AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
I get out of bed, extremely out of breath.
Ah, just a stupid Raccoon dream...
It's already very late at night, I'm alone in my room trying to sleep.
But this is already the 4th time I've woken up after having the same dream...
I never had trouble sleeping before, I would just lie down in bed, not necessarily actually, and then I would sleep peacefully for several hours.
This is the first time this has happened...
Well, since I can't sleep, I think I'm gonna walk a bit.
I tiptoed down the attic stairs, which creaked like crazy.
Oh yeah, my room is officially in the attic! We decided to organize the rooms today when we got home.
Haha, it feels so cool to sleep there!
I finally arrived on the 2nd floor, and there was a little surprise for me.
"Meowww" MelMel appeared meowing in front of me, walking back and forth.
"Shiu! Your owner is sleeping!"
I'm referring to Sayuri, she agreed to be responsible for feeding, drinking and changing his litter.
The cat simply sat down and continued looking at me, with that smile...
I know it's not his fault, he's completely innocent and has nothing to do with this, but I just can't see him like that...
I've never been afraid of, or disliked cats, I've always preferred dogs obviously, but I've always liked cats too.
I never had a pet before, but- Oh wait, i actually had one! Well kinda.
It was a guinea pig that was actually in my class at school, he would stay at each student's house for a weekend, one time he was mine.
His name was Simba, he was a very cute little animal! But I only remember breaking his cage while I was trying to play with him.
My mother was very angry haha, but she managed to buy another one.
MelMel came closer to me and started rubbing against my legs.
"Ah, you fluffy ball..."
He is meowing, I think he wants me to pet him.
I gave a slight smile and crouched down, petting his head.
"Ah, how can I hate you... You're so innocent, so cute... Meow Meow, yeah I agree with you Mr. Mel."
After some time I stood up.
Well, I'm still not sleepy at all... I think I should just walk around.
It's funny, the hallways are lit by candles haha.
I've never actually seen one, it looks quite old.
I continued walking through the corridors, and went down to the first floor.
Think im kinda thirsty, so im going to drink some water.
Downstairs in the kitchen, i grabbed some water and managed to drink it easily, like a ninja!
This house was huge and empty at night. Kinda spooky, but also kinda cool. Like being in a castle!
So, I decided to walk back to my room on the second floor, and as I climbed the stairs... Wait, a noise?
Yeah, a faint one, but a noise... Wait, it's coming from Amari's room?
Oh no, is she under attack?! Did one of the Raccoon's break in?! Or, maybe the monster beneath her bed?!
I ran to her bedroom door, and started paying attention.
No wait, it doesn't seem like an attack, at least I only listen to her voice and she is not screaming for help.
I hear these little sighs. Like when you try to lift something really heavy and you're straining? Yeah, kinda like that. Soft little gasps of air, quick breaths.
She is also whispering some times, like it hurt a bit? Or maybe she was just trying really hard?
Listening more carefully, i hear like a rhythm. Seems like she is working very hard and having some difficulties. I hear like Bump-bump-bump-shuffle-bump...
Ah! I got it, it's so obvious... She is doing some secret training or something, with her new 5-Fingers-Chain, she really needs to work out!
Oh wait, the rhythm is getting faster and faster! Damn she is into it!
And her sighs and whispers too, I can't imagine what kind of training she is doing, must be a really hard one!
Well, i'm actually quite happy for her, for training so hard just to try to be on my level. But you will never be hahahaha!
But still, keep going Amari, you're doing a great job!
Augh... I think i may be sleepy now, im just going to try to sleep again.
I went to my room, and climbed the attic stairs.
I arrived at the top, and went straight to my bed, laying down and just staring at the dark ceiling.
My goal in this world is to return to my world, with Amari...
But Sayuri now, she is also my friend! It doesn't make sense to return home just with Amari.
Oh, I know what to do, I'm gonna ask God to return Sayuri also!
Well, it wouldn't be return actually, but I think she would like.
I mean, she lives with us, and it doesn't seem like she has anything or anyone else that she really cares about.
Yeah she just know us makes 3 days, but still she is my friend, and I want to see my friends again, but I can't let a friend away!
I think that if I explain it to her well, she will accept it and decide to come with us.
She has this whole thing about wanting to be the greatest wizard in the world, so we will do both!
She will become it, and then the three of us will go to our world! So she will not loose anything, and we will all make our dreams come true!
Haha, I think Sayuri would like Mrs. R!
Wait does Sayuri likes candy? Oh she must! I will not forgive her if she says no to Mrs. R!
And so, i managed to fall asleep.
Next day, right at the morning.
I was the first to wake up, of course, and for some reason i fell full of energy!
Damn, i could jump from the attic to the ground without using the stairs.
I stood at the edge of the trapdoor between the attic and the ground.
"Here I go! WOOH!" I jumped directly to the floor, and...
"HAHA! IT WAS SO EASY BUT COOL AT THE SAME TIME!"
Ahhh, I want to do it again! Later...
I ran around the house feeling very excited. Waking up several hours during the night didn't affect me at all, I'm full of energy.!
I went to Sayuri's room, and started to punch her door multiple.
"WAKE UP!! WAKE UP!! ITS DA FIRST OF THE MO- IT'S MORNING ALREADY! WAKE UP HAHAH!"
I just heard an "AHHHHHH! OK OK, STOP IT!!"
I giggled to that, and started to walk away.
Wow, i really im excited! I think I want to do that Clown's spins he does.
"Woo-"
I tried and immediately felt to the ground.
"Oh... Well, think only the proos can do it..."
But I quickly got up and headed to Amari's room.
"HEY AMARI! AMARI! WAKE UP! WE HAVE A JOB TO DO NOW!!"
I started to punch at her door to.
Just realized now, instead of knocking im literally punching their doors severeal times.
Hope they don't mind.
Amari yelled.
"AHHHH, LET ME SLEEP A BIT MORE!!"
I stopped and thought for a bit.
Well yeah, she is training so hard at night, she deserves to sleep a bit more i guess.
"OK! BUT YOU ALSO NEED TO SLEEP WELL TO BE ON SHAPE!"
She should have trained during the day, not at night... But looking back, there wasn't much free time for her to train yesterday... Or was there?
A-Ah! Wait im still on pijamas! My clothes should have appeared ready and folded next to my bed! Why didn't they appear today!?
This house is very weird!
Some time later, we finally arrived at the Guild.
"GOOD MORNING!!"
I kick open that bar door, exclaiming what I said before.
Immediately, all of the few Suiciders present turned to me at the entrance.
Amari sighed and grabbed my ear.
"Why are you so excited today, it's a normal monday... It is?"
Sayuri took a step back.
"I don't know him..."
But then suddenly, one of the Suiciders quickly got up and ran towards me.
He was a young man, with crimson red hair parted in the middle, wearing a sleeveless black cape with a high collar and underneath a simple white shirt that is kinda torn, exposing the middle of his chest and upper abdomen. He is also wearing brown pants that are cut below the knee, gathered up to mid-calf.
And something very visible, in his right eye he has 2 parallel, vertical and linear scars.
In addition to having a sword in a sheath at his waist.
He quickly ran to me, extremely happy.
"HEY HEY! KAI!! YOU'RE THE GUY FROM YESTERDAY!!"
He stopped in front of me, like I was a celebrity or something, looking quite excited.
"YOU WERE BEATING THE SHIT OUT OF PORK! But I had to leave before you could finish him off... You did it?"
I giggled.
"Yeah well, I-"
But then I remembered what truly happened, that was Amari actually.
"Oh hm... Yeah I eventually managed to beat him."
I don't think she wants credits for that.
The red haired guy eyes shined, like if he was admiring me.
"W-WOW!! REALLY!? I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE REALLY BEATED PORK!! YOU'RE SO COOL, YOU'RE LIKE A LEGEND!"
I can't feel very proud with this...
"Yeah yeah, ahah..."
Amari simply tilted her head a bit.
"Hold on, this guy... IS HE A PIRATE-"
"LET ME INTRUDUCE MYSELF!"
Suddenly, Sayuri ran to me and stood in front of me, speaking in a very "elegant and agressive" way.
"You know who I am?"
The red haired guy looked at her without showing any reaction.
"BEHOLD MORTAL! I AM PART OF HIS CREW!"
The guy just stared at her.
"Hm.. Ok."
"AND!!... I-I... I BUFFED HIM! THAT'S WHY HE WAS ABLE TO DEFEAT HIM!!"
The guy looked totally astonished.
"W-WHAT?! R-REALLY!? T-THAT EXPLAINS A LOT."
Wait a second... SHE IS LYING!!
I quickly looked at Sayuri.
"YOURE LYIN-"
Then, Amari said while looking at the red haired guy.
"Hey, what's your name."
"Its Iulius."
"Iulius, ok... You have both arms?"
Iulius seemed a bit confused, but answered kindly.
"Hm yes... But, I DON'T HAVE A LEG!"
He pointed to his right leg—there was nothing below the knee
Sayuri, Amari and I let out an extremely loud scream.
"W-WHATTTTTTT?????!!!!!"
Somehow no one had noticed he was lame.
Amari said.
"Y-YOU RED HAIRED WANNABE!"
He tilted his hair a bit to Amari.
"Uh?... What you mean?"
"I can't say his name due to copyright... But by the way, how did you got that scar in your face?"
"Oh it's a long story..."
I sighed and said with some kind of respect.
"Some weeks ago, I was unarmed and running from some ice monsters, in the cold ice, alone..."
"I thought I was going to die, I was extremely tired and there was nothing I could do..."
"Until I fell to the ground, finally giving up and accepting my fate..."
He was talking in a very theatrical way, like if he was an actor.
"But then! Out of nowhere, the head of those monsters simply were cut! From every single one of them, at the same time!"
"I felt a great pain in my eye and in my leg, and saw that I had also been cut, with that being the moment I lost a leg and gained this scar... But I was alive."
"I looked forward, I could only see a silhouette of someone much younger than me, a kid."
"The icy wind blocked my vision, and I could only say: "Who are you?""
"The person turned to me, seemed a bit suprised but then quickly recomposes itself, looking away."
"They just said: "I'm your hero, yeah that's how you can call me... Hero.""
"And then, they just started to walk away."
He sighed, after finishing telling his incredible story.
After, he looked at us with a serious face, full of determination.
"IT'S MY LIFE GOAL TO FIND HERO!! I'M GOING TO FIND THE CROWN, SO I CAN KNOW WHO THEY WAS!!"
Wow, what an amazing story.
It reminds me a bit of myself, but less tragic.
Even so, I couldn't help but get emotional and almost cry.
"BUAHHHHH... T-THAT'S SO, SAD!... Wait, THE CROWN IS MINE!!"
Sayuri, for some reason thought it was ridiculous, and said quietly.
"They wanted to kill you, or didn't noticed you..."
Amari, in turn, looked at him irritated and in disbelief, it seemed that Iulius said something that offended her.
"Y-You can only be joking... T-This reverse-wannabe red haired... N-No this isn't real..."
Then suddenly, we heard a female voice saying from afar.
"IULIOLUSSSSSSSS!"
His eyes quickly turned into hearts, and he ran towards the voice, extremely excited and happy.
"Ah- IM COMING AUREOLAAAAA!!!!"
Amari said, still angry.
"Great, now he is the black leg..."
Before we could have any other reaction, someone appeared out of nowhere, just walking on our front casually.
Clown.
"Oh good morning darlings! Was the red hair bothering you? Well I helped you then♡."
We looked at him as he stopped on our front with a grin.
We were very suprised to see him.
Amari stuttered.
"W-Was you that-"
Clown interrupted her.
"Well then, should we go to their hiding place? Don't worry, I know were it is."
Sayuri tried to speak, but he spoke first again.
"You have the Probationem?"
Sayuri gave a little jump, like if she had remembered something very important.
"Oh, we actually forgot..."
She looked at us, and realized we had no ideia what that was.
"Hm well, it's like a magic box that you need to put a proof of what you did, just so the guild can be sure that you did the mission and give you the reward... B-BUT THAT MEANS..."
She looked at Clown, she was pretty nervous and suprised.
"H-He could have rejected and not give us the mansion..."
Without saying anything about it, Clown simply moved towards the exit, going through the bar door.
With a grin he took a last glance at us.
"Im waiting for you here, take the time you need."
And so he left.
Damn, that guy is so weird...
Now, we're walking together in that forest, as always.
Im actually getting quite bored of always going here...
Clown kept that box somewhere, I think he made it disappear using magic or something.
Even thought Clown is the one that knows their hiding place, he is behind us, a bit far, observing us with a smirk on his face.
Im trying not to look back, at him, but i admit im quite nervous.
I looked at the girls faces at my side, Sayuri seems somewhat uncomfortable, and Amari nonchalant.
Dammit I hate this felling, of like everyone is too shy to say something.
Well, it's Clown's fault actually!
We've been walking for a while now, and it feels more like a zigzag...
Clown suddenly said.
"To the right darlings..."
I stopped and looked at him, quite irritated.
"To the woods again?! Oh man, im tired of going always there and then coming back to here... This doesn't make any sense!"
"Oh my oh my, stay like that... But it's a very secret place, we need to do a lot of curves. And we're actually very close now."
I hope so!
Then suddenly, someone appeared on our front.
It was a middle-aged man wearing a raccoon mask.
"Hey! Tell me your intention to cross this path!"
Just by seeing that mask, even though it was just of an ordinary henchman, made me sob and shake a little.
We 3 looked at Clown, not knowing well what to do, if we should attack him or talk.
Clown simply sighed.
"Oh, you finally appeared..."
He casually walked closer to the guy.
"Hey! I told you to tell me, what are you doing here?!"
The man suddenly looked very confused, looking at the sides like if he didn't knew who he was.
"W-What? A smoke?! W-When he..."
A smoke? There was nothing, what is he talking about?!
Clown stood behind him, speaking in his ear with a smirk.
"Don't you remember me? I think we talked before..."
The man looked very shocked, moving in a 360, trying to grab Clown, but he somehow couldn't see him.
"Please don't bother me anymore..."
And then, with his hand straight and open, Clown slapped the man on the neck, in a matter of milliseconds, which made him fall to the ground.
For a moment, Amari and I looked very suprised at him, Sayuri not quite.
Amari said.
"Y-You killed him?"
Clown tilted his head.
"Uh? Should I?"
"N-No! I thought you had..."
"Muohohoho, a clown only plays with who is something."
Nobody answered.
"Well then... Let's keep going darlings, to the right."
Without saying a word, we started to cross the woods.
I think we're all quite scared to talk...
A few moments later.
"We arriveeeeeeeeed..."
Clown said that, talking with a melody voice, like singing.
I said.
"Uh? But we're still in the woods..."
"Oh don't worry, it's right here, just give two more steps."
We literally took 2 more steps, passing a sequence of trees, and we saw something else.
A rocky place of stone, empty with nothing around, just rock and a rock wall in front of us.
No, it wasn't just a rock wall, it was a cave since there was an opening there, and it was quite large and made by hand.
Wait, the way this cave, the way the rocks are placed...
Amari shouted.
"ITS A FUCKING Raccoon!!"
Yeah, the cave was Raccoon shaped from the outside.
I yelled.
"HOW NOBODY NOTICED IT BEFORE?!"
Sayuri said quietly.
"They are a secret group, living in a very remote place, and it's quite hard for someone to go here... But I agree they should make it a bit less obvious..."
Clown looked at the cave with a smirk.
"So, everyone ready?"
We were quite nervous, but i tried to look confident while nodding.
We entered the cave, it was actually very illuminated, full of lanterns and torches everywhere.
A straight path down, only rock around us.
We walked for a few minutes, untill finally arriving a flat place.
Only ground in a big square, and most importantly, 1 big stone gate in front of us.
Clown walked forwad to the gate, and then turned to us.
"Well, here it is, the entrance... But actually, I don't think Big Sayuri or the other little girl would be interest in going this way..."
I don't think Amari noticed what he called her (thank god).
But before anyone could say something.
"I mean, bold boy would be more... Muohoho, still theres something for you two!"
Suddenly, out of 2 doors that were camouflaged in the walls, came out 2 Raccoon Killers.
"INTRUSERS!! NOW IT'S TOO LATE!"
I quickly identified them, the green-haired girl and the brown-haired boy from yesterday.
Neither is my target.
Clown said.
"Take care of this guys, Kai will fight who we wants... Bye."
"W-WAIT-"
Amari tried to say something, but Clown had already closed the gate.
The 2 Raccoon looked in shock to the gate Clown entered.
"A-AH?! T-THEY ARE HEADING TO THE BOSS?! T-THE REAL BOSS!!"
Amari got close to Sayuri, already activating Sankalpa in her hands.
"What we should do now..."
"I can't use my best attack because we're in a closed space... But let's stay together-"
"SELECT!!"
"SELECT!!"
Both of the Raccoon's yelled that while pointing at their hands at Sayuri and Amari.
The 4 disappeared.
"Ah? Where am I-... You!"
Amari was in like a big rock corridor, with plenty of space for her to move, while on her front, quite far, there was the Raccoon girl.
"Probably the same happened to Sayuri... Good grief, if it's a 1vs1 you want it's a 1vs1 you're going to have!"
About me, after Clown pushed me through the door, I instantly saw someone in the other side.
That place was huge, like a big secret room, and in the middle of it, there was a man with a hody and a Raccoon mask sitting down, just there in the middle of that open place, like if he was waiting for someone.
Seeing that face, I know who he is...
"I tried to look for you. But since I didn't find you, good you came to me."
I never wanted to kill someone before.
I want to? I don't know, this all feels so weird...
I don't know if I'm angry, scared, excited, sad, confident, I don't know how to describe the mix of things that go through me.
Im shaking but angry, im scared but I want to kil- defeat him...
I gotta do it.
Thinking about it now, how did Clown knew I had something to do with this Raccoon?
And how did he know so much about this place? There's something strange.
"I am the Raccoon's protector. Protector of what will bring the end of humanity."