As I sit back, relax, preparing a cup of nice and hot cocoa with marshmallows- Wait, can I even call this cocoa and marshmallows? I mean, it's in another world. But it tastes the same and also has the same instruction on how to make it on the paper bag.
Paper skies above are shattering, giving birth for light to take over the darkness. As I'm left to pick up the fragments of what's left, I felt my hands getting so cold and lonely in these empty halls where I don't belong.
But the golden light of day gives me a clear sight of what to do. Pure white snow keeps on falling through the cracks and holes, and in my hand, I hold a book of utmost import to my mind.
(That's right. This is the most important of them all!)
Among the countless piles of books and literature littered across this huge public library, I can't believe I manage to find this... This...
"Porn Magazine! It seems even the other world can't seem to hold back beating their meat. More ridiculous is why is there even a porn mag in a public library? I'm going to have to thank whoever the librarian here for this. Let's see here, "Ruatra's Hot and Sexy, from Leasure World" mmm~"
[Seriously Anselm? Just because you're in a teenagers body doesn't mean you're supposed to act like some horny teenager you know].
"Shut up brain! Who in their right mind wouldn't want to take and read porn mags when there's a chance!"
[Perverts like you].
"Oh, shut up! I don't need you when I'm doing this. I just need to follow my carnal desire! Am I right my guts!"
{That's right!}
[You're really unsalvagble].
"By the way, how old is this body? I mean, how old is that Tyo guy?"
{Meh, I don't know. Why should I care}
[I guess we never asked. But judging by his skin complexity, regenerative ability, physical proficiency and memory capacity alone. I say he's very young, around 18 or 17 years of age. Then again, this is a world of magic, so we might never know].
"For something very annoying you always make a reasonable point."
[Well duh! I'm your brain!]
Resting through the most comfortable furniture I can find. I flip through the pages and enjoy all this not safe for work contents. And soon take a sip of the cocoa and bite off the marshmallows I prepared first hand. Feeling, the hot coco's sweetness spread through all my tongue and the marshmallow melts in my mouth. It feels heavenly.
"Ah~ yes! That's the stuff! Still..."
(I can't really choke my chicken thanks to only having one hand for everything. Wait, talking about doing the deed. My monster form doesn't even have hands. And I don't even know how it breeds... Does it even have a little jarl? I mean I never checked it before I was forced into this body).
*sigh of total regret*
"I think I'm going to stay human for a while... Sure monster has the benefit of eating raw stuff, being powerful and cool and all that jazz... But, I miss having two hands. Or in this case, one hand. Pun intended."
I look back at the mag and seeing the weird positions and revealing clothes they wear. Best of all, one of the folded pages unfolds to reveal it's majesty. 3 long pages of a hot smoking full-body view. The edge of my lips curls up both unintentionally and intentionally as I feel my mood rises.
"Hohoho~ otherworldly indeed."
*rustle* *clang* *crash* *bam*
A large sound of something falling in grand fashion echoes through these empty halls.
"Who's there!"
I slam the book into the table as I shout:
"How dare you interrupt my private session!"
[But Anselm, this is a public library, you should always expect someone to notice-]
"Shut the fuck up Brain! Not when you're in a razed city ruins you're not!"
*bang*
I pick up my halberd and slam the pommel to the ground shouting:
"Alright, come out! I'm not fucking around here. If you don't come out in a count of three. I will find you, and I will make your ASS in rUInS!"
[Anselm, calm down. Are you really letting your emotion ran wild cause someone disturbs your... Mhm, private session].
"No one gets in the way of me and my porn!"
{Yeah! You said it!}
[Seriously you two, that's pathetic and honestly very miserable. Goes to show how we've never had a wife nor even a proper girlfriend-]
"Shut the fuck up! One... Two... Three-"
"W-wait!"
A small girl who looks a few years younger than me (now with this body) came out with a bag so full and bigger than her that it looks quite comical. Well judging by the size, I think that bag is for adults.
"Um... Uuuu..."
She tries to say something while her small legs shake uncontrollably from fear as she tries to stand her ground. Before I knew it, I was already throwing the porn mag into the abyss where I could never find it again...
(Dammit, why did I do that!?)
[Old habits die hard it seems. At least you still have some sense of decency and surprisingly, responsibility. Goes to show how much I still have influence when the time comes. There's a reason you won an award for after all].
(I fucking hate you brain!!!)
I walk closer to the kid with my weapon in hand, her already shaking posture makes her came crashing down with a face of absolute fear as the content of her bag spills into the messy floor. Canned Food, water bottles, small survival tools, daily items, clothes, towels, some colourful marbles and et cetera.
"Eeep! P-please, I-I'm sorry m-mister. P-please, let me go. Y-you *sniff* you can h-have *sniff* my i-items, s-so *sniff* s-so please let me go..."
She looks away from me as she begs with a quaking and stuttering voice. Cowering behind her empty bag.
"Haaaah..."
I sigh all my pent up stress and anger away and calm myself down. I squat infront of the kid and drop my weapon to caress her soft light blue hair saying:
"Are you dumb? What kind of guy robs and leaves a kid alone to die? I'm better than that, I'll help pack your stuff up. Oh, I'm coming with you wherever you go and I will not take no for an answer."
(Since I have no idea where to go either anyway).
"E-eh? *sniff* *sniff*"
I drop my weapon and starts picking up the stuff dropped by the kid asking:
"Say, is your bag still okay? It's not broken is it?"
"U-um... Yes... Yes, it's fine."
She answers back softly that I have to focus to listen. When I return with her stuff in tow, I place them down in order and we gathered the stuff in one place before I started saying:
"Alright kid, lend me your bag. I'll teach you how to stuff your survival bags properly."
"Eh? Umm..."
The kid was hesitant at first before she finally gives me the bag while closing her eyes and with her hands shaking.
(I gotta admit, that bag looks like a pretty modern survival bag. And she's wearing a modern winter hiking clothes too).
I take it from her and begin to fold the clothes into a roll and place it at the bottom saying:
"Listen up kid, this is for your future. So remember it well while you travel. When you pack your stuff, it is essential that you fold or roll your clothes and towels as much as possible so you can save space."
The kid, still scared finally gets closer to me and look.
"After that, you can place your canned food inside in an orderly manner. It may be tedious but it's beneficial in the long run."
I place the food inside and put two bottles on the side of the bag where there seems to be a bottle holder and a clip. Leaving the rest behind.
"Next, sometimes your bag has some extra features that let you carry more stuff, like this bottle holder and clip. So you don't need to place the bottle inside and waste space. Next..."
I grab the small survival tools and hang them with the extra clips saying:
"When travelling you don't want to put your tools in your bag. Because sometimes accidents might happen and the tools will rip your bag open from the inside and that's a huge no, no. That's why people carry their tools separately."
"Woah..."
The kid finally gets beside and look at me with amazement in her coral blue eyes. I pat her head asking:
"Am I speaking too fast?"
"Mm, mm!"
She finally relaxes and looks me in the eyes. She shakes her head, signalling no.
"Alright then, next is your daily tools like this toothbrush..."
I can't help but smile and pat her head again saying:
"Glad to know you're a good kid who keeps herself clean even in this situation. Your dentist will be so proud."
"D-dentist? W-what's that?"
She looks at me bewildered and I just shake my head and place the stuff inside some pockets in the bag saying:
"Ah, I'll tell you when you need it. Now you see these pockets inside? This is where you place your small items such as toothbrush like these, and other small essentials like these toys you bring. I recommend placing the easily breakable items on the top since that's where it's not always likely to get hit."
I present the marbles to her and she shakes her head saying:
"T-those are not toys."
I tilt my head asking:
"Eh, then what is it?"
"You d-don't know?"
She looks at me suspiciously before I just place them on the highest bag pocket saying:
"Of course I do! I'm just teasing with you since I love the faces you make. You're pretty cute after all."
"C-cute!?"
She finally shouts in surprise before covering her blushing face.
(Since she's surprised. I guess this must be some kind of magic crystals or something. But just to be safe, I'll place this somewhere that rarely gets impacted and easily reachable.
I zip the bag with ease since there are still so many spaces left and show it to her saying:
"See? There are still many spaces to spare when you decided to pick an extra item along the way. And that's how you pack your bags. You gotta be super cheap basically."
"B-but what about the other items?"
She points to the stuff I left out. I lift the bag and stand to say:
"Well, we don't need them. I mean, let's be honest. We don't need a mirror right now since we're not prettying up. And that thing is made out of easily breakable stuff. It's not recommended for survival. And you shouldn't carry more than you can bring. Like those extra bottles."
"Oh!"
She now looks at me with eyes filled with amazement and respect. I pat her head again saying:
"Okay, as the older one here. I'll just carry this for you."
Her gaze falls to the ground as she clutches her thick coat saying:
"T-thank you... Mister. You're a b-big help..."
"No problemo kid and don't call me mister. I'm just a few years older than you, so... Call me big brother!"
(Hoh, finally! It's finally time!)
[You're despicable. Just to remind you, we're already 59 before we died last time, Anselm. You don't want to be called a paedophile do you!?]
(Shut up! And let me fulfil my dream!).
"Okay... B-big brother..."
The kid blushes and looks away in embarrassment.
*Hallelujah*
(Cute! I want to hug her! Dammit, if only little Omena was this cute too. I gotta control myself!)
{Why? Just hug her Anselm. Follow your instincts. I mean we're just a few years older than her in this body and the FBI can't catch us in another world~ So...}
(Shut it, guts. There are times and occasions for every moment. And that UCA joke is really overused at this point).
[It seems you're on my side now].
(I hate you both...)
I brush my nose and try to act cool saying:
"Say, mind telling me your name? Mine's Anselm by the way."
"Anselm? Weird name."
The kid murmurs before she looks at me saying:
"My name's Jqui Erigar."
(Erigar? Sounds familiar...)
"Jekwei?"
I try to pronounce her name but it doesn't seem I can.
"Jqui," She repeats.
"Jet hui?"
"Jqui! Don't make fun of my name!"
The kid shouts at me as she repeats her name. She puffs her rosy cheeks in frustration thinking I was making fun of her.
"Sorry, I'm not used to saying complicated names."
"Complicated? Your name is weird!"
It seems she had finally grown comfortable with me as she doesn't stutter in her words anymore.
"Sorry, then mind if I just call you by something else? Something, Special?"
"S-special!?"
Jqui covers her mouth in surprise as she blushes. I nod saying:
"That's right. Let's see, what about..."
(Hmm Jqui... Jelly... July. Yea, July sounds right).
"July."
"July?"
She tilts her as she wonders. I kneel down to look at her in the eyes saying:
"That's right. It's a very special name for me since It's stuck in my mind all the time. Whenever I said it, it just makes me smile."
"Eh!? Um, Ummm..."
Jqui face turns brighter than a tomato and she tries to hide her face behind her coat.
*nod*
Jqui nods as to give my approval and I give her pat in the head saying:
"Thanks, July! Say, want some Cocoa?"
She peeks out of her coat asking:
"Cocoa? What's that?"
"Oh just the most delicious and sweetest thing ever."
I head back to the table and grab a mug full of cocoa and marshmallows and hand it to her saying:
"Here."
July take it with both hands and look at the drink saying:
"Eh? Isn't this muq and qlo? You can eat them together? I heard muq are supposed to be bitter and qlo are hard. And my dad whose a soldier even said this is a bad ration for soldiers."
(Soldiers get hot cocoa and marshmallows for rations!? How extravagant!)
"Really? It melts in my mouth though."
"You're not lying right big bro?"
(Big bro? Ah, so casual, I like it).
I nod saying:
"If you can't believe me, I'll drink it first then."
I take the mug from her and drink it while swallowing a piece of marshmallow. Chewing left and right and easily swallow them.
"See? Easy and delish."
I smile with my teeth in full display. July giggle softly as saying:
"Hehe! Your teeth are all brown from the muq. Okay, I'll try it."
She looks at the drink closely from left to right before she closes her eyes and drinks it.
*gulp*
Her eyes opened wide and she starts drinking it all.
*gulp* *gulp* *chew* *chew* *gulp*
"Pah! How can it be!? It's actually sweet! Last time my dad give it to me, it was so bitter. And when you combine both muq and qlo, you make cocoa? This is amazing!"
"See? What did I tell you?"
"Hehe, you're right big bro. Here!"
She gives me the biggest smile as she hands me the empty mug.
(I don't know how she survived, but fact that she somehow manages to survive the onslaught till now and smile like that...)
I gave her a hug in a moments notice. Felt the warmth gathered in her clothes as I feel her breathing on my chest. I get close to her ears whispering:
"You've been through a lot, haven't you? Don't worry. I'm here with you now."
As I let her go and take the mug, she hides her face and tugs my coat asking:
"Say, big bro. Are you a foreigner?"
"Huh? Why do you ask?"
"You have a weird name and say weird things. But you look like someone from here."
"Ah~ to be honest. I'm supposedly born here. Just can't really remember my past and all."
"Eh!? Big bro has memory lost!? How cruel..."
July looks at me with her sunken eyes.
(Was she crying?)
I gave her another pat in the head saying:
"It's alright. I mean I remember some things at least. Like how to survive and my soldier days."
"Really big bro? I mean doesn't it feels sad that you can't remember anything more?"
"Well..."
Thanks to the Goddess. I can't really remember everything about my previous life but...
"I don't really mind. After all, I got to the rest of my days with someone as cute as you."
She digs her face into my arm saying:
"Please don't tease me..."
I pat her head saying:
"I'm being honest though."
She gives pokes my sides as to try to tickle me but sadly I don't feel anything.
"Say, where do you even planning to go? With all the stuff?"
"Hmm? Oh!"
July points to the giant open gap on the wall saying:
"I was planning to go to my hometown at Tppu. But just to be safe I was searching for the map so I won't get lost on the way since the magic roads are broken. I thought I was going to find one at the library but it's not here. So I thought if I go to the shelter, maybe they might have one."
"Ah! You have the same idea as me. Talking about the shelter. Why didn't you go there? You did say your father was a soldier right? Didn't he bring you there? It must've been a miracle to survive on your own."
She shakes her head saying:
"I was... Spared. When the monsters start pouring in, I followed him until he suddenly stops and tells me to go by myself. Saying something like, "Something sinister is coming" and decided to form a line there and stop any incoming enemies.
Going by myself, I soon found myself helpless when a giant white monster jumps around in a forward spiral, killing everyone that was unlucky to be infront of it. The sheer terror and bloodlust I felt there make me lose the feeling of my legs and wonder if that beast manages to beat my father behind me. Before I knew it, I found myself hiding under some bar's cellar. Hoping for someone to save me... But when I thought hope has arrived by the sound of footsteps. I was greeted by even worse despair."
I wrap my arms around her and let her head rest in my shoulder wondering,
(Wait, I didn't ask her how you survive right? But I shouldn't clarify when she's too into it).
She clutches my clothes saying:
"I could hear loud bangs and the sound of people screaming in agony from the floor above. And when they got down where I was, I could hear them even clearer. They speak in an unknown tongue, and through the cracks, I saw them wearing an armour made from the cursed black stones that suck the magic out of people while carrying unknown weaponry that I don't want to know what it does. I thought they were the devils themselves. Straight from the depths of hell.
As they got close, I could feel the magic in my body getting drained. It was painful, it felt like someone pulling my heart out. And the force got stronger as it gets closer to me. But I endured, even though I know I have nowhere to go, I still want to live!
I clutched my mouth and close my eyes hoping they would leave but... They keep getting closer, it's like they know I was there. When I heard their steps growing louder, and one of them opened the lid. That was it, I thought I would get killed. But when I opened my eyes, I could see the eyes behind the mask. The devil was scared, he had the looks of someone who doesn't want to kill and his weapon soon creates a loud noise and a bright flash. I felt something burning beside my head before he decided to close the lid. Saying something to the other devils before they finally left. I get out of my hiding place when no one is around and collapsed soon after when I can't endure the pain anymore."
(I think I can guess what happened).
Tears flow through her eyes as she ploughs her face on my chest. I console her by saying:
"It's okay now. Let's survive this together."
"Mm!"
She nods while still having her face covered.
"So, how did you survive big bro? Didn't you head for the shelter too?"
"Me? Well, I can't remember much to where I went. But... I think the last moments of my memories were when I woke up. The entire city was in ruins, the streets are filled with the people running away as the flames of chaos spread even further. I saw a soldier dragging me away before he was killed by those things you called devils and blackout. When I woke up, I only had one arm left, and my clothes were torn to shreds so I have to get a change of pair."
"I see..."
She looks up and gives me a pat in the head saying:
"I think you need more mending than me big bro. It really pains me to not remember how my parents look like."
I smiled at her statement saying:
"Heh, I can get healed once we have a much safer place. So, should we head out and find that map?"
She backs away a little and clears her messy face before standing on her feet with a new determination saying:
"Um! Let's go."
I try to ignore the stains on my clothes and pick up my halberd saying:
"Having someone to talk to feels very nice."
"Yea! And um... Big bro, what were you doing when you're talking to yourself? I mean you were screaming pretty loudly by yourself."
*crack*
Feeling something inside of me is about to shatter. I try my best to smile pleading:
"Please forget that."
"Hehe, no~ That will be our little secret."
"Ugh! Please don't."
(But is it me, or is this developing too fast?)