[Darkness... Then A Faint Light.... And Then Pain]
A Sharp Stabbing Pain Surged Through Ash Willson's Head Like Someone Was Jabbing A Needle Into His Skull.
He Tried To Open His Eyes,
But Eyelids Felt Impossibly Heavy As If Bound With Stone.
"What The Fuck... Where Am I?"
He Thought, But No Sound Came Out.
Only A Faint Voice Echoed In His Ears- From Somewhere Far Away, Whispering:
"Master... Wake Up."
The Same Voice He Had Heard In New York When He... Was Dying
Dying? Yes, The Truck.... That
Accident.... And That Shadow.
"What The Hell Is Happening ?"
Ash Muttered To Himself, Shivering. Then, With A Sudden jolt He Opened His Eyes.
Light Hit His Face Blinding Him For A Second.
When His Vision Cleared, He Saw That He Was Lying On A Wooden Bed In A Small Room.
It Wasn't A Hospital.
The Room Was Old, Medieval-Style -Window Letting Sunlight In, And A Small Table Holding A Jug And A Glass.
"What The Hell Is This ?"
Ash Whispered, But His Voice Sounded.... Different. Softer Younger.
He Looked At His Hand's Small Thin These Weren't His Hand.
"What is Happening, Man ?!.
He Touched His Body- Chest, Hair, Face. Everything Was Different.
A Strange Panic Rose In His Chest.
He Scrambled Off The Bed, But His Legs Wobbled.
"Fuck What Is Happening?
Who... Who Am I Now ?"
In The Corner Of The Room Was An Old Metal- framed Mirror, Slightly Cracked.
Ash Looked At It And His Heart Skipped A Beat.
In The Reflection Stood A Boy 16 Year's Old, Noble Looking Tall Thin With A Mystirious Aura.
Jet Black Hair And Eyes....
Silver Piercing Like They Could See Into Someone's Soul.
This Was Not Willson. This Was Someone Else.
"This... Isn't Me," Ash Murmured Touching His Face In The Mirror.
"What Happened, Man ?
I Died... So What Is All This ?"
Memories Of The New York Streets The Black Truck And The Voice Echoed In His Mind.
"Welcome To Umbraworld ,My Master."
Umbraworld? What Was That?
Suddenly The Door Opened And A Girl Entered.
Simple Dress Hair Tied Back,
Eyes Wide In Shock.
"Young Master Ray ! You...
Awake!"
She Shouted And Ran So Fast Out OF The Room That Ash Barely Had Time To React.
"Young Master Ray? What Is She Saying" Ash Muttered To Himself. He Looked At The Mirror Again. "Ray... Am I Ray Now?"
He Looked Around The Room. Not a Modern New York Apartment. A Medieval Style Wooden House Like a Village Out Of A Fantasy Novel.
Wooden Wardrobe A Small Painting Of A Jungle And A Drak Castle And A Sword Hanging On The Wall.
"This Feels Like Some Isekai Anime Man" Ash Thought Letting Out A Small Laugh.
But Then He Remembered The Truck The Voice The Shadow.
"Am I Really.... In Another World?"
He Suddenly Felt A Strange Presence Behind Him.
He Turned Nothing. But In The Mirror He Saw It His Shadow... Not A Normal. Darker, Alive. Watching Him.
"What The Hell Is This?" Ash Took A Step Back. But The Shadow Didn't Move. Then...
it Did.
A Dark, Humanoid Figure Emerged From The Shadow.
Human Like Shape, Blurry
Face, And Two Glowing Red Dots For Eyes.
Ash's Heart Pounded.
"What The Hell.... What is This?!" He Shouted His Voice Echoing In The Room.
"I am L.... Your Shadow," The Figure Said. The Same Voice He Had Heard In New York
Deep Dark And Powerful.
"You Have Been Summoned Here Ray Velthorn This is Your New Beginning."
Ash Or Now Ray Took A Deep Breath.
L"? Red Eyes Glimmered.
"You Will Understand Your Questions In Time Master.
But For Now Know This You Are Part Of This World.
You Old Body, You Old Life...
All Gone You Are Now Ray Velthorn The Son Of Village Chief. And I.... Am You GUIDE." A Faint Chuckle In L's
Voice, Like A Secret Was Hidden.
"What The Hell, Man?" Ray Muttered, Tugging His Hair.
"I Was Just A Waiter A College Student! And This Shadow Drama?"
L Chuckled Softly.
"You Will Understand Everything In Time Ray.
For Now.... Meet Your New Life.
This World Will Teach You Itself."
Then L Merged Back Into The Shadow As If Nothing Had Happened.
Ray Looked At This Mirror.
His Shadow Appeared Normal.
But An Uneasy Feeling Lingered In His Chest.
"Who is L? And What Is Umbraworld?"
The Door Opened Again And Emily Returned This Time With A Tall Man. Broad Shoulders Authoritative Presence A Worried Smile.
"Young Master Ray!" The Man Said Relief In His Voice.
"You're Okay. Thank God."
He Placed A Hand On Ray's Shoulder.
I am Your Father, Ray Village Chief Leader Of The Velthorn Clan."
Ray's Mind Went Blank.
"Father? Village Chief? What Is Happening Man?"
He Gave A Small Nod Outwardly. Emily And His Father Spoke To Him, But Ray's Mind Was Elsewhere
Thinking About L The Shadow The Voice This New World.
He Glanced At The Mirror Once More For A Second He's Saw L's Red Eyes In His Shadow, Staring At Him.
A Shiver Ran Through His Body.
"This Is Only The Beginning,
Master," L's Voice Echoed In His Mind.
"Umbraworld Awaits You."
To Be Continued....