.- Return to Innocence -.
-. Dismay .-
Yep, 3 is up. Took along time but I managed. I had such a big rush of writers block.
The beginning is kinda boring, but don't worry it gets sorta funny with Alice nagging later. If you like her to nag that is ; I just didn't know how to word the graveyard scene. Oo;
DISCLAIMER- I do not own Shadow Hearts and it's characters, so..yeah.
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All I see is dark grey clouds
In the distance moving closer every hour. -Tiny Vessels,Death Cab for Cutie
What's... what's going on?
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Where was I, exactly? I couldn't see a thing. Just darkness. I know the last thing I remember I was huddled up, sleeping next to a burning bon fire. Is this a dream?
No... Not again. I need some decent rest.
A flash occurred like a cooling zephyr. It was all chalky, but what I saw was.. a graveyard? It sure seemed like it, it reeked of death. I never had been to one before.
Father... you had no grave.
Yes, this has to be a dream. Looks like I'm not actually here though.. I can only see it. I can't reach out and touch a single thing.
Shadowy headstones on grassy patches loomed from left to right. They appear to have different sorts of symbols, or from what I can distinguish.
Nope, I have no clue.
This whole aura has an evil sense. I wonder what really lurks here. Footsteps approach from the left... Yuri?
"What's going on, where am I? This is just like my dreams!"
You have dreams... like me?
He seems not to be dreaming, maybe. Sort of like he's stuck in it.
"Huh? Where is he? Where'd he go? So he didn't come with me, eh? Damn..."
...Man, more questions that need to be retorted.
"This is a pretty lame illusion, if it is... an illusion."
No Yuri, I don't think so. There's a malevolent force, it's no illusion.
"Man, now's the part I run around lost and wake up in a cold sweat just as a monsters about to eat me."
That sounds pretty awful. I never have had nightmares.
Unless the flying pink kittens in a rainbow sky count.
What is he rambling about now? I can't hear him with all these screams. Screams? They sound like lost souls. Why must many people lose their way? It's just simply horrible. Well.. it is a graveyard after all.
Is... Yuri talking about me? Me kissing him? I would have never guessed him being so wicked until he literally snatched my chest.
I didn't know you were so good-looking, I might have.
...Jeez, I would have done more then that.
Yuri then began to head for what looked like, a giant blue door, with four masks floating at its front..... Wait just a minute, four masks at its front?! Oh my word....
My eyes suddenly shot open. I was still in China, but the air was thick with darkness, the fire must have died out. Something dripped continuously at the ground, and I soon figured out my nose was bleeding. I held my hand out to catch the crimson drops.
Something shunned me away from that dream with such an impact it made my nose bleed. Those masks? What don't they want me to see?
I swallowed the rest of the blood coming from my throat and it gradually stopped in my nose. My eyes finally adjusted to the dark. I started picking at the wood and ashes of the once gleaming fire.
Those mysterious masks, Yuri sees them? Are I and he tied together in some way?
No, I don't believe in fate. Fate is make believe.
I turned my head; Yuri was sleeping soundly on the ground, just as I thought.
I guess I'll wake him up, we need to get going.
"Hey... wake up." I started softly, but he wouldn't even budge. I crawled over on all fours and shook him lightly.
"Yuri, come on, please..."
"Masks... no... You... can't... I'll smash... your... smirking... faces... in." He groaned with anger.
He's still dreaming about those false faces.
"Yuri!!" I shouted straight in his ear hoping that would for sure get him shocked.
"Dad... no... The malice..?"
Oh, wake up already!
Without a second thought I kicked him roughly in the side. "Get up!!"
"Whoa!" His eyes busted open as he sat up straight.
"There, I finally got you're attention!" I grabbed my Bible dusting the dirt off its surface.
"Alice! Why'd ya do that?" He got up rubbing his side. I stared off into the night, remembering the masks, and flapping my hand, it still hurt from the wound that forbidden bat gave me.
"You were having a nightmare, saying things about your father and malice. I got tired of it, so I thought a swift kick would jerk you right up!"
"God Dammit, woman!"
"Yeah, whatever. Let's just leave now and stop complaining about the past." My stomach kept growling. I needed something to sink my teeth into and fast.
Yuri started adjusting his coat. "Thanks, that's gonna leave one helluva bruise."
It was his fault for being such a heavy sleeper. My high pitched yell didn't even seem to work
And that annoys everyone I knew, my mom beat me with a rolling pin it was so bad once.
I'd bet he'd sleep through wolves tearing him apart, waking up in Hell.
I stuck my tongue out at him like a little bratty girl and went over to the side to check the drain out.
"Hey, boy! Look the water drained out, just like I said it would. We can finally cross."
"Call me boy again, and I'll..."
"Oh, hush."
The road was long and stark, nothing exciting at all, no wolves, spiders, or bats either. Just same old same old. And well, my feet were already killing me.
So much for the exercise I got crossing the street in London.
Something glittered brightly off in the near distance. A town? A city..?
"Hey Yuri, look!" I pointed at it, astounded.
"Yeah, seems like a village. Wow, you're smart for a blonde." I decided not to have a come back, I looked off in silence instead. I've had enough arguments for one night.
We got closer and closer and the more we got to it, the smaller and sheltered it seemed. Yuri was looking on with glee, and as for me... well, I sorta looked... sorrowful.
This ambiance, the mood, the setting. It was quite frankly, unruly. Like some sort of calamity has befallen here.
"Why the long face? You were the one complainin' about how famished you were. Hmph, women." He started to walk away from me, quite agitated.
Wait... something isn't right.
In an instant, Yuri collapsed as a clamorous bang came from all around the star filled sky.
"Be caref... ... ...Gaur..ian ...Purg...tory ... Man...eater... Tr..ap...Wait..."
He stood up easily panting loudly from the mental exhaustion. But me... I felt no pain, just the soothing voice from every side of the cheerless landscape.
No... She's not going to hurt us.
"I think that woman is trying to tell us something, Yuri..." I pondered out loud.
"Woman!? You heard the lady too..?" I gave a nod of assurance.
"Wait, really?!"
"Yes, yes!"
"Huh, so ya are crazy like me..."
"She sounded... so kind and gentle. I don't think she means us any harm. But the tone of the voice, almost like a... warning." I cautioned.
She said something about man-eaters and a trap. Could the village be a pitfall with cannibals ready to devour us? I wonder... it was no trick, she was so sincere about it, without an once of deceit in her upright voice.
Ok, ok, if me and smut freak heard it together then we must be tied together somehow.
Tied with a bond of psychosis.
"... ... ... Oh yeah?"
I sighed, "Yes, but I can only speculate. For the Lord's sake, do you ever listen?! Right now I could care less about the caution. I'm going to droop if I don't get a bite to eat."
I followed the path faintly. My vision already going hay wire.
"Heeey don't leave me alone! I need yer soft embrace!"
...Here we go again.
The town sure looked pretty run-down. The wooden gate looked ancient, like an old used barrier to keep away the enemy in the lush days of yore. It seemed sturdy though, I tapped on it gently.
"Huh, you think the townspeople are sleeping?" I exclaimed.
"Well it is night after all, Alice." Yuri added, sarcastically.
"Will you please stop being such a cocky smart-alec?! I was just considering."
"Fine, fine, sorry."
Unuseful vagabond.
I started to worry again about the precaution in this small village. Unexpectedly, I started to shake profusely clutching my bible close to my soft chest.
"What's up? Something wrong?" Yuri asked me with sincerity.
"R-remeber what that lady said? I don't think everything will go out just fine and dandy." I stood still like a frozen cat shivering from my damp clothes.
"Hah, nothing can surprise me at this point. Crap happens."
An anticipated noise flowed from the gate. I strained my eyes and saw two young pale and evident Chinese boys staring at me. They chortled with such an excitement.
Is there something on my face..?
Yuri turned to the gate, alarmed.
Nothing would startle you, huh? Right. I feel real safe with you.
"D-damn brats! Don't freak me out like that or I'll kick your scrawny little asses!"
How could you even think about saying that to a child? You're so hardhearted.
"I knew it!"
"Yes, it's true!" The children exclaimed. Hold on just a minute, their mouths didn't even move a muscle when they spoke.
..Telepathy?!
They're sending psychic oscillate waves, maybe? They are not your everyday ordinary children.
They're... unearthly in a way.
Yuri looked around mistaking the children's voices for a type of threat.
"Hey, Prejudice Princess, ya hear that?"
"Yes. It's those kids, at the gate; they're definitely not human, sending messages to our brains..."
He seemed amazed. "Damn, ya sure know a lot about this spooky stuff. Probably that six-whatever you have."
Yuri kicked the gate causing it to shake wobbly.
"Huh? Look, you brats live here right? Great. Open the gate."
"Um, nobody gets in at night, so you're just gonna have to stay out there." The red clothed child pronounced.
Yuri looked at me with wonderment.
"See, told you! I'm top-shelf when it comes to hearing the supernatural." I whispered proudly.
I honestly didn't know why I could do so much. Does my six-sense have this much capability?
Father, what is my gift, truly?
"Run along to your mommy. Tell her you've got guests." Yuri growled as he kicked the gate impatiently.
My best guess is that he's not too fond with children. But me, heck I love them. I want to have tons of chubby lil' kids running around when I'm married.
Okay maybe not a ton. But at least one... and not chubby.
The boy in the simple red shirt saw me as I came steadily closer.
"Hey, that's a woman right?!"
"Yeah she's TOTALLY a girl, right?! Nice and soft?" The one in yellow replied.
Hmm? Kids these days. What are parents teaching them?
"Do you understand the words coming out of my mouth?" Yuri said exhausted.
Poor guy, I cleared my throat.
"Sorry to trouble you so late, but we're lost, would you allow us to stay for the night?"
"Oh, she looks so tender!"
"A nice juicy girl!" They both hollered gleefully.
Oh dear, mini Yuris...
They opened the gate quickly and ran to me, jumping up and down actively.
"Umm... uhh." I choked on my words.
I soon noticed their diverse eyes right away. One had demonic red, the other glossy yellow like an outraged cat. Such odd colors. Colors that I didn't know even existed.
"You can come in!"
"Yeah, come inside now!"
"Oh... um thank you?" I stated unruly.
Perverse kids...
"Our house is at the end of the square. We'll be waiting!"
They skipped along the trail, happily singing, "We got a girl, we have a girl. Gotta tell Granny Mayor, laa laa laa..."
Yuri gave one of those tormenting smirks again. "See, Alice, Yer a real beaut. Even them young' uns go ga ga."
"Shut up, half-wit."
He sighed and followed me casually into the village.
The air was thick with fog; it seemed to absorb the tiny town. The whole place looked so ailing and filled with contempt. The people who must have resided here, sought out to be bedridden, and ill. Not very many of them either. The only children I saw were the two young boys a second past.
A youthful meager appearing woman sobbed soundly in a dusty corner of debris. Her cries pounded into my brain, it was so full of remorse. I approached her as Yuri went around searching for some "chow" or so he says.
I crouched down next to the woman and touched her shoulder politely.
"Hello there, what has happened?"
She instantly lashed out at me, forcing me to hold her humble body.
"My... young... they have passed away. E-everytime I give life, they... vanish. I-I don't know what to do, If I keep them... I'll disappear...as well."
She shook with mourn as I caught her telepathic plea.
...The man-eaters?
"I think I have a hunch about what happened to them..." She looked into my eyes with humility.
"..How?"
I swallowed with panic, "I heard from somewhere, this village is full of cannibals or of the like... maybe they have, um. Well, eaten your youth?"
Her eyes flashed with anger as she pushed me away. I wavered fixing my slipped down stocking.
"No, stop! Don't speak to me... you... you have Demon Eyes!" She shouted in terror, her body shaking in tremors.
Apparently, I have said something wrong. But... Demon Eyes..?
Is it because people say blue eyes are the Devil's?
It's not my fault, what a paranoid woman.
She huddled in her private space again as an older man with rat faced features came to console her.
What are these people? Chinese, yes. But speak with the art of telepathy... and so proficiently. I don't sense any immoral thoughts, they can't be devilish, but almost like they don't belong in this hollow place. Do they need exorcism, as well?
This village is filled with anxiety. I was right about the calamity.
Should I get another epic action saga point?
I saw Yuri in the corner of my eye amidst the town folk.
"Crap, found nothing for us to dig into yet," He kicked the dirt shyly putting his hands in his leather pants pockets. "Just some freaky lady talking about giving me oral sex or some shit. Damn pavement crawler." He cursed.
"What in God's name are you speaking of!?"
"I derno! She said she was gonna take it out and peel it off, sayin' it sounded sexy. Not like I wouldn't mind but, she was just repulsive so I ran away like an idiot..."
"Why would you think THAT of all things!?" I sighed,
"You think too naughty. I know for a fact a telepathic being wouldn't say such an uncourtly, ill-natured, innuendo! Christ's sake!"
I kept mumbling about how imbecilic he was, as he kept going on how moonstruck and starry-eyed in love with me he had gotten ever since he met me a few hours ago.
Oh, how I wish Roger had kidnapped me right this second.
We both walked undaunted, but the farther I've got, the worse the undertone felt. Almost as if it was cursed under a consistent spell by a sinister necromancer.
Roger Bacon's sleight at hand?
No, it feels less nefarious then his appalling powers. But still, overflowing with horror. My feet started to cramp again from this long road.
Ugh. I can't stand it any longer!
Quietly, I bent down to slip off my shoes, the three inch heels were killing me, and they certainly are not to be used for such walking as this. They were dress shoes for Pete's sake.
And I'm not getting blisters.
Holding both shoes in one hand, trusty Bible in the other, I continued to walk in plain white stockings only, as Yuri looked rather abash.
"Allliice," He whined, "You're embaressin' me, taking off yer shoes! How un-lady-like!"
Blah, blah, blah.
"Does it look like I care? You try walkin' in these suckers! Besides, we're in Asia; they do it all the darn time."
The villagers began to gaze at me bedazzled and yet, confused. Yuri whispered in my ear.
"Yeah... but, you're European." He nudged me and winked.
I just gave an icy glare feeling my stockings getting dirty and moist on the bottom.
Do I really look that extraterrestrial to these people?
I rubbed the puncture wound from the deranged bat, it still panged with a bit of ache.
Hope this heal up fast, it looks pretty nasty.
"Damn, a dead end..." I sighed shooing away a small fly. We were at the last section of the small village. A stout, stocky Chinese looking fellow spotted us from a stone well he was lounging on. He waddled over, chatting weakly in Chinese.
"You wouldn't happen to speak English, would you, sir?" I stated slowly enough for him to understand. He blinked at me twice, puzzled.
..Thought so.
He dusted off his pointy straw cap and adjusted his pack on his back, showing it to me and numbskull brains. Then he nattered more in his language making movements with his bag.
Yuri pushed me aside full of spirit.
"Let me handle this, Alice. I know a handful of Chinese words. Enough for me to survive in Peking for two hours!"
...Great. I hope he doesn't do anything stupid, like usual.
He started to word the Chinese carefully and I just couldn't help but to think about this place again. My eyes darted to the village folks, then to a shady shack nearby which must have been the little boys', and back to the tiny man.
This gentleman seemed like a normal human. What is he doing here in this mythical town? Perhaps he's lost as well?
Nothing has made sense ever since I got rescued by Yuri on the train..
Everything is just so jumbled.
Yuri tapped my shoulder awaking me from my apt thoughts.
"Yo, even if I'm a bit rusty, from what I could make out, seems like he's sellin' goods. Tch, no food though..."
Out of boredom, I placed my shoes on the path, and I was balancing my Bible on my head and upon hearing Yuri, I clapped my hands delightfully.
"Oh? What kind of goodies?!" I replied full of joy, and then of course my Bible fell down and hit my toes.
Ouch...
"Uh, well if you wanna get prepared to fight anything, he's got some gear, and healing items... take a gander. I'm gonna buy us some Thera and Pure leaves."
I nodded in puzzlement.
Why would anyone wanna waste their hard earned money on some... some leaves!!
Leaves? Why do we need leaves? To replace toilet paper, or what? Leaves... hmph, leaves.
My conception came to a halt as I picked through the man's bag, ravenous with hunger. I glanced deeper in the pack and pulled out a bright dazzling azure gem.
It sparkled briskly as I tossed it in the unclear squalling sky.
It's so full of life... I think I really need this now.
"Yuri, Yuri! Can we buy this?!" I dropped it in his brown leather palm. He examined it carefully.
"Hm, this is used to cure poison from monsters. A mermaid's tear, found in the sea. We don't need junk like this..." He handed it back to me reasonably. My heart sank.
"But it's so elegant..."
"Even if we did use it, ya know, it'd disappear being absorbed with the poison, yeah? I know these things; I've been huntin' monsters for ten fuckin' years. We ain't buyin'."
Argh, he's such an asshole...
"Meanie!" I whined in a childish manner filled with vigor, "Meanie, meanie!"
"Stop that."
Yuri waved a hand at me, annoyed as he picked through leaves the peddler provided.
"Meanie, meanie, meanie!!" I called out with impudence. The Chinese fellow chuckled with delight, he must have gotten the situation.
Yuri scornfully glared at me.
"I don't call you a stupid bitch, do I?" He said discourteous.
"I beg your pardon!?" I screeched, stomping my foot firmly, shoes in one hand, as I was aiming to throw both of them smack dab in his face.
"Yeah, thought so. Here."
He threw something light colored and dull at me. I caught it ungainly, and asked the peddler silently to hold my Bible. I inspected it closer and saw it was a delicate little bracelet.
"A bracelet..?"
I said blandly, looking even closer I saw little symbols of sutras on the... whatever the heck it was created from.
"What's it for anyhow? And more importantly, what's made out of?"
"..Oh, it's to guard against some monsters attacks that can make you confused, kinda like in their control, ya know? The peddler said it's from some old dead priest's backbone..."
"Ugh!" I growled with disgust, "How obscene and sacrilege!"
"What?! Yer the one goin' all on about how your an "ex" Christian. Put it on and shut the hell up."
"Make me!" I hollered back, but attached the nasty little thing on my wrist anyway.
I'm so submissive.
"Here, this too."
He tossed another unusual bracelet at me, this one appeared to be made out of a light green oyster shell.
No bones, thank the heavens.
"It's carved by some dude from the Dark Ages, I suppose. Pretty old, eh? It's resistant against poison. See, ya don't need the dumb jewel after all. It's a waste of money anyways."
I smiled weakly at Yuri's comment, and clasped it on my other wrist. He also handed me a red-orange bandanna and a fairly plain small leather belt.
"What's up with this junk?" I muttered, eyeing both articles of clothing. He shrugged clumsily.
"Good for battles, I guess. We gotta be prepared and all."
I tied the gaudy head piece on my right upper arm. Yuri said it was dyed by one hundred virgins, according to the Asian peddler. I sure hope I don't become a virgin for life.
No way, I'd cry myself to sleep every night.
I adjusted the belt around my dress on the waist. I sighed displeased with my now, cartoon appearance.
I look like a modest clown.
Yuri smirked again, putting a hand on his hip.
"I apologize it's not the latest fashion statement, dear opulent young lady."
Even though he was being sarcastic, I guess he was right about me being well moneyed. My father made a fortune with his word of God, and my mother owned a small woman's clothing business in Zurich.
My take is that maybe because I was so well put, maybe made me a bit of a snob.
I can understand why Yuri gets so angry at me. But I was much less rude when Dad was still alive; many of the folks I knew said I was kindhearted and down to earth, one of the sweetest girls.
Death does funny things to you.
I can be such a wench now.
"Aren't you going to look droll with me or what?" I asked Yuri as he handed the man some odd Chinese currency.
"Naw, I can take on anything without any kind of armor. Hah. Besides, I already gotta belt."
"...Alright, just don't let your cockiness get the best of you."
I started to inspect the end of the road as Yuri thanked the worried peddler and handed my Bible back to me.
"Hey look, a small opening!"
There was a crack in the huge dark stone wall, big enough for me and him to fit inside.
"Oh yeah? Let's check it out. Of course, ladies first."
"You're just saying that because it looks creepy and you're scared." I taunted weakly.
I bent down and crawled inside, hearing Yuri curse after he made a crude comment about my panties showing through the lacy layers of my dress, probably because he hit his head on the small ceiling over the hole.
A fierce, putrid stench defiled my nose; it was so offensive I backed away a bit. My bottom hitting Yuri.
"Ow! What is it, Alice? A monster..!?"
"Don't you smell it?!" I whispered harshly.
"Smell what?" I rolled out into the cavern and placed my shoes back onto my feet. As I stood I gave a soft cry.
The whole cave was piled up to about my thighs, with skulls and many other forms of bones. They all appeared to be human.
"This place! It's filled with... bones? Human bones! Did they get slaughtered by the townspeople?!" I piqued.
Yuri lazily crawled in and kicked a skull to a corner causing bones to topple over each other.
"Well I'll be damned, you and the voice were right, Alice. These people're cannibals."
My head darted from left to right as my vision became hazy.
It's happening...again.
I fell to floor on my hands and knees, as I had a brief perception.
I saw the village with a clear blue sky, it was filled with much happiness and content, people sprawled from every end, exchanging friendly greetings. Small domestic cats, dogs, and chickens romped around playing freely. A stiff whisper entered my ears.
"Revengeful animals ...pay their penance ..with apathy."
It's that woman.
The imagery turned dark and gray flashes of thunder abounded the village.
To my horror, the humans were butchering the cats with sharp edged axes, using knives to cut off the once flocking gleeful chickens' heads off, and hit the dogs with fiendishly with small iron mallets.
The blue passive sky diminished, turning blood red, animal innards scattered about, painful dog whines, chicken noises, and cat screeches overflowed the once hearty establishment.
The townspeople placed the dead bodies of the animals in a small decorated shrine at the very back of the village, and burned them greedily. The bones placed all around it, like an offering.
My sense came back to the present as I came close with the same shrine I saw in my vision, in the very back of the bone littered room.
This must have been the very place it had those sacrifices.
I held my head with my hands screaming, horrified.
"No! The animal's hateful vengeance!"
I fell to my side on the caves ground, like a lifeless doll. I started to convulse sluggishly, sweat beading off my forehead.
These people... they're animal spirits.. I get it..
But do you have to hurt me... to show me... the truth?
"Alice!?"
Yuri rushed over and knelt down next to my shaking body, pushing my bangs away from my face as I whimpered and grabbed his arm, terrified and in immense suffering all over.
"Yuri... it hurts, it hurts so bad... I can't move..." I coughed and heaved loudly as Yuri was about to pick me up gently.
Slow paced footsteps came from behind us, the entrance of the cavern. The voice that came was male and sounded quite aged over time.
"Good travelers, you take liking to our nice shrine?"
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Got it done. Phew. I already have my ideas going for chapter four, so it should be here soon. What do you think so far? This suckers a killer on my brain, I need a thesaurus! lol
Ohhh, I love the reviews I've gotten so far!
Tiger5913- Yes, yes, they will kiss, don't worry! In fact, I have a naughty event planned for when they reach Shanghai. Bwhahaa, so just you wait. -
aegis- Yeah Alice is pretty crazy. I told ya so. -; Don't worry she'll get nicer later on. She's just sorta upset. Yes, I'm pretty sure the game said the sluice gates were rotten and left unkept cause of a war.. I think. And wow my history is pretty bad, are you sure they made up the term "Jap" in WW2? I'm 5 months older then you and I'm really dumb about that stuff. lol Darn you!
Vi3t Girl MOMO- You and Tiger are sooo naughty for wanting lemons! lol! I'll see what I can do. Wait until Shanghai, you horny huts! lol And yes, MOMO, we all wish Alice was like this in the game. I kinda don't though, she had such a nice personality and was so innocent. That's why we all love her!
MikoNoNyte- Yes, it isn't easy writing Alice this way. That's why I get continuous black outs. Ohh a young hip perspective? Thanks. And you want to see more of my writing? falls over That made my day! You're my queen of SH fanfiction.. and you just said you like my work. cools her self down lol Glad you thought chappie two was pretty funny. I thought noone would laugh at it's dumbness!
- /A Lifeless Beauty/ -