I am with a group of around 20 survivors, mostly juniors who have only surface-level understanding of the song.
As we huddled together in the laboratory, I could tell that everyone was anxious and confused. People whispered among themselves, casting fearful glances at the door and the reinforced windows. It wasn't long before someone in the group spoke up, their voice wavering with trepidation.
"Professor Calvus, do you have any idea what's going on out there?" a student asked, addressing the stern-looking faculty member who happened to be the overseer of the laboratory.
The professor stood tall, with silver hair pulled back into a tight ponytail and a neatly trimmed beard that gave him a distinguished appearance.
The professor hesitated for a moment, his eyes scanning the room before he finally spoke. "I'm afraid I don't have any concrete answers for you," he admitted, his voice steady despite the evident concern in his eyes. "What we're witnessing is unlike most things I've ever seen or studied before. The activation of the Disaster Sirens indicates that this is an extinction-level event, but as for what's causing it, I simply cannot say."
Murmurs of fear and uncertainty spread through the crowd.
"However.."
The murmurs went silent.
"There is one possibility," he continued, pausing to choose his words carefully. "What we're witnessing might just be an enhanced version of a phenomenon called Soulburn Surge."
"When a living being's body tries to intake more Oull than it can withstand, their very soul can be crushed in the process, causing what's called Soulburn Surge"
I could hear the voices around me, filled with confused tones and glances.
The professor continued, "As we all know, Oull is the life energy that flows within all living beings, providing many kinds of utilities. It's a delicate balance of power, and each individual has their own unique capacity to harness and store Oull. Normally, this balance is maintained, and the body naturally regulates Oull intake and distribution."
He paused for a moment, letting the information sink in before continuing. "However, in rare cases, certain events or environmental factors can cause a rapid and uncontrolled influx of Oull into a living being. When this happens, the individual's body and soul can't handle the sudden and excessive Oull intake. This leads to a catastrophic chain reaction known as the Soulburn Surge."
The professor's gaze intensified as he continued, "During a Soulburn Surge, the afflicted person's Oull reserves become dangerously unstable, leading to their body to "overflow" the excessive Oull. Low levels of this process are normal and most of the time, undetectable and natural, but a life-threatening level of it is what gives it the name of Soulburn Surge. At this point, the excess Oull starts to consume and break down the very essence of their being, leading to the complete breakdown of their physical form and the shattering of their soul."
The room was silent as everyone absorbed the terrifying implications of the professor's words. "While I don't know the exact cause of the current situation," he added, "it seems clear that an unprecedented number of people are experiencing a Soulburn Surge, which would explain the activation of the Disaster Sirens.."
His gaze swept over the anxious faces around him. "However, the randomness of the victims, the scarlet colour, and the fact their bodies leave no trace are what truly baffles me. Those of you who were outside when this began must have witnessed people around you, even standing right next to you, falling victim to this, correct?"
Nervous nods and murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.
"But have any of you stopped to wonder why it didn't happen to you?" he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and concern.
"There must be some underlying factor that determines who is affected and who remains unscathed."
Following the professor's words, the atmosphere in the lab grew tense as people began to exchange uneasy glances and whispered speculations.
"I really hope my family is okay," one student murmured, her eyes filled with worry.
"Yeah, I tried calling them, but the network seems to be down," another student replied, gripping their phone tightly.
"I still can't believe this is happening," a third student said, shaking his head in disbelief. "It feels like some kind of nightmare."
What the professor said did make a lot of sense, I felt a sharp, but almost imperceptible feeling on my head everywhere around me at roughly a few moments before each "Soulburn", so that explains that at least.
As the group continued their hushed conversations, a sudden and unexpected change occurred. A radiant golden aura materialized around every person in the laboratory, casting a glaring glow throughout the room. The same aura could be seen outside through the gaps of the reinforced material that covered us as well.
The room fell silent once more, as everyone stared at their own body, and at those around them, in both confusion and amazement. The aura felt comforting in a way, but nobody could put their finger as to what was happening or why. It was as if they had been granted a protective shield, but from whom, remained a mystery.
Even the Professor himself looked confused, so I guess there was no point in asking him, either.
I guess all that can be done now is wait until we get a proper explanation of all this. Even with this golden aura, I don't think anyone wants to go outside right now.
I have kept my high Oull sensitivity from pretty much everyone, not even my closest friends or family know about it and I'd rather keep it that way.
After a few hours inside that lab, I concentrated to see if I could feel anything else happening outside that was Oull related, mainly to see if I could get at least a glimpse of anything.
I felt a few different things here and there that seemed minor enough to ignore, however one thing that stood out to me as of now was the fact that the Soulburn surge had stopped, meaning that it might just be safe to go outside again.
I have had my fair share of 'training' with this gift of mine. Though it's not the kind of training one might get at a martial arts dojo or in a classroom. It's been more of a process constant experimentation.
Over the years, I've become quite adept at interpreting the tones and patterns that I pick up from the Oull. I've learned to distinguish the signature of a human from that of an animal, for instance. Each entity possessing Oull, whether it be a human, an animal, or even a plant, has a unique signature, a distinct rhythm that sets them apart.
Humans, in particular, have complex and varied Oull signatures that can be as unique as a fingerprint. They can differ based on their emotions, state of health, and even their inherent nature or personality. It's like each person has their own unique melody that plays out in the grand symphony of life.
Animals, on the other hand, tend to have simpler, more primal Oull signatures. They are less influenced by conscious thoughts and more by instinct and immediate needs or emotions. A hungry wolf, for instance, resonates with a raw, urgent pulse, while a contented bird sings a serene, rhythmic song.
Learning to distinguish these different patterns, to 'listen' to the Oull of life around me, has been a long and arduous journey. But it's a skill that has proven invaluable, especially in situations like the one we're facing now.
I was concentrating and focusing my senses to see if I could catch anything; extending my consciousness like a net across the city. It was a delicate process, like trying to catch wisps of smoke with bare hands, to map out the flow of Oull around us. Despite the chaos and uncertainty, I had to remain calm, collected - any disturbance in my own state could easily skew my readings. It was a good thing that majority of the people around me were quiet, which made this a lot easier than it normally would of been.
Soon, I started to detect the familiar signatures of human Oull, interwoven with the stronger, simpler pulses of animals. At least, majority of the students were in fallout bunkers scattered across the academy. But there was something else too, something that made me stop dead in my tracks.
From somewhere outside, not too far from our refuge, I felt overwhelming surges of Oull. It was not just a single source but a confluence of five distinct patterns. It was as if five stars had suddenly appeared in the night sky, their light outshining everything else around them.
Each of the five Oull signatures was distinct, yet they all held one common characteristic - an intensity that was both astounding and alarming. Their Oull reserves were incredibly dense and potent, far surpassing what any average human could hope to even grasp.
But the truly unsettling realization came when I identified the nature of these Oull sources. Out of the five powerful signatures, only two resonated with the pattern of humans that I was used to. The other three were.... different. Their Oull signatures felt simpler, but no less potent, and they held a robotic, raw feeling that sent a shiver down my spine.
It felt unnatural, as if we were dealing with things created by someone, or something..?
For a moment, I was frozen by the revelation. The Oull patterns I was sensing were nothing like I had ever encountered before. It was as though these three non-human entities were something from another realm entirely.
Fear gripped me as the implications sank in. If only two of the five were human, then what could the other three possibly be? And more importantly, what did their presence mean for us?
Do I tell the others? Or should I remain silent? No, I can't tell them. If I let panic grasp us once again it'll be difficult to shake it off. Maybe the professor might know something that I don't, but If I were to tell him about this, I am not sure as to how I would explain how I know this.
Gathering my composure, I approached the professor.
He was engaged in his work, his discerning eyes scanning a slew of documents spread before him. As I approached, he looked up, his expression impassive. I took a deep breath, my resolve set. I needed to share my insights.
"Professor," I initiated, maintaining eye contact, my voice steady. "I have information about the current situation."
He studied me for a beat, interest flickering in his gaze. "Information?" he echoed, a thread of curiosity weaving through his tone. He leaned back, steepling his fingers before him. "Go on."
I began to explain, "I believe there are five entities with a potent Oull presence," I carefully selected my words, "Two of them have a human-like essence. The other three, however, are... different. Their Oull presence is strong, unnaturally so."
A hint of surprise flashed across his face, swiftly replaced by contemplation. "Five powerful entities?" he murmured, his attention sharp. He fell silent, pondering over the information, his gaze unfocused. "This... could that be them? However..."
His voice tapered off, his eyes locking onto mine, a question in his gaze. "How did you arrive at this?" he inquired, his tone guarded.
A flutter of caution stirred within me. I had to tread carefully now. "It's... a sort of intuition," I offered, my voice unwavering. "A gut feeling, if you will."
He appraised me for a moment, curiosity gleaming in his gaze. "A gut feeling," he echoed thoughtfully, his eyes not leaving mine. I nodded, maintaining a façade of calm.
"No one gets information out of their gut feeling you know?"
As he said that, my sweat ran cold. I should of chosen my words more carefully... shit.
Finally, he sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Well, your intuition is currently our best lead," he conceded, "We need to stay alert. We're not out of the woods yet."
His words hung heavily in the air, a reminder of the crisis at hand.
Although, something he'd murmured earlier caught my attention.
"Professor," I probed, my voice steady, "You said something earlier... 'Could that be them?' Who were you referring to?"
A grave look washed over his face as he met my gaze. "The Arcanas," he said simply, his voice dropping to a near whisper. There was a weight to his words, a silent reverence that needed no elaboration.
The Arcanas. Even before becoming a student at the academy, I had heard tales of their unrivalled powers and their legendary status as protectors of humanity. But to think that they might be involved in this catastrophe...
"If the Arcanas are involved," I began, trying to wrap my head around the implications, "does it mean that we're facing a crisis far beyond our worst fears? Are we dealing with an enemy that even they would struggle against?"
The professor sighed deeply, his gaze hardening. "That, I don't know," he conceded, "We can only speculate at this point. But what we do know is that we're not alone in this fight. And that alone gives us hope."
His words, while not entirely reassuring, did hold a glimmer of hope. If the Arcanas were indeed involved, then maybe, just maybe, we stood a chance. After all, if anyone could face down this apocalypse, it would be them.
"Even if what you say is true, what do you suggest we do?" I asked, my tone laced with both concern and a hint of determination.
He looked at me thoughtfully, then back at the documents strewn across his desk. "Our best bet for now is to stay inside," he replied, his voice steady. "The Arcanas are unparalleled in their abilities. If they're involved, they're humanity's best hope. We'd only get in their way."
I mulled over his words, but a part of me was not convinced. I remembered the golden aura that had swept over us all, and the subsequent calm that had descended. I felt compelled to voice my thoughts.
"But Professor," I began, my voice firm, "The aura that was cast earlier...I believe it's a sign that it's safe outside. The Oull atmosphere has settled down. I think we should consider venturing out."
His eyes met mine, surprise flickering in his gaze. "And why would we risk that, Kuroki Kiriko?" he questioned, a note of caution in his voice.
I paused at the sound of my name on his lips, a frown creasing my brow. "You know my name?" I asked, caught off guard.
He nodded, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "Most of the Overseer Council of the academy is aware of you, Kuroki Kiriko," he admitted. "You've garnered attention for your extraordinary performances and grades, and of course, already established abilities. I was one of the few who remained skeptical, but our conversation has confirmed everything."
I blinked at his revelation, a mix of emotions swirling within me. So, they knew about my heightened sensitivity to Oull. But that only made me more resolute. "And that's precisely why we should go out there, Professor. I can help."
He looked at me thoughtfully, his brow furrowing. "I admire your determination, Kiriko. Truly, I do. But the risk is too great. The aura may have signalled a temporary respite, but we can't be sure what lies beyond the shelter of these walls. And let's not forget, we have juniors, civilians with us here. I can't justify putting their lives at risk
His words hung heavy in the silence that followed. My mind raced with thoughts, desperately seeking a solution. And then, it hit me.
"What if I went outside alone, Professor?" I suggested, my voice steady despite the pounding in my chest.
His gaze snapped to mine, surprise evident in his eyes. "You want to go alone?" he echoed, his tone incredulous.
"Yes," I affirmed, meeting his gaze squarely. "It's less risky. And if there's anything I can do, any way I can help, I want to take that chance."
The professor was silent for a moment, his gaze assessing me. "We need more information before we make any decisions," he said finally. "For now, we stay put. If the situation changes, we'll reassess."
"Also, even though you are one in a million, you are not even a graduated Songseeker. I'm sure the academy has dispatched out our own forces to help out."
I fell silent, my heart heavy. But I knew he was right. We needed more information. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that I needed to do something, to help in any way I could. The thought of just waiting was unbearable to me.
"Professor," I started, pausing to gather my thoughts. But as I met his gaze, a flood of introspection washed over me, my inner thoughts echoing in my mind.
I never really saw myself as a hero or a prodigy. Throughout my time in the academy, I was just another student, albeit with a peculiar talent. Sure, I had good grades and performances, but that all doesn't matter at the heat of a real battle. And now...
Now, a strange conviction surged within me, a gut feeling that if I didn't step up, if I didn't take action, things could take a turn for the worse. The world was changing, and perhaps, just perhaps, I had a role to play in the midst of this chaos. I needed to change too.
Gathering my composure, I looked back at the professor, my decision clear in my mind. "I am going out and assessing the situation. If the Arcanas are really out there, maybe there's something I can do to help. Or at the very least, get a clearer picture of what we are dealing with."
"Once I have a clearer understanding of the situation, I will return. I assure you, Professor."
He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "Kiriko, you're making a mistake," he cautioned, his voice laced with worry. But his words didn't deter me. I had made up my mind.
I mustered a small, reassuring smile. "Maybe," I conceded, "But it's a mistake I am willing to make." The room fell silent, the gravity of my decision hanging heavily in the air. Yet, despite the uncertainty, I felt a strange sense of tranquillity. I was ready to face whatever was out there.
With a resolute nod, I turned towards the door, raising my hand towards it. The air around me hummed, vibrating with an unseen energy. Slowly, glimmers of Oull began to swirl around my hand, visible to only those with a keen eye.
I felt the "shift" as I focused, the Oull gathering at my fingertips. I was not sure what tone of the song I was weaving, something felt odd about this, a feeling that I've never felt before.
The professor's eyes widened in surprise as he watched the spectacle. Even from across the room, I could guess the realization dawn on his face. I don't know what kind of Oull was coming out of me, it was as if something else was manipulating it entirely.
And just then, like a blink, I heard a voice within my head.
『DEFY』
The Oull flickered brighter, a lustrous glow emanating from my hand. I reached out, my palm making contact with the door,
and then, seamlessly, it slipped through. A gasp echoed through the room, but I didn't look back. It was time to face whatever was waiting outside.