How poor of a lady whose body was swayed by the star in an undignified fate. False novelty had brought her to the feet of a being she heckled when she shouldn't. The "poor" star had now hung onto her head in the feeling of accomplishment.
The star could use some help from the sky, right? That's why the librarian steps off and walks away from everyone in the city when she shouldn't, even straying from the priest she had trusted even though she was prohibited.
"I need your help. I need to...clean my name...by this wrongdoings..." The creature begs for her. The door shut tight between them, on a cover titling "between pride and reality" as the view.
"What wrongdoings?" Eve sat on the table, pulling her novel to kill time. She can see his prongs poking out of the barrier, glowing blue, and emanating lights out of this world.
"I was trying to help people in my realm...I tried to be a hero there, but it backfired. I tried to help some people in the city like the bearers!"
"And how does it go bad?"
*Scratches head* "It didn't well...too many property impairments to count and...and some unpaid taxes...since when did they even tax me??"
"Bearer? What's that? A cop? Is it human?"
"Well, some humans can be found around many worlds out there! Think of them as guardians across worlds, who were gifted the power from the celestial being to enforce the law of in-between and harmony!"
"They were wielding weapons of various kinds of energy and powers throughout realms! Surely you don't want to mess with them if you are a creature like me!"
"A magical cop? Surprise me..." It's like talking to the author of her novel themselves. His story seems convincing, but only because of the promised introduction.
"It'll be a great start to write on your journey, right? Eve the Great girl venturing twelve realms together with her friend on the side!"
"Okay. So you want me to erase your crime note and do yourself a favor to save the world like a hero once more. Sounds like a reasonable thing to ask me. But what should I get from doing all of this?"
"The everlasting adventure and journey through everything together?"
"Are you serious?"
"I mean, isn't that you always wanted? Who wants to miss the chance to write something within? That's sounds amazing, right?"
"Better than having some assholes on this room, I suppose." She holds her blackened eye in disdain.
Slowly, and slowly, let the thought of the past be buried in the ground as you ascend with the star, leaving every second worth of your life. Feel the lamb whose shepherd had sent you to the pit of fire for you are standing on his path.
"What do I do now? I got a black eye and a fairy on my table. Do I even had to listen to you? You're not even convincing..." Eve felt an urgency striking through her chest.
"Wait! Wait! I haven't finished yet! It's only the first part! You haven't heard about the second one yet!" Seeing her unsatisfied face prevented Charger from breaching their agreement. For him, this connection seems too loose to stand.
"My heroic adventure has always needed a partner. And lately, no one has signed up yet..." His hands reach out to something behind his waist. "While it is fresh, wouldn't you want some fun?"
What was once a doubt became a salvage to resolve. The librarian thought of doubting the star her undoing, leading herself astray even further than before. But what does the star say in return? It says nothing. Instead, it acts upon her disbelief. The sky had shone for her with a second chance.
A script lies before her.
Adventure with Charger.
-> Pro:
> Be cool
> Be with Charger the Great
> Loved by people
> Free snacks every 3.00 PM-3.30 PM and 8.00-8.30 PM!
> Save city. Bad guy defeated
-> Cons:
> Too many bad people.
> Bring your own drinks to the base.
> Few enemies to keep an eye on.
> Base around in a sewer (until further notice).
-> Register here before (Multiple Scratches) *Never*
Name: ______
Signature:______
Home Address (optional):______
-> Contract duration:
☐ 10-day contract, no share.
☐ 20-day contract, 10% share.
☐ 30-day contract, 20% share.
☐ Permanent contract, 50% share.
Note: By signing this, I am not responsible for any accident or damage caused during the contract.
For more info, contact: (phone number) xxxxxxxxx702, (fax) xxxxxxxx702.
"Right..." She closes her novel after a read.
"Here. Take this off me and let's focus on the mission...I'm not listing anything shady."
The boy took the paper off her hands, feeling a mixed reaction between pride and pity, "Oh, okay...don't worry, friend. I know you'll make up your mind someday. That's why I keep it open all day with no deadline for submission."
"Alright. So, what's the first step to get this thing first?"
"We need to find a spatial rune to start! Usually, we called it the space seed, but I called it spatial rune for another reason." He leaps away from the table and starts heading towards one of the chairs in the class.
"And luckily, our intel over here has one left unguarded for us!" The polished red backpack exudes a strong aura towards the holder. Made of high-end polyester lining and Dyneema fabric composition, the bag is designed with water and light resistance and a lightweight burden on the shoulder. It is also perfect for keeping the trend through the vibrant color picking and reflective outer layer.
It shed the sky with its hands! A pristine shard of the daylight was made into something beautiful and gleaming with sparkles, marked in a gold lining in a surprising turn for the librarian. A sun mark with a dusk light color reminded her of the soon-to-be night sky.
"There you go! I found it!" Charger reaps the seed. A seed of space, or is it called by others. It represents the shard of the universe that has been shattered from creation, utilized into a hand that separates the earthly touch and the grasp of reality.
"How did that boy had it there? Is he one of these "bearers" you're talking about?" Said the girl, who stepped off out of curiosity.
"Is that why he was here? Going after your petty foot and locked you down in animal's cage?" She admonishes.
"Must be that low for you to get up here..."
"Dying for me..."
"I didn't want any of this! I swear, they never tried to hear my reasons! I have no ill-intention behind my act."
"Have you ever considered taking a new living job? You sound too desperate and bored with this stuff. And I'm not even lying when I said you're ruining people's life from what I heard."
"I tried. But it's boring...!" He argued, chanting his burden within the crystal and swinging in a circle like an airplane. "I guess I'm not fit to stay in the workshop."
"With that look on you, I barely can't see you could last long." Eve continues on her writing. Graphite and rubbers began to pile up on the paper.
*Shred* The paper tore, just like Eve's hope for losing a draft.
"Aw, come on! I just finished that story! Now, I have to start it again..."
"Oh! Oh! Can I see?" The creature peeks.
"No. What do you even know about writing?"
"I write one. I write greatness! Because I'm great!"
"I write novels because I had a project to submit in two weeks. I don't need to write anything seriously in here and I already have a idea on the progress."
"Well, the best thing about writing a story is that a self-experience is better in a paper than inserting. You should write story like you write a diary, it makes the plot much better!"
"Yeah...you're not writing anything..." Eve rolls her eyes out as Charger returns to his duty with the rune.
But in her mind, the suggestion seems an intriguing take. But before that, a crystal awaits for her to try.
"Should I...try?" She stares heavily at her unfinished draft.
She...
She...
She senses...
She felt...
I felt...
I senses...
I sense its soft energy calling back at me in its cold tap. It didn't freeze in my touch, but it rubbed my finger when it felt my skin on its head. I can feel a direction given to me willingly, trying to show me with the exact same reason I stood there for a creature smaller than me. It says about leading to me a light? But I never thought of that.
I tried leading the rune to my finger, hoping to see if it was conscious and loyal to me. It shows me a vision of a world full of light, blinded and far from my reach. I force myself into the rune, as my question remains unanswered of this world.
"Aagh! Cold..." Her finger turns white like snow, only by a touch from the shard hissing back through her blood cold.
"Ouch Ouch! Ouch! Aagh..." Tis the season of cold on her finger, weeping like angel's tears.
"Friend! I'm sorry, I didn't meant to!"
"My finger! Ouch!"
And cursed! My fingers immediately froze and were stiff! I couldn't feel my nails at all. They warned me that magic comes with a price and greed of one could lead to harm. But I couldn't bear holding at the thought of its light brushing the scabs off my skin. I was hurt by my doing, yet I feel the creature should be responsible for telling me.
"What did you do to me? What did you do to my hands?" She grabs the creature by the head. Angered, she grabs him for a slam.
"No, it's not what you think, friend! It's only the rune. It isn't fatal..."
"I can't feel my finger. How's that not fatal? What is that on the rune?"
***Loud mumbling****
I can feel cold as friendly as I am healed from a nonexistent wound. But the horror I must hold is right where the others would find me. After all, I am no longer a human being after this.
I felt wrong, tensed, and pressured. My hands were stiff like dead, soaked in sweat. I was still guilty of my negligence and temptation. The star looked at me with concern, worried as I was for its safety. We were frozen and forgot to think.
"Aah! They're coming!" The creature panicked.
"Head onto my bag. You'll be safe there!" She took the rune into the bag, keeping it safe.
"I don't think it fits! I'm too big for your bag to handle!" He struggles. Putting his toe between the books is already a struggle for him.
"So, do you want some tours to the other classes? You haven't picked your extracurricular here yet." Cyrus comforts him among the possessive crowds.
"No, I'm fine here. That can wait like two or three days later? I am not here to stroll with my new shoes and friends behind me." Dion charms the back speakers.
"Aww..."
"Boy, please escort me out of here. These sports were taking the wrong side of me..." He commands.
"What? Why are you smiling?"
"Well, I can't do much as a poor boy, huh?" He quoted those words back as a reminder for Dion. "I tried my best, but you need to know that girls and boys here did the same to me. And you should be proud of that! People out here never seen a visitor like you..."
"Especially if they are coming from a high family. Try to be open as I do, okay? Many would like you for that."
"In a city like this? Don't waste my time, peasant. I've been hearing the same response from many schools before...only this time I felt the need to speak with you."
"My, flattering. Why don't you try to speak like that often to these girls?" The boy teases him.
"Just guide me back to the class so I can list my material here. After all, I have a deal to finish in this school that goes with this storm..." He pulls out a phone with a screen showing a picture of a creature.
"Something sparks and deceitful like a stone."
"Stone don't sparks...nor lying..." Cyrus argues.
"Let's hope Eve hasn't hold grudge on any of us."
"Tch, you worried so much over a girl with a sentiment for a guy like me. Don't you have any other people to handle than her? I'll go after her and see for yourself." Dion brags.
Cyrus replies, "You don't know her, Dion."
"And did you?" He left Cyrus with a silence as he steps further to the class without him.
"I know her. I've been here for more than years with her..."
"Right...? Why am I feeling guilty of this?"
As he entered, the boy found Eve sitting back on her chair with her book up, seemingly ignorant about the school's situation. She looked happier in her seat until someone came in to intervene.
"Okay, okay, okay! Now, hide!" Eve yelled to the creature as it leaps to her bag.
"We meet again." The boy smiles at her in a welcoming tone. But the girl hasn't forgotten what she did before.
"You didn't ate my lunch in the bag, aren't you? I hope you're not hungry."
"You really starve yourself at school like that? Is it because of me?"
"Don't tell me it's because of what happened between us in this room before. At least now you get some karma in your eye."
"I hope nothing stood in our way from here. I know you wouldn't feel horrified like two hours ago because of some storms, right?" Dion offers a handshake.
"Storms. Yeah...storms..."
Dion realizes something else in his head. The thought of friendship was replaced with chasing a naughty star to the sky. Eve can feel the shift of his tone replaced with a sneer on his stare.
"Say, you've seen something odd around here lately?" The boy looks out to the window.
"The storms getting too loud since I've been here. I wonder why..."
"Maybe it has something to do with the sky?"
"A sky full of storms. A terrible storm, indeed..."
"It must be my arrival, is it? A prince must have caused this."
"And then there was someone who didn't came willingly to this place. One could say he was a...star?"
That was a ring to Eve's ears. But it was so close to reaching her disguise. Calmly, she keeps holding the table tightly while writing on the book with a dampened face.
"If the prince is here with a cloudy storm, then where's the naught star when the storm had arrived? To the moon?" The boy approaches Eve with his palms on her table, slowly staring at her ignorant eyes.
"Or to the void?" The boy glances at the bag.
"No, no, no, no...don't open..." Charger holds her position inside.
"Hahaha!" The boy chuckles behind her ear. The tension shifts from pressure to calm in a second.
"So, how was my acting? Was it good? I didn't even know where I got that Prince and Star stuff, but I like the idea of that. You understand what I'm saying, right?"
"No? Whatever. Your loss." The boy returned to his seat.
"You and I are not so different after all." He whispers.
The others arrived at the doorframe of their class only to find loneliness and the girl they had punched before. Still, with a black eye, she had her novel standing on the table.
"Idiot. Never change..." A girl mumbled.
"Now you look better as you should." A boy uttered.
"Grow the fuck up, woman! You're as stubborn as a goat. Even a goat doesn't walk on the same creaks..."
"Eve! Uhm, you want some snacks? I got one for you..." Cyrus offers a treat. She stared back and took the bread from his hand.
"You should smile often, girl. Dion would be here for you as much as I do for you. Isn't that great? I don't need to be here any more often..."
"Well, I see how this class looks better nowadays. I was expecting you to do something weird around here. But who am I to be surprised of?"
"But lately, you've been acting strange around Dion's arrival. That's cool, actually..."
"Seeing you moving around more than just in this class makes this class more lively. It's been a year since you entered this class and sat here, waiting for the last class and leave without a word."
"You used to walk that narrow path every day afterward and ever since. Don't you think that's too dangerous? I had to keep an eye on you since..."
"I'm going on that same path again if you still up to it. Regardless, I'm not going to stop you..."
"Please talk to me if you can, Eve. I'm just concerned." He finishes with a smile and a tap on the shoulder. Then, he left her and returned to his table, where he was greeted by a few students.
"Cyrus, are you up to soccer this evening? My friends wants to show you something!"
"Sorry, I've already accept the invitation for the cheerleader training this evening. Had to make sure those girls are ready before the rugby event."
"Aww, it's okay! Maybe Dion can come to see!"
"I think not!"
"Alright, class. Back to your table! It's time to start the second class. Please get ready!" The new teacher arrives for a different session.
"Finally." Eve closes her novel, watching as the third needle passes the number 12.
"Granite helps with my skin, friend! They make a fine polishing material sometimes!" Charger mumbles beneath the leather skin in Eve's bag. But his dampened voice is too faint to be heard from outside.
"Shut up. Don't make this hard for me to control you..." She taps the bag with a warning for Charger to tell.
"Sorry, friend..."
I think of this moment again. The cold in my fingers dissipates, but I still feel it lingering around my index finger. The others never knew of what I just felt, perhaps for the best. I feel in charge and wiser, even more than the prince. Or am I?
The star is something to remember. My vision and hope for this city are no longer the same. I have seen further into the future and found myself a better thing to do. I have a better belief to defy.
***Lunch bell***
As the last class was dismissed, the clouds drew high to the sky, leaving the sun hiding within. Lots of students are heading home while bearing in this now-lesser-but-still-burning-of-a-heat. Taking her chances, Eve left the school in a hurry without looking back at her forky-shaped backpack.
"Eve! Wait there! I'm coming!" Cyrus followed her from behind. As he remembers, he kept his promise and tailed on her.
"No! Leave me alone! I'm going myself." She objects to his demand. The boy was stopped by her action as she continued passing through the evening sky.
"What? You're going alone?"
"Eve? Eve! Oh, come on!"
The girl left him unanswered, heading left as she disappeared from Cyrus's eyes through the concrete fences. Watching her fade from the sight gives a discomfort for Cyrus.
"What's with that girl lately? She's acting like someone else..."
Cyrus finds Dion waiting at the school's gate with a yellow raincoat, waiting for his driver at the entrance. Students were glazed at him, even for such a bland on his raincoat design.
"So? Nice raincoat you have there..." Cyrus steps beside the walkway with him.
"Ugh, can you stop...Oh, it's just you..." Dion yelled halfway before looking at Cyrus's clear face. Still, he is in his malice towards appraisal.
"Dion! Nice raincoat you have there!"
"Dion, please notice me!"
"Dion! Dion! Tell your dad I love his mom!"
"You're waiting for your driver here, aren't you?"
"Yeah. He had a traffic jam on the southern roadway. That means 30 more minutes in this school with these girls." The boy grabs a match.
"Aah! He has a match! Look at his match!"
"Classy Carven! You and your adequate tool to bring on school!"
"I want that match!
"It's not a match!" He yelled back.
"Don't worry, dude. There's no class on Tuesday, so you can have fun at home."
"Thanks, peasant. I could never expect more from you." He could praise more, but he wasn't joking when he adored Cyrus's kindness.
And from that kindness, it makes him feel more open to something.
"Cyrus, I need your help. There's something that has been bugging me to this day since I stepped over this place. And I can't tell how worse it is with these people still behind me..." The boy shifts his silence. It surprises Cyrus.
"Sure. What is it? Cleaning your barn? Washing your chicken? Grabbing some groceries. Wait, you didn't ask for my help because I'm— "
"No. I need you to help me find something together..."
"Oh, okay." Cyrus remains indifferent to his answer.
"You may find this ridiculous, but there's a creature wandering in this city that I've been running up to. And god may hear me scream when I had to watch him escape again..."
"Creature? Like animals? You want to hunt some deers here?"
"I believe hunting is a softer word for what I'm about to do to him. But this creature is no deer to hunt, Cyrus...it's a criminal. Care to help me out on this one?"
The change in the conversation led to many questions. Cyrus's face appears in confusion, as something doesn't add up to Dion's demand. But he didn't go too low on his words.
"Woah. Not that I don't believe in you, but..."
"How do you want me to stop a criminal? Let alone it's not a human?"
"I can't tell you the description here, but we should gather somewhere else than this place. Those people behind us would raise a suspicion and put a jeopardy on my mission."
"Alright, so where do we meet, then? I have a cheerleading session after this..." Cyrus felt more enthusiastic with Dion's words, with secrecy and stakes serving as a fine ingredient.
"Not my home. A commoner like you would jeopardize my family's antiques..."
The boy rolls his eyes, "Then my home it is?"
"Low place. But I guess the lower the value, the less the catch. I'll meet you up there tomorrow..." Dion comes to an agreement, and as he finishes, he doesn't look back at Cyrus.
"Ugh." The boy grumbles while looking away from Dion. That boy felt displeased with Cyrus's tone.
"What? Am I not clear enough to you?"
"No, dude. You're clear..."
Clear as the sun slowly comes out of the cloud, Dion's car arrives to pick him up. The white sedan arrived beside the pathway, with the driver preparing to open a door for him.
*Entering* "Good. Then I see you as we speak." He takes his seat at the back.
The students went rampage and began crowding on Dion's car, only to be met with black tinted glass blocking the view from the inside. The driver wasted no time in the school and hit the gas. That was the last time he saw Dion today, and he had left him alone with the crowd.
"I'll see you later, too..." Cyrus mumbles within the crowds.
"Later. Huh..."
And the sun shines brightly on the sky, where the clouds had left to the east.