章 8: The Unknown Feeling
A few days ago we fought with Kratos and Zander, everyone thought Zack was murdered but It was revealed that Zander was controlling him from the beginning. They tried to control Arbiters and let them fight with other Arbiters to destroy or weaken Libra. Chloe, Mikazu and Raido fought hard to protect Zack, especially Raido who recognised Zack as his best friend. Raido had been struggling in past but Zack gave the opportunity to Raido to help his parents and himself by joining the Libra.
When Raido and others were fighting hard then suddenly Jystice showed up, who was evaluating our performances, and defeated both Kratos and Zander with one attack. This showed how strong Jystice is.
Anti-Libra is plotting something, according to what I heard from Covurt and Curie's conversation Ryuji lost his memories or else Ryuji would simply tried to destroy the world. I can't believe those informations blindly that Regal lost his memories but it seems like he doesn't really trying to do at this point so I should probably ignore him for a while, however I should be cautious.
"So, you want to register the inactivity application?"
"That's right" I replied to Jystice.
"Okay, If you don't mind can I ask the reason behind it?" he asked.
"I apologise, but it's a personal matter..."
"I see, well okay no problem. I hope you can resolve your matters and do your job again. Meanwhile I will assign one Arbiter for temporary to Celestial city."
"Thank you..."
I was in the Libra base and I gave the application that I won't be doing my job as Arbiter for a while. Now I got the permission, I don't have any reason to stay here.
I started headed towards the Celestial city. I don't know what Anti-Libra is planning to do but I believe that It might not be good for anyone, and that's why I must also act now on my own for a while.
I reached Celestial city and after few minutes I met Chloe at the appointed place. The place was cafeteria since I left the decision on Chloe to choose a place.
"Oh, Hi Orion!" she said while waving her hands with a smile.
"Hello, I apologise for being late..."
"No, you don't need to say that. I'm not angry or disappointed and besides I believe you were busy so..." she replied gently.
She invited me to meet with me and enjoy some free time. I already told her that I would be leaving Celestial city by abandoning my job for temporary due to my personal matters and she understood, but it seemed like she wanted me to come and hang out with her if I had free time so I agreed.
"So, what should we do first?" I asked her.
"Let's go inside cafeteria and order something for now!"
"Alright..."
We went inside the cafeteria, took the seat and looked at the menu.
"You can order anything you want, It's my treat!"
"Alright..."
If it's her own decision then I have no complaints so I agreed. I ordered only coffee since I was not feeling hungry or anything. Chloe also ordered coffee for her. It seemed like we both ordered same thing.
"Um.."
She wanted to say something and after few seconds she spoke.
"You know when we met first time?"
"Yeah I know, what about it?"
"I really feel guilty what I tried to do back then but I apologise for that.."
"You don't need to because it's all over and besides I already forgave you already..."
"I'm really glad for what you did for me. Even now you are doing your best to help me..."
Her sister is aiding the Anti-Libra, but it's unclear whether it's her own self or something else...
"Anyway, I believe my sister will come back to me..."
She was concerned but it's alright since her sister will be safe, though it's not 100% guaranteed. The coffee we ordered was served on the table.
"You remember I said a lie that I wanted to know about you?"
"Yeah, you really manipulated me in thinking that you are the real ally..."
"Ah, ahaha....is that so... please ignore it...haha."
She said while looking like she was feeling guilty.
"But this time let's use this opportunity to get to know each other!"
".... yeah." I replied.
She wanted to know me well, come to think of it we never had opportunity to know each other. Its not like we never talked about normal stuff or something but it seemed like we never had a chance to tell about ourselves.
"So, let's start with hobbies! What do you like to do in your free time?"
I personally don't do anything except reading books or practicing to able to maintain my fighting strength.
"Reading books...I guess...."
"I see, that's one good hobby you got. As for me I like to do paintings, and like to do calligraphy!"
Just like that we talked about other stuff and enjoyed this time together. We talked about many topics like favourite food, magic abilities, Different types of jobs, economy, people and etc.
"By the way Orion, what motivated you to take the job as an Arbiter?" she asked.
What motivated me to become the Arbiter? I never thought someone might ask this question. I joined Libra but I never thought thoroughly what answer should I give to others. I thought and gave the most suitable answer that was...
"To maintain peace, help people and judge criminals..."
"Well that's why we are here, I mean what exactly motivated you?"
I think the world became too cruel for me when she asked the question again..... What kind of answer will I give?
"Well, maybe I guess I saw an Arbiter helping people. I saw him helping people daily, what caught my eyes that he was also kind hearted person like you. The kind soul who wants to help people. I never saw a person like him before, that's when I decided to become the Arbiter and help people." I lied.
"Wow, so you were motivated by that person? Though I believe every Arbiter do want the same thing but It seems like he was a nice person as you described him. That's right helping each other and staying happy is what we need!" she seemed satisfied with my answer.
What really motivates the Arbiter is not only helping others but also for money or rewards, she is kind and that's why maybe she doesn't know how cruel people can be or maybe she just don't want to accept that kind of reality. But still she may already know about it. I personally don't care how cruel or gentle people will be.
"I think you are very kind Orion, I'm really glad we met and became friends! From the beginning to until now, you were always kind towards everyone including me." she seemed happy.
That's right, because I wanted you to think like that and improve your friendship with me....The quality of a tool becomes more durable as long as you are handling them perfectly.....
"I guess...."
"Um, are you not enjoying?"
"What do you mean"
She seemed like something got into her mind.
"I mean, you don't seem to be enjoying. Is it that I'm forcing you to spend time with me? If so I apol-"
"No, I genuinely enjoyed talking with you Chloe..."
"Really? I'm glad but somehow It feels like you are completely blank from inside...How should I explain..." She showed some concern.
"Don't worry about it, my expressions might look like it doesn't exist but I'm truly happy that I spent my time with you. I'm hoping we could enjoy time together again..."
"If that's the case then I think you are right, alright let's enjoy our time together again when we are free!"
It was already night and we headed outside the cafeteria and parted ways, I was heading home and take much rest as I can since I will be busy from tomorrow.
"It's not enough, I want her to develop her friendship even more. This way I can achieve what I want..." I muttered.
All I need is to go along with her exceptions and that will be enough.
Part 2 (Narrator- Chloe)- Chloe's monologue
Orion is the only person who saved my life, despite knowing that I tried to betray him and kill him. I never wanted to hurt people but I was forced to do all those kind of things about hurting people because my sister was the hostage. Anti-Libra wanted me dead because they thought I became useless for them. In that very moment I thought I can't save my sister and will die, but I deserved for what I was going to do to Orion that time. I thought I should accept the punishment as death but Orion didn't only saved me but ensured that he will help me bring my sister back for me. I wanted to betray him for both my sister and for my sake, but Orion was way more kind than me. He wants to help me no matter what background I belong or what I did. He forgave me, that moment I felt like I was not fit for helping people and I felt guilty but Orion said It's fine to do mistakes because we learn from them. So I made my resolve even more strong to not hurt innocent people, help those people and confront Anti-Libra.
I'm glad I met him, I considered him as my best friend and I would do anything to help him and stay together as friends but....
"It's night...."
I don't know why but there is strange kind of feeling that is trying to take over me, It's like I want to be Orion's best friend forever however It doesn't feel like that was the case. It's like it's beyond friendship. Whenever he is around me I somehow blush for no reason and my heart beats so fast as rocket. I'm unable to understand this feeling but It felt good...
"Uhh, I'm confused..."
I don't know what's happening, maybe I will find out about this feeling....
Part 3 (Narrator- Orion)
I was inside my house, making the dinner.
"Maybe I should visit one of sage's tower or maybe all of them for information...." I muttered.
I should make sure to protect Chloe at all costs, she is valuable for me. I won't let anyone hurt her anymore.
".... Today's dinner will be simple but healthy as always..."
I need to take good care of my tools If I want them to function well...
"It's ready now, I should now eat..."
All I care about the benefits of this food....If the food is not healthy then it's totally useless for me....
If anything or anyone is not beneficial for me I will simply discard them. I finished my dinner and left some food so that I could do my breakfast tomorrow.
"That's right you must have back up plans too...." I muttered.
I should make sure the food doesn't get stale because of air around it.
"If Chloe gets influenced by others, she might not be loyal..." I muttered.
Now then it's time sleep, I have to deal with many things as quickly as possible. In my place, there will be an Arbiter who will look after Celestial city so I don't think I will be interrupted by Libra for sometime.
Next morning,
I prepared myself for leaving, I let the landlord know I'm going off somewhere for a while.
"Hi, Orion!"
Chloe rushed towards me while waving her hands.
"What brings you here?"
"I wanted to see you off and..."
"And?"
"I wanted to give you this pendant, It's handmade! I really want you to wear it!"
"I appreciate it...."
She made the pendant herself? Well, I took it and wear it on my neck.
"It looks good on you, Orion! Think this pendant as a lucky charm and whenever you feel lonely you can think of this pendant as me!" She said while blushing a little bit.
Humans, including me, are unpredictable. Is Chloe really developing that fast? Well in any case, It will only benefit me. This pendant is handmade so it's obvious It doesn't contain any kind of buff that will boost your attack or defence rather Its made in a way to show her friendship or attachment...
"Now I will also wear it."
She had another one same as the one she gave me.
"How I look?"
"It's good on you..."
She smiled as if she was satisfied.
"Alright then, see you later Chloe..."
"Yes, I hope you settle your buisness without any trouble!"
"Yeah..."
I started moving forward without looking back. This pendant she gave me has a clover like style with blue colour. It's useless for me but I should keep it to not let her feelings get hurt or else It will have different impact on the relation.
"Now then I should probably head to Deep wood- forest..." I muttered.
According to what I know there is one of the tower of sages. In these towers, sages live in them and doesn't get in contact with world unless it's necessary.
"Grghh"
A monster appeared in front of me but it was not normal. Sage protect their tower so that no intruder can go inside. You need appointment for that and it should be reasonable one. I didn't made any contact for appointment because they might reject me due to my unreasonable demands so I will just simply infiltrate.
"Grrr!"
The monster didn't liked my presence here and wanted me to go back but unfortunately I have no such plans to back down.
The monster was brown coloured and it's hands were actually spikes that was sharp.
It sensed that I will not go back so it attacked me trying to thrust his spikes towards me. I cut them off with my sword. Both hands were lying on ground, monster was in pain due to loss of its arm. I slashed its neck and it was gone now...
"I don't have time to play with you..." I muttered.
"What do you think you are doing young man?"
A sage came and saw me, he was not angry but It seemed he was disappointed.
"I'm here to get some information from you."
He was a sage
"Information? Did you make any appointments?"
"Does it look like it...."
"Well, from the looks of it you didn't made any appointments..."
"...."
"You should have appointment first then you can-"
"I'm not in the mood to do that, besides you may had decided to tear it off when you had read about my request...."
"I see so it's related to something that we might not tell or help with? Okay come with me, if it's really something that we could help with we would help."
He lead me to his tower and we were headed to a meeting room.
"Sit down please.."
He urged me to sit.
"So do you want some tea or coffee or anything else?"
He asked me to be formal.
"No, I will pass and let's get straight to the point now since no one wants to waste the time..."
"Hmm..."
"I want to know the exact location of the artifact..."
"Oh, so you have some interest in a certain artifact? Maybe that's why you didn't wanted appointment and wanted to infiltrate, you are funny. But I guess it's really the request I can't accept..." he replied
"Sages have ability to know what thoughts are generated from any individual, however It's taking time for me to detect your thoughts whether it's evil or for good purpose. You must be really good at manipulating the magic... but thats precisely why I think you might be plotting something that might not be beneficial for anyone."
Sages have this unique ability to detect the evil thoughts, I already trained myself hard to ignore his magic but it's not that simple.
"By the way, what artifact you want to find? We sages don't have permissions to enter and take artifacts or else we will face judgement that is like a curse to protect artifacts from evil sages. I may help you depending on your answer to this..."
"I'm looking for Soul Bound Amplifier..."
".....!?"
He looked surprised but that was given.
"How do you know about that artifact!? It's not something special but many people don't know about it...." He said.
"It doesn't matter how I know about that, what matters is about the location of this artifact...."
"This artifact is useless now, but it seems like you still want that artifact?"
"That artifact is useless, but I want some research on it...."
I lied to show him that I want to just research.
"Are you saying that sages didn't researched seriously about that artifact just because it became useless...?"
"Is your pride hurt?"
"....Fine I will tell you, but remember It's useless for someone like you but go ahead and satisfy yourself."
"I will try my best."
"As if he is god...." Sage muttered looking disappointed.
That's right that artifact is useless right now atleast...but when the time will come It will be the one that will become the most necessary artifact. This sage here, doesn't know how that artifact will be useful.
"Go through the Dusk wood and go for Mt. Hein. I will give you this item to reveal the blaze shrine in that mountain, that will lead you to the artifact. There is one guardian protecting it that is on the high level. I personally suggest not to go there because that guardian will burn you into ashes..."
"Thanks but I will be fine...."
He gave me the item needed to reveal the shrine.
"Alright I will be going now, thanks for your help..."
"Yeah..."
Part 4 (Narrator- Sage)
"Hmm, what is he planning to do?" I muttered.
And what's with his expressionless, he doesn't look like human at all because of that blank face. Soul Bound Amplifier was effective a long time ago but now it's useless now...He said he wants to research? What exactly he wants to research in something that is already been researched?
"Well, I don't care about it..."
After all that artifact is nothing but a kid's toy now...
Part 4 (Narrator- Orion)
I was heading for Dusk wood to able to go to Mt. Hein. After few minutes I reached the forest.
"There are somehow more monsters that inhabit this place, I can also sense so many boss monsters around here I think..." I muttered...
I killed all the monsters who were coming in my way and was making my way for the Mt. Hein.
"Hm...."
I was walking in this wood in the direction of the Mt. Hein but...
"This ability....I can sense that someone is using this rare magic to make a loop...."
It seems like I'm being trapped here, I can't go on like this unless I defeat the user who is doing this all.
"I guess there is a monster who is doing this, huh?" I muttered.
I spotted the monster using this magic, Its even more rare when a monster uses rare magic to hunt for its prey and try to eat them.
"Grrr!"
It was the were wolf type monster who was standing on two legs and it's nails were sharp as needles.
"It will not take much time though, come on and try your best..."
Just as it tried to move, It was already over. He was lying down dead, I used my Void spikes and pierced it's heart.
"..."
I saw the monster standing up again, I was surprised a little but it seemed like someone is also watching this and they seemed to have revive magic that is a rare magic. A revive magic can revive anyone with some limitations but it will cost your little bit of lifespan instead of magic energy.
"Why do you use it despite knowing the potential risk..."
The person came out as if giving up on hiding anymore. It was a sage, but a little weak compared to the sage I met little while ago.
"I heard your conversation with the higher ups...."
So he really was eavesdropping on the conversation but I never cared about it.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"I won't allow you to enter the shrine, I tried to tell them that something is wrong but they said it's fine and ignored me."
"I thought I said about researching the artifact-"
"I think that was bluff and besides you knew that sage will not consider that artifact important and you also know that well that it was already researched but it is useless. I don't know what they think but I think you are planning something right?"
He is apprentice but looks like he can smell dangers.
"Is there any way I can get that artifact while showing that I'm innocent?" I asked
"Just leave."
He is straightforward, if he is going to stand in my way then I will have to use some force and let other sages know that he is interrupting even though I got permission.
"By the way you didn't answered my question earlier."
"I'm going to die anyway if I don't listen to them." He looked upset somehow while averting his eyes a little bit.
"Alright, Let's finish this quickly then." I encouraged him.
Part 5 (Narrator- Guardian of Soul Bound Amplifier)
That apprentice is helpful for me to provide information, and I can use him very well to protect the shrine. Those bastard higher ups can't let me live in peace. I can't risk anything, I must put all force to stop that person. Those modern higher ups or sages can't sense thoughts if there is someone good at manipulating the energy around. But that guy doesn't seem like good news for me, I must stop him no matter what. I kept thinking about those guys too I killed who wanted this artifact.
"Whatever that guy is planning, I don't think it is anything normal, first Anti-Libra who took the "Shadow Tear", then some strange people, who were not from Anti-Libra, who came and tried to invade my shrine and now this guy. What is going on this planet?"
Whatever, I must put an end to that person even If I have to sacrifice someone like that apprentice.
"W-who is that guy?" A person spoke out of nowhere.
"Shut up, how dare you speak!"
I tortured that person physically again and there was so much bleeding from his mouth from my attacks. My blood is boiling to kill someone right now...
"N-no, please don't do anything he didn't meant to anger you.." said a lady.
"You bloody fools, you should be grateful that I'm protecting the shrine from that guy who might have evil thoughts on his mind and you dare to defy me!"
"N-no please forgive us...!"
A little sacrifice is necessary to protect the shrine. I don't know what will be the use of this artifact but humans are unpredictable they might use it for some evil purposes. I can't believe them at all. Annoying as always....
"But at the same time...."
I was enjoying killing these humans even though. I can't go beyond limits but it's possible to kill them for fun if they break through the shrine, so I have a reason to kill them....
"This guy somehow looks strong, maybe I will enjoy it after all....hahahaha."
Part 6 (Narrator- Orion)
"I don't want to hurt you so please kindly leave and let me go through here. I would really appreciate it." I asked but.
"Sorry but no, please go back because I really don't want to hurt you too. Personally deep down I don't think you are evil..."
His words contradict his previous sentences, there was something off.
"Well in that case I don't have any choice, are you really sure about this?"
"...do you think I would change my mind now?"
"No, I don't think you will change your mind..." I replied.
To be continued...
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