Chapter Two is now edited! Sorry for the inconvenience!
Chapter Two
Ba-thump…
Ba-thump…
Ba-thump…
I listened to my heartbeat that could barely be heard while looking up on the blue skies. It had been a week since I was taken in by that weapon forger, though he claimed me to be his son he himself doesn't even know how to be a Father. But it didn't matter, I was alive and that's all that matter… even though I could barely live.
"Oh, you're still alive?" Leon, the man who claimed me to be his son, smiled widely like there was no tomorrow. It seems that he is planning to trade the items he just made. He's even carrying two large boxes like it was nothing at all. Is he really planning to leave me here in this island filled with monsters that fight for food and territory?
"I thought you won't last a minute outside the house. But it seems that you have quite a luck there. Tell me, what kind of monsters did you meet?" he drop them on the ground with a large thud telling me that it was carrying heavy things inside. He dropped it near to where I rest too, it's like he's taunting me to do something. I just sighed and then sat up from the ground. The blood on my back seemed to have already dried on the once green grass.
"I met… a wolf. It had a pack too… they all chased after me. And monkeys… they were eating… but then they found me and used me as a punching bag…" he laughed loudly, amused at what I just said. It seems that he is expecting me to defeat something like those monsters. Does he think that I am capable of taking on those things?
"Well, you've at least exceeded my expectations. Normally a single Marine soldier will struggle with the living plants inside the forest. Hell, I guess you are actually strong. Anyway I'm going to the neighboring island…" I nodded and looked at the grassy ground feeling dizzy. The effects of loosing blood seems to be kicking in.
Ba-thump…
Ba-thump…
Ba-thump…
Even though I couldn't feel any pain, hearing my heart beating assures me that I am still alive. It was my only proof of living… that's why I needed to check it every now so that when I die I won't be unaware of my death.
"Oh, I also have a gift for you…" a chain was thrown on the ground where I was looking at. It was a chain necklace… with three rings. The moment I saw it I knew it was mine… but the two small ones… seems to be different.
"You keep on loosing those things Shin. So I made a necklace for you put on with it. Also, the other ring got cut off so I just made two of them." I see, so it got torn apart huh? It's so funny that the one that got torn in half is my ring not his.
"These ring once gave me a reason to look forward on living… now they are nothing but pieces of metal throw away like they held no value…" he scratched his head not knowing what to respond. He obviously is new to this… new to having a son, new to having someone troublesome to drag with him… new to taking care someone who don't have any will to live.
"…does it hurt?" his voice sounded so unsure but I knew he tried to comfort me. I'm really so pitiful huh? …to the point where I need mercy from other people… It's like I will die any time if I don't depend on someone. No… it's probably because I'm already dead that makes others worry.
"…it does…" my heartbeat started to sound almost silent when I said that. A pain inside my heart stung, it was the same pain I felt at the day I lost to reality. But it was different… somehow, the emptiness I felt back then doesn't feel the same as before. Could it be because someone is here willing to listen to everything I say?
"…I loved him more than anything in this world… He was supposed to be mine forever… but he was in love with no one but my best friend. Funny right? The ones who have been there guiding my life were the one to rip my heart out of my chest and stomped it like it was a disgusting bug." he kept silent but it was okay. Right now all he need is to just stay there and watch me cry. Both of us who doesn't know what to do should just stay not knowing…
I closed my eyes and succumbed to the sadness I felt. Somehow I wished that this darkness will remain with me forever and never leave me like everyone else. It was the only thing that remained… and might be the only one that will accept me as who I am.
…
…
…
"..?" the moment I opened my eyes I saw the same ceiling when I first arrived in this place. I had bandages all over my body so I assumed that I fell asleep last time. Something smelled too… and the smell wasn't really anything near pleasant.
"…Son… you awake? I've cooked you breakfast. I didn't know you liked sleeping so much, it's been a week since you fell unconscious. You scared me back there, I thought you died with all those regret…" ah, so this guy took care of me like before… and he called me son too. Awkwardly that is. Could it be he felt guilty for my sake? I don't know… I don't want to bother knowing.
"I delayed my delivery because you refused to wake up. I even had to ask my good friend to come and heal you. Well, I'm glad that you are alright… but I'll have to deliver these weapons first to the next island. I need to buy materials for my next creation too." he placed a bowl of a violet substance next to me and then packed his stuff so that he would leave. He looked at me, half expecting for me to say a word but then left when I remained silent. But before he could leave… I decided to try with life once more…
"Dad… can you bring me books when you come back? I'll b waiting for you…" tears rolled down from my eyes while I bite my lips trying not to shake too much. Is this really worth it? Is it good if I live once more?
…is this the best choice for someone useless like me to chose?
"Yes… yes! Of course my son! I will bring lots of books on my way back home. So wait for me okay? Wait for me!" he was crying like I was too. He seemed so happy on hearing me but he was too afraid to turn back and let me see him crying.
Alright… one more time… just one more… and last time. With the new name he gave me and the new life he openly offered only to me, I will stand up again little by little. Just for the man who is willing to be my father and this heart that had been shattered to pieces.
…
Three Years Later
Normal Pov
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On the coast of an island known to be occupied by haki using beasts is the king who placed every animal existing in the island to their places. Kuroi D. Shinzou, a young man who would always frown upon all, looked at the blurry sight of a ship approaching the island. He doesn't remember his father telling him that they will be having guests. Maybe they were the usual unwanted visitors that his father keeps on hiding from him. Either way he will just know once they enter the forest of trials. Like all the other visitors have been trying for a long time.
"Trespassers… huh. They are digging their own graves… such foolish people." with a small, an almost silent, voice he heaved a sigh and then turned his back to search for flowers that could help him. Who knows, those flowers could be used and placed on top of their graves. He doesn't really care anyway. Trouble is the last thing he wanted to get involved with.
He sighed and then slung the wolf skin on his shoulder making it as a coat with a wolf head as hoodie. This was his proof of superiority in this island, even the toughest monster here won't mess with him. After all, Forest Emperor Wolves are animals that can't be taken down easily.
"Now… let's welcome the guests to my wonderland…" his heavy looking eyes actually shown with anticipation for he wants to see what kind of people will arrive. He had been reading his books again and again but hearing things from people who are sane isn't a bad idea at all. He'll just stay silent and act like a mute person… people are too complicated to handle. Even though if he talks with the same language as them people are still too hard to understand completely. He'll try… as long as the people who will arrive won't be unwanted.