In the back of my consciousness, a voice calls my name. Goddamnit, I'm not even 10 and I'm already experiencing an acid trip. If I start hallucinating about being able to drink breast milk again. Good luck waking me up cause I am staying there for the rest of my life.
Once again, a booming, thunderous voice calls out my name. "Thomas Talon!" My mental landscape shook violently and I felt sudden bursts of nausea. Sunavabitch, is this how it feels when someone tries to wake you up during a state of comatose?
A silhouette of a figure appeared in the distance. My mental scenery distorted around the figure as it approached me at an ominous pace. The silhouette took the form of a man. Once he got close enough, I could make out a few physical features. He was built like a supersoldier, his muscles were incredibly well defined especially near his core. Although he did not wear any clothes other than a loincloth of all things.
That aside, his facial features were enticing. A metaphorical wind blew his dark-grey hair into a frenzy. He had a scruffy beard and eyes with pupils as dark as the abyss and irises with rings of blueish violet hues. Not to mention an aura so frightening that it makes King Edward seem like a harmless fly. Even so, something doesn't add up. The only other being in here is definitely the one in front of me. So why does it feel like eyes are watching me from every direction?
"You... are you the child they call Thomas Talon?" The mysterious man addressed me from only a metre away.
"Y-yes, that's me..." I responded but his aura was so frightening that my whole body shivered violently. He stood there silent as his eyes scanned me meticulously from top to bottom. Once he finished, he suppressed his menacing aura. Damnit, if I was awake right now, I would've soiled my pants! What the hell is he and how did he show up inside my mind?
"My apologies for startling you child," his face softened a bit. "My name is Ethos."
"Huh? Are you saying you're real? That's ridiculous." I scoffed, I don't know whether I believed what I said or if I was in denial. "Someone must've drugged my lunch. My opponents must've been jealous that a kid like me can beat them up. I should wake up and go home."
"I am very real, child. Doubt my existence again and I'll kill you." He said in a straight, monotone voice.
I immediately closed my mouth. I still don't believe him but... I don't wanna die. He sighed and relaxed his posture.
"Aren't you the one Edward Garrison selected to become his successor?" He inquired.
"I-I suppose so?" I answered in an unconfident tone that made it sound like a question. His eyes sharpened as he stared at me with slitted pupils.
"Hahaha, so this is who you've chosen, Edward," he shouted towards the skies of my mental scape.
"You know him?" I asked with a puzzled expression.
"Of course! I've been acquainted with that muppet for over 40 years," he exclaimed. "I still remember when I made a well-composed man like him walk the streets of his beloved nation without any clothes to protect his dignity!"
My eyes immediately filled with both resentment and fear. He's going to make me do it too, isn't he? He looked at me with a suspicious glare.
"You do know I am in your mind, I can hear everything you're thinking," he warned.
Fuck.
"Besides, I won't do it until you've reached an appropriate age. So relax," he said attempting to console me.
Someone, please create a time-stop machine, I beg you.
"I suppose Edward expects me to explain the shitty stuff for you," he sighed. "Very well then."
I looked at him quizzically; he took a moment to collect his thoughts before explaining.
"The power you receive from the verse is proportionate to the amount of influence I possess," he posited. I contemplated in bemusement. Influence? Is that like the number of followers or something?
He sighed in resignation. "Listen well, kid," he says to me with a serious expression. "Your power is based on the number of people who see your story." He pauses for a moment before continuing.
"Imagine this, you are the eyes that the story is told from. And I, I am the one who runs the show behind the scenes," he said to me with a straight face the whole way through.
"So... people are watching my life like I'm a stage play?" I asked seeking to understand the waka-waka bullshit he's saying.
His eyes lit up. "Yes! You are correct! Your life story is their entertainment!" He said excitedly, celebrating the fact that his words got through to a kid. But I was not satisfied, I still had a bombardment of questions I needed to ask him.
"So, who is the audience?" I inquired. Ethos looked at me for a moment before lifting his head up to the sky. After a moment of contemplation, he faced me and answered.
"You've noticed for a while now, haven't you?" He said in a mischievous voice.
"Huh?" What is he on about? Slowly, he pointed towards the sky.
"I know you feel like you are being observed," he smiled. "Would you like me to let you in on a secret?" He moved towards me and placed his mouth next to my ear and cursed me with the burden of knowledge.
"..."
"Ignorance is bliss... they say," I muttered to myself. Not that it matters since he can friggin hear my thoughts anyway.
"I think I said everything I needed to say to you," hinting that it was time for me to leave. "Once your age reaches the double digits, I'll be back. My demands will be awaiting you," he smiled mischievously. Ethos and the mindscape began to dissolve into the darkness. Additionally, I passed out. Passing out while already in a state of unconsciousness. I don't even know anymore.
After a while, light returned to my eyes. Slowly, I opened my eyes. It took a second for my eyes to adjust to the light. Once my vision cleared, I surveyed my surroundings. I was still on the combat stage while the people in the audience watched me intently. I was still standing on the platform, held up by King Edward's firm hands. Slowly, he loosened his grip, leaving the task of staying upright to my lethargic legs. I placed my hands on the table to keep myself from falling. I looked down at my pants and sighed in relief. I am so glad I did not soil my pants in front of 400+ people!
"The ritual has concluded!" The announcer declared.
Cries of rejoicing and celebration can be heard throughout the theatre. Though some people left immediately after the announcement. King Edward nodded towards me.
"You are good to go, child. I will be king for two more years and then I will retire knowing you'll take my place," he said with a faint smile. "Study well, the path of kinghood will be difficult. But rest assured, my servants will help you at every step of the way. Even so, I hope that the man in your head does not issue demands that are too unreasonable. You won't get any until you reach the age of 10 so you have time to prepare."
Speaking of demands, I should have asked that shitty old man about it. Now that I think about it, the only thing he has told me was that my powers were linked to his notoriety. I still have no idea what my powers are and why he makes those stupid demands. I guess he's not good with children.
As I lost myself in thought, small tremors appeared in the area, rattling the platform and the chairs on the stage where the king sat. After some time, the tremors stopped. Immediately followed by a Ba-BAM! The sudden impact caused many people to lose their balance and fall onto the ground including myself. The king stared at the stalactite-riddled ceiling with a stern expression.
"The Scarlet Storm is coming."
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