Chapitre 2: A Wrong Time in a Wrong World
The moment the stern, mature woman—Tempest finished speaking, the sound of chatter and mutterings followed. Some group members looked excited, and then assumed contemplative demeanours, while some muttered to themselves in a number of modern languages. After some moments, one raised his hand with a jovial expression, and spoke. "How about Illuminati?"
"Too edgy," Rosetta instantly responded with a grimace, and was immediately followed by a wave of nods while the man put down his hand and looked at the ancient round table with a look of disappointment.
This didn't stop the momentum as another—a bearded, brown-haired man wearing a sailor's attire, said, "How about Straw Hats?"
"Hokage Village?" Another person pointed out and was immediately followed by a scoff. "What property do we show that corresponds to a village?"
"The Akatsuki?" Another one immediately followed, as Logi shook his head, causing his golden ornaments to sway along. These weebs…
"Naruto is cringe…"
"Preach!" One said from one end of the table, causing the one who initially spoke to nod in agreement and add. "Also, that's way too much weeb, in my opinion."
"Aren't we all?" A deep voice said, causing most to pause and not say anything.
Well, at least they seem more open to each other. Jacques thought with a smile, but he didn't voice an opinion as he instead let his fellow "Transmigrators" gain some spotlight.
Soon, a middle-aged man, with deep recessed brown eyes and a lean build, suggested, "How about Curly Haired Baboon Research Society?"
You look so serious, and then you babble this? Most members shared the same thought, looking at the man shamelessly speaking while wearing an impassive expression. Jacque chuckled and said, "I fear a copyright strike might come for you the moment you return."
This caused most to chuckle, and after sometime, Rosetta smiled and chimed in. "How about flat earthers?"
Her words caused most to pause and wear contemplative looks, while Laverna leaned forward while raising a brow and muttering, "Oh. So, you're one of those retards, huh?"
"So you aren't?" Rosetta immediately clapped back with a mischievous smile while Charles at the front of the round table silently chuckled. His chuckles soon turned into a loud laugh, causing most to awkwardly look at their neighbours.
After a while, he calmed himself and looked at them in bewilderment. "Oh, sorry about that. I'm a little slow when it comes to catching jokes, so it took way longer for me to react to your funny proposals."
You and me both, The man with his green eyes, pale skin, and a black trench coat and a matching shirt—Zayas, inwardly commented. Opposite him, a man with an ordinary appearance and a crisped formal suit observed the group and spoke. "How about Knowledge Seekers? Though we've knowledge that overshadows most high sequence beyonders, we still have obvious 'Holes' within it."
Indeed. Most nodded while trying to recall a major and crucial part of the story, but failing, causing their expression to visibly become wary.
Heck, I'm not even sure I can recall it with dream divination. A man with sharp features—Tobi, reflected as he silently observed the people, most wearing contemplative looks, while some featuring grimaces. I wonder if there's a Savant among us—his thoughts were interrupted, as Charles snorted and complained. "That's so lame!"
At first the man with average features—John Wickham, blinked in confusion, but then he raised a brow as he understood Charles had only now reacted to his 'Knowledge Seekers' proposal. After a short moment, he let out a sigh and looked at the flamboyant Charles, who wore a nonchalant smile, saying in a deep tone, "You're crazy."
Silence engulfed the room, but was soon broken, with a loud chorus of laughter, with even Charles reacting with a laugh, seemingly having comprehended this joke in time.
"I get the reference," A tanned, muscular man in an all-black mercenary attire, said with a laugh as he soon composed himself. Noticing the group settling down, he mentioned. "Let me join too. How about Time Striders?"
Some nodded in attention, while others contemplated. Soon, the mature Tempest pushed her large black-framed glasses, and nodded at Jacques, saying, "Since I initially proposed it, I'll end it. What do you all think of the name Cuttlefish Connoisseurs?"
"And we have a winner!" Logi announced as everyone nodded in approval. At once, some, especially a tanned man in mercenary attire—Azriel quickly analysed why Tempest's proposal was the most optimal.
An inside joke, while to the outside, it'll merely look like a group of gourmet… Not even the other "transmigrators" and I dare say anyone in this world bar us could deduce the true meaning behind this name.
Azriel's deductions were over in a flash as he observed Charles excitedly rap the table while saying with a grin, "Since we're already here, why not make nicknames for all of us? Mine is Wassim."
Why do I've the feeling that's your actual earth name? Azriel mused, but was pleased they didn't have to use their current names.
Though, of course, they all already know my looks. His gaze sharpened as he observed Charles—Wassim turn to Rosetta by his side, who was lost in thoughts while twirling a slick of her hair strand. She noticed his gaze, and subconsciously retracted her head, not sure what this strange man wanted. However, Wassim soon spoke with a mocking smirk. "Life's short. Why not give it a try? You already seem to have adapted to your new, insane sexy looks."
The group snickered at his comment, but then one said, "Hidden Blade is good for her, but if we were to apply Jacques's logic; that's basically begging for a copyright strike."
Oww… And I actually enjoyed that name… Rosetta pouted to herself, but then thought. Well, I can't steal my Spirit animal's future nickname. Her lips curled as she said in an excited tone. "How about, Beelzebub?"
"Too edgy," Laverna's pretty face brightened into a mischievous grin as she mimicked Rosetta's tone, causing the latter to open her mouth and then close it.
Can't argue with that. She tilted her head for a moment while tapping her chin in contemplation, before saying, "How about Lab Member 004? Or is it too edgy or too long?"
"To be honest, I would've gone for a lab rat, instead," Logi commented with a neutral gaze, before fixing his gaze to a man with decent build seated next to Rosetta, subtly stealing glances at the latter.
Already smitten? Logi smiled, observing the man. From his body language analysis, he determined that the man was likely not a Beyonder. But maybe he's simply that good? Logi coughed lightly, causing the man to jolt, as he turned to him.
"We can always get to know each other in due time." He mentioned with a smile, causing the man to blush and look down, while Rosetta observed him with a curious look. After some time, he composed himself, evading Rosetta's gaze as he said, "Snake would be my codename."
Logi nodded as he smirked and looked at the group. "Naturally, I want mine to feel mighty. So, how about God Almighty?"
You and a certain Sun God would very much relate with the cosplay. The thought ran through the mind of some. While they knew the Ancient Sun God was the first "transmigrator," and had quite the reputation when it came to plagiarism, they all felt something was missing when hearing Logi's codename. Yet, they found themselves unable to recall or piece together the details regarding this ancient god.
As more and more people decided on their names, it soon reached Zayas's turn, and with his bright green eyes, he observed his non-gloved, pale skinny hands, and said in a low tone, "Noblesse, I guess."
Noblesse… The gazes of many moved to the handsome and sharp man right beside Zayas, observing his sharp red eyes and thin lips, easily recognizing him as a vampire—or maybe a noble sanguine.
Missed opportunity. Most thought as a number of them gave their codenames—some getting trashed, or cut short for being too long, while others being told it sounded stupid by Wassim.
After hearing some monocles suggestions, a man advised Luigi to be his nickname, only for it to get advised against, and destroyed. Rosetta, upon viewing this, shook her head while lampooning. Isn't he the same guy who said I was basically begging for a lawsuit with my original nickname?
The man with average features looked at the loudly snoring brown-haired with a matching beard, donning a sailor suit—mad Provoker beside him. It feels like he's in another world.
He shook his head, then spoke while returning his gaze to the group. "You can call me… Mr. E."
Stop the cap. God Almighty—Logi thought, observing Mr. E. With those average looks, you can't compare to pretty oracles of the Aurora Order. Not to mention, you lack the raw piousness they all possess. He then looked at the Vampire—Yellow and said, "Hi there, Yellow. My favourite colour is the Sun."
Lenor, codenamed Yellow, looked lost for a moment before he shook his head and spoke in a snarky tone. "Well, the Sun can kill me."
Is that so? Logi nodded and then turned to Chaotic—Jacques openly admiring his interesting looks while saying, "I'd like to take the floor, if you don't mind."
Seeing his nod, Logi then said with a wide smile, "Hey, does anyone want to meet in the real world? I'm in Backlund, by the way."
Everyone, including Wassim, who was glancing at the snoring Mad Provoker, turned towards Logi, while wearing shocked expressions. Jacques' eyes twitched, but he soon composed himself while shaking his head and saying, "Good to know."
He then fixed his gaze on Logi, who maintained his smirk. "I'm going to assume you expect us to disclose our locations, too?"
God Almighty shrugged and nonchalantly responded. "Well, we basically already know each other's appearances. Might as well."
His response caused the room to freeze, as each member remained quiet, but subtly observed their neighbours. Indeed, this was a serious issue. While many had already considered this problem, a number of the group members were swept up with the jovial atmosphere of the meeting after their abrupt summoning.
Though we only know each other's faces, in this world, this kind of information could be used in all sorts of ways. Jacques contemplated, while sweeping his ginger curls and observing the group with a solemn expression. "I must admit, the moment I appeared in this world, I was freaked out beyond belief."
His words seemed to shatter the tense atmosphere, as the group observed him continue. "I—or more like, we can't remember some crucial details, but I'm sure the apocalypse is still something which resonates with all of us."
The group nodded slowly, as the dates passed, the worsening state of the world barrier and its content as a whole, and finally the rampant influence of the 'Invaders'. Yes, 'Invaders' was the term most of them attributed to whoever or whatever was pushing for the apocalypse to occur. While the details eluded them, they knew a conceptual barrier existed within the Astral world, currently being reinforced by the Orthodox deities. As for what the barrier protected them from, they could only think of the word 'Invaders' to fill in the blanks.
Jacques remained silent as he let them ruminate on their situation. After over a minute passed, he spoke. "We can't force friendship; it's earned. But as Laverna already explained, we need to put aside our differences to an extent, and cooperate."
Mist—Laverna on the left end of the table nodded while fixing her cravat and taking the floor. "It's undeniable that we have our differences. No matter how much 'meta knowledge' we possess, we're all unique individuals with their own lives, personalities, interests, mindset, problems and what not. In the end, we're merely strangers, linked by a unique bond, experiencing this insane world."
Her brows then furrowed as her expression turned resolute. "But bleak times call for drastic measures. I'm sure we all are aware of how crucial strength in numbers is."
A number of participants hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. Laverna then continued, glancing around the vast hall, where the grey fog swayed along the walls. "There's no guarantee, but even if we can't bring anything here, we still have the communication advantages."
She then returned her gaze to them with a grin and added. "A gathering full of people of different expertises, fields, perspectives, resources—the list goes on. Combine all this to our deep knowledge of this world, and you've got quite an interesting assembly."
Laverna then looked down in embarrassment, scratching her head. "Well… I don't know about you guys, but as you all probably overheard me say; the realm of demigods really sounds nice to me."
This brought a wave of tender smiles to the group. Noblesse—Zayas wore a deep contemplative expression, with his bright green eyes seemingly shimmering. Indeed, a level I must attain, he thought.
Mist looked around. Her gaze soon settled to the ginger-head, Chaotic, whose eyes locked with hers as he nodded. It's nice working with reasonable people, Laverna thought, as they turned their attention to Jacques.
He's pretty gorgeous… Too bad he's a trap. She inwardly lampooned, while Jacques spoke. "Since we're already on that vein, why don't we make the gatherings every Monday at 3:00 pm, Backlund time? Of course, if you all don't mind."
"No problem for me," Logi responded as the rest nodded. Jacques then turned his side to Tyr and then looked at each of the other five heptagram bearers. "For convenience, let's just call ourselves moderators. About half an hour before schedule, we can all activate our marks and signal the rest to get ready for the gathering."
Seeing no objections, he let out a sigh and said, "Today is a Tuesday, so see you all next week!"
"Bye bye everyone!" Wassim immediately beamed, causing most to remain awkward while a few nodded at him. Soon, the fog extended, enveloping each member and then receding, leaving behind empty high-back chairs.
Jacques smiled, and looked at the moderators, who all retracted their dominant hands, and turned to him. He let out a chuckle before saying, "It seems we all planned on remaining for a bit more."
"Naturally," Tyr, codenamed Rah, with his broad shoulders by Jacques's side, answered while his gaze wandered towards the now relatively empty hall. "Though curiosity is usually left with a terrible fate in this world, it's impossible not to at least hold some level of curiosity in this… Place."
Sashimi, with an average build, heavy eye bags and a slightly hunched posture, spoke after some hesitation. "Do you guys think it's related to the grey fog?"
"Very likely," Mr. E, with his dark formula suit, answered in a confident tone before elaborating. "As we've already discussed, we all likely appeared right before Klein's slumber. And since we came from here, and then soon after we were transported to this place, I think it's safe to assume it has a strong connection."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across the hall, resting on the fog covering most of the windows through which a few distant forests could be faintly discerned. "And while obvious," he said, returning his gaze to the other six. "This kind of fog should be quite special… I think."
Another core memory erased? Lenor condemned Yellow reflexively, licked his sharp canines, and chimed in. "Then Klein brought us here? Or someone else? Could it be the original owner of the Grey Fog?"
While they didn't know this mysterious figure's details, they still knew how much his presence subtly haunted Klein in his journey.
Noblesse scratched his head with a frustrated look, and said, "I propose we don't try to pry or even think too much about our erased memories. After all, who is to say there isn't some ritualistic magic or conditions which will cause them to surface in our minds?"
The team silently gulped at the mention, dreading such consequences. After some time, Noblesse continued with a huff. "Who knows? Maybe this is actually the legendary Castle Dylan?"
Mist—Laverna reflectively shivered hearing this, as she wearily observed the closer door and soon spoke in a low tone. "You mean, "He" might be somewhere beyond this door?"
"I was just joking," Noblesse quickly added, but Laverna as well as some of the other moderators weren't reassured.
Jacques—Chaotic looked at his fellow moderators: the vampire/Sanguine—Yellow, the well dressed and pretty Mist—Laverna, the tall and well built Rah—Tyr, the formally dressed duo of Noblesse, and Mr. E, and finally, the slightly hunched back Sashimi.
His senses told him none of them could be underestimated, and thus, his business senses urged him to make tight connections with each of them. Jacques let out a deep sigh, attracting their attention, as he mentioned. "My spirituality has expanded quite a bit."
This was something they naturally all noticed, and they could deduce that their stay in this mysterious space depended on their collective spirituality. As for what would happen if only one of them fully consumed their spirituality while the rest didn't, none of them planned on using themselves as a test subject.
"Then, till next week," Jacques said, as the moderators nodded at each other while activating their marks, and soon the grey fog engulfed them.
…
Backlund, North Borough, White chapel Street.
As the grey fog cleared before his view, Logi instinctively looked down at his body. His once neat, simple woollen coat was now singed and riddled with holes, its edges blackened and brittle. Most of his trousers had vanished, leaving his muscular calves exposed, while his shoes were mostly scorched beyond repair. However, his skin remained bare and intact.
A true miracle. Logi inwardly sighed as he recalled when he had breathed his first breath, directly after "transmigrating". His body was mostly completely charred.
The toxic gases got me before the pain. His eyes meandered to the scorched, and barely hanging shack he was in. However, this wasn't where he had awakened.
He got up and took off his shoes, opting to move barefoot through the burned fields. Logi's eyes moved to the nearby burned down forest, the smoke still lingering among where imposing canopies once stood. Due to the covered, and polluted skies of Backlund, the Sun didn't shine as much, especially in relatively remote locations like these.
Logi kept on walking as he soon reached his destination, naturally slowed down his pace and observed the charred skeleton of the building before him. Blackened and still crumbling brick walls, charred timbre, and soot and Ash-covered debris. The road of this building, which was once lively, was now in ruins.
He felt his heartbeat speed up, but he soon placated himself, and fixed his gaze on the orphanage he had once called home. He continued on, his steps steady, occasionally evading some still hot debris, as he moved along the now opened building. His eyes moved along its remains. Memories flooded him with images of a number of raggedy, but lively children: most under the ages of twelve.
With the world war having ended over a year ago, orphanages around the world sadly received a large influx of orphaned and destitute children. Having grown in one himself, he, who worked in what was once a large orphanage, sympathised with them. Through his counselling and their welcoming surroundings, these children swiftly integrated.
However, most of them are now gone. Logi's eyes were mostly empty as he continued inside the structure, passing through the debris. This time, he didn't evade most of the hot remains. Instead, he let his bare feet endure the heat as his eyes examined what remained of the building—hoping for anything.
His gaze froze at the sight of a number of charred, and unrecognisable remains. Yet, His keen eyes as a senior Spectator could identify all of them, along with the horrifying expressions they likely wore in their ends.
Jessica, Cynthia, Paul… Names formed in his mind as he approached. As he did so, more remains became visible—some on what remained of the stairs, others in the now opened kitchen, but most being in the open living room.
"Hehe," A slight laugh left him as he smiled to himself. "I was quite relaxed before… I guess they don't mean anything to me…"
No! You had just transmigrated! Your memories weren't fully integrated with you! A loud voice, similar to his own, resonated in his mind, but he shook his head. "Then how do you explain what I'm feeling right now? I'll tell you; Nothing."
You tried all you could. Unfortunately, a Psychiatrist can only do so much in terms of physical capabilities. A different voice sounded in his mind, also similar to his, but in a more nonchalant tone. You saved a few, and died trying to save others and bring them to a safer corner... That's quite the pathetic performance, if you ask me.
"You're right. After the war, I had grown content with my level, and never sought to progress to a Hypnotist."
If only. The voice in his head completed, causing Logi to indifferently nod as his gaze moved to the other remains. Matron Agatha was locked in her room… Miss Emily should be with the others… Sister Mary Magdalene… he paused, arriving at the kitchen and identifying a more intact corpse. She laid beside the stove, her expression seemingly peaceful.
There's not much a lowly guy like me can do, right? He didn't listen to the voices this time as he went through the structure, examining every layer and carrying any remains to the outside, with some being harder to move than others. After moving them all, he gazed at them for a bit, but his ears pricked as he turned towards a certain direction in the distance.
He moved towards the sound, as the ragged breath of a number of people sounded—with most wearing soot covered attires. Without saying much, Logi pointed in a certain direction behind some debris and said in an indifferent tone, "They're behind there."
The rescuers looked at Logi, whose clothes were burned but his body was intact for a moment, before nodding and heading toward where he had pointed. As they moved, Logi returned his gaze to the road where they had come from, and soon spotted a middle aged woman dressed in a torn nun attire run towards him, her terrified expression receding for a joyful one as she accelerated her pace. Soon, she plunged into Logi's arms, crying out loud. "Praise the lady… Logi-Hægr, you're alive…" She then froze and looked behind Logi, only spotting the orphanage's remains.
"The others—" She was immediately cut short as Logi asked in a calm tone. "Where are they, Mary?"
Mary's face turned bleak as more tears formed in her eyes as she said amidst her cries, "In the… The church."
He nodded and moved from the nun and headed along the streets. The fires were devastating. However, the more he walked, the more he realised how the carnage seemed to stop at a clear junction not too far away from the church.
The official beyonders should've intervened. He mused as he soon reached a bustle and sturdy stone structure with a number of makeshift shelters laid out around them. What remained common to most of these people were their empty eyes.
It feels like the war all over again, Logi ignored them as he entered the church of Evernight which was packed full of people, some crying, most praying to the sacred emblem of the Evernight Goddess, and another group seated or lying on the beds which covered most of the Churches' space.
His eyes soon fixed on a group of children in ragged clothes, all looking downcast. Logi felt his heart squeeze, seeing them as he moved past a number of people and soon faced them.
One of them—a young girl with freckles and unruly red hair, trembled as she looked up. The moment her empty eyes reflected Logi's forcefully smiling face, they brightened as she screamed in joy and jumped at him.
Her screams were soon followed by more as the children beside her experienced a similar reaction, soon finding themselves within Logi's embrace.
Many people surrounding them looked at them endearingly, while others with empty expressions.
"Wahhhh… I … I knew you'd return uncle Logi.
"The Goddess answered our prayers!
"Please don't leave us again, uncle!"
While their exclaims sounded mostly incoherent, Logi still discerned them all as he stood frozen, his hand hovering around the huddled children. However, he moved his hands and returned their hugs, saying, "Yeah. I'm back."
"I'm back…" Unknowingly, a tear fell down his cheeks. He soon bent down and slowly mourned while words formed in his mind.
The essence of a Psychiatrist is to not only solve mental problems but also fix oneself to better help others.
At once, he felt a large part of his potion digested but he didn't dwell on it as he let out his emotions. After some time, having composed himself, he realised the children still held him tightly, and he could feel their snouts and tears on the patches of his clothing that exposed his skin.
He broke into a smile, but then his eyes widened as a greyish white fog appeared before them, as well as a faint, and distant voice.
"... Go… To… Trier…"
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Chaoticwriting
Chaoticwriting Yet another chapter, which is a mix of comedy and the grim reality which is the world they're in. Naturally, I intend to apply this aspect of the LOTM verse, so I hope this isn't too shocking for you guys. Anyways, that's it for now. If all goes well, the next chapter will come by Friday.
Till then.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone