Chapter 4: Past memories, gathered souls and a sudden phone call
After had saved his friend Salomon from that void of oblivion, Jūtarō has been trying to cope with the emotional charge of his past time loop memories, mainly with the uncertainness of the moment when the so called "True Guilds" will wipe out and absorb the other guilds…and the time of his past deaths by one loved one's hand, in that times, the stress is so intense he cries out of nowhere in silence, during these pangs he goes to the nearest restroom in school, or prefers to stay in his bedroom and drown his pain and fears with the pillow over his face until get asleep, and rarely he bursts out with blind rage where he can't be seen by his guildmates to destroy anything at his way, tries to be strong to his friends, hiding his fears and anxieties to the eyes of others behind a smile of kindness and confidence, even to his little butler who only wants his master's happiness.
At first it was like that, bearing the pain of the other souls by himself, until he started to know him, that gentle and fearful divine transient, the one who took dangerous ways with the purpose of save him from a war and his certain death, that savior with weeping golden eyes and a heart of gold and glass behind his supposed "filthy ugliness", that stranger in certain way gave him a speck of strength to save his little friend, Jūtarō felt he was in debt with him after all this incidents passed away, Jūtarō felt awkward with Hephaestus and the "you're my Mama" issue, even when they started to know themselves, he felt bad at first to stay with him just because of that issue, but something bloomed in his heart, seeing this imponent man enjoying his time with him like a boy with his friends in a day of fun, seeing how this crafter transient's frowns and sadness were changing slowly to a light smile and little but cute laughs thanks to him, that things were giving to Jūtarō the resolve to protect him, his friends and protect that joyful moments, to make him feel better with himself, step by step, he was being blessed with a warm feeling in his interior for his unintended savior, but with that feeling, there comes along the fear of how to show that emotion to a man who struggles with the same dilemma.
Shinjuku Academy, 2-B classroom
Math class was in progress with Mr. Jinn, he teaches Math besides being the P.E. professor of Shinjuku Academy, his warm and amiable being was comparable with his intellect and teaching way, he was writing a problem about integration properties.
-Ok class, I'll pick someone to resolve this problem, if that student get it wrong, I'll want a set of copies about integration properties to share it with the other classmates from that student to the next class, let's see…-, the majority were expecting to not be elected by Mr. Jinn, but Jūtarō, like the rest of the class, he wasn't even paying attention, his mind was drifting with the last dream he had, his past loop's memories and a little drawing he was making, two little bearded faces made in a cute style, one with a big smile and winking an eye, and the other was almost the same face except with a little flame over its right eye with both eyes closed and smiling in a shameful way and blushing, when he finished these pictures, his transient professor was trying to call his attention.
-Kasei!… Jūtarō Kasei!- The genie transient says his chosen student aloud.
-Yes, Teacher! -the young man stands up from his spot in a little nervous way and responds.
Mr. Jinn asks him to go to the blackboard and resolve the problem, the summoner took the marker but he doesn't know where to start, but fortunately the bell rang up to mark the end of classes that day, Mr. Jinn makes the problem into a homework with an investigation about the topic of the class, but before go to his desk, Jūtarō is stopped by Mr. Jinn.
–Jūtarō Kasei, can we talk before you go?- the young man nods with doubt, after his friends go to the cafeteria, he and Mr. Jinn were going to talk.
-Kasei, I note you today you were distracted in my class, and other teachers have been reporting about this same thing, Is there something wrong?, you know you can count with us in anything that happens to you anytime, our job as teachers is guide young ones like you to be good persons in future, but sometimes we must step into severe issues, so, I repeat my question…Is there something wrong happening to you?...- Jūtarō stays silent for some minutes, then he answers with even more doubts.
-teacher…what could you tell me if I tell you I suddenly remember some things about my past…but those memories aren't very nice to remember?...-
-you mean…you're starting to remember?...-the genie transient gets a little shocked with that statement, but he keeps composed to show temperance in that question.
-something like that, sir- he responds still doubtful, his teacher thinks about his student's answers before say his reasoning.
-well…I must say is good that you're starting to remember your past, but you're saying these memories are not very nice…I would say…is better face them, even if they're painful, don't let them distract you from who you are or what you want to do, those doesn't define you as a person, your actions in present will become the memories of your future, so, like I said before, is better face them than try to forget them again…- after listening his teacher's words, Jūtarō thanks to him before get out from the classroom, the question with the past memories was still wary, but with Mr. Jinn's advice, he would try something that was not made before in the past time loops…but before that, there was another issue.
– Jūtarō! over here! - He meets his friends at cafeteria at dinnertime, Ryota yells to him because he reserved his spot with the other guildmates , his friends were gathered because of the issue with Mr. Jinn.
-So, what happened with Mr. Jinn? did you got suspended or something? -Toji is the first one to ask him about the private lecture with concern.
-No, it's Ok, it was about me getting distracted lately, I just told him about I was starting to remember- he just responds to his half-transient friend, but his guildmates get shocked with the answer.
-WHAT?! DID YOU TOLD HIM ABOUT YOUR PAST TIME LOOPS' MEMORIES?!, ARE YOU DAMN NUTS OR WHAT?!– Kengo being the loudest of the group asks him with his strong lungs, the other students in the cafeteria were surprised by the power from Kengo's voice, in that moment Moritaka and Shiro shuts him up covering his mouth with their hands to don't attract the attention.
-Did you told him or not?...-Ryota then continues with the conversation quietly and Jūtarō just responds in the same voice tone with his chubby friend
-I told him I was starting to remember, not remembering about the time loops exactly, he just lectured me about my memories and my actions at present, that was all-, the guild's councilor and the transient Canis therian release Kengo after the answer to rest assured from that happening, after that issue, Jūtarō talks to them about something else.
-I would liked to talk with Mr. Jinn a little more about another issue I have…but I prefered to reserve it to myself…- after that statement, Moritaka attends to his friend's another business with interest.
-and what is that another issue you reserved it, Jūtarō-dono…? -
-w-what?- Jūtarō responded to his transient friend confused, the canis therian repeated his question again, after hear that question for a second time, the young man thought in his shy savior for some seconds and replies with shame and starts to blush.
-Eh…well…i-it's about…i-it's…- after trying to the right words to talk about that other issue, his blush intensifies until reach a bright red tone in his face while he stutters to then get silent, his friends are gazing him with curiosity about his reaction, suddenly, Jūtarō burst out with more embarrassment covering his face with his hands and shaking his head from left to right trying to don't see his friends face to face because of shame.
-I CAN'T…I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, IT'S SO…IT'S SO..!-
-Maybe you need to talk with Sis' Ziz- the young dragonborn turns his head and peeks through his fingers to see the owner of that voice, all of them heard a calm and booming voice, it was another friend they met before Valentine's Day, a big beastly white-haired transient with horns and purple tufts in head and tail.
-Behemoth?- the Shinjuku Summoners said at unison, the beast transient was holding three extra-big Tonkatsu Bowls set in his tray while he listened Jūtarō's response by accident.
-Sorry for interrupt…but I couldn't be helped to hear about your problem…- Behemoth seats at his side to talk about his shame attack, the beastly therian takes one of his bowls to eat it while hears his new friend with his problem.
-and why you say I need to talk with Ms. Ziz? - the summoner asks him doubtfully,after swallow a last piece of fried pork cutlet, he answers calmly
-because for many reasons; she likes to help students with their personal problems and give advice words to help them, she has the delicacy to treat any problem because of her overpowered maternal instincts, and because she likes to be a "Dr. Heart" to attend sentimental issues, you can't lose anything talking with her…- Behemoth keeps eating while Jūtarō thinks about his friend's advice and asks him about Ms. Ziz's whereabout.
-right now, you can find her in Staff Room, but it will be better if I call her first to make it private- Behemoth then takes his phone/mini-tablet to call her, after call her, Behemoth says she has free time at 6:00 pm, Jūtarō thanks his beastly therian classmate for make the phone call and goes off from the cafeteria to the Staff Room.
Shinjuku Academy, Staff Room
Ms. Ziz was alone in her workplace checking some papers to tomorrow's class, her desk was ordered and neatly arranged with some flower pots in her desk with rosemary and lavender plants, a relaxing aroma was surrounding the office coming from a little glass teapot in a small electric stove, Ziz checks the time in her phone until she hears someone knocking the door.
-who is it?- she asks, a young man's voice sound from the other side of the door.
-Ms. Ziz, it's me, Jūtarō Kasei…Behemoth call you about a problem I have…- the transient lady proceeds to invite him to come in.
-Ah, , Jūtarō!, come in please, the door is open- the summoner enters to sees her making an invitation to take seat at her side tapping the chairs's seat with her hand
-sorry for disturb you Ms. Ziz…- Jūtarō says to her in a little anxious mood, the half-bird teacher keeps a gentle smile and takes the teapot from the stove and pours some tea in a set of glass teacups in her desk while she talks with his student.
-at contrary, it's a pleasure help my students when they need it...by the way…Mr. Jinn told me about your conversation with him about you starting to remember past memories, is that the reason you wanted to talk with me?-, the transient teacher waits for his answer while she takes a sip from her teacup, the young man takes a sip too and start to talk about the reason of this reunion.
-well…the true reason is about something else…sometime ago, I met someone in Ota Ward…is a transient student from Kamata Tech…we started to know each other, but the reason we met was I made him remember someone he lost a long time ago…-his voice starts to tremble but he keeps going.
-he tried to save me from something bad that was happening where he lives, but I refused his help at first…after that issue happened, we are still getting along-
-and how is this person? is this special person good with you? - His teacher asks something with interest, Jūtarō tells her about Hephaestus' personality
-he…he is nice with me…he likes to listen to me about my personal things and everything, he's shy almost every time we met, but…I feel bad for him, he always looks so sad and I try to console him, to make him happy again, but he still sees that person in me, sometimes I feel that memory of that person is the only reason he keeps with me, and I just want to…I…I…- , Jūtarō suddenly stops his retelling while he clenches his hands over his lap and close his eyes, a teardrop starts to fall from his cheek and clenches his teeth trying to don't cry.
Later he feels a soft and scaly hand over his, then he feels delicate arms embracing him like a mother and starts to cry, his teacher was making an effort to tranquilize him, after Jūtarō vents out that feelings with his cries, Ziz continues with their session.
-well, now that you feel better, I'll tell you… you feel you want to be with him, but at the same time, you feel that memory of that lost person will overshadow you…what you need to do is open your heart…sounds difficult at first, but you must show him what you're feeling now, if he's that nice person as you say, maybe he will start to open his heart to you, I think he could have the same problem like you, he sticks to that memory because he's afraid to lose that one thing, but I'm sure if he sees your true feelings, he will correspond to yours…- After hear her answer to this issue, Jūtarō calms himself a little more and the transient teacher asks him again about Hephaestus.
-and…do you have a photo of this person? just to know…- the young man then takes his phone and shows her some photos of Hephaestus when they were eating ramen noodles at his workshop, Hephaestus was blushing in deep red tones with some noodles hanging from his mouth in a shock expression in his face when that photo was taken, in another one, he was making JoJo Poses with Talos and Jūtarō still blushing and averting his eyes from the camera because of awkwardness, after shows her that photos, Ms. Ziz asks him to pass her that photos, the young man questions her about the reason of that petition, but she just responses telling him is about an idea she got after saw those photos, something to help him with open his heart to Hephaestus, Jūtarō then thanks to Ms. Ziz for her time and bids farewell, he walks to the school's entrance to goes back to his bedroom in Dorm One, during his walk, he questions what was the idea Ms. Ziz had in mind to help him with his feelings toward Hephaestus.
Shinjuku Academy, Dormitory One
Jūtarō was taking a bath to clear his mind from all the things are happening at this moment, about the issue with his recovered memories and the other souls, he had an idea to try to endure the emotional weight, but about his crush for Hephaestus…he was still in blank, after get out from the bathtub and get dressed, he sits in his bed and looks the ring in his left hand, Salomon watches him with seriousness.
-You will do it, right Master? -the capra therian asks him, his master then pays attention to Salomon, setting aside his thoughts to talk with his little friend.
-I must, I need answers…and how to deal with this issue, I feel I could get crazy if I don't do something…- Jūtarō answers with the same tone, suddenly, Salomon handles the smartphone to his master.
-Call him…-Salomon tells him, but the reaction of his master wasn't the one he expected…
-Eh? – Jūtarō answers confused, his transient butler grunts with regret for that reaction.
-I said call him…-Salomon replies again, Jūtarō doesn't understands his reaction until he snaps and catches the flow of their conversation..
-you mean? …- the summoner said to his familiar and blushes out of nowhere with crimson tones.
-what else you think I was referring for? – the familiar berates him for his lack of attention.
-I believed you were meaning to the issue with my other souls, not about …- he tried to complete his argument, but he stops and his blush was getting redder than before, Salomon swears to have seen steam blows coming out from his master, he glares to the phone while he searches a phone number in the contact list from the App, after some minutes he finds the number he was searching, he presses the number in screen and waits to his contact picks up his call, Jūtarō was nervous and trembling while he was waiting at the phone, suddenly he hears a tone, and a deep and mellow voice sounds at the phone's speaker.
-h-hello? - after hear Hephaestus' voice at the phone, Jūtarō tries to compose himself and starts their conversation.
- H-hi Hephaestus…h-how are you?... umm…I called you know what you're doing…umm…can you help me with something…it's about something I got just recently a-and I-I would like to know if you could analyze it for m-me…until S-Sunday you say…O-ok, Sunday at 1:00 pm…ok…b-bye!...- his phone conversation was some awkward, but after finish it, Jūtarō felt lighter about his crush with him, there was a last thing to do that night, Salomon was getting ready to sleep while Jūtarō places his hands in a praying pose covering the ring, he closes his eyes and starts to make a pray quietly, hoping to receive the answers he needs.
-Souls from the other worlds in my being, if you can hear me, please assist me with your advice…because I'm starting to feel I'm losing myself, if you're here with me, make presence of yours…- he finished his pray, his familiar waits for him to sleep, after the lights were off, Jūtarō stays silent in the dark until feel drowsiness upon himself while Salomon snuggle in his master's arm.
In a dream
Jūtarō has his eyes closed, a feeling of lightness invades his body, and a familiar voice starts to call him alarmed by something happening in front of them…
-Master!, please wake up!, you must watch this!...- the little butler yells to his summoner, the young man opens his eyes slowly and grunts lightly because to Salomon's alarms.
-Sal…please, keep down your voice, I was…. WHAT THE…!- Jūtarō replies to Salomon until watches the environment around them, a replica of the cosmos was the stage offering them a display of stars floating in air, in front of them a group of 23 bright and colorful spheres hover over them, five of that orbs hover down to their height, the first one was had bright green tones and changed its shape to a luminous silhouette of a well-built figure with long spiky hair in front of Jūtarō .
-Well...you wanted to talk with us, right…young dragonborn? - that silhouette talked with a cocky yet cheerful tone, the summoner didn't know what to do with this situation, until remember the reason of this meeting.
-You answered to my pray, right? I wasn't sure if you could contact me…but now that we are here, I need you to respond some questions…- the summoner was some unsure about how to react, but at some way he managed to deal with this unusual situation keeping Salomon with him in his arms embracing it to give him some comfort, another soul orb, a red one, joined to the green silhouette changing into another male figure, but more fit and athletic than the buff silhouette, with its head covered with a some kind of veil.
-you called us, and we imagined you might need our help…so we made this dream to assist you, our incarnation- the red silhouette talked in a calm and elegant voice, then another orb comes down, this time a golden yellow one transformed into a silhouette of a lean human with multiple wings.
-tell us, what is the reason of your pray, our time in this dream is not long enough…- the golden figure talked in a serious and neutral tone, Jūtarō though for some minutes until he started to talk with the luminous figures, hoping to get answers to his doubts.
-About my memories from the past time loops, why in all of them a friend of mine kills me? it's unfair to them and to me…- his question wasn't answered until another soul, this time a purple colored orb changed into the silhouette of a plump figure surrounded by a dense mist to answer his first question.
-In the past Great Floods of Time over Tokyo, who is at the top of the game, it pulled the strings over the bonds you forged with the ones you cherished, the supreme rule doesn't care the consequences, it just desires to probe its supremacy, manipulate the heart is a mark of its ruthlessness, bring you death by loving hands is its way to show that whatever happens to Tokyo or the other worlds…we are like broken toys in its hands…- the plump figure responds in an otherworldly sound, its voice was like the voice of an ancient creature talking in a creepy but paternal tone.
-It is too necessary relive the pain of that memories? tell me, I feel that weight in my chest, and becomes unbearable everytime I feel its pressure, – he asked to the souls with angst.
-with pain comes strength, dragonborn…you need to make your heart strong in the upcoming war for the worlds, that pain will give you the resolution to fight for what you want to protect…- the green figure answered in a more serious tone.
-we fought against the avatar of the supreme rule in our worlds, but the supreme rule has no honor in its acts, its reasoning lies in its supposed divine will and omnipotence, in its self-ignorance and power as the will of universe- the yellow figure talked to the summoner, giving him hints about the philosophy behind the supreme rule.
-the key to stop the supreme rule lies in the bonds you make, find those who are capable to see the truth and set aside their vain pride to make them your allies, your friends even, but mostly…find the nemesis of the current World Representatives and rightful Pillars, those who had suffered pain and struggle, yet they keep the purity of their hearts intact and are unsullied from the poison of corruption the supreme rule oozes, because the ones seated at the thrones of their home world are corrupted since birth.- the red figure said those words to Jūtarō, the young man is flustered but keeps his cool during this reunion.
-this ring…what does it do? Why did you give it to me? - Jūtarō asks while he raise his hand and points to the ring.
-the Ring is a blessing and a curse…its past owner hand it to the wyrm rejecting its power and burden, the Ring and the Sword are the key to end the game…or keeping it…- the plump figure says with stern.
-if the game is over, the gates will close and the walls will fall? – the summoner asks to the souls.
-the walls will fall and the tower will disappear…but the damages are already done…the gates between worlds were opened by outside forces…the connected worlds will not be the same again…- the last soul, a blue colored one who keeps its orb form, said with a delicate yet mature voice, Jūtarō though for a second he listened that voice before…but he couldn't manage to remember that time.
-whatever happens, keep chins up…enjoy the peaceful times…keep close your friends in the heart…the worthy ones will come, the ring will tell you…- The luminous figures started to rise up from their place to join with the other souls leaving a last message to their incarnation, the blue soul stays at last and leaves another message to the summoner.
-please, keep your promise…-then, the blue soul joins to the plethora and the orbs spin around the summoner and his familiar making shine a bright light that illuminates that miniature cosmos, Jūtarō and Salomon wake up with the first sunshine hitting the window, what they dreamt was in part the answers he needed, but the ring was still a mystery to its owner.