Lenna stared at me, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and wonder. She had seen me use my powers before, but she hadn't fully grasped the extent of my abilities. Now, the realization that I was the legendary Fool God seemed to dawn on her, and her expression shifted from disbelief to reverence.
"That's... incredible," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Tari, too, was speechless. She floated closer, her ethereal form shimmering in the dim light. "To think that I would meet the Fool God in my lifetime," she murmured, her voice filled with awe. "It's an honor."
I felt a warmth spread through me, a sense of validation that I hadn't realized I needed. It was one thing to be recognized by my friends and family, but to be acknowledged by a powerful spirit like Tari was something else entirely. It made me feel like I was truly fulfilling my destiny, that I was on the right path.
"...There's no need for that. I'm not even sure if I am the Fool God," I replied, trying to downplay the significance of the title.
"No way..." Tari's voice echoed with disbelief. "You are the one spoken of in prophecies, to the spirits, the Harbingers, the guardians, the ghosts, the Jinns, the demons, even the devils... that you would return as a human and possess the unique power of Imagination Manifestation."
A wave of shock washed over me, my mind reeling from Tari's words. Prophecies? Demons? The devil? This was far beyond anything I had ever imagined.
"I... I don't remember any of that," I stammered, my voice barely a whisper.
Tari's expression softened. "It's understandable," she said gently. "Your memories are fragmented, your true self hidden beneath layers of human experience. But deep down, you know who you are. You are the Fool God, the one who will shape the destiny of this world."
Lenna's jaw remained dropped, her shock palpable. Everything was overwhelming to her.
I looked at Tari, then at Lenna, then back at Tari. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. Was this really my destiny? To be some kind of god, responsible for the fate of the world?
"I... I don't know if I can do that," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "I'm just... me. Xian. A high school student."
Tari floated closer, her ethereal hand gently resting on my shoulder. "You are more than that," she said, her voice filled with warmth and encouragement. "You have the power to change the world, to bring balance and harmony to this chaotic realm. But you must first embrace your true self, your divine heritage."
I looked down at my hands, then back up at Tari. "But... I don't even know where to start," I admitted, feeling lost and overwhelmed.
"Start by believing in yourself," Tari said, her voice steady and reassuring. "You have the power, Xian. You just need to trust your instincts and follow your heart."
Am I really in one of those stories? Where I'm the strongest person in the entire world or universe? I thought, the weight of the prophecy pressing down on me.
"What is the imbalance of this world?" I asked, my voice filled with a newfound seriousness.
"There are many," Tari replied, her ethereal form shimmering with a somber light. "Demons are increasingly venturing into the human world, attempting to take over by sending restless ghosts and ensuring they remain in one place so they can possess them. It's usually the Seers or the Unveiled who intervene to stop them, but these two human organizations have always been at odds with each other."
"So... it's a constant battle between good and evil," I mused, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Not exactly," Tari corrected me. "It's more of a struggle for power, a conflict between two factions vying for control over the hidden world. The Seers seek to dominate and manipulate, while the Unveiled strive for balance and harmony."
"Is that true?" Lenna asked, her voice hesitant, given her past affiliation with the Seers.
I looked at her and replied, "Well... from what I know, yeah."
Tari nodded. "Seers have always desired to be the ones with extraordinary power, even though the Unveiled were the first to possess it."
I nodded. "I've heard similar stories from my family."
"So... was I born on the wrong side..?" Lenna asked, her voice filled with a mix of sadness and uncertainty.
"No, it's not your fault, Lenna. You are your own person, and you're different from them," I reassured her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Lenna looked up at me, her eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Senior..."
Tari floated closer, her ethereal face inches from mine. "You are truly different from your true entity..."
"My true entity?" I echoed, confused.
"You used to be a blinding light with just one large eye, and everything else was black... like a black hole with an eye."
"Also... can I go find Kuro, by any chance...?" Tari added, a hint of longing in her voice.
I nodded, then turned to Lenna. "I think I should go home..."
"Wait, Senior! Can you remove this room? I mean, it's not supposed to be here. Or, oh! Yeah, how about you clear this room and make it into a space for myself!" she exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with excitement.
I nodded and looked around the room.
Clear this room, I imagined.
A wave of energy pulsed through the room, and the dusty shelves, strange artifacts, and cobwebs vanished, leaving behind a clean, empty space. The walls seemed to expand, and the ceiling rose higher, creating a sense of openness and freedom. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room with a warm, inviting glow.
Lenna gasped in delight. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with joy. "Thank you, Senior!"
"You're welcome," I replied with a smile. "Now, it's your own personal space. Make it your own."
I turned to Tari. "Follow me. Kuro is at my home."
I excused myself from Lenna and headed back to my parked motorcycle. Tari, now freed from her confines, floated beside me, her ethereal form blending seamlessly with the night air.
I revved the engine, and we sped off into the night, leaving Lenna's house behind.
As we rode, Tari's voice echoed in my mind, filled with gratitude and a newfound sense of hope. "Thank you, Fool God," she whispered. "You have given me a second chance at life."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. It was a good feeling, knowing that I had used my powers to bring about positive change.
We arrived back at my house, and I led Tari inside. Kuro, who had been napping on the couch, perked up at the sight of his former companion.
From my mother's point of view, Kuro was just meowing excitedly at me.
"Hmm, it seems this kitten really loves you, Xian," my mother said with a smile.
I just smiled and nodded, even though Kuro was actually communicating with Tari.
The two spirits, Kuro and Tari, engaged in a silent conversation, their forms shimmering and flickering as they exchanged memories and emotions. I watched them, a sense of wonder filling me. It was amazing to witness the reunion of two beings who had been separated for so long.
"Hey Kuro, how about we go to my room?" I suggested, wanting to give them some privacy.
Kuro nodded, and we headed upstairs.
Arriving in my bedroom, IM looked at Tari with a mix of curiosity and caution. "Another spirit... and who is this?"
"This is Tari. She used to be Kuro's companion, I think?" I replied, still a bit unsure about the details of their relationship.
IM nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on Tari. "So, what's your story?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm.
Tari's ethereal form shimmered, her expression a mix of sadness and gratitude. "I was once a powerful spirit, bound to a sorcerer named Rong," she began, her voice a soft whisper. "He promised me eternal life and unimaginable power, but he betrayed me, trapping me in that house for centuries."
"But Xian freed you," IM said, his voice filled with admiration for my abilities.
Tari nodded. "He did. He broke the spell that bound me, and now I am finally free."
"Heh, so that's why you were always gone?" Kuro asked, a hint of playful accusation in his tone.
Tari chuckled softly, her laughter echoing through the room like wind chimes. "I apologize for my absence, Kuro," she said, her voice filled with warmth. "But I was trapped, unable to leave that house or communicate with the outside world."
Kuro's ears perked up, his tail swishing back and forth excitedly. "It doesn't matter now," he said, his voice a soft purr. "We're together again, and that's all that matters."
I watched the two spirits interact, a sense of warmth spreading through me. It was heartwarming to see them reunited after so many years of separation.
"So, what are your plans now, Tari?" IM asked, his curiosity piqued.
Tari's expression turned thoughtful. "I'm not sure yet," she admitted. "I've been trapped for so long, I haven't had a chance to experience the world as it is now. But I'm eager to learn, to explore, to discover what it means to be free."
"Well, you're welcome to stay with us," I offered, extending a hand towards her. "We're always looking for new members to join our team."
Tari's eyes lit up. "Really? You would let me stay?"
I nodded. "Of course. You're Kuro's friend, and that makes you our friend too."
Tari smiled, her gratitude radiating through the room. "Thank you, Fool God. I won't let you down."
< Chapter 151 > Fin.