A Mask, A Boy And A Missing Past
Chapter 1. Where am I?
Load Full StoryAll I see is darkness... So we're finally here. I can hear but I cannot see . Soon we shall awaken. Where am I? We shall find out soon enough. Who are you? I am you, you are me, we are one. I don't understand... You shall soon enough. Now... Wake up!
My eyes shoot open as I gasp for air. Looking around wildly, I try to see where I am. "Where am I? Wait, what the hell?" I reach my hand up to my face to feel something covering it.
I take off whatever it was and realize it was a mask. "What... What the hell is this thing?" I move my hands over its surface. "Is this wood? No its... Bone?" It feels so warm. Well it was on my face so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.
I look down at my clothes and am surprised to see what I'm wearing. I have a long orange shirt with a metal ringed belt, raggedy green shorts, fingerless green gloves and a large orange hat with a metal ringed belt as well. These clothes feel odd and a bit rough, but somehow comfortable at the same time.
I take another look around me and see that I'm in some sort of Forrest, though this one is far more interesting than any that I remember. The colors of the grass, leafs, trees, flowers and insects are so vibrant and beautiful that I am at a loss for words. As I look at everything around me, I notice a small pond nearby.
Walking over to it, I kneel by the water and look into its mirror like surface. My face... My skin is darkly tanned and has the appearance of bone, my teeth are sharp looking and snow white, and my eyes... They're like the dim embers of a dying fire, both warm and somehow cold.
I take a quick drink of the cool, crystal clear water, then step away from the small pond. I look down at the odd looking mask in my hands and turn it this way and that. Its frame is in the shape of a heart. Its smooth to the touch while also feeling rough around some of its features. The frame has eight bony spikes protruding from the top and bottom, four on both sides of its cheeks and two on top of its head. The outer area of the mask is a faded sky blue, the bottom portion looks like a deep forest green and the middle is a dull bloody red. Those eyes... The iris is a seaweed green, the outer area of the eyes are bright yellow with the rims looking as if the were on fire.
I smile as I put the- MY mask over my face. It presses lightly against my bony features, resting comfortably over them. I can see clearly through the masks eyes, almost as if its not even there. I let out a small laugh. An eerie, echoing laughter that makes my smile even wider.
'Are you done admiring everything yet? I'm growing bored.' I quickly look around to find the source of the voice. As I don't see anyone nearby, I call out to the voice. "Who's there? Show yourself or else!" The only reply I hear is a high pitched child like laughter, then it spoke. 'I did of course. I'm the one you're wearing on your face silly. Don't you remember my voice?' I stood there stock still as I remembered. It was the voice from the darkness. 'Yep that's me alright. Your one and only friend in this odd little world.' The voice laughed once more. 'You should find some place to hide before night comes. You wouldn't want to get eaten by some hungry wolves would you?' I look around in every direction to see if there's a path leading out of this place. Sadly I see none.
"Where should I go? I have no idea where I am and I'll probably just get even more lost." The voice sighs then speaks up. 'I have no idea, I'm just as lost as you are.' The voice hums for a second. 'I think we should go... Left. Yes. That's a perfect direction!' I shrug then start heading westward. At least I assume I'm heading west, I wouldn't know since I don't have a compass. A few minutes pass by as I make my way through the forest.
Nothing interesting happens in that time so I start to hum. After what feels like an hour and a half of walking and the irritation of being completely lost, I spot an odd looking tree up ahead. Its larger than any of the other trees I've seen thus far and seems to differ slightly in color. As I walk closer to the large tree, I notice a few pots of different sizes and colors, along with a few carved wooden masks scattered around the area and base of the tree.
I notice a small window near the side of the tree and walk up to it to peer inside. Most of the inside of the tree is gone and is filled with pots, masks, bags, plants, powders, a cauldron and an assortment of other things I didn't recognise. "Its looks as if a shaman or a witch lives here." I say in mild awe. 'I say we should go in there and start making potions and stuff. Maybe we can cause an explosion or something!' Me and the voice share a laugh. "That actually sounds really fun."
"It seems that I have a new guest, that has wandered into my nest." I jump back with a small yelp. Quickly looking to my left, I see a zebra standing near the tree with a smile on its muzzle... What? Why does it have all those gold rings on its front leg and neck? And are those earnings? The hell is going on here?
The zebre chuckles. "My apologies for scaring you little one, but it seems what happened cannot be undone." I can only stare at the strange looking being in shock. Did that thing just talk? And its... Female? 'I say we jump on its back and ride it around the Forrest! Do you know how fun that would be?' The voice laughs. I wicked smile crosses my face. That does sound really fun. I can't help but laugh in my eerie tone as I imagine hopping on her back and riding her around the Forrest while laughing with glee.
The zebra takes a step back while her eyes widen slightly at the sound of my creepy laughter. I guess she took a better look at me and got spooked since she took another two steps back. "What sort of being are you small one? Could you be a type of demon?" I tilt my head as I look at her. This is going to be fun.
I laughed again, making sure it had that creepy echo to it. "I guess you could call me a demon, but that wouldnt be very accurate." I take a step towards her. "I'm more of a Forrest spirit of sorts. I search the Forrest in vain hope that I can finally find my missing body." I shake my head. " I've been at this for years but I haven't found it yet. Perhaps you could help me."
She stares at me in fear, seemingly glued to the spot. "W-what kind of help would you need?" Reaching up towards my face, I slowly take off my mask. I smile at her while showing off all of my long sharp teeth. In the blink of an eye I jump in front of her while staring into her eyes. She's visibly shaking as my eyes bore into her very soul.
"Give me your body and soul..." The zebras eyes roll into the back of her head then falls over. Looking at her limp form I laugh. "I guess my jokes aren't for the 'faint' of heart." Shaking my head, I reach down and one by one, take off the gold rings on the zebras foreleg. I then put two on each wrist and one around my neck.
'So you're just going to steal her rings then walk off? I'm liking you more and more by the minute. I put my mask back on then walk up to the window, open it, then jump inside. As I look around, I see some fruit, vegetables, bread and plants on a nearby table. Grinning, I walk up to the table and take some apples, carrots and a few leafs of lettuce. Knowing that I can't haul all of this stuff in my arms or hat, I walk around for a minute to look for some kind of bag. Searching in a nearby cupboard, I find a decently sized potato sack.
"This'll work." I say while stuffing the goodies into the bag. I walk back towards the window then hop out with my bag over my shoulder. I look at the still unconscious zebra and let out a small laugh. "See ya next time stripey." With that, I make my southward. While I walk I take an apple from my bag, lift my mask and take a bite. This apple is delicious! Its sweet and juicy to the point where every bite is mouth wateringly amazing. I early devour the little red treat while humming in joy.
After I'm done I wipe my mouth with my sleeve and start to whistle a small tune. Its something I don't remember ever hearing, but at the same time it sounds so familiar to me. "Da da, da da daa, da da, da da daa, da da, da da daa, da da, da da data, summon wind, then the rain, make a little hurricane. Look at them all fly, soon they will all die. Get the moon, and then soon, they will all suffer their doom. Let's all play the song of storms!" I laugh with glee as I dance around while singing the dark little tune.
After another hour or so, I finally reach the edge of the forest. I look up to see a large, full moon in the sky. It looks as if I could just reach out and touch it. Thankfully the moon provides enough light for me to see a small town near the bottom of the hill. "That looks interesting. I wonder who lives down there..." I let out a small yawn. "I guess I'll just go in the morning."
I climb a nearby tree and make myself comfortable in the shroud of leafs. Hanging my bag of goodies on a nearby branch, I let out a sigh of contempt and close my eyes. "You know, I never asked what your name was." The voice giggles. 'Just call me... Majora.' I nod as I let sleep take a hold of my mind.
