My new form was a gelatinous heap of nothingness.
The concerned stares of the others pierced through my soul. They leered emptily at me. As Ken continued to hold me by the scruff of my collar, my dangling legs streched further and further and slumped onto the dirt.
At first, I assumed I was hallucinating. However, as the silence raged on, my legs snapped back into place as if they had never elongated at all.
How could this be possible?
"Haruki... What are you?" Ken shouted.
"W-W-What is this?" Shinohara stammered.
Ken's restraints loosened as I slipped out of his hands. Denial eroded my core; am I losing my humanity?
As I stood solemnly, I let curiosity devour the cat. Focusing solely on my left arm, I concentrated harder then ever before and unlike anything a human could do - my desire came forth as I willed my arm to stretch.
Slowly, it extended, growing longer and thinner as it spread out hurdling towards a nearby tree. It was a serpent latching onto the crisp bark and ultimately ripping a piece of and shrinking back to its original state.
Ken and Shinohara gasped. The sight the pair witnessed was something ripped straight out of a manga. However, for me personally, the sight wasn't concerning. Instead the realisation that I may not be human anymore corrupted my mind.
My internal conflict that divided my mental state was abruptly interrupted by some familiar voices.
"Congratulations on your awakening, chosen one." The voice called out mysteriously.
"It's you..." I stated as the man came into view.
"You know this guy, Haruki?" Sudō shouted in regular fashion.
"Chosen one... We must hurry. Time is running out." The red man claimed.
"Why? What do you mean times running out?" I asked.
"Have you heard of the Crimson Moon?" He returned.
"No. I haven't... So what is it?" I queried.
"You'll find out soon enough. For the time being, I will be taking your comrades." He boldly said.
"Huh?" I let slip out.
"As for you... Head to the waterfall and sit beneath it, focus your mind and get ready."
What's he talking about? I turned and stared at the waterfall - was it always a red colour?
"So, where are you going...?" I asked as I looked back to see no-one there.
I was alone again - though this time I was considerably more confused. With nothing left to do, I strolled up to the water and stared. Now that I think about it, didn't that red guy speak really cryptically before? This time I was able to understand him easily. Yet, none of the others said anything... Ken is usually the first person to start shouting when he's confused.
As I gazed into the dripping water, I felt a weird sensation float through my head. I knelt down and took my position. Crossing my legs, I concentrated as hard as I did previously to the point my eyes were straining.
The cold flow of liquid splashed onto my back like a barrage of missiles. The enslaught went on and on and on until it didn't. It ended as quickly as is started. Nervously, I slowly opened my eyes and gasped as my enviroment was completely different.
A vacant island. A single bare palm tree fluttered, whilst the ocean-like floor I was sat on stayed completely still. Above the ground there was a black-painted sun glaring down. I gazed around. There was nothing. Everywhere had nothing. An endless parade of sea, an unknown sea I could for some reason stand upon.
