Solo storyline, image stock credit; NeFan @ DA, editing credit; Blizzard.
PROLOGUE: THE DEAD.
Grand Line, the harshest sea ever in existence. Sometimes even a sea like this one, comes across monsters that surpass the limitations placed on every human. Powers that mingle with the waters, the lands, and the skies tearing apart the natural structures are the very core of the weapon of these monsters. Stories told elsewhere that these monsters are those that rise from the dead, those who have witnessed claim;
"What is dead may never die, but rises again harder and stronger." But of course it is known to many that even the powers of devil fruits cannot bring the souls from another realm back to life. So, how does one die and be reborn again? Many say that this death they speak of isn't physical. The death that occurs on these monsters is of their spiritual beings. They are entrapped in this world, unable to leave, but have lost any and all purpose of living. Instead they gain something beyond perception, something that doesn't makes them flinch when they cut the throats of innocents, or crush the skulls of weak.
They feel no pain and no remorse. Everything within them is dead, except the one single moment when they take life of another. They feel a certain excitement that gives meaning to their pumping blood organ, a chill races down their spine, their pupil dilate capturing more details of the moment, their brain lights up due to the thrill of it, and their sensory organs are at utmost alert due to the strong scent and taste of iron in the blood. This is what they yearn the most.
In one of the islands of this harshest sea, another one of the dead monster was being born, his name; Grim.
When is a person considered dead? Is it when the heart stops beating, the mind stops responding, the life within and around the body becomes still and cold, or is it when the memories of ones existence disappear and become a fragment of distant past never to return again? No. That is when life is born, when the bones and skin deteriorate making room for a new life in that soil, when the old customs become memory forcing newer ones to fill the gaps. A person is really dead when "the cause" of his/her life cease to exist. When that happens; some just accept the fate, but others revolt! And the monsters are born among those that revolt...
Grim, was seen dragging his own body out of the water on the barren side of the island's. Stumbling his way on the grass he let himself drop as his red cloak floated in air for few seconds only to return and rest gently on his back and legs, as he lied faced down. He turned his face to the side, his breathing gradually calmed down while he observed the water droplets drip down from the edge of his hairs; some traced their way on his skin, the other dripped straight down on the surface of grass then followed a new course. They all sparkled under the bright sunlight.
A little time had passed and his body regained some of its strength back, he moved his left hand from under his cape to the side, in front of his face. Now observing the palm of his hand he felt it again... a sudden jerk, an attack, a seizure; this occurrence was becoming more common now, it always brought back a memory from past and it was never something he would've cherished. The memories brought back were mostly about "her", his cause, his reason for existence. In reality it was only for a fraction of second, but in his mind he experienced the entire memory all over again.
The memory this time was the cruelest of all. It was of the day when she died. In the memory, Grim saw himself lying down the same way he was lying in present, but on wet concrete as rain poured endlessly. His hand, just like in present was in front of his face inches away, but this time it was painted with blood. Blood of the one who he loved the most. His body was drained of energy, still in shock as his bloody hand moved away from his face and he found himself staring at a pool of blood and water that traced back to her. Her white clothes had now turned red, her face as angelic as ever, a smile set on her face and her eyes closed. Grim knew the reality, she was already dead. Her soul had left her body long ago, but the satisfying look she left with was an eternal lie covering that cruel reality.
As the realization sunk in, Grim found himself splashing his way closer to her lifeless body as tears rolled down his cheeks. He took her in his arms, tightly grasping her closer to his chest letting out a scream. The screamed echoed and triggered the memory to end, bringing him back to reality. In present; there was no blood, weather was clear, grass was soft, everything was perfect... but she wasn't there. The memory had left him with just a final echo of her voice;
"Live." Which resulted him to embrace the fatigue, closing his eyes he went in deep slumber.
Grim's eyes slowly opened upon feeling a strange sensation of being carried somewhere. He could feel the hard wooden surface touching his back, and hear the sound of running of wheels. He still didn't have enough energy to respond to whatever that was happening to his body, so his eyes once again shut close to sleep just before catching a glimpse of a shadow of child running towards him, the brightness of the sun failed to allow him to capture any other details.
Some days have passed, the moon was high in the sky illuminating some parts of the island while the rest still stayed in darkness. Small lamps and lights have been lit all over the island's populated areas to suppress that darkness even more. A mist from the sea enveloped the outskirts of the island. In one of the poorly constructed, nearly broken home near the outskirts lied Grim. He gained consciousness due to the heat getting intense very near to him, as he opened his eyes he saw the kid hovering over him with sparkling eyes and observing the stranger, Grim. As soon as the child realized that Grim had opened his eyes, his face lightened with a big smile as he quickly ran outside calling to his dad;
"Otosan! Otasan! He's awake!"
As the boy disappeared in distance their conversation just became murmurs. Grim forced his way up, stretching his arms and cracking his neck he realized that they had taken good care of his body. The wounds he got on the abdomen out in the sea were treated and dressed (how he got hurt will be explained later). He realized his weapon and hoister belt was missing. As he was about to get up he noticed the faint footsteps become louder, when finally a man entered the room by moving the old curtain aside where a door is supposed to be. He was holding Grim's pistol as he approached cautiously, slowly moving his arm up pointing the gun at him.
"Aki stay outside and wait for me." He instructed his son as he looked at Grim with vary eyes, looking for answers. Grim sighed and didn't say anything when the man finally decided to question;
"Aki, my son, found you lying on ground near the coast. You had a bad fever. So we decided to bring you here and treat you. We didn't have much but we hoped you will be fine, and seems like it worked. You have been out for three days... To repay our courtesy you will answer every question truthfully." He waited for few seconds for a response from Grim, but when he got none he continued...
"What's your name?" Grim finally lifted his head, his crimson eyes illuminated intensely due to the flames, he responded with a softly;
"Akai.", man made an odd expression learning that the stranger's name was a color red. He tightened the grip on the pistol as he repeated almost sounding like a question:
"Akai?" He continued;
"How did you end up at the coast like that?" he questioned.
"I was going to Machine Island, got caught up in a rough water current." Grim explained. He used a minimal possible way of conversing with no explanation, yet his words were soft and very convincing
"Machine Island." the man repeated again.
"So, you're just a traveler?" He began to loosen up and his tone was now much softer than before.
"Yes." Grim answered.
"And the gun?" He asked.
"Safety." Grim replied.
"And your arm?" He pointed at the gauntlet.
"Remains of an accident." Yet another simple answer.
"Ah. So. You're not a pirate! I was so worried we might have saved a pirate! Hahaha! I am glad we were able to help you young man. Sorry for being so serious, I had to make sure my kid's safety. My name is Fuwa, I am fisherman and cook here on the island. Welcome to my little home!" Said the man cheerfully as he lowered the gun clicking it back into the hoister, he then threw it towards Grim who caught it effortlessly.