A Warrior Reborn
Inhale....Exhale...Inhale...Exhale...Slow, measured, and deep breathes can be heard in an unfocused, dim lit room. Total silence, cut softly by the sound of air being inhaled deep within relaxed lungs, then exhaled slowly, meticulously. The smell of heavy incense smoke is thick in the air, almost intoxicating. The incenses are old, of unknown but definitely ancient origin as it's blend of smells is something unlike any recent manufactured product could imitate. Through the hazy smoke, behind a small candle, sits Shinzo, bare-chested, cross-legged, his eyes peacefully closed. It had been a long time since he had mediated, too long had he fallen under the spell of rage. Beads of sweat dripped down his bald, shaved head. Clearly, he had been here for hours. He takes one, long deep breath in...And the darkness soon disappears, as Shinzo falls into an even deeper state of meditation. He was going to...THAT PLACE again...
as his eyes open again, a familiar song can be heard behind the scene
Before Shinzo can completely get his wits about him, he hears a familiar, commanding voice
"So...You've finally returned. One was starting to worry you would not find your way here again..."
The voice was deep and full of reverb, almost as if it came from within Shinzo's own mind. In front of him, however, a figure was most definitely there. Inhumanly tall, standing at about 10 feet, draped in ragged garbs, which appeared to be full of what appeared to be slashes and puncture holes. His head, hooded, yet his face, always, he remember, a shadow. No matter which way he attempted to focus his gaze, his focus would immediately get drawn into what felt like an infinite darkness...forever spinning...
" I was busy..."
" YOU WERE A FOOL" The figure snapped back immediately. Shinzo felt his words shake him to his core.
" You gave yourself to rage, again. And worst yet...You allowed yourself to be used for another man's greed" Shinzo could FEEL the disgust in stranger's voice.
A flash of memories overwhelm Shinzo suddenly. He can see himself, another version of himself, beating another man half to death. He wants to yell, but sound refuses to leave his mouth. As he uncontrollably gets closer to the scene, he sees his own eyes...black...empty...
He tries to reach out but it's now clear he has no control in this vision. As he focuses more on the horror of this beatdown, he can now see a multitude of hooks in"the back of himself. As he looks further up, he can see that these hooks are held by tightened ropes that reach to the sky, held by crude knots.
A puppet...Shinzo finally able to speak
He can now see the scene for what it truly is. Every punch thrown is done so by the movement of strings, controlled by what appears to be a hideous, troll like man. He sits a top of a nauseous cloud, puppet strings in each hands, humming maniacally. He is wearing the finest tailored suit, with every pocket overflowing with bills of cash, diamonds and gold watches. His face is not human, replaced by what appears to be a giant yellow cartoon like face, his eyes : dollar bill signs.
This is not freedom...is it? What is survival, when you bow to another master?
It's no...freedom at all. I may have let myself fall...but...
Suddenly, he and his other self were one. Shinzo violently grabs at his back, quickly wrapping them around his forearm. With an intense and powerful pull, he rips the hooks from his back. A harrowing scream follows.
" I am now reborn again...And my destiny still awaits..."
A flash of light, and Shinzo once again finds himself in front of the mysterious figure.
Good. Then you may finally be ready for hazards ahead. Know this will not be easy, and your path will be long. But there is only one true way to attain your true freedom. Only once you raise the gold above the new formed kingdom, will you truly be acknowledged as it's king.
And once I am the Alpha...
Then no one, can ever hurt you again.
Shinzo nods slowly.
Where do I begin...and what shall I call you...
Your path begins with immediate PRESSURE. Your first challenge is a simple one...really. Trust.
Trust? Why?
Yes trust. You will find that there is strength outside of yourself, and that your own brute force is not the only way way. You will also face an immovable obstacle. So your wits will also be tested...
I don't understand...
You will. Not much point complaining in any case, you'll find out soon enough.
And your name?
I have many names. Some call me THE WATCHER. Some call me...Fesl. We will meet again, as you remember who you truly are. But for now, it's time to wake up and get to work, my warrior friend...Just remember no more....ma....
Wait!
Abruptly the man was gone, and with it the rest of the vision. Shinzos sat there, heavily breathing in cold sweat, his hands firmly planted on the mat.
He slowly raises his head, looks straight, and smiles the first real smile in what feels like years. He is truly awake, now. The warrior now reborn.
" No More Masters! "
As the scene pans out , we can see some odd objects (artifacts?) that were not apparent or visible before. We can quickly see a German Beerstein, a coffee cup with a faded Tim Horton's logo on it, and a large bloody glove. Strange premonition of what is to come? A burst of wind blows out the candle, and we hear Shinzo get up and walk away in the darkness.
-fin-