Six; Open Mind

It was early morning, in a small coffee shop in Tokyo. It was mostly empty, except for a few students who had class early. The man working behind the counter was busy when a new man walked in.

He was tall, and his golden hair flowed past his waist. He was dressed in a pair of long, brown-gold pants, and wore a yellow, button up shirt, which was left unbuttoned at the top and bottom to expose the edges of the darker shirt he had on underneath it. Over it all he wore a short yellow coat, which had its cuffs folded back. Each piece of clothing he wore was tattered and ripped in several places. His face was concealed beneath a mask made of solid gold, with lines engraved around the eye holes and down the center.

As soon as the worker saw the masked man enter, he made to press the alarm button under the counter to call the police. He didn’t want a suspicious masked man causing trouble in his store. But before he could reach the button, his arm froze. He couldn’t get it to move, as if it was bound by an invisible shackle.

The masked man sat down in front of the counter and locked eyes with the man. His eyes had deep yellow irises and slitted pupils.

“I wouldn’t alert anyone if I were you,” he said.

“Who do you think you-?” the worker started to ask, but he stopped mid-sentence. He couldn’t speak English. Why was he speaking English?

“I’m looking for this woman,” the masked man said, ignoring the worker’s question and sliding a photograph of a young Japanese girl in a schoolgirl outfit toward the man.

“I don’t know who that is,” the man admitted.

“Then coming here was a waste of time,” the masked man said, getting up and walking to the door.

“Who are you!?” the man behind the counter demanded, as he realized his arm was suddenly free again.

“I am the Gold King,” the masked man said, closing the door behind him.

*Meanwhile, at the hospital*

Alan stood by the open window, talking to Akro Tirio. It was still early, so no one else was up. He was using the opportunity to learn Japanese slang from Akro. He had been given a room on the second floor, and his broken foot was now bound in a splint. He could walk, but it wasn't easy for him.

"Okay, what else did you learn?" Alan asked.

Akro grumbled something.

"Watashi wa kamingu yo?" Alan asked. "The hell does that one mean?"

Akro replied with a short growl.

"Oh," Alan said. "I... um... I don't think I'll be using that one anytime soon."

Alan turned away from the window for a moment and reached into his satchel. He withdrew Eston and began flipping through its pages. Akro let out a concerned noised.

"I need to check something," Alan said. "Yeah, here it is. The next spell in this book. It's Bierto Malus."

Akro gave alan a questioning growl.

"The Malice Lightning spell," Alan explained. "The one that guy used on us."

Akro growled again.

"Yeah," Alan agreed. "It's powerful, but there's a couple catches. One, I need a focus."

Akro nodded, urging Alan to continue.

"The second is a lot darker," Alan said. "The spell is fueled by hatred. It won't work properly unless I really want someone dead."

Akro made a noise that sounded almost like a gasp.

"I know," Alan said. "I've never killed anyone. Anyone human, at least... I really don't wanna have to use this spell..."

The door behind Alan creaked open, and Akro immediately ducked out of sight. A man a little taller than Alan entered. He had deep blue hair pulled into a pony tail, and he was extremely muscular.

"So you're the kid who help my wife and daughters out, huh?" he asked.

"I guess so," Alan said, turning to him. "Are you Kiku's husband?"

"Name's Yuuma," the man said, approaching Alan and extending his hand.

"Alan Peredur," Alan said, shaking it.

"I never expected that Nightgaunts were actually real," Yuuma said. "Or that a human could take one down. I'm impressed."

"So you already know about Nightgaunts?" Alan asked.

"My son was a huge Lovecraft nerd," Yuuma said. "He left all his cosmic horror stuff behind when he moved to America to become a law student."

"He sounds cool," Alan said. "So what happened to the body, anyway?"

"It's in the basement," Yuuma said. "We're gonna have the boys do an autopsy on it."

"Okay," Alan said. "You might wanna make it quick though. Nightgaunt bodies disappear a couple days after they die."

"I never new that," Yuuma said. Then, deciding to change the subject, he asked "So, how's your foot?"

"Doing better," Alan said. "You guys are some pretty good doctors."

"Nah, Kiku's the doctor," Yuuma said. "I'm no good with the medical stuff."

"So what do you do?" Alan asked.

"I'm a martial arts instructor," Yuuma said.

"Cool," Alan said.

*Meanwhile, at a hotel*

"Hey man, wake up!" Jaxson said. "We've got a busy day of band stalking ahead of us."

Artur got up and stared at Jaxson with bloodshot eyes.

"Well, excuse me for not getting used to the timezone shift as fast as you," he said.

"I've never understood why humans need so much sleep," Jaxson muttered. "So where's Jarmil, anyway?"

"He called last night and said he's spying on Alan," Artur said.

"Oh, so he found him, huh?" Jaxson asked. "What does he mean 'spying'?"

"Knowing Jarmil, probably standing at a distance and watching him in a very creepy manner," Artur replied.

*Later that night*

"So what's left on the list?" Ayako asked.

Alan glanced at the slip of paper he was holding.

"Looks like all we have left is thyme and ground cumin," he said. He then chuckled and said "Heh, cumin."

"What was that?" Ayako asked.

"Nothing," he said. "So, why did you want me to come shopping with you two?"

"Just because," Ayako replied. "Asuka, can you hold the basket for a sec?"

"Sure," Asuka said, taking the grocery basket while Ayako knelt down to grab some spices off the self.

"So Alan, how's it going with that dictionary?" she asked.

"I've finished the A and B section," he said. "About halfway through the Cs."

"That's cool," Ayako said, dropping the seasonings into the basket. "Come on, let's go."

They payed for the groceries and left the store.

"So, who wants coffee?" Ayako asked.

"Sure," Asuka said.

Alan was about to answer, but he stopped when he noticed Jarmil standing across the street, watching him in a very creepy manner. Jarmil gave him a one sided smile, then beckoned for him to follow before darting down an alley.

"Um, actually, I have something I need to take care of," Alan said. "I'll meet you two back at the hospital."

"Okay," Asuka said.

"Have fun with your mystery stuff!" Ayako added brightly.

Alan gripped the walking stick Kiku had lent him and made his way across the street, going down the alleyway Jarmil had gone.

*Meanwhile*

Takumi winced as a back-alley doctor examined his battered ribcage.

"What the hell were you doing?" the street doctor asked.

"I ran into some punk who got in my way," Takumi replied. "So how's it look?"

"Three broken, two fractured," the man said. "You should take it easy for a while, maybe get some proper medical atention."

"No," Takumi said, getting to his feet and walking away.

"But those are some serious wounds!" the man said. "You shouldn't be walking around at all!"

"That Alan guy fought me for ten minutes with a broken foot," Takumi hissed, barely audible. "If he can take that kind of pain, then so can I."

*Meanwhile*

Jarmil stopped in the middle of an empty street and turned to face Alan.

“So who are you?” Alan asked.

“My name is Jarmil Horak,” Jarmil said. “It’s nice to meet you, Alan Peredur.”

“How do you know my name?” Alan asked.

“I can understand the name a person holds closest to them upon meeting them,” Jarmil said.

“Weird,” Alan muttered. “So what’s the deal?”

“I wish to fight with you,” Jarmil said.

“Is that why you led me to the middle of this conveniently empty street?” Alan asked.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Jarmil said.

“Why?” Alan asked.

“I find the best way to understand a person is to square off with them,” Jarmil said. “What did you learn through your fight with Takumi the other night?”

“So that’s his name,” Alan said. “Were you there?”

“As a cultist, I’m pretty good at staying hidden,” Jarmil said.

“A cultist, huh?” Alan said. “I beat up people like you.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do,” Jarmil said. “So tell me; what did you learn about Takumi?”

“He’s tough,” Alan said. “Merciless. He used a spell with the intent to kill me.”

“Yes he did,” Jarmil said. “You learned about him, and now I wish to learn about you.”

“Fine then,” Alan said, raising his walking stick as if it were a sword. “Let’s begin.”

Jarmil closd the distance between them quickly and threw a hook punch. Alan blocked it with his free hand and jabbed his cane into Jarmil’s solar plexus, pushing him back. Alan swung his cane through the air at Jarmil’s head, but he grabbed it and yanked it forward, pulling Alan off balance. As Alan fell forward, Jarmil hit him with a palm heel strike to his chest, knocking him onto his back. Jarmil took a step back and ran his hand along the cane, where the hospital’s logo was printed in English.

“Minami Medical Center,” Jarmil said, keeping his eyes locked shut. “So that’s the hospital’s name.”

“I have a question for you,” Alan said, getting shakily to his feet. “Why are your eyes closed?”

“Come again?” Jarmil asked, smiling. He handed the cane back to Alan, who took it gratefully.

“You’ve kept your eyes closed this entire time,” Alan said. “What’s the deal with that?”

“Oh that’s simple,” Jarmil chuckled. “You see, the reason I keep I eyes closed is because I’m blind.”

“What?” Alan asked. “Then… how could you read the words on the cane?”

“There’s more to me than you realize,” Jarmil said. “My eyes may be closed, but my mind is wide open.”
"Okay," Alan said. "I'm nt sure I understand, but whatever. Let's keep going."
"Yes," Jarmil said, raising his fists. "Let's."
The two of them continued fighting, dodging and blocking each others attacks. Alan used his cane like a sword, swinging it from various angles to try and hit Jarmil, who kept stopping the attacks easily with his forearms.
"You're fast," Jarmil commented, while dodging one one of Alan's attacks. "But why are you still holding back?"
"Funny," Alan said. "I was about to ask you the same question."
"So you've noticed?" Jarmil said, chuckling. "Fine, I'll go all out if you insist."
Jarmil got a hit in, pushing Alan back a few feet. He then untied his robe, allowing it to fall to the ground. Before Alan could react, Jarmil's body began glowing with a bright white light. He charged toward Alan with incredible speed. Alan barely got out of the way in time, and Jarmil sped past him. Jarmil skidded to a halt and turned back to Alan. He charged again, and Alan sidestepped him and caught his leg with his cane. Jarmil tripped and fell over, but managed to get back up quickly and threw several lightning fast punches at Alan, who did his best to block them. One of Jarmil's punches managed to connect, hitting Alan in the forehead and throwing him off balance. Jarmil grabbed Alan by the shirt and swung him around, using the momentum to fling Alan into the sir.
"Shit!" Alan exclaimed, as he flew up into the air. 
He pulled his mask from his coat and slipped his arms through its sleeves, putting on his steel knuckles as he did so. He allowed the coat to fall from him before he began falling as well.
"Akro Tirio!" he called, as the ground sped up toward him.
Akro Tirio flew in from between some buildings and caught Alan before he could hit the ground. The two of them touched gently to the ground as Alan stuck his mask on.
"Finally calling your Shoggoth, are you?" Jarmil asked, as his body stopped glowing. "Good. Now I can get serious."
Jarmil raised a hand, and a ball of silver flames appeared in his palm. He swung his hand in a wide arc, and the flames spread quickly. Akro lifted Alan into the air before they could touch them. Alan looked back down at the fire, but it was all gone. And the ground where the fire hand touched was coated in a layer of frost.
"No way," Alan said, as they touched back down. "Those are Aphoom-Zhah's flames! How can tyou use them?"
"I can use the powers of many Old Ones," Jarmil said. "I hope you're ready. Because I've got plenty more where that came from."

*Meanwhile, in front of the hospital*

A young girl walked down the sidewalk carrying a bag full of books. She stopped when she felt a sudden presence behind her. She turned to see Drahoslav watching her intently.

“Hello, little girl,” he said. “What are you up to?”

“I was just bringing some books down to the orphanage,” she said. “I'm Sally. What’s your name?”

“Oh, that’s not important,” Drahoslav said calmly, looking up at the hospital. “This is a nice place, isn’t it?”

“I don’t know,” Sally said. “I’ve never been inside.”

“Oh, you haven’t?” Drahoslav said, walking around her in a wide circle as she looked up at the building. “It’s a nice place. Patients there are treated exceptionally well. The foods great, and the owner’s a real sweet lady.”

“Wow,” Sally said. “It sounds nice.”

Drahoslav was standing behind her now, and a sick smile twisted across his face as he drew a handgun from his waistband. He took aim, narrowing his eyes down at her.

“How would you like to spend some time there?”

Before she could answer, he had pulled the trigger, and the loud sound of the gunshot resounded through the air. The bullet tore into Sally’s spine, and she screamed as she fell to the ground. She couldn’t feel her legs at all anymore, and her ears were ringing from the noise the gunshot had made. But even so, she could still hear the sound of Drahoslav’s malicious laughter, a sound which burned itself into her memory.

Kzed report 23

I’ve decided to begin research into Shoggoths. They are peculiar beings, formed from the thoughts of their creators.

In order to create one, a person must complete a complex ritual, while praying to the fertility goddess, Shub-Niggurath. It’s important for the creator to envision how they wish their Shoggoth to look, and what it’s functions will be.
A Shoggoth normally appears as a hulking, gelatinous monster, but if a person is focused enough during the creation process, they can create a Shoggoth with virtually any form imaginable. They could even give it multiple forms. Legend speaks of one Shoggoth that can perfectly shapeshift into a human.
Shoggoth’s are not only created by humans, but by the Great Old Ones as well. It’s also supposedly possible for Shoggoth’s to breed with each other. I’m not entirely sure on how this works, but I intend to look into it.
My latest colleague had volunteered to create a Shoggoth. This will help with my research, but it does worry me. If a Shoggoth is created through the ritual, it will inevitable turn on its master. My colleague says he will take his chances, but still…