3 Weird Occurrences

Jolting awake, a young man no more than 16 of age sat upright in bed. Almost like he had a nightmare, sweat dripped down his face. It took him a few seconds to finally calm down and collect himself.

"That dream again..."

Wait, dream? How can I still be dreaming? I thought I finally finished it.

My heart thumped loudly as desperation washed over me. After all these years, I managed to paint true art just to find out it was in my imagination. But it felt so vivid...

Let's look on the bright side, if it didn't happen until now I still have a few days to realize it. I miss the others already but it needs to be done.

Experience taught me that negative emotions overwhelm positive ones by a far margin. Only through this will I achieve perfection.

Taking a look at my surroundings, left me slightly confused. I can't recognize this place at all. Lavish decorations, expensive furniture, extravagant artwork, and a wide array of different scents. This is definitely no normal house. It is way too big and the atmosphere feels very high class.

Even though we used to wander from place to place to banish the evil, I don't think we have ever spent the night somewhere this luxurious. I wonder where I am.

"Seth! Oy Seth, where the hell are we?" I screamed at the top of my lungs in hopes of an answer.

However, even after waiting for a couple of minutes, there was no response. The silence was deafening. No sounds came to my ears. Only the sound of my own breathing.

What the hell is going on here? I'm sure Seth would've answered me by now. Did he get lost again?

With no other choice, I stood up from my bed. Oddly enough, I felt very light on my feet. As if gravity had been turned off.

Taking the first step forward almost caused me to lose my balance and fall. My every movement felt unnaturally smooth and different. It's almost like I'm not used to this body but that would be absurd.

Whilst walking towards the door, I took my time to enjoy all this fancy stuff around me. There are paintings everywhere. Every single wall has a painting depicting some sort of story or event.

Although this form of art can never compare to what I strive to create, it still has its own charm.

Walking past a mirror framed in gold, I gasped at my reflection. My skin is white as snow, my eyes scarlet red and my hair pure white. What the hell is this?

Standing frozen in place, I stared at myself in awe. Are my eyes playing tricks on me? Is this real? My hands started shaking as I reached out to touch the reflection.

Although,I do not resent how I currently look like since it was way better than before, this is the most disastrous thing that could've possibly happened. How will the masses recognize me as one of the 7 heroes if I look like this?

They won't bloom with emotions knowing the heroes just died because of someone else and not because of the ultimate betrayal. This can't be happening. My perfect art piece...

Anxiously, I tried to find a solution. Thinking of ways to make people accept my appearance. To make them know it is me. Distracted by these thoughts, I didn't hear the door to my room opening.

It wasn't until a hand touched me that I came back to my senses as I instinctively brought the person behind me into a chokehold. Pinning them to the ground, I assessed the situation.

A girl, looking a bit older than me with long, silky white hair. She wore a black dress that complimented her pale complexion. Her eyes were also scarlet red, much like mine.

The more I look at her, the more she resembles what I currently look like. Intrigued by this and considering she carries no dangerous weapons with her, I released my grip.

"Sorry, bad habit of mine. Life of an assassin was tough." I exclaimed.

"What the hell do you mean bad habit and assassin?! Noah, did you hit your head again? You know father is already at his limits right now." The girl said with an irritated tone.

"I think you have mistaken me for someone else. My name is Leon beautiful lady." I said as I extended my hand to help her up.

I must admit, her beauty is quite something. Her slender frame and delicate features. I think someone like her would be perfect for another minor art of mine.

"Leon? Noah stop playing your games. I don't care who you are trying to fool, I am not interested in any of your nonsense. I just wanted to let you know that father wants to talk to you." She said, slightly flustered. Getting up from the floor, the girl stormed out of the room.

A pity. I wanted to ask her to take part in my art but she is already gone. What a peculiar girl. Does she have a mental illness or why is she mixing me up with someone else?

Anyways, let's get going. I wonder how I will explain this appearance to the others. Maybe Seth knows how to fix this.

Walking through the corridors, I stumbled across several servants cleaning up. The moment they noticed me, their expressions changed into that of disgust. They quietly whispered among themselves and pointed at me.

Thinking nothing more of it, I hummed a tune and continued walking. People are jealous of what they can't achieve all the time. It's an unsightly emotion but whatever. Aslong as it won't affect my art it is fine.

Calling out for Seth and the others, I aimlessly walked around. When I finally got a response, I was delighted at first but that soon turned into disappointment.

"Noah what the hell are you doing here? Go visit father before he finally decides to exile you." Yelled the girl I just met earlier.

"Pleasure meeting you again. First off, I'm still not Noah but instead called Leon. Do you perhaps have a interest in creating art together with me?" I asked.

But instead of an answer, the girl violently dragged me along her whilst relentlessly complaining and telling me to behave like someone worthy of the Hazecrest name.

Since I was basically lost in that giant house, I didn't resist and just followed her around. Maybe she can guide me to the others.

Taking an abrupt stop before a simple door, the girl tried to lecture me.

"Noah listen to me. Although I can tolerate your actions, you know that father won't hesitate to disown you if you cross the line one more time. So please, pull yourself together. If not for you then for me." She said, stopping to face me.

It surprised me how much she was concerned about me. She genuinely seems to care for me but I don't know why. Giving her a quick nod, I entered the room she pointed towards.

Upon entering it, I saw a man sitting alone on a chair. He was looking at me with cold eyes and a stern expression. He radiated a menacing aura without even having to move a muscle.

"Noah. I hope you have a very good explanation for what you have done." His voice was as harsh and unforgiving as his gaze.

What's up with all these people and them calling me Noah?

"Hello good sir, I do not know what you are refferring to but I don't remember ever doing something wrong. I would like to ask you to give me some context for this conversation. And please call me Leon and not Noah." I replied.

The man seemed furious as he slammed on the table with his fist. "You know full well what I am talking about. What makes you think blackmailing the only daughter of the Glorydrifter dukedom into becoming your girlfriend is a good idea? We just got an upper edge over them and you had to ruin it." He yelled in anger.

"Blackmailing someone from a Glorydrifter dukedom? I don't recall ever doing something like that. Furthermore, the last time I checked, noble houses vanished a few decades ago." I said, having already given up to correct the name.

What is going on in this place? Everything is so weird here. Glorydrifter, Hazecrest? Didn't they play an important role in [Tribute to Death]? This has nothing to do with reality.

I could feel the room getting colder as the man grew angrier and angrier.

"Noah, your actions have brought us into huge trouble. Fortunately, they turned a blind eye to this after bribing them with alot of money. If you ever dare to pull another one of your stunts, don't bother coming back. This will be your final warning. You are dismissed." He said, pointing at the door.

First my new appearance, then the constant mix-up with someone named Noah and now I'm accused of blackmailing? This is starting to get annoying.

If my reputation gets destroyed because of that and my art suffers the consequences, I will make sure to raze this place to the ground.

But first I have to find out what's going on here.

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Author's Note: For those that can't imagine the appearance of the girl, check the comments. I left a picture there for you.

And our protagonist Leon looks exactly like the Cover.