Chapter 7: Choices and Consequences (Solis, Umbra, Kosei)

I changed into a set of dry clothes before putting my usual outfit in the dryer, which resided in my basement. I sighed in relief, even though the guilt continued its onslaught. I hurt Agnes with my shovel. I had hit her hard enough to draw blood from her. I wasn't even th-

No. I was thinking straight. My body acted on my thoughts of wanting to silence Agnes. I wanted her to be quiet. Why couldn't I stop myself?

'Because you wanted to be the murdering ghost you've dreamt so many times before,' my id whispered.

No. No, it's not. That was a nightmare I once had when I was in my bedroom. I remember waking up in a cold sweat, shivering. After that, I started to grow paranoid about the subtlest of things. Then, I came up with the idea with going to the Dream Suite to free me from it lingering effects. It only worsened. Everything, from Umbra's truths, to my nightmare changed Mira's state into an actual nightmare. And it only got worse each time I updated it.

Which was why I wrote that note in a lost language known as Japanese. That was one of the truths that Umbra told me, along with many others. Only those who share that language with Umbra and I would understand it. I just hope Kosei picks the right choice. If he doesn't, then I'll have to bear the burden of my consequences alone. I don't want to bring Umbra or Torii down with me.


The five of us returned to my home silently, unable to speak since we were still processing what we just saw. The very idea of my twin sister harming an animal villager made me sick to my stomach. None of us were in the mood to eat now, and Mel was the only one able enough to get us glasses of water after I numbly told her where the glasses were.

"So…," My voice sounded very weak so I cleared my throat, "So, Kosei, what did the note say?"

As Kosei explained the note's contents, I got a sinking feeling in my stomach. Of course she would do something like this. She was starting to developing a liking of making people suffer.

"No, there's no way I'm letting you do this." Kenshin said matter-of-factly, with Mel nodding her head in agreement. I could see her rubbing Torii's back as a way to soothe her. I looked at the carpet below my feet, and allowed myself to cry.

"If she wants me to do it, then I'll do it." Kosei was starting to let his irritation show. As Kenshin and Kosei's argument began to escalate, I could hear something in my head groan.

"This is obviously a trap, and you know it!"

"At least I'm willing-"

"Can the two of you just shut up!"

My sudden outburst stopped the two boys. My hands were in fists, and they were shaking with my barely contained frustration. I got out of my seat, and stormed up the stairs that led to my greenhouse. As a plant researcher, I spent the majority of my time here. I looked at the culprit before me. No wonder these things aren't anywhere in this world. They transported it from the other world. I stared at the salvia divinorum with distaste. I know that Luna told me that this was the plant they mainly used, but still it disgusted me.

"Hey, Umbra. You okay?"

I was so caught up in my emotions that I didn't hear Kosei ascend the stairs. When he called out to me, I froze up a bit before relaxing and speaking.

"Y-Yeah… Sorry about that. I-"

"Umbra, it's alright. None of us could really blame you for acting that way. Improper, yes, but understandable. Kenshin and I would also like to apologize for our behavior downstairs."

He looked down at the common wooden flooring, obviously embarrassed.


"It's fine, Kosei. You've only been here for about two days now. It's natural to act that way," Umbra frowned, "Although, that's the first time any one of us in Mira have seen Solis lash out to that extent."

Umbra's expression grew dark as he shifted his gaze to one of the plants. It was two meters tall and had small, white flowers.

"Something wrong?" I asked him, and he became expressionless. He almost looked dead on the inside.

"Yeah, just thinking about something." He cleared his throat. "So, Kosei, are you seriously considering Solis's challenge?"

There was something in his voice that told me to pick my words carefully. I had to make a choice. If I said yes, then there's a chance to see things that I might never unsee.

However, if I said no, Solis's mental condition might worsen to a point where she couldn't return. The way she had hit Agnes earlier today was proof of it.

"As much as I don't want to accept this challenge Solis had sent me, I'd feel guilty about not being able to help another mayor with their problems. Even if their problem is something I'm not allowed to know," I answered honestly.

"...That's your way of saying yes, isn't it?" Umbra looked away. He muttered something under his breath, but I couldn't tell what. He cleared his throat, and without looking away, he said, "I remembered while she forgot. The choices we made did more harm than good. And neither of us are willing to admit who's the one at fault."

"Umbra, are you sure you're okay?"

Umbra looked at me, surprise evident on his face. And it took me a moment to understand what had just occurred.

Umbra said something in a language that wasn't Animaleese, and not only did I understand it, I even asked if he was alright in that mysterious language.

"That never happened. Understood?"

I nodded mutely before the two of us headed back downstairs. Torii looked so depressed even when Mel was trying to comfort her, but seeing the hopelessness of her face had punched me in the gut. But at the very least, she was responsive enough to look and weakly smile.

"So what do we do now?" Kenshin asked. After Umbra's outburst, he took a seat and took some sips of water in an attempt to calm his nerves.

"We have to wait a couple of hours. It's far too early to head for the Dream Suite." Umbra said, but the exhaustion in his voice was starting to become obvious. He yawned, then shook his head. "All of us should rest for now. Who knows what's going to happen once the sun sets."

All of us silently nodded in agreement. Umbra went downstairs to his bedroom while Torii and Mel went to his guest bedroom in the back. Which left Kenshin and I here in the main room. I guess that the both of us knew that Umbra wanted to be alone.

"Sorry," Kenshin said quietly, "I understand why you want to help Solis. I just…" He trailed off.

"It's still affecting you." I felt guilty. If that tarantula surge never happened, I wouldn't have sent them off, and they wouldn't have gotten stuck at Aika Village.

"But I can't blame you. You didn't know what was going to happen once you sent us away." Kenshin's voice was soft. "But I'm glad to have made two new friends during that."

'Especially since you took a liking to one of them,' I thought to myself before allowing my eyes to close.


(Time Skip: Around 6:55 PM)

The five of us headed for Main Street and slowly made our way to the Dream Suite. Earlier today, it looked as harmless as mine in Seaside. But now that the sun was gone, I could sense an underlying wrongness about it. Like how you can tell that something is off, but you can't really explain it.

The others seemed to have that feeling as well, since we were getting antsy. Though, her voice worsened the building anxiety.

"I see that you've made your choice, Kosei. However, once you cross the threshold, you aren't allowed to leave until you find the silenced secrets." Solis sounded so tired, for a moment I was tempted to take her to her home. And then I remembered what happened earlier this afternoon. She may have abandoned her shovel, but her axe might be in her pockets right now. And I wanted to keep my life, thank you so much.

I nodded slowly, and walked over to her. I opened the door for her, and let her walk in first.

"My, a gentleman, aren't you?" Even the kind tone in her voice left a chilling impression on me.

As I entered the suite, I saw Luna staring at the little gyroid ruefully. My eyes landed on a small table that had two sets of pajamas, dependent on gender, of course.

"Don't change." Solis said, but there was that undertone of authority that she had as a mayor. Or rather, the kind of authority a dictator would have. Which was why I found myself standing straighter, in fear of the chance that she could easily end my life.

Solis sat on the couch, smoothed out her skirt, and smirked. There was a cruel light in her green eyes.

"I will rest on the couch and wait for you to enter. If you do not, there will be some… inconveniences for you," She said ominously before lying down and closing her eyes. I took a deep breath and followed her through the bed. The lights dimmed, and I felt the usual drowsiness take over, forcing my eyes to close.