-As I thought, we attracted way too much attention. Damn those guys, they were the ones with real control on things from the start...
From the corner of the small, comfortable room, Sochin gazed upon the two boys with a lifeless expression. Sitting on the floor next to a giant teddy bear, she held her right leg tight against her chest and looked down, sighing so silently none of them could hear her.
On the wood tiled floor, next to her, was a rosy purple, torn up sleeveless shirt. The front collar area had been almost completely shredded by the raw energy outburst back then. She thought it was a miracle her body took no injury from it. However, it left another kind of mark.
Her hand slipped from her knee and down her collar bone until her fingers lightly touched the middle of her chest under her clothes. Where there used to be a patch of soft, warm skin, now was an equally warm but disturbingly hard geometrical lump. It didn't stick out at all, so much that even a thin shirt could keep it hidden, but the hard cut stone felt horribly wrong. Covering the place where the Stone joined with the flesh, what appeared to be a discrete golden crest formed a frame around the four-edged gleaming stone.
Her throat felt very tight and dry as she tried to swallow down the bitter taste in her mouth and she lowered her head even more. Trying to hold back her anxiety only seemed to make the Stone gleam more intensely through her clothes.
She felt nude, completely unable to control how much others could see through her emotions.
Kuroi seemed worried as he talked to her brother. She tried to keep on pace with the conversation in order to distract herself from the new unknown element in her body.
-So, what do we do now? Or rather, what do you intend to do now? - Makoto turned to the older boy with an accusative tone and an expressionless face.
-That'll depend on what... - The brown-haired boy turned to Sochin in one decisive movement - ...SHE intends to do now.
The girl looked at him, confused.
-...I just want to get away from all this...
-I know it isn't easy. If I had known that was going to happen when they used the stone...
-You SHOULD have known!! - Makoto yelled suddenly, merging the room in a deep silence for the next few seconds. Only then his chest was struck by a painful feeling of embarrassment, as if it was going to explode, and he realized he spoke up way too loud and bluntly.
-...Although I did know this could happen, the probability for it is extremely low. I do have to apologise, though. I thought I could keep them from using the stone at all.
-Apologising isn't gonna change much now...
-Yeah, it isn't. That's why I need Sochin-san's decision as soon as possible.
-What... decision? - The girl slowly asked.
-The stone is not harmful, but hiding it for the rest of your lifetime will most likely seem like a nightmare. Physical Education classes, medical examinations... eventually you'll want to have "someone", too, right?
-W-what are you bringing up at a time like this?! - She nervously squealed as her cheeks turned red. - That's none of your business!!
Kuroi forced a sad smile.
-Indeed, it doesn't concern me. But I know you both of you trusted me in one way or another, and I still allowed this to happen. However... in Dreffel there certainly is a way to remove that Half Ibniad from your body without leaving any trace.
-I knew where this conversation was going! You had it all planned from the beginning, didn't you? - Makoto exclaimed - Dragging us to Dreffel with you! From the moment you asked me how far would I be willing to go...
-I didn't. To be very honest, if I 'drag' you two along you'll just slow me down, and I have nothing to gain from it. When I asked you that question, I had in mind a situation in which one of you could be taken as a hostage, but they didn't even need that.
-Still, you're expecting us to rely on you again...?! How can we even be sure you're telling us the truth?
-Nii-chan... - Sochin whispered.
-Letting you come with me is all I can do to atone for my failure. It's all up to Sochin-san whether to accept it or not. Being with me may have its risks, and will take time, but in the end she will be rid of that Stone and then I'll be out of your lives for good.
-What if you fail again like you did today? What if we end up being killed while we're there? - Makoto insisted. Though he sounded like he was being rude or distrustful, the sweat drops running down his face and the hesitation in his eyes showed that he did not mean every single word.
-I won't deny, there's a chance I may fail. Just like you or anyone else may fail in certain situations.
-But if you truly had given it your all, then all this...
-Then what? I'm not an amazing strategist. I hardly score above the average human's intelligence. I can make wrong decisions and fail to see things sometimes. However, you're the one at fault here if you expected something from me that I never promised. - Kuroi interrupted him.
This time, the look in his eyes changed. He was much more serious.
-Your silly human concept of what a Deity is... How am I to blame for not being up to those expectations? Do you really believe there's some perfect being out there whose kindness exceeds human comprehension? Do you really believe there's such thing as perfection in this Universe?!
The boy stared at him and back at his sister, speechless.
-I'm sorry to disappoint, but this is what I'm like. A flawed, human-like being with some messed up abilities. I'm the kind of imperfection that you'll have to be trusting if your sister decides to live a normal life as if nothing ever happened. And I will be giving it my darn all while I'm at it, mind you.
The two turned to Sochin, waiting for an answer. As moments passed, the light emanating from the Stone became more intense until they could faintly notice it through her shirt.
-I'll be counting on you then, Kuroi-kun. - She replied.
-Hey, Sochin... Are you really sure about this? There's still time to remove the note we left for Mom and Dad and pretend nothing ever happened... - Makoto said, staring at the ground. - You know, they'll be home real soon after they know there was an incident at the park, since it's near our home...
He wasn't his usual self, and Kuroi knew this well. The fight from earlier had made him nervous.
-I'm scared too... - She replied, instinctively covering her chest area as she said this. - But even though it's only been roughly an hour, I know I don't want to live with this thing inside my body forever. Even if it's dangerous to go... Nii-chan, you don't have to come along.
Her words felt to the boy like being slapped on the face.
-...No, I'll go! I'm no coward, you're not gonna leave me behind just like that! - The blonde boy replied with a determined look in his eyes. All of his nervousness seemed to fade with these words.
Kuroi nodded with a faint smile of relief.
-Then it's settled.
Sochin nodded back to him and turned away from the two boys, trying to concentrate. The two siblings grabbed their backpacks from the floor and the girl's room was filled with silence for a few seconds as she tried to recall what had happened when Wyatt, the red-haired demigod who served as a backup force for Mera and Genji, forced a reaction between her and the Ibniad Stone.
"A strong enough emotion will probably do it.", she thought. "If that's the case..."
She concentrated on that moment even harder, until the terror she had felt before becoming unconscious roughly an hour ago seemed as real as if it was taking place once again. Trying to hold back a whimper, she stretched out her hands and the air between them started to distort. The Stone on her chest started glowing as brightly as before, shedding light upon the entire room.
Though he was witnessing it for the second time already, Makoto still watched in awe as the light surrounding them all condensed into a single point and grew into a glowing white spiral of particles big enough for them to enter.
-DREFFEL, YOU BETTER BE READY FOR US!! - Makoto yelled, shaking off the remaining tension in his body and mind. He took a deep breath as if he was going to dive and then jumped inside without hesitation.
Kuroi and Sochin exchanged looks, none of them really sure how to react. Kuroi shrugged and rushed into the gap after the younger boy.
Sochin took a step forward, but then stopped. She looked back at her bedroom, a neat and tidy place with a shelf for school manuals and many plush animals staring back at her. It was the one place where she ever really felt comfortable...
A sound of keys opening the front door reached her ears while she was distracted by her thoughts, and she could hear the voices of her parents. They had probably come to make sure she and Makoto weren't caught up in the incident.
Tears quickly filled her eyes. She covered her mouth tightly, holding back another whimper, and ran into the portal, hearing a soft buzzing sound as it closed behind her.
Unlike what she expected, there wasn't any land or a sky. Not even any ground to stand on. The three stood on some sort of invisible platform that did not make any sound under their feet, and around them everything was filled with glowing particles against a dark space. Makoto tried catching one of those particles, but it shattered when his hand touched it.
-Is this... Dreffel? - She asked, wiping the tears from her eyes and trying to get used to the light.
Kuroi smiled.
-This is only a passageway. You could call it the Dimensional Tissue itself, I guess. - The boy said, also discretely looking around. - It's been a long time since I've been here.
-So if we keep walking in front we will reach the other side? - Makoto risked, following another particle of light with his eyes and tucking his hands in his pockets as he followed the older one's lead.
The brown-haired boy nodded.
-But wait a second... if Dreffel is an entire World like Earth, doesn't that mean we might land just about anywhere?!
-Indeed that could be the case if every World didn't have special places where its energy is concentrated and which attract gaps. In the case of Dreffel, they are the thirteen temples scattered around the country of Suderion, the Holy Land. - Kuroi informed them. - Although there is still some uncertainty involved, we are sure to land somewhere near one of those temples... Which is a lucky coincidence, since they're precisely where I want to go.
-That's very convenient for sure, but... what about the part where you are supposed to help me get rid of THIS?! - Sochin asked, pressing a hand against her chest.
The demigod chuckled, stopped for a moment and turned to the two siblings.
-Don't worry. I won't betray you, ever. You know, since we'll be travelling, there's a fairly high chance that we'll come across someone able to help you. - He said, lightly patting the girl's head.
She pouted.
-I hope that's true!
-Like I said, very likely. We can also do some searching on the side to make things faster. And by the way, it's good to see that you're starting to act more like yourself again.
-...What's that supposed to mean?!
-Self-centered, distrustful and bratty. Truly a relief. - Kuroi replied with a smirk.
-Why you...!!
-Hey, look! Is that the other side? - Makoto interrupted them, pointing towards their front.
Once again, they saw a spiraling concentration of light particles. However, the other side was roughly visible through its center. To their eyes it appeared as little more than a blurry vision in tones of white, red and gold.
The boy sighed lightly in relief upon noticing the two had stopped teasing each other and were now focusing on reaching the other end of the passageway.
Kuroi felt a slight creep all over his body as they got closer to it.
"Finally... I'm home again!!"
Makoto and Sochin started walking a little faster, now more curious than afraid. As they got closer, the space they could see through the gap seemed to increase a little.
-Be careful now, we don't know exactly where we'll end up. We'd better stay close to each other while going out. - Kuroi advised the two, catching up to them.
As they went through the end of the passageway, they were swallowed by another near solid mass of light that blinded them for a few seconds. They heard the buzzing sound that indicated the gap was being closed, and each blinked several times before becoming well aware of the space surrounding them.
They felt suddenly even more hot than at home. It was clearly daytime, but the whole place was dark as the light entrances from the ceiling were covered by crimson cloth with golden embroideries. They were standing at the bottom of a flight of five wide, curved stairs leading to a platform where a small construction resembling an altar occupied the center, topped by a glass redoma covering a small wooden chest. In the other direction there was an equally crimson-carpeted aisle surrounded by ivory-colored stone arcs connected to the floor through simple, uncarved pillars of round base. From the arcs, curtains made of the same golden-embroidered crimson cloth hung in an elegant manner. Though the whole place seemed rather welcoming, the atmosphere was tense.
It was Sochin who broke the silence among the three.
-This place is...?
-Do not move, trespassers!! - A strict, unfamiliar male voice interrupted her. - This is a holy place. State your intentions or leave this place immediately!
From behind one of the pillars, a young man rushed towards the aisle holding an arbalest. At first he looked like any other human, but the greenish markings on his cheeks, nose, wrists and ankles gave him a rather unusual appearance. His hair was flaming orange and cut short and his eyes looked pale gray. He was clad in a white robe with crimson decorations and bore a golden pendant in a necklace. His expression seemed rather unfriendly, but his hands were shaking lightly while holding the arbalest. He was unexperienced with it.
-I repeat, state your intentions! - He reinforced. - What do you kids think you're doing, suddenly appearing next to our city's Holy Relic? Did you plan on stealing it?
-P-please calm down... Makoto asked, raising his hands.
The other two raised their hands as well, hoping to solve the situation peacefully.
-The thing is... - The blonde boy continued. - We didn't want to come here specifically! You see, we just came from Earth and...
The man's face suddenly curled up into an even more fierce expression.
-Gaians in the Temple?! THAT'S UNFORGIVABLE!! GUARDS, GET THEM!!
-What?! We didn't do anything wrong!! - Makoto complained, looking around as several armored figures wearing the same white and crimson clothing came from behind the curtains and started surrounding them with polearms in hand. He tried to run through an opening, but Kuroi grabbed his arm firmly.
-Don't try to run, this will only make things worse. - He said. - We didn't do a thing, we can solve this peacefully.
The guards steadily formed a circle around the group with their polearms pointed at them. One of the guards, who had a slightly more decorated armor plate, turned his head to the orange-haired man.
-What do we do with them? They haven't done anything, but...
-Lock them up for now. - He said, slowly lowering his arbalest out of shooting position. - We will decide what to do with them when the Matriarch arrives. The fools, interfering with the Temple at a time like this...
The head of the guards nodded, and the others started moving their polearms back and forth as if telling them to move.
-Hey, there's no need for that! Just tell us the way and we'll go without complaining, alright? - Makoto exclaimed. - That's a pretty rude way of treating innocent people...
-They can't talk to us, Makoto. Temple Guards, including their captain, are under a seal that prevents them from talking to prisoners or anyone being placed under arrest. - Kuroi said as he started walking. - It prevents them from starting a conversation and getting distracted.
-Eh, that's pretty strict...
As they walked to the back of the building, there seemed to be less and less windows where light could come from. If anything, they thought, the temperature was slightly more bearable like that, but when they started walking down a narrow corridor with a stairway leading to a basement-like area they were struck by a terrible smell coming from below.
-Hey, Kuroi-kun... - Sochin whispered to him. - Can't you just tell them that you are...
-No way. I'll have to keep my identity hidden in order to avoid getting too much attention, or else we may run into danger sooner than necessary. - He whispered back.
-How is this smell not dangerous already?!
As she raised her voice, one of the guards threatened them with his polearm. They had to remain silent for the rest of the way.
Kuroi, Makoto and Sochin were slowly driven in the dark into a jail-like room by the armed Guards, under close supervision by their Captain. The only source of light was a torch held by him. While the metallic door was being locked on them, Makoto became increasingly aware that the smell was that of rotting meat and a chill went down his spine.
-Hey, at least tell us when we'll be able to get out! - He yelled at the door. - This place smells like you need to hire a cleaning lady!
-You heard Brother Samal... When the Matriarch arrives. - The Captain's voice replied from the other side. Then, from the small opening in the door, they watched as the torch's light vanished along with the sound of many footsteps up the stairway.
-...He talked.
-This isn't exactly what I was expecting for a welcoming party... - Sochin mumbled. - They didn't seem very sympathetic either, what are we gonna do if they intend on keeping us locked up in here for, say, a month?
-I didn't expect this, either... With our luck, we landed straight next to a Temple's Altar. We're gonna have to follow their indications until they can believe our innocence... Everything should be sorted out for as long as we don't try anything suspicious until their Matriarch arrives. That shouldn't take too long...
-Better not, because I'm getting hungry... - The blonde boy complained.
-How can you even get hungry while feeling this smell? It's unbearable! - His sister replied.
-Oh, please, will you two shut up?! Like I said, everything will work out fine for as long as we don't do anything suspic...
Before Kuroi was able to finish his sentence, he was interrupted by a huge impact noise coming directly from across the outer stone wall. As they became increasingly surrounded by dust and powder, they fell a gust of warm wind through their bodies and their eyes felt pain from the sudden exposure to light as the wall at the back of their cage shattered as if it were made of sugar cubes.
A rash, loud voice laughing maniacally rang through their ears as the dust finally started to dissipate and Kuroi had a terrible feeling about the situation they had just gotten into.
-So these are the gaians who tried to steal the Relic just now? You people don't look like much, but I must admit that was a pretty bold attempt! I'm impressed, you hear me? Very impressed!
-Eh, who is that guy... - Makoto mumbled, coughing up a little.
-So you ask who I am? Have you never heard of me, gaian? Very well, I shall enlighten you!! - The voice replied, apparently unaware of it being a rhetorical question. Finally, the dust settled down and they were able to see the person who had blown up their jail wall.
He didn't look very mature, roughly being of the same age as Kuroi. His heavily tanned skin, slashed across by several blood red sharp stripe markings, highlighted the huge, bright red eyes that easily drew a lot of attention. His wavy hair was very dark gray, almost black, and most of it was covered by a large, ivory colored bandana. His fringe, long and unkempt, gave him a wild and playful look. He wore a long, blood red vest with leather and buckle closing over a white tunic with huge sleeves, a pale green short scarf covering his neck and part of his chin, a pair of wristbands of the same color as his vest, blue short pants made of a very light material and light brown leather sandals. He stood on top of the pile of debris created by the explosion with his arms crossed and bearing a triumphant look on his face.
-My name, listen well, is Hamed Al-Faahyir! King of all thieves in the vast region of Sayden and its area of influence! Though your methods are unpolished and uneffective, I must say that warping right into the temple is a style I really like. As such, I will concede to the three of you the honor of joining me as my underlings!! - He yelled, gazing upon the group like a proud father.
"Eh, we found someone louder than Nii-chan..."
"What's with this guy's attitude? Was it his ego that crushed down this wall?!"
Only Kuroi seemed too confused to face their unrequested rescuer. A jailbreaking attempt would pretty much mean having guards from the entire city out for their hide, but at the same time that meant they could not stay there any longer. To make matters more complicated, that guy's face and name seemed very familiar to him for some reason. Unable to peek beyond the remains of the wall, he looked at him and waved discretely to get his attention.
-How many men did you bring with you? Can you escort us to safety? - He asked.
-Are you really considering teaming up with this guy? - Sochin whispered to him. - He seems like the last person we want to have around if we're gonna stay out of trouble!
Ignoring her comment, Kuroi kept waiting for an answer.
-So you intend to barge out of here in style, huh? Good, I like that! - The red-eyed boy replied, pulling his fringe away from his face with a quick gesture and talking with his hands on his belt. - I came pretty much alone and I only have a dagger with me, but I can ensure you I'm the safest escorting team you'll ever have!
-Very well then, please get us out of here! Then we'll talk! - Kuroi replied.
-Senpai, are you out of your mind? This Hamed guy might have just saved us, but he said he's a thief! As if everything else about him wasn't fishy enough, going with him will mean bringing even more suspiciousness upon us! - Makoto whispered to him as they climbed up the broken wall to the outside.
After the two boys were out, Hamed offered to help Sochin up in an exaggerated gentlemanly manner.
-Don't worry. - Kuroi replied with a smile. - I've got a pretty good hunch about this.
-Eh, out of the blue...
