Candela entered the bedroom for the first time, a large bunk occupied by a handsome young blond young man prostrated himself in front of the wall, accompanied by several tables, with a chest in the right corner and a closet on the left. On the north wall (left) in the room the curtains were completely blocking almost all the incoming light. Candela felt a fairly cool atmosphere in the room.
" You''re cold , aren''t you? "
" Sorry ? "
" The cold , my mother has made sure that my room is well refrigerated for me "
" Oh.... that''s a big detail from her part "
" Yes my mother loves loves me a lot , by the way, are you the new girl? "
" Yes, one of many of the new ones " Candela approached to place the tray in the rest of the boy
" Ohhh. " Adam took a long drink from his teacup. While staring at Candela. Candela, before Adam''s gaze, began to feel uncomfortable, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end.
" Maria usually takes my pulse"
" Sorry, I lack experience dealing with the sick " he said as he apologized.
" Don''t worry, I''ll teach you " Adam rolled up his shirtsleeves. He took Candela''s hand and put it on his wrist Candela began to feel nervous, for some strange reason her heart began to beat like crazy.
- Control yourself, Candela, he''s not that handsome, besides, who knows if his illness can get propagated .
Focusing Candela began to count Adam''s pulse.
- One, two, three, four, five, six... fifteen. Surely I''ve got the wrong vein, I''m going to try ... *badom*
- What!!? Candela proceeded to count the pulses, again every twenty seconds was when se heard it.
- This is not possible. A normal person needs a constant heartbeat.
A new sensation appeared at the tips of his fingers, the pulsations began to accelerate. Candela proceeded to concentrate on feeling the strange young man''s pulse, closing his eyes to better concentrate, he felt a change in his fingers. The sensation that he felt from the pulsations was different from a normal pulse. Little by little, I noticed the difference. A normal pulse was like a pumping of blood, an ever-present irrigation of blood. On him it was different , his pulse felt more like a constantly exerting muscle , as if every fiber of his veins bent at will , felt like the muscles slithered like worms under his skin .
- I do not like this .
" How am I ? "
" Ohhh... you are very h-healthy, it shows that you take your medicine " Adam stared into her eyes, face to face, Candela felt a shiver run through her body.
" I have my pillbox in the closet on the right, would you mind bringing it to me "
" Yeah " Candela quickly went nervously towards the table, opening the drawers full of rags. As she rummaged through the drawers she had a foreboding, turning her head to the right to find herself face to face with Adam looking at her from a mere hand''s length sitting on the edge of her face.
" Oh, excuse me, I just need to stretch my legs a bit, I hope you don''t mind " At that moment, a sound was heard in the head of candela , showin for a brief moment his page .
[ Ding¡.]
A bell sounded, which acted as a starting shot for Candela to start a race against the drawers mess to look for the pillbox, while she watched out of the corner of her eye as Adam got up from bed putting on his woolen slippers.
" Here it is, it was well hidden," he said, turning around to look at the door.
" Yes , new people tend to get confused and disorganize my things " Adam was in front of the candela with a small book in hand.
¡± Do you use some kind of cream in your hands ? ¡°
" No, no, I don''t use anything"
¡° Oh wow, this perfect skin that you have is natural. I''d say I''m jealous but we''re alike in that the truth ¡± passing a hand over his face. Adam with his other hand took Candela by the hand. In an instant a change in the gloom of the room happened carrying a tone
" Besides, your hands are very soft " Candela felt how her legs trembled just by being close to Adam. Instinctly she instantly freed herself from the hand''s grasp.
" Miss Adam, you should be in bed and resting."
" Nonsense, how can I not get up to attend to such a beautiful girl "
" You shouldn''t have bothered, I have to go to work anyway " As Candela made her way back to the door, the energy from her ability was building up to increasing levels, the fruit of concentration and stress. Hearing footsteps behind her, Candela turned around to see Adam standing tall in front of her. Looking up, their eyes met, Candela for the first time noticed how her blue eyes were like the surface of a deep, icy lake. Under the influence of that flaming gaze, she felt how her consciousness was slowing down, falling into those icy light blue eyes.
- I drowning , I''m cold. That cold gaze drove Candela to a very stressed state .
- I... not ....dying. Whit a desire to live and the will to resist candela proceeded to channel her pain and pent up anger to face adam in the battle of wills that was taking place across their stare . Determined to fight, she replied:
" Go to bed now." She demanded
¡° Let''s chat some more, we haven''t introduced ourselves yet. ¡° Adam tried some smooth word on her
" To bed now ! " But she wasn¡ät having any of it
With a firm will, Candela felt how all the energy she released fought against the current of the icy air in the room . Candela''s will had prevailed. Adam, having lost his social appearance, made a face of sour interest and turned straight towards the bed.
" What is your name ? " He asked while leaning back.
" Candela "
¡± Adam villaplana ¡° Introducing himself with a slight gesture
¡° Have you been assigned to a specific part of the mansion? ¡°
" For now I''m in the garden , learning "
" Ahh good to know, I hope we meet again then "
" Good afternoon, Mr. Adam" Closing the door behind her as she left, Candela walked out of the room with an imposing stride. For three steps down the stairs she endured that atmosphere. But somewhere, halfway up the stairs , the pace changed from slow with dignity , to an acceleration motivated by fear .
- Run, run, run, run, run, run, run, run...
By the time she got to his room, all he could think about was running.
- I have to run I have to run, block the door, hide. Panic had overtaken him.
- No ! , breathe.
As if it were his prayer, that phrase was repeated while he took controlled breaths to calm down.
- Damn what bad luck.
There were two reasons why Candela was nervous, the first because something terrible was obviously happening with Adam. And the second because she had a very enlightening confirmation of the previous one.
3. Servants and …..
Candela was sitting on her bed, rewinding through his head, everything that had happened since she came to this nightmare, she had discovered that she was in the distant past, that she had a new identity supplanted by a person who coincidentally had the same name, who now had super powers. That everything his cousin Iahel taught him could be true, and that the future owner of the mansion he was in now was a fucking murderer.
-(Thinking everything from the beginning this was like the story of a horror movie, a mansion in the out of town, a lot of maids who disappeared, and an eccentric cripple with the face of a murderer. All with the typical plot with characters that face the monster in different ways)
-(If I am the protagonist, that means that I am going to have to kill him or at least fight with him to survive.)
Candela knew she was far from ready to do that
-(Well at least he won''t ambush me like before, that was the worst possible encounter for me.)
Candela remembered the danger signs that she had been feeling throughout the meeting. Following her instinct again, Candela closed her eyes, in those mysterious sensations that usually always give her power. While his body was reaching a perfect meditation in the physical world, she found herself in a dark place, but illuminated by the sensations that her senses made her feel in her mind, even with all her senses turned off.
-This feels very intimate like it''s a part of me.
Candela was in a fetal pose within herself, she was beginning to understand where she was, her mind calming her doubts.
-(This is my mind.... or maybe my soul? And those sensations are my senses.)
Candela looked around, she noticed three sources of light, She approached the weakest of all the strange structures, a huge glowing cube the size of a washing machine with several light cables connecting to other smaller cubes.
- Your hearing, always listening, always adapting, it talks the language of possibility and mimicry.
Candela felt how the cube responded with a bubble, the cube affirmed itself.
Candela, passed to the next sense, her smell. A black river floating in the void as it approached gave a small gurgling of recognition without ever stopping.
- Your smell, always recording, always answering, it talks the language of limits and clarity
Realizing that there was no conversation important enough for the river to respond to, turned to the last sense present, his vision.
A spherical silver machine moving in a hypnotic rhythm, the constant clacking of multiple pieces moving and fitting together creating a musical rhythm made up of many tempos running at different times. Vision every few clicks would a low so form o light from his inside to reach the outside over the always moving parts of his body.
- Your vision, always absorbing, always giving, talks the language of fate and reality
Vision directed several rays of light pointing at Candela.
- What do you mean? She tried to understand his meaning.
Candela felt the look of vision inside her, he looked at his energy, the one that allowed him to use his power, Vision showed her that she was not only much stronger but also easier to manipulate, so much so that the difference was enormous, the same between a flower and a tree. And now it was all very intuitive, his sense of smell, his hearing, and his vision. All together inside in his mind that energy was his soul.
- Thank you
The senses responded with a farewell gesture. Little by little the darkness receded, devoured by the light, his body woke up. In his room, Candela woke up opening his eyes. Looking out the window he realized that the sun did not seem to have moved. She began to stretch her body and soul with some warm-up exercises.
-(Well that was something unique, what I didn''t expect was that all this would be so complicated. Why can''t my powers come with an instruction manual?)
Candela moved her soul, between the hand she had on her heart and her chest.
-(My soul energy is now controlled as comfortably as if it were a joystick.)
-(Let''s try these powers, maybe I can manipulate the energy to do something)
Candela looked for an insignificant object in the room, resting her eyes on her pillow, she proceeded to stretch out her hand making her soul come out of her hand to the pillow.
-Telekinesis!!
While the energy bathed the pillow, it did not flinch at the candle''s commands, remaining inert.
-(Okay, this is disappointing, Maybe I should check what happened to my page, now that I can demand answers.)
Candela summoned her page, ready to imbue it with her power.
[ Congratulations for awakening your ¡° ears ¡° ]
[ ¡° Ears ¡° have reached 1-stage ]
[ You have registered a file in the encyclopedia ]
[ Synergy between senses upgraded ]
[ Updating credentials ]
[ Name: Candella ]
[ Condition ]
- Health 85% - Stamina 70%
Weakness 1
[ Characteristics ]
- Might ( Human )
- Physique ( Human - )
[ Abilitys ]
- Undercover: Acting (1/10)
- (New things. Lucky me, but I can do now more than before.)
Drawing his inner reservoir of energy from his chest she launched his power to the page.
[ Condition ] = A self-diagnosis of your actual state.
- Health 85% = Material integrity of your body.
- Stamina 70% = The energetic integrity of your body.
Weakness 1 = Your body has been extremity of a slight amount of stamina and vitality.
[ Characteristics ] = Defining trait.
- Might ( Human ) = The amount of power that your body holds.
- Physique ( Human - ) = The integrity, design, material quality, and efficiency of your body.
[ Abilitys ] = Puedes aplicar tus rasgos a tus habilidades .
- Undercover = You are a sneaky infiltrator that goes inc¨®gnito with a fake identity
- (This explains why I feel tired.)
While Candela was looking at the new information, on her page a new point of light was illuminated on its edges.
-( Let''s see)
[ Campfire ] [ Book ] [ House ]
- Those two are shining that must be a notification signal, first to the campfire it was inaccessible before so let¡äs see what happened now.
[ Your call for help has been received, the help is on its way ]
[ The narrative has been adapted para varios usuarios ]
-(Good somebody is coming for help.)
-(Although now that I think about it, the narrative must be the key to what''s happening here, possibly me being the protagonist and Adam being the villain has something to do with it.)
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
-( Let''s look at the book as to why it has been reactivated.)
[ You have a new file ]
[ Adam Villaplana ]
[ Name: Adam Villaplana ]
[ Condition ]
- Health 85% - Stamina 70%
[ Characteristics ]
- Might ( Human - - -) ( ???? +++ )
- Physique ( Human - - - ) ( ???? +++ )
[ Ability¡äs ]
- Negator: Heat (9/10) - ????
- Rebel : Headstrong(9/10) - ????
- Master: Leadership (9/10) - ????
- Commander: Strategy making (9/10) - ????
- Schemer: Diplomacy (9/10) - ????
- (Yep, I didn¡¯t see it wrong I am fucked, three times over or more. In the movies the bad guy always has some sort of weakness to exploit, adam has to have one if not I don¡ät think that I''m going to be fucked.)
After grieving his situation and composing herself back together she proceeded to go to his appointment with Maria.
In the center of the garden to girls were having a meeting over tea.
-The flavor of mint is the best for tea don''t you think Candela? Mar¨ªa said bringing his cup to his lips.
-I prefer lemon tea actually, because it''s more acidic.
-I didn¡¯t know you liked strong flavors.
-I didn¡¯t know you wanted to know how am I. Candela responded with a sharp tone.
-You seem angry why would that be, I wonder? Mar¨ªa put a frown of doubt on his face while taking another sip.
-You don''t have anything to tell me about Adam.
-Ohh¡Did you run into some problems with him? Why could it be?
Maria was looking at Candela with a worried expression. Candela not being a pushover knew two things, the first thanks to his new senses, and the second thanks to having partied and hosted enough parties to know when someone was lying.
Maria was hiding something and she was also looking for something with this meeting.
- You could have told me about, how unique are the habits of Adam.
-Ah, I must have forgotten to explain to you some bedside manner. Don¡¯t worry I can teach you if you want.
Mar¨ªa grabbed the ceramic kettle and refilled her cup.
Doing a quick summary of some rules and advice on how to take care of the sick, which was pretty redundant to a woman of the 20th* century, who had a first aid diploma. Candela was nodding to everything that Mar¨ªa said, at least till the conversation theme changed.
- Candela, aside from that did you find anything that you didn¡¯t understand?
-What do you mean?
-It''s just that maybe you remember anything that may not be clear to you about Adam''s condition. Some sort of tick?
Candela got interested in the question.
-Do you mean if he was acting weird?
-I wouldn¡¯t phrase it like that more along the lines of exotic taste.
-(How much does she know? She was on to something, she made it clear when referring to Adam.)
-Well for starters his room is pretty cold, he has an interesting mood surrounding him and he doesn¡¯t get out of there much ¡°
- Anything else? The stare in Maria''s eyes showed some pressure
Something was missing, and she wanted answers from me.
-(What does she think that I am? I can''t even know what is happening with all the crazy things going on.)
-(Wait a minute...)
-And do you have anything to tell me, Miss Maria
She got a bit nervous when I redirected the conversation
- (During all this time you have been inquiring about the situation in the house but you know that something is missing.)
Maria¡äs posture got more stretched as I was probing around.
[ Ding....]
-I had another notification for later but I got an idea of what it was, Now I need to have my head in the game so that she doesn¡ät call my bluff.
-Candela, can I tell you a story or something if that¡äs your real name?
-(I Will get back to my fake identity later)
-Sure what''s the story about?
-It''s about the mansion, you see, I was here before the old maid service got forcefully retired. You see I was originally an apprentice babysitter I had a very kind teacher who came from Madrid Express only to teach how to take care of Adam from his first years to when he inherited the noble title. A the time he wasn¡ät born yet and Missus Sara was eight months pregnant and she was happy and easygoing. Many times she came to this same table where we were to have tea with the more social of the staff.
-(This is going in the direction of a tragic backstory.)
One day Adam was born, and we were all surprised by the calcul Adam had yet half a month before being born, That day The sky blacked like no other day, and the tempest arrived a the mansion. At first, we thought of it as a sign of good luck, maybe the baby was going to be blessed by the saint of lighting or the saint of thunder.
Maria dropped his tone even lower afraid to be heard by anyone who could spy on the conversation slash interrogatory, Time had shown her that the walls have ears, and caution was a good idea.
- (Saints? They must be the good guys of the story. And! Adam¡äs weakness.)
Sara started giving birth to Adam, my teacher and the matron of the mansion immediately got ready.
The wind around the garden was getting colder and my skin began to crawl. Before I even had to think about it I already knew what was happening my instincts were clear. Someone was watching us.
Maria acted completely different from how he was expressing himself before she suddenly got cheerful and began to look at the flowers in the garden as if nothing was wrong. Imitating her out of caution I began to ignore the feeling and to look a the sunflowers in the elevated pots of the garden.
I must say, Maria, this evening has been very peaceful
The garden was made to make small tea parties, we are giving it an appropriate use for it.
Definitely, would you like to give it use again tomorrow?
My candela you are quite daring, Yes I would like that though I must ask that you forgive me as it seems that I have to leave this little party now I have many things to prepare for tomorrow morning.
Maria got up from his seat and started to put all the tea set up on his trail to bring it to the kitchen for clean up.
The freezing coldness from the stare was weakened to almost an unnoticeable presence, but now I could sense it better when I concentrated, I could feel a slight cold presence enveloping all around the mansion.
-Well, Maria, it seems that we are ready to go, but one last thing remember to not come here late I would "hate" to wait one hour for you to come.
-Maria with a shooting voice responded:
-Of course after all we have so much to talk about.
Maria having ended the conversation proceeded to retire to his duties while Candela started walking around the mansion.
[ Acting upgraded to (2/10) ]
-I don''t feel anything new so I don''t know what acting does but the more the better. And it upgraded just after well... acting as if I was someone that I am not, but isn''t that something that I have been doing since I knew that I was not on earth anymore? Now that I think that must be the reason that I got it in the first place. I have been acting as if I were a maid when I don¡ät know anything about it merely copying my co-workers. Guess one less question about my skill was generated on.... my needs? my desire?Or my situation?
Uhh... I guess that now I have three more questions to answer. The night was starting to set in while Candela was running ideas to the question, walking through the corridor in the north wing, slowly The door to the cloister opened up a naked woman completely wet started walking towards Candela. Candel hearing the sound of falling drops of squiky wood turned around just in time to see a blond slim and taller woman towering over her naked and with a very intense stare, her eyes reflecting a deep blue light.
-You.... come with me
Candela trembling in fear watched as the woman turned back and reentered the cloister.
-(Breathe in, breathe out, don¡ät get freaked out by the terrifying lady, I just have to go to my room and everything will be alright.)
-Candela!
At the stairs of the upper floor, the voice of a young man sounded.
Right there a that moment rain started pouring and nothing could be heard far in the distance.
-Adam what a surprise seeing you here. (Fuck my luck )
- During the night it more colder so I can get out of my room more easily.
-So taking a night stroll?
-I would call it more of a dinner stroll. It is still a bit hot for my taste but I''m quite famished, Maria must have forgotten to bring me my dinner to my bedroom.
- Well I have things to do so if you excuse me.
-(Nope not going to stay)
-Wait would you mind showing me the way to the kitchen
-Oh that you see it.
-Adam!
The tall woman now dressed in the nun''s habit was going right for the boy.
-What have I told you about going out of your room?
The young man showed a shy expression caused by the weight that the woman carried in her voice. Adam was intimidated acting as if he was a little kid caught stealing cookies.
-Mom I''m hungry and no one was bringing dinner. Also, it''s cold enough now to get out of my room.
-Let me see that.
The woman put his hand on his son¡äs forehead trying to determine his temperature.
-Okay you can go to the kitchen, I will talk with the service tomorrow but this better be the last time this week that I caught you sneaking out of your room. Understood?
-Yes Mom.
Adam kissed her on the cheek and ran along the west wing looking for the kitchen. Once out of sight, the woman spoke again.
-Now you and I have a lot to talk about Candela.
-H-how do you know my-
-The same way I know that the woman that came from the countryside to work here, it''s not the same that I have right in front of me.
The woman grabbed her by the shoulder and took her inside the cloister closing the door.