Hello, readers! A very Merry Christmas to you! I bring you a gift in the form of this story's next chapter! I've been traveling over the past few weeks, so I haven't had much time to post until now.
As usual, before we get started, we'll have to get the Japanese-English names set up. Here they are:
Divine = Sayer
Aki = Akiza
OK, now for the DISCLAIMER: The author does not own the Yugioh or Android: Netrunner card games, or their respective companies. The author does own the character Epsilon/Samuel, the Collective faction and its members, and Samuel's custom Deck/Duel Disk.
Oh, one final thing: From the reviews I've gotten, I've seen that some of you are wanting things to move along faster with the story, but your explanations have not been very clear about HOW fast you want things done. If you would like a change in the story's pace, please let me know, and I will try to message you, or respond to your review, when I can.
Onward to the Chapter!
[AKI POV]
A scream straight out of my nightmares snaps me awake. I look around my room from my bed; I had lain down in the hopes of a quick nap before I next spoke to Divine. But, that's no longer possible. This scream comes in a familiar voice. Samuel's voice.
I feel angry, and happy, to hear him again. Honestly, I should just be angry. But there's some tiny, compassionate part of me in my chest that refuses to lie down and die. That part wants to find Samuel again, even though he's probably dead by my powers.
But, if I killed him, why do I still feel his presence? Guilt, maybe? Is this feeling a phantom of my past, like so many of my memories are?
Whispers of my past speak to me in earnest. I shake my head to dispel them, if only for a moment. They replay snippets, words, and phrases of who I used to be. I can't connect faces to words, but each new person that talks in my head brings back more of the pain I've tried so hard to forget. The pain quickly spreads to my chest, pressing down on my lungs. I shudder with each breath I take.
I keep my eyes up to the ceiling as I focus on my psychic energies. The pain dumbs down, for now. Divine called this trick of the mind a 'placebo effect', or something similar. I just need to last longer than the voices can speak, and I'll conquer them.
My right arm suddenly throbs; the muscle clenches as if under a huge weight. I slowly raise the arm above my head and clench that wrist with my other hand. The mark of a three-clawed foot glows through my dress in the middle of the arm, burning the skin underneath. The mere sight of this mark fills me with anger. This cursed mark has been my greatest problem all these years. These whispers are probably another source of its influence on me, another sign of my fate.
The mark's glow fades as I feel my right cheek start to itch. I ignore it, and it grows stronger. I eventually choose to scratch it, and lower my right arm back onto the bed while rubbing my left hand along that area.
My eyes widen as I feel my skin stick to my fingers. Am I sweating, or something worse? I need to figure this out.
I slip off my bed and move to the full-length mirror. From a distance, nothing is wrong. The front strands of my hair stick to my face, and my left hand's fingers are stuck to that cheek. I pull my fingers back, and my skin stretches out like peeling tape for several inches before it finally lets go. The skin snaps back into place in an instant. A few drops of some white liquid spray out of my cheek. It looks like... pus.
This has to be an illusion. A confusing illusion.
The whispers grow louder as I move my face closer to the mirror. My left cheek has been segmented into small hexagonal pieces of skin. Small lines separate each segment apart, and more of the pus leaks out of the lines with each second. The whispers fade as I draw my attention to this phenomena. If it's being caused by my powers, does that mean my powers are growing?
I hold my breath as one of these segments shrinks down into my face, all on its own. A second later, the segments around it do the same thing. The ones next to those segments repeat the pattern, and then the ones next to those ones. Pus now flows down my cheek, and onto the floor, as my cheek silently caves in on itself. I just stare as my stomach starts to bubble like I ate something terrible.
Once all the segments have caved in, I'm left with a crater where my cheek was. I can't see my jawbone, just muscle. The weirdest part is that I don't feel any pain from this entire event. My gut tells me to be disgusted, but I can't look away. I don't know whether I'm curious about how this ends, or don't want to stop it before it finishes. At least this isn't actually painful, like most of the times I use my powers.
I raise a hand to the hole in my cheek. My fingers actually go inside the hole to touch wet muscle. When I draw my hand back, my fingers are covered in pus. I then lurch as my stomach pushes something partially up my throat. It takes a good swallow to force it back down, and I turn away from the mirror. I can tell my body doesn't want see any more of this.
My body freezes up before I can fully turn away. White noise fills my ears, a fusion of the whispers and screams. I try to block it out, but it's too late. My eyes clamp shut as the psychic resistance device Divine gave me after the Fortune Cup rattles violently in my hair. This is just like in the Fortune Cup, when I lost control of my powers. I can't have that happen again!
Suddenly, the noise turns into a voice that drives back any other thoughts. It speaks in a very erratic pattern; every word it says appears in bleeding text behind my closed eyelids. Nevertheless, I understand every single word it says:
"K̶͉̹̭͍n͎̳̯̯o̟͚̭̲̲͕̪w̦̰͖͍͠ ͠t̶͚͙h̳̩̦̱͠i̧̺͇̗̝͔s̥̳̗͖ ̻̼̝̺a̧͍͎̼̥͈̻s̤̫̲ ̳͖̺̙̰y̳̰͕̬̫̝̠͟o̫̥̹ͅu͇̪̗ ̥̺͚̲͖̣c̛͇̖̗̙̰̮̯onf̼͍̮͢usȩ̮͈̱̠̘͕̫ ̱̼r̪̝͡e͍̯̻̮͎a̝̣̭͎l͏̺̼i̥͠ṭ̵͕͎͈y̷ ͇͘ẃ̹̥͔i̗͕̞͍̘͍̝t̫̺͖͕h̭̼̠̫̘͢ ̰͎̰̭̜͕̟m̢͓͇̥̺̦̘e̝̤͕̟͇m̺̬͈̭͖̯o͓̣r̩y̬̤̼̖̭̮ͅ;̘̱̗̹̼̙
͏̜̫̝Y̸͔̘͓o͚̻̥̜͇̻̰ų̖r̺̻̳ ̙̺͍t̞̲i͕͙͎̻͔̹m̫̹̳e̠͉̖̪͞ ̡wi͙͝l̫ḽ̪ ̵̪̩̥̲̞c҉̠͚̳͖o̮̙̝̺̫͓̜m̰̞̙̭͈̪e̱͎̬̤.͏̻͕͈̦̮ͅ
̶Y̫͇̟̹̜̼o̴̞̯̙̪͙̙̫u͟r̨̞͔̲̩ ̲̻͇̕p͇͎̮̜a̦̺͚̤s̺͟t̻̮̻̩̪͙͎ ͜w͡i̠͙͚͎͙l̰͔̹̗̥ĺ ̤̫̝̬r͉̻͔͙̹e̪̯͉̪͎t̬̠͈̕u͇̹̹͉̻r͓͕̟͉̱̬ͅn͖̗̻̯.̼̪̞
͓̻͜T̡̗h̳̻͎͕͞e͈͖͚̰ ̹̭A҉͔̯̝r̵͍͚r͎͙̫̘̲i̴͍͇͓̱̯v̛a̞̙̲̼̙̬̣ḷ̭̫͠ͅ ̧̳͔͔̰a͍̜̺͇̟p̜̬̣̗͓p̢̝̘̻͙r̲̪̝͎͎̪̫o̲͓͓̮̠̟̗͡a̤̝̬̩̙̱ͅcͅͅh͕͙̻̙͓͍̠e͢s̺͇͇͍.͇̰͚̲̗"
Something long and ropy stretches from the hole in my cheek, and touches my forehead with a sharp set of teeth. Something from those teeth stabs into my brain. My head bobs back and forth as information, data, knowledge is pumped into my mind. I scream, and don't hear my voice.
My limbs shut down. I black out before I hit the floor.
[DIVINE POV]
[10 MINUTES EARLIER…]
I never considered myself as a hasty person. Now, I'm not sure.
Epsilon rests in the same pod I put him in from before. His face is expressionless, his conscious mind asleep. I look over the pod's computers to try and find the source of his emotional problem. I force myself to stay calm, despite the rational part me saying this is Murphy's Law in action. I should have expected something to go wrong.
I was actually surprised to hear that Seria had been critically injured in her test Duel against Epsilon. She was brought to the infirmary as soon as possible, but I saw from a glance that her burns weren't severe. She'll be fine after a few hours' rest, and a patch-up from the medical team. That Duel must have forced her to use more of her powers than I expected.
I knew that Epsilon had strong powers of his own, but my reconditioning should have cleared away any major source of emotional strength. The rules I had given Seria before the Duel—to tell Epsilon to give names for specific Monster abilities and attacks—was meant to test how strong Epsilon commits to his Duels. I didn't expect Epsilon to have as much emotion as he did.
He's similar to Aki, in that way; both of them are explosive at any moment. However, I want Epsilon's emotions contained, like Aki's psychic resistance device suppresses her feelings. Unlike Aki, however, Epsilon's emotions are quite crafty. They exploit a weak spot, and don't stay in one place.
Epsilon's cybernetic implants are probably the source of this problem; they are working against my conditioning. But, those implants are also useful. Seria said the metal eye seems to actively analyze any Duel Epsilon is in, and feeds him new information and strategies. If that's true, then Epsilon has a severe advantage against any opponents he faces. The computer calculates the best plays for him, which lets his conscious mind react to other things.
It's amazing, really; Epsilon's becoming more like a machine every time I look at him.
The computer's data shows Epsilon is resting normally. I can leave him like this. I've learnt the hard way with Aki that too much conditioning at one time can backfire in having none of it stay for long. That's why I've kept my sessions with Epsilon brief, but often. I've given him little bits, like one would give a dog, to make him trust me.
But, why do his human emotions find ways to jump ahead of my plans, and force him into dangerous situations?
The computer suddenly brings up a new piece of data. It's the same type that Seria singled out earlier, the one that shows Epsilon is in contact with another world. If this is true, then Epsilon should be safe for the time being. So long as I can keep checking on him, I don't have to stay nearby.
I turn away from the computer to look at my resting subject. A second later, a wave of force presses itself down on my mind. I brace myself against the computer as a familiar mental scream rings in my ears.
It's Aki. Something's happened to her. Something bad.
Epsilon can wait.
[3rd Person POV]
[NEO DOMINO NETWORK]
A pod the size of a semi-truck drifts through cyberspace. Tentacles extend from its end, and spin in a tight circle to propel it forward through digital air. The front end is reinforced with layers of red flesh, and open holes on the sides jet out digital air for extra speed. Anything that gets in its way is smashed apart by the reinforced front. Any bumps or pushes off course are corrected within nanoseconds by the air holes.
The pod's course is predetermined, programmed into its semi-intelligent mind. It constantly checks its path to ensure it is on track. It passes over, and through, the digital servers of the Network without slowing down in the least. Its priority is to reach its destination, and protect its cargo until it arrives there.
The 'cargo' is a form sent by its creator, a piece of its own digital essence. Once the pod has landed successfully, it will release this form to the server. The form will then carry out its own assigned task, which is not of any concern to the pod. All the pod cares about is delivering the form to the assigned place.
The pod smashes through a network connection line, and breaks it in two. The form inside shifts in its slumber as the network's data flows across the pod's surface. The computers analyze the data as a secondary program, but also continue to work on their primary goal. The pod does not know, or care, whether the line it smashed will be reconnected.
The pod also does not care about the time it will take to reach its destination. The Network is nigh infinite in size, but its destination will eventually be reached. The pod continues on its journey without pause, and the form inside resumes its slumber.
Soon enough, the journey will be complete.
[EPSILON POV]
The steady beep of some device reaches my ears. The air feels cold, and my nose tingles from the smell. I don't want to open my eyes, since I don't want to see that laboratory again. I don't want to be experimented on like that again. Those three scientists don't deserve to experiment on innocent creatures like they've been doing.
The beep continues the longer I keep my eyes closed. Curiosity eventually wins over my desires, and I open my eyes to look around. I appear to be in a large chamber like the Arcadia Movement's Arena; it's got the same wall coloring, but a ring of thick glass stretches across the upper half of the walls.
The rest of the wall, ceiling, and floor are made up of gray panels that look like they can split apart at any moment. No, wait, there are also large metal doors on each wall, reinforced with additional layers. These scientists seem to have thought of everything, as far as the chances I have to escape here.
I stand up as I see the three scientists at different areas of the glass ring. Kozaky stands to my left, the red-haired scientist to my right, and the purple-haired scientist in front of me. The same arrangement as back in that lab, actually. Is this their usual position, or is this some kind of coincidence?
The three notice me, and my attention then turns to the door opposite me as it opens up. Something stumbles through into the chamber—a giant of a man, with black skin, rippling muscles, and glowing red eyes. It's Bergzak, one of the 'Koa'ki Meiru' Monsters in my Deck, right down to the 'Iron Core' symbol embedded into his chest. This proves to me that these scientists are using the actual Iron Core's energies in their tests.
I hate these three all the more for that.
I then see a section of panels split apart, and retract below the surface. They are replaced by what looks like a large cannon. Its metal is a greenish-gray, long lines embedded into the surface. A smaller set of wires stretch from the weapon to a smaller circle strap, and a scope rests on the left side of the main barrel.
The way the weapon is structured tells me it can be propped on a shoulder, and held with both hands, provided the person has enough strength to properly wield it. But, what will it fire?
"Initiating beta test for subject E-0X2: the 'Core Blaster' weapon," the purple-haired scientist says through some kind of speaker in the walls. "This test will determine the raw strength, and energy output of E-0X2 against Darkworld-like energies."
"Oh, this is going to be so fun!" Kozaky lets out with a quick giggle. "I so love seeing the capabilities of weapons like this! We already saw it wipe out that Light-energy Petit Dragon in the alpha test, but this'll be a treat!"
"Sentry," the red-haired scientist states to Bergzak, despite not calling him by his actual name, "take Subject E-0X2 and wield it. Remain still until we say otherwise."
Bergzak moves over to the weapon with no form of resistance, and picks it up. It places the small circular strap around the 'Iron Core' emblem on its chest, and then props it on its shoulder like it thought it would. The strap digs itself into Bergzak's chest, and the warrior moans from the pain.
"Bergzak…" I whisper. "You don't have to do this."
The warrior doesn't say a word, but he doesn't need to. He just looks at me with a focused gaze that shows me his pain. Then, the barrel's lines, circular strap, and inner core of the weapon all glow a golden yellow. The hair on the back of my neck rises up as the weapon powers up. I can feel the energy surge through the chamber, waiting to be used.
"E-0X2 is online and active," the red-haired scientist announces. "Releasing the subject, dubbed 'Ryu Kushin'."
The door to my left opens, and a new humanoid creature stumbles into the chamber. It looks like a pale-skinned man, but its nails are sharpened into long claws. Purple wings stretch out from its back, and its fanged mouth is too large to look nice in any way. Its green eyes lack any pupils, or they might be unfocused because it doesn't seem to be fully aware of its surroundings.
"Activate the Nega-Ton Corepanel," the purple-haired scientist commands. I look to a set of panels beside me as they retract into the ground. What comes up in their place is a giant panel set on top of a power device with the 'Iron Core' emblem. I can't tell how the device beneath the panel looks before the panel activates.
I race away from the panel as I feel the same energy from the 'Core Blaster', and then shield my eyes as the panel emits a blinding light. When I lower my hands, the winged fiend is frozen in the panel's light. If I hadn't gotten away, I would be stuck like him.
"Ryu Kushin immobilized," Kozaky states. "Now, the fun part! Sentry, destroy this fiend!"
Bergzak raises the blaster up and points it at the immobilized creature. The panel's light locks its limbs in place, but I can see the veins along its muscles bulge and twist. It's trying to escape. Should I try and help it get away?
I take a step forward, but stop as the energy all around me goes into the blaster. Bergzak's right hand wraps around a trigger below the main barrel, and presses it down. The blaster releases its stored power in a huge stream of golden-yellow energy. I can only stare as this stream flies toward the fiend, who tries as hard as it can to escape. It fails.
The stream impacts the fiend, who can only cry out in pain as its body disintegrates in seconds. No blood is spilled, and no burns appear on its skin. It just breaks apart into a black smoke before my eyes, until nothing is left. The fiend never stood a chance.
"Ryu Kushin has been vaporized," I hear one of the scientists say. "This proves E-0X2 can destroy creatures made of Dark energies. Combined with the results of the alpha test, this proves E-0X2 can be used against Light and Dark-energy creatures."
"Good," a calmer voice says as I turn my gaze to Bergzak. "Very good. This weapon will be most useful against those Light forces that plague Darkworld with their presence, and can even eliminate traitors native to Darkworld."
Bergzak falls to one knee, but the blaster is still powered up. I look at his chest and see those wires that connect to the chest-strap pump a golden-yellow energy out of his body. The blaster's draining Bergzak's life away in order for him to even use it!
I can't let this happen!
I break into a sprint, and slip around the still-activated panel. Bergzak looks up at me as I run towards him, and I hear one of the scientists' shout something out. But, my focus is to get this blaster unhooked from Bergzak. I won't see him harmed any more by this device.
A light shines behind me, and my body instantly locks in place. My strength is pressed down, crushed, before the light's energy. I can only stand in mid-run, balanced on one foot. I try to wriggle my muscles, but nothing works. This must be the effect of that 'Core Panel' the scientists were talking about.
"That was close," I hear Kozaky say with a giggle. "We almost let the human get ahead of his place in the testing. He's so eager to see what the Blaster can do!"
"Then, let's show him first-hand," the purple-haired scientist calmly says. "Sentry, stand up and fire on the human. We'll see if a being infused with the Core's energies can survive E-0X2's fire."
Wait, these scientists are actually going to use that on me? But, I'm another one of their subjects! Why would they allow this to happen?
I twist and writhe my body, try to get some form of movement, but I can't wiggle anything. I can only stare in mute horror as Bergzak slowly stands up, and readies the blaster at me. He doesn't have any control over his actions.
Time slows down as I try to find some way out. There has to be something I can do! I shout in my head for Bergzak to stop. But, all I can do is mentally scream as the blaster's energy engulfs me.
My skin doesn't burn, shatter, melt, or anything else like that. Instead, the energy becomes a tunnel around me, catapults my mind into itself. The same ring of three dragons from the Iron Core appears, and something looks at me from beyond the ring. It looks like… an actual dragon. I instantly feel afraid of it; I didn't react well with the last dragon I saw.
The creature roars with a sound that shatters the ring holding it back from me. Now, it unfurls itself, rises to its full height. It towers above me, the 'Iron Core' emblem burning red on its forehead. Green eyes bore into my heart as the dragon roars once again at me. The cry sounds angry, echoing my own anger against these scientists and their experiments.
The tunnel collapses as the blaster's energy fades away. The dragon vanishes, as well, its roar ringing in my ears as I come back to the lab. My body is still imprisoned by the Nega-Ton Core Panel, but I am not harmed in any way. Bergzak is barely able to stay conscious as he struggles with the blaster's weight.
"Amazing," Kozaky shouts from the apparent safety of the windows. "E-0X2's energies didn't harm the human at all! But, my dissection showed he wasn't properly implemented with the Core. Is this some kind of anomaly in our data?"
"It's certainly something worth studying," the purple-haired scientist replies. "It appears that the weapon's energy doesn't harm beings that are also implemented by the Core. What's more, the weapon drains the energy from its user to power itself. Both of these are noteworthy results for a beta test."
"Then, we're done here," the red-haired scientist states with finality. "I'll deactivate the Nega-Ton Core Panel, and sedate the room." A second later, my body falls to the floor as the paralyzing light deactivates. My limbs are weak from being held in place like that, but I panic as I hear a rhythmic hiss of something being pumped into the chamber.
I run over to Bergzak and rip the blaster off of his body. The mutated human falls to one side as the blaster clatters to the ground. I clutch my throat as I inadvertently breathe in some of the gas. My senses grow weak, and I fall into darkness…
[SLEEP CYCLE COMPLETE]
My metal eye flashes countless numbers as I wake up back in the real world. The numbers last for just a moment. I look around me to realize I'm in the same type of pod that I first woke up in. A muted beep reaches my ears from outside the pod's lids. I look through the pod's lid to see if anyone else is here. No one is nearby, or even in the room. The computers to the side seem normal, to my untrained eye.
I look down at my body to see that, once again, I wear the same white clothing from when I was first in the pod. I feel embarrassed for a second, before I remember what Seria had said about this clothing. My concern then switches to Seria; was she critically injured from our Duel? I need to check on her, see if she's alright.
I raise a hand against the pod's lid, but the lid doesn't open for me. I should probably feel worried about this, but I just settle down into the pod. Someone will come for me, I'm sure. In the meantime, I can think about that dream, nightmare, vision… whatever that was.
Compared to the last one, this one showed that these scientists control the 'Koa'ki Meiru' and use them as test subjects. It also seems like they are developing weapons to use in a future battle against 'Light-energy' creatures. Is there a war going on in another world, involving the Monsters in my Deck?
Why am I even dreaming about these things, anyway? Are these dreams even helpful? It seems like they bring more bad feelings than good. They make me feel bad, bring out my emotions. I don't want that to happen, because that would put people in danger.
I flash back to that dragon, deep within the 'Iron Core of Koa'ki Meiru's' energy. Its roar spoke to me without a word. Its form looked like that 'Judgement Dragon' from before; not a carbon copy, but something similar. Some parts of it were sculpted differently, but the inner essence was the same. I was afraid of it, but I also felt its power. Its strength. Its independence.
Rejection at that last word hammers through my skull. My metal eye gives a new notification: ['Independence' is not an accepted word to Divine. Do not regard such unaccepted words again, or more severe punishment will be dealt.]
Punishment? Why am I being punished for thinking of a single word? Is that word really so bad to Divine that even thinking it leads to me being hurt?
[Punishment is a form of learning. Learning is essential to your current goals. Remember, it is sometimes necessary to hurt others to help them in the long run. This measure of discipline is one such example.]
Discipline? Is that what this is; discipline for my 'improper' thoughts, because they don't fit with my current goal of being a Duelist for the Arcadia Movement?
[Improper thoughts, words, or actions, must be disciplined to maintain order. Without order, there is only chaos. Unfettered emotions are one form of chaos. The Arcadia Movement is designed to control chaotic individuals, unite them under a sense of order.]
The pounding settles into a constant hum that keeps me on edge. I take slow, deep breaths as I try to calm myself down. I want to step out of the pod and do something other than lie here. I know someone will eventually come for me, but I now want to speak to Divine about these 'improper' thoughts. He can give me the full understanding on what is wrong to him.
Once I know what's wrong, I can make sure not to think, act, or say those things. Then, everyone will be happier because I won't be doing anything wrong. That's what Divine wants from me, right? To do no wrong while I help him in the Arcadia Movement's goals.
For some reason, I don't feel absolutely content with my answer. Some feeling of… that word still burns inside me. I don't suppose I'll ever get rid of it. So, I'll have to adapt to it, use it in a way that benefits the Movement. One way I could start is by looking through my Deck, try to figure out all the abilities it can use in a Duel. Once I know what my Deck can do, I can make sure to properly understand any situation I come across. That will make sure I stay in control of my emotions.
[No one method is perfect], my metal eye informs me. [You must remain vigilant against any threats, no matter what form they come in. If you are caught unaware, you will be vulnerable to damage.]
I get the meaning behind what my eye tells me. I suppose I'll have to wait this out. It'll give me the chance to start judging what's wrong, and what's right.
At that moment, something on the far wall gets my attention. I look through the semi-transparent pod lid and see a small red dot. I don't know how the dot got there, but the fact it's red, against the wall's blue, is enough to catch my eye. This dot moves slowly along the wall's surface, and I keep my eyes focused on it. If it makes any sudden moves, I want to see them.
The moments tick by without much change. The dot moves over to the computers, and rests on one screen. That screen shows a graph that constantly changes shape. Is it getting new information, or something else? I don't recall how graphs work, so I have no explanation for this sight.
I blink, and the dot suddenly grows to cover the computer screen in red. Something in my brain kicks to life, makes me afraid of this change. I don't know what part of my brain has this reaction, but I can't stop the fear from taking hold. I just stare at the red screen with wide eyes and quick breaths.
An eye appears in the red. It has a golden-yellow center line that splits down the middle of an orange-yellow circle, and black lids to cover it up when needed. The eye looks around, takes in its surroundings. It doesn't look at me once before it closes, and vanishes. A second later, the screen returns to its previous state. It takes a lot longer than that for me to calm down from what I just saw.
A few minutes pass by in silence. Then, the room door opens to reveal a female member of the Movement wearing the same robe design as Seria. Her brown hair is tied into a bun, and her dark-blue eyes are glazed over. She stares straight ahead as she moves over to the side of the pod, and presses a few buttons I can't see. The pod lid opens up a second later.
"Divine has requested you be escorted back to your quarters," the woman states in a monotone voice. "Please come with me; I will bring you there. Your robe has been washed, and placed in your quarters; you can change in there."
"Where is Divine right now?" I ask as I hoist myself out of the pod. "I want to speak with him."
"Divine is currently occupied with other problems that do not concern you. Do not worry about him."
I frown at this vague statement, but comply with the woman's demands. She leads me out of the room, and down the hall as she walks slightly in front of me. We don't take more than a few steps before I see the same eye from before appear on the left wall.
"Hey," I say as I grab onto the woman's shoulder, and point at the eye with my other hand, "do you see that?" The woman pauses as the eye looks around again, not once looking at me.
"There is nothing there," the woman says after a second. "You're seeing things. Do not distract yourself with illusions."
The eye shrinks back into the wall just after the woman finishes this statement, and she instantly moves forward. I run up to her, and keep pace with her the rest of the way back to my quarters. I don't see the eye again, and neither of us say a word. We also don't run into anyone else during our journey.
The woman doesn't step inside my quarters once we reach them, or even say a word when I give her a quick, "thank you." I move into my quarters and see, true to the woman's word, my robe folded on my bed. It's also next to my Duel Disk, with my Deck inside that. Funny how that wasn't mentioned, but I'll let it slide.
Like before, I've got a lot of other things to think about…
Alright, that's all for now. A new entity has been revealed, and it seems to be connected to Epsilon, or Aki. What will it bring to the table? Will it weaken Divine/Sayer's goals, or strengthen them? Stay tuned!
As usual, your reviews, comments, constructive criticism and feedback are well appreciated. Once again, I hope you all are having a Merry Christmas wherever you are.
Draconos is taking off... into the whirling snow!