The Individuals

Story#9: WHIP

But in the end, they all end the same

***

A boy walked alone down an empty sidewalk. Every one of his steps landed in the grass just beside the concrete. To his left, down a short hill, a river flowed peacefully. As they marched along, he kicked the heads of weeds and flowers off alike.

Passing by a bridge, he then heard a voice call out to him from underneath. It spoke, "...You there, boy..."

The boy turned his head and stared down into the black abyss beneath the bridge. A ghostly face barely poked out of the shadows. He asked, " Who are you?"

The figure took a step forward. "...I am...god." An old man uttered. The boy's eyes widened.

"...You child...I sense something special in you..." His face then disappeared into the darkness. "...Follow me...I have something I must give you..."

Sliding down the hill, the boy followed the old man beneath the bridge. When he first entered, the darkness completely engulfed his eyes and all he could see was black. But after a moment, his eyes adjusted and he could make out the faint outline of the old man's silhouette standing in front of him.

" Now I beg you, kneel." The old man uttered. The boy fell to his knees. As soon as he hit the floor, the old man began feeling his hands around the darkness until finally, he located their face.

"...Hmm...Hm hmm!..." He moaned as his wrinkly hands felt around their face.

" Yes, yes...You are the one I've been looking for!" For a moment, the old man ran his fingers through the boy's hair. " You child, are my sacred hero!"

Tears began trickling down the boy's cheeks, " Really?" He asked. The old man drew his hand back, " Yes."

For a moment, the old man turned away and delved into the sea of darkness behind him. When he reemerged, the boy could see the faint glint of something in his hands.

" Take it, quickly!!" The old man said in a raised voice, suddenly pushing the object into his hands. He yelled at them once more, " Hide it!! Before anyone sees!!" Spit shot out from his mouth and hit his cheek.

The boy shoved it inside the pocket of his sweatshirt. Its padded and sturdy grip fitted comfortably in his hands. After feeling it with their fingers for a moment, the boy realized what it was.

" Keep it close. That holy blade will serve as your sword and shield against the demons." The old man uttered. The boy drew his attention away from it and muttered, " Demons?"

" Indeed. Since you are my sacred hero, they will come for you and try to take control of your mind. Fear not. You can protect yourself using your newly acquired blade, 'Light Melodies' special attack. From the blade's edge, you can shoot out strips of light that will decimate your foes." The old man said. A slight smirk grew on the boy's face, he could barely contain his excitement.

" Before I let you go protect this city from the demons, there is one final thing I must do..." He then took a step forward closer to him.

The boy could hear what sounded like the rustling and unzipping of a pair of pants. The old man uttered, " There is a ritual that must be completed before you are officially crowned my sacred hero."

He knew what the old man was asking of him, and he obliged. Swallowing his spit, the boy leaned in forward.

By doing this, he could become a sacred hero and be able to protect this city, his home. Maybe now, his classmates will start talking to him and his parents won't be as disappointed in him. After all, who doesn't like a hero?