CHAPTER 4: One Hope
Arata considered what that woman's motives were. Wasting time until the 666 was complete... she mentioned something like that. This meant her objective wasn't himself or Shina. She was after something different altogether. He recalled the photos that were on display at the room he became acquainted with at Le Choara. After looking through past articles, he became aware of a murder that took place inside a girl's dormitory. Combining these pieces of information, he began forming an answer.
(Looking at this, it seems like she's trying to perform some kind of ritual... a program code... in order to achieve something.)
Arata always had an eerie feeling when he visited Le Choara. It felt similar to something he'd encountered before. However, the more he thought about it, the less he was able to place it. He had one more clue.
– El...Strai….bas…
The words those men had spoken. They must mean something. If he could look into the photos that were in that room, he was certain he'd find an answer. He would figure out the objective. It was only a matter of time. Just then, someone knocked on his door. Arata immediately braced himself.
– Mizunashi! You're home, right?
(Oh... It's Shina…)
Hearing her voice was a relief, considering he was sure he was about to see those masked men again. Arata opened the door.
– Shina, why did you come here?
– Don't give me that! Rin had asked you to run an errand, then you went straight home!
– I told her what I was doing!
– That's not the problem here. Mizunashi, do you remember the promise you made to me?
– Promise? What are you talking about?
– You promised! You said you would give me advice... about our baby...
– Wait, what the hell are you talking about?!
– What do you mean? You're so horrible, Mizunashi. It was the very manifestation of our love...
– No, wait. I didn't do anything!
– You're so terrible. You even said it was a good child. I guess that was just a lie.
– Shina! Stop joking around!
– This is not a joke! You were supposed to give me advice on whether or not we should kill our precious child! – Arata noticed that Shina's ominous words were beginning to frighten his neighbors. He could hear them talking through the walls.
– Hey Shina. Come here.
– What are you doing?! – He pulled Shina into his room.
– Me?! What the hell are you talking about?!
– I'm talking about our child! The one that we made together! – Arata began to understand.
– Shina. Think about the words you're saying.
– Huh…? Ah… aaaaaaahhh! – As Shina realized how absurd she must've sounded, she turned red and screamed. – That wasn't what I meant! Why would I... With someone like you...?
– Someone like me…? That's so rude…
– Besides… what sort of insane people would talk about a baby like that?!
– You're the one who started talking about it. It must've sounded like such a disturbing conversation to an outsider.
– Well, I'm talking about a game! This obviously isn't real life!
– I know that! I'm just saying that you shouldn't be talking in a way that'll confuse people!
– You're the one who interpreted it that way, Mizunashi. You're so crude.
– Hey. – Something about what Shina said rang in Arata's mind – Shina! What did you just say?
– What? I said you're crude. It's true.
– Not that! What you said before that! Something about killing your child or...?
– Oh, that! Well, a game can't only be made using happy stories. That's why I thought it needed something to spice it up. Don't you think that a tragedy might make the peace you earn later more worth it?
– Well, I suppose.
– That's why... I mean, it's sad, but I wanted to ask you about having the child I created die in the story.
– I see. That makes more sense now. – Shina's words brought everything together. What that woman was after... – Thanks, Shina. You came to check up on me because you were worried about me, right?
– That wasn't why! – He couldn't afford to end this sort of ordinary life.
After Shina left, Arata began to search for more things about Le Choara on his computer.
– El Strain Marbas, huh? Seems like quite the cult.
El Strain Marbas, the photos of the victims, and the words she said...it would be complete once done 666 times… She also held the power to change the world in a way beyond the capabilities of the Salve Pen. She was trying to rewrite something. He opened Lydia's gift, the ancient tome, and began writing based on the information of the basics that made up the source code. Then, started to write it out in the special code he learned from the CEO, Werner Glock.
Eventually, it became a single program code. Arata had never seen such distorted code before. He couldn't read out everything, but he was able to understand all of what she was trying to do. It was a special summoning function, and what it was tied to was…
He understood. The objective of his opponent became clear. But, even with this knowledge, he realized that he couldn't possibly stand up against her on his own. The only thing he could do was change his perspective, and stop it here and now.
(I have to stop thinking about this normally. If I get caught up trying to apply common sense to this problem, I won't be able to outwit her.)
Arata found his resolve. A few days later, three men appeared before him yet again.
– Hey, you're finally here, huh?
– $%&%! #$%&$#!
– As usual, I can't understand what you're saying, but…
– $%&%! #$%&$#! – The three men brandished their knives and surrounded Arata.
– Well, sorry. I've decided I won't be holding back against you. You can pray if you want. 'El Strain Marbas' was the one you guys like to use, right?
– ...?!
The words seemed to shake them. They immediately launched their attack. Arata chanted a spell and then braced himself.
One day had passed. The area around Arata's place was crowded with police officers and journalists. There were unidentifiable bodies and splatters of blood. Evidence suggested these people were killed by dismemberment, but their bodies were so badly mutilated that it was hard to know for certain. Identified by an accessory left there, Arata Mizunashi became a suspect.
In the days that followed, a police investigation began, but Arata Mizunashi could not be found. In fact, bizarre murders of similar natures continued occurring throughout Japan. People began to fear it was the second coming of Jack the Ripper. In the midst of all of this confusion, there came a day that a particular message was sent to Shina's, email address at Enigma.
– Le Choara. There's something about this town.
The minute Shina saw the email, she knew it was from Arata. However, it didn't make sense. She tried to get more information, but the messages she sent received no reply.
– Okay. Everything's been prepared now– While muttering this to himself, Arata Mizunashi was marching straight through Le Choara. She appeared, just as he thought she would.
– My. Have you finally given up? Are you just coming straight here to be killed now? – The woman cackled as she spoke.
– Today, I have no intention of dying. Can I tell you something new?
– Do you really think I want to hear you beg for your life again?
– It's not that. Come on, what do you have to lose by listening?
– Very well. Get on with it.
– You're trying to do something about ****, right?
– What? Why do you know about that?
– Because *******. That's what you're really after.
– Well, well. Thank you for saving me the trouble. You'll still end up dying, today.
– That's fine now. Come at me, you monster.
…
I trust you've read all of this so far, Mai.
This is the path I've followed to arrive here.
I left this behind because I needed you to have it.
It's up to you now. You have to save the world in my place.
You're the only one who can do this, Mai.
Please. Free the world from the shackles of their… of ******'s curse.
Mai Toyama, the future is in your hands.
-Arata Mizunashi
In the moment Mai finished reading the entire file, a warning sound began playing from the computer. A message flashed on the screen.
"Your life is in danger just by knowing this information. I'll make sure your memories are erased."
The moment she saw this text, Mai collapsed. Hours passed. A long while later, Mai sat up.
– Huh? What was I... doing?
She looked at her computer screen. She saw the familiar desktop icons she was used to seeing.
(Guess I left it on. Well, whatever.)
The days in which Mai would be bound by the curse began once again.