One hour ago
[Baruba POV]
It's been ten years since I returned to the fiery wolf tribe. Since then, I didn't stop working on my big project. 'Uh, you people will see who is the stupid one' My mood darkened remembering bad souvenirs. 'When I'll succeed, I'll depart again and create a legend of my own, hehe.' Suddenly, I was informed that an unknown orc had come to my house.
'It has been so long since anyone has come to visit me. They think I'm crazy, and they may not be totally wrong I could be one for orcs. They think my profession is useless and studying is weird from their point of view. Anyway, I will soon reach my goal! It doesn't matter what they think. It never was.'
I focused back on my current task. I was so immersed in it that I didn't sense the orc coming into the house. It was only when he got down the stairs he got my attention.
'Oh, it's a kid. Looks like I got lucky today. I won't have to go to the village to get a new test subject!' I always needed someone to test my creations but since some minor accidents. 'No one wants to be my test subject. I'm sad.' Since then, everyone in the village has avoided me.
This is the thirtieth mask I am making. The last five versions were not so bad. But I still have a long way to go.
'Ho, Looks like the kid is patient one, unlike most orcs. What he wants from me has to be important. Well, everything has a price in life kekeke.'
...
The creation process was going well, and the kid was still waiting at the entrance ! In ten minutes, it would be finished.
'how should I put it on him.'
Hmmm
'And how will I play it ? A peerless master who grants him an opportunity to change his life, or the mad scientist ? Nah, there are bad ones. Maybe I should try to be a demon that uses fake contracts and threaten his whole family with curses. Why not the kind big bro ? I may be a bit too old for this one, though. Wait, am I stupid ? That's the perfect occasion in training to act mysteriously and be a step closer to my dream. Hehehe, That's it. I will first put the mask on him. Then he will faint. Once he wakes up, he will wonder where he is and what this mask is doing on his face. I would suddenly appear through some kind of effect, rapidly present myself and the incredible effects of the mask, I would feel marveled, and I would leave when he would blink, adding some mystérious effect. Ahaha, I'm such a genius. It'll be so much fun.'
Ding !
I finished the mask, let's the show start !
PAM
...
Present
[Yalak POV]
I violently wake up. I was totally disoriented. I had a really bad dream. It's a bit blurry, but I remember most of it.
...
I was being chased by a big pack of giant wolves. The alpha, which was taller, about 4 meters, was leading the hunt. I could hear him whispering in my ears : "I will soon catch you and explode, and you will be powerless to stop me. Every person you hold dear to you will disappear and be transformed into delicious chocolate."
'I know it doesn't make sense, but it's a dream, ok.'
The part about being transformed into chocolate scared me the most. The dream then shifted, and I found myself in a big black room. Multiple heads were attached to the wall, l a very nightmarish sight. As I walked in, they started talking like they were still alive. So I ran to the next room, closing my eyes and ears. Silence returned. Before me, a giant was standing. He was taller than the tallest mountain. I could only see his back and his hammering some stuff. He then slowly turned, his face hidden in the clouds. He smashed a wolf mask at me. Chao followed, and the roar of a mighty and majestic beast woke me up.
...
I was hot and sweaty. My head felt slightly heavier, but before I could check it, I noticed I was lying on a bed in an unfamiliar place. A bit confused, I touched my face, but it startled me.
'My skin seems smooth. No, it's definitely not my skin. It's far too smooth.'
I tried to take it off, but I couldn't. It was glued to my skin. I'm afraid it would be easier to rip off my skin than separate them.
' How could I have ended up with this thing on my fac... '
'OH, It's that bastard. How could I forget ! What has he done to me !'
'I swear I'll beat him to death if I see him again.'
The room I was in was quite dark but strangely, I could see every corner clearly.
KABOOM
At the doorstep, a smoke bomb exploded, and blue mist with sequins spread at the entrance. The light turned on, and Tadam, the scene was set up. At the back, see the shadow of a man wearing a hat. He was posing, a hand on his hat, looking down, a leg slightly lifted up.
'What the hell, is this some kind of show? Where is the music ?'
"Ah ha, And here I come."
An orc made his way out of the smoke. He wore a mask covering the upper half of his face. It was reflecting the light with its thousands of colored sequins. It was a beautiful mask.
'Holy moly, it's the first time seeing an orc wearing a suit. Is he trying to fool me ?'
I easily recognized the orc. First, I sure am in the same house as there is no other one like this in the village, then that which I supposed is Baruba live alone. Another guess is that he has the scar as the wolf tattoo, even if I can only see its bottom half on his face. And the last decisive clue was the same white feathers drawn on his hand.
'Who does he take me for.' I exclaim indignantly in my head.
"Hello, little boy. I'm the great and mysterious mask maker known as Mysterious."
"You are a really lucky boy. I gift you a magical mask. With it, you will be able to have the same senses as a wolf."
'Does he want to fool me? I can't even take it off ! The villagers were right. He is definitely crazy.'
'It might have worked with another, but I'm not an idiot. Let's stop this."
"Hey, I know who you are, scamming bastard."