by Albert Oon
“Maybe, but we could also use the cross at the same time.”
“Oh, that’s right. We have a chance here. Do you know how to use a crossbow?”
“Yup! I won competitions in archery in school. It was one of the available extracurricular activities besides soccer.”
“You played soccer too? It makes sense.”
“What do you mean it makes sense?”
“N-nevermind.”
“Why don’t you say why? You’re not trying to stereotype me because rough people like playing rough sports, are you? Because…if you are, I’m going to have to kick your-”
“Hey, we’re here, so let’s get ready.”
“Ha! So you think your shield and crossbow will defeat me? Ha! Do you see? Your arrows cannot penetrate my defenses!”
“Try touching him with the cross!”
“That sounds like an incredibly dangerous idea, but since I don’t have anything, I’ll go with it!”
“Do you really think that’s going to work? Ah! Where did that blinding light come from? Did it come from the cross? Ah!”
“It’s working! You can’t damage him directly but you can take off his heads! I’ll keep distracting them while you keep hitting him!”
“Right! Take this and this!”
“You’re not going to defeat me that easily! Ah! That blinding light is annoying!”
“Keep hitting him! He’s almost out of heads!”
“And this! Should finish him!”
“I’m not done yet! I’ll tear out your heart with my teeth if I have to!”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep talking, that’s all you can do. Come on. We’re going to end this.”
“No, you can’t! Think about all of the suffering you’ll cause! Ow! How dare you step on my face!”
“How dare you kill so many children! Their lives are nothing but exchanges for your own gain!”
“Get back here so I can make you eat those words!”
“I’m sorry about that. I let my anger get the better of me.”
“No, that was great! I’m amazed you that stood up to Xietiao like that.”
“I guess part of you is rubbing off on me. You that you’re the reason we got this far. If it wasn’t for your energetic spirit, I would’ve just gotten myself executed without even thinking about it.”
“Aww, you’re too sweet. I can’t take all the credit though. If you didn’t have your cross with you, I wouldn’t have been able to escape the spirit mansion.”
“True, but the cross’s pure energy did more than I did. Anyway, we’re here. Are you ready?”
“I’ve been ready ever since I got here. Let’s go!”
Chapter 5 – Predatory Predecessor
We’re finally in the tower. The place we can end this tradition and get out of here. This is a pretty nice tower. It looks like there are rooms on the upper floors. The people up there are clothed in expensive and bright looking fabrics. There are roses and various different kind of pretty plants in here. They’re almost on every surface. It’s like a greenhouse in here, but what we’re looking for seems to be directly in front of us. There’s a seal with Chinese writing on it. It has a weird black and red glow to it and is guarded by...
“That woman looks like you, Sakae. Do you know her by any chance?”
“No, not at all.” I do like her dress though.
“I’m surprised our family forgot to talk about me, but it’s no big deal.”
“Our family? Who are you?”
“My name is Seiko. It sounds like your name, Sakae. That’s because you’re the reincarnation of me because we’re part of the same family.”
“Psh. Reincarnation? I don’t believe that garbage exists.”
“Think about it. We look the same and we have similar tastes. You even have the same taste in men as I do. I always liked the awkward types that could get serious when he needs to.”
“Uh. Okay, but that doesn’t-”
“Okay then, how about this. You easily get mad at injustice and even easier when you’re personally insulted.”
“That’s not true. Tell her, Daiki!”
“Haha. Uhhh…”
“Do you see? I’m right.”
“No, you aren’t. Reincarnation isn’t real no matter how much you want to think it is. Now it’s my turn to ask you some questions. You’re called the master of this place. Why is that, and what does that have to do with ‘our’ family?”
“Our family was homeless when I was born. Most of the children died early and we barely got by every day. No would help us and we could barely help ourselves. That was until an angel came to me and told me to sacrifice myself for them so they could be prosperous and happy, and that’s what I did. The angel then gave me the ritual so I could bring people to this dimension and spread the practice with other people.”
“It seems like you talked to a demon rather than an angel from the look of things. Do you see how many graves are outside? Do even see the endless amounts of blood flowing from the mountain top?”
“Demon. Angel. What’s the difference if they both do God’s work? Besides, the carnage you see before you is a sacred sign of love and dedication. The happiness of the martyrs outshines their gruesome deaths.”
“There’s a big difference between a demon and an angel. A demon is fallen and destined for eternal suffering while an angel is a faithful servant of God who hasn’t rebelled against Him and will be with Him forever in Heaven. Your ‘sacred sign of love’ is an abomination and perversion of what true martyrdom looks like.”
“How can love appear to be evil?”
“This place is a great example. The forceful killing of countless children for the ‘prosperity and happiness’ of their families. You trivialize the value of life and the effort of people into it. It doesn’t matter if people are rich and joyful in this life because they’re eventually going to lose it, and the consequences of their actions are the only thing that will carry over into the afterlife.”
“How interesting. I knew my reincarnation would be a bright girl. How about we talk about this more over dinner? You must be starving and we have food and drinks over here that you have to taste to believe.”
“Nice try, but I’m not falling for that. Daiki and I are leaving along with the other souls stuck in this place, and we’re destroying this perverted tradition.”
“Don’t do this, Sakae! If you destroy the seal, a great number of us will be sent to Hell especially our family. When you participate in the ritual, you give your soul to the angel. Are you willing to send our family and the families of others so your friend and you can live miserable lives?”
“That’s another thing. If the true symbol of love and sacrifice can destroy this dimension, then this isn’t a heaven or any place good at all, and yes. I will do this and hope that God has mercy on your souls.”
“You ungrateful, selfish child!”
“Watch out! Don’t you hurt her!”
“Agh!”
“Daiki!”
“Ack. The cross I have may have forced her into the wall, but she still put her hand through my chest.”
“Thank you for saving my life. Come on, we’re going to finish this together.”
“I can barely move. Here, take the cross and finish this for us. Do it before she gets up and the others decide to get you.”
“Okay! Just hold on!” I run to the seal as Seiko gets up and the others start running toward me. “Ack! Uck!” At least seven of them put their hands through my body. I think I can still make it though…
“You aren’t going to succeed! Just give up already and sacrifice yourself for us! For the ones you love.”
“This is a sacrifice. I’m doing more for our family than you’ve ever done. Besides, I’ll succeed. Both in here and back home. My name means prosperity after all.”
“No, stop it! How are you still able to move like this?!”
“Heh, it’s not my strength that’s moving me, but also, you should know how stu
bborn I am, if you think you really know me.”
“No! Stop!”
I strike the seal with the cross and a light explodes from it that engulfs everything around me. Every soul floats around me in an array of light. Some ascend. Others fall downward in a blaze. After blinking a couple times, I wake up in my bed.
“Huh? What happened?”
“I’m back home, and I’m not dead! Mom! Dad! Where is everyone?”
“No one is here. Why are there clothes on the floor? Are these theirs? I hope they were part of the group of souls that ascended to Heaven.”
“Oh! Daiki!” I quickly leave my house and go to where Daiki said his house is. As I approach the door, I see a boy opening the door. “Daiki?”
“That’s me. We did it! We-uh. Of course. Ow!”
“Don’t dismiss my concerning hug by saying of course. I’m glad you’re alive. You had me really worried. I thought you were going to die.”
“I felt the same way about you. It’s a miracle that you were able to break the seal despite being punctured with so many hands. That must’ve taken a lot of strength.”
“Thanks, but the cross was where my strength was coming from.”
“Isn’t that true? Oh, thank you for giving it back. We should get you your own. It’s not only useful for situations like the one we were in.”
“I will. Hey, do you notice anything strange? There doesn’t seem to be anyone around.”
“Yeah. The markets are usually bustling with activity around this time. I knew a lot of people here that were part of the tradition. I just didn’t know that there were this many that did it. I don’t see a soul around here.”
“I hope they repented and went to Heaven. It’d be a shame if most of them went to Hell.”
“True. So, what are we going to do now?”
“I’m tired of the money-making kind of life. I’m going to take whatever’s left of my family’s wealth and live on a farm.”
“That sounds like a great idea. I’ll join you with whatever I have.”
“Are you saying we’re going to live together like a couple?”
“I uh. Sure. Ow!”
“Don’t just say sure! Tell me!”
“Tell you what?”
“Tell me that you love me and that you want to live together with me.”
“I uh. I love you and want to live together with you. Uh. Oh.”
I give him a kiss on the cheek. “There we go.”
“Yeah, so uh. Do you want to get out of-hey!”
“You have to kiss me back! Come on. There we go.”
“Oh boy. I’m going to have to deal with this my entire life, aren’t I? I shouldn’t have said that out loud. I’m sorry. Ow!”
“You are going to deal with ‘this’ for your entire life and you’re going to like it! But first, I’m going to have to kick your ass for saying that!”
“Oh come on, Sakae! Calm down already! Ow!”
“You can’t run away from me, Daiki, and there’s no one around to help you! It’s better for you to take your punishment like a man!”
“Oh man. What am I going to do with you?”
The End
Concept Art
Character Reactions
Behind the Story
This story is inspired by my want to make a Fatal Frame inspired story, which is a horror video game made by Koei Tecmo.
The only real inspiration from the series comes from Rei Kurosawa from Fatal Frame 3. Her outfit is what inspired Sakae’s outfit.
Tongyi’s appearance is inspired by the yin-yang symbol.
For Daiki, I made the Chinese symbol on his sack hood change to reflect his emotion.
Xietiao’s appearance is inspired by Xiahou Dun or rather his appearance in the Dynasty Warriors games by Omega Force.
If you liked this story, then try out these other ones!
Every child rebels against their parents This trilogy contains the tales of three young girls who embark on an adventure beyond imagination in crazy alternate dimensions meant for people their age. One finds herself in a crystal world. Another is sucked into a dimension where the ruler of a kingdom can change their island at will and rule their own Heaven and Hell. The last is taken to a dimension where everyone is given their own galaxy, artificial people, Heaven, and Hell to rule over. They will each learn their own lessons and discover secrets about the dimensions that could affect the reality they are from. There's more to this freedom they are given. Will their adventures make them mature or fall into corruption?
What thrills you? Different kinds of thrillers are contained within this collection. Whether it's action, undead, supernatural, or psychological-supernatural thriller, you're sure to find something that will take you on a thrilling and even scary ride. Behind the Story extras are included in this collection like the rest that details the influences and inspirations for each story. This book collects; Spirits and Demons, A Glimpse of Light: Psychological Survival, Twisted, Demented, and Ready to Kill, and Always One Step from Hell.
Love always finds a way to flourish. Two people, who hate each other and secretly wish something bad would happen to the other, are forced by God to live in the same body until they learn to love each other. This is easier said than done since they are total opposites. Another couple, who are thieves, is forced into the same body by God after accidentally killing a boy's parents. They are put in charge of the boy and have to learn how to be a family in order to survive. An extra story is included, which is a musical fantasy story where a couple travels across a demonic wasteland to be with each other again. These two lovebirds are connected by music so they can strengthen one another through song.
Good was never so Evil before! Anti-hero Damien has ways of dealing with villains that would make some turn away in horror! Is this man truly good? Though his methods are extreme, is the result better for the whole of humanity? Find out in this action packed, dark comedic story! Also included is the written version of Kyle the Cosmic Comic Hero and A Short Time in a Mad Man's Mind. All three stories contain extras about each story.
Check out these free eBooks as well!
In Albert Oon's 90th book and final Choice and Consequence story, a young boy named Michael is kidnapped, sexually abused, and beat for the pleasure of a mistress. He is freed from a satanic wedding by an act of God and is now in Hillside City. The psychological damage of his past and abuses reaches its peak as he faces his demons in his mind along with the consequences of his previous actions.
The city of Arklay is being plagued by an infestation of insects that begins in the human body. A person will wake up one day to find various kinds of insects like worms, centipedes, and spiders crawling within their skin. If they don't do anything, then the insects will emerge, which ends in a painful death. Silva is an agent from a disease control organization who is investigating this disease.
During the Fall season, evil spirits whisper temptations to you in the cold wind. They may even possess you and make you do evil deeds. Charlotte is a woman who is targeted by these whispers. She's weak to their temptations, but can she deny herself and do the right thing?
A virus is accidentally unleashed upon the world, which turns people into cannibals. These infected can eat normal food and even reason with people until they are compromised. Another quirk to this virus is that it gets virgins, who are attracted to each other, to have children, who can perfectly infiltrate human society. This story follows two people that must stay pure until help arrives.
Check out my blog, Albert Oon: Behind the Stories, for free short stories, free book samples, song/poem attempts, and more! Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to see what I’m doing next.
100%); -moz-filter: grayscale(100%); -o-filter: grayscale(100%); -ms-filter: grayscale(100%); filter: grayscale(100%); " class="sharethis-inline-share-buttons">share
