The Book of Kalium
- A reading from the Histories of Clow according to a servant of Libra
I was one of many, who disagreed with Clows Ascension.
Powerful as he was, there were many reasons to object to the rogue sorcerer leading us to our former prime. This decision had confirmed to many what we had feared – the aftermath of the war against the Yuna had been greater than we had imagined.
The mortals no longer offered their prayers or sacrifices to us. Those who turned to Yuna had fled – for now. Those who stayed no longer trusted us as their guardians.
We threaten them, send plagues and fires but they distance and curse the godly ones who gave them so much more.
Our last General had failed, and the one before fled before his ultimate downfall.
No more Generals, the Gathering had spoken and elected Clow Reed to restore balance with the mortals.
He is a kind man, that I can admit, but strange.
But I fear he will bring disappointment. We cannot afford that.
It's dangerous what he's doing – down there in the Basin of Creation – weaving his gold thread.
Weaving and chanting, weaving and chanting.
The thread spins and takes shape, and moves
like its
alive.
X x x
ARCHIVES FROM THE TOMOEDA FACILITY OF DIVINITY RESEARCH
RECORD #223
CATEGORY: BUILDING
NAME: THE TOMOEDA FACILITY OF DIVINITY RESEARCH
THE TOMOEDA FACILITY OF DIVINITY RESEARCH, LOCATED ON THE MAINLAND THIRTY KILOMETERS OUTSIDE TOMOEDA CITY. IT IS A RESEARCH FACILITY ESTABLISHED BY THE COUNCIL OF DIVINE ACTIVITY. (ref #029)
IT IS ONE OF THIRTEEN DIVINITY RESEARCH FACILITIES DEDICATED TO THE RESEARCH, REHABILITATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF DIVINES AND DIVINE ACTIVITY.
ALTHOUGH ESTABLISHED IN 1924, THIS FACILITY GAINED NOTORIETY AND APPRAISAL FROM THE COUNCIL FOR ITS INNOVATIVE AND VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION WITHIN THE FIELD OF DIVINITY RESEARCH, PARTICULARLY THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 'SHYLDE' (ref #178) WHICH WAS SPEARHEADED BY DR. MIZUKI YUTO. (ref #067)
THE TOMOEDA FACILITY HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED IMMENSELY TO THE RESEARCH AND KNOWLEDGE OF DIVINE PSYCHE THROUGH EXTENSIVE PSYCHO-ANALYSIS OF THOUSANDS OF DIVINE.
THE TOMOEDA FACILITY IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE DIRECTORSHIP OF DR. HIIRIGAZAWA ERIOL.
X x x
Sakura awoke but kept her eyes shut.
With the beeping of a monitor nearby and paper thin blanket covering her body, it was not hard for her to suspect she was in an infirmary.
Some chatter came from her right accompanied by light footsteps and the scratching of pen on clipboard.
"But, seriously, what was Dr. Mizuki thinking?" Said once nurse following by a tut. "That thing put two staff members into comas, destroyed the interrogation room and all she gives him is a slap on the wrist and three weeks in the pits?"
The other nurse yawned and shrugged lightly. "I don't know...best not to question her methods. She's the reason we have jobs."
They peeled back the curtain and Sakura heard them walk around to the bottom of her bed.
"Well, doesn't matter anyway. Dr. Hiiragazawa is back today. He'll set her straight. Sometimes I think he's the only one capable of running this shitbox."
Again, the other nurse sighed. "Let's not talk about it any more. We have our hands full with everything that's happened in Tomoeda last week."
"Fine, keep your head buried in the sand Chiharu. We all know you have other things to occupy you mind – or other people, at least."
Chiharu slightly blocked her reddened face behind her clipboard.
"What's wrong with this one?" She asked Chiharu curtly and frowned disapprovingly at Sakura's seemingly unconscious body. "If it's not fatal we shouldn't be wasting beds on them."
Chiharu cleared her throat. "Dr. Tsukishiro said she needed to be sedated upon arrival for aggressive behaviour, ma'am. Seems to be dehydrated and suffering from nausea-"
"Says here she's Dae'er. We can't waste beds and resources for mere Dae'er, Chiharu. Divines Above – discharge her when she's conscious. I doubt she'll be with us for long."
"Yes, ma'am." Chiharu replied meekly and followed her on to the next patient.
Sakura's memory was foggy – but she did recall the events before be admitted to the infirmary. She hoped it was a hallucination, or a bad dream – that when she opened her eyes she would be home. Back in The Arva which – although she despised – she would give anything to be back to.
She finally opened her eyes. It was not as bright as she expected it to be. Her suspicions were confirmed, she was indeed in some sort of infirmary. When she cast her eyes downward she saw a tube coming from her arm linked to an IV bag. To her left, her wrist was cuffed to the steel frame of the bed. She hissed when she tried to move it. The white steel of the chain was not particularly thick yet it felt unusually heavy and she felt an uncomfortably heat on her skin around it. The item on her other wrist worried her more. A thick, dirty iron cuff wrapped around her wrist. The skin beneath felt as if it were burned lightly. It was heavy too, unnaturally so.
With some effort, she placed the uncuffed hand on her stomach and sighed in relief that whatever nausea had been plaguing her the past few days had finally subsided.
She furrowed her brows.
How did I get here?
She was deep in thought when she saw a movement above her. Tipping her head up slowly she felt her heart plunge into her throat. The small Guardian she was certain she had hallucinated was sitting perfectly balanced on the bed rail, arms crossed and glaring down at her with his small, black, beaded eyes.
Sakura stuttered as she tried to say something aloud to assess if she was awake but her words were caught in her throat.
"You made a fool of me." He said – his voice not as deep or harrowing as when he was in his full form.
He suddenly hovered off the rail and floated over her face and stopped before her. "I never have to second guess." He grumbled. "My assessments are 98.97% accurate first time. But you,"
He ceased floating and stabbed her chest with his four paws upon landing. "You make me look unreliable. I have a reputation to uphold! When I'm wrong, they start questioning my diagnosis of you – they question all of them." His puffy yellow face frowned as he neared inches from her face. "So just tell me – are you Dae'er? Empree? Divine-Anomaly? Or one of those hybrid? 'Cause that last one is a myth so don't even try it!"
Sakura blinked with her mouth open in astonishment at the interrogation.
His creamy white wings spiked out in anticipation, his small, squashed nose squeaked with his short snorts of aggression and a small, soft belly protruded from under his legs. With this before her she thought he was so...so...
"...so cute..." She whispered.
Kero's glare vanished into a look to surprise. "What did you just say?"
Sakura sat up. Kero backed away from her a little and regarded her with caution.
"Are you a Guardian? I've never seen before." She continued and peered down at him. "How are you floating like that? That's amazing."
Kero crossed his arms and looked away angrily – yet a hint of a smile was there. "I'm a Guardian, as you said. No less is expected of me."
"And before." Sakura continued. "You were so...terrifying and..."
"And glorious." He said, puffing out his chest in pride.
Sakura nodded and a small blush spread across his cheeks and he scratched his head coyly.
"Hmpf, well, at least you know power when you see it. So, just tell me then – what are you? Because you're not completely Undivine. Yet Your Divinity is barely there to even call you Dae'er."
Sakura scratched her head. "I'm sorry. I'm not so familiar with Divinity or whatever this 'Dae'er is."
"Don't play coy. Remember, I'm actually one of the nice ones here. It's better you're up front with me rather than one of the doctors rip it out of you."
"I'm not lying." Sakura replied. "We never had any Divinity live among us in The Arva. All we know is from books."
"The Arva?" Kero exclaimed and barely concealed his laugh. "You're telling me you came here from all the way there?"
Sakura nodded. "I don't know what happened, or how I got here – wherever here is. But I should go home. I'm not apart of this."
The Guardian scratched his head in confusion. He couldn't decipher if this girl was a pro-actress, or plain ignorant. "Kid...You're in Tomoeda."
Sakura knitted her brows together and cocked her head to the side. "Is that a side colony?"
Kero returned her confused look. "No...as in Tomoeda...you're on the Mainland. To get to The Arva from here would take weeks and weeks and weeks by train." Sakura felt her blood go cold. "In fact, I don't even think there are trains that go to The Arva. So unless you've hit your head pretty bad..."
"This is a mistake. There's no way...I couldn't be on the Mainland - that's impossible. I've never left The Arva in my life." The heat under her cuff intensified as her blood pumped faster.
"I don't know what to tell you. But sounds like you're lost some of your memory. You wouldn't be the only one. Lots of Divines brought in from Tomoeda City seems to struggle to remember what happened."
Sakura began to shake her head. There was no recollection between the her last memory of home and the wagon journey here.
"Wait – what happened in Tomoeda City?"
Kero's eyes saddened and he sighed. "On the night of Senza's Eclipse, February 3rd – un-assessed and/or released Divinities in Tomoeda City lost control in a violent and uncontrollable rampage that led to the mass-murder of almost two hundred people. You, were found to be one of the perpetrators."
Sakura felt her nausea come back. "No. You're wrong. I've never...I've never hurt anyone in my life."
Kero frowned. "Maybe not in your Undivine experience. But once violent rages happen – it's hard to contain. You were pointed out as one of the perpetrators. But you're lucky. Usually in an incident like this, Divines are executed or sentenced with barely a trial. But because of the unusual nature of this – you've been brought here. Even if you're only Dae'er."
"You keep mentioning Dae'er. What is that?"
Kero sighed loudly. "Wow, even if you really did come from The Arva, you're head must have been under a rock. Dae'er are the lowest ranking Divinity. Meaning if you are indeed Divine, you're unlikely to be a huge threat outside the events of Tomoeda. Have you noticed any Malar abilities in you?"
"Malar?"
Kero let out a frustrated grunt. "Can you, or have you ever bent or manipulated metal to your will?"
Sakura felt a ringing in her ear. "I don't even know how to answer that. I guess...no."
"Phew – good. Maler are the most obnoxious of all the Divinity. Count you blessings there."
"How many are there?" She asked and straightened up from her hospital bed.
"Officially? Five. Dae'er, Maler, Empree, Mielu and Shadows. There are of course, Anomalies – those who have rare Divine abilities - but I don't have time to go into those. All you need to know is that if anything – you're just a Dae'er, and on the weakest level at that."
"What does that mean for me?"
"Well, under normal circumstances a doctor would assess your mental state, violent tendencies/ability to harm and if you need to be fitted for a Shylde but...considering you were caught in Tomoeda under those circumstances-"
"How do I prove I'm innocent? How can I get someone to listen to me?"
"Rude." He pouted at her interruption. "Also, not up to you. You'll be assigned to one of the doctors and if you're as innocent as you say, you may be released under certain circumstances. But between you and me, kid." Kero flapped his wings and hovered above her face. "You're in the Tomoeda Facility. Of all the facilities on the Mainland – this is the harshest one. So if I were you, I wouldn't ask so many questions. Just keep your head down, take the meds and don't piss off the doctors. Especially Hiiragazawa."
She stayed silent for a while upon Keros warning. Her throat began to contract. It had been so long since Sakura had cried – or allowed herself to any – that she didn't realize she was fighting back tears.
"Hey." Kero said and rubbed his stumped hands together awkwardly. "I'd like to tell you it's not that bad but...that depends on you. Just comply and don't let the Malar bully you."
Sakura swallowed and took a deep breath, banishing tears back to where they came from. "Thank you. For being nice to me."
Kero was taken aback for a second before smiling and patting her head. As footsteps approached, Kero began to float away and resisted looking back. He had made his mind up. She was Dae'er. He wouldn't question it further. If she was Dae'er, she'd have a sliver of a chance to get out.
If she was not...he didn't want to think about that scenario.
What's more...she reminded him of someone – someone close...
Before this place got to him too.
X x x
ARCHIVES FROM THE TOMOEDA FACILITY OF DIVINITY RESEARCH
RECORD #178
CATEGORY: MECHANISM/DEFENSIVE
NAME: SHYLDE
CREATED AND DEVELOPED BY DR. MIZUKI YUTO (ref #067), THE SHYLE IS A METALLIC DEVICE DIPPED IN A MAN-MADE SOLVENT WHICH CAN BE BENT INTO ANY SHAPE, LENGTH AND WIDTH DESIRED. THE METAL COMPOUND DULLS THE DIVINITY'S ABILITY TO USE THEIR POWER AT FULL STRENGTH.
THE SHYLDE IS PLACE ON THE DIVINITY'S BODY WHERE METAL PINS WILL PIERCE THROUGH THE SKIN AND MUSCLE AND LATCH INTO THE BONE. THE DIVINITY'S INSTINCTIVE REACTION TO SELF HEAL AROUND THE PINS FURTHER LODGES AND TIGHTENS THE SHYLDE INTO THE BODY. THE ACIDIC EFFECT OF THE SOLVENT WILL SLOWLY BURN THE SKIN AND LODGE ITSELF FIRMLY INTO THE DIVINES BODY, RENDERING IT UNMOVABLE WITHOUT THE ASSISTANCE OF A LICENCED PROFESSIONAL.
THIS METHOD IS MOST EFFECTIVE ON DAE'ER (ref #58), WHO TEND TO BE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO USE ANY DIVINITY ONCE SHYLDE IS FITTED.
THE METAL USED SHOULD DEPEND ON THE DIVINE TYPE. STAHLINIUM (ref #201)CAN BE USED ON MIELU (ref #021), EMPREE (ref #032) AND SOME MID-LEVEL DA'ER. ERIMINIUM (ref #202) MUST ONLY BE USED FOR MALAR (ref #015). LURINIUM (ref. #205) IS EFFECTIVE ONLY ON SHADOWS (ref. #18).
THERE ARE VERY RARE CASES WHERE MORE THAN ONE SHYLE/TYPE OF SHYLDE IS USED ON A DIVINITY.
THE SHYLDES LOCATION ON THE BODY WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE SHYLDES EFFECTIVENESS.
WARNING: DUE TO MALAR'S ABILITY TO MANIPULATE METAL, THE ERIMINIUM PLATES MUST BE x4 TIMES COATED. IN SOME CASES, REPLACEMENTS MAY BE NEEDED IF SOLVENT BEGINS TO WEAR.
WARNING: UNDIVINE SHOULD IN NO CIRCUMSTANCE EVER ATTEMPT TO FIT THEMSELVES WITH A SHYLDE. DOING SO WILL CAUSE SLOW AND AGONIZING DEATH.
THE TOMOEDA FACILITY AND THE COUNCIL TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR UNACCOUNTED BODILY HARM CAUSED BY SHYLDES BOTH ON DIVINE OR UNDIVINE.
X x x
"Fuck off."
"I know, I know I've said it so many times." He whined. "But this time I really think I'm getting somewhere."
"Fuck. Off. Yamazaki. I'm not in the mood."
"Come on, Meiling. You have to admit it too. She's looking at me all the time now. And what was with the whole 'Can you help me carry these?' if not an excuse to get me close to her. I'm telling you she's seeing clearly now. Her marriage is on the rocks."
Meiling had tuned him out. She was tense to the point that she didn't even have time for Yamazaki's ramblings. She focused on the ball in her palm. The red, sponginess had long been worn down from over-use. It was perfectly still, hovering around four centimetres above her hand in impressive stillness.
"Meiliiiiing..." Yamazaki whined down into her ear.
Her concentration broke, the ball moved a fraction.
She growled and clenched it in anger. "What, Yamazaki? No, no I don't think nurse Chiharu wants to fuck you. I think the months of creeping around her and eavesdropping on all her interactions has weirded her the fuck out. Just stop talking about it and stay away from her."
She returned to the ball and tried to concentrate, this was the only thing to keep her distracted. She tried not to think about the fact it's been three weeks. Three weeks since they threw him into the pits.
Her technique was waning. This frustrated her more. She was used to her Shylde by now, to the black plates dipped in Eriminium that was moulded into both her palms and the backs of her hands and fingers as if she pressed them in ink. Of course, it was accompanied by the standardized Shylde that sat on her neck and curled around to her collarbone.
They had it specially made for her and would go on to use that prototype to punish the other incoming Malar.
Yamazaki sighed. "I guess you wouldn't understand the subtleties of love, Meiling." He replied, unfazed by her angered response. It was always their way. Perhaps the fundamental part of their friendship. But there was that worrying aspect to it that Meiling tried not to think about.
"Just go ask Tomoyo about it if you're so obsessed."
He shrugged, not that Meiling could see his shoulders in his seven foot frame. "Nah, Tomoyo's all...spacey lately."
"Tomoyo's always spacey."
"I know but...since Senza's Eclipse...I dunno. Best to leave her be."
Meiling couldn't argue with that. Senza's eclipse had done a number on them all – whatever that phenomena was. And Tomoyo was was the most sensitive of them all to her surroundings.
"Well good to know you have an ounce of consideration for your friends." She mumbled.
"If only I could get the lovely Ms Chiharu to open up about her. It's always meds this, side effects that..."
"Imagine. A nurse. Doing her job. Crazy." Meiling retorted.
"I wonder if I told her I was developing insomnia...maybe then she'd-" Yamazaki suddenly cut himself off – Something so rare it made Meiling look up.
"What-"
"New inmates." Yamazaki said.
He first heard the groan of the door. That special door in the South wing had a particular squeak. He breathed out slowly – and with it, the noise of the courtyard faded from his hearing. Not that anyone else would hear such a noise from so far away with all the noises already present in the courtyard. Next came the small tremors from footsteps.
Four people. He concluded from the rhythm of their footsteps. To confirm his suspicions he narrowed his eyes towards the Southern Wing of the Facility.
Meiling stayed silent as a white glaze descended over Yamazaki's eyes. The main wall of the Southern facility became translucent. Twitching his left eye the four prisoners silhouettes became sharper. He could hear their ragged breath and the sharp clang of their chains.
"Anything interesting?" Meiling asked.
"There's a big guy in there. Three women, one man. Two are unshylded."
"Guessing they are Dae'er."
"Must be the last of the Tomoeda City incident." Even Yamazaki had a sad tone to his voice. Indeed, Senza's Eclipse has a strange effect on the facility and the surrounding areas. No matter how much the Divine were hated all over the Mainland, he didn't like to hear events like the one in Tomoeda City.
Although not so interesting, Yamazaki continued to scan. Mielu's were by design, notoriously curious. The ultimate eavesdroppers.
Though he knew it was futile, he tried to push his sight beyond the prisoners and down to the below levels towards the basement...and the pits. He'd tried this many times on Meiling and Tomoyo's request, but it always failed. The pits themselves were guarded by layers or concrete and Shylde plates that rendered them impenetrable to Mielu's powers. Still, he tried to see if he could locate Syaoran.
His vision began to blur and a static sound rattled in his mind.
He hissed and touched his temple as he pulled back.
"Don't push yourself." Meiling said.
He nodded and pressed his fingers against part of his Shylde.
Unlike Meiling's, his Shylde was not so intrusive or severe-looking. Along with the standardized Shylde around his neck, his began at the base of his neck and reached upwards and flattened along the side of his temple. It also was fitted to run along the bottom of his jawline. His was white and made from Stahlinium – just like Tomoyo's - but fitted differently.
Yamazaki did not let his frustration show. Where once he would have been able to see any freckle or blemish on the prisoners faces, smell the sweat from fear on their necks and hear their tiny almost inaudible whimpers, he now deciphered only the basics.
He touched the white Shylde under his jaw. It wasn't hard to feel that his senses had dulled since they branded it on him. But, that was the price for being the best Mielu there was.
Meiling was about to say something comforting to him but his face perked up suddenly.
"Oh!" He exclaimed with excitement.
"What?"
Yamazaki's nose twitched, picking up something from the canteen's kitchen in the floor below them. "Smells like goat curry for dinner tomorrow." He said with a grin.
"Fucking unbelievable." Meiling muttered shaking her head and leaned back against the pole.
Yamazaki was right about the new inmates. There were indeed four of them making their way through the Southern perimeter.
Sakura trailed behind them and stayed silent to observe them. She was not there long, in the Tomoeda facility, but knew enough to know that well...she didn't know enough. For now, she decided it was best to stay silent. A small plan formed in her head.
There was no way she was involved in what they accused her of. There simply existed no linking memory of the massacre that occurred on the night of Senza's Eclipse and her trek here.
She decided she needed to speak to that man, the young, silver-haired man called Tsukishiro. If she got to him, maybe he'd listen, or at least provide her with some answers.
She sighed loudly. There was still a gigantic worrying issue leftover.
How did she get from The Arva all the way to Tomoeda City? A journey that long would surely have not escaped her. She'd never even seen a steam train before, let alone boarded one.
"Don't fret, little Dae'er." Said the man in front of her. It was hard not to remember him. He took up so much space in the wagon and his booming voice still startled her even with his inside voice. His name was Ruka, but he insisted on everyone calling him Abouse – apparently meaning 'Iron Boulder' – something Sakura suppressed rolling her eyes at.
"As long as you are near Abouse, no harm will come to you."
Sakura raised an eyebrow and bit her tongue. Her remarks were never welcomed in The Arva, no doubt the same applied here. Among them was a tall, blonde girl by the name of Ilka. Fazing in and out of appearance with the dulled look on her face as always was Mai. Though Mai stood still and walked when prodded, her body seemed unable to decide if it should stay visible – it was freaking Sakura out. Her jumpsuit staying visible at all times was the only thing that stayed consistant.
"What makes you think just because you're Malar you'll be able to protect anyone?" Asked the girl to Sakura's right as she twirled a blonde strand around her finger. Sakura didn't remember seeing her in the wagon she, she must have been new, too. "You do realize the Tomoeda Facility hosts the most hostile of Divine."
"I am the best in my land." He barked back. His tanned face scrunched in hostility.
"In your land." Ilka said softly. "But against the Delinquent 6, I'm sure you'd be hammered into a sheet of steel before the day is out." She winked at Sakura as if she understood the inside joke. Sakura was also weary of Ilka, who seemed to fine with settling into her new prison.
"I am aware of where we are." He retorted, though with a more reserved tone. "That is why I shall gain favour immediately with the Argead Dia-"
The blonde girl burst into a fit of laughter. "Oh, you really are one for superstitions and myth."
He glared back at her. "Laugh all you want, little Empree. The Argead Dia is the only one who could defeat me. Her...and the Arch-Dae."
"Are you both still speaking English?" Sakura suddenly blurted out, frustrated at her inability to keep up. "What is the Delinquent 6, and the Argead Dia?"
They both blinked in surprise at her. At the same time, the guard signalled them to halt in front of the courtyard doors.
"You're arrival is at an inconvenient time." The guard said. He was layed in a thick uniform and armed with a spear with a taser hissing from the top of it. "Until you're resting quarters are prepared, you will spend the next hour in the courtyard. Those of you with temporary Shyldes are not advised to engage in physical exercise as it may cause bodily harm. Any attempt to use Divinity in any capacity is strictly forbidden unless a written exemption is given – which – you have not yet earned the privilege of, will receive a warning. If you do not cease at once, we inoculate you and you will wake up in the pits. And you!" He stabbed a gloved finger at Mai. "Cut that out!"
Mai's body momentarily remained visible. Drool began slide down the corner of her mouth before she inevitably went back to her jagged fazing.
The guard sighed and decided to leave it be. "You all understand?"
Before anyone could answer, he turned his boot heel and exited into the side compartment. The four of them stood in front of the closed door in silence.
"Delinquent 6 was a group of Divine." The blonde girl – Ilka - whispered. "They were notorious fugitives who caused chaos and terror across the Continent. Murder, theft, necromancy – you name it and they've done it. A year ago they were finally caught and brought here."
"Ok, but...Delinquent 6?" She asked.
Ilka shrugged. "As time went by their crimes had been largely exaggerated. Almost to the point people became convinced they were actually just humans – Undivine – who were anti-social. A cautionary tale so keep children from worshipping anything Divine."
"I've never heard of them."
"Then you've been living under a rock."
"Apparently so." Sakura muttered. "What is this Argead...Dia?"
"She is rumoured to be the Malar incarnate." Abouse said and puffed his chest out. "The most, skilful, strongest...and beautiful of all the Malar. Blessed and marked with silver skin by the Divine God of Malar himself. And I, Abouse" He declared and pointed a thumb at himself. "shall win her favour. With our strength combined, this place will never be able to hold such Divine strength."
"Silver skin?" Sakura mouthed to Ilka.
Ilka rolled her eyes. "Another exaggeration."
"We shall see." Abouse said and sucked in the dusty air through his large nostrils.
"...and the Arch-Dae'er?" Sakura whispered to Ilka in which her face sank into a worried expression.
The doors creaked open and the light flooded over them.
"He's just a rumour." She replied. "I hope."
Sakura decided not to probe further on that. There was already enough information for her to chew on and it was starting to rattle her.
Light poured in on them and then dulled as their eyes adjusted to the courtyard.
It was wide with faint outlines of a running track, some tables – wooden and a few beginning to rot underneath them. Sakura and her fellow newcomers had no such armbands. There were probably only about a hundred of them in the Southern sector of the facility. Some clumped in groups with misery etched on their faces. Other kicked a ball back and forth with little enthusiasm.
Sakura noticed they all word the same grey jumpsuit as her, but each had a coloured armbands attached to each.
The high stone walls cut off sight of the other sectors full of less high-level Divinity. Above them, barbed wire curled around each section which would make anyone second-guess the thoughts of escape, if the cameras and armed guards on top of didn't.
They shuffled out. Abouse walked forward with purpose and Sakura felt herself falling in line. In truth, she didn't like Abouse. His non-stop talk of Divinity and dominance over the Undivine had grown weary on all of them. But his bravado gained her interest. And in unknown places like this it was best to follow the strongest in the group.
Few stopped to gawk at them. Sakura and the others were not the only new inmates to arrive in the past few weeks following the Tomoeda incident.
She saw a few others floating around with iron cuffs on their hands like hers. It's metal and location on the body seemed to symbolize they were low on the food chain and Sakura was sad to say she felt some relief she wasn't the only one.
Some people began to turn heads as they walked through. Sakura sighed and rolled her eyes at Abouse, who had previously ripped some of the front of his grey assigned shirt to reveal the black metal contraption that clung onto his neck and seemed to eat through the flesh around his collar bones.
Abouse suddenly stopped and tensed as his head turned sharply to the left.
"Behold." He declared in a voice that attracted strange looks. "The Argead Dia."
Sakura turned to where his gaze fell, struggling to locate what he was referring to until she saw her too.
Meiling had entered into a trance-like state. The ball floating above her palm had kept its static stance but inside she was creating movement and repeated the pattern over and over again. A twinge of pain began to grow in her palm but she ignored it.
Beside her, Yamazaki was silent as his eyes glazed over. Through the thick stone wall facing North he saw the outline of nurse Chiharu's silhouette hunched over in her office desk. Surrounding her were piles of folder and files though he could not make out what she was looking at. He could – and often did – do this for hours.
Meiling didn't ask what he was watching – she knew him too well. "You're going to get caught." She mumbled.
"Nah." He replied. "I'm good. I'm one of the good ones." Though the intense watching was beginning to give him a headache.
His ear twitched as a cluster of slow, timid footsteps approached them. Meiling looked up too to the giant man who was staring down at her. Behind him, the other shuddered back apart from Sakura, who looked at Meiling with slight fascination.
Meiling's tensed and clutched the ball in her hand. Her eyes narrowed as she examined him. Only when he was right beside her did she know he was Malar also. If that was her suspicion, the hacked-on Eriminium Shylde he was so proudly revealing did.
"Ohhh," Yamazaki said with a grin. "A Malar scuffle, eh? Haven't been in one of those in a while Meiling, have you?" He said and nudged her with his elbow.
Meiling didn't reply. She sized Abouse to be about a Malar, grade two. Strong – but nothing compared to her.
"Ok guys, how much we betting? I'll give you really good odds on your guy. You, Dae'er," He said pointing to Sakura. "Fancy a healthy bet?"
Sakura raised her eyebrows and shook her head.
"I have not come with ill-will." Abouse barked and clenched his fists. This caused Meiling to take a step in front of Yamazaki in a defensibly.
"If you have no intension to fight, then get lost." Meiling said dismissively.
Abouse did not leave, rather, he lowered himself down on one knee and bowed his head. This caused Yamazaki to raise an eyebrow in a rare moment of silence.
"I come from the Provence of Casanty, raised in a clan of Malar and I wish to humble myself before the Argead Dia, Malar incarnate." His voice boomed which caught the attention of those nearby. "I swear loyalty to your cause and weep in your imprisonment."
The air was still and horribly awkward in the silence that followed. A sharp, hearty laugh burst from Yamazaki's lungs which caught even more attention. He bent over and swung a lanky arm around Meiling who was not at all amused by Abouse's display of loyalty.
Yamazaki didn't stop laughing for what felt like the longest time. Occasionally wiping tears from his eyes as he struggled to get his breath back.
Sakura found herself unable to look away from Meiling. They were referring to her as the 'Silver God', yet her skin was not so much silver as...grey. Dull grey. And as the light passed over her face every now and again it seemed to take on a green hue, even. It was not a smooth texture either, with a darkened-smutty patch on her neck and across her right eye, Sakura had a hard time comparing her to the Godly description she was given before.
The greyness of Meilings skin was exaggerated in comparison to her eyes which were dark red and menacing when she glared.
Her eyes then went to Yamazaki – who was possibly the tallest man she's ever seen. Even as he was bent over with an arm flung around Meiling and the other clutching his side, she could tell he would tower over everyone else in the courtyard.
"Oh," Yamazaki cried and tried poorly to muffle his laughter. "Oh that's good. Haven't heard that line in a long time. How about it Meiling? Fancy being a cult leader? You missed out on that in the good old days."
Meiling's scowl didn't leave her face as Yamazaki patted a palm down on her black hair.
"How dare you display such ignorance to the Argead Dia!" Abouse said suddenly fired up.
This only humoured Yamazaki more.
"Shut up, Yamazaki!" Meiling barked. "And you," She said directing her attention towards Abouse. "Fuck off with your Argead Dia shit before I really get pissed off."
"You misunderstand." Abouse said with some hurt. "I have spent my life making offerings towards the Silver God. I will serve by your side and aid you in your escape from this prison you have been unrighteously placed in."
Even Sakura cringed and Yamazaki sighed. "Ok, you're getting boring now." He said.
Abouse clenched his jaw and stabbed his gaze towards Yamazaki who seemed unbothered as he strolled around them, stopping at Sakura and swooping himself down to her tiny level. "So, how man did ya kill?"
Up close, Sakura could see the white-coated metal plate that ran down under his jawline and stopped at his temples. It was sleek compared to the black plates that sat in Meiling's now clenched hand. Smooth as the metal was, the skin had healed horribly from whereit had been place around the edges.
"I...didn't kill anyone." She said with a hint of anger in her voice.
Yamazaki stayed quiet and examined her for a few second while Abouse continued to beseech Meiling for acceptance. "Oh? I heard you guys got through a lot of civilians." There was a skewed curl in his lips followed by a sneer. "Must have done a good job too, if it landed you here."
"I didn't kill anyone." Sakura repeated and stared Yamazaki down.
Yamazaki's eyes twitched. He heard her heartbeat accelerate with passion. Usually people who lie have a subtlest of changes in their heartbeat. He concluded she'd suppressed the events that happened. Not so much fun for him though.
His eyes then scanned past her towards Mai. "What's up with this one?" When he straightened up, Sakura was taken aback by how much he towered over her, even making Abouse look small.
Mai had no reaction. Her mouth was open and the drool had now lined down to her chin. "Jeeze, the eclipse must've done a number on you, eh?" He said with a strange amusement and walked a circle around her. Ilka, too remained silent and stared up at Yamazaki with curiosity.
A loud thud caused them both to look up. Abouse was lying on his back and Meiling glared over him with an enraged look in her eyes. "I don't need a cult following. For the last time, get lost."
Abouse scrambled to his feet – his humiliation something Sakura got some inner glee from. "I will prove myself." He muttered and began to storm away, the other following slowly.
Sakura was the only who stayed behind.
"Something to add?" Meiling asked as she leaned back on the pole and taking the red ball from her pocket.
Sakura tilted her head to the side and blinked with curiosity.
"If you're not a God, why is your skin so grey?"
For once the smirk dropped of Yamazaki's face and both their mouths fell open. Meiling straightened up and clutched the ball in her hand. Before Sakura could register that maybe her choice of words were not the most appropriate, Meiling had closed the gap between them.
Ilka's slim body had intercepted and Meiling stopped abruptly. "Apologies." Ilka said and smile sweetly. "This one hit her head on the door of the wagon on the way here. It seems appropriate social interactions have yet to return to her."
Ilka has a strangely soothing voice – even Sakura felt a little calmer.
"You can't blame her. You're the closest to High Divinity she's probably ever seen." Ilka smiled. "It may be an honor for her." Ilka then clasped her hands in some sort of shyness. "It certainly is for me."
Meiling's anger dissipated. She held Ilka's gaze for a second before turning her back to them before.
"That ones an Empree I'm guessing." Yamazaki said when they were out of earshot. "Surprised you didn't let her have it."
"She's weak one at that." Meiling retorted and peered back at Ilka. "Barely felt her influence."
"If you don't learn to filter." Ilka said and steered Sakura around. "You'll be dead before the end of the week."
X x x
ARCHIVES FROM THE TOMOEDA FACILITY OF DIVINITY RESEARCH
RECORD #098
CATEGORY: LOCATION
NAME: CASANTY
THE PROVINCE OF CASANTY IS LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST OF THE MAINLAND WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF MALAR DIVINITY PER CAPITA. ITS TERRAIN IS HARSH AND DRY AND MOST NOTABLY KNOWN FOR RICH ERIMINIUM MINES. OVER 70% OF ERIMINIUM USED IN THE MANUFACTURING OF SHYDLES IS MINED IN CASANTY.
CASANTY IS THE BIRTHPLACE OF THE 'ARGEAD DIA' – A MYTHOLOGICAL MALAR WHOSE DIVINITY SURPASSES THAT OF ALL OTHERS. THE ARGEAD DIA IS DEPICTED AS HAVING SILVER SKIN AND WIELDING A BRILLIANT WHITE HAMMER TO DISPLAY MASTERY OVER METAL .
THOUGH ONLY A LEGEND, THE DIVINITY IN THIS REGION OFFER TRIBUTES TOWARDS THIS GOD-LIKE DIVINITY IN THE HOPES IT WILL INCREASE THEIR OWN DIVINE POWERS.
WORSHIP TO THE ARGEAD DIA – OR ANY FICTIONAL/MYTHOLOGICAL DIVINITY IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN ON THE MAINLAND ACCORDING TO THE COUNCIL OF DIVINE ACTIVITY.
X x x
Mizuki stood there in awe and disappointment.
A feeling she was uncomfortably familiar with.
She shook her head as around her, cleaners swept up large chunks of glass and metal that had broken off. Her hand hovered over the large glass crack that he had left behind.
A chirpy humming in the background became annoyingly louder as Yukito entered the room holding two cups of coffee and two folders clamped under his arm. He continued to hum as he held a half-stale doughnut in his mouth.
"This glass," Mizuki said and waved her finger at the centre of the crack. "Is five inches of reinforced glass. And he cracked it like it was...was..."
"An egg?" Yukito asked. "No wait – a walnut, Dr. Hiirigazawa's ego? No...they don't work." He muttered to himself.
Mizuki ignored his comments and crossed her arms tightly.
His change came on much quicker this time. She thought to herself. But then...at the end...what was that?
It kept her awake all night last night. How Li's face dropped to a desperate plea, begging like a...
"What do you think he meant?" She asked Yukito. "When he said 'you know nothing, but you will' He sounded so..." She trailed off for a moment, losing herself in the image. "It's as if he thinks he know more than us. Like something outside of us will...I don't know..."
"Kaho," He was the only doctor who would dare use her name so blasé. She would scold him but there was no point. "you're obsessing."
"I'm not." She replied defensibly. "But it's a pattern. It doesn't seem like he's simply lashing out."
"I think you've been spending too much time here in these sessions." Yukito replied honestly. "He knows what makes you tick, just like you do him. Besides, this who eclipse thing that passed has made all the inmates here a little...loopy"
Mizuki stayed silent. She couldn't admit that it got to her. She wanted him to know that he was the one who was prisoner. Not her.
"Hello?" Yukito repeated and waved a cup of coffee in her face.
The smell had reminded her of how very tired she was. She took it from him.
"So, nervous?" Yukito asked and side-eyed her.
She brought the coffee to her lips. "Why should I be? I have faith in Dr. Hiiragazawa." Yukito responded by a subtle rolling of his eyes behind her.
Mizuki suddenly coughed and brought her fingers to her lips. "Is there whiskey in this?" She asked him.
"Oh?" He slurped his own. "Whoops, mix up." He said and swapped her coffee back with his.
"Yukito," She said with a hint of disapproval. "It's 8am."
"I know," He sighed and pulled out a small flask from his jacket pocket and gave it a shake. "But if I space it out, I'll have enough to get me to lunch."
Mizuki narrowed her eyes but chose to stay silent. Yukito didn't notice her but took a hearty swig of coffee and flipped a file on the desk. Under normal circumstances she would have expressed more concern, nagged him even. In the past five years of working with him, Yukito's drinking habits had become firmly integrated into his working schedule.
She knew how the conversation would go.
She'd scold him, he'd shrug and make some smart comment, or fake flattery over her concern. Either way, despite his seemingly obliging mannerisms and behind the charming smile smile, Yukito would just do what he wanted.
I'll talk to him later. She told herself, like she always did. I will.
But he did say one thing that threw her.
Dr. Hiiragazawa was back from his work trip. She was not someone to give into nerves, but this did get to her.
"Do you think it's bad news?" Yukito asked as if reading her mind. "He wasn't supposed to be back for another three days. Think the Council told him to shove it?"
"No, Yukito. I don't think they told him to shove it. Perhaps they've just reached a compromise early."
"Well, let's hope so. By the way, I'm putting a room-mate in with Shinomoto. I think she needs to interact outside the Delinquent 6."
"Don't refer to them as that." She said dryly. It was worrying how certain terminology was working its way in to the facility. "And are you sure that's wise?"
"It's only a Dae'er. Can't do any harm. Anyway," he shrugged. "Not like we can be picky with capacity now can we?" Yukito said gingerly and snapped the folder shut. "Shall we?" He said, turning to leave.
"Yuktio," Mizuki said with a slightly worries face. "Don't...will you not mention what happened with Li to Dr. Hiiragazawa? I want to..." She looked down and smoothened her tailored blazer, secretly wiping off the sweat on her palms. "I'll inform him myself."
Yukito raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Kaho, when do I ever tell Eriol anything?"
x x x
The staff shuffled into the conference room, making sure to hush their conversations on the way in.
Mizuki did not react to the mumbles that grew as she passed the lingering staff of doctors and nurses. Of course she was nervous – not that she'd let that show. She looked behind her when she heard the familiar clang of a certain flask. Yuktio took a last swing of his flask before discreetly tucking it back into his blazer.
As Mizuki moved into the conference hall, her feet planted themselves into the carpet briefly.
She saw his back to her down by the podium. Jet-black hair and a well-tailored suit – she knew that he was scrutinizing the agenda for today, his eyes peering through his glasses. Her heart shuddered for a second. Would he be annoyed, disappointed? It didn't matter, he'd see the smallest, minutest of inconsistency and mistake. He was just that ruthlessly meticulous.
A hand rested softly on her elbow. Yuktio's pale blue eyes were reassuring towards her. He didn't need to say anything, they had an odd friendship where they could decipher each other without needing words.
Mizuki smoothened out the crease in her forehead and took her assigned chair at eh end of the semi-circle closest to Dr. Hiiragazawa. When everyone was settled, he approached the podium.
When Dr. Hiiragazawa spoke, everyone fell silent immediately. They were all nervous of the news he'd bring back. Their jobs depended on it.
"As you know," He began. "I travelled to the Council of Divinity in Tomoeda City to discuss the agreement our facility had signed in relation to the controlled testing of all Divinity levels."
Yukito internalized a groan but his elongated exhale drew a scowl from Mizuki. She didn't know why those two never got along, but Yuktio made little effort to hide his attitude.
"The Council is overall satisfied with the progress and usage of the Shylde's we manufacture at this Facility." Dr. Hiirigazawa continued. "Thanks the their innovation and design, we have rehabilitated over seven hundred lower level Divinity back into society. However," His eyes hardened which made Mizuki saw her teeth with anxiety.
She knew that look, he wasn't happy.
"The lack of progress on Shylde's effect on our higher grade Divinity is a source of concern for them. The incident in Tomoeda City on the night of February third – coincidently – the night of Senza's Eclipse," He made sure to exaggerate the coincidently part. Dr. Hiirigazawa tolerated no superstitious talk in the facility. "has exposed gaps that we need to close off if we are to 100% gain the Council's confidence back. With that in mind, the Council will continue to fund the Facility for a further eight months and depending on our results by then," He paused for a moment and quickly panned his hard blue eye over the staff. "The Council will consider re-taking the facility and the inmates into their own matters."
Mizuki's worry line returned to crease her forehead again. They had made so much progress, but it never seemed enough. She felt the pressure on her constantly, it would not ease up any time soon.
They continues with the agenda for the next two hours. Yuktio's foot began to twitch with impatience and boredom. Kero snoozed on his lap under the table and Yukito had to poke him every now and again when his snores grew obvious.
"I will be having one-to-one meetings with doctors and the psychologists in the coming two weeks. Please have your reports and updates ready for this time." He concluded.
One by one the staff shuffled out. Yukito and Mizuki rose up and gathered their things. Yuktio and Kero both stretched with a little squeak of a yawn escaping Kero's mouth. "Divines above, that went on." Kero flopped on Yukito's shoulder. "I'm hungry, do you think there's anything left in the canteen."
"Don't be so blasé, Guardian." Mizuki replied and looked down disapprovingly at him. "You may not be an inmate but your fate is tied to the will of the Council, too."
Kero waved a stumpy paw at her.
"Look like it's gonna be a fun eight months." Yukito said dryly and side-glance Dr. Hiirigazawa, who had his back turned to them all, deep in reports.
Mizuki didn't reply as she pushed in her chair. "Hey, you know where I am when you need me." He said with a grin that conveyed an undertone of sympathy that she did not appreciate. "Also, conducting a little experiment tomorrow evening in the West block, come join me."
"I didn't see any authorisation for that pass my desk."
"It'll be fun. You remember what that's like, don't you?" He winked and left before she could remind him of the protocol.
When it seemed the last of the staff were leaving, Mizuki made her way up the podium towards Dr. Hiiragazawa. She hated how tense this made her. It shouldn't have, not after all these years.
"This was a good outcome." She said in a neutral tone. "I realize it's not what we were after but given the circumstances I believe it's as much as we could have expected-"
"Kaho." He interrupted her and peeled his glasses from his face, revealing deep blue eyes that still managed to briefly stop her mid-thought. "Can't I get a kiss from my wife, before talking business?" His voice was softer now and she felt the pent up tension release.
Her face relaxed into a small smile – something she hadn't felt she had done since he left for the Council.
"Of course, sorry." Her heels clicked as she closed the gap between them. His arms circled her and he placed a kiss on her lips and the top of her head.
"I missed you." She said when he pulled back.
"I missed you too," He replied and turned to the folder open on the podium. "Apologies I wrap things up there sooner. The Council were not letting up."
"It took as long as it took." She said and crossed her arms. "We had things under control here."
"Really?" He said with an ounce of sharpness to his tone. "Can you explain why I'm reading an incident report about last week mass lockdown?"
Shit.
Mizuki breathed in sharply through her nose. "The inmates were acting aggressively across the facility. We had to resort to the gas to calm them down and restrain." She kept her voice calm. She didn't want this to escalate into a fight when they had barely resolved the one that transpired the night he left for the Council.
"The gas is not cheap, Kaho. We're already fighting other facilities for quantity. You can't just use it as you please-"
"I'm aware of how precious it is, Eriol." She said with an icy bite. "You weren't here. You insisted on going to the Council prematurely. You didn't see how they were reacting. I made a judgement and I don't regret it. It's not something we've experienced here and so I de-escalated."
Of course, she was downplaying it. The night of Senza's Eclipse was something herself and Yukito still didn't fully grasp though they has run extensive tests. The inmates were noticeably agitated, some more than others. When few began to turn on each other, that's when she knew she had to make the call. She could have explained this to him, shown him the tapes immediately even – but she didn't want him to think she was incapable of handling the Facility without him.
"Well, it's left things in a mess, which I will have to clean up. You should have called and notified me."
Mizuki felt her heartbeat begin to pulse in anger. She bit her lip and rationalized it was best not to get into this here, now.
"I called the hotel, several times. I guess I must have missed you."
He looked at her and they both stared at each other, waiting for the other to back down. But Mizuki knew how to be stubborn. She had learned that from her father.
Eriol eventually broke away and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I don't want to fight with you so soon after getting back. It was a stressful two weeks, Kaho."
She then saw the tiredness drag under his eyes. He was paler than usual, exaggerated by his ebony black hair. He had even let his beard grow a bit – very unlike him – as he usually kept himself sharp and prim. She began to feel bad...and guilty.
"Let's not fight then." She concluded with a softer tone. "I'm writing up the report now and will hand it over to you tomorrow."
He nodded and looked down at his file. "I'd like to get back to my patients as soon as possible. I assume Dr. Tsukishiro hasn't catastrophized their progress since I left?"
"Yuktio has been sticking with you instructions." She replied, slightly defensive for Yuktio. "Yamazaki is, his usual self. Terribly irritating, evasive and obsessed with pushing his image of a 'good boy'. The night of the Eclipse did not seem to stir him too much."
"I'm eager to test out the newest variant of Shylde on him. With increased potency in small intervals I should be able to diminish his-"
"Eriol, if you put another Shylde on that boys head-"
"We'll be closer to concrete answers." He said dismissively.
Kaho didn't not respond. She didn't approve of his methods. But at the same time, he always thought she was too lenient.
Kaho hesitated, knowing her next words may further stir the tension. "And...will you be scheduling a session in with Daidouji?"
Eriol closed his eyes for a moment and exhaled, tiredly. "Kaho, I can't get into this argument with you again-"
"I only ask, because Senza's eclipse took a particular toll on her. We had her sedated and she hasn't full come to since. That's all."
Eriol nodded and Kaho resented the small look of relief on his face.
"Thank you." He said.
Kaho turned her heel to leave. She didn't want the look on her face to reveal her disappointment at their reunion. She had hoped the argument they had before was resolved – how foolish she thought herself now. With everything that was happening around the facility, the bumps in her marriage were not something she needed on her mind right now.
He caught her by the elbow suddenly. Turning back, she was surprised to see his hardened face had softened.
"I really, really missed you." He said and cupped her cheek with his hand. "Forget about the reports and let's finish up early today. You, me, and a bottle of wine. I just want to hear all about you."
Kaho responded with a soft kiss. Though thoughts still lingered, she could see he was trying.
She nodded and left feeling a little lighter – and ignoring the intrusive thought that hovered in the back of her mind.
When she left, Eriol gripped the podium with both sides and hunched over slightly. He rubbed his eyes and waited for his vision to come right again.
He could feel the bubbling pressure.
Eight months...
Eight months...or else.
X x x