"It's him. He's the strongest of the Science Will," HIkari said. Science Will was the name of the mini city group that got caught in the virus. "He's also the fastest. We would also need to find Alisa. She's the leader of the Research Section of Science Will. With the two of them, everything would be easier to manage. With her, we might be able to track the miniscule detail about who got the virus first. Although I said I can greatly help identifying those who got the virus first, my vision is limited… I only know those who saw getting bitten first hand."
"It's actually also helpful. I know once you get familiarized with the acupuncture points and healing, you would greatly help with saving everyone's life."
Caelus said encouragingly. But he wasn't saying those things with empty thought. He knows that if Hikari achieved a breakthrough with acupuncture, then he might be able to heal everyone faster. As for practicing Qi, Energy or Mana he already told him what she needs to do, but with little time, they both agreed it was not time to try.
"Are you ready? I'll start luring."
When Hikari nodded, they immediately started luring Chester towards the cave.
"I'm really amazed with you. You're too mature. You don't even break down in this type of situation even when everything seems to be in despair." While walking back, Caelus suddenly said. They had ten minutes of time before they would arrive at the cave. And because of that, he remembered his inner dwellings. He was still confused.
"Everyone might break down if they don't hold onto something. But I'm holding to what I can while I can."
He glanced at Hikari, confused.
"Hmm… you might be just a child compared to me," she laughed teasingly.
Caelus didn't know how to react. Although he didn't know his true age, he knew he was older than Hikari. Yet, because he had lost all his memories, all his experiences, he only has Sho's eighteen years of experience as reference.
"It's like this. If I let myself wallow in despair, I'll just lose my mind. I want to do everything I can to help the Science Will, that's why I stayed here and tried to figure out how I could save them. They have two months so I will do my best to find a cure.
"But that doesn't mean I don't have a back up plan. If the two months were up, I would have to take the matter in my hands. I can't let them spread the virus further. If after two months, I couldn't heal them, then I was firm to… eliminate them. That way, they wouldn't be having any regrets in their death. That way, I won't have any regrets on mine."
Caelus' jaw dropped. He didn't think the heroic lady who was matured and beautiful, who was kind hearted would talk about eliminating people easily
He thought it was contradictory.
"You didn't think I would kill someone? Ever since the Super Phenomena happened, I have killed and killed."
"Y-you did…?"
Caelus knew many had changed ever since the Super Phenomena. But whenever he looked at Hikari's kind eyes, he felt she was an angel.
Or was he mistaking him for his past fiancee?
"I am not an angel. I have my limit. But that also didn't mean I just kill anyone. Hmm… it's like this, I have my own Mantra. My Mantra is there's goodness in everyone. But if that goodness couldn't surface anymore no matter what I try, then it's time to put an end to it. It's better to kill someone than spread evil."
"You make it sound easy."
"It is not."
"I wonder if I could be like you. In this world, Asahi said I should be able to kill. But I feel that if I started killing, I would lose myself… hah, am I making sense?"
"I could totally understand. It was like that for me too. So, I created my Mantra. Why don't you create your own Mantra?"
"Mantra?"
"You know, create your own rules you want to follow. You see, when I've separated with you all, I really wanted to save as much as I could. But reality is different from what I pictured. Everyone seems to have gone crazy. But still, I held into my Mantra. I won't give up to someone who I can see redeemable.
"Maybe it would sound crazy. But I can see who are redeemable and who aren't. I'm not sure if it's an ability I've gained because it's not on my Character Window, still, I can see it. I can feel it. So… I've followed my Mantra.
"You should create your own. What do you want to do? What you don't wanna do? List them all. Make them your own law. Follow your own law. That way, you won't feel too lost in this world."
"My own Mantra…"
"Ahh! I see Alisa! That's her!" Hikari pointed towards a middle-aged woman amidst the zombie hoard. She was wearing a used-to-be-white lab coat. It could be seen how she had suffered a great deal while still remaining professional. Sho could already imagine her trying to decipher the virus even though she was experiencing it herself.
"Let's go." He decided as he knew they could handle another zombie after them. They were also close to the cave already; it would just take them 5 or so minutes to go back.
While leading Chester towards them, they approached Alisa. Although the zombie swarm was still surrounding them, the zombie didn't feel their presence. As they were using their sense of hearing instead of eyes, after erasing any noise they could make, they were really invisible to the zombie's senses unless Caelus let them in his Qi Cloak.
But he was no fool. He wouldn't purposely invite trouble to them. He wasn't that childish and reckless.
"I'll lure them so they will be together. It would take a toll on me if they are separated. Although we are near the cave, it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Sure, do your thing. I'll be the backup in case something goes wrong. Though you may look at me as just a kindhearted mature woman, this big sister of yours is actually capable."
Caelus smiled wryly.
If she had said that before they had the conversation about Mantra, he wouldn't believe her. But after their heart-to-heart talk he realized that she was more than capable. She had made it this far. She was also alone when they met him. If he said she wasn't capable, then no one would claim they were capable at all.
Once again, Caelus felt something inside him started healing.
"You need to be careful." he said before weaving his way towards Alisa.
His footsteps were like dance steps. Agile, sharp, precise and with rhythm. There was no hint of gracefulness in the way he moved. It almost felt like he was one with the air. It was different from his previous movements. Before he just wanted to survive. He was just doing what he could do to stay alive. He was purely acting on instinct. But after clearing the mud in his heart, he felt clear headed. Even his movements followed suit.
He started to understand that just living alone wasn't enough. He should also have a clear set of goals. He needed to be firm with his will.
What is he living for? What is his reason to continue even when everything seems to go against his way?
The answer was simple. He wanted to know the reason why he was there.
Why was he chosen?
Why did he have to take over Sho's body when he could just rest in peace?
What was the reason behind this? Behind everything?
And why does he have a strong will to survive even without his memories?
He refused to believe that everything happened without reason.
He felt enlightened. And so, his movements were like the wind itself. It felt like he was one with nature. He was free from the constraint of worry.
He was afraid of his memories? Then he just needed to be strong enough to take them!
He would take one step at a time! And his goal would be to reach Tanzanite Rank. he believed that there was a reason for his memory to be accessed only when he reached Tanzanite Rank.
Uneasy?
It couldn't be helped, but he shouldn't hesitate anymore to only lose his life.
He would stop being a coward.
He would stop copying Sho.
He would be just himself.
And for that, his first Mantra: Survive. He would do his best to survive. Those who would prevent him from surviving, he would follow his instinct. If his instinct told him they should be eliminated, he wouldn't hesitate anymore.