Memory Shards (Book#1 of Malachi)

Prologue

©2015 by Alan Velasquez. Author's note: I hope you find this tale to your liking. If not, you could try my other book, 'Adar.' If neither work, I understand we all have our preferences. If you don't find out by reading this first chapter, I'll tell you. I like to write unique stories, ones that no one has thought of yet. This story is a spin off to another series I have. Its in the same world as 'Adar.' just a different time frame. I do not own the song added to this chapter. All credits go to Casey Williams! I love RWBY!

Beginnings. Endings. So where lies the middle?

Never in his life had he felt so alone. Never had his lungs burned so badly, ironic though. His lungs were filling up with water. In a different situation, water might have cooled his body.

Ma... He tried to remember his name but even that was fading. Dark red liquid was rising up; it was coming from him. Blood. He was near death.

He was in the ocean, his body sinking down for some odd reason. Fish swam past him, the rays of a setting sun streaming through the first hundred feet of water. He should be dead. But for some reason, he wasn't.

His hand reached for the surface, and to his horror did he realize his fingers were mangled, blood flowing out as smoke from a flare.

What? Why... He realized he couldn't see out of one eye.

He reached to touch it, and felt no eye lid. He brushed some flesh- most likely what was left of his eyeball- with his finger. Intense pain shot into his skull.

My eye... it's gone.

A searing pain traveled throughout his body. He writhed, opening his mouth. Water rushed into his body. He choked, seeing bubbles come from his mouth and head towards the surface.

A memory was suddenly in his head. It was blurry. Somebody had been murdered. The details were to unclear. He heard screaming, crying. He heard his own voice scream with rage. Then did the memory come back.

His eye widened. He realized what had happened.

I-

The boy felt a great ache emanate from his heart. Grief like no other over came him.

He was suddenly upside down in the water, no longer seeing the light of the surface but facing the dark abyss that awaited him down below.

There was so much he had wanted to do. But here he was to die this horrible death.

He had failed every one, including himself. He was a miserable existence taking up space he thought. Matter was his best definition the boy concluded. He deserved to die, but those that died because of him were far from that category.

Nobody would save him.

You do not have to die, human.

A voice that sent shivers up his spine ringed in his ear.

You can choose to live, choose to be whole again if you wish.

Those words confused him, he was virtually already dead. He was on borrowed time.

If you want to die, then do nothing. If you die, then she shall surely go unavenged... I am offering you a chance, a taboo.

His body was beyond repair, if anything he would be a hindrance to the very world itself. At the very least he could fill the belly of a school of fish.

You may live, but in return you must give all to me, including your memories and hope.

Memories. He couldn't. They were his. As for hope, he had none now.

A portal like mirror appeared beside his head.

It surprised him. Was it magic?

Look into the mirror to see the truth...

Images of him appeared. His most treasured memories. Him, his mother, his best friend, and the girl he had cared for deeply.

Give them all up. Allow me to take all away from you, the price for a new life.

Water was now in his lungs, nearly overflowing his esophagus. He didn't know how he was still alive.

I've possessed you, but I need a mutual agreement to save you. Give me everything, all of it.

A new image appeared in the mirror. The girl he had cared deeply for... she seemed sad. She was sitting on a bench, outside with fallen leaves around. Fall. A new person entered into the view, his best friend. She spoke a few words, sound did not come out- he supposed he couldn't hear under water.

She seemed to blush. He remembered every time his chest tightened when she did. He thought she looked breath-taking. He found himself slowly caring for her. He wished to be by her side when he could.

He continued seeing the conversation between his friend and the girl he cared for deeply go on.

She suddenly leaned in and kissed him- a friend he had considered a brother- on the cheek. She quickly got up and left.

He felt a pain in his chest. She... I thought she-

Nothing is what it seems, boy. The eerie voice said, she cared not for you. The only one who cared for you is gone. You may as well cease to exist. Your only worth is those who love for you. You are no more when they leave.

The image changed, showing her once again. She had a dress in front of a mirror. She was speaking to one of her friends, another he had thought pretty. They were in her room.

This time he could hear the words.

"I'm telling you... he's the one." The girl he cared for said.

"What about him?" The way girl snickered. The way she said it, he knew she was referring to him.

"Don't make fun in such a manner," she laughed. "He's just there to work for my father. Therefore, he works for me. Just a worker."

The image changed. She was talking to that boy- his best friend- once more. She seemed earnest. They both smiled at each other, the way a couple would.

The image became blurry, then the mirror faded.

He gave a sad smile; at least he knew the people he cared for the most would be happy.

I was only a hindrance anyway, he thought. I was nothing but a weak wedge between them. They'll be truly happy.

He felt tears form at his eyes. His vision blurred even more. How could he cry underwater? The color red was what he saw. Blood. He was crying blood.
Why do I feel this pain? I should be happy for them- Why!? I cared. I tried.

He realized he couldn't see anything at all. Darkness surrounded him.

Have you made your choice, boy?

He had lost all hope and wanted to get rid of his horrendous memories. He wanted none of it. He was already being forgotten, his existence was no more.

He made a fist. He spread his arms out showing he would accept the consequences, and give it all.

A choice that would change this world, the voice said, echoing.

The boy felt a sharp pain pierce his chest, directly where his heart was.

Pain..

He felt his whole body give up. He closed his eyes and felt his body drift down lower.

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