The Captain’s eyes lit up like a child as he went on and on about the ship’s history and creation. He pointed out the many rooms if guests stayed for a longer time and I even got to meet a few of them. Don’t get me wrong, it was quite a beautiful ship, but my mind was elsewhere. The letter, to be specific, the foggy future filled me with dread. He continued on about the scheduling and finally showed me to my quarters. I hastily opened my bronze frame door out of fear that he might start talking again. I waited on the door until I heard his footsteps fade from my ears, before looking around.

The room was large with plenty of open space. It was covered in warm lit lamps on cedar furniture, a soft carpet the color of chestnut covered every corner. It seemed like I was back home in every regard. I enjoyed my comfortable accommodation until nightfall. The serene compuscuale was ravaged as the boat started shaking, the quiet humming canceled out by intense jet fire in the coral moon sky. After it hit the ground the ship went quiet, as if to not wake up any person mad enough to not already be awake after that, no other way to call it, racket. Two of the halberd guards escorted me to the deck with the other passengers before I could put my shoes on. Everyone around me was wearing kabuki masks in various design. I didn’t get a chance to look around because before we were loaded off, someone from behind covered my face with a red stained bag. They held my hands behind my back and shoved me along the street. I couldn’t tell what material I was walking on, it was unlike anything I’ve felt before. Even through the covering, the light was straining. I was led inside a house and the bag was removed. The blinds were drawn and nailed to the inner wall. The space was more or less empty besides a hook to my right and a curved staircase in the corner, leading to multiple floors above. I didn’t even notice the soldiers leave until the bright light behind me disappeared and I was left in darkness. I found a couch in the next room and promptly collapsed. I’d barely had a chance to sit down. I was so angry a few hours ago, but now… I didn’t know how to feel. I only knew how tired I was.

I woke up the next morning to a tray of the most beautiful looking food I’d ever seen. There was a note on the door with orders and a white mask hanging on the hook with a reminder. I placed a large box from underneath my desk on top and began unpacking various pieces of machinery. The box is labeled “Scissa” in a rough written black. The orders given were to salvage the working parts and scrap the rest. The job was tedious, mostly because the hardware systems were almost impossible to crack open. While I was there, I could only guess how many days had passed. I was in constant darkness, seeing only from the light of a candle. Most of the time I was extremely bored and began to take up reading. I discovered many things like outside there were all sorts of creatures that surpassed the deer and wolves back home. My very favorite was a large red lizard called a dragon. I chose this as my mask design. One night, even in the luxurious bed, I couldn’t fall asleep. I don’t know exactly what I was thinking but I had this want- this need to talk to someone. So I wrote every day. At first to no one, simply recalling my day to day. As more time passed, They grew more detailed.

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I had done it. After an entire month locked away from civilization, I had finished my required mask. After weeks of rejected designs, one was finally accepted. Though I could not be too noisy about my celebration. After all that work, I required a warm bath and a day of constant slumber.

A woke up at my desk to the echoing of two metals banging against each other. The two people they sent led me to a ship of smaller stature that only floated vertically. On the trip, I was informed of my council meeting. Suddenly, the ship stopped and sat still in the air. One guard pointed across to a tall spiral tower in the distance. It was a girl, a buxom blonde, who said, “walk straight ahead until you reach the window.” With that simple instruction, the man next to her shoved me off the boat! My breathing hastened and my whole body felt numb. I let out a small scream before coming to a complete halt. I laid there for a minute to process what was happening before I looked below. The sun rose from the glowing waters and the city exploded with light, like looking into a star. I saw a blimp-like vessel, armed with cannons and lasers, rocket forward beneath me. Bits and pieces looked torn and seared. If I reached out my hand I could touch it. My eyes started to tear up looking at the sheer multitude of color but I could make out every detail, every building with its silver shine as the gold beams lined the roads and houses. I put my hand on the not floor and stood up slowly. The sensation left me lightheaded but I walked as straight as can be and arrived at the window, panting. I crawled through a dark, antique casement to find a corridor full of burning torches. The floor was covered with ashes and oil. The corridor had a medieval theme about it with pictures, paintings, and gruesome depictions lined along the walls. The hallway led to an even darker chamber, a single spotlight over a smooth table. Memories stered and I grew anxious. I checked my reflection for good measure. A door opened to the left, filling the room with light, and a bearded man of tall stature entered with his hands behind his back. He wore less than formal attire with a warm smile. This old person scanned me subtly with amber eyes that gave off the appearance of cold and murderous intent. He reached the table and slowly slid his hand along its frame. He spoke softly, with a deep and accented voice, “you must be my two o’clock, no?” I am the Founder, Please sit down.