When I had woken up, I could feel the lightness of my body, it was hard at first. It seemed I could move around 1.4 times faster than before and due to my increased Endurance it felt like I would never run out of energy.
This feeling, would be intoxicating to a select few. “Hey Flow? Whatcha’ wanna do today?”
Holding my index finger to my cheek as I sat down on the bed I contemplated going to a new town. But it would be impossible to make it in my current condition, I am far too weak and the monsters are way too scary for my liking.
“I don’t know, let's just go with the flow.” I think it was about this time that Melody had decided to just sleep in, however I decided to carry on and search the house. From broken utensils to cheap smashed up furniture this house was pretty abandoned.
After searching all I could a sudden epiphany hit me, why don’t I search the other houses! With this knowledge my search area had broadened drastically, I ever so wanted to visit the small makeshift blacksmith shop however I saved that for last, assuming it would have cool gear.
The first location I happened to search was the church, thinking it would have gold or some other valuables there I could plunder. I was met with disappointment however as when I entered the barren chapel, what filled my gaze was run down tapestry and broken, tinted windows lying scattered on the floor.
However from previous experience I always knew that there was a secret trap door hidden in a church. From attending church every Sunday with my family I learned that there was a secret compartment hidden just next to the altar at which the priest would speak.
To my surprise and encouragement I found a golden chest hidden under the floorboards, taking it out I could only assume that it had been locked away for a long time as I made a graceful effort to blow away the dust only to choke soon after.
Tracing my fingers along the golden trim outlining I found alchemical engravings traced, using Examination I found that they had been used to seal what was ever inside, however these effects had decayed over the years.
I could practically feel my hands trying to force this chest open, my curiosity unquenched I began to open the lid, inside the chest. Was a dark scratched mask, no holes to see through as it only outlined the most basic features of the human face.
“A blank slate for a mask if I ever saw one.” I muttered to myself, I fully opened the chest to gaze at all its contents however the mask had only come with a note. Sadly I was not proficient in the languages from this planet and the markings only looked like oddly shaped scribble to me, I decided to hold on to the note, in case it came in handy for the future.
Gazing at the mask once more I began to admire how artistic it looked, like it was a work of pure perfection unlike any other. I was determined to show this to Melody, and raced back to the house. ‘Surely she isn’t that mad with me for the pun, is she?’
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
When I had opened the door to the house I raced up the bedroom, shaking Melody awake I shouted at her, “Melody, Melody look at this cool mask I found,” I began to put it on, “do I look good in it.”
“F-Flow, are you alright?” Melody asked, concern clearly in her voice, something was wrong.
“What do you mean am I alright? Take a look at this cool mask Melody.” I exclaimed back at her waving my hands around whilst pointing to my face.
“Flow, you have no mask in your hands or on your face, you just walked in empty handed.” Melody’s shocked expression couldn’t help but turn a tint darker.
I began to reach towards my face, however all that grazed my hand was flesh, I was sure I put the mask on but it seemed to have disappeared. “M-Melody, just uhh, forget what happened. I think I just need to go to sleep or something.”
“Are you sure you are feeling alright Flow? If this about the pun, and you are trying to get back at me its fine, I really don't care that much.”
“It’s not that, it’s nothing I just lost my head for a second I guess.”
I wasn’t able to look at my face during the moment of realisation, however I couldn’t help but know that Melody’s had turned pure white when I first touched my own face.
The silence didn’t last long however as I told Melody that I would be back to sleep after searching the other buildings, nothing of note was found in the other townsfolk houses. But regardless I kept on my search, haunted by the mask I decided I wouldn’t be so reckless and use Examination on anything before touching it.
Taking out the note I decided to Examine it once more.
[Warning Letter]
[A letter written in the ancient script of Cardish, it mainly describes the mask and what harm comes of wearing it, and to the person who wears it.]
Whilst Examination does not do much to tell me about what the mask actually does, it at least fills me to relief and sorrow that I am not insane.
When I had finally arrived at the blacksmith shop I was excited to see the sign outfront, I had never actually been to a blacksmith shop before regardless I could tell from the furnace that this was not recently used, it begs the question of how old this village actually is.
As I made my way through the shop I could see on the racks that most of the weaponry had been taken however the odd rustic sword did lay on the ground covered in blood every 12 or so paces.
The further I walked down this shop the more I was able to see, but as I proceeded further along I saw a single necklace lying on the countertop, it was covered in a bit of blood. Moving forward cautiously I used Examination on it only to find out it was an ordinary silver necklace.
Picking it up I began to inspect the engraving on the side, it was in Cardish, however I could understand it. I was able to make out bits and pieces of the words.
“T-To, Mel? To Melody? From someone.” This was all I could make out, I had no idea who it was from but I assumed it was from a family member, either way I should give this back to Melody when I returned home.
When I had left the blacksmith’s workshop I noticed a distinct smell in the air, a wisp about the scent. The sky was unusually black as well, it was only 6:30 there is no way tha-.
It was smoke, coming from the house. I could hear a scream and I began to sprint. My body moving far faster than it normally would began to move at a breakneck pace.
As I narrowed and turned the corner, dodging obstacles in my way I saw it, a group of 30 men, carrying torches and lighting up the house in ash.