Madness Arc part 1: Lost in Paradise
« Ugh, my head. What happened? » I groaned as I got up. Man, I can't remember a- memories of the fight poured back into my head. Wait, didn't I get stabbed in my abdomen? I quickly looked down to check the wound, but it wasn't there… and the IS Core was gone as well. What the fuck is going on?
"Awake at last, are we? I hope that you enjoyed your beauty sleep." I heard a high pitched voice behind me. I turned around to see a… two feet tall golden spider? Okay, either I'm dead or I'm in a VERY crazy dream. Where am I actually and once again, what the fuck is going on?
"Well, there are a lot of theories about what you're experiencing, but for now let's say that we're in your soul." The spider responded.
I looked around. At the moment I was in field of two feet high blood red grass. It's probably a clearing, because there were trees with the same blood red colored leaves around us and an ashen white bark. Black grapes were growing on the trees. I could see a mountain farther away looming over the tree tops. Behind me was a waterfall with purple water clattering down in a pond and a cabin stood a few feet away from it. From the pond streamed a creek that flowed towards the mountain. But the most eye catching of all was a jet black path that went into the forest. I looked up and saw a green sky. All in all, I only have one thing to say… I really have a fucked up head. But then again, we all saw it coming with the shit I've been through.
"Are you finished with sightseeing?" the spider asked me mockingly. I looked toward it and studied it. Its body and legs were engraved with curly patterns. Where its joints and eyes should've been, there were shiny blue pearls.
"So, are you like a guide that should lead me towards my epiphany or are you simply a messenger?" I asked him cautiously.
"I'm a bit of both. I will show you the piece of the puzzle that lies in your forgotten past. But before you go…" The spider hesitated a moment before continuing. "How about you first take some clothes from that cabin over there. It's not very decent to walk around naked."
I looked down to see that he was right. How did I miss this when I searched for the big ass wound? I quickly got up in embarrassment and ran to the cabin, a white cloud conveniently covering my nether regions. In the cabin lied three pairs of clothing ready. A complete set of leather armor with weapons, black clothes that were comfortable to move in together with sturdy boots and bright, frilly, PINK clothes and a black hooded cloak and a pair of black gloves. Let's see, there's NO WAY IN HELL that I'm going to wear that pink crap, even though it has a good cloak and gloves with the outfit. Leather armor only looks uncomfortable and the black clothes might give me more free movement, but what if I get attacked along the way? You never know…
…
Wait, who said that I should limit myself to one set? Fuck choosing, I'm gonna combine, after all we're in MY head so that means we're gonna play according to MY rules. So, what am I going to take?
After I finished dressing, I looked at myself in the mirror that just magically appeared out of nowhere. I took the set of black clothes, the boots and black gloves as my basic layer. Over it I wore the leather chest plate, along with the gauntlets and greaves. Turns out that the gauntlets are outfitted with hidden blades. I also took the belt with pouches and the twin pair of two feet long blades. Over all of that I wore the hooded cloak, covering the armor and blades. Satisfied with the result I went out and saw the spider sitting next to the pond.
"I'm dressed now, so are we ready to go?" I asked him. The spider studied me for a few seconds before he decided to answer.
"You know, you can learn a lot about an individual merely by what he wears. Now if you would follow me, I'll show you the path." the spider said while walking down the black road. Begrudgingly, I followed him. This is just too convenient. And if I'm really in my own soul (or mind, it depends on the way you look at it), where are G and Superstes? Normally they should be with me.
"Have patience boy, and everything will become clear." The spider scolded me. oh sure, the two persons that I can trust aren't with me in this weird place, I'm following a thing that shouldn't move according to at least two different branches of science and you're telling me to be patient? Eeehhh, nah?
"Calm down, they were manifestations of your mind and soul. Even if they aren't in their sentient forms, they're still within you." That walking jewelry store said annoyed. I scoffed and we ventured deeper into the ashen white and red woods.
"Sooo, what's the point of stopping here?" I asked Spidey. Yep, I'm calling that thing Spidey. Sorry Marvel and Peter Parker if I offend you with this. By thy way, we stopped at the base of a huge cliff and guess what. Some genius put the front door of an apartment in it! Really, there's something wrong with me!
"Calm down boy, I assure you that other people's inner worlds are far worse. It actually isn't that bad yet, just strange." Spidey said amused.
"Right. Now what, I just walk through the door and then what?" I asked him.
"That is something you alone must find out. Good luck in there." Spidey said while pulling himself to the top of the cliff with a golden thread. Thanks for all the help you didn't offer asshole! Can't you at least take me up with you?
"No, you have to go through the door!"
And to think that I used to be nice for the spider in my room when I was little. We had a mutual agreement, he ate all the flies in the summer and I sheltered him in the winter. It really worked well… I always keep digressing from the main point, don't I? Maybe I should do something about it when I get out of this place. Or right now by actually going through that freaking door. But still, it looks kinda familiar. Without thinking too much about it, I opened the door and was greeted by sheer darkness. Pushing back that anxious feeling I walked into what felt like Oblivion itself.
You know what I really hate about darkness? The fact that I CAN'T SEE ANYTHING! Seriously, where the fuck is a light switch when you need it? Sighing for at least the 20th time I tried to shuffle my way through this tunnel. I realized this after starting to walk aimlessly and crashing right into a wall. Since that happened like… when has that happened actually? Oh great, now I lost my sense of time as well! If this trial is about patience, then WAIT UNTIL I GET MY HANDS OF YOU, OVERSIZED SNOBBY DECORATION! I'll melt you into a golden necklace, guide or not! I followed the tunnel for a few more minutes (or was it already hours?), when I finally saw a light. I ran happily towards it, until I realized something and quickly skidded to a halt. There was armor and weapons prepared which brings me to the next simple reasoning:
Armor + weapons: gear for battle lied there, possible usage for it at the end of tunnel, which is a perfect ambush place.
...
Verdict: why the fuck are you carelessly running you fool!
I covered my face with the hood and drew the two blades, sneaking to the exit now. But my paranoia seemed futile as I saw where I was. I'm back home, in the hallway of my old apartment on the second floor. It was exactly as it used to be. The old tatami mats even made the usual *pat pat* sounds as I walked over them. I removed the hoodie and sheathed my blades, seeing that there was no danger at all.
*pat pat pat pat pat*
Before I could turn around to look, a small blonde boy ran through me, not realizing that I'm here. So that's how it is…
I followed the kid into the kitchen, already knowing what it was going to do. After all I already did it so many times. The 5 year old Haruka was quickly stuffing snacks and drinks into a backpack. After he was satisfied with the amount, he climbed through the window. I followed him, unconsciously smiling melancholic while looking at what I always did. The clothesline was hung up right under our window and the janitor had put a crate under it against the wall. Haruka jumped, grabbed the clothesline. It was slightly pulled towards the ground until he was 2 feet above the crate. He then let go and started running. I jumped out of the window and started following him, easily keeping up.
"Haruka, be home by dinner and eat too much snacks!" I heard mom yelling to me.
"Okay, bye Mom!" Haruka yelled with my childish voice. It's really weird to see yourself running around like a little kid. It's like you see a completely different person. I followed the younger me to the old temple where I always used to play with the other kids.
"Yay, Candyman is here!" I heard a girl yelling happily. I groaned at hearing my old nickname once again.
"You only say that because he always take snacks with him." The boy beside her scoffed. He then got kicked against the shin by the girl.
"Shut up baka nii-chan!" the girl yelled angrily. I laughed softly, remembering how those siblings treated each other. I wonder how much they have changed…
"Hey Ran, hey Dan!" Mini-me greeted them cheerfully. When the little me reached them, they went into the woods towards our "secret base". It was just a cabin in a clearing, which was around 5 or 10 minutes walking from the shrine. We always played there when we could. Ahh, seeing that old building really brings back some memories. I put myself in the shadow of a tree while watching my younger self and the Gotanda siblings play. Even though it's summer, I don't have it warm with all the clothing that I'm wearing. So this is what's it's like to be a ghost. You don't feel anything, you're weightless, nobody notices you and you're a simple invisible bystander, fallen out of contact with the never stopping flow of time. Out of the corners of my eyes I saw something strange that shouldn't belong here. Out of the forest came a black wolf that reached my waist with blood red eyes. It looked in my eyes before it laid down next to me in the shadow. I started to absentmindedly pet him while observing the kids again.
"So this is what you're like without influence of the Core." I said to Superstes.
"…Yes." He answered uncertainly.
"So, how does it feel to be back at the very roots of your existence?"
"Well, it feels quite good. No complicated thoughts and I mostly wander to where my feet guide me. But at the same time it's like something's missing." He said quite confused. I know what he means. We've only been influenced by the Core for a few months, but it defined our lives.
"It's strange…" I muttered.
"What is strange?" Superstes asked me.
"That I got so used to the IS Core and G's nagging in those few months that I feel quite… empty without them." I told him. Superstes chuckled lowly before he answered.
"She's still here somewhere."
"How do you know for sure?"
"I just… have the feeling that she is." I thought about his words for a few seconds. I laughed quietly when I had my answer.
"You're right, I can feel it as well."
We followed the little Haruka home, seeing him growing a bit older with each street that we past. He became taller, his hair grew out and seemed fitter than your average kid. When we reached the apartment he and his hair had already grown a few inches. The backpack started to show obvious signs of continued usage. When he saw the teenage guy with a hairband under our kitchen window, he suddenly accelerated. The guy saw him coming and crouched with a smile, getting in a stance to boost Haruka up.
"Ready pup?" the guy yelled excitedly.
"Hell yeah Ginei-san!" Shouted Haruka back. When he was a few feet away from Ginei, he leapt with his right foot in his hand. Ginei boosted him up and Haruka grabbed the window frame, easily pulling himself up. After a second Haruka's head popped out of the window with a big grin.
"So how did I do?" Haruka asked excitedly. Ginei flashed the same grin that I always use nowadays and put his thumb up.
"Great! If you continue to grow like this you'll get to the top in no time!" he said excitedly, striking an typical Kanima pose. Too bad he doesn't have his sunglasses, now that would've been awesome. A crash inside my apartment destroyed the cheerful mood. My eyes widened when I suddenly realized which day it was. I quickly ran and jumped through the window. Superstes followed me, sensing my distress. Inside we could hear the shouting clearly. Mom and that asshole were fighting. You could smell the booze coming off of him in abundance.
"Don't you even think about doing that Daigoh! It isn't worth it!"
"Then what should we do then? Are we really going to live like this for the rest of our life? We barely come by, and now with our debt-!"
"What debt? Daigoh, have you been gambling again? You promised me that you'd stop!"
"I just wanted money to give you two a better life! Are you really planning to keep living here?"
"Why is it that bad? Sure, we may not live like we used to, but I'm happy here. WE are happy here."
"…"
"…"
My mother and that piece of garbage kept looking at each other for a while. Daigoh got up and left.
"Sometimes I wished that Haruka wasn't born. That way we could've properly prepared ourselves for it." Daigoh said before closing our door. Miyuki looked at the door in sheer anger. Her face changed from angry to shocked when she heard the backpack falling on the floor. I didn't have to look at my younger version's face, I can still remember it clearly. I stood there shocked and letting all my tears streaming down freely. Before Miyuki could say anything, I jumped out of the window, my view obscured by the tears. Ginei heard everything and caught me in his arms. That evening, I cried until I was exhausted and fell asleep with Miyuki's and Ginei's attempts to calm me down.
The sun rose and set in a quick pace, making fleeting shadows. The summer weather turned into a chilly November. when it stopped, I checked the calendar date. November the fifth. I opened the door of our apartment to see the small me and Miyuki saying goodbye to Ginei.
"I'll miss you Aniki." I said sadly. After the incident with my father I started calling him that because since then I saw him as a reliable big brother.
"I'll miss you to little monkey. Sorry that I have to leave on your seventh birthday." He said with a sad smile.
"Don't worry, I'll blame your girlfriend for dragging you to college." I said drily. Yes people, I was already like that since I was around seven old. Well, not like I'm now but I'm already on the way to becoming the dry, sarcastic guy you all adore and that is the reason your read this fabulous story.
You forgot narcissistic.
Shut up xtenchix. But where was I… oh yeah. Ginei laughed with my response before taking of his necklace of a wolf head and hanging it around my neck.
"Here you go pup. A little present so that you'll remember me." he said softly.
"B-but , this your precious silver lucky wolf head charm necklace." The seven year old Haruka said astonished. How did I even remember that name?
"And now it's yours pup. Now, what did I teach you?" he asked me sternly.
"Always stretch before free running, never neglect the basics and find some decent fingerless gloves that'll give you some grip." I repeated what he drilled in my head like a soldier.
"That's right. Now, take good care of your mom for me okay?" he asked me. I simply nodded, thinking at the time that he gave me a great responsibility. He hugged me one time before leaving. Our surroundings started fading and we stood on top off the cliff with the door in it. The sky turned from green to a star filled night sky during the time I was reliving my memories. Superstes and I stood next to each other in an understanding silence, waiting for one of us to start talking.
"Maybe… that was the time where it started changing." I said softly. But I could be heard clearly because of the silence.
"What started changing?" Superstes asked me.
"… Everything." It's true. A seven months later mom left and she left me with dad. He took care of me and made sure I was alright, but somehow there was a gap between us that has always been there. It's more like we were acquaintances instead of a family. Ginei came to visit me sometimes together with his girlfriend. The first time we met wasn't that well, but we got along just fine after a while. We even teamed up against him sometimes. Man those were good times. But then I got dragged to that facility…
"You should press on boy." I heard Spidey's voice. I turned around to see him standing next to the path, leading into a forest where the bark of the trees was completely black.
"What about that 'trial of yours'?" I asked him suspiciously.
"You already passed that. You came back in contact with your own instincts, uncompromised by the Core. That was the purpose of your reliving your early childhood." Spidey explained like a Sage. I smirked at his response.
"It seems we use the same teaching methods. Well then, I'll see ya around Spidey." I said while entering the forest with a dismissive wave.
"Haruka, don't forget that you spin your own threads of fate. You already tricked Death, so do to the same to Lady Fortuna when she decides to work against you." Spidey said in an almost… kind tone. When I turned around, he already disappeared. Feeling the smile creeping on my face, I continued following the black road. It seems I have more in common with him as I'd like to admit. Superstes and I continued down the road, the starlight illuminating our path. Both enjoying the silence and our peaceful surroundings, as macabre as it may be, we steadily marched on to whatever would come next.
As we followed the road, the forest grew more and more lifeless. The grass dried and turned into a sickly grey and the plants and trees lost their leaves and looked like they were dead. Even the air itself turned eerily quiet. As we reached the next clearing, a feeling of dread came over me.
"Haruka…" Superstes warned me.
"I know. Watch out for anything." I told him. Judging by the felling there's something hostile at the end of this path. I put the hood back on and drew my blades. Looking at Superstes, I came up with a simple Pincer tactic.
"Superstes, go through the woods and make sure you're not seen. I'll distract the enemy head on, you jump out when you see a chance." I told him. He nodded and went into the woods, molding together with the shadow and color of the plants. When I couldn't see him anymore, I snuck silently to the edge of the clearing, not making any sound at all. But nothing could prepare me for what I saw there. A man, about six feet tall and with bright white hair, stood there bent over two kids and was grinning like a maniac. Feeling an unfulfilling urge to kill, I stormed towards the man, screaming his name with pure hatred.
"KIIIIIRRRRRIIIIIMMMMAAAAAHHHH!" I roared as I sprinted towards him. The man turned around, only to meet one of my blades in his stomach. He looked down and started laughing.
"It's been some time mutt! I hope you haven't missed the physical abuse I gave you!" he said with glee. I wanted to stab him with my second blade, but he just jumped backwards, seemingly unfazed.
"Hmm, I'm pretty sure I had beaten that temper out of you. Or are you trying to kill me for all those years I had my way with you in that facility?" Kirima asked me before shrugging. "Don't care, but I don't want to leave my job unfinished." After that he materialized a 3 feet long blade in his hand.
"Do you remember this? I used it to make a lot of scars that tiny body of yours!" he barked with insane glee. I said nothing and just charged at him, trying to kill him. He charged as well and our blades clashed with a small shockwave. I swear to God, I will fucking kill him for everything he did to me and Charlotte!
DUN DUN DUUUUNNNNN! The first part part of the Madness Arc is up! I decided to split it into two chapters, because it would be… Actually no, I just found that this was a nice place to stop and to create some suspense. But what is the link between Charlotte and Haruka? Tune in next time to find out…
But let's answer the reviews first:
Cappa: I'm not screwing him over, I'm sending him on a road of enlightenment which he can take without being disturbed or distracted. Okay, it might have been a bit crude but you have to admit that it was interesting even though the whole 'mortally-wound-and-then-getting-a-coma-epiphany' route is used quite much… I've been playing too much visual novels again -_-'.
At the moment we are between chapter 3 and 4, I apologize if my own extras to the plot made it difficult to see the timeline of the canon plot clearly.
LeafeonLover: I did my best to write this as quick as possible. You were right about the flashbacks and there are more that'll come, so hold on because there'll be a shocking revelation and trust me, it'll have some consequences later on…
…
I'm just evil for just even thinking of using it. Thank you behavioral sciences for teaching me about the human mind (I have this six hours in the week of this in high school, there's some really interesting stuff in that course.)