Cursed Arcadia

Cursed Arcadia (Chap 1)

In ancient Greece, "Arcadia" referred to a region where people lived a pastoral existence. However, once the term is associated with mystery, "cursed" is often combined with it. "Cursed Arcadia" refers to the strange, mysterious, and terrified world through the process of degeneration, ruin, and loss of people.

Intro

In the downpour of heavy rain, Tsu found himself immersed in a dimly lit alleyway, the aftertaste of alcohol lingering on his lips. His gaze fixated lazily on the flickering images of a nearby TV screen. Unbeknownst to him, a figure passed by, holding a gun with a tightly clutched grip, poised for the impending disruption. Suddenly, the tranquility shattered—an echoing gunshot ripped through the air, jolting Tsu awake from his sleep. Confusion washed over him, quickly dissipating his alcohol-induced haze. As his senses sharpened, he discovered himself standing upon an unknown and vast plane—an expansive room teeming with countless bunks stretching into the unfathomable distance.

As he cautiously ventured out through two imposing doors, an ominous revelation that sent shivers down his spine took place—an unsettling realization, an inescapable truth that he was ensnared within the enigmatic walls of a city, with its very name etched ominously upon the fabric of his being: Cursed Arcadia.

Chapter 1

Among the towering skyscrapers, Tsu continued his search for signs of life. Fate led him to a subway station, and craving refreshments, he purchased a can of Coke. As he took a sip, this silent, peaceful moment was abruptly shattered when a humanoid creature attacked him, hurling him against a nearby wall.

Just in time, a girl draped in a tan cloak intervened. With precise shots, she fired into the creature's neck, causing it to stagger back. Five more shots followed with deadly accuracy, and the creature crumpled to the ground. Its silence a testament to its demise.

The tension subsided as the woman started to move away. Intrigued, Tsu's voice rang out, "Who are you? Are you a middleman?" She pivoted, her tone dripping with contempt. "You b****, I'm no middleman. I'm a hopper (informal), fighting to escape this hellhole! To you, I might as well be a biddy. And you, what are you but a fat lost cause?" Her bitter laughter filled the air.

Undeterred, he pressed, "And what's your name?" She retorted sharply, "Call me Haru." her words laced with disdain, she explained their task—to hunt down the creatures known as reapers for survival.

Without hesitation, she handed him a weapon, urging him to follow. "Take it. You'll have to kill the reapers if you want to survive," Haru insisted urgently, her anger underlying her words. Tsu, though momentarily hesitant, took the gun, and they began to walk.

They walked for hours, footsteps echoing through the desolate streets, a subtle change caught Tsu's attention. Haru exclaimed, "Ah, it's starting!" Puzzled, Tsu questioned, "What?" Haru pointed upward, explaining that the lights always illuminated the night sky. Intrigued, he stared up at the ethereal glow, captivated by its mystery.

Hours passed, and the last thing Haru uttered before sleep took her was, "I wonder what the lights are... I want to check them out, but they're always too far away..." Contemplating her words, Tsu pondered the significance of the distant lights.

They awoke with the sun's gentle rays bathing the spring horizon in a serene morning glow. The air was filled with the invigorating scent of freshness, and a gentle breeze brushed their faces with its mild warmth. Stretching their limbs, they savored the tranquility of the moment, as if momentarily shielded from the harsh reality that surrounded them.

As they prepared to resume their journey, Tsu couldn't shake off the growing weight of their predicament. The path ahead remained a perplexing enigma, and the challenges they faced seemed insurmountable. Yet, within Tsu, a flicker of hope continued to burn. It was a small ember, but it refused to be extinguished.

With renewed determination, they set off, each step a manifestation of their growing desperation and unyielding will to survive.

Amid their relentless struggle, a woman approached them, panic etched on her face. Tsu instinctively rushed to her aid, Haru reluctantly following in his wake. 'What's wrong? What happened?' Tsu's voice was filled with genuine concern. The woman collapsed onto the road, her tears flowing uncontrollably. Between gasps, she managed to convey the tragic truth—her brother had fallen victim to a reaper and was now dead. Tsu and Haru worked together to console her, offering what little comfort they could muster in this desolate world.

Hours later, as the woman finally found solace in sleep, Haru turned to Tsu, her irritation evident. "Why did you help her? Don't you realize people are dangerous and untrustworthy in this world?" Tsu paused, contemplating Haru's words. "Well, yeah! it's a practical approach. Making allies from the start decreases the chance of being betrayed. Building trust is our key to staying alive." he explained, a hint of optimism tingeing his voice. Haru sighed, her annoyance mingling with a grudging acceptance. "You and your idealism," she muttered.

They continued venturing on, Tsu continuing to write entries. Each entry in Tsu's journal reflected their arduous journey, chronicling their triumphs and losses, their shared moments of strength and vulnerability. Days turned into weeks, and their path grew increasingly treacherous, testing their endurance and resolve. Through it all, Tsu and Haru clung to each other, their bond deepening with every shared hardship. The annoyance and frustration that once colored their interactions transformed into a begrudging affection, an unspoken understanding that kept them going when all seemed lost; As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows upon the worn-out landscape, Tsu and Haru settled down for a much-needed rest. They found solace in each other's presence, engaging in a conversation that spanned into the night. Their words were filled with hope, fear, and a growing realization that their fates were intricately intertwined.

In the depths of their discussion, as they exchanged secrets and shared dreams, a chilling gust of wind swept through the desolate surroundings. Tsu's eyes widened, his senses heightened by an instinct he couldn't quite explain. He turned to Haru, his voice laced with urgency. "Haru, did you hear that?" Haru's gaze sharpened, her attention captured by the sinister whisperings carried on the wind. "Something's not right," she muttered, her voice tinged with concern. Their conversation trailed off, overshadowed by an impending danger lurking in the shadows. They exchanged glances, the weight of their unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. With cautious determination, they rose to their feet, ready to face whatever darkness awaited them.

As they ventured forth, the distant echo of malevolent laughter reverberated through the stillness, chilling them to the core. Their hearts raced, and the reality of their desperate situation crystallized before them. Tsu's grip tightened around his weapon, his gaze locked on Haru. "We're not alone, are we?" he whispered. Haru's expression hardened, her resolve unwavering. "No, we're not. And we won't go down without a fight." In the face of imminent danger, they steeled themselves for what lay ahead, prepared to confront the malevolence that lurked in the shadows. The path they had chosen was fraught with uncertainty, but together, they vowed to defy the darkness and seek the truth that had eluded them for so long. The truth of Cursed Arcadia, and how they got there.