~Etsuya Eto~ Etsuya traced the red line along his chest, streaking down from top right of his shoulder, across to the left side of his hip. He could feel its searing pain etched not only into his body, but into his mind as well. However, this sensation didn’t bring forth any remorse, nor did it bring up pain. These were simply lines layered upon his skin to alleviate others. And he could feel no greater joy than that sensation. Etsuya removed his fingers from his chest, bending down to pick up one of his shirts strewn across the floor. The shirt brought about a light sting wherever the fibers brushed his wounds. He didn’t mind it though, everything was for a cause, and so long as he held true to his ideals nothing could stop him from success, especially not pain. Etsuya spotted his acceptance letter, folded neatly atop his dresser. His mother had been overjoyed at his acceptance however, his father hadn’t showed any reaction. The only response that’d been given was a gruff “You’re going” And that was the end of that. His mother’s reaction had given him a burst of joy. After all, one was better than none, especially when it came to the happiness people felt. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now here he was, a guest at an acceptance party for the elite of the elite, a gathering for the best of the best. Here he stood, soon to be recognized as one of the members of the greatest education facility known to man. He smiled to himself mischievously as a thought crossed his mind. [i]Heh, father’s going to be overjoyed by the end of this.[/i] As a student at Hopes Peak he would bring glory to his parent’s name. They would bask in their pride, whether it be in him or in their self-glorification. Etsuya began walking forward, pushing the doors open into the shopping complex. Almost immediately he noticed a fountain with a large gathering being held in front of it. A smile lit up his face as he began to jog towards the group of people. He extended his arms up, above his head as a surge of unparalleled happiness coursed through him, igniting his very being. [b]“Heyo ev-“[/b] His voice cut off as his entire body began to feel numb, his arms drooping and his feet sliding out from under him. He couldn’t hear any voices of concern, nobody wondering what was happening. All he could hear was a faint laughter, seemingly whispering into his ear as his mind began to completely cloud over. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Etsuya awoke slowly. He couldn’t see or hear anything, everything was blackness. He didn’t even try to get off the floor. Something was up with him. His body felt week and when he tried to think his mind became cloud like and completely jumbled. Where was he? What was he doing? Who is this he? His mind was completely in a jumble. He began to recite his thoughts out loud in hopes that he could clarify his questions. [b]“Where am I? What was I doing? Who am I? Where am I? What was I doing? Who am I?” [/b]He mumbled under his breath, with none of his answers becoming any clearer. "Hey. Are you okay?" Suddenly a voice cut through the darkness and Etsuya felt eyes adjusted enough for him to see a figure, becoming visible from the only source of light, a thin sliver of light, leaking through what must’ve been a door. This revelation brought about newfound strength from within his core, pulling him off the floor and bringing him to his feet. He swayed slightly as he squinted his eyes to try to make out who the figure was. He smiled slightly before calling back to the figure. “Yeah, never better,” he said before feeling his knees buckle under his weight, dropping him face first onto the floor. [b]“Aha!” [/b]He suddenly exclaimed as the jolt brought forth a memory into his mind. [b]“E-tsu-ya E-to”[/b] He said, abandoning the very thought of his fall. He rolled over onto his back with his head tilted back, looking in the direction of the figure. [b]“And what would your name be, mysterious shadowy figure?”[/b]