Author's Note

Here is the first chapter of my Displaced story. I hope this one will last longer as my other stories on this side. I maybe even find the motivation to continue some old projects, but I don't promise anything.

Chapter 1: The end and the beginning

The Masked

Chapter 1

The wind roared over the white plain of snow and ice. It's biting at everything that didn't took care to protect themselves from its cold teeth. On top of a mountain stood a single figure. Her white fur dancing in the wind. Untouched by its cold teeth and looking at a single spot in the distance. Waiting. For the only one, whoever managed to escape her.

"It is close..." said the female figure with a voice soft like silk from behind her dark lilac mask with a white mark on the forehead. Her eyes glowing with a blue fire as a shadow rose from behind her. It took the form of a wolfs head, with a white mask and a dark lilac mark on its forehead. A perfect counterpart to the one the white figure wore. His body seems to be made of black smoke which seemed to flow like water.

A flash of light let the snow glitter like diamonds for a moment, before it disappeared. In its place stood. a city of crystals. The Crystal Empire.

"He will not escape this time!" said the wolf with a raspy male voice. Ready to begin the hunt for its prey. He has been waiting for a thousand years to finish the hunt. No one could escape them. Because in the end... every living being has to see them and made its choice. They are one and both.

The Lamb.

And the Wolf.

Europe, Köln 2016
GamesCom

Benjamin Alexander Woodman, a 28 year old man straitened the white fur of his costume and corrected the place of his mask a last time. "Alright. We both have our outfits AND, what's maybe more important, our masks. Are you ready, my dear Wolf?" He asked the last part with the try to sound like a girl... which failed... miserably.

"Woof!" came his companions response. The big black dog with the white mask moved alongside his master and best friend towards the convention hall.

As they were about to enter, they were stopped by a security guard. "I'm sorry, sir. But you can't take you bow inside." Said the man.

Benjamin looked at him and asked: "What? Why not?"

"There were some new rules published. Cosplayers are not allowed to bring their own weapons inside. It's a safety precaution." Answered the man.

"Well, I think that's rather stupid. The thing is really just made from foam. It doesn't even have a string attached." protested Benjamin.

"I'm sorry sir. But I can't let you in with it. You can leave it here and pick it up when you leave." said the man and moved his hand nearer to his Walkie-Talkie.

Benjamin sighed. He really didn't like that, but he wasn't going to let this prevent him from going inside. "Alright. Sorry for being a bit pissed. You are just doing your job." He handed the guard the weapon, who bound a ribbon with a number around it and handed him a token with the same number.

"Thanks for your understanding. I personally think it's stupid as well. But I can give you a tip. There is a special stand in hall 3. He has really high quality replicas for fair prices. When you buy something inside the con, it's legal." Said the guard to him.

"Thanks for the tip. Anything special how I will recognize this merchant?" He asked.

"Oh... I think you will know once you see him." said the guard mysterious and got back to work.

Benjamin made his way to Hall 3. on the way he was sometimes stopped to take pictures with him and his loyal wolf. As he entered Hall 3, there were dozens upon dozens of stands for Cosplayers. He wondered how he would find this one merchant.

"Hello, my friend." came a male voice from his right and he looked over to see who had spoken. The guy couldn't look shadier even if he tried. He looked exactly like the Merchant from Resident Evil. Even the voice was pretty convincing.

"Do you mean me?" Benjamin asked.

"Yes. Yes. I saw you coming in and you seem to lack a little thing for your costume. Let me guess. The guard at the entrance took it from you and then send you over to this hall?" Asked the man.

"That's right. I take a guess, this is not the first time this happened?" Said Benjamin.

"Not, it is not. Since this new rule was put into effect, a lot of Cosplayers are coming here to get the Items they need for their Costumes but had left at the entrance." I leaned a bit for and whispered in Benjamin's ear: "I personally think they just did it so more people would buy from the Merchandise."

Benjamin laughed a bit at the thought. "Well, it certainly seems to work. Do you maybe have what I'm looking for?"

"Take a look for yourself and tell me." said the Merchant and gestured to a stand a bit upside from the others.

"He really seems to like being a bit mysterious." Thought Benjamin but got over to the stand and looked over the goods.
He really had everything: There was a Magic Staff from Yu-Gi-Oh! Black Magician, a Mega Man Blaster, A Green Lantern... Lantern with Ring and a lot more!

"That's really impressive. And everything looks so realistic..." I said in wonder and my dog approved with a "Woof" of his own. Then he started sniffing around and I looked to make sure he didn't break anything. He stopped at a weapon rack and sat down while turning his head to me and back to the rack. That was his way to tell to look at something.

I got over and what I saw was just beautiful... between all the weapons from Saurons Mace to the Morita MK1 from Starship Troopers, stood the one thing I needed. And it. Was. Perfect!

I took the bow from the rack and hold it in my gloved hands. To hold it felt so... right? I couldn't really explain it, but I needed this weapon. To hell with the trash I left at the entrance!

I turned to the Merchant and asked: "How much?"

The Merchant smiled and said: "Well, since you had the trouble with the guard, I will give you a discount on this one. How about... 150 Dollars?"

"Sounds alright to me." I said and handed him the money. My dog stood by my side and barked in approval. Finally. The Eternal Hunter was complete again. And better as before! Suddenly, I heard my dog whimper and I looked down to him. Under my feet was a glowing circle of some kind of runes! I looked back up and saw the Merchant wave to me: "Well then. Good luck with the hunt."

And that's the last thing I remember...