing this time.

"Heh. Strange words for someone who still desperately wants to believe his father is alive somewhere…" it remarked.

"You…Now you're really starting to piss me off! Say another word and I'll smash your smirking faces in!" I threatened.

The Gold mask laughed at me.

"Slow down, boy. Worry not boy. Worry not, we have a proper opponent for you! To sweep away the accumulation of Malice, you must do battle!" it declared.

The doors opened and I felt a force pulling me in.

In front f me was a floating ghost of a skull.

This was it? This was the 'proper opponent'?

I laughed as I beat the crap out of it eventually it dropped to the floor its soul faded into the air.

I walked through the door shocking the masks.

"Hah! C'mon at least give me some sort of challenge! "Who's next? You guys?"

It felt good to be the one doing the tormenting this time.

The grail mask replied.

"Well done. Your victory has swept aside the vengeance of our brethren."

"And it appears that the reactions of that cursed talisman you hold have vanished as well" said the Grail mask.

"It's too early to get cocky, boy. This purification is only temporary." said the sword mask.

Huh all this for nothing what on earth were they babbling on about?

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"When you return to your world killing our compatriots will only result in increased malice. Then you will come back here to lower it. No matter how many you slaughter, this hell will continue." it finished.

"Then in due time HE will be resurrected… The man you fear more than death itself!" the Gold mask laughed.

"Do you intend to keep running forever…?" the Grail mask.

"It would be much easier if you just came here in death." offered the Staff mask.

I couldn't die here I couldn't leave Alice she was dependent on me.

"Enough shut up!"" I yelled.

"Ha ha ha… Be gone with you boy return to your world of living!" finished the Sword mask.

I ran to the gate where I had woken.

I could here a female shouting.

"…ease…Wa… up!" she shouted.

Huh?

"That voice…?" I questioned.

"Yuri… Please open your eyes!" pleaded Alice.

I sank to my knees head pounding.

"Wake up" Wake up please!" begged Alice.

"Yuri…Please open your eyes!" she cried.

The gate where I had woken up was open.

Could I survive? Could I go back and face Alice and continue living in fear.

I gritted my teeth and walked forwards… hoping.