He sat in the dark, only hearing the calm, relaxing sound of dripping water. It went on for a while, but never felt uncomfortable. He just sat listening to the sound. That sound..... and another. A different sound. One that stood out immensely. It was the sound of laughter, the laughter he heard just a few minutes ago.
Then, his eyes were opened. He was standing in a dark room, with a bright, white yet clear water, dripping from the ceiling, and collecting in pools on the ground and on the side of walls. It all seemed natural. Except for something ahead. The color was slightly different, almost indistinguishable, but somehow obvious. A man, dressed in a black,hooded, body robe and a black and white mask, was laughing, and staring directly at Trey.
???: Hehehe........ Hello, Trey.
Trey: What? Where am I? Who are you?
???: Don't act dumb. You know exactly who I am. Or do you need a crash-course in the obvious?
Trey: I-I.... I feel like I know you, but from where?
???: Oh, you know me very well. We used to be very close when we were kids. Though you didn't see me, I was there, and I helped you. When you wanted to win a game so badly, and you somehow found the strength to do it? That was me. When you wanted to control the land as a king in your games? That was my ambition. When you beat up those bullies who picked on and hurt your friends? That was my power.
Trey: Wait..... you. I think I know you.
???: Jogging your memory, eh? Well, what about this: I watched you everyday in your shadow and every night in your room, but no one, not even you, knew I was doing it. You created me with your anger, your drive,your determination, and I gave you the strength you so desperately wanted.
Trey: No...... it can't be. Is it really you?
???: That's right, it's me. The rejects struggle. The one everyone fears.The King of Shadows. I. Am.
Eclipse.
Trey: You. I remember you from all those years ago. How are you still alive? I thought you were just an imaginary being.
Eclipse: Hehehe..... You idiot. Don't you understand? You don't just kill something that doesn't exist; it has to give up on its own. While you can influence them by thinking of what they will do, you made me to give you strength, and in your stupidity, gave me power back. So now, I can do what I want.
Trey: No. No! This can't be! I made you up!
Eclipse: Trey, don't you understand anything? I was made BECAUSE I wanted to be made, not because you decided. I, and all other shadows, are born when a being of flesh is made. We exist as shadows until you give us form. And when that happens, we can almost escape completely. It's only because you hold power over us that we can't. But you gave that power to me. So now...... Hehehe. Hahaha. HAHAHAHAHA!!!! I'll be making my way to your world soon. But until then, enjoy your stupid life. Seeya!
Trey: Wait a second! Eclipse!
But it was too late. Treys' sight was over took by darkness once again, and he could do nothing but hear that water dripping sound. After what seemed like an eternity, Treys' sight started to come back into focus, and he woke up to the sound of Kuro shouting at him.
Kuro: Trey! Trey, wake up! We made it!
Trey: Huh, what? What happened?
Kuro: Trey, you alright? You passed out back there, so I had to carry you with me.
Trey: Where.... where are we?
Kuro: At the end of the cave.
YOU ARE READING
The Masked Hero (Beta story/ Director's Cut)
Science FictionA teenager with strong and unknown powers, through forced situations, sets out on a journey to get back a friend of his and avenge his village home. Along the way, he makes new friends and deep discoveries, with such an unexpected ending you'll be o...
