"So Mr-" There was a long pause as the middle aged man adjusted his glasses, "So Mr. Rey, you want to work for the Elite Sigil Corporation?"
I smiled my best smile, "Yessir, it has always been my dream to work here."
The man wore a suit, his eyes clouded as the morning sun-rays bounced off his glasses. I found myself in a quant office, a few piles of papers here and there making the place smell of print and ink.
I was interviewing for assistant manager of
Beast Tamer, a more mild job compared to its name.
"Well Mr. Rey, its good that you have dreams, Men now of days lack that sort of ambition." The slightly obese man shuffled in his office chair. "Okay, now that I looked over your resumé, I will be honest."
He leaned forward, his tired expression throwing daggers down my throat. I wanted to speak to add a little character to myself, but his almost dead look made me stop. I could not even muster an answer.
He rolled his eyes, "You got the job, the only point of this interview is so we still look like a company."
An eruption of surprise and pride entered my heart. Holy shit I actually did it. I set my mind out to do it and I was a step closer. Hell! I just opened the door!
"Thank you Mr. Sashi, I am grateful!" My grin was still in full bloom. I got up out of my chair and extended my hand for a shake.
Instead of taking it, he held his hand up, "Not so fast Mr. Ambition, I need to see your ability before we can leave."
Ability? I blinked a few times as Mr. Sashi gestured to me. Did he want me to show off Koda, or did he want me to show some type of skill?
He exhaled heavily as he saw my dumbstruck face, "On your resume it says you are a Beast Fey User, I want to see it."
"Oh yeah, sorry sorry." I loosened my tie and pushed my chair back. Stepping back into the open space of the office, I took a deep breath. After looking at the expressionless Mr. Sashi, I decided to begin. First, I shut my eyes, a low hum coming from within my body.
I was using Fey, the mystical energy that took up everything in this world, well technically worlds. I shook myself of idle thought and started to pull the energy from around me. It was like I could feel the air around me filled to the brim with blue warmth, something I always relished as I took it in.
"Koda, come forth."
There was a loud sizzle as the area around me began to heat up. A single drop of sweat falling down my nose as a blue ripple in space appeared in front of me. I finally let the Fey slip away, my eyes opening. Before me, a Greyhound playfully wagged its tail.
The Beast was no bigger than a foot, looking more like a pup than an actually wolf. It had silver fur that was matted down and tiny bone spikes protruding from its back. The spikes scatting down its back to a pitch black tail. The Greyhound had excited cloud grey eyes that watched me carefully. It was Koda, my first and only Beast.
"Holy shit! Kid I can't believe you pulled out a Greyhound like it was change!" Mr. Sashi finally showed life in his face, something up until recently I thought was impossible. " I rarely get to interview a prodigy like you."
He quickly got up and shook my hand wildly, his face lit up as if he was the one who just got the job.
I glanced at him and looked at Koda, the little wolf still wagging its tail. I sighed, knowing deep down that this was the best I could do. The sweat that made my collared shirt stick to me was enough of a sign. Summoning something so small was pathetic, especially compared to the Sigils of the Elite Corporation. Like my sister, who would of laughed if she saw Koda.
Well, when she could summon a serpent as big and long as a bus without a sweat, who could blame her? I mean, Koda would be utterly destroyed.
The image of my air headed sister balling her eyes out made me shiver. She would probably force me to drink with her again for a celebration. It was just an excuse to drink again in the end.
"So, when do I start?" I asked the short stubby man as he gawked at Koda. He ignored me, watching as the wolf noticed his stare.
I rolled my eyes and moved my index finger, Koda understanding the subtle command.
"Rawf Rawf!" Koda stood on two legs and stuck his tongue out.
"Woaaaah, this is awesome!" Mr. Sashi petted him as the pup danced in a circle.
I annoyingly asked again, "So Mr. Sashi..." he finally looked up at me, "When do I start?"
He removed his stupid smirk and stood up, adjusting his tie to seem professional, "Oh-uh, You start tomorrow, it's better for you to learn the ropes before Isle comes back."
I raised an eyebrow, "Isle?"
Mr. Sashi also raised an eyebrow to counter me, "Isle, the number one Sigil in this force?"
Oh, I remember now. I was just not use to hearing her real name, I was use to hearing what every one else called her.
The Witch.
I nodded, "Yes yes yes. I remember."
Me and Mr. Sashi gave our goodbyes and I quickly took Koda back in, just having him out for more than a few minutes would make me exhausted. I don't know how my sister did it, pulling out these huge beast and giving them commands like nothing. It must be exhausting, really really exhausting. Just the thought alone made me dismiss the idea of envying her. Sure she had amazing power and wealth, but putting your life on the line everyday threw away the latter. Was it truly worth it?
I walked out of the sliding doors of the convenient store, a tub of ice cream in a plastic bag. I deserved it after getting such a lofty job, one that pays alright too.
The sun was high in the sky, thousands of people walking about Sunset City, the dazzling place were the Elite Sigils gathered and operated. The town was bustling with so much noise it was quiet, the odd mix of different things bringing a sense of loneliness.
I was glad I was born a man, not having to be put on a pedestal were the entire world rest on your shoulders. I could not believe there was a time were men were superior.
Where men were heroes.
I shook my head straight and kept walking, the crosswalk blinking green. Not in a million years could I be a hero. I was just way to weak.
.
.
.
I fumbled for my keycard as I stood in front of my apartment door, the number 303 glaring at me. I finally found the silver card in my back pocket, the cold metal bringing me the memory of my bed. I brought out Koda for three interviews today, I was completely spent.
I put the keycard to the door, but instead of the usual beep, it flung open. The edge caught my nose and I fell back against the wall.
"Ooooowwww! What the-" I looked up, the most horrifying thing in the world grinning back.
"Heyo there Soba, what's with that horrible look?" A tall slender girl in a baggy white shirt and jeans bent down to be on eye level. "Usually people smile when they see their sister."
Shit.
She grabbed my arm and pulled me inside, my small apartment a complete mess. I gazed in anguish, my usual neat room decimated to the very inch; bottle caps, beercans, chips, crumbs, and candy wrappers thrown about. It was the equivalent to a tornado passing by.
"Sis, how the hell could you do this to me!" I fingered my temples in anger as the long black haired girl plopped on my bed.
"It's okay Suck-kun, I made sure to text before I came here."
My phone buzzed in my pocket, a quick glance saying there was one message sent five seconds ago. My sister held her phone in her hand, an evil grin on her face as she rolled around. She could barley hold in her laughter.
"You son of a bitch, I would kick you out if we didn't share blood. ALSO MY NAME IS SOBA, NOT SUCK-KUN."
Iris wiped a tear from her cheek, "But its true, you suck at holding in your emotions, look at you, you're practically a tomato."
I sighed heavily and opened the pantry to grab a trash bag. I side stepped and put the ice cream away before she saw it. The day was so good to, how could it be ruined so early. Why couldn't she find a better hobby besides pestering me. She always did this when we were kids too, finding anyway to make me explode in anger. Sigh, she was like any other girl drunk on power.
"So wanna start drinking?" She held up a beer can and cracked the top open, the liquid inside foaming over. Dripping on my carpet...
"Iris, I'm going to kill you. Also how the hell did you get in here?!"
She shrugged and took a huge gulp from the can, "Ahhhh. Im a Elite Corp Sigil, I can get anything I want."
I rapidly started to pick up her mess, "Even so there is no way you can just barge in like this."
Iris grinned as her cheeks reddened from the alcohol, "I mean when you are the Elite Eleven, and you share the same last name as a tenant, it wasn't hard."
I groaned as I picked up an empty pickle popsicle wrapper. I just wanted to chill for one day before I had to start working for the rest of my life. I mean, that was what men were good for. We were just like second class citizens, barley able to scrape by. We were not even allowed to ask out girls, it was against the law. The woman had to take action, so most men went through life without even knowing the beauty of a woman's body, stuck hoping one girl would find them somewhat worth their time. It was mind boggling to think it was pretty much reversed all those years ago.
I glanced at the window, the huge Elite Sigil Corp tower looming above all the other skyscrapers. Who knew men would be so useless?
We were good for work and kids, and that was that.
"Hey stop day dreaming and start drinking!" Iris laid down and started laughing. She was already drunk. I swear, if she couldn't hold her alcohol why even do it. I mean one can, how pathetic!
I watched her close her eyes and roll over, her shirt falling down her shoulder. The light flickered as a low rumble came through the apartment, the shock being no more than a gate being sealed.
I still kept my gaze on the tower, wondering why so bad I wanted to work there. I guess I could not really lie to myself. The idea of helping the world stay safe was impossible for me to throw away. Having an awesome sister who was really powerful and living in a world were I would never be. Of course I would strive to be as close to Iris as possible. Everyday she put her life on the line, and maybe even one day it would finally cross over.
I hated the idea, but there was no convincing her. She was born with talent, so she had to fight. She had to fight for everyone's tomorrow. It was her duty as a Sigil.
I grinned knowing how badass my sister was, being able to point at the news broadcasting her battles saying, "Yep, that's my sis."
After hours of cleaning, I finally was able to even breathe fresh air, Iris still fast asleep on the floor. I decided to watch a few shows on the T.V., most of it just passing the time for tomorrow to hurry up. I wanted to start my new life, high school a distant memory.
On the topic of high-school, I could not even recall any great memories besides a few laughs with Marcus in the classroom. Other than that, I was working day in and day out to study, hoping it would all pay off. It did, actually I wonder were Marcus is now. The idiot already dating a high ranked Sigil. For all I know he was probably in a penthouse right about now. I dismissed the annoying thought and watched as a few young girls on stage sung their hearts out.
Before I knew it, the sun was setting. A small beep coming from Iris' wrist watch, the technology looking actually quite odd.
She stirred for a while before clicking the screen on it, "Fuuuck, five more minutes..."
I annoyingly grabbed a pillow from my bed. I checked for stains before raising it above my head.
"Wake the fuck up you lazy drunk!" I slapped her in the face with the pillow, the girl jumping up into a karate pose.
"What- hehi-!hushehsg- the fuck!" She blurted out words as she noticed me glaring at her. "Oh its just Suck-kun, what's up?"
"It's Soba you hag, now turn off that beeping!"
She looked at her wrist, "Beeping?" Her eyes scanned the screen of the little device, an assortment of expressions taking her face.
"An A-Class Gate opened in the Twilight district."
I suddenly felt bad for hitting her, "Wait, do you have to go fight?" I was worried, I guess my instinct of being her brother were kicking in.
She waved me off, "Nope, it is my off day. If it were a seven beep sequence then yeah."
Seven beep sequence, I did not even notice the count. I watched Iris plop down on the carpet, her arms in the air to stretch, "Anyways I usually only get called out for S-Class Gates, nothing to fear here."
I let my worry slip away as I sat on my bed. Iris popped out a bag of chips from God knows where and went to town.
"So how have you been Soba?" She asked through chip crumbs.
She used my actual name, meaning she was concerned, "Actually great before a certain someone came along." We exchanged looks.
"I did get the job for Assistant Beast Tamer at the First Division." I puffed up my chest.
Iris nodded, "Not bad for your first job out of high school. You could be the manager for Beast Tamers in a few years. Proud of you little bro."
I shrugged, "Well I start work tomorrow so we will see. I mean with an attitude like mine, I will probably be promoted in a week."
Iris giggled, "Okay don't get ahead of yourself."
I watched as she stared at the television, a sour look on her face. I may have been mistaken, but she seemed to be on the verge of tears.
"Iris are you alright?" I asked as she set the chips down.
"Yeah, just..." she smiled to hide her depression, "Just weird hearing about ordinary life and getting jobs and stuff. I never really experienced those things before so its weird to hear about."
I cocked my head, "Yeah but you get to be seen as a hero."
She nodded, "I know I know, just it's weird."
The atmosphere became awkward as we sat in silence, the noise from the T.V. not coherent. I always wondered how hard it must be fighting those things.
The Chaos Crawlers. These Demon like beings who feed on the Fey of living creatures. Just the thought of those muscle head humanoids coming at you must be terrifying. I shivered, glad my sister was so strong, I was way to weak minded to be out there.
"Hey can I stay at your place?" Iris asked with a helpless look.
I spread my legs out on my bed, "Yeah but you got floor this time."
She puffed her cheeks up, "How cruel, you know I could crush you with my weakest Beast."
I rolled over, "Pleasssse, Koda would kick your ass."
I felt Koda in my soul, the little dog seeming to shake its head. Haha, I loved peeking in to see what the dog felt.
"You gave that puny thing a name?" Iris got up to get covers from the closet. She tossed me a cover and fumed as she laid back on the floor.
"You're just jealous because he is cute." I put the the blanket over my body. Iris sighed, "You may be a little right..."
I laughed internally, Koda giving me a spacial high five. The wolf after laying down to rest. It was weird, I could feel him even when he was not outside. I also wondered if Iris felt this, but she did have some nasty creatures she could call forth. I was more afraid of her than any Chaos Crawlers.
The timed ticked and eventually twenty minutes passed by without a hiccup. And with that, I got out of bed and picked up Iris, gently laying her were I once was. Pulling the blanket over her, I winked at Koda who gave me a thumbs up.
This was for being an awesome sister.
I finally situated my self on the floor and started to drift asleep. Tomorrow was a big day, I was going to start my new life.