Soul Eaters
-dew
Chapter 7. Answers.
( * denotes flashback)
--------------------------------------
Rei brought in a tray with a steaming tea kettle and five cups,
along with two small bowls for the cats and set it in the middle of the table,
around which sat the solemn, silent group.
"It's all my fault…" began Makoto again softly. "I should have stayed
a few minutes longer..."
"No," interrupted Usagi, her head in her hands. "It was my fault for not
telling everyone about my dream earlier..."
Luna sighed. "Whether it was your fault or Makoto's fault, or all of our
faults, it doesn't matter now. What matters now is that our murderer
has struck again, and now we know he is… at least he appears to be…" the word
'human' stuck in her throat, but everyone knew what she meant anyway.
"Maybe we can find some clues in what happened tonight to determine whos
and whys?" asked Rei, finishing pouring out the tea, which no one moved to touch.
" He was holding a knife. Apparently, since we are assuming that our first
murderer didn't carry any weapons, that this was the same one that attacked
Minako." said Makoto.
"That's all?"
Minako put her hands around her filled tea cup, letting the warmth seep
through her fingers. "He told us that we were too late, and also gave thanks
to that von Mayer person. Maybe this von Mayer person is the original murderer."
Ami perked up. "Von Mayer? Von Mayer... I can't believe I didn't catch
that first."
"Ami? Do you know someone with that name?" Asked Luna.
"Not personally...Could it be the same von Mayer? Well…this could
explain quite a bit…"
The group watched Ami for a long moment before Rei, impatient, spoke up.
"Well??? Who is it??"
Ami, lost in her thoughts, started and cleared her throat at the demand.
"Julius Robert von Mayer. Born in 1814, died in 1878. He was
the first person to state the Law of Conservation of Energy in its modern form
in 1842. It was the first law of thermodynamics. It states, "the total inflow
of energy into a system must equal the total outflow of energy from the system,
plus the change in the energy contained within the system".
The group stared back at her.
"Wow, That's... deep. Um… what does that mean, exactly?" asked Makoto
slowly.
Ami sighed. "In other words, it says that energy is neither created nor
destroyed. It cannot be made or unmade. However, it can be transferred from
one form to another."
"So," began Minako, hesitantly, " do you think that this transfer of
energy has something to do with the murders?"
Ami nodded. "The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. For
our purpose here, we will assume that, according to this law, when a human,
which is a mass of energy to begin with, dies, their energy does not simply
end, but continues on in another form."
The group stared, still not comprehending, before Rei spoke up.
"In other words when a human dies, science has proven that his, or her,
energy doesn't die with them. We usually call this energy our souls, or our
spirits. When we die, our souls either become ghosts, return back to the earth,
becomes reincarnated into something else, or even goes on to a higher place,
like heaven, wherever you believe that may be. The point is, when we die, we
don't simply stop being."
"And, if someone, somehow finds a way to stop a soul from transferring
somewhere else… or maybe finds a way to collect that energy before it goes to
where its supposed to, they can collect enormous amounts of energy…" said Artemis,
thoughtfully.
"I'm still confused," stated a frustrated Usagi.
"It's very simple, really, once you get past all the big words, " said
Makoto with a smile. "What Ami and Rei and Minako are really saying, is that
someone has found a way to stop a soul from going to where its supposed to go.
Instead of letting a soul find peace, someone has found a way to capture it
for their own use."
"So, someone is, like, eating people's souls to make themselves more
powerful?"
"Something like that Usagi, Yes." said Ami. "My theory is, someone has
found a way to capture souls at the moment of death. Instead of waiting for
someone to die, this person has decided that it would be quicker, and more
effective, if they murder them first to make sure they are there at the exact
instant of their passing."
"But that doesn't explain why they get murdered so violently, or why these
'Soul Eaters' pick out people who are actively involved in something," said Luna.
"Maybe… Maybe the violent taking of someone's life causes a sudden release
of energy, instead of a slower one that a peaceful death might cause. And maybe
this energy is at it's peak after a person has been very active for some certain
period of time," said Ami.
The girls sat with bowed heads for a long moment, letting it all sink in.
Artemis looked around at the sullen and quiet group. Their faces
were drawn and tired. Usagi was crying softly.
" I think we are all tired now," he whispered gently. "I don't know of
anything else we need to discuss tonight. It's only eight now. Why don't we all
go home and get some sleep and meet again as early as possible tomorrow?"
--------------------------------
Usagi unlocked the door to her house mechanically, immersed in her
thoughts. She still found it hard to believe that a human can be capable of
such a heinous act. Maybe these creatures weren't humans after all…
The thought did little to comfort her as she opened the door to her house and
took off her shoes in the entry way.
As she did so, the thoughts of humans and creatures were replaced by a
simple regret repeating itself over and over inside her head.
'I should have told them about my dream earlier', she thought. 'If I had...
maybe, somehow, we could have prevented this.'
Tears rolled their way down her cheeks. She could have prevented a death
today, but instead, like the stupid girl she was, she didn't think it was
necessary to say something. She forgot about it completely and spent half an
hour chatting and pretending she was a normal girl instead of using that time
to call the others and start a search of the streets.
It was very possible that it was her fault that that young girl died tonight.
She could have prevented it. Even if she didn't know exactly who or what or where
it was, she did at least know it was going to happen. It was her fault that the
young girl died tonight.
She walked into her family's living area and paused before heading up the
stairs. Shingo and her father were watching something on the television and laughing
so hard tears came to their eyes. Usagi's mother came in to see what all the raucous
was about and soon started laughing herself. A smile came to Usagi as she
watched her family laugh and tease each other so happily. As quick as it came,
it was soon gone when Usagi thought about the families of the other victims,
and of the girl that died tonight because Usagi simply wanted time to herself.
Was that girl's mother and father watching the same show Usagi's family
was right now? What would they do when they look at the clock and find that their
daughter hasn't come home yet? Would someone call them or would they come over
to their house to notify the worried couple that their precious daughter was dead?
Too many lives have been lost already, and she, Sailor Moon, had the power
to predict them. She had the power, but what use was it? Most of the time, she
dreams after the murders have happened... And the one time she dreams of a murder
before it occures... The one time she could have prevented it...
Sobbing quietly, Usagi slowly headed up the stairs, dimly hearing the phone
ring behind her. By the time Usagi had finally made it up the stairs, her mother's
voice called up after her.
"Usagi, dear? Was that you just coming home? Mamoru is on the phone for you."
Usagi turned and made her way downstairs, heading towards the the phone's
reciever that was laying on its side, while her mom went back to the living room.
"Hello?"
"Usako? What's wrong? You sound awful."
Usagi hesitated for a second. Should she tell Mamoru about what had happened?
"Usako? Are you there? I felt you transform a few hours ago. I called twice,
earlier, but your mom said that you were at the arcade. And, just a few minutes ago,
I could have sworn that I felt a wave of sadness coming from you. What's going on?"
Usagi continued to think in silence. Mamo had only two more days before coming
back. How selfish would she be if she told him that she needed him with her, because she
couldn't do it on her own? Besides, in her secret heart, Usagi didn't want to tell her
Mamo how she let down the scouts today, and, most importantly, let down yet another
victim. What would Mamo think of her if he had learned that she had contributed to
killing an innocent girl? Would he stop loving her…?
"Oh, its nothing, Mamo. I just miss you is all."
The lie seemed to have a foul taste in her mouth. There was silence on the other
end for a long moment.
As irrational as any other person would think Usagi's thoughts had become,
they were true and hurtful to her. To Mamoru, if she would have told him,
he would have assured her that there was almost nothing she could have done to prevent
this murder. The details in her dream were unclear and indistinct. But Usagi never
took the taking of an innocent life lightly. To her emotional mind and loving spirit,
she had killed that girl because of her never ending failure as a soldier and as a
human being.
"I miss you too, Usako. But, I have some excellent news! The director of the
conference came to speak to me today in my hotel room. Can you believe it? The Director!
Anyway, he asked if I could stay a few more days to be his *personal* assistant for the
rest of the conference! Isn't that great?? I know it doesn't sound much to you, but a
medical student is always in need of the right connections!"
"...That's...great Mamo..."
"What's wrong Usako? Oh, I know I promised I'd be back the day after tomorrow,
but it's just a few days and this...! This is an opportunity of a life time!"
*****
"Of course! Of course! I'm sorry, Usagi, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure
your Mamo is thinking of you this very minute. I just hope that he does come home
to you like he said, and doesn't find a reason to stay away...."
Before Usagi could form her indignant reply, in walked Rei and Minako,
followed by Ami, and the two cats.
"I'm sorry Mr. Fuhiro, but I have to go. Thanks for the ice cream float.
And don't worry, Mamo WILL come back to me the day after tomorrow, just like
he said he would."
****
"Usako?"
"I...I understand-"
"Oh! Sorry Usako! I have to go! The... the Director is asking for me now.
I'll call you soon. Bye!"
"Wait! Mamo! I Love Y-"
Click.
---------------------------
(note: 1. I hope I didn't lose any of you;) If this chapter proves too confusing,
please email me, and I will do my best to modify it so that the idea comes across better.
If you like it, PLEASE REVIEW!:)
2.The Law of Conservation of Energy is a real law of thermodynamics and
is widely accepted and believed as fact in our scientific communities.
For those who study these laws and find inconsistances in the basic retelling, and not the
interpretation, please excuse this humble author her literary license.
Facts about Julius Mayer was provided by Wikipedia at http://en2.wikipedia.org. More information
about the Law of Conservation of Energy (also known as the Law of Conservation of Energy and Mass)
can be found in any scientific database, online, or at your local library.)
---------------------
dew_drop@myself.com
-dew
Chapter 7. Answers.
( * denotes flashback)
--------------------------------------
Rei brought in a tray with a steaming tea kettle and five cups,
along with two small bowls for the cats and set it in the middle of the table,
around which sat the solemn, silent group.
"It's all my fault…" began Makoto again softly. "I should have stayed
a few minutes longer..."
"No," interrupted Usagi, her head in her hands. "It was my fault for not
telling everyone about my dream earlier..."
Luna sighed. "Whether it was your fault or Makoto's fault, or all of our
faults, it doesn't matter now. What matters now is that our murderer
has struck again, and now we know he is… at least he appears to be…" the word
'human' stuck in her throat, but everyone knew what she meant anyway.
"Maybe we can find some clues in what happened tonight to determine whos
and whys?" asked Rei, finishing pouring out the tea, which no one moved to touch.
" He was holding a knife. Apparently, since we are assuming that our first
murderer didn't carry any weapons, that this was the same one that attacked
Minako." said Makoto.
"That's all?"
Minako put her hands around her filled tea cup, letting the warmth seep
through her fingers. "He told us that we were too late, and also gave thanks
to that von Mayer person. Maybe this von Mayer person is the original murderer."
Ami perked up. "Von Mayer? Von Mayer... I can't believe I didn't catch
that first."
"Ami? Do you know someone with that name?" Asked Luna.
"Not personally...Could it be the same von Mayer? Well…this could
explain quite a bit…"
The group watched Ami for a long moment before Rei, impatient, spoke up.
"Well??? Who is it??"
Ami, lost in her thoughts, started and cleared her throat at the demand.
"Julius Robert von Mayer. Born in 1814, died in 1878. He was
the first person to state the Law of Conservation of Energy in its modern form
in 1842. It was the first law of thermodynamics. It states, "the total inflow
of energy into a system must equal the total outflow of energy from the system,
plus the change in the energy contained within the system".
The group stared back at her.
"Wow, That's... deep. Um… what does that mean, exactly?" asked Makoto
slowly.
Ami sighed. "In other words, it says that energy is neither created nor
destroyed. It cannot be made or unmade. However, it can be transferred from
one form to another."
"So," began Minako, hesitantly, " do you think that this transfer of
energy has something to do with the murders?"
Ami nodded. "The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. For
our purpose here, we will assume that, according to this law, when a human,
which is a mass of energy to begin with, dies, their energy does not simply
end, but continues on in another form."
The group stared, still not comprehending, before Rei spoke up.
"In other words when a human dies, science has proven that his, or her,
energy doesn't die with them. We usually call this energy our souls, or our
spirits. When we die, our souls either become ghosts, return back to the earth,
becomes reincarnated into something else, or even goes on to a higher place,
like heaven, wherever you believe that may be. The point is, when we die, we
don't simply stop being."
"And, if someone, somehow finds a way to stop a soul from transferring
somewhere else… or maybe finds a way to collect that energy before it goes to
where its supposed to, they can collect enormous amounts of energy…" said Artemis,
thoughtfully.
"I'm still confused," stated a frustrated Usagi.
"It's very simple, really, once you get past all the big words, " said
Makoto with a smile. "What Ami and Rei and Minako are really saying, is that
someone has found a way to stop a soul from going to where its supposed to go.
Instead of letting a soul find peace, someone has found a way to capture it
for their own use."
"So, someone is, like, eating people's souls to make themselves more
powerful?"
"Something like that Usagi, Yes." said Ami. "My theory is, someone has
found a way to capture souls at the moment of death. Instead of waiting for
someone to die, this person has decided that it would be quicker, and more
effective, if they murder them first to make sure they are there at the exact
instant of their passing."
"But that doesn't explain why they get murdered so violently, or why these
'Soul Eaters' pick out people who are actively involved in something," said Luna.
"Maybe… Maybe the violent taking of someone's life causes a sudden release
of energy, instead of a slower one that a peaceful death might cause. And maybe
this energy is at it's peak after a person has been very active for some certain
period of time," said Ami.
The girls sat with bowed heads for a long moment, letting it all sink in.
Artemis looked around at the sullen and quiet group. Their faces
were drawn and tired. Usagi was crying softly.
" I think we are all tired now," he whispered gently. "I don't know of
anything else we need to discuss tonight. It's only eight now. Why don't we all
go home and get some sleep and meet again as early as possible tomorrow?"
--------------------------------
Usagi unlocked the door to her house mechanically, immersed in her
thoughts. She still found it hard to believe that a human can be capable of
such a heinous act. Maybe these creatures weren't humans after all…
The thought did little to comfort her as she opened the door to her house and
took off her shoes in the entry way.
As she did so, the thoughts of humans and creatures were replaced by a
simple regret repeating itself over and over inside her head.
'I should have told them about my dream earlier', she thought. 'If I had...
maybe, somehow, we could have prevented this.'
Tears rolled their way down her cheeks. She could have prevented a death
today, but instead, like the stupid girl she was, she didn't think it was
necessary to say something. She forgot about it completely and spent half an
hour chatting and pretending she was a normal girl instead of using that time
to call the others and start a search of the streets.
It was very possible that it was her fault that that young girl died tonight.
She could have prevented it. Even if she didn't know exactly who or what or where
it was, she did at least know it was going to happen. It was her fault that the
young girl died tonight.
She walked into her family's living area and paused before heading up the
stairs. Shingo and her father were watching something on the television and laughing
so hard tears came to their eyes. Usagi's mother came in to see what all the raucous
was about and soon started laughing herself. A smile came to Usagi as she
watched her family laugh and tease each other so happily. As quick as it came,
it was soon gone when Usagi thought about the families of the other victims,
and of the girl that died tonight because Usagi simply wanted time to herself.
Was that girl's mother and father watching the same show Usagi's family
was right now? What would they do when they look at the clock and find that their
daughter hasn't come home yet? Would someone call them or would they come over
to their house to notify the worried couple that their precious daughter was dead?
Too many lives have been lost already, and she, Sailor Moon, had the power
to predict them. She had the power, but what use was it? Most of the time, she
dreams after the murders have happened... And the one time she dreams of a murder
before it occures... The one time she could have prevented it...
Sobbing quietly, Usagi slowly headed up the stairs, dimly hearing the phone
ring behind her. By the time Usagi had finally made it up the stairs, her mother's
voice called up after her.
"Usagi, dear? Was that you just coming home? Mamoru is on the phone for you."
Usagi turned and made her way downstairs, heading towards the the phone's
reciever that was laying on its side, while her mom went back to the living room.
"Hello?"
"Usako? What's wrong? You sound awful."
Usagi hesitated for a second. Should she tell Mamoru about what had happened?
"Usako? Are you there? I felt you transform a few hours ago. I called twice,
earlier, but your mom said that you were at the arcade. And, just a few minutes ago,
I could have sworn that I felt a wave of sadness coming from you. What's going on?"
Usagi continued to think in silence. Mamo had only two more days before coming
back. How selfish would she be if she told him that she needed him with her, because she
couldn't do it on her own? Besides, in her secret heart, Usagi didn't want to tell her
Mamo how she let down the scouts today, and, most importantly, let down yet another
victim. What would Mamo think of her if he had learned that she had contributed to
killing an innocent girl? Would he stop loving her…?
"Oh, its nothing, Mamo. I just miss you is all."
The lie seemed to have a foul taste in her mouth. There was silence on the other
end for a long moment.
As irrational as any other person would think Usagi's thoughts had become,
they were true and hurtful to her. To Mamoru, if she would have told him,
he would have assured her that there was almost nothing she could have done to prevent
this murder. The details in her dream were unclear and indistinct. But Usagi never
took the taking of an innocent life lightly. To her emotional mind and loving spirit,
she had killed that girl because of her never ending failure as a soldier and as a
human being.
"I miss you too, Usako. But, I have some excellent news! The director of the
conference came to speak to me today in my hotel room. Can you believe it? The Director!
Anyway, he asked if I could stay a few more days to be his *personal* assistant for the
rest of the conference! Isn't that great?? I know it doesn't sound much to you, but a
medical student is always in need of the right connections!"
"...That's...great Mamo..."
"What's wrong Usako? Oh, I know I promised I'd be back the day after tomorrow,
but it's just a few days and this...! This is an opportunity of a life time!"
*****
"Of course! Of course! I'm sorry, Usagi, I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sure
your Mamo is thinking of you this very minute. I just hope that he does come home
to you like he said, and doesn't find a reason to stay away...."
Before Usagi could form her indignant reply, in walked Rei and Minako,
followed by Ami, and the two cats.
"I'm sorry Mr. Fuhiro, but I have to go. Thanks for the ice cream float.
And don't worry, Mamo WILL come back to me the day after tomorrow, just like
he said he would."
****
"Usako?"
"I...I understand-"
"Oh! Sorry Usako! I have to go! The... the Director is asking for me now.
I'll call you soon. Bye!"
"Wait! Mamo! I Love Y-"
Click.
---------------------------
(note: 1. I hope I didn't lose any of you;) If this chapter proves too confusing,
please email me, and I will do my best to modify it so that the idea comes across better.
If you like it, PLEASE REVIEW!:)
2.The Law of Conservation of Energy is a real law of thermodynamics and
is widely accepted and believed as fact in our scientific communities.
For those who study these laws and find inconsistances in the basic retelling, and not the
interpretation, please excuse this humble author her literary license.
Facts about Julius Mayer was provided by Wikipedia at http://en2.wikipedia.org. More information
about the Law of Conservation of Energy (also known as the Law of Conservation of Energy and Mass)
can be found in any scientific database, online, or at your local library.)
---------------------
dew_drop@myself.com