Chapter 36
Fate has its own way in catching up to you. For me it's like a bitter mistress. I wake up conscious with smelling salts near my face. I see a the glimpse of the sun. It was being blocked by someone. I could hear Japanese coming out of his mouth. I could see now I was barely conscious at all and was synching into a memory. "You always have a way into getting yourself in trouble, don't you?" A girl spoke in Japanese. But the memory ended there as I could hear the snapping of fingers in front of my face. It was Mr. Williams at the other side of those fingers. "Can you stand?" He asked me. I nodded my head and went back up. "What was that?" Riley asked. "Nothing...Just me recalling a few bitter memories." I replied. My gaze reached the horizon as I saw the gaze of everybody including my companions light their concern. I then gave a fake cough to lighten the atmosphere. "Maybe we should proceed." I suggested. They knew that I was right so we went back to formation.
We soon moved onto announcements from the guild. These were just basic instructions and events that were happening in the guild. To my surprise I there were announcements of jobs based on security. Guilds have the right to reserve jobs as much as the capital can give jobs to specific guilds. The Militia has been given jobs to help out the municipal guard and various other security jobs. If they wanted to, they would inquire their guild hall. It looks like this guild was on another level all together.
As much as I wanted to hear more about this information, I was still woozy from that sudden memory. I guess the most cryptic ones are the hardest ones to take in. Kenshin must enjoy screwing with me 'cause reading what he wants is quite the puzzle. "You're not looking so good, Rin." Mr. Williams told me. "I'm fine...just the backlash from synching with my memories." I told him. But that was part of it. Kenshin and Chiron taking over at the same time did a killing in my mind. I never felt so tired in my life. But damn Furukizu knows how to do a total on me.
"Will you be alright?" He asked.
"It's best for me to recall it now than never. The faster I'm able to recall the better I'll be saying goodbye to these stupid headaches." I replied.
Mr. Williams looked a bit concerned but brushes it off later. I felt the headaches were getting worse as more cryptic memories of Kenshin came. I wanted to get some pain reliever from my harness but I forgot that I gave it to Rebecca. She then hands them to me. "Geez quit giving us heart attacks." Rebecca ranted off as she pushed my stuff at my chest. Eventually the staff sergeant shifted to its climax with closing remarks. It was something about keeping a good eye on your surroundings. "Remember, In or out of the walls there is still danger." Riley says, "Keep a good eye out and be wary of your surroundings." All a familiar tale coming from him. I still have to worry of stalkers and killers wanting my ass. Soon it shifted at the very end when the staff sergeant was about to say the guild's chant. But at the far end I could hear the sound of loud stomps and footsteps. I could sense in the air ill intent of various people. The doors were kicked open. Out came a crowd full of protesters. There it was UTU protesters in front of us. I soon feel bloodlust fill the whole area from the runners. The clashing auras were overwhelming that it sends me at the floor. My friends rushed to my aid. "Rin! Get a hold of yourself!" Mr. Williams told me. I was synching again. There it was...the visions of war. The occupation of Shanghai, I can see it. The bombs dropping and exploding. I was running a fast as I could to avoid the crossfire. There was hatred, fear, and dread all over. I sank to the floor as fire was around me. Rebecca then slaps me across the face to get some sense on me. "Rin! Snap of it!" She shouted. I stop synching after that. Again that Aura was felt. I looked towards Rebecca and took my harness full of weapons and tools and put it on me. All my gear was on me and all was left was the tactical vest.
It was hard to say what was going on. From what I can tell this wasn't good. The protesters even had clubs and other blunt weapons with them. I then joined Mr. Williams and Riley as conflict started to brew. The protesters started to pick a fight with the other runners. "Why the hell are you ever still going outside! Quit playing role play and get a job!" One of the protesters shouted. "We already have a job! Who the hell is providing your shit? You ignorant shits!" One of the runner shouted. Things started to escalate and people started to shove. Without second thought, Riley puts his best foot forward and takes command. "Militia! Separate them!" He commanded. The guild members dispersed and takes the wooden practice shields from training. They then went in between them and started to push both of the sides back. However they barely had any strength to push them a few inches. "Sir! We need support magic!" One of the privates shouted.
"Permission to use support magic, sir?" One of the sergeant suggested.
Without any hesitation he puts his hand out and commands, "Permission granted! Support magus, use strength and endurance enhancing spells at the defensive lines! We gotta separate these groups!"
Magus then go at the center gap and started to cast spells to increase the strength of the individuals pushing the two crowds. A ray of random lights flash from the magi's hands and shine on the troops. "You're all good to go. Proceed with caution." One of the magus said. With their enhanced strength, both sides were driven a few yards away to avoid any kind of confrontation. Eun-hi suddenly appeared. "What do they want?" She asked. "Beats me. Like I keep track on whatever these guys complain about." Riley replied. Most of us saw the UTU as a sty in our eyes. As if I had enough from them this morning as it is. Eun-hi then twirls her cross and it extends into a cross spear. "I don't like this. It takes guts for them to visit a holy place like this."Eun-hi commented. "I don't like it either so we might as well keep on our toes." Riley insisted.
The sky started to turn dim as the cloudy sky turned darker. I looked at Mr. Williams for a moment out of concern. "What's gonna happen now?" I asked him. "I don't know. Maybe we should back away. Besides, I doubt you're at any fighting condition after what happened." He suggested.
"Yet where do we go? We're straight at the center." I asked him.
He looked around and I was right. We were between a scuffle of two sides in this ruined church. We were mid center of where the mausoleum was. There was really no escaping for us here. "You wouldn't happen to have a spell that makes us fly...would you?" He asked. I nodded out of disagreement. I guess there was no other thing to do but be part of their squabble. We then noticed someone jumping at the crowd, trying to get attention. "Excuse me! You two. Who is in charge of this group?" He asked me and Mr. Williams. It was a man around his mid-twenties. He was around four feet and to our surprise, wearing a suit. I can tell this guy was Terran because there was a tag at the collar of his coat, it was Italian. "Staff Sergeant Riley Webster of The Militia is calling the shots here. If you want a word, ask him." Mr. Williams replied.
"You're calling my name? What's the problem?" Riley butts in.
"Some guy is calling you out." I told Riley.
"Do you even have any authorization to do this? You're not law enforcement!" The man in a suit shouted.
"Learn to read the mood! If we didn't do that then both sides would tear their faces off!" One of the sergeants blurted out.
Riley then puts his hand up and stops the sergeant. "Stand down, Sergeant." He says, "I'll take care of this." Riley the goes up to the man with a suit. "What is your business here? What's with all these people?" He asked. "We're here for a peaceful protest. Nothing more, nothing less." The man in a suit said. I took a paper charm out and summoned a bird shikigami from the sky to look at the crowd of protesters. It didn't look peaceful. It was full of protesters full of bats, two by twos, and spray bottles. Some even had their own improvised shields and weapons. "We really need to get out of here." I told Mr. Williams. "Yeah. I've never seen a protest with baseball bats end peacefully." He agreed.
"What do we do? We're sitting ducks." I asked out of concern.
The man looks around for an idea. Mr. Williams's eyes meet somewhere. It was at the mausoleum of Katami Mori. "Conserve your magic and head on a high spot to spectate. Maybe there might be an opening somewhere we can get out of." He ordered. I nodded and complied. I made a running start and ran up the mausoleum wall. Once I made it above Steph looked up pissed. "Wreck the Cornerstone and it's a boatload of whoop-ass!" She shouted. "Sorry. I just need a vantage point for an escape route." I replied.
"You are willing to try. The Militia are professionals in deterring disputes. You be lucky to find a small hole to crouch in."
"I'll take that into consideration."
It turned out Steph was right. There was barely any space to begin with. Everybody was jammed within the wrecked church and in between were the two sides, the wall in front of me and the tomb I was standing at. It looked like the perfect wall to block both sides. I sent a doll shikigami and wrote a small note to Mr. Williams saying, 'I don't see anything. I'll keep an eye out and keep you posted.' He then gives me the thumbs up at me. I then went back to my post and kept a watchful eye. All I could do was leave my enhanced senses to hear what was going on. I wasn't going anywhere either way. It looks like Mr. Williams was caught dead center while the rest of my group was compressed with the rest of the runners. Another thing that I rather not be apart of.
The man in a suit then presented a business card. "Randy Arroyo...head manager of Dream Palace Guild?" Riley read out loud. "Yes, I'm here representing UTU in support for their protest." The suited man said.
"Anyways… can you turn your group around? You know the rules, no protest in national landmarks and reservations." Riley interrupted.
"Why? Aren't we allowed to practice our own civil rights?" Randy asked.
"I don't make the rules, buddy. Take it to the council and the guild association." Riley told the man.
"Even if it concerns for both of your parties?" Randy added.
This interested the runners. Most of us would agree that if the disputes of UTU were to end, at least we can have a bit of legroom. "What is it?" He asks, "If it's good then we can put a good word for the guilds to give you a moment."
The man takes out a document. It was printed finely in white paper. "We have a few petitions for the guilds to sign for the approval of the Material Recall Restoration Project." Randy said. Everybody in UTU then started to cheer. I had a bad feeling about this. The world war two soldier reappeared besides me. His presence just made it worse than it appeared. He looked down in the crowd. He didn't look amused. "The name sounds good but so did imperialism. I wonder why this sounds like a dumpster fire." He said. I couldn't help but wonder that myself what was going on. "By popular opinion, we wish for the disassembly and clearing out of The Battle of Crippled Bones Memorial Park for the restoring and salvaging of materials the damaged areas for the refurbishing of the area...what is this bullshit?!" One of the sergeant read out loud then exclaimed.
"What's the meaning this?!" Another sergeant reacted.
"It is what it is. We wanna clear out the ruins here and salvage all the materials in order to make new businesses." The man said.
"So who would be in charge of the salvaging? I doubt the Cletus government has any hands to take care of this." Riley asked.
"What are you talking about? We will take care of the salvaging." Randy replied.
"That's not what I'm talking about. You do realize that not everybody will stand for this, right?" Riley pointed out.
"This is for the good of Cletus. Surely you would wanna see this flourish to its former glory, no?" He asked.
"Yes but this is holy land. This petition is already against the culture and religious freedoms law of Cletus."
"What holy land? All I see is a bunch of ruins with a tomb at the center. We will leave this area alone but the rest of the park goes." Randy said.
That's when Eun-hi slams her spear at the ground. Her eyes glowed red and filled with rage. "You realize what you are saying?! This land has been blessed by Izanagi-no-Mikoto! A creator god!" Eun-hi exclaimed.
"Is that so? Then where is your proof? I'm atheist so I wouldn't know what a god would look like." Randy answered.
Looks like we played in the hand of the suited man. We may have been under gods but we cannot prove it. Even I don't even know how to give proof to my past lives. But the girl took on without hesitation. She looked pissed to the bone. "The staff that the statue of Katami-noona was holding! It was a branch coming from the tree of Life! She used it to cast some magic to slay the No Life King. Without Izanagi's blessing we wouldn't be able to get rid of the undead horde!" Eun-hi shouted proudly.
"Then that would mean that Katami Mori did the purification, not Izanagi. All the more it means that we can just make the tomb remain." Randy pointed out.
Eun-hi was starting to lose her cool. I can sense the bloodlust from her. She looked like she was ready to kill any moment. But Randy went in front of her to make her lose focus. "Even if you don't agree with us, this land itself is its own burial ground. Many lives by the of thousands died here. Their ashes were spread here. This is a gravesite. You really wanna desecrate a graveyard?" Randy put out there.
"I don't think the dead would wanna see the living suffer for them. Live for yourself, will ya?" Randy said.
This enraged the crowd even further. Even Eun-hi was gritting her teeth. Tensions were running high. "Looks like we got ourselves a standstill." Kenshin says, "I can sense the bloodlust from here." I felt it too. It started to spiral out of control. With this sensation, it felt like it was the beginning of a civil war. If something wasn't done then we'll see a body count for sure. But something odd happens.
The suitcase started to float by itself. Papers started to fly on its own and above the wall. Somebody slowly started to appear and gain image. The papers started to come at the man's hand and the body came to full image. It was Richard sitting on the wall at the opposite side. "Nice to see you, Kuya." He said. "Bunso! Nice to see you out of the mud, askal." Randy greeted.
"Likewise, aswang." Richard replied.
I can see dagger-staring in their eyes. This on its own was bad timing. "Looks like we got ourselves a family dispute." Kenshin noticed. More news in my ears. I wonder what he meant. "How can you tell?" I asked.
"Kuya means big brother while bunso means younger sibling." He replied. "How do you know that?" I asked.
"I was at the Philippines before World War Two broke out, you know."
"Which side?"
"That's for you to find out."
"That's kinda vague."
"I don't make the rules here, the first reincarnation does."
Again more vague answers at this rate I don't even know what I'll do with this memory. He's my latest past life but I need to know more. The more I see what Kenshin's capable of, the more I felt it was needed to know more about him.
Richard then jumps down a few stories. But before his feet reach the floor, he floats slightly and drops down in a slower pace. "Help your brother out. You're with Hanami; why don't you talk some sense to these guys." Randy insisted. Richard then shoved the papers at Randy's chest. "It's you who should be talk to." Richard tells him, "What are you thinking?! Do you really want to be at the other side of the barrel with supernatural forces at work?!"
"Spare me your mumbo jumbo. This is reality. Quit living your fantasy world." Randy said.
"We've been living in reality! Who the hell has been taking all those supplies in?! How the hell do you think we managed to fight in those defense raids?!" Richard exclaimed.
"Then why don't we get the stuff here?! It's already out for the picking!"
"Then what happens when you're done picking out all this mess?! You really think selling all this stuff is gonna keep you in here forever?! We would still be back to square one once all this stuff is cleared away!"
"Why are you so hell bent in protecting this place anyway?! It's junk!"
"It's because this is all we have! This is the only solace we have in order to train and work together as one!" Richard replied with might.
"Oh please! You're just doing this because of your dead girlfriend! Move on, askal!" Randy shouted back.
But that answer enraged Richard. Without warning, Richard was about to sucker punch Randy but was stopped by Riley. "We did move on! I'm protecting this place so we can get stronger! I'm doing as she told me! We're here to get stronger so nobody else has to die!" Richard shoutss, "Because of her we strive to be strong. Do you seriously want us to jump out unprepared?!"
"Whatever! There's no way the guilds won't push this offer away!" Randy said.
"Then they have to go through the guilds that protect this place first! As the right hand to Hanami, There's no way our guildmaster would push for this!" Richard shouted.
"As of mine too! Katami Mori was a hero! We owe her our life!" Eun-hi agreed.
"You can't be serious! All of you agree with this?!" He questioned them.
"The Militia has agreed to protect the welfare of the capital since it was established. I suggest you leave." Riley politely insisted.
"As if! You guys don't represent the guildmasters!" Randy bluntly replied.
I then here a laugh from the distance. Behind me something jumped above me. It turned out to be Helen Young, guildmaster of Oak Cinders. "Who called for a guildmaster?" She asked the crowd. "Miss Young. What brings you here?" Riley asked.
"Oh. Heya dreadlocks! I was just on the way to do some training myself. Who would have thought this happened." She replied.
Helen then noticed the document Randy was holding. She takes it from him and starts to read it. The girl then started to whistle. "So this is the document those UTU guys wanted to give to the council." She said. Helen started to read it further. As the girl speedread the document, she fixed it and says in a blank tone, "As if this would fly. What are you, crazy?"
All of us had our eyes open and jaws dropped. It was blunt and nonchalant but brutal enough to get a reaction. "What do you mean this won't fly?!" Randy exclaimed. She then started to look at Richard. "Isn't this your brother? What's he doing here." Helen asked Richard.
"Yeah. Sorry for the intrusion." Richard apologized.
"No worries. I'm free to give you my time." She replied.
"Don't talk as if I'm not here! Answer me!" Randy demanded.
Helen then grabs Randy's ear and drags him to her height. "Listen, your brother has been a good companion assisting my guild members. Be thankful for him that I'm giving you my precious time." Helen calmly reprimands Randy, "Let's be civil about this and don't you dare say I'm being racist cause if I wanted to I would have fed you to Fenrir by now."
She then lets go of him and clears her throat. Her face was calm but fierce. I didn't know what was in her mind. Helen then stretches a little and focusses back on the discussion. "I have to admit it's not a bad trade off for the junk and ruins around here to be salvaged but there are a couple of things that you haven't accounted for." Helen said.
"And what would that be?" Randy asked.
"Even if this was gonna push through, it doesn't mean that Cletus would have the manpower to recover it all. Especially the tools to handle it." Helen explains, "Gasoline and diesel cost a whole lot more than compared to the surface. Like who the hell in your guild can provide two gold for a few liters of diesel?"
"We can rely on charity and have someone make biodiesel. There are many alternatives to fuel." Randy replied.
"Yet do you have a biochemist with you? Even if you did have one on you, you still need the materials to make it, and trust me they cost a lot as well. Charity is voluntary but I doubt anybody would give you enough to go with the project." Helen explained.
"That's what the guild association is for. People would be happy to get a job with some decent pay." Randy answered.
"Randy. It would take years or maybe decades to finish it. All the more it would take longer to put up buildings without the tools and the machinery needed." Richard told his older brother.
"Then why don't you use your magic to make it faster? After all it's all you guys are proud of. Things made it easier with magic so put it to good use. You can teach us too while you're at it so we can add up with the work." Randy snubbed.
"That kind of magic shouldn't be taken lightly. Terrans are new to magic so their bodies strain easily. Only casters that have the endurance for magic are able use magic repetitively." Helen says, "Therefore human Arians and various types of demi-humans would be capable of handling this."
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Randy asked.
"It means that since the Terran's body is just new to magic, they're less capable in being able to cast magic for a long period of time. The only reason why Arian humans are capable of using magic easily is because they have been using magic since birth. Demi-humans are an exemption to the rule since their biology is different from humans all together. So using magic as a long-term solution is a plan with a lot of holes in it." Richard explained.
"Who are you to say that us Terrans aren't able to be good in magic? For all we know we might have some gifted ones here." Randy talked back.
"Nope, from what I sense… your group has zero to no magic proficiency." Helen Interrupted.
"Don't be rude, guildmaster. I do sense faint magic talent but it's barely at the requirements." Richard mentioned.
"I'm just putting in my personal opinion here. Even if we teach them the magics required to do this clean up, they would be lucky to just move a peddle." Helen stuck to her statement.
"Either way with this decree, the government would be funding it and provide jobs around the capital." Randy pushed.
"But who will take the job? Unless you haven't realized by now, you're taking a giant shit in front of a creator god's doorstep. Nobody in their right mind would cause a ruckus like that." Richard mentioned.
"Why should you be concerned? Aren't you under a different god?" Randy put out.
"That is the most foolish comeback you have ever thought of. You should do more research on all sides first before doing a debate." Richard told him.
"And what's that supposed to mean, askal?" Randy asked.
"Listen kid, the Arians and the people of Cletus have one thing in common, 'Respect the beliefs of your neighbors around you, and follow the rules that everyone can agree with'." Riley told him.
"Yet laws can be changed by the will of the people." Randy answered back.
"But in the end you are breaking the two main rules that made the foundation of Cletus and Aria. Cletus lets people stay as long as you get along and follow house rules. But I guess even you can't do that." Helen put out.
"So you'd rather follow some old laws rather than benefit the people?" Randy questioned.
"Remember, we're just living together. We don't have to agree with everything but as long we keep the peace, we're allowed to live here. Especially since the creator gods are in charge of all of our gods together." Richard replied.
"How did you become such sheep? Are you really that blind, Richard?" The older brother asked his younger brother.
"Have you forgotten? We're just visitors. All we can do is be on their good side for now and try to make things better with what we have and do." Richard replied.
"You know how living conditions are bad! How can you live like this?!" Randy argued once more.
"We're trying to protect whatever society has left. Ventus has been under chaos ever since it came to earth. Now it's Laputa and the people need us more now than ever." Richard told him.
"With all the monsters and Terrans killing each other, people gonna need somewhere to stay. That's why the runners are needed. All we can do now is save other and provide shelter in times of need." Riley added.
"More like slave labor. Power conditions are poor, water shuts off, and food has been hard to produce! Shouldn't take responsibility with your magic!" Randy blurted out. His party then started to cheer while the other side.
"It's not slave labor if we're getting paid to do it. Plus you really think the upkeep has been easy since this place became Laputa? How hard do you think has it been since Duo got hit? Why do you think the Visas for Cleatus has been updated and changed? At least we didn't just shove that responsibility to you guys alone!" Richard shouted.
"It wasn't our fault! If we had better equipment and materials then we would have been able to perfect it!" Randy blurted out.
"Perfection was beyond your grasp and you know it! We warned all of you never to use that power but in the end your selfish desires took over! And here you are forcing us to do that again in your place?!" Richard shouted.
Richard then takes a foot forward and was about to slap him. But Riley and Helen stopped him before Richard could do anything. "Richard! That's enough, it's not worth it!" Helen said. "Keep cool, kid! Don't let your emotions take over!" Riley added.
"I don't care! It's about time I gave my aswang of a kuya the sinturon my mom never gave!" Richard growled.
"How the hell are you so hard headed? We shouldn't be forced to sacrifice our lives just to get some coin!" Randy exclaimed.
"Don't you dare go Immanuel Kant on me, bitch! Because of you, Brandon is dead! You're the one telling us to off ourselves! Fuck off, you fucking narcissistic jerk-off!" Richard shouted back.
"Progress isn't done without sacrifice!" Randy shouted.
"Not if those lives aren't yours to give!" Richard shouted.
"You inconsiderate brat!" Randy insulted.
"Right back at you! You cannibalistic piece of shit!" Richard added to the fire.
Hands behind his back, Randy has something in his hand. It looked like a party popper. He then pulls the string and confetti blows behind him. Suddenly someone from the crowd sprays something at one of the Militia's guild members. The line is disrupted and it gets more chaotic. At a brief moment all I could sense only the bloodlust of the runners. I could only sense UTU's side something faint. I didn't know what it was. One thing for sure it wasn't anger. As he was disoriented, the protesters pushed away the man and broke the line. "Secure the line!" Riley commanded. The Militia rushes back with their injured ally behind them. The protesters were about to collide with the Militia and the other runners.
But soon after, time stops the scene was getting pale again. Colors start to fade till it turns a pure white. I was here again, that plain of non-existence. I hear Kenshin stand up and light a smoke. Yet how does it past life manage to smoke cigarettes? But then again that wasn't the issue here. The issue was being back here of all things. A white void with structures and people to look like dolls. Kenshin and I were the only ones who were sentient at the moment. Kenshin looks down at and gazes and that blank space. This was the space between the Militia and UTU. From what I can tell it looks like the Militia wasn't going to be successful in creating another blockade. Their stances weren't proper and they were barely in formation. "So that was his plan. That man, Randy." He monologues, "He was trying to keep us occupied. In order to stage a riot."
"What purpose does that do? Wouldn't that demonize both parties?" I asked.
"Yeah, but there is a point to it. My guess is that they brought the bats and clubs to provoke the runners to attack. Since most of the producers lack skill in fighting, my guess is it was that they were trying to make a scene here and paint a picture of their own." Kenshin explained.
"What would they want to show then?" I asked.
"Paint the runners as the villains by their deaths." He answered.
"So UTU wanted to be a martyr? But how?" I asked my former self.
"With the Cornerstone painted in blood it would look like a massacre. The survivors would spread rumors around the capital as create a bigger stigma towards the runners. Eventually it would lead to the capitol going into UTU's favor of how out of control the runners have become. And thus the support would diminish and lead to the wrecking of this place." Kenshin explained to me.
"And how would they do that?" I asked.
"By doing a smear campaign of how absurd the whole Guild association is and how violent the runners have become. If they can't control the runners then they might as well shut the association down and anything associated with...well anything having to do with runners that is." Kenshin explained even further.
"How do you know that? We barely have anything to point to that." I pessimistically deny.
That's when the soldier covers my eyes for a moment. I could feel something pass by me. When I open my eyes he directed my head upwards. I could see small balls of light float in the air and turquoise lines floating in the air. "What is this?" I asked. "Those floating orbs are the Mana of the world and the those lines are the ley lines of the planet, they circulate Mana around the world." Kenshin told me. I look down as I see the silhouettes of the people glowing different colors of light. At the runners side it is red, blue and various colors. But at UTU's side was full of a mix of yellow and light grey. "That Aura you see is the chi or chakra of the person. The color resembles the person's emotions. This ability is called Magus eye." He tells me, "The color red resembles rage, determination, and drive; Blue resembles peace, benevolence, and protection. The group you support is really driven for this place."
"Were you able do this at your life?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Yes. I used this for assassinations but I was never able to use magic, neither Hijikata." Kenshin said.
"So I was able to use magic?" I asked.
"Yes but you weren't able to after your third. But that's enough for you. I already gave too many freebies. Let's focus at my claim." He insists, "Look at the side of UTU. Observe what you can see and sense from them."
I take a look at them closely and pay attention to their color. I can feel their emotional state flow their response. "Light yellow is fear, grey is depression. I could see that they have doubt in their hearts." I responded. "Now turn it off. I don't have to tell you how." He told me. I reverted my Magus eye and he continues to question me. "I believe before showing this ability you had you noticed something without it?" He asked. I look back a little and the only one thing that was peculiar was the start of the riot. All of it started with the party popper. But after that it was the attack. "The pepper spray guy...he sprayed the bottle with his eyes closed and with his head turned at the opposite direction." I mentioned. "Correct. It looked as if the guy barely handled a weapon in his life. All the more with pepper spray." Kenshin confirmed.
"But how can you be sure about the motive? I thought UTU cared about Terran life. Why would they sacrifice their own?" I asked the soldier.
"It's just a hunch. But maybe you should use the Magus eye at the crowd and look a bit further at the side of UTU. You might find something interesting." The man suggested.
I did as he said. This soldier knew something I didn't. It was frustrating not to get was going on. But only with the Magus eye I was able to see what was going on. Looking closely I was able to see what he was talking about. I can see a man in the crowd with a dark Aura at the side of UTU. It was black and had a dark violet outline. I couldn't tell who he was since everything was still white. Even if I did he was still wearing a hoodie. There was nothing recognizable about him. He was just looked like a regular person. Yet who was this guy. "So that's what you were talking about? I barely noticed him and I can already tell he's bad news." I described. "Yeah. It looks like dark forces are at work." The soldier says, "On whose orders, I don't know."
"What do you mean? Doesn't it go with dark forces there's a dark god or something? Like in fantasy novels?" I wanted to clarify.
"Yes. And it looks like somebody is taking advantage of this chaos for something." the man told me.
"But why?" I asked once more.
"It must be great if it were against a god." He told me
"So you're telling me that there might be some plot that might involve the capital to the point they would even shit in front of a god's doorstep?" I rationalized.
"If you put it that way then that is possible. But we don't know for sure. As of now, the gods are still unpredictable." He concluded.
The soldier then turns around. Only now I noticed that glow just now. It was a Shinto arch glowing a bright red behind me. I shifted between my Magus eyes and regular sight. With or without them I can still see it. The only problem was that the paper shield charms were blowing with the wind. That shouldn't happen since there wasn't any wind to begin with. I was in a white void frozen in time. Yet why am I even here in the first place? Why is this even here? I was full of questions. "I can see it in your eyes that this lit your interest." He pointed out. "What is this thing and how can we see it?" I asked.
"It's a blessing from Izanagi-no-Mikoto. The creator god of Shinto." He replied.
I went to touch the beam as it looked so real. But as my hand was about to touch the surface, my hand passed through it like it was an illusion. "How was this thing even here?" I asked. "My guess is that Katami Mori was a hero under Izanagi. Probably after she sacrificed herself, this place was blessed by Izanagi-no-Mikoto." Kenshin said.
"How can you tell just by that?" I asked.
"If you recall, the staff at the statue is actually a petrified branch of the world tree, already consumed by all its mana. You after all passed by it all the time back at your first past life." He replied.
Another memory came. It hurt ten times as much to the point I was at my knees. I do recall the world tree. It was pure white and glowed at the center of the pantheon. At times I was even sleeping on it to rest. Where was this even? "Why am I here?! What is this place?! What is going on?!" I freaked out. The man looked at the horizon. His Japanese accent shifted to an American one. "I don't know. But it looks like 'he' has some to do with it." the soldier said.
"And who would that be?" I questioned him.
"The origin of where your knowledge of magic comes from, the first life." He says, "Only he has the ability to do this."
"How was this even possible?" I questioned.
"We were a very big deal at our first life." He said.
"How is he even doing this? When he isn't even present?" I asked.
"I really don't know but it looks like he wants something." He says, "He doesn't want to see the gods children biting each others' heads off."
With or without the Magus eye I can tell from the silhouettes that a conflict was brewing. But as I stood on top of that tomb I didn't know where my place was. I looked like a bystander watching this ruse. All of them looked like dolls already played at someone's hands. "The first...when will I see him?" I asked. He started to walk around a little. In thought my mind was wondering what he was thinking. "He is an odd one, always random. But when you were me I would see him since I was the most connected with all the past lives." He says, "But I don't remember Furukizu so I guess we need him."
"'Need him?'...so recalling my memories are the key to becoming stronger and with that Furukizu is the key?" I guessed.
"Precisely! But even I know you're too chicken shit to talk to him." the man commented. He then looks at me with that viciously stare. "Stick with me for now. I'm a sadist for torture."
The scene then started to shake. My vision was starting to get fuzzy. It turns out it wasn't just me. Slowly the color of the setting started to return. Reality and time started to slowly return. But as it returned, the soldier's presence starts to fade. "I think I'd prepare a barrier charm if I were you . We wouldn't want it to get bloody." He suggests, "I'mma gonna give you a cheat. He wouldn't like it but I don't exactly follow the rules." A hard memory comes. It hits me like a sledgehammer at the brain. It was a memory of the first. "It's not much but it makes it easier. Surely he won't mind since it's not a spell." the soldier assures, "Don't die, hero."
"What am I supposed to do?!" I asked him.
The man smiles. "Quit being a pussy for once and face yourself!" As he faded I took two folded barrier charms and made them stop at midair. With my mind I unfolded then and I activated the charm. It looked like this was telekinesis. The five charms I managed to activate managed to separate the two groups. I was barely able to make it in time before it was gonna happen. However I miscalculated the use of chi I used in making this barrier for it was already three stories high. I felt that I was already being drained out of my last wits as it is. Why isn't that every time I had to use a skill for the first time my brain is always getting a beating? I used my Magus eye to see if the dark entity was still there. To my surprise he was gone. I would have figured that he might want to do some kind of last hurrah. I rather not be part of it though. UTU started to chuck and throw rocks and broken bottles at the barrier then began to smack it with their bats and clubs. Honesty it looked kinda pathetic. I already knew how powerful the barrier was so there wasn't any way for them to break it unless they got anti-magic spells. But things kept on getting better because with my Magus eye I could see some of the guards about to come in. The crowd started to disperse. I tore my charms with my telekinesis and was about to run while the barrier was fading. But my legs turned numb and I fell to the ground. My eyes were about to close. There I see a Japanese soldier trying to pick me up. I blink again and it was my friends trying to lift me away. The guards stormed and UTU started to retreat. At the midst of chaos, I was being lifted away by my friends. I was getting weak. What next? Well I passed out after that with my sight fading. I could see people running away from the guard with my senses. Light explosions could be heard with the smell of tear gas in the air. "Get him out of here!" Riley shouted. After that it transitioned to a blur to darkness. I was unconscious after that.