Beep! .. Beep! .. "Wait, Wait" Kota jolted out of bed. "Where am I?" He asked out loud. Not noticing nurses in the room. "You should lie back down". The nurse spoke while gently placing a hand on his shoulder. "You lost a lot of blood, I'm sure you're confused. Everything will be explained". She spoke softly. Her subtle hints of reassurance struck a feeling down his spine. Kota's perplexed look turned soft as he sat down on the hospital bed gently. (The nurses sure are cute.) "Are you feeling okay?" The nurse asked him. "Yes, no signs of pain." He replied quickly. A striking depressed look came across the nurses face. Knock! "Hey there Kota, I am Dr. Turner." A voice came from the door as it slid open. (Handsome) the thought crossed his mind. His hair was swirled like a model, longer on top and front while faded down the sides. His physique was that of a top athlete. "Yes sir. It is nice to meet you." Kota replied after a short pause. "So from the documents we received, you came across a creature, likely one from the Lost Lands… Is that correct?" (He got straight to the point). "Yes sir, it was an ogre type creature." Kota wince while explaining the situation, every detail.
"That would be all for today Mr. Zhi." The doctor said while leaving the room. "Sigh" (what an eventful day. What day is it?)
September 7 2059 8:57 PM
"Shit. Two days have passed!" Kota blurted out. "Yes it's been two days since that accident. I was wondering when you would wake up." A voice came from the corner of the room. A thick shadow appeared. "Who are you? Who's there?" Kota screeched, afraid of the mysterious person in the shadow. Thick shadows converged in a single point in the corner of the room. Black swirls of darkness, void of any light, formed a egg shape. Feelings of despair and anxiousness washed over Kota. (What the hell is going on?) As these thoughts ran through his mind, the egg shape began to expand to the size of a human. Cracks ran down the egg and it started to dissipate from the top. Light could be seen running through it. Kota placed his hand over his face to shield from any mishaps. Lights flickered, then dimmed. (Was it a dream? Is everything back to normal?) He opened his eyes and placed his hands down. "Heyo, my names… well everyone calls me Rev." (So it's not a dream.)
"What do you want with me?" Kota spurted. A sour expression of fear ran through him, visible to Rev. A dagger appeared out of nowhere, right in front of Kota's face. (So fast, I couldn't see him draw it at all.) The room fell silent. "Looks like we were wrong about you." Rev snorted. He slid the dagger back in his belt around his waist. Rev backed up to the corner and like a ghost, the shadows swallowed him and he disappeared. "What the fuck…" disbelief ran through Kota's mind. (No one would believe me… Should I… Say something?)
September 8 2059
"Looks like everything is in order. We will have your discharge paperwork out to you soon." The nurse spoke calmly. "Thank you" Kota said laying in the hospital bed…. "Sign here and here" the second nurse pointed out. "You may go change, we had washed your clothes when you were asleep. We got most of the stains out, but as there was so much blood, not all of it came out". She spoke with a fearful look when those words exited her mouth.
(Walking this far home sucks. It should only be about twenty minutes left until I reach the house.) Screech! An SUV came to a halt down the road. Two men jumped out of the driver and passenger door. They had baseball bats in theyre hands. Another taller gentlemen was walking down the street. His expression changed from joy to dread as soon as the two men approached him. "Where's the money at?" The bigger fellow that was in the passenger seat shouted. Wam! The bat slid across the taller gentlemen's face. His suit was now soaked in blood. "One swing? That was it?" The other scrawny man holding the bat joked. The two men grabbed the suitcase the taller gentlemen dropped. They jumped back in the SUV and drove off quickly.
(Oh shit. That's not something you see everyday.) Kota jogged over to the fellow laying on the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. (His jaw is broken.) "Sir, I'm calling an ambulance, stay with me."
Sirens wailing. "Thanks for the report kid." The Police took his report and escorted Kota from the scene. (What a weird day it's been.) Kota heading to his house quickly.
"I'm home" He said opening the door, knowing no one was here. His parents died when he was younger. He's been living on his own for 10 years after his parents tragic ending. Darkness engulfed the house, though it was normal after getting home. (A lights on? In the living room, I must of left it on. Arrggg my light bill is going to be expensive.) Walking through the hallway, something seemed off. As he reached the living room, a person was sitting on the couch. "Shina?" Kota spoke up. There was no response. He crept around to the front of the couch, it was Shina.. asleep.
(Why is she here? And why is she sleeping on my couch.) Her silky black hair falling down to her waist would make any guy head over heels. She had on pajamas with a shoulder strap top. One strap on her shoulder slightly falling down, exposing a portion of her breast. (Woah woah. Think happy thoughts.) her slight breathing and subtle movements left Kota stunned and blushing. He looked away quickly, towards the kitchen. He saw a plate with food wrapped up, a little note inside. Kota walked over quietly to the table the plate sat on. Get well soon. Lo— From Shina. (She's so sweet, like a wife in training. I hope I didn't worry her too much). He looked back over at her sleeping on the couch. "Guess I'll relax for a while. It's been a rough day." Kota walked over and sat next to her, scrolling through his phone…
"Um hey. Are y—-" (Are you feeling okay my love? Do you like doing naught—) "Hey!" Kota jolted awake only to find Shina still next to him, a lot closer than before when he fell asleep. "Good morning Shina… What time is it?" He asked. (Play it cool). She glanced at him with a slight seductive look. "It's 4 in the morning… how are you feeling?" She asked.
(I'm not the best looking, average. It's all I've ever been. Average at everything. Why would someone like Shina find an interest in me? It has to be a joke, no? Darker hair, a nerdy face. The only thing going for me, is my athletic physique. My hobbies? I don't have any. The only reason I was in soccer and baseball club was due to my therapist saying I needed to find something to ease my mind. What a load of bullshit. It was helpful to take my anger out, but I'm still as fucked up as I was back then.)
"Hey Kota.. you know that they are opening a new Slayer school here… and to be honest I'm worried you might go…" she spoke softly as if he wasn't intended to hear that last part. (Slayers… The ones who traverse the Lost Lands. The humans who have accomplished greater feats that the rest of humanity. How cool would it be. No it would be exciting. But the death rate of these people…) His thoughts landed on the slayers, completely ignoring Shina sitting and staring so close to him. "Hey.. It's just.. I thought that… I don't want you to go." Shina spoke loudly towards the end. Her face beat red. "I don't know yet. But if your asking me not to go, then I won't." He spoke reassuring her. Looking into the depths of her light brown eyes. (Is this how it happens?) both of them staring at each other, breathes were heavy, and time stopped still. Ding! "Ah my bad." Kota said as he leaned over to check his phone. His face went pale. "So I got in contact with IIA. The organization…" He spoke slowly. Shinas eyes widened with fear. "They want me to report to the new school, I think it's about the incident with the ogre." He said trying to reassure her of not enrolling. Shinas face filled with defeat. She new if he ever found something he liked to do, there would be no stopping him.
"You should head home Shina, it's already 6." He spoke while getting off the couch. Her eyes followed him like he was going to run away without her. "But I wanna stay here… With you.." she pouted. "I know I know. I got to get ready for school soon. It's still a Thursday." He stopped before the fridge, noticing the food she had made him. "You want to have breakfast with me?" He asked her. Her face lit up like a puppy with a new toy.
"Can we… Walk to school together?" She asked with her face beat red. Her hands scurrying to find the right position. Glancing downwards like she didn't know where to look. "Sure I don't mind.. but where's your uniform?" He asked perplexed. "Eeeee, I'll run home real quick. I'll be back soon, wait for me!" She yelped as she ran out his house. "(She's such an airhead. She did look cute in her pajamas. They were tight in the right places.)
The sun is bright, beaming down. Cats are running around the neighborhood, and one girl is sprinting. "Heeeyyy!! Kota. Tha-Thanks for waiting… Sorry I'm out of breathe." Shina said panting after her sprint back. "No problem, you ready to go?" Kota said taking his first stride towards school. "So hey, I never asked but what happened with that incident at school?" She asked, trying to be casual about it. "Ahhh, I ended up fall—" (Nope, she cannot know about Amelia). "Cough, Yea I was doing something for the school and stayed late…" they spent the walk talking about the incident.
At the front of the school, West Blue High, a construction crew was there fixing the gated wall. Clank! "Ahhh they are still working on it". A student spoke as they walked past Shina and Kota. "You survived a direct hit from something that can do that?" Shina spoke up surprised. Kota shrugged and kept walking, wanting to end this conversation fast. (If word got out about this… Grimoire? What uprising would it cause? What is it?)
Ding Dong! "Homeroom, take your seats please." The teacher spoke up. "Nice of you to join us today Kota. Now class, we will begi…." (Every day, it's the same. Go to school or not. It's the same two paths everyday. I want something new. Something… Dangerous? Exciting? Like a new adventure!) Kota smiled daydreaming. "I forgot to mention, regular classes with be shortened. We will spend 3 hours a day in a new subject. You will find out after your class what it's about, as my understanding is shallow. That will be all for today."
"Have you heard. The new subject is suppose to be on the Lost Lands" Kota listened intensely to the gossip around him. (Well it sounds like this will be interesting). Walking through the halls, all the students were talking about it. Left and right, the students on every end of campus were gossiping. "Have you seen the new instructor? His name was I think hodge. He is so hot." "Yun The new instructor is so cute. I want to marry her!!"
(Time for the new subject huh? I wonder what they will teach there.) Ding Dong! "Take your seats!" The classroom rumbled. "If you don't know your seating, there's a chart on the front board." It rumbled again. "My name is Hodge. I'll be your new instructor for this class. This class is about Lost Lands. We will study the creatures inside, the lands itself as we know it, and combat". Hodge said quite loudly considering the small classroom. Gossip spread around the classroom. "Combat?" "Will we have to.. fight?" "This is so exciting". Different expressions ran through the classroom. Kota sat indifferently, although his mind ran wild. (This is exciting. This is what I've been waiting for. I hope we have live combat studies.)
"Now, we will begin with the Lost Lands. Can anyone tell me what they are?" Hodge asked, his voice booming through the class. A light voice rang from the back of the class. "They are.. uhhh.. Lost Lands are areas that creature or monsters come from." A small skinny boy said from the back of the class. "No shit, everyone knows that. What's your name boy?" Hodge blatantly asked. "Tom Mcgunny… sir" He said in his quiet little voice. "Tom huh? Pay attention in this class. It will save your life one day." Hodge spoke with sincerity. "Lost Lands are actually portals, well more of gateways to different places. We still don't have all the details. Not much information has been derived from the slayers corp." (Gateways huh? It's so interesting. Another world out there?) Kota was lost in thought.
"Okay class it's time for combat studies." Hodge spoke. A sinister expression slid across his face. Hodge walked over to a rack at the side of the classroom. His large sturdy build made it look difficult for him to reach down and pick up an item. "Real swords?" A female from the back of the class squeaked out. "Yes. Real swords. How would you have any experience playing with toys?" Hodge spoke aloud. He grabbed the hilt of a sword encased in the stands of around 20 swords. "We will have a mock battle, is there any volunteers?" Hodge asked, looking excited to beat down another student. Not a single soul spoke up. "No volunteers? Hah. I'll choose three students for today." Hodge pointed to a more hefty male in the middle of the classroom. "You will do" hodge said, as the male stepped forward he pointed again. A female student stood up on the other side of his finger. "Now for the last one, we will choose you". He pointed at Kota.
"Introduce yourselves to the class". Hodge said as the students were at the front of the class. "My names Hurley Mallory." The first student spoke up. "He's the Mallory son?" "Oh that Mallory family" gossip spread. "Next" hodge spoke up. "My.. My names Serinity.. Serinity Falmore." She spoke shyly. Kota noticed a small hint of a smile across her face. "And the last one. Who are you?" Hodge spoke quickly, as if I was just his play toy in this mock battle. "Kota. Kota Zhi." He said, trying to persuade the crowd of his confidence. "Okay Hurley your up first. Remember that this is a mock battle. I want you to come at me with everything you got. Let's step outside everyone."
Outside at the new battle range a group of kids walked up. This range looked medieval, training dummies around the area, and this brick walls surrounded the area. "So this is what the construction company was working on". The students gossiped. "First, Hurley. Please step up to the the line, we will both have a decent distance for the starting line. Choose a weapon of your liking from the wall of weapons." Hodge spoke. Hurley walked towards the brick wall, lined with numerous amounts of weapons. These weapons ranged from bows, to swords, lances, rapiers, and many more. Kota noticed a slight hint of a glow effect on each weapon. "I'll choose these then." Hurley picked up a shield and short sword. "Ahh a great choice" roared hodge with a laugh. "Now line up son, give me everything you got."
Hodge and Hurley stand face to face on the lines marked out. "Yun, count down for us." Hodge barked. "Understood. 3… 2… 1…" Yun counted down. "Go!" Hodge took off with incredible speed. Clearing a distance of 50 feet in a second. "What the? I couldn't see him move" the crowd gasped. Hurley took a defensive position, raising his shield. Hodge closed the gap and was now in front of Hurley face. He cocked back his arm with the sword and slashed downward. The speed of the strike left the students star struck. (He went for a strike against the students shield.) Kota was mesmerized by the fight, leaving him excited. "Argggg" hodge yelled as his sword struck the shield. Hurley slid back 10 feet before stopping and falling to the ground.
Kota noticed Shina on the other side of the crowd of around 40-50 students. Her intense gaze was locked onto the fight. She was stunned. "Haha is that it? I figured you would have another two or three strikes left in you." Hodge mocked. Hurley stayed kneeling on the ground, fear was stricken across his face. "Get back in the crowd then, I doubt you would make it here." Hodge mocked again. Shina grimaced at the sight. "Enough, hodge in the winner." Yun called out. "Next please, Serinity."
Serinity walked over to the wall of weapons. Her gaze focused on the numerous weapons. She held her hand out and brushed the hilts of the weapons. A hand hovered over a light weapon. This weapon looked like it was out of a fairy tale, a small sword with prickles coming out the sides towards the tip of the blade. "Interesting choice" hodge spoke up.
"3… 2…. 1…" Yun called out again. "Go!" This round Serinity made the first move, sprinting towards hodge. Her speed was remarkable, but slower than the instructor. Hodge snickered, as he stepped towards the side, Serinitys blade passed right beside hodge as she slashed downwards. The blade struck the soft dirt. Thud! Hodge used the hilt of his short sword against Serinitys neck, knocking her out cold.
Her body lay there on the floor. "Someone get the ED" (ED, the emergency dispatch?) "Next!" Hodge yelled out. (Here goes nothing, I guess). "Yes sir!" Kota replied back. He stepped over to the weapon wall. (Different weapons and blades. What to choose? Huh? They each have a different hue of a glow.) Kota stepped over to a pair of daggers. Longer than usual, almost looking like a pair of short swords. Each engraved with a symbol on the hilt. The symbol was an X with a slight red mark as if the X was cut. Kota stared intensely at the daggers as if they were calling him. His hand glided over them and picked them up. A slight voice could be heard. "Please do not harm us." "Huh? What was that?" Kota spoke out loud. "Hurry up and get over here if you've chosen your weapons!" Hodge called out, irritated by the time waisted waiting. "On my way!"
Kota and hodge lined up at the start. "3…. 2… 1…" Hodge stared intently at Kota, a murderous feeling engulfed him. Kota winced at the thoughts running through his mind. (He's going to kill me). "Go!" Yun yelled. Hodge took off like the first mock battle. Kota instinctively stepped to the side, a slight glimmer of a blade rushed past his head. Dirt spun up From the ground of where the blade clashed. "Hoho? This might be interesting." Hodge spoke up as the dirt settled around him. He slowly lifted his blade from the ground. Kota raised his daggers in a defensive stance. Hodge swung his blade to swipe Kota on his side. Kota slid his daggers to his side to block the attack. Dust flew up all around from the impact. A body could be seen flying out of the dust storm. "Kota!" Shina screamed. Kota twisted around and stabbed both his daggers into the ground as he still slid backwards, leaving a long trench in the ground where his daggers gripped the earth. After coming to a halt he stayed there kneeling, as his body was aching from the impact.
"Activate me" A faint voice could be heard in his head over and over again. He stayed there trying to ignore the voice. "Get back up! I'm not done yet!" Hodge yelled. Kota stood back up grimacing from the pain. His daggers lay in his hands as his arms were too numb to bring them up to a defensive position. "Oh? You stood back up. Now this will be a future lesson for you all" hodge addressed the students watching. "In the future you will have to make a contract. This contract allows anything you might think impossible, to be possible." Hodge explained while glaring in Kota direction. Under Hodges breath a single word could be slightly heard as if he was whispering with the voice of a dragon. "Activate" Red hue could be seen floating around Hodge. "This is my aura after making this contract." He explained. "Are you ready?" Hodge looked in Kota's direction and made one step, his body vanished. The students were left in awe, as hodge appeared in front of Kota ready to swing his sword down on him.
"Activate"
Your Grimoire has been activated.
Kota aura exploded outwards with a purple and black tinge. His aura looked more like how you would imagine a star system. Pushing hodge backwards from the immense pressure, he yelped. "Arrrggg!" Hodge landed nearly 100 feet away, his sword still in his hand and that green aura around him. He stood back up and stepped towards Kota once again. "I'll show you what experience looks like." Hodge closed the gap in a second, with a swing to the left foot of Kota, he nearly dodged it. A dead expression covered Kota's face. A slight wave of his hand, a blade slid across Hodges arm and a gash appeared. Blood dripped down his arm as he looked Kota in the eyes. Standing face to face hodge grunted. "Enough the fights over!" Yun yelled. "See me after class." Hodge spoke softly so no other students could hear.
After class Kota stepped into the instructors office. "Nice show out there boy" hodge said while bandaging his arm. The other students were gossiping around the school. "My apologies… sir. I'm not sure what overcame me." Kota spoke sincerely. "Hahaha not a problem young buck, you should've at least informed us you had already made a contract with a Grimoire." Hodge laughed. "A Grimoire sir?" He asked.
"Oh? You have one yet you know nothing about it?" Hodge asked, curious about this situation. "I have no clue about any of this.." Kota said hesitant about the ordeal. "A Grimoire…. We don't actually understand. They are… living beings?" Yun said trying to reach the correct words. "They give us power, yet they feed off of us…" Yun continued. "What we do know… they come from the Lost Lands. Some of them can be contacted and spoke with." She hesitated as if she's trying to hide something. "Well that's enough for today." Hodge spoke up. "Just keep it under wraps." Hodge spoke softly. His words meaning to keep this situation between the three of them.
Kota stepped out the door, and around the corner he bumped into Shina. "Sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going". Kota said helping Shina to her feet. Her hand glued onto Kota's. As she stood up her eyes stared into his. "No it's alright, I was just… worried about you. Is all". She spoke flustered. Her hand was still glued to his. Kota spoke up, "Hey are you alright?" Asking as he noticed her spacing out. "Yep yep totally fine. I uhhh… just spaced out." She said. "You know, if you squeeze my hand any harder, I might have to go to the hospital." He said teasingly. Shina instantly let go, her face was beat red. Her hands scurrying to find the appropriate position. "I gotta go, I'll see you around". She said as she ran off.