I sat on the bench as I reminisce my past moments with my grandfather. He is such a good-for-nothing fella, but despite that, he is passionate towards what he have. He knows human pain and never failed to look at me with a smile. He would dozed off in the middle of teaching me how to cook, and let myself burn the frying pan. He would always tripped on his pajamas on the hallway, so I ended up cutting his pajamas into shorts. Despite being jobless, he always finds a way to feed me and send me to school. He would always smile and pat me on the head saying, "Everything's gonna be alright." In the end of the day, he is always my grandfather that raised me alone and never complained about it. He is my loving and caring grandfather that I cherished the most.
I heaved a deep sigh.
Now tell me how did I ended up being homeless and in debt with our previous landlord.
"Where am I going now?"
After my grandfather died, I was kicked out of the house, saying my family is in debt. I didn't have any time to pack up my things. This is injustice. I should have at least a month before moving out.
"I demand justice!" I exclaimed together with the rumbling of my stomach.
"Food," I sighed.
I silently prayed for a blessing to come along my way. The cold breeze touched my skin, leaving me shivering. I sighed again. How am I suppose to find a shelter for the night? I heaved a sigh. Again. Maybe I should start looking. Maybe I can find some place to stay just for the night. I stood up and pulled my bag over my shoulder. I started walking out of the park and weaved my way through the place. Goosebumps cripples through my skin as I passed over a dark alley at the outmost of the street.
A scattering sound echoed, sending my soul flying out of my body. Breathe. Don't leave me yet oxygen. I walked stiffly on the streets as I exercised my breathing, making sure the oxygen won't leave my body from being too distraught. A faint barking resonated throughout the streets. I clutched my bag firmly as I looked around for shelter. A firefly passed through my line of sight. I blinked as I recognized the creature.
"How pretty," I breathed out.
I tried to reach out for the its light and it peacefully landed on the back of my hand. It's warm. Its light reflected on my eyes, mesmerizing me of its beauty. Suddenly, the firefly flew away, earning my curiosity. Unconsciously, I followed its light, wondering why it's flying away. I feel like I need to follow this tiny creature. I must be insane. This must be the effects of hunger. I think I really need to check myself of my sanity. My feet stopped in front of a rundown shrine.
"What is this place?"
As I glanced around, the firefly is nowhere to be seen. The source of my warm light disappeared. Instead of worrying about trivial matters, I glanced at the shrine, thinking if I could use it as a temporary shelter without getting myself killed if it accidentally break down. As I sat on the three-steps staircase, I heard faint voices.
"Your Highness, you've arrived," it said.
My eyebrows furrowed and goosebumps started travelling on my skin. What is that?
"Your Highness."
The voices sounded a bit close to me and a chill travel down my spine. I was suddenly taken aback when I realized that there are dark fog surrounding the place. The trees are dead and no green things can be seen—even the light of the moon cannot penetrate through the thick fog. What is happening here?
I stood up and was about to go when suddenly a pair of small hands grabbed my arm. I stiffened and yelped. I glanced down and saw a pair of child with mask on their head.
"Your Highness, you came!" They both exclaimed.
I stared in bewilderment at the two children desperately clinging on my arm. One is a boy with a pair of ruby eyes and with a faceless mask on his blond hair. And the other is a girl with the same description, but only with a pair of deep blue eyes. They kinda look alike. Perhaps, are they fraternal twins?
"I'm sorry but could you please let go of my hand?" I asked.
They did what I said, which makes me feel more comfortable, instead of feeling like I'm about to be choked just awhile ago. They both stared at me with teary eyes. I suddenly feel nervous. What have I done? They look like they're about to cry.
"Since you're back your Highness, please cleanse this miasma away. We need to purify this place before it reaches the town, your Highness."
Wow, amazing. They are completely in sync. Was it practiced several times? There words slowly started to sink in to me.
"Wait, what? Who is this your Highness you are referring to?" I asked.
"You."
"I'm sorry but I'm not a fancy noble. I'm a homeless student so please take pity, and don't pull any pranks on me," I said.
"You can use your divine powers to cleanse the miasma your Highness."
Confusion filled my thoughts. I don't have any idea of what they are talking about. What is a miasma? Do they mean this dark fog that surrounds us? There's nothing dangerous about it. It could reach the town, but it's not dangerous. It will probably make the place misty and may lessen the visibility that the eyes could see, but that's all it is.
I stared at them. Is it my imagination, or these guys are floating on air? I rubbed my eyes twice. They're floating. They are literally floating. I can't believe I'm seeing ghosts. And I can talk to them. This is impossible. This place must be haunted.
I ignored there words and step out of the shrine, pretending that I didn't see and hear them anymore. Actually, I was pretending like nothing happened.
I was suddenly swept back into my back. I heard the children screamed. What was that? I flinched from the pain. As I looked up,I saw a giant black spider, towering over me like I am a tasteful prey. My eyes widened and fear clutched my heart. A scream escaped my throat. I staggered back as the monster advance towards me. What is this monster?
"Your Highness, you need to find Master Michaelis!" The boy screamed.
"He's in the Beyond," the girl added.
Fate is a cruel thing. I'm homeless and yet, a monster is looming in front of me, trying to kill me. This is beyond injustice. My knees trembled as I staggered back into the rundown shrine, hoping there are no floor holes that will probably end my life faster than this monster.
"Where is he?!" I unconsciously screamed.
Before I heard them scream the part, "He's right here", I was being sucked into the abyss.
I was plunged into the deepest void, and my body feels like floating. Darkness veiled my sight, and fear caught my heart.