Chapter 13: Prelude to Revelation
Author's note: Sorry for the long delay, lots have been happening, including RL. I have good news. There has ben a fresh set of renovations made to this story and will be published soon. The renovations are more centered on the first three chapters to make things less confusing for people not used to Japanese society. Also, content has been added throughout.
A.N. #2: Just letting you know now, more is revealed here about Dataforms, including a downside to them. There's one line that needs translating: "Thank you. Thank you very much. The Day is near. The Black Wave has--"
Audric was glad that he was sitting in the chair when Alita said, "It was you."
There was no way he could play dumb about what she meant, and no way to mislead her, either. So he went with the only other option.
"Yes," he answered, "and ever since that day, I've been doing everything to atone for it."
"Is that the one? Is that the catastrophe that Maskura was officially declared dead in?"
"Yes." He sighed and remarked, "I see your sight has returned."
"Yes...yes it has." She sat up in the bed and looked about her. Flora was still in the hammock, sleeping.
"We'd better take this conversation elsewhere, Audric."
"Yes. I'm surprised Flora didn't wake up from your screaming."
"I...screamed...?" she asked as she got up.
"Yes. How does the mess hall sound?"
"Sounds perfect."
Neither one said a word as they walked to the mess hall. When they got their drinks (tea and coffee), they sat down at one of the tables, facing each other. Alita waited for Audric to start talking.
"I guess you would have some questions for me about all of this."
"Yes, I do. But I'd like to know if the others on this Barge knew that you both created the Monster Minds."
He shook his head, "They know about my involvement...but they don't know about hers."
"Why?"
"That was my decision. Of course, she feels as responsible as I do, even though the true fault is with me, not her."
"I don't think either one of you are to blame, not really. I mean, neither of you expected the freak solar flare, did you?"
"Of course not."
"Or plan it?"
"No."
"Personally, I think it was either just bad luck...or fate."
He sighed and shook his head, "It may seem that way to you, Lita, but it doesn't erase the guilt inside me...or her."
"I didn't say it did." She sighed and asked, "How did you manage to escape with Maskura? I know she kept trying to get you to leave her behind."
"That was pure luck. We had enough of a headway to do it. I wasn't about to leave her to the Monster Minds...I did tell her that I wouldn't lose either her or Jayce." His voice become sad as he said in a low tone, "But they're both gone..."
In the quiet room, Alita heard the mutter and felt waves of sadness coming from somewhere within. "I-I thought they were still alive..."
"They are. My daughter's assumed another identity, and Jayce, he...I miss him very much, Lita."
The waves of sadness deepened a little at these words.
This pain...I can't be homesick. Are these my feelings or someone else's?
"We already know that your son's in some sort of trouble. Your daughter, who is she now?"
"If I'm right, you'll find that out for yourself soon enough."
"Why are you letting me find out for myself?"
"You want the truth?"
"Of course I do."
"If I had told you that I was responsible for creating the Monster Minds, without you seeing everything that led up to it, what would you have thought of me?"
"T-that's...well..."
"A mad scientist? Some kind of monster trying to play as a deity?"
"That's...maybe not those exact words..."
"Then how?"
"Probably a scientist that tried to play God and was punished for it..." she admitted.
"You wouldn't be the only one."
"I think...I see what you mean. It definitely puts another side to this whole situation."
He nodded. "Plus, what happened to her afterwards is not for me to tell. I don't know how or why you're having these dreams about Maskura's life, but from what you've told me and what I overheard from your latest dream, they're progressive and extremely accurate."
"Does anyone on the Barge know Maskura's current identity?"
"Gillian does, but at my request, he goes along with the official story. Will you keep me up to date on what you see within your dreams?"
"I'll try--" She started to say when without warning, she gasped and wrapped her arms around herself.
"Ah...Ahhh!"
"Lita? What's going on?"
Her breathing quickened as she got up and went to the viewing panel. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to fight down waves of pain.
"...hurts..."
"Lita, what's wrong? What hurts?"
"Talking...I'm in pain," she said, then shook her head, "No, the pain's not mine..."
"The pain's not..." he started to ask, then realized who she was referring to. "The Data—I mean your Guardian's in pain?"
"Yes," she answered.
He stood and went to her, turning the young woman around and gripping both of her shoulders
"Did something happen? Is the matrix becoming unstable?"
"N-No," she answered, trembling, "Not that kind..."
"Can you ask--" he started to say, then remembered the conversation on the bridge. Changing his mode of address, he asked, "Why are you in pain?"
"I can't stand this much longer," was the answer, quiet and sad, as she lowered her face, "I've been in this state for so long...those are his words...I want...please..."
"What are you saying?"
"So much sorrow for so long...talking to you helps, but it hurts even more, too." By now is was almost impossible to tell if Alita was talking or if the Dataform was. "...I want to see and talk to my father, as myself...want to put an end to what made me like this...I want to be with my friends..."
"Lita..." He looked down, at a loss for words to say to either Alita or her pained Guardian, whoever he was.
"Sorrow growing ever since I awoke in this state," she continued, "So much pain that I want to cry, but I can't...Audric...?"
"Yes?"
"I have one request. Whatever else happens, please, restore me."
"Restore?"
"Yes. Please, change me back to what I was before I became a Dataform. Nobody in their right mind would want to be in this state for so many years..."
The Guardian!
The scientist sighed and nodded. "All right. I'll do everything I can to see you restored." Whoever you may be.
"Thank you..." she whispered and the trembling slowly subsided. She let go of herself, grabbed a napkin and dabbed at her eyes. Audric let go of her as well.
"I-I'm sorry...I don't understand what happened..."
"I think his emotions became overpowering," he replied and thought, No matter who he is, nobody should go through this. As Lita would put it, it seems like a living hell.
Alita took a deep breath and decided to voice, for the first time, the very thing that had plagued her mind ever since the Guardian first awakened.
"Audric? Am I losing my self...? Losing my identity...?"
"I honestly can't say. One rule in dealing with beings like him is this: throw out the rule book."
"That's a heck of a rule."
"How long has he been...sad?"
"I don't really know..." she replied, then shook her head again, "No...it was--"
That was when the intercom came on in the room.
"Hey, everybody," Herc called, "We've just arrived at Maetel. Due to the extent of the damage, we'll be docked in space. The crew's offered to us the use of shuttles to get to the surface if we need 'em."
"Thanks. Tell the crew we'll take them up on it," Audric replied.
"Just how long was I asleep?"
"A little over two days."
"That long...? Why?" she asked, concerned all of a sudden.
"I don't know. Maybe whatever is showing you my daughter's life showed you more things this time."
"That might be. It did feel like I saw more than I normally do. Well, I'd like to get going to the surface, if possible. I think some fresh air down there might do me some good."
"Yes. I need to check on something down there, too."
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Little one...
Hm...?
Flora...You must awaken...
What do you mean, awaken?
You are currently sleeping. After the Light was fired, you--
Hm...? Oh...! I remember now...I fell...
Yes. We must go somewhere, and quickly. Time is running out.
Go? Go where?
To the Grand Library on the planet surface. We are orbiting Maetel again.
Are you a little girl? Your voice is a child, but your words--
I seem as a little girl right now, do I not?
Well, yes--
Then that is what matters. Now, open your eyes and get up.
Mmm...okay...I'm up...
Good. Your energy is still somewhat low from firing the spell, and that won't do. The day is drawing closer.
The day?
Yes. Now, focus on what we must do. First, the Library. Get us there. We will see about replenishing your energy.
Okay...little girl, who are you?
You'll find out soon enough. If anyone asks questions, I will do the talking, with your voice. Now...let us go.
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When Gillian walked from the Grand Square, where he had eaten a nice lunch, into the Grand Library, his expression had finally returned to some semblance of normal.
Most likely, Dea will tell Audric what he needs to know about the subject of the Light Avatar. I only hope that my suspicions as to the current Vessel's identity is wrong, he thought.
That changed when he saw the expression on the librarian's face. She was confused, but also very pale.
"My dear lady, is something wrong?" he asked.
"Th-the lady..."
"Lady?"
"The plant-girl...the one that travels with you," she managed to say, her voice edging on hysteria.
Gillian quickly murmured a spell to try to calm the woman down, earning him a frown of disapproval from one of the workers.
This is one time that I must disregard the library rules against using magic on the workers.
Her expression eased and she took a deep breath.
"Now what did you say?" he asked.
"The plant-girl that travels with you, she's here."
"Flora's here? Where?"
"She's in the same area you were in before. She ordered a very specific drink, one with a very high concentration of electrolytes, chlorophyll and plant sugars."
"Very odd..."
"That's not the end of it. She looked the same, but she was very different."
"How so?"
"Well, her expression a mixture of...if I had to describe it, I'd say extremely aware and stern. Oh, and very regal. Her gold eyes were spooky too!"
Gold eyes? Impossible. Flora's eyes are green.
"What book did she pick out?"
"The one on Divine Legends--"
"Thank you," he quickly said and hurried towards the section of the library where he had been to before.
Tell me that I'm wrong!
As soon as he arrived, he saw Flora sitting at one of the tables, a book open in front of her. Her head was bent down as she read the text, and the ponytail was waving as though in wind. It was also straight up. Her hands were on the pages themselves.
He could hear whispering voices all around him, although what was said was too low for him to easily pick up.
"Flora?" he asked quietly.
"I see...though they do not realize it, they are all discovered now...Meroga. Nagatau Meroga. Caira salagnai. Mere Farogal sime--"
That's not Flora's voice! He realized as his eyes widened. That's the little girl that counted down and showed those illusions!
"No!" the word cracked in the air like a whip.
Her head snapped up and the wizard could see that her eyes were not the green that he knew so well...but a brilliant gold, lit from within. The expression that the librarian had mentioned was visible as well. On Flora, it was a very alien look.
When the teenaged plant-girl spoke, it was her own voice.
"You...you've seen..." She paused as she peered at him as though studying his soul, then continued in a no-nonsense tone, "Consider yourself bound by the Divine Laws, wizard."
"The Divine Laws?"
"Yes, until the Ascension takes place."
Those Divine Laws! The ones that affect any that might be the Millennial Wizard! Then this voice belongs to--
"Of course."
"Good. Now, go."
As Gillian beat a hasty retreat, he thought, The being inside Flora...there's no doubt about who it is. Only She would know, much less invoke, those laws on me in this day and age. Audric, I'm sorry...
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On Aunitia, Dea was getting ready to eat lunch when the receptionist beeped her office.
"Yes?"
"You have an incoming call from planet Maetel. It's Audric."
She frowned and said, "Repeat that."
"I-I said you have an incoming call from planet Maetel. I-It's Audric."
Isn't he supposed to be liberating Cappela IV by now? She thought and sighed. "All right..I'll take it. Switch from public channel to private channel 3, level 5 encryption."
"Yes, Director."
A moment later, Audric's face appeared on the monitor. His complexion was pale and his expression grave, a combination that gave Dea pause.
"...Uncle?" she asked, "I thought you were taking care of a clean-up order."
"Yes, but there's been a...development."
Her eyebrow arched at this. "I'm listening."
"We had trouble at the Cappela system. We were ambushed by the Monster Minds upon entry."
"What?"
"It's true. They even boarded the Barge from 3 different entry points. The only thing that saved us was the fact that the Light of Purity was fired."
"Fired by the newcomer?"
"No...by Flora. She claims that a little girl taught her how, then passed out before she could explain that. She's still asleep."
Dea felt her blood run cold at these words. Then it's true...that means...Light have mercy on us all...
"I-is there anything else?" she asked.
Audric noticed her slight stammering in the question. "A lot. You should know that the Light purified Cappela IV...and destroyed V through VII. Apparently they were too far gone."
The Director closed one hand into a fist as she took a deep breath. "What else?"
"We've learned a great deal of information about the sentient existence we discussed earlier." Audric sighed, looking older than he had a right to be, as he continued, "There's no question now. It's a benevolent Dataform."
"I see. Keep talking."
"The being claims to be a male, although when I spoke to him, he--"
"You spoke to the Dataform directly?" she knew she looked incredulous on his monitor and sounded that way as well.
"In a way, yes, and no, not through invoking. When I spoke to him, he used Alita's voice and not his own. He said that knowing his identity at the time would be too dangerous, but that he would reveal everything soon."
"Is that so?" her voice returned to the normal, level tone.
"Yes. He's also in a great deal of pain."
"Pain?"
"Sorrow. From what I gathered, this male has been a Dataform for many years. He also made one request."
"Let me guess, he seeks restoration?"
"How did you know?"
Dea laughed at the surprise in his voice, then replied, "As fascinating as the species and its abilities are, nobody in their right mind would voluntarily be a Dataform for years."
"That's what he said, too. Is it possible to restore him?"
"I do believe so, yes. In fact, I think it would be...close to mandatory that he is."
"What do you mean?"
"There's one thing that I have learned about the Dataforms that would give even you cold chills," she replied, deadpan, "it's almost the only constant. If one is locked in his or her state for a highly extended period of time, instability has a possibility of occurring."
"Instability? As in the matrix?"
"No. I speak of something else. First, emotional instability occurs, then gradually it becomes mental. So far, it's only happened to beings that are Dataforms, yet aware of surroundings and their own state." She sighed and added, "It makes me feel sorry for them..."
"How long of an extended period are you talking about?"
"Roughly, 20 years or longer."
"There's no way of knowing just how long that one's been in this shape. But yes, he is very aware of his state and surroundings."
"This gives all the more reason for you to bring the girl and the Dataform to me on Aunitia." She sighed and added, "Now I understand why you're back on Maetel."
"Yes..."
"There are a few things you need to know about what's most likely going to come," she continued, praying that she would retain the courage to tell him.
"Such as...?"
She shifted in her seat, visibly uncomfortable.
"Dea, what's wrong?"
"How familiar are you with the Light Avatar?"
"Admittedly, not much. There have been rumors of the Light Avatar being reborn, but that's all I know. Why?"
She closed her eyes, sighed and mentally groped for a way to begin explaining.
"The Light Avatar is the more modern name for another type of being. Perhaps you would better recognize this name: Vessel of Aruleia."
She saw his eyes widen at this and his face go pale.
"I see you do recognize that."
"Of course I do..."
"Every generation or two, the soul of the angel Aruleia sleeps within a person. The only criteria is that the person must be an innocent. If the Vessel turns evil or dies, the soul migrates to someone else. However...whenever a crisis is at hand and the Black Wave is involved, the Vessel of Aruleia, or Light Avatar, undergoes Ascension."
"Ascension?"
"Yes. It's when Aruleia's body is present and the soul is fully awakened by the Avatar. This time, it's not only a female, it's also someone you know."
"Someone I know?"
Dea nodded and said grimly, "Yes. I'm sorry, uncle."
"Sorry about what?"
"What you've told me about the incident in the Cappela system verifies it. This time around, the Vessel of Aruleia, or Light Avatar, is Flora."
Audric's expression became just as grim, even though he still looked pale. "What will happen to Flora once Ascension takes place?"
"I don't know that bit of information, but there is one thing about the future after that you must know."
"And that is?"
"Once Aruleia awakens, the War of the Light will commence."
The elder scientist inhaled a sharp breath. "A War..."
"It's not any regular kind either. It'll be a short but very bloody war."
He nodded and muttered, "If Gillian knows about all this, I think I see why he's become frightened."
"Something on this scale would frighten anyone in the know. Be very careful."
He made an affirmative sound and signed off.
Dea groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. A few minutes, later, she called down to the mess hall before opening communication to the receptionist.
It looks like it'll be a working lunch...again.
"Get me the flagship of Orion's Hunters. It should be en route to Safe Haven Baz."
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Sawboss was actually out of his throne, pacing about the raised dais. On his mind was the fact that two of the five Troop leaders were now dead, one at the hands of the Swordbearer, Saaru, and the other due to the Light of Purity. Putting his remaining three leaders out of active combat was only a stop-gap measure, and one that wouldn't last long. He had to eliminate the newcomer to the Lightning League before the time gained by it ran out.
Noak and Zorg hurried into the throne room and started to talk at the same time until they saw his pacing.
This is not good, they thought.
"Well? What is it?" he growled at them.
"Sawboss, we've figured out which one to send out against Swordbearer," the scientist explained.
"Swordbearer?" he asked.
"The girl, Alita Saaru. On Orias, Erida and Maetel, the people are calling her 'Swordbearer' and 'Monster Slayer'."
"Is that so?"
Noak hurriedly cut in, "Since we're dealing with someone with the honor code and manners of a Tengu, why not send one as her opponent in the sword duel?"
"Fool! How would we get a Tengu to attack her? They sided with the Lightning League after our last attempt to conquer that race three years ago."
"Yes, but there is a rogue near Maetel that is dissatisfied with not only his race, but also the Lightning League. He's been seeking a way to bring them down for good ever since Jayce vanished."
He chuckled as he stared at them. "Hmm...what's his name?"
"He commonly goes by 'Black Wing'."
"Contact him at once and give him the information. Use my name."
"Right away, Sawboss!"
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Alita, Audric and Oon were in the city plaza, at the same restaurant that the scientist had been before. It was twilight, with the sun setting low in the horizon, bathing the white-stoned buildings in a golden, fiery glow.
"Th-the city looks really pretty in the morning," the Squire remarked, "But really scary when the sun goes down. L-l-looks like the city's on fire."
For a scaredy-cat, he sure has an apt way of putting things.
"How long are these places open?" Alita asked, trying to get her mind off of the description.
"Some are open at all hours. A few close at sunset, while most stay open until close to midnight. At festival time, all of them are open at all hours."
"Oh, I see. And this is one of those 24/7s?"
"Yes. It's also a very important place for the Lightning League. Here, we meet with our allies and receive maydays. There are a few terminals here that can send encrypted messages to the Safe Havens, too."
"I'm surprised that the Monster Minds haven't caught onto it and destroyed the place."
"Officially, Maetel's classed as a Neutral planet."
"Fence-sitters, huh?"
"That's a blunt way to put it," Audric commented with a raised eyebrow, then changed the subject. "By the way, as you know, we've been planet-bound for almost a week now."
"Yeah. The ship's damage from that ambush was more extensive than we thought. The crews were shocked that we made it back without the engine blowing up."
"I have some good news. The repairs are almost completed. We'll be able to get underway as soon as day after tomorrow."
"That is good news. I love this planet, but I've got a feeling that it wouldn't be smart to stay here."
"Yes...Maskura, Oon and I found it hard to leave when we visited here en route to the project site. In some ways," he sighed, "I wind up wondering, more than once, if we should have stayed here instead of continuing. She would have had a better life."
"I don't think so. From what I've seen so far, she wouldn't have traded her life since joining the project for anything."
"You would say that..." he said and sighed.
The door between the balcony and the main part of the building opened, and in came Wixlan.
"I thought I might find you here, Audric," the short and squat man said.
"Hey, who is this?" she asked.
"M-m-mistress!" Oon was shocked by her words.
"Oh, that's right, you two have never met before," Audric realized, then gestured to the old man, "This is Wixlan, the Squiresmith. He's the creator of the Eternal Squires."
Alita's eyes widened and she turned red. "Oh! Gomen nasai!"
The three looked at her, puzzled.
What's going on?
You said that in Japanese.
I haven't spoken Japanese in a while... the young woman realized.
"Oh, that means 'I'm very sorry'," she quickly explained, "Please forgive my rudeness. My name's Alita."
"It's all right. So, you're the one that Oon here picked as a new master, and the one everyone's calling Swordbearer. I think I can see why."
Before anything else could be said, the waitress hurried out with an empty tray.
"May I get anyone anything tonight?" she asked.
"Aunitian Bison burgers, spicy sliced potatoes and Maetel grape-water," Alita replied.
"I'll have the same meal," Audric said, "But switch the grape-water for Light's Glimmer."
"What kind of drink is that?" the teenager asked.
"It's not," Wixlan replied in a low voice, "It's a code phrase between the Lightning League, its allies and this restaurant."
The waitress turned to Alita, bowed and then pulled out an envelope from a pocket.
"I have a missive for Swordbearer," she replied slowly and carefully, "It comes from a Tengu."
"Tengu? As in the humanoid birds?" Alita asked.
"Yes."
"I'll take it," she replied and took the envelope. The waitress got the rest of the orders and then left.
"How do you know of the Tengu?" Audric asked.
"Back in Japan on Earth, there are legends of humanoid birds called Tengu. They're monsters that would tear apart humans if you weren't careful."
"Perhaps the Tengu we know originally come from your world after all," Wixlan mused, "There have been suspicions about that for centuries."
Alita opened the envelope and read the paper. A minute later, her face darkened and she dropped it.
"What's wrong?" Audric asked as Oon caught the paper.
"O-oh no!" he said as he read it, "Master, Mistress, Squiresmith!"
"Give me that," Audric ordered. Oon obeyed and within moments, the men read it.
I, the Tengu known as Black Wing, hereby challenge Swordbearer Alita of the Lightning League to a duel. The combat shall take place on the planet Maelin Prime, in the arena located at the capital city. If you do the dishonorable thing and not arrive within seven cycles, planet Maetel shall be laid to waste by your enemy.
This duel shall be by blade and to the death.
Black Wing of the Tengu.
"M-mistress Lita...y-y-you're not going to accept it, are you?"
"Yes, I am."
"Lita, this is a trap!" Audric exclaimed.
"It may be a trap, but if these Tengu are the same ones I know about, the enemy he's referring to are the Monster Minds. They'll destroy Maetel. You think I'm gonna let them get away with grand-scale bullying? I don't think so."
Wixlan hurried into the restaurant for only a couple of minutes, then hurried back.
"That waitress said that she got the letter this morning," he said.
"After we eat," Audric said, "I'll see about speeding up the rest of the repairs. The rest of you get back to the hotel. Wixlan, can you contact Dea?"
"I'll use the terminals here. See you when the food gets here."
"Good. Lita's serious about accepting the duel, I see, so we'll need to hurry."
"As some people in my old time would put it, you're not whistling Dixie."
He nodded and hurried off to a terminal himself. He needed to get word to Herc, Flora and Gillian, who were in their rooms at the hotel.