Monster.
Staring at the being in front of him. Only one word appeared in Lucian's mind.
An abomination.
Right in front of Lucian was an hellish being with six white eyes covering every part of it's face, leaving a maw dripping with saliva at the bottom of it.
The phantom creeper had long dark hairs which dragged on the floor while it's back was hunched, spikes emerging from them.
It was incredibly short, just a head taller than him in his sitting position.
It's skin were dark and rough, as if having been burnt while the bones could be seen through it, making Lucian considered if the thing even had a single droplet of blood beneath those skin.
It's hands were shaped into bony claws which were the largest thing in it's body as the it ghostly finger finger raised Lucian's chin up, his blue pair of eyes staring at the six ghastly eyes.
This was a monster which could only appear in ones darkest dreams.
Lucian's face suddenly changed from fear into sadness, something the Phantom creeper didn't fail to notice.
"Why do you look sad. Everyone who see me will first pee their pants but I see you feeling sad instead, why?" The phantom creeper asked his ghastly claws gently dragging on Lucian's hair, occasionally passing just an inch from his smooth neck.
"It's because you're blind." Lucian replied softly causing the phantom creeper eyes to widen as it retreated with speed from Lucian.
Ever since it had laid it's eyes on this boy, it found it's heart racing a beat. Normally it would have immediately killed it's prey once he laid it's sights on them, but it felt different this time.
Maybe it was due to it being incredibly bored or something else but one thing was sure, it was supposed to immediately kill this boy, but he struggled to do so, as he felt it's interest being piqued, something that almost drove him to mad joy as it had never felt this way before.
"That's ridiculous. I can see everything happening to you right now and you say I'm blind. Are you trying to prolong your death as far as you can boy?" It said, a sinister smile on its face.
"No, you're blind. I'm very sure of it. Because I know of someone who is also blind. The person I love the most. One closest to me than my heart. You both are the same, the grey in both your eyes. Although your eyes look like a natural white, it's actually a carefully concealed grey." Lucian said as he looked at the phantom creeper, who had suddenly appeared in front of him, their face just an inch from each other.
A murderous expression appeared on the phantom creeper's face, enough to make any man immediately unsheath his weapon but Lucian didn't move a single muscle nor did he try to. He only stared back at the phantom creeper with a pitiful gaze.
"You're right, I'm blind. I'm impressed boy, none has never noticed that before." The phantom creeper said as it sat down in front of Lucian. It wasn't really afraid of the boy as it could absolutely kill him before Lucian can move a single muscle and besides it could tell Lucian was still too young, physically, making it relax it's guard a little.
Lucian snorted in his mind due to the creeper's comment. Who will have the time to notice whether an abomination who wants to kill you is blind or not. Even Lucian felt a chill crawl up his spine just seeing it sit down in front of him although he was carful to cleverly conceal that.
"I admire you." Lucian said staring straight at it as his eyes suddenly looked into space as if staring at the past.
"I know how hard it is to never see the light, not even for a second and being no hope. The blind person I know was a close relation of mine. Actually, she was my blood sister. It was hard being blind from young, so I had to be the light. Helping her walk all the time, carrying her, saying to her every sound that passes by, reading aloud the book to her.
I never knew, but I slowly became her light. I can't imagine what will happen if she never had me. If she was locked away all alone in a dark cell, never to see the light of the day, never to had anyone to talk too.
But you surprise me. You could somehow see even though you're blind. You found your own light. Even though you look fearsome and sinister, I can see the loneliness deep in your heart, one which you carefully concealed but still so ever present..." Lucian said as he stared back at the monster.
The phantom creeper was shocked speechless as for the first time, it felt a different emotion. An emotion so great he couldn't phantom.
Ever since it had been born none ever even knew it was blind. All it knew was the dark cell and having to kill and eat it's prey. Even though it looked sinister, how could anyone know of the loneliness in it's heart.
Every creature, no matter big or small always had a dream deep in their heart and it wasn't an exception.
Apart from killing and eating to survive. It always had a dream. One in which it never thought would be fulfilled, and that was too finally find someone who could understood it.
But today it felt understood for the first time in it's life. For the first time, it felt what he longed for finally fulfilled.
It's thought of Lucian being weak and harmless made it relax it's guard to not killing him outright and even sitting down in front of his life and death prey. A fact it's starting to slowly forget.
It thought it's prey was one who had given up the thoughts of living anymore, and therefore no longer considered a prey, but only if it knew, of the burning will to live that was present in Lucian.
Lucian looked at the phantom creeper before him, his face lit with sadness and curiousity, but to Lucian it was all a ploy he set.
He knew he couldn't win the creature as he can't even see it due to its speed, besides he doubted if he can last two seconds before dying to the monster's sharp claws.
Since he couldn't win in a direct confrontation of combat. Then he was going to win this battle, by using the information he learned from the phantom creeper against it.
"So how can you see?" Lucian said his face lit in curiosity.
The phantom creeper looked at the boy, wondering if it was getting tricked but looking at the curiousity lit in the boy's eyes and his innocent expression, decide to tell the boy, he considered his new friend, well until it's hunger took over it. But at least for now, he can satisfy it's food of his curiousity.