The scream tore from my throat before I even fully registered the nightmare. Shadows and fire, faces I couldn't quite place… always the same. My heart hammered against my ribs, a frantic drumbeat trying to escape the confines of my chest.
"Yoru! Pipe down before the neighbors start throwing rocks through the windows! It's four in the morning!"
my grandmother Obasohan voice , a mix of affection and exasperation, cut through the lingering fog of the dream. The door creaked open, and the silhouette of her stood there, framed by the dim hallway light. Before I could even stammer an apology, a pillow slammed into my face.
"Get out of that bed and make yourself useful for once. The yard needs sweeping. And those chickens aren't gonna feed themselves, you know?"
I groaned, but a smile tugged at my lips. Yeah, sharp world alright. The best thing to do now is to stand with my head in the situation. "Yes, ma'am," I mumbled, already dragging myself out of bed. "Wouldn't want to wake the neighbors, now would I…"
I was grumpy, but with an undercurrent of love and familial warmth. Feelin irritated, but also strangely comforted by Obasohan's predictable grumbling.
I pulled on my worn shorts and T-shirt. It was cold in the room, a welcome contrast to the sweaty heat of the nightmare. Outside, the world was hushed, blanketed in a deep, expectant indigo. The air was still, holding its breath.
As I swept the yard, the rhythmic swish of the broom became almost meditative, a temporary shield against the darkness that always seemed to cling to me. The chickens, however, didn't give a damn about my inner turmoil. They squawked impatiently, their beady eyes fixed on me with unwavering greed.
I said to myself, "Always the dreams. The ones I can't control. I should listen to Oba and start the work to forget and make it. "
The chores were finally done, and a sliver of dawn was starting to creep over the horizon. The scent of Obasohan's cooking wafted from the house, promising warmth and comfort. I swear, that woman could chase away demons with a bowl of pounded yam. Tripping on the last step as I pulled on my shirt (damn things never fits me), I went sprawling, landing headfirst near the table with a loud crash.
"Yoru! Are you trying to kill yourself?" Obasohan's voice, laced with genuine alarm, echoed from the kitchen.
When I finally made it to the table, a bandage was wrapped haphazardly around my forehead. I winced as she tightened it unnecessarily. "Thanks, Oba," I mumbled, rubbing the sore spot.
"Hmph. Maybe if you spent less time moping and more time looking where you're going…" she grumbled, then her sharp eyes scanned me with great seriousness. As she was doing that, the food in front of me was the best way to show my gratitude. The aroma was something to write stories about it, maybe someday I would create one.
Before we ate, Obasohan bowed her head, and I, though less reverently, followed suit. "Bless this food and bless our Yoru," she murmured. "Guide him on the right path."
Before us sat a steaming bowl of pounded yam, smooth as silk and glistening with red oil, swimming in a rich, fragrant egusi soup bursting with vegetables, smoked fish, and the nutty aroma of ground melon seeds. My stomach growled in appreciation.
I dug in, savoring the explosion of flavors. No matter what else was going on, Obasohan's cooking was always a constant, a reminder of home.
"So," Obasohan said, her gaze narrowing as she speared a piece of fish with her fork, "still avoiding those books, eh?"
I shrugged, already planning my next mouthful. "School's not for me, Oba. You know that. Besides its not for everybody"
"Nonsense, Yoru," she retorted, a spark of fire in her eyes. "Education is the key! Opens doors to opportunities, chances to change not only your life, but others also that you can't imagine. It teaches you how to think, not just how to follow!" She pinned me with a look, trying to stare into my soul. "Don't throw away your future on some childish… rebellion."
"Maybe," I mumbled, carefully avoiding her gaze. Her worry meant the world to me, I truly tell you that the world. To feel the concern and the protection made me felt I was gonna do something crazy, to know that there would be someone backing you. "But…right now, I'm needed here, right? And you were okay when I skipped school, so don't give me that, I know your tricks Obasohan" I grinned I could never truly be mad with her.
Obasohan sighed, the fight momentarily leaving her face. She placed a worn, calloused hand over mine. "You always were too kind for your own good, Yoru. But remember this: The world out there is a sharp place. Kindness alone won't get you far. Sometimes, it'll even get you killed." She stares deeply at me making know how right and worried she was.
Stepping outside, I sucked in a deep breath of the Bini morning air. So humid I was breathing water, but it felt fresh. The scent of diesel fuel mixed with the earthy aroma of the red soil and the tantalizing aroma of spices wafting from nearby food stalls. Somewhere down the street, a highlife tune blared from a shop. The people were moving around, shouting and advertising wares in the streets. It was chaos – vibrant, alive. This was my home. It always be.
"Oba's right. Sharp world. But even sharp can be beautiful. You just gotta know where to look. Like they tell me now"I chuckle and then turn to see my best friend approaching.
Ryo waited at the corner, a picture of pure anxiety. He was wringing his hands, his brow furrowed, his eyes darted around like a trapped bird. Even from across the street, I could feel his nerves radiating towards me. The first thing that came to my mind was the time I convinced him to take a stroll at night at an area that I know had a ritual going on. It wasn't a friendly one. He had nightmares for weeks.
"Yoru! There you are!" Ryo exclaimed, his voice high-pitched and trembling. "I… I went there and I had a lot of trouble You remember I have said some rituals going on the other day, I think I got it worse."
I frowned, concern knotting my stomach. "The Whispering Alley? What for, Ryo? I told you that place stank of bad news. Why did go, you fool." I yelled back.
Ryo stammered, fidgeting with the collar of his shirt. "I… I had to see for myself, Okonogi. You know I don't do myself any better."he mumbled "Here. "
He thrust something into my hand. A brightly coloured, ridiculously sweet-smelling sweet. "Take the edge off."
I gave Ryo an assessing look, then a small, reassuring smile. He's so damn over dramatic, but that's why he's my best friend. "Thanks, Ryo. Always looking out for me" I unwrapped the sweet and popped it into my mouth. The sugar rushed through my system, momentarily chasing away the shadow of unease that had settled over me.
As we started walking, Ryo recounted his experience. He spoke in hushed, nervous tones, his words tumbling over each other. He described strange symbols scrawled on cracked walls, the oppressive silence that seemed to swallow sound, the unsettling feeling of being watched.
"The eyes" Ryo said " the eyes. It felt that they were piercing through my body, and the walls began talking."
We rounded a corner in the market. It was a more and less of what I had expect for the time.
A bully, big and heavy, was laughing down one of the most timid men that I have seen around. I tried to not show any interest as what he was doing would come back like the law of causality said"What goes around comes around". The bully then started taking a piss on his body, and I got a little disgusted.
"Disgusting," I muttered. I wanted to avoid the situations this are not my business , so I decided to proceed moving towards where those guys weren't.
Ryo tightened his grip on my sleeve. The usual "let's go and don't do anything thing" I thought.
But something happened in his eyes. Something new that made me know he did more than meet his end. Straightening his shoulders, he marched towards the bully. You would think I was the one crazy with how fearless he was. He could of course get killed any second.
"Hey!" I said nothing. He didn't listen when there are other people involved just the ones he cares the most. The sad life to have but I can't judge what I don't know.. The hell are you doing! You can't just do that!" He stood firm facing the Bully.
The bully turned, leering down on Ryo with open scorn. "And who's gonna be the reason that he's gonna make him leave this, his face was full of open hatred to Ryo. you go away small child this is my way to play"
He didn't flinch. "Then maybe this old friend and you could see"
"Well, it won't be you pretty boy or else" Ryo was the one with anger, and I was worried because it didn't suit him.
"Well" I responded at fast pace before the bully swung his bat at Ryo punching him hard on the face "With that, I had to take action before he does. I can't control if I want but I did what I had to do.
I'm gonna get in the middle so everyone could be safe" I said in my head. With that the bully was already out flying back.
After that quick action.
"Make do with this guy, I said with a smile to Ryo as I look back the situation*
As I was giving a reassuring word I heard a voice that made me remember where I belong. This time I might not be fast but the next, I will remember these emotions that I had and make them pay.
"You did what you shouldn't have, not only will this go on you" he swung the bat before I could react ,I felt a strike that made my head ring,I screamed in intense pain after landing a fatal kick at his abdomen.
It was something new, I was no stronger than he and even with the power i have I'm sure there will be something to do with the fact to make something worse
*I'm not weak "He told to me "this won't change anything to anyone you or anything it doesn't matter"
But a question came to mind? If I did not help and do good does that make me worse? The question kept growing in my mind. Was he a person of a dark but a goal of a greater good? Was he the one to lead the way? "Everyone has right or the world is better in his control"* "I shouted in his face! "There are a lot of thoughts out there".
"Then maybe I will follow them all" he brought out a knife and continued speaking about the weak ness of man and how he'll change the world for the strong to rule.
With one dash I was able to block I tried to kick again but he was able to get out of it.
He kept his hand with quick slashes, which he was able to keep up with it
I kept going with the fight as I knew that I had to move cause I know I'm weak, I turned back to run, "I won't let you" the bully shouted as I left.
This will do more to my end. I could not get back home due to the fact, they might be tailing me.
I limped through the back alleys cause I got cut on the leg by that retard, the setting sun painting long, ominous shadows. My head throbbed with every step, and I tasted blood. I had to get home. Obasohan would be worried sick. I know how she is. Still it wasn't right and that made me thought I should let go of it.
As I approached our street, a figure materialized from the shadows, blocking my path. He was tall and lean, dressed in an impeccably tailored clothe that seemed absurdly out of place in the grimy surroundings. His face was clean-shaven, and his eyes were disturbingly… empty.
"Okonogi Yoru, correct?" he asked, his voice smooth and devoid of warmth.
"Who's asking?" I replied, my hand instinctively reaching for the makeshift weapon tucked into my waistband. "And what's your business in my business here"
"A few Questions is needed, allow it,
"It seems a long time since someone had to act to bring the light, do you feel justice as it comes by", This man seemed out of the ordinary this was what had it feel odd.
"Maybe if one gets out of his or her way, it does" I shot back, knowing exactly where I was going with the questions and who was gonna ask.
"It hurts bad "This guy could know or have went out but it seems a bit insane" do you feel that justice is not served in this broken place " he then reached into his pocket" you can't save everyone as this one says",
"Yes" I said, as it felt like this guy was gonna be talking to himself. The more I looked at him the less he looks real. It was as if something was there to not let it be seen " and as you ask that, justice is not true just one for the one at that is. Do you believe you can always heal with kindness or pain".
"I cannot answer that because maybe I have not felt it." Is this what happens when I get to it.
"If you were betrayed it would be right to give him justice the cruelest and most painful, would justice win there"
"That's depend, is all up to the betrayal is at it and it means for it. What about yourself what would you want to show about the world that it is cruel" It was as if he had already saw what I was gonna expect that was his true ability
I looked at him as said to him, "I won't hold you down"
"Thank you" he responded
I had to shake it off, that this guy was weird I could not handle those kinds of things so I just brushed it off.
He didn't leave for a while with what he did. That was probably for the worse.
The sun was fully down when I finally reached our gate. The house was dark, silent. Too silent. It was like the forest that Ryo and I took as there was never any movement and any sign of a living.
My hand tightened around the piece of metal as I gently pushed open the door. The faint scent of Obasohan's cooking was gone, replaced by a cloying, sickly sweet odor that made my stomach churn.
"Oba?" I called out softly, my voice trembling despite my efforts to remain calm.
I stepped into the living room, and the scene before me froze my blood.
They were not human. At least, not entirely.They certainly looked like that man I was speaking with earlier.
Two figures stood in the center of the room, their faces twisted into grotesque caricatures of humanity. Their skin was a sickly pallor, stretched taut over sharp cheekbones. Their eyes glowed with an unnatural, predatory light, and rows of jagged teeth lined their mouths. On their arms I could see a symbol that had been inked with an emblem and a red hue. Almost like they were under a control.
It was utter dread, surreal horror,and I felt numbness giving way to icy terror.
They were dressed in what seemed to be leather armor and each of one seemed to look to not even know what it was.
"Okonogi Yoru Raziel," one of them hissed, the voice a raspy, discordant chorus. "We have been searching for you."
"We do not wish to hurt our kind, follow or it could get ugly "
"Where is Obasohan?!" I demanded, my voice shaking.
One of them cocked their head as if the word didn't exist."We are going to have to eliminate for what we have"
Just hearing that sent me shivering but at that moment nothing else was there, I had to do what I could to protect them even with these power levels.
I felt bad but there was nothing for me to not to think what will come.
"What did you do with her?!" I roared, the piece of metal in my hand trembling with the force of my grip.
"Obasohan?" One of the hybrid humans tilted its head, a disturbing parody of curiosity. "An obstacle. A hindrance. Now… removed." A cruel smile stretched across its face, revealing rows of jagged teeth.
That smile… It was the last straw. The memories of Obasohan's warmth, her laughter, her unwavering belief in me… all flooded back, overwhelming my fear with a tidal wave of pure, white-hot rage
I didn't hesitate. With a wordless snarl, I charged, swinging the metal bar with all my might. The first hybrid human barely had time to react before the bar connected with its skull, sending it staggering backward.
I didn't give it a chance to recover. I rained down blows, each one fueled by a lifetime of suppressed anger and grief. I wanted to tear them apart. I wanted to make them pay for what they'd done. With each punch, something more had to get paid off
The other hybrid human lunged forward, its clawed hands outstretched. I dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its grasp. Its fingers brushed my arm, leaving a searing pain in their wake. I could feel something… wrong about those claws, as if they carried some kind of poison.
I brought the metal bar down on its wrist, shattering bone. The hybrid human shrieked, a high-pitched, almost inhuman sound, and stumbled back, clutching its injured limb.
This was their true form. But not only that, because I knew I was out numbered I would need to go and run, maybe make some power level by there and come and save her
But as that happened I heard Obasohan, her voice fading. I had to do what and get to them. Her face now has the one of the red moon, she deserved way more so I can't back down now.
I looked back them once more knowing these were not ordinary.and then the one with my metal piece in its skull stood up holding Obasohan on his hand and then removed her head With her spine it brought out fluids for a while .
I got scared, my feet trembled , I tried to speak staring directly at her lifeless body. My voice was lost in the moment a single tear drop from my eye I crouched on the ground .
The moment of silence kept building up fear was upon my heart I couldn't breathe,
I looked around, feeling a sense of dread wash over me. And then my voice came to me I wailed so loud that I couldn't hear anything but my voice .
A loud bang came from the door and followed marching sounds,
I stared at the window holding Oba's headless body, the doors and windows had been barricaded, blocking any chance of escape. The scene felt similar to what I saw in a manga
A troop of armed soldiers rushed in and then a huge thud at the back of my head and it went silent.
I was in the truck again. But how did that happen and how did those hybrid humans knew about everything.
The Soldiers was still on the end and this time that was not gonna get right, i couldn't feel the world
*I had to remember. Her voice . The face of someone that meant something for me. I won't let this rest on the past*
*(There was only me now, and everything should had to pay.)*
The vehicle rattled down the road, sirens screaming, as the truck rattled down the road. chained and hurted.
Then, I felt the impact as the crash was imminent
I did not know. The darkness will bring everything back and it always came by
A strange cold came by my arm and a strange surge came,
All there words where the same thing but what I could make out the words now seemed
"let-me-out"
My soul was something new
Darkness has come!
I felt a grip in my heart as the voice kept getting louder and louder
Forgetting the situation I was currently in with an all out war with the armed men and the hybrid humans outside.
And then I remembered the words of the figure at the alley way
I crawled out of the half destroyed vehicle meeting dead soldiers out side
Now the grip tightened and I felt a cold aura inside and then the voice screamed once more more
"Let me out!!!!!!!!"
Feeling the painful sensation I fell to the ground
And then an ominous aura bound from pain filled the air
It irritated me and then I realized it was mine.