Hate and love, they're so different yet similar at the same time; some wonder how that could be. How could two opposed emotions be so similar? It's simple, really, PASSION. That's what Hoshi felt as he fell into the spirit world: he didn't feel hate, he didn't feel love, just pure unadulterated passion.
His smile never faltered as the raven charged towards him, his eyes narrowed at the beak of the giant spirit. The air practically split at the raven's speed.
Hoshi P.O.V.
It was quick; the raven spirit quickly swolled me whole. I closed my eyes as I slithered through its throat. The slime-like soliva caused it to feel like I was flying through a slide; of course, this caused me to enter its stomach. The pain was annoying; I thought it would hurt more, but the truth is that the acid felt like a hot tub that was too hot to bear.
Hoshi: "Shit!"
I looked around to see if there was a way to get out, but of course, there wasn't. I sat there thinking for a second, how would I get out? I looked at the blue-hued walls of its stomach. It was a crazy idea, but it's the best I could think of at the moment.
Hoshi: "I'm so sorry, I wish there was a better way. Please forgive me."
My forearm flexed as my fist made contact with the wall of its stomach, a number one appeared with the three second count-down. After two seconds, another fist slammed against the meaty blue wall; this time, it was the opposing fist.
Hoshi: "I'm sorry."
Again and again, my fist slammed against the blue fleshy wall of its stomach, my back flexing with each extension and retraction of my arms. With every attack, the number went up like it usually would. I felt my body gain strength with each increment of the counter going up. From ten to thirteen to twenty-seven, every attack made me stronger and faster.
Hoshi: "I'm so..."
I could hear the flesh tear with each hit; the ripping sound became faster as I got stronger. I was sorry, so so so so sorry. It didn't take much longer as my fist broke the skin of the raven. I could hear it scream in agony. I'm so sorry.
I burst out of the ravens' side. We were falling again, so I jumped out and timed my descent. If I timed it right, my combo boost would run out right after I hit the ground. I'll survive the fall, I just need to-.
Hoshi: "Huh? What the? Am I floating? I could've sworn that I was gonna hit the ground just now."
The dead raven spirit and I floated off the ground. I was so confused, so I looked around me. As it turned out, I was in an area with no gravity, so I used my remaining time to kick the air to propel myself. There was a patch of land a few meters in front of me that seemed to have a gravitational pull.
As I moved to the patch of land, I noticed a breeze on my crotch. Once I looked down, I was shocked.
Hoshi: "I'M NAKED!!! Wait, what the hell?"
I did a double-take. I genuinely couldn't fathom what I realized next. Would you believe it too?
Hoshi: "AM I RED!?!?! I'M RED!!! MY CHOCOLATE BROWN SKIN NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"
As the gravity pulled me down, I fell to my knees and let my new reality sink in. I mean, when the hell could I have turned red?
No P.O.V.
It was the raven spirit's stomach acid; although it wasn't hot to Hoshi, it had this property that altered his skin. It's unknown if this change is permanent. After all, it's not normal for people or spirits to survive being eaten like that.
Hoshi P.O.V.
I walked into a nearby forest; the bark of the trees was red, but the leaves were a dark purple. It was dense, which is good for at least the fact that I was naked. I walked, covering my genitals, and with each step, I heard the leaves crunch under my weight.
It was chilly, not too cool, not too hot, but just right to be comfortable for my bare skin, and now, thanks to my red skin, I blend into the forest.
Hoshi: "Did it need to burn my clothes off, too? Or is it melt off? Whatever...I need to find a place to get clothes. It would be really embarrassing if I had to fight or help someone and my dick was out."
After a few steps, I noticed something that could be helpful. It was a hut, made of dark green-looking logs. I stopped by a nearby bush, god I hate acting like a spy. It's so dishonest, but what is worse, acting like a spy or just walking up naked?
I noticed an older woman, she was about five feet four, maybe. She had dark brown hair with grey strands in it, and she was wearing a dress with a flower pattern. Her skin was a light tan, and she had a pear-shaped body figure.
Admittly I was so shocked that I saw someone humanoid that I moved, it was enough for her attention to be drawn to me.
"Hello? Is someone there?"
Hoshi: "I..."
I let my sigh leave my lips; I might as well be honest.
Hoshi: "Hi, um...sorry for sneaking around...Um, this is hard to explain, but I was attacked by a crow spirit and my clothes burned off...so um...I'm kinda naked right now...please, do you happen to have any extra clothes I could possibly wear?"
"I...oh my...well, young man, let me see what I have, just stay right there for a moment."
She walked back into her hunt. Honestly, I'm just happy that she trusts me. The breeze tickled my skin, time passed slowly, but I am rather patient. It was about five minutes before she came out with white long baggy pants.
"Sorry, sorry, it's been a while since a man was in my home, so this is the best I could find. I hope that they fit."
She had this calm tone to her voice; I knew I could trust her. She tossed the pants in my direction, and I put them on. They were a loose fit, but at least I wasn't naked anymore. I gave her a smile of gratitude.
Hoshi: "Thank you miss. I know this must seem odd, helping a random guy in the woods. Is there any way I could repay you?"
"Well..."
She gave me a genuine look of thought. I didn't think it would be that hard to have me repay her. Then all of a sudden, she snapped her fingers.
"I was going to make some soup, but I don't have any firewood to cook it. I used to have someone who could cut the wood for me, but he…isn't around anymore. If you could get me some wood, that would be lovely."
Hoshi: "I can get some wood, miss....um I didn't get your name, miss."
Sinn: "Just call me Sinn dear, and you are?"
Hoshi: "Hoshi Morningstar, but you can just call me Hoshi."
Sinn: "Okay, Hoshi, I have an axe in my shed near the rear of the hut...please follow me, dearest."
She led the way. Her hut was rather nice. All the windows had a nice blue-tinted glass, and there was a nice little box-like shed, which was the same color as the previously mentioned hut. She walked with the grace of a dancer. Despite her advanced age, she is quite quick. That's what I get for assuming.
Once the shed opened, I could tell it hadn't been visited for a while. Of course, I'm not judging. I walked into the dark shed and saw the axe; it was old and rusty.
Sinn: "There you go, it's on old axe, but I didn't have to tell you that...please do be careful. It hasn't been sharpened in quite some time, dearest."
Hoshi: "Absolutely!!! I'll do my best!"
She gave me a look of determination. Honestly, it was kinda cute. Like when your mom or grandma watches you do yard work. I...I miss my mom already. But regardless, I grabbed the axe and looked for a good tree to cut down.
Just a few steps into the woods, and I found a good-looking tree. Sinn was watching from within the hut. She was working on something, but it was hard to tell what.
-SWWW-
-CHOP-
The rusty axe was lodged in the wood. I quickly dislodged it and swung again. I repeated this motion for a bit; it was rather calming, something normal, something to clear my head. The chopping had a rhythm to it, that's good. If it has a rhythm, then thinking will be a lot easier.
Hoshi: "I should probably ask around about a way to the mortal world…I mean spirits always appear in the mortal world all the time, so…there has to be a way."
-CHRRRRR-
As the satisfying sound of a tree falling echoed through the red woods, I stepped a few paces back.
I had a satisfied look on my face as my eyes tracked the tree descent. This was the first time I had cut a tree down; when people had asked me to do a similar job, it was just to carry the logs.
Later, nightfall;
Sinn led me into her hut; it had this cozy feel to it. I of course took my shoes off and left them at the door, I didn't want to dirty her home. The idea of dirtying this place seemed like dirtying a clean pound; it just felt wrong.
I walked into the small hut, and there was a nice-looking kitchen in the corner with a coldren, stove, and fireplace. Each step I took felt like I was floating on clouds; the ground had a soft, fur-like texture due to the covering on the surface.
Sinn: "I hope it's not too dirty, dear. I didn't really expect company."
Hoshi: "Dirty?"
I was genuinely confused about what the hell she was talking about, what the fuck she meant by "dirty"? This place couldn't be cleaner.
She led me to a small hallway on the south side of the hut, three rooms—one on the left, one on the right, and one dead ahead. The hallway had this odd feeling to it; it was a creepy contrast to her cozy living room and kitchen.
Sinn: "Dearest, I must say it gets rather dangerous once the sun sets to rest."
Almost as if she had timed her speech, the sun began to set, and the bright cozy feel began to gain this dark orange hue, making it have this nostalgic feel.
Sinn: "Maybe you should spend the night? I have an extra room and blankets, if you want?"
I thought about it for a second. I knew that my journey back home would take some time. I guess that's what worries me the most, time. Is time even consistent here? I wasn't too sure, but I knew that rest was important.
Hoshi: "I'd hate to be a burden. Are you honestly sure you'd want me to stay the night?"
Sinn: "Oh, Dearest, as long as you help me with the log supply, then everything will be alright! As I said, I have a nice cozy bed and blanket just for you! Just go down the hall and to the left, while you settle down, I'll start on dinner."
As she walked away, I followed her instructions. The room had a simple square design, featuring a coffee-brown bed and blanket. The floor was this light brown oak, and beside the bed, there was a bedside table.
Once I walked up to the bed, I felt the blanket. It was extremely soft. I've only been here for a day, yet once I touched the softness of the cover, I instantly felt exhaustion cover my entire body.
It was strange, but it also made sense at the same time. I did just fall out of the mortal plan and landed here, hell, the first thing I did was fight a giant crow…or was it a raven? I suck with birds; all I know is that if I rested right now, it would be well earned.
Hoshi: "What's the harm if I just…"
And just like that, my body plopped onto the bed, and I quickly drifted into slumber.
The next day, Noon, Hoshi P.O.V.
I began to chop the tree into thick yet long logs, and sweat began to escape my face with each swing.
Hoshi: "In just a little bit, I'll have the wood for Sinn, maybe she'll know a bit about leaving the spirit world. It seems like shes been around for a while."
Sinn: "A bit about what, dear?"
No P.O.V.
The red bitch boy let out an embarrassing eep as the kind older woman seemed to appear behind him. She had this calm smile despite noticing Hoshi's reaction to her presence.
Sinn: "Oh geez! I didn't mean to scare you, dear, and sorry for eavesdropping; I just heard you mumbling to yourself. What did you want to ask me about?"
Hoshi: "Oh, it was nothing, it just…"
Sinn: "???"
Hoshi: "How do spirits…leave the spirit world? I mean, they do leave alot right? I'm new here, so I just wonder."
She gave the red-skinned boy a look of confusion, as if what he had asked was in a foreign language. Though on the thought of language, Hoshi was a bit confused about how they were communicating.
As it turns out, in the spirit world, language was inconsitate aswell, on a technical level, Hoshi was both speaking English and a language that didn't exist.
Ofcourse this wasn't an issue with Hoshi, as long as he could communicate clearly thats all that mattered. Back to the original issue at hand, Sinn's odd reaction to Hoshi's seemingly simple question.
Sinn: "Tell me, young man, how would you know that spirits could leave in the first place. It's not common knowledge around these parts, dearest."
Hoshi: "Well, I…um…"
The thing about Hoshi is, he truly does trust people. This commonly leads to him not really lying that much; it's gotten to the point where he sucks so much at lying that anyone can tell from a mile away.
Hoshi: "I'm not from the spirit world, Sinn. I'm a human who was banished. I know about spirits because they commonly came into my world."
Sinn: "I…see…"
She seemed rather disappointed at the news that Hoshi wasn't a spirit, though that disappointment was well hidden. There was a shakiness to her voice, as if she didn't really want to tell him.
Sinn: "To be truthful, dearest, there is a way to leave Infra, West from here, there is a tower, the Tower of Babel. It goes from Infra and leads to the world above the sky."
Hoshi: "The world above the sky? I suppose that's what everyone here calls the Pangea, and Infra is what you refer to as the spirit world. Okay, so you said the tower is west, right? Then that's where I'll go! Thank you so much, Sinn."
As Hoshi walked back to the hut to get ready for a long journey to the east, Sinn tapped his shoulder lightly. She had a calm smile.
Sinn: "Dearist, before you depart, why not have one more day of rest…after all, heading west is rather dangerous."
Hoshi: "I guess you're right, yeah! I'll spend the night one more time."
Sinn: "Good, that's good."
The sun set, and the forest grew quiet. The moon tiptoed slowly across the sky. Hoshi's breathing was calm and careful. Like a dog that finally found a spot to settle in.
-tap-
-tap-
-tap-
His red fingers tapped rhythmically as if his body didn't want to rest, as if something was—
Hoshi P.O.V.
Off, something is off, my body is feeling weird, weird, weird, something…everything, nothing all at once. Something, Everything, Nothing, Something, Everything, Nothing, Something, Everything, Nothing, Something, Everything, Nothing…
Hands? Feeling? Hands…my mind is broken, my body….something is wrong with my body. What's wrong with my body?
Eyes? Eyes. Eyes! Eyes everywhere! Everywhere? Where? WHERE! Where! Not where…when? When did my body start feeling off? Time, place, who, who? No. It was…food, food? The food I ate before I rested, but it wasn't just today, was it? How long have I been here? Long? Length? Time, space, and Distance? Am I allergic to the food here? Allergic? Was I? No…no no no it's not that, poison? Was I poisoned?
Hands? Hands. Hands! I feel hands touching my body, whose hands? Mine? No, no, my hands can't move, move. Move! I can't move my eyes. My mind is so weird.
???: "Well damn, looks like you're in some deep shit this time, huh?"
Who…what? Where? Who is that?
???: "Huh…I guess you wouldn't recognize me, right? Makes sense, but don't worry, you're not going crazy. Although I am in your head, so maybe you are."
Crazy? Am I going craz-
???: "WHOA WHOA WHOA CHIIIIILLL!!! Chill out, I was joking! Sorry, sorry, look, we won't get to chat much, so please listen carefully. When I say [Wake Up], wake up, okay?"
Okay, okay…
No P.O.V.
Moonlight shone into Hoshi's room, his body strapped down onto the bed. Standing above him was Sinn, her purple eyes began to glow as she chanted something under her breath.
Sinn: "You have quite the body, Hoshi…my dearest, you will be mine, Mine, all mine. Forever."
The red skin began to glow a purple aura, this aura twisting and engraved itself into Hoshi's body. The origin of this aura? A black book with a wooden cover.