He passed through a thin alleyway that could barely fit two people side by side and finally arrived at the town square. What he saw surprised him. Solid grey humanoid apparitions were bustling around the town square, doing their mindless routines. It reminded him of the town people that were actually alive. But there were none of the noises usually heard in a busy area. All he heard were moans and groans.
In between each grey solid looking humanoid apparition were the ashen, colorless, transparent people that reminded him of TV static. But the grey apparitions didn't see the static-looking figures. They walked right through them as if they didn't exist.
As Zero was walking towards the fountain in the middle of the square, he spotted a lone child playing with a sailboat. Out of everyone else, Zero noticed this young boy was vibrant in colors. His sailor hat was neatly placed over his hazelnut curls that covered his light blue eyes. He was wearing a small blue-and-white sailor suit.
"Hey, kid." Zero approached him cautiously as he was a bit worried that like everyone else the child would react by screaming at, swearing at, or ignoring him.
Turning around, the boy smiled and disappeared in a blink of an eye. The echoing laughter of the young boy could be heard ringing around Zero. All that was left was the sailboat floating up and down from the currents of the falling water. Zero walked around the fountain, looking for the boy.
Once again jubilant laughter echoed throughout the town square. Out of nowhere Zero was pushed hard into the fountain. With a loud splash he fell face first into the water. He gagged and coughed to clear his throat and nose.
"Tag, you're it." The young boy joyfully laughed at the sopping-wet Zero. Grumpily Zero peered up at the boy.
"Why, you… Get back here!" Zero swung his arm in a sharp motion as he tried to grab him.
"Catch me if you can," the boy laughed as he phased in and out of different locations. Zero watched, appalled. He knew he could not just catch a ghost. He did not know how. Scratching his head for an answer, he looked down upon the floating boat. Its white flag flapped magically as if it were sailing through the sea. Picking it up, he casually examined it. Painted in black and white, chipped from old wear and tear, a name was written: Lady Gabrielle.
"Hey kid. I'm going to sink your boat if you don't—" Zero threatened and stopped. In a blink of an eye, before Zero could finish his sentence, the kid appeared in front of him. He menacingly glared as his pupils changed from blue to red. The look sent shivers up and down his spine. When he dropped the boat in surprise, the boy's hand shot out and grabbed it before it hit the water. The boy caressed it with love as his face scrunched up with displeasure.
"Don't touch my boat," said the boy, emphasizing each word to drive the point of how precious it was to him.
Zero shook himself out of it. He did not like how the kid made him freeze in fright. He was also surprised that one could still get wet while dead.
"Sorry kid, I didn't know it was special to you."
With a scowling look the boy stuck out his tongue at Zero.
"I'm sorry. I was lonely. Nobody plays with me here." The boy fidgeted with his fingers wrapped around the boat flag. "Really." Zero rolled his eyes. "I can see why." He squeezed out his wet clothes. Shaking, large droplets of water splattered onto the young boy.
"Hey. Stop that." Giggling, the young boy covered himself from getting completely wet.
"Well. You're wet now, and…" said Zero with a bit mischief in his voice. Zero grabbed the young boy's arm before he finished the sentence. He pulled him hard into the fountain. With a loud splash, the boy was wet as well.
"I caught you." Zero deviously smiled as he tickled him. This is payback.
"Noooooooooooooooooo. Not fair. Hehehe." The young boy joyfully laughed as he held tightly onto his boat, soaking wet. Their laughter rang throughout the town square, and the ashen-faced people turned to watch them. For a moment their train of thought was broken as color was slightly brought back into their faces. They smiled.
With the tickling finally over, the young boy stepped out of the fountain, dripping with water. The ashen people turned away, falling into their trapped routines.
"What's your name, kid?" Zero stood up and tapped his head sideways, trying to get water out of his ears.
"Sol." He rocked back and forth on his toes and beamed up at Zero. His hands were behind his back with the sailboat. Zero smiled back. Zero for once was taller than the kid and he looked down upon him.
"Well, I'm Zero. Why are you here all alone?" Zero asked. Sol's eyes reminded him of the vast ocean, fluctuating between green and blue.
"I'm waiting for my father. He said he will be back," said Sol innocently. Sol skipped around Zero as he held his boat over his head. He pretended that the ship was sailing in the sea through the air.
"My father is a sailor. He owns a shipyard. This is the boat he made for me." Sol beamed as he showed off his boat. "Did you know that he traveled through the whole world of Noriene! He's amazing. One day I'm going to be just like him."
"Oh really? That's nice, but where is your father?"
"I don't know. I have been waiting here for a long time." Sol's face grew solemn. "He said he would be back with my new sailboat. The last thing I remember was Mom screaming and the hooves of a black horse. Then I was here. But he promised to come. He'll come soon."
Ding!
Find Sol's fatherDirect Sol towards the bright light. Protect him from any encroaching danger.
Difficulty Level: E
Requirements: Death.
Reward: Unknown.
Failure: The complete obliteration of Sol's soul. This will result in different spirits attacking you out of malice.
Would you like to accept the quest?
Zero didn't expect there to be a quest in this world. It seems like an easy quest, he thought as he pondered for a moment if he should accept. He didn't expect much reward from walking the kid towards the light, but he decided to take the quest anyway. He just did it out of pure goodwill.
"Well then, Sol. Have you thought of going towards the light over there?" Zero pointed in the direction of the light. Sol stood on tiptoe to see what he was talking about.
"I never went that way before. You think Dad will be waiting for me there?" asked Sol curiously as he looked at Zero with bright blue eyes.
"Yeah. Let's go to meet your father," said Zero confidently. Sol tucked his boat under his arm and took Zero's outstretched hand. Together they walked towards the light as the white orb floated behind them leisurely.
"Are you going to be looking for your dad too?" Sol glanced up at Zero with curiosity. Zero didn't know how to tell this kid that he was going towards the light to get resurrected.
"Something like that."
Zero continued to chat with Sol as they walked through the dead City of Diadem.
"Sol, have you explored the City?" Zero asked.
"Nope. I stayed by the fountain all the time." Sol skipped around with the boat in the air. "Check this out." He let go of the ship, and it floated in midair like a sailing ship in water. Its flag magically flapped as Sol willed it to move through the air.
"How?" Zero was stunned. Sol proudly smiled.
"Just believe." Sol tapped his own heart. "A lot of things are possible." Sol chuckled as he gleefully danced around after his boat. Just as quickly as the boat floated magically in the air, it settled back in his hands. His breath became as heavy as if he'd run a marathon.
"I can't do this for too long; it drains my energy. I'm tired now." Sol eyes became droopy.
Zero was amazed at the ability that Sol showed him. He didn't fully understand how he did it but silently watched. He didn't notice that while they were walking, a couple more groups of children appeared behind him. They came out from the buildings, shops, and playgrounds and were following them closely.
Several of them chased the white orb that was floating around Zero; this was when he noticed that there were more children behind him. He had to swat it away from his face. There were many times that the kids were close to poking him in his eyes with their flailing hands that were trying to grab onto the white orb. More and more gathered around him laughing, dancing, and skipping as they sang about the joy of life.
"Where did you guys come from?" Scanning from face to face, he noticed at least a dozen children from different ages, races, and genders surrounding him.
"Over there by the blue house," said a young girl who looked about thirteen as she pointed off towards a distance.
"I was playing at the playground," a young boy chimed in.
"I was looking out the window and saw you guys," a young teen girl said happily.
Quest has been updated.
Find Sol's father and direct the children towards the lightDirect Sol and the group of children towards the bright light. Protect them from any encroaching danger.
Difficulty Level: D
Requirements: Death.
Reward: Unknown.
Failure: The complete obliteration of their souls. This will result in different spirits attacking you out of malice.
Zero did not expect the difficulty to jump up to another level. What was worse was that those ashen-faced spirits might actually attack him if he failed this quest. To him it would be a complete zombie apocalypse if that happened. That thought horrified him.
"This is not going to be easy." Zero carefully examined his surroundings. They were already halfway towards the column of light. He also noticed that the color of his surroundings was becoming more vibrant and lively.
As Zero's small band of children continued to walk towards their destination, his small party continued to grow larger and larger into a small army ranging from toddlers to teenagers. Already the children under the age of ten outnumbered the teenagers ten to one. He guessed it was possibly over a hundred of them surrounding him. How these kids were still here in this plane, he didn't know. At least it was an easy task to deliver them to the light.
He sighed as he continued forward. This was going to be a bit more difficult than he thought. Hopefully he wouldn't meet anything difficult that will block their way, but even that might be a bit too much to ask.
Zero continued to pass through the tall buildings that covered the passageway and led the group up the outcropping of stone. He took a detour away from the obvious path that led towards the castle. It was blocked off by a shimmering force field that would not allow him through, the same kind of force field that blocked the passage in the world of the living. He did think about entering it a couple of times, but even in death it didn't allow him through.
Some houses felt peaceful and shimmered with a white aura-like force field, vibrant with color and life. He couldn't enter them. There were also darker malicious-looking ones that he kept away from. Something about them kept him on edge. Whatever was inhabiting the house beckoned him.
He instead took a local path that winded up towards the north side of the castle. That was where the Church of Infinity had placed the resurrection spot. The winding path circled around the warriors-guild headquarters and led right to the resurrection point. A musty scent could be smelled in the air just like when a room has not been aired out for a long period of time.
Already the group had swelled exponentially to the point that he felt like he was guiding a flock of endless sheep. All he needed was a shepherd's staff and a couple of dogs to complete the deal. Zero led the massive group in the front, scanning for any possible danger by pointing, sniffing, and listening. If he had been in his Origin form it would remove all doubt from those watching that he was a guard dog.
Quest has been updated.
Deliver the children and teenagers to the light
Direct Sol and the group of children and teenagers towards the bright light. Protect them from any encroaching danger.
Difficulty level: C
Requirement: Death.
Reward: Unknown.
Failure: The complete obliteration of their souls. The more souls lost results in higher chance that different spirits will attack you out of malice.
"It went up another level…" Zero was speechless. He prayed that it wouldn't go up any further.
He cursed under his breath for his bad luck. Let them slip upon the wet rocks. No, wait. I'll be haunted.
His prayer went unanswered.
"Zero, why do you think my father did not come?" Sol asked. He hugged his sailboat tightly and his face casted with doubt and sadness.
"I'm not sure, Sol. There could be a lot of reasons."
"But I waited there forever. He promised." Sol's voice was tinged with a bit of anger.
"I know, Sol. He might still be looking for you; it might be that you left the world first, and he couldn't find you."
"I didn't leave. I was where I was supposed to be." Sol looked at him quizzically. He didn't get what Zero was implying.
"I'm going to break this to you as easily as I can. You're not alive anymore." Zero stopped. Sol smiled upon Zero.
"Yes. I know."
"Wait, you knew?" Zero hadn't expected such an answer from someone as young as Sol. "So does that mean that you all know?" He glanced around at each one of them. All the children shook their heads.
"But we are still alive," said Sol as he touched his chest over his heart. "Even though our hearts are not beating anymore we are still alive. It's just the people in the city, who are walking lost, don't know it. In actuality they deny it." For a brief moment Zero saw Sol's eyes age.
"So does that mean that all children know that they're dead?"
"Nuh-uh." Sol shook his head. "Only the people who accept it. We accept and know what we are."
"Then you should know that could be why your dad can't find you."
"No. I never saw him come back to the fountain once. Neither did Mom," Sol whimpered. "It's like they forgot about me." Tears welled up in his eyes.
"Don't worry, kid. We'll find your parents soon, and where we are going, I'm sure they will be there." Zero patted Sol's back, trying to cheer him up.
Soon they reached the beginning of the path towards the Church of Infinity. It was a large open pathway, paved with gold-painted stones, set underneath archways of towering wooden beams that held many entwining vines as grapes dangled on it. No sane man would chip the stone ground for the fear of the curse of the Gods nor steal from the vineyard. Rumors of different horrifying deaths were engraved in NPC thoughts. Endless sparkling streams of lights cast off a luminescent glow and lit the pathway. It brought peace to the soul.
Already the way towards the sanctuary looked lively with color, bright like the living world, and a sweet smell of hot honey bread drifted towards them. A couple of the kids already inched forward as their noses told them that it was possibly their mom's cooking.
With no hesitation Zero began moving forward, feeling the warmth of the light cascading down upon his face. Its warmth tickled his cheeks turning it pink. The group of children sped up, and their thousands of footsteps resounded like thunder on the golden stone floor. Home. It was deeply engraved in each of their thoughts. It was a place of everlasting peace and comfort. Their long journey was finally coming to a close.
Kakakakawoooooooooooo!
The inhumane piercing sound broke through the silence. It sounded close—whatever was making it was coming towards them fast. Zero looked up towards the stairs. They had a straight shot up towards the column of light. Fear was heavy in the air as they all turned to find the source of the sound. Even Zero couldn't help but turn his head towards the uneasy sound. Goosebumps prickled up and down his arms.
The sight of the creature froze his blood. Here was this thing that children, teens, and even adults still feared. Flashes of memory surfaced in his mind: dark, ghastly, human-like shadows stood at the foot of his bed, watching, breathing heavily as the room turned icy cold.
A couple of times, he swore he thought he saw sharp teeth coming out of its mouth as he peered out under his bed covers as a child. All he could see were glowing red eyes that he was sure could pierce through one's soul. He felt waves of hate and anger manifested around him. They would always come during the night at 3:33am. He remembered every time; the digital clock would go off exactly at that time. But as he grew up, he brushed it aside and laughed it off as a figment of his imagination. He even broke the digital clock and asked his mother to get him a new one that didn't beep.
These unwanted memories still haunted him at times. And now, in the realm of the dead, three of these nightmarish figures appeared before him once more.
The three black-hooded humanoid figures wore mundane medieval clothes. They appeared to be no more monstrous than regular human beings. No claws. No sharp teeth or outrageous displays of appendages. Instead their presence was overwhelming: he felt complete fear.
"Run! The shadow men are here! Runnnnnn!" yelled a boy with broken glasses, his voice cracking. Mass panic broke out, and they all frantically searched for shelter, but there was none to find. Children and teens scrambled all over the place, pushing, shoving, and running into each other. With each step the shadow men took, colors surrounding them were sucked completely dry. Green grass wilted and became diseased. Flowers, trees, and grapes shriveled up and turned a lifeless brown-gray. The nightmare men blew out frozen air between rows of decaying teeth, sending ripples of cold into the air around them.
Zero knew that it was impractical to protect every child now that they were fleeing in every direction. Teens and kids shoved him aside as they tried to get past him. They hid behind the wooden beams as if it could even protect them. Some were crying in fear as they stood immobilized. A couple of the older teens picked up the crying younger kids and sprinted off with them.
But he had to try to save them. Inhaling sharply, he roared loud and clear. "Everyone halt!"
Just like obedient dogs, each and every one stopped to look upon Zero. His ringing voice pushed aside their fear.
"Run towards the light!" Zero ordered them as he pointed towards the direction they had to go. A ripple effect began as they first walked, then trotted, and ran at a full sprint. Not one disobeyed. Their only drive was to get out of there alive.
Zero wished like never before that he didn't have to do this outrageous quest. The promise of possible large wealth or even experience points was the only thing that kept him from going a bit crazy. "This is just a game. This is just a game," he murmured, trying to focus his thoughts on reality. He was only doing this to get a good job. Fighting ghosts was not on his priority list.
"Origin form!" Zero shouted, but nothing happened. Confused, he checked his timer. His six hour limit was over and he could change at any given time. Also the twenty-four-hour mark was close to being over.
"Origin form! Origin form! Damn it, why doesn't it work?" cursed Zero. He stomped madly on the ground, frustrated that nothing was working.
"Does this mean I can't use my skills in death?" He gasped in fright and confusion. "Is this why no one wants to stay in this dimension and just wants to be guided out?" He was running out of options. The shadow men drew closer and closer. True death was coming towards him. He did not know what would happen next.
A twinkling light of metal could be seen in one of their hands. It was twirling a small dagger in its hand. A long, black, bat-like weapon bubbled and formed in another black shadow's hand.
Soft dark chants whispered through the air and into his ears. "Give us back our life. Give us back our life. Give us your life." The chant got louder and louder.
Sweat dripped down his face. "Even in death I still feel sweat. Is this because of that wretched necklace? I knew I should've thrown it away," he mumbled under his breath. But he remembered what Sol said: to believe.
"I need a sword. I want Kamori here." He closed his eyes and imagined his favorite black sword. He imagined its cold, sharp blade, the alligator-skin hilt, and the rough texture of leather in between his hands. Something heavy appeared in his right hand. He grasped it tightly. Kamori was with him, with a white aura coating the blade.
Stepping forward, he got ready. Children and teens streamed past him, and the shadow man circled him like hungry predators. Their eyes glowed dangerously red.
Nearby, he noticed Sol being bumped around like a ping pong ball in the crowd of children rushing past him. He fell to the ground, as his boat rolled towards the dark apparitions.
"My boat!" yelled Sol as he quickly reached towards it. It rolled towards the shadow men. As they passed by it, it broke into a million pieces. Sol backed away in terror. Their presence drained Sol's life slowly like a leech with each step they took towards Zero.
Two of the shadow men attacked with lightning speed with their weapons. The third joined them from the left. Dodging the attacks, Zero bolted towards Sol. He gritted his teeth and swung in an overarching arc towards their head. Scattering, they dodged the white glimmering blade.
Inhuman shrieks rippled through the air as they fought. Metal sparked against metal, black ghastly smoke appeared and disappeared, and with each strike he could smell their foul breath. He swung Kamori once again. The shadow man stepped aside and nicked his arm. Drops of blood formed around it as it stung. Ignoring the pain, he followed up with a sharp roundhouse kick. Using the momentum of his blade swing, his kick passed through like water and lightly skimmed through the shadow man's side.
The shadow man kicked just as Zero did, striking Zero in the head. The impact sent out a stunning shock, numbing his face and blinding his right eye as he saw white. Pain enveloped his entire face. He was knocked down onto the ground, dizzy from the impact. The wound seeped blood, making it difficult to see through one eye. He didn't see the next kick that struck him on the side of his ribs.
Coughing up blood, he was sent flying, slamming his back into a column. The impact left him dazed and his breath left him.
His eyes watered with tears of pain. Even in death everything felt real. There was just no escape from pain in living or death. Peace? Lies. Where is heaven when you need it the most? Dark thoughts pervaded his head as he lay wounded on his side. He felt his life draining slowly. The color of his skin began to turn lifeless as all his strength felt sapped just from that contact with the shadow man.
"Sleep. Sleeeeeeep. Sleeeeeeeep," they whispered into his ears.
"Sleep and accept the sweet bliss of true death," one of the ghastly apparitions croaked.
An ashen face appeared from dark shadows, its eyes sewn shut. Its mouth whispered the same chant continuously.
"It doesn't hurt. You won't feel anything." Their cackling voices laughed with delight as they approached him. Ghastly hands reached towards him.
They're too strong. I'm going to die, he silently cried. He couldn't lift Kamori. The shadow men's bodies shimmered like old TV static. Distorted, agonized faces appeared on their bodies. They walked with a jittery gait as if their legs were broken.
True death at this moment sounded peaceful to him. Constant dark thoughts invaded his minds, telling him to give in. His eyes drooped with sleepiness.
Get up. Get up. Get up! an unknown voice screamed in his head.
Adrenaline kicked in. I don't want to be like that. I can't stay like this. Move, hand! MOVE!
With trembling hands, his fingers moved towards Kamori. The shadow men were upon him, hovering his body, ready to strike down with their daggers. With all the strength he could muster, he swung his sword into the abdomen of the nearest shadow man.
A loud, unearthly shriek erupted from its black-void throat. Small dime shaped holes appeared around Kamori as its body slowly disintegrated. Kamori vibrated and light erupted, blinding Zero. The other shadows cowered from the vibrant light. His hands fell limp at his side. All he could do now was to breathe. Even that was difficult.
One of the apparitions paced back and forth around Zero. Its face and body changed into the fat man he slew in the mansion of Dion.
"Lookey here. A child." It smiled wickedly. Its eyes gleamed with bloodlust. Its foul breath wafted towards Zero, making it even harder to breathe. "I know you. You're that rat. Keheuheuheu. It seems destiny has given me another chance. I want to know what's under that skin. Keheuheuheu." He licked the blade. The fat man lumbered forwards as his hands changed form into a sword. His rotten teeth peeked through his grin. Zero couldn't believe he was here.
"You're here?" Zero gasped in surprise. "I killed you."
"Yes, and where do you think the dead go?" The fat man chuckled. "You have given me freedom from my body. Now I can do whatever I want, whenever I want to, and it's all thanks to you." His sword glistened brightly under the red moon.
"You're dead." The irony of the word hit him.
"Ah, but that's not true." The fat man smiled as he took a step closer. "As I get stronger, I can transcend into the living. You will be my next meal."
Zero couldn't believe what he was hearing: the dead being able to interact with the living. If this was true, the fat man would be even more dangerous than when he was alive.
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