I take a quick glance over at the fancy, unfamiliar digital clock that lies on my bedside table, barely reading the "19:12" that glows on the LCD display with my half-closed, sleep glazed eyes. I shift onto my back again and stare up at the alabaster ceiling; I wonder if it's worth going to dinner. My stomach growls angrily in response to my implicit ramblings, suddenly making me aware how hungry I really am. I guess I had better get up soon – especially if I want to look around this room a bit more, but the bed's so soft. After a valiant three second fight with myself I surrender and, with a grunt, heave myself off of the comfortable bed.
On the letter it said I'd have everything I needed – what was that supposed to mean? Are all my clothes, weapons and items here? I step over to the sleek built-in wardrobe and open one of the compartments – t-shirts. I'm suddenly overcome by a bizarre sense of nostalgia as I look through the various tops that I've don while pulling the needles and travelling around Nowhere. Sadness tugs at my heart before the words of all who mocked me chases the feeling away. The "Warm Sweater", the "DCMC Shirt", Christ, even the "Awesome Cloak" was here accompanied by the "Awesome Crown" – while technically neither are shirts I can't conceive where else you would put something like that.
There are a few casual tops amongst the combat attire too – those of which I'd wear around Tazmily on any normal day, whilst not clad in my beloved red and yellow striped t-shirt of course. I drop my cold expression and chuckle (I'm safe here, right?) as I find my "Good Kid's Shirt"; I certainly remember finding this, although I'm not sure if I'd make a suitable first impression wearing it. I wonder how all this got here. How did it survive the resetting of the world? My thoughts turned to the Item Storage guy but I decided it was best not to dwell, there are more pressing matters at this time. For instance, I had better start heading down to dinner – I don't even know where the dining room is after all.
I deftly put my clothes back where they came from, swipe my key-card from my bedside table and take a quick look in the mirror before I step out the door – I'm looking pretty handsome, but this is no time for that. As I make my way down the hallway I feel someone tap my shoulder gingerly; I spin around rapidly in shock– I hate being touched by strangers. It's just some guy; he looks to be around my age, perhaps a bit older.
"Hey, sorry to bother you, but do you know where the dining room is?" the boy asks, seemingly flustered. "I can't seem to find it."
"No" I reply candidly before giving him an aberrant look, "Although I'm not sure why you're looking here, it's probably gon' be on the ground floor."
He chuckles at this, "I guess so. You don't happen to be on your way down there yourself, do you?"
I nod - there goes any chance of walking down there by myself.
"You wouldn't mind walking with me, would ya'?" his cheery voice sounds as he asks the dreaded question.
"Fine.", I reply in a steely tone before going in the direction of the stairs, now in a much more sullen mood then before.
"Hey, wait up!" he calls after me; clutching his brown rucksack with two hands as he jogs to my side. "The name's Red by the way." He pauses, "You don't like to talk much, do you?"
Gee, maybe that's because I have more important things to do then speaking to morons like you. I shrug back at him, not meeting his gaze.
He smiles and continues walking alongside me, "That's cool; I understand not everyone's the social type."
He more or less ceased attempting to communicate with me after that, thank gods. After a short hunt around the mansion we find the dining room; thirty-three minutes past seven, that's alright I guess, not entirely punctual but due to the circumstances I suppose I can let it slide this once. I look around the extensive table for a place to sit – It doesn't look hopeful – I turn back to face Red but frown seeing the space beside me empty. I look around to see that Red is already seated and gesturing for me to do the same but another familiar face resides in the chair next to my designated seat – grinning expectantly.
For crying out loud, why'd it have to be Ness?
I look around once more to make sure there aren't any more seats left but the pit in my stomach deepens as I see that every available space is occupied… That's a lie. But I'm not about to sit next to some weird wolf-man and what I can only describe as some pig-like orc who looks as though kills puppies for fun. So I grit my teeth and begrudgingly force myself into the seat next to Red.
"I knew you'd come, Lucas!" Ness beams as he swerves round in his chair to face me– I could sense Red taking a mental note of my name.
"You know him?" he queries, resting his head on his hands as he peers past me.
"Of course!" he states ecstatically, "We're friends."
I sit between them, a dead smile on my face, as I groan inwardly at Ness' last comment. I don't want friends; they weigh you down and divert your mind from what's really important: protecting yourself... Besides, they I'll just hurt them anyway... or they'll leave... I've had too many lessons about why caring about only yourself is necessary for survival; which is why I'll never forgive myself for still caring about Nana, Fuel, Boney… and of course mom and Claus. But that's different.
"Ness, I hate to break this to you but literally no-one wants to be your friend. "The woman across from us decides to chime in, a snide smirk etched on her face.
Wow, what a bitch. Ness seems fine anyhow; flinging a scrap of food off of his plate at her golden blonde hair.
"Whatever, Samus." Ness shrugs, sticking his tongue out at her.
Her spiteful expression twists into a snarl as she flings the morsel out of her tress. "Who is this "friend" of yours anyway?" she inquires, glaring in my direction. I return the favour, naturally.
"Lucas Ryuka." He answers simply.
"…Can't he talk?" Samus questions mockingly.
I hate her guts already. "What's it to you?" I challenge tonelessly – searching the crevasses of her mind as I do so, doing my best to block out everyone else's thoughts. She thinks I'm weak, worthless and undeserving… and that my accent's stupid – well screw her. Urgh, I hate having to deal with everyone's thoughts all day long; I wonder if it's the same with Ness? I'll have to make a mental note to ask him about that later. I can't hear Ness' thoughts; I guess he makes a habit of guarding them like me.
She snickers lightly, "Sheesh, cheer up a bit will you? You look really blank; do you even know how to express emotions?"
I look directly at her "I have no reason to be happy."
"You're alive. You could at least try to act happy." She scoffs.
"I shouldn't be alive." I state bluntly. "And just why d'you think I should act happy? Believe it or not, I'm not here for your enjoyment."
She leers – obviously having fun with this – before persevering, "I probably shouldn't be alive either, but hey, that doesn't mean I act like a giant depressed piss-baby all the time."
The sullen look on my face deepens, "Whatever." I'm already completely fed up with everyone here and it wasn't even past the first day… Well isn't that just fantastic.
I suppose it's not like I usually enjoy others company anyway…
The reassuring thought that I would be able to beat them up later on during the tournament cheers me up a little –a few shots of electrokinetic charges to the face would surely melt that smug grin off. Heh. That's kind of mean. Well, I suppose it's not like she was particularly courteous either.
By this time Ness was already greedily chomping down on a steak and Red was talking to the angel guy that was sitting beside him. Watching Ness eating reminded me of the whole reason I was down here; but as I search the table it becomes apparent that it is lacking in any sort of vegetarian options – edible ones at least – and I can't even fathom the thought of all the germs the food has collected by just sitting here being surrounded by people - especially that one who smells of garlic - so I guess I'm going to have to go hungry, oh well it's what I deserve.
I try to keep a calm, indifferent mind and lie to myself but the pain in my stomach argues otherwise; I haven't eaten all day and I don't think my gut's going to let me forget that anytime soon. The constant and nauseating presence of idiots isn't helping either.
Ness briefly breaks from his current make out session with a chunk of a carcass to look up at me. "Aren't you gonna' eat anything?"
I shake my head, "Uh, no… I'm not very hungry."
"You're not a very good liar, Lucas." He responds, giving me an unimpressed look.
"I'm not lying." I, very obviously, lie. This prompts him to raise an eyebrow at me. "Ok, I'm a bit hungry."
"I don't get why you don't wanna' eat, it's good food! But y'know what? I'm not going to push it so just do whatever you want." He shrugs before going back to shovelling steak into his mouth.
That was nice anyway. I unintendedly stare at nothing in particular as I painstakingly wait for dinner to be over - I suppose I could just leave but that would be bad etiquette and mom always told me that good manners are important, and just common sense besides that.
"So what do you think?" Ness asks as both he and Red look expectantly at me.
"Huh, about what?" I respond drowsily, still not fully out of my dwam and weary from lack of food; my mental energy was running low, damn.
"About going into the city tomorrow with me and Red; there's still not many fights tomorrow so there's plenty of time."
"What city? Wait… There's a city here?" I spit out the word "City" as if it leaves an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
"Yeah, do you wanna' go?" He continues, either oblivious to my resentment on the topic or just uncaring. Maybe he's bad at reading people, like me.
"No thanks, I'm fine." I reply flatly while diverting my gaze to the empty plate in front of me; I just want to go back up to my bed so I can sleep until breakfast – I hope they allow you to make it yourself, I hate the thought of other people touching my food.
"Oh, ok then." I can hear the disappointment he's trying to hold back leak through his revoltingly cheery tone. "Do you want to do something else with us later on then?"
I sigh, "Maybe, I don't know."
"Well, if you do then we'd be more than happy for you to join us." He offers still smiling optimistically, though it seems lessened by my response, guilt hitting me hard as a bat to the face .
I silently nod at him; his offer is appreciated but not needed. They continue their conversation and I return to the fascinating task of staring at my plate; my eyes beginning to flutter as fatigue takes its toll on me. Not to mention my heads aching as the migraines experienced from over-using PSI gives me a splitting headache; I honestly just want to sleep this all away – Gods, I sound like Phrygia.
Soon, like music to my ears, I hear the sound of chairs scraping against the floor as people get up to leave. I breathe a hefty sigh of relief and get up from my seat before trying to make my escape in the direction of the stairs.
"Lucas, you aren't going up to your room yet, are you?" Reds voice calls after me.
I turn back around to face them, "Yeah, I was, why?"
"We still have to go to the living room, Master Hand wants to speak to everyone."
"Is it mandatory?" I ask through gritted teeth.
Red gives me a sympathetic smile and nods.
I give up and let out an exasperated sigh, "Fine."
They both chuckle at my annoyance as they get up from the table and we walk into the living room that looks decidedly more spacious now that it isn't completely chock-full of people.
There are people dotted around the room siting on various chairs and objects, I guess most people are still at the dining table. Ness rushes over to a corner of the lounge reserving a spot for us, gesturing that we come over.
I intentionally choose the most uncomfortable seat out of the remaining two because I know if I'm anywhere comfortable I'm going to fade into slumber - that and they deserve the comfort more. It just so happens that the seat was next to a brunette in excessively formal attire – it looks uncomfortable.
"Hello." She greets in a voice so loving and welcoming I'm instantly reminded of my mother, "You're Lucas right? You're a… psychic?" She looks at me, searching my face for validation.
Her voice surprises me; she looks so uptight I assumed she would have a tone to match, but instead it's soft and friendly. I nod in response to both and tack on an, "Uhm, yeah." How come everyone seems to know everyone here? I don't know everyone…
"I wonder what he wants to talk to us about." She puts an inquisitive hand up to her mouth as she speaks.
I shrug nonchalantly, "Don't ask me. I didn't even know we were supposed to be in here."
She appears amused. Her plump lips curving at the corners, "But Master Hand told us about it at least twice… You're not very good at listening, are you?" She flashes me a soft grin, joking but not mocking – she has a nice smile, a mother's smile.
I smirk sheepishly, a light blush forming out of embarrassment on my freckled cheeks as I divert my gaze from her, "Heh, I guess not." She seems nice; I think I can trust her.
"Oh well, I'm glad you're here now."
That was surprisingly comforting. I may not know her but the very thought that someone cares about my presence was enough to cheer me up a little.
"I'm Zelda by the way." She in adds in her softly spoken voice.
A booming voice empties the room of all discussion; the oversized, floating hand lingers in the air for a few seconds, moving his fingers in a slow deliberate manner, before beginning his speech.
I actually try to pay attention this time but I'm so exhausted it's becoming difficult to keep my eyes from closing. I hear the general gist of what he is saying: something about "rules" and "times" or "weapons ". I dunno. I cover my mouth as I yawn and just wish for this to be over so I can get some goddam' rest. I can't help but let my mind wander as to what I'd be doing if I was back in Tazmily; I'd probably still be outside with Nana, maybe Angie and Fuel, perhaps even training with Kumatora? I most certainly wouldn't be this tired anyway.
Eventually, his booming voice came to a stop and the crowd of misfits around me resume their worthless conversations – more notably, I can leave.
I get up to do so but Ness' voice halters my actions.
"Are you going upstairs?"
"Yeah, you're not going to tell me there's another mandatory meeting are you?" I give him a devilish smirk.
He chuckles lightly, "Nah, I was just checking. Goodnight."
I nod in response before continuing on my way. Just as I'm about to reach the door I'm forced to come to a stop by three bodies that stand with importance, purposely blocking my path. I'm too tired to deal with this bullshit.
"What's some dumb kid like you doing here? I mean, what are you? Like twelve?" The one to my left – a man maybe in his twenties and garbed like a soldier- asks, his voice thick with contempt.
Update, I'm way too tired to deal with this bullshit.
"I'm fifteen." I hiss through gritted teeth, tempted to just throw them to the side with my psychokinesis and be done with it.
"Ain't it one of those freaky mutants with psychic abilities?" The dumpy, heavyset man on my right asks.
That… might've hurt a little but I keep my posture.
"If that's the case I believe it should be burned at a stake for practicing witchcraft." The one standing directly in front of me adds – he means it. I can tell from his thoughts he means it. Oh how I'd like to burn his face off – I suppose that would just prove them all right. I recognise him from the dining table earlier on; his golden eyes glare down at me, anticipating a response. I'm not going to take the bait; I'm not going to lose my cool because some prick thinks I should die.
His two comrades laugh sadistically at his last comment.
I let out a deep sigh, "Can you just let me pass?" I request, forcing the anger in my voice down.
"Look, ya' freak, we don't have to do anything you say. Y'know why? Because you're just some freak o' nature who should be thankful you weren't drowned at birth." The dumpy man sneers, prodding a fat finger on my stomach.
That was it, I hate being touched; using the last of my PSI I shove them out the way, battering them against the walls before walking out the door and slamming it behind me. I don't care that everyone probably saw that and think I have an anger problem or something – no one touches me, they probably all hate me anyway.
I make my way up to my room uttering curses under my breath as I go. "Stupid humans. They think they're so much better than everyone else." I know my hate is unjustified and I'm really just lying to myself – I suppose that's what the part of me that wasn't blind with rage would tell me; however, he wasn't heard through the fog that had clouded my mind telling me that I am, indeed, not human.
I lean against the door as I shut it after me; in a sleepy, irritated haze I step over to my bed before collapsing down on it, my body thanking me for it. I don't even bother to get changed or go into the bed sheets as my body goes limp from exhaustion and my eyes stay securely closed; I don't have to wait long at all before I'm lulled into a deep sleep.
I'm floating in a black abyss, there's nothing to be seen for miles. I look up to face the giant, red swirling mess that lies before me – what the hell is that thing? It appears to be trying to communicate with me but the words are slurred and unfamiliar. What's that music? It used to just be a faint echo in the background but it's rising at a continuous pace and invading my ears in a way that honestly makes me feel violated. I attempt to move my body but some unseen force is stopping me; at least this is a nice breather from the usual nightmares… Incapable of moving and speech I have no choice but to stare at this creature for what felt like hours. The creature slowly fades away into nothingness and my vision goes black before slowly but surely turning white.
I groggily open my eyes, what the hell was that about? Ever since I have unlocked my psychic abilities my dreams have only consisted of two things: nightmares and visions, meaning this could only mean one thing.
Most of my visions were religious, involving the Dark Dragon or occasionally the enigmatic White Dragon, but this didn't seem like one of those; and why is the word "giygas" stuck in my head? Is this supposed to be some sort of warning? I dunno.
I pick myself up off the floor and sit upon my bed, glancing at the luminous clock for the second time today: 22:14; darn it, it's not even late yet. My rage has long since subsided into the bitter aftertaste of grief, regret, ad self-hatred. I look down at my hands as they glow a weak light blue; my PSI has restored a tiny bit from my short rest but it's still pretty weak.
There was a sudden rapping at my door.
"Go away." I demand, not yet feeling ready to see people.
"It's me, Zelda." The familiar voice calls out from behind the door.
"I said go away!" I snarl back.
"I'm going to come in anyway."
Was she serious? My fears are confirmed as I hear the faint sound of a card swiping against the lock. She steps in, seemingly pleased with herself. I glare at her, in a combination of disgust, distrust and anger.
"I'm sorry about what happened before, how are you feeling?" Her voice had honeyed undertones.
"Like crap!" I spit back at her, "I told you not to come in here."
Her face contorted into a sickeningly familiar smirk, "Oh how delightful. Lucas, you haven't changed one bit since I last saw you."
I was suddenly taken aback with memories that the voice brought back. It couldn't be him. It just couldn't. That's not possible.
"Porky?" I managed to splutter out, "I-It can't be you; you died!"
"I didn't die you uncivilised little brat – I was merely… imprisoned." Porky grinned before continuing, "I did think that the 'Absolutely Safe Capsule' that you so ensnared me in would be the end of it for me but, fortunately, an old friend decided to free me, I'd love for you to be able to meet him."
"You trapped yourself in there, Porky. And if you're so strong why are you hiding in someone else's body?"
He ignores my last question and begins to pace the room, "Oh Lucas, you know I can't even look at your face without thinking of my dumb, lifeless, slave robot. Mind you, you aren't so different; you're both killing machines, nothing but fanciful weapons."
"Don't you EVER fucking refer to Claus like that again!" I know he's just trying to enrage me but I can't control my emotions anymore.
"Oh yes, that was its name, wasn't it?" finishing with a deadly blow he adds, "You should have heard how he screamed when we cut him open."
Without thinking, and blind with rage, I grab my bat and smash it into Zelda's side, a loud crack reached my, signifying that I'd broken bone.
Porky merely snorts out his adenoidal laugh, seemingly unaffected, and kicks me in the gut.
"Oh come on Lucas, your brother put up a better fight than this and that was after he'd gone up against one of my beautiful creations."
"Lucas? I thought I heard something from inside your room, are you ok?" A voice asks from behind my door, I think it's Link.
I forcefully hold it back using psychokinesis, I'll be damned if I let anyone else in here. I don't have that much energy left but what I do have is going to be used to finally take out this bastard. I put a hand to the carpet and use PK Ground forcing him to fall to the floor and cough up a hefty amount of blood.
The crescendo of noise this emits causes more people to gather around my door, trying to get in. I'm panicking.
"Lucas! Let me in!" It was someone else this time, someone I hadn't met before.
I step over to the paralysed, possessed body – it wasn't Zelda to me right now – and look down at the grinning face that Porky still had plastered on his face.
"Oh would you look at that, you've upset all your friends. I don't suppose they'll be too happy to see what you've done… " He muses, "Though, I suppose it's not the first time you're going to be the reason someone innocent dies; your poor mother was forced to sacrifice herself for you and your snotty brother all because you were too weak and too stupid to fend for yourself and then you had to go and make it worse by allowing your bone-headed brother to go on a suicide mission in order to avenge the very person that you killed – it should have been you. Everyone would have been happier if it had been you and you know it; Alec and Flint always preferred him didn't they?"
I don't even think about it. I smash the bat into Zelda's head and stomach causing a crack each time and a splatter as the blood envelopes my clothes and the floor around me. The banging on the door had reached a point of frenzy by now, that combined with the crunching of bone mixed together creates a revolting melody.
"We're going to break in!" There's a whole cluster of people outside now.
"Do it then!" I challenge, crashing the 'Real Bat' down on him once more.
"You… think… this… will kill me. Don't you, Lucas?" He somehow still manages to blurt out, "You're wrong." Porky let out a shaky laugh, "Good bye Lucas. You should let your friends in, they seem awfully concerned." The room becomes devoid of laughter and the evil glint in Zelda's eyes fade to those of a lifeless corpse.
His final words bring me back to consciousness and I realise what I have done. I stare down at the bloodied body of Zelda – she didn't deserve to die, she was innocent, she was nice.
This is bad.
This is really, really bad.
If I have a heart I guess it would have probably broken to see this sight. I suppose everyone is right – I must be a demon.
I don't have time to think as with one final attack the door busts open and a group of smashers rush in, but stop at the sight of Zelda – their faces turning steely.
I slowly turn around to face them and back away cautiously. There's no point in trying to explain myself, how could I? Besides, their thoughts seem to have already reached a verdict: guilty.
Links stares at me, understandably angry and a far cry from his previous self, and he starts running towards me, sword in hand; I block him with an elbow to the face. He's quickly back up on his feet but I send out a psychic shockwave to defend myself, forcing everyone back.
They all glare at me with a hatred I'm all too familiar with. I guess I'm the bad guy now, oh how I wish I could apologise but nothing can make up for the things I've done. I've used far too much PSI and my head's thumping with an unendurable pain.
They surround me, battle stances ready.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this." I mutter before gathering the last of my mental strength for a final PK Flash; blinding them temporarily, this allows me to run out of the room and slam the door behind me. I dash down the stairs, using my psychokinesis to shove anyone out the way if need be.
Where should I go? Where is there to go? Wait a minute… Didn't Ness mention something about a city? I guess I have no choice but to go there. As I reach the outside of the mansion I quickly search my surroundings, where could it be… I spot a cluster of lights in the distance – it must be there – I dash off in that direction; leaving the mansion and the people who were once my allies behind me.
As I run I look down at my blood soaked hands. Zelda had shown me nothing but kindness yet I had slain her all the same. Maybe I am a monster… No! I was only doing what must be done, what I had to do - it's not my fault that humans are sometimes blind to the consequences. But then... why do I feel the sickening guilt that was quickly suffocating me. I glance back at the mansion: there's hysteria, they're probably already searching for me so I've got to move fast. Deprived of a choice I will my legs forward – I'm not gonna' stop till I'm safe.
Thank you for reading this chapter and please, if you want to, take the time to review. It means a lot to me.