Author: I did say that I was going to update next weekend, but I got too excited so yea... 4th Chapter is here. I hope you enjoy it~!
*ba-dump ba-dump ba-dump*
All sounds around him had diminished and only the beating of his heart could he hear.
*ba-dump dump ba-dump dump*
Sweat had expelled all over his body as he stared wide-eyed in horror at the cracked door. The frozen ice had completely been taken over by the darkness and the crack formed a sharp-edged circle, black fog was still leaking from the huge crack and it was turning everything it touched into pure black. The darkness was slowly inching towards him and his legs shook beneath him.
This wasn't what was supposed to happen. He wanted to run and scream for the marines, but he felt frozen into place and he just stared gaping at the cracked door. His skin prickled at the sudden drop of temperature and he noticed that the day was slowly giving out into the night; the sun's golden hues were casting a bright orange onto the cracked door as if mocking him that that thing would get out as soon as the disappeared into the dark sea and it would be the end of him.
He had to get out of there.
The mayor suddenly felt a boost of adrenaline and he turned tail and ran back down the mountain, pushing through the branches and bushes that were in his way. He cared not that his clothes were getting torn and tattered and his skin was pricked and cut by the branches and thorns that he was not able to avoid. By the time he arrived at the town, everyone was already in their homes eating their dinner or getting some early sleep. His entire appearance was disheveled and he looked like he just escaped an attack from a wild beast as he stood at the center of the road.
Before he could shout for help, everything suddenly turned red and the mayor felt the words that he was about to utter get stuck in his throat. Paling in horror and fear, he felt the world spin around him. Memories from 10 years ago had started to resurface from his mind.
All the blood and horror he had experienced was about to happen again. He was going to lose another home. He was going to…
As soon as the world around him had turned red, it was quick to vanish as well and the color of his town had come back. The bile rose from his throat and he doubled over, vomiting the food he had eaten earlier. When his nerves had calmed and his adrenaline disappeared, the mayor took a deep breath in and out before taking off to his office to call for the Fleet Admiral Sakazuki.
*At Mariejois*
It had been a few days since Lakes Ea had visited Fleet Admiral Sakazuki and it pained him to see her talking so happily with her family members…and husband. The jealousy was burning within him as he turned away from the scene to head for the Gorosei.
His steps were loud and commanding and it made all the marines cower from his heated glare; the only ones who could ever look at him in the eye without shaking would be the vice-admiral Tsuru, Kizaru, the Gorosei, Monkey D. Garp, and the retired fleet admiral, Sengoku. But they never spoke eye to eye because of their differences of justice.
Childish laughter was heard behind him where the World Nobles were and consciously Sakazuki clenched his fist though he didn't notice the movement. He ignored all sounds as he walked down the hall towards the meeting room where the Gorosei were and he could faintly hear the sounds of an argument brewing behind the closed doors. Without even knocking, he made his grand entrance by slamming the door open with a deep scowl on his face.
The Gorosei immediately stopped their conversation and turned their heads to the angered Fleet Admiral; he was always like this the Gorosei noticed when he'd come visit them.
"Sakazuki, what is it?" The one who spoke was bald and extremely thing, but the way he stared made him look undeniably strong and a wooden sword was placed between his legs. Sakazuki had no reason to visit the Gorosei, but his feet had led him to them. The Fleet Admiral just said the first thing that came to his mind.
"Have you thought of a way to get rid of the Strawhats?" Now Sakazuki still believed that the Strawhat Pirates were still a threat to the world by how ridiculously strong Monkey D. Luffy is and especially his connection with the revolutionary leader, Monkey D. Dragon. The Gorosei looked at each other and they sighed.
"We told you like last time, Sakazuki… they will be apprehended soon enough. Now leave." Sakazuki didn't want to leave, but he had no other reason to stay either. So he turned and left the Gorosei in thundering steps.
When the Five Elders were sure that the Fleet Admiral had left, they continued on their conversation.
"How are you sure that the weapon is here?" [Let's just call the Five Elders in first-fifth person, okay?] The second person asked the first person whose sword was still between his legs.
The first person intertwined his fingers together and leaned forward, "There was a report that the moon had turned blood red. That's one of the signs that it is here." The other four nodded then the third person sitting across the second person scratched his beard.
"How would we know what or who this weapon is?" The three looked at the first person awaiting his words.
He sighed, "A chimaera; an extinct animal from 800 years ago." Their eyes widened as they all took this information in.
The fourth person stood up in aggravation and shock, "That's impossible! I thought that this weapon was supposed to be a myth…! That poneglyph was destroyed years ago and even the Oharas have considered it a fake!" The fifth person was intently listening then he put up his left hand and all attention was on him.
"There have been reports that were considered false from the marines in the New World…"
"What reports?" The first person interrupted and the fifth sent him a glare.
"That people would say that they aren't from this world. Of course, the marines have just written this of as pranks, but what if those reports were actually true?"
Whispers then broke out from the other three.
"He's right."
"Impossible."
"…"
The first person held his sword thoughtfully then cleared his throat gaining the attention from the other four.
"Let's just say that it is true; that there is another world different from ours. Hypothetically speaking, that this weapon and the supposedly extinct chimaera came from that world?" The five stared at each other in silent debate; the silence thick with tension from each of their heavy stares. The second person then nodded followed by the third person then fifth… but the fourth person gave the first person a doubtful sigh before nodding as well.
"End of discussion then."
*With the Strawhat Crew*
Loud laughter came from the dining room as Luffy danced atop the table with Chopper and Usopp. Niña was laughing at them, her smile big and wide.
Zoro stared at 'Kathrine' with a suspicious glare, still debating in his head if she was actually friend or foe. It was dubious how she wasn't afraid of them at all especially that they were already infamous even to the Navy. Not only that,… she hasn't said anything about the gold that they stole from her. Zoro took a huge gulp from his glass.
Niña laughed at Usopp's joke and at the same time, ignored Zoro's glaring at her. Was he mad at her? What did she do? And why the hell was her heart racing?!
"Kathrine, do you like plants?" Usopp asked, taking a sit beside her, with a big grin on his face and Niña smiled, nodding.
"Yea, I love plants, more specifically, flowers. They're beautiful to look at." The glare was even harder now and she felt sweat trickling down the side of her face. Did he find out she lied about her name?! Her eyes widened at the thought and her heart quickened even faster, if that was practically possible.
Luffy jumped into the conversation, and by that, he literally jumped into the conversation. "Kathrine, do you like meat?" Niña startled from his sudden appearance almost fell from her seat.
She blinked at him and smiled, although hesitant, "O-Of course, I do… Just try to get into the conversation normally, okay? You scared me and…" Poor Usopp had his eyes bulged out and fell onto the wooden floor. She was glad she didn't. "Just don't do that again..."
Luffy nodded, taking a bite from the meat in his hand, "Uh-huh…" Yup, he definitely wasn't going to do that. Niña sweatdropped at Luffy's carefree attitude.
"Oi, Luffy! I told you stop stealing the meat!" Sanji yelled and Niña found herself laughing again as Luffy escaped from Sanji's furious kicks who accidentally stepped hard on Usopp's face. Definitely glad that it wasn't her.
Robin chuckled at the scene before her; Luffy circling around the table and Sanji trying to catch him, Usopp unconscious on the floor while Chopper was trying to help him, Franky suddenly posing and shouting 'super' loudly making 'Kathrine' laugh, and Zoro still drinking his sake. She took a sip of her herbal tea, which she let Sanji make after 'Kathrine' left Nami's side to talk with Usopp, and sighed in delight.
*tick tick tick tick tick tick tick tick*
The sudden sound almost made Robin drop her tea and she looked at Nami who was staring in horror at her wrist. Her eyes widened when she saw that one of the log poses was moving more erratic than the one in the middle, pointing to the east.
"T-The ship wasn't supposed to be moving! What's going on?!" Nami's sudden outburst caused the liveliness to quiet down and everyone stared at her in confusion.
Frankie scratched the back of his neck, "I already put the anchor down before we went to eat dinner, Nami. Usopp was with me when I did it." Before Nami could shout another word, a bumping sound against the front of the ship signaled them that they had landed on an island.
Everyone in the room was confused even Usopp woke up from his unconscious state to see what the commotion was about and they ran out of the dining room to see if they did land on an island. They did.
The waves splashed against the sandy shoreline, leaving in its wake wet sand. The island itself was what you would call a forest island. It didn't seem to be like either of the season islands and, Nami noticed, that this island wasn't supposed to be here.
"Weird… there wasn't island here until just earlier…" Nami muttered staring at her wrist, the log pose had settled down for the time being. Robin felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at this island; a memory resurfacing in her mind.
"Professor, tell me about the prophecy again!" A 7-year-old Nico Robin held up a book to Professor Clover.
He scratched the back of his head and took the book from Robin's small hands, "I thought you didn't like fairytales, Robin? What makes you so interested in a fake history?"
Robin shrugged her shoulders, "Well, I don't know. It just does." Professor Clover sighed and sat down on one of the chairs in the library, Robin followed suit just across from him.
"The prophecy states that a weapon not from this world will be sent here to destroy a demon created by those against them during the Void History. It will hold powers so destructible that it will destroy the world.
"There will be certain signs that will show when the weapon appears. Firstly, the chimaera…" Robin had heard of this story already 3 times, but she was still so engrossed by it. "The chimaera is an extinct creature that lived hundreds of years ago; it can take form of any animal in the world, extinct, mythical, and all real animals. Secondly, on the day that the weapon arrives, the night will have a full moon that will turn red as blood casting the color red for only a few seconds before disappearing. Third and lastly, an island will appear out of nowhere to activate this weapon's powers.
"Now, remember, Robin, this is just fake information carved on a fake poneglyph by lunatics. This is not real."
Robin pouted, taking back the book from the Professor's hands, "Yes, Professor…"
Why was she suddenly remembering this? A headache brewed and she ran her hands through her hair to ease it.
Luffy awed at the island, a certain twinkle in his eyes as he grinned mischievously at his crew. Nami and Usopp noticed this and gave him a sharp glare.
"No, Luffy! This is island is too suspicious! We can't just go in there!" Nami shouted, pointing at the suspicious island and Usopp, Chopper, and Brooke nodded.
The sparkle in his Luffy's eyes grew brighter, "Oh~? The island is mysterious, you say? I smell adventure!" He had changed the word 'suspicious' to 'mysterious'.
Nami sulked in a corner, "I continue to wonder why I even joined this crew in the first place…"
"Ugh! My can't-enter-islands disease is acting up again!" Cried Usopp clenching his fist on his chest.
"Me too! Me too!" Chopper and Brooke yelled, clenching their fists on their chests as well.
Niña stared at the island and felt something pulling her towards it. She was scared, but her curiosity was stronger.
"I'll go with you, Luffy. I'm quite curious about this island." Luffy didn't notice the solemn way she spoke and just cheered happily that at least she wanted to go on an adventure. Robin felt the nervous anxiety eating in her stomach so she decided to go as well.
"I'll go too." She spoke, eyeing 'Kathrine' in the corner of her eye. Nami gasped in horror and she grabbed Robin's arm.
"No! Don't leave me, Robin!" Robin chuckled and brushed Nami off.
"It's alright, Nami. You have Sanji-kun and Franky with you." Hearing that reassured Nami by a little bit and she let go of Robin's arm.
"I'm coming too." Zoro said, shocking the majority of the crew at his sudden interest.
"Zoro, you're coming as well?" Luffy asked and tilted his head wondering why the swordsman would want to go with them on an adventure. He'd usually want to sleep at these kinds of stuff.
Zoro nodded and had jumped over the ship first, landing onto the soft sand; his shoes sinking into the wet surface. The other two followed suit, but Niña just leaned over the side of the ship, glancing nervously at the height.
Luffy noticed this and looked up at her, "Kathrine, aren't you coming?"
Niña felt a tick mark on her head and she yelled, "I'm sorry that I'm not monsters like you! I'm a normal human being!" Why'd she yell that they were monsters? Her head started to hurt as she thought about it.
Zoro sighed and turned towards her, putting out his hands, "Jump and I'll catch you." Okay, was that supposed to reassure her?
Niña glared at him and stood on the side of the ship, "If I die, I'm going to haunt you forever." And with that and without hesitation, she jumped. The air blew against her as she fell to what she felt like was her death. She closed her eyes feeling the ground closing on her and hoped that it was going to be painless if the swordsman was unable to catch her.
Instead of the sand, she felt hands grab onto her pulling her close towards their chest. Her heartbeat quickened as she stared wide-eyed at Zoro's face, which was too close for comfort. When she realized that she was safe and alive, she got off of Zoro's arms and she knew her face was in the color red.
"Th-Thanks…" She cursed herself for stuttering and stomped away towards the forest, humiliated and embarrassed. Zoro blinked at her then turned towards Luffy and Robin.
"What did I do?"
The body within the cave made no movements even as the full moon's light shone just few meters away from him; the only thing seen was his legs which his feet was locked onto the ground by hardened magma. His fingers twitched as a sudden flash of light focused on him and he took a long gulp of air. How long has it been since he saw the light.
"Hello? Anyone there?" Kai shouted, looking through the darkness with his flashlight which could only show a few feet in the dark.
He had been curious about the mayor's adventures up the mountain months ago and decided to check what it was that made him go up there once a month. Seeing the cracked door intensified his curiosity and he regretted the fact that he only brought a small flashlight that he used to check his patient's mouth.
There were no movements in the dark so Kai took this as a sign to enter in the mysterious darkness. There was this tension in the air that made him hesitate to enter, but his curiosity was stronger than his hesitation and he took a few steps into the darkness. His measly flashlight was of more use in the black darkness as the moon's light could only show a feet into it.
As he took a few more steps into the darkness, he starts to notice a silhouette of a person sitting on a chair and he quirked an eyebrow.
"Is that you mayor? What are you doing in this darkness anyway?" Kai didn't know why, but he felt scared as he approached the silhouette. He hadn't noticed it before, but he noticed it now. The full force of different emotions blew against his trembling form, anger, hatred, malicious intent, and hunger. Even though the warning bells in his head were ringing, he still walked closer to the silhouette until he gasped dropping his small flashlight onto the dusty ground.
A man, whose skin was very pale that his veins were clearly seen and hair black as the night, sat in what looked like a chair. What horrified the young doctor were the bruises and cuts on the man's pale skin and his doctor instincts took over and had ignored the warning bells in his head. He searched around the darkness and grabbed a huge rock to try to break the hardened magma on the man's feet.
He didn't notice the darkness that swirling around him because he was so engrossed on trying to save the injured man. But as soon as both of the man's feet were free, a loud howling laughter echoed in the dark cave. Kai, startled, looked up and saw the man grinning down on him maliciously and he began to notice the darkness that circled him. The light his flashlight gave only showed half of the man's body that was still sitting upright on the chair, but Kai could already see the glowing red eyes staring at him.
Before the young doctor could even scream, his blood had spattered onto his flashlight and it flickered then turned completely off engulfing the entire cave into the darkness.
Soft steps were heard from inside the cracked door and the young doctor walked out with a pleasant smile on his face and made his back down into his home town. But instead of the color blue, his eyes glowed dark red and he licked his lips which were stained red.
"It's been too long since I took a taste of life. I almost forgot how delicious it is."
Author: That's about it for now. Thank you for taking your time to read this. I hope you enjoyed it! Please review! See ya~!