Author Notes:
First of all, I want to give a special shoutout (again) to Captain JonVon, once again. Thanks to him, I managed to pay off another year of internet fee, and a bit of my housemoving loan, thus giving me leeway to continue writing, well, everything.
The next portion, however, is gonna be said with a troubled heart. I am, at this point, lost in determining the where to focus my attention on. As you have all known by now, I have three ongoing series: RM, being my first and most famous, GSS, being my second that is quite niche and fun, and OBOM, being my youngest of the bunch but seemingly have more potential. That said...
RM and GSS are fanfics, and OBOM is not. This is why OBOM has so many Early Access chapters on my Patreon. And this bring me to the point I want to convey.
Recently, I have lost contact with a General of mine, he who has always been a crucial patron that donate to my Mom and I 100 USD a month, a staggering amount of fund for us who live in Vietnam. I have no idea why he is unreachable, and I can only hope he is still out there, riding on that dream train of his. His unreachable state mean that a good portion of our monthly income is gone as well, which brings Mom and I well into the red regarding our household economy situation. As such, I am at a point where I am desperately searching for away to boost the income in a legal manner to which I come to see two viable paths.
One is to continue with the current release rate: One RM chapter - One GSS chapter - One OBOM chapter.
Second is this: Two OBOM chapters - One RM Chapter - Two OBOM chapters - One GSS chapter.
I am partial to the second path, as this will build up OBOM faster, allowing it the chance to get to more audience, and hopefully garnering Mom and I more support. Writing is what I am doing to keep Mom and I afloat. It's what I have been doing full time for years. But I can't do it without you all, so I am hoping to hear your opinions on what I should and shouldn't do regarding the stories.
To be honest, my life is a mess right now, but I do not want to keep this message longer than it is, nor do I want you all to stomach the rants that I have kept hidden in my heart. I wouldn't wish it on anyone, haha...
Anyway, do enjoy the chapter and the pictures. If you want to support and chat, then you all know the drill by now. I am sorry to have kept you reading through that wall of text, I just don't know what to do anymore.
https://www.patreon.com/Heartbreak117
https://www.patre-on.com/Heartbreak117
https://discord.gg/cVZxJ29ruh
Reizen 1: https://postimg.cc/ctrFVSJs
Reizen 2: https://postimg.cc/QKHfR3Mx
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Sitting on a smooth-out stump of a tree, I deposit the Tactical Artefact, the Angel Break Custom Chiappa Triple Crown shotgun, into the Inventory. The girl in front of me, Reizen, gently raises an eyebrow at the sudden disappearance of my Holy Weapon. Other than that, however, she doesn't react much, which either means she can control herself well or that she's familiar with magic and tricks.
It could be both, really.
"Anyway, now that we've got the introduction out of the way, please have a seat, Reizen." I gesture to a foldable chair that is placed just by Reizen's spot near the foot of a Knight wreckage I scavenged from the graveyard.
Coincidentally, I have placed all the other Knights that were at the graveyard into the Inventory. Who knows, maybe I can reverse-engineer them or smelt them for materials to build ships in the future. The one I left out in the open is primarily there for me to see if I can possibly jury-rig something to work out of its remains in my free time. After all, I can't exactly do nothing while waiting for Reizen's stasis pod to power down, right?
When Reizen takes the chair over to sit right across from me at a respectful distance, both she and I take the next few moments to carefully scrutinize each other's appearance. I must admit, Reizen may be one of the most beautiful girls I have ever met in my two lifetimes, and Aurea seems to nod in agreement to the thought in our shared mental space.
Reizen, unlike Aurea and me with our light brown skin, is pale white, but not unhealthily so. In fact, there's a sense of sanctity and holiness to the white visage Reizen has going for her, accentuated by her pale blue eyes and hair that seem to take on a more silvery sheen whenever the light hits them at the right angle. If she is to dress up in a medieval battle skirt instead of that white and blue bodysuit of hers, Reizen will easily come off as a Battle Saint that is not unlike the famous Jeanne d'Arc. More than her appearance, however, I notice that Reizen carries herself with the manner of a trained combatant, though not necessarily one who may have decades of combat experience. Still, it will be unwise to underestimate her combat capability, I think. It's not just me that I am worrying about, after all.
After maintaining our gazes for some time, Reizen is the first to break the silence by taking a deep breath before asking.
"Are you a Psionic, Umbra?"
Psionic?
"You will have to be more specific than that, dear. Psionic is a vast term to use." I smile softly.
My reply causes Reizen to nod, saying.
"My apologies, allow me to explain. From where I came from, the Eternal Reich, Psionic has since grown to be the catch-all term to describe individuals who can display supernatural abilities. The term doesn't discriminate if such individuals are born with a particular ability or later learn it via mastering mathematical or ancient runic spells. Seeing that you have managed to make your weapon disappear, a quite advanced technique by itself, I thought that you were a Psionic who has some mastery over spatial manipulation... Or it could be that you possess an item that houses a pocket dimension for storage, which is much simpler of an explanation, now that I think about it."
I make an "Oh" sound before clarifying.
"If you're asking if I'm a magical practitioner, well, I guess I can say that I have dabbled here and there. My magical expertise is just enough to tide me through on this island." Although it's a simplified answer, it's not really incorrect considering Aurea, a genius herself, is tutoring me about the magical side of things in our free time. I have learned some neat tricks.
"As for where the shotgun went... You can think of it as I have cheated, somewhat. You can't exactly think that I will reveal something that's integral to my personal safety, right? You and I aren't even on our first date, yet." I add with a chuckle. The last part is a bit of a shameless tease from me.
That said, if Reizen has turned shy or has taken offense to that, she doesn't show any of it on her composed facial features.
"Fair enough. To have you clarify some of my curiosity is already more than what I can ask for. My apologies if I have made an affront on you."
"Don't sweat it, much, Reizen. Given that we may have to stick together for a while, we should know who our bunkmate is, at least." I shrug, injecting sincerity into the words I say.
"In that case, if you're fine with it, may we conduct a cordial exchange of information? We each take turns asking a question that we can choose not to answer if it's uncomfortable." Reizen suggests calmly.
I nod, taking on a more attentive seating posture as we're about to get into the meaty part of this conversation. "That's what I have in mind, truly. Since you have already asked a question, shall I be the next to post the query?"
"It is only logical that you will ask next, Umbra." Reizen agrees with a tilt of her head.
"Alright." I nod before putting on a serious expression that causes Reizen to tense and sit straighter with her hands on her knees. What I say next, though, has nearly caused Reizen to lose her composed expression. "Reizen, are you hungry?"
Although Reizen seems like she has something to say against my dead seriousness, which contrasts heavily with the gentle nature of my question, the bluenette chooses to sigh before replying honestly.
"Now that you asked... I am indeed feeling quite famished. Due to some special circumstances, my calorie intake is higher than what a normal person would need..."
"Then I have gotten just the thing for ya." I reach into the Inventory and pull out a pack of high-energy MRE before tossing it over to Reizen. "No matter how advanced your civilization is, MRE is something you shouldn't be unfamiliar with."
"That is indeed the case... Thank you, Umbra." Reizen says before tearing open the packaging. "Although the packaging methods and menu may differ, MRE as a whole remains largely the same ever since its first inception by the predecessor of the Eternal Reich in the 1930s."
"Seems like a story to be said over a meal, then?" I ask, before pulling out my own MRE, some food for Alpha, which is lazing around behind me, and something special for us to drink.
Unironically, Aurea and I are sitting on a stock of maddeningly good alcohols, all because the System is something with class and culture. To commemorate Reizen's awakening and our first meeting, I decided to bring out a bottle of Lustau Palo Cortado Almacenista Cayetano del Pino y Cía.
Reizen, seeing me bring out the whole wine-serving shebang, has her composure falter for a bit as she processes the where and why.
"Is that...?"
"One of the finest sherries from Jerez de la Frontera, Spain? Yes, yes, it is. Does it shine with amber-gold hues and aromas of almonds, walnuts, and dried fruit? Let's find out together, shall we?"
[You should join us, too, Aurea. While you may not get drunk, you can still acquaint and enjoy the taste this wine provides. Consider it one of the first lessons in being an adult.] I mentally nudge my Other Me.
[O-Ok! I admit, I am indeed curious about wine and why you have so many memories about it, Umbra...]
[Oh, I might not have been much of a smoker, but I was a sucker for a good dinner over alcohol. You will be surprised at how liberating a solo meal can be when you end it with a good glass of wine or champagne, Aurea.] I smile, both to Aurea and to Reizen sitting across from me.
Fortunately, we have a nearby table we can use to place both our MREs and the stuff to serve the Spanish wine with. I only need to pull it over to set things up properly. Midway in my preparation for our little get-along feast, Reizen suddenly comments.
"I am honored you're willing to go through such length, Umbra, wasting such good wine on someone you have just met..." Her comment contains nothing but her sincerity and bafflement.
I smile before pouring both of us a glass each. Although I call them glasses, they're nothing more than some titanium mugs I got from the Daily Logins.
"For better or for worse, I am responsible for your awakening here." I say while passing the mug of wine to her, which she accepts with both hands. "You can say that I was entrusted by someone you held dear to care for you, in exchange for the loot that is the whole of the ERS Voyager."
Hearing my words, Reizen grips her mug tightly for a few moments before slowly easing it back. "... Mom. Do you... Know what she looks like in her final moment?"
Indeed, it's Reizen's turn to ask the question now.
I think carefully for a bit, before answering. "I only saw her through a recording with limited AI functionality. One thing led to another, I was then pointed to pull your stasis pod out of the wreckage of the Voyager... In my impression of her, however, she was the most loving mother, and she was the most valiant commander. Does that answer your question, Reizen?"
After a moment of mulling silence, Reizen nods slowly. "That it does, Umbra... Thank you, and I think I really need this drink."
"You're welcome." I smile before offering a toast. "For now, eat, drink, and banter. Do not think about the future that may leave you lost and wanting. Just focus on the present, Reizen, at least for now. It may sound presumptuous of me, but I think your mother would want you to grieve, but only for a moment, before standing up on your two feet and making your mark on this strange new world you have woken up to."
"... That sounds like something my mom would say, indeed." Reizen nods with a wry smile before raising her mug.
"Well, good to know I can do some pep talks if needed, then." I giggle before clinking Reizen's mug with my own. "What should I say... For the start of a beautiful friendship?"
"And the beginning of a glorious tale?" Reizen plays along, allowing herself a smile, one that is tinged with a hopeful curve instead of the previous melancholy and wryness.
"Aye, I can drink to all of that. Cheers!"
"Cheers!"
[Cheers!]
With three voices saying one after another, both Reizen and I start drinking from our mug of wine.
"Oh, wow..."
"The taste is..."
[Sublime...]
I smack my lips, eyeing the Lustau Palo Cortado Almacenista Cayetano del Pino y Cía bottle with appreciation.
"Either this bottle is masterfully brewed, or the occasion adds a touch of metaphysical flavor to it, but this is perhaps the best wine I have ever tasted."
Reizen nods along, taking a look at the remaining liquid in her mug.
"Perhaps... The answer is both. Although the pain of the past will haunt me still, this wine will no doubt help me tide it over until I can turn all of that pain into my strength... This moment will no doubt be something I will remember for the rest of my existence."
I smile softly, thinking to myself that I have somehow come across yet another one with mental trauma. At least Aurea is not as hurt as she used to be. "Come on, there's more wine to go around, but let's not drink too much on an empty stomach. You and I should have our lunch as well, Reizen."
Reizen heeds my advice and puts down her mug. Together, we both partake in our MREs, with Alpha acting as our bodyguard in the background as we eat, drink, and share information. As time passed, when all the food was gone, and the bottle of Lustau Palo Cortado Almacenista Cayetano del Pino y Cía was emptied, the rush of alcohol in our veins and the emotional state of having found companionship prompted me to pull out a different wine bottle and continue chatting with Reizen from noon till past midnight. That said, it's mostly Reizen who finally has an outlet to vent and who does most of the talking later on.
Unfortunately, even though I try my very best to pace myself, the alcohol finally claims its due and leaves me a drowsy mess. Reizen, while being tipsy herself, has a clearly higher tolerance and thus is more in control of herself. Realizing that the moon is already high up in the sky and that the night is chilly, Reizen moves across the table to pick me up gently in a princess carry.
"Sorry..." Reizen apologizes softly. "I didn't realize how bad everything has affected me. To make you, the host, accommodate my selfishness to this point... That's unbecoming of me as your guest."
Although the alcohol makes my head go fuzzy, much to Aurea's concern, I still manage a coherent reply, somehow.
"We are not host and guest... We are friends now, aren't we? And friends help each other through hard times and emotional pain."
Hearing my soft reply while being securely held in her arms, Reizen lets out a soft chuckle as her cheeks maintain a light hue of red. "Yeah, we are friends now. But you, you will have to tell me your story later. I'm curious how you ended up here, all by yourself, and that of Alpha as well."
"Eh... Let's leave it to tomorrow." I wave my hand back and forth before peaking my head over Reizen's shoulder. "Hey, Alpha! We're going to sleep in the Rover, goodnight!"
The Alpha gives us a look before giving me a disappointed shake of its head. With a paw, it shoos the two of us away in the direction of the Rover before picking a spot nearby the amphibious motorhome to both rest and guard the vehicle.
Oh yeah, have I mentioned that it's more than half a year since I went with Commander Garrett's wish and dug up Reizen? During this time, the Rover finished construction, and I ended up using it as the basis for a base around the Voyager's crash site, mostly so that I could scavenge the whole thing before pulling it all into the Inventory for safekeeping.
"That's one smart wolf..." Reizen comments, impressed by the apparent intelligence Alpha displayed.
"Alpha has been my partner in crime for like a year already. If you can earn its trust, then it will follow you through thick and thin~!" I say before tapping Reizen's shoulder. "Come on, get us inside the motorhome, or do you want me to go all sickly on you out in the middle of nowhere."
"Right. Right away, princess." Reizen nods before swiftly moving me inside the Rover, somehow opening the bulkhead with only one hand.
Idly, I comment. "Princess, huh? I like the sound of that."
I giggle to myself before nuzzling into this surprisingly comfortable embrace I am receiving as Reizen carries me to the bed.
It's only when I wake up tomorrow with Reizen sharing the bed that my brain finally churns at full efficiency.
"... Last night was wilder than expected." That's the only thing I can say.
[... You think?] Auree dryly comments, and I can feel her fixing me with an admonishing look at having overdone it with all the alcohol.