"Trust isn't something that you can easily get, and yet it's so easy to fall apart, as if it was made with the poorest kind of material ever found in this filthy world of ours. So, tell me, will you let others trust you? And will you trust others that is within your surroundings? Maybe you don't know the exact answer for now. But I assure you, your journey is not going to be a short one. Play your cards wisely, Phantom Hunter."
[Second Arc "Overturning the Despair" starting up ．．．．．]
Chapter thirteen: "The world's tome."
"What do you mean by that?!" Is she even serious right now?!
The girl in front of me giggles deviously while walking up to me, "You're cute when you looked at me nervously, Nuit."
She stopped as her face is inches away from my chest. I forgot about our height differences.
Startled, I stepped back.
"Ah… are you scared? Or are you not liking the company? I thought to myself that having two other people with you is far more better than just one."
"Hikaru… I don't like the way she speaks… does she know about me?"
I mean, you did nullify her brainwash on me, right?
"N-no, I'm not! It's just… why? Why kill someone or a group that I don't even know?!"
"Weird. I thought you already met one of them. What was her name again? Ah, yes. Chika, Chika Hakozaki. She's the Oracle of Leanbox, by the way."
"Then I have more than one reason to not follow your order. She saved me and also Neptune, why would I kill those who saved my life?!"
Lady Kurome smiled at me, "Because… life is full of betrayals. Don't you feel the same?"
Her words ring inside my head, slowly becoming louder and louder.
"Hikaru, stay calm!"
Slowly, I couldn't control my breathing, and my hands are shaking furiously.
Why? What's the reason behind all of this? Where's the important clue when I needed it the most?!
"N-no… I won't do it. I don't want to and that's final."
Lady Kurome tilted her head, "Really now? Well, that's a shame. You are talented, so I thought why not use the sharpest tool in the shed? I saw your performance during the tournament too, you know. You really are interesting."
"And I still want to refuse. I don't care what kind of task you're going to give, but if it's related to the national scale, I'm not scared to say no."
My hands are still shaking but I try to glare at Lady Kurome. She clicked her tongue and shrugged.
"Well, suit yourself. I get it, it's a big burden to handle, no? Then, how about another task?"
"If it involves killing the innocent, then I'll just walk to our hideout without listening to your words, Lady Kurome."
"You're becoming pretty bold, aren't you? I just want you to find S-Eyeless again. You're responsible for her actions and everything."
I think for a second. Come to think of it, where is she?
"….As you wish. I'll go look for her."
Lady Kurome smiles, "Why thank you. You smell horrible, by the way. Were you having trouble fighting them? I see you lose a huge amount of blood, and yet you're still able to walk. Pretty interesting, no?"
"Y-yeah, I think so…" Seeing her smile like this… where have I seen that kind of smile before?
*ROAAARRR!*
Out of nowhere, a huge wolf-like monster that looks like the one I saw at Gapain field came out of nowhere, leaping towards Lady Kurome and I.
I immediately pull my gun, and as the monster swung its claw-!
"Zero Bullet: Shoot!"
As I shot the monster, infused with Grimoire's mana, the wind pressure that surrounds said bullet made it look like a missile. A solid hit to the monster's head, and its body exploded into tiny pixels. Damn, I'm good at this.
Lady Kurome clapped her hands, "Amazing work, Nuit. I think you're a natural at hunting things. Don't you think so too?"
I lowered my gun as I turned my body in the opposite direction of her.
"Where are you going?"
Without looking back, I answered: "I realized that I forgot something. I'll look it up now."
As I keep on walking, I can feel Lady Kurome's eyes still following me.
"Are you trying to disobey me now?"
Her words made me stopped on my track. Just like that, I'm standing still. Frozen in fear. My chest slowly getting colder and colder, hands shaking furiously. No, now is really not the time to be a scaredy cat, dammit! I should go to some random place where I could find some weird halo on the sky or something like that, and maybe I can be a giant! Okay, that was stupid.
Oh great, now I can't breathe properly. The pressure between me and Lady Kurome became even stronger, as if mother nature trying to give punishment.
"…I'm not. I just need some time to think. I don't have anyone to go to, after all. You simply made me as your helper because I told you to let those two girls free. And weren't you say I must find S-Eyeless too? I'm not disobeying just because I helped you in the first place!"
I turned around to glare at her empty eyes. I do feel some sort of… familiarity with those eyes of her though…
"What's with the sudden change, Nuit? Back then, you're so pathetic you couldn't even recover from my little attack properly. I did ask Arfoire to make a medicine for you, bet you didn't know that. And now you're glaring at me, thinking that you would get away with that?"
Lady Kurome snapped her fingers, and before I knew it, purple chains emerged from the ground, stabbing through my limbs and strangling my neck. But I still cannot feel pain from them. Seriously, what is wrong with my body?!
Lady Kurome walked slowly towards me, each step of hers made the chains around my body tightens themselves, making me even harder to breathe.
"I should have told you that I won't pull my punches, even towards those who worked for me. That includes you, Nuit. If you think that you could get away with such a foolish attitude like that, I can't assure you that you won't lose some brain cells after I'm done with you."
She held my chin and raised my head to make our eyes meet, her hand is cold, colder than ice.
"You are pathetic."
A single jab at the stomach, making me grasp for air.
Coughing desperately, I weakly glared at Lady Kurome. Damn… my sight is… not good right now…
"Oh? Still have the courage to glare at me? You really do need some punishment after all. Now I'm not the type to punish her underlings by hand… but it appears you're a special case!"
The lady in black raised her left hand, a sword appeared made of purple flames. I don't know why, but the sword feels nostalgic for me…
"Maybe losing your head would make you realize that disobeying me is a bad idea."
Just like the time when I fought Lady Neptune and the rest, time somewhat moved slower. Now my head is literally ringing so hard I don't think I couldn't wake up without the help of an alarm clock.
*BZZZZZT!*
"Really now, having a trouble over some trivial things is not your lifestyle, no? To think that you couldn't even lift a finger to free yourself. Should I teach you things from the basics? Ah, no. You don't need my guide anymore. You just need to fan your flame more. The fire that will spark another life or death situation. So, what will you do?"
"Well, you have my blood sleeping within you. Time and space doesn't matter, we're far beyond that. So, if you do need help, don't be afraid to admit your defeat. And meet me at that promised place."
*BZZZZZT!*
"GET OUT OF MY FUCKING HEAD!"
My right arm broke the chains that stabbed it without me knowing it, and I clenched my fist.
"BROKEN SOUL FINISH!"
My fist came into contact with Lady Kurome's sword, creating a ripple-like wind effect that came from the impact. Chains that tangled me broke down in seconds, and the powerful gust of wind made some distance between me and Lady Kurome.
"W-what is this power?!" Lady Kurome gritted her teeth as she tried to balance her body, but due to the close range she can't keep up her fight.
Meanwhile, I'm rolling around the field, trying to decrease my speed by grabbing the grass around me. I don't want to hit another boulder after all.
"Hikaru! Are you okay?! You're not in the condition to use that move, you know!"
'Save your scolding for later, Grimoire! I thought it's a bad idea, too… but there's no other way!'
I coughed violently as my ears continue to ring. I don't think I made a good impression with Lady Kurome now.
Lady Kurome kneeled on the ground, coughing as well, although not violently as I am.
"Oh my… to think that you could knock me away like this… you sure got some guts…"
I struggled to stand up, looking at Lady Kurome. I need to be extremely careful.
But, what's surprising is that…
Her body is glitching out. As if she put on a magic trick on me.
"You could easily put my clone down with a little force… judging from your encounter at Leanbox against the mysterious man I still don't know about, that last attack… was it only your 5% capacity?"
She stood up quickly, still looking at me.
"I look forward to see your advanced growth, Nuit. Your chaotic scale is a 3.5 out of 10 if I do say so myself. Well, I already knew where this is going. You're simply dancing on my palm, and you'll regret every wrong step you chose. See you."
Lady Kurome, or what I presume to be her clone, disappeared into thin air. And along with her disappearance, the atmosphere became normal.
"Hah… hah… what was that about? That voice…"
I lightly grabbed my hair. My hair waving around thanks to the night breeze.
"Grimoire… I really don't know what should I do anymore…" I started to talk. It seems she's listening.
"I did a pretty awful move… and I knew my actions today would be another step to my end sooner or later. But… I still can't seem to get my memories back. No matter how hard I tried, no matter how many pain I felt… what should I do from now on?!"
"Hikaru…"
"X is gone! Without him, I can't even do anything right! Your help is good and all, but X is like… I don't want to admit it, but I would've been dead without him!"
"I know that I'm not much of a help myself! I tried hard, so please don't carry the burden on yourself! I… I also have a mission carry. I somewhat remember…"
"Remember what?"
"Someone told me to help you to unlock your memories, because… because if you don't, Gamindustri will-!"
*SLASH!*
"Guh-!" Blood flew out my mouth as I got attacked from behind, but… why does I felt pain again?
"Hikaru!"
"You really should watch out. I wonder why you are still able to breathe up to this point. I should have reminded him to stab you twice, apparently."
No good, I can't move my body properly. All my limbs felt so weak, eyes dilating, sweat pouring endlessly. No, I… I need to do something…!
"Well, I'll kill you and take the reward for myself. Farewell, Phantom Hunter."
Everything became slow for me, it's not because of some disturbance from a third being, or from some magic effects someone casted at me.
It was…
The fear of death.
A clean cut to my right hand, severing it from my body within seconds.
"GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" My scream echoed throughout the forest, being carried away by the night breeze.
"HIKARU!"
"You should be prepared. This is your fate. Once you have killed one of us, there is no going back. It seems no goddesses are smiling at you know."
Goddammit, I'm losing blood in a quick pace!
"Hikaru, we need to escape! I'll try to stop the bleeding, just try to evade the attacks!"
My vision is in a very bad state right now, you know!
A sound of a sword being raised could be heard, making me aware that the one in front of me is a heavy fighter type. Oh great, I can't see anything clearly now.
"Die."
*SWING!*
"Kuh-!" I rolled my body to the right, and I could hear the sound of a sword sinking into the ground.
I raised my left hand and try to hit the enemy I'm facing, dashing towards it.
"BROKEN SOUL FINISH!"
I couldn't see well now, but I do hear the sound of explosion. Did I nailed it?
"You missed."
What?!
"Farewell, Hikaru."
The being thrusted its sword towards my stomach, stabbing through my parka and shirt as if they're made of paper.
"S-shit… Is… Is this… it?"
"It is, indeed. You have done well by eliminating one of our member. But we cannot let you walking freely in Gamindustri with that power of yours. Her Majesty herself told me to execute you personally. But I haven't met her in person, thus I have the rights to suspect her. I shall not kill you personally, I shall let time kill you off slowly and painfully instead. You should thank me, at least you can break out from your sins, this way."
The sword is slowly being pulled away from my stomach, blood coming out from the deep wound it gave me.
I slowly fall to my knees, my body won't even respond to my commands anymore, and my mind is so blank now I couldn't hear Grimoire. And not long after that, my face kissed the bloodied grasses.
"To think that the inheritor of that power is so easy to kill. Hmph, so a tale is nothing but a tale, after all."
I can feel the being slowly walked away, hearing from its footsteps, that is.
I wonder what would happen if Neptune saw me at this disappointing state. Would she cry? Would she become a walking mess of hatred? Would she become a serial killer?! I don't know, and I really don't want to.
Speaking about Neptune, I wonder what would happen if Neptune and Lady Neptune meet? Well, I don't think it would be that much of a deal for them.
Oh wow, am I actually doing this? This is like one of the comics Steamax's been talking about, well the cliché parts of it, that is. About how the main character would talk on and on inside his head as he slowly died and lastly going up in hell.
Speaking about hell, I wonder what hell is. X told me that it's packed with demons and damned humans… and children who died during Christmas. Wait a moment, what is Christmas? Guess I'll never know, and I probably will know hell instead.
Ah… my head feels even lighter than before… blood loss is really a problem, huh? Of course, a severe clean cut makes it even worse for me. But all is fair in war. I'm surprised that thing didn't decapitate my head to instantly kill me. But guess that thing is the type to kill its opponent slowly and painfully.
And as my head feels lighter than a feather, comes the noisy ring inside it as well. I couldn't even hear Grimoire's scream anymore.
I didn't know why, but as my body is slowly surrounded by a pool made by my own blood, I smiled and my mouth moved to say something, but nothing came out. Not even a moan of a dying animal. Only the taste of iron remains
But as I close my eyes, I could hear silent footsteps coming towards my dying self. But I could tell it's not the being who put me in this state. I sure hope it's the grim reaper, I don't want to stay too long in this world.
'I have no regrets.'
"….."
"….."
"…Nuit."
"….Wake up…"
Something's calling me? What's with the delay per sentences? Also, that's a very feminine voice right there.
And now, my cheeks felt warm, little by little.
*PINCH!*
"OUCH!" My eyes snapped open and my head moved up suddenly. Thanks to that sudden movement, I became a little bit dizzy. Way to go, me.
Wait a sec, that's not the point here!
"What the-! My right arm!" I looked at my right arm that was supposed to be severed from my body. It's still there?!
"...Thank goodness."
Wait, that voice…
I looked behind, and what looked back at me is the familiar mask that I knew.
"S-Eyeless?"
The silent assassin-like figure before me nodded slowly, still wearing her cloak that covers her entire body.
'She's still the same huh?' I thought as she looked away with no apparent reason at all.
"Wait a minute! How did I get my right arm back?!" I really should be less off topic now.
"…I healed it."
What?
"You… healed it?"
S-Eyeless nodded, "…Hm. I do know how to scatter things around and putting them back together. And I also stitched up your clothes… you're very messy." She stood up and offered her hand, which I accept.
"…But I think you wouldn't know the reference I'm talking about." Huh?
"You know, you seemed… different."
S-Eyeless tilted her head a little, "…How so?"
I laughed while scratching the back of my head, "I don't know, but you seem… more talkative than usual!"
"…Then I'll not talk too much."
"No no no, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing!"
"…I see."
I sighed in relief as she seems to be fine with my current explanation. She sure is tricky.
"Wait, I didn't know you wear a choker." A black choker is seen on her neck, with a full moon emblem thing on the right side of the choker.
"…I just bought it. What do you think?"
I nodded while smiling, "Looks great on you. By the way, where were this past few-!"
*BZZZZZT!*
"I wouldn't trust her, if I were you…"
*BZZZZZT!*
H-huh? W-what was that?
I can feel my heart slowly throbbing again, but something is definitely wrong. Who said that? The tone sounds like as if it was Grimoire, but I haven't felt her presence ever since my 'death', and it's definitely not X as well, I mean that's a female voice!
"…Are you okay?"
"I'm fine… just a little confused…"
"…Confused? About what?" Can you stop asking unnecessary questions?
"N-nothing serious. Anyway, yeah where were you this past few days?"
She looked away, "…Doing some stuffs." Well that's one vague answer.
"Okay… Hold on, what did my body look like when you found me here?"
She thought for a moment, "…Just like any limp body. Instead you're just missing your arm, the distance is approximately two meters."
If what she said is true, where did my pool of blood go? And there's no traces of blood on my body either.
"…I have something to give you, tell Kurome I say hello." S-Eyeless said as she puts a card on my hand.
"This is…?"
"A card I found, it's a two-card set. I have the other pair." She pulled out a card out of nowhere and showed it to me. The card has a wing design on the front, and blue flames could be seen on the background.
The card she gave me has the same wing, but it looks like it's the right side. Red flames on the background could be seen.
I think I've seen these cards before, but I forgot. Eh, a card is still a card.
"Thanks! I'll keep it."
"Oh you should definitely keep it… Anyway… See you…" She whispered as she walked past me. And before I could turn around, she's already gone.
"Huh… ah crap I'm too tired…" I complain as my lay myself on the field.
As far as I can recall, after the tournament… Rom, was it? She pointed out how my chest was bleeding. Hell, I still have the medicine Compa gave to me in my bag. But now…
"No blood at all, not even a stain."
I sighed in a mix of confusion and exhaustion. No matter how many times I say this; I really don't get what's going on.
"And he's gone too… I mean, he sometimes puts a strain on me as well but… where are you, X?"
*BZZZZZT!*
Oh lord, not this again…
I slowly puts my palm on my face, huh I've been sweating a lot, too.
"*huff*… *huff*… I don't know why, but… I'm suffocating…"
Also, was that mysterious figure that 'killed' me is the same figure as the one who stabbed me back at the old factory? But then again, the figure from last night wielded a sword, and the one at the factory used a spear…
"…Dammit I can't think about any of these craps!"
Seriously, I just want to be a goddamned farmer if there's any open job. I just don't like this… this… unnecessary feelings in my chest! Oh, great now I'm struggling to breathe again. Are my lungs fucked or something?!
Wait, I can feel her emotions through my chest right? Does this mean…
"Grimoire, are you ok- GAH DAMMIT NOT THE TIME YOU STUPID BRAIN!" I cursed at my stupid excuse of a brain as I held my head tightly.
I rolled around on the field, trying to tune down this hazy feeling that slowly eats away my mental strength.
"Yeah… this is going nowhere." I grumbled as I stand up.
Now, Lady Kurome told me to look for S-Eyeless, but she was here so I think I should go back to the hideout? But she'll probably kill me after last night…
I thought for a moment, and that itself took me a hard time to concentrate.
"Yeah, going to her isn't a good idea, and staying here will give me the cold anyways… what's with the temperature lately? It's like dropping a lot after my match with Glenn…"
Wait, what did I just say? Glenn?
"Oh, don't tell me…" I mumble as I took my wallet out of my pocket.
The wallet Grimoire gave me has multiple slots where I can put my cards so I put the cards I got from Glenn and Altair in here by the way.
"It is because of you, isn't it?" I said, pulling the card that has Glacies in the picture.
"I'll probably gonna freeze to death if you don't know, so please don't do that." Hell, my hand is freezing just by holding the card.
I somehow could feel warmth slowly spreading on my hand. Seems the stupid dragon understands who's the boss around my body.
That sounds weird, but let's move on.
"Right. So… where should I go…"
*BZZZZZT!*
"…sorry…"
Okay what in the actual hell is happening? And am I the only one who used 'hell' as a swear word even though I don't know what is hell?
"…I'm…sorry…"
"Okay, now I'm legit scared. But the sounds seem to go… that way?"
I don't know why but the voice seems to be from another side of the forest, away from Lady Kurome's place.
"…It's better to find out, even though my curiosity killed the cat, which is… me."
I jogged and silently prayed to myself that checking this predicament is a good idea. If it's not…
I'll just wing it, I guess.
"….I'm….sorry…."
Hearing that the voice becomes much clearer than before, I changed my speed and now I'm outright running to what I assumed to be the source of said mysterious voice.
"Come on, legs I know you're all tired but come on!" Why am I yelling at my own legs is beyond me.
I stopped running as I'm way too close to the source. I peek through some trees.
A girl, well what seems to be, is being surrounded by a pack of Fenrirs. She seemed like she was kneeling? And the Fenrirs seems to keep circling here.
"Goddammit…" I don't think I could fend off the Fenrirs without getting hurt.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…. I'm sorry!"
The Fenrirs howled and rushed in towards the girl, that's not a gentle way of killing something you know!
"Screw it! Back off you stupid wolves!"
*BANG!* *BANG!* *BANG!*
Weirdly I couldn't tap into Grimoire's mana so I'm basically fighting alone here. I shoot the ground to scatter the monsters' focus and tried to redirect their sight to me instead. It succeeded as I quickly rolled to protect the girl.
Alright, what to do now? Worst case scenario I'll be getting eaten alive by these hungry pack, or I'll become so tired I'll die of exhaustion. To die now or die later, maybe.
I put in some more bullets quickly as I fixed my attention towards the Fenrirs, hand ready to shoot.
Some of them growled at me while others seem rather calm, though. Guess now I know which one the elder type is.
"If you guys don't want to die into weird particles, I recommend you guys to NOT jump at me."
Not like they understand, but it's better to try.
I keep circling the girl who is currently still terrified to do anything while the Fenrirs kept on circling the two of us.
*BZZZZZT!*
Wait a minute… what was that? Glacies?
"Well if you're the one who said it, I'll gladly take your offer! Mana Sync: Ice Dragon Emperor Glacies! Freeze X Order Shoot!"
Just like a certain evil professor from a certain mobile game Steamax introduced to me said; I believe it's time for an explanation!
I raised my gun up in the air and shoots up. The bullet became infused with apparently Glacies' mana. The bullet then exploded into a thick smoke that has ice particles all over, making it hard for the Fenrirs to see even if they have sharper eyes than a normal being.
"Now's my chance! Oh goddammit she's passed out too!" I cursed slightly as I carried the unconscious girl on my back and quickly ran towards the city. Seems the plan is working perfectly, the Fenrirs are still confused it seems.
"Come on, quick, quick, quick you motherfucking legs! FIGHTING SPIRIT AAAAAAAAA"
And, as I idiotically rushed my way, I screamed my lungs out. But something's weird, why does this girl reminds me of… someone I know?
The sense of familiar warmth creeps itself towards my whole body coming from my back, making me somehow relaxed.
"I needed more answers than I needed more questions now." I said vexingly.
I catch my breath as I arrived once again in the city. Thank goodness everyone didn't give me weird looks. I might as well look like a guilty man here.
"Damn, what even am I gonna do now… come to think of it, this girl has absolutely no weight at all. Weird." Like she's a feather, if I should put it.
I saw a what seems to be a city guard, so I walk towards the man.
"Hey, can I ask you for help?"
The guard immediately salutes. Wow now this is what I call service.
"Sir! And what might the predicament be?"
"Uhh… I found this girl when I went to Virtua Forest to collect some herbs, I don't think she has injuries but when I found her she was surrounded by a pack of Fenrirs."
The guard gasped, "Oh my! What horrible accident!" He said with a freaked-out tone.
"Yeah, and I want you to guide me to the Basilicom if you can. I don't think she has an ID card with her so there's nothing much help I get right here."
"Of course, certainly! Shall I call the ambulance as well?"
I nodded, "That would be much appreciated."
Wait, what the heck is an ambulance?
Sooner after the guard called for this 'ambulance', a white vehicle with a white and red design came.
From the rear end of the vehicle's doors came two people with similar uniform, one of them brought this mattress with… wheels on it? They told me to carefully rest the unconscious girl onto said mattress so I did what they told me. The guard told them that this is a special case, however, and requested them to take me and the mysterious girl to the Basilicom.
Oh wait. This is the vehicle on hospitals isn't it.
I sat on the back of the ambulance alongside with the sleeping girl. On another note, some people looked on the commotion I made but I don't care.
I held the girl's hand, I don't know what's the answer but I knew this source of warmth. I just don't know why I knew about it.
'Just be safe. Please.'
*BZZZZZT!*
"To think you've found one of the secrets this quickly. I have got to say, aren't you accelerating things up a little bit?"
*BZZZZZT!*
"*sigh*… I don't even care about my headaches anymore. What's the point of all these ridiculous things, anyways?"
The ambulance stopped, that didn't take too long.
The two people from before told me they'll take care of the rest, and I should wait for the Oracle on the Basilicom's lounge. Which I agreed, all these turns of events are making me exhausted.
And here I am, sitting alone in the lounge. The Basilicom for Planeptune is kinda nice though, it has this kind of royalty feel to it but there's some casual hints mixed in, not like Lastation's Basilicom. Well that's just my opinion.
"Still, I'm kind of curious about that girl… who is she?" I asked the same question that's been at my head again and again.
"Ah, Hikaru-san! It's nice to see you again!"
Out of nowhere, Nepgear came smiling as usual.
I nodded and smiled back, "Yeah. Did they find out anything more about the girl?" let's go straight to the main problem.
"Hmm… not for the moment, ah! You're not on any task, right?"
"Not really. I'm pretty much free, so I'm fine being called Hikaru." Not like there's anything that'll happen on a big scale anyways.
But she immediately become worried, "But is your wounds okay? You should have rest!" Wait, now she's scolding me?
"Ah… yeah, about my wound, I already treated it. My friend knew some potion that works well, and the medicine Compa gave me helps a lot, too." A half-lie, but just to make her feel reassured.
She sighed after hearing my explanation, "That's good! But don't overdo yourself, Onee-chan is… well, they're kind of competitive."
"Well, I can see that."
"Nepgear, have you greeted our guest?" hmm? Who's that?
I followed Nepgear's eyes, and my eyes widened.
No way. No fucking way.
I'm so shocked I stood up immediately, it's not a dream, right? It's not delusion, right?!"
"So you are the person Neptune's told me. Greetings, I'm Histoire. What is your name?"
Who is currently facing me and Nepgear is… it is her!
"Histoire!" I'm crying tears of joy now!
"Ah! P-please, restraint yourself!"
What I'm doing right now is, well I hugged Histoire so tightly right now, her floating book is still floating. I can't believe it, it's her!
"Aargh, please let me go!" Histoire is still trying to break free from me.
"H-Hikaru-san, please! Histoire might have turned into a pancake!"
Thinking about a flattened up Histoire, I immediately let go. Well, that was embarrassing.
"*Cough!* *Cough!*…. Well I can't say that I'm okay with that, but… continuing where we left off, what is your name?" Histoire repeated her question.
"Wait… Histoire, you don't remember me?"
It seems that Histoire and Nepgear could feel the hopelessness from my sentence, the two of them looked at each other with a confused look is a solid proof.
"I-I'm sorry, but I believe this is the first time we've met."
What… did she just say?
"You don't remember me? H-hey, you must be joking right? You remember Ace? Leo and Max? Surely you remember!"
"I'm sorry. As much as I do want to remember those names, I have no idea about them."
She sounds like she's really certain about it. Ah, great, more puzzle pieces for this huge mystery. I'm currently at a bad state, physically and mentally, and if I acted irrationally everyone would think I'm some kind of madman. Should I act like I expect this to happen?
"I see… ah, sorry about… my thing earlier. My name is… Hikaru, nice to meet you again, Histoire." I greeted her, and the 'again' part I said it under my breath.
"Hikaru? Now your name sounds familiar… anyway, Neptune and I would love to thank you for helping the unconscious girl. As the Oracle of Planeptune, it is my absolute duty to help Neptune out as a CPU, like other Oracles. But since the Shift Period started, rumors broke through the internet, making each CPUs' situations worse. But even then, to think there's almost another victim…"
I raised my eyebrow, "Victim?"
The fairy nodded, "Yes. There are multiple cases recently that involves children to teenagers, mostly girls. In Virtua Forest as well."
'It's probably Miss Arfoire' I thought to myself.
"I see… well, the girl I found was surrounded by a pack of Fenrirs but the weird thing is she couldn't even speak, let alone letting out a voice when she screamed. But I'm sure I heard her voice. Is there any injury at her neck?"
Histoire nodded once again, "Unfortunately, you are right. There are marks on her neck and shoulders. It's probably because of the Fenrirs that surrounded her."
I thought for a moment, if the girl couldn't let out a voice, how could I heard her? Telepathy? No, wait… telepathy requires magic…
"Lady Histoire, may I see this girl?"
"Eh?! I-I mean, yes you may. Nepgear, please take… Hikaru-san to the infirmary."
Wait this place has an infirmary?
Not long after that, Nepgear told me to follow her.
"Wait."
I turned around, looking at Histoire. Her expression looks… sad, for some reason.
"I don't know anything about you, that I'm certain. But please, will you visit again sometimes?"
"I appreciate the invitation, but I don't think I can. I… I have a mission to do, I think." I answered.
"I see… Hikaru-san? Do you mind if I ask you a bit of your time after you have finished checking on the girl? I believe I sensed something… familiar within you."
I think for a moment, and I smiled.
"Yeah, I can at least do that to pay you and Lady Neptune for helping the unconscious girl."
Without saying a reply, Histoire nodded at me, smiling.
And as I continue following Nepgear towards the infirmary, I could've sworn Histoire kept on staring at my back.
"This is the infirmary, Hikaru-san. I have told the nurse that you are allowed to visit but they say it is recommended to wear gloves and masks." Nepgear explained, still smiling as usual.
"Right."
I wore rubber gloves and a mask, both of them green in color. I see, in order for me not to get infected, huh? If there is any infection being diagnosed within her, that is.
"Excuse us." I opened the door.
The smell of medicine is pretty strong here, but the design is… normal, I guess. Well, I'm not normal so I don't know what is normal and what is not normal.
There's a nurse that stayed near the unconscious girl that I saved. Huh, I noticed that the workers on the Basilicom so far is a woman, where's the dudes at?
"Good day, Lady Nepgear. Is this the man who saved the girl?" The nurse asks. Oof, you could just ask me directly, right?
Nepgear nodded, "Yes. He asked me if it's alright to check on her."
"Absolutely. But I got to say, she really is a lucky one." The nurse started to speak.
"Lucky one?" now I'm interested.
"Yes. I scanned her body and it seems to me that she really doesn't have the chance to live anymore. The injury on her neck area is severe, even though it didn't look like one. And her internal organs are mostly destroyed… in a weird manner. It's not like the Fenrirs attacked her, no. If what I assume to be true, they're simply interested. But nevertheless the final conclusion is that she should have been dead right about now."
"Hold on. In a weird manner? Are there any autopsy reports?" I asked. I don't know why but I feel like there's something going on right now.
"I currently do not have it at the moment, but even if I have it is a very delicate matter."
"So you're saying Hikaru-san cannot see or check the reports?"
"Yes. I am truly sorry."
*BZZZZZT!*
Goddamit, not again…
Wait, what's this feeling?
Something popped up in my head. I don't know if this works, but…
"Nurse, can I check on the girl? I think I may get a clue for what I've been searching for." A lie, but whatever.
"Um, sure…?"
I walk towards the bed and gently raise the girl's arm. Let's see… if my idea is correct…
"Hmm…"
Her skin is a little bit pale, probably because of massive loss of stamina, but if that is correct, her heartbeat would've been so slow right now.
"If this girl knows how to use telepathy…"
Should I really do this?
*BZZZZZT!*
"I know you can do it. You're the one, after all."
*BZZZZZT!*
Goddamned voices ruining my mood…
I slowly took a deep breath, and…
*BEEP!* *BEEP!*
The nurse hurriedly checked on what appears to be a screen that has the girl's heartbeat shown on it.
"Wait, what did you do?" She asks, a tone of shock and amusement filled her question.
"Eh? Eh? What is going on?" okay that's just comical Nepgear.
"I simply pressed a little bit harder, no tricks."
Again, that was a horrible lie. What I actually do is I gave some of Glacies' mana to the girl's body. Come to think on it Grimoire hasn't talk lately. What's up with her?
"This is amazing! No one except for the CPUs could do thing like this! Even some S+ tier magician couldn't do such a feat!"
"Maybe that's because they use magic?" I bluffed. Well, I did as well.
"Hikaru-san, are you an expert at medical fields? Could it be you're a renowned doctor that gains fame even though you have no license?" What is Nepgear talking about again?
"Hmm… I don't think that's right. I just…"
*BZZZZT!*
"….I just knew how to."
I looked at the girl once more.
Her hairstyle is short, with navy blue as the color. It seems that she's a bit better now. Thank goodness for that.
*BZZZZZT!*
"Gah…!"
I grabbed my head with my right hand as I try to keep standing straight.
"Hikaru-san?!"
"I'm fine… I'm a little… fatigued, is all… Goddammit what is wrong with my head…"
I excused myself to Nepgear and the nurse whilst thanking her for looking over the unconscious girl.
As I left the infirmary, and still holding my head mind you, I walked with my left hand on the wall to help me keep my balance.
*BZZZZZT!*
*BZZZZZT!*
"…Stop it… Dammit…"
*BZZZZZT!*
*BZZZZZT!*
*BZZZZZT!*
"Onii-chan. I got you a present…!"
*BZZZZZT!*
And the massive shitstorm stopped.
"….What in the actual hell…. I need to do something about this…"
"Hikaru-san."
A fairy that is sitting on a tome -Histoire- is in front of me. I didn't realize but apparently she made her way here when I averted my eyes.
"Lady Histoire…"
Her dull blue eyes looked at me straight at the eye, giving me a slight shiver.
"W-what is it?"
"I need to have a little talk with you… I sensed something familiar with me within you, and that may be a huge problem for Neptune and the other CPUs. May I take your time? I believe your schedule is free."
I took a deep breath, "You really are the tome of this world, huh… Fine, I'll spill the beans. On one condition though."
With my headache gone, I curled up a fist.
"I want you to not tell the CPUs about anything that I said, as I am still unsure myself. Considering you are the world's tome, you knew about my status as an amnesiac, right?"
The fairy nodded, "Yes."
"Alright, and one more thing."
"What is it?"
"I need your help to track down a certain group… you may already know as well."
"I believe it would take me three days, three hours, three minutes and three seconds to do a research about that group."
I laughed at her sassy remarks and walked past her, "Yeah, yeah. So, where do we start…"
She floated beside me as I tell her about everything I knew in a hushed voice. Drops of lies mixed in the truth, I try my best not to ruin my secret plan.
"How's the progress?"
"Yes. We have found most of the parts. But the thing is… where's the console I wonder?"
"Tch, that thing is going to be a pain to find. Anyway, where is Neptune?"
"She left the Leanbox hospital, or so I've heard. I didn't get any messages from her."
"…alright."
"What should I do… he's practically trapped within my schemes, but… what is this aching feeling in my chest? ….no matter, time for my attack is near. I can't wait to see this rotten world to burn endlessly!"
{END OF CHAPTER THIRTEEN. SAVE THE PROGRESS?}
{YES} / {NO}
A/N: Hey there, SK07 here. Sorry for the… long hiatus. I'm not proud of it but apparently life is throwing lots of garbage to me until now(quite fitting as I am a garbage myself). God bless I'm still breathing properly until today. I thank you all for still keeping up with me, and yes, it's the second Arc (and final… or is it?) of this story. I have lots of plans in stock for this story, and I think I have lay out all the lores for this story. Will Hikaru found the reason why he's resurrected may be revealed in this Arc… if I say so, haha! That is all for now, adieu!
~Next chapter's preview~
"So, you are saying that they are related to the current Shift Period?"
"What took you so long?!"
"….I will fight alongside you."
"…..Uzume?"
Next Chapter: "Two sides of a coin"
"I love you so much, Dad. I also love you as well, Mommy. So why? Was there any meaning to my existence? Why am I abandoned? What kind of sin did I commit that rewards me such gruesome and painful punishment? What is it that I do wrong?! I didn't know anything, and so I searched for a guide. But all I got is nothing but a strayed soul… I'm okay. I'm fine. I really am. That is why I'm coming to you, instead of hiding behind the shadows. I'm going to fix whatever sin I have commit. Please wait for me…. Onii-chan. You will meet a different despair soon!"