Chapter 4 The Paper Angel Of Sorrow
The fermented Rotting corpse stunk to high heaven.
Kekkan averted his eyes while he folded into the hero a paper crane of sorrow.
One glance at the carcass would send him into an early grave. He shut his eyes, hoping his vision would never return, maybe that way he would be free. Kekkan was a coward who was unable to face the result of his own actions.
The only saving grace that kept kekkans soul in unity was the hero.
The Hero [its not your fault]
His radiance reached deep inside the kekkans, very being the reassurance he needed. Kekkan did not want to atone or to take responsibility he wanted to blame someone and the hero took the blame,
Anyone could see kekkan was not responsible for the doll's gruesome fate. However that was of no significance.
If I were strong enough I could have prevented this.
He was blinded by his undying bloodlust; he would stomp on even an innocent rabbit if it got in his way. All he wanted was vengeance, the very demon who caused Kekkan so much pain laid there devoid of life. Yet why was the feeling kekkan felt pity and sorrow. He believed that the doll deserved punishment but he could no longer think like that. No matter how hard he tried to justify himself all he felt was overbearing self loathing.
But why was he in the embrace of the hero, a man of virtue. It would be incorrect to claim that the hero was the individual responsable but to kekkan that couldn't be further from the truth. Yes the hero struck the finishing blow however it would not have been an essential step if kekkan stood up, If only kekkan was not a so useless and pathetic if werent so devoid of power, the man who couldn't even feel his own body. He could not even grasp his own breath, what a weakling.
What was that laughter sounded through his head, it was directed at him the endless teasing taunting scoffing. No that wasn't the laughter of others it was his he was laughing at the man he hated the most he was laughing at himself. That vile putrid pathetic being known as kekkan.
He shot his eyes up at the decaying corpse; it was a hollow shell. He envied it because the corpse should have belonged to him. He envisioned what it would look like if they switched places. A sweet harmony brought him peace. But in this moment it felt alive not by any typical standards but it was no longer rotten but mutating. The skin got rough, the threads loose, its mouth teared open, it let out a laugh but it didn't sound like the doll it was his own.
A moment of realisation shot through him like a speeding bullet. The virtuous hero protected him; he was a guardian angel. But Kekkan didn't deserve his shelter, He shoved his arms against the hero removing himself from his shield. The laughter of his doppelganger amplified. It was a haunting yet heavenly melody sung out like a choir echoing in every corner of the residence.
Why not add another component to the choir.
Now separated from the hero he let out an identical laugh they all harmonised together to make a most wonderful chorus. He could feel a hand reaching around his heart as it was going to burst.
As much as kekkan wanted to be the remains left behind he also was terrified by it.
He grasped on his chest with his hand placed up to his heart he could feel every beat ,every fear.
Kekkan [I DONT NEED YOUR PROTECTION, I DONT DESERVE IT. No you look down on me dont you i see it you need to protect me you say your my hero well who decided that who gave you that privilege. Who decided I need protection? I can save myself . I know I can do this all on my own. I am strong. I hate people like you treating me like I'm nothing, I am perfect. Don't you ever look down on me. I don't need your pity]
He didn't want to face his criticism or response. So he jolted down the swirling tunnel of chains. He raised his arms high with every step
I need to escape this hell and I need to do it alone. This is something only i can do. In the center of the tunnel everything stopped. What was this?
I cant feel my legs i cant feel my arms my fingers my face my chest why is it accelerating, No its not real it will go away stay calm move your legs you worthless shit. Raise those arms to gain your composure.
Kekkan's body had shut down.
The only movement was the disorderly vibrations of his body. The unwavering terror but he didn't know why he was feeling this way everything happened so fast he couldn't piece his mind back together.
Before he knew it a cold hand touched his neck. The freezing sensation felt as if a snake had wrapped his fangs around him.. The hands felt familiar ones he knew very well. He glanced down at his own hands; he knew that it was his own grasp that wrapped around him.
He still was unable to turn.
He felt the breeze flow into his ear followed by the accompanying vocals.
However this was nothing he could make out; it was mindless squabbling, mind numbing nonsense. Pieces could be heard and with this kekkan tried to put the pieces together but nothing of value came. He made an effort to speak out but everything was pointless. His lips were shivering from his weakness, a man so brave he couldn't even speak for himself all he could do was endure it. Another arm was placed around his neck flowing down to his chest, the vile arctic feeling still washing over him. It continued whispering dialogue into his ear still he couldn't make out a single word. Every word his heart felt as it was going to come busting out from his chest. He shut his eyelids tightly until only darkness engulfed his vision only with this was he finally able to break the silence.
Kekkan [ I DONT UNDERSTAND]
The entire place went silent not even the nonsense could be heard at this moment he heard a frigid puff.
Doppilganger [You finally built the courage to confront me, no to confront yourself.]
Kekkan still could not move a muscle
Doppilganger [the only one who can save you is yourself]
A gulp made its way up kekkans neck
What does he mean what do i mean its me right im talking to myself right arent i am i insane is this death am i in hell i want to escape help i dont want to confront anything else i want to go home i want to be free. I shouldn't have left The Hero he was protecting me now im worthless im a fraud i cant protect myself i cant even move im pathetic i need him i cant face anything i want to die someone save me from this hell.
Doppilganger [The only way out of this hell is to confront yourself.]
He can hear my thoughts well. He is me right?
Doppilganger [i am your inner self a you that there is no escape from]
I can't do it. I refuse . I can't face myself. What will the true me think of me? He will judge me for being weak deep inside my soul even though I know what a rotten stupid and pathetic man I really am.
Doppilganger [Thats true but.. You can still prove yourself, prove who kekkan is what he is capable of and what a big heart he has.Build the courage you desperately yearn for Even if you face yourself now it wont come like that. There will always be moments of weakness but through this you make a step one to self retribution. It's not going to be easy and its not everything but it is a step in a long stairway up to become the perfect you. Now kekkan go find your courage]
I cant do it i dont have any courage i cant even run straight ahead out of danger let alone have the courage to face it.
Doppilganger [that's true you may not have the courage but you can construct it using the strings that make that soul. Each thread is special and can be weaved however you make it]
But what if it's not enough.
Doppelganger [If its enough for you that's all that matters. You are so caught up with responsibilities you need to be strong to save people and protect them. Save your brother from the raid this and that. But just for a moment worry about yourself. You cant save everyone if you cant first save yourself. Now go kekkan be reborn for only through rebirth will you cleanse yourself and start a new beginning]
And in an instant a knife had been lodged in Kekkan's neck. The blood overflowed like a volcano. His body was so shaken he didn't feel it all he could do was glare down at the damage. His vision slowly started to blur until there was nothing but darkness.
[doppilganger] now its time to be reborn
ACT 1
A cold gust ran down kekkans spine. He opened his eyes and found himself in a land of frost. The first thing he noticed was the shivering he could feel throughout his body. He couldn't feel his body
How long had he been asleep he pondered about before realising if he stayed laying here he would become a sculpture. But it was too late no matter how much he tried he could not move any of his limbs. Was it the cold or his cowardness he couldn't tell.
A figure approached him who was completely dressed for winter, a fur coat and spawning a royal mask masking their identity.
???: [who are you and what are you doing out here. I've never seen you before.]
Kekkan [I'm not quite sure either]
???: [dont think I'm a fool what are you hiding. Perhaps your here to return us to the void, well i wont allow it i will smite you as you are.]
Kekkan [WAIT i don't have a clue what you are talking about, a knife was plunged into my collar, i awoke here in the arctic and the first thing i saw was you. Talking about this void i dont know any of that I just want to get warm]
???: [Hmph I see so you have also departed from the world of the living But its impossible you can't be one of us unless you're him, please tell me your name.]
Kekkan [I don't know who I am]
???: [what do you mean you don't know, i asked a simple question]
Kekkan no longer knew anything; all he remembered was glimpses that came in quick flashes. His death and what led to the circumstances of his death but when he tried to remember his name. He didn't remember. He was nothing but a nameless vessel fighting to save himself, but who was he?
The man reached for his pocket and jolted out a pistol and aimed it straight at Kekkan's forehead.
???: [i wont hesitate to kill anyone a deem a threat, answer well or the void will be calling for you]
Kekkan rotated his eyes around and he was searching for anything he could use.
I need to think of something, a name I can use to gain his trust and anything to save my own skin.
He closed his eyes and leaped through the little flashes of memories he had. Maybe if he used a grand title it could trick them. He remembered a brave man, one who protected him at his weakest. Maybe that name can bring hope.
Kekkan opened his eyes and gave a smug smile. He needed confidence, he needed them to believe what he was saying.
Kekkan [i don't have a name only a title, For i am the hero. And I'm here to be your guiding light and protection from the fate that awaits you, to return you to the living.]
The man let the gun slip from his fingers and drop against the snow. His mouth opened wide of pure amazement. He placed his hand on his chest and got on his knees.
???: my sincerest apologies, i did not realise you were our hero, please allow me to offer you shelter]
Kekkan couldn't believe it.
It actually worked. Due to the fact i don't have a name I shall take on the role I will become the hero.
The Hero [now shall you tell me your name.]
???:[of course Hero, my name is Kekkan]
What was once his name, his identity now meant nothing to him. It had been forgotten and left behind like footprints in the snow.
The Hero gave kekkan a slight nod.
The masked kekkan reached out his palm and offered The Hero assistance.
Kekkan jolted him up and escorted him into a lone cabin. In the middle of the wilderness.
The cabin had been tidy and cosy, a fireplace had been lit and several other masked men gathered around it. They all stared down the hero which gave him an uneasy feeling. Kekkan placed a fur wool coat around The Hero's back.
Kekkan [ill go get you some tea to warm you up, in the meanwhile embrace the warmth of the fire and try getting along with the others]
The room felt like it had eyes; he could feel the suspicion from everyone around him. He decided he had to make a change; he had to make them trust him. It was a matter of survival.
The Hero took a deep breath and grasped his chest, his heart throbbing out of fear. Who knew what these guys were capable of?
He made his way towards the fire place, he towered over all of the masked men stood up straight ready to make his plea.
The Hero [none of you here know me and that's for sure, i know each and every one of you suspect me and none of you trust me, and that's okay i dont need you ti but i just want you to hear me out. You all have heard about the Hero, the prophesied one. I myself am not aware of the entire origin. However I can say for certain the reason I was brought here was to protect you all and save you from the void. If you accept me as it i will self proclaim myself as your hero]
???: [Here to save us what a crock of shit. What are you saving us from the void? We have been surviving and avoiding that with the help of each other long before we ever met you. Some guy like you just arrives and proclaims himself as our hero i don't buy it. You have a hidden agenda. How can you just expect us to trust you after you just arrived. The Hero doesn't exist. You just like to take advantage of our beliefs, you're nothing but a false hero. No matter what you do there's nobody who can save us from the paper angel of sorrow , when the promised day arrives she will eradicate all of us unworthy. The Hero is a lie made up by people who won't accept their fate as a symbol of hope that will all be crushed. You don't look like you could even defeat one of us how do you intend to stop The Paper angel of sorrow]
I have to adapt quickly. I need to tell them what they want to hear. The Paper angel must be their demon. So i will be their guardian angel or atleast make them buy that i am
The Hero [I have foreseen this very conversation. You all doubt me but I ask you just to lend me a sliver of your faith. I am not the sole hero, so in some capacity its true i am not the one who will offer you salvation, however i will be the light that leads you into the battle, the shooting star that marks the path to victory, Together we will send the paper angel to the void united together we will destroy it. So all I ask of all of you is to be strong. Band together, fighting together teamwork is what will lead us to a brand new day. Some of you may feel worthless but everything helps whether you are the voice of hope or the sword that slays, everyone should play a part and make their blade a component of the might that slays the angel. If it is an angel I will be its demon]
The hero is short of breath. He glances around with the expectation that his words will enter the hearts of the people.
But the room remained noiseless.
Kekkan appeared from behind a doorway. He met eyes directly with the hero.
With all hope lost the hero was unsuccessful.
Until the room was lit up by a repeating bang that filled the room. They were applauding him.
Soon after this was followed with the voice of the people they cheered on with a voice so thunderous you could hear it from a mile away.
The Hero took a minute to take this in before raising his hand up in a rally. A commander celebrating a victory he was the saviour. He enjoyed basking in the glory it made him feel important.
However, their cries were full of hope. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The storm began to grow as a blizzard snow pattered against the glass window. He brushed this off as just a normal snowstorm.
The crowd began chanting
[PRAISE THE SAVIOR]
PRAISE THE SAVIOR]
[PRAISE THE SAVIOR]
The Hero [IN THE MORNING WE MAKE OUR JOURNEY, WE WILL KNOCK ON THE ANGELS DOOR AND BLOW HER TO NOTHING]
The crowds already ear piercing cheering increased even more. So loud it drowned out the sounds of everything outside.
The storm got rapidly faster and more vicious. But they continued to cheer
The hero continually raised his arm up and down.
The windows shattered
But they paid no attention.
There was pounding on the front door
But they heard nothing,
Until a large gust of frost shot through the window. Everyone raised their arms in an effort to defend themselves. The cheering came to a halt as the door burst open. On the other side lay one of their own lifeless and hollow.
The Hero instantly put the pieces together and realised.
The Angel Of Sorrow was here
The Hero [THAT BASTERED TOOK THE FIGHT TO US, HE MAY HAVE CAUGHT US OFF GUARD BUT WILL WE COWER. NO WE WILL ENDURE AND TAKE HIM DOWN.]
Unfortunately this was all talk, with a mere flap of his wings the angel had left the place in a snow stream. The Hero could see nothing but fog and witnessed screams of terror. At this moment The Hero who was supposed to lead the charge froze. He talked about how he would deal with the Angel but when he was face to face with it he was completely helpless.
Why can't I move my own body? Why am I so weak? I need to pull together, move my joints and destroy it. I must gain my courage. But i cant im worthless i cant even do anything but watch them all die let myself die.
The fog began to clear and the sight was not pleasant. A majority of the masked men had been killed, skin teared off limbs scattered throughout the place. Glass shards embedded in their bones.
All of those he was supposed to protect he watched die in front of his eyes.
The ones still alive crawled towards him leaving a stream of blood in their wake.
???: [Save me hero]
But the Hero couldn't move
???; [please]
He still didn't move
???: [ you promised us, you were supposed to save us. But I see now you are too weak to do anything. You're a fraud, a fake, a failure.]
In that moment the man had returned to the void
Looking at his lifeless corpse tears overflowed from the hero's eyes.
He is right
The entire cabin had been wrecked and the roof was missing. Devoured by the angel's wrath.
The Hero shot his eyes up and cowered at the sight of it.
Like he expected the angel was made from paper it towered over everyone near it, its presence felt like it had a knife to his throat.
He finally managed to gain the courage to move. But instead of confronting the angel all he could do was run.
He sprinted behind him there was an open door which led to a window that was unbroken. He was going to jump out the window and run as far as he could.
He heard a voice scream in anger.
???; [YOUR NO HERO]
The hero made the mistake of looking behind him only to find kekkan charging at him full speed.
Kekkan caught up to him and smashed his back into the wall. Kekkan had a firm grasp on the hero tightly squeezing his shoulders.
Kekkan [ your pathetic, self proclaimed hero. I put my trust in you. Everyone, we had faith in you. All this talk and you flinch and the sight of danger, you sicken me, even the weakest of us could move around and assist in the battle. We were all out there fighting while the one who was supposed to help us was just standing there trembling watching us all die. I thought at first you were our hero, our saviour but now I see your nothing but a false prophet. I shall take pleasure in ending you myself]
The hairs stood up atop the heroes neck
I don't want to die. I can't please. I'm sorry il make up for it il be better, i can be better.
He desperately searched for an opening and found one.
Kekkan was so focused on pinning him down that he left his stomach open. The hero elbowed Kekkan's stomach and stumbled back for a minute just enough to let the hero make a run for it.
Before he could enter through the door, Kekkan caught up to him. He shoved kekkan back and ran through the door. He slammed it and pushed boxes in front of the door with all his might. The vibrations of the banging on the door send chills down his spine.
But there was no looking back. He folded his arms up in an x shape and leaped through the window. He felt a sharp pain all over his body as all the shards sunk deep into his skin.
He tumbled on the hard snowy ground. The blizzard pushed him to his limits but he kept powering through it.
I am nothing but a false prophet,