"So... Mind telling me what your name is?"
[M, Master? I, Is there any reason to continue thi, Stop! Stop! Stop! It's CEO! CEO Amateratsu!]
The panicked cry rang through the alley. It didn't come from me, and there certainly wasn't anyone else in the alleyway. Technically speaking, there WAS 'something' with me. A single card that I was holding between my thumb and index finger. And not just any card, a vanguard card. But not only that.
A one that could also talk.
The one in the card was a woman. She looked like she was in her early twenties, barely looking older than me. But at the same time, had a very mature feeling to her. No matter how you look, she was a natural beauty. Sparkling brown eyes, milk like white skin, her whole face was like a perfectly carved statue. Her long silky black hair, beautifully made short skirt kimono and white knee high boots, made her look breathless. Although, the flashy looking sun ornament above her head, was looking a little over the top.
It's so sad that she's a wandering ghost. She must have suffered a lot to end up inside a card.
"That's better."
[Wh, Why do you keep asking my name, master?]
"You have to ask a spirit's name three times before you send them off, right? Now, one more time!"
[...]
She looked the other way and closed her lips, pretending that she didn't listen to what I said.
"...Well, I guess two should do it."
[C.E.O A.m.a.t.e.r.a.t.s.u!]
The lady in the card was now beyond frightened. So much so that she immediately shouted out her name one letter at a time, so that I could definitely hear it.
Well, she should. If she doesn't, then she's got a one way ticket to the incinerator that's burning right beneath her. I know this is a cruel way, but she's in so much denial and delusion, that I have to do this for her sake.
Just moments ago, I had a dream of being trapped somewhere where I couldn't see anything. And to make matters worse, I was with a freaky bastard(who I'm sure was definitely NOT a human) who hid in the shadows and tried to kill me. I know it was a dream, but it really felt like I was dying. After some 'slight' struggles, I barely knocked It's lights out. Then the whole place was filled with light. Some voice came from the light, and when I reached my hand, the light grew stronger, consuming me whole. And when I opened my eyes, I was back in the classroom.
Everything seemed normal. At least, before I saw this talking vanguard card.
'Wow, wow, wow... This thing is DEFINITELY out of my hands..'
I had no idea what to do with this. But I know what this means, though. Having a talking card obviously means, my life is now officially messed up. I slapped/punched my face several times to prove that this is also a dream, and that my life still has a chance. But the pain and stupidity that came after it, just enforced the fact that this was all real.
Trick question. You now have a cursed object. What do you do with it?
Burn it till there's nothing left. The answer was so obvious, that the moment I was freaked out by the card, I immediately grabbed it and ran as fast as I can to the back of the school, where the incinerator was. Thankfully the janitor was off to lunch, so I turned the incinerator with no problem, which leads to where I am right now. Listening to the final moments of a poor lost soul, before I toast her medieval witch hunt style.
"You know. Besides the screaming part, you keep saying that you're an alien from a far away planet."
[Y, Yes... I tried to make you understand as much as I could, master... But,]
"No buts. And stop calling me 'master'. Got it?"
[Uwaaaa! Yes, I get it! Perfectly understood! So please stop that!]
The card cried her eyes out and desperately begged, when I pretended to lower my hand to the incinerator. Normally I wouldn't do this sort of thing, but with this and all the dream stuff... let's just say I wasn't feeling generous today.
When the card sighed in relief, I moved my hand up and down repeatedly, like trying to bait fish in water. In this case there's no fish or water, but plenty of fire.
[AAAHHHH! Don't do it! Pull me up!]
The card's voice spiked dramatically whenever I lowered her to the fire.
[W, W, Wait! Please, just listen to me for a moment! I know this is all s, sudden. B, But you have to understand, we're in a dire..]
The card's face completely turned white. Not only that, her tidy hair and clothes was now a mess. For a second, I felt sorry seeing her like that. But then I realized I had better things to do with my time, and tending to a ghost was not worth my already short lunch time.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it that you don't want to move on. But it really doesn't help either of us, if you keep haunting me like this. I'm a high school student with dreams ahead of me, you know?..."
[B, But...]
"Come on, you're gonna have a great time at heaven. All the time you want, your own penthouse with great view, wonderful neighbors, all the good stuff. Unless you're going to hell... If that's the case... Good luck?"
I tried to cheer(?) her up, but it looked like she wasn't listening to me. She lowered her head and sighed heavily, completely surrounding herself with grief. Even I felt slightly depressed just by looking at her.
[I can't believe this.. After all the effort to find a 'Psyqualia' user... Just to fail miserably...]
While she was being depressed, I couldn't help but to look at her funny.
Psyqualia? It was like a name for a metal band, that sings really weird music that no one would understand. It was definitely a word that I've never heard before, or anyone else in general.
I didn't know if it was the teenage curiosity kicking in. But for some reason, I kinda wanted to know what the word 'Psyqualia' meant.
"Uh... Hey."
[D, Did you change your mind?! I knew you would be our pioneer!]
"No, No, No. That's not happening."
She collapsed when I answered her instantly without giving a single thought. Her face was covered in gloomy shadow as she laughed quietly. It looks like she completely gave up on persuading me.
[Hahaha... I don't care anymore... I'm going to be gone anyway... If you have some questions, feel free to ask... I might as well relieve your curiosity before I burn away...]
"R, Right..."
With nothing to lose, she just let herself go. Laughing and mumbling at the same time like a crazy person. She looked so sad, that I almost felt sorry for her. I shook my head, and reminded myself not to let my guard down. No matter how sad she looks, she had to do something with my nightmares. I couldn't tell what she would do to me if I trusted her.
I'm just going to ask her, and that's it. Who knows? Maybe I'll set her free.
"What's a Psyqualia?"
[...I, beg your pardon?...]
She blinked while lowering her eyebrows, looking at me funny like I've got something in my cheek. I couldn't understand her puzzled reaction, when I just simply asked a question.
"What's wrong?"
[Oh, it's nothing. It's just... I'm surprised you asking me about Psyqualia, when you already have it, master.]
"I thought I told you, not to call me master."
When I lowered my hand again, she cried begging me to stop. She shook in fear, not knowing when I would put her close to the fire again. But unlike her worries, I decided to stop this prank. Messing with someone, and making them cry over and over again, just seemed wrong to me.
Even if it was a ghost. And was sort of funny.
*Cough**Cough*
[To put it simply, Psyqualia is an ability that let's the user to control spiritual energy.]
"Spiritual energy? What's that?"
[It's an energy that forms all things. Humans, machines, even the stars and the galaxy itself contains spiritual energy.]
"Machines? You mean that machines are alive too?"
[Well, no. Living things, such as animals and humans, possess a fair amount of spiritual energy inside them. While inanimate objects possess little to no spiritual energy. If living beings run out of spiritual energy, it would bring dangerous consequences. But to inanimate objects, it means absolutely nothing. Having spiritual energy doesn't mean an object is 'alive'. To machines, it's just a fragment of energy that happens to exist.]
"Is that so..."
I was sort of relieved. If machines really WERE alive, then that would be the freakiest thing I've ever heard of. I would've questioned everything that I've known until now, and the whole world would never look the same again. To put it short. No robot apocalypse.
[But not everyone can use the spiritual energy they possess. In fact, it's dangerous to even try.]
"Huh? Why's that?"
[Because spiritual energy is very hard to replenish. It differs to person to person, but it normally takes a human about three months, just to bring back half their regular amount.]
"It takes THAT long? What happens if you run out?"
[It's truly awful. You will feel tremendous amounts of pain, while your body slowly shuts down. Your mind will be like falling into an endless abyss. Unable to think of anything, but the slow pain. And eventually, die in a few minutes.]
I felt a sudden chill as my saliva rolled down my throat. I didn't know I was even sweating right now. Her eyes weren't telling any lies. She was dead serious about what she was saying to me.
While I was listening to her, I suspected that she was speaking nonsense. All the things that she was saying, sounded nonsense too. But now, I can't tell if she's telling the truth, or lies that she blindly believes.
"Hang on a sec. If what you're saying is true, why aren't there any reports on people using this energy? People should be falling left and right, if it's dangerous as you say it is."
[Simple. It's because they cannot use it.]
I raised my eyebrows on her straight to point answer. It was weird to hear people not being able to use spiritual energy, right after the fact that she said, people could die when they run out of it.
"But didn't you say it takes about three months, just to restore half of a person's spiritual energy? Then that means they 'are' using it, right?"
[Yes, but not by their will.]
"What do you mean by that?"
['Using' spiritual energy does not always require consciousness. For example, if you're damaged mentally, or physically, you unconsciously use spiritual energy to naturally restore the damage. However, the amount of energy you use in this healing process is very small. That's the reason why healing from wounds are slow.]
"So, if you're able to use more energy, you could heal more faster? Be more stronger, too?"
[Precisely. But most of the people on this planet, cannot use spiritual energy at their will. Their bodies are locked to 'store' rather than to 'use'. Even in a dire moment, it makes sure to use the least amount of spiritual energy as possible. Think of this as a defense mechanism. if people were able to use spiritual energy as much as they could, the human race would have been long extinct.]
I didn't realize that I kept nodding my head while she explained everything. I didn't know anything about what she said. What choice do I have, other than to shut up and listen to her? And for a ghost rambling about things that I don't know, it fairly made some sense. 'People not being able to use spiritual energy'. If it's true, it could explain why I couldn't see anyone like me. And if people weren't locked to an energy that's hard to replenish, they would certainly be dead already.
It all sounded interesting. But I got the feeling that she wasn't done talking.
"Except Psyqualia users, right?"
[You catch on quick, mast.. *cough*..nothing..]
She coughed at the last second, right before she was about to finish the sentence. I tried not to laugh, and pretended that I didn't hear her. It was kinda cute how she tried her best not to make me uncomfortable.
[As you could tell, Psyqualia users are different to normal humans.]
"So, what. I'm an alien?"
[No, Mast.. Could you please not interrupt me? I'm trying my best to explain this for you.]
She frowned at me like a teacher scolding a rude student. Seeing her gentle face turn, I realized my actions were impolite.
"Oh, sorry.."
I apologized right away. Despite her kind nature, I was surprised that she had quite a temper. Thankfully, she forgave me when I immediately apologized to her.
[Psyqualia users are usually born with their powers. Unlike regular humans, Psyqualia users have high affinity with spiritual energy. Not only can they freely use spiritual energy that flows inside them. The amount of energy that they contain, is vastly superior than normal humans.]
"I have more energy than other people? I don't know how I should feel about that. Hold on. Even if I have a large capacity, isn't it pointless if I have to wait six months if I run out?...Why are you smiling?"
She crossed her arms while throwing out her chest. Smiling proudly, as if she was waiting for this moment.
[Well, that's the best part! Psyqualia users can replenish energy much faster than others. When it takes months to fill, it takes Psyqualia users mere days to fully recover energy!]
"R, Really? Well that's certainly different."
If that's the case, Psyqualia users don't have to worry about running out of energy at all. I wonder. Is that the reason why I don't feel exhausted when I see visions? To be honest, I don't even know if seeing visions actually use up my energy.
I've never used, or at the very least, 'remember' using spiritual energy in my entire life.
"I think I kinda get the gist of what Psyqualia is. But why do YOU need to find someone who has it?"
[Units from Cray, such as I, use spiritual energy just like you. By using cards as a medium, like the one you're currently holding. You could use spiritual energy to resonate with your chosen clan's units. That's the reason why you could speak to me right now. We, Oracle think tank are in... a dire situation. We NEED a capable Psyqualia user to lead our clan. Before... 'enemy' clans could take action.]
Enemy clans... I sensed fear from her shaking eyes. In the card game, there was over twenty clans. 23, to be exact. I guess earth isn't the only place that there's conflict. But I don't get why she's tense about this. I mean, it's still a children's card game. Right?...
"You know a lot about this. It seems you've been through a lot."
[Uh... You have no idea. I've been wandering Earth for years to meet a worthy master...]
"...So, you ARE a ghost?"
[N, No! Well... Technically, my current state WOULD be considered a ghost. Since I can't interact with others. And I DO honestly look like a possessed being... But I am NOT a ghost!]
I didn't have to say a single thing. She just said it all for me. How convenient.
"Well look at you. I didn't know you had it in you, but you finally accepted. Good for you."
[I didn't accept anything! I just admitted I DO look suspicious, that's all!]
"Riggghhhttt..."
She almost burst into tears when seeing me looking at her all too suspicious. She flailed her arms in slight tears, to convince that she's not a ghost. It was sad, and fun to watch at the same time. I don't normally tease people, but with today's experience, I think I can somewhat understand their,
Let's not dwell on that...
[Moooving on, Psyqualia users are not known only for their energy efficiency. All individual Psyqualia users have a special ability of their own. I'm sure you have one too, right?]
"Yeah, I do..."
Can't say I like it though...
[Oh, that's wonderful! I'm glad that you're 'blessed' with such an amazing gift.]
My shoulders shuddered the moment I heard it. Me, being called a monster, being ignored by almost everyone, treated like trash, is a BLESSING? I gritted my teeth on how this 'ability' was anything, but blessing.
[It's an honor to find a Psyqualia user like...]
"Screw you!"
I cut her short, and yelled at her as loud as I can. She looked shocked. Unable to speak a single word. I couldn't care less about her. I put her right in front of my face, and I grabbed the card firmly. Almost wanting to crush the card in my hands.
"You listen here. You think having such power is so great, that nothing bad is going happen to you. Like you're some king of the world, huh?"
[What?... T, That's not what I'm trying to sa...]
"Did you ever consider that someone would NOT want this kind of power? Do you know what this can do to you, when all you want is to live a normal, peaceful life? Do you even know! How this could hurt you, and the ones you love! To the point, that you just want to end your own life?! If that's what you call blessing? Then, FUCK! ALL! OF! YOU!"
I placed my hand on my neck while gasping for air. My throat was sore from all the screaming. I looked at the card that was in my hand.
She was terrified. Her lips were trembling, like she wanted to say something. But wasn't able to. After all the anger that I just let out, I felt awful for her. She had nothing to do with what I've been through. And yet, I treated her like it was all her fault. I wished I thought about it first, before I lashed out on her. All this time, I thought I've finally changed. But in truth, I was still the brat who can't even escape his own shadow.
"...I'm really"
[I'm truly sorry, master.]
When I was about to apologize, she was the one who apologized first. I didn't understand. I was the one at fault here. Why is she sorry for me?
[You're right, master. Power does not always bring happiness. I should not have been so naive. I know that you've been through so many hardships. Please forgive me for disgracing your past.]
Every word she said was sincere from the bottom of her heart. She lowered her head and deeply apologized to me, when it really was just an innocent mistake. I've threatened her to burn her on and on. For me, it was a half in doubt prank. But for her, I was toying with her life. Despite the things I've done to her, she's shown nothing but honest respect for me.
She's not the one who should bow down and apologize. I was.
"No. I'm the one who should say sorry. I've done nothing but ignore you from the first time we met. I even threatened to burn you several times. I'm an asshole who doesn't deserve your respect."
I immediately lowered my head and apologized. Next, I loosened my grip and pulled her far away from the incinerator. She startled and shook her hands left and right, telling me to stop what I'm doing.
[M, Master! Please raise your head! You're not what you say you are! True, your methods are... little extreme, but you had a goo, a reason to do so! Ghosts ARE spooky to me too! Ahahaha...]
"God... If you say it like that, I look like an even bigger asshole..."
[Wh, What?! I, I didn't mean to do that! Oh, I'm bringing you nothing but trouble... I'm sorry!]
She lowered her head repeatedly like a bird feeding. I couldn't help but giggle at her honesty, that's clearly working overtime. I sat down on the ground while looking directly at her.
[Master?...]
She also looked right at me with a curious face. Blinking her eyes like a puppy, just waiting for me to talk. She seemed relieved, now that she was away from the incinerator.
"At first, I thought you were an illusion made by my... Psyqualia ability. In case you're wondering, I could see future visions. Not all the time, but mostly things that would happen to me in seconds, or minutes. I had this ability as long as I could remember. It helped me a lot. Got perfect scores on the test, avoid bad events, knowing what my friends would like and act upon it. But then one day, I saved a friend from a car accident. I warned him before so many times, that when it finally happened, he was terrified of me. That's when everyone of my friends started to call me a monster..."
[Master, that's...]
"And look at me right now. The things I've done to you are inexcusable. I mean, who does that? Maybe I really am a monster. I may just not know it yet..."
[...Do you regret it?]
Suddenly, she asked me a question out of nowhere. Her tone was deep, and she didn't stutter her words at all. She was serious.
"Regret what?"
[Saving your friend. If you didn't save him, then all the things you had to go through, wouldn't have happened. If you could change it, would you do it?]
I didn't get what she was trying to say. I never thought that she would actually respond to my pity talk. There was absolutely no reason for her to care about me. I don't have any idea how I should reply to her.
'If it didn't happen? Then, I would've been really happy. Everyday, I wished it was all a dream, and everything would change when I woke up in the morning. That was what I always wished for. If it did happen. Me and my parent's lives could have been better...But...'
My answer was already decided.
[Master. Would you?]
"No. Whatever happened, happened. If I could save a life, I would do it again."
After hearing my words, the tension on her face loosened. Greeting me with a warm, kind smile.
[Listen carefully, master. You had a lot of chances to use your powers for evil. You could've ignored the accident. You could've taken revenge on the ones who mistreated you. You could've used your powers to manipulate the good. But you didn't. You wanted to make friends. You used it to save your friend. You used it 'for them'. Even if you used it for your own, you now know that's wrong, and try to act reflecting to that. You're not a 'monster'. You're not 'bad'. Please, don't be stuck in the past.]
I didn't say a word and just listened. It was like being hit in the back of my head with a sledgehammer. I had nothing to say.
Stuck in the past... I've done all I can to run from the past. Changed everything to not be called a monster, ever again. And that made me who I am right now. But how can I change, when I'm still afraid? I was so scared that someone would call me a monster. What I didn't know, is by doing that, I was thinking 'myself' as a monster.
Maybe it's time... To get out of this shadow. This... Fear...
"Haha..."
I chuckled to myself. I learned something valuable, from a talking card. If anyone else sees this, they must think I'm going nuts.
[I, Is everything all right, master?... I, If I did something wrong, I'll be more than happy to jump into the flames! Yes, my time has come! I've wasted your time far enough!]
It really didn't sound very convincing, when her voice was cracking.
[~~~~~]
[Hya?!]
The school bell, telling that lunch time is over, rang through the entire school. She was in so much stress, that she jumped and almost fainted when the bell rang.
"Ah... Lunch is already over? Seriously, I think lunch time is actually 30 minutes, instead of an hour."
[Uuuu...]
She closed her eyes and ears tightly, as she was readying herself to fall in the incinerator. I turned off the fire, and closed the hatch as I walked to the backdoor, leading to the school building.
Her whole body shook at the sound of the hatch close. She opened her eyes, and looked up at me, confused as nothing has happened to her.
[Huh? Why am I...]
She acted like it was weird that she WASN'T in the incinerator, right now.
"L, Listen... I'm really sorry for all the things I did to you. I know I'm not a 'great person' material, and I don't know one thing about being a 'Pioneer'. But..."
[Wait... Are you saying...]
My cheek was itching like crazy. Now that I think about it, this sounds like a proposal than anything else. It's kinda embarrassing... But here goes nothing!
"...I'll... Be at your service...A, Amateratsu..."
It was then, her. No, Amateratsu's eyes glowed like spotlights, and she hopped in the air with joy, like she just became a 5 year old kid.
[Whooooo! No! I'll be in YOUR service, master! Your service, indeed!]
Uhh... The word 'master' is really getting on my nerves... It's something straight out of a manga, or an anime! Ones that are embarrassing to show them to someone!
"Uh, could you maybe... Tone it down with the 'master' thing?"
[Nope! I will address you the right way, which is master! This is something I will never give up!]
"Uh... All right. I get it."
[Master~ Master~]
I think this will take a while to get used to.
To this whole thing.
And my partner.
All righty! Another chapter complete! I'm really feeling it!