After a few minutes, IM broke the silence again. "You know, Xian, we're really separate but one. You're the solid body, and I'm walking in the middle of the path... and Brain can only communicate with us when we're asleep."
"Yeah... that's cool... since you're my Harbinger..." I replied.
"Heh, right... I'm your Harbinger, a ghost who evolved and turned into something that looks human."
Arriving at my home, both of us got out of the car and waved to them.
"Let's get inside," I said to IM, who was still looking at the car.
"Yep, long day..."
We got inside the house and saw my mother sitting on the couch, crying while watching TV.
"We're home," I said.
My mother looked at us and wiped her tears. "Ah... Xian and IM, welcome home."
"What happened, Auntie?" IM asked.
"Just watching this film, it's so sad..."
I ignored her and headed upstairs, "Let's go, IM."
He nodded and followed me upstairs to our bedroom.
Closing the door behind us, IM flopped onto his bed with a sigh. "Finally, some peace and quiet."
I chuckled, but couldn't shake off the lingering unease from earlier. "You think everything's really settled?"
IM propped himself up on an elbow. "With Asmar gone? Yeah, I think so. The Hana Ghost can finally rest in peace, and we don't have to worry about any more cryptic messages or weird coincidences."
I nodded, but a part of me still felt like there were loose ends. "I hope you're right."
We changed into more comfortable clothes and settled in for the night. The familiar hum of the air conditioner filled the room, and I tried to let the day's events fade away. But as I drifted off to sleep, I couldn't help but wonder if our adventure was truly over, or if it was just the beginning of something new.
I opened my eyes and looked at the ceiling. "Hey, IM," I called.
"Yeah?"
"When you were a Harbinger... what did you actually do?"
"What did I do?"
I nodded.
"Hmm... I just flew around, looking at people... I saw them walking around, and they didn't see me. And I stood around you, but you know... back then, you didn't see me often because your power was so weak."
I chuckled, "Because my power was too weak, huh?"
"Not your power itself," IM corrected. "Well, your power of imagination manifestation is pretty overpowered, but... it was your Blue Blood." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "It was dormant. You weren't fully awakened to your heritage yet. It's like a radio signal; if the receiver isn't tuned in, you won't pick up the broadcast."
"Interesting example..." I said, chuckling.
"It is... well, if you ever reach the end stage, I would love to see what you look like."
"What do you mean, what I look like?"
"Back then... I saw some Seers, and they weren't... human-looking..." IM trailed off, a hint of awe in his voice. "Their forms were... otherworldly. They radiated power, their very presence bending reality around them. I wonder if you'll undergo a similar transformation."
Curiosity piqued, I sat up. "Otherworldly? Like, how?"
IM shrugged. "It's hard to describe. One had shimmering scales and eyes that burned like the sun. Another seemed to be made of pure energy, constantly shifting and changing shape. It was... awe-inspiring and a little terrifying."
A shiver ran down my spine, but it wasn't entirely unpleasant. "Sounds intense."
"It was," IM confirmed. "But it also filled me with a sense of wonder. To think that we, as Blue Bloods, have the potential for such power..."
I lay back down, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with possibilities. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see what the future holds."
Hmm... if what he's saying is true... I would be a different thing in the future if I reach my end stage... probably... some... hmm... I wouldn't want to imagine it... I thought, closing my eyes.
It was morning again. The days always repeated, and now I was in the schoolyard, bored, since I didn't really want to do anything today.
Meanwhile, IM was now more popular. He was playing basketball with the boys.
"Kobe!" he yelled and threw a three-pointer, scoring a goal.
I leaned back in my chair, looking up at the sky.
"Woah, Xian!" Marcel yelled next to me.
I looked at him, "Don't yell suddenly," I said to him for the hundredth time.
"You're jacked, dude! Look at your arms!" he pointed at my biceps.
A muscle? Yeah, it was. My sports shirt was too tight since I used the steroid, which made my muscles grow quickly.
"What about it?" I said, feigning ignorance.
"Dude... you're really muscular now..." Marcel was amazed.
Just then, Jonathan from the next class approached. Usually, he wore a black leather jacket, but now he was just in sports clothes because the 11th-grade class was currently focused on sports. "Woah, Xian... never knew you went to the gym."
"I did, for a few weeks now," I said.
"Hey, want to play football?" he invited.
"Not a big fan of it, and I don't really know how to play."
"Well, maybe next time then," Jonathan said with a shrug. He turned to Marcel, "You in?"
Marcel grinned, "Count me in!"
As they jogged off towards the makeshift football field, I settled back into my chair, a wry smile playing on my lips. It seemed that my unintended transformation was attracting more attention than I'd anticipated. Perhaps it was time to lay low on the steroids for a while.
The sound of cheers and laughter drifted over from the field, momentarily distracting me from my thoughts. I glanced over to see IM effortlessly dribbling the ball past a defender, a look of pure joy on his face. Even without the same physical changes I was experiencing, he seemed to be thriving in his own way.
I closed my eyes again, basking in the warmth of the sun. Maybe this new chapter of my life wouldn't be so bad after all. Even if it meant a few more curious glances and unexpected invitations to play sports.
"Senior..." a voice suddenly appeared.
This voice... Lenna.
I opened my eyes, "Yes, Lenna? Why are you outside?"
"Oh, I was in free class too... I wanted to talk about Hana..." she said, her voice downcast.
Hmm... probably because Hana is at rest now and she's gone... maybe. I thought, curious to know what she wanted to say.
< Chapter 101 > Fin.