The Forces That Control You And I: Promethean Flame

The solitary fan above the hospital room creaked regularly as it spun slowly, creating a useless breeze on such a hot day. The room was bare save for an old black-and-white television standing in one corner, and a bedside cupboard which had three drawers, two of which had no knobs. A withered vase of flowers stood on top of it. The room was incredibly cramped, making any person feel claustrophobic. On the hospital bed slept Ichiro Kaketa, head and chest bandaged, swabs covering the numerous bruises sustained during his fight against the invaders.

"I did it. I saved everyone. Those that were worth saving, those that weren't worth saving. I saved everyone." Ichiro Kaketa was standing under the harsh glare of a spotlight.

"How foolish you are! You are just making yourself feel better! You should have killed everyone as no one cares for you." His shadow suddenly came to life, mocking him.

"NO! That's not true! There are people who care for me! I feel loved.I feel appreciated.I feel happy!" Ichiro recoiled in fear.

"No. You are just deluding yourself. How can you be sure they are not using you?" His shadow suddenly materialised into a dark humanoid being, taking menacing steps towards the terrified Ichiro.

"NO! They are my friends.They won't use me! They won't betray me!"

"You had "friends" before. What happened in the end?" His shadow's hands gripped tightly around his throat, gradually suffocating him.

"NO! They are different!" Ichiro screamed as he fought to inhale life- giving oxygen. "They will not betray me. like. like. they did."

Ichiro Kaketa awoke in the hospital room, cold sweat forming on his forehead. The only sounds coming from the room were the rhythmic creaking of the fan and Ichiro's laboured gasps.

The door of the hospital room creaked open a few inches, and a short-haired girl wearing a PE kit poked her head in.

Kaoru Konoe.

She noticed that Ichiro was sleeping soundly, and thus she smiled to herself. In her hand held a basket of fruits. She placed it on the bedside cupboard and stood there looking at the sleeping figure of Ichiro.

Somehow, she thought, somehow I seem to know him. Somehow I feel that he knows about me. About my fears, my dreams, my hopes. She stared at his closed eyes. She imagined them to be open, gleaming, giving its trademark look of nonchalance which was a mere cover.

She shook her head to clear it, convincing herself she was just hallucinating. She took his blanket and covered him with it. Staring at him for a while more, she said aloud, "I don't really know you well Ichiro, but somehow I think I do. Anyway, thanks for saving us all." She turned around and started to walk towards the exit.

"Please stay. I'm awake and totally bored. Thanks for the fruits though." The cheerful voice of Ichiro rang out, catching Kaoru totally by surprise.

"Sorry about my play-acting." Ichiro apologised as he painfully raised himself into a sitting position. Kaoru helped him to adjust his pillow to accommodate his new position.

"It's ok. I am an idiot for talking to a sleeping person in the first place."

"Thanks for visiting me. You're the first."

"The rest are coming later. They had something on."

"I see."

Awkward silence filled the room after that. Kaoru realised how little she knew about Ichiro. Yet, she thought, I am so attracted to him.

"Would you like an orange?" Ichiro reached for the basket with his left hand, but was unable to reach it. He gave a grunt of pain as the bandages against his chest applied pressure on his fractured rib. Kaoru, her chain of thought broken by Ichiro's grunt, immediately reacted and helped to get the fruit basket by reaching across Ichiro's bed. However, her smooth gym shoes slipped on the polished hospital floor, causing her to yell out in surprise as she crashed right on top of Ichiro.

Just then, the door burst open and the rest of the Gatekeepers party excluding Megumi came rushing in. They took one look at the comical and embarrassing scene and quickly turned around and left.

"Oops! Looks like we went to the wrong room!"

"Err. Did we come at a wrong time?"

"We'll come back when you are less busy, Ichiro."

Kaoru took one second to understand properly what was going on, before shouting at the rest and extracting herself from the bed. "Hey! Wait up! You don't understand!"

The rest of the Gatekeepers stopped in their tracks and turned around simultaneously. "Oh yes we do!" They chorused.

Kaoru blushed bright pink while the other Gatekeepers teased her. She felt terribly embarrassed by the whole incident. As the rest joked about her, Ichiro stayed silent. He felt nothing amusing at all, in fact he was confused by the whole happenings. The laughter of the Gatekeepers echoed in his head as he observed their happy faces and Kaoru's embarrassed one.

Is this, he thought, is this the normalcy I craved? Then why, why can't I feel what they are feeling?

Later, after Kaoru was done with the explanations, the group settled down and talked to Ichiro. He was glad to see them, glad to know they cared.

"What happened after I fell?" He asked.

"You were hauled up by the helicopter." Bancho said. "And then sent to hospital." Specs finished.

"How badly injured am I?"

"Just a fractured rib, plus many bruises. You should be up and about in 3 days." Feye said.

1 "Make that 2 days."

2 "Don't push yourself too hard." Ruriko chided. "You will only make your injuries worse. Besides, there are still 6 of us here. We can handle any invader attack."

"Yes," Ichiro said, before grinning broadly, "Mother."

The others looked at him in surprise. Ichiro laughed. "I know what you guys are thinking. I am a human being after all, not some alien who can't joke."

The others laughed nervously, wondering how to handle the newest situation. Suddenly, Shun stood up and announced, "It's late and I think Ichiro needs his rest. However, before we leave, I would appreciate that you girls leave the room first. I would like to talk with Ichiro for a while. You know, man-to-man stuff. Why don't you lead the way, Rurippe?"

At the sound of that word, Ruriko flared up and punched Shun squarely at the jaw. He fell with a loud thud and saw stars. Ruriko left in a huff, shouting, "Come on girls, let's leave these BOYS to have their MAN-to-MAN talk!"

The rest followed her, offering their sympathies to their fallen Captain. Shun sat up and rubbed his cheek. He spied Bancho sitting in a corner. "Bancho, you too."

"But I am not a girl!" He wailed.

"Well, can't you go and be a hero! Go after them and protect them! Who knows what is lurking around to harm them!"

Bancho, finally persuaded, left the room swiftly. Shun sighed, but the air escaping from his mouth caused his bruise to hurt. He cried out in pain.

Ichiro merely watched. With his eyes. With those cold, vacant, lifeless eyes of his.

Shun pulled his chair closer to the bed and sat down. He started to speak.

"I'm.I'm.sorry." He stammered

"For what?"

"For.for.losing control of myself yesterday. I shouldn't have shouted at you like that. It's just that. suddenly, I hated you so much. So much so that I couldn't think straight. I don't know why, but I know I was in the wrong. If you had died, I.I.won't be able to forgive myself." Shun hung his head in shame.

Ichiro stared at the ceiling, watching the fan complete cycle after cycle. "I forgive you. I also must apologise. I have been so aloof to all of you that you guys think I am some robot or what."

"Don't say that. I believe that you had your reasons."

Ichiro shrugged. He was determined to steer away from this topic. He stared blankly at the ceiling.

"Ichiro," Shun said softly. Ichiro turned his head to face him. "I am glad to have a friend like you. Thanks from saving me from that car." Shun stood up and stretched out his hand.

Ichiro was stunned. But he recovered quickly and shook Shun's hand. Shun smiled warmly and left the room. "Have a good rest."

Ichiro stared at his palm that shook Shun's hand. Slowly, he flexed his fingers, clenching and unclenching his fist three times.

"The handshake of friendship. It's happening again." He spoke. "Will it turn out like it did the last time? Will he betray me, like they did? Like. he did?"

The cool night breeze entered through the room's solitary window, as Ichiro sat upright on his bed, contemplating on what happened today.

The scene in which Kaoru talks aloud to him.

He knew what was going on then. He was in two minds on what to do. He decided to play the mental game. He now regretted it, remembering how it hurt. How it hurts when one does not reciprocate your feelings.

"What have I done? Have I just done, what I swore never to do to anyone?" He asked aloud. And for some reason, he almost heard a distant echo reply.

Ichiro closed his eyes as his mind displayed images, images he had tried so hard to forget, but in doing so, only made him feel worse.

A decisively younger Ichiro was standing in front of a young girl about the age of 15. The girl looked straight into his eyes and said. "We now go our separate ways."

Ichiro's eyes, then filled with life, immediately darkened, until it became his trademark vacant and distant look. The girl muttered, "I'm sorry." before turning around and leaving.

3 The vision changed. His normally lifeless eyes were now filled with hate and rage. A dark hand made its way towards his shoulder. "Good work." He said in a low voice. Ichiro remembered the icy feel of his palm, the pure evil in his voice. He snapped himself out of his recollections. He went to the toilet to wash his face, letting the icy cold water to calm himself down.

4

5 Outside the Violet dormitory, a lone figure stood staring at the stars. They twinkled at her, as if they were prompting her about something.

6 The chirping of cicadas and croaking of small frogs were only sounds to be heard. The figure did not move, she seemed to be in deep thought.

7 Why is it that I feel like I know him? I never met him before, yet I feel this sense of familiarity in him. Like I am somehow.connected to him. She asked herself the same question the umpteenth time. She sighed, knowing she had only questions but no answers. A cool evening breeze blew, rustling the leaves in the trees and tugging lightly at her short hair.

Whatever it was, she decided, I am going to find out what it is. She took one last look at the full moon, before turning back to her dormitory.

Suddenly, a thought struck her. "Is Ichiro Kaketa.a cheap replacement.for Shun Ukiya?"

The sound of the tap running was unmistakable. Ichiro was standing in front of the tiny tarnished bathroom mirror. He realised he had not shaved for three days and a small forest of black hair had taken root at the base of his chin. Absentmindedly, he picked up his shaver and looked for a mug to fill up with water. However, his grip on the shaver was not good, and it fell into the sink with a resounding clang. Cursing, he reached out his right hand to pick it up again.

And then he stopped.

The image of his outstretched hand caused him to remember what happened in the afternoon, where Shun offered his hand in a handshake of friendship.

"Ichiro, I am glad to have a friend like you. Thanks from saving me from that car." His words were as clear as twinkle bells. Ichiro pondered those words as the tap continued to run, giving forth water like a merciless hourglass and its sands of time. Time that can never be retrieved.

"We live to be accepted by others, to be able to rely on them for emotional support. Can I rely on him? Do I have the courage to do so after.after.what they did to me?"

Kaoru glanced at her watch. 6.57 a.m. Visiting hours start at 7 o'clock, thus she stood outside impatiently, willing the stubborn grandfather clock to move faster. In her hand was another basket of fruits.

The slow, steady movement of the pendulum produced the customary "tick-tock" sound, signalling to people as the seconds that go by. The oscillations made by the pendulum were always going to be regular, no one side swinging further than another. The clock struck 7, and the grandfather clock boomed, indicating the start of a new day. Kaoru immediately rushed towards Ichiro's ward.

The sight of a neatly made bed greeted her. But Ichiro was nowhere to be found. Astonished, she grabbed hold of a nurse and questioned.

"Excuse me, but where is the patient in ward 318?"

"Mr Kaketa? He left early this morning, about 5 a.m. The doctor said he had recovered extremely fast and allowed him to be discharged."

Greek methodology states that Heilios, the Sun god would ride his blazing chariot to light up the day. The sun that day resembled an ancient chariot, giving forth its powerful beams to eradicate the darkness of night.

The lanky frame of Ichiro Kaketa sat on the beach, watching the great chariot being drawn across the azure blue sky. Next to him was a leather case, and form it he took out a old guitar. He strummed it lovingly for a while, before starting to play a tune. The strains of the Beetles' "Yesterday" could be heard.

The song's melody blended seamlessly with the crashing of the sea waves. Ichiro finished the short piece, and then he heard soft clapping from behind. He turned around in surprise. Standing in the soft sunlight was Kaoru Konoe.

She moved towards Ichiro. "The nurse told me I would find you here."

Ichiro did not reply. He did not find a compelling reason to do so.

"Ichiro?" Her voice was gentle, distinctly different from her usual pluckiness. "I would like to know about you."

Ichiro froze, not knowing how to react. He spoke softly. "There is nothing worth knowing."

"Even so, we care about you. Please let us understand you, and not encase yourself in a cocoon." She pleaded.

Ichiro's graze met hers, and he instantly felt a shock. Her eyes displayed the warmth and love he had saw before. Long, long before.

"Georgina.." He let her name slip unintentionally.

Kaoru was confused by his reaction. "Ichiro, are you alright? What are you muttering about?"

Ichiro was brought back to reality by her words. "Nothing. Nothing at all."

"I am of Chinese-Japanese parentage. My parents lived in Singapore and gave birth to me there." Ichiro started, staring at the seagulls making their way across the unforgiving ocean. "They died in a car crash when I was 4. My mentor, who was also my teacher eventually, took care of me ever since."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's alright. It happened so long ago anyway. I told myself to work hard and return the kindness Madam Lee, my mentor, gave me. I studied hard and got myself to the premier institution in Singapore. It was then I discovered my Gate powers, and Madam Lee turned out to be an A.E.G.I.S agent after all."

"I was the only Gatekeeper to be found in Singapore. However, invader sightings were rare there, thus World Headquarters sent me here to aid you in your mission."

Kaoru nodded, and said. "I understand now."

Silence. The crashing of the waves and the calling of the seagulls were the only sounds heard. The sun rose higher in the sky.

"What ever made you do such a crazy thing, almost sacrificing yourself to destroy the invader?"

Ichiro turned his head to face her again. Why do I feel so.comfortable with her? I feel like, for once, I can be myself.

"I did what I was supposed to do. I did it to save those people worth saving, even those not worth saving."

Suddenly, Ichiro stood up and smelt the air. "There's a fire over there.", indicating the location with his finger. They made their way there.

By the time they reached there, all that remained of the fire were a few glowing coals and one flickering flame. Ichiro squatted down and looked intently at the dying flame, trying desperately to find fuel to sustain itself.

"Do you know the story of Prometheus?" He asked, the reflection of the weakening flame glimmering in his spectacles. "He was a titan in Greek methodology. He was supposed to be the protector of Man, and he taught it all the skills they needed to survive. However, his efforts were hampered by the fact that Zeus, the ruler of the Gods, had decreed that fire only belonged to the Gods only, and anyone who gave Man fire would suffer a horrible fate. Despite this, Prometheus went ahead and gave Man fire, and incurred the wrath of Zeus. The reason behind Prometheus' actions was that he loved every human being, good or bad, and wanted to help them."

The flame was getting weaker as the last bits of unburned wood were slowly being used up. "I always wanted to emulate Prometheus. His undying love for Man despite their faults."

Ichiro stood up, turned around and slung his guitar case over his shoulder. He offered his hand to Kaoru. "It's late. We must get to school." She nodded.

Turning away, Ichiro did not see the waves surge up due to the shift in tide levels, extinguishing the Promethean flame.

"Ichiro?" Shun and Ruriko said in surprise. "We thought you won't be discharged until 2 days later."

Ichiro smiled. "I was getting bored in there."

Ruriko was astonished to see him smile. For once, he seems cheerful. She wondered what Shun said to him after they left to cause such an amazing transformation.

Just then, the rest of the Gatekeepers entered the classroom. They too were surprised by his quick recovery. Ichiro stood up and cleared his throat.

"I just want to say sorry for being such a jerk the last week. It's just that it is a whole new environment for me and I don't know how to cope. But now I know I can count on you guys. Sorry and thanks."

With that, Ichiro sat down again.

Kaoru could only find herself getting more and more attracted to the mysterious guest.

The dull whirr of the elevator came to an abrupt end as it had reached its destination. Ichiro Kaketa stepped out of the elevator and looked up at the podium. "Shirei, you called for me."

The imposing figure of Shirei materialised, and he stood up from his chair and made his way down the podium. "Have all your injuries healed Ichiro?"

"I'm fine, thanks for the concern."

Shirei nodded. "I understand that you and Captain Ukiya had a spat."

"That has been taken of. It's my fault, acting like an aloof fool. I don't blame Captain Ukiya at all."

"I see."

"You do know what the real reason behind it is, don't you?"

"Of course I do."

In the southern part of Osaka, people were streaming in and out of the newest Research And Development complex in a remote location. Doctors and other professionals hurried around to conduct their research.

Suddenly, the peaceful surroundings were shattered by the sound of bending metal. The people inside the large complex reported later that the ground was shaking so badly, they thought it was an earthquake and quickly took cover.

Unfortunately, the tremors were caused by something far more destructive. A large invader cannonball crashed right through the right wing, causing people to flee in panic.

Amidst all this chaos, a lone figure stood on the second storey platform, where one could have a bird's eye view of the beautiful mountain ranges surrounding the area. The figure had dishevelled hair and was wearing a black jacket and a pair of tinted sunglasses. His eyes gleamed with pure evil. In his hand was a dagger, which he was now fingering. He spoke with a voice of authority, knowing that the relevant authorities would have now known that one of their most important complexes was now in enemy hands.

"Well, well, well. That was almost too easy. I know you are now watching me, watching my every move. Ichiro Kaketa, come forth now. It's time we had our little grunge match." He then laughed evilly.

He spied a security guard cowering at one corner, trying desperately not to be noticed. With an evil grin, the person shouted out, "Shadow Edge!"

The dagger in his palm left in the direction of the guard. In the middle of its flight, the dagger changed into a bolt of dark energy, striking the innocent victim, ending his life prematurely.

"Shirei! We just received this distress signal form southern Osaka! The R&D complex there is under attack by the invaders." Miss Ochiai reported.

Shirei looked at Ichiro in the eye. "This is it." He said.

"Let's see what our sky cam can tell us. Arrange the uplink now!" Shirei commanded.

The lieutenants at the computer consoles pushed a few buttons, and a fuzzy image of the complex under attack by the cannonballs were shown. The screen now displayed the dark Gatekeeper making his threat to Ichiro, whose eyes widened with fear as he recognised who the person was.

Reiji Kageyama.