Black Souls.
1.
The library of dreams.
Alice's theme: ( watch?v=t0nrfxFIPpg)
The first thing it feels, or more appropriately hears is a mysterious and fairy-like song emanating from its surroundings.
It does not know why but a feeling of melancholy and misery envelops its breast before air can enter their lungs or light their eyes.
As dramatic as it sounds to feel like this upon just waking.
Or what it perceives itself as having 'woken up' (Let's not dawdle on such thoughts)
It could feel that something is WRONG. As in NOT GOOD, something feels BAD. That kind of feelies.
"Hello." An intruding voice announces the presence of someone else, interupting the flow of its inner musing.
However, the moment it see who speaks. It's like all those worries are put in a plastic bag and thrown down an window.
For the owner of the voice is a cute familiar-looking girl, but just that is an under-statement.
No, it would be a crime to not elaborate on how, now that it could better see their bearings it noticed, how it NOTICED much more than just that!
From her honeyed voice coming from a throat that clearly has never held malice before!
It enjoyed the brief sentence it heard from her and could not help but to wish to hear more.
From the view of her eyes as blue as the sky, it enjoyed the way she glanced at it with no fear, no hatred, but only the kindest of curiosities.
Her hair shone of a golden hue like the sun which albeit proper for such a beauty yet one could still smell an odd fragrance around her, which if it had any sort of smell-reference it would recognize as scent of 'old book smell' which would explain the realms upon realms of books that were surrounding the area.
Of course, that only added to her charm, for it all combined with the diligent blue and white dress made everything about the girl scream innocence and wisdom.
Conclusion: She is the most beautiful girl in the whole wide world. (Even if she's the first person it just met.)
It did not know who the girl was or what she wanted. But even so it knew she was the one!
The woman for which they had been waiting for their entire life, the one who up until now their life was nothing more than a preparation for this moment.
And they would do anything for her. Starting by failing to notice that she has been trying to communicate with it for a while now. Or at least it failed to fail to notice until now, as now, as in the now of the now that is well...you know what it means right? It let out a sound to acknowledge her as well, "Huh?"
"Yes, I'm talking to you." The girl in her lovely innocence, seemed to take the silence that it has failed to professionaly disperse in their enthrallment as but a silly sign of confusion. So, she spoke again, with a clearer volume as her novel is put down next to the candlelight (The only source of light in the room if you care to know).
"Congratulations. You were chosen to be the protagonist of this story." She does not elaborate on what that means, instead putting in the effort to stand up from her seat to give a curtsy, introducing herself in a magnificent manner. Not that she HAD to curtsy, anything else would have worked just as well-but where were we?
"My name is Alice." Oh, she just gave her name and what a lovely one it is! "First, please allow me to hear your name as well." And how kind it is of her to ask a name in return, clearly this is someone with a big big heart, so now, it should return the kindness by announcing it's name with a similar gusto!
For it's name is!
…
Silence, followed by confusion. Not that that's the name, who's called like that anyway? Ahem.
The love of one's life has asked for a name yet instead of answering with confidence to garner a good first impression, it was reduced to ruminating in silence.
How could one not know their own name?
Did they forget it?
Did they never have one?
As odd as that may sound, they did not desire to give such a response. For she may look at it with pity then.
So then, as cruel it may be to utter a lie. A temporary name to call oneself by is required.
Should it go with Jacob?
A tad too English.
Carl?
Not that noble sounding.
Names were quickly picked and discarded like cards in a draw, the inner turmoil of the name-election feeling like an eternity yet consisting of nothing more than a few more seconds of complete silence and staring, staring and silence, in short it was a boring process filled with boring words to describe how boring it was.
"…Cyril." Yes, that name would suffice. For it meant 'Lord' or dare one say, 'A Person Of Lordly Caliber.'.
In other words, someone that would be worthy of standing by the side of this angel!
The girl, as in Alice does not seem to grasp the meaning behind it. But perhaps she did? if so, then she's sparing them from embarrassment as she responds with a nod, "A fine name." and no more.
She nods again, this time closing her eyes as she lets out a dejected sigh. "A lovely one, yes…"
It does not know why but for a moment, it could feel a sense of disappointment coming from her.
As if she was expecting another name or an entirely different answer altogether?
It's a bizarre moment, but just as bizzare is the floating and swirling feeling that's starting to crush their metaphorical chest at her reaction.
Did her dissapointment hurt it's feelings? Nay, that's impossible. If anything it should make sure that she wasn't hurt instead!
But before it can move to console her, a hot sensation envelops them. Like a pipe that gained a crack, golden smoke burst out of its chest and slowly dissipates in the air as sparkling ashes. Though sudden the change was not painful in any way and somehow it feels a bit stronger. (No, shut up, that totally makes sense.)
Not minding such a development, Alice takes in a small breath and looks at the soul with an expression unchanged, soul it describes itself as for only now it noticed that it was nothing more than a floating blue flame that was seated opposite from her. What happened to it?
"And what is your background? Were you a knight, strong and stout with techniques that could shatter the weapons and shields of your opponents? A thief, agile and cunning who's speed and skills made them capable of swiftly dispatching any foe before they could act? Or a sorcerer, wise and versatile as their affinity towards the arcane allowed them to cast a spell aplenty?" alas Alice does not answer that question, instead adding yet another inquiry.
Knowing now that their answers are most likely capable of affecting them (but not aware of the concept of table-top games lest it would have squinted it's nonexistent eyes and scoffed), the soul calling itself Cyril (for now) thinks for a moment, before quickly concluding that a person with their namesake could only have one background. "A knight." It declares with a ghastly voice, one filled with the imagination of themselves wearing shining armour and sword to defend their maiden against a cruel dragon or any monster that may even come between the two of them.
"Oh? How romantic." Alice eyes widen for a moment, before a familiar smile comes out again. One that is a bit warmer than the more polite one she showed before, to Cyril's pleasure. "But are you sure of this? Though only a temporary body, it'll make do if you're satisfied with it."
Cyril does not understand what she means by this. And they do not need to, for with not a beat, fanfare, or any announcement their blue flame appearance shifts into that of the knight that they have imagined. Or at least close to it, for instead of a silver colour, their armour was a bit more greyish and reminded them of a European one with the little green feather on the head and chain-mail all-around them. The only fantasy-part of the whole design being the humble white cape that looked more like a tablecloth attached to the back of their costume.
Overall, they looked more like a tin-can than a Prince Charming. No fancy sword or shield either, only a common short sword accompanied by a shield no bigger than a handbag.
With their current luck their face would be no more handsome, yet they could not verify this for there was no mirror to be found nearby and even if there was, the visor is already narrowing their view to a bothersome degree. Still, displeasure was written everywhere.
"Um, Cyril?" Alice looks at the Tin-Can Knight with a hint of worry, "If you're not happy with this form, then you can always choose between the other two." She really is a good girl.
Though to Cyril's regret, the Thief looked exactly as the name indicates, that of a scoundrel covered in garish brown clothes alongside a facemask to hide the lower part of their face. Equipped with nothing more than a simple dagger and a pouch containing some bizarre smoky balls. The function of said balls aside, the appearance is so unheroic that Cyril would not be surprised if any sensible guard tried to arrest them the moment, they entered any civilization. This form was not one worthy off Alice.
As for the mage…. they were not that bad looking to be honest. Their clothes are regal and well-kempt, the mere sight of which would declare one to be of high status and the wand they held was brimming with an arcane power, which would be natural as what else would a mage use?
But even so there was the matter of the mask. That white mask adorned on their face…it gave off an evil impression, like anyone who would look at them would think of them as an up to coming cultist or worshipper of demonic art. And if not that, what terrible scars was the face behind it hiding? As shallow as it may be, Cyril did not like the appearance of the mage either.
So, with a heavy sigh and process of elimination, Cyril decided on the Knight once more.
The confirmation is met with the same burst of odd smoke that came from choosing a name, etching into Cyril's mind that the choice made now is one that can't be changed no more.
"I'm glad you've made your decision, Cyrill." Alice replies, this time with a tone that Cyril cannot with good faith see as anything more than a hint of sympathy. "But now, we are at the final part of this prologue. So please…" Picking the items from below the table, Alice sets them in front of Cyril. "Choose amongst one of these as your starting gift."
A key that looks rusty and purple yet looks a bit odd. (Master Key)
A ring with a heart-emblem on it and nothing more? (Life Ring)
A piece of candy, the type with a small paper wrapper and all. (Candy)
A golden-coloured liquid encased inside a small bottle. (Divine Blessing)
Those are the choices Cyril could pick from, and those choices were something that Alice sadly did not elaborate on. Only giving the names of each item when asked and pointing them out.
Naturally, Cyril took the 'Divine Blessing' as it sounded like the most useful item out of the bunch. This time however there was no burst or smoke when making said choice.
Alice lets out a giggle as Cyril obviously expected another burst of colour. "Hi, hi. Please use it with caution." At such a noise, it was clear that she was starting to enjoy their company more, or at least Cyril assumed so as they did their best impression of a smile they could give back.
The mood warms up a bit and for a moment, Cyril feels as if they're spending their time with a life-long sweet-heart. The sensation of which warms and quickens the pace of their heart.
They hope Alice feels the same, but alas her gaze is back to the book she held. A frown of concentration on her head "I-uhmm…" as she reviews what she is supposed to say next. "Ah, there!" and find the answer she did, so with a smile turned Cyril's way-
"Cyril, are you interested in carnal acts?" she asks a question with the same tone one would inquire about the weather. Naturally such a thing is quickly fired back as Cyril starts to disrobe themselves on the spot, or at least tries to, struggling with the knight armour.
The gesture amuses Alice as once again she giggles good-naturedly. "Hi, hi, hi. Ah, Cyril you are such a boy!" of course to accompany the line, she adds in a wave of her hand and calmly motions for them to sit down again, a gesture which Cyril obeys with a surprising obedience.
As silly as their actions are, Cyril starts to again feel like he (she did call him a boy, right? So, he guesses he is one) has already done these kinds of interactions with Alice before, but if so, then why does he have no memories of meeting her before this? He should ask her, it is not like he couldn't after all. Even if he does not know what kind of voice will leave his throat, he's sure that if he were to tell her about how he feels then perhaps that could make things better?
Yes, he should do so. Because why wouldn't he? As sudden as the feeling of love that he is feeling towards this girl have spawned, he should properly convey them before it's too late. That is what a man would do after all, so as a man he will do so! "Alice, I- "
Darkness permeates the room for a moment as the candlelight flickers for a few seconds.
Yet said darkness disappears as quickly as it came, and with it, the words Cyril wanted to say as all feeling in their body has disappeared and they are now hanging on the chair like a limp doll.
"…It appears it's time to raise the curtain." Alice's smile disappears, instead replaced with a cold sigh and a face of forced neutrality, an expression that does not suit her at all. "In other words, to begin the story." Even so, she reaches her hand across the table to touch one of Cyril's own, the intimacy of which she does not feel bothered by, if not outright desires.
"Cyril, you are the main character. No matter what happens, do not lose your heart." Her words are heavy and strong like her eyes that are burning holes into his, the passion of the message is not lost on him, in fact it is like she's acting as if after this they might not meet again, the fear of which Cyril pushes down as he does not want to waste this moment.
Even so the moment cannot last forever, Alice knows this and continues to speak, this time again with her lovely smile and a tone full of sugar. "With this my part is over here, but even so…." She lets go of the hand and takes a step back, taking in a deep breath….
"Let's meet again." She says again with a smile.
Then she explodes, decorating her seat, the table and Cyril himself with a parting gift.
Part of her here, part of here there, a liver all the way oooover there and plenty of blood to go around staining the whole environment. And Cyril left to gape in shock at all of it. Heartbroken.
Black souls.