Ghost's new ability
(3rd Person POV)
"Seven Samurai" faced limited competition during its release. Among its rivals, "Tales of the Evil Eye" from Arabia Kingdom's Rainfall Realm studio stood out most prominently. Though horror rarely captured demon audiences, the film managed to earn 1.2 million dollars - respectable numbers that still paled against Seven Samurai's 5.2 million dollar haul.
Critics showered "Seven Samurai" with praise. A prominent Horn Kingdom reviewer wrote, "I never expected a Japonese film to move me so deeply. Yet perhaps that's because it bears Arthur Pendragon's distinctive touch rather than being purely Japonese."
The kingdom's leading film magazine published another glowing review: "I approached Seven Samurai with skepticism - what interest could I have in samurai culture? Yet the masterful storytelling and noble bushido code captured me completely. This demands multiple viewings."
The film's impact on the industry was undeniable, even though its box office numbers didn't match Arthur's previous blockbusters. Many critics argued this worked in its favor - the film's mature themes and sophisticated storytelling represented artistic growth rather than commercial calculation.
Not every critic embraced "Seven Samurai." Some delivered scathing reviews: "Arthur Pendragon finally stumbles with this simplistic samurai propaganda. A pathetic attempt to glorify Japon's warrior class in our kingdom!"
Political accusations followed. "Arthur's loyalty demands investigation," wrote one critic. "Is this exiled demon prince secretly allied with the Japonese Empire? With war tensions rising, we can't ignore such suspicious pro-samurai messaging."
These critics barely addressed the film's artistic merits, instead fixating on Arthur's motives for celebrating samurai culture during such volatile times.
Yet the film's cultural impact proved undeniable. Days later, children darted through Hellscape Center wielding toy katanas from Hellfire Merchandise, their makeshift samurai outfits marking them as devoted fans. They played alongside peers still dressed as cowboys, evidence that "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" from two years prior had left its own lasting impression.
***
(Arthur POV)
Late afternoon sun streamed through my office windows, casting long shadows across the financial reports scattered on my mahogany desk. The leather chair creaked softly as I leaned back, studying "Seven Samurai's" box office numbers: 38 million dollars across Horn Kingdom, Morningstar, Japon, Choson, Bharat, and parts of South East Anatolia in just five days.
The figures couldn't match "Harry Potter's" record-breaking numbers - no surprise there. Hogwarts' magical allure, with its wands and flying brooms, naturally drew larger crowds than a story about seven warriors defending peasants from bandits. Yet in its simplicity lay its masterpiece quality.
That it outperformed the VFX-heavy "Tales of the Evil Eye" spoke volumes. The horror film's success in demon realms impressed me - most horror films flopped in our territories, and understandably so. We demons lived alongside the supernatural; even ghosts barely startled our children.
Horror typically thrived in human, elven, or dwarven realms, where supernatural encounters remained rare enough to shock. Their lands weren't saturated with ghostly phenomena like ours.
I'd watched "Tales of the Evil Eye" myself. Rather than relying on cheap scares, it crafted a compelling narrative about humans falling prey to a Jinn's manipulations. The storytelling sparked something in me - despite exploring fantasy, crime, westerns, and other genres, I'd never attempted horror.
My fingers drummed against the armrest as possibilities swirled. Perhaps it was time to create my own horror film, one that could frighten even demons.
Creating a truly frightening horror film for demons posed unique challenges. Ghosts hardly fazed them, being entities with minimal physical influence. Most spectral activity amounted to mere annoyances - doors mysteriously locking, TVs switching on unexpectedly, or the occasional shower prank. Even these minor physical interactions remained rare and brief.
To demons, ghosts were little more troublesome than buzzing flies.
A knock at my office door interrupted my thoughts. I sensed the familiar presences and smiled. 'Speaking of ghosts.' With a casual wave of magic, I unlocked the door. "Come in."
My ghost crew - Diddy, Puffy, Daddy, and the others - drifted through, their translucent forms catching the late afternoon light.
"Boss, we need a recharge," Diddy announced, hovering respectfully before my desk.
Puffy bobbed in agreement. "Just wrapped up telenovela filming. Used up all our ghost energy."
I nodded, understanding their predicament. Unlike living employees who needed salaries and meals, these spirits required regular infusions of my magic. Without ghost energy, they couldn't interact with physical objects and turned invisible to conserve power. Only the demon realm's night hours allowed them to naturally regenerate energy for the next day's work.
My unique ability to physically interact with these ghosts made me their only source of power - no one else could feed them magical energy.
"Which magic would you prefer? Rose or Sinful?" I offered, knowing their varied tastes.
"Sinful Magic's getting bland lately. I'll take Rose Magic!" Diddy chimed, sounding like a café patron ordering his favorite drink. His enthusiasm made me laugh.
"Give me Sinful Magic," Daddy said, ghostly tongue running across his lips. "Love that metallic taste..."
"Soundwave Magic for me!" Puffy declared.
The other ghosts turned to stare at him. "You're so weird, Puffy," Diddy muttered. "Who even likes Soundwave Magic?"
"I'll give you enough power to last a month," I offered.
Puffy's translucent form rippled with concern. "Not too much though - I don't want to explode!"
"Don't worry, I know your limits," I assured him, chuckling.
One by one, I touched each ghost, channeling magical energy into their forms. Their bodies briefly solidified before returning to their translucent state.
"Now this is what I call a recharge!" White exclaimed, beaming.
"Absolutely incredible," Party agreed.
As I watched them, wondering if they might help create a truly frightening demon horror film, Diddy's excited voice cut through my thoughts.
"Everyone, I think I just unlocked a new ability!"
"Me too!" Puffy bounced in the air. "I feel stronger!"
My curiosity piqued. "What kind of ability?"
"Let me demonstrate, boss." Diddy turned toward my coffee cup.
To my astonishment, his form seemed to melt into the cup. It rose into the air, Diddy's eyes and mouth appearing on its surface.
"Look - I can possess objects now!" his voice echoed from the floating cup.
I watched with growing interest as the other ghosts followed Diddy's lead, possessing various objects around my office. Items floated and chased each other while ghostly faces appeared on their surfaces.
"Interesting..." I mused, stroking my chin as I observed their antics.
The sight of possessed objects dancing through the air reminded me of "Beauty and the Beast" - where enchanted candelabras, clocks, and teapots brought the Beast's castle to vibrant life. But these floating items sparked a darker idea.
My mind turned to another film from my previous life - "Child's Play." What if a ghost possessed a doll, moving it at will while maintaining the façade of an ordinary plaything? Demons might dismiss translucent spirits, but a seemingly innocent doll that could physically interact with the world, capable of murder?
I pulled out my sketchbook and began designing the "Chucky" doll for the dollmaker. The standard Chucky wouldn't be enough to frighten demons - this version needed enhancement. I envisioned a magically empowered doll, nearly indestructible except against specific spells.
Like the original Chucky, this one would have flesh and blood beneath its plastic exterior. The combination of a possessed doll that bleeds when cut, enhanced by dark magic, might finally create something that could unsettle even demon audiences.
The ghosts' new abilities had unexpectedly provided the key to a truly frightening horror film.
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Advance chapters on P@treon.com/NewComer714.