After all, I'm still alive.
"On My Two Feet - Theme of Reggie the Traveler" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM5jj0ovDJg (Kino no Tabi - Everyone)
"People often say I'm a good person. Honestly, I think that's a lie.
I don't have things figured out and I'm winging most things in life. The good things I do are because... If I didn't do them, I'd feel that regret for the rest of my life.
I really think I'm an empty person inside. But every time I think that, I encounter something truly beautiful.
Well. I guess my definitions and your definition of beauty doesn't line up. As even just seeing the daily life of someone as I travel in some far off culture is beauty to me.
I can't stop until I find that witch, but... I think it's okay if I meet a premature end. When I do, I hope whoever I'm travelling with has the courtesy to bury me in a nice coffin."
"If you're reading this, you're either me or someone else who found this journal after I died. Either way, this is my travelogue, where I've noted all my travels across the Eternal Blue. My story is somewhere in the middle, but to put it simply, I was cursed by a Witch. My entire village was and they exiled me alone to try to find a cure for that curse. I don't think I'll ever find it, to be honest. However, I'm still walking and looking for it even though I hesitate every time the wind blows.
After all, I'm still alive."
Prologue - Why Do You Live?
Chapter One - The Land of Literature
Chapter Two - The Underground Land
Chapter Three - The Land of Legal Murder
Chapter Four - The Land of Persecution
Chapter Five - The Land of the Cursed
Chapter Six - My Homeland
Chapter Seven - The Incognito Land
Chapter Eight - The Land I Wished To Die In (edited)Prologue: Why Do You Live? (edited)A campfire in the middle of a dark forest.
Plentiful trees surround them, thus masking the sky. Even if the sky weren't masked however, it would still be dark out.
It was night time, but even if it were day time, the forest would give that kind of effect.
It was the perfect place to be mugged. It was close to a town, which was why.
- But that town was already long gone. So no one would be there to mug the traveler that rested there.
Even so, beasts still prowled the night. And in areas like these, many would expect an Abnormality.
It was a world devoid of any light. But there was a human light.
In it sat five things.
A campfire, but little firewood was used. Instead, newspapers were being burnt up.
A tent. One singular for the single traveler.
A motorcycle. The traveler's own method of travelling.
A spirit. A shikigami type, a summoned companion.
And lastly, the traveler himself. Wearing a gifted hoodie that he grew into. Strange black marks were around his entire body.
An illness. A curse.
The boy was staring at the campfire with a look of disdain in his face.
In specific, he had a scowl while watching as the newspapers that he threw into it.
The newspapers burnt up and turned to ash. The more ash was formed, the longer his frown went.
"Maybe I should have looked for more firewood instead."
The spirit said.
They were the spirit of a Dragon. The actual Dragon was lightyears away in a Space Colony.
But he was to be Reggie's companion until he turned 18 years old and would be able to travel on his own without a legal guardian.
The two had been travelling for about 7 years now. But the time for her departure was soon.
"Soon, even that hoodie you cherish so much is going to become too worn out to use."
She commented. The Dragon knew why the newspapers meant so much to Reggie.
They were the only thing left of that village that they visited. The rest was all lost to the pyroclastic flow.
And here he was, turning that too into ash. Soon, nothing would actually be left of that village.There was a brief moment of silence.
The man stared at his black spots once more. That curse.
That illness. Every time he is alone like this- he always looks at those spots.
They're all over his skin, so he can't miss it. He will always be reminded of it.
"People often say I'm a good person. Honestly, I think that's a lie.
I don't have things figured out and I'm winging most things in life. The good things I do are because... If I didn't do them, I'd feel that regret for the rest of my life."
He begun his soliloquy. As he watched as a regret formed.
Another list of piling regrets. "I really think I'm an empty person inside. But every time I think that, I encounter something truly beautiful.
Well. I guess my definitions and your definition of beauty doesn't line up. As even just seeing the daily life of someone as I travel in some far off culture is beauty to me."
He put his hands together as he smiled slightly. "I can't stop until I find that witch, but... I think it's okay if I meet a premature end. When I do, I hope whoever I'm travelling with has the courtesy to bury me in a nice coffin."The dragon spirit reeled back a little.
They were surprised, but they weren't shocked. She saw this outcome coming.
But to her, she didn't expect it so soon. "Kicking in the bucket already?
Honestly, you lasted pretty long. Seven years of straight travelling and you haven't even met that witch once..."Reggie shook his head. "No, I'm not saying I should give up, Tai."
It was a statement that confused the both of them.The Dragon taunted Reggie. There was a hint of annoyance in her voice.
She was frustrated on why she couldn't get Reggie.Reggie too, did not get himself.
"Honestly, I don't really get it either. It's like... How I wouldn't run out of the way if I saw a car swerving towards me."
He stared at the campfire- no longer frowning. "I think that's why I'm fine with travelling aimlessly like this. I think it's helping me understand myself better."
A slight pause. "... Did that make any sense?"A single shake of her head. "Not at all."Reggie chuckled slowly. "Haha, that's about what you expected.
Tomorrow, we should be headed to a nearby town. Will take about 2 hours, so it won't be that long." As if a switch was flipped in his head...
All sentimentalities from this traveler faded. The only thing left...
... Was a desire to keep on moving forward. "I heard they're known as the Land of the Bread. I know you're not a fan of mundane lands, but you DO need me to be well rested so we can keep finding the weird stuff, right?"The Dragon spirit shuffled over to the tent.
With a slight yawn, the spirit began to become translucent. "It's only mundane because you're so stingy with money. Can't you splurge on at least one of your travels?"Reggie also moved over to the tent... And let out a yawn. "Long road ahead of us, so I'm gonna catch some shut eye.
... Good night, Tai."
He plopped down on his tent quietly.Black tendrils extended from his body.
This was not his own doing. These tentacle-like appendages closed the tent.
Tai always found it eerie. Reggie doesn't like the feeling.
But it's a reminder of why they must travel. Reggie is cursed.
Cursed with something he does not understand. And until he either dies or finds a cure...
... He must keep on walking.PROLOGUE: FINISHChapter One: The Land of Literature
"Warmth of the Sheltered - Marion's Theme" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh9FkHS-XrQ (Mamomo - Fireplace) (edited)Reggie Marshall, age 17, stumbles onto a land of literature.
Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to call it a graveyard.
The winds pass by the traveler's face.
On a motorcycle, the traveler speeds by an old trail.
No buildings or manmade structures around this trail exist. It is a land of pure untouched nature.
Formations of rocks, almost in the shape of spikes, are all throughout the land. This land, while untouched, is a forsaken land.
Some sort of disaster happened a long time ago. In fact, every land had shown scars of a disaster.
There must have been some form of land fall or an earthquake times ago.
As aside from the old trail, even the forests look unnaturally rugged and hard to traverse.
It is in these moments where Reggie thanks the power of mankind. For without this trail, he wouldn't be able to get to his next destination.
Of course, the power of mankind could also do the opposite.
"... Aw man."
Reggie hits the breaks on the motorcyle. He lowers his leg and stomps it on the ground as the bike slides a little.
Taking off the goggles on his head, he looks ahead of himself. There's a big ravine right in front of him.
Overlooking the ravine is a large city. One with small walls and average-sized buildings...
But it is a big city. While definitely less technologically developed, there was nothing wrong with that. In fact, one might even call its stone and brick reliant architecture cozy.
There was just one issue. The bridge that bridges the gap between the uncultivated lands of wild and the city was burnt up.The small spirit that accompanied this traveler quickly stuck her head out of Reggie's large backpack.
It looked ahead over to the burnt bridge, letting out a big sigh.
This spirit was Reggie's only travel companion, who had been accompanying him since he left Hamel when he was 10 years old.
However, even though they have been together for this long, they couldn't be any more different.
A pessimistic voice escaped the voice of this spirit.
"The bridge looks like it was burnt recently. This couldn't have been done any earlier than last night."
She hopped out of Reggie's bag and jumped to the front of the motorcycle. Turning to face Reggie, she continued. "See? What did I tell you? That person who recommended this city seemed too happy to recommend it. The look on his face was too vacant. This place is just far too suspicious to visit, so let's turn tail." (edited)Reggie said, looking at the map he was offered of the local area.
It was pretty old. Despite the fact that the traveler whom recommended this place was rather young, around Reggie's age also. "And besides, it's a place called the Land of Literature. This isn't gonna be some sort of uncomfortable place that'll send off all of our danger alarms the moment we step in."
Reggie revved the engine of his bike. "It's close enough, so even if you think this place might be suspicious, it's better for us to have a roof on our head."The Spirit jumped back to Reggie's bag, snuggling herself deep in it.
But she stuck her head out, looking at the ravine. "Are you seriously gonna jump across the ravine?"Reggie quickly skidded and turned his motorcycle.
He went off the trail, into danger and into uncultivated lands. His motorcycle was designed for off roading, but the uneven terrain in these wild lands made that a bit too dangerous.
Even so, he strapped on his goggles and drove ahead. "Let's just circle around and approach it from another angle. The ravine ends pretty soon, according to the map, so at the pace we're going at... We'll be there within 30 minutes." (edited)The spirit rolled her eyes. "30 minutes is a bit too much for a sketchy location. Don't blame me if you get mugged because you're carrying around some books." And of course, she was giving Reggie her usual mood.Which didn't bother Reggie at all. They've been travelling for so long, so he really doesn't mind. "Besides... I don't know if you remember, but I sold all the books I had 3 towns ago to get some extra money.
The only book that I have left..." He closed his eyes for a second, letting his voice trail off.
He didn't have to say it. Both he and Tai already knew. It was his journal. Reggie started writing it when he was 13. 4 years worth of travelling all over the globe and across the Eternal Blue was in it.
Despite that... He had said this. "If I DO get mugged for my books, then...
... Whoever robs me would be pretty unsatisfied. The only book that I'm carrying isn't even all that interesting." (edited)---------------- + Amonda, The Land of Literature + ----------------------------
"Come, in, come in! I've got some perfect fresh bread right here in my bakery!"
"Oh, traveler! Please come into the Amonda gift shop! If you're staying for a short time, then get something to remember us with!"
"Traveler, traveler! You came just at the right moment! There's a once-in-a-lifetime stageplay about to occur in this very moment! You might just be able to get a ticket!"
The moment the traveler drove through the gates...
... Immediately, all sorts of local stores started vying for their attention. It seemed that the land was a cheerful land.
With mostly old people or people above their 40s. Reggie and Tai immediately noted how there weren't much children.
Despite that, the light in these old people shone like young people. Showing as much passion for their local businesses as young people would.
Almost every building was both a store and a home. With no chain in sight- not even a McDonalds or a 7/11 anywhere.
Despite that...Reggie said, driving down the roads.
There were little cars and mostly motorcycle drivers like he was. But more than that, people were mostly pedestrians.
This meant that the roads were not very occupied. There were little stoplights due to how little cars there were.
It was essentially a heavy traffic free city. "They've got such good road design that I can just drive freely like this... I'd kill to go for an evening stroll, but I'm pretty sure we need to save on gasoline..."
... All these people were vying for his attention. But Reggie was only focused on the road. (edited)Exactly why Tai was almost like a second set of eyes for Reggie and vice versa.
She stuffed herself out of Reggie's bag and spoke her observations. She always had them every time they entered a city like this.
The two of them already noted the lack of children. They would question that later.
Tai instead brought up something else. "... This place is a lot like a Minamoto region city, but its architecture is undeniably Prairie-like.
However." She lowered her eyebrows. "All sorts of important shops are bunched up together.
Thin and narrow alleyways. It's almost suffocating." She noted.
"Reggie. You're definitely going to get mugged here."Reggie stopped for a second and looked over to the right.
He could hear the shouts of a local cafe waving over at him to go visit and have a cup and a snack.
But he tuned them out and instead focused on the inside of the insides of the cafe. "... Whole lotta people in there. This place seems thriving enough. So maybe hold it on the "definitely", Tai."
He then drove ahead.Tai was about finished with her observation.
But then she had more to give after seeing what Reggie drived past. "We passed by a perfectly good hotel just now.
Reggie, are you even focusing on where you're going?"Reggie stopped right in front of something else.
He looked at the map of the local area given to him again. After squinting for a bit...
He put it back into his bag and stepped in front of him. He stepped in front of a store named "The Great Amonda Library."
It was a large library in the shape of a dome. Aside from the Central Government, this was surely the biggest establishment in the entire city.
Reggie put his hand on his hips as he looked at it. "The traveler who recommended us to this place spoke highly of this library. So if you don't mind, I'm going to check it out."She said, hopping onto his shoulder.
A whole lot of people were walking in and out of the Library. So it was also the most popular place in the city.
Even without stepping into the library, they both knew that this was the most important location in the whole city. Deserving of the name "Land of Literature."
What's weird is... That this city is not talked about at all. They hadn't heard of this city before and it is not a major city. Surely a land with the title "Land of Literature" would be more well known?
"Though... You should stay on guard, Reggie. This library... May not be as it seems." (edited)Reggie swung the doors open, and...
... Surely enough, it was a library. A really big library.
With three entire floors and a unique design. Winding stairs and hallways that are inconsistent.
If you took away the bookshelves and cozy furniture, one would be able to call it a labyrinth. But it was a beautiful labyrinth.
There were people in every corridor, every hallway. Again, mostly old people, but still lots of people. Reggie couldn't help but be taken aback by it.
As his feet gradually started moving without realizing it. "... See? Just a normal library." Reggie said, joking a little.
... But even he was starting to get suspicious. ("This many books in one place... Almost feels like they took all the books in the world and put them into one place.")
And yet. It wasn't famous. "I'll go visit the head librarian. Tai, into my bag." (edited)She said with a sigh, as she closed the zipper on Reggie's big bag.Reggie shook his head. "If you're gonna get bored, then go to a bar or something. I'm just gonna do a whole lot of reading, so you should probably consider that option."
He said with a rare smug tone as he head on ahead.The spirit exhaled. "... The both of us know I'm not leaving your side in a place like this."
Not because they both felt that it was dangerous. But perhaps...
... Something could be here. Something they were both travelling for. (edited)
After that...
The two arrived at the front desk of the library. Which, took some time due to Reggie getting lost on the way there.
The Librarian, contrary to most of the people in the city, was a young woman. She greeted the two whom arrived with vigor and joy. That however was just like the rest of the people in the city.
However. Reggie and Tai were the only people AT the front desk.
"Oh! Traveler! I don't think I've seen your face around here before. Welcome to Amonda, the Land of Literature!" She said, as she stretched her arms.
"Known for literature and books, Amonda highly prides itself on its history, biographies and mythology! Might I interest you in some recommendations right off the bat?"Reggie bit his finger as he muttered to himself. ("History, biographies and mythology...") ... A strange set of pairs.
Those aren't the first genres one would think of when they think of books OR literature. Perhaps maybe history, but the others?
This was the thought process of Reggie. He snapped himself out before he entered a deep monologue, however.
"Um... Do you know where I'd be able to find books relating to magic?"The hearted librarian responded rather quickly.
She pulled up a small book titled "LIBRARY RULES." as she flipped to a page with perfect precision.
"Sadly, books under these genres are considered dangerous books and need a Membership in order to access them." Reggie only skimmed through.
"Weapon Manuals", "Church History", "Primary Source War Journals..."
He understood what she meant by dangerous books. Those types of literature and books aren't meant to be handed out to every ordinary person. As they could be abused. "Getting a membership requires a screening with The Head Writer as well as a 300 KME subscription."Reggie immediately stepped back. "Geez... That's high. Nevermind then, scratch that."
He would just have to find a way to reword his question. When you think "books relating to magic", you usually think of Grimoires, Spellbooks and that such.
When in actuality, he wasn't looking for that at all. He scratched his chin for a second as he thought. "Uh.. How about books relating to folk tales? In specific, ones relating to curses and witches. Even that mythology you spoke of could help."Which didn't particularly seem like a very appealing idea due to how big the library was. It's the type of place that's easy to get lost in.
"Luckily... That's why we have assistants!" The Librarian pressed a button on the desk as a mic sprung out of it. "Yoo-hoo! We have a Traveler in need of assistance! Calling any assistant, you know the deal!"
And soon after...
From a back door, a girl stepped out of the back room. She looked to be around Reggie's age- the youngest person in the city yet.
The traveler and the assistant locked eyes for a second, both surprised by their ages.
As she bowed right on after, saying, "Hello. My name is Marion. I will be your assistant for the day."
She said, speaking in a rather robotic and stilted voice.However...
... Passing a rather annoyed look over to the young girl, the Librarian let out a sigh.
Even slowly slamming her hand down onto the desk to say, "Hey. Don't introduce yourself like that."
It's all she said.Reggie lowered an eyebrow.The assistant bowed down.
"I..." Pause. She looked uneasy, but then returned to her usual look. "I overheard the conversation you had earlier. If you are looking for folk tales, I will be able to help in navigating."Reggie said with a nod. "Please, lead on ahead. Oh, and..."
He offered his hand over to the girl. "Nice to meet you, Marion."For a second...
The girl looked deeply shocked. As if she had not expected that simple greeting.
Something like that was enough to stun her completely.
But then afterward... That expression vanished and she stood completely straight. "I understand. Follow me."
Marion then walked away, nodding over to Reggie to go follow.Reggie followed Marion without saying anything else.
It was in times like these... That he was glad to have a second pair of eyes. ("Tai. What does the Librarian look like right now?")Tai peeked out of Reggie's bag for a second.
She squinted over to the front desk. ("Well...")The Librarian was speaking into the mic.
But... The look on her face was nothing like the cheerful and heartful woman from earlier.
No. Instead, seemed to be sheer irritation and annoyance. Maybe even having a hint of anger dashed in as well.
They were being displayed so, so clearly.--------------- + Later On + --------------------------------Soon after...
... Reggie found himself on table. Reading book after book.
Piles of folk tales, history books and local stories... Those were the general works that Reggie was reading.
He didn't really look engrossed in them, however. In fact...
He was even starting to get a little tired. And it wasn't even evening yet.
"These books... Sure are pretty long."
Reggie said, closing up another one. Skimming wouldn't work, so he had to read them in detail... But also in a fast manner, seeing as how he had to claw through many books.Tai was also reading through some.
The one who was more appreciative of the arts and literature between the two was Tai.
However, because of this, she was also the slower reader of the two. And she seemed pretty impressed.
The two occasionally conversed while reading through many books.
"... This library is pretty damn impressive, though. I'm a harsh critic. And I've yet to find a single work that goes under a 5/10 in my criteria."The assistant commented.
She sat directly across the two. Marion was the one whom provided all of the books they were reading.
Even so. She was deeply impressed and also curious on how fast they were scrutinizing those books.
... And also how intensely they were reading through them. "Um... The two of you however look pretty dissatisfied.
Might I ask if there's any way I can help in narrowing down WHAT you're looking for...?"Reggie said, picking up another book and spreading it out.
He was ready for another long bout of reading. Though he did enjoy the works...
... He couldn't even find a single hint towards what he was looking for.
"... Well." He then sighed. Might as well try, he thought. "Have you heard of the White Witch?"It was clear she didn't know.
The assistant tilted her head. "White Witch is a name that doesn't really describe much. Any Magus could take up that moniker if they wanted to."Reggie said, exhaling.The assistant showed a bit of concern. "This White Witch... Do you have any business with them, perchance?"Reggie didn't speak.Instead, it was Tai who did.
She spoke in her usual tone of slight irritance and pessimism, but...
This time, there was a hint of sympathy. "This White Witch spread a plague on this kid's hometown.
He's looking to find a cure for his family- and his whole hometown."The woman had no other words to describe it.
She put her hand on her mouth, unable to show how much sympathy she was feeling towards the boy at this point.
She put her hands together, looking rather awkward. "Man... Now I feel bad about not being able to help you in finding any clues towards this White Witch..."
Marion bit her lip. "A Witch who can spread plagues... Curses are common, yes, but plagues? You'd hear Witches spreading curses whom turn people into pigs, or setting fire to farms... But ironically enough, plagues are uncommon."Reggie had little words for his situation. "It's a herculean task."Marion said, letting out a sigh.
She stared at her lap... Until she looked up at Reggie upon hearing him speak again.He chuckled slowly. "Haha... No need to apologize, then.
If the whereabouts to the White Witch were in something as simple as a Library, then this journey would've felt pointless and meandering. I didn't expect to find so much less than a drop of sand's worth of hints here."
... No. That was false.
Reggie wasn't expecting anything at all. Searching for hints had just become a habit for him.
That one day- they would find the needle in the haystack.Marion responded.And he gave Reggie own response shortly after thinking.
"Even if I don't find a clue- these books have been pretty nice to read.
That alone is worth it." Reggie closes his eyes. "And this city's been pretty nice. Everyone's warm and friendly. Especially you, who's willing to lend an ear to these demands of ours. Searching for specific books in this library can't be easy, can it?"Marion shuffled her head downwards.
"There's so many sections to remember and sub-divisions FOR that section...
And the tech we used is outdated, even in Prairies standards. All of our Mako goes... Elsewhere." She said, staring wistfully at the ceiling.
"So there's no real database for these books that's efficient. I just have to use my memory to navigate this place, and that's tough."Reggie said, now being the one to show concern.And the assistant... Took a moment to collect herself.
She put her hands together. Considering Reggie's words. And one thing rung through her head.
"That alone is worth it."
She had wondered what those words meant- what led someone who had gone on a herculean journey to say words like that...
For she didn't know. Marion could not understand this traveler. Of how he didn't even look the slightest bit depressed at his situation. "Not really, if I'm being honest.
But... Talking to you is fun." She knew that one thing, however.Tai cut in immediately after that.And Reggie nodded right after. "No argument there. I can't hold up a conversation very well, haha..." He said, laughing uneasily.She tapped her fingers together. "... I guess maybe it's just the novelty of talking to someone around my age?"
Then she shook her head, "Well... I hope you can find what you're looking for. Even if it is just a crumb of hints towards the White Witch..."Reggie smiled slowly. "And I hope you can start to find enjoyment towards your job, soon.
... If you can't, why don't you quit?"That...
That seemed to strike a spot within Marion.
For it was the one thing that no matter what, she could not consider.
"... There's no other place for someone like me to go." She spoke her mind clearly.Reggie couldn't help but frown at that.
"There's always a place for someone to go. The world's vast, you know?
Even if there's no place for you here in this city..." Reggie stood up as he finished his last book.
"... There's life beyond this city."Marion sat there for a second.
Contemplating those words as she stared without blinking. It is only after Reggie began to walk away that she realized he was leaving.
She stood up. But what caught her off guard was the speed in which she stood up. She almost seemed frantic. "W-Wait! Where are you going?"Reggie said with a wave.
As he began to walk off... He was stopped a second time.Marion said, almost shouting.He stood there for a second, as he turned around.
And said, "Yeah. I'll be sure to come."
Reggie was finally able to leave after that.
As he walked out of the library exit, the sun was setting.
He wasn't surprised about how much time he spent in that library. After all, each book was so long and in depth- highly detailed too.
He could get lost in the worlds detailed in them forever. But he had a goal in mind, so he couldn't.
"... That girl. I envy her, you know?"Tai said, still on Reggie's shoulder.
The two recalled the look on her face. More specifically...
... Her eyes. "She looked like she was full of dreams. Perhaps you said the right words for her to realize them."Reggie stretched his arms...
... As he moved over to a random hotel.------------------ + The Hotel + ---------------------------
The innkeeper had said at the front desk of the hotel.
When in developed cities and town, Tai is quite picky with the hotels. So she's practically the one who decides them.
Thus, it had taken them a while for them to pick out one.
The innkeeper said with the same tone as the librarian from earlier. Cheerful and welcoming.
In fact... That was the tone for all of the people he has met thus far but Marion.But he was no longer in a mood to suspect. Both he and Tai were pretty tired.
A good hotel was exactly what he needed to rest.
Putting his hands over his head, he thought.
Three days was the perfect amount of time for him to get a surface view look of a place.
Sometimes he'd stay less, like if he was in a sketchy location. Sometimes he'd stay more, if he knew there were hints on the White Witch's location.
But considering Reggie is disciplined and always out and about, he and Tai decided on three days to be the default timing for them to stay in one place.
After that, he'd only return if it had a good harbor or airport. Or if enough time has passed for the city or town to have gone through drastic changes.
"I'm off to bed then. Thank you for accommodating me-"
Reggie was about to hit slumber, until... (edited)The doors... Swung open. Marion was at the front door carrying a basket of gifts.
And for some reason- every single person in the hotel looked at her.
Reggie included. But the gaze of every other employee, visitor and janitor stared directly at the entree.
She didn't mind this and looked straight on to Reggie.
"Um... Traveler! For earlier, I bought you a few gifts. I hope you-"And...
The Innkeeper spoke in a harsh tone. This immediately set Reggie and Tai on guard.
Their guards were lowered due to how surprisingly enjoyable the stay was. But this time however-
- They now would have it on for the rest of their day.Some of the visitors and employees stood up from their seats.
And they were slowly moving over to the door. "- M-My apologies!"
And she forcefully slammed the doors close.
One could hear a loud skitter away. Marion was leaving fast.Reggie was not about to start asking questions.
He knew he wouldn't get any answers. He's been in this song and dance many, many times ago.
So he flipped on the skepticism switch. In this situation, those behind a scheme already had a list of questions prepared.
If Reggie asked "What just happened" or "Do you know Marion?" then he would no doubt get an answer that they've already prepared. To hide as much information as possible.
In situations like these, it is best to ask questions... They haven't prepared for entirely.
"Hey. Why's that door labelled "Do Not Enter"?" Reggie said, pointing over to it.
There is a door with a big sign that said exactly that.Right on the mark. He stuttered.
When caught off guard like that- they don't think... And respond to the question with the full truth.
The innkeeper's hands shook. "It's... A list of private books. A bunch of books are there which travelers aren't supposed to read, so steer clear of it.
S-Sorry for that scene earlier. Our city has a few... Practices which might seem odd to foreigners."Reggie said with a grin.
It was a grin made to ease everyone up. "I'm not really surprised you know Marion either. This city's a bit small, so it seems like the type of place where everyone would know everyone."
A lie. "So I'll be heading off to bed now. Again, thanks for accommodating me." A half-lie.
Reggie gave a wave over to the innkeeper and walked upstairs.
The moment he was upstairs... ("... Tai. Count the number of rooms here. Even better if you can count the number of employees here. And best if you can get their names too.")Tai hopped out of Reggie's bag. Going full incorporeal...
She was now only visible to those with very high spiritual awareness. ("Understood. You sure you don't need me to go check the inside of that private book room area too?")
Tai floated above Reggie. Reggie could no longer see her however.Reggie said...
... As he dashed down the stairs like a black flicker of light. A switch was flipped inside of him.
The supernatural speed he possessed was fast enough for him to sneak into the private book area without anyone realizing. Once the switch was flipped inside Reggie, he was equivalent to a shadow.
Unspottable and untrackable.
At the same time, Tai split up and began to count the number of rooms in the hotel, as well as the number of employees.
In this very hotel... The truth of the city was beginning to unfold.
By the end of the day, they had practically confirmed what the city truly was.------------ + That Night + ----------------------------------...
At that night, Marion had disobeyed orders.
Orders that at that point, were sown into her very soul. Even so, she ignored them.
She snuck into the hotel, very late at night. When she was sure everyone was sleeping.
In truth- it was only midnight. Most people are up at midnight, it's just that everyone is in their rooms.
But she was lucky that no one was patrolling the hotel hallways.
She didn't know where Reggie was staying at- so she had to guess.
Through trial and error- she peered into every room... And when she found him-
She didn't expect him to be awake.Swing. Swing. Swing. Swing.
With two sticks in his hands, he swung. Again and again.
Standing still. Sometimes advancing. Focusing on his form.
Swing. Swing. Swing. Swing.
He practiced his form. It was clear these two sticks were stand-ins for blades.
He practiced robotically. Performing these moves with such precision and artfulness, that one would dare to call him exactly that. A robot.
It wasn't clear when he was stopping. Or if he was even tired, for that manner.
Diagonal. Diagonal. Overhead. Sideways. This form looked like it was already perfected, but he kept doing it.
There was... An unbelievable amount of discipline and patience being practiced.Marion knew that she wouldn't be able to leave her gift inside Reggie's room as planned.
So instead- she placed it right in front of Reggie's door. Hoping it wouldn't be taking away.
She lowered the basket down on the mat and closed the door. After that, Marion ran away.
The next day, the basket was no longer there.--------------------- + The Library + -----------------------------Reggie stood at the front desk of the library on his second day here...
... As for a second, he couldn't believe what he was hearing.The Librarian stood at the front desk again, manning it like usual.
The day started like usual. Reggie woke up, ate breakfast, explored a bit... Then went to the library to confirm his suspicions.
After reading what was in the private section of the hotel, he already had a good feeling on what the city was.
Then he would confirm it on the second day and leave at the third. That was the plan.
This however, went beyond Reggie's expectations.Reggie stuffed his hands in his hoodie's pockets.
He wasn't about to let this throw off his thinking process. Though, it was clear on the look on his face. He was very bewildered and confused.
However, Reggie was an experienced traveler. He knew that he wouldn't get anything by questioning her.
This city had schemes going on in the background, after all.
So he would ask just three questions. The third was made just now and would be the first one he asked.
He took on a skeptical look. "... And we've met yesterday, yes?"The Librarian spoke as if nothing was wrong.
Still with that cheerful expression and look. "Of course! I couldn't forget those black spots on your body even if I wanted to. And you even have a Malta Hospitaller jacket. You sure have a unique look, you know?"
She wasn't lying. Neither Reggie or Tai could detect falsehood in her voice. She wasn't lying either when she talked about not knowing a Marion.
A pit formed in Reggie's stomach as he realized how deep the schemes went in this city.Pause.Silence from Reggie in a serious conversation is never a good thing.
It means he's lost in his own head.He shook his head. "Um... Yesterday, you mentioned someone called the Head Writer. Who might that be exactly?"
The biographies he read the other day mentioned them a lot. But he wanted to confirm it for himself.The Librarian smiled gleefully. "Why, he's the founder of this very library!
One day, when this city was nothing more than a little village... He managed to bring people here due to his writing quality alone. People would come from all over the WORLD to read his writings!"
... Which again, begged the question, of why this place wasn't more well heard of.
But by now, Reggie and Tai already knew the answer to that one. Or at least, they had a guess. "Hence why he's called the Head Writer. He wrote this entire place into existence."Reggie let out a small chuckle. "Heh."
Afterwards... He raised a finger.
"Can I schedule an appointment with him, then?" (edited)---------------------- + The Top of the Library + ---------------------------------The top of the library... Was unlike anything else in the entire city.
It was mostly made of brick and stone. Even the streets weren't that advanced.
It was deliberate, though. The city was meant to harken back to a simpler time with less technology. Most places in the Praires were like that.
Deliberately capping the amount of technology they can use and the level in which they are used. Some however did this due to poverty, but some did this intentionally. Amonda seemed to be the latter.
This room confirmed it. Made of a sleek concrete and chrome- it was an advanced room with cutting edge technology.
Furniture too advanced and made too well. Terminals and databases of high quality. And at the front desk, an advanced computer.
With one big window overlooking the entire city. The top of the library seemed to be the highest point of the city of Amonda, with the exception of its roof however.
And at the desk of the room...
"... You're the Head Writer. I'm... Reggie. Reggie Marshall."
It was a man with long white hair and formal wear.
And it was clear he was reaping the success of the advancements of humanity. Tech has made it possible for those to live longer lives. Magic can also do the same.
He carried himself like he was old, but he looked rather youthful. That same luxury... Was not applied to the rest of the city.
He stood up. The man was rather tall, so he had to look down on Reggie.
With his hands in his pockets, he approached with a smile. "Welcome to the peak of Amonda city, the Land of Literature.
That look in your eyes suggests you have urgent business with me." Which is what annoyed Reggie so much, as he had to wait until evening for this appointment. "Might you be a Malta Hospitaller operator?"Reggie shook his head. "No. This is just a gift from someone I knew long ago."
Which is a story for another time.
A story of when he met a certain Doctor in the Land of the Persecuted. "Regardless, let me get to the point."
Reggie reached for his bag as he pulled out a book. It was labeled,
"THE BIOGRAPHY OF WINSTON JONES." "I got this from the library. Pretty neat biography you have here."
As Reggie flipped through the pages, he skimmed through some. "Detailed as heck, too. Reading it just makes me feel like I'm living through his entire life."The Head Writer stared at Reggie intensely.And then...
His bag shifted.Tai jumped out of Reggie's bag, holding a book in her mouth.
Sitting on Reggie's shoulder- she showed the bag to the Head Writer fully.
"THE TRUE BIOGRAPHY OF WINSTON JONES." was its title. This was one Reggie stole from the hotel’s private book section. As Tai let Reggie take it, she gave her own words.
Summing up what she saw. "That thing..." Reggie flipped through it.
"... What the hell is it? It's a script. With a day to day schedule of how this Winston guy should act.
An entire personality bio filled with likes and dislikes. It's a script of somebody's entire life.
Head Writer. What is this farce of a city?" (edited)The Head Writer was caught off guard. He put his hands behind his back...
As he turned to face the big window. He let out a big sigh.
It seemed he hadn't had anyone confront him about this in a while- if ever at all.
He took a moment to recollect himself... Then he spoke with an introduction.
"My name is Lewin Blakwall. I'm the Head Writer of this place- but to be more accurate...
... I'm a gravekeeper. And this place is exactly that. A graveyard."Reggie stood next to the Head Writer.
When he walked in, he had sensed pride. Pride and zealousness.
As he described this place, it was the peak. But now... What filled his eyes was only lament.
Lewin stared onwards at every person in the city. Going by, walking past all with a happy look...
... Despite all of them being old or middle aged. With the vigor and joy of a little kid as they did their jobs.
"A graveyard can't be such a happy place. Unless... You found a way to turn a monotonous life into something everyone could enjoy."He put his hands behind his back. "Through both magic and science alike... I devised a way."
He let out a sigh. "The truth of this place is that it used to be a refuge city. Remember that conflict with Unity years ago, that oppressed group of Infected?"
Lewin stretched his arm out as he moved it from one end of the window to another.
Showing the scope of the entire city. "Most of the people here are former Unity members or people just torn apart by the war. This is a place where those scarred by war... Rest."
He frowned. "Those times were tough, you know. Going from place to place, scraping as much food as we could... We had no permanent residence as everywhere else was dealing with refugees like us. We just weren't so lucky- so we couldn't stay in any of those big cities. We were poor."
As war truly tears apart lives. Even if you don't want to be involved in it. "Even after that conflict ended, we had to make decisions every day. Treading the life between living and death with every monetary, financial, ethical and big choice we made. Suffice to say? We were sick of that life." (edited)Tai was clearly not in a listening mood.
She was frustrated and angry over what this city truly was, but she wanted it confirmed with someone else's voice.Lewin said, as he turned around.
He took the biographies that were in Reggie's hand and placed them on his desk.
Pulling out a drawer in that desk- it revealed other biographies. W.I.P biographies that he was writing. "Using a mixture of science and magic- but most of all, my writing...
... I gave everyone new identities. Entire names and new lives under this city." He closed his eyes.
"No longer would anyone have the pain of thought. No longer would anyone need to make any decisions.
They would just live the life written for them in this book. Everything pre-determined. And everything... Safe."Reggie stared on outside. As he thought to himself, looking on at every person. Living so happily...
"These people are living hollow lives. Not even being able to make a choice for themselves, because it's all been written out for them."
A life pre-determined. Only... "... But they all signed up for this, didn't they?
They signed up for this life... By choice."Even Tai began to calm down slowly.
Lewin took no pride in what he was saying at all. Judging based off of his tone, he even found it deplorable.
Even so. None of the three people could deny the happy looks on the faces of the people here.
These people... Who took the easy way out. "Not every human can be strong.
... At least instead of making things worse for others, these weakminded humans can be cordoned off in a location where they won't bother anyone else."Reggie... Then pulled out another book from his backpack.
It was titled, "THE BIOGRAPHY OF MARION MARSHAM."
This time. Reggie stared with anger in his eyes as his eyebrows furled downwards. "Why does she have a Biography?"Or in other words, This place should only be mentioned to others if you think they need this kind of life.
In Reggie's case... The person who recommended that Reggie should visit this place knew he was looking for a coffin.
"The Marsham family came to this place after getting kicked out of their job in Columbia. They had no place to go and rent was excruciatingly high... But one of them knew of this location and went here- so they wouldn't have to face anything like the high prices and unlivable conditions of Columbia."
Lewin closed his eyes. "Which also meant bringing along their daughter."Reggie said, looking over to Lewin.
"I talked to Marion the other day. And she doesn't like this place one bit. Nor her job."
Reggie gripped his fist. "I get all these old people wanting to have a little bit of peace in their lives... But a girl as young as that?" He lowers his eyebrows. "... She shouldn't have her whole life taken away just for being here. So let her go."Lewin stared on outside. He couldn't bare to face Reggie in the eyes again.
As he simply sighed. "This place also has a code for those who deviate the script.
To punish them... And to also erase them from existence. Marion will be getting her memories wiped and a new identity soon enough."
Lewin shrugged. "I'm sorry- but that's just how things work around here. To keep the peace, as much as possible."
The tone he was using pissed off Reggie and Tai. As if he couldn't do a thing about the situation.
The two were feeling a little bit of sympathy towards the man- but that was washed away once he had said that. "... Besides. Marion couldn't handle living a life with free will. She's just a girl. With no experience, being sheltered her whole life. Where could she go, if not here?"Tai however... Met eyes with Lewin.
With utmost confidence, the spirit spoke, "I wouldn't be so sure of that if I were you."Lewin at first was about to exchange words of his own with Tai...
But then he looked outside- the big window could see past the whole city.
And there was something happening in a street.... It was an escape.
Escaping from a lab-like building was Marion.
Although she was covered in wounds- she was battling a horde of people.
Shoving her way past them even though they came. Wave after wave. As if they were programmed to charge at her to not let her leave.
She struggled. None of them could make out her expression, only her figure.
But that didn't need to be seen. As she was fighting hard just to make it out of that lab.Tai looked back at Lewin as Reggie stepped forward.
The traveler and the spirit stood directly in front of their way out. "But graveyards don't kill the innocent. They only take the departed.
You better take that criticism to heart, Lewin Blakwall."Reggie held his arm out.
As he took deep breaths. Focusing on what he was about to do.
It was a stunt he hadn't pulled off in a while.For the first time, the Head Writer was caught off guard.
He was about to witness something more astonishing than anything he had written. Something... That could only be done if you had the free will to live an unpredictable life. Reggie did not know if he would live past what he was about to do.
Even so- he had to try. For that is what it meant to be alive. "What are you doing!? You can't survive a fall like that!"Reggie gave no wordds after that.
With a tackle- he jumped out of the window. Shattering the glass of the office.
And... At the same time he did- his black illness surged up. Surrounding his entire arm, a black-like ooze covered it and started surging.
Every time he made use of the tainted illness he was cursed with, he knew it would cut his lifespan down. Every time he used it, he would succumb more and more to it. But sometimes, he had no choice.
He stretched his hand out as it forcefully extended. Grappling onto the side of the building...
He swung.
Swinging in an arc- he was brought even higher up. This arc... Sent him flying ahead.
Combined with the jump off the building- Reggie was moving at an incredibly fast speed. "...!!!"
It was enough for him to swing in... And grab Marion with one arm- rescuing her.Of course, she was caught off guard by this.
She was covered in wounds in one second just for disobeying an arbitrary rule...
... And in the next- she was flying across the sky in someone's hands, swinging across the city she once thought she was stuck in.
How could she be anything other than surprised? "T-Traveler...?"Regige then landed.
After swinging across the city- his right arm was now covered in his tainted illness.
Now all black- it was numb and he wouldn't be able to move it for several days. It was in this time, he was lucky to have Tai.
As his own motorcycle was moving on its own- possessed by Tai. That was what he was standing on.
"Flashy enough for you, Tai?"Tai let out an exhale, speaking through the motorcycle.
"You know those types of stunts make me panic every time, Reggie.
... Avoid it, if you can." Despite usually acting snarky towards Reggie... It was in these moments that she showed her care towards him.Reggie said, then letting Marion sit down on the motorcycle more comfortably.
By this time- they were already out of the city. And...
... Into the vast, vast wilderness. "... How is it? The feeling of wind brushing past you."Her heart was beating so fast.
So much had happened in such a short time. And yet...
As she stared at the vast wilderness in an evening, illuminated only by the moonlight...
As the wind rushed past her face vigorously. The scenery rolling by.
Her heart slowed down. As she thought,
Maybe this is where she was meant to be her whole life. "It feels free."Reggie forced his numb hand to move. Breathing in and out...
He employed a technique known as "Circulation" to strengthen his body. Placing both his hands on the handles, he moved the motorcycle on his own.
Tai unpossessed the motorcycle and sat on his shoulder. He grinned slowly. "Making risks, taking detours here and there... Living a life decided on your own.
... But you know. That life can be hard sometimes."Tai hopped onto Reggie's shoulder.
The wind brushed past all three of them as they all stared onto the horizon.
A grin was on all of their faces. "Watching this dimwit sometimes makes me want to give up on him entirely. He does a lot of idiotic things, you know? All the time."
... But even so, she would never leave him.
Not until their contract had ended. "The shit that's out of your control can make that sort of life hard.
... Marion. You better remember where this city is." Because if it ever went south for her-
- She would at least have a coffin to return to.She remained in silence.
In just a few moments... The entire life of this one girl was turned over.
There would be no assured safety anymore. No set path to follow. No nets to catch her and no routine to keep by.
The only thing ahead of her... Was the future.
"No thanks.
... I don't think I'd give up this feeling of freedom for anything else."
There are people who wish to live in a cage.
And there are also people who wish to be free.------------------------ + Epilogue + ---------------------------------Standing at a nearby port town... It was not too far off from Amonda. It was the closest possible town.
Of course, it was a quaint little town with not much going on. A peaceful place- perfect for a person to take off and carve their own path somewhere else. For Reggie however, this place was something else.
... Reggie was squatting in front of a warehouse. A solemn look was on his face.
Dread filled both him and Tai as they stared at their savings.
Reggie was looking at both his Prairies credit card and his wallet. He was sure...
... That they were almost completely broke. A big frown filled Reggie's face.
"Yeah. I made a mistake. I'm broke."Tai said, smacking Reggie across the head with her tail.
As she sat down on Reggie's shoulder, she let out a huge sigh of frustration and disappointment.
The spirit began to rant. "What were you thinking?! Lending our motorcycle to Marion so she can live on her own... Then buying a new one...
What the hell is it with you and being dramatic?! You did NOT need to give your motorcycle so she could remember you! You ALREADY saved her from that city!"Reggie said, shyly putting his head down.
As he tapped his fingers together. "I still CANNOT get rid of old habits."Tai said, with another smack of his head. "Next time you get another crush on someone, tell them your name!!!"A dreadful realization passed by Reggie.
"...!!!" Reggie stood up...
As he began sprinting- even almost forgetting to stuff his wallet back into his pocket.
At full speed, he shouted, "- WAIT!!! MARIOOOON!!!
I FORGOT TO TELL YOU MY NAAAAAAAAAME!!!"Chapter One: END (edited)Chapter Two: The Underground Land
"An Inevitable Cycle" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4N8fdtbiDo (NINOMIYA Yuji - Lifework)Reggie Marshall, age 17, stumbles onto an underground land.
Or perhaps, it would be more accurate to call it a hamster wheel. (edited)This time, no winds pass by the traveler.
The Earth is a vast, vast place. Any sort of environment can exist and any sort of condition can exist.
As long as the souls of humans are still diverse in colors, so will the Earth, who reflects those colors.
In particular, the color of this place was dark and brown. There was no blue in sight aside from the blue of Reggie's favorite hoodie.
Because the traveler was underground. In a path as narrow as an alleyway, Reggie the traveler was going down a rough set of terrain.
The unstable set of the Earth calls for odd conditions and odd calls to defend against its many tribulations and trials. So certain cities and towns lived underground.
The region of Subterra was entirely underground, to boot. This is where Reggie was at the moment.
Stalacites and stalagtites all over. A dim brown, twisting caverns made traversable only through this trail Reggie followed.
Sometimes the cave would be narrow. Sometimes the cave would be huge, the trail being the only piece of land Reggie could stay on. If he inched just a bit off the trail, he would fall into the vast cave.
Nonetheless, the cave was already hard to traverse on foot. And Reggie was on a motorcycle.
"Aaaah. So the place up ahead really IS in the boonies, huh?" This did not bother him at all. Having been travelling since he was 10 or so years old, his skill in riding a motorcycle was almost unmatched.
What annoyed him however- was just the darkness. Traveling the trail was hard, but he has definitely been through crazier.
He hung his head as he squinted ahead. "The motorcycle headlights barely light the path ahead... Tai, we should get a new headlight."The small spirit that accompanied this traveler was riding on top of Reggie's helmet.
She let out a sigh, as per usual, still not impressed with Reggie.
Ever since they entered this specific trail, Tai has had a salty and sullen look ever since.
She objected going to the place in the first place. Whereas Reggie seemed excited.
As her usual, her pessimistic voice filled and echoed across the cave. "I told you so. Nothing about a place dubbed the Land of Thieves can be anything good."
She let out a loud exhale. "But you're already too far in to turn back. Honestly, Reggie... What the hell are you expecting out of this place? I bet by the time we'll hit the gate, it's dirty and covered in abnormality shit."Reggie readjusted his goggles.
He smiled brightly as he was used to Tai's voice by now. Her sullen state did not distract him at all.
It was on the contrary. The two seemed to energize each other to keep driving down the trail.
"Money."
He said, as simple as that. "Two possibilities here.
One. Either the place's so poor, they'll be willing to sell anything... So we can get stuff like gas and new headlights at a cheaper price."
He then smirked. "Two... The THIEVES are rich. So if they try to rob us, I'll just rob 'em back.
I know... It's a little unethical and all but-"Tai exhaled. "I'm surprised we actually agree on this. You're usually a goody two shoes, so I wasn't expecting that you'd go into a place like this to do something selfish."
Tai smirked slowly. "But thievery is another one of those things which I hate about humanity. All comes from the Earth anyways, so why steal what another person has?" It was a rhetorical question. Tai already knew.
Her outlook on life wasn't a very optimistic one. "It's simple. They're weak. Cowardly. Afraid of work.
There's no honor in thievery whatsoever." Then she looked over to Reggie. As if to challenge what he was about to do, despite agreeing with it. "... So are you saying that you're better than these thieves, so you can steal from them? Or are you lowering yourself down to their level?"Reggie lowered his head down.
For a second- a shadow covered his face. This particular area of the cave was really dark.
But in particular... This was the look of Reggie every time he forced himself to recall the past.
A smile escaped him. "I'm a traveler. All that I see is the property of the traveler.
Long as it gets me to the next place, I'll use it. That's how we operate."
Rules like honor or dignity were different to him than other people.
In fact, most travelers often had their own code of honor. No traveler had two of the same goal.
You could have truly deplorable ones who exploit cultures and those who respected it fully. Reggie fell somewhere in between..
"... Besides. If the place ahead owns up to their nickname, then we'd be ambushed right now." Reggie spoke, looking all around.
He could barely see the area around him. "This is why we need new headlights."Tai said with a soft bonk.
"You could be managing your money WAY better if you picked your locations better!" And that sullen mood of hers returned, as she really did want to go to the city ahead.
She kept softly bonking Reggie's head, but due to the helmet, he couldn't feel it. "Because the ACTUAL developed Subterran cities have lights down their trails! And better food!"Reggie let out a smug grin.
Without looking up at Tai, he just spoke. He knew he was right.
"If this is about better money management, I better not see you asking me to lend you money so you can go eat at some fancy restaurant or bar." Reggie adjusted his goggles.------------------- + Prima, The Land of Thieves + ----------------------------------Reggie started slowing down his motorcycle.
Although his headlights couldn't light very far ahead... This time, there were lights ahead.
Poor places in Subterra can't afford to light up the entire trail. So now that they were seeing artificial lights along the trail, that meant they were getting close to the city.
Reggie stopped. It seemed to be a gate.
An old gate. With lots of barricades, spikes and even rare metals. But it was clearly worn. Perhaps even decades old.
Reggie raised up his hands. "Exucse me...!"
He looked at his map again just to confirm, putting it in his bag. "Is this... Prima?
I'm a traveler! Looking to stay for a few days! Is the gate guard here?"
Some shifting was heard inside the gate.
Reggie realized that the gate was a military gate. As most gates are small.
But military gates tend to have entire rooms inside of them, as they double as bunkers and bases.
The old steel door opened slowly. "Ah...! A traveler? That's rare!"
A man in formal wear stepped out of the door. He seemed to have a cigarette in his mouth. "I'd say welcome, but I'd be lying if I said that. You DO know our name's subtitle, right? The Land of Thieves.
... I'd suggest you turn around if you're looking for a nice place to stay." He said, lowering his hat down.
A genuine warning.Reggie raised up his goggles and put it on his biker helmet.
"I'm not really looking for a NICE place to stay. Just a place to stay, that's all. Long as I got a roof covering me.
I'm only gonna stay here for..." He squinted and made a split second decision. "... Two days.
I doubt I can get robbed by these so called thieves if I just stick to the places that are safe." (edited)He said, seeming to recall when he got robbed himself.
Either way, Reggie noted that the look on his face was as if he could see them before his very eyes. Those thieves.
... And he noted that he sounded oddly prideful. "They've robbed entire safes even protected by Sigils and Engraved Mako. One time, a man was so paranoid that he barricaded his whole house with windows. And somehow, the thieves were able to steal his food without even breaking a single one."
Stories that he's heard. And not just from rumors- possibly from his friends too. "... Are you really sure you don't want to turn back?"Reggie took on his words and stared directly at him.
He wasn't thinking of anything in particular. Just...
... Noticing something. "... Are you hungry?" He asked.... As if on cue, his stomach grumbled. "... Why ask?"A little bit of time passes...
... And Reggie found himself in the depths of the cavern.A pistol on his hand. A larger sidearm, meant for war. It was an old gun that has seen a lot of use.
Though, as it was a gun, it was effective as always. It was a Colt Woodsman, a Columbian type weapon.
Abnormalities, beasts of magic bearing supernatural qualities, roamed the cavern.
With thick hides and stone-like attributes, they marked themselves as the lords of this cavern.
None would dare challenge them. At least, not if they could be guaranteed safety.
Which is why, Reggie, whom did not like using guns was forced to use one. "!"
BANG!
A shot resounded across. A four-legged Abnormality with lots of pig-like fat was shot in the head.
It let out a piercing shriek, as it collapsed to the ground. Dead. The abnormalities of the same type around it all stare at where the shot was fired.
"..."
A sharp breath in. His arm moved like a robot.
The moment those Abnormalities contracted their muscles to run at him slightly... Reggie had already shot all of them.
That left 5 bodies killed. "... Huff!" Reggie slid down a cliff and ran over to where the abnormalities lay dead. (edited)Tai was accompanying Reggie by his side.
Also sliding down the cliff, she walked over to where Reggie was. Wordlessly, he already took out one of his knives as he began to carve out the edible insides of the abnormality.
She looked up at Reggie, still sullen. "What's the point of this pointless diversion?
They already let you through the gate. You could go to the city already." Reggie was already past it.
And the city of Prima was in sight. Though it was underground, it wasn't illuminated very well.
The two could already get a good feeling as to why the place was called the land of thieves. "And you're wasting good bullets."Reggie crouched down and spoke with only a sideward glance over to Tai.
His full focus was on cutting up the abnormalities. Tai was someone he has been speaking to for years, so he didn't really have to put any thought at all when speaking to her.
"This town's a selfish town according to the name, so I'm acting selfishly here.
If I give 'em some food, then they'll give me something in return. Most likely. Probably."Tai didn't feel like questioning if whether or not Reggie knew for certain he'd be rewarded.
So instead she gave her observation. "Many people often say that you should do good things not expecting a reward. But really, how many saints like that exist?"
Reggie slowly stood up once he finished carving out the last one.
Tai looked over to the city as he did. It looked dirty even from the outside. Untrustworthy.
So the city probably earned its moniker well.He reached for his bag and dropped a bucket.
The stuff he carved out was placed into it one by one. "But... Not in this place.
Hence why I'm okay with acting selfishly. If I were here to make a difference, then I wouldn't.
But... We're just travelers."And in the end...
... Reggie really didn't get much at all. Except for a good meal.
The inside of the gate barracks wasn't really anything special.
Just as the outside suggested, it was old and almost run-down in some areas.
But the sleeping quarters and kitchen were the most well maintained. It made sense, as it was probably where these gate guards were.
Five people sat in the room. Three of the gate guards. One traveler and his Guardian Spirit.
All while some stew was being eaten all around. Though one of them was still cooking for themselves- being the chef.
"Maaan! I didn't think those Abnormalities even COULD be killed, you know?! They're so damn fast, and hard to shoot at! Especially at this darkness! That aim of yours is real good, traveler!"Reggie's sharpshooting skill was good, but it was moreso because he's used firearms for so long.
His real expertise... Lies in something much more natural.
However. He couldn't play the cool facade he always did, as... "... Oh man, this food's good."
Due to his Tainted Illness, he couldn't feel things very well. So when food tastes good for Reggie...
... The food's quality was superbly made. (edited)
The third border guard said.
He was eating some of the stew for himself. And he was eating it quite ravenously, despite his reserved appearance.
The three seemed to be hungry. "I was watching the whole time you dealt with those Abnormalities, by the way.
Wanna become a border guard? Most thieves here don't mess with the border guards, and we get paid pretty highly."Reggie said, waving his hand in the air.
"I can't tie myself down to one place. There's..." Reggie closed his eyes. "Something I have to do. Someone I must find."
... Even when distracted with stew,
he can never forget the reason why he must travel. No matter what.The border guard leaned in closer, lowering his bowl of stew.
His eyebrows went up and down rapidly, as he gave a cheeky smirk. "Might it be... Someone you love?
Starstruck lovers separated by the distance of the world?!"- SMACK!
The moment he finished his statement, Tai threw over a potato from her bowl of stew over to Adrien's head.
"Poor joke."Tai only requested stew because she wanted to taste it. So she was given a smaller serving.
It seemed like she was enjoying it quietly, though. Calming down, the third gate guard Kei exhaled.
He lowered his bowl and looked over to Rafal. "You know, your future wife's gonna be happy to eat your cooking every day once you get married. Almost makes me wish I was gay for you, dude."Rafal said, not even looking that shocked.
But Reggie noted that the three guards seemed especially close. Maybe even best friends.
Rafal cooked his stew last and sat down in front of the group. They were all sitting on the ground around and eating on a mat.
The barrack's only table seemed to have been broken. "... But. Yeah. I can imagine her smile every day as she wakes up and eats breakfast...
I just wonder if I should quit this whole thing, you know? For her."Adrien looked up at Rafal seriously. "You've gotta keep a woman happy somehow.
... You're a peaceful man, Rafal. If only you had been born in a different city."
... Reggie couldn't have helped but feel like he was missing some major context.Kei slowly smiled.
"... And there's no way the three of us are quitting this any time soon."Rafal rubbed his eyes. "Thanks, guys."
And then he looked over to Reggie. "And thank you too. Been a while since we got to eat a meal as good as this.
Meals tend to lighten up the mood, so... Really man, thanks."
He then looked at him with a serious look. "... And are you sure you wanna go into that city?"Reggie nodded without thinking much about it. "Yeah, I'm going."
He stood up and rubbed his mouth with his hand. "Thanks for the meal, you guys. Probably one of the best I've had in weeks."
And then he bowed deeply. "I'll be off."
... But before he stepped out, he whispered to Tai. ("Tai. Spirit form.")Reggie walked out of the living quarters of the gate barracks with Reggie.
As soon as the two were out of sight, though...
Tai vanished. Being only visible to those with high spiritual awareness.Reggie stepped out of the gates soon after.
He held one grip on his bag as he stopped and looked over to the city he was entering.
Dirty, he thought to himself. But it didn't really matter to him.
He began to step forward, and...He heard the shout of the first gate guard he met, but he was nowhere to be seen. He must have still been in the living quarters. "We wanna give you something nice for hunting all 'dat for us!"
Reggie turned away to look outside- but there was no one indoors.- The sound of guns raising could be heard.
The very distinct sound that only those with hostile intent could make.
Reggie slowly turned around.The three men... Were right behind Reggie.
All holding separate arms. Kei was holding a Winchester Rifle.
He was aiming it very clearly at Reggie's face. His grip was stable.
He has likely aimed that very gun to many other people in his lifetime. The look on his face was still.
Kei sighed. "Sorry, traveler. But we tried to warn you many times.
This is the Land of Thieves."The first gate guard he met was holding a M1911. A cheap type.
It looked worn too, so he was probably the least threatening to Reggie. But that did not change the fact that he was still holding a gun.
On his other hand was a set of Talismans with Sigils on them. Meant for disarming Spirits.
He was prepared to take down Tai too. "... We don't want to kill you, so just drop all your shit and go."Rafal was holding a double barrel shotgun.
While Kei and Adrien had hardened looks, he looked the most reluctant.
If basing off of psychological factor alone, Reggie thought Rafal would be the easiest to take down.
Of course. They had already drawn their weapons. Reggie has not.
"Yeah. Hands up where I can see them, pal. Bag on the ground."Reggie complied.
He unfastened his bag and let it collapse with a hard THUD.
He stepped ahead and raised his arms at the same time. High in the air.
Completely surrendering. "... May I leave now, then?"The first of the three thieves moved slowly over to Reggie...
Ready to crouch down and pick up his bag.
- The first room for failure.Kei shouted out.
The thief called out to Adrien. "Don't get near him." Once he had announced that...
Adrien took several steps back and held his pistol precisely. "... Take out your gun and drop it to the ground. Slowly."Reggie raised his hand and readied to move it.
- The second room for failure.Reggie was going to blind side them and reach for somewhere else entirely.
Reaching for his belt, he unfastened the holster and let it drop to the ground.
- The third room for failure.Kei said, glaring at Reggie.
He had failed a third time. Reggie was sure that these thieves... Were fierce and experienced.
He had already failed three times in escaping. Reggie only had two more attempts left, then he would already be done for.Adrien moved over to the holster...
... As he held it out. There was a revolver located in it, a Dawwar type revolver.
It was a Taurus Judge. Of course, these people have never seen that type of gun before, being rare to see in Western countries. Only having five shots, it's a budget gun. But one Reggie holds dear to him.
Adrien squinted as he dropped the revolver far away from Reggie. "What the hell kind of revolver was THAT?! I've never seen such a shabby lookin' gun in my whole life..."- This was the fourth room for failure. Though the moment Kei asked to check the gun inside the holster, that one was practically already busted.
The Land of Thieves earned its title and Reggie has only been in its gate.
Reggie turned around slowly and took his hoodie off. Attached to his back... Was a second holster with the Colt Woodsman.
"I see. So that's where you kept the gun you used on those abnormalities. Drop that one down to the ground too."The fifth one... Relied on psychological deception.
Every action he did and every word he said from the moment the fourth measure failed would matter.
Thus, the fifth measure of Reggie was his most risky. "I'll give you guys my bag now."- The fifth room for failure.Reggie reached for his pocket and took out a dagger.
Then he reached out to his second pocket, taking out a butterfly knife.
Then he took off his shoe and dropped down a small knife. Each one of them landed on the ground one after another.Rafal said, looking at the sheer amount of knives Reggie was carrying on him.
Yes, usually, Reggie does not carry this many weapons on him.
Usually he only carries with him his sticks and his Taurus Judge. Maybe even a machete or a bolo.
But... He brings weapons in when he knows that he'll kill someone.
The fifth and final measure was a weapon that only HE could have.Reggie said, holding a rather thick knife in his hands.
He held it with both of his hands and held it up well for everyone to see.
It was almost as large as a pistol. An unorthodox weapon... That only Reggie could use.
"..."All of them were staring at the knife. Like the Taurus Judge he carried, it was unorthodox.
But rather than being shabbily made, it was the opposite.
It looked high quality. TOO high quality. Kei took deep breaths.
- In truth, they were all Circulating at this very moment. Such thing was natural for fighters of this world, so none of them had really brought it to attention.
But Reggie noted... That Kei's Circulation was fading. He lost focus for a second.
It was akin to a heart skipping a beat. As he recognized the snake-like emblen on that knife... As well as something that resembled a gun trigger.
"Wait a second- that knife's from The Circle...!!!" He recognized it too late.
The Circle. The Anti-Explorer group, a group of organized crimedoers. "You're the-"BANG!
From a small hole in the knife- a bullet went flying out and shot through the air.
It landed straight in Kei's neck. "...!!!" And Reggie charged forward.The two... Were immediately caught into panic. Reggie was dashing over to Kei.
Kei was not dead yet. But... Soon he would be if Reggie was allowed to move.
Because the two were caught into a panic- they weren't able to move instantly.Reggie moved behind Kei and grabbed onto his shoulders while they were still dazed.
Holding his Blade Gun tightly- he stabbed it deep into the heart of Kei.
This time for sure... He was dead.Rafal shot his double barrel shotgun at Reggie.
Reggie made sure to take several paces back right before he shot at him. Shotguns have limited range.
If he were any closer- he would've been blown away.
But... Still holding onto the corpse of Kei, he used it as a shield. It blocked the bullets. "- BASTARD!" Rafal found this deplorable.- BANG! BANG! BANG!
Still with his Blade Gun stabbed through Kei's corpse...
He fired it while using it as a shield. He didn't mind that his arm was stuck through his body to perform this despicable feat.
He was all too used to it. "..."
The bullets shot through and landed on Adrien's shoulder and chest.He fell down as soon as he was shot.
Being the one farthest to the group, Reggie could tell his dynamic was one to hang back.
He had made a gamble and guessed he wasn't used to injuries. So he fell.Reggie dashed ahead. Rafal had already fired.
So with extreme precision... His free arm swung like a snake.
At first, his arm hit the side of Rafal. Then... As he prowled and sprung ahead, his elbow struck Rafal.
One movement of the arm. Two strikes.Rafal fell onto the ground.And once he did...
Reggie pointed his Blade Gun at Rafal's forehead.
Standing directly on top of him, he stared with an emotionless look.
"... This time, I'll take from you, thieves.
So sleep tight." Reggie smacked Rafal with the handle of his Blade Gun.
It knocked him out cleanly. "..."
Reggie stood up and stared at the pistol man. It seems he passed out of shock.
After that... He wordlessly moved over to his knives and put them back into his shoes.
There was not much going through his mind as he recollected his stuff. He let out an exhale right after that- finally dropping his focus and Circulation. (edited)Tai appeared in front of Reggie.
Exiting Spirit Form, she became corporeal once more.
She let out a huge sigh of relief once the whole thing was done. "... Good on you for telling me to go Spirit Form.
If they dealt with me... " She looked at the pistol man, where he had let go of the talismans in his hands. She didn't say anything more. "I guess there's a reason why you left them alive?"Reggie was pickpocketing the travelers.
Taking their belongings with him- including their wallets.
Though. He could not find Rafal's wallet on him. "Oh, this isn't their house.
I'm still going to Prima. and staying there for two days." Reggie smirks. "If they try to track me down again, then I'll just kill them. And if I can track them down, I'll rob their homes."
... A selfish Reggie is one to be feared. As he truly becomes coldhearted once someone has wronged him. (edited)------------------------- + Inner Prima + --------------------------- (edited)
Reggie had already found himself an inn. He had done all the things that he'd like to do.
He sold all his books at a local town, earning him a lot of money. Then, he bought motorcycle gas... And new headlights.
Much to Tai's dismay. He had no idea that a week later, he would then give away that same motorcycle to a girl that doesn't even know his name.
After that, he got himself a nice hotel. Well. Less nice... Moreso safe.
The inn was more like a house turned inn. It was a four story building and rather narrow.
But it was the cleanest out of all of them and the closest to the exit.
Right now, Reggie was talking to the innkeeper after booking a room. "I guess it makes sense. You wouldn't really want to stay in a place like this...
Oh, but the cities of Martisi, Siracusa and Edemos are up ahead! Is that why you went through here?" (edited)Reggie did not have the guts to tell this innocent homeowner that he came here because he KNEW he could make a quick buck by donating literally anything.
The city seemed to be struggling. He took a look outside.
Dingy streets. Small houses and shanties. Even the government central was poor. In other cities, you could mistake it for a humble house. ESPECIALLY in Subterra, which prided itself on its architecture (and food).
Reggie then noted something. "... What's the mayor of this place like?" He asked a totally out of left field question.The innkeeper was caught off guard.
In truth, Reggie had been waiting to ask this question for a while. He hadn't questioned it for a while...
But as Reggie roamed the poor streets of Prima, he saw many armored men with weapons.
Knights with steel and traditional armor. Rather than military uniforms. Subterra was not KNOWN for its knights, that was Kathemeer.
And Prima was a Subterran country. "Well...
Our mayor's a rather strict man. See, Prima was affected heavily by the Unity Conflict." An incident years ago.
Where a group of infected rose up and caused wars in Lungmen, Dawwar and the Prairies. Causing untold amount of damage and displacing thousands. "Ever since then, thieves have been raiding this place. And so, the Knight system was formed. Well, more like stolen from Kathemeer. To try and fight back against the thieves."Reggie gave a smug remark. "... And I'm guessing that isn't working."She nodded solemnly.
Reggie asked this... Because the innkeeper was wearing armor just like the knights outside.
Putting her hands together, she said, "Mm. As much as we try to fight back, the thieves here are just... Too good.
The mayor's hard on us Knights because of it. He's almost given up on us, and isn't allocating much money into... Anything anymore."
She went silent after that.Reggie said.
He put his hands on the counter... As he tried to think of a way to shift the topic.
He raised a finger, trying to look more cheerful. "Um. Does this inn have a restaurant? It's dinner time, so I'm hoping to get a good one before I hit the sack."Arleta taps her fingers together.
As the Knight looked rather shy. She waved a finger in the air as she looked a bit ditzy.
"I can't cook."Reggie found this... To be utterly unbelievable.
One of the basic tenants of an innkeeper is to be able to know how to manage a house well.
That included communication skills, cleaning, organizing- and perhaps most importantly of all... Cooking.
Of course, in more urbanized places you'd just need to have a degree in Management or something else. But this was NOT an urbanized place. "Y-You've gotta be kidding me." So even he couldn't hide his disbelief.She looked around awkwardly.
Arleta scratched her hair. "So, uh, I had to make money somehow! And, uh, an inn was the only thing I COULD start seeing as my house is so big...
... But I really don't know any other skills than fighting. Most Knights don't."Tai stuffed her head out of Reggie's bag.
Looking at Arleta, she said, "That can't be right. There has to be something you can do..."
However...
All of their disbelief was shattered the MOMENT a kid went down the stairs.
They rushed down it, energetically. Fitting for a young boy.
Spreading his arms out wide- he stepped next to Reggie and jumped up and down.
"Mama! Mama! Let's go out to eat already, I'm hungry!!!"
Those words shattered Reggie and Tai's doubts.Reggie stared directly at Arleta.
"... I'll... I'll teach you how to cook..."
Out of sheer pity for an innkeeper who can't even cook, those words left him.... In the end, Reggie could never teach her the basics. She just couldn't get it.
So in the end, he just ended up cooking for this family instead.Reggie had cooked the same stew that the thieves from earlier had cooked for him.
Though for himself, Reggie made some military rations made for nutrition rather than enjoyment.
Since he couldn't taste food all too well, he didn't really mind eating nothing but that just for the sake of strengthening his body. "Your name's Reggie, right? Are you my papa?"Immediately after that statement, Arleta slammed her hand down on the table.
"Florian!" He said to the boy. "He's far too young to be your father. And besides... Don't you remember what your papa looks like?
He'll be coming home soon enough. You just have to be a good boy, and he'll return."The boy named Florian poked his chin. "Mmm... But I can't really remember how papa looked like..."
He smiled. "I thought he came home for sure, cuz' you said he cooked..." It was the frown of an innocent boy.
Everyone could tell- he just wanted to see his father. "... I'll keep on waiting, mama..."Reggie said, looking over to Arleta.
He looked over to Florian. The boy looked young, so there would be no way for him to understand what the two were saying if they used big words.
He crossed his arms. "I'm assuming because of the Unity Conflict."Arleta hung her head. "Because of the state of the city, I can't..." She tried to think of a way to word it so that Florian wouldn't understand. "He can't come to me as freely because of the line of work he finds himself in.
In fact, a lot of us in the city are suffering under that same issue. A lot of widows like me exist out there."
She looks out the window. "I'm just one victim... Out of many."Reggie said, trying to light up the mood again.Arleta held her hand up to her mouth, trying to prevent herself from laughing.
"Haha... I guess so." Arleta looked down again. "Sorry if that got gloomy. We don't really get many travelers.
In the first place, getting travelers in shouldn't happen. I mean... You know this place's title."Reggie stood up. He was finished with his rations. "I'm gonna take a walk outside, by the way.
Don't worry." Reggie gestured to his holster. "I've got a gun, so I'll be safe."Arleta waved over to Reggie.The boy also waved, smiling brightly. "Come again, mister!!! Your food was very good!!!"He couldn't help but smile after receiving the innocent praises of a boy.
So he gave his name. Something he rarely did. "It's... Reggie. That's my name."
He waved as he exited through the back door.
Where he moved over... Wasn't very far from the inn.
It was an ordinary alleyway, but one that was clearly crossed a lot. Late at night, not a lot of people cross it though.
Because the night was the domain of the thieves. Thus, everyone locked themselves indoors except for the patrolling Knights.
But if the stories of Adrien were to be believed... Then they somehow manage to steal from people anyways.
Reggie lets out a sigh as he moved over to his trap. It was his motorcycle.
Standing right below a streetlight. Reggie moved over to a dark alleyway as he hid in it, crouching down.The intent of the trap was to lure out those thieves from earlier and to finally rob them.
They would recognize his motorcycle and either try to look for him or take the motorcycle to their home. Or the third possibility- realize that it's a trap and panic.
The former was more likely. All were options Reggie would have liked.
Tai sat down next to Reggie as well. "Reggie. What do you think of this place?" Tai asked a basic question.Reggie lowered his eyebrows and looked above.
The sky... Could not be seen. "Even in places where there isn't any blue, happiness is the same everywhere."
... He stood up. "I'm giving up on my selfish desire now, Tai. Now I have to find out the truth."
He declared to Tai. The moment he learnt about the system of Knights... And how Arleta started an inn despite not knowing much about inn work at all...
He decided. That this was not a selfish city at all. He had made a mistake.
Reggie looked at his pocket as he pulled out something he stole from the knives. It was... A ruby ring. (edited)Tai was now intrigued.
She was used to the side of Reggie that was distant. She was used to the side of Reggie that was cold.
But what she rarely got to see... Was the Reggie that wanted to make a difference.
More than that, she was concerned. Because the last time she saw this side of Reggie was one year ago.
And he barely walked out of that one alive.Reggie chuckled. "Don't worry, don't worry. I'm not gonna do anything big, just...
... I'm gonna move where my trap is."--------------------- + Late Evening + ----------------------------One of the thieves was walking down the alley. M1911 in hand, they were looking for people to rob.
It was Rafal Majeski. The thief who had tried to rob Reggie earlier.
Prowling the streets, claiming his own domain... He walked uneasily.
Unsure if he should even be robbing people when one of his best friends- Kei- died because of this job.
So an uneasy look filled his face. It became even more uneasy...
When he noticed the motorcycle of the person who tried to rob him.
Which meant- he was near. He was probably sleeping somewhere near. As his eyes darted all around him. "That bastard didn't leave?!"
He said out loud to himself. As he looked behind him. "-!"Reggie was standing at the end of the street.
He stared off Rafal, with no particular look in his eyes. Not even hostility.
It was moreso just... Vacant. As if he was thinking of something else. But he did recognize Rafal.
He reached for his pocket... And pulled out a wallet. He threw it in front of Rafal. It was his wallet.
His other hand- held a ruby ring. "Here."
He flipped it up like a coin, shooting it towards Rafal.Rafal was about to raise up his gun and shoot at Reggie.
But- he had bigger priorities than that. Once he saw his ring flying through the air...
All thoughts about shooting him left him. Because unlike the other thieves... He was not battle hungry.
He reached out to his ring and grabbed it. However.
"-!" He sensed another presence behind him.It was the Knight.
Two who are not meant to meant. Knight and Thief.
Sworn enemies. Hunter and prey. Two people whom are meant to be enemies.
And yet. They did not stare at each other with that type of look. Instead...
They stared at each other with a look of longing. "Why... Why are you here? We can't meet like this."Rafal held onto his ring and cupped his fist. He wanted to hide it.
"I saw someone who I was gonna rob here. I totally forgot that this is where your new inn is.
I'm... I'm sorry.
I gotta... I gotta go." He turns around as he begins to leave.
Almost about to sprint away. (edited)She spoke out to Rafal's back.
"... Florian enjoyed one of our guest's cooking today. It was the brightest he's ever smiled in a while, you know? You should come back for him."
Reggie found it a funny coincidence that he just so happened to run into the wife of the person whom he wronged.
He though to himself that fate may perhaps exist after all.Rafal turned. Looking angry.
"Arleta, what the hell are you trying to pull here?!" He said, turning around.
"You BOTH know that I... I can't go back to you. We're living opposite lives, damn it! I'm playing this role for you, so don't guilt trip me and make me hope for something that can never come!"Arleta hangs her head. "I think the mayor's catching on.
That most of us Knights... Are letting you guys roam free."
Reggie could surmise from that statement. Arleta had mentioned earlier that there were a lot of widows like her.
So there was some sort of corruption or scheme going on in the city. One victim out of many. "He's paying us less and less. Soon after, we might be busted in our entirety."He gripped his fist and bit his lip.
"... If only that damn war never happened." The Unity Conflict. The scars of it run deeper than expected.Arleta stepped forward... And put her hands on Rafal's wrists. "Even if it's a short life-
Let's live it together. Please."His pupils shrunk. He was shocked.
At the level of resolve Arleta was showing.Arleta started to tear up.He bit his own tounge. Preventing those words from coming out...
As he shook his head. His mouth wavered and with force- he shook off Arleta.
Then he ran. He didn't know where he was running. Rafal just knew he had to run.
To get far. Physically and mentally. To not confront it. He turned some corners, rapidly and wildly...
... And then stopped. "... You."He was stopped by Reggie.
Who stood at the end of the alleyway he was running in.
Rafal no longer knew what to make of this man. As he stood there and looked at him with a detached expression.
All he knew is that he was afraid of this man. "... What's really going on in this city?"
He asked him. This time, he was sure he would get an answer.He stood there in shock.
Then he looked at his right hand- which was holding the engagement ring he had meant for Arleta.
- He wanted to quit more than Arleta did. But when faced with her, he froze.
"... This city's justice system is a sham."
He put his hand to his side. "This city's got 3 main residents. One. Ordinary people. Two. Former Unity members. And three... Former soldiers."
Rafal pointed to himself. "I'm the second type. Most thieves are.
And most of the Knights... Fall under the third type."Reggie said. "The guy in the brown coat was professional. Definitely led some kind of big squad before."Rafal said, scratching the back of his hair. "... He's one of my best friends too." Animosity still lingered in him against Reggie. "But. All of that shit's over now. Been like, what? 8 years since the Unity conflict happened? Eventually we ended up bonding with the soldiers that fought against us. Ironic, ain't it?"
He looked at Reggie directly. "But all those soldiers been fightin' for so long that- well, they've forgotten about everything BUT fighting. Most of us former Unity members are like that too." Rafal looked over to the direction of where the government main house was. "So we duped the mayor. Pretended to fight, and the Knights would get paid. Then they'd support our families as long as we kept the act up." (edited)He lowers his eyebrows. "There's nowhere for you to go. With your history as a Unity member, I doubt you can even flee to another country." As the scars are still lingering on people's minds, even 8 years after, it is dangerous to even move around if you have history with them.
"... Even if you kept this act up, you'd still die."
He spoke coldly.He shouted. "So what the hell am I supposed to do?!"Reggie closed his eyes... And spoke the ideology that defined him from his very heart.
"They say that death comes at the end of our life. When in actuality, it's always right behind us the entire time. No one knows when or how they're going to die.
That's why you have to live life to its fullest." Reggie said, slowly smiling.
"Marry her. And live happily."Rafal turned around. He didn't want to look at Reggie for any longer.
As he looked at the ring in his hands. His final chance.
Before him stood a crossroads. He thought at the end of both would be death.
When in actuality- his coffin was always lingering behind him. It was lingering behind everyone.
"... You're a real piece of work. First you kill my best friend, then you give me my happiness back. I don't even know if I can say thank you."
But he looked back at Reggie and smirked. "... So I'll just say bye."Reggie moved past him and began to walk over to the inn once again.
After this- they both hoped they would never see each other ever again.He stared onto his ring.
His future. With one deep breath...
Rafal ran out of the alleyway. "ARLETA!"
As the thief- the former soldier- no...
... The husband and loving father ran back home. "I HAVE SOMETHING I NEED TO TELL YOU!"Arleta was about to retire to her home.
She was about to put Florian to sleep and waste another night crying for the moon.
But this time. Daylight came.
In an underground land, the sun rose for her. "...?"Rafal reached Arleta right before she was about to close the doors to her house.
"Let's get married. And live a happy life- together."-------------------------- + Epilogue + ----------------------------------... For some reason, I found it hard to move.
Things were heavy. And cold too. I didn't care much for the cold...
But I always wanted to make sure that I'm comfortable when I sleep. Haven't I drilled it enough in Reggie's head that I ALWAYS need good sleep?
He's already 17 years old. He should know this by now and-
- I have hands.
"... Looks like I didn't notice. Today's that time of the year, isn't it?"
... I looked over to the corner of the room we were in.
Reggie kept with him a painting canvas and painting materials for occassions like these, but...
... "I guess I'll go see him."I saw Reggie sitting at the top of the roof of the inn.
He was sitting ontop of a bunch of boxes. How lame.
He must think he's edgy and cool, but in actuality, he just looks like a stupid nerd when he does stuff like this.
He was watching the buildings shut off one by one... Then he noticed my presence and looked at me.
"... Oh." He didn't seem to be all too shocked. Wow.
I guess nothing really CAN shock him, can it? "So you're able to assume your normal form..." Reggie said, still looking at me. He's not gonna get off those boxes, is he...?
How cruel. "I'm guessing it's that time of the year, then. Spiritual Convergence."
I moved over and then just stood next to Reggie. Again, how cruel.
So I just sat down and leaned my back on a wall of the roof.
I let out a sigh as I looked at my hands. "... But you're good with dates. You expected this would happen, didn't you?" It's why he bought painting supplies a few days ago.
Damn it. I should've realized...Reggie said, scratching his chin.
Spiritual Convergence is an event that happens once a year. When spirits are at their strongest.
Furyoku reaches an all time high, but only for spirits. Thus, it allows me to assume my normal form on Earth too.
My true self is on Gliese. As I wish to escape the Earth, which I do not find a suitable place to live. I only hope that the "Silver Galaxy" does not reach this Colony.
But in rare moments like these- I essentially have two bodies.I crossed my arms. "As cold as ever. You knew that this would happen, and you didn't go see me?"Reggie said, shrugging. "It's why I'm here on the roof anyways."Can't argue with that.Reggie said, looking over to her.-! Something hard hit my head. "- GUH!"
... Reggie threw over one of his wooden sticks over my head.
I rubbed it softly as... I don't know why, I slowly chuckled. "Haha... Okay, maybe that was deserved."Reggie seemed to let out a huge sigh. As he stared upwards at the cave ceiling of this city.
He rolled his eyes. "You KNOW I'm embarrassed about my early years. It's why I only started journaling when I was 13 years old, and even then I'm still embarrassed about some of the stuff I did back then."
He exhaled. "... But. Come to think of it. This is gonna be the last day I ever see you in this form, huh?
Cause..." Reggie finally jumped down the stacks of boxes he was on.
As he stared at his palms. No... What am I thinking? Every time he does that, he's not looking at his palms.
But the curse that he bares. The black spots over his body. "... I'm turning 18 next year. And our contract ends."I reached out my hand and pat Reggie on the head after that. "Then it's alright.
Feel free to hold onto me for as long as you want."
... I never really want to think about it, but I'm the closest thing Reggie has to a parent. With my brother being the closest thing he has to a father.
Lucky for a man like him to be raised by two legendary Dragons, but...
I couldn't hide my frown. For an injustice like this to happen- for Reggie to be FORCED to live this life...
Again. Another reason of why I do not care for this Earth, but... "... You've really changed, Reggie."Reggie said, sitting down next to me.I looked downwards. At the inn we were staying at.
A husband and wife were reunited because of him. "But if that's the case, you wouldn't have helped those two.
Your goal's changed, hasn't it, Reggie?"
... He's no longer looking for a cure and that's it. He's looking for a cure... So he can be with someone.Reggie didn't respond to that.
When Reggie was silent, it usually meant he was deep in thought. So he couldn't acknowledge that, huh?
Perhaps his goals were something he would need to seriously deliberate some other day.
Or perhaps he would forget about it. I don't really mind either way. I'm just here to take care of him until he's fully grown.
Where he goes after that... Is not my concern. But until then-
"Do you remember what I asked of you?" Reggie's spots... Were growing.
His Tainted Illness responded to his emotions. When he feels particularly strong emotions, the black would overtake him.... But deep down, I knew.He only mouthed the next words.
"Please be the one to kill me."Reggie let out a sigh...
And closed his eyes. After that- he was tired.
His Tainted Illness stopped surging and he closed his eyes. The boy finally fell asleep.
As he leaned on my shoulder, already snoring. His body gave out at that very instant.Tai looked over to her side. If she stood up, Reggie would fall flat on the hard ground.
... Again. Reggie can be totally cruel if he feels like it, but...
Again. I put my hand on his head again, ruffling his hair softly. "... It's just like last time.
I spent my last year like this too, didn't I?" So I might as well let him stay like this.
Perhaps... Even I will fall asleep too.
And then I dreamt of something. Last year's occasion.
Reggie's most deadly trip. One where he almost died in.Chapter Two: ENDChapter Three: The Land of Legal Murder
"The Oppressor - Theme of Reggie VS Prospero" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBiAA6BMxbU (One Piece - Lets Battle)Reggie Marshall, age 16, stumbles onto a land of legal murder.
It was exactly as it was described. No deceptions or lies to be found.Dies Irae, the Day of Wrath.
"Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla:
Teste David cum Sibylla."
The sky was a pitch black. Lines covered the entirety of the city.
Ruined buildings all over. Not a cloud in sight, yet there was rain.
It was a rain of crimson.
"Quantus tremor est futurus,
Quando Iudex est venturus,
Cuncta stricte discussurus."
The ground shook with power. The power of the Earth, the power of he who has embodied the Earth.
A time of pure and utter calamity. But there was no one to hear it.
Only two people and a spirit were here.
"Tuba, mirum spargens sonum
Per sepulchra regionum,
Coget omnes ante thronum."
Death was approaching. Death was all around him.
Unquenching and thirsting for the fallen traveler's own sustenance. He would not get to die until he has been drained dry.
Thus, to him, who has watched the whole town collapse before him... It was the end of the world.
"Mors stupebit, et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Iudicanti responsura."
But to him- it was a sight he was all too familiar with. The only difference being is that this time,
He had an enemy.-------------------- + ??? + ---------------------------------------Reggie shuffled in his blankets.
He rarely showed signs of displeasure of annoyance, but in his sleep...
One would notice that he rarely sleeps well. Nightmares strike him.
And it is when the black spots on him are at their absolute worst. They almost covered his entire lower body at that point.
Pitch, pure, vantablack. His darkest thoughts manifested in his head in his sleep. So they would show externally as well.
Both on his face and on his body.
But he was not having a nightmare. Rather, a premonition.
A blood red town. Bodies skewered all over. Decapitated, heads on the floor amongst a pool of scarlet.
Buildings shattered. Fire burning. And a red sky to complement this too.
Nothing else made sense. Only that everything was in fact, wrong. This sight...
... Reggie could not call it anything other than the end of the world.
"...!!!" And the traveler wakes once he came to the realization. "My... My glasses, my glasses...!!!"
... What he saw when he woke up was probably just as bad as the premonition he had. He scrambled his hand over the mat he was sleeping on as he frantically grabbed onto his glasses.
He put it back on, with a rough exhale afterwards. "... Haah." Then he exhaled, looking around.
... This wasn't his tent. Of course that was the first thought that entered his mind.
The second, was that the place was dirty. He was surely in some sort of shanty or anything like that.
A dirty cramped house with two mats. And minimal furniture. Only a table, some lights and a drawer... Where there was a lot of stuff in it. No windows at all.
Except, typically shanties use scrap metal in order to make their houses. But the house he was in was made of stone.
The place was deliberately designed... To be this cramped. "Tai. Are you here?"
Manifesting after a swirl of blue, the Guardian Spirit of Reggie Marshall appeared.
She appeared directly in front of Reggie. Usually, this is when they'd exchange their banter or short conversations...
But they were in a place that they had no idea about. An entire country, maybe.
Tai is Reggie's Guardian Spirit. So she only manifests when Reggie has mana to supply her with. Which means she was just as lost in the dark as she was.
She took a quick survey around the cramped room. "... At least we're alive.
After we were sailing to that island and that Abnormality attacked us from underwater... I was sure that would be the end for us." (edited)Reggie said, getting up.
He looked all around. His bag was nowhere to be seen- which means his weapons weren't anywhere.
Just by a quick look of the tiny house they were in, he felt like he was danger. So those were the first things Reggie searched for.
He put his hands in his hoodie's pockets. At least I still have this, Reggie thought to himself. That more than anything was let him keep his cool in this situation. "All things considered, we're pretty lucky.
One. We washed up on an island. Two. Someone found us and took us into their home. Three, we got away with only being totally robbed."
Reggie lowers his finger. "Which means it's stealing time." Immediately, he threw up his hood and walked outside.
This wasn't the first time he's been robbed nor would it be the first time he's stole from others.Tai hopped onto Reggie's shoulder.
With no bag to hide in, she decided that would be the next best place to stay in.
She didn't worry about looking off- because the two were sailing to the Ginto Archipelago, where spirituality and shamanism were more commonplace.
When the two walked outside... "Crap. What's that smell?"
The whole place was immediately setting off all of their warning signs.
A horrible smell that permated the entire street they were in. And the street was filthy as well.
The place was rural. Made mostly of stone and brick. No cars in sight, but rather carriages.
However soldiers in thick modern equipment could be seen roaming around the place. The buildings were small.
Big yellow squares of stone. But with tiny rooms, like the one Reggie was in. All bunched up together in a twisting and incoherent matter. No house was located at the same distance to each other.
There didn't seem to be any notable locales. Every building- even the restaurants, shops and stores all looked about the same as a residential house. Just with... Signs.
The only notable thing was a drill-shaped spire in the middle. Sure to be a government center. "That smell is..."Reggie was very familiar with the smell.
It was the smell of blood forcefully rushing and leaking out of a person, with their entrails being left to dry.
Reggie didn't like the stench at all. He hung his head down and walked the direct opposite direction to it, but...
The guards of the city came rushing over from the streets and alleyways in front of Reggie.
Reggie stood completely still as they passed him by. It was odd.
All the guards were fitted out in professional military equipment. Ones you'd see in more developed countries.
And yet, every normal citizen was practically dressed in rags and poor clothing.Reggie frowned. ("Not the name just anyone should be using.")Tai tapped on Reggie's shoulder.
As she spoke seriously. She let out a sigh. "Well. A sight like a human corpse's enough to get people distracted.
It'll get them sorely focused on that sight alone. So now would be the best time to pickpocket people."Tai spoke, as if scolding Reggie. "... I know you don't like it, but-"He cut off Tai. "I'm just... Still human."
Even though he's a traveler, at this time, he hadn't fully cut off all the excess.
He jogged with the guards and went to the site of the corpse.
What Reggie had expected... Was something like a murder case. Especially considering they're in a poor country.
What he didn't expect- was something more akin to a gang fight.
Three shots in a row. The man who seemed to be on the defense was stepping back.
He indiscriminately shot at anyone whom tried to get close.
He was Circulating. Most who approached him were, but some who approached him were just ordinary people with weapons who hadn't learned how to circulate.
The man who was shooting appeared to be skilled in both Circulation and sharpshooting as no one was able to get close.
"Damn...!!! Why are you attacking me!? If we all worked together, we could overthrow Beezlebub!
ANYONE can fight back!" But it seemed he was aiming more at the guards coming to him than the people that approaced him.
Most of the ordinary citizens that did... He just elbowed to the side. But then.A guard would walk up and raise up their leg...
Smashing up the head of a normal citizen into dust and red mush.
Many guards approached, some wielding assault rifles. But they were all stopped by the crowd watching the scene.
Three people shifted through the crowd, two wielding assault rifles and one wielding a shield.
Strangely, they weren't Circulating. The shieldsman slammed down his shield as the riflemen stood behind him and fired indiscriminately at the rioter.
"NONE SHALL DEFY BEEZLEBUB'S REGIME!"Once more guards arrived and shifted through... Immediately, the crowd began to scatter and dash away.
A lot of people began running at once, afraid. Terrified.
But... They weren't terrified before. Even as there were a pile of bodies- and people rushing to the man for no reason at all.
Reggie couldn't help but find it horrifying. All of these people, so eager to die. All of these people, dying just like that. "You idiots! Where are you going?! Don't just leave me he-"
As he tried to run... Bullets filled him. "-!?" He fell to his knees. He wasn't dead just yet.Two more guards jumped down from the roof of a house.
Firing bullets with their assault rifles as they did. Almost all of them connected with the rioter.
They landed down with a hard THUD.
The armor that they were wearing seemed heavy and sturdy. Yet they moved as light as could be.
"GLORY TO LORD BEEZLEBUB!"Is the only thing Reggie could comment.
Reggie let out a frown. He didn't show any contempt at all, however.
In the future, he would witness a graveyard and a land of thieves. But he would show no hatred to it at all.
All sorts of places, even crime, exist for a reason.
He couldn't wrap his head around why all these people charged to the silver haired man blindly, and with rage too.
Why the guards killed helpless citizens.
Reggie found it deplorable of course. But... He has seen too many injustices to let it affect him personally. (edited)Tai let out a sigh. "This is about what I expected, anyways.
The Ginto Archipelago is known for its bloody history." Tai on the other hand was unbothered.
She was a spirit who was hundred years old who isolated herself exactly because of things like these.
This was not Reggie's first time seeing a massacre. Nor would it be his last if he were to continue on this route of travelling.
Reggie, however, waited. Even though most of the crowd had ran away... He was the only one still watching.
"Reggie. We should leave."Reggie gripped his fist.
Blood is not shed unless there is a reason to.
Reggie stood his ground... Because he wanted to know the reason.
Bloodshed may be needless, but it is carried out by humans. Humans who have thoughts and feelings.
So he waited.
And out of a dark alleyway...
Came a man in a black coat with pale and anemic skin.
Blood red eyes filled him- and a dastardly smile. One that was enough to even send the detached Reggie chills down his spine.
Reggie is a fighter. A martial artist. He knew instantly when he saw this man stride, arms raised out entirely to the side.
He knows how to carry himself.
And is most definitely... Important to this city. Well, that and the fact that the guards instantly swarmed him.
Standing by his side and saluting. "Silver Sundown." The man in the black fur coat said, licking his own lips as he stared down at the bleeding man.
He crouched down as he put a finger on the chin of the man named Silver, bringing himself close.
The two were close enough to hear each other's breaths. Every single gasp and contraction. "You went out without even giving me a climax...
... I suppose that means it's a poor domination from my part, hm? But you filled your role as the submissive one quite well. Watching you squirm and be tickled from all those gunshots was a pleasure I can't get elsewhere."The bleeding man said, trying to get away-
But he couldn't. He was enraptured by the man. Charmed even. "Beezlebub...
... I'm not letting your fuckin' reign go on here for any longer." He coughed out blood. "If I just had more people with me... Then I would've been able to take you down for sure."The man licked the blood that was coughed on him.
Putting his hands on his shoulders as he did, pressing one knee on Silver. Silver collapsed onto the ground, now under the mercy of the man in the black coat.
Four fingers were on Silver's chin. The man titled Beezlebub caressed them as he spoke. "You wouldn't last even ten seconds against me. If you took these back shots from the guards right before you, then... The sheer girth of my power would leave your mind broken and craving."
His knee inched closer to Silver's rib- and it pressed down.
Reggie and Tai could hear his ribcages break even from here.Even considering weight and leverage...
One shouldn't be able to shatter someone's ribs with just a press of their knee slightly downwards.
Reggie noted- that the man must have excellent physical strength.As his ribs were being crushed... The man titled Beezlebub put his fingers on Silver's neck-
As they suck in deep. Blood gushing out.
But Silver wouldn't die. "If you plan to take on the ruling party, then you have to be either two things."
He raised up two fingers. "... Be alone. And strong enough to dictate every action of your enemy. Leave them in total submission.
Or. Gain the support of everyone. Have that sick, lovely voice that could whisper sweet nothings into everyone's ears. A real superstar, whom everyone can put their hands all over. But you couldn't do either, could you?"
He looked all around him. To all the corpses of the people that weren't bodies. "You didn't gain the people's trust trust or intimacy. Or at least, not enough of it to where they'd be willing to lick your feet. So instead, their fear took ahold." (edited)Reggie was terrified.
Tai could not speak either. As right now- he was watching Silver be completely violated.
The only thing that was missing were people watching. Reggie might have been watching...
But it was as if the man titled Beezlebub wrapped them in a sweet ecstascy, trapping them in their own personal dimension where only the two of them existed.
Neither of them noticed any guards or even Reggie onlooking in the distance.Silver tries to squirm.
But for every time he tries to escape- Beezlebub simply laughs more.
His grin grows more and more delightful by the second. His desire growing. "If people are so afraid of you, then why'd you make murder legal in the first place so people could challenge you?
Why... Do people like me exist?!"He plucked out his fingers from Silver's neck...
... As white filled him. His soul no longer contained anything else and his eyes faded.
With that motion, it killed Silver. Nothing was left but a lifeless corpse.
Beezlebub stood up and stared down at Silver. Even so, he still spoke. "Everyone has their own time of reaching the limit. Some shoot quickly, while others guzzle out loads of their aggression at once.
You just happened to be the former. But soon enough- everyone will hit their climax."
He walked away, snapping his fingers. The guards followed him too.
... The whole time, neither of them noticed Reggie and Tai. Because in terms of significance-
They were like insects. (edited)As if to regain some semblance of control...
Reggie tried to point out his observations. (edited)Tai stated it out loud too. Again, to try to regain control. Because just by being in that man's presence...
They were terrified. "... One of the Apostles whom rival Magic Gods in strength."------------------- + Ozeta, The Land of Legal Murder + --------------------------------- (edited)The two were now walking down the dirty streets of Ozeta.
Sometimes they passed by a corpse. Sometimes they'd pass by blood splattered on the walls.
There were a lot of stores selling shabby weapons. And of course, everyone was on guard. All staying away from each other.
It was a land where murder was legal... And the ruler was the strongest one with the most influence and the most power.
The strong quite literally ruled here. And all of that was based off of something as simplistic as killing power.
Reggie nor Tai hated it. They found it deplorable, but not something to be hated.
... But when the two saw that man, Beezlebub, hate began to fester.
"Reggie." Tai broke the tension in the air.
The two had changed their tactic for getting out of the city. They found out that there were insane rates at the gate for making it out...
So Reggie would loiter around the house they woke up in to wait for its owners. "Did you really have to steal the gun of that man?" (edited)Reggie looked at his hand.
In his hand held a Taurus Judge. The revolver that the man, Silver Sundown, was using.
He simply let out an exhale. "Yeah, I know. It's not the best gun out there. I still have my Colt Woodsman, but that's in my bag. With the owners of that house." Reggie said, leaning by its side.
"But this gun comes from my homeland. It reminded me of home, so I ended up taking it."Tai let out an exhale, still resting on Reggie's shoulder.
"You better get your bag fast then, before you're forced to use that gun. It doesn't look all too reliable."He chuckled.
He'd never used it before... But he remembered someone who did back from his hometown in Hamel.
That person- although Reggie can't remember her face, he remembered her being especially powerful with it.
He stuffed it in his pocket. "... You'd be surprised what it can do. In a pinch, it can really show its worth."
Afterwards... He waited.
And soon enough...
The owner of the house returned. But it was not one.
Rather- two people returned. Grey haired maidens, one younger than the other.
Dressed in the same type of poor clothing as everyone else did. They walked over and stood in front of the house.
"... We didn't hit quota." The younger one said.
The older one was holding a bag. Reggie's bag.
Reggie however, eavesdropped on their conversation. His original plan was to ambush the two...
But as soon as he saw that they were talking about some kind of quota, then they stopped. "People only bought the weapons.
But everything else in here is just ordinary junk... If only the person who washed up on our shores was a rich man." (edited)Tai immediately hunched over and whispered to Reggie.
Now their plan was gone. ("... Well. What now?")Reggie let out a sigh. ("Plan B. We buy or steal them back.
Sorry, Tai. I know you're not gonna like staying here for long, but it looks like we may be staying here for longer than a day.")Tai let out a big exhale. ("Damn. What a pain...")The older of the two leaned on the wall.
She pinched her nose. It looked like she was having a headache.
As she shook her head. "Damn it...!!! Quota's in two days, and we haven't hit it, even with that...!!!
All the people are locked up in their houses, and someone tried to fight Beezlebub just now!"
She was shaking her head over and over. "This is bad, this is bad..."And the younger of the two held the arm of the woman.
She let out a frown. "Big sis...
Please... We can still manage... Somehow...!" She said, pumping her fist.
- She looked young. Very young. And for a young person to be in a place like this...Reggie-
- Couldn't take it anymore. "Hey."
So he stepped out of the shadows... And faced the two women right in front of him.
With his eyebrows glaring, he said, "What's this quota all about?"Immediately...
The first instinct of this woman was to reach for her holster and pull out a gun.
It was a weak M1911. It looked cheaply made too.
Reggie found it sad. How this place forced people into hostility.The little one moved to behind her biggser sister, cowering behind her in fear.
The sound of guns being drawn seemed to be traumatizing to her.Reggie immediately threw his hands in the air, showing his surrender. "You guys can keep everything that's in there.
The only thing I'd like returned... Is my journal, that's all."Immediately...
In a city dominated with self serving people, hearing such selfless things shocked the woman.
She lowered her gun and put it in her holster. "Who the hell do you think you are?
You look like you've been out and about. Surely you know what kind of place this is, right?"Reggie stuffed his hands in his hoodie's pocket. "That's why I'm here to learn.
So tell me. What is this quota?"
Her answer... Would change his course of action.The first thing she did was to look baffled at Reggie's remark.
The second thing she did was to look all around her, to make sure that no one was listening in.
"... You're a strange one." The third thing she did was sigh. Then she completely gave herself up.
"You know about this place's rules, right? Murder is legal here.
Which means you could kill the ruling party if you wanted to and take their spot." She lowered her eyes . "After that, you could impose any sort of rule here. Beezlebub added a buncha rules like a high entry and exit fee... And a quota you must pay if you wanna live.
The only thing you must not change- is that murder has to be legal. That's how Ozeta's been like since how I was born." (edited)... Reggie says.
It was obvious. Being a city, there must be people who originate from it.
But it shocked him. That such an inhumane place... Can be "home" to someone.Luceta said, stepping forward. ("But... Don't tell her that there's other places outside of here.
She... She doesn't know. She can't know.")Reggie's heart...
... Shattered into two as he stared at the girl.
A girl who grew up here. Not knowing of any life outside of Ozeta.
That things here are just normal. That murder should be legal.
"Mister...? Are you okay? The black thingies around you are getting bigger!"
Reggie didn't notice... That black started to overtake him. It almost covered his entire body until the girl's voice snapped him out.She put her hand to her head. "Must mean Beezlebub's not human. Maybe he's a Yokai, or even an Apostle..."Reggie gripped both of his fists.
Violence, though wrong, happens for a reason. Acts are carried about by humans who can think and feel.
Thus, when he first woke up, he had wrongly assumed that the riot that Silver was doing had a reason.
When he first woke up, he had assumed all those guards killing those people... Died for a reason.
But the more and more that he learned about Ozeta, the more he realized- there might not be a reason for these deaths.
That people are dying here, just because.
Of course, he wouldn't be this irrationally mad if he just learnt it from the people. He would just keep digging and find the truth, as he would in another suspicious town.
But.
"Because, Silver. You're our model citizen.
So stand proud."
Those words echoed in Reggie's head, bouncing back and forth again and again. And then, Beezlebub became healthier after uttering those words and killing Silver.
The way Beezlebub said it was roundabout, but...
He confirmed it. This place was a slaughter house. People here were quite literally... Born to die.
More than anything, Reggie hates the people who mistreat the value of life.
If you don't care for the lives of others... Then you're truly filth. That is something that Reggie believed in with all of his might.
"Tai. Watch the two. There's a change of plans."Tai floated in front of Reggie.
After a long time in her life... She looked distressed.
Genuinely and utterly distressed. "What are you thinking of doing?
Don't tell me-"Tai recognized the look in her eyes.
She knew it was useless- and yet, "Without any weapons?! Reggie- that's an Apostle.
What do you think you can do...?!"Reggie crouched down.
He moved over to a stall that seemed to be broken. It must have belonged to a former market place.
He grabbed two of the sticks belonging to that stall as he swung his arms to the side. "I don't think I can do much.
But I have to do something. Otherwise..." Black tar surged out of his arm, covering it. "If I walk away from this, I might lose myself forever."Luceta said, stepping back.Tai knew... She couldn't contest Reggie anymore.
Reggie was a man with simple desires. All he wanted was to really cure his curse.
But remove the curse, and all he'd really want is to live a simple life. If he cured it, then that's the life he was planning to live.
So when Reggie REALLY wants something... She knew nothing could ever get in the way.
Not even if it were a God that stood in his way.
"... Come back alive, dimwit. Otherwise, I won't be able to drink the alcohol here on Earth ever again."Reggie said, exhaling.
"... But sure. I'll try my best to come back alive."She said, glaring at Reggie. "Come back alive."Reggie was stunned.
He couldn't say anything for a while. But...
The traveler put his hands on his glasses. "I might use everything, Tai.
So I'm... I'm really sorry. I can't guarantee that."
He said... As he turned his back and started walking to the spire in the middle.
Gripping his hands tightly on the sticks he held.Noemi stopped cowering behind her bigger sister.
As her eyes could not be drawn away from the back of that man. "Where's the guy with the spots going...?"... No one could deny it.
All three of them stared at Reggie's back and they could not look away from it.
As at that time, they had all felt one emotion.
"He...
He's coming back with a gift, Noemi."
Admiration.-------------------- + Ozeta, Government Center + ----------------------------------The room at the top of the spire was not like one would expect.
Instead of being the room of a dictator... A room of a tactician... Or hell, even the room of a vampire-
It was the room of a Magus. With magical books, scrolls and tools dedicated to studiyng.
Yes, it was gothic. Yes, it was dark. Fitting for the breed of Apostle with the nickname of "vampire."
But the room just seemed like any ordinary Magus' room. With Mako, staffs, books and tomes. A place to study and rest in.
The ruler of Ozeta stood looking out the only window of the room. The room was quite spacious, but it felt claustrophobic due to this.
With a dagger raised- the man had a moment of silence. "..."
He let out a chuckle. "Haha. I'm no masochist.
Why bother even trying if I already know I can't die?" The man stared at the wall.
Ever since he became an Apostle...
... He has never been able to turn back. "...?" And then he turned around.
Seeing the door to his room slam down.Reggie kicked down the door to Beezlebub's room.
With his two sticks in hand, already, his Circulation aura was surrounding him.
There were scratches around his body. But there were no major injuries. The spire had 9 floors.
All filled with guards suited up with armor and modern guns.
Reggie climbed to the top. Getting past all of them.
"... Seeing a person with their aura up in their room should probably already inform you about what I'm about to do.
But I hope you don't mind me asking some questions, vampire."Beezlebub threw his dagger to the side, out the window.
As he walked ahead, arms stretched ahead. "If we are to carnally conduct a duel, one on one...
Then such things are meaningless without proper setti ng, don't you agree? It's like seasoning before a meal."
He held out his hand in front of him. "I'm glad you get it, at least. The other challengers who have climbed to my room just want to get straight into the action... But you have to ease into this sort of thing. Get the tension flowing, mmm?"Reggie's eyebrows furled down.
The man seemed ready. Too ready.
Beezlebub... Has probably faced many challengers like him before.
And Reggie may not be the last. "How...
How long has this been going on for? This slaughterhouse."Beezlebub said, putting one hand to his chin. "When you're having so much fun, you don't care about the time at all. All you want to do is to lose yourself to the pleasure."
- Fun.
That word in specific ticked Reggie off. "... But I've certainly been doing this for at least half a century now. Perhaps... Much, much more. Enough to see new actors phase in and out and for some to even grow old, losing all of their vigor and energy."
Prospero gripped his fist. "But I don't recall seeing your face before. As I don't think I'd ever forget a face so eager to drain themselves dry."Reggie pointed a single one of his sticks over to Beezlebub.
"Just a passing by traveler. And the person who'll kill you."With his arms stretched out...
A truly evil aura started guzzling out of Beezlebub like a geyser. A red and purple mist of power.
His Circulation... Could be felt throughout the entire city- as wind force started blowing small objects away.
It was a Circulation aura that both indicated mastery and sheer power.
Befit for an Apostle that could rival Patrons and Magic Gods. And Beezlebub cracked a smile.
A truly wicked smile... But anyone could tell he was just putting up a show. Because he has already fought too many people who claimed they could kill him.
"My name is Prospero! Also known as Beezlebub, the Divine Apostle.
Killer of Sword Saints. Grade 1 Explorers and Priests alike all have submitted their bodies before me.
And welcome... To this wonderful killing chamber."Reggie didn't notice-
But Prospero had already vanished from his sight. It was sheer speed.The first round began... And Reggie was already on the backfoot.
Beezlebub sped behind Reggie and raised up his arm.
He swung it horizontally- with intent to decapitate Reggie. His aura focused around it.
Making his arm as sharp as a blade. Right now, he was no different from a guillotine.Instantly... He ducked down. Only his head was grazed by the slash.
His heart immediately started racing and panicking
Doing a full pivot despite crouching down- his leg burst up for a sweep.
He tried to do this to knock Prospero off balance. But he instinctually knew-
It was not going to be that easy.Beezlebub took a step back.
With his arms raised, he taunted Reggie. "My, my. Such technique. Your hips must be well developed in order to manage a full spin like that, hm?"
He let Reggie stand up. Reggie stood up and faced Beezlebub.
With a snap of his fingers... A sigil appeared onto his chest.Reggie held his sticks in a guard position.
Ready to block whatever came ahead. "You can even create sigils just like them...!"He pumped it with his Circulation.
And right behind him- a scarlet scythe made of mana appeared.
Lashing out wildly, it flew to Reggie and slashed at the same time! "Just the sight of it is enough to drive you mad, isn't it?!"Reggie dashed past the scythe.
He raised up his stick- and scraped the scythe. His intent was never to block it but to set it slightly off course.
His second stick was ready to slash diagonally down at Prospero, but...Beezlebub raised up his arm and grabbed onto Reggie's collar.
"Now, now! Stay obedient and don't struggle...
... Or else you're going to have to make me show my sadistic side." As red claws extended from his wrists.They stabbed deep into Reggie...
As he could feel- his own blood being drained.
He didn't wqant the fight to end like this. But he was being held high. So high- he could even touch the ceiling.
He felt his own mana and Circulation draining. As his entire body was being drained dry.
But he still held onto his sticks. "...!!!" He threw one stick directly at Prospero. As it shattered, but it managed to knock him back.He stumbled back.
The damage wasn't major- but it managed to distract him. He dropped Reggie. "Such an undignified move...!!! No one would be moaning over such a move." Reggie tuned out his voice as he focused entirely on his next move.He used the momentum from falling from his grasp to immediately bounce back.
He jumped over to the wall- and put his feet on it.
Then. He bounced off of the wall too. Now launching to Prospero like a missile.
His stick was raised. He was going to slash at him horizontally. "Hrgh...!!!"But Beezlebub recovered just in time.
He had barely been making any movements. This too was no exception.
All he did was to simply raise up his free arm- and a Sigil on his palm activated.
From it- red energy gathered. Forming a drill-like spike that extended out of his palm!
It was facing directly to Reggie's directory. Meaning, he would be impaled. Impaled very soon.But... Reggie's reflexes were fast.
He twisted his body violently, forcing himself to readjust.
His body jerked in mid air. His momentum was redirected, but... "Eat this...!!!"
He twisted his leg and launched it upwards. Dealing a sideward kick to Prospero.But...
All Beezlebub did was to simply raise his arm to block it. No. There was more than that.
He predicted that something like that would happen and raised his arm to block it at its weakest point.
Thus- no damage was dealt to him. "My, my. Your body and mind are both well developed.
But to stand up to a real star? You're far too young for that." And... His arm violently twisted. An inhuman movement only available to the inhumane. Reggie could even hear the bones in him cracking.
He grabbed onto Reggie's heel and flung him to the wall. "Let me show you what happens to the young and inexperienced who walk into this business expecting to flourish.
Their innocence... Is shattered." (edited)Two big hits.
Reggie had already taken... Two major hits.
He flew across the room and hit the wall hard. He collapsed.
Using his stick as support- he stood up. He had a feeling... No. He knew.
That Prospero was just toying with him. That he wasn't taking this fight seriously at all.Beezlebub raised up his palm...
As his Sigil activated, multiple spike drills appeared behind him. "Let's see you pinned to the wall, hopelessly crying for help!"
One by one... They shot after a delay.
Not all at once. But a flurry. Like rain, more kept forming and more kept firing.
All the while Beezlebub stared with a happy smile.Reggie... Tried to advance.
He stepped ahead. One was heading his way- so he deflected it with his stick.
Another step. Then another one came- this time at a low angle. Reggie swung his stick downwards and deflected it. It bounced back and moved up to his chin to deflect another one.
He swung and swung again. Pivoting and shifting- but... He had no room to work with. ("This room is too small...!!!
I have to get out of here somehow, but...") Reggie looked towards the window.
He glared and squinted- as he could see traces of a small Sigil on it. ("It's definitely trapped.")He formed a red scythe- this time... He grabbed it.
And Beezlebub finally moved forward. The vampire dashed ahead and swung downwards at Reggie while he was preoccupied with deflecting the drill spikes.
Two attacks... At once. It was over for Reggie- who could not deflect a spike and dodge Beezlebub at the same time.
If he dodged to another part of the room- then another spike would hit him. The spikes were launching from one end to the room to the other, so he would be hit by it no matter where he went.
If he blocked one, he would be hit by the other. The only thing he could do... Was reduce damage.But Reggie had already taken two major hits with no time to rest.
Even with Circulation, if he took a third, that would prove to be fatal. His movements would be slowed...
And it would be a battle of attrition between Reggie, who has used everything, and Prospero who has barely used any stamina at all.
Reggie would lose at this very moment. It would just be a long drawn out battle right after.
That would be the case... If not for the fact that Reggie hadn't used everything. Far from it.
"... Sorry, Tai. Looks like I am going to use everything after all."
Reggie reached for his glasses and took it off. He came to a realization of all these things not mentally, but instinctually.
So did Prospero, which is why he moved in and started exerting effort now.
When he took off his glasses- he saw it.
His escape route. (edited)He swung his scythe diagonally.
The intended angle for it. It would cut either Reggie's neck, his shoulder or across his chest.
All of which would prove to be fatal blows for it.
But none of it happened. None of those 3 results happened... Because his scythe cut the air.
It did not even reach or hit his target. "!?"
And for the first time, Beezlebub was shocked. For the first time since he formed Ozeta, he was surprised.
Because what was happening... Was that the entire spire was collapsing. (edited)
Prospero only saw a glimpse of what Reggie did.
"Strike, and sunder the tides cleft. Retract, and leave no peace bereft."
He muttered the words of someone else. His teacher's words.
As both were about to approach him... He spread his legs wide. Feet parallel to each other. The horse stance.
With a loud stomp, he dropped down and punched the ground.
Somehow. The boy who struggled against Prospero- the boy who seemed to put agility over strength...
Collapsed a building in one punch.--------------- + Ozeta, Main Square + -------------------------------There was nothing left... But smoke and rubble.
People were gathering around this occasion. The symbol of power. The symbol of control.
All of that.. Seemed to shatter in an instant. To the ordinary person- there was only one reasonable thing to assume.
That Beezlebub had been toppled. That someone actually beat him.
But that couldn't be further from the truth. He had only been damaged in a minor way.
He was not fully beaten. In fact, he only seemed... Annoyed. As he stood up from the debris...
People shrieked and screamed. His body was still in peak condition.
"... Don't tell me." Beezlebub looked all around him. "Did that brat do the degenerate move of running away?"
There were tons of people all staring at him in fear... But none of them were Reggie.
He had disappeared into the crowd. Beezlebub raised his hand and put it to his forehead... As he laughed.
"Ahahahahaha... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" That crowd freezed everyone.
"Don't think you can run away from me, boy. I can still smell you. The distinct smell of a cherry waiting to be popped...!"
He stretched out his palm- and a spike made out of blood forcefully extended itself from his palm.
Skewering itself... Through many, many people, as it would not stop until it had stabbed Reggie.Reggie was dashing through the crowd.
He realized. He would not be able to beat Prospero. Not without bladed weapons, at the very least.
So he was rushing out of the place to steal some swords. However...
People by his side started running far, far away.
And... Reggie's fighter's instinct activated. He pivoted and twisted and raised up his stick.
He blocked the spike coming after him-
But he dropped the stick after seeing what he deflected. Yes, he deflected a red spike.
But... Dozens of people were impaled through the spike. Just to reach him.
As far as he was concerned, he might as well have killed those people.
"You..." That single word was coated with layers and layers of despair.The red spike retracted back into Prospero's skin.
He stared at the dead bodies. Everyone was beginning to run far away.
Soon enough, the square consisted of just Reggie and Prospero. Reggie could also feel Tai's presence watching from a distance.
But he was utterly stunned. He couldn't even register that Prospero asked him a question...
... However, he was snapped back to reality out of fear.
His foot slid back as he noticed Prospero was watching him. He raised his hands up in a fighting stance.
"..." His mouth wavers. "I'm a strong Circulator."He spoke without innuendos to show how serious he was.
"I've noticed people's Circulations tend to gravitate towards the positions they are most comfortable in... Some like it fast and drawn out, like you do. Others like I love powerful inconsistent bursts. Your Circulation should not be capable of doing anything to that level."
He raised his arm. "And there was no bomb. This isn't the type of bout that requires tools, you see. So tell me. What was that?"He still couldn't respond to that.
His eyes- were focused on that sight he saw.
All of those lives... Taken in an instant, as Prospero- no. As Beezlebub simply saw them as a means to an end.
Just something to trample over to reach him. “I don't have to answer you, murderer."
He didn't care that Beezlebub might have been taking him seriously now.
He didn't care that Beezlebub's intuition guessed that he had used something different in destroying the Spire.
He didn't care about anything at all.
All that he knew was that he hated Beezlebub. (edited)Beezlebub took a step back...
And his aura flourished around him, bursting upwards like a pillar. "Then. Allow me to make a guess about what your fetish is. You just love it to see people die, don't you?!"
... His aura rapidly expanded. As he raised his hands upwards. Reggie knew what was coming-
But he was too powerless to stop it. "Territorial Technique - Providence Ark, Dies Irae."
A choir filled the sky as a domain expanded.
It sung... A classic poem.
"Dies iræ, dies illa,
Solvet sæclum in favilla:
Teste David cum Sibylla."
The sky was a pitch black. Then- death filled the skies. Beezlebub's crimson aura dominated the skies.
Ruined buildings all over. Not a cloud in sight, yet there was rain.
It was a rain of crimson. Blood of others.
The ground shook with power. The power of the Earth, the power of he who has embodied the Earth.
A time of pure and utter calamity. But there was no one to hear it. Because... One by one.
They started dying. Giant drill spikes pierced themselves out of the ground. Strikes of red lightning- piercing every human trying to run away.
"Mors stupebit, et natura,
Cum resurget creatura,
Iudicanti responsura."
Death filled this entire city. And in Beezlebub's domain, no one would be left alive.
And for every human killed, Beezlebub seemed to get stronger. Absorbing their mana.
It was a sign... That he had gotten serious. "Destroy it all."Reggie stared with a dark expression.
Nothing but despair filled his face- as he heard shriek after shriek.
Cry after cry. Entire buildings were overtaken as spikes were rising from the ground one by one.
Big enough to skewer entire buildings. And at its peak, were humans. Families.
Whose lives were ended- and who's mana were absorbed by the vampire Beezlebub.
Again. As far as he was concerned- something like this has never happened before. He pushed it to this point.
So as far as he was concerned, he caused this.
"... YOU MURDERER!!!"
Reggie shoved this thought to the side- as blackness took his arm.
His Tainted Illness took over him as his arm expanded with black tendrils. He launched ahead...
As he punched Beezlebub straight in the face.This was the first big hit... That Beezlebub has ever taken.
He was launched back. Even doing a single roll.
But he got up... And instantly began the fight. His scythe appeared in his hands once more.
"So! Is this a second wind or your dying breath!?
One thing's for sure. You've been holding out on me. I never was one for edging, but you've left me with all of this AGGRESSION you see!"
And he swung ahead with a violent speed.
Red thunderbolts appeared by his side in a spiral- launching one by one as he lunged for Reggie.
6 thunderbolts all launching to his side. And one slash ahead.He didn't even have to think.
The reason why he kept his emotions repressed... Because if he did, his emotions would take over.
Multiple black tendrils extended out of every possible part of his body, like an explosion.
All the thunderbolts were caught by the tendrils. But Beezlebub was not.
He simply cut all that got in his way.
The moment Reggie's tendrils went back inside him... He was already to the side of Beezlebub.
As he jabbed thrice with all of his might!He raised up his arms to block.
All three jabs were blocked. But his block was wearing out.
He slammed ahead- slamming his arm to the ground with mana focused to it.
Intending to both rend him and the ground.Reggie jumped back.
He cleanly avoided the slam down, but a bit of his shirt was scraped.
He grit his teeth and readied- Beezlebub was still moving.His arm was on the ground.
Lifting up a giant block of earth from the ground- he tossed it over to Reggie. "Your strength may be formidable...
But it seems you've stopped relying on your speed!"
And now... He moved. Like a blur, he almost entirely vanished.
Beezlebub repeated a move from earlier and appeared right behind Reggie.Reggie realized too late.
Because he had given into rage.
Beezlebub raised his leg and roundhouse kicked him. He was sent flying...
But the direction wasn't random at all. He was sent flying straight into the block that Beezlebub had thrown.
His entire body crashed through it- damage on all fronts. Damage to break.
He skidded across the ground and landed face flat. "AAAAAAGH!!!" He screamed as tendrils started lashing all around him.
But they attacked no one.Beezlebub stomped the ground. The sky's crimson reflected on the ground as pools of his own blood formed at the ground he skidded across.
Reggie could barely stand. He tried to stand slowly, but... "Come now, maybe a little bit of penetration will help!"
Beezlebub... Formed a spike at the ground where Reggie was trying to get up from.He was still on all fours. He wasn't standing on his legs yet.
However. The moment he felt anything metal touching his chest- even for a split second...
He stretched his arms out as tendrils took them over. One grappled onto Prospero's collar- as he yanked himself closer! "...!!!"
His other arm covered in black tendrils cupped itself to a shape resembling a fist.
As he flew, his eyes determined.He was yanked a bit closer.
But even so... Beezlebub maintains his balance. "Nobody likes someone who moves like a marionette! Your moves... Are too uninspired!"
As Reggie was launching himself towards Beezlebub... Aura in the shape of his claw gathered to his right arm.
As he sent his fist downwards like a hammer- smashing Reggie down so hard he bounced off of the ground.
A huge crack formed on it. Then... The ground broke into a crater due to the sheer impact.
Beezlebub was no longer smiling.He vomited out a lot of blood mixed in with the black Tainted Illness.
He felt his spine breaking. Then. Black formed on his insides, as it forcefully reconnected itself.
That... Was more painful than it being broken. He felt the same pain on his spine twice.
Leaving him totally paralyzed as he rolled to the side. Reggie couldn't move.
All he could do was let out deep, deep breaths. "Haaa... Haaaa... Haa..."Beezlebub took several steps...
... As he looked at his body. Reggie may not have got his punch to connect...
But some of the Tainted Illness tar that he threw out when he tried to punch Beezlebub latched onto Reggie.
It seared him and burnt a bit of him up. Again, still minor damage, but...
... It's still damage. Beezlebub had never seen anyone deal this amount of damage to him before.
As he unleashed his Circulation aura- it vanished. "This can't be it.
This can't be the power you used to destroy my spire. Where is it, Reggie?
As I said. I'm not a fan of edging. You better show it to me now. Or else I'll break you until all you can think of is me."All he could do... Was breathe.
And stare at the bloody sky.Beezlebub let out a sigh.
"So close. I was so close you know? To reaching my own personal climax...
But unfortunately, it looks like you weren't the one for me." Dropping his guard a little...
He moved over to Reggie and raised up his leg. Just like the one before him...
His intent was clear. He was going to crush Reggie's ribs.But the moment Prospero dropped his guard...
... Reggie struck.
It was the moment between inhaling and exhaling. The microsecond between that.
His heart raced. His Circulation fired up, and so did his Tainted Illness. Beezlebub was right.
He lost himself to his rage and stopped thinking. So now- he would think.
He gathered what little energy he had... And burst up.
Black tendrils formed around his right arm as he pointed directly at Beezlebub. It surged out of him- practically uppercutting Beezlebub.This...
Was the second major hit Reggie dealt. A dirty hit, but still a hit nonetheless.
Beezlebub stepped back, as his neck was dislodged. But one snap of it, and it lodged back into place.
After all- he was a vampire. He can survive hits that should have killed him. "Why you...!"
Prospero traced his finger around in a circle- as giant spikes formed all around Reggie. Restricting his movement, but not stabbing him directly.
His scythe formed in his hands, as he rushed in through the gaps.
Ready to slash vertically downwards at Reggie- the reaper came in.Reggie got up.
He was still breathing deeply. "Haa... Haa... Haaa..." He looked all around him.
Beezlebub had effectively formed walls around him, restricting him. So he couldn't escape or use his tendrils to swing away.
He stretched out his arms... And instead grabbed the spikes out of the ground. Tendrils expanded and grabbed at every spike- as he threw them all at Beezlebub!
But. His tendrils were getting weaker... As rational thought returned to him.Beezlebub watched as all of the spikes were lobbed his way.
But he simply kept dashing forward at Reggie. Moving his scythe in circular motions- chopping up all the spikes that were thrown at him.
It was a non-issue for him. And he already reached Reggie.
His arms were still reeling from having thrown that many spikes. The tendrils still receeding. "THIS IS IT!"
So he swung down vertically- utterly confident in his victory.But by this time... Reggie had already regained full rationality. "!!!*"
His arms were unavailable. That was okay. It just meant he had to use a different tool.
His legs.
He sprung forth... And kneed Beezlebub's gut with as much force as possible.
Beezlebub reeled back- the impact dealing major damage to his insides, even. "I'll answer your question.
This is... My second wind!" (edited)Beezlebub muttered for a second.
Then he realized. This wasn't any new power. Reggie was just being conservative...
Now that he was in an open space... He planned on unleashing that all at once.
Letting completely loose. "You're getting me all hot. Can you keep this up?!"
He formed a spike from his palm again, slicing horizontally.
Of course, Reggie stepped back and dodged a predictable attack. But Beezlebub was readying for that.
With a snap of his free hand- spikes appeared above Reggie and started raining down on him.Then... Reggie dropped one of his hands to the ground.
He registered that there were spikes above him. So he slide.
Performing a full reversal, sliding to Beezlebub's back. He bursted up and raised his fist...
As he threw a straight punch directly at his back. (edited)Beezlebub quickly twisted around.
He blocked the punch. He was used to dealing with attacks from his behind.
Assassins were very common against him. "I'm not taking backshots from you."
His free arm did the same thing- extending a spike right out of him.
An immutable blade that can freely extend and vanish.. It's a simple ability, but it's devastating.
It's what put Reggie in such a disadvantage so far, but... (edited)Reggie twisted and just barely grazed the spike.
Using the momentum of his twist- he moved over...
And kicked the side of Beezlebub's stomach, forcefully springing up his leg.
Beezlebub stumbled back slightly. Neither of them could have predicted this.
Reggie step back... As the thought filled him. ("I'm on the backfoot... But I'm keeping up with him.")
He muttered. His aura was leaking out of him, now fully unleashed.
He had intended on going all out once he got outside- his preferred environment.
He just lost control after seeing all those people dead. But that beatdown- although detrimental to his current state, was enough to snap him out.Beezlebub took a few steps back-
As this time, four spikes appeared around him. They glowed a bright red...
Before transforming and molding into greatswords. Electricty crackled all around him.
"If technique won't work, then why not simply resort to pure force?
I'll beat that ability of you. You still haven't shown me... How you killed that spire."
Beezlebub... Was slowly figuring it out.
And Reggie was slowly understanding why Prospero wanted to see how he did it so badly.
He pointed ahead- as a massive amount of sheer energy in the shape of lightning blasts charged forth.Reggie looked all around him.
He tried to call on his black illness to go and block it- but it wasn't responding to him.
So instead... He ran. Ran as fast as he could. "- Gh!"
But Beezlebub stood still. Yet his swords were moving- blasting at Reggie.
He took multiple scrapes at his back and at his legs as he ran. Reggie didn't seem to be running in particular.
He was mostly just running around Beezlebub. Waiting and looking, watching each building that is destroyed once he runs past it. "...! There!"
Then.
He finally sees his opportunity.Reggie skids and stops in place.
He abruptly throws up his arm... And blocks.
His swords are tracking him down and always pointing at him. But Reggie is faster than their rotation.
To stop is to give yourself up. Especially since Beezlebub knows his aura can't take the sheer destruction.
Just by unleashing his swords, he was rending the buildings behind him asunder.
("What... Is he planning!?")As soon as the beams of electricity were approaching him...
Still holding up his block- he jumped backwards.
He could no longer be seen in the smoke. As a building blew up right behind him at the same time he jumped back.
One thing was for sure. Beezlebub could guess how he did it, such as by low profiling it or sliding, but Reggie had evaded the beams.Beezlebub knew there was a building there that he just blew up.
So he pointed his swords at it... And they all aimed squarely at the rubble of where the building used to be.
Aiming well- the electricity stabilized into pure beams and fired at it.
A pure explosion of red and purple mana occurred, leaving nothing in its wake but dust. Sheer and utter destruction, only possible because of the amount of mana he gathered in Ozeta.
"..."
And yet- he could still smell Reggie's scent.
And it was very close to him.
Reggie's true intent... Was to expose a weapon's shop.
As fast as he could- he searched through the rubble for anything resembled a bladed weapon.
Fortunately for him, luck was shining down on him. And it granted him not one, but two.
Two bladed bolos. A Ginto Archipelago local weapon.
And... His glasses were off now.
He swung diagonally at Beezlebub. (edited)... Prospero couldn't even block.
He knew deep down. Vestiges of a time when he was still human.
The deep inner instinct that he almost forgot he had. To sum it up in one word,
Fear.
A voice filled his brain.
"Reggie has a way to kill me."
That single phrase passed through the brain of the immortal vampire.
He jumped back. As far away as he could. "...!!! Those eyes..."
Then he recognized it.- The switch was only half flipped."
Stuck halfway, wedged by something. That being his glasses.
With his glasses off, the full extent of Reggie's fighting ability was unlocked.
"... Yeah. They're the real deal.
The Mystic Eyes of Death Perception. Eyes that can kill anything."
They were not a mere replication. Not even the legendary Xelor known as Naoki Coxen achieved the authentic eyes and of course a certain Executioner could only mimic it.
They were the eyes in their truest form.
"You introduced yourself earlier, so allow me to do it myself too.
I'm Reggie Marshall. Just a passing by traveler. And also...
No. X. The Master of Death."But the grim reaper came knocking.
In truth-
This is what the human, Prospero, wanted.
He called the place a killing chamber. When in truth, people had an honest chance to escape or get strong enough to beat him.
He did not outlaw fighting, innovation nor did he outlaw weapon making.
Subconsciously... He wanted to breed someone that could beat him. That could kill him.
It turns out, regardless of what he did, that person would come.
"Reggie Marshall... Let me feel the power that could rip me to shreds."Reggie vanished.
In truth, he was still just as tired as before. Just as injured as before.
But by holding his weapons of choice in his hands, it gave him peace of mind.
His breathing improved. His tactics improve... And his emotions surged forth.
Which in turn, re-strengthened his Circulation.
Reggie appeared at Beezlebub's side- swinging it horizontally.Prospero reached for one of the greatswords floating by his side.
He grabbed it and blocked the slash. Using his greater strength...
He was ready to force Reggie back. Until.Beezlebub saw it. A second blade swinging towards him.
His left hand was clashing with the greatsword. And his right hand held a blade that was swinging diagonally to bissect his neck.
This is the true power of his fighting style. Offense and defense in the same move.
A single tempo.Prospero still had a lot of stamina to spend.
Bending his knees, he twisted his greatsword in a 45 degree angle.
Swinging it in such a way that he would deflect both of Reggie's blades- and slash at the same time.
At the same time- the 3 other greatswords floating behind him shot a laser directly towards Reggie.
"... I have nothing else I have to say to you.
Now... I feel truly alive." Because now- he felt a real risk of losing.Reggie did a flip backwards.
He could do nothing about the blasts of laser coming at him.
A huge crater was formed and Reggie barely grazed the explosion. "Gh-"
By performing such a move... His body screamed in protest.
The wounds he suffered from earlier were screaming at him to stop. Even so.
His mind and emotions wouldn't let him. With his bolos gripped, he rushed towards Beezlebub, showing no signs of stopping or fatigue!Prospero knew the properties of those eyes.
He didn't know exactly what they could do- but it let the user perceive the cracks in the world.
Reggie could now slash at those cracks and instantly kill whatever he cut.
Which meant, getting close was dangerous. He jumped back- far back. His superhuman physicality let him reach the top of a ruined building.
Spikes appeared all around Prospero as he fired a hail of bullet-like rain on Reggie.
"So...! This is what a climax feels like, hm!?
Then. Let me savor it with everything I have!"Reggie focused.
All he had to do... Was to get close.
He had to do either two things. Cut a line across Beezlebub, which there were many. That would rend that part instantly.
Or two. Cut the point of death at his heart. Which would execute all lines at once.
His eyes let him see those points.
Seeing the rain of spikes ahead of him- he sped past them.
He didn't even bother dodging the moment he saw them form. Reggie's mind instantly already told him to dash past them before the first one was even fired.
And with just his legs, sheer speed and his aura... He scaled the building by running up it.
A jump into the air. He was now in front of Beezlebub in mid air, sworss drawn. (edited)Right now...
The dead was meeting the grim reaper. And the grim reaper was claiming an immortal's life.
To say that both of their brains were frying themselves trying to think as fast as possible is an understatement.
The two were quite literally at the peak of their ability right now.
So the moment he saw the image of Reggie, in front of him... Registering that he was in mid air...
The greatswords floating around him pointed at Reggie- and fired. Something Reggie shouldn't be able to dodge now that he's in mid air.
"THIS IS IT!!!"Reggie had no room to dodge to the side or dodge to the back.
He was in mid air. There was nothing he could do as long as he was in the air.
... Except. He had one possible move. To go forward.
Even though while he was calm and rational- he could not control much of it... He could control enough.
A small single tendril stretched out of his wrist as it latched onto Beezlebub's arm... As he yanked himself forward.
"No... This ends here!"
Reggie... Raised one of his blades overhead as he dodged the beams and flew directly towards Beezlebub.
He raised his sword-
And slashed at a line connecting Beezlebub's right shoulder and right arm.
Completely and utterly... Killing it. His arm fell to the ground soon after.The fear of the vampire reached its utter limit.
He didn't have a counterattack in mind. Yes, his instincts made him form his scythe in hand.
Yes, he raised it. But his mind was utterly blank.
He could think of nothing else... But the vision of death before him.Reggie landed.
He moved up and twisted his entire body. Pivoting.
Beezlebub was showing absolutely no defense at all. Which means...
Cutting another line would be trivial. And so he slashed.
He would rather go for the point- but that would require a stab. Which is slower.
He wasn't going to risk it.And so... Prospero made a move only possible to those with fear.
He did the unthinkable. It was a move... That would damage the both of them.
Prospero erupted a giant spike that destroyed the entire house- and hit both Reggie and Prospero with devastating damage from the bottom.
He did so many times for other buildings. But never for one on himself. As Prospero... Never thought to damage himself.
But thinking back on it- he should have considered it sooner. "- AGH!"
As which one of the two... Was immortal?Reggie was blown back.
This time... It was a fatal blow that no amount of Circulation would let him recover from.
He skid back. Bouncing back multiple streets.
Until he finally landed. Back against a wall. He almost crashed through it- but he stopped. Having lost enough momentum.
"Haa... Haaa... Haaa... Haa..."
He was still Circulating. But his legs have physically taken too much damage.
His arms and entire upper body could still move. But he couldn't get up.
He couldn't move. "Shit..."A moment of silence passed.
A full three minutes as Reggie could only hear the burning of buildings... And his own breaths.
He could even hear his own heartbeat. That's how quiet it was.
Reggie was uneasy as he wasn't sure if it was because people escaped or everyone was dead.
But... Then those three minutes were interrupted by footsteps. Uneasy footsteps.
Although he was not as brutally injured as Reggie... An injured Prospero walked over to Reggie.
But his wounds were healing. For he was a vampire who had consumed hundreds.
"... It's a shame, Reggie.
You were so close in killing me. But...
I believe everyone has escaped my domain. Only a few people are left." He closed his eyes.
"Even so... I will find them and bring them back to Ozeta. As long as I'm alive- people will die... For no reason other than to satiate my carnal thirst."
He stretched out his hand.
As a red spike extended out of it- aiming for Reggie's neck. "Goodbye."But...
The spike never reached Reggie.
It stopped right before it was about to stab him.
Smoke filled the air.
As Reggie... Had reached into his pocket and quickly drew it.
The Taurus Judge. A five bullet cheap revolver. He had raised it-
And fired it directly at the point of death of Beezlebub- no. Prospero.
Instantly shattering all of the lines on him... And mercilessly killing him. Lifelessly, Prospero fell to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.
And the sky returned to normal. Clouds returned. All the spikes vanished.
The vampire had been killed. (edited)The fight was over.
The ordinary traveler had killed the immortal vampire.
A cold wind howled. Now... It truly only was him.
A dying Reggie coughed up the last of his blood as his vision dimmed.
His eyes could no longer see color. And his mind was fading too, so he could not recall it.
It was a fight that pushed him to the sheer brink. (edited)Once he stopped Circulating...
The full brunt and pain of the unnatural wounds he took hit him all at once.
His senses were numbed due to his Tainted Illness.
But even he had abused that to its utmost limit. Which means...
Every soreness and broken bone, he felt in its entirety.
"Haha... This really sucks.
But I've... Accomplished what I sought out to do.
I wouldn't mind dying here. Not at all. After a battle like that, it's a fitting death."
Reggie slowly closed his eyes.
And his mind slipped away. Slowly, slowly drifting into unconsciousness.
And soon to be- death.But...
... Reggie could hear just a single thing.
A single thing that kept him just slightly conscious. The voice of someone he considered family.
"You... You dimwit!
Don't die on me now! Come on! You can't!
We still... Need to find you a cure!"
He wouldn't realize it then.
But he learnt a valuable lesson. As long as at least one person wanted him alive...
... He shouldn't die.He muttered weakly.
"Ah. That's right...
I didn't embark on this journey... To die. I embarked on this journey...
To live happily."-------------------------- + Epilogue + ----------------------------------------
... I'm having that dream again.
Even though I'm having this dream far in the future...
... I've had it 3 times now. Well, counting this time.
But I had it when I passed out after beating Beezlebub. So even though I'm having it now, the contents of the dream are the same.
Right now, I'm having it after I got cornered by the mayor of Outset Town. She took me to ▅▅▅▅▅▅ and then he put me back into this state and made me forget a few things.
That time too. When I fouight Beezlebub, I forgot how to use my eyes for a while. So I guess this is what happens... When I forget things.
"... Where are you headed?"
The scene of the dream is at a train station.
I'm always in the current state that I am now. And I think this train station is at Hamel, but I'm not sure.
I'm next to a woman.
I...
Even though I see her face, I can't recognize it.
But I can tell. She's... Someone important. Someone very important to me.
Maybe even family to me. Yeah. No. That's definitely it. Family.
But I can't make out her face nor can I recall her name. She stood up and pat my head as a train arrived behind me.
"... Home." The woman turned her back.
As she didn't walk just yet. "But you can't go home. You have a destination to go to.
Somewhere you must go. No matter what."I stared on ahead.
I rubbed my eyes and even put up my glasses.
There... There was no train ahead. Even though this is a train station.
There was only a hard, cold, trail ahead. One that looked rough to travel. I stepped ahead.
And once I stepped on the trail- it began to rain. So I jumped back onto the comfort of the train station.
My clothes were drenched and my shoes were covered in mud.
"This..." I frowned deeply. I couldn't accept it.
It's at this moment- someone put a hoodie on my back.
It was the man...
... Who gave me the reason in which I should travel in the first place.
Giving me a blue hoodie, he put it around my shoulder.
I left to travel because the elders forced me to. But this man...
"If you're a traveler, you should either wear a hat or a hoodie. A long journey brings on a lot of challenges.
Cold and rainy days. Nights that are far too dark. Suspicious locales... And the stares of onlookers.
This hoodie will protect you from all of that."I threw the hoodie up.
"I can only see half of what I can usually see." I commented like a child.
Because at this moment- the dream became a memory.
I was forced to travel. But it was through this man, I learned to travel.Chapter Three: ENDChapter Four: The Land of Persecution
"One Foot Forward - Theme of Young Reggie" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CFdDzJaZw8 (Mushishi - Mabuta no Hikari)Reggie Marshall, age 12, stumbles onto a land of the persecuted.
There, he met a Doctor who taught him how to live. (edited)