Paradise Faith Cult...

I took a deep breath and analysed the man; he was tall and slim, wearing a tight red turtleneck shirt covered by a black coat. On his head was a crown-like hat lined with gold. The man had a pair of eyes that contained the world's colour plastered on a pale face.

He suddenly gazed in my direction and smiled. Seeing the smile, I tensed, not knowing why?

"Oh, look like we have a visitor. Let me introduce myself. I'm Doma," the man said with a gentle and perfect smile on his face as he walked graciously towards me. "So, who are you?"

"I-I-I'm Kazuya Shoku", I replied, still anxious. A few of the girls behind the man looked at me, their eyes glowing as they clapped their hands and stared at me.

Doma clapped his hands. "Come, no need to be nervous. Paradise Faith Cult welcomes you," Doma said, showcasing his flawless smile. Suppressing the fear in my heart, I calmed down and walked along with him towards the Cult.

The pagoda was two stories high, with a large entrance supported by several red pillars. On the front of the building was a large sign with "Paradise Faith Cult" written in beautiful calligraphy. Taking off my Geta (Japanese shoes), I stepped on the floor as a cooling sensation passed from my feet throughout my body. The floor was made of marble. Looking up, I could see a strange figure carved onto the roof.

"Do you like it?" Doma said, pointing towards a giant statue at the end of the temple. The figure resembled the mural on the roof, but the mural had only looked more monstrous.

The golden statue depicted a man with a simple hat on his head, his eyes slit, and every detail was intricately carved. However, under this seemingly extraordinary visage was a monster-like face capable of striking fear to the bravest of men. Trembling, I ask, "who is that? Some sort of god?"

At that moment, I saw his flawless smile break momentarily and instantly change back. "Silly you, this is a being far greater than God, a superior race…." Doma was about to continue rambling until one of the serving girls brought him tea and me a cup of water.

Flashing a childish smile at the girl, I couldn't suppress my inner charm, I grabbed the cup of water. "Thank you". Sipping the water, it travelled down my throat, soothing my beating heart.

Calming down, I finally noticed an irregularity. As a young child, I was exceptionally sensitive to everything in the world, absorbing all information. Well, I don't know if it's just me or if anybody as a child could, but I'm able to immerse myself into the world through all five of my senses.

How do I explain it? Well, a raging river isn't just water flowing in my eyes. No, I could hear every drop colliding with the earth surrounding me, count how many fish there are by smelling the fish swimming within and feel the river flow resonate through my body.

Sniffing the air gently, the scent of iron and rust wafted towards my nose. Inhaling more deeply, my eyes popped out and my cute face scrunched up. Putting down my cup of water, I tried my best to imitate Doma's smile, trying to pass off as a simple baby.

"I gotta go. My parents want me to go back home," I said, standing up. I walked towards the door, he followed.

"Well, then remember to come to visit us soon in the future," He said with his signature smile. I nodded.

Leaving, I looked back towards the majestic building, and then my gaze fell towards the serving women. Her face was deathly pale, and she subtly shook her head as if warning me to never return.

Quickly rushing back home, I waved my hands. Passing through the mountains, I half ran and stumbled over the enormous roots of trees and large stones. Taking a small break, I heard the quacking of ducks and ran towards the voice.

I don't know why I approached them, but when I did, my eyes glowed. Forgetting the previous event, I stared at the beautiful bird. It had a long yellow bill with a body of pure white. Its feathers resembled the clouds and beside the white duck were several smaller yellow duck's.

'Kawaiiiiiii!'

Entranced, I picked up my carving knife and found a towering white tree. Its branches were decorated with golden leaves, and bits and pieces of leaves and wood of the tree had painted the floor gold and white. Picking up a portion of the white wood and gently stabbing my carving knife into the wood, I felt it sink in. The wood was soft.

I looked at the family of ducks once again and carved the wood in my hand. Every stroke was intricate, and with a smile on my face, I focused on the work of art I was forming.

I felt at peace, not knowing the sun had dropped ever so slightly as night slowly devoured the night. Time quickly trickled away.

"Shoku!" I heard a call right behind me. Stopping, I looked behind. It was sister Yuki who had her hands on her knee breathing heavily.

"What took you so long? We were all so worried. Come on. We have to leave!" Wanting to stay a bit longer, I didn't dare argue, hearing how adamant her tone was.

Leaving, I looked behind, trying to spot the duck's but to no avail. Waving anyways, I ran with Yuki. 'This has been fun. I must come back here again.'

Clenching the figure of the duck in my hands, Yuki and I once again walked back home as I awaited my mother's screams. But I was surprised; instead of yelling, my mother ran up to me, pulling me in a hug.

'So… I'm not gonna be punished,' I wondered, but my suspicions were wiped out as I basked in Ichika's motherly love. I could hear a bit of weeping, and I felt guilty. 'How could I make my mother worry like that? Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!'.

Wallowing in guilt, my mother broke the hug and smiled, "You're grounded".

Dumbstruck, my jaws dropped, and the heartful moment had broken entirely. "Bu-" Trying to refute, I was completely stopped by a gesture of Mom as she pointed towards my room.

Relying on my final trump card, I bit my lips, summoned a few tears in my eyes and expanded my pupils. She hesitated. 'Aha, I got ya, face my secret technique "Eyes Of the Puppy".'

Unfortunately, I didn't realise utilising this technique would have a fatal drawback.

"Aya, my cute little Sho is soooooo cute", Ichika yelled, her hands reaching for my face as she gripped my cheeks.

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah" My scream rang throughout the village, my dad who had just left the smithy, shivered as I wept.

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Sleeping on my futon, I placed my duck statue on the shelf. "Goodnight, Yuki".

"Goodnight Shoku"...

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In the darkness of the night, a pale man wiped his red-stained hands on his pale face creating a deathly contrast between ethereal beauty and dangerous crimson. Staring at a village surrounded by purple trees... "He will come back. They all do... and if not well I will find him". He gave a deadly smile, his eyes filled with fascination.

Doma walked off, the darkness concealing any trace of his presence.

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A/N: How did you like the chapter? Was it good? Was it long enough? Also, don't worry, although I love duck's I won't ruin my story for it. Also do comment more and If possible I would like to see a ducc chain in the comments : )