Aaron Amano's POV
"…..I wish for your help, Rheves Verstone."
Even after overworking my brain in the last few seconds, for this to be the best words I could come up with...
I mean, what kind of situation is this!?!
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Rewind time several minutes ago.
I was having an intense tug-of-war match with the 'Soul' of Xoketh.
Whether it was my hidden potential that exploded or the miracle of a century, I had gained the ability to wrest the control of Ashe's body away from Xoketh.
However, even with my newfound ability, I did not have enough power to fully suppress even the weakened Demon Lord.
It was at the moment I was worried about my next step, another 'miracle' had occurred.
I don't know what had happened, but Xoketh's recovery had weakened significantly.
I had no leeway to think about the reason why. Wringing the last bit of strength I didn't I had, I began to forcefully tear away the dark mist tendrils that wrapped around me while simultaneously pushed Xoketh into the deepest part of the Ashe's 'Soul World' where he had been first originally.
Of course, Xoketh did not take this lying down.
Xoketh's last struggle was immense. In the heat of the moment, I felt like I heard Xoketh trying to say something to me. However, since I was focusing all my energy pushing him, I believed it to be a momentary delusion.
Our battle is reaching our final climax.
During the course of the battle, the changes with my 'Soul Body' seemed to had reached its final stages.
First, it was my 'hands'.
Next came my 'arms'.
Then my 'torso'.
My 'legs'.
And finally my 'head' in that order.
If I were to see my 'Soul Body' looks like right now, I would recognize the familiar appearance of my body that I had for 23 years in my previous life.
With the full appearance of my body, I felt as if I was reborn. A power that I never felt when I was in my 'Soul Ball Form' seemed to course through my new 'Soul Body'...or so I would like to think.
[….Xoketh. Whether you can hear me or not, that doesn't matter. Thanks for protecting Ashe's body from the Merez Forest Wolves. I thought 'thanking you' was the least I can do. But you overstayed your welcome.]
With my newly formed left hand still pushing Xoketh's 'Soul' back, I pulled back my right hand and clenched it into a fist.
[Right now, neither I nor Ashe need the presence of the likes of you. Just stay back in your corner, and be quiet like a good boy, alright? If you have any more thoughts of trying to take Ashe's body over again, I will destroy that illusion of yours!!!....just kidding!]
Then with all my might, I swung my right fist directly into Xoketh's 'Soul'.
I made sure to put the entire weight of my body right into that fist.
…ignore the fact of whether or not that the laws of physics work in a 'Soul World'. It doesn't matter.
♪♪~ONE PUUUUUNCH~♪♪
At the moment I made contact with Xoketh with my fist, it was as if an explosion had occurred.
A bright light, filled with an explicable force, began spreading from the point of contact in all directions.
I, who was in the direct vicinity of the explosion, was blown backward while my vision was blinded by the light.
[Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!]
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The next thing I knew, I woke up to be standing in the middle of a forest.
A moment of silence passed by.
As my body remained motionless from the inexplicable change in scenery, I let my eyes slowly roam around my surroundings.
This….is not the 'Soul World' anymore.
What I see now is not my usual view of the forest through a mysterious floating screen in the 'Soul World', but rather through my own very eyes.
Wait….can it possibly be!?
Did I just possess Ashe's body accidentally!?
Does that mean I have to be Ashe from now on!?
If that's the case, what happened to Ashe's 'Soul'!?
As I became confused by the rapidly changing events, a familiar feeling seems to surge through my entire body….no, my 'Soul'.
This is….the 'Soul Link'?
Yes. It was the 'Soul Link' that I continued to share with Ashe ever since my 'Soul' had been split between his 'Soul' and mine.
With the existence of the 'Soul Link' still intact, the feedback it gives me proves that Ashe's 'Soul' has not disappeared.
As I heave a heavy sigh of relief, the 'Soul Link' also told me something else.
It seems that my current possession of Ashe's body is only temporary.
Even as I speak, Ashe's 'Soul' is slowly trying to return to his rightful place and my 'Soul' also wishes to return.
However, it can be said that the situation right now is perfect.
I turned my eyes towards the only other person that had been looking at me for quite some time.
Dressed in a brown cloak that covers his entire body. While his head is covered by a hood, I could see a pair of hazel eyes and a handsome countenance. In his hands, he holds two very unique ornamental daggers. At his waist, a broadsword still in its sheath.
There is no mistake, this person in front of me is Rheves Verstone. An old comrade of Aileen Daemon, future Master/foster parent of Ashe when Aileen died, and the very person who gave Ashe his first weapons, the twin daggers he is currently holding.
…Hmmm? With the way he is currently holding those daggers, it was as if he used them in a fight for some reason….
During Ashe's prologue, Rheves was never shown to ever use those daggers before the whole time he was on screen. Besides, in Rheves character setting. his main choice of weapon is a one-handed broadsword and was shown in all his illustrations using his favorite broadsword. It should be the very same on that is currently dangling at his waist right now. If there wasn't any special reason, why would he use two weapons he is not used to.
It couldn't be that, he fought against Ashe when he was controlled by Xoketh, could it?
…
Nah. Let's stop my thoughts here. The more I drag this event out, the more likely the situation will turn out to be the same sad ending.
Now, the problem is this: how am I going to get this man's help?
During the game, Ashe been unconscious the whole time before returning back to consciousness.
The sky had already started to darken by the time Ashe woke up.
I glanced up to observe as warm sunlight peaks through the foliage of trees.
Judging from Rheves's arrival timing and my game scenario knowledge, Rheves had hours to be acquainted with Ashe's limp body in the game.
There is no mistake that during that time Rheves had been organizing his thoughts about a mysterious boy he had just met for the first time. That is the type of human he is.
While in the game, the specifics of what happened during unconsciousness and waking up were completely skipped over, the 'me' right now is experiencing that gap in real-time.
While this is a unique experience any experienced Ashe player would kill to have (bias), it also brings a new problem that now I have to consider.
The time between now and Rheves first encounter with Ashe….is almost none.
Not only did Rheves seemed to have encountered the version of Ashe when he was controlled by Xoketh, from his stance and wariness, he had also gone into direct combat with him!
If it was just that, it wouldn't be as much of a problem. If were to assume that it was Rheves who had first stopped Ashe[Xoketh possessed]'s rampage in the game, this much would not deviate from the original flow of events.
Actually, the greatest problem right now….is my appearance.
Before Rheves had even stopped Ashe[Xoketh possed], I had forcefully suppressed Xoketh myself. This allowed me to take control of Ashe's body.
Due to my repossession, it seems that Ashe's transformation due to Xoketh's Miasma had been released.
The accelerated hair growth remained the same so I was able to make sure of it myself with my own eyes that Ashe's hair changed from its previous unhealthy white color.
However, it does not mean that Ashe's body returned to normal. Oh no no!
What had been previously pure white hair, it now became black as a raven's feathers. My previous life's hair color!
Just like during Xoketh's possession, it seems that my possession, as well, causes changes to appear with Ashe's body.
This black hair….is bad!
Why is it bad? Because it is different from Ashe's original silver hair!
As the son of Aileen, Ashe had of course shows a few signs of physical resemblance with his mother.
However, the similarity ends there.
As expected of the child of a woman as beautiful as Aileen, Ashe's young face shows great potential for when he grows older. The game illustrations of him as a 15-year-old prove as much, even though he gave a more 'dark emo kid' impression. In the game, I brushed off the impression of his handsome face with an 'as expected of a game character'. Now in real life, his face brings the hidden jealousy from inside me.
However, while handsome is handsome, the structure of his face compared to Aileen is almost unidentical. Even the shape of his eyes is different. Without Ashe's silver hair and silver eyes as proof, it would be hard for anyone to tell that they are mother and son.
While I am unable to check if my eyes had turned back to Ashe's silver color without a mirror (which I can only hope), my only chance to obtain Rheves's help to get me back home with the Blackthorn Rose is to convince him that the owner of this body is the real son of his 'former' comrade.
Since Aileen had hidden her pregnancy from her comrades, no one but her knows about Ashe. His existence itself is already flimsy. If I have no evidence to back it up, it is 'checkmate'.
If I were to allow Ashe to return to his body, his appearance would probably change back to normal. However, I would be unable to personally convince Rheves to help carry the Blackthorn Rose on time.
No matter how much Ashe cares about his mother's wellbeing, compared to someone like me who knows the future, his sense of danger and urgency will be lacking.
I have to personally see this through. This is the best possible option.
It is up to my debate abilities….
I've got nothing but worries. Can I really do it?
With my determination set, I open my mouth to speak.
And….'that' came out of my mouth.
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"….You want 'help', you say? Wait….before I even consider that….why do you know my name? Who are you!?" Rheves, with his guard on high-alert, interrogates me harshly.
This is bad! Bad! Bad!
Why, of all words to use, would I just immediately ask for help while using his name? Of course, he would be wary! A strange kid that is anything but normal somehow knows his name! Is it nerves!!? Is it my nerves fault!!?
As I continue to berate myself inside, Rheves continues to glare at me.
"I will have you answer me."
Aaaggghh!!! Whatever happens, will happen now! Mouth, don't fail me now!
"There is no time. I need your help, Rheves Verstone."
"As I said, I don't plan…"Even if it is to save Aileen"….what?"
As Rheves kept talking, I interrupted him using probably the most effective words I can use right now.
"What did you just say? Why do you know Aileen? Before that 'save'? What did you do to her!?!" Rheves, despite trying to keep calm, his voice betrayed him at the end.
Yes! I've got his attention. Now I just need to bring it home.
"Do you see that bush over there? You do know what that is, right?"
Due to his wariness, Rheves did not look immediately as I said these words. However, reluctantly, he gave up and took a glance in the direction I was pointing. The moment he saw what I was pointing at, Rheves froze.
"…Blackthorn Rose."
"Correct. As you probably know, Blackthorn Rose is useful as an ingredient for a certain 'recipe'. Right now, Aileen is in dire need for that 'recipe'."
After being silent for a few seconds, Rheves slowly turned back towards me with a grave look on his face and said, "Tell me more."
"It is as I said. Aileen is in dire need for those Blackthorn Roses. Right now. Right away. Otherwise, it will be too late."
"…can I trust that you aren't lying?"
"Trust is unnecessary. Even if everything was a lie, I will receive any retaliation you might give me. The 'me' right now has no way of fighting back."
What I said was true. Ever since I took over Ashe's body, the unnatural power which strengthened Ashe's body when Xoketh took over is gone. What is left is merely the untrained body of 5-year-old. There are even muscle aches due to the rebound from the transformation.
"….I will trust you for now. But if you were lying me at any time….prepare yourself."
"That's fine. After you obtain the Rose, carry me with you. It will be faster, and I will guide you."
After hearing my request, Rheves once again froze in surprise. In the end, he nodded slightly in acceptance.
In the game, since Ashe was at the time a 5-year-old, he could not actually remember the way back home.
The depths of Merez Forest, as one of the most dangerous places in the Oswil continent, even the most experienced soldiers can get lost if they are not careful. For a 5-year-old, who only recently started to explore the forest, it is impossible for him not to get lost.
Due to both Rheves and Ashe not knowing the way, they took even more time in order to reach Aileen. This cemented her already extremely low chance in survival even lower.
However, I am different.
I have an advantage that only I have.
And that advantage is this: the 'Soul Link'.
By using the 'Soul Link', I could replay any memory that Ashe had experience with his own senses regardless of whether he remembers or not.
In other words, I can create a 'mental map' to easily return back home without getting lost.
After gathering several stalks of Blackthorn Roses into his rucksack, Rheves quickly picked me up with his left arm and started running towards the direction I pointed out first.
Wait for me Aileen, your son Ashe and I are coming home.