Zale would grab a towel before exiting the shower. Wrapping it around her pale and slim body before she grabbed another towel to wrap it gently around her hair.
As she had gotten changed into her training fit, her mind was only clouded by what had happened weeks ago. Staring at the ground, Zale became distracted by such memory.
. . .
All I can remember is everything becoming black. My hands are warm, but at that time they felt like they were burning. My body generally felt like I was on fire… but the moment my eyes opened up, I wasn't in the same place before… Yet Atsuji and Amore turned out to be completely fine. But how?
. . .
Zale would fire her fist, hitting the punching bag with a bit of her strength. Though the punching bag just moved a couple of inches, swinging a bit before stopping.
Weird… she thought.
Sighing in disappointment, she sat down on the ground of the training room while rubbing the back of her neck. Trying to rest her body, her mind was still fired by thoughts.
I remember being able to pummel those guards into the ground with ease.. Now it seems like my potential has shrunk.
Around the corner, Atsuji watched silently. His eyes slant as he's been keeping his eye on her this entire time. The way she fought, moved her limbs in offense, and how much strength she would use. As soon as he saw her resting, he turned. Exiting the training room as he placed a hand under his chin.
Outside, Amore was seen eating a bag of candy she was given just this morning. Atsuji glanced over, observing his co-worker eat a bar of chocolate.
"How are you feeling since what happened?" he asked calmly.
"I've been doing better. Why do you ask—?" she mumbled.
"I'm just curious."
"Curious of our new partner? That's new—"
"Not like that. Just now, it seems like she's returned back to a human state…"
"What do you mean by that?"
"I remember. I could feel her aura continuously growing and it felt like the entire world was heating up while fearing it. Then it happened. A golden aura spread across the entire area… not sure how far but just enough that it covered the ROSS department to the point it was able to remove all traces of shadow energy even being there."
"You're right…"
"It's even weirder when we were harmed by the shadow, but the next thing we know we have zero trace of it.. As if the aura literally decimated it entirely."
"Are you saying you're going to try and investigate this, Atsuji? You're always like that…"
"I don't have a choice. Zale isn't a human nor an artificial human. Whoever is telling her these lies are hiding something that can potentially harm innocent people."
"Are you saying Zale isn't… trustworthy?"
"I trust Zale, I really do. I'm one-hundred percent sure she's not even sure about her own identity herself. Which is why I'll look into it."
"Well, good luck Atsuji! The ROSS Department has given me tasks for today… so I'm busy. But I'm sure you and Zale will figure this out."
"Thanks, Amore."
. . .
As Zale exited the training room and was on her way to the train station, She spotted Atsuji. Leaning against the wall while a pair of earbuds were in his ears. It seemed like he was in his own world. But curious, she called out.
"Atsuji?"
Atsuji glanced at Zale, staring softly before pulling his earbuds out as he approached her.
"You're done with training," he said.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"It's my day off. Want to grab a drink?"
"... A drink? Sure. Why not…"
. . .
In a cafe, built where it was the most crowded, Zale and Atsuji decided to rest there for the time being. Zale, sipping a glass of cola, glanced at Atsuji. Feeling the awkwardness though he was seemingly able to perfectly pretend like that awkwardness didn't even exist.
"So why did you ask—"
"I only did it because I've grown curious."
"To me?"
"Yeah. Who else?"
"What about me?"
Atsuji would calmly grab his cup of tea, taking a sip as he let out a small inhale, before exhaling.
"Things don't really make sense towards you. So please, if you can. Restate everything."
Zale stared, blinking softly in confusion. But thinking Atsuji may have just wanted to know her more. Of course, she didn't mind that. So she sat back, relaxing her posture as she placed her glass of cola down.
"Well… I can only remember waking up in the ROSS' Department hospital and Xiu Lan was just there with me. She tried to ask me questions… weird ones actually. She asked whether I remember anything or remember injuring myself, or seeing myself in a lab or something. But I still don't know… but Xiu Lan didn't care and she took me in. She's a great person for someone in her 20s."
"28, I suppose?"
"Yeah. She's 28."
"Figured."
"But pretty much… as much as you want to know me, I don't actually have that much."
"And you haven't bothered to try and look?"
"Oh I have. I definitely have. I've been open to daydreaming or dreaming of some weird scenes."
"Oh—?"
"Yup."
This may go nowhere… Atsuji sighed. Leaning back as he broke eye contact from Zale.
"So what about you?"
Atsuji jolted a bit, slowly looking back at the curious Zale as he slowly stood up. Straightening his posture.
"Me."
"Yeah you."
"... Hm…"
Atsuji looked away, breaking eye contact once more as if he'd fallen hesitant to continue speaking. But to at least keep things equal, Atsuji sighed softly.
"I came from the planet… Tsukuyomi. It has a connected planet named Amaterasu as they both orbit the same angle, same direction, mainly the same. I was raised there before I faced the real trouble of their hierarchy. But because it was just me against two whole different planets, I ran off and rested here. In the Reverie."
"Interesting…"
"Of course it is… how about we call it a day for tonight. Amore might be questioning why we're taking so long."
"Ah— you're right." Zale nodded.
Not wanting to waste anymore time, they finished up their drinks, both smiling softly and in relief as they soon left the cafe.
. . .
As Xiu Lan found out how close the trio had come together after their first meeting, she had this happy idea that they would all be paired into a dorm. Which happened. While Zale and Atsuji had returned back to the dorms, Amore had already long been in her bedroom, getting ready for bed.
"You two returned late." Amore pouted.
"I lost track of time… sorry Amore—" Zale chuckled nervously.
"Sure sure— Bring me along next time when I'm not busy too…" Amore sighed.
Atsuji stared a bit before breaking eye contact, leaving the two be as he entered his room. Before he had shut the door, he whispered goodnight. Zale glanced in a bit of confusion, but knowing that Atsuji wasn't really more of an open and introverted person, she shrugged it off. She herself wasn't that extroverted compared to Amore's energetic being.
"Well. You have a good night Zale. Wish the best for all of us!" Amore smiled, grabbing one of her massive teddy bears that was just chilling on the couch before taking her leave.
"Night Amore." Zale mumbled softly, turning to the direction of her bedroom.
. . .
Zale would slowly enter her bed, tucking herself tightly and comfortably under her blanket as she turned her body to the side. Staring at the blank white wall, she thought to herself.
How did I even get here again?
Trying to recount everything. She grew up with no memories. Xiu Lan happily took her in while she was only 14. Though Zale met her best friend Judie… maybe not even considered one anymore. Knowing Judie had fled since that incident, she has zero whereabouts of her. Zale was constantly in trouble from being an outsider, but Xiu Lan always shrugged it off. Telling the world Zale is still attempting to fit into this world. But now that she's fully aware of her strength, taking down soldiers that had trained for years with ease, killing that bastard shadow that was able to knock out both Amore and Atsuji even though she knows they were much more experienced than her. Did she have to adapt to a new path? A new life? Will the world really accept that?
Unwilling to find answers at the moment. Of course, it was close to midnight. Who would want to? Zale slowly closed her eyes. Noting to herself she'll start digging into her past later…
. . .
Dear Zale. You have been so much help towards us. But now we will complete your mission, bring your soul and let it guide many of us into the light. A female voice softly spoke.
Zale slowly opened her eyes, finding herself in a normal… but rather strange area. She was in a home. Maybe not a home. The sight of the windows clearly reflected they were in space. But just not outside of space, the view looked directly on the shape of the universe. Though it was clear she was in a rather fancier designed living room, this was something she can't remember.
Her eyes slowly absorbed the room, the silver colored floor, cooler colors of blue white and maybe black while silver remained dominant. The cold vibes. However, what had caught her attention was the faint sound of a violin playing in the background. It didn't sound like it came from a speaker, but as if it was actually being performed.
Where am I… Zale thought to herself.
Looking down at her legs, they gently swung back and forth. She was able to control her movement. A dream, where she could actually move in. With a bit of slow motion, Zale slowly stood up, making sure she wasn't going to suddenly snap herself out of the dream or anything. But after realizing she had full control of her movements, she slowly approached the sound of the violin.
The sound of the violin seemed to be heard from outside of the room as she followed it in curiosity. She left the living room as she entered a rather circular room. Maybe shaped like a ballroom like in those historic museums, but it kept it's monotonous color. Though the sight of the universe was bright, the area remained rather darkened. But enough to see heavily detailed patterns around the ballroom.
What had stood out however was a figure standing in the middle of the ballroom. That was where the sound of the violin was coming from. As Zale slowly but silently walked forward, her eyes began to widen. She could see the figure much more clearly, but the way it stood out from the dark ballroom was the figure's bright red hair. And her white trench coat.
"You…" Zale mumbled.
"Are you surprised to see me. Little one?" the woman spoke, her voice calm but loud as it seemed to echo across the entire ballroom.
As Zale took a closer observation, she began to realize the woman wasn't holding an actual violin. Though her posture and hand gestures were perfect, as if she was holding an actual violin. But the one she was holding was rather glass-like. Instead of those wooden brown colors, it was fairly transparent and glowing just as bright along with her hair.
"Who are you?" Zale replied.
"You will remember me later, dear. But now…"
The sound of the violin suddenly stopped. The woman's arm took a pause as she slowly turned to Zale. Her pale light blue eyes stared at Zale's as a chilling smile printed on her face.
"You should be worried about what is approaching." she continued.
What—?
Suddenly, Zale began to feel chills down her spine, hearing a raspy growl as she quickly turned around to face what was behind her. There, her eyes met with a glowing golden pair of eyes. Though with just quick observation, it seemed to be covered in dozens of white straps and pieces of armor, covering its face. But one thing stood out. Its flaring black aura. Just like the previous shadow she had met back at ROSS' Department. A Dreamwalker.
She would quickly jump back, giving herself space. Now knowing her dream had become a threat, yet unescapable. The dreamwalker lunged forward, unwilling to waste anymore time as it clenched its fist, summoning pillars to trap Zale in place.
This—!
Zale quickly responded, her aura suddenly bursting as broke the pillars. Clenching her fist, she quickly got into stance. But her eyes widened as she saw the figure of the Dreamwalker right in front of her.
The Dreamwalker would knock her across the ballroom, Zale grunted in pain as she crashed before sliding back. Getting into her knees before getting into a defensive stance. Predicting the Dreamwalker, it lunged towards her again to knock her back once more. Yet she had blocked before kneeing the dreamwalker, sending it flying into the ceiling.
My strength… Is it returning? Zale thought.
The dreamwalker would dive back down, attempting to crash right into Zale. Though she quickly reacted, rolling back to avoid getting hit as dust rose from the ground.
She stared, her eyes slanted as she waited for the dreamwalker's next move. However, a quick spear flew just right past her. Her eyes widened from just how it barely missed her. Glancing at the spear, she realized it was a distraction. Looking back, the Dreamwalker had thrown its fist right at her, hitting her in the stomach.
Zale yelped in pain, stepping back as she place her arm over her stomach. Though the Dreamwalker continued, firing its fist back and forth while Zale attempted to block each hit. Though with a fit of anger, Zale's aura bursted once more. Blasting the Dreamwalker far back while she fell back.
"Tch—!" she groaned.
The dreamwalker would slowly got up, shaking its head before looking straight at Zale. Her eyes widened realizing her aura hasn't done much damage than before.
Shit…
The dreamwalker quickly lunged forward Zale, though Zale was prepared to just wake up any moment, the dreamwalker froze just a few inches away from her. It seemed to struggle to move, attempting to catch its prey. Though the red colored strings held the dreamwalker back.
Strings…? What the.
"Hurry, my dear. It is time for you to leave." the woman called out once more. Slowly walking past Zale.
"What… Why.." she mumbled.
"Your dream ends here… Miss Ayaka will take care of the rest." Ayaka glanced over, giving that chilling but soft smile.
"I—"
"Now go. We will meet again." Ayaka continued. A portal right behind them soon formed as the other side revealed Zale's bedroom.
Knowing that she had to wake up, Zale quickly stood up, using the rest of her energy to dash into the portal.
Within a flash, Zale's eyes widened. Abruptly waking up from her sleep as she quickly sat up. Looking around her room, she noticed the concerned Amore standing next to her bed.
"Zale? You're awake…" Amore whispered.
"Amore—? How are you…"
"Take a breath, Zale."
…
Zale inhaled softly before exhaling, allowing herself to breathe. Once her body had soothened, she would get some answers.
"I'm able to sense the emotions of others very well… I woke up and your emotional aura was rather overwhelming. I came to check up on you and found you sweating. You acted like you were in pain. I tried to shake you but it didn't do anything."
"Ah… Thanks Amore."
"No problem Zale… Did you want to talk about it—?"
Zale stared at Amore. She trusted her partner of course. Amore was one of the kindest she's met.
"Sure… not like I can go back to sleep."