Chapter 5: The Contract
?:?
?/?/?
...
Kazuo opened his eyes. He was floating...no, he was standing...or…
Ugh...my head...
His senses started returning to him, slowly. He began to take in his surroundings.
Wait, am I in space-
RRRRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Kazuo yelped as he turned around. A huge black hand came from the darkness and began to tug on something. The stone door didn't budge.
The creature's eyes glowed an eerie red. It had horns on the top of his said, with a terrible smile implanted on its face. It's rear end had inverted horns, and had the same, ugly face.
Is that a Shadow?...What is this...Is this hell?
The creature let out another ear piercing scream, and tugged furiously on the door. No movement.
"It's not hell. Although it can feel like it sometimes…", a voice remarked.
Kazuo turned. A blue-haired boy stared at the door, his expression unreadable. Kazuo started. Who…
"...am I? I can't tell you my name just yet. You'll need to promise me something first…"
The other boy turned, smiling slightly. Kazuo stepped back. He gulped.
"Wh-what is it?"
"The tower...it's called Tartarus…", the other boy said.
So it has a name…
"I want you to climb it. I know, it's no small feat, but it is a mission that only you can accomplish."
Kazuo stared in confusion.
The other boy chuckled. It felt almost hollow, in a way.
"'Why me', you ask. It's because of that card you hold."
Kazuo felt his pocket. The card glowed blue in his hand.
"You have the Wild Card now. I took it and gave it to you. It's yours, as long as you keep my promise…", the other boy said.
Kazuo looked once more at the card.
"Is that all?", Kazuo asked feeling confident with the card.
The other boy smiled just a little more.
"Take this.", the boy said, handing a mysterious sword, "When you reach the roof, I want you to plunge this sword into the center. It will cause the tower to fall. You see, the tower is the reason why that mysterious place occurs...If you don't do this by December 31st, then the world will be forever stuck in the Dark Hour…"
"Dark Hour?", Kazuo asked.
The other boy chuckled, "The mysterious place where people turned to coffins...I believe that's how you described it…"
Kazuo nodded slowly.
"Very well. Here."
The other boy waved his hand, producing a sheet of paper. It only had one line.
I chooseth this fate of mine own free will.
Kazuo stared at the floating paper. A pen lingered over the signature space.
"It just means that you will take responsibility for whatever you do."
Kazuo gulped. He grasped the pen slowly, and brought it to the page.
X Kazuo Nagahashi
The contract disappeared as soon as it was signed. The other boy sighed.
"It's begun again...don't let me down.", the other boy said.
He disappeared into the blackness of space.
Kazuo took a look at the stone door once more. There was something in the middle, but he couldn't see it…
Suddenly, his legs gave way as he no longer felt his lower body. He looked down, startled, as he felt himself go through the floor.
Darkness.
This chapter was supposed to be short, if you were wondering. I'm trying to grind out as I won't be able to keep pace for almost 3 weeks! (FYI Family Problems)
How's the story progressing? Feel free to review and critique!