The corridors illuminated by light stones. A warm carpet dampened the vibrations of a woman's heavy footsteps, her clothes looked dirty with stains. A cleaning rag hung from her shoulder, swaying with her steps.
Her feet suddenly stopped in the middle of the corridor. The tray in her hands swayed, and the clinking of plates was heard for a moment. The woman crouched down slowly on one leg, then placed the tray she was holding onto the floor.
The rag on her shoulder was gripped hard by her fingers. Her vision trembled, and her eyes began to well up with tears. With those suppressed feelings, her hands kept moving to clean the stains on her clothes.
Why.
Why.
Why...
"I pray that those people die." The sound of coarse fabric dragging was heard every time it rubbed against her clothes.
"It hurts!" the woman's voice sounded as if she were startled by the pain in her palm.
She stopped scrubbing, brought her palm closer, and began to observe where the pain was coming from. Red fluid could be seen slowly coming out from a shallow cut.
Since when was I injured, was it because of the broken plate earlier?
The woman's fingers touched the edge of the wound. Before a shadow covered the light of the stone that illuminated her view. Feeling someone appear in front of her, she tilted her head upward, trying to recognize the figure before her.
Slowly, her gaze rose from bare, unshod feet. A soft brownish cloth covered her body up to her ankles, following her body's curves. Strands of long black hair hung in front of her chest, swaying slowly, covering her view of the face of the person standing right in front of her.
Her breath hitched, and her facial expression turned to panic.
No! I have to stand up right now.
The woman began to rise from the floor. As she gripped the tray that had been lying on the floor, the rag also covered her wound. The sharp pain was muffled slightly because it was wrapped in cloth.
The woman stood parallel to the strange woman in front of her. Their faces faced each other.
"I-I'm sorry,"
The glowing stone was blocked by her head, so my eyes could not see her face clearly.
Who is this woman, one of them?
How should I behave.
My body feels like it wants to run from here right now.
Shadows and black hair covered part of the strange woman's face. However, it felt like they were both staring at each other.
"My name is... Obsidia and I have one question for you,"
Her words.
They felt so close.
No, no.
What should I reply to her, just stay silent?
She has been silent all this time after saying that.
The light stone above them felt dimmed after the words of the strange woman named Obsidia. After staring for a long time, the woman only smiled thinly; her breathing was a little faster, and a little sweat appeared on her forehead.
"You?" asked Obsidia.
My name...
That's right, my name.
"Tris Tezza." Her left hand tightened its grip on the tray, then she extended her empty right hand.
Obsidia looked at her extended hand and how the tray was shaking slightly.
"Sorry, I don't like it," said Obsidia.
"Ah! Forgive me." The extended hand returned to the tray.
"So, Tezza, can I ask you where the room that is crowded and full of people is." Obsidia watched Tezza.
"You might know the place," Obsidia added.
A crowded place, lots of people.
Isn't that.
"Are you heading there?"
"There?" replied Obsidia.
Tezza turned around and began to point.
"Right after the T-junction there, turn left and that's the place,"
"Crowded and lots of people, right?"
"Yes, that's right, everyone on the ship is there. I think,"
"Thank you." Obsidia's footsteps were felt on the floor, passing Tezza.
"You're welcome...," replied Tezza while walking back in the opposite direction.
Ah, finally there is one normal person on this ship.
However, Tezza's steps had to stop. When she felt Obsidia's voice calling her softly.
"Yes, is there anything else you want to ask?" said Tezza, turning back after a step or two.
Green sparkles were clearly visible from behind the hair covering her face. Obsidia stood facing her.
"You, is there someone you want to kill?"
"If there is, what do you want?"
"Huh...,"
Tezza froze, processing the sudden question.
"Just think of his face, then how he dies." The green light sparkled even stronger.
Tezza's gaze began to lose focus and stared everywhere.
Obsidia's voice entered Tezza's head, the words spinning around. Until the face and all the deeds of someone appeared in her imagination. Like Obsidia's command, she imagined how that person would die.
As if feeling relieved, thin tears flowed down her cheeks.
"So that's how it is,"
Tezza just stayed silent and slowly stared at Obsidia more bravely.
"Then this is my proper thank you." Obsidia extended her hand forward, with her palm facing the ceiling.
Obsidia took a long breath through her nose. The light stones on the corridor ceiling began to become unstable.
"Give him the gentle touch of the Goddess..."
From out of nowhere. Green energy appeared through Obsidia's palm. Slowly forming striped patterns. Becoming brighter amidst the light.
"Prove your noble jealousy as a sign of your affection."
The incantation seemed to react with the patterns formed on the palm. Small spheres of green energy began to appear through the striped patterns.
"Caresza curativa."
After Obsidia's final words. The green spheres that had formed quickly shot toward Tezza. They stuck to various points on her body, one of which was her left hand.
"What is this?" Tezza looked confused as a strange feeling emerged from the green spheres touching her body.
It feels cold and warm at the same time.
What happened to my body.
As if not wanting to linger. Obsidia turned quickly. Stepping her feet toward the direction she intended to go earlier. Leaving Tezza whose eyes were still trying to understand what happened.
Passing the first branch without looking back. Until Obsidia arrived at the T-junction Tezza had mentioned. There was only a path to the right and left from the direction she came from. Obsidia turned to the left. Unconsciously, a voice from behind called out softly.
Step by step shook her clothes. Small tears were visible at the bottom. Busy, mixed sounds were heard slowly entering her ears.
The sounds grew louder and louder. One room without a door was visible; the yellowish light from the light stones looked brighter from there.
Behind the wall opening, someone was standing right there. Busy with his business without realizing, Obsidia's fingers appeared at the edge of the wall opening.
"Damn it!" The man slammed his clenched hand on the table. Coins and cards jumped for a moment.
"Thank you, this is a sweet victory, my friends." Another man sitting at the table quickly collected the coins in front of him.
One coin, ten coins, a hundred coins. While collecting them, his eyes observed the surroundings. Feeling satisfied with the expressions of defeat appearing from the other men there.
As his hand was still moving, his eyes caught a strange figure behind the man standing. As if he couldn't hold it back, the man slowly began to laugh.
"Y-you, you haven't had enough of losing until the devil inside you appeared, huh." His finger pointed toward the man standing alone. While laughing slightly at the black silhouette that appeared behind him.
The other men sitting at the table shifted their gaze. Seeing the figure clearly made them realize. Those people stood up suddenly, shaking their chairs and tables.
"What is with you guys too?" said the man who was not standing alone, his tone was irregular and his eyes were slightly red.
Seeing his friends looking at him, a confused expression appeared on his face.
"Why—"
His breath hitched. Followed by the sound of breaking from inside his chest. Red blood splattered everywhere.
"Disgusting," Obsidia's soft voice was heard right from behind him.
The man's body exploded in the middle of his chest. Leaving a red hole that spurted blood. Without any further reaction, his head fell, followed by his body.
The sound of a body slamming hard onto the floor grabbed everyone's attention. Red blood flowed unceasingly toward the table.
"What ha...," said the man sitting in the chair when the red blood splattered onto his face. The gold coins in his hands were stained red.
His friends who had realized it from the start began to feel it themselves. That feeling, piercing their minds quickly.
But it was too late, when Obsidia's eyes met them, it was all over.
A loud snapping sound and lost gazes. Their bodies also fell to the floor. Shifting several tables and chairs around.
Everyone there slowly found Obsidia. However, not everyone felt the same because of the influence of the dirty substance.
The man holding the coins in front of him began to stand up. Pushing toward Obsidia, who stood calmly on the other side of his table.
"Why did you kill my coin garden, you damn devil!" His hand, which was gripping a handful of gold coins, pulled back. Swinging quickly. Releasing the coins, shooting toward Obsidia's face.
Seeing the coins flying toward her. Obsidia just stayed silent. The gold coins passed her and fell to the floor.
"Huh?!"
"That's why I hate the color yellowish," said Obsidia while staring at the man who wanted to throw at her again.
Air quickly blew around. Something scratched the man's neck. His body was pushed quickly backward, hitting and sitting down hard.
The push from that feeling made his hand rub his neck. His palm felt a little wet accompanied by warmth. He opened his palm and saw a small bloodstain.
Before Obsidia's quick movement appeared. His vision disappeared quickly. His body was thrown backward through the table and chair.
Some people started taking out their firearms. A small lead ball was inserted into a hole. Then from their pockets came out a small package containing gunpowder which was poured along with the lead ball.
The clicking sound of friction. The gun barrels began to be aimed at one person, Obsidia. The trigger was pulled. The sound of explosions echoed repeatedly.
The lead ball sped, shooting hard at Obsidia's face. However, like the gold coins earlier, the hot ball only passed by without providing any real impact.
"Huh?!" exclaimed several people in disbelief.
Obsidia realized and turned toward the shots. This time her body stood straighter, facing them. Some people started reloading their weapons again. The clicking sound of friction was heard in a hurry. The trigger was pulled. The sound of explosions was heard echoing repeatedly.
The same result. The same reaction. Fear that spread. Within a minute, six or maybe seven bullets were fired by each person there. But none of them truly provided any real impact on Obsidia.
"Are you satisfied with trying?" Obsidia opened both her hands wide toward them.
"What are you actually...?" That person looked resigned and dropped his weapon to the floor, followed by the same sound from the other people.
From the corner of one of the tables, the two men there watched in silence. One of them opened his mouth.
"Joz... Isn't she,"
"If it's true, then you were wrong, weren't you...,"
A man standing near them looked like he was getting sick of it; his large, exposed arm began to swing hard. An empty weapon slid in the air, spinning quickly for a moment. A thudding sound was heard when the weapon hit Obsidia's palm.
With the same swing by Obsidia. The weapon slid quickly, reversing toward the large-armed man. However, without fear. He leaned his body forward, hitting the weapon hard. His footsteps were heavy and fast, running toward where Obsidia stood.
A table blocked his path. One hard leap and his body went airborne, charging right toward Obsidia. Dust and some sand blew on the floor. The air split, passing over his head. His body surfed through the air while unleashing a hard punch.
His knuckles touched Obsidia's forehead, then slowly penetrated as if hitting a water reflection. In a short time, his arm penetrated past Obsidia. Followed by his body hitting the floor, rubbing roughly.
Feeling his entire body aching from hitting the floor, his mind was not clear. The man tried to rise, then turned to face Obsidia again.
Of course, this time Obsidia looked like she didn't want to just stay still. Calmly, she turned to retaliate against the man. Obsidia's steps were calm as she approached him.
Just now, clearly, I hit this bastard right on the head.
But why does she look perfectly fine.
What just happened?
His eyes began to notice Obsidia's steps approaching him. The man clenched both his fists once again, ready to strike. But, a strange feeling appeared behind his back.
His face lowered, looking at the floor. His hand covered his mouth as if holding something back from coming out. Right at that moment, Obsidia's quick movement passed his vision.
Hitting his neck hard. His mouth opened, holding back the pain. At the same time. The sound of something breaking was heard repeatedly and very quickly. The shimmer of ceramic that had been broken into small pieces was seen shooting in Obsidia's hand.
Entering roughly into the man's mouth repeatedly and piling up. The piercing sensation that appeared from his gums. Slowly it was also felt in the roof of his throat.
His body slammed backward, unable to hold the pressure that kept appearing in his mouth. Dust blew slowly on the floor with the carpet. His eyes stared blankly at the light-filled ceiling of the room. Before slowly those eyelids felt heavy to open.
Obsidia stood right at the tip of his feet. Her face directed at the man as if staring deeply. Although her eyes were covered by her bangs, her gaze was felt.
"Turns out I was wrong, that shard should have been used as a tool to pry his eyes out. Then pour the drink from there. Not putting the shards into his mouth,"
Obsidia's face directed toward a mug on the table that remained half-full.
"But, I think this is more or less the same." Obsidia's hand gripped the cup on the table, then poured its contents into the mouth of the body in front of her.
The last grain of the drink fell inside. Obsidia's head bowed slightly to ensure the direction. Then her hand swung, throwing the mug softly right onto the pile of broken plates, making the shards go further into the throat.
It seems this body is starting to feel weaker over time.
If it's like this, the remaining energy won't be enough.
According to what Tezza said, everyone should be here.
But, Sevilla's Anima energy is far above.
Obsidia turned quickly, staring at the group of people who were daydreaming in resignation.
"Good evening, Ma'am!" A man's voice, who had been watching all along, was heard from one of the tables.
Obsidia, who stood right in the middle of the room, began to search for the whereabouts of the only voice that sounded loud in there.
A greenish sparkle was seen flickering from behind her bangs. Obsidia felt it, the Anima energy that had been suppressed and gathered for a long time.
"Someone who becomes an obstacle finally appears," said Obsidia softly.
Her face faced a man in a high hat who slowly stood up from his chair. His hand slowly took out black glasses from his suit pocket. Round black lenses covered his eyeballs.
His feet stepped out from near the table. Standing tall, facing Obsidia. People began to look at him and place their hope of survival on him.
"My name is Chept, happy to meet you." While taking off his hat, he bowed respectfully for a moment. Then stood perfectly again without a flaw.
Orange-colored Anima energy slowly overflowed. For a moment the air blew hard around the room. The tables around him vibrated slowly. Quickly, Anima energy shrouded his body.
"Sorry, I didn't notice you. In my life all this time, I could only clearly sense Anima energy stronger than my own," said Obsidia.
"Oi Old Man, are you sure about doing this. I don't want to see you die swallowing plates," Joz's voice was heard softly behind Chept.
"Shut up, you fool, and just run. Jump through that window or something," Chept replied softly, without looking back.
On the other side, Obsidia continued her speech. Clearly, Chept was not listening to Obsidia clearly.
"My name is Obsidia, nice to meet you, Chept," added Obsidia.
Chept smiled thinly without any visible doubt.
I already knew, damn it!
"...Exponential Cube." Directing his hand forward while reading the name of the Anima technique. That rapid sequence of events, like ordering his Anima energy to focus in front of him. Manifesting a striped cube with an orange color.
The cube moved at a slow speed toward Obsidia.
Obsidia realized that and quickly moved sideways, trying to avoid the cube while approaching Chept. However, it was not that easy; the cube was seen following her. The cube hovered and over time was seen enlarging, until it covered Obsidia's path.
"Parabola Cube!" A manifestation of a transparent cube appeared quickly and shot in a curve toward Obsidia.
The heart felt swollen, then beat very fast. Obsidia's green Anima energy emerged from her body.
Sorry, this will be a little painful.
"Displacement Jump: Third Heaven." Anima energy was forced out quickly. The pressure in every heartbeat felt like hell. However, Obsidia did not show any excessive reaction.
Obsidia's hand movement was like gripping something. From there, an Anima energy manifestation formed quickly. A green energy blade the size of a table was formed. Obsidia swung her right hand. The air around was split quickly, followed by all of Chept's cube manifestations shattering simultaneously.
The orange sparkles that shattered into pieces in the air began to fade, colliding with Obsidia's large, overflowing green Anima energy. Through the gaps between the pieces, Chept felt eye contact with Obsidia.
In my whole life, I have never felt death coming to me again.
Until I realized it.
From the beginning, I already realized it, I was wrong.
But, that feeling of fear would not appear until she truly appeared in my eyes.
This heavy and stuck feeling in my chest is the strongest manifestation I have.
Whether Obsidia considers this a serious fight or not.
I will unleash one hundred percent of what I have from this moment on.
Experience, suffering, and a sense of pride.
Chept joined both his hands, forming a unique symmetrical and asymmetrical pattern. Both his hands separated for a moment and formed their own patterns. Until both hands joined again and formed a total of six sequential patterns.
His hands were locked in the sixth pattern. His Anima energy felt thin, as if going inside, then at that thinnest shroud. An Anima energy manifestation from within him formed slowly. Anima energy in the form of a human was seen coming out of his back.
"Displacement: Fourth Heaven." Both his hands maintained the sixth pattern hard.
The head part of that Anima form was still coming out slowly. The pressure felt by Chept felt almost like Obsidia's pressure.
Clearly visible from the red nerves on his skin that began to show themselves. The veins in his head also appeared to be tightening.
Obsidia remained silent, not moving from her standing position as before. Even though Chept was full of openings to be attacked. The people around began to back away slowly to the edge of the room, as they felt the pressure of energy piercing into them.
When the shaped energy that appeared on Chept's back was already visible to the waist. The light stones around broke, darkness took over. The orange light from his Anima energy shone brightest in the dark.
"The world of pantomima." Along with that, Chept's two hands finally let go in relief.
His breath, which had been held earlier, began to all come out. His chest began to swell and deflate repeatedly. Air was blown out quickly many times.
"Then what do you expect from this, Chept?" Obsidia's voice was heard from in front of Chept, not far from where she stood.
Chept's head felt full. His rapid breathing would not stop. From behind his chest and between those lungs. Chept's heart heated up and beat at a high speed.
The sound of coughing was heard echoing in the middle of the silent room. A sound heard from the person who was now the center of everyone's attention.
"Stop Chept, you are throwing your life away," said Obsidia.
The human silhouette that was behind his back slowly dimmed. The green light of Obsidia's Anima energy began to overpower the brightness.
Repeated coughing, red splashes stuck to the floor.
"Old man!" Joz, who saw it, could not bear to get closer. But his intention was still held back.
The sound of Joz's shouting did not even change the situation. No one could help fight that pressure except Chept himself.
Only this time I want to stand.
Standing parallel with my savior.
Even though what is inside my chest feels like it will explode now.
"Why are you struggling so hard... You should realize that if you are a Sorcerer you have the power to escape from here. But you did not choose that...,"
Obsidia's two hands formed a symmetrical and asymmetrical pattern different from Chept's.
"...Even if you manage to master it... With the heart that you have, everything will be lost and even if that happens you still need stronger power...,"
Obsidia's eyes opened halfway, a slightly visible greenish retina shining beautifully.
"Through these eyes I can see it, you are not an original Sorcerer. A human who awakened as a Sorcerer, through a tragedy that triggered the destruction of the soul...,"
"You should be grateful to accept it. Be a soul that is clean and useful, that is the reason Anima energy awakened in your body,"
"...But, after you are in this filthy place, it is already over when I found you." Three patterns formed quickly.
"Displacement, fourth heaven: Sindrome forense." Obsidia's Anima energy exploded loudly for a moment.
The air blew stronger than before. Vibrations even shook the ship. Quickly that Anima energy was pressed and entered. The energy blanket thinned and the original soul of the Anima Sorcerer awakened halfway.
Even with the same burden, Obsidia did something different from Chept.
"Is it only up to here? Even one meaningful attack, I could not give to her." Facing the pressure from Obsidia. Chept's Anima energy held on for a moment before his Anima soul dimmed and entered again.
What remained of Chept was only thin Anima energy that still shrouded him.
Obsidia's steps moved toward Chept and the crowd of people behind him.
"NO! STAY AWAY FROM ME! LET ME GO!" Some people began to scream unclearly. While scratching their faces and bodies.
Even though she was still far when Obsidia approached, her Anima soul unleashed a very powerful manipulation technique. People with weak mentalities or weakened Anima energy immediately felt fear.
A feeling that felt like the manifestation of the suffering of the Sorcerer's body itself. Entered slowly into their minds.
The feeling of dying from losing blood. Corpses that moved to kill. Sharp objects that did not stop giving stabs. Once that happened, they would not escape and would feel the same fear as Obsidian.
In the midst of the people's endless suffering. Obsidia's steps stopped right in front of Chept, who was already on his knees.
"Don't try to do something stupid that will hurt yourself, Chept." Obsidia stared at Chept, who was bowing deeply.
Her gaze was wide open and Obsidia's distinctive sparkle shone brightly in the middle of the darkness. From her eyes, she saw through the obstacles; Chept's weakening soul was clearly visible. However, a feeling belonging to Chept brought her back to a memory.
From these eyes of mine I can see it.
The moments that are called calm days clearly exist.
The reason why I want to return and be free from all of this.
From the deepest depths of my heart.
When I did all of this, it was clearly only because that house was still standing.
This human reminds me of one thing I once forgot.
My hands are shaking.
My eyes are tearing up.
No, clearly this will not happen again.
Why?
Why did her words back then appear again.
The child named Sega is right, I cannot forget him.
Was I wrong all this time?
Was I the one who was wasting my life all this time?
Chept's Anima energy entered completely. Chept looked up. This time, their eyes truly met. That green sparkle penetrated through the falling water droplets.
For a moment their eyes truly met. Even at his age, which had passed his youth, and despite the lifespan of a Sorcerer being different from ordinary humans. Tears slowly continued to drip from there. Chept felt something, a feeling that felt more like a confession. His body collapsed, slamming into the floor. Leaving a satisfaction that opened his heart.
"You found it, little child. You found it... Now you are equal to us,"
"Old man!" Shouts were heard.
Obsidia's Anima soul slowly entered again and her overflowing energy blanket stabilized again.
Everyone around began to go silent with foam at the mouth. Except for Joz, who survived, through all the mental torture that felt long. With blood coming out of his nose and mouth. He tried to get closer even though the pain pierced his head.
However, before his steps could get closer, he bent down without any energy left.
"Scalpel." Obsidia manifested a small blade that could cut any Anima form.
Slowly Obsidia approached Joz. Her blade swung, passing through his chest. As the blade passed Joz, small Anima Eugenes got caught on her blade's edge.
"Test tube," Obsidia then manifested an energy tube that sucked any energy that had ever been cut by her blade.
Joz's Anima Eugenes and several traces of the orange energy belonging to Chept went in there. The tube was shaken, spinning. The energy that entered there turned the same color as Obsidia's.
Obsidia's mouth opened, and quickly she swallowed the energy in the tube. The sound of swallowing was heard. Obsidia's left hand held Joz's head, while her right hand touched Chept's back.
"Autopsia." The reactivation of their souls happened quickly; their souls were manipulated and forced to heal themselves through the energy provided by Obsidia.
"Why are you doing this." The piercing pain awakened Joz's consciousness again.
"Finished." Obsidia's two hands quickly let go, then quickly she stood straighter.
"Why?" asked Joz in a weak tone.
"You will get better, run from here." Obsidia turned around, rushing to leave Joz and Chept.
"Why!?"
Without replying, Obsidia walked, leaving Joz who stared at her. Passing puddles of blood and drinks. A room that was stuffy and full of foul odors. When Obsidia went out and stepped her feet into the weakly lit corridor.
From behind a wall riddled with bullet holes everywhere. Someone was shocked to see Obsidia. With an expression of fear, he begged for forgiveness. All this time his heart had been beating fast watching the deaths of the people in that room. Until his feet could not move to run.
-When I Open My Eyes: My Journey Begins-
End Ch 11
Next
Extra Chapter 2: I'm not your hero.
Ch 12 The story begins, Riota opens his eyes.