Will of a Prince

When Jacob opened his eyes, he found himself in a familiar dark space. However, it felt like he was able to freely move around it. Everything around him was pitch black. Every step he took, it seemed as if water rippled under his feet, making a sound that echoed into the vast expanse of nothingness.

"Hello?"

His voice echoed for miles. There was no response... initially.

Suddenly, A dark voice started responding back to Jacob’s call, vibrating his very being as it spoke.

"Crimson Prince. How strange to see you once again."

"Who are you? Where are? What exactly am I talking to right now?"

A realization suddenly hit Jacob, and he looked down at his right arm. His mark was nowhere to be seen.

’How the hell-’

"So many questions, yet you don’t worry for your life? Do you not question whether you are in danger right now?"

"You would have killed me by now if I really was in danger. What do you want from me?"

A dark laugh ran through his body.

"It is not a matter of what I want, but what you are destined to do. The mark you bear is no ordinary one. You will be subjugated to a most a most gruesome fate. My job is to simply wait for that moment."

"Wait for that moment? What then? What’s going to happen?"

"Wouldn’t it be so nice if we all had answers to everything. Tell me Crimson Prince, do you know your creator?"

"I don’t go by that name anymore. It has been buried along with my past self."

"Do you really think it’s that simple to get rid of your past? Your past is something that will always be a part of you. Whether you choose to run from it or face it is up to you. However, you can not pretend it was never you. Now answer my question and I may consider answering one of yours. Do you know your creator?"

"Do you mean like a god or my father and mom?"

"I mean your creator. Who is that has made you?"

"I guess it would have to be my parents then, realistically speaking."

"You are wrong."

"What? What do you mean I’m wrong?"

"Humans aren’t created by simply being born. Humans are created through experiences."

"I don’t think I follow."

"Every experience, every emotion, every pain, every relationship, and every feeling a human may feel is merely a building block for their creation. I’m curious as to what you have to say. When do you think a human has finished its creation?"

Jacob thought to himself for a moment before responding.

’Why the hell is this creepy voice speaking philosophy into my ear? Where is he going with this?’

"I guess a human is created when they find out who they really are. At least that’s how it seems in the way you put it."

"You are wrong again. A human is only created when they die. How ironic, right?"

"That makes no sense. How can something be created when it dies?"

"Because humans never stop changing when they are alive. Up until that very last breath they take, there will always be something different changed about them. Whether it be physically, mentally, or spiritually, humans are never the same person they were a moment ago. They have an unlimited capacity to change when they live. That person they leave behind when they die, that is who they officially become. This is what you humans call a legacy."

"I thought a legacy was simply following the footsteps of another’s work, possibly making it better if they were to inherit it."

"If only they were that simple. The true image of a legacy is simply the creation of a person that people wish to become."

"Why are you telling me all this? What are you getting at here?"

"Your legacy, the person you are trying to become, is one that will never be welcomed in this world. As long as people have the free will to do evil, evil will exist within this world. Even if millennia of peace were to be created by your legacy, time would eventually corrupt it. Not even concepts of good and evil are as eternal as time."

Jacob smiled. He felt like slapping himself in the face. It was so obvious what this being was trying to do to him. Jacob let out a loud laugh and started rolling on the floor. After taking a moment to compose himself, he stood back up and fixed his hair.

"I’m sorry, it’s just... I just realized what you’re trying to do! You’re trying to make my dreams seem as hopeless as possible!"

Jacob started laughing some more.

"Like hell I would take the word of an eyeless bastard in my dreams! You’re only strengthening my resolve by doubting me! I don’t know how long I’m stuck with you, but I would love to see the look on your creepy face when I finally accomplish my dream!"

"We’ll see just how far resolve can get you. I can almost promise, that won’t be nearly enough."

"Since when were you so talkative? Do you get lonely sitting on my arm all day?"

There was no response.

"Time is running short. I hope you’re prepared, Crimson Prince."

"Hey, you asked me if I knew my creator before. Do you know yours?"

Suddenly, waves started to ripple in the dark expanse he was in. Clearly, what Jacob had said upset him.

Something that felt like hands grabbed on to both of his shoulders and started shaking him. Jacob couldn’t see what was attacking. He desperately tried to shake off the invisible force, to no avail. Just then, everything went dark. He opened his eyes once more to see Joseph trying to shake Jacob awake.

"Young Lord! Young Lord!! Are you okay?! Please wake up!"

Jacob lazily opened his eyes. His entire body felt like it weighed three tons.

"J-Joseph? Is that you?"

Joseph started wiping some sweat off his brow and gave Jacob some space.

"Thank goodness you’re awake! You’ve been asleep for so long we started to get worried! Then, when I came to check in on you, your right arm was smoking!"

Jacob’s temporary shock was thrown off for a moment.

"My right arm?"

He looked at where his marking stood. Still there on his skin, was the creepy skull with its mouth open. Only, the runes were now glowing a dark scarlet and steam was slowly dissipating around its head.