Chapter 6 Inner Darkness Part 2

For the first time in...well, ever, I felt like everything was right. There was this light and warmth spreading through my body as I took a stroll with Lucky and his owner. It was troubling, yet comforting. It was familiar, yet foreign. I felt like I had come across an old childhood friend that I haven't spoken to in years.

Lucky chased after a squirrel. The squirrel took him in a frenzied loop all over the park before scurrying skittishly up a tree. Lucky barked at the squirrel, wanting to get it but unable to climb.

"Do you like dogs?" the boy asked me.

"Umm...I guess." I replied.

"What do you mean 'you guess?'" He laughed. "Are you actually a cat person and are afraid of hurting my feelings?"

I didn't answer. Not because I was a cat person, but rather because I wasn't. I wasn't a cat person or a dog person. I hadn't been exposed to either long enough to be able to form a specific preference.

"I don't know," I said. I figured honesty would probably be the best policy to adhere to in this scenario. The boy laughed.

"Oh, okay," he said. "You like both."

I smiled.

"I guess I do."

We made our way across the bridge. When we got to the halfway point, I felt someone grab my shoulder.

"Hi, Eas!"

The blood in my veins froze as my heart stopped. It...why was Westar here?

"Oh man, Eas, I've been looking for you everywhere! I'm glad I finally found you."

I turned around slowly. I felt Lucky's owner grab my hand gently.

"Setsuna, who is Eas?"

Westar laughed in a genuinely hearty way.

"I've gotta say Eas, I was really worried when you ran away. I was wondering if the glitch was starting to affect your brain."

I gritted my teeth in fury.

"It wasn't a glitch."

Westar stares at me in a shocked surprise.

"What?"

"It wasn't a glitch, Westar! I was chosen by Akarun!"

Westar sighed and shook his head. He looked sad, which was not how I was used to seeing him. Bumbling and clumsy perhaps.

"I knew you would say that. It seems that I was right after all; the glitch has affected your brain." He softly takes my hand. "I'm taking you to Lord Moebius."

"What!? NO!"

"Come on Eas. Lord Moebius wants what is best for you."

"He wants me DEAD, Westar! Do you think that is what is best for me?"

Westar is now glaring at me.

"Are you asking me to question, Lord Moebius?"

"Yes I am!" I scream. "He is not someone that we should be following! He does not give us anything in return for our services!"

"He is a good and caring ruler," Westar objects.

"How do you know!? Westar, we've never even seen him! You, me, and Soular are supposed to be his most trusted servants, and we don't even know what he looks like!"

Westar grits his teeth, in a similar fashion to what I just did.

"Those darn Precure!" Then his face softens into sadness again. "Eas, they've poisoned your mind!"

"No, Westar," I said firmly. "They've opened my mind."