Disclaimer: The following chapter contains discussions of abuse that are sexual and physical in nature, viewer discretion advised.
Chapter 11
A Fool's Errand to Wrath's Tomb
Before Suzui could elaborate further, the first bell chimed the end of lunch period.
Revland let out a sigh, "Guess it can wait till tomorrow, how about after the sports assembly?"
Ryuji nodded, "We'd be pretty busy all day so lunch would be the only time we could get together, either that or we could try to sneak away during the teacher's game."
"Better we stay for the whole thing, we're on his radar now. If he notices that we disappeared then he might start wondering why. Lunch after the game should be fine, we're pretty much free after that anyway." Revland started to pace while speaking in thought. "I'll speak to Monica tomorrow about any possible rumors regarding Kamoshida. Ryuji, Ann, why don't you see if Mishima is as much of a rat as I suspect him to be but don't be too aggressive with him." He paused for a moment, "On second thought, Niijima, Suzui, why don't you two talk to him instead. If a fellow teammate and the council president start asking questions than it would seem normal and rouse less suspicion."
"That may have the opposite effect you know, he may be even more suspicious if me or other members of the council start poking around." Makoto added.
Revland thought for a moment before shaking his head, "We run that risk regardless. Other than Suzui, Mishima is the second person that I've seen with noticeable injuries." He paused to look at Shiho who simply nodded her assent. "and judging by what I've heard, I think it's safe to assume that Mishima is what hunters would call a 'Beta male', a very submissive and extremely obedient person of interest."
"If he's so obedient then why do you think he'll let anything slip?" Ann asked.
"Cause even the most loyal of people have a breaking point…" he said in a somber tone and turned to Ryuji, "wouldn't you agree?"
Ryuji didn't have to think twice, "Even when you're in the right, some will still choose to leave you behind."
Revland pointed his finger to emphasize his point, "And that's exactly what I'm counting on, Mishima looked like he had the shit kicked out of him last I saw. He also looked guilty as hell whenever he was looking towards me. I'm thinking that if few concerned classmates started asking about his wellbeing he may come around and turn on him… that's assuming that he's the snitch I believe him to be…"
Makoto thought over Revland's plan and couldn't find any glaring flaws, his plan had merit when it came to getting info from Mishima. She also saw the added bonus of sending two girls to talk to the known loner. Where sending Ann, who has direct ties to Kamoshida, and Ryuji, who everyone knew had issues with him, might have been no worse than going to Kamoshida directly.
He's good… almost too good… it's well thought out… has he been planning this from the beginning… if so, then how did he account for me being here? Makoto thought to herself.
Ryuji broke the silence with a similar question to Makoto's. "It's good that you want to help Revland… but how did you come up with this, it's only been a day and you've only recently gotten involved. Why do you want to help so much…" he added with a hint of suspicion in his voice, "what do you get out of all of this?"
Revland stared at Ryuji more than a little confused, he didn't think of any return for all of his efforts other than helping out a new friend and by proxy the whole school. As with every answer worth examination, he took the time to think it through.
Why am i doing all of this?
The memory of that fateful night flashed in his mind, making him grit his teeth to keep from snarling. Then a vision of Futaba smiling up at him while she was sitting in his lap caused him to relax. He looked over to see how close Ryuji and Suzui we sitting and noticed that she had her hand in his as they waited for his response. He stared down at his own hand and, for but a moment, thought he saw a glimmer of that familiar azure flame before closing it tightly.
"Because I don't want anyone else to feel as helpless as I once did… I won't let this or any injustice like it go unchallenged, not now… nor ever again." He stated with conviction in every word.
Revland felt his heart start to thrum with a deep tone as the familiar warmth washed over him.
"Another step closer, well done… Your conviction is sound and your path is just… all that's left is desire held most dear." Arséne stated with a note of praise.
Seriously, that wasn't enough?
"While admirable, it is not what your heart considers your deepest desire."
That figures…
"Don't lose hope young one, something tells me that everything will become clear very… very soon."
"If you say so." He said under his breath.
He noticed that everyone was staring at him and suddenly, he felt a little subconscious about what he said as he tried to find a better way to put before Ryuji started to chuckle before it turned into a laugh.
What Revland hadn't noticed was that after giving his answer, everyone felt that same warmth as it washed over them, the very same that he'd felt only a moment before. While Ryuji knew that it came from Revland due to the fact that it wasn't the first time that he had felt at ease in the guy's presence. For the others however, it was an odd sensation that made their breaths catch for a moment.
For Makoto, it reminded her of her dad when he was still alive and how his words always seem to have a calming effect on her. For Ann, it was like someone had finally decided to stand in the way of an oncoming assault. But for Shiho, the wave a relief was so strong that she started to cry. It was something that she hadn't felt since the beginning of the semester, she felt well and truly safe.
Ryuji gripped her hand tighter as Ann came over to see what was wrong. She was crying but Shiho wore a smile while doing so.
Revland walked over to Makoto, "I'll handle Monica, I may have something to offer her in return for her help."
"Gotcha, what about them?" She gestured over to the small trio.
Revland looked back to them, "Those three have dealt with the worst that this place has to offer… I think they've earned a break, wouldn't you agree… madam president?"
The title made her skin crawl and her stomach turn. The reaction caused Revland to pause, "Niijima, what's wrong?"
Makoto shook her head as the feelings eased, "It's nothing… I think I would have to agree with you… but…"
"But what?"
"If what you've been saying turns out to be true… I don't think I'd have any right to call myself president… with this much suffering from three student let alone the entire student body… how would I be able to continue as the president?"
Revland looked back at his new-found friends and found that he may have struck a chord with the young Niijima. He decided that it would be better to try to put her at ease and remind her of the paths that the power of choice can create.
"If you want my opinion, the fact that you're up here, listening to us and the fact you stood up to Kamoshida, tells me that you are more than worthy of the title." Revland said a reassuring tone.
Makoto didn't seem convinced, "You're just one student out of hundreds Antrie… but thank you."
Plan B then… sorry for invoking your memory Diasuke. "I seem to remember something I was once told… The only thing needed for Evil triumph…"
Makoto's head came up to finish, "Is for good men to do nothing…"
"We're not standing by and you are not doing nothing… remember that." He said as he patted her on the shoulder for reassurance.
That feeling of warmth came over her at his words. She blinked away tears as she turned from him, "Thank you…"
"Think nothing of it, I'm heading back to class. Remind them to stay in pairs and could you stay close to Ann… He's less likely to pull something shady if there's someone there that can act as a witness. Same goes for you… don't go anywhere alone till this is over, got it?" Revland said in a confidential whisper.
Makoto nodded as Revland turned and left, Now let's see how well you can play your own game Mr. Kamoshida.
After school let out and receiving confirmation messages from the others, Revland finally started to relaxed on the train ride home.
Jesus, what a day… first Kamoshida hunting for Ann then the planning on the roof. Before all that, the castle and the subsequent investigation. I can't seem to catch a break…
"Excuse me?" a small voice asked, "Is this seat taken?"
Revland opened his eyes as a spark of recognition came across the young woman's face as she smiled down at him, "I thought it was you Senpai." As she sat next to him without waiting for an answer.
"You 're still too trusting, we only just met a few days ago yet you greet me as an old friend." Revland said in a somber tone.
"Don't worry, I know you wouldn't try anything Senpai." She said in an almost irritatingly sweet tone that somehow added to the innocence of her words.
"Oh, how so?"
"The other day, when we met, you didn't lay a hand on me or try anything while I was spacing out. When I came to, your eyes were anywhere but on me, like you were looking for something." She said in a matter of fact tone.
Revland laid his back against the train wall and tried to contain a sigh, "That alone tells you that you can trust me?"
"It was more of what you said afterword, you said that I was being to trusting of others around me while on a crowded train car and you were right. You didn't add that I should trust you just because you did something for me, so that there is why I know you're a good person… even if everyone else at school thinks otherwise." She added in a whisper.
More out of curiosity he asked, "What did I do this time?"
"Oh no, I didn't believe any of it, honest." She said in earnest.
"Just humor me. In the past two days I've been here, I've somehow: stolen about 3 million yen from passersby, broken into three dozen lockers with a prybar that I just so happen to carry on my person, beaten up six student, one of which was a girl, made multiple passes at every female student and teacher and in all the free time that somehow remained, I managed to spray paint the first floor restrooms with all manner of rude and or crude language."
He said it so nonchalantly that she couldn't help but start laughing at him.
"Now I can add being laughed off a train to the list."
"I'm sorry- I can't- I can't- breeeeath" she tried to say before breaking down into a fit of giggles.
Revland reached into his bag to pull out a half empty bottle of water but saw something on the floor of the train car. He picked it up and noticed that it was a student I.D. that was identical to his own save that the picture was of the girl sitting next to him that was currently trying, and failing, not to die of laughter. According the I.D., her name was Kasumi Yoshizawa, a first-year student at Shujin Academy.
"So, your name is Kasumi Yoshizawa, huh… where have I heard that name before?" he thought out loud.
After giving her a chance to recover, he handed her I.D. back to her, "I think you dropped this during your giggle fit..." his deadpan delivery just about set her off again but she managed to control it.
"Oh, Thank you." She managed after catching her breath. "See? I knew you were a good person Senpai." She said with a knowing smile.
"Never said I wasn't." He retorted, "Just wanted to know why you thought so is all."
She paused for a moment to think of a real answer to give him, "I think it's because you help people you barely know and never ask for anything in return. Just now you gave me my I.D. with no strings attached or even an-" she switched to a deeper toned voice in a vain effort to mimic his own, "You owe me one."
The look on his face just about got her going again and, with a valiant effort on her part, managed to keep the giggles down, at least for the time being.
Stay serious Kasumi, try not laugh at him. You might give off the wrong impression.
Revland, on the other hand, was taking her words in the consideration. It was the second time that someone had pointed out that he's doing something for no noticeable gain on his part, other than to help out the offended party and any others who may have been involved.
"Am I really doing this because I want to?" he asked more to himself. Kasumi, thinking he was talking to her, decided to answer for him. "Seems that way doesn't it." Then after a moment she added, "Sorry, I should have led with the whole not believing the rumors thing."
Revland waved off the unneeded apology, "Don't worry about it, doesn't really bother me as much anymore."
She let the silence hang for a few minutes so she could enjoy his company before touching on a subject that she herself wasn't comfortable broaching.
"Um… Senpai?"
"Hmmm?" he responded, his eyes were closed and was he was close to falling asleep.
"Did… did something happen between you and Mr. Kamoshida?"
Revland opened his eyes, suddenly alert to the tone Kasumi was using.
"I guess that depends on your definition." He said softly in a vain hope of calming her nerves.
"It's just… before I left for practice, he said that I shouldn't be seen or have anything to do with you. He said that you would ruin my chances at making it to nationals…"
"Kamoshida said that huh…?"
She nodded jerkily.
"What do you believe Yoshizawa-san?"
She answered without hesitation, "I don't believe a word he said about you. Ever since I met you… I felt as if something finally fell into place… like you belong in my life."
Revland raised an eyebrow, "that's an interesting way of confessing your feelings."
Kasumi's face turned a dark red and held her hands up in defense, "No-no-no, that's not how I meant it. I mean you're cool and not bad looking and you helped me before… even now, you're even trying to cheer me up." She nervously stated as she pushed her index fingers together.
"You're not really helping your case here." He said with his eyebrow still raised.
"What I mean is, you're definitely a good guy but I'm not interested in any relationships right now. Too busy with practice and…" She trailed off before finishing her thought. "Sumire would've liked you though…" She finished in a low tone.
"Sumire?" Revland asked, he remembered the name vaguely as if he recently heard it but couldn't remember from where.
"Oh, I'm sorry, please excuse me." She stood suddenly to avoid the conversation but dropped her bag, spilling the contents in the process.
Revland stood and stretched before bending down to start gathering the scattered belongings. Among them, he found another picture of two girls with one that looked similar to Kasumi. The other had long hair and glasses that were similar to his own. The more he tried to look at the picture the hard it become to focus on it, as if the item itself was made of static from an old CRTV. Revland lowered the picture and started to rub his eyes feeling the beginnings a migraine forming behind his eyes.
Arséne?
"I'm just as confused as you are… I can't make out the image anymore… even from your memory."
"Senpai?" Revland felt a light touch on his shoulder.
He opened one eye and saw the worry in Kasumi's face and the puffiness of her eyes. Just as suddenly as it appeared, the headache was gone. He sent a question inward to Arséne but was still as confused as he was.
He shook his head to clear it and handed Kasumi her belongings. "Just thought I saw you in a picture is all, tried to remember if I had seen it somewhere before."
She looked down and saw what he was referring to, "Oh… that's me -", She pointed to the girl on the left "and my sister Sumire… she was in an accident about six months ago…" gesturing to the girl on the right.
Revland wanted to choke himself, that's where he heard the name before. There was a radio broadcast the day he and Sojiro went to Shujin. Then there was the train platform that morning, one of the students mentioned the accident and that one of the sisters were killed.
"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have pried." He said softly.
"No… it's alright" She said sadly. "I'm the one her brought her up… the fact that you're still worried is why I think she would have loved to have met you."
Revland smiled softly and nodded, "I think I would have liked that."
"Um… Senpai, about Kamoshida… I don't believe what he said about you… honest… I just… want you to know that…"
"I believe you… Yoshizawa." Revland said with a smile.
Revland and Kasumi parted ways at the end of the Giza line, he had offered to at least walk her to her next stop but she insisted that she'd be alright. He checked the time and noticed that he had an unread message from Sojiro.
"Hey kid, could you stop in on Futaba on your way home? Some of my customers say that they saw someone wondering around the area and that he looked shifty. I appreciate it."
Revland sent a quick confirmation, "Of course, I'd be happy to. I've already made plans with Futaba as a matter of fact so she should be expecting me. I'm not far, be there in about ten minutes."
Not long after, Revland stepped off the train and made his way to the ally that LeBlanc was located. Instead of stopping by the café, he made the decision to head straight for Sojiro's house and, coincidently, Futaba. He found that he was nervous about seeing her and thought it may have had something to do with her near mental breakdown the night before but that didn't seem right. The more he thought about it, he was reminded of the times when he was going to meet Yumi which caused him to pause.
Come to think of it, that's the first time I've thought of her all day…
"You have been quite busy as of late."
Is that all it is… or is it something else?
"Like what?"
I don't know, it's been a while since I've felt nervous about seeing a girl I'm… interested in… Arséne, am I a bad person?
"In what way?"
I was dumped less than a week ago and I'm already thinking about dating someone new… not to mention that It feels like I might be taking advantage of her in a way.
"I saw the way your auras reacted to each other… how your heart mended after speaking to her and how she started to act differently after your initial contact during the storm."
Your point?
"I'm saying that your feelings may be more mutual than you believe my boy."
Revland stopped walking with his hand resting on the gate to the Sakura House, you really think so?
The mere thought that Futaba might have feelings for him made his stomach flip and his heart flutter. He stared up at window where he first saw her and noticed he wasn't alone. He turned this head to the left to see the overweight thirty something that he recognized to be Youji Isshiki, Futaba's uncle.
"Excuse me, do you know Mr. Sakura?" He asked.
Need to clarify that he's who I think he is.
"Yes sir, he asked me to look in on house while he's at work. Can I ask how you are?" Revland countered.
"Oh, I'm just and old friend of Sojiro's. Perhaps you can help me, do you know if anyone else live here?"
He's fishing for information.
"Not to my knowledge, far as I'm aware its just him and a few house plants." Revland said showing nothing and praying that Futaba would have the good sense to stay out of sight for now.
"Really, you've been inside then?"
"A few times, yes."
What are you getting at?
"You never saw a girl about your age in the house?"
So, he's looking for Futaba…
"Can't say I have, would've been hard to miss." He said with a halfhearted smile.
"Is there any way I could take a look for myself, I'd only be a minute?"
And he's trying to get inside, got to get rid of him.
"Sorry, with Sakura-san not being home it wouldn't be right to let in a stranger without his permission. You should try to come back later when he's home."
[Condition Met: Sakura-san's Home]
[Unknown Identified: Countdown to Navigation begun, 60 seconds till navigation]
"I did say that I was an old friend of his, I'm sure he wouldn't mind." He countered.
"I'm sorry but I'd feel better if I run it by Sakura-san first, I'm sure he'll be by later." Revland insisted as he felt in his pocket for his phone that had started buzzing.
Youji saw the movement and relented in fear that the young man would call the police or worse, Sojiro himself.
"Alright, I'll check back later. I didn't catch your name…" he trailed off.
"Funny, I don't remember giving it…" Revland said with a smile similar to the one Youji was wearing.
Sorry mate, I'm not an idiot… now piss off…
"I see, good day to you then… young man…" he said with strained.
Jesus H. that took longer than it should have, need to check on Futaba and send a message to Sojiro.
He pulled out his phone and opened a new message, "I just had a run in with Futaba's uncle, he was asking about a young girl that was around my age and if she lived here. He claimed that he was an old friend and was trying to get inside. He backed off and I'm heading inside to check on Futaba." He unlocked the door and stepped in, locking it behind him.
He was about to hit send as his phone started a buzzing repeatedly like before, [Countdown Complete: Beginning Navigation].
The floor fell out from under him with Revland found himself in freefall as reality fell apart around him. As his vision cleared, he was greeted with the sight of endless desert as far as the eye can see with the sun starting to set in the west, but that wasn't his main concern. Revland found himself hundreds of miles in the air as the ground was approaching fast.
"Oh SHIIIIIIIT!" Revland began to panic, it happened again without him knowing. He found himself in another world much like the one with the castle. However, this one wasn't going to give him a chance to escape, it was going the make sure it finished the job. His thoughts were in shambles, barely able to make a coherent sentence as he tried to find a solution.
"Revland, you need to calm down!"
His phone? While it was able to bring him here, he wasn't sure how to get out, that and if he applied a sudden stop to his freefall it may have a disastrous effect on his body.
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one falling to your death!" Revland yelled impatiently.
"If you listen, I can help you but you need to calm yourself otherwise it'll do more harm than good!"
Revland forced himself to block out the sound of the rushing wind and ignore the fact that the ground, along with it's sudden stop, was quickly approaching. "What do I need to do?"
"Focus your willpower on a picture me within your mind."
"And then what?"
"What's one of my defining characteristics?"
The thought dawned on him, I am thou and thou art I… I sure hope you're right about this…
Revland focused on his mental image of Arséne, specifically on his wings. Time seemed to slow in that moment and everything went quiet. On instinct, he pictured himself having those same wings as a slight burning sensation started to pulse between his shoulder blades. The harder he concentrated on the image, the hotter the spot on his back became. At some point he had turned in the air to face the ground, when he opened his eyes, a spark of panic shot through his mind as black wings sprung from his back. For that instant, the pain paralyzed him to the point that he wasn't even able to scream though the pain was gone as quickly as it had come.
"Revland, are you alright?" Arséne asked with a note of panic.
"I'm fine, it doesn't hurt anymore. How do I use these things?"
"Relax the muscles in your back and let your body get use to the feeling of- wait, not that relaxed!"
His wings went limp as Revland plummeted toward the ground.
"Arséne, I'm about to try something stupid, are you with me?!"
"Doesn't seem like I've much choice in the matter, what do you have in mind?"
"Is there a way to shield us from the fall?"
"As helpful as that would be… I don't have any knowledge of such a spell."
"Isn't magic only limited by imagination!?"
"I never said that the spell doesn't exist, just that I don't know it!"
Ground's getting awfully close… fuck it, I'm dead if I do nothing.
Revland closed his eyes and pictured the effect he desired. Much like his wings, he envisioned a sphere of the now familiar azure fire that he had seen countless times. The fire leaped into reality, surrounding the young man as he, as if on instinct, closed his wings around him to protect him from the coming impact. The crash sent a shockwave that could have been felt for miles as the last thing Revland remembered was how blue sky had become as he drifted into unconsciousness.
It was shortly before five in the afternoon and Futaba was trying to keep her nerves under control. She'd accidently sent a message that asked Revland over when all she was trying to do was apologize for the night before. She wasn't sure how she managed to add the part about him giving her a private concert but she had already sent it before noticing the mistake. What's more, Revland had even replied saying that he'd be happy to; which had caused her to faint and cost her the chance to send a reply or even back out if she wanted to.
Come to think of it… I don't think I mind him coming over. She thought as she hugged her legs to her chest. She had a small black and white pillow in the shape of a cat's face on her knees so she could rest her chin.
I don't' remember what came over me, I have a hard time asking out a guy in a dating sim so how did I manage this? The memory of the message and Revland's assurance that he'd be over caused her to blush and bury her face in the conveniently placed pillow as she let out a small grown.
He's gonna be here soon… she suddenly sat up straight, "Wait, do I smell funny? Do I need a Shower? Should I clean my room? Should I have something prepared for when he gets here?" she had gotten to her feet at this point and begun to pace back and forth at varying speeds.
"Gah what do I do?!" She yelled at no one in particular.
With the papers covering her floor in a number of different topics, it was only a matter of time before Futaba found a spot where they were loose causing her to slip and fall flat on her back. Starring up at the ceiling in a shower of falling papers, she pondered the benefits of having a clean room and the pros and cons of having an uninjured body.
The fall did help snap her out of her minor hysterics and remembered that she had taken bath yesterday after Revland left. She sat up and straightened her glasses as another memory of Revland looking concerned after she started to shut down the night before. The memory made her blush because she couldn't remember if he had his hand on her shoulder or on her cheek whipping away tears. She did remember the chat they had while sitting in Sojiro's closet and the song he sang to her which made her smile at the memory. She found that she liked having those kinds of memories over what she was use to.
Now that she thought about it, she hadn't had any other episodes concerning the voices for two days now. Not that she'd noticed with 'him' being around for that last few days. She hugged her legs to her chest again as she started to have second thoughts about Revland coming over. "What if he thinks I'm weird… or think I'm not as pretty as that Yumi girl… what if… what if he doesn't want me… because I'm a freak… because I'm broken…?"
Her thoughts scattered as she heard voices coming from the front door. She could get to her computer to login and listen in on whoever is out there. Instead, she pealed her curtain back enough to get a look at whoever is outside. Her heart stopped as she saw that her uncle was at the front gate but he wasn't alone. Revland was there and he was blocking the way to the house. She couldn't make out what they were saying but one sentence came through clearly, "Funny, I don't remember giving it."
Her uncle looked like he was barely able to contain his fury before saying something else and departing. Revland had watched him go before stepping towards the house with his phone in hand. Futaba ran to her door and flung it open to rush down the hall towards the stairs, her heart pounding but feeling lighter than it had in years.
He chased him away, what is this feeling… She thought as she was shooting down the stairs. She heard the door close and the lock engage then the sound of a bag hitting the floor.
He's here… thank god, he's here! She turned the corner at the bottom of the stairs expecting to find Revland, only to find the foyer empty save for a black school bag.
Where… Where is he…? She thought slumping to the floor as tears started to form and her vision began to blur.
"Hey lad, you alright?" a rough voice asked with a thick Arabic accent.
Revland's eyes fluttered open as the world rematerialized around him. He saw a slightly tall but overweight individual dressed in lightly colored cloths, kneeling next to him with what looked like a water canteen that he saw in history book in elementary school.
He started to sit up and found that everything was not only stiff but sore as hell. The stranger noticed the movement and placed a hand on Revland's shoulder, "Easy there lad, you took quite a fall and in need of rest."
The stranger took a look over his shoulder as Revland craned his neck to see the path of destruction that his plummet had wrought. Judging by the craters, his landing was anything but graceful with multiple spots of blackened sand before the eventual skid that led to his current location.
"Guess the Hail Mary worked… I 'am' alive right?" Revland asked trying to rub the sand out of his eyes.
"As alive as anyone can be I guess… I can't tell if you're Shu's blessing or Ra's wrath." The stranger asked handing the water skin to Revland.
He took it gratefully with a look of confusion.
"You fell from the sky, which is Shu's dominion, but crashed to the earth in a great ball of flame, which is Ra's." the stranger explained.
Shu… and Ra… Egyptian gods of the sun and sky.
"Where am I?"
"I see… so you are not from around here then are you."
"That obvious?" Revland said sitting up to drink from the water skin.
"You seem confused of your whereabouts and the mere fact that you came from that sky answers such questions." He answered in a matter of fact tone. "You are in the Middle of Al-Saḥrā', also known as the Arabian Desert."
"The Arabian… wait, I'm in Egypt?" Revland asked as he regained the strength to stand.
"Indeed lad and now that you have recovered, I will take my leave."
"Where to?"
The stranger looked him up and down as if to size him up then shrugged and pointed to something in the distance. With some effort, Revland made out the peak of what he thought looked like a pyramid shining in the distance.
"To a place of unimaginable wealth."
"Guess I'll head that way too." Revland stated.
The stranger started, "What! Why?" Thinking that the lad was trying get the tomb's treasures before he could.
"It's the only building within sight and it may have answers for-" Revland paused to think of way to put it. "getting back to where I came from."
"Oh, I see… well you're welcome to accompany me on the journey and in return, I will tell you the tale of the fall of the Great Pharaoh." The Stranger started his tale as Revland focused inward half listening.
Please tell me I'm in another strange world and not on the other side of the planet…
"Judging by your use of magic and the fact that you're still alive after falling from cloud level… I think it's safe to assume we've entered another world much like the one that harbors the castle that Kamoshida commands." Arséne said with a hint of humor.
No one likes a wise ass… so we're in another world formed by a person's heart and mind then?
"I believe so, yes. What's odd is this individual, this shadow, isn't hostile towards you… at least not yet anyway."
Revland nodded his agreement and looked at his surroundings. He noticed that there wasn't anything to be seen for miles, nothing but endless desert save for himself and the stranger.
This place is completely different from the castle…
"You noticed too then?"
The 'King's' castle was gaudy, like he was wanting to show off his wealth. This place however is a literal desert… it feels so… empty, like they don't want to be found no matter how hard one looks.
"It makes sense, no two minds are alike let alone one's own heart."
The stranger continued his tale of the Great Pharaoh and was just finishing that part where she perished.
"Though wise, she never saw the treachery that was lurking within the shadows over her own heart. For it was her own daughter that had dealt the fatal strike as it was her own actions that cause our beloved Pharaoh to take her own life."
Suddenly interested, Revland caught up to walk beside the man. "She killed herself, why?"
"No one truly knows; however, the tale tells that the mighty Pharaoh despised her own offspring. One can only wonder what a child could have done to earn such hatred."
Paternity Neurosis… that sounds familiar…
"Wakaba Isshiki had a similar infliction according to Sir Sakura."
"What of the current Pharaoh, how long has she held the throne?"
"For many moons now, though her time is drawing short I fear." He said as he pointed to the sky as the clouds began to darken. "The weather's sudden change is a sign that the gods have been angered in some way. With no other explanation, it would be safe to assume that the young Pharaoh doesn't have much time left in the material plain."
Revland felt uneasy at the man's words, it sounded as if he was not only excited but glad that the ruler of this place was going to die. He couldn't help but think of Futaba and how she must have felt when her mother past or how she might be feeling now.
Oh shit Futaba! He looked down at his watch then scrambled for his phone. According to his watch, time had only moved a minute or two from when he entered the Sakura home but his phone told a different story. His phone had a timer on display along with an approximate location somewhere in the middle of Egypt which lined up with everything that he had been told. The timer said that he had been here for well over 8 hours and he couldn't close the app to double check the time on his phone.
How long was I out…? Jesus Christ she must be worried… I need to find a way out of here. He thought as he rubbed the bridge of his nose, noticing that he still somehow managed to keep his glasses during the fall.
"We shouldn't be too much further, we're now on the approach." The man said as if hearing Revland's thoughts.
The pyramid had come into focus while he was lost in thought. It was just like what one would see in a history book with smooth sandstone surfaces and the peak decorated in emerald. The further they traveled the easier it became as a path began to form from under the sand leading to the base of the temple.
Revland's phone buzzed in his hand with a revolving message: [Destination Reached, would you like to set a way point?]
Way point… sure, I guess so. He thought while searching for a button to confirm the action.
[Way point set, welcome to the Temple of Wrath Mr. Antrie]
What the… it can read my thoughts? Revland thought before trying again, Where's the exit?
[Would you like to exit the metaverse and return to reality?]
"I don't think we're done here yet, it feels like somethings calling to us from inside the temple…"
Now that it was brought to his attention, there was something that felt like it was trying to guild him inside.
I guess it's good enough to know that there is an exit, wouldn't hurt to explore a little.
"Or until we figure out what this shady fellow is up to."
Grave robber. Revland stated confidently.
"You're certain?"
He's been looking at some kind of map ever since the temple came into view, he's also armed and hasn't shown his face since we met him. He also got nervous when I asked to tag along.
Arséne was stunned that Revland managed to pick up on all the little details, "For someone who was unconscious for several hours, you're still awfully observant."
Old habit, figured this guy was like the other shadows we've encountered so I've been keeping an eye on him. But this one has a whole personality and isn't inherently hostile towards us.
The pair made it to the base of the stairs that led to the entrance to the temple. Four pillars etched in hieroglyphs marked the beginning of the staircase as the temple as a whole gave off an air of foreboding. But to Revland, it seemed to welcome him as something on the edge of his mental perception was trying to pull him forward.
"Well, shall we?" the Bandit asked as he started up the stairs.
Revland nodded and started marching up the stairs. When he got to the top, he saw that his companion was trying to find a way to open the doors. He pushed, pulled on the edges, tapped around the cracks looking for a hidden switch and Revland, for some reason found it amusing.
"Having issues?" He asked.
"Nope." He answered sharply, "Have everything under control. I know-" he let out a grunt, trying to push the door again; "exactly what I'm doing."
Revland stared up at the markings that we're etched on the door. The glyphs started to shift to form coherent phrases that he could understand, it read He who enters unwelcomed knowingly invites the Pharaoh's wrath. It was as if the temple itself wanted Revland to enter and no one else.
Revland went to place his hand on the smooth stone to get a better look at the glyphs. As his hand touched the stone, a loud mechanical clank sounded and the doors swayed inward.
"Well…" the bandit said breathing heavily, "I must have loosened it for ya…"
Revland's instincts were screaming at him that something wasn't right. But he could still feel the presence trying to guide him further in. He stepped into the temple as the doors closed behind him as soon as they were clear. The interior was in shambles, cracks in the sandstone were letting sand in at a slow trickle, pillars were cracked or completely destroyed with chunks of stone missing from multiple areas within his vision. The light inside the temple was dim and seemed to be worsening ever so slightly.
"Excellent." The bandit said stepping forward as he pulled the rolled piece of parchment from a tube on his belt.
Revland made to follow but something told him that he should stay where he is for now. "So, what happens next?"
"What happens next?" he asked in reply, "we plunder the riches of the temple of course." He said greedily, "Especially possibly the greatest treasure of all… the Pharaoh herself."
Revland's face turned to stone as he could feel the heat in his heart begin to rise. "Why would that be?" he asked in a somber tone.
"She's not only young but weak as well, it would be easy to simply take her as a plaything… or better yet… a personal slave." He said hungerly.
Revland felt his blood begin to boil, "Why would you… want to do something like that to her…?" he said stiffly.
"Isn't it obvious? It's no less than what the little monster deserves for what she's done." He stated in a matter of fact tone.
"You're just going to use her… then throw her away… sound about right?" Revland said barely able to control his anger. Arséne offered some ideas on how to deal with such a despicable creature, ranging from slow dismemberment to straight up disembowelment to mirror Revland's own hatred.
This shadow… has a very specific personality… he sounds just like…
"Come to think of it, I don't think we introduced ourselves… why don't you go first…" he said slowly, playing off a hunch.
The bandit paused in his fantasies. "Oh, where are my manors." He turned on his heel to face Revland, stuck out one leg with his heel on the floor and bowed with one arm in the air with the other across his waist. "I am the Bandit Youji Isshiki the Sly."
Revland's anger was coming to a head, but before he could deal with him personally a slow, emotionless voice came from above. "What are you doing here…?"
Futaba stood with her arms at her side, she was wearing a long white skirt that went to her ankles with gold embroidery, her top looked like it was wrapped in bandages leaving her waist exposed and a ceremonial neck piece that covered her shoulders. She wore golden arm bands as well as a jewel encrusted head piece that looked like it was in the shape of a dragon's head.
"Futaba… How did you get here?" Revland asked with worry laced through his words.
She spared him a quick glance before returning her attention to the bandit. "This… is 'my' temple… you… are trespassing… get out… now…" She said it without a hint of anger or frustration but Revland could feel the hostility in her words.
"Oh ho, what happens if I refuse?" He said disrespectfully.
As if in answer, she raised one hand and snapped her fingers as a trap door opened below the man's feet. Revland didn't even hear the man's scream before it was cut off by the closing of the door. The map that he was carrying fluttered to the floor in front of Revland so he stooped to collect it.
Futaba's attention was now solely fixed on Revland, causing him to hesitate. He shook his head clear before making his way towards her. "You shouldn't be here… you could get hurt." Futaba said in that same emotionless tone though he did notice the hostile undertone was absent.
"You're telling me, it's been a hell of a day. But why are you here?" He said, testing his footing.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"I fell from the sky when I got here and ended up unconscious for hours." He said. "You're not hurt are you?" Worry evident in his tone.
It took a moment for her to respond to his concern, she already knew that Revland Antrie was a man who placed others well being before his own but it was the first time she'd felt it directed towards her.
"I've always been here… since the day this place was created." She said.
Revland stood next to her now and gave her a quick once over to see if she was visibly injured. Satisfied, he let out a sigh of relief then turn his attention towards the rest of the dilapidated temple. "This place seems to be falling apart, it's not safe here so we should get out of here while we still can."
Futaba stared at him noticing that he was being serious, "This temple will collapse soon… and I along with it."
Revland looked down at her to ask what she meant by that. Upon meeting her eyes, they were not the purplish hew that he was familiar with but that of golden yellow. The sight of them terrified him, bringing back memories of Kamoshida, his castle and his fight with the Bicorn.
He leaped back suddenly to gain distance and summoned his weapon to his hand. In a bust of azure flame, his knife was in his hand and his right arm up to his shoulder was in his familiar thief's attire.
"You…" he said in a shaking voice laced with fear and anger, "You're not Futaba… You another one of those monsters…"
Futaba stared at him, then lowered her gaze to the floor, "So you're just like the others after all…"
Author's note
Not nearly as bad as last time but still took a minute. Now that I'm getting to the juicy bits, I decided to break this up into a second chapter after something else was added.
I'm not going to keep y'all long this time and I'll go into a deeper discussion at the end of the next chapter.
One thing I will mention is that trauma is a terrible thing and can lead to someone saying things that they wouldn't normally say or do, hence Revland's reaction to Futaba's eyes.
It's getting good and I can't wait for you guys to read the second part.
Thank you all for the support, especially the new followers, and I'll see you guys soon.
[sees something shiny and forgets to work on the chapter for a week]
JWS
