Emergence: Roots Of The Past

Chapter 18: The Vow

(Years Ago...The Birthplace...)

A young boy, with brown eyes, black hair, and seemingly in his early double digits, was searching through a collapsed building.

???: Guys?! Hello?!

The young boy continued his search, desperately trying to find his loved ones. A faint reflection of light caught his attention and he ran towards the source...only to find his mother's necklace.

???: N-No...this can't be happening...oh my god, this can't be happening...

The young boy began breaking down in tears, screaming amongst the flames and the walls of smoke around him. A black mist slowly formed, Haures manifesting through it.

Haures: Oh, but it is...and you have only yourself to blame, Harry...

Harry: Wh-What?

Haures: You do know who you're dealing with, right? I am Fear and Death amongst your world...(To Himself: Although anyone could have claimed that title where I'm from...). But that doesn't matter...you made a deal with me, and now, you've lost everything because of it. You have no one...but me...

Harry looked up to him, his expression only showing one emotion: anger.

Harry: So that was your plan? Take everything away from me and make me your slave?!

Haures: Clever boy.

Wires wrapped around Harry's arms, pulling him off the ground.

Haures: Now, then...if you're going to serve me, you'll need a new name, and I happen to know the perfect name...Hayato Nakamura. Now, then...what is your name?

Harry: Harrison Clark, you son of a—

The wires pulled harder, causing Harry to let out a scream of pain.

Haures: What is your name?!

Harry: H-Harrison—

Haures grabbed Harry by the neck.

Haures: WHAT IS YOUR NAME?!?!

Harry: H-Hayato! My name...is Hayato Nakamura.

Haures: Good...now listen carefully, Hayato. You are to move out of this part of town, where you go, I don't care. You will keep this name at all costs, and you will be my "sleeper agent" upon this rock. Do you understand?

Harry: Y-Yes...

Haures: Good...now get out of my sight.

A path opened up within the flames, and Harry ran through it. All while Haures' laughter roared throughout the sky.

Harry made it to the forest, finally getting away from the intense heat of the burning apartment. All he knew how to do now was run...run away from this nightmare...only for him to trip over a root. A small, yet sharp pain was felt in the back of his head, but when he rubbed it there...nothing. He didn't know why, but for some reason he felt...calmer?

Harry: Huh...must be my imagination.

Harry's eyes briefly flashed blood red before returning back to their brown color, and his hair slowly, yet surely began changing to the reddish-orange color. He returned to now walking out of the forest.

(Present Day...)

Both families were gathered inside the hospital, waiting to hear whether or not Matt would be okay. They all had the same worried expression on their faces, and Saki held Hana for emotional support. After a while...Dr. Suzuki walked out of the room Matt was in.

Dr. Suzuki: Well...he's lucky that he can still see out of his left eye, that's for sure. He's alive, but...it's almost as if he's been drained of all energy.