Act 0 Chapter 1: The Odd Cottage

A Boy’s Perspective 

Do you have a dream? I do. But I know it’s hopeless for me. Because my dream isn’t something possible in this world. But despite knowing that, I can’t help but hope somewhere in my heart for it to come true… 

As a shooting star flashed in the sky, I prayed a wish. 

Please let me learn magic.

There, I prayed. Beneath the evening sky, under the majesty of the stars. 

World’s Perspective

Rolling skies, stretching endlessly. A golden field, swaying under the sun’s gentle hands. And countless animals and greenery with no skyscrapers to be seen. It’s the hometown of little Solomon, far from the city, in the countryside.

It’s the 1st week of summer vacation, and little Solomon was made to tag along with his family. Being ten years old, poor little Solomon had no choice but to go. And with no kids his age, little Solomon was lying on the floor, bored and sweaty.

“Solomon, get up! The floor’s dirty.”

“Don’t wanna, there’s nothing to do…”

“Why don’t you go out and play with the neighbor’s children then?”

“I don’t know anyone…”

“And that’s precisely why you have to go out and introduce yourself. Come on, up you go.”

Said his mother as she pulled him up to stand. Solomon pouting, his mom pushed his back. 

“Go on dear, I’ll be cheering for you.”

“For what?”

“To get over your shyness of course.”

“I’m not shy!”

“Tee hee, of course not, I mean the reason you don’t want to go outside is certainly not because the neighbor’s children happen to be a pair of beautiful–“

“FINE! You asked for it! I’m gone!”

Screamed Solomon, running, shutting the door as he left. Then he opened the door again, and before leaving again said,

“And by the way, don’t come begging me to stay at home when I’m older and am too busy with the ladies!”

*Bam! 

Resounded the door as Solomon shut it closed again.

“I’d have less to worry about if that were so though.”

Said his mom, wryly smiling. 

“Oh, right. I better hurry up and remind grandpa to pick a nice, young rooster for lunch later. Chances are he’s probably forgotten about it already, and is obsessing over his new garden.”

His mother turned, and she scurried off to look for the still young-at-heart grandpa.

Being in the countryside, there were few families, and nearly everyone knew each other. At the same time, there were few children, most of the younger generation having left for the city.

Today, there were only two others who were around little Solomon’s age. They were Sarah and Farah. A pair of fraternal twins, one blonde, one ginger, neither looking like the other, but both, nevertheless, were beautiful even at such a young age. 

They lived just next door, only a few minutes’ walk away. And little Solomon was there at the corner of the unpaved street, fidgeting as he stared at the two sisters who were playing with their dog at their parents’ lawn. 

“Grumpy prefers to play with the Frisbee.”

“No, he doesn’t. And I’m the older one, so you should listen to what I say. And I say Grumpy prefers to play catch.”

“But Frisbee is also catch.”

“No it’s not!”

“It is!”

“Come now, my little princesses. Let’s not argue over something like that.”

Their mother having noticed them arguing interjected.

“But Farah’s wrong! I’m only correcting her!”

“No I’m not! Besides I’m the older one, she should listen to me.”

“Shhh...”

Their mother shushing them, the girls went quiet.

“Look.”

Glanced their mother at little Solomon. Apparently having noticed the fidgeting young cassanova.

“We have a guest. We shouldn’t show such unladylike behavior before a guest now, should we?”

The girls shook their heads.

“Now, why don’t you come here and introduce yourself, Solomon?”

The families in the area being few, their parents have already been acquainted. In fact, their families are actually quite close. Only, little Solomon was simply too shy, and had never tried interacting with the other children. 

Solomon, still nervous, walked up to the family, and said hi.

“Hi, I-I’m Solomon. I’m ten.”

Said Solomon, slightly shaking.

The girls giggled. But their mother only smiled.

“Now, now, let’s not be rude. Farah, why don’t you start the introductions?”

“I’m Farah and this is Sarah we’re both turning twelve this year.”

“Hey! Don’t steal my lines.”

Farah rolled her eyes, and their mom sighed.

“Really now, could you two ladies not fight for just one moment? Look, why don’t you kids play together while I go and deliver some things over to the Cornwells. Play nice, ok?”

“Yes, mother.”

Responded the two girls, while Solomon just nodded. The girls’ mom smiled in return, and she left.

The two girls were no longer in the mood to argue, and so they left the choice of game to their guest. And little Solomon thinking it’d be fun, invited them to explore the nearby forest. At first Sarah was apprehensive, thinking it’d be dangerous. But then Farah started teasing her, calling her a scaredy-cat. Unwilling to accept the insult, she ended up going along with the two adventurers. 

“There’s nothing in here.”

“There could be bears, Sarah.”

“No there aren’t. 

“No there really could be.”

“No there’re none.”

“Scared?”

“Shut up!”

The two girls frolicked, the young boy led, and old Grumpy trailed from behind. The forest was not known to have wolves or bears so it posed little danger. But getting lost was still a possibility so the trio stayed close to the edge.

“Where are we heading to anyway, Solomon?”

“Nowhere in particular, just wandering aimlessly. Would be nice if we happened upon something interesting though.”

Having gotten to know each other a bit, Solomon wasn’t as fidgety anymore. He still refused to look them directly in the eyes though. 

“Like a ghost?” 

Said Farah as she suddenly appeared in front of Solomon, making what appeared to be her best impression of a ghost.

“Boo!”

“Uwaah!”

Startled, Solomon fell to the ground.

“Ahahaha got you!”

“Sheesh, Farah, you’re such a kid!”

Reprimanded her sister.

“And you’re no fun at all Mrs. Stuck Up!” 

“What? I’m not-“

Solomon, having picked himself, felt something was missing. Then it hit him. 

“Hey, you two… what happened to your dog?”

“…”

At Solomon’s words the twins looked back to where the dog should be. Since a while ago the dog’s been quietly following them, but now it was nowhere to be seen.

“It didn’t enter the forest did it?”

Asked Sarah, looking worried.

“Not good, if he did and got lost, mom would never let us hear the end of it.”

“Let’s go look for him.”

“But then what if we get lost?”

“Oh, now what, Solomon? Don’t tell me you’re scared?”

Said Farah, obviously provoking little Solomon.

“Of course not! It’s just – logically speaking we should – “

“Do what? Ask our parents for help? No way!”

“We can’t do that, Solomon! If we do, the ones getting scolded will be us.”

“Yeah, Grumpy’s our dog after all.”

“And you don’t have to worry about getting lost, the truth’s that we’ve gone here several times before.”

“Yeah, yeah. There’s a lake just up ahead, and besides this place isn’t big enough to be called a forest anyway.”

“Oh, right! Grumpy must’ve gone to the lake! We’ve always gone there when we entered this forest, so he probably went ahead, thinking that’s where we’re headed. Race you guys to it!”

Concluded Sarah as she ran off for the lake. 

“Ah! No fair! Wait for me!”

Said Farah as she too ran off.

“You guys…”

Sighed Solomon, shrugging his shoulders.

“I hope nothing bad happens.”

A Dog’s Perspective

Today my two young mistresses are fighting over which toy I prefer.

I really don’t care to be honest.

I just want to go out and play.

I wish they’d hurry up and decide.

Oh? Their mom came. Good, looks like we’re settling this.

Hmm? A guest? Oh, a boy? He doesn’t smell very nice, kind of sweaty. As expected, he can’t be compared to my mistresses.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Now what?

We’re not playing catch?

What?

Oh, we’re going to the forest.

I’m not that hungry, but too much of fresh fish is never bad.

Mmm… Actually, now that I think about it, I haven’t had fresh fish for a while now.

…

Ok, now what?

We’ve been walking around here on the edge for a while now, and I’m getting hungry.

Are we not going to the lake?

Oh, what’s that?

I can smell something odd.

Something fishy.

I know I shouldn’t leave them, but I really want to go and take a look.

Hmm… they seem to be arguing again.

Alright, I’ll just take this chance, take a quick look, and be back an instant.

Right! That’s what I’ll do, they won’t even know I left. 

…

Hmm…

The smell’s getting stronger.

Something’s wrong.

I’m getting goosebumps.

The air’s getting colder.

Oh no, something’s definitely wrong here, something terribly wrong.

This isn’t a place I should be. It’s not a place people should enter either.

But I can’t stop.

I can’t resist, I have to go. I must go.

There’s something here, and I need to know what it is.

…

W-What is this?

Why is something like this here!?

Oh no...

No! I have to go! I have to leave! This place isn’t supposed to be here!

“Grumpy!”

Oh no! Mistresses don’t come here, it’s dangerous!

World’s Perspective

“Grumpy!? What are you doing here? We thought you rushed off to the lake by yourself.”

“Woof! Woof!”

Inquired Sarah as she went closer to the dog. The dog’s been barking nonstop since she got here, but she ignored it and just petted it, and then as she looked to her side, she noticed it. 

“Eh? Was something like this here?”

“Sarah!”

Called Farah as she ran to where Sarah was.

“Why’d you suddenly run?”

“Haha, what? Wasn’t I the Mrs. Stuck Up between the two of us? Why are you now complaining over a little fun?”

“Sheesh, you’re such a handful.”

“I could say the same to you.”

“Anyway, why’d Grumpy go here?”

“Maybe it’s because of this?”

Farah’s eyes opened wide.

“This… was this always here?”

Before Farah and Sarah, about a hundred meters from where they were, was a small, worn-out cottage, barely visible from the fog surrounding it. It appeared to be extremely ancient, most of its structure decayed, and many of its structures crumbling.

“Wow, I can’t believe we actually found something interesting. Let’s go take a look, Farah!”

“W-Wait, maybe we shouldn’t-“

“Hah? What, now you’re getting cold feet? Weren’t you the one who first agreed to go on an adventure in the first place?”

“That’s…”

“Well? The adventure’s right before your eyes, what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

“But-“

“Scaredy-cat.”

Farah bit her lips.

“OH FOR THE LOVE OF- Fine! Have it your way, it won’t be my fault if we get an earful later! Sheesh!” 

“Haha! You’re such an easy girl Farah.”

“Whatever, but we’re waiting for Solomon before going.”

“Of course, of course. He was the one who suggested we explore anyway. It’d be rude to leave him behind.”

“He sure is slow, though.”

“Haha, too bad, huh? That he’s not up to your standards.”

“Oh, shush it!”

“H-Hey, guys!”

At that familiar voice, the twins turned. It was Solomon, only, he looked quite dirty, with his sweat drenched clothes, and his dirty shoes. 

“How pathetic, Solomon. A man should one, take better care of his appearance, and two, shouldn’t make a woman wait.” reprimanded Farah.

“Yeah, yeah. Or else how are you planning to win this picky sister of mine?” 

Hearing that, Farah turned beet red as she blushed.

“You! You just won’t let it drop, will you?”

“Ahaha!”

As if the twins had forgotten all about Solomon, they went off into their own little world again, frolicking and teasing each other. But they weren’t the only guilty ones, as Solomon had actually lost his breath, and was staring at the cottage, speechless.

“What?”

Noticing Solomon’s reaction, Sarah replied.

“Oh? So you noticed it too, huh?”

“Apparently, Grumpy found it.”

“Yeah, that’s right, Grumpy found it, so you should thank him by buying him some treats later. After all, it’s thanks to him that you’re getting your adventure.”

Still speechless, Solomon only nodded.

“Haha, is it that breathtaking?” Jokingly asked, Sarah.

“Yes… Very.” Replied Solomon in a daze.

The twins and the dog were taken aback at Solomon’s strange behavior. And all the more so for the dog, after all, Grumpy knew that the cottage was bad news and yet Solomon was looking at it as if he was looking at a priceless treasure.

“Ah!”

Solomon snapping out of his stupor, realized the reaction of the people around him.

“A-ahaha! Ah, I’m sorry, I was just taken back a bit. Haha, I mean I just didn’t expect to stumble into a ghost house is all. Haha.”

“Eh?”

At those words, Farah’s face stiffened, and then like glass, her front completely shattered.

“Aieeeeeeeee!”

Farah screamed, her legs gave in, and she limped into the ground. Then from that, she broke out sobbing. 

“Waaaaaaaah!”

Solomon was about to apologize, but Sarah stopped him, and gave him a thumbs up, saying.

“Good job!”

“Ah, I, I…”

“You bullies! Waaaaaah!”

“Umm… I’m sorry, I didn’t mean t-“

“Tsk, tsk. That’s now how you calm a lady, Solomon. Let older sister show you how. It goes like this!”

Sarah dashed over to Farah, broke her momentum by stomping with her left leg, and then delivered all the weight and force towards her right leg, kicking her sister.

Pow!

Farah was sent flying! And Solomon’s jaw fell to the floor, completely shocked.

“Y-Y-You stupid sister! What are you doing!?”

Farah wiped her tears, and rushed up to Sarah. As she grasped for her twin, Sarah responded, and now their hands were interlocked, the twins exerting to push the other to the ground.

“What do I think I’m doing, stupid sister? I’m cheering you up, of course!”

“You call this cheering up!? You barbaric wench!”

“What’d you say!? Here I am doing you a favor and yet!”

The twins argued, their eyes locked with each other as their hands were. Electricity could be seen crackling between the two’s line of sight with neither side giving in.

“Umm… umm… girls, maybe we could just get al-“

“YOU STAY OUT OF THIS!”

“Ok ~” Whispered Solomon as he cowered away. 

Poor Solomon only wanted to help, but instead he got the brunt of the twin’s anger as they shouted him off at the same time.

It wasn’t until after a few minutes had passed till the twins finally resolved their issues. Interestingly enough, all the tension from before was gone, and now even the dog doesn’t feel like running away anymore. 

“Alright, we had some slight detour because of my stupid twin, but now that’s done with, let’s go!” Said Farah in a triumphant pose, completely unlike her scared appearance from just a moment ago.

“My fault!? My-“

“YEAH! Let’s GO!” 

Seeing history about to repeat itself, Solomon interjected. 

“D-Did you just cut me off?” asked Sarah, shocked.

“Let’s go!” 

“Don’t ignore me!” Exclaimed Sarah as she kicked Solomon.

“Oww!”

Like this, the three children and the dog made their way to the cottage.