Shadow Slave: From the Depths

On a rainy Monday, a tall young man walked across the bustling streets of NQSC. 

Though, with an unsteady gait and the occasional stumble, it may be more appropriate to call it a "blunder."

A young man blundered across the bustling streets of NQSC... But it was not really a street. 

They were beaten dirt tracks, muddy and irregular, so much so that not even the sturdiest of PTVs could maneuver through them steadily. And though they were indeed "bustling," that might give one the idea that they were prosperous. That couldn't be farther from the truth.

As far as the eye could see, beggars and indigents lined the dirt paths, while robbers and criminals of every kind hid in the dark alleys. Their hungry eyes waited for any opportunity to strike an easy prey.

Although another person might dub it a 'cesspit,' for the young man it was simply home. After living on the outskirts for many years, he had grown accustomed to the pungent smells and unsanitary streets. Even the surly faces that stared at him as he blundered his way through the trail were people he had known since his early childhood.

Nobody offered any assistance to the young man, though. It was not difficult to understand why they avoided him. He had been feeling drowsy for days... and on the outskirts, that was a death sentence. When people saw him shuffling along, they saw nothing but a walking corpse. A dangerous corpse.

Initially, he thought he had come down with a cold again, which was a common occurrence for him in these last years due to the wretched environment. However, as the hours passed and the exhaustion grew, with not a fever in sight, it finally dawned on him. He was infected with the Nightmare Spell.

A common person would be desperate. They might try to deny it. They might try to fight the sleep. But not the young man. A bright smile adorned his face. 'Finally, I can be free from this hellhole.'

 -x-

It had been some ten years since Jack first came to this world. How does one change worlds, you might ask? The usual way... A contract with the Devil.

In his case, Jack had reached an accord with an unknown Entity: he would be sent to a human world in desperate need of salvation, and do his part in its preservation. More specifically, to a world he previously thought to be fictional; a plane of creatures so vile, only a demented person would willingly clash with them: The world of Shadow Slave.

Now, Jack had never been a hero. And the very idea of going to a dying world filled to the brim with Eldritch beasts and even worse humans sent a chill down his spine. No sane person would ever volunteer. 

But there was a slight problem: Jack had been on his merry way to a Hell-like plane before his soul was abducted by the mysterious Entity. And, should he deny the Entity's request, it would not be long before he got to his original destination. 

'Between the Cross and the Sword, as they say. In this case, between Hell and Hell 2.0.'

With no better option, he tried reasoning with his captor.

"If I may be so bold," Jack said tentatively, "in which way could I possibly save the world you speak of? If even that world's warriors can't, who am I to do so? If I'm being realistic, I'll probably die in my first nightmare!" His ghostly face displayed a deep sense of distress. Despite being unable to visually perceive the Entity in the dark void, Jack sensed its presence all around him. It resembled a massive abyssal creature, too immense for the common human mind to truly comprehend.

At that moment, the Entity, which until then had only spoken through soul resonance, revealed what Jack reckoned to be its genuine voice. A sound unlike he had ever heard, but at the same time familiar. If he were to describe it, it would be the perfect mesh between the sensual voice of a beautiful woman before lovemaking and the desperate cry of a thousand dying children. To say it was chill-inducing didn't make it justice.

"That was the first and the last time I will tolerate your manipulation attempts. I've chosen you for a reason, and you know it. Say what it is you want, and I'll consider it - no more bargaining."

Jack's distressed face slowly turned into an accommodating smile. 

"Of course, I should have expected nothing less of such a distinguished being." An alien, but clearly impatient sound urged him to continue. "The only thing this humble servant asks of you is to be given something in the way of real power. From what I understand, those Aspects you speak of are all deeply limited by this Spell. I would like to be given an ability beyond its limits. Something with which I could conquer the Spell itself and save humanity..."

A brief pause. "I believe you have something in mind?"

Jack's smile widened even more. "I'm glad you asked."

They soon reached an accord that left both parties satisfied, and Jack was sent on his way to his new "Home." The only thing he didn't expect was...

"Did that fucker just reincarnate me as an orphan eight-year-old child from the slums?"

Maybe Jack Ripper wasn't as smart as he thought he was...

-x-

And that brought Jack to his current situation, blundering along, and happy to finally be free from the prologue of his life. "Now, if I could only find the damned Police Station... Ah, there it is!"

With its automatic turrets and steel reinforced walls, the police stations from the outskirts painted an imposing picture. The officers guarding its entrance also didn't look overly friendly to Jack as he approached them.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Jack said with a slight nod. No use being rude to the people with the electric batons.

"What do you want?" The scruffy officer leaning against the doorframe asked with obvious distaste. 

'Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.' Jack thought with a slight smile. At least police officers were the same whichever world you went to. 

"Hey! I'm talking to you!"

Jack cleared his throat.

"As demanded by the Third Special Directive, I've come to surrender myself as a carrier of the Nightmare Spell." 

The officer's expression instantly changed from irritated to wary. "How long have you been feeling the symptoms?"

"Well..." As soon as Jack opened his mouth to answer, the world turned around him, and his vision swam. 'I guess I'll be going a little earlier than planned...'

With that last thought, Jack finally slipped into a deep slumber as his body slammed into the floor.

[Aspirant! Welcome to the Nightmare Spell. Prepare for your first trial...]