"What have you done?!"
://"Oh...?"://
A wicked smile emerged on the young veiled woman's face. She responded with a croaking voice.
;//"I'm doing what's necessary, Lamia."://
The dark-haired woman stomped and cried.
"Princess, you're going to destroy this nation if you allow that force to spread!"
The veiled girl sneered at Lamia with her piercing magenta eyes. The bright morning sunlight touched her shadow, ans she clenched her fists, answering with a fierce tone.
://"Lamia, step back. You know precisely why I'm doing this."://
The woman trembled uneasily. She stared fixredly at the intimidating veiled woman, nodded and stepped back, answering to The Princess with a fearsome voice.
"Y...Yes, your m-majesty..."
;//"Good, servant."://:
The Princess' long silver hair fluctuated with the cold breeze; her dark veil masked her face, and nothing but her arms, neck, legs, and feet were seen.
The calm winds blew through the vast rolling green hills and towering mountains. A tall man stood silently as a statue with the veiled woman, both with an emotionless expression.
His dark black suit swung back and forth, his long silky dark hair gently pushed back, and his pointed ears felt the breeze stream over him. The man darted his piercing violet eyes at the veiled woman, staring intensely at the distant city.
While an uneasy silence formed, the tall man stepped forward, knelt down, and said to The Princess.
"It appears that your aura presents a strikingly different atmosphere than before you arrived at The Stronghold. Why is that?"
The veiled woman pivoted away from the man and released a sigh of infatuation. A silence formed as the bristles of grass danced in the air.
"Shhh..."
The Princess' mind flashed with the figure of the faceless white-haired boy and a midnight-haired man. Though the voices were unclear to her, guilt still shrouded The Princess' corroding heart.
(://: If only I could...://)
Before she could hear the voices from the boy, she lost her grasp of the memory; flashing to the sight of a faceless white-haired group surrounded by a white void. The Princess trembled.
(;//: "They don't know why this world was destroyed; they don't know who was responsible for it. Only I know...";//:)
As The Princess tried to gold back her tears, the tall man tried to reach out to her and ask.
"Your majesty... are you okay?!"
Even the gallants tried to approach The Princess...
"Are you alright, master?"
The Princess bit her lip, fell to her knees, and slammed her fist at the grouns; screaming at nothing with a trembling voice.
":// : I... If only, t-they knew..."://
The Princess's soothing angelic voice temporarily deafened everyone around her.
(No.... no, no no no no, please... I want to tell....)
She tried to reach out to everyone and tell them the truth, but no one could hear her.
://" It's all---" ://:
:///: "It was..---;//."
Every time The Princess tried to yell out the truth, an excruciating feeling busted in her heart. The Princess closed her eyes and gulped, shaking her head and staring into the ceaseless sky.
://"I...I want to tell someone, anyone what truly happened! Please.... p...please, I want them to understand why I'm doing--- AHHH!"://:
Crying out at the top of her lungs, The Princess had no choice but to keep silent about the truth. She never understood why the world was against her, let alone this force that kept on gripping her.
"Please! I want to te--://:/
The Princess tried to spill out the truth, but an unknown force would simply not allow her. That same inevitable force, forced the Princess to be inhumane, and merciless.
"I can't..."
The Princess stepped over a cliff, her voice echoed over time and space, and the clouds stood as still as stone.
://"If no one will know it, then I'm the only one that can destroy it...":/=
After The Princess clenched her fist and absolute wrath, the flow of time resumed, and everyone around her could hear her again. The dark-haired man reached out to The Princess and asked.
"What shall we do next, Princess?"
A hateful, heartless look devoured the look of guilt in The Princess. She slowly nodded, pointed to the fleet of clouds drifting over the sea, and raised her voice aggressively.
://: "We shall start our ambush on the city by noon. Ensure the storm pillars have been activated and all machines and monsters are prepared."://;
"Understood, your majesty!"
Staring back into the vast glittering horizon, her magenta eyes glittering with a smidge of hope, The Princess whispered out to the world.
"I hope that someone, anyone in this world, can find another way to...";//
* * * * * * *
"W...Where am I?"
Asahi found himself in a crowded area, with buildings big and tall surrounding him everywhere he looked. The moment he tried to move, he heard a familiar voice in his mind and saw the cultists along with Isa flee and scamper away from the summoned spot.
(This is impossible. I know that The Princess heeded me as an enemy, but never would I have guessed that she could still keep my soul intact. Especially in a different body.)
Asahi's eyes broadened.
"H...Huh? Who is that speaking in my head?!"
The voice continued.
(Oh, you can hear me?)
Asahi scratched his head, unbelievably confused about what happened. He mumbled as he hid in a corner, isolated from the rampant carriages and people.
"How is someone speaking in my head? Is my brain playing tricks on me?!"
(Could you settle down for a moment. I'm trying to think...)
Asahi backed up to the wall, his heart thumped rapidly, seeing strange visions like [Health] in his eyes.
"Huh?! Is anyone there?! Come on out and reveal yourself. W... What are these things in my eyes?!"
He toppled a pile of boxes, trying desperately to wipe whatever strange items were floating around his vision. Though Asahi could move from alleyway to alleyway, the voice continued to follow him and ask him wherever he had fled to.
"Get out of my head! Who are you?!"
The deep, masculine voice sounded as if he was in shock.
(Huh? That voice... it sounds so distinctively familiar. Could it be... that the host I was given after my fateful demise is... ASAHI?!)
Asahi's heart stopped.
"Huh?!"
(Yes, it is him! You may have not seen my presence this instant, but likewise... I'm afraid you have absorbed my soul and powers when in the Stronghold.)
Asahi's face couldn't have looked more flabbergasted.
"WHAT?! H... How is that even possible? Who are you, and how do you know my name?!"
The voice sighed.
(Affirmative, that boy, is HIM, alright.)
Asahi shouted.
"Answer! Who are you, and what is your name? Are you really inside my head?! Why do I see all these strange things?!"
(Settle down. What you are seeing currently is my interface given from the technology of an ancient race. I'm afraid I can't share all the details as that would break my ties with them.)
Asahi scratched his head, anxious that someone would be staring at him. He raced down the alleyway, passing through minimal junk and doors. As the shadows of a decently made structure stood over him, Asahi sat down and rested against the building, trying to calm himself down. He asked the voice.
"Please speak normally. I hardly understand a word you are saying."
A white glow illuminated underneath Asahi's chin.
"Huh?"
Asahi's eyes widened in absolute shock, noticing the tattoo on his chest pulsating from each word the voice in his head said. The voice sounded sarcastic.
(Ah, strange. It appears the boy doesn't recognize my voice at all. And I thought he was smarter… oh well. Anyways, I'll abide by your orders. Now that the situation is settled, Asahi, I have one question for you.)
The boy sighed, staring into the S mark on his body.
"Okay, what?"
(Can you recollect what happened before you and many others teleported here?)
Asahi scratched his chin, fidgeting with his thumbs.
"Ummm, all I can recollect was that I saw this man named Telos instantly get--
The voice interrupted.
(That's me.)
Asahi's heart stopped, his eyes widened, and sweat slid down his face.
"Wait? You're Telos? How are you inside my body?! H… HOW is that even possible?! I… I thought you died. Is this all your fault?"
(Oh, heaven's no… I would never decide to trap my soul in a body like yours. However, I do have to say… you're lucky to have what you have.)
Asahi's face turned red.
"W… What does that mean?"
(Nothing…. nothing at all. Pushing that useless thought aside, It's surprising that The Princess can trap souls inside other bodies, let alone have those powers of the one consumed be absorbed by the host. I never knew anyone could do that.)
"Oh, so it wasn't you that was responsible?"
(Of course! I only appeared in that Stronghold to save you. But now that I'm trapped It's virtually impossible to reach my goal.)
Asahi fell silent and thought about what to do next, knowing that Telos' soul was trapped inside his body. As he peeked over the corner of the alleyway, watching carriages pass through the busy roads winding over from turn to turn, Asahi turned to the wall and asked Telos.
"Why are you even here in the first place?'
(Oh, well, that's sudden. If you want to know, I guess I have no choice. Say, Asahi, do you remember what happened when you and your sister had our first encounter?)
Asahi's mind flashed to the past.
* * * * * * * *
"Yes… It's as clear as day."
(Understood. And if you remember, I vanished in thin air before you escaped. The Princess teleported me to Linxuinia. Do you see that mountain in the distance?)
Asahi tilted up and saw beyond the sea of towers, buildings, and houses, a massive green mountain towering over the entire place, piercing through the blanket of clouds.
"That place?"
(Indeed. That is where I was summoned, and I have had to face drudgery on waiting for you ever since. Unfortunately, this discussion IS our reunion.)
Hearing mumbling from crowds that passed by from sidewalk to sidewalk, Asahi persisted in having a lengthy discussion with Telos' soul, returning to the hotel a few blocks away. He tilted over to the glowing S mark on his chest and asked.
"Why are you all of a sudden speaking so casually? What is your goal, and why do you wait for me? Why are you still here? Shouldn't you be on the lookout for whoever you want?"
(My body contained half of my power, along with my actions. When my soul detached from my body, my ability and knowledge eroded slightly, thus leading you to absorb my forces and see how I see the world. This increased my vulnerability, leading to my intelligence and ability being cut in half.)
"Oh, okay."
Asahi passed through a staircase leading to the other side of the city, understanding precisely what Telos was talking about.
To his vision, Asahi could see a tiny cyan diamond lying at the epicenter of his sight, along with a circular shape of a glowing green hue in the right-hand corner. Asahi raised an eyebrow, staring at the people passing by.
"What in the world is this?"
In his sight, he saw a red meter lay on the right-hand corner of his vision, along with a strange readable language fading in and out from the people all the way toward the locations; revealing names such as (Linxuia Plaza) or (Residential Area: Sector B)
[Author's Note: Asahi/Telos' vision is a video-game HUD, User Interface type. Please remember that this doesn't confirm that this fantasy world is a video game or a system. Think of it more as a natural, magical thing.]
Asahi couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the given sights; he could even see a blue meter bar with a few star symbols on the side.
"Telos, explain to me what in the world is this?!"
(Oh, that... well, let me explain briefly. What you see is the "Tenth Eye." It's a highly reliable tool only given to the most advanced soldiers in a highly advanced race called The Amenia.)
As Asahi tried to walk with the "interface" on his vison, Telos' voice warned him while approaching another staircase.
(Asahi, watch where you're going! You know what, the most sensical thing to do in this situation is that you should find a secluded alley and remain stagnant. That way, no one can see you, and you wouldn't be in danger.)
"Okay..."
Asahi followed Telos' directions, avoiding all the carriages, people, and text splashes appearing in his eyes. Standing at yet another alleyway, Asahi tilted to the mark on his chest and asked.
"Okay, Telos. Please explain what everything means. There's a red barn, a blue bar, a green circle, text appearing, a strange triangle with what looks to be a map... I'm clueless."
After the voice in Asahi's head released a deep, exaggerated sigh, he explained.
(I can't fully recall what some of it means, but I can explain the basics to you.)
Asahi raised an eyebrow.
"So, you're saying I must find out what these bars mean by myself?"
(Precisely. I apologize, Asahi. If I still had most of my memories, I would be delighted to share with you what each bar means. The green circle is the only thing you have to be concerned about. If I can recall, that circle tracks how much health your body has. If you see the color depleted, you are losing health, and once it reaches zero… you're finished.)
Asahi jumped up with fascination.
"That's amazing! A bar that keeps track of how much health I have. That's very useful--
As Asahi bounced over, all the things in his vision suddenly vanished.
"W-Where did it go?"
(Hmm, it appears that you have triggered the Tenth Eye to turn off. I remember that one of my masters told me all those years ago that in order to turn The Tenth Eye off, it is to blink manually. When you blink naturally, The Tenth Eye doesn't catch that, and only will turn on if you blink on command.)
"So… if I blink…." Asahi forced his eyes shut as he was whispering. The Tenth Eye's interface immediately returned. "... then it will return…?"
(Exactly.)
Asahi made a confident smile and forced himself to blink again, removing The Tenth Eye from his sight. He couldn't comprehend how much this would be useful to him, and though a soul was now trapped inside his mind that could freely speak whenever he wanted, at least it granted him some sort of informal tool.
"I have to tell Aletha about this!"
As his footsteps resounded over the stone walls, a loud feminine chiming voice sounded from a distance.
"Hey, stop!"
Asahi hastily tilted his head over and saw a young woman with long green hair race to him with sweat pouring down her skin. Asahi couldn't risk it again. Though he knew exactly who this woman was, Asahi didn't want to interfere with her after that threat she made last night.
So, instead of stopping, Asahi sprinted faster through the streets, approaching the block leading to the hotel just a few meters away from him.
. . .
"Okay, almost there."
(I don't want to sound pushy, but if I recall, today is the annual universal ceremony for the world of Gincad. Linuxinia city will be teeming with activity a few hours from now. I suggest you bring everyone, including your friends, to the Linuxinia Center sometime before noon.)
Asahi advanced through the crowd and sprinted to the tall hotel, pushing the glass door away, dashing across the lobby, and racing up the staircase.
"And… why is this important?"
Telos' voice grew situated.
(Perhaps you can reveal your identity and show them that you and your sister have returned? It's an estimated guess; I surely don't advise you to do that.)
"So… a ceremony. Just like Pladtioa but this time, with everyone around the world."
(Yeah, and I would like to make a request. Could you find an intelligent student from the nation of Destia and ask them if they know a way of extracting souls out of bodies?)
Asahi shook his head.
"I highly doubt that would happen, but okay."
(Oh, and one more thing…)
"What?"
(Please… if you can, could you find a woman with dark hair and gray eyes. She wears a robe with most of her skin exposed and fair skin.)
As Asahi raced across the hallways, he asked Telos while stopping to take a breather.
"A… And why do I need to save that woman?"
Telos' voice grew to that of sorrow.
(Because… She's important.... to me."
"What will I get in return?"
Telos' voice turned to one of disappointment.
"I… I… *sigh* I will tell you what happened to your father."
Asahi's eyes widened in shock, stopping in his tracks and shouting with a trembling tone.
"Wait-- you know what happened to my parents?!"
(ONLY your father. I don't know what happened to your mother, but I DO know what happened to your father! That's only if you can find that woman and change her…)
While Asahi raced through the halls, smiling and cheering, he nodded his head and whispered to Telos' soul.
"Then I accept your request!"
(To be continued.)