-Later, the same day-
Aimer had fled the scene, relocating himself, his mother and Nobara at the Guild. Once he entered the building eyes of the bystanders on the main floor fell upon a certain individual.
From the looks of that particular individual--even though they're close were shattered but old fashioned, the physical appearance of that person was mesmerizing. Looked to be ranging in the late 20's.
Immediately, clamors began to surface amongst them. Although, Aimer's and the two behind him were completely unbothered. Instead, Aimer his mother in Nobara's care.
Of course, if he could have taken over the situation himself he would've. However, Aimer had began to trust Nobara based on his observation of him so far. And even if Nobara wanted to make a move, which he could've, but Aimer knew he would've caught on to it.
In addition, both Aimer's phone and head had been buzzing ever since his battle. Leaving no choice but to part way with his mother. Though she was confused and desired Aimer to look over her condition she came to an understanding after realizing the truth.
....
Few moments after Anysia and Nobara left to the medical center, Aimer made his way to his office. Leaning against his desk with a irritated frown, Aimer held one hand against his head.
{Aimer grunts}
'My head! It's been hurting! What the heck is happening?'
*brrd* *brrd*
A bit startled, Aimer removed his hand held against his head after realizing the continuous vibration from within his pocket.
'Ugh! Another nuisance'
Aimer's reached into his pocket with a disturbed expression. And after taking out his phone he looked at the flashing screen.
'Huh? Unknown caller? Who the heck..!?'
*swipes*
{Aimer answers}
"Hello there. You've put on quite the show, Solo-Harester,"
'....!!'
'This voice...Godo?'
After hearing that coarse vocalist from the other end of the cellular device, Aimer realized who it was.
"What's this? Mr. Godo? I'm quite suprised...how did you get my number?"
Hearing Aimer's response, Godo released a slight chuckle before making a delivery of his own.
"Haha! You of all people should know what kind of work we do, no?"
'Well, yeah, I guess so'
Aimer quickly agreed with Godo's statement to himself based on the fact that he did come across the Bureau during one of his studies/researches.
"Anyways, why do I feel like this call didn't just happened to come out of the blue?"
'...!! He caught on quickly! Even though I barely gave him a hint'
{Godo smiles}
Godo wore and intrigued smile before responding to Aimer.
"You got me. What can I say? However, haven't you seen the news?"
'Hm? The news'
Aimer thought with a confused look.
"What does the news have to do with this?"
"Turn on your TV,"
Godo simply replied.
Aimer progressed to retrieved his Tv remote from the desk. He then raised his arm and Lou Ted it towards his left at the Tv against the wall.
*zwoop*
After tapping the power button the television came on. And a young man dressed in a royal blue and white suit with a white shirt underneath. Placed before him at his seated desk were a few papers in his hand. The report piled them together and began his report.
-Breaking News-
"Good evening ladies and gentleman! Today an extraordinary event has occurred. After the appearance of a Sky-Dweller grade Entrance within Talhain, The Lair Keepers had informed the Loudo Guild to take care of the situation. To their surprise, there was also the appearance of not one but two Sky-Dweller type monsters...
{Reporter clears throat}
For a brief moment the reporter stopped his sentence. Slightly trembling, with a minuscule terrifying expression the reporter wiped the sweat from his forehead.
...A, as you can see. Th, this video was the outcome of the ph, phenomenal occurrence"
The reporter struggled while saying his next words. However, after doing so, a video that Aimer knew all too well appeared on the screen—Aimer's previous battle with the Titans.
From beginning to the end, the reporter let the video played out. Which brings Aimer to wonder, just how many people were currently seeing this?
'Shit! Yep, I'm totally fuxked!'
Was the only response Aimer had in him when he saw the video. He couldn't help but to shake his head back-and-forth. Though, that whole time Aimer hadn't realized his attention was needed.
"Hello! Hello! Are you still there? Did you see the video?"
Quickly recuperating himself Aimer answered.
"Yes, I guess this is the commotion you were trying to inform me about?"
"Heh! Not only that but do you know what you've caused? All the other Guilds see your accomplishments as a nuisance. And now, they're all agreeing to have a Guild Conference set to be held later on tonight. As for why...you'll have to be there to find out,"
With a lowered head, Aimer succumbed to his thoughts, thinking of his next move.
"Sh!t. Why is everything moving to fast?"
"Maybe, you're looking at it differently. What if it's because you're in motion that makes it seems as if everything is moving fast?"
'Hmm'
Godo's response to Aimer baffled him.
'Is this guy a human philosopher? What's up with his weird paradoxes?'
[Hisses teeth]
*tch!*
'Whatever!'
"Dammit. Okay, I'll see if I can make it there,"
"Great. We'll..."
*beeeeeeep*
Just after Godo smiled at Aimer's response, he was seemingly about to reply only to realize that the cal had cut off.
'Huh? How rude. He didn't even let me finish'
Godo removed the phone from his ear, looked at it, then placed it in his pocket.
[Footsteps approaching]
*stops*
"So, how did it go?"
An unknown figure, with a disoriented voice from behind drew Godo's attention. But of course, Godo was aware of the individual's arrival before it was known.
Not to mention, they seem to know each other based on the fact that the figure entered Godo's vicinity without any warning whatsoever.
"Greetings, Hiram. To answer your question, I think things went well,"
"What was his answer?"
'Hm? This again'
"I'd prefer if not try to overwhelm me with 'that', my dear old friend,"
Godo quickly noticed his friend, Hiram using an old yet familiar dirty trick he always uses when they meet.
"Heh. You're no fun. Anyways, this is good news. Your job from here on out is to just keep an eye on him until further notice,"
[Hiram walks away]
Hiram turned around before vacating the area.
"Understood,"
Godo simply replied with now both hands in either pockets.
-Back with Aimer-
Aimer leaned his back against the desk with his head held high
[Aimer sighs]
'I just had to agree huh? But I guess it might be important since it's a Guild conference or meeting or whatever you wanna call it'
Aimer began industriously scraping his head like crazy. But after a quick few seconds he stopped.
'Well, there's nothing I can n...'
{Aimer screams}
*arrggghhhh!!!!*
Aimer unintentionally drops to his knees after suddenly feeling a gush of discomfort that seeped within his cranium. He quickly placed both hands tightly palming either side of his head.
{Aimer grunts}
'Huh? The headache! It's happening again...b, but it's worst than before'
Aimer's face coiled into an expression of pure agony. He furiously gritted his teeth while simultaneously squinting his eyes. And formulating across his countenance were droplets of sweat.
'Dammit! Of all the tiii-arrrgggghhh*
Another rush of unbearable pain stuck Aimer. This time, he sunk to the floor flat on his stomach.
*thud*
{Aimer grunts frustratedly}
'God, goddamit! Am I? Am I?'
Still on the floor, aimer reached out one arm seemingly trying to crawl towards his office entrance. Unfortunately, all his strength slowly faded away as his eyes unhurriedly close.
'Damn.'
American thought just when he took his last glance at the doorknob before he finally collapsed.
PART 2…
{Aimer grunts}
'Ah! My head.'
Aimer slowly opened his eyes, coming into his view was a vast, empty white room.
'Huh? What is this place?'
After gently rising from the floor, Aimer spun his head left to right only to confirm that the space he was within was indeed empty and vast.
'Ugh'
Aimer stood to his legs.
'What the heck is going on? I was just inside my office and now...'
Aimer continued to check his surroundings.
'....I don't even know where I am'
Placing his right arm behind his head Aimer began rubbing it while simultaneously using his left arm to check his status.
"Status Window"
*ERROR*
'Huh? What! An error?'
Aimer's eyes opened wide to look at a transparent screen with the word 'Error' written in bold. By now Aimer had already stopped what he was doing.
'An error? Why would there be an error right now?'
Aimer stood in bafflement trying to figure out the situation placed before him.
....
....
.....
However, that only lasted until he heard that voice again.
'You there, you won't be needing that in here'
The all to familiar disoriented voice that once rung in Aimer's head suddenly emerged again.
"Huh? Who are you! Show yourself!"
Aimer frantically checked his surroundings in hopes of locating the mysterious voice. At first, Aimer saw nothing except for the white vast room but after carefully surveying his surrounding area he spotted something or someone in the distance.
'What is that?'
Aimee squinted his eyes directly to his left to glare at the unfamiliar object.
'Hmm, I should be careful but let's check it out'
Aimer slowly began to strode towards that direction.
*step* *steps*
In a few seconds the distance shortened between Aimer and the object. Now, up close, Aimer depicted the object to be a person not a thing.
'What the...'
Aimer thought while staring at the individual on the floor who had its back turned towards him.
"Greetings!"
"Eeek!"
The individual suddenly blurted causing Aimer to unwittingly jump back with his hands raised in a defensive manner while releasing a slight squeal.
"Haha, did I scare you?"
The unknown individual said without turning around.
{Aimer exhales}
"What, no...who are you?"
Aimer slowly bright down his hands before leaning forward to the individual.
"Be at ease. All shall be answered soon"
The figure finally spun around, still seated in a cross-legged position to stare down Aimer. Nonetheless, Aimer in the other hand eyes open as wide as the mouth of a wallet. His complexion slightly became pale as if he was struck hard.
'What am I looking at? Is, is, that me? No, it can't be? But why does this random person looks just like me?'
Aimer became more than baffled. The figure which he thought was an object was a person. And to add to that, the person was an exact copy of his physical appearance.
"So, are you done staring?"
"Who are you?"
Both Aimer and the clone spouted simultaneously.
For an instant there was a lingering silence.
"Okay. It doesn't seem like I'll win this one,"
The clone rested its chin in its right palm still looking up at Aimer.
"Are you going to answer, buddy"
Aimer pointed his finger at the clone with a dumbfounded look.
{clone smiles}
"Depends,"
{Aimer sighs}
"Oh, so you have jokes huh? Then, will it be a joke if I punch you right now?"
Growing tiresome of the clone's suspicious behavior Aimer clenched his fist in a playfully manner towards it.
The clone raised both arms before it seemingly convincing Aimer to stay back.
"Alright, alright, kiddo. I'll speak. It's not like I brought you in here for anything else,"
'Hm? Brought me here?'
"What do you mean brought me here? But who are.."
American suddenly became confused after hewing the clone's last statement. The clone quickly placed its index finger against its lips.
"Shhh! Didn't I say I'll speak,"
The clone quickly removed that finger from its mouth before continuing. But this caused Aimer to snarl at it.
'Tch! How rude!'
"Anyways, to clear up everything yes! I did brought you here,"
The clone smiled before nodding its head in agreement with itself.
"Weird but why?"
The clone began rapidly tapping its chin while staring away from Aimer.
"Because it's time. Time to introduce myself,"
The clone snapped its glare back at Aimer.
"I am the system,"
....
....
....
For a few seconds Aimer blankly stated at the System.
"Uhhhh, is something supposed to happen now that you said that,"
Aimer tilted his head still looking at the System. Though this aggravated the System because it felt as if it deserved more praise. Instead it was being downgraded by a mere kid.
"You little piece of..."
The System sat their with veins formulating across it's forehead. It seemingly looked as if it were about to blow but...
"Ahh! Never mind. You don't seem to get the gist of it,"
The system crossed its arms, shook its head side to side, all while mumbling to itself. However, it stopped when Aimer approached closer to sit direct in front of it—cross legged.
"Then explain,"
The surprised System peeked at Aimer.
'Hm? This kid *tch* I like him!'
"Very well."
*swoohhh*
The Systwm suddenly began to levitate above the floor.
"I go by many times. Sometimes 'The Lost One' or 'The Devorour' and on rare occasions 'The System. To put simply I was the voice that saved you that day,"
Aimer arched his eyebrows, seemingly interested.
'So this thing or whatever it is...is what saved me that day?'
Aimer asked himself.
'Ever since that unlucky day I've always wondered what this second window was but who would've thought it had a physical form. Much less able to create a dialogue'
Aimer looked up closer at the levitating being.
'In addition, it's been rapidly helping my growth and even rewarding me in certain situations'
{Aimer exhales}
"Say, what is your game plan?"
Through a variety of thoughts and emotions Aimer finally said something to the System. The System perked up its head.
*cheh*
"Game plan? I see, you're smart...very smart. Currently, I have none because you're still not strong enough,"
The Systems response placed Aimer in a confusing state.
"Not strong enough? For what?"
"In due time you'll know. My only purpose of taking you in here was to inform you about the 'Final Training' ."
'The Final Training'
Aimer pondered on the matter.
"So this has something to do with the countdown process,"
'Hm? Instead of asking he's stating?'
{System smiles}
"Very good! Very good! A diamond in the rough!"
After the System speculated Aimer's responses he quickly leaped at him, patting him all around.
"Hey, knock it off will ya!"
Aimer scuffled to separate himself from the hands of the System.
"Ok, ok. As you wish. However, you've got a sharp intuition so I think you'll be alright,"
"Huh? Alright for-"
The seated Aimer looked up at his clone, The System who surprisingly had its hand gesturing for Aimer to stop.
"Just focus on your upcoming training. If you survive...then we'll have room for conversation. But until then...good luck,"
"Wait!"
Aimer leaped from his position while reaching his arm out towards the System disappearing.
*fwit*
Aimer's clone, no the System vanished without a trace.
'Dammit! I missed it! Just when I thought I'd find answers I'm just left with more questions. Screw this'
Aimer clenched his fists by his sides with his head held low, accompanied with his emotionless gaze.
*swirl* *swirl*
Aimer quickly looked up after hearing a weird sound.
'Hm? What's happening?'
In Aimer's surrounding area, the white room which he was in began distorting around him. Slowly, the room enclosed on Aimer leaving him with nowhere to run. Eventually, he vanished with the room.
. . . . . .
{Aimer gasps}
*huff* *puff*
Aimer suddenly opened his eyes to realize he was back inside his office. He unhurriedly sprung from the floor while holding his head seemingly in a aching manner.
'Argh! What the heck was that?'
Aimer carefully check his surroundings.
'I'm back? In the office? Then was I in
a separate space?'
Aimer contemplated whether that white room was reality or not. But after checking the time he realized he was only gone for 3-minutes.
'Then that means I was in a separate space unaffected by the real world where time moved differently'
Aimer began feeling a bit lightheaded before he slowly stumbled towards his chair to lean back.
'I wonder, what is the System really? Forget it, let's just worry about the conference and my oh-so upcoming training'