What tricks are you playing?

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘀 𝗜 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁

Xenon stepped on the platform confidently, and decided push the bubbles up if they made him feel safe and bubbles down if they made him feel uneasy, that's until this red bubble came up to him. It seemed dangerous and Xenon didn't want to risk anything. "Old man, what's wrong with this one?"

The old man knew what wrong with it but he couldn't be asked to deal with it. He thought that he would let Xenon figure it out himself. "Uhh, you have to think a bit deeply here."

Xenon tried to feel the bubble but didn't feel right. He thought about what he did with the other bubbles and tried to feel it. It didn't make him feel uneasy or safe, what could possibly be the meaning of this. Since nothing felt wrong he decided to push the bubble up. This was a big mistake. As soon as the bubble went up, the above turned red and it was soon covered in lightning. Xenon now felt uneasy. The above was becoming louder with sounds no one wants to ever wants to hear. Xenon's ears were ringing, he felt pain in them. He thought the end of him was coming, but he was prepared, he has been prepared for a long time, even before any of this had happened. Before he met Ace and before he ever went into that forest. Xenon wasn't scared, he had nothing to loose.

He then felt someone grab his arm, he couldn't their face and heard a faint old mans voice saying, "if you want to live, don't hesitate."

Xenon didn't realize that he was resisting, I mean he was prepared to disappear. The person then held Xenon's hand tighter and was soon enough flying in the air. They then landed in a courtyard that looked very old.

The person turned around, and it was an old man but he didn't seem that old. He has a mustache with a small plaited beard. He also had long hair that was a mix of black and grey, he was wearing strange clothes that Xenon had never seen before. The old man smiled at him, "how was that, kid?"

The voice sounded familiar, Xenon had to think for a moment. His face was then full of surprisement and he pointed at him.

"YOU'RE THE OLD MAN THAT ALMOST GOT ME KILLED."

"I didn't get you killed, look you're still here in one piece."

"That's not the point, but what the heck was going on."

The old man yawed and then turned around he waved his right hand in a weird pattern and a table and chairs magically appeared. The old man sat down and clapped his hands. Two young women appeared carrying trays of something. When they got closer Xenon saw that one of the trays had carried a variation of meats and the other one with wine. They had both place the goods on the table and left. The old man poured himself a drink and started eating the meat. After a good 20 minutes of him enjoying himself and Xenon being confused, the old man had decided to stand up. He placed his hand on Xenon's shoulder and said, "You hungry?"

"Is that all you have to say to me?" Replied Xenon.

"It was fun, wasn't it?"

"How would that be fun for anyone?"

"Loosen up, don't be a boring person." Laughed the old man.

"Oh yeah I haven't even asked who you are?"

The old man started laughing loudly, "The better question is who not I am."

"Stop playing with me." Xenon glared at the old man with anger.

"Woah calm down, no need to be serious."

"Are you even gonna answer my question?"

"You mean my name? Is that really important?"

"Yes." Answered Xenon with a straight face."

"Shu"

"Your name is Shu? Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"Believe it or not, that's not my problem."

Xenon was angered, he can't get anything out of this old man. He walked up to the old man and grabbed him by his strange clothing.

"Stop playing tricks on me, what even is this strange clothing?"

"You like it? It's a Hanfu."

"Never heard of it."

"Well of course you haven't it's from the Tang Dynasty, your great grandparent's wouldn't have been born yet."

"You must be very old, but you don't even look it."

"I know right, I keep myself looking young by drinking wine and eating meat, want to try?"

"Does that really work?"

"You bet it does, here come sit down and try some."

Xenon was forced to sit down by this old man. Shu had poured Xenon a drink and passed it to him, Xenon shook his hands as he couldn't drink.

"It's very disrespectful to refuse a drink from an elder."

"How comes I've never heard of that?"

"Stop talking and just drink and eat."

Xenon took the drink and chugged it down, it wasn't as bad as he expected. This was the first time he had ever drunk. Shu kept on pouring Xenon's drink and every time he would pass one to him, the smile on his face would get bigger.

Xenon was very drunk, he could barely stand up but he tried to. He walked over to Shu and put his arm around his shoulders, "You know what, I actually really like you."

"Well of course who wouldn't like such a handsome man like me."

Xenon started laughing and so did Shu. They were having so much fun, until Shu felt a shiver going down his back. A very dark presence was here and he could feel it.