I blinked open my eyes, a sharp brightness assaulting my senses. My gaze was met with a sterile, white ceiling, a harsh fluorescent light humming above.
A slight chill crawled up my arm, and I turned to find thin wires attached to my skin, tracing back to machines that softly beeped rhythmically, mirroring my heartbeat.
There was a dull, throbbing ache in my head, a vestige of my recent ordeal.
Where am I?
I winced, trying to push myself upright, but my limbs felt like lead, drained of energy. Every muscle in my body protested, crying out for rest.
My attention was drawn away from the discomfort as the door creaked open. A woman, unknown to me, entered the room, her steps echoing softly against the sterile white tiles.
She was dressed in an unusual attire, a mixture of medical professionalism and mystic symbology. Her coat was white, yes, but adorned with faintly shimmering glyphs and symbols.
"I see you ve regained consciousness," the woman stated, her gentle voice echoing softly in the silence of the room. The corners of her mouth curled up into a comforting smile as her gaze flickered briefly to the monitors beside me, analyzing the information being displayed. "Third will be relieved. You had him worried."
A pang of discomfort surged through me as I tried to push myself upright, only to find my body completely drained.
In my confusion, I managed a weak, "Who's... Third?" The words slipped out before I could stop them, but the woman seemed unfazed by my question.
"The Third Arcana," she clarified, her tone warm and understanding. Her smile remained steady as she continued, "Mauga. He brought you here after the incidents."
My mind spun, fragments of the chaotic scene replaying in my mind – the creature's monstrous form, Mauga's intimidating power, the city falling apart. I blinked away the disorientation, managing to mumble, "Oh...Right."
Her gaze never wavered from mine, a hint of concern etched into her features. "Rest now. You've been through a lot, and your body needs time to recover. We can discuss further when you're feeling better."
As she left the room, my eyes roved around, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings as I tried to piece together the disjointed images and memories swirling in my mind. The clinical white walls, the rhythmic beeping of the machines beside me, the unfamiliar face of the woman who dressed funny - it all seemed so surreal.
My mind drifted back to the first hints of chaos in the city, the creatures that seemed to have sprung from a nightmare, their forms so grotesque and alien that they seemed like fabrications of a terrified imagination. I remembered the terror that swept through me, the sense of helplessness as the reality of the situation sank in.
Then there was Mauga, the Third Arcana, standing tall amidst the chaos, radiating power and fearlessness. I recalled the impact of his strikes, the way he wielded his Oull with a level of mastery I'd only ever dreamed of. I remembered the feeling of awe, and the flicker of hope that stirred within me at the sight of him.
And then there was my own confrontation with the creatures. My swords felt heavier than ever before, but also more alive, resonating with the influx of an Oull unfamiliar to me. I could still recall the sensation of Mars fading out, the surge of power that washed over me as I cleaved through the creature. I remembered the black substance swirling itself into me, the feeling of exhaustion, of sheer depletion that had swept over, dragging me into unconsciousness.
These memories, hazy and fragmented as they were, slowly began to coalesce in my mind, piecing together the events of the past day. The confusion was fading, replaced by a dawning understanding of what had transpired. It seemed, for but a moment, that things were normal.
As I tried to consolidate these recollections, the room's door creaked open again. This time, the person struggling to fit through the frame was unmistakable. Mauga, the giant himself, ducked his head and shoulders to pass through the entrance, his massive frame nearly filling the whole doorway.
Observing the scene, I couldn't help but chuckle lightly at the contrast between him and the delicate room, the levity of the moment providing a much-needed break from my muddled thoughts.
Hearing my soft laugh, Mauga turned to look at me, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You seem lively," he rumbled, his voice deep and resonating, yet carrying an undertone of amusement. His comment, though simple, was tinted with his unique brand of sincerity, making the situation feel less dire.
"Looks like you've found your sense of humor in all of this, Kiriko," Mauga said with a soft chuckle, making his way over to the edge of the bed. His broad form towered over me, casting a long shadow over the sterile surroundings. "That's a good sign."
"I guess laughter really is the best medicine, huh?" I replied, managing a weak smile.
He raised an eyebrow at my comment, the corners of his lips twitching upwards. "That's one way to put it. You could also say it's your spirit fighting back."
A moment of silence passed as he looked at me, his eyes reflecting a strange blend of seriousness and warmth. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice quieter now.
"I'm... I'm not sure," I confessed, struggling to put my disoriented thoughts into words. "I'm tired, but I also feel like I've rested for years? And there's a lot of things I don't understand."
"That's understandable," he nodded, crossing his arms over his chest. "You've been through a lot in a short time, specially for someone like you."
"Can you... can you tell me what happened? After I... passed out?" My voice was barely above a whisper, uncertainty lacing my words.
Mauga sighed, running a hand over his bald head. "After you fell unconscious, I had to deal with a few more of those creatures. It seemed like they just kept coming and coming out of nowhere," he started, his tone heavy.
He paused for a moment, glancing towards the window as if the answer to an unasked question laid beyond. "Once the immediate threat was dealt with, One of our allies used an Oull technique to teleport us here," he continued, gesturing vaguely around the room.
"Here?" I echoed, my brows furrowing in confusion.
He nodded. "We are currently at our main base of operations, in Vancouver. It was the safest place to bring you for treatment."
I swallowed hard at that, the implications of his words sinking in. I had been transported halfway across the globe while unconscious. "And... How long was I out?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
His gaze met mine, holding it for a long moment before he finally replied. "Almost a week."
A week? I had lost a week? The news hit me like a punch to the gut. "And... and the world? Kyoto?"
Mauga's expression darkened, his hands clenching tightly. "It's... not good," he admitted. "Most of the heavily populated areas were lost - Rio, London, New York... there are still a few remaining places, but... it's not looking good."
The news was staggering, leaving me momentarily speechless. The entire world, crumbling in the face of these things. A lump formed in my throat, the gravity of the situation pressing down on me like a physical weight. We were truly in the middle of an apocalypse.
"However," Mauga began, a spark of determination lighting his eyes, "you don't need to worry about it. Soon enough, there will be a meeting discussing our next step towards saving the world. We are not going to stand by and watch it fall."
As I digested his words, I found a question forming on my lips. "Should you be telling me this? It seems... confidential."
Mauga offered a small, rare smile at that, shaking his head lightly. "Of course I should," he stated, his tone almost teasing. "You're my apprentice now, after all."
Hearing those words, a smile spread across my face, genuine and relieved. Despite the dire situation we were in, the sheer weight of the world's situation, knowing that I had a place beside Mauga brought comfort. It felt as though a lifeline had been tossed to me in the midst of a stormy sea, a beacon of hope in the dark, and I was determined to grasp onto it with all I had.
"Rest up," Mauga suddenly said, his tone firm. "Eighth is going to pass by here again to talk to you regarding some things."
"Again?" I echoed, a look of confusion crossing my features.
"You know, the doctor looking woman that passed here a few minutes ago?" Mauga clarified.
A moment of realization hit me. That woman was the 8th Arcana. "The one who cast that incredible aura around everyone?" I asked, my voice a mixture of disbelief and awe.
Mauga nodded, a note of admiration in his voice. "Yeah. That was her Aegis. Quite useful, isn't it?" His words made me revisit that incredible moment, the protective sensation that had swept over the world.
I nodded, the magnitude of the situation sinking in. Mauga, standing by my side, in the same room as me - it all seemed incredibly surreal.
With a soft grunt, the giant moved to leave, the room seeming to shrink in his presence. "I'll leave you to rest," he said, his voice deep and resonant.
"Goodbye, Mauga," I managed, watching him navigate the cramped room with a small smile. His form filled the doorway for a moment before he disappeared, the door closing quietly behind him.
I was left alone in the sterile room, the beeping of the machines the only sound breaking the silence. As I lay there, I felt a strange mix of fear, awe, and anticipation. Things were changing rapidly, and I was right at the heart of it.
I closed my eyes so I could finally rest.
Drifting into sleep, I found myself plunged into a strange, abstract realm of subconsciousness. A void stretched out in all directions, encompassing everything and yet nothing. I was standing without a ground, seeing without a sight, and hearing without a sound. It was a place inexplicable in words, the kind of feelings you'd feel inside of a dream.
Drawn by an inexplicable force, I started walking, each step as uncertain as the one before. And then, in the distance, I spotted something. A figure, faint yet distinct against the formless surroundings.
Intrigued, I quickened my pace towards the figure. As I drew closer, a sense of familiarity washed over me. It was...me? But not me. A twisted reflection of myself, its face contorted into a sinister grin and eyes so deep that they seemed empty.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stumbled backward, the figure's presence unnerving me. It extended a hand towards me and began to walk, slowly, deliberately. It was calling my name. "Kiriko," it whispered, its voice growing louder and harsher with each repetition. "Kiriko, Kiriko, KIRIKO!"
More figures materialized, each an eerie mirror of myself. They all started moving, their forms shadowy and indistinct, their voices echoing around me. The repetition of my name, once a comforting sound, now felt like an accusation, an inescapable chant that bore into my psyche.
In the final moments of the dream, a figure reached out and grasped my shoulder, leaning in to whisper unintelligible words into my ear. Its grip was cold, causing me to flinch away.
My eyes snapped open, heart hammering in my chest as I gasped for breath. My body was drenched in a cold sweat, my hands trembling as they gripped the white sheets of the hospital bed.
Just as I was attempting to regain my composure, the door to my room burst open. Eighth, her coat swirling around her as she swiftly moved towards me. Her eyes flickered with a spark of concern as she quickly checked the machines beside me, her gaze then moved onto me.
"Are you okay, Kiriko?" She asked, her voice steady despite the sudden chaos. I nodded, my heartbeat finally beginning to slow down as I tried to shake off the remnants of the nightmarish dream.
"I… I'm okay," I managed to stammer, still reeling from the nightmarish experience.
Her gaze softened, "You had a nightmare, didn't you?"
I nodded, shivering slightly despite the warm blanket draped over me.She watched me for a moment,
"These dreams… they're not uncommon, especially after one has been exposed to a situation like yours."
"What do you mean?" I asked, curiosity piqued despite the lingering fear.
"Extreme stress, an encounter with these creatures, the use of Oull in a life-threatening situation, all of this can lead to such dreams," she explained, her tone calm and reassuring.
"Your mind is trying to process the events. And sometimes, it does that through dreams."
"I saw a bunch of me... much more sinister versions of me." I asked, recalling the horrifying doppelgangers from my dream.
She paused, thoughtful. "That...could be a projection of your fear, perhaps. Our minds can be quite creative when dealing with fear and anxiety. We tend to exaggerate, and create monsters out of shadows."
I let her words sink in, offering a small nod.
"Good. Remember, you're safe here. We'll do our best to ensure you're protected," she said, her tone soft yet stern.
A weak smile made its way onto my face, "Thank you."
She nodded, then began to explain my situation in detail. "During your fight with the devourers, what we decided to name those things, your Oull underwent a transformation that I've never seen before. It seemed to be... influenced by something external. This external factor managed to integrate itself with your own Oull, altering it," she paused, a trace of wonder in her eyes.
"This is likely the cause of your fatigue and the uneasy feelings you've been experiencing. It's as if your body is trying to cope with a foreign substance, and it's taking all your energy to do so," she explained.
"But don't worry. Your body will recognize this as an anomaly, a foreign body if you will, and it will try to eliminate it. You should start feeling better in a few days."
She studied me for a moment before continuing, "What's truly astonishing is that this foreign Oull managed to bypass the barrier I set up. It's impressive, and somewhat worrying."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." I began, feeling guilty for causing her concern.
She shook her head, cutting me off. "This is not your fault. We're dealing with unknown entities here. It's a learning process for all of us. All you need to worry about right now is getting better."
"Mauga already mentioned our meeting to you, I presume?" At my nod, she continued.
"Great. It's taking place in about 10 hours. We're planning our next moves and discussing the situation with the Devourers and Mauga insisted for you to be there."
Feeling a pang of apprehension, I hesitated. "But, I've just woken up. Shouldn't I...I don't know, rest a bit more?"
The 8th Arcana offered a reassuring smile. "Oh, don't worry. Your condition has stabilized significantly. In fact, it would do you good to move around a bit. You can start by getting changed and freshened up."
"Mauga had these prepared for you," she revealed as she placed the clothes on the bed. "He had them custom-made according to your specifications."
I unfolded the clothing, and my eyes widened at the sight. The fabric was primarily black, but it was adorned with intricate designs in blue and red - perhaps a nod to Mars and Neptune? He did say he took an interest in them after all.
The tunic was sleek, designed with an intricate pattern of swirling lines that traced the form of my body. The red lines were sharp and direct, while the blue lines were curved and flowing.
The trousers were similarly designed, the blue and red lines trailing down the sides to meet a pair of sturdy, comfortable-looking black boots. The boots were embroidered with minute glyphs and symbols, their meanings obscure to me, but undoubtedly significant.
Beneath the outer layer of the tunic and pants, I could feel the presence of a thin, lightweight armor, designed to offer protection without impeding movement.
She smiled at my stunned silence. "Impressive, isn't it?" she said. "Mauga might seem hard and unyielding, but he has a surprising eye for detail."
I nodded, slowly running my fingers over the fabric. "It's perfect," I murmured, appreciative of the thought that had gone into this. I thanked her and began to change into the outfit, preparing myself for the day ahead.
"You have a few hours before you'll need to be at the meeting. Use this time wisely." With a nod of acknowledgement, I pushed myself up and took a deep breath. It seemed like my day had only just begun.