Lima - Taste Of Happiness

Philippines, Municipality of Polillo. 7 years ago. A young boy sat at the beach, watching as the water came and went. The boy watched tourists come and go, but not one of them knew the truth of the island. A girl sat down next to the boy, the daughter of a tourist. She had blonde hair, and blue eyes. “Don’t go too far Alice.” a man's voice said. “I’m fine Papa.” the girl said. She looked at the boy. “Are you ok?” she asked, startling the boy. “Yeah, what?” the boy asked. “You look sad.” the girl said. “I’m not sad, I just. I like the ocean, this view, it’s amazing.” the boy said. “It is.” the girl said. “You are a tourist right?” the boy asked. “Yeah, my name is Alice. What is yours?” she asked, smiling at the boy. “Ramon.” the boy said. Cautious, but trusting.

The Beast ran after Hiroko, Yusuke cut through its neck. It looked at Yusuke and threw its claws at Yusuke, cutting though his arm. Hiroko slammed the Jian into the Beast's body. “Be careful, if you destroy his heart, you will kill him.” Yusuke said. “I didn’t know.” Hiroko said, before getting backhanded by the Beast. “It’s fine, just, make sure to dodge.” Yusuke said. The reporters continued to watch. “What is happening?” the reporter asked, dropping their mic, flabbergasted. Yusuke swung at the Beast, who bit into Yusuke’s arm, and tossed him into the reporters. “Sorry.” Yusuke said, getting up. The Beast appeared in front of Yusuke. Yusuke didn't have time to respond, but Hiroko saved him. Creating a giant hammer made of pure Mabui, and slamming it into the Beast, sending it flying. “It’s cool how easy this whole Majutsu thing is to you.” Yusuke said. “Perks of being blessed by a Bodhisattva.” Hiroko said. “Well beating into him isn’t waking him up. We need to find a way to reach him and bring him back.” Yusuke said. “If it’s like the possession he should be able to hear us, we just need him to walk to us.” Hiroko said. “Cool.” Yusuke said.

Young Ramon was walking around the village, when he saw Alice, she was with her family. A twinge of jealousy caused Ramon to grab at his heart. “Hey Ramon, come play with us!” Alice yelled out, waving to Ramon. “Honey, don't bother him.” Alice’s mother said. “But mom, he’s nice.” Alice said. “He’s just a backwater local.” her father said. “Well this is my summer vacation. Don’t ruin it.” Alice said, running in front of her parents and getting angry at them. “Alice knock it off.” her father said. “No!” Alice yelled out, before running off. Alice ran to Ramon, grabbed his hand, and ran off. “Get back here.” her father said, giving chase. Ramon gripped tightly onto Alice’s hand, and ran away, pulling her into the forest. Causing her father to lose himself instantly.

Ramon found himself out of breath, falling to his knees tired of running. “You are a fast runner.” Alice said, rubbing her hand. Ramon looked at her hand, red and slightly swollen. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Ramon said panicked. “It’s fine. It was a fun run.” Alice said. “No it wasn't.” Ramon said. “Fine, then let's make it fun.” Alice said, walking further into the forest. Ramon grabbed her, and pulled her back. “Don’t go in there!” he said, worried, getting in front of her. “What’s in there?” Alice asked. “Monsters.” Ramon said. Alice burst out laughing. “Monsters aren’t real, sorry but only a child would believe that.” Alice said. “Don’t go further.” Ramon said, serious. “Fine, but we should do something instead of hanging out in the forest.” Alice said. “There is a good park back in the village.” Ramon said. “That sounds nice, but we have to avoid my parents.” Alice said. “So, I saw you last week. How long are you here?” Ramon asked, leading her out of the forest. “All summer.” Alice said, following after.

The next few weeks went fast. The two ran around, causing trouble, and having fun. They ended up pranking Alice’s parents. During sunset they swung from a swing set. “This place is nice. I wish I could be here forever.” Alice said. “It’s not that nice. It may be fun at times, but it has its flaws.” Ramon said. “Still it has to be worth it.” Alice said. “It’s not.” Ramon said. “How so?” Alice asked. Memories ran through him. Dark ones, violent ones.

Ramon found himself in a pitch black place. He stood up, and saw Alice, as well as his parents. They were sitting in a bright place. Ramon walked over to it, before stopping. “Ramon wake up!!” he heard Hiroko ask. He turned to face the voices, seeing his parents, mutilated. He turned around and ran towards the light. “Ramon, come back to us!” Yusuke said. Ramon fell onto the ground. The voices, their calls came from the darkness. “Stay away!!” Ramon yelled.

The Beast roared loudly, before swinging at Yusuke. “How do we know if he has heard us?” Hiroko asked. “We don’t.” Yusuke said, dodging the attack. “So we keep screaming, and hitting?” Hiroko asked. “Pretty much.” Yusuke said, before getting hit into a building. He stood up, and looked at the people watching the fight. “You should evacuate. Also, not paying for the glass.” Yusuke said, before leaving the building.

Ramon sighed, before slowly walking towards the darkness. He walked over his parent’s corpses, finding himself as a young boy. “Prove it!” Alice said. “Annoyed.” I can’t.” Ramon said. Alice walked away, walking to the forest. “Alice stop.” Ramon said. Alice started running. Ramon chased after her. “I am trying to save you.” Ramon said. Alice made her way into the forest running through it. Ramon caught up, and tripped, grabbing her leg, tripping her. “Ow, stop.” Alice said. “No, if you go in there you will die. They already killed my parents.” Ramon said. “I’m sorry for your parents, but you can’t hide behind your imagination.” Alice said. “I’m not!” Ramon yelled. He sighed, and realized they had traveled too far. He saw the mana surrounding him, burning him. He stood up, and walked deeper. “Oh so now we can go.” Alice said, following after. They continued walking, hearing a song, a lullaby. “What happened to your parents?” Alice asked. “I told you.” Ramon said. The two came across a clearing. “Lying isn’t telling me.” Alice said. Ramon looked into the sky, and something snapped. Everything went wrong.

Ramon ran away from the darkness avoiding the memory. “You can’t change what happened. You have to accept it. Every single pain, and memory. You need to stop blaming yourself.” a woman’s voice said. “I can’t.” Ramon said. “Stop running please. You aren’t the same boy who would lose control. You are powerful, stronger than what you came from.” the voice said. “I’m not. I already lost control.” Ramon said. “But nobody died. In fact you fought to protect them, your friends.” the voice said. “No, I don’t have friends.” Ramon said. “Stop being scared of doing the same thing over and over. You are stronger than that, stronger than ever. You are my son, and you are a good man. Stop running towards the easiest path, and say sorry, not to everyone you hurt, but to yourself. And after all of that, find your friends.” the voice said. Ramon cried, he gritted his teeth, and made a fist. He turned around, and ran into the darkness.

Young Ramon found himself looking in a pond, a monster, bat-like wings, long limbs, a protruding ribcage, legs like a goat, a monstrous face and fangs. Covered in blood. He was lucid, he turned around seeing blood, and Alice. A bloodcurdling scream was the only thing that could be heard.