Swollen or swallow just change the 3 and the words vary. Where one is bloated and the other dampen. Why am I thinking about this? Well, that's the best way to describe what I'm seeing right now. After getting swallowed, the whole place around us mould and melt as if we're-
"Cough, cough, high."
"Big bro, you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm fine. Just talking to myself."
(I mean, am I in drugs again? Magic sure is weird sometimes, don't they know the meaning of practical?)
July who's slowly driving ahead while worrying about me makes me wonder how she could follow this when I can't even see where the elder and that other one went to.
(There's a reason why I like furniture okay!? Wait... Why do I like them again? The looks? The concept? And I guess...)
Leaning on the door, I look at the car's interior once more and sigh as I realize:
"I hate having inconsistencies."
(Especially with my memories).
July looks at me with worry before she smiles replying:
"I said this multiple times already but we really need to restore your memories big bro. Luckily grampapa is here, maybe he could fix you up. He knows everything."
"Really now? Well, I guess I can't wait..."
(Alright, I admit, I'm scared AND confused. Like I've been going with the flow the moment I got this human body but I feel like I better quickly do something and get things in order, for me at least... Now I understand what the idea of being an animal is, so free but isn't freedom as an expression of form? Wait who said that?)
Like those bath bomb in the pool, the colour before me brings nothing but amazement, confusion and lots of irritation. Realizing that there's nothing to do but plan ahead, I close my eyes as I await my-
*bang* *bang* *bang*
"We're here!"
(Come on!)
*click*
The door opens before I could do anything and,
"Woah, ugh!"
Being pull by my collar, the girl who seems to hate this body's owner drag me out of the car and drop me to the cold soft floor. Cold, freezing yet, soft to touch, I open my eyes and see the clear white snow.
"Well, that was a rough start."
Maybe it was the harsh treatment, maybe it's the cruelty I see, or how confusing the world works but, I don't seem to carry much expectation anymore to what's to come. But being a man of knowledge and curiosity, my eyes can't help but wonder around the new place. With skies glaze by the dim morning sun, ground blanket in snow, roads built by stone, houses of ice and lamps of colourful light are spread around evenly to reflect the light above and create a beautiful scenery as if I'm in one of those night festivals in the east as I'm watching the fireworks with
"Urgh!"
My head hurts trying to remember. Well, One thing to say about this place would be...
"Beautiful."
"Shut it! Get over there!"
"Oof!"
The girl who's name is too complicated that I forget, kick me in the butt and dooms me to fall again.
(Geez, how much is this boy hated?)
"Agxtv! Are you okay?"
July runs over to me holding my back and arm, asking with worry in her voice. Not wanting to concern her, I stand on my own replying:
"Yes, it's nothing much."
Even with that answer, July still looks at me with concern and care as she sticks close to me. A small group circle around to see the commotion and whisper to each other when I feel someone tapping my back saying:
"What are you waiting for? Follow me."
Calling us out to follow is July's Grandpa. Ignoring the onlookers, I follow him with July still holding my arm as if she's protecting me. Walking not far from the car, a huge giant mansion soon capture my eyes. Made only of wood and no concrete like the other houses here, if there's one word for it, it's ancient. Even if there's no mould, the pattern, the shape and...
As we get close to the door, I hold the walls and that confirms my suspicion...
"This guy knows his stuff."
(I better ask this expert on his intake. I guess meeting her grandpa does have its merit... Though I still have no idea why I'm so happy with furniture... I just realize this but my head is a mess now that I got it functioning properly).
"Know what big bro?"
July asks with curiously, but I pat her head replying:
"Oh, nothing much really."
"What are you doing? Get in."
"Ah, sorry!"
With how people can just gather on the entrance and how each house has no fence, this place must not know any city planning or in the earliest stage of it, or maybe the people here just trust each other that much, or maybe since this is a world of magic they have some sort of magical defence mechanism like that trap in the cave.
With a smell of old wood and home, the warmth as if someone's embracing you. A certain flash hits my head as I see myself being embrace as I enter the home... I can't help but feel nostalgic at this place.
(Urgh! What's with my head? It feels like someone is pressing my brain. I keep remembering things constantly... Is this because of that woman behind the veil?)
Clenching my head as my knees gives in, July supports me with her small shoulders asking:
"Big bro, you okay?"
"I'll be lying if I say no. Sorry for troubling you."
"It's fine big bro! You keep helping me back then so now it's time I help you out!"
With an angelic smile, July replies gleefully and I can't resist responding in kind. Her grandpa seeing us sighs as he removes his winter wear. He is an old man already in his 70's with his thick beard and long hair covering his wrinkly face and head. But his body speaks otherwise as his posture is still akin of an adult in their prime and how there's no sagging fat but only firm muscles on his body that's pretty visible even when he's wearing an oversized shirt that covers till below his knee.
He raises his hands and the building is now bright as a light flick on one by one before saying:
"Put him in the guest room, Sweetie. I suppose it's appropriate to let him rest."
(Sweetie?)
"Yes, grampapa! Right away!"
"Thank you."
I express my thanks to him, turning his back at me he waves his hand and hit his back replying:
"Thank my sweetheart, Tyo."
"Yes, of course."
July leads me to a room close to the entrance while supporting me. Opening the door herself, we entered. It was warm when I enter, with a faint smell of cinnamon, coffee and bread, the rough sensation of wood on my feet, and company. Seeing there's even a fireplace in this place, she helps bring me to the bed. With shades of flames to my left and darkness to my right, I relax with the sound of crackling wood. With a small nightstand between us, I take a sink in the air and let it out.
(Heh, this feels very nice and the fire here don't even have a smoke. That's very convenient).
July too lets me go and place the blanket on me saying:
"Rest well, Big Bro. I'll be back."
She says so with the tone of someone who cares and I can't help but smile replying:
"Thanks."
I wonder that maybe among the things I experience here, I suppose this is nice... Seeing July nod and leave, I can't stop smiling as I close my eyes and the pain my head slowly goes away...
*click* *creek*
Hearing the door opens, I open my eyes and is greeted with:
"So, are you feeling better, Tyo?"
July's grandpa enters wearing more casual clothing. Or more like the toga one of those people called elders used but without the sash or the fancy looks...
(Toga robes in the winter... Isn't it cold? Then again, he wears that winter clothing outside).
I get up and lean on the bed wall to sit replying:
"Yeah, my head's feeling better."
He nods and pulls a chair from the fireplace. Dragging it close beside me as he takes a sit slowly replying:
"I see, that's good. So, you truly don't remember who you are? The incident with your parents? Your little sister? And going with Hyu to the Qpk?"
"No, I don't..."
July's grandpa squeeze between his eyes replying:
"Sigh, even for an exile that's a bit too much for punishment is it not, Goddess Weruin? To strip him of his memories is the same as being dead... Well, If you can't remember anything then there's no point in pursuing it. In the end, I can't express enough for saving my granddaughter Tyo."
July's grandpa bows down till his head went pass his knees and I respond by lifting him saying:
"It's fine and besides I go by a different name now."
"Oh? You mean Agxtv, yes?"
"Yup!"
He leans on his chair and nods with a smile replying:
"Heh, she truly doesn't have any taste in names."
"Is it that bad? I thought it's pretty okay."
"Hahaha, ignorance does have its bliss. If you like it then who am I to stop you?"
"Right-"
*creak*
"Big bro, I brought you some light snacks!"
July come in slowly through the door with an ice tray in hand. With two bowls and a plate full of brown cakes (probably). I was caught surprised seeing her now, without her winter clothing that covers her entire body, she now wears a thin tunic. Maybe since she's pretty small and that her face looks young but now she looks like a young adult. One thing to say, she's cute and beautiful...
(Revelations can be scary... Then again, I never bothered asking how old she is huh?)
July seeing her gramps jolt in shock saying:
"G-Grampapa! Oh, sorry I didn't make your portion!"
"No, no, it's fine. You both enjoy the treats."
Her grandpa fan his hind to gesture he doesn't mind, but July walks close saying:
"Really? Sorry, grampapa..."
He pats her head replying:
"I told you, don't worry didn't I?"
"Okay..."
July walks to me and places the tray on the nightstand when she looks at me worried asking:
"What's wrong? You've been staring a lot. Is there something wrong?"
(I am?)
"Oh sorry, it's just that I never saw you without the winter clothing so seeing you wearing something else is pretty refreshing. It makes you look more pretty."
July punch my shoulder softly replying:
"R-Really?"
"Yup!"
"Big bro you dummy, what are you saying in front of my grampapa?"
(Ah right!)
"S-Sorry!"
"Hmph! I don't mind. If you both like each other than I can only support you two. My sweetheart has finally come to like someone for the first time. Even if it's you, well if you're still Tyo I guess I still wouldn't mind."
(Oh... Her grandpa is a pretty nice person huh?)
I scratch my head replying:
"T-Thanks..."
"W-What are you saying grampapa!"
"Don't be embarrassed Jqui, you finally have someone you can talk like this. I can't be happier."
(Wait, does that mean she doesn't communicate with others? Wait, since both of them are here...)
"Say, I guess it's appropriate I tell you what happen right? Um... I didn't get your name."
He stares at me for a while before replying:
"Hmph, just call me gramps, Agxtv. And just take it slow, both of you must be tired after a long journey. You both can tell me about it tomorrow, for today just rest."
"Then gramps, at least please let me explain something else to the two of you. This is very important. I don't wish to hide this to someone who I will live with."
July who's taking a sit on the edge of the bed looks surprised at me for a bit. And gramps furrows his brows and look at me seriously replying:
"Well, if it's so important then go ahead."
I nod and assure myself before saying:
"You see, I'm actually-"
(Huh?)
Everything darkens, as I feel my body limps and the sensation of life fades. No matter how much I tried, my voice won't come out. Feeling as if I sunk deep into beyond the darkness of the deepest trench my conscious fade.
*************************************
"W-What the!?"
Waking up on a hospital bed, I look around and see myself surrounded by thin veils. Mist pours from below the curtains...
"Oh, c'mon! What's the deal!"
I shout out loud as I raise my arms in irritation to such "convenient" timing. And oh~! To my surprise~ A shadow appears from behind the curtain. Her eyes gleam red and her shadow forms.
"So what's the deal?"
I ask one more time and she merely raises her covered hands replying:
"I am merely helping you. Let's just say it's best if they do not know."
"Oh, is that it? Did you pull me here in the middle of something just to say that? I mean you could've had like just say it in my head like a certain somebody else!"
"That's not simply possible with that certain someone else living inside of you. Let's say it's for their safety as well."
"Great... What is it now?"
"Child, freedom is a wonderful thing is it not?"
"Ah, well of course. Everyone wants freedom."
The lady nods agreeing to my answer when she plunges her arms to the veil as it gets close, it stops when the veil reveals the white cloth covering her arm. She somehow points with her finger forming in the cloth saying:
"You, child of an old adversary. You are not free. You are chained and imprisoned. Not only by your benefactor but also those who you have not met."
"I have no clue how to respond. I mean, let's me be honest here. I got pulled here with a fractured memory and some unknown circumstance. What do you expect me to do?"
"That's where I come here to help. Unlike the one sleeping inside of you, though I can't blame her for not being supportive."
"Oh?"
"But before I do, please know that this world is suffering. And it is best if there's no more alien interference if possible."
"Oh? Sound quite xenophobic don't you think?"
She pulls her hand out replying:
"I won't give any excuse. But I can help you traverse it."
"I see... But tell me something."
"Yes?"
She tilts her head from my question and I stand to get close to her. Standing close with only the veil in our way, realizing she's shorter than me, I look down asking:
"Tell me, why me? What's so special that you would contact me like this?"
She walks away till her silhouette disappears before answering:
"Unlike many who come here. You are not made to destroy, to take vengeance or cause chaos, your calling is not used for destruction."
Maybe it was my feeling of frustration but I fold my arm in reflex replying:
"Really? All I can remember is causing fear and destruction with my monster form. I dare say I'm not really a man for this task from my record alone. It's the matter on how we use it no? If there's one thing I learned is that give someone the benefit of the doubt and you can bet that they will prove you wrong."
"That's why I love living beings. So much freedom of choice. So much... Potential to be realized! But I'm sure you don't feel pleasure doing any of those horrible acts, do you?"
"Of course, I'm sure many share the same sentiment. Not many want to kill if they can."
Her silhouette appears in front again replying:
"That's right, I've seen this place on someone else memories, it is a place of health and to cure yes?"
"The way you said it makes it sounds like there are no such things as hospitals or simple health care centres here. That sounds awful... But other than that, what do you really want me here? Just to talk? Just to warn and inform me? If so, thanks I guess but can I please return? I don't wish to cause any misinformation or misunderstanding."
"So impatient, very well I'll return you soon. But please know this."
She raises her covered hand and soon a finger rise and her eyes shine brighter than before saying:
"Make sure no one knows you are an alien, it's to protect you from Libera's radical followers."
"I see...?"
"And luckily looking at your old world, people here will probably think you're a hick and get off easy."
"Hold on, what?"
Ignoring me, another finger appear and she continues saying:
"Secondly, try your best to find out about your powers and learn about it. Only then would I be able to help guide you when she who sleeps within you haven't awake."
"Wait, you told me that my powers are different than the others so shouldn't you like know what my powers already are?"
Ignoring me once more she raises another finger and continues saying:
"Please be careful, this world is now entering a very dangerous and deadly time. If you manage to found something or someone precious, please do your best to protect them. As awful as it will become. I hope you have the best time in this world, see you next time."
"Can I at least get a more detailed explanatiooooon-"
*************************************
When my eyes open, I was not greeted by the flickering fireplace, not the sight of rough wood, nor the warmth of some company to greet me when I wake. Only freezing blizzard winds blowing my face and darkness with only the moon above giving a sense of direction and path. With my long arm, I unfold and stretch as I climb my way up and feel my claws scratching the walls before finally emerging outside.
The cold tears of ice and snow rage on among the sea of stars. I fold my arms shouting:
"ROOOOAAAAARRR!!!"
(You gotta be kidding me!)
My cries seem to reach the stars as the grey clouds disperse. I sigh and see a huge cloud pouring out from my mouth. My six eyes move separately and see nothing but the tips of hills, mountains and some that pierce the sky.
*gurgle* *gurgle*
My stomach churns as it seems to want substance. The rear eyes look at my back and see the ruined cities below.
(Food... Lots of good food down there).
My intuition kicks in as it seems to remember what I see below. Turning around, I stretch my body to relieve the fatigue after that long sleep and warm my body before taking a stance following my instincts.
*crack* *boom*
My sudden acceleration destroys the ground beneath me and my view distorts as I realize I'm descending the huge mountain I climbed.
(Powers... It seems I better try to learn what my powers as well. Theory construction time, Recalling back, I start as a monster, then roaming around and eating before getting myself captured, reaching the city, almost becoming a feast for a party, escaped, seeing the entire city burn, escaping again, then sleep...
I feel like I'm missing something important, I mean why did I switch bodies with that Tyo boy? Hmm, I remember him protecting a little girl and then I defeat him by cutting his arm then I puke... Something unsightly... Like why am I afraid of wiggly things again? I'm not afraid of blood and gore-)
*crash* *psssh*
As my body crashes to the deep snow, I crawl my way our getting myself drown in snow. With the help of my eyes I can tell if there's any living being and just as I suspected, there is none...
(Weird, no living beings at all? I'm pretty sure there would at least be small critters or something).
As I proceed down the empty trails of snow, the once roads that lead to the gates inside the mountain has completely disappeared, with only a damp bowl in the centre of everything and everything else becoming swallowed by the harsh blizzard. I continue on the city, trying to reach the hotel where all those work of "art" is displayed. While going there, I start to wonder as well,
(I just realize but that body has no heartbeat, right? Oh no... Don't tell me they think I'm dead!? Oh no, no, no, no. Maybe that Tyo boy finally got control of his body? That would be the best circumstance but that village seems to hate him... Alright! Now I need to learn as fast and as soon as possible! At least learn how to switch bodies at least).