"You'll get drowned here right now, whether you like it or not."
A strange person appearing out of nowhere and suddenly spouting nonsense. Nathan have seen countless people like him. He could have just run away right now and ignore the man yet something's stopping him from doing so.
"Tell me, what did that geezer told you?" The man asked in a demanding tone. The boy raised an eyebrow before answering the question with another question. "You mean that old man?"
Verifying, the mysterious man nodded with a poker-face. Nathan was reluctant to speak, he doesn't know this stranger yet its demanding like he's general in a millitary.
"No—don't tell me. It's not worth to know anyway, all he ever say is a bunch of lies. So kid," A finger was pointed towards Nathan who's standing a few distance away from him.
"You are the chosen one."
Nathan couldn't help but give the stranger a grimaced expression.
"Don't look at me like that. And for your information, you should be happy right now."
The confusion is visible on the boy's eyes as he thought. If the old man is spouting lies, then this man is spouting weird things.
If love sounds so unfamilliar to him now. The word 'happy' felt so much distance away from him. Nathan couldn't even remember the last time he smiled. Suddenly, a nostalgic memory vividly came into his mind.
He was smiling.
Someone else was smiling.
There was three of them, laughing.
Maybe he got lost in thought that didn't even realized that the strange man already in front of him. The man snapped his thumb and index finger, successfully gaining the youngers attention.
"What? Don't tell me you easily got hypnotized?"
Dissapointment was evident on the strangers face as he 'tsk'-ed. Nathan stumbled back but immediately regained his stance. He rubbed his forehead trying to remember what he just saw. However, did he really saw it? A dream? Memory? He doesn't know which to believe since it felt so real.
"I told him to give it to a suitable one. Is he trying to kill me?"
With an irritated expression. The man looked over at the boy who looks like he just saw a ghost. The two stood for a moment in silence as the man observe the kid.
Only the sound of the tranquil wind and rustling trees could be heard. The moon above shines brighter than the stars in the dark sky. It was so peaceful and beautiful.
After another moment or so, the man cut off the silence. "Kid, do you crave for some adventure?"
At the sudden question, Nathan stared at the man. He was about to speak when he suddenly heard a loud flicking sound.
Sorrounded by the vast sea and powerful strokes of the wind. Nathan turned his head around with a surprise expression. He looked down and realized that he was floating on the water. Nervously, his heart starts to beat so fast in his chest.
"Isn't this a nice place?" The man stood a few steps away from him with a satisfied expression on its face as Nathan took the opportunity to negotiate.
"Where is this place? Who are you?"
Ignoring his question. The man walked around the water casually with his hands behind his back. "I won't answer the first question but the second one is understandable. You call me Zaar."
What a bazarre name.
Zaar spread his arms as he inhale the smell of fresh air combined with the salty sea. He muttered, "It's good to be back."
Apparently, the sounds of the waves was so loud that Nathan didn't hear a single word Zaar said. All he could do was stand there. Who knows what will happen if he tried to take a step—not that he'll do it anyway.
"I can't answer your first question since it's very...
controversial." Zaar paused for a moment before adding, "However, there's only one thing you should know. You are in a different world."
"What nonsense—" Before he could even talk his thoughts out, the other man 'shushed' prevented him to speak.
"Listen well, this scenery you're seeing right now is from another world. Moreover," Nathan watches carefully as Zaar pointed to himself with an innocent—creepy— smile, "I am not from your world."
What bullshit is this? Just what the fuck is going on?
Zaar straightened his posture before taking one more step forward, then leaning closer to the kid's face. He looked deeply in his eyes and the younger could have swore that he saw those pair of eyes turned into a green color or was he just seeing things again.
"Let me be blunt, I really don't like you. However, that geezer picked you among the billions of people on the earth. And...I have no other choice." Zaar's voice turned deeper that it sent a chill on Nathan's spine. "It's either be trapped for eternity or be free."
So much information starts to tangle inside Nathan's head. He have so much questions to ask but he choose to remain silent.
"I can read you like an open book, kid. Don't let anyone see right through you because in the world you'll be living from now on are full of notorious and dangerous people."
With a smile on his face, Zaar put his index finger at the younger's chest. "And a word of advice," Zaar's smile dropped as he resume his words, "Don't trust people so easily."
And with that, Nathan was pushed as he fell down in the water. Zaar mouthed something but he didn't hear it no—he couldn't hear it. He thought pitifully to himself. What? Am I going to die? Where the hell even am I? That old man and strange man, just who are they? It doesn't even matter, let's just die.
Nathan shut his eyes as his conciousness drift away and let the waters drown him. But deep within this cold ocean, a figure appeared as it swim towards his sinking body. It got nearer and nearer until it wrapped its arms around him. The figure swim upwards with Nathan's body in it's arms.
Together, the two figure dissapeared. With a heavy sigh, Zaar rolled his eyes before turning around and casually saying with an annoyed tone.
"So, tell me you geezer, what the hell is going on inside your mind when you choose that kid?"
The old man chuckled. "You bastard child, after all these years you still haven't learn some manners?"
"Shut the crap and tell me."
"My ancestor says so."
In disbelief, Zaar snorted. "Who? That traitor? You still believe that that bastard is innocent after all these years?"
"Not him." Zaar's face turned into confusion as he asked again. "Then who?"
The old man was silent for a moment before answering in a serious tone that sends chill down Zaar's spine.
And with that sacred name mentioned. Everything around them turned into pitch black leaving out only black smokes behind.