Chapter 6: Etheral Prism
What was happening to him? Killian was changing…he no longer felt like he once did, a hollowed out husk that no longer cared for life. He could feel it deep within...a light...a light in the darkness. It was small but he could feel it growing and in that moment, he saw something within his mind...something, no someone was standing in the light...two men back to back...it was him...yet there were two. There was two of him and yet he was him...this was so confusing.
His mind quickly analyzed the two figures, trying to comprehend what their presence meant. The first was dressed in his usual attire but on the back of his left hand...a silver hook inside some kind of prism. The second him was dressed in clothes similar to the Crimson Savior, same style but in all black. On the back of his right hand...a trident within a prism.
What did it mean? What was this vision trying to tell him? They turned and looked at him. Hook's eyes were the mirrored obsidian that his eyes often changed to when he was out for blood and the trident one had his usual eye color but held that same mirrored quality as Hook's did.
He didn't understand but then the two men split apart to reveal the Crimson Savior. She wore a cream colored cloak with white fur lining the hood. She was so radiant and she was smiling. Hook and the other him approached her, the looks on their faces...like she was their world.
His heart felt a sharp ping of envy. They looked so happy. Why couldn't he have that too? A lifetime of cruelty and sin...perhaps he wasn't meant to have her like they did. She took a few steps towards him and the other two disappeared. She reached out to him with her right hand, her eyes so warm and open, filled with kindness and acceptance.
He didn't know what to do. Should he allow himself to indulge in this little fantasy or should he push her away and retreat into the darkness? The choice was made for him when her face shifted from warmth to shock as she was pulled away from him, falling backwards.
He reached for her but they were both engulfed in water...a very deep amount of water. Were they in the ocean...he didn't have much time to think about it as his eyes adjusted to the darkness of the Sea.
The ginger was sinking and quickly too. He immediately swam down but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't seem to reach her. His lungs were beginning to burn from the lack of oxygen and his muscles were tiring quickly.
He couldn't breathe, he needed to surface for air, but he couldn't...he refused to abandon her...the last of his breath ran out and he breathed in water yet he wasn't...smack.
He blinked finding himself exactly where he had been sitting before, the back of his head now throbbing with a rather sharp stinging pain. Someone had slapped him in the back of the head. He turned to glare at the culprit, only to see a rather odd looking...cat? He wasn't sure if it was a cat, a rabbit, or some kind mix of different animals.
It was white, with long ears, the ends tinted in a soft pink with a few red dots. Seemingly floating around its ears were golden rings, one for each ear. Its fur was sleek and shiny, the tail fluffing out a bit as it swished back and forth in an almost hypnotic rhythm.
Its carmine eyes glowed an eery red, the inner depths swirling with what appeared to be blood. He barely noticed the odd pattern on its back, the same color as its eyes. The creature stared at him, never blinking...he was afraid. This creature held a disarming appearance and its cute yet elegant demeanor would make it nearly irresistible...especially to women.
It tilted its head and Killian actually found the action to be cute yet insanely creepy. Was it this creature that had smacked him back into reality and if so...why? Perhaps he was over thinking this too much. His eyes widened in surprise when a high pitch voice spoke within his mind, making a shiver run down his spine.
'Contract?' It asked its eyes boring into his.
He shook his head, not wanting to become any more involved with this creature. Its eyes narrowed, carmine shifting to blood red. Killian didn't move...his instincts were screaming...fight or flight?
'Fascinating.' It stated finally blinking, 'This world is broken.'
He couldn't help it...he answered back, 'Broken?'
'Indeed. So many different threads woven in the wrong order...it will break.' It answered cryptically.
'Why tell me?' Killian asked honestly wondering why this conversation was happening at all.
'You are the key.' It responded simply, its tail swishing a little faster, 'So much has been hidden...to shield you...so much you do not know...you must know.'
'What do you want from me?' He asked wanting this conversation to be over.
The odd creature turned and walked away, its movements were graceful, surreal...etheral. It paused and he realized that it wanted him to follow it...but should he? Every instinct he had was telling him that this creature was incredibly dangerous...and powerful. Did he dare to provoke its wrath or try its patience in any way?
'Humans are so indecisive...always thinking and never acting...even when they do finally act...it is too late.' It commented sitting down and looking off in the distance, 'Perhaps those dumb little creatures you call ogres will spur you into action.'
The creatures ears lifted up, the rings beginning to glow, a strange chiming began like multiple metal rings clanking into each other. The ground shook slightly, causing the people within the encampment to become frightened. Killian rose to his feet, his eyes shifting to his rather heated obsidian orbs.
'You want me to act...fine...my hook is enchanted...a little something from the Evil Queen. Let's see if you have a heart.' The Captain thought darkly.
The chiming sound subsided as the creature's ears returned to their original positions...it giggled.
'Humans are so fun to toy with, but you asked a question yet you do not appear to want the answer.' It commented.
The creature rose to its feet and walked away again, this time he followed. More than a little annoyed and giving serious consideration to punting the little cat/rat into the forest. Said cat/rat found his thoughts to be rather amusing, giggling in a pitch even higher and more annoying than the Dark One.
They didn't walk far and the creature jumped up onto a sealed barrel, looking in a specific direction. The pirate followed its gaze and his eyes faded back to his normal oceanic state. The ginger goddess...she was dancing. A rather fast rhythm...where was the music coming from? Why was she dancing?
'To calm them.' It stated like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
'There is something you want me to do and she is part of it, isn't she?' He surmised.
'No...she is it. The thing I wish you to do is her.' It corrected making him frown in confusion, 'Always so dense.'
It sighed heavily, shaking its head in exasperation.
'She is the lock and you are the key. Insert the key into the lock and open the way once again but be careful. This is the last time. There will not be another. If you wish to understand then both is required, but if the second does not appear...this world will shatter. This is all I can do within this realm, the rest is for the two of you to decide.' It elaborated before simply fading away.
The dark captain was even more confused then before. That whole encounter didn't make sense but then again, his recent behavior didn't make sense either. He looked over at the dancing red head. Whatever was going on...it was connected to her. He needed to know more and not because the cat/rat had suggested it either.
With change comes uncertainty, the tide is turning. A new current is being formed but where does it lead? The mystery deepens and the story has barely begun. Which course will the Dark Captain choose to follow? Will he remain as The Scourge of the Sea or will he once again embrace the title of The Terror of the Deep?
