Megaman Battle Network - New Generation
Book 3 - Lost Child
By Zelloss
Author's Note: Time for the story to continue pertaining to my mood. As usual. I'm never in a good mood. Well, I sometimes am, but it's rare.
WARNING: There's violence in this one. A bit descriptive. This chapter is more depressing then anything.
Chapter 3 - Funeral
I tried to see, tried to even think, but I had no control left of my body.
"What's going on?" I demaded, searching for an answer in my concious.
"Let me show you..." the whispering voice returned. I struggled to remain concious of my body, but I was losing the fight.
Suddenly, I found I could see. Not talk, not even move, but see. Whatever had happened, I only had the ability to see.
I felt my arms, no, sensed my arms, I had lost the ability to feel. I sensed my arms removing the Staff Blade from it's sheath on my back. I wanted to look around for the reason I might be drawing it.
I didn't have to look around. The reason was in front of me.
Briar stood, looking at me in a combination of surprise, fear, and hatred. I sensed myself taking a step towards him.
"It was you, Zann, wasn't it?" he asked, as he took a step away. I realized I could hear, too.
He's scared, I thought. I knew it.
The prey was scared.
I sensed another step forward being taken, and then another.
Briar carefully stepped backwards.
Coward. Come and fight me!
"It was, Zann... You killed Hawkz..." he accused.
I wanted to shake my head no, but instead found myself mouthing the word yes. No sound came out.
Briar's eyes went wide in fear. I held the staff out in front of me, ready to cut him through.
I don't want this, I suddenly realized.
"Let him live..." I whispered, trying to make myself known to whatever was threatening my life, and Briar's.
Another step towards him, and Briar didn't move. Hadn't he realized I wasn't myself?
"Let him live!" I commanded aloud, trying to be assertive. I didn't want to lose control, not now.
There was only a few steps between me and Briar now. A distance that was closing all too soon.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted, trying to put myself back in command of my own body.
"Why?" the voice whispered all around me, and I noticed a hesitation in my body.
"He's my friend!" I hoped I could convince whatever this thing was to stop.
"And...? You have never given your friends another thought, you've always been out for your own, Zann..." the voice whispered. I wondered how it knew.
"That doesn't mean anything!"
"Yes it does"
I sensed another step, and then there was a full pace run.
"Briar!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Briar didn't move.
He couldn't.
I had pierced him through his heart, jamming the staff through muscle and bone to the center of his body.
A crimson stain spread from his body, covering the knife on the blade. Briar mouthed something, and fell limp, dead.
"Why?" he had tried to ask.
Before I knew it, I felt myself tumble, as I regained control of my body suddenly. I gasped for breath, nearly forgetting that I did that anyway.
I caught a reflection of myself in a shard of glass near Briar's foot.
My hair and eyes were twilight-black, although they were slowly returning to normal. My clothes seemed to be in more tatters then usual, one leg of my pants was strangely shorter then the other. It hadn't been that way before.
I knelt down beside Briar's body, hoping for any sign of life.
I knew it was too late.
The symbol of silver tumbled out of my pocket, landing on the alley floor.
A slow panic spread over me. People would come here soon. They would find him. If I was still here, then, well, I wouldn't be here.
I gave a quick prayer for Briar, before taking off down the alley.
The gears of my mind were running at full power, trying to understand it all.
"I'm what you're searching for!"
I leaned against a wall to catch my breath. "What are you?" I replied mentally.
"The legacy of Grausherra, child. Blackfang" the voice whispered to me. I finally could give it a name.
"Blackfang, huh? Well, I want you gone!" I commanded.
If the whatever-it-was had a body, it would have shook it's head, I could sense it.
"No can do, Gairyio. We're stuck together..." there was a dramatic pause, "Forever."
I shuddered at that last thought. Forever.
"Sorry, Zann..." I heard Enker's voice whimper. I had nearly forgotten he was there.
"Sorry!? Whaddya mean, 'sorry'? You're the cause of all this, if it weren't for you, none of this wouldn't happen!" I swore at my partner.
Enker seemed to shrink away. "I was forced to do it... Your dad... He..."
I silenced him with a curse. "Dad, huh?"
I heard a small sound, like a young child. I hid myself.
"Hello?" the child seemed to ask. I recognized the voice.
From when I had met my parents. The whining child I never saw. Hayato.
I wanted to jump out, but it wasn't right. Not when I might attack the child.
"Hello?" Hayato stepped closer, seemingly curious.
"Kill him now..." I heard the voice of Blackfang whisper. "You and I know he'll stop you, one day..."
I bit my lip and focused every inch of willpower I could muster onto keeping Blackfang from coming forward. Especially not now, I begged.
As Hayato came close, I tried to hide myself. Then, something happened.
I spotted my father, not Juru, my father. He was standing at the end of the alley.
The ground seemed to shift around him, the sky darkened, as if everything was under a fog. His now-black hair whipped around him, wild and untamed. The twilight eyes he held pierced through both me and Hayato.
I was worried for Hayato. I realized what had happened to Zel. It wasn't my father, it was a monster.
Blackfang.
Zel stepped towards Hayato, barely giving me a glance. I was ready to jump up and protect Hayato.
I saw my father remove the PET from his belt, sliding it off, Chip Folder and all, and giving it to Hayato.
What was he doing, I wondered. What in god's name was he up to?
As he stepped backwards, he looked me over. I felt Blackfang tear suddenly through my body, trying in a desperate attempt to take me over. I resisted.
He mouthed the words, "Don't forget, son" and stepped back, before turning.
There was a moment of silence, before I heard Hayato again. He seemed to be breating deep, trying to overcome his fear. He ran off, back the way he came.
"Protect him..." I whispered to nobody in particular.
I waited for a while before I removed myself from my hiding place, making sure Hayato was gone. I noticed no PET, no chips. Hayato must have taken them with him.
I found myself getting tired. I sat myself back down in my spot before falling asleep.
* * * * *
It had been a year. A year of a life that was my own, a street life without my friends.
A year of life fighting Blackfang.
A year of my life, before something important happened again.
The day started normal, as all important days do. I could sense, though, that something was seriously missing.
Something had been drained out of me. Blackfang was strong, I could sense it itching to make a move on me. I got up and walked.
It was midday, when I came back to the small cemetary of Akihara city. Briar and Hawkz had been buried here, but I noticed another coffin was being brought in.
There was a procession following the buriers. Three men, probably in their thirties, with 5 other men, although they appeared a bit younger. I hid myself behind a tree and looked out from there.
I wondered who could possibly have brought together this odd cast of characters. A long blonde, the others black or brown, although one had silver hair. Two of the men, I found myself recognizing.
Morpheus and Andy.
What, I wondered, could possibly have caused Morpheus and Andy to make themselves known to the public?
I tried to put names to the other faces, but failed. A priest followed them in, and he ordered the coffin to be put beside a large already-dug hole.
I moved myself, quickly, behind a large tombstone that was closer, trying to get a better view.
"We are gathered here today, in memory of a fine young woman..." the priest began.
From my point of view, I could see the silver-haired and blonde- haired men. The blonde one was wearing dark sunglasses, but I suspect he could see me. Who wore sunglasses at a funeral?
"To pay tribute and homage to Mihillias Aeoya Deamandos, of Eyodian heritage, Eyodian life, and unknown death." the priest continued, and my mouth fell open.
Mihillias Aeoya Deamandos. My mother!
"Since I am not of Eyodian background, I've asked for their traditional rights to be performed by another Eyodian, Zelloss Grausherra" I could sense a tinge of disrespect as the priest mentioned my fathers name.
The blonde main stood up and removed the sunglasses and wig, revealing himself to be my father.
I suddenly had a profound, unexplainable respect for him. I could even see a tear in his eye.
"It's a sad day to lose one to the snow..." Zel softly began. "A sadder day to lose one to the sea. It's never easy to lose a loved one. It doesn't matter if it's your father, your sister, your lover, your child."
"They say, back home, that the body acts as a carrier for the spirit. The spirit is unique, a blend of the eight Kayana, the eight powers. Body, Mind, Spirit, Creation, Emotion, Humanity, Leadership, Life. Everybody is a mix of these eight, but all are different."
"Mihillias was a spirit as the woman who's spirit returned to her. When a child is born in Eyod, it is common to give a child the middle name of somebody who passed on, to bring back the spirit of that person. Aeoya, my late mother, blessed Mihillias."
"From my mother's spirit, came the Creation, Mind, and Leadership. From Mihillias herself, though, came Spirit, Emotion, and Life. She displayed these in a way that made her a true woman, one to forever be remembered."
I was touched, as my father continued the speech. He must have had a heart, and the words rang in my head.
He must have had a heart.
He must have had a heart.
I tried to focus back on the last words to my mother. Zel had begun what seemed to be a low hymn, and the words came naturally to me too.
"Mexza Narita, Ichize Rerita. I Natira, I Retira. Aeoya el Bressu, Gairyio el Kunati, aunon tempeze, sugati washi."
I found myself drawn into the ancient prayer, as I rose up and followed my father's lead. "Enatyo Kayana, atari Zann, Neteo el Kayana, Amerias, Skiyen, Kalana, sugati shinga, sugati shinsen, n'el Bressu. Kadama."
With the last word, he bowed and stepped down.
I had understood it all. He had said "Life ends, Death begins. One life, to life. Angels bless her, Protector keep her, Forevermore, until rebirth. Bring her spirit, to not be forgotten, keep her Kayana, Life, Emotion, Spirit, until son, until daughter, to be blessed. Amen." So had I. I realized what my name meant, right then.
I was, in Electopian, the 'Protector'.
Or something like that. Nobody payed attention to me now, Zel had asked them to keep their focus on their memories beforehand, I had suspected. That was the way life was worked, in Zel's mind.
I returned to my half-hidden position. I wondered if anybody had noticed I was even there. I kept looking out, just peeking, and nobody really seemed to care.
There was no music, no slow funeral march. Just silence, not even the should-be-there occasional rustle of leaves, as everybody stood silent, lost in memory, I suspected.
Or was it something else?
After what seemed like an eternity, two men came by, dressed in full black. They slowly raised the coffin and placed it into the hole, beginning to cover it up.
I couldn't stand it any longer. I ran out and took my place beside my father, thinking hard about my mother.
I noticed one of the younger-looking faces opened one eye and looked at me for a moment, before turning back. A silver-haired young man.
I realized something. I should have heard the sounds of the shovels hitting the earth, returning the dirt. I should have heard the distant sounds from the city. I should have heard something.
I opened my mouth and let out a small breath, just enough that I should have been able to hear it.
I didn't.
Thoughts raced through my mind. It wasn't possible, was it?
Was I... No, I couldn't be, I tried to tell myself.
"You are..." replied the silent voice of Blackfang. I heard it, but it was my mind speaking. I couldn't have not heard it.
"I'm deaf..." I mouthed the words like a curse.
A wave of panic washed over me. I didn't want this to happen. No, not now! Not when I'm just so young!
I tried to calm myself down, and noticed that my mother's grave was filled. I began to draw something on my chest, a holy cross, and stopped. I don't know why, but I hesitated and dropped my arm back to my side.
At that moment, as far as I can remember, something invisible hit me, and I blacked out.
* * * * *
"Will he be all right, Zel?"
I tried to move, tried to even open my eyes, but I couldn't.
"Yes, I think he will... I believe he's waking right now..."
There was a pause, then "Yes, Morpheus. I'm afraid he is deaf."
My mind paused for a moment. If I was deaf, how could I be hearing my father? Who was the other voice, as well? I recognized the first speaker as Enker.
I didn't know where I was, or who else was in the room even. Knowing the technology of today, I could be alone.
I slowly forced my eyes open, to see my father sitting to my right. I was propped up in a sitting position in a near-bare room.
Morpheus was positioned on my right. I could see him talking, but I couldn't hear him.
Then why could I hear my father?
"He can hear me, all right. You should know that. Enker will be a link" Zel responded to whatever Morpheus had said.
"So I'm a translator now?" Enker joked a bit.
"Yeah, basically" Zel smiled.
I moved around a bit, and both Morpheus, Zel, and (I hadn't noticed before,) Andy turned to look at me. I managed a small smiled, and felt myself under pain.
"What... happened?" I sounded a bit like I was drugged. My voice was slow and sleepish.
Morpheus began to say something, remembered I couldn't hear him, and then fell quiet.
I moaned in pain. My muscles ached, and I felt like I had no energy what-so-ever.
Zel began to talk. "It's complicated. It's a combination of your confusion, surprise, sadness, and Blackfang. Mostly Blackfang."
I blinked. "Then answer me something else. How come I can only hear you?"
"It's unusual... let me try to explain..." Zel began. "Although I'm not too sure I know all of it myself."
"Blackfang always has an unusual side-effect on it's victims. Sadly, in your case, it's verbal deafness. You're inable to hear those that don't talk to you through your mind. You don't know it right now..." Zel shut him mouth.
Without opening it, he continued. "But I'm talking to you through your mind as well."
"How's that possible?" I asked, confused.
"We're connected with Blackfang. You, me, Enker. We're connected mind-to-mind, I guess you could say" Zel tried to explain. "So, you'll be able to hear only me and Enker, and that's it."
"Wait a second..." I began. "If we're connected mind-to-mind, then I should be able to talk to you through your mind, right?"
"Kinda, but it takes practice to master" Zel gave a slight grin. "Morpheus and Andy have a proposition for you, and I need to leave. Hayato is now an orphan, to say. I'm no longer 'alive', and you know for sure that Mihillias is dead. Aside from the few you saw at the funeral, nobody knows that I'm alive anymore."
Zel stood up and started to walk away. I tried to contact him, but I was too weak. "D... Dad..." I whispered out, then decided on another method.
I tried to focus on my father, blocking out everything else. "Dad" I spoke towards him, not moving my mouth. "Don't go..."
I could sense him smiling, although I couldn't see his face. "I have to, Gairyio... I mean, Zann. Go with Morpheus and Andy. They'll help you..."
"Dad!" I cried out painfully. Zel turned.
I saw the slightest bit of a tear in his eye. He winked at me, removing it.
"See ya, kiddo" he half-taunted me, before turning and leaving. I let my head fall back and fell asleep.
* * * * *
"So what's the job for me?" I asked my half-captors. It wouldn't have mattered if they didn't seem to have me confined, because I still could barely move. Mabye half-crawl. I had never felt so weak before.
Morpheus pulled me up to my feet. I was disoriented and nearly fell backwards. He caught me and straightened me up, giving me a moment.
I tried to get a good look around. We were in an old warehouse. Boxes and random bits of machinery were around everywhere in totally random disarray. Morpheus slowly led me over behind a couple of them, and propped me up against a wall.
"Stay here" I heard Enker's voice speak, in unison with Morpheus's mouth. I knew now I would have a way to hear, after all.
Before I knew what had happened, I found myself slowly going into the ground. The floor moved under me, like an elevator. Morpheus hopped down after me, and Andy did as well. They landed easily beside me. I kept myself propped up against the wall, despite the occasional bumps as we went down, until Morpheus grabbed me again.
I noticed everything went dark. The roof shut above us, concealing the fact we were even there. I heard the elevator slow down.
As we stopped, the doors slid open. Two young men stood at the elevator doors, welcoming Morpheus in, I suspected. They seemed to glare at me.
Enker passed their words on for me. "The one on the right, he said 'Good evening, Master Morpheus,' and the second was basically the same."
Morpheus looked at both of them. Enker spoke his words in unison with him this time. "Thank you, Tay, Tidus" he thanked the two of them.
I noticed they both wore pure black, as Morpheus and Andy always wore. On their right shoulders was something resembling a dog's head, with the word 'NGospel' written on the inside.
Neo Gospel! The old crime group wasn't gone then, not in the least!
"Welcome to NeoGospel's headquarters!" Morpheus smiled at me, as he pulled me through. Andy followed up.
"Where are we?" I slowly asked. My mind wasn't fully awake yet, and my body was far from it.
"This is Neo Gospel's headquarters, situated far below Marine Harbor, the ONBA HQ of Electopia. Designed so that most people that managed to find their way here would only find the warehouse. It is pure genious. The best bit is that this place is right under the ONBA's noses, where they'd least expect this to be." Morpheus grinned.
Andy seemed strangely silent. For the first time, I noticed the NeoGospel logo on their shoulders, although Morpheus' mark seemed to be more proficent. I remembered somebody telling me he had once led Neo Gospel. Perhaps he still did.
The new area was intense. Computers, servers capable of extreme power lined the walls. Devices and weaponry were stored in every concievable area. It looked like, well, how else can I say it? Organized clutter. That's about it.
I stood for a moment, taking in the scenery, before Morpheus led me further in. A couple other nameless NeoGospel members stood near us, greeting us, but only momentarily.
Morpheus steered me into a small room, located near the largest server. Inside was a total surprise.
I had expected a small office. Not the huge thing Morpheus had. Impossibly large computers acting as servers held nets of data.
"Welcome to what people once called Gingnet" Morpheus grinned. "I'll explain it all later, but first, I have to explain the situation to you."
Morpheus steered me to a seat. Andy took a standing position beside Morpheus, and the leader of NeoGospel began to speak again. I wished to hear the sound of his real voice, not that of Enker's.
"You know, of course, that your father was once part of our... Shall I say, 'empire'?" he breathed, not waiting for an answer. "Well, as they say, like father, like son. He believed you'd do good here. If you're anything like your father, you will do good here."
Andy nodded. I paused for a moment, before rage bubbled up inside. "I'm not like my father!" I couldn't hear my own voice, I tried to make the words sound straight, even though, as I later found out, my voice had already seemed to twist. Enker said I sounded more like 'I'am not like m'fahther', taking on a strange foriegn, almost Scottish accent.
"You are, Zann, just like your father, except for one thing. The fact you don't think you ARE like your father. It's something that Zel said seems to 'run in the Grausherra lineage', as he put it. I'm not sure on the whole heritage thing, but it's complicated. Either way, I need your help."
"I know you're a proficent fighter. Especially with Blackfang as your backup." he smiled a bit, then turned his face back to serious. "We want you to join Neo Gospel. We, of course, won't make you be doing anything until you're stronger, of course, we'll train you up. I think you'll be as good as your father."
My eyes opened in surprise. "I... I..."
Andy finally spoke, but his voice was still Enker's. "Well, Zann? What will it be?"
Author's Note: Time for the story to continue pertaining to my mood. As usual. I'm never in a good mood. Well, I sometimes am, but it's rare.
WARNING: There's violence in this one. A bit descriptive. This chapter is more depressing then anything.
Chapter 3 - Funeral
I tried to see, tried to even think, but I had no control left of my body.
"What's going on?" I demaded, searching for an answer in my concious.
"Let me show you..." the whispering voice returned. I struggled to remain concious of my body, but I was losing the fight.
Suddenly, I found I could see. Not talk, not even move, but see. Whatever had happened, I only had the ability to see.
I felt my arms, no, sensed my arms, I had lost the ability to feel. I sensed my arms removing the Staff Blade from it's sheath on my back. I wanted to look around for the reason I might be drawing it.
I didn't have to look around. The reason was in front of me.
Briar stood, looking at me in a combination of surprise, fear, and hatred. I sensed myself taking a step towards him.
"It was you, Zann, wasn't it?" he asked, as he took a step away. I realized I could hear, too.
He's scared, I thought. I knew it.
The prey was scared.
I sensed another step forward being taken, and then another.
Briar carefully stepped backwards.
Coward. Come and fight me!
"It was, Zann... You killed Hawkz..." he accused.
I wanted to shake my head no, but instead found myself mouthing the word yes. No sound came out.
Briar's eyes went wide in fear. I held the staff out in front of me, ready to cut him through.
I don't want this, I suddenly realized.
"Let him live..." I whispered, trying to make myself known to whatever was threatening my life, and Briar's.
Another step towards him, and Briar didn't move. Hadn't he realized I wasn't myself?
"Let him live!" I commanded aloud, trying to be assertive. I didn't want to lose control, not now.
There was only a few steps between me and Briar now. A distance that was closing all too soon.
"Leave him alone!" I shouted, trying to put myself back in command of my own body.
"Why?" the voice whispered all around me, and I noticed a hesitation in my body.
"He's my friend!" I hoped I could convince whatever this thing was to stop.
"And...? You have never given your friends another thought, you've always been out for your own, Zann..." the voice whispered. I wondered how it knew.
"That doesn't mean anything!"
"Yes it does"
I sensed another step, and then there was a full pace run.
"Briar!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. Briar didn't move.
He couldn't.
I had pierced him through his heart, jamming the staff through muscle and bone to the center of his body.
A crimson stain spread from his body, covering the knife on the blade. Briar mouthed something, and fell limp, dead.
"Why?" he had tried to ask.
Before I knew it, I felt myself tumble, as I regained control of my body suddenly. I gasped for breath, nearly forgetting that I did that anyway.
I caught a reflection of myself in a shard of glass near Briar's foot.
My hair and eyes were twilight-black, although they were slowly returning to normal. My clothes seemed to be in more tatters then usual, one leg of my pants was strangely shorter then the other. It hadn't been that way before.
I knelt down beside Briar's body, hoping for any sign of life.
I knew it was too late.
The symbol of silver tumbled out of my pocket, landing on the alley floor.
A slow panic spread over me. People would come here soon. They would find him. If I was still here, then, well, I wouldn't be here.
I gave a quick prayer for Briar, before taking off down the alley.
The gears of my mind were running at full power, trying to understand it all.
"I'm what you're searching for!"
I leaned against a wall to catch my breath. "What are you?" I replied mentally.
"The legacy of Grausherra, child. Blackfang" the voice whispered to me. I finally could give it a name.
"Blackfang, huh? Well, I want you gone!" I commanded.
If the whatever-it-was had a body, it would have shook it's head, I could sense it.
"No can do, Gairyio. We're stuck together..." there was a dramatic pause, "Forever."
I shuddered at that last thought. Forever.
"Sorry, Zann..." I heard Enker's voice whimper. I had nearly forgotten he was there.
"Sorry!? Whaddya mean, 'sorry'? You're the cause of all this, if it weren't for you, none of this wouldn't happen!" I swore at my partner.
Enker seemed to shrink away. "I was forced to do it... Your dad... He..."
I silenced him with a curse. "Dad, huh?"
I heard a small sound, like a young child. I hid myself.
"Hello?" the child seemed to ask. I recognized the voice.
From when I had met my parents. The whining child I never saw. Hayato.
I wanted to jump out, but it wasn't right. Not when I might attack the child.
"Hello?" Hayato stepped closer, seemingly curious.
"Kill him now..." I heard the voice of Blackfang whisper. "You and I know he'll stop you, one day..."
I bit my lip and focused every inch of willpower I could muster onto keeping Blackfang from coming forward. Especially not now, I begged.
As Hayato came close, I tried to hide myself. Then, something happened.
I spotted my father, not Juru, my father. He was standing at the end of the alley.
The ground seemed to shift around him, the sky darkened, as if everything was under a fog. His now-black hair whipped around him, wild and untamed. The twilight eyes he held pierced through both me and Hayato.
I was worried for Hayato. I realized what had happened to Zel. It wasn't my father, it was a monster.
Blackfang.
Zel stepped towards Hayato, barely giving me a glance. I was ready to jump up and protect Hayato.
I saw my father remove the PET from his belt, sliding it off, Chip Folder and all, and giving it to Hayato.
What was he doing, I wondered. What in god's name was he up to?
As he stepped backwards, he looked me over. I felt Blackfang tear suddenly through my body, trying in a desperate attempt to take me over. I resisted.
He mouthed the words, "Don't forget, son" and stepped back, before turning.
There was a moment of silence, before I heard Hayato again. He seemed to be breating deep, trying to overcome his fear. He ran off, back the way he came.
"Protect him..." I whispered to nobody in particular.
I waited for a while before I removed myself from my hiding place, making sure Hayato was gone. I noticed no PET, no chips. Hayato must have taken them with him.
I found myself getting tired. I sat myself back down in my spot before falling asleep.
* * * * *
It had been a year. A year of a life that was my own, a street life without my friends.
A year of life fighting Blackfang.
A year of my life, before something important happened again.
The day started normal, as all important days do. I could sense, though, that something was seriously missing.
Something had been drained out of me. Blackfang was strong, I could sense it itching to make a move on me. I got up and walked.
It was midday, when I came back to the small cemetary of Akihara city. Briar and Hawkz had been buried here, but I noticed another coffin was being brought in.
There was a procession following the buriers. Three men, probably in their thirties, with 5 other men, although they appeared a bit younger. I hid myself behind a tree and looked out from there.
I wondered who could possibly have brought together this odd cast of characters. A long blonde, the others black or brown, although one had silver hair. Two of the men, I found myself recognizing.
Morpheus and Andy.
What, I wondered, could possibly have caused Morpheus and Andy to make themselves known to the public?
I tried to put names to the other faces, but failed. A priest followed them in, and he ordered the coffin to be put beside a large already-dug hole.
I moved myself, quickly, behind a large tombstone that was closer, trying to get a better view.
"We are gathered here today, in memory of a fine young woman..." the priest began.
From my point of view, I could see the silver-haired and blonde- haired men. The blonde one was wearing dark sunglasses, but I suspect he could see me. Who wore sunglasses at a funeral?
"To pay tribute and homage to Mihillias Aeoya Deamandos, of Eyodian heritage, Eyodian life, and unknown death." the priest continued, and my mouth fell open.
Mihillias Aeoya Deamandos. My mother!
"Since I am not of Eyodian background, I've asked for their traditional rights to be performed by another Eyodian, Zelloss Grausherra" I could sense a tinge of disrespect as the priest mentioned my fathers name.
The blonde main stood up and removed the sunglasses and wig, revealing himself to be my father.
I suddenly had a profound, unexplainable respect for him. I could even see a tear in his eye.
"It's a sad day to lose one to the snow..." Zel softly began. "A sadder day to lose one to the sea. It's never easy to lose a loved one. It doesn't matter if it's your father, your sister, your lover, your child."
"They say, back home, that the body acts as a carrier for the spirit. The spirit is unique, a blend of the eight Kayana, the eight powers. Body, Mind, Spirit, Creation, Emotion, Humanity, Leadership, Life. Everybody is a mix of these eight, but all are different."
"Mihillias was a spirit as the woman who's spirit returned to her. When a child is born in Eyod, it is common to give a child the middle name of somebody who passed on, to bring back the spirit of that person. Aeoya, my late mother, blessed Mihillias."
"From my mother's spirit, came the Creation, Mind, and Leadership. From Mihillias herself, though, came Spirit, Emotion, and Life. She displayed these in a way that made her a true woman, one to forever be remembered."
I was touched, as my father continued the speech. He must have had a heart, and the words rang in my head.
He must have had a heart.
He must have had a heart.
I tried to focus back on the last words to my mother. Zel had begun what seemed to be a low hymn, and the words came naturally to me too.
"Mexza Narita, Ichize Rerita. I Natira, I Retira. Aeoya el Bressu, Gairyio el Kunati, aunon tempeze, sugati washi."
I found myself drawn into the ancient prayer, as I rose up and followed my father's lead. "Enatyo Kayana, atari Zann, Neteo el Kayana, Amerias, Skiyen, Kalana, sugati shinga, sugati shinsen, n'el Bressu. Kadama."
With the last word, he bowed and stepped down.
I had understood it all. He had said "Life ends, Death begins. One life, to life. Angels bless her, Protector keep her, Forevermore, until rebirth. Bring her spirit, to not be forgotten, keep her Kayana, Life, Emotion, Spirit, until son, until daughter, to be blessed. Amen." So had I. I realized what my name meant, right then.
I was, in Electopian, the 'Protector'.
Or something like that. Nobody payed attention to me now, Zel had asked them to keep their focus on their memories beforehand, I had suspected. That was the way life was worked, in Zel's mind.
I returned to my half-hidden position. I wondered if anybody had noticed I was even there. I kept looking out, just peeking, and nobody really seemed to care.
There was no music, no slow funeral march. Just silence, not even the should-be-there occasional rustle of leaves, as everybody stood silent, lost in memory, I suspected.
Or was it something else?
After what seemed like an eternity, two men came by, dressed in full black. They slowly raised the coffin and placed it into the hole, beginning to cover it up.
I couldn't stand it any longer. I ran out and took my place beside my father, thinking hard about my mother.
I noticed one of the younger-looking faces opened one eye and looked at me for a moment, before turning back. A silver-haired young man.
I realized something. I should have heard the sounds of the shovels hitting the earth, returning the dirt. I should have heard the distant sounds from the city. I should have heard something.
I opened my mouth and let out a small breath, just enough that I should have been able to hear it.
I didn't.
Thoughts raced through my mind. It wasn't possible, was it?
Was I... No, I couldn't be, I tried to tell myself.
"You are..." replied the silent voice of Blackfang. I heard it, but it was my mind speaking. I couldn't have not heard it.
"I'm deaf..." I mouthed the words like a curse.
A wave of panic washed over me. I didn't want this to happen. No, not now! Not when I'm just so young!
I tried to calm myself down, and noticed that my mother's grave was filled. I began to draw something on my chest, a holy cross, and stopped. I don't know why, but I hesitated and dropped my arm back to my side.
At that moment, as far as I can remember, something invisible hit me, and I blacked out.
* * * * *
"Will he be all right, Zel?"
I tried to move, tried to even open my eyes, but I couldn't.
"Yes, I think he will... I believe he's waking right now..."
There was a pause, then "Yes, Morpheus. I'm afraid he is deaf."
My mind paused for a moment. If I was deaf, how could I be hearing my father? Who was the other voice, as well? I recognized the first speaker as Enker.
I didn't know where I was, or who else was in the room even. Knowing the technology of today, I could be alone.
I slowly forced my eyes open, to see my father sitting to my right. I was propped up in a sitting position in a near-bare room.
Morpheus was positioned on my right. I could see him talking, but I couldn't hear him.
Then why could I hear my father?
"He can hear me, all right. You should know that. Enker will be a link" Zel responded to whatever Morpheus had said.
"So I'm a translator now?" Enker joked a bit.
"Yeah, basically" Zel smiled.
I moved around a bit, and both Morpheus, Zel, and (I hadn't noticed before,) Andy turned to look at me. I managed a small smiled, and felt myself under pain.
"What... happened?" I sounded a bit like I was drugged. My voice was slow and sleepish.
Morpheus began to say something, remembered I couldn't hear him, and then fell quiet.
I moaned in pain. My muscles ached, and I felt like I had no energy what-so-ever.
Zel began to talk. "It's complicated. It's a combination of your confusion, surprise, sadness, and Blackfang. Mostly Blackfang."
I blinked. "Then answer me something else. How come I can only hear you?"
"It's unusual... let me try to explain..." Zel began. "Although I'm not too sure I know all of it myself."
"Blackfang always has an unusual side-effect on it's victims. Sadly, in your case, it's verbal deafness. You're inable to hear those that don't talk to you through your mind. You don't know it right now..." Zel shut him mouth.
Without opening it, he continued. "But I'm talking to you through your mind as well."
"How's that possible?" I asked, confused.
"We're connected with Blackfang. You, me, Enker. We're connected mind-to-mind, I guess you could say" Zel tried to explain. "So, you'll be able to hear only me and Enker, and that's it."
"Wait a second..." I began. "If we're connected mind-to-mind, then I should be able to talk to you through your mind, right?"
"Kinda, but it takes practice to master" Zel gave a slight grin. "Morpheus and Andy have a proposition for you, and I need to leave. Hayato is now an orphan, to say. I'm no longer 'alive', and you know for sure that Mihillias is dead. Aside from the few you saw at the funeral, nobody knows that I'm alive anymore."
Zel stood up and started to walk away. I tried to contact him, but I was too weak. "D... Dad..." I whispered out, then decided on another method.
I tried to focus on my father, blocking out everything else. "Dad" I spoke towards him, not moving my mouth. "Don't go..."
I could sense him smiling, although I couldn't see his face. "I have to, Gairyio... I mean, Zann. Go with Morpheus and Andy. They'll help you..."
"Dad!" I cried out painfully. Zel turned.
I saw the slightest bit of a tear in his eye. He winked at me, removing it.
"See ya, kiddo" he half-taunted me, before turning and leaving. I let my head fall back and fell asleep.
* * * * *
"So what's the job for me?" I asked my half-captors. It wouldn't have mattered if they didn't seem to have me confined, because I still could barely move. Mabye half-crawl. I had never felt so weak before.
Morpheus pulled me up to my feet. I was disoriented and nearly fell backwards. He caught me and straightened me up, giving me a moment.
I tried to get a good look around. We were in an old warehouse. Boxes and random bits of machinery were around everywhere in totally random disarray. Morpheus slowly led me over behind a couple of them, and propped me up against a wall.
"Stay here" I heard Enker's voice speak, in unison with Morpheus's mouth. I knew now I would have a way to hear, after all.
Before I knew what had happened, I found myself slowly going into the ground. The floor moved under me, like an elevator. Morpheus hopped down after me, and Andy did as well. They landed easily beside me. I kept myself propped up against the wall, despite the occasional bumps as we went down, until Morpheus grabbed me again.
I noticed everything went dark. The roof shut above us, concealing the fact we were even there. I heard the elevator slow down.
As we stopped, the doors slid open. Two young men stood at the elevator doors, welcoming Morpheus in, I suspected. They seemed to glare at me.
Enker passed their words on for me. "The one on the right, he said 'Good evening, Master Morpheus,' and the second was basically the same."
Morpheus looked at both of them. Enker spoke his words in unison with him this time. "Thank you, Tay, Tidus" he thanked the two of them.
I noticed they both wore pure black, as Morpheus and Andy always wore. On their right shoulders was something resembling a dog's head, with the word 'NGospel' written on the inside.
Neo Gospel! The old crime group wasn't gone then, not in the least!
"Welcome to NeoGospel's headquarters!" Morpheus smiled at me, as he pulled me through. Andy followed up.
"Where are we?" I slowly asked. My mind wasn't fully awake yet, and my body was far from it.
"This is Neo Gospel's headquarters, situated far below Marine Harbor, the ONBA HQ of Electopia. Designed so that most people that managed to find their way here would only find the warehouse. It is pure genious. The best bit is that this place is right under the ONBA's noses, where they'd least expect this to be." Morpheus grinned.
Andy seemed strangely silent. For the first time, I noticed the NeoGospel logo on their shoulders, although Morpheus' mark seemed to be more proficent. I remembered somebody telling me he had once led Neo Gospel. Perhaps he still did.
The new area was intense. Computers, servers capable of extreme power lined the walls. Devices and weaponry were stored in every concievable area. It looked like, well, how else can I say it? Organized clutter. That's about it.
I stood for a moment, taking in the scenery, before Morpheus led me further in. A couple other nameless NeoGospel members stood near us, greeting us, but only momentarily.
Morpheus steered me into a small room, located near the largest server. Inside was a total surprise.
I had expected a small office. Not the huge thing Morpheus had. Impossibly large computers acting as servers held nets of data.
"Welcome to what people once called Gingnet" Morpheus grinned. "I'll explain it all later, but first, I have to explain the situation to you."
Morpheus steered me to a seat. Andy took a standing position beside Morpheus, and the leader of NeoGospel began to speak again. I wished to hear the sound of his real voice, not that of Enker's.
"You know, of course, that your father was once part of our... Shall I say, 'empire'?" he breathed, not waiting for an answer. "Well, as they say, like father, like son. He believed you'd do good here. If you're anything like your father, you will do good here."
Andy nodded. I paused for a moment, before rage bubbled up inside. "I'm not like my father!" I couldn't hear my own voice, I tried to make the words sound straight, even though, as I later found out, my voice had already seemed to twist. Enker said I sounded more like 'I'am not like m'fahther', taking on a strange foriegn, almost Scottish accent.
"You are, Zann, just like your father, except for one thing. The fact you don't think you ARE like your father. It's something that Zel said seems to 'run in the Grausherra lineage', as he put it. I'm not sure on the whole heritage thing, but it's complicated. Either way, I need your help."
"I know you're a proficent fighter. Especially with Blackfang as your backup." he smiled a bit, then turned his face back to serious. "We want you to join Neo Gospel. We, of course, won't make you be doing anything until you're stronger, of course, we'll train you up. I think you'll be as good as your father."
My eyes opened in surprise. "I... I..."
Andy finally spoke, but his voice was still Enker's. "Well, Zann? What will it be?"