[Real World]
Shura sat up in the bed suddenly while gasping for air. The small ghoul sleeping on his stomach jumped up. Shura’s sudden movement startled it and it fell to the bed. Sitting up he grabbed his head with his right. Looking over at his left it throbbed a bit. Then looking over to his right he saw the bag was nearly drained of fluid. He looked at the needle on his arm, he tried to move his non existent left. Rolling his eyes he looked over around the room to see the small creature looking back up at him. It had a small gold crest on it’s forehead. Making it stand out from the rest. “Uh who are you?” Shura asked. The creature said nothing for and left the room quickly. “Alrighty then.” Shura raised a eyebrow at the small creature’s departure. He looked around the room for a moment before his attention was drawn to the door. Well more so drawn to the sound of someone coming up the stairs followed by multiple feet.
He could hear the sounds of something wooden hitting the floor with each step. The door opened and a old man walked in. A man in a velvet robe came in, with his peg leg making sounds against the wood with each sound. Following him a couple of ghouls came in huddled around him. One of them was riding on the man’s shoulder, all of them making different variations of the squeaks. This was their way of communicating with each other and some humans.
“Good you are awake. I was afraid you were going to stay in that state.”
Shura examined the creatures and the old man before speaking. “Thank you for taking care of me.” He knew had it not been for this man removing him from the snow he could have frozen to death. Or the lycan’s could have come looking for their fallen comrade. The old man looked at the ground where the small creatures were conversing with each other. “Help our guest here get out of bed.”
They squeaked in response and got to work. Some ran out of the room, only to return with neatly folded clothing. On top of the clothing there was a new mask sitting on top. Unlike the one he was used too. The one with the gold crest was back and removing the needle from his right hand. “Thank you.” The ghoul squeaked and hopped off the bed on the right side to remove the metal stand from the room. Shura watched it and the others get to work cleaning the room and such. Somehow this man gain the ability to control these beings. Making them his personal servants.
“Peculiar little things.” Shura climbed out of bed and saw the pile of clothing sitting on the night stand next to the bed. He looked at the old man who was making his way out of the room. “Get dressed, and come down stairs. I have dinner ready, we will speak during that time. I am sure you have many questions for me. Bathroom is down the hall on your right.” With that being said he left the room with the door cracked. The ghouls left behind him, squeezing through the cracked door. He could hear the several footsteps from behind the wall.
Shura held up the mask and admired it’s work. He felt a calm breeze pass by his mocha toned cheeks. He grabbed the pile of clothes and moved into the bathroom. He took the time to shower, shave and tidy up a bit. Even though it was only a couple of days he was adamant about keeping himself clean all around. He put on the clothes which was a perfect fit. Actually too perfect as if they were crafted for him. Even taking into fact that he had no left the cloak he placed on draped long over his left side to cover that fact up. No longer did her wear the baggy purple clothing. His attire was sharper, more fitting to his nature.
He took up the mask and placed it over his face. It attached to his face, as if it was magical. Looking in the mirror he moved his jaw line to see the mask follow it. He turned around and looked in the mirror, admiring his new look. He smiled, accepting the new look with the new face. Leaving the bathroom he looked around in the room for a moment realizing his weapon was not present.
He went down the stairs and before he could say anything the old man spoke up. “I see the clothes fit correctly. I had the gremlins take your measurements while you were passed out.”
“What of my old clothes?”
“I burned them, wreaked of lycan and the blood from those things don’t wash out easily. Not to mention the rips and your mask was cracked. Kruger is the name by the way.” He explained. The old man was sitting at the table eating with one hand and reading the paper with the other.
“I thank you for everything you have done for me. I wish I could stay longer and chat. But I must take my leave. I have to find my weapon before someone steals it.” Shura was in a hurry and began to make his way to the door.
The old man took a drink of his tea and spoke again. “You need not worry my boy. The weapon is safe. I placed a protective barrier on it. You can find it back in the snowfield where you met that demon at.”
Suddenly a flashback of her crossed his mind and he knew exactly where to go. Shura relaxed a bit but it did not change the fact he had to go. “Don’t worry I understand if you have to leave.” Kruger stood up and hobbled his way over to Shura. He tapped him on his left collarbone because the lack of a shoulder. A surge of energy rushed through his body and he felt a shiver through his spine. “This house is hidden from the world, and only those marked by my hand can enter. I don’t need to tell you how careful you need to be. You have a reminder of what could happen out there.”
Shura nodded and walked out the front. “I will find a way to repay you and I will come back.”
“Just do me a favor and try not to die lad. Don’t want all of this to have been a waste.”
With that Shura left the house and hurried back to the snow field in question. He dashed back towards the scene of the crime to see his weapon completely intact where the old man said it would be. Calmly walking up to it he cautiously grabbed the weapon. The paper on the sword with glowing runes began to burn suddenly. It turned to ash and faded away. With that Shura placed the weapon on his back where the old man had crafted a special sheath for it. With one arm the sword needed to be supported in such a way that it felt natural carrying around. He found himself looking at his hand and clenching his right fist. With new found power and determination, he was ready to continue his journey to the top.
“And now the Curtain Rises.”
[Exit]
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