Act 1-2

His body was hot. It was burning from the fatigue. Yesterday he pushed his body to the limits. Still hurting from the battle, he lays in a bed soaked by sweat. Tossing and turning, nightmares haunt him.

Help…. It hurts….

Why. Why did you do this?

Sister where are you! No… It can’t be…… No! Get away from us!

What have they done to you? You demon. No, please no…. I didn’t mean it..

We’ll curse you. Defiler.

The cries and madness won’t stop. They assault him constantly. Unable to move inside the darkness, red bloody phantoms surround him. Each with distorted faces, they reach towards him. Wanting the spark of life inside him.

Watching them approach, he struggles to move his arm. The thickness in the atmosphere is sticky like syrup. Twitching his muscles, he manages to push a phantom away.

Their shouts quiet down. Only staring in fright at him. Backing away they sink into the darkness. Fading away from his sight, he starts to suffocate in the blackness.

Awakening in drenched blankets, he flops onto the floor.

“Are you okay?”

Clenching his chest, light enters his eyes. Looking out in a blurry daze, he notices a young boy standing over him.

With a towel in hand, the white haired teenager brought him back into the bed. Wiping the sweat of his forehead, the kid mumbles.

“Stay still. You’ve been out for over a day.”

Still disoriented, the black haired man stares blankly. He wasn’t inside the nightmare now. Instead a wooden roof and a fire place surrounded him. Breathing in a sigh of relief, he attempts to reply.

Noticing the mans struggle, the boy runs out. Shortly after, a girl around the kids age enters, carrying a glass of boiled water.

Shouting for her brother, the teenager returns.

Supporting his head, the kid forces his mouth open. Allowing the girl to poor the drink straight into his mouth.

Gulping down the warm water, his voice comes back. Grunting to clear out his throat, he attempts to speak again.

“Th.thank you.”

“No problem. You should thank my brother for finding you.”

Pushing her brother forward, he leans over timidly. Looking at the duo, the man realizes they’re twins. The brother was acting shy while the sister was slightly glaring at him.

“Thank you.” Sitting up. “What’s your name?”

“He’s Will.” Pointing at him. “And I’m Liz. Don’t worry about my younger brother. He’s rather timid around strangers. Once you get to know him, he’ll open up.”

Staring at them, the man chuckles.

“I see.” Pulling the blanket off. “I won’t take it to heart.”

Glancing around the room, the man made sure there wasn’t any red spirits about. He was still freaked out from the dream he had.

“Little brother, why don’t you ask him for his name.”

“Mister.” Twitching. “What, what is your name?”

“My name?”

What was his name?

Thinking hard, a small head ache forms. From within the fragmented memories drifting inside, a particular one comes to light. Like a shining beckon a scene plays out inside his mind.

Chad…. Stop it! You’re acting like an idiot.

A girl dressed in a black dress was berating a brown haired man. Both of them were attending a ceremony inside a mansion. The crowd around them were chuckling at their antics. Further reddening her face.

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Eventually the scene disappears. The name of the young man started to stick to him. Answering Will, he spoke up.

“I guess, you could call me Chad.”

“Chad?”

Interrupting her brother.

“Where are you from? We usually don’t have visitors outside the village. Let alone to the island.”

“I don’t know. I woke up in the forest and don’t remember much.”

“Memory lost?”

Glancing at her brother, Liz draws closer to Chad. Holding his chin, she begins to check his face. Noticing no dilation in his eyes and only a slight fever, she shrugs.

“I don’t see any concussion. He might be delirious from being sick.”

Deciding to not speak about his dreams to the kids, Chad can only nod at Liz’s response. From what he was able to recall from his memory, what is happening to him wasn’t natural.

He might be possessed by an evil spirit. If it was found out, then he would be sent to the church or worse burned at the stake.

“Are you all right?” Pushing Chad down. “You need to rest for a while more. My brother will make something for you later.”

“I... I’ll lay down and rest then.”

Nodding her head, the white haired girl drags Will out of the room. Now by himself inside the bed, Chad enters a deep sleep.

***

Nothing happened to him this time. Awakening, the only thing he recalls is a few images. Rubbing his head, the last vestiges of his dream disappears.

Yawning to himself, he is greeted by Will again. Recently, it has been only this young white haired man taking care of him. His sister, Liz has been outside bringing in wood for the stove and buying things from the village.

“How are you feeling Chad?”

“Much better Will. I think I can get out of bed now.”

Wrapping his arm around Will, Chad was lifted out of bed. His current figure was skeletal. His muscles have already started to dystrophy. Bones were visible at his waist, and his face was sunken in. Chad looked exactly like a skeleton with only a skin coating.

“Careful now. I’ll make you a heavy dinner. My sister should be back here soon, so sit down for a while.”

Sitting at the dinner table, Chad looks around the place. Outside was a small village covered in snow. A small breeze drifted snow across the roads. Inside was warm and a candle was bright enough for him to watch Will work.

Too tired to move, he sees Liz barging in. Glancing at Will, she decides to sit down next to Chad.

“Feeling better?”

“Slightly. I’ve lost a lot of weight.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll have Will make you something to fatten you up.”

Nodding his head, he thinks to himself.

“Liz.”

“Yes?”

“Can you tell me a little bit about this place?”

“The village?” Seeing his nod. “Sure I can. This village is located off the coast of the Frigid Tact on an island. The locals call our place the Ice Mound Village. Mainly because it’s on top of a small hill by the sea. Other than that, we have the Icy Woods where Will found you.”

“Was I the only recent foreigner?”

“I don’t think so. I heard there was a mage who passed by a few weeks ago.”

Staring at her, Chad can feel his pulse rising.

“What did she look like?”

“Um. I don’t know, but she was wearing a black robe.” Tapping the table. “I don’t believe she stopped here. Only got off the boat and rushed straight into the forest.”

“I see.”

Visibly deflating, Liz worries for him.

“I can tell you a little about the Frigid Tact.”

Wearily smiling, Chad nods. He can’t blame the young girl. He recalls mages avoiding the normal populace.

But now he knew she already left this island. If he wanted to find out what is happening to him, he’ll need to start searching the main continent.

“Tell me what you know Liz.”

Nodding her head she continues.

“It’s a very big, cold place. I don’t know if it’s true, but my parents told us a few things too.” Scratching her cheek. “About how there is little vegetation except inside massive valleys. Those places contain all kinds of beasts. They’re as big as trees and are very hardy. And a few places in those valleys have people.”

Giant creatures and people?

“Really?”

“Yes! I know it sounds kinda weird... but its what our dead parents told us.”

“Oh, I see.”

Noticing the dreary atmosphere, Liz changes the subject.

“Do you have any plans Chad?”

Currently he didn’t have any solid goals. Besides trying to find the mage, he has been wasting a lot of time in bed. The fever has taken a toll on him and the unnatural strength he showed earlier was another mystery to figure out.

“I don’t have any yet.” Scratching his stubble. “The only thing I need to do is get back in shape. Then have a look around.”

“My brother could take you out tomorrow and see the village. Then maybe you two can go hunting?”

“That would be nice. But I’ll need to rest longer before heading out into the Icy Woods.”

Slightly smiling, Liz is still shocked by Chad’s body. It looked frail and brittle. Even his breaths were shallow and his eyes had trouble keeping open. Looking at him made her more determined to help him.

“Dinner’s ready guys.”

“What are we having Will?”

“Some boiled roast Liz.” Looking at Chad. “I hope you don’t mind that I cut yours into pieces.”

“I don’t.” Taking a bite out of the meal. “Tastes good Will. Thank you both again. I promise before I leave, I’ll lend a hand around the house.”

Looking towards his feet, Will became bashful. Opening his mouth he shoved a piece of meat in before coughing.

“You okay Will?” Liz worried. “Pay attention when you’re eating okay?”

Embarrassed, Will can only close his eyes and hope Chad isn’t judging him.

***