Hello again, everyone! It's very good to see you again. AT LEAST, this chapter 5 is finished! Phew! These last three months really make me freaking lazy, and not to mention I got work. Nice. I'm truly, truly sorry for everyone who've been waiting so LONG for this next update, but I work at it like a sleeping snail. Great. Of course I'm serious at updating (and eventually complete) this story, but my laziness get the best of me recently. I'm sorry, very sorry, so please forgive my lazy mind.
For all of you to know, I NEVER, EVER, give up on completing any of my stories. It's true I barely update any of them within months (and years to few), but even it took me years to complete them, I will do it. The trouble is I'm lazy, I got work, and I can't work on multiple stories at once. I should do one first, and once it's done, the other. Again, please forgive my slow speed in updating my stories. But regardless of the time, I hope the quality of my stories came up to your expectations, dear readers.
Well, enough of my apology. This Chapter might be a little hard on the edge, dark, and heavy, but that's how I came up with Renee's and Pamela's pasts. It took me some extra time to work on the Pamela one, since some freaking good analysis is required. Hope it answer your curiosities on what happened to Renee and Pamela so they become the way they are in Mana Khemia. Enjoy!
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Disclaimer: All characters of Mana Khemia are belongs to Gust and NIS America, not me. So don't attack me with a fire skill! My Fire RES is quite good, but still... Oh, the characters' new skills, new items, new etc. and this story are mine.
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Note: BGM means the background music which is playing during the story; it's taken from the game (replayable in the Extras-Music), and it changes every time a new one is written. Hear (or imagine) them while read this fanfic, and you'll enjoy it more!
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New Resolve
By superecho
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Chapter 5: Hearts and Shadows
/
Flashback 1: Second Cycle
...
...
On the edge of the city, there is a giant mansion stood just beside the entrance to the woods. In front of its enormous door, three human figures are standing. Two of them are kids, while the other one is an adult.
BGM: Wails of the Rain
"Whoa... Such a big house...," the blonde-haired little girl said with innocent eyes.
"You like it? Feel free to make yourself at home for the time being," the adult said with a comforting smile.
"Heh. Satisfied already? I thought you were pickier than this," the red-haired boy mocked with his goblin-like grin.
"Now, now, my boy. Don't discourage our honoured guest on her first day here," the adult reprimand the foul-mouthed boy.
"Quit it, old man. Don't ruin my fun!" the boy keeps foul-mouthing.
"Ah, I see then. This old man no longer need to gave this brat any money or let him to use the rooms," the old man smiled evilly.
"Whoa, that's no fair! Fine, I'll retreat for now. But I'll get you for this!" the boy ran away to the mansion's second floor, escaping like a top-notch bandit.
"Pardon my little brat. He's certainly one nasty little devil," the adult laughed.
"He's fine, I think...," the little girl commented lightly.
"Haha, your eyes are keen for your age. I'll be working at the third floor in my room, so don't disturb me if it's not urgent. Feel free to explore until it's time for dinner," the adult informed, before he's about to make his leave.
"Wait... About my mom and dad...," the little girl asked with a sour look.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Tomorrow this old man will depart to set them free of all charges, like he promised! While I'm out starting tomorrow, please ask my wife if you ever need anything," the adult gave her a worry-free smile.
"I see. Thank you, Mr... Umm...," the little girl got lost in words.
"It's Mr. Eisler, but... Why, just call me uncle if you want. As long it's not old man!" the adult smiles again.
"I see... What should I do now?" the little girl asked anxiously.
"Like I said before: exploring and... Playing, of course! That's what kids should do, right? Give my little brat some company; he's usually making ruckus in the second floor's hallway," the adult pointed above.
The adult is about to leave the little girl in second floor, so he can do his job in the third floor. However...
"Excuse me...," the little girl tried to get the adult's attention.
"What is it?" the adult stopped his footsteps in the middle of the stairs.
"Thank you... Uncle," the little girl said.
The adult is dazed for a second, before smiles, "Hahaha. You're welcome."
...
...
Renee: "Right. That's the time I started to live along with Tony."
"The very moment, when I start my life all over again."
"I hate it at first, that I should leave my home forever... But after spending time with him, it's not all that bad."
"I wonder... If I return to my home now, will I able to resume what I left behind?"
"...Who am I kidding? They'll kick me out for sure, thanks for my stupidity back then."
"Yes, back then... If only that incident didn't happen, then maybe I still..."
...
...
/
/Planet Wonderchak
/Muppy's Kingdom – Medical Room 02
BGM: Homeroom
"...," Renee wakes up in a medical bed wearing patient's cloth, only to inhales a deep breath.
"You're awake?" said a voice besides her, who reveals to be Vayne.
"...How long did I sleep?" Renee asked.
"About two hours," vayne answered simply.
"...What happened to me again?" Renee asked again.
Arranging a whole rack of potions, Vayne answers with his back turned, "Soon after we put you into bed, you fell asleep and..."
Renee blinked, "And?"
Vayne felt chill on his back, "And, well... Uhh..."
Renee sneers, "Hey, it's not like I can pull my sword now."
Vayne gather his courage to face Renee, "Well, you were mumbling in your sleep... About going home or something..."
"...," Renee's head bowed down.
"Did you feel homesick or something?" Vayne tried to be gentle-
BGM: off
"NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS," Renee shoves an icy stare at Vayne.
"...," Vayne was shocked.
Renee step off the bed, grabbed her clothes, and make her leave.
"Wait! I-I'm sorry if I said something wrong, but... You still need to rest for a few more hours," Vayne suggested to her.
Renee turned her head and stared at Vayne. After a brief second, she sighs, "Yeah, I know you're just doing your job... But I'm fine, okay? Thanks, Doctor."
"Y-You're welcome," Vayne responded casually.
"Oh, and be sure to take care of him," Renee added.
"Yes, of course," Vayne nodded, and Renee walks out of the room.
A silent minute passed by.
*SWIRL* a curtain to the left of Renee's bed opened up.
BGM: Ah, Disciplinarian of Youth
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean? You, of all people, take care of me?" Tony, who was awake in the other bed the whole time, gibbered furiously.
"Now, now, Tony! I told you not to move yet!" Jess (who is treating Tony the whole time) scolded the redhead, before pinching him with a medical brush (on his wounds).
"Ouch! Hey, watch where you're aiming that thing!" Tony replied in pain from his wound.
On the contrary, Jess strikes three times on Tony's most painful wound spots with alcohol-imbued brush.
"AAAAAARRRRRRGHHHHHH," Tony screamed like a baby, making the most subtle-yet-funny look the world has ever seen.
"That's what a bad boy got for misbehaving," Jess stated triumphantly, before make some finishing on Tony's other wounds.
"Hahaha, Jess. You're standing out like a professional nurse," Vayne praised her with a decent smile, while handing her a medicinal drink.
Jess took the bottle and grins, "Teehee. And you're like a master doctor yourself, Vayne!"
Jess pour the bottle's orange liquid into a spoon, and deliver it into Tony's mouth (while he's still opening it in pain).
"Teehee! Perfect timing!" Jess feels excited by her 'A-Class-Performance'.
"^&-%*!(?," Tony groaned while almost choke himself during the medicine's ingestion.
Jess and Vayne laughed softly, but soon stopped at Tony's death-glare.
"Yeah, guys. Very funny," Tony said with tone of a grim reaper as he put a crouching position atop the bed.
"S-Sorry about that," Vayne gently apologize.
"Forgive us, please!" Jess demanded innocently.
Tony sighs, but after a few seconds his anger seemed to go away... for a particularly different reason.
BGM: off
"Tch... She's in bad mood again...," Tony mumbled to himself.
"You mean Renee? She's acting strange since the fight...," Jess sounded her opinion.
Tony sighs, "Dammit... After all this time she's been calm... I screwed up."
Vayne looked at Tony, "Tony, did you know something?"
"Why do you ask?" Tony asked him back.
"Well...," Vayne looked a bit nervous as usual, "From my examination, her body isn't very healthy. She seems to suffer from overusing of Mana power, but I'm not sure..."
Tony thinks deeply, "Is that so? I see..."
"Oh, and she seems to be upset about something from her strange attitude during the fight and her mumbling during her sleep... Did you know anything at all about those?" Vayne questioned further.
Tony shrugs his head a few times, but pleading silence to the question.
"Umm, Tony? Are you alright there?" Jess is worried.
Tony lay his head down on the bed's pillow, "You guys... Every single person has their own personal affair, you know. And, not all of them are as open-minded as you are."
Vayne and Jess are lost in thought. Now Tony mentions it... Vayne and Jess have exactly the same situation, too... It just... They got their way to share the problems with others.
"Don't mess into hers, okay? I'm warning you," Tony stated simply, but sharp.
"Tony...," Vayne feel sad.
"...Well, thanks anyway," Tony added.
Jess is puffing.
BGM: Ah, Disciplinarian of Youth
"Hey, what's so funny?" Tony glared at her.
"Well... You do care so much about Renee, don't you?" Jess said, matter-of-factly.
Tony chokes hard, "W-Why you, little...!"
Vayne is trembling, "This doesn't look good..."
"Relax, Vayne! Tony is all torn up! What could he do?" Jess smiles creepily.
"What could I do, huh? Plenty!" Tony jumped straight out from his bed, fist at ready-
*INJECT* Only to have Jess injected him with a gigantic injection needle ...from BEHIND (when did she move?).
"...," Tony is now out cold.
"Jess...," Vayne sweat -dropped.
"Go on, Vayne. I'll take care of him, so don't worry!" Jess smiled innocently.
Vayne scrubs his head, "Go on...?"
Jess approaches Vayne with obvious gesture while giving him a light punch on his shoulder, "Ohhh, how cute! You don't have to be shy anymore, you know? I totally approve your and Anna's relationship!"
Vayne's legs tremble, and he nearly smashed the biological experiment- umm, medicinal bottles on the table fell to the ground, which would have resulted in chaotic scene of fire. (Who brought and allow those dangerous bottles to be taken in, anyway?)
"...(acting oblivious)...," was Vayne's current state.
"Hellooo? Vayneeee?" Jess tried to get Vayne's attention, just like that first day at the Al-Revis Academy...
"Whoa!" and Vayne's reaction was the same one as before (only faster).
"Gee, Vayne. Grow up!" Jess blurted sharply.
Vayne blushes, but this time doesn't even bother of hiding it, "T-Thanks, but... Well..."
Jess smiles reassuringly, giving Vayne an out-of-the-room push.
Looking at Jess' face one more time, Vayne couldn't decipher even a single excuse and let her speaks with a seraphim-like smile:
"Good luck, Doctor!"
...
...
BGM: off
The door is closed now. Jess is volunteering to act as a nurse, since the patients are still the group's 'friends' after all... After things have settled with Tony and Renee before, Nikki dragged Roxis somewhere faraway, out of the castle... Vayne get Goosebumps to think about it somehow. Pamela left the room smiling, but Vayne saw her making a sad face before she flew by, ...with Flay tailed her. Muppy is-
BGM: Block Pulse of Love
"Good Afternoon, my good friend," there is Muppy, just arrived here.
"Good afternoon too, Muppy. Where were you?" Vayne asked his alien buddy
Muppy casts his eyes to the side, "Something trivial."
"Huh?" Vayne got a question mark on his own face.
"Nothing important... For now, at least," Muppy threw the subject away with creepy curve of lips.
Vayne gulped, "O-Oh, I see... O-Oh yeah, Tony and Renee have got better!"
Muppy equip a sour face, "Yeah, I know... The blonde just passed me by recently."
Vayne is surprised, "Really? Why didn't you stop her? You said you were about to give a pu- Well, that and she is actually still not feeling we-"
"I know that much, thank you- But it would be honorless for me to interfere with her inner conflict of dark emotions," Muppy gallantly spoken.
Vayne blinked; unbelieving of what he just heard, "Y-You could tell, Muppy? Incredi-"
"Ah, so my hunch was correct. Today is indeed my lucky day," Muppy smiled cutely.
Vayne blinked again; feeling like a partridge in a pear tree, "Oh."
"Oh, see you later my friend. I have to accompany my dear," Muppy said, as he hurried to the medical room 02.
Vayne want to start walking again, but-
BGM: Whistling Girl
"Oh, Muppy honey? Did you come to gave me company?" a whistling voice can be heard from inside the medical room 02.
"I can't allow you to be alone with this barbarian, Jess dear," a gentle (yet strange) voice can be heard as well...
"Oh, Muppy! I love you sooo much!" the whistling voice said fluffily.
"There, there, my dear. Someone might be listening," the gentle voice reprimanded.
"It's alright, Muppy! If even Vayne could say that to Anna, then why couldn't we?" Jess said ...practically true.
Vayne trip to the ground, his nose is hurt. While Muppy and Jess keep flirting with each other sweetly, Vayne tried to cover his ears from mental harm.
BGM: A Boy's Worry
"Meow (There you are)," a black cat meowed.
Vayne lift his face from the ground, "Sulpher!"
"Meow, meow (I leave you for a minute, and you're almost died)," Sulpher said in his cat language; he doesn't seem to be pleased...
"Hahaha...," Vayne tried to laugh it off while he's standing up.
True, since Sulpher couldn't become his weapon any longer, Vayne has weakened dramatically in terms of combat capabilities. Sure he had covered up them with his alchemic creations, but still... Wait; perhaps it was Renee who is too strong after all...
"Meow? (You alright there?)," Sulpher looked worried.
"I'm fine, Sulpher. I'm not as injured as I would have been, thanks to everyone," Vayne explained.
"...Meow (Glad to hear that. Finding a new owner is a pain, you know)," Sulpher hissed in relief and tiresome manner.
"Ahaha...," Vayne laughed softly at his cat's harsh joke.
Well, speaking of which... Where is Anna? Right, Anna... Back then before leaving, she said she will start to think things through for their act... Since it so happens that she and Vayne are paired up, after all. But, where is she now...? Vayne can't help but to miss her already...
"Meow (That dreamer femme is in the library)," Sulpher broke in, read-mind-like.
"A-Anna is... Umm... Thanks Sulpher. Wanna go together?" Vayne acted casual, but-
"...Purr, Meowr (I'll be in our room. Just don't go die-trying again)," Sulpher cat-dashed it's four legs, as he finished the line.
As his furry companion is out of sight, Vayne marched his own two feet towards his desired destination. He had visited that place before at his previous visit here, so... Well... He won't have any trouble, just like he cured the two patients before...
Vayne stopped his feet, and thinks, "...Doctor, huh?"
...And so, Vayne scrubs his head as he always does. All he needs to do now is walk at a good pace, while his mind is filled with the wonderful thoughts- of the very girl he treasures in his heart.
/
Flashback 2: Childhood in Scarlet
...
...
BGM: Wails of the Rain
A quiet village, located deep within the mountains. The silence of the night leaves the whole country area soulless, as if there is not a single living entity abound. Cold breeze blowing from the forest, strikes the wooden houses a chilling sensation of demise. Bad weather, bad luck... Or so what the old saying goes... Does this also apply to the small household in the middle of this wooden kingdom?
/? – Kearse Residence
"Where is she...?" a man mumbled to himself.
"She's off playing with her friends, wasn't she? Still, this is unusual...," a woman replied.
"She's never been this late before. I'm worried...," the man groaned.
"Maybe you should ask around the village... It's rather cold tonight, she might catch a cold-"
*KNOCK*
A hollow beating on the wooden door echoes inside the house. Without a second thought, the man opened it- Only to find the terror of everyone's lives.
"D-Dear?" the man jumped in surprise.
A little girl fell on her knees, gasping for air. As if she had been running away from something dreadful, her breath is heavy and desperate. But the little girl's lack of stamina wasn't the thing that stole the attention of two adults...
The long-haired blonde little girl with dark green eyes has the most terrible face the world may have seen several times- A dark, hopeless expression of a human being who has given up on living this cruel, bitter life of men. ...And the most disturbing fact is that almost her entire, fragile-looking slim body is all covered in blood.
"D-Dear... What happened to you...?" the woman asked, both of terrified and worried- Although the earlier seems to be dominant at the moment.
"...," the little long-haired blonde doesn't respond; she is keep gazing to the distance, although she is aware of the presence of those who gave birth to her. What's holding her back?
"...Dear, please tell us what happened," the man demanded courageously, while crouching near his beloved fruit of love.
"...," the little girl still doesn't respond, but now she's lifting her head for at least getting the adults in her field of vision-
...That's when it strikes the man. When his eyes and hers met, he understood everything. Everything has come to a conclusion; one that might scar the little girl as well as her whole family for life. Those eyes... Those are the eyes of a-
"...," the man is silent.
As this situation continues, the cold wind from outside keep blowing into the house. The wind is cold, the air is humid. The little girl is shaking from the chill, her long hair which is keep flapping as a result from the wind seems to bother her... The red stains dripping from the hair's lower part are so unsightly... She feels so cold... So lonely... And her once proudly long beautiful hair is moving uncontrollably along her body, gives off the dreadful sensation of pain, which made her body twitched a lot now. The adults are just standing there, thinking to themselves. Until-
"...Hmm," the man smiled while giving his little girl a pat on the head, "You should take a shower, dear."
"...," the little girl simply doesn't move, the last line she heard might've been a dream...
"...You smell foul, dear. Here, I'll help you to the bathroom," the woman smiles as well, worry-free, unlike a few seconds ago.
"...," the little girl simply stood up- No, lifted by the woman and got carried all the way to the back part of the house.
"Ah, honey. Tonight's is perfect to dry up the laundry. Do Renee's as well, now would you?" the man asked the woman.
"Sure, sure! Ah dear, your hair is getting disorganized, let me cut it!" the woman replied from afar.
The rest of the night is heating up, as the adults closed the wooden door and locked it firmly from the grasps of violent night.
...
...
Renee: "...Yes, that was the moment."
"My early turning point on this life."
"The time when I acquire those eyes..."
"It's my first and ultimate demise."
"Why? Because those stain... it wasn't mine. It was-"
...
...
/
/Muppy's Kingdom – Garden of Emerald Glass
BGM: Sunset Skies
In a private garden located deep within the castle's underground area, the grasses are green like emerald. With its starry window near the walls, one is able to view the incredible moon, when it shows up in the late night, while embraced by gentle wind from the microscopic air vents. A tale told throughout the generations of Wonderchak Royal Family says:
"When two are reunited here, here in this place where grasses are green, lies are burnt and truths are forced out, at the time the moon at its full strength, the two shall lived happily ever after upon His watch."
...Nobody in the Royal Family knows what that is supposed to mean though, so this place is nothing but an alternative prison up until now. Yet, this is another best place to find peace and quiet besides the Kismet View. A perfect spot for one who is in the middle of personal dilemma; like this particular girl who ended up here instinctively...
"...," Renee is all alone by herself, head bent down, eyes staring to the ground.
While she is sitting here, in the middle of green plains, she has somewhat fell drowsy. It led her to reminisced one part of her most painful past experience. Yes; the cold wind, the humid air... The ill-feel sensation every time the wind messes with her hair; small vibrations which made her twitch over and over, which she despises so much.
"Of all of my memories, why I had to remember that one...?" Renee thought to herself.
Truth to be told, Renee exactly knows why. That fragment of her past is the base of what made her the way she is now; the root of those unfortunate events... How she could forget what happened that night? By keeping that strongest memory intact, she could ensure that the same thing will never happen again. Ultimately, not to those she cared about-
"My, how unusual to meet you here."
"-!" Renee was surprised and immediately gazes above, to the source of the voice.
A girl as grisly as a phantom is floating above Renee with hollow expression on her face, a cute teddy bear on her left hand. It is none other than Pamela Ibis, the renowned ghost of Al-Revis Academy- More than years ago, that is.
"You are... that ghost girl...," Renee stated lightly.
"I am... What are you doing here, Renee?" Pamela replied bluntly.
Renee grins, "...Well, it's unusual of you to act so straight and not-cute."
Pamela floats lower, "I just don't feel like it."
"Oh," Renee commented shortly.
Pamela looked different somehow... She is fiddling with her Teddy, constantly twitching for nothing, therefore vanishes and reappears at random. On top of that, her cute demeanour and fierce-sweet smile is nowhere to found on her face... Even so, Renee still doesn't feel like moving from her seat within the green grasses.
"Renee, were you bored, too?" Pamela asked out of nowhere.
"...I'm always bored. Geez, what did you study in the academy anyway?" Renee ranted.
"Then, you must've heard it from Muppy too, right?" Pamela asked again.
"The alien? What?" Renee put a question mark on her face.
"Well...," and so, Pamela told the tale of generations in Wonderchak Family.
A little later...
"..."
"..."
"...What the heck?" Renee blurted out of the blue.
"It's so romantic, don't you think?" Pamela grins a bit, her cheerfulness restored a little.
"...I'm not carrying a plastic bag right now," Renee ranted, about to vomit.
"Why, aren't you rude," Pamela smiles coldly at Renee, annoyed.
But she isn't puffing her cheeks with air as usual... Is there any meaning to it?
Pamela grips her Teddy tight, head lowered, "But still, it's so romantic..."
Renee turns her head and stares at the purple-haired ghost, "What are you thinking?"
"Maybe... If only... He...," Pamela mumbled.
"...Say what now?" Renee suddenly got curious.
"Nothing," Pamela hushed it coldly.
"..."
"..."
"You're weird," Renee criticized.
"What's so weird about being in love?" Pamela opened her mouth WAY too wide...
"Plenty," Renee replied bitterly.
Renee glares directly at Pamela, blaming her for this husky conversation. Intriguingly, their lines of speaking are blatant and negative, yet these two females don't show any sign of quitting the chat. By strange branching paths of journey, Renee and Pamela seem to have crossed lines in a few ways. What could it be? Could it be they way they live their life, the way they act towards others, or viewing things around their small world differently? One simple answer to be concluded is, the most basic factor to reacting each other at the moment, was in fact; sadness.
However, while Renee was hoping for Pamela's retribution, she was given a warm smile instead:
"Yes, you are anything but wrong."
Renee doesn't know what to do. For a few minutes, her mind has gone blank. This ghost girl confuses her to the heart. Somehow, even just in a blink of an eye, Renee feels like she just sees herself in a mirror. It draws familiar chill inside Renee's chest, which do quite a few shivers from the cold sensation to her. Why it does feel this way? It's certainly not possible, unless-
BGM: Smile of Ice
It hits Renee, "Ah. It seems you are unfortunate too."
Pamela stops floating around, and hover in place instead.
"What do you mean by that?" Pamela raised a question, she looked so sullen.
Renee take stand, caresses her short blonde hair, and walking closer to Pamela. Pamela glides backwards in response, feeling disturbed by Renee's change of air around her.
Renee smiles out of embarrassment, at the point of being cynical, "You look like me."
Pamela sneers mockingly, "Excuse me? I believe you're not even a quarter of the school idol as I am."
Renee counters with expressionless smile, "...We share the same eyes."
Pamela got herself bewildered, "Same... eyes? I'm not an optician, but I can say that our eyes have different color, saturation, and cuteness!"
Filled with thick pressure, Renee points at Pamela's innocent purple eyes, "That pair of eyes you have- They're not as innocent as everyone believe, weren't they?"
"-!" Pamela's sneer was shoved far away, far more than she could ever imagine.
Renee smiles playfully with confidence, "So I was right. Like me once did, your beautiful face was nothing more but a fabric."
Pamela's eyes thrusts like knives deep at Renee's face, "What did you say?"
Without any fear, Renee retaliates, "What I said is... Something ugly is hidden behind your face!"
*SLASH*
Suddenly, Renee's cheek is bleeding. Small drop of blood is dripping from tiny cut wound on her right cheek, staining the green grass below with scarlet color. No words, Renee just wiped it with her left hand. Cold as ice, that is what describes Pamela the most right now. She is floating; yes, floating. Except the gap between the ground and the altitude level where she floats is nearly zero. From Renee's point of view, anyone could only see her right side; right hand hugging the beloved Teddy, and face buried in the dark. Meanwhile, the other hand stays out of view. There is no need for sixth sense; a blind eye would be enough to recognize that something dark, awful, and terrible is lurking on the other side. Everything around it seemed to be engulfed in darkness within split second; as if the night has come, faint sunlight sourced from the large window has faded away within dark clouds. The air is so foggy... and depressing.
"Are you angry?" Renee asked a simple question, merely ignoring whatever thing has just happened.
"...," there is no answer from her; a reaction to be expected, when one encounter your average-wandering-ghost.
"Why do you angry?" Renee is constantly moving her lips.
"...," there is still no answer. Any common people will step back a bit after this, but not the blonde.
"What is there to be angry about? It's just like you said; everything is right," Renee won't keep her mouth shut, even just for a single fleeting moment.
"...," an obvious silence ensues. Pamela's extremely long hair is flipping around, although there are no traces of wind passing-by...
"First point," Renee put up her pointer, marking 'the number one', "I don't know how, but your clothes have changed. Back in the academy, you wear school uniform."
"...," there is no answer, yet again.
"Your uniform is somewhat different from us. It looks far stricter, formal, and ancient. While ours is less strict, less formal, and modern," Renee described the vital part.
Pure silence. Renee goes on, "It is for certain a uniform from decades ago, perhaps way back even before our Principal was born. The question is why you're wearing uniform?"
Nothing is making a sound. Renee speaks again, raising her volume slightly, "Then it means, you're wearing the school uniform when you died. Was it some monsters from an assignment? I learned from the school old records lent by Ms. Isolde that decades ago Al-Revis Academy used to be far more dangerous. Was that the cause to your death?"
"...," Pamela seems to be... groaning? The frequency of her voice was too low to be heard and confirmed.
"However, that is not the case right?" slow-motion, Renee lifts her middle finger, "Second point: that stuffed bear. I know it's common for girls, but it won't be there in your hand- If you weren't holding onto it at the moment of your death."
Without a single word, Pamela's right hand grips the Teddy tighter.
"Why you even had the time, yet mind, to holding something so sentimental at such critical moment? It is so bizarre and illogical!" Renee shook her head a few times in denial.
Another silence.
"Of course, your Mana resides within it... But is that it? Because even now you're lifeless, that Mana is still there. Contract with a Mana ends in two simple ways: either something happened to the contractor or the Mana, or either one break the rules. Indeed, something happened so you lost your life, but your Mana doesn't go away. Whether it likes you or not, it can't stay long at someone's arsenal without something in return- Energy it needs; which Manas absorbs naturally, from the nature as a life source. A Mana has little to no capability of doing so while disturbed by a human's presence; well, except it has a contract with him or her," a thorough explanation; a very rare thing to witness from someone as lazy as Renee.
Pamela stays quiet whatsoever; either she's not listening, or...
Renee coughs, "It's clear that you still have a contract with it. But how? No matter what the contents and rules, when the person dies, the contract ends. And human or not, a lifeless creature is out of question within the contract's time limit. However..."
Renee takes a steady step forward, "What the Mana actually need is energy, either physical or spiritual. And as most people know, it doesn't always come from living things. Physical energy maybe, but spiritual? Not so. A strong spiritual being holds a vast amount of energy is enough- Such as ghosts."
"...!" For the very first time, Pamela reacted.
Feeling her analysis has paid off, Renee smiles, "So let me put this simple: a ghost can form a contract with a Mana, as long it's powerful enough in terms of spiritual energy. That is the case for you, but there's more. Such contract cannot be initiated between a Mana and its contractor who has died. When the contractor died and the contract ends, a new contract cannot be initiated with the same Mana. Contract renewal only applies for human who has the contract broken, and renew it sometime after- while they're still alive. The same thing applies for spiritual creatures as ghosts, but only because they are dead to begin with. Oh, what I meant, because ghosts are spiritual beings- Not much different with spirits. Shortly, renewal affects those who stay the same creature as they were in the previous contract."
Pamela shakes.
Renee opens her eyes fully, looking directly at Pamela, "The answer is: you didn't form a contract when you were alive- You form a contract AFTER you died!"
"...!" Pamela gasps. Her face still couldn't be seen, but it's clear that she is shaken deeply by Renee's deduction.
"And then," Renee doesn't take her time to stall, "You have enough spiritual energy to form a contract- No, from what I've seen from our fight back then in the academy, your spiritual energy is quite superb. But what is the source? Most ghosts receive such strength from the cause of their death. For example: something they intended to do in life hasn't been accomplished yet, they have regrets towards something or someone they wish to solve first ..."
Pamela's head is bent down, frequently shaking. A powerful sense of malice resonates from her ghost body... Globs of dark energy are shooting over from within herself...
Renee dares it more, "Or, in your case..."
"S... top..."
Renee hides her right hand behind her back, and speaks, "...A grudge towards the killer!"
"STOP IT!"
...
...
/Muppy's Kingdom – Corridor to Knowledge
BGM: off
Vayne is walking in medium speed across this unusual-named corridor to reach the library, until-
*FAINT VOICE OF SOMEONE SCREAMING*
Vayne stopped, "What is that voice?"
Vayne examine his surroundings, but there is no else in this corridor besides him... He thought.
"What are you doing here, Mr. Vayne?" a figure suddenly floats behind Vayne.
BGM: Welcome to the *Fluffy* Workshop
"GWWAAH! M-Muccho? You scared me," Vayne put his right hand upon his chest; try to sort out his heartbeat from the shock.
"Please, Mr. Vayne. Ms. Pamela will be depressed if you got frightened so easily by a simple surprise," Muccho reprimanded with a smile similar to Muppy's.
"I-I'm sorry, but Pamela is enough for our thriller," Vayne informed Muccho.
"My apologies, sir," Muccho is more polite than usual...
...Not only his politeness; Muccho got a tape wrapped around his face, leaving only his tiny eyes to be seen. Some strange scars around his body are quite disturbing too, especially in front of 'Doctor' Vayne.
"Muccho? You-"
"Anyway, Mr. Vayne. What are you doing here, actually?" Muccho burst his line.
Vayne immediately forgot about asking, "Huh? Oh, that's right. I'm on my way to the library, when I heard this strange noise-"
"It was only this Wolfemian animal on this planet's forests, sir. There's nothing to worry about," Muccho quickly informed.
"Really? Phew... I was worried for a second...," Vayne let out a relieved sigh.
"Now you shouldn't be. Well Mr. Vayne, if you excuse me...," Muccho float-dash through the rest of the corridor, leaving Vayne alone.
"Ah, I forgot to ask about his injuries," Vayne just realized his dumbness, "Muccho is acting strange... Or is he? But I was sure that it wasn't an animal..."
Act stupefied for almost one minute, Vayne twitched.
"...Oh well, Muccho knows this planet better than me. Better get going," Vayne brushed the issue off, and head towards the library.
/Muppy's Kingdom – Quarantine of Knowledge
BGM: off
Vayne opened the thick wooden door; which frankly the only sound in this quiet library, similar to an isolated safe for information. The books and documents are placed neatly (much better than Pamela's job in the academy) inside metallic racks, while each section of alphabets and various symbols are covered with dust-proof glass. Vayne knows well, since the last time he came here, it took him 90 minutes only to get 4 books (which actually can be done in 5 minutes by calling the butlers). Thick- No, adamantine walls of crazy meters in width protect this place from any harm outside, even it's as tiny as a micro tube. No wonder it was named 'Quarantine' by the royal family. Slowly but steady, Vayne closed the door while reducing the creepy noise it produced. Muccho's small terror from before still left a mark on his chest.
"Whew...," Vayne calmed himself once again, "Okay... Anna, where are you?"
No answer. If Anna is in this 'library', she should've replied... Vayne think.
Looking around in every corner of this library, Vayne calls out to Anna, "Anna? It's me, Vayne. I want to discuss about our performance later..."
Still no reply whatsoever. That's really odd isn't it? Well, Vayne doesn't have to think so hard, since-
BGM: Blooming Flowers of Void
"Anna! There you are," Vayne let out relieved sigh as he found her, sitting down in the deepest corner of this library like a hiding turtle who surrounded by piles of unlimited swords- Books.
"...," Anna doesn't answer, let alone giving a simple look. She is focusing on the book she's reading.
"Anna? Can you hear me?" Vayne tried to get her attention.
"...," no answer, but the aquatic-haired sword master has gave Vayne stares from her ocean-blue eye, as sharp as her blade.
As usual, Vayne gulped, "Umm, Anna... So... What did you find? I tried to think of interesting ideas, but couldn't hatch any..."
"...," looking down to the floor, Anna leave her seat and approach Vayne.
"Anna?" Vayne tired to remain calm... and not blushing, most importantly.
Opening a page, Anna calmly says, "Look at this story, Vayne."
Slightly confused, Vayne does as he's told. An art of a man holding a sacred sword; fighting against army of demons- ...together with a witch's magical aid protecting him.
"This is a classic tale of heroic deeds?" Vayne's eyes are glimmering with excitement; the exciting times he once had before as the infamous 'Alchemy Man', fight against the 'Flayvor of Evil' for 'World Peace'. However, this story looks different...
"This story matches our specialties, Vayne. We shall make a short drama out of this," Anna flatly described.
"Umm... Sure!" Vayne happily accepted, until he-
Anna silently took out a piece of paper from her pocket, "...I have written what materials we need to prepare all tools we need-"
"-Wait, Anna!" Vayne said, half-screaming to her.
"...What is it?" Anna calmly asked.
"This story... It has a terrible ending! Why did you choose this one?" Vayne asked her with a sad face.
Anna unfazed by that, "I said it before, it matches us."
Vayne look at Anna's face disbelievingly, "What do you mean, Anna?"
Averting her face after short silence, Anna states, "Vayne; about us... It won't work out."
Vayne was shocked to the max. While Vayne wanted to talk about their 'relationship' slowly, Anna says it out loud just like that- And not in the fairest sense, that's for sure.
Vayne can't let it slide, "Anna, how do you know if we haven't try?"
Anna turns her face- an angry face, "Everything is written in there! Two individuals struggle to survive and make it to the end together, but no matter how hard, how persistent, they are... failed miserably in the end!"
Vayne never seen Anna so angered before, this surpasses her anger before on the dining table, "Anna, our lives isn't a story book! We-"
BGM: Overwhelmer
Anna's face turns red, "Even having two kids, they shall suffer the same fate, even they have four kids later, it will stay the same. But if someone else comes inside the circle- No, everything will be doomed even more! Oh, you're planning to have 1000 kids like Nikki? No! That's not brilliant, but lustful! Are you mad? It's no use, it's still-"
"Umm... Anna?" Vayne's face turns red- from embarrassment.
BGM: Blooming Flowers of Void
Anna got carried away by her imagination, but realized it fast enough, "...A-Anyway! This is our last time together, Vayne... Better make the most of it."
Vayne shakes his head, clenching his fist, "No, Anna! Why it has to be the last time? There is another way."
"Another way...?" Anna questioned vividly.
With warm smile, Vayne try to cheer Anna, "Believe in me, Anna. We just need to-"
Anna grins bitterly, "So, Vayne. Have you figured the way?"
Vayne's fist loosened, "Uhh, not yet..."
"See? Vayne, this shall be our last time together, and that's final!" Anna ended it harshly.
Vayne re-tight his grip, "No, it is not! Don't give up, Anna. I'll figure something out, I promise! There is always a chance-"
Anna abruptly screams, "Chances, chances! I had enough of being disappointed!"
Vayne paused for a second; both bewildered and confused, "Anna... What happened to you...? This isn't like you at all."
"...," Anna couldn't counter the argument. It's exactly like Vayne said.
"I promised to help you overcome your family's issue, so please don't worry so much. You'll get sick," Vayne showed his concern to the one he cares so much.
Anna's face darkens; she is lowering her head and speak with trembling lips, "...You don't know Vayne."
"Know what, Anna? If it bothers you, please tell me. Don't imagine every outcome by yourself...," Vayne tried his best to console Anna.
Anna lift her face; revealing that she is actually... crying, "Yes, imaginations! I hate my imagination now. Every single time... Every single time I imagined what will become of us, all I could imagine is the terrible ending in that book!"
Vayne is panicking, "A-Anna, don't cry...! It's alright-"
Anna is getting mad instead, "You don't know, Vayne... You don't know what its like; to imagine the scene of you dying in my arms, every single time!"
At lightning speed, Anna dashed her way to the door and exit the library in a hurry.
"A-Anna! Wait!" Vayne called out her name, while marching his feet towards the same direction Anna went.
/
Back to the underground...
/Muppy's Kingdom – Garden of Emerald Glass
BGM: Smile of Ice
At least, Pamela's scream stopped to echo. A few minutes have passed, but it seemed like eternity. Pamela is shaking her head rashly; globs of dark energy are sparkling over from her body like fireworks, but she is still holding the Teddy tight in her right grasp... Except now its position is in front of Pamela's stomach.
"Was it too much for you to handle?" Renee smiles dangerously.
"Just... Stop... Please...," Pamela begs. Her voice is rather husky.
"Grow up. This is still nothing," Renee shows no concerns at all.
Pamela shakes her head with more agitation; her face darkens even more into pitch black...
"It's no use trying to hide it. Sooner or later someone will find out anyway. Why don't you feel grateful to me, who had picked the perfect time and place when nobody else is around?" Renee ranted rashly.
Seeing all those black 'fireworks', Renee moved backwards a bit. She has no idea of what are those drops of energy; although it's obviously something harmful, yet she has no intention to stop.
Raising her ringer, Renee speaks once again, "Third and last point. More about the stuffed bear, and... that."
Renee points at Pamela; to be precise, the Teddy bear which is currently in front of Pamela's stomach.
"Judging from the way you treat it more like a regular stuffed animal rather than the media of your Mana, it must be very precious to you. You had it with you before you died, right? Of course, it must be simply a regular stuffed bear back then," Renee pointed out a standard conclusion.
"...Stop! Stop! Stop!" Pamela begged, with her head trembling all over, and black fireworks in motion...
Renee opened her left hand's palm as if presenting something, "Referring to my second point earlier, you hold onto that Teddy at the brink of death. With the fact that your Mana wasn't there yet at that time, what was your reason for doing so?"
Pamela doesn't answer; she is busy with herself...
"Resuming my third and last point, the answer is clear. The Teddy bear is something very precious to you; excessively valuable and irreplaceable. You don't want to lose it, so you hold on to it. You don't want to let it go, although it might put you in danger. Why it means so much to you? What's so special about it?" Renee works her left hand fingers rapidly.
"...Stop! It doesn't... have anything... to do with you!" Pamela scolds.
Renee laughs, "If it doesn't, so what? I just love to use curiosity to fiddle with others' dark secrets. Especially; well, maybe only at a time like this."
Pamela's face remains hidden, but she might be making a very sour face right now.
"Let me carry on," Renee works her left hand's fingers again now, "Probably there is nothing special about the stuffed bear itself, so the reason must be on how you get your hands on it. Wait, you did mention something about 'he' before. Also 'being in love', and 'romantic' as well. My guess is... Someone gave it to you as a gift."
"...!" Pamela has never been so shocked before. Or, has she...?
"That someone must mean a lot to you, am I right? A very special person you don't want to forget, no matter how long it has been. So, that stuffed bear is the very symbol of your bond with that person. Special bond you want to hold dear forever," Renee closed her left hand's palm to form a fist, tight enough so it shakes.
"STOP, STOP TALKING," a voice so barren came out from Pamela's mouth.
Renee doesn't want that to stop her since she has gone this far, "You must've missed that special person so much, that your spiritual energy went overflow. ...Or are you? If that's the case, meet the person soon after died would take care of your problem already."
"SILENCE. SILENCE!" that voice could be heard again, sourcing from Pamela...
Instead of faltering, Renee's words are getting stronger, "Another factor, then. That habit of yours."
Renee is pointing again at how Pamela is holding the teddy bear, "Ever since the academy until this moment, you're still keeping that habit. Whenever you feel depressed, sad, or unsafe, you're holding that stuffed bear in front of your stomach."
"SAY NO MORE! PLEASE!" the voice's weight is increasing further...
Amused to hear that voice, Renee digs deeper, "Ghosts, especially human ones, carry several burdens post-death. One of them is death-cause trauma; which make them have a phobia about something, the very thing which caused their death."
"STOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOPSTOP!" a heavier tone than before, echoes from within her.
Like provoking intentionally, Renee grins, "There are two types: what thing made them die, or how they are dead. Examples are: a person died by fire would act hesitant to light a fire, a person died of fall over a cliff would have a height phobia."
"QUIET... QUIET... OR I WILL...!" begging for mercy, the voice is warning Renee...
Letting a little maniacal laugh, Renee open her jaws softly, "You would be the second type. You must have a phobia about your stomach, that whenever you feel insecure, you instinctively cover it with the stuffed bear. Meaning, your cause of death is located there."
"...," the voice couldn't be heard clearly...
Twisted eyes, merciless mind- the current Renee, "Pieces are coming together as one... Superb spiritual energy, gained from the cause of death. Monsters wouldn't be enough, of course. Why, incredible dark energy can produced from strong dark feelings, such as grudge towards the killer. Next, a prized stuffed bear given by a special person. You hold it dearly, even at death's door... A Mana would even will to reside within it and form a contract, like pitying you..."
Quietude rules for a few daring seconds, before the grand finale...
Renee took her stand, although it might be her last, "Well, I think I got it. Shall I?"
"N-N-NNNNNNNUUUOOOOOOOOO...," a creepy request of mercy, by Pamela...?
"Were you stabbed in the stomach by that very special person?" Renee unleashed her finisher.
*crig-crig-crig-crig* the land seems to shake.
[HOOOOOOOWWWWW DARRREEEEEEEEEE YYYOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU?]
...
...
/Muppy's Kingdom – Castle's Keep
BGM: off
"Anna! Wait!" Vayne yelled, beg her to stop. Unfortunately, she was much faster than him.
Vayne is running as fast as he could, even to the point of using speed-boosting items. However everything rendered useless until-
*GRUMBLE, RUMBLE*
Vayne's steps are interrupted and he nearly trip to the floor, "Whoa! What was that?"
Vayne examine his surroundings, but nobody else is around and nothing strange about the area he's in.
"It felt like... It's coming from underneath my position...," Vayne crouched down, trying to verify his analysis. This happened just like before, making him worried.
"Mr. Vayne."
"Gwaah!" Vayne was surprised yet again- Out of nowhere; Muppy-like guards are spawning in front of him!
"Leave the investigation to us," they said. Heck, how did they know what was Vayne thinking and doing anyway? ...However, they're right. This is not the time for that! Anna has gone a long way in front of him, and Vayne need to catch up!
"I'll leave this to you guys. Thank you very much!" Vayne bowed deeply, and making his leave.
/
/Muppy's Kingdom – Garden of Emerald Glass
Back to the underground...
*CLANK*
"...!" Renee gasps.
The shake stops. Out of nowhere, Flay is standing before Renee, showing his muscled back.
But no. That's not what phased out the scenery. Tilting her green eyes a bit to the side, Renee is able to look at Flay's mech sword, which firmly standing still- Blocking something.
BGM: Darkness' Voice from the Abyss
Renee take a look on whatever Flay is blocking, "...!" and gasped in terror. Gulped in shock. Terrified and sweating bullets out cold. Cannot speak so highly like before upon this dreary... thing.
"You...," Renee dropped her jaws, mouth opened wide by this horrifying creature- Who once was Pamela.
The thing Flay blocked is a hand. A gigantic, mega-sized black hand. As black as darkness, the hand is stretching long, a long way without flesh. A hand only with scary veins to view; they're carrying out dark flow of blood and make a whole arm functional, complete with dark globs surrounding it as active shields. Twisted in design, fangs came out from those oversized fingers. Yes, twisted. As it resembles a demon's hand; no, maybe it is truly a demon's hand. The dark globs are rotating with fierce faint screams along the arm's track, like a group of tortured souls. It is a left hand. Whose left hand? If you follow the arm, you'll find out that it is jointed from-
"Pamela, stop this at once!" Flay ordered.
Was that the right word to call her now? Yes, the demonic left hand Flay blocked with all his might was indeed Pamela's. The left hand indeed came from her left shoulder part... However, Pamela- No, maybe it wasn't the proper name for her current state. Clothes wickedly moving like its alive, gray-violet long hair raging like a thunderstorm, and... Those mysterious violet dark energy lines- Which orbits around 'her', moving flexibly like poison snakes. Her right hand is gripping Teddy- in its normal, human form. Except for that dark glowing vibration, and the two looked like about to transform any minute now...
*RUSTLE, RUSTLE* The left demonic hand clawed Flay's mech sword; leaving numerous scars, like scratching a peanut with knife.
"Pamela, can you hear me? Stop this now!" Flay struggled and persuading at the same time.
Renee looks at Pamela's face, wonder if she's listening... Only to see a menacing pair of demonic purple eyes.
*SCREEETCHH* Flay's mech blade is torn up, and looked like could broke at any second now, simply a plaything in front of the demon's hand.
Gasping for air; since the dark energy is taking his oxygen's space, Flay shouts: "Don't make me snap you out of it the hard way!"
As if laughing, the demonic hand moves more violently, tearing Flay's blade piece-by-piece. As the chunks of metal are falling down and making brushy noises, Renee's legs are trembling in fear.
"...?" Flay see her, but his hands are full now.
Suddenly feel like a coward, Renee's body grows cold. Renee braces herself in arms to keep the heat on, but it's no use. Her breath is heavy, as the world around her has begun to snow. She is afraid, cold, and lonely. A poor little girl tormented by her own misdeed actions.
"...!" Renee, still bracing herself in arms, is looking at Pamela with eyes of fright.
Yes, she can see it... She can see it... That scene of tragedy from Renee's most painful memories is replaying itself-
"N-No... No! Not again... Not again...!" Renee whimpered with childish voice and clenched teeth. Her expression now is far from her usual gloomy self. She is now simply a child who is begging for her parents.
"What's with you... Ugh!" Flay questioned, but the demonic hand didn't even give him one second.
The longer Renee stare at the current Pamela, the more that scene drawing real in her eyes. A demonic form, cursed with terrifying powers, bloodthirsty... So similar... Very similar to...
"AGH!" Renee fell over her knees; hands are grabbing her own head because of pain.
Renee struggles; struggles so hard, so she doesn't have to remember it. That 'home' scene was another story, but this... This tragic past event is still haunting her without voice like a silent assassin, hidden inside her shadow up until now. But without a 'monstrous existence' like Pamela is now, it won't be hurt so much. Dark powers completely filling the area, faint voices begging for life, and the scent of... The scent of m-
Renee shakes her head over and over in full denial, "STOOOOOPPP!"
"...," Flay didn't understand what's going on with the blondie, but at least he acknowledge the trick for the 'sweet'.
"Pamela, please stop! I'm Flay, in the name of justice!" Flay shouted, babbling heroic (if not idiotic) line.
[...FLAAAAAYYY...?]
"You have to stop! You have promised, remember?" Flay getting more serious with his mouth than ever.
[...P-ROMIS-E...]
Looking straight at Pamela's current purple demonic eyes, Flay shouts dramatically:
"Remember what Supreme Ruler and Vayne told you!"
*SLID*
BGM: off
The demonic hand's movement has weakened a bit. Flay didn't waste this opportunity to do a full-fledged cross slash and knock the demonic hand away.
"...Man, since the Graduation, I haven't panted this hard... *cough*," Flay strikes in a cool but also tired expression, while crouching on one leg.
Meanwhile, Pamela's demonic hand has shortened back to the owner. Pamela's demonic eyes are spilling tears... Images of two boys, one nerdy and one spineless, but both are gray haired, are lighting Pamela's mind with comfort...
[BERNARD... VAYNE...]
Pamela's dark energy vanished; her Teddy has calmed down, both her eyes and demonic left hand has returned to normal. Relieved she has regained her humanity, Pamela dropped down to the grass with stretched legs.
"Thank you... Flay," she said with her own voice. Her usual, sweet voice resembles an angel. And with that's done, she closed her eyes and fell asleep.
BGM: Sunset Skies
Relieved as well, Flay gets up, pick the scrap junk which once was his favourite sword, and look at it by sighing, "Sigh... Flint is going to get grumpy again..."
On the other hand, Renee has stop shaking and frozen in place instead. Letting another sigh, Flay approaches Renee and crouches a bit, tapping her shoulder to melt her icy state.
Renee is looking at Flay with anxiety, before Flay speaks, "It's over now."
The cold has gone. The trembling has ceased. The playback has stopped. The tragic scene has dissolved back into Renee's deepest part of memory. Free from her darkest image of fear, Renee is losing strength on her legs and dropped down like Pamela did.
"Hey," Flay called out to her.
Renee lifts her head to see Flay. The 'heroic' figure that has saved her day- Maybe not only hers, but Pamela's as well.
Embarrassed like a puppy, Renee apologizes, "I went too far. I'm sorry."
"You did indeed, so better pay the debt to her later. Got that?" Flay reminded; before remove his new (but now a little ragged) cape.
"...Yes, I will," Renee replied weakly. Her energy seemed to be lost...
Flay clapped his hand to remove some dusts on his cape, "Man, where did you learn a detective's deduction like that?"
Renee wipe out her sweats on her right cheek, "...A little something I learned as a child. Couldn't really put it into use in the academy."
"Well, you yourself seem to have story to tell, but...," Flay spoke as he walk over to Pamela and cover her with his cape as a blanket, "It can wait until the both of you get some rest."
Feeling relaxed, Renee brushed over all her negative energy and gets the little rest she's so desperately need. Mentally and physically, she's never been this exhausted before. One thing made her calm now, is that the shadows of her past has fled away... At least, for now.
/
BGM: off
Deep within her slumber, Pamela sink into the sea of consciousness. She sinks so deep, back to many, many, far too many years ago, in her life time...
~Memoir of the Sweet Little Lady~
BGM: Sunny Day City
"Welcome to our town, a livelihood for people investing business, making friends, start a family, and have fun!" a female guide with golden hair announced to the town's visitors with lovely 100 Watts smile.
"To your right, there is the Cherub's Bank. Feel free to store your money, donate for the town, or invest some good-smelly business!" the guide pointed to the impressive-looking bank on her left, anticipating the people's positive feedback.
"Whoo!" yes, it is positive.
"Just behind me, there is the Raguel Hall. People can do all kinds of fun activities using these facilities," the guide moved out of the way, for the visitor to see the playground for kids, the comfy oak chairs for elders, a huge library personally under Mayor's care, also all beautiful tress and grasses surrounding them all.
"WHOOO!" another positive feedback.
"And last but not least... To your left, there is the House of Gabrielle, an orphanage where the poor, innocent, orphans are living. Please donate your help and mercy to the bank for them, or find the angel in your heart and adopt one of them! *sob*" the blonde guide let out some small tears; whether real or not, it's hard to tell.
Instead of some cries, visitors are blitzkrieg-ing towards the orphanage (while stomping on the guide in the process), break the doors, and yelling at the counter lady.
"I want to adopt a child!"
"I want it a boy!"
"I want it a girl!"
"Any blondie?"
"Black hair is the best!"
"What about brunette?"
While the counter lady is (forced to) going crazy with the adoption forms and family papers, a group of small children are peeking behind an enormous wooden door far, far behind.
"Yeah! Another good chance!" a boy with small bruises on his face whispered in high spirits.
"Guys... I appreciate this, but...," a little girl with long, violet hair nervously whispered.
"Don't give up now. Once you speak, there is always a chance," another girl but brunette encouraged.
"We'll back you up, so no worries!" another boy with white skin proudly said.
"Come on, you should go girl for once!" another short-haired girl gave her a push.
"If you say so... Alright, let's go!" the violet-haired girl and her friends start to do their 'thing'.
...
...
BGM: Memories of the Tree
...And the day ended. Thanks to the 'brilliant' presentation from the guide, all of the children in the orphanage have been adopted- Except one.
"...," the previous little girl with long, gray-violet hair is sitting all alone in a room where she used to play with all her friends.
"Dear, don't be so sad," a kind old woman with aging hair comforted her from behind.
"Why is no one adopting me?" the little girl fold her feet with annoyed look on her face.
"It is up to the Great Will up there, little one. Just do what you can and leave the rest to Him. It'll come back to you eventually," the old woman wisely reprimanded.
"But when? And how? Dan always told me that I have a beautiful face. Mary was always envious of my sweet voice. Ralph was admiring my delightful skin. Vanessa can only wish for a pretty long hair like mine. Even so, none of those traits bring me any luck with new parents," the little girl confessed all her depression she's been holding for so many years.
The old woman caresses the little girl's violet long hair, hoping to make her feel any better. Outside of the room, the orphanage's owner watched with aching heart. It's true; she's been all alone since she was born. The owner found her as a newborn baby, crying all alone in a stranded house within deserted village. A spooky house it is, since there are all occult stuff like magic circle, spells carved to the floor, and broken bottles of potions. There is also dark and evil atmosphere filling the entire house. The owner got out as soon as she verified there is no one else alive inside, and carries the baby to her orphanage in town. ...Well, that was many years ago.
"Granny... Where are my real parents? Why did they leave me right after I was born?" the little girl begged with sorrowful voice.
Unable to tell the truth, the old woman steer the conversation to a different direction, "Please dear, it's not like you to complaints and sighs. You are the angel of this orphanage. Everybody in this town knows that!"
Letting some small tears, the little girl speaks with deep sorrow, "I know, Granny. But... I-I just... I just... feel tired after so many years..."
The old woman hugged the little girl, comforting her from the pain she suffered this whole time. The owner knows; the real parents of that little girl are- No longer exists in this world. After taking her to the orphanage, the owner instructed some mercenaries to investigate the house. Results are: the house belongs to an alchemist and his wife. It seems an accident happened during an alchemy project, and both of them are dead. Well, shortly after giving birth to the baby inside the wife's womb that is. Several things left unexplained, as various Dark Arts equipments are scattered around the village hall- and a larger magic circle used for summoning is left on its ground. What are tools for magic doing in that village? What's that summoning circle is supposed to call? The village was attacked by bandits regularly before, but they vanished after this incident. Is there a connection? Nobody really knows.
The owner dashed to her office, meddling with some papers in rush. Meanwhile, the little girl has calmed down.
"I'm sorry Granny, for crying like this," the little girl apologized.
"That's alright, dear. You've been through many hardships, so you'll need someone to relieve your mind of all those stress," the old woman smiles warmly.
One hour later, the little girl had her dinner with the old woman accompanying her. However, the owner didn't show up. So the good little girl took the owner's dinner to her office, where she founds-
"Ms. owner, I bring your- What are you doing?" the little girl is dazed by the messy office, papers are scattered around everywhere.
"Hahaha, thank you for bring me my dinner. I was busy looking for this paper, so my office is a mess now. Please just put it there, I'll eat it as soon as I checked this out," the owner gave her a smile, while holding a piece of advertisement paper.
The little girl glanced at the paper a bit, "Al... Re-what? A-c-a-de-m-y? What is that? A school?"
The owner grins huge, "If my intuition is correct, this will solve your problem!"
"Really?" the little girl's poor eyes shine a bit.
"I promise! I will verify this as ASAP, so just wait a little longer okay?" the owner replied with cheerful tone.
"I will, Ms. Owner!" the little girl finally smiles.
The owner caresses the little girl's beautiful long hair, "Until then, please be a good little lady... Pamela."
...
...
"I have... long forgotten about my life, yet alone my childhood. Those were my hardest times; maybe that's why I hardly remember any of them. I was laughing most of the time; together with all my friends at the orphanage, similar to what I am now. But eventually they will leave me all alone- no matter how close we have been; once they left I have to start anew with new children, and forced to forget the old ones. Everyone is growing up and moving on, but not me. In the end, I'm always crying alone..."
/
~Memoir of the Sweet Young Lady~
BGM: Homeroom
"Good morning, students. Welcome to the Al-Revis Academy! This is a school of alchemy, where all of you will be taught everything you need to be great alchemists. Alchemy is not magic or dark force- it's science! Well, alchemy isn't' very well known yet among the public, but no worries! Once you mastered it, it'll pretty useful for daily life basis; from house chores, working, and earning money. As the few great alchemists who've built this school try to achieve, we professors who've learned directly under these masters will lead you to be true alchemists and spread the incredible potential of alchemy throughout the entire world!" an energetic well-mannered teacher properly educate his freshmen.
"Incredible, sir! I'm looking forward to learn a lot from you and other professors!" a male student with bright eyes shouted.
"Well said, young one! But do beware; neither the sites nor I will going easy on you! Ha-ha!" the teacher responded, full of energy.
"But teacher, we're floating far, far above in the sky! Who will recognize our efforts should we succeed anyway?" a female, rather gloomy student raised a good question.
"What an interesting trivia! I believe it's up to you who graduates will do, once you descended down there! Teach those people a good lesson! Ha-ha!" another energetic answer- what did he eats this morning?
"...Metaphorically?" a rather frightened female student asked.
"Done with the proper introduction for myself, now it's your turn! Step up one by one, students. Being shy is unacceptable!" a powerful quote, or rather an order, from this 'hot' teacher. Uhhh, he did ignore the question before NOT on purpose... Right?
A male student stood up, "But sir, your haven't told us your name-"
"You want to go first? It's destiny that your seat is in the leftmost of the first row! Go ahead!" well; it sounded like he was actually deaf.
"Some goofy teacher...," a male student whispered to himself.
"I HEARD THAT! DETENTION!"
...Maybe not.
...
...
"...You're next! Please make it brief, but memorable!" the teacher demanded too much for his own good.
A female student- Beautiful one, that is- Walk towards the blackboard packed with excellent confidence. Her beautiful long, long gray-ish hair spreads out slightly for every step she took. Her violet eyes are mysterious yet adorable; perfectly fit her lovely lips, well-rounded posture, and smooth skin. Not to mention her discipline for wearing the flamboyant and formal uniform of this 'kind-of-recently' established academy- Which gave about ten dunces already the 'water bucket' duty. As she presented her face in front of the class, every single of (remaining) student's world is turned to her.
"Good morning, everyone. My name is Pamela Ibis; I came from the orphanage in the faraway town below on my guardians' guidance. I have no parents and always lonely back then, but... I'm looking forward to make the best of my time here with all of you," the young lady finished with a bow.
As if an angel has spoken in His stead, everything within the class has quieted down completely. The young lady's courteous, passionate, and most importantly honest speech has touched all students, even the teacher himself. A simple wish the young lady requested is so pure and innocent, taken out from the deep dusty box right inside her heart. Soon, the young lady's presence stands out in front of everyone's eyes...
Gathering Assignment
"Man, where we can find some Spinacherb?" a male student groaned.
"I think it grows beneath some trees... Ah, there it is! I found it!" the young lady picked the material up with joy.
"You're so smart, Pamela! Glad I teamed up with you!" the male student is so happy.
Item Creation Quiz
"Pamela, please mention one variation for synthesizing Nectar!" a teacher asked.
"Tangerine, Belgrade Potato, and Salt!" the young lady answered quickly.
"Correct! That's the third correct answer you have given to me this week, Pamela! Well done," the teacher praised.
Workshop
"Pamela, don't you have a workshop yet?" a kind of fat male student asked.
"Umm, not yet. Why?" the young lady wonders.
The fat boy smiles, "Will you join mine? We don't have enough members-"
"No way, fatso! Pamela, please join ours!" a rather rude male student butted in with some others behind him.
"Don't get distracted by those lazy idiots! Join ours, Pamela- And your credibility in this academy is assured!" a somewhat intelligent looking blonde pushed the boys' crowd with her oversized dictionary.
"Ummm...," the young lady is having a rough time on decision.
"Hey, I'm asking her first," the kind fat boy's smile has been lost.
"You can't protect this beautiful lady here with your fat! You need muscles like ours!" the rude male student argued.
"If she is under your care, she'll be a brainless barbarian! Our academic goal is much better to lead her to a bright future!" the female student point out the obvious, but she should've softer in using the words...
"IT'S ON!"
The workshops hallways turned into pit of brawl within seconds. The young lady can't wait until they are finished, so she returned to her dorm.
Combat Assignment
"Argh! Damn!" a male student was knocked back and hit the tree.
"Ahh! We won't score an A in this assignment! This monster is simply too strong!" a female student fell on his knees with pacing breath and hopeless expression.
However, a healing light cures her in an instant.
"Was that a Mega Heal? You saved me, Pamela...," the female student feel relieved, and try to stand up using her club as a pole.
"Don't only attack with your weapon! Use your Common Skills as well!" the young lady advised.
Hard but manageable, after a half hour they came out victorious.
"Phew... I thought we were done for...," a male student slumped to the ground, hugging his battle axe.
"This thanks to your advice, Pamela!" the female student praised.
"And your Common Skills magic attack were awesome!" the male student praised as well.
"No, guys... I'm only doing what I can," the young lady spoke humbly.
"Hahaha, but you should've used your Inherent Skill when you had the chance!" the female student teased.
"Yeah, sure...," the young lady replied, somewhat bitter.
...
...
"Thanks to Ms. owner's recommendation, I was able to attend the Al-Revis Academy. Like she said, even with no parents, I can live in the dorms there and study at the same time with many other students. Yes, I was so happy when she told me about it... Since I have no real talents in alchemy, I learned everything I can from the books in the library bought by Mayor from his travels in faraway cities, and explore small forests surrounding our town. I did everything I could, and I passed the normal entrance exam. Everyone in the academy was so nice to me- I'm so happy to make friends with them. Since now it's different; unlike before, I can move on to the future together with everyone else. Right; I used to be smart, diligent, and honest... Until-"
...
...
BGM: off
After one hour walk, they return to the academy and get the A score stamp they deserved. The young lady's two party members jumped out of the room with tremendous happiness, but-
"Pamela, please stay put. I need to ask you some questions," the teacher put it the simple, but somehow hard way...
The young lady turns her head in shock, but can only nods, "Oh, alright... Everyone, please go ahead."
"Meet us at the Cafeteria!" the female wave her hand 'see you later'.
So, now only the young lady and the teacher.
BGM: Pitch Black
"Pamela, can I ask you a question?" the teacher called out to her.
"What is it, professor?" the young lady is confused.
"Pamela, you're not carrying a weapon with you?" the teacher questioned.
"No... I can't use any weapon well, even just throwing a bomb...," the young lady lowers her head in embarrassment.
"What about Inherent Skills? You possess either two or three by now, right?" the teacher asked with more pressure.
Lifting her sad face, the young lady speaks the truth, "Sir, I... Actually, I... I don't have... any single skill of my own..."
"Isn't anyone in your workshop teaches you about it?" the teacher asked further.
"Actually... I haven't joined any workshop yet...," the young lady confessed.
The teacher sighed; tapping his bald head with depression, while circle around the room over and over. It took him 5 minutes of thinking before return to his original position and speaks again:
"Listen, Pamela. This is indeed an academy of alchemy, but it doesn't mean you don't need to arm yourself. Gathering materials and fighting specific monsters to acquire them are dangerous- Very dangerous. You can't really stick with Common Skills and others forever- Not to mention they're not really all that familiar with you. If this keeps up, you'll face an unimaginable difficulty in your second year. Be sure to solve these problems as soon as you can!" the teacher put it blatantly, a bit pressing.
The young lady only stares at the floor, "I will... Sir."
The young lady left, heartbroken. Ten minutes passed; that's when another teacher came inside and discuss with the bald-head teacher.
BGM: Impending Conspiracy
"Aren't you being too rough on her?"
"She is too kind and naive. An Alchemist shouldn't be that way!"
"She has been lonely for so long in the orphanage. I think it's pretty normal to be afraid of losing friends."
"Hmph. Every higher-up here knows well before accepting her to take the entrance exam. She is actually-"
"Stop that, it's not like what you think, remember? And, everyone agrees no to talk about that in the academy! Someone might be listening!"
"Hmph. It's the same way to me. I couldn't let her to make trouble here!"
"Make trouble? You assaulted her mentally with your harsh words instead of helping! That's far more dangerous! If you keep pressuring her like that-"
"-She might drop out of the school."
"If you know already, then why?"
"I just can't stand watching a sweet faced mistake like her!"
"Why, you-!"
...
...
BGM: Memories of the Tree
"Everyone loves me; I always study hard and get good grades. However, it didn't take long for me to notice my flaws. I have no real talent or specialty; neither do I have something of true worth in battle. I can't choose one of the workshops either, so things start to turn upside down. By the start of middle term in my first year, I was left behind in my grades. Without defeating the required monsters I couldn't acquire the required materials, so I messed up every synthesis assignment- Which used to be my specialty. Unhealthy rumours spreads; making everyone give me peculiar stares, and soon it feels like the happiness has been snatched away from me. I was so lost; I don't know what to do anymore. ...Until I meet them..."
/
Meanwhile, in the real world, on another part of the castle...
/Muppy's Kingdom – Ancient Prison Building
BGM: By the Illusion
*pant, pant* a tired low-voiced panting can be heard from behind the Ancient Prison Building's front door. Yes, an abandoned building with some leaks in the roof for sunlight to break through- Perfect for hiding.
"Annaaaa. Annaaa? Annnnaaaaa~!" Vayne's voices echoed through outside this part of the castle.
"...," however, Anna had no intention to come out from her perfect hiding spot.
Strange, why she panted so hard with her lightning speed movement and trained legs? Maybe it's mental pain she had to endure during this escape...
"...Vayne," Anna murmured to herself, feeling guilty for what she did.
Why, after all his kindness, after all his encouragement, after all his understanding... She ran away from him? She does know why, but still resist believing it. She is afraid- Afraid that she might be wrong. That Vayne is not-
"...What's wrong with me?" Anna doubted herself. True, she has given up hope so suddenly, and led astray by her negative imaginations after reading a silly book. She is losing all confidence in herself, and even in Vayne. This definitely isn't like her usual serious, hard-working, team player self. Her heart aches so much, even it's only been a few hours. ...She is even unsure of what her heart says now. All the inner conflict going on in her heart has silenced it.
"Vayne, I... I'm afraid... What if we... Aren't meant to be...? What if this is... simply another illusion...?" Anna hugged her katana and cried softly. She cried so soft with silent tears, that no one will notice- unless they're close enough.
"...Anna? What are you doing in here?"
A voice takes Anna by surprise. It's definitely not Vayne's, but sounds girly. Within the shadows, a figure with pink hair slowly reveals herself- One girl Anna doesn't want to meet the most at the moment.
"J-Jess...?" Anna quickly hides her face and wipes her tears, "I was just-"
Jess put a pointer in front of her own lips, "Sssh. You don't have to tell me."
Ignoring Jess' calm demeanour, Anna quickly get back on her feet and ready to leave. But as she grab the doorknob-
"Wait a minute, Anna," Jess calmly requested.
Avoiding eye contact, Anna politely asks without looking at Jess' face, "...What is it?"
Unaffected by Anna's closed attitude towards her, Jess simply smiles warmly like she always does as the sunlight sourced from one of the roof's leak makes her motherly face shine:
"I wanted to talk to you."
/
To be continued...
/
BGM: off
Ahh, done! Done, done, done, finally! OMG, how long did I take to complete this chapter? Man, it was really, really, REALLY HARD to do it! (Thanks to my EXTREME laziness!) But I'm so glad it has been completed. Thanks to all of you: readers and reviewer, who keep waiting patiently for this late update. I'm so glad for all of your reading and reviews! It gave me strength to go on writing my stories! My apologies for lagging this long! I'll try harder to finish it faster next time!
I'm sorry if you didn't like the 'Renee's Analysis' part, but I figure they have some things in common, so Renee is the only one who fit with this 'uncovering Pamela's secrets' issue besides Flay. In the next chapter Flay will continue the Pamela's past stories as well as his own, since Flay's past is linked to Pamela's as well. Anna is having a hard time to take care of her heart too, so please tolerate.
And by the way, you Mana Khemia 2 players should've notice. Yes, Renee's Flashbacks are the same like Raze's flashbacks. Well, since the two have a lot in common: weapon of choice, hidden side within, fighting style, etc. (at least, I think so). I based Renee's flashbacks on Raze's, and it worked pretty well in the end. For better reading, imagine how watching Raze's flashback feels like while reading Renee's flashback. It unbelievably fit really well! Try it :
Pamela's next parts of pasts are: before and after she died, when she meet Bernard, when she meet Flay for the first time, and the last is when Vayne finally uncover the way to set her free from the Campus' invisible barrier. ...Yes, I'm not joking. Do expect the Principal and Vice Principal: Bernard Tieck and Ernentraud Karnap, in their youths within Pamela's past in the next chapter! You can also find out why Flay respect them, thus call them 'Supreme Ruler' and 'Madame'... Hehehehehehe. :3
Since this chapter mostly about stories of the past, there is no new entry yet for the Encyclopedia. Not to mention there isn't much Vayne-Anna fluffy moments, either... Sorry! :p
But besides that; I hope this chapter satisfy your curiosities and expectations about characters' back story, although it's still a half of it. Oh, why I use 'sweet' in each part's title of Pamela's past? Because Pamela means 'sweet'. I think most of you already know that. LoL
That's it from me this time folks! I will do my best to complete the next chapter in shorter time, so please read and review! It will be hard as hell since I have other stories too, but I'll keep trying!
Please review! Plus or minus, your reviews are greatly appreciated! Thank you very much, and stay tuned! :D