SECRETS OF THE NEVERLAND

SYNOPSIS .

In the midst of the serene nightfall, with the windows open, in the midst of a sleepless dusk where the clock keeps on ticking, on a night like this, a pixie shall ensue from the egress that binds two worlds and may persuade you to enter to a niche where dreams never end… Neverland .

To the next Peter

,

You should have not come here

.

Kaius .

**

Tags:

fanfiction, vocaloid, fantasy, dark.

THE PIXIE

｢ THE PIXIE ｣

In the midst of the dusk where the moon is at its pinnacle and with the window open, welcoming the cold, gentle breeze; a lad had his arms placed on its frame, adoring the moon while it is at its brightest.

Another night has befallen and the clock kept on ticking, yet; Leif could not find the somnolence to visit the utopia he created inside his youthful imagination.

If only these sentiments cramming his mind would cease. If only his apprehension would expire.

But even so, Leif knew they would only haunt him even right now, in his wakefulness.

“Man,” he muttered as he pursed his lips into a small pout, “growing up sucks. Having to handle problems even as a kid is such a bummer.”

Feeling the gentle breeze touch his skin and watching as strands of his hair sway along with the air, Leif had let out a long, deep sigh.

“Reality sucks,” he added before he shifted his arms to rest his chin on his knuckles, “my parents keep on bantering and school is just about to snatch away the fun time I have left in my hands.”

Then he grunted.

Leaning back to sit straight, Leif had banged his hands on the windowpane, gritting his teeth and beginning to feel infuriated.

“Everyone makes life complicated! It used to be just so fun but they’re starting to throw their pebbles on me! Passing me their burden!”

Clutching his hands into balls of fists, Leif threw daggers into emptiness.

“Growing up is the worst! Being an adult is just as much! They are just making up stories. Everything is nothing but another bullshit, this is all but a dirty reality!” He ranted.

Leif proceeded to speak to himself, unable to behold the wishing star pass through the evening sky; fading away shortly just like how it first emerged. Abrupt, unexpected.

And unbeknownst to Leif, he yelled his childish dream just before the wishing star dematerialized.

“I want to stay as a child forever! I don’t wanna grow up!”

As if there was a fairy godfather watching over Leif, his wish was granted in an instant.

When Leif looked straight into the sky and glared at the atmosphere, Leif could swear that he could see something luminous approaching him.

Eyes widening from discerning the tiny figure flying towards him. And Leif gawked over it while rubbing his eyes; attempting to rouse himself just in case this is just a fantasy.

A dream that commenced before he could comprehend that he was already in the middle of a deep slumber.

However, despite his undertakings, Leif’s jaw almost dropped when the tiny figure halted in front of his countenance, beaming at him.

A fairy—no, a pixie with blonde hair tied into a bun. A pixie who wore a short, green dress weaved from the seams of a leaf and fancy shoes. She, who had tiny transparent wings attached to her back.

“Hi!” She greeted, “I heard your wish!”

Breath hitching, Leif asked, “Am I still dreaming? Who are you?!”

She tilted her head to the side, settling her hands behind her as she attempted to stand straight despite wafting in thin air, her wings still flapping to keep her from gravity.

“Call me Rylee!” She introduced like a fine lady, lifting the hem of her dress before she lowered down her head. “And nope, you’re not dreaming, Leif! I’m a real pixie!”

Uttering incoherent words, Leif could not take it anymore and he rose from his seat, taking a few steps back, away from the fairy.

He was terrified, but at the same time, astonished to meeting one mythical character that only exists in books!

“Real—?! A real one?!”

Nodding, Rylee twirled around to show the entirety of her figure.

“In flesh!” She grinned. “I actually came here since I heard your wish!”

Calming down, Leif blinked.

“My wish? What do you mean?”

“You know, the thing you said earlier?” She drew circles in front of him before snickering. “At least try not to forget your desire, Leif!”

“And you’ve been calling me by my name! You know me?”

“You just noticed! And yeah, bet I do! There is nothing a pixie wouldn’t know!”

Gulping a mouthful of air, Leif fixated his gaze at the tiny character in front of him. He endeavored to understand what is going on as he is unable to acknowledge any events that are transpiring right now.

Is he sure that he’s not in the midst of sauntering in the bizarre utopia induced by his creative mind? Or is his mind playing games with him?

He has no other choice but to check.

Slapping both of his cheeks with his hands, even Rylee was surprised to see him determined to awake from a nonexisting dream.

“What are you doing?” She inquired, lips curving into a concerned smile, “Leif, you’re hurting yourself!”

“I have to check if I’m not dreaming!”

It was then when the pixie paused. Eyes wide, she stared at the lad incredulously before bursting into laughter, which immediately made Leif embarrassed.

“Why are you laughing?!” He shouted at her, trying to hide his embarrassment by covering his face.

“Because you’re silly!” She replied as she pointed her finger on him, “I’m no character in your dream, that’d be hilarious if I was!”

“Then—then!”

Rylee nodded. “Yes! I hear you, and as I’ve said earlier; I have come to grant you your wish! So, do you want to embark on a journey, Leif?”

Even though he is still in awe, Leif nodded slowly, which made the pixie clasp her hands in delight.

“But how?” He asked, “how and where? Our world isn’t a suitable place for journeying.”

“Dummy, of course, I know! But come with me and I’ll show you a place where the fun never ends!” Rylee flew towards him, circling around Leif. “Slow and easy, it keeps on going!”

Following every movement Rylee does, Leif’s body moved to watch her carefully.

“Adventures, fun activities, and sword fights! Everything is there!”

The second she stopped flying around, Rylee wore the widest grin.

“You can play all day and you don’t even have to behave!” She added.

Completely enticed from how Rylee described the life he would have, Leif’s lips curved into a astounded smile.

He wanted to say yes immediately.

But the things which bothered him even in his wakefulness flashed inside his mind.

His shoulders fell and disappointment was instantly painted on his face. Rylee noticed, which is why she strode to peek on his countenance.

“What’s the matter? You didn’t like anything I said?”

Leif shook his head. “I have to go to school next month.”

“Oh!” She gasped. “It doesn’t matter!”

Surprised by the response, Leif turned his head to look at her. He had his forehead furrowed while his eyes still reflected dismay.

“What do you mean?”

“You don’t have to study anymore! Neverland is a fun place, Leif!”

His lips thinned at the response and he saw the glint of hope in her eyes. Therefore, he began to see an opening to flee from this fucked up world he is in.

“And about the future?” He asked, almost sounding hopeful and enthusiastic.

Rylee shook her head, still wearing the smile she has earlier.

“You don’t need to think about it! You just have to play and have fun! And be a child forever!”

Upon hearing her response, Leif almost grabbed Rylee if he did not immediately remember that she was just a pixie.

He badly wanted to embrace her!

For he was just granted hope!

“Where is this place?!”

“Neverland!” She replied, “are you coming with me?!”

“Yes!”

“That’s great! Our Neverland will finally have Peter!”

She cheered and pranced before she scampered towards the window. Leif pursued her, and as she reached out her hand; a huge part of him confided him to stand by the windowpane and come after her.

“Come with me, Leif! To the world where only children’s dreams exist!”

Grinning from ear to ear, he lunged from his chamber’s window, not worrying about whatever would happen to him.

And what he saw was different from what normal eyes would discern.

Leif fell into a seemingly abyssal place where time and space dwelled.

The path towards Neverland.

THE NEW PETER

｢ THE NEW PETER ｣

FALLING into an abysmal pit where time and space dwelled felt like an epoch and despite thrill embraced his young heart, Leif felt incredibly anxious as he plummeted into the portal towards Neverland.

It was as if the more he disbursed time to arrive at the location where he could be a juvenile eternally, he feels as if something within him was deliberately perishing.

As if this place is devouring him.

Eradicating his existence from Earth.

Struggling to turn so that he could confront Rylee, Leif jerked the upper part of his torso to grant him the force to shift and glimpse at the pixie.

When he succeeded, he saw Rylee gazing at the distant horizon of this passage.

“Rylee?” He called her name in the most apprehensive expression he could muster.

The pixie took a quick glance at him, tilting her head to the side before grinning at Leif to the side that her eyes almost squinted.

But as soon as she caught sight of the distress on Leif’s countenance, her forehead creased and reflected the exact sentiment.

“What’s the matter, Leif?”

Should he tell her? But he might be just imagining things.

“I don’t feel comfortable,” was what he said instead, “are we there yet?”

“Oh! Yes, we sure are taking a long trip, aren’t we?”

Rylee gasped and covered her mouth before letting out a snicker.

“Don’t worry, we’re almost there, Leif!” The pixie paused when she saw the incremental transition in Leif’s clothing. “Oh! Look, your apparel is finally changing, Leif!”

Knitting his eyebrows in confusion, Leif deliberately lowered his gaze.

“Huh?”

His eyes widened in surprise once he witnessed how the garments he was wearing altered into a thin and green. From his shirt, pants, to his shoes. With a texture that would allow its wearer to move freely—without constraints, Leif felt aghast and festive.

This is it!

He fled from reality!

And he is just about to be a fraction of another realm where his adolescence would linger for an epoch! To a domain where the filthy truth would never aggravate him ever again!

Beaming from ear to ear, Leif veered his head to Rylee, excitement is apparent on his profile which made the pixie delightful.

“You like it?”

He nodded in enthusiasm. “Yes!”

Rylee giggled before she clasped her hands. But as quick as joy painted her countenance, Rylee’s face turned into a serious one.

She positioned a hand on her waist while staring intently at Leif. Then, she raised another hand before she lifted her index finger. In this posture, it was as if Rylee is warning Leif.

And truth to be told, she really was.

“Great! But remember Leif, once we arrived at the edge of this entrance, you are just about to be reborn! You won’t be dubbed as Leif anymore, that name shall be consigned to the grave and forgotten! Because from this day on, you will be Neverland’s Peter!”

“Peter…”

Is he okay with that? Replacing his name with something his parents had not given him.

Well, who cares?

It’s not like they’d still reprimand him! He’s not a part of their world anymore! He’ll become a fraction of a new cosmos!

“Sure! I’ll be Peter!”

As if his response was the key to the Neverland, the edge of the portal finally emerged; casting a luminous white. It was blinding and Leif—no, the lad now reborn as Peter covered his eyes with his shoulder, struggling to behold what the end of this eternal path offers him.

It was only a course of moments when Peter and Rylee reached the aforementioned location. The place where youth is eternal, where dreams are never-ending, and the entertainment refuses to recede.

With wide sparkling eyes, Peter felt excitement brace his small figure. Not with the idea that he can fly, but with the scenery offered to him by this incredible place.

In the middle of the ocean stood an island almost covered in lush green and white sand; he could also see a small borough in the center of the place, and people looked like ants as they worked and had fun.

There are rocks near the island and what are those? Peter hoped that he was not just imagining things, but he undoubtedly could see mermaids roosting on the rocks! Some are playing, swimming around the place and it was a sight Peter could not stop himself from admiring!

“Wow!” Was the only word that he managed to say.

He was way too bewildered by this unusual location! He could call this a Shangri-

la !

“Do you like what you’re seeing, Peter Pan?” Rylee asked.

Leif nodded several times. “This place is beautiful! It looks like something that came out straight from my dreams!”

“Isn’t it?!” Rylee giggled. “I’m really happy that you liked the place!”

“This place is every child’s dream!”

“Shall we meet everyone?”

“Yes!”

“Come on!”

The second Rylee began to glide on air, Peter followed and really liked the feeling of air touching his skin.

A grin curved on his lips and it grew wider—wider when they finally arrived at the town of the Indians, where people looked horrifying with their tough exterior, tattoos, and sharp spears. Not only that! These people could befriend even the wildest beasts, tigers!

“Everyone!” Rylee shouted, enough for the townspeople to hear.

The people who heard her veered their heads towards their direction, and it was then until a smile curved on their lips, joyous to meet the pixie who brought them to the isle of Neverland.

“Oh, Rylee! It seems like you’re with the chosen one, Peter!” One Indian exclaimed before she stood from her seat the second she set her gaze on them.

This lady, albeit still unnamed, had chestnut colored tresses and wore a patterned band on her head, complimented by a pair of crimson feathers. She had chocolate colored irides, fair skin, and like the other Indians; she had tattoos imprinted on her body.

The lady also wore their traditional patterned apparel. However, shaded like the feathers on her band; it was crimson. Even her boots had the uniform color.

She emits the aura of a warrior. Brave and tough.

And so far, the only difference Peter could find from the lady was that, while everyone held spears on their hands, she held a bow and wore a bag full of arrows.

Immersed in observing the maiden, Peter forgot that Rylee was supposed to introduce him to the Indians. Therefore, he was surprised when Rylee popped out of nowhere, in front of his face and wore an expression painted in apprehension.

“Are you okay, Peter?”

“Yes! Yes!” He immediately responded, embarrassed that he had to space out while observing the townspeople. “I’m okay, and we’re supposed to meet the townspeople, right?”

“The Indians, yes!”

Rylee brought her hands near her chin before she squealed in excitement.

“Come on, come on, Peter! I’m pretty sure that they’ve been dying to meet the chosen one!”

“The chosen one?” He asked.

But instead of getting a reply, Rylee already left her and she flew around the Indian whom he had described.

Peter soon followed, feeling anxious which was soon eradicated by the warmth bestowed onto him by the people around him.

“Welcome, Peter Pan! We’ve been waiting for your arrival!” One Indian shouted from his behind.

“At last! We will be saved from the monster!”

The monster?

Knitting his eyebrows, Peter smiled at the crowd before he nodded and proceeded to follow Rylee, who was resting on the shoulder of the Indian who greeted them.

The Indian had a smile on her face, and when Peter was finally in front of her, the pixie and the maiden beamed wider.

“Hello there, Peter! Took you so long to arrive here at Neverland, ain’t it?” The maiden chuckled before she placed a hand on her waist. “I’m pretty sure t’was a wild adventure!”

Smiling, Peter replied; “Yeah! I even thought that there was no end to travelling here!”

“You thought! We’re really glad that you’re here, though!”

The Indian chuckled again before a tiger deliberately approached them, sitting beside the Indian while fixating its gaze on Peter.

It was then when Rylee spoke.

“Silly, Mila! Don’t you think it’s time to introduce yourself to dear Peter?”

Upon saying that, the Indian named Mila paused from chuckling. Then, realization finally hit him, thus; she immediately put a hand behind her head.

“Oh, my bad! I totally forgot, I thought Peter would recognize me right away!” She responded.

And Peter just stared at her with a blank expression, thinking: Of course not, we haven’t met yet, lady. But it’ll be great of a help if you already introduce!

“Come on, Mila! Peter seems to be waiting!” Rylee giggled.

Mila smiled apologetically. “My bad, Peter! Moving on, the name’s Mila! I am the leader of this village!”

“Woah.” Peter clapped his hands. “A lady who leads, this is amazing! Back in my world, the society is patriarchal!”

Peter noticed that both Rylee and Mila tensed from what he just blurted out. It made him confused, even when the two looked at each other; sweatdropping.

“Uhm Mila, won’t you introduce your tiger to Peter?” Rylee diverted the conversation to the animal which had been waiting to get the attention it deserves.

“Oh, right!” Mila snapped her fingers before she gestured the tiger beside her. “Our dear Peter! This is my pet tiger, Rajah!”

The tiger let out a low growl before standing up to approach Peter. He was startled for a bit, until the tiger began to nudge his head on Peter’s leg as if asking for some petting. In which, he immediately provided.

Letting out a chuckle, Peter then sat while Rajah lied down beside him. Head on his legs.

“Nice to meet you, Rajah!”

Despite the distraction, Peter saw Rylee fly from Mila before the pixie approached her.

“Rylee,” he called her even before she could remind him of something, “why did you two pause when I spoke about my world?”

Rylee gasped before she covered his mouth with her tiny hands.

“You shouldn’t blurt out anything about your world anymore, Peter!” She scolded him. “Remember, you are now Peter! Not Leif!”

“I can’t share anything about my world then?”

“No, that is considered as a taboo!”

The pixie chuckled nervously before she sat on Rajah’s soft fur.

“Anyway, Peter. You shouldn’t really be thinking about your world anymore, weren’t you here to forget that dirty reality and have fun?”

Peter blinked in confusion before the realization finally dawned on him.

“Oh, you’re right!” Then a wide grin soon curved on his lips. “I’m not the child who has to worry about the future anymore!”

“Yes!” Rylee agreed.

“I’m here to play!”

“We hear you!”

“I’m here to prove that the bullshits those adults told me were not real!”

Peter closed his eyes and nodded firmly with a resolution.

Little did he know, the Indians deliberately approached Mila.

“How long do you think this new Peter would last?” An Indian asked Mila.

Mila shrugged. “Who knows? But we have our new hope, at last. We’ll be free from the monster soon.”

With P

eter is on their side,

victory is on their side.

ENIGMAS & VILLAINS

｢ ENIGMAS AND VILLAINS ｣

“SO you’re the new Peter, huh.” The mermaid with taffy pink hair and maya blue irides spoke in a voice so bewitching that Peter could swear that if he’s any older, he would have himself gotten swept off his feet.

Peter nodded as he averted his gaze from the mermaid’s countenance to her beauteous tail. It seemed as if it was glistening. Alas! How lustrous her tail is, and to have it with the distinct hue as her tresses? Peter had never discerned something this excellent before!

Upon examining the mermaid’s tail, he shifted his attention to the other mermaids around them; Peter determined that, unlike this dame in front of him, their tails are of a dissimilar tint from their own hair.

“You seem to enjoy observing other mermaids. Found someone you like?” The mermaid in front of him teased.

Peter scoffed as he waved a hand to the dame, dismissing the thought that he might be interested in one of her kind. After all, he’s just a kid! How would someone like him grow romantically interested in them?

“No, nope! I’m merely intrigued by how varied mermaids are. For instance, unlike you who has an identical hue for their hair and tail, other mermaids have unique colors for each.”

The mermaid hummed before she laid her arms on the prime of the boulder available where she was sitting on. She had her gaze fixated on Peter, maya blue irides kept on prancing with amusement.

Peter noticed the way how the dame beside him gazed at him. Hence, with an apprehensive smile on his countenance, he flew a few inches apart from the aforesaid mermaid.

“By the way, why not introduce yourself to me?” Peter placed both of his arms behind his head, keeping his lips slightly protruded. “You already discerned that I am Le-I mean, Peter ! So, I hope you don’t mind introducing yourself to me?”

An entrancing beam crept onto the mermaid’s lips before she let out a giggle. Then Peter raised a query to himself: are all mermaids like this? Then, he should have really come in the mermaid idyll with Rylee. But meh, the faery seemed to be really occupied nowadays. He thought not to disturb, thus; he is here. All alone.

“I’m sorry,” the mermaid replied in between of her giggles, “I’m just so immersed in observing you I completely overlooked to introduce myself.”

“Well, it’s okay.” Peter shrugged. “It must be strange to see me alone?”

“I believe so too. Were you not frequently looked after by the guardian of Neverland?”

He tilted his head to the side. Totally clueless of what the mermaid was speaking about. If she perceives Rylee, the pixie who brought him here as the guardian of Neverland; then, he bypassed a lot of data to learn regarding this niche!

“Yeah,” Peter trailed off, averting his gaze onto the great beyond, “I guess you can say that. I didn’t know that Rylee is the guardian of this land, though.”

“Oh, really. She was actually the one who brought us here.”

Peter’s forehead furrowed upon the abrupt revelation. He had never inquired nor investigated the origin of Neverland as he deemed that activity to be idiocy.

After all, he submitted to be brought in this land to have fun. That is all.

Hence the reason why he failed to distinguish Rylee as the guardian of this land. Moreover, what Peter truly never anticipated was the confession he acquired.

“What do you mean brought here? Were you not all a fraction of this idyll in the first place?”

His sapphire irides almost squinted in confusion but he was given no response. Instead, the mermaid gave him a small smile, and if he was not erroneous, he also saw something else glinting from those blue irides.

What was that? Sorrow? Anguish? Peter cannot seem to perceive what could it be.

“There are secrets in this niche that you should know,” the mermaid replied in a hushed voice, “but this is not the right time yet. I suppose that you’re not ready for it. I apologize for confusing you, dear Peter.”

Peter was at a loss for words for a second and he was only able to inhale sharply. His hands clenched into balls of fists but he was unable to enunciate a word to scrutinize what he was told.

For a brief period, fear deliberately embraced his small figure and Peter commenced to overthink in silence. However, this was put into an edge once the mermaid spoke once again, dismissing earlier’s conversation and leaving Peter no chance to open another topic.

“By the way, my name is Lucia.” The mermaid placed a hand on her chest before she slightly nodded her head as if it was a sign of regard. “I am the third daughter from the seven mermaid princesses. My prestige is not as significant as my elder sisters but if you need my help, I shall offer you my assistance.”

“Oh, uhm.”

Peter blinked several times before he beamed at the dame although, he has not completely forgotten the secrets that she was pertaining to.

“Thank you, I guess? I’ll be sure to ask you a favor sometime!”

Lucia chuckled. “That’ll be great. I shall wait until then.”

Peter hummed before she gave the mermaid a like sign. Then, they proceeded to converse about other stuff as numerous mermaids joined their chatter. It was engaging and it certainly was relaxed chitchat. Though, Peter was interested in how everyone kept on dubbing him their hero.

Some mermaids also spoke of the aberration which Peter could still recall the Indians have mentioned beforehand.

“About the villain, you all have been mentioning…” Peter trailed off which awoken the mermaids’ curiosity.

All of them fixated their gazes on him, including Lucia, but as he was just about to implore about the terror and merciless antagonist who erodes Neverland’s tranquility by committing infractions, a familiar tiny voice reverberated behind him.

“Peter! So, this is where you’ve been playing!” Rylee’s voice resounded which made Peter immediately veer his head to face the pixie. “Didn’t I tell you to wait for me earlier! I told you that I shall accompany you while you meet the mermaids!”

“Oh, I’m sorry Rylee!” Peter drifted from the boulder he was resting on as he addressed the faerie. “You seemed occupied earlier, I didn’t want to be a bother.”

They met halfway and he could not forfeit the trepidation in Rylee’s sapphire irides as she took glimpses over the mermaids. But as soon as she recognized Peter’s presence near her, the manifestation drawn on her face rapidly vanished.

“Is something wrong, Rylee?” Peter inquired, regarding the sentiment painted on the pixie’s countenance just a little while ago, “you looked troubled. Did I do something wrong?”

“No, nope! You didn’t. It’s somewhat my responsibility, anyway. I wasn’t apt to inform you what had been transpiring in the Indian village,” Rylee elucidated as she positioned a hand on her forehead before she heaved a deep sigh.

The news made Peter alarmed and somewhat bothered.

“What? What happened?”

“I’ll tell you the details later!” Rylee immediately replied before she peered over the mermaids, “did they tell you anything?”

“What do you mean?”

Peter blinked before he deliberately veered over to take his fair share of glimpses over the beauteous and refined dames below them. Most of them already forgot that he had come to visit, while Lucia kept her gaze on them; as if scrutinizing their every move.

It was creepy, but Peter ascertained that there was something hidden in those maya blue eyes. But she had been to steering him away and snaring him out of the loop to elude the topic regarding the enigmas of this cosmos.

Peter took a quick glimpse over the pixie as his lips thinned. Should he tell her? But is she not the guardian of this land? Plus, Peter cannot recall Rylee telling him any secrets about this land.

“They didn’t!” Hence, he lied. “Shall we head back? Show me what happened to Maya and the other Indians!”

The moment he opened the topic about the catastrophe that had befallen the Indian village, Rylee seemed to start panicking.

“You’re right! Come on, Peter!” The pixie began to fly, leading him to the aforementioned village.

Meanwhile, Peter had a sudden urge to gaze back at Lucia. As they locked eyes, the mermaid only shifted from the boulder where she was resting to dive back to the deep blue.

Peter’s lips thinned once more. He internally gritted his teeth before he followed Rylee when he heard her calling his name.

“Peter, come on here!”

“I’m coming!”

The moment they reached the town, Peter could only gulp as he dreaded the sight administered in front of him. The village had plummeted to devastation, it crumbled into pieces, while the Indians are mourning!

Some tents are still in the midst of being devoured by flames, various equipment is obliterated, and there are specks of explosives dispersed around the place. Fortunately, he had not seen any deceased Indian who suffered from the catastrophe.

Sapphire irides widened as Peter’s breathing hitched and countenance paled. Resentment commenced to seethe through his seams and he began to tremble. This once tranquil community does not appear like it was the niche that he came over the first time.

“We’re back! I brought Peter with me, everyone!”

He was pulled back from his reverie when he heard Rylee’s voice. And once the townspeople heard of his name, they came running to Peter with tears on their cheeks and bits of hope glinting through their eyes.

Even Maya came running to them, abomination and distress are drawn on her beauteous countenance. Her hands are balled into fists and she had been gritting her teeth out of frustration; and behind her followed a melancholic tiger, Rajah.

“We failed to protect our town from the monster,” Mila delineated in a hushed voice; pain is evident in her tone and of how her face wrinkled, “he left nothing. He destroyed our town and he left with a smug visage. His mere presence infuriates me but I was powerless.”

This is the first time that Peter had seen Mila, the mighty woman, plunge onto devastation. And her sentiment fueled the resentment in his young heart.

He desires to avenge them.

“Who is the monster?” Finally, he had to guts to query. “Who is the villain who destroyed the town, Mila?”

“Peter,” there was hints of worry in Rylee’s voice as she turned her head to him.

Then, she glided towards him before she rested on his shoulder. However the pixie remained silent and left the limelight all to Mila who was the real victim of this catastrophe.

“Mila,” he called the Indian with a voice filled with authority and power.

“The Pirate.” Mila eventually replied in a tone that Peter never wanted to hear no more.

“He calls himself Captain

Kaius

.“

**

A/N: Hello! I apologize for the late update! Moreover, I have been contemplating whether to open the dedication something. I wanted to dedicate the remaining chapters to the readers of this story (including this chapter). Just in case there are anyone interested though, comment your usernames below! Thank you!

Stay safe everyone!

NEFARIOUS PIRATE, KAIUS

｢ The Nefarious Pirate,

Kaius ｣

As the vicious waves hit the pirate’s ship, a notorious individual stood on the verge of the vehicle. Facing the ocean and allowing the rough gusts to ruffle his navy blue locks, a devious smirk deliberately crept on their lips with their eyes glinting in mischief.

Adjusting his pirate headdress to accentuate their influence and preeminence, he crossed his arms against his chest, entirely fascinated by how the circumstances he anticipated to transpire really occurred.

“Ha, so he was really speaking the truth,” he muttered to himself, gaze fixated to the horizon until he caught a glimpse of the individual he would never miss identifying.

Deliberately shifting his gaze to the sky, the smirk on his countenance gradually turned into a grin. He is there, he came after him; the protagonist of this world, the hero , Peter . Oh, how ridiculous it is to chase after their ship and let his presence be recognized by the ferocious antagonist.

“The pixie really did find Peter,” he added, “ah, that green apparel never fails to make me feel nauseous.”

But alas! He is finally there, wafting on the atmosphere with the keeper of this paradise ; gaze fixated on him as if perceiving him too. Possibly scrutinizing his entire existence just so Peter could plot his next move.

But that ain’t likely.

Peter is naive.

He is nothing but a ludicrous kid who desires to play the

hero

.

“Aye, crew! Load the cannons!”

**

“PETER! Where are you going?! Wait for me!” Rylee cried as she hovered through the whiffs rapidly to catch up on Peter who is encompassed by his childish wrath hence drove him to chase over the pirates who did the Indians wrong.

“Peter!” She called Peter out once more in hopes that he would slow down for her.

But that was not the case. As a lad who had never felt this infuriation before, Peter could not manipulate his emotions. This is the first. He had never felt like this when he was at home for never did any of the people he knew ever harmed any of his friends.

That pirate is straight-up cruel. How could he bestow verdict over those who are innocuous? The Indians did nothing wrong! They were living in their niche with equilibrium! They never stepped someone down!

Therefore,

why

?!

Mila told Peter that this was not the first time that they were maltreated, nor this is the first that Kaius, the captain of the pirates, devastated their village. Every time their ship would come across the aforesaid community, they would always load their artilleries and cause turmoil to them.

Peter has pulled back from his reverie the moment he laid his gaze upon the object of his animosity, the sole reason why his blood kept on boiling. The lad gritted his teeth as his gaze meandered to seek for the villain everyone mentioned, and the second he caught the individual behind the catastrophe of the Indian village; the hostility he feels rose. But he could only clutch his fists as Rylee caught up to him to cease him from doing anything reckless.

“Peter, no,” the pixie cautioned him. Her eyes squinted and her voice is filled with authority that Peter could only succumb, “captain Kaius is dangerous. We can’t do anything against him. In fact, we shouldn’t let him know that we’re here, Peter.”

“But the village, Rylee,” he muttered, still eyeing the huge ship ahead of them. Just as when he finally locked his gaze upon the target, Kaius, who is undeniably standing out with his fancy pirate apparel.

He wore a huge pirate hat to signify his dominance and authority as the captain of the pirates. He had blue locks prancing aggressively through the harsh gusts, he also wore an eye patch on his right eye and a hook on his right hand. His attire is an ebony shirt beneath a blue cloak designed with a few gold fixtures.

“We can avenge them soon-oh no, Peter, dodge!”

Peter was taken aback when Rylee endeavored to yank him out of the way. When he checked over the watercraft, it was then when Peter understood that they are in the midst of peril. The pirates are in attack, shooting them with cannonballs!

“It seems like captain Kaius already discerned our presence!” Rylee screamed in panic.

Upon recognizing the cannonball, it felt like an epoch for Peter until it could really come near him. For a fleeting moment, he felt as if time prolonged its entrance, thus; he was inclined to elude the attack handily.

But that was not the end of captain Kaius’ assault. Numerous cartridge followed the pirates’ attack and for goodness’ sake, Peter was apt to evade each like he was just playing with some other juvenile.

“Peter, this isn’t any other game! If one of those cartridges hits you, you will be dead!” Rylee reprimanded as they both drifted and glided on air to elude any attacks from reaching any of them.

“I know! But as much as I want to stop, I like teasing the pirate! Like, look here villain of the Neverland ! You can’t even land a single hit on me, is that your best?!” Peter taunted the pirate, gliding towards the watercraft albeit minimal just so he could see the monster’s reaction.

However, as much as the game was set on the easy mode by the pirate, as time passed by and as Peter and Rylee enjoyed fooling around like the lad he is; the number of attacks doubled and its speed became rapid which made it harder to elude.

“Peter! The monsters gonna kill us both!” Rylee screamed frantically as she grasped on his shirt, “let’s go back!”

The idea is wise. Not only that they would get home harmless, they can also obscure themselves from harm if ever the pirates follow them. But as stubborn as Peter really is, the lad gritted his teeth and exclaimed:

“No! I must avenge the village!”

Rylee shut her eyes close, attempting to pull back Peter from harm but were, unfortunately, inapt to do so.

“But we could get our vengeance on them soon!”

“I said no! I’ll destroy their ship! Just lend me a hand!”

Rylee’s eyes shot open as it soon widened from surprise. “Peter?! Just what are you planning to do?!”

“Do you trust me?”

Sweat dropping, Rylee evaded from his gaze. She bit her lower lip and appeared to contemplate for a second before eventually resigning to dance on Peter’s deviant plan.

“Of course I do,” she replied in an almost hushed voice.

Grinning widely, determination and bravery deliberately steeled him to perform his vengeance.

“Great! Here’s the plan…”

Despite being occupied to evade the aforementioned pirate’s assaults, Peter and Rylee discussed their move in seclusion. And once it was finalized, both of them ascended towards the vessel which horrified most of captain Kaius’ minions.

“Let’s go, Rylee!”

“Aye, aye, Peter Pan!”

Both the protagonist of Neverland and the pixie went to obliterate the ship’s sails. Every bandit was in the midst of a stampede that whenever Peter reached them, they could not help it but to either jump off the watercraft and offer their lives as food as the sharks’ banquet or act tough to challenge Peter in sword-fighting. However, most of those who defied Peter met their impending demise which of course, devastated the true rogue of this supposed utopia - Kaius.

“How dare you destroy my ship and annihilate most of my men?!” The captain roared from a short distance as he held out his sword from its sheathe.

The uproar made Rylee incredibly bothered which made her hurry to attend Peter who grabbed his blade from his pocket, preparing himself to enter the battle against the pirate.

“This is my vengeance for what you have done to the Indian village!” Peter retorted, his sapphire irides glinted in infuriation and resolution to defeat Kaius. “To you who is not in their right place to eradicate their town and filch them of their rights to live in tranquility!”

“Says the one who acts like a main character of any fictional movies! You’re just a naive child driven by his irrational heroism! You know nothing!”

“I know enough not to mess with the equilibrium of this world!”

It was then when Peter and Kaius’ blades clashed. And alas! How Peter detested the actuality that it was apparent that Kaius possesses a huge advantage against Peter. After all, he is an adult; much rigorous, and brisk than him.

“Peter Pan!” Rylee called out to him as if encouraging him not to lose, “you are the hero of this world! Defeat him! Fulfill your dreams!”

Somehow, it consolidated Peter. The pixie’s voice gave him stability and his conviction to plunge this villain to his downfall heightened.

As their blades proceeded to clash and as both men fought with their all to defeat each other, Peter felt that for a brief moment, the pirate gave him an opportunity to break this tension. He has also endowed a chance to eradicate Kaius’ existence of this cosmos but Peter was too immersed in playing his role.

As Peter broke the tension of their blades, he swiftly moved under the pirate; too low that Kaius’ reaction time was not enough to bestow him the agility to defend himself.

Peter

penetrated

the blade

of his dagger against the

antagonists’ chest. He acted

as the reaper and delivered

evil to where it truly belongs.

N o w h e r e.

Rylee’s face was deliberately painted in enthusiasm as she watched how the antagonist of this land fell to his inevitable demise.

Mila sat on the ground with a frown drawn on his countenance. Feeling conflicted about the events that had been transpiring. She could hear the victorious screams of all Indians as they celebrated in advance, but she paid them no mind. Instead, both of her hands balled into fists before she heaved a deep breath; totally lost in her reverie.

“Peace, huh.” Mila muttered in the air as she raised her gaze to look on the clear sky. For some odd reason, she sounded… melancholic .

Lucia, on the other hand, watched the whole commotion from a safe distance. Maya blue irides pranced in contemplation as a small smile curved across her lips. The grip on her elbow tightened as a scoff soon escaped from her mouth.

“So, he finally met his doom in the hands of that who is righteous,” she mumbled as her gaze lowered down to the sea, “you are lucky,

Peter

.“

Meanwhile, as everyone pondered over the cessation of this Sharing-La’s villain; Peter stood still on his place as he watched Kaius plunge onto the blue sea. The puncture Peter had made on Kaius’ heart eventually drew blood from his almost dead body - this painted the ocean crimson.

“I’ve done it,” Peter whispered to himself as he caught his breath, “I won and defeated the pirate.”

“You won!” Rylee materialized from behind Peter with a huge grin on her countenance. “I knew that I’ve chosen the right boy! You’re so great and heroic out there, Peter!”

She clasped both of her hands as she twirled around while wafting onto the air. Her celebration made Peter think that his glory is doubled. He knew it was time to celebrate his victory with his friends! Peter was already feeling enthusiastic. Alas! His youthful heart was filled with contentment!

“Shall we go home? Let’s spread the good news! The hero, Peter, finally defeated evil and brought serenity back to Neverland!” Rylee offered.

Peter nodded. “Yes! Let’s all go and perform a banquet with everyone!”

The lad eyed everyone who is left on the watercraft alive. And for some reason, they were gazing at him in all seriousness. As if attempting to convey a message which he could not comprehend.

Not yet.

Those eyes seemed to speak to him bht Rylee appeared as if she had not noticed them. Therefore, Peter was unbothered. They are probably just upset that they have lost Kaius.

Ha, how

idiotic

. Who would even follow the path of being nefarious? Only those not in their right minds would ever choose the way of evil.

“Let’s go home!” Rylee invited him once again before she started to fly home.

“Yes!”

Peter immediately followed the pixie. But as they were just about to leave the ship, his gaze strangely landed upon Kaius’ corpse.

Then, he noticed something odd and that made Peter’s forehead furrow in utter confusion.

Is he smiling?

FAUX & VERITY: VOID

｢ FAUX AND VERITY:

VOID ｣

WITH sapphire irides fixated upon the enormous mob of people who jigged along with music, sang along despite their dissonant voices, with a glass of beer in their hands, and a wide smile that accentuates the joy painted on their countenances; Peter was found in the nooks of the venue of celebration whilst he kept an empty visage.

Days and nights had flown by, the quietude in Neverland was finally reinstated. The community who resides within this utopia agreed to seize a banquet for Peter’s valiant deed every dusk to accentuate their glory, to show their indebtedness towards the true hero, and for pirates loosen their grasps in their seams of hope to ever find a new captain.

Heaving a deep sigh, Peter rested his cheek on his knuckle, pondering the feasible reason for the void that continues to bother him. Gradually, his gaze wandered from the masses to the atmosphere, adoring the stars and the glimmering moon who also appeared to commemorate his triumph above them.

But he finds no more pleasure.

A few days ago, he was apt to join the feast. He jigged, sang, and impressed a lot of citizens within Neverland with the knowledge he possesses. He was apt to entertain challenges from a few Indians who yearned to witness his true strength, and their defeat had caused immense pleasantry within Peter. It swelled and swelled until it burnt down – and only thoughts kept to visit him in his dreams.

“Peter, Peter,” Rylee called his name. Apparently, it snatched his attention away from his reverie, pulling him back to reality and helping him to pay attention to the pixie who mentioned his name. “Are you okay? You’re not yourself tonight. Are you not delighted that we’re holding a feast for you?”

Peter’s breathing hitched as his mind began to fumble upon a lot of words that he failed to discern what could be a promising thing to utter. He may be paling now, particularly when Mila followed Rylee and he could see Lucia checking upon his welfare from afar.

Peter’s gaze began to meander. He desired to avert his gaze away from these ladies as they make him feel uneasy. Plus, thinking about Rylee’s concern is driving him nuts.

He does not know the reason for his behavior.

He just feels like there is a barren within his chest. Like, the box of his contentment attained a hole, and everything does not make him interested nor vivacious anymore.

It was as if something changed.

“Peter, everyone is waiting for you,” Mila added before she put her hand on her waist, “all of them desires to hearken the noble accomplishment of the leading man of this niche.”

Breathing in a puff, Peter took a brief glimpse over the ladies with a hesitant visage. These three had been the closest to Peter ever since he arrived at this place. They had listened to his adventures, provided him a new home, ascertaining him that the fun would never cease, and they had accompanied him in all of his shenanigans.

“Is there any problem?” Rylee asked, now looking more apprehensive by Peter’s behavior, “do you want to take a rest already?”

“No,” was what he uttered despite the thoughts which bugged him in his wakefulness, “I’m just thinking of how fun this land truly is! The world is just about me, everyone is pertaining to me as the hero, and all!”

Peter knew that he had to lie or else everyone would throw their hands at him and get worried. Forgive me for being sassy and childish, Peter thought. But he does not want to let them know what bothers him nor he desires reality to chase him. If possible, he would keep verity in his pocket with no means of breaking out from his grasp.

What disturbs him? He is still inapt to discern.

Is this not the world that he desires to live? A world of fantasy where he could be dubbed as the hero and punish those who are cunning and ravenous — the

adults

!

What changed? Nothing! Everyone is still celebrating his deed after the death of the nefarious pirate, captain Kaius! He dueled with a progression that was fascinating, attained triumph with applause and standing ovations! He got high and obtained what he desired.

But you know, something

is

wrong

.

Something is

missing

.

After the banquet that he eventually gathered the heart to join, Peter and Rylee returned to their home. Yet he insisted to hang around for a while which Rylee permitted in one condition — she shall stay with him .

And now, he lounged on the largest branch amongst all trees within the timberland where they both reside. Silence embraced their ambiance but none of them paid no mind. Meanwhile, Peter stared into the luminous full moon and clear skies, hearkening to the cold breeze whisper a nocturne to his ear whilst his golden locks swayed along with the gracious current. Even Rylee twirled by his side once she felt the pleasant air tickling her.

“Rylee,” Peter finally spoke to snatch the pixie’s attention away from the delicate breeze, “may I ask you something?”

“Yes?” Rylee instantly halted from prancing through the air and flew a bit closer to Peter, checking on him from the side of his cheeks, “is something the matter?”

Clenching his fists, Peter’s eyebrows began to knit as his forehead deliberately furrowed. He does not know what to ask. He is still fumbling over the proper words to speak.

“Rylee… don’t you think that something changed?”

Tilting her head, Rylee regarded him with a confused visage. “What do you mean?”

“I— I don’t know.” He eventually turned to Rylee. “I just feel like something changed in Neverland.”

“Really? I don’t know.” It was then when the pixie began to chuckle before she tapped a light pat on his forehead. “You must be imagining things, Peter! Well then, I’ll go inside now, I’m starting to feel really sleepy. I’ll see you tomorrow, our hero!”

Peter’s jaw was left hanging and he yearned to chase after Rylee. But the pixie was way too swift for him to reach, hence; he was left alone in the midst of the deafening silence with only the moon to accompany him. It was then when he gulped his saliva and pondered about what Rylee said.

Is it true that nothing changed? Then it must really be my imagination, playing tricks on me, was what Peter thought as he clenched his fists tighter, seemingly doubtful of the reply he obtained.

Lost in his own thoughts, another enigma occurred in this fantastical land whereas Peter recognized what the wind had been whispering to him. For some odd reason, it felt like a message that only he was apt to understand.

The lad’s eyes widened before he rose from his seat. He marvelled who could be the culprit until he realized that the moon seemed to speak to him.

“To the…” He recognized a few more words when the cold breeze came to touch his figure. “…a portrait… an answer.”

“Right. Since I don’t think Rylee would ever reveal a single thing about my concern,” he replied.

In the midst of the dusk where only silence domineers. In the midst of the tranquility that this world had come to offer to Peter, with the moon and the breeze to accompany him to a clandestine journey; he shall come to the shore and meet the third princess of the mermaid paradise to deliver him the answer to fill the void he is feeling.

The second Peter arrived to his first stop, a boat was prepared as if it had been waiting for his presence. He was hesitant but something within him pushed him to approach the craft — and as he got closer, the mermaid who had been said to wait for him materialized from the ocean.

“We’ve been waiting for you, Peter.” The mermaid curved a small smile on her countenance. “And I hope that you could still remember the enigmas of this land that I once told you the first time we’ve met.”

“Yes,” he immediately replied, “will you answer me now?”

Lucia nodded. “Follow me and I shall serve as your guide from here, dear Peter.”

This is the time to scourge for an answer to his question. The night he shall halt from kicking asses and act like everyone’s hero — Peter had changed and none of them noticed, only the moon and Lucia waited for this moment — his curiosity, the void within him that seeks to discern which is faux and verity.

The amusing fantasy had come to its end as Lucia guided him to the ship — the pirates’ ship that holds all the answers he seek.

“I shall leave you here,” Lucia said as they reached a few meters near the watercraft, “Unfortunately, I am inept to accommodate you all the way, Peter. But may you find the key to the enigmas which braced this land for centuries, may you be able to recognize who is the

real

villain of Neverland.“

Peter stared at Lucia’s ethereal countenance and eventually, he nodded. “Thank you. I wouldn’t be able to come this far without your guidance, Lucia.”

“No problem. Well then, Peter, we shall meet again.” Lucia was about to go back to their lair when she paused to stare at him. “And I hope you wake up as the real you.”

Baffled by the abrupt goodbye, Peter watched as how the waves hit his craft while Lucia left. He stayed in the middle of the blue to stare at the ethereal reflection of the moon that continues to watch him from above. But as soon as he had come to his senses, Peter began to row his boat until he arrived at his last stop — his final destination.

Kaius

’

ship .

Sneaking within his former rival’s premises felt so weird and right, but despite his silent steps, his presence was discerned by the people of the ship who seemed to wait for his arrival — Kaius’ former minions. At first, he was alarmed that he instantly grabbed upon the head of his dagger. But he immediately noticed that the crew was not holding any type of weapons in their grasp, instead; they regarded him with a hopeful look on their countenances.

He could still vaguely recall of how they stared at him back then, as if they were communicating a message through their gaze that failed to reach him.

“You came. You finally came!” One of them began commemorating which made him confused.

“Stop!” He warned as he pulled his dagger out of its sheathe and pointed it towards the crew. That action made them all terrified that they began to hide from where they materialized. “What do you all need from me? I thought each one of you left this ship?”

“We can’t leave! We swore loyalty upon the misunderstood hero of this land!” Another crew responded. “Ah, um. We came here unarmed ’cause we desire to make peace! Are you here to seek for answers? We are willing to help you!”

“Yeah! We can guide you to captain Kaius’ former chamber, Peter!”

Upon hearkening their responses, Peter eventually relaxed and put his dagger back to where it shall belong.

“Prove to me that all of you desires to make peace with me,” he told them with a firm and dominant tone, “guide me to Kaius’ chamber with no weaponry stuck in the nooks of your apparels and I shall not weave my blade to eliminate all of your existences.”

“Aye, aye!” All of them responded.

True to their words, the crew really guided him all the way to Kaius’ room. But as they approached the aforementioned chamber, Peter could feel his heart pounding against chest. He could hear his own apprehension as he eradicates the distance between him and the door. He could see what could possibly happen.

The moment he was left alone, Peter took another deep breath before he gulped and decided to slowly open the key to verity. And the second the door welcomed him to the captain’s chamber, he immediately saw an opened book left in the middle of Kaius’ old table, just right under his old and scratched portrait.

In the midst of quietude, Peter slowly approached the book. Braced with fear and curiosity, his footsteps were light, so as his head. It was as if the closer he approached the book, the dizzier he gets. But still, he persevered, picked the book in his hand, and began to read the words Kaius scribbled to the papers.

Kaius

’

answer to his inquiries.

**

A/N: I genuinely think that this chapter is not as good as the past updates but… I’ll make sure to edit this once the book is complete.

Good morning, by the way! ❤

PORTRAIT OF PIRATE KAIUS

｢ PORTRAIT OF PIRATE

KAIUS

｣

“LEIF, my dear son, have you ever heard of the folktale regarding a pixie who resides within the premises of Neverland?” His mother once inquired one night as Leif begged her to read him a nighttime story.

Unfortunately, they have already read all the books they had. Hence, his mother decided to just share a well-known folktale that goes around their hometown.

“No, mama. What is it about?”

Leif’s mother looked at him gently before she caressed his cheek and tucked him in bed properly. “Well, it goes like this…”

❝

If you’re reading this, then I shall applaud you for finally realizing the fraud that inhabits this territory. I reckon that you’re here to pursue answers regarding the enigmas of this niche, then I shall reveal what lies beneath Neverland. And where do I begin? To let you know that like you…

I was once Peter

.

❞

STOMPING his feet whilst ascending through the staircase, a lad who possessed blue locks and ocean blue irides retained a grumpy expression on his countenance as he neglected his parents’ scolding regarding his recent behavior at school. The lad gripped on the railings tight, sliding his hand through it that the action made his palm red.

“You can’t always act spoiled, Kaius! We can’t always overlook something that you did. Grow up!” His father’s voice reverberated from behind him as he attempted to chase his only son. “You’re already twelve years old! You must learn how to behave like your age. Life is not all about fun nor looking under other people! We did not raise you like this!”

“Shut up!” He retorted, ocean blue irides had been shooting daggers over the adult. “Growing up sucks!And your ideals are bullshit, dad!”

❝

I could still vividly recall the last argument I had with my father. It was in the midst of a glimmering full moon, clear skies, with the cicadas chirping. The tranquility that braced our surroundings was merely shattered by our deafening reverberating voices and of my childish irrationality and heroism.

I endowed my parents a cold shoulder since the argument. I closed my ears and shut the doors of my mind because I yearned to believe that what I did was right. But as days and nights passed by, my conscience commenced to seethe in and I had never been terrified to admit that I made a huge mistake.

Thus, I couldn’t sleep. Fearing that their virus might had made their way onto me. But it was a huge mistake for little did I know, my irrational desires called forth for a demon to lure me to its web.

❞

In the midst of the serene nightfall, with the windows open, in the midst of a sleepless dusk where the clock keeps on ticking, on a night like this, a pixie shall ensue from the egress that binds two worlds and may persuade you to enter to a niche where dreams never end…

“Ah! I don’t like this. Their bullshits are beginning to influence me,” that was what Kaius said while he quivered in both disgust and fear; utterly denying the verity that all this time, he might have really be the one who committed a huge mistake, “Who are they to rule over me, anyway? These adults are getting over my nerves! I don’t want to grow up like them, I’d rather be a child for eternity!”

“I hear you!”

Kaius jumped in surprise the second he hearkened an unfamiliar voice. It sounded so tiny and unworldly that Kaius had himself shiver. He looked around and around, seeking for the stranger who spoke to him in the midst of his rants.

“I’m here!” A pixie materialized out of nowhere and in front of Kaius which made him surprised. “If you don’t really want to be an adult like them, then why not come to me to a land where dreams never end?”

“But… what about my future?”

“There is no need to ponder upon unimportant things! You can be a child forever if you come with me!”

❝

And I wasn’t the only one who was deceived. There were previous Peters before us and all of them revolted against the guardian of this niche. Only to fall in failure after the pixie gathered new Peters to trap and ask to eliminate them before they could speak the verity regarding the enigmas of Neverland.

Little did we know, each and every life coexisting in this world is either artificial or fellow human beings who were miserably incarcerated. Therefore, left with no other choice resigned to become prisoners of this land, serving the roles that the pixie assigned.

As for us, most of us Peters revolted through playing the pirate for two reasons: freedom and abomination .

You would know that you seek for the same, Peter. It will come to you as soon as you eradicate my whole existence — a

new

life, a

new

cycle. And by that time, you would realize that you were not the young Peter you used to be.

And you will realize

that you shouldn’t

have come with the pixie.

❞

Peter’s grip upon the book loosened, hence, it fell onto the floor. He was in a disbelief, unable to comprehend and accept the revelations written in its papers. It was then when he felt his knees grow weak. He was unable to balance himself standing thus resulting him into falling on the chair which Kaius used to sit on.

He placed a hand on his forehead and felt himself getting drowsy from all the information he acquired. His vision began to blur and there were times that he failed to recognize the open book that fell onto the floor.

What is it that he needed? Answers to fill the void that he had been feeling. But what was the cause of this void? Was it freedom? Was it like what Kaius mentioned through his old scribbles? A new life, a new cycle — the life he should be having now as… he is not the young Peter.

His heart began to hammer against his chest and he immediately grabbed the mirror that rested on Kaius’ table. He was apprehensive and panicking while he looked at the mirror through the moonlit that managed to peek through the windows of the chamber.

And just like what the former pirate proclaimed, this was not how he used to look like last time he saw himself on the mirror.

He is already an adult.

All along, everyone was distracting him so that he would never notice the changes in himself. But his mind knew that his life would never revolve around games and festivals. It matured while he was not aware, and it was the only thing that remained conscious while he had fun loitering around.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤLeif, please understand. ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤLife is not about being a ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤchild for eternity.

Do not do anything rash.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤDo not wish for youth to last.

It might deliver you to a false utopia, hypnotize you with lies and faux promises.

Therefore young Leif, do not wish for youth to last.

The demon might follow the scent of your irrational desire…

… in form of a pixie

.

**

A/N: Another early update. Epilogue will be posted soon!

DEATH IS THE ONLY ROUTE

｢ Death is the only Route

｣

AND on the crepuscule that verity was finally unveiled, Peter was once again exterminated from subsistence. Bequeathing no vestige that he was once the hero of Neverland, the protagonist turned into a notorious pirate, abiding to his fated role with abomination filling his once youthful and roseate heart. With rue reflected on those former lively sapphire irides, the lad who used to go by the name Peter braced his real identity once again… as Leif.

The ambiance was still and only light shuffling could be heard from the nooks of the pirate’s former chamber. Leif scoured through the whole room until he eventually set his gaze upon the apparel he had been rummaging for.

The apparel designated only for the antagonists of Neverland. Wearing the cape assigned for the new pirate who shall haunt this false paradise, inducing an outline for this faux Sharing-La’s devastation within his mind as he wore the eye patch to accentuate that he is all in for this new role… he held onto his fake hook like he held onto the hopes severely shattered by the keeper who brought him here after he figured out the actuality hidden beneath the hoax “fun” which was utilized to lure him in.

And before dawn, he was already prepared to venture a whole new adventure. To avenge himself and to flee this land where there is no other route towards freedom… but death.

Leif was just about to part from his chamber to proceed to the lounge of the ship when he heard a familiar snicker from the shadows. There, he spotted a glow different from the pixie he used to know; the demon who incarcerated him to its web.

“So, you finally figured out, Leif,” the demon spoke as if several voices came out from its mouth to accentuate the terror it obscures with its tiny and petite figure, “but there’s no escape in here.”

“I figured,” Leif responded as he pulled the old dagger he once used when he still braced the identity of Peter. Then, he attempted to point it towards the direction where Rylee’s silhouette wafted, “But I don’t care. I’ll destroy your false paradise until your new protagonist arrives to obliterate me from existence.”

Another round of mockery eschewed from the pixie’s mouth. “Poor Leif, your body and soul is mine. But suit yourself, deliver us the catastrophe you yearn… and you shall be exterminated like the previous Peters who betrayed my paradise.”

“You are the one who betrayed us.”

“Foolish, children. Bold of you to blame me for your juvenile desires, irrational wishes to be heroes of their own little worlds. It was you who happily gave yourselves to me in exchange of a hoax. You should have stayed longer as Peter or chose to be an Indian if you desire to be spared.”

Leif stilled as soon as he came to realize that it was indeed his young self who delivered himself to a knot he would always be inept to solve. Therefore, his jaw tensed and could only grit his teeth, surrendering his opportunity to attain victory against the pixie.

Ah, how foolish I was before . For he to let his own emotions to drive him to this mess. Now he is given no means of escape. I should’ve accepted my

ill-fate

to become an adult if it is inevitable . Who knows what would I achieve back in my real world? But there is no room for regrets anymore. I shall end my agony .

And now, Leif understands why the former villain, Kaius, smiled on the day he delivered him to cessation.

“Our conversation shall end here, dear Leif.” That was all the pixie said to put a period on their exchange of discourse. “Enjoy your remaining time here on Neverland, Peter .”

Ah, how Leif resents the name he used to dub himself as. The name Rylee gave him long before he could fully comprehend how messed up this dimension is.

Once the guardian of the Neverland was out of his sight, Leif instantly changed his old dagger into a new blade he could use once a new Peter, a new victim arrives. Abomination, there is nothing that he could feel from their conversation. What good the keeper would ever attain from incarcerating children to this niche?

He cannot understand.

“Boys, weigh anchor and hoist the mizzen! We’re off to blow some men down!” Was the initial instruction he gave his crew once he had fully recovered from his discourse with Rylee. “Some of y’all gotta man o’war! We’re gonna blast some heads off until their new Peter arrives!”

The moment they caught sight of their new leader, delight was painted on his crews’ countenances as they welcomed him with a warm heart, prepared to battle alongside the pirate they have sworn their loyalty upon.

“Aye-aye, captain!” They responded in unison, enthusiastic that they are inapt to obliterate the true evil of this land.

Leif watched his men work while he went to the helmsman to commence maneuvering the ship to his desired direction: the Indian village who undeniably works alongside the real evil that resides within this land.

“I’m gonna destroy them no matter how many times they all respawn like NPCs,” he muttered to himself, neglecting the actuality that he was once friends with Mila, the leader of the Indians for the fact disgusts him.

Is this what Kaius once felt when he recognized the true evil of this land?

But yes! I’m gonna play the

pirate starting from today!

THE moment they arrived at the shore, Leif immediately sent his men to blow off the entire village. He also came across with Mila who courageously fought against him, but even she, the strongest Indian only fell to her own devastation in his hands.

And now, as Leif watched how those flames engulfed, devoured the town, a maniac smile could only etch on his lips. Strings of bemused laughter also reverberated from his mouth. As alas, what irony it verily is to obliterate the village who used to be his home! What a disgrace, this used to be the town that he swore to his young heart to protect because they offered him a new family. But that was all a hoax, an illusion to capture him as another miserable prey.

“Why are you doing this?!” Mila shouted, pain and disappointment was evident in her voice. “You used to be our hero, Peter!”

“What hero?” Leif tilted his head as the smile on his countenance grew wider. “All of you betrayed me but the moon, the breeze, and Lucia.”

“The warmth we offered you was genuine!”

“The family you have given me is a hoax.” Leif walked towards Mila before he held her chin. “You were the one I trusted the most aside from that shitty pixie. But you had no courage to tell me what’s going on here.”

Mila’s eyes squinted. Her teeth also gritted. “Because there is a price to pay. I am an Indian, Peter.”

“Sure, sure! A price.” Leif eventually let go of the Indian and turned his heel against her. “By the way, are you not being rude? I am Leif and not Peter. Do not regard me with the title I loathe, Mila.”

Everything I do, I do out of spite . Leif told himself as he walked away from Mila, increasing the distance that separates them. After all, it’s my getaway, and I can’t go back anyway .

Forgive me for being cunning

and greedy. I’m just being an

adult !

Neverland shall remain as the niche he adored and resented the most. This world was one to offer him fun even in his deathbed. Such fun adventures, a wonderful dream. But he had grown exhausted from prancing on the pixie’s palm; letting her manipulate his life. It is time for a new role… to keep the fun endless.

Even if his demise is near.

**

Once the dawn arrived, a multitude of people gathered around a lad’s lifeless body. They all gaped over the unfortunate sight offered to them first in the morning. Apprehension is drawn all over their countenances as they all busied themselves gossiping about what caused this unfortunate soul’s cessation.

And in the midst of the commotion, a couple ran towards the corpse of the lad who was presumed to leap off his chamber’s window after a huge argument had broken off between them.

“Leif!”

Yes, his subsistence was obliterated from reality the moment he jumped to enter the egress towards Neverland. Leif felt it but he was unsure and he was tricked to plunge to his demise by the pixie.

All along… he was dead .

And it was only his soul incarcerated to Neverland while his body remained to where it truly belonged.

“I told you didn’t I? There is no escape. I own you, Leif.”

END

**

A/N: And this wraps up Secrets of the Neverland! I know that this is such a bad way to end SOTN but, I bet y’all saw this coming.

Nevertheless, I want to express my gratitude from here! I am truly thankful that you all took your time to read SOTN despite its flaws. Your votes, ESPECIALLY your feedbacks does not fail to put a smile on my face. You all are the best! Please take care always! XOXO.

And… I know this is some shameless promotion but I just published another short fanfiction! I posted the synopsis earlier and it’s called “ Vampire Pathos !“ As suggested by its name, the genre will be vampire . I really hope that you all will support me there too. Thank you!

Lovelots, Kristan. ❤