ตอน 30: The Lost City of Sinners (2)

"So, how does it feel?" Trinity gently rubs her hands on Shi's arms. "I'm glad I can still touch you. No one else so far has been able to, so you truly are bound to me. I know this isn't the first time you've come out, but it's the first time you've come outside. Do you feel any different?"

Shi examines her body. "Hmm…it feels about the same Sis. As for touching…." She glides over to Trinity and wraps her arms around her with a big hug. "You're the only one I want to do it."

Trinity smiles and returns her hug, kissing her forehead affectionately. "Aww Shi…I love you."

They embrace for a while, relishing in the sisterly skinship they've been deprived of for too long. For Trinity especially, this is more than she'd ever expected to have ever again, and it's thanks to Agora. Before she left, Agora gifted her this pendant as a thanks for her cooperation and growth. She apparently has powers that allow her to use such items as conduits to trap spirits and give them form. She simply had to hold it to her chest and focus her thoughts on Shi, and Shi would be able to naturally flow into it and be bound in a way that allows her to take her original form. However, as they have since confirmed, she's still a manifested spirit without any true substance.

They release each other and Shi immediately starts floating all around the room to examine everything; just as a typical child would. "So, we really get to stay in a place like this Sis?"

"Yup, we really do Shi. I kind of sold my soul for it I guess, but it's ours for the next six months at least. After that, well I can't really say what'll happen. I'm figuring it out as we go honestly."

"So…does that mean you're going to accept the witch's deal? I thought you weren't giving in?"

Trinity chuckles at her unexpected comment, but quickly scolds her. "Shi…don't call Amlith a witch. I know you don't like her, but she's still technically our superior. You must respect her."

"She's not my boss and I'm not fucking her either. I don't have to listen to her, and I won't."

"Shi!" Trinity frowns at her. "Come on now, I told you not to use such vulgar language." She shakes her head with disapproval. "You may be right but remember that the feeling may go both ways. She hasn't given her thoughts one way or the other, and she probably never will as not sow any disagreements with me. That said, she's got no real reason otherwise to treat you kindly."

"Right, so then the feelings are mutual. What's the issue? It's fine if you get along with her Sis."

"The issue is that I'm worried you'll slip up and say something bad about her when she's around. You called her a witch so casually just now, what if she'd been here? She would've been angry."

"Ok, and? I really don't care if she hears me or not. I'd tell her what I think of her directly too. The only reason I'll hold back is because I know you care about her, and I respect you Trinity."

Trinity sighs. "That mouth and blunt attitude is your vice Shi. It's always gotten you into trouble. It's why he treated you so much harsher than he did me. You must know when to hold back Shi."

"I'd rather be hated for being myself than being a doormat. You never had any guts to stand up to him, and that's why you suffered for so long. Your vice is being weak and a pushover Sis."

"Ouch." Trinity feels a pang of sadness hearing her precious Shi speak of her that way, but she doesn't hold any anger, nor does Shi feel regret for saying it. She's blunt to everyone the same.

Shi sighs and floats over to embrace her sister. "You know I'm always going to keep it real with you Sis, but that doesn't mean I love you any less. Even with your flaws, I'll always be on your side, and I will always protect you with all I have. I may speak harshly sometimes, but I'd never let anyone else disrespect you. Even when you're weak, I'll be your strength and guide you, ok?"

Trinity sniffles as she tears up. "How's that supposed to make me feel? I'm supposed to be your big sister, you know? How sad must it look having you be the one to protect me and be so wise?"

"Who cares?" Shi places her hands on either side of Trinity's cheeks and looks her straight in her eyes. "You care too much about what others think. No one cares about others more than they do about themselves. We may be among the exceptions, but only for each other, no one else, right?"

Trinity nods. "Yes, that's right. No one would ever come before you Shi, not even my own life."

"Exactly, I feel the same way for you. I love you most in this world Sis, fuck everyone else in it."

Trinity embraces her once again. "Thank you Shi. I'll keep trying my best to get stronger, so you can rely on me too one day. I promise I'll become a sister worthy of your protection. I swear it."

"I know you will Sis. I believe in you and your inner strength. Don't lose your kind heart but learn to prioritize yourself and your own desires first. That's when you'll truly be happy again." They embrace for a while longer and release each other once again. "So we're good now, right?"

Trinity smiles and wipes her tears away. "We're great Shi." She squeezes her cheek. "I'm still going to work on reforming that potty mouth of yours though. Make you into a proper lady." The two share a good laugh together, before Trinity finally gets up from the bed. "Ready to explore?"

"Yes!" Shi answers excitedly. She floats around Trinity with energy. "I want to see everything!"

"Ok, ok," she says with a laugh. "Let's call Geralt then. I'll ask him to meet us in fifteen or so."

"No, I don't want to go out with him. Let's go on our own. We'll have more fun that way I bet."

"Hmm, I don't know Shi. You heard him earlier, didn't you? The city isn't safe to wander in."

"Oh, don't be so scared. I'm sure it's nothing we can't handle. You have me to protect us too."

"I'm not doubting your ability to keep us safe Shi, but I'd rather not put you through too much. You may be a 'Divine Weapon', but you're still sentient and can get overwhelmed. I need to do my part in keeping us protected too. You should only be a worst case scenario. Understand?"

"Yeah, ok Sis, I get it. But I really think we'll be ok. So just this once, let's go on our own, ok?"

Trinity sighs in resignation. "Ok, I can see you're adamant on this, so I'll allow it. We'll go on our own, but if we end up in any situations that seem overly dangerous, we're going to retreat and contact Geralt at once. Don't act on impulse or do anything reckless. Is that clear Shi?"

"Okay! For the hundredth time, I got it Sis! Let's just go already!" She floats away and straight through the closed bedroom door, just like a ghost. "I'll be waiting in the hall!" She calls out.

Trinity shakes her head. "She's still impatient as ever, that girl." However she can't help but smile too. "Same old Shi…I'm so glad," she whispers to herself. "Alright, what to wear…."

Outside, Shi glides up and down the hall impatiently. "One sinner, two sinners, three sinners, four. Five sinners, six sinners, seven sinners, more. Eight sinners, nine sinners and now ten."

She starts to repeat her song, just as the doors to the elevator open. Someone in a hooded shirt appears, their face hidden in darkness. They both pause upon seeing each other, but that person quickly exits the elevator just before the doors close and walks past Shi as though she isn't there.

Shi also intends to keep quiet, thinking they were visiting the butler, but then they stop in front of their apartment door. "Hey, can we help you?" Shi asks directly, but she's met with a nasty glare.

"Hey Shi, were you saying something to me? I didn't quite hear-." Trinity begins as she opens the door, pausing as she suddenly finds herself face to face with the stranger. "Um…hello?"

The stranger keeps their face hidden beneath the hood, but their arms tense in a way that suggests they recognize Trinity and aren't very happy to see her. However, they also don't make any moves to do more than stand there silently brooding. Until they have no choice but to move when a ringtone breaks the silence. They reach into their pocket and place the phone to their ear quietly, but don't take their attention off Trinity. They don't speak, only seeming to listen well.

However, as the person on the other line continues to speak, the stranger slowly gets more and more agitated, clear in the way they clench the phone tighter and tighter with each passing word. Trinity can feel their anger increase in their faceless gaze, and it's obviously directed at her.

"Um, I'm sorry, but did you need something from me? Is there anything I can help you with?"

Suddenly in an unexpected outburst, the stranger releases a scream of rage as the phone fully shatters in their hand. "Goddammit!" They abruptly turn around and stomp back towards the elevator. It opens seemingly at their command, and they get inside, facing the inner wall.

"Hey, are you psycho or something?" Shi floats over to them. "What's your damn deal?"

They don't answer her, but instead push her aggressively, forcing her out. Just before the door shuts, they whisper something at a volume only Shi can hear. "She will pay what she owes."

The door shuts and the sisters are each stunned into silence, both unable to quite process what just happened. They stare at the elevator, watching the numbers go down, until it reaches floor one. After a bit more time, the two look at each other, but Shi is the first to speak out loud.

"What the hell? What was the deal with that psycho?!" She touches herself on her shoulder, the same place the stranger shoved her on. "Wait…they touched me. How is that even possible Sis?"

Trinity was still getting her bearings from that shock, but finally processes what Shi is saying. "They touched you…?" She enters a pose of deep thought. "That shouldn't be possible. Agora couldn't even touch you. Nor could Tit and Tat. Amlith never tried, but I doubt she can either. You're bound to me as a Divine Weapon, and we're emotionally connected. That's why we can touch. But no one else should be able to as far as we've seen so far. So, just who is that person?" They stare silently at each other, unable to find an answer, but both are feeling deeply disturbed.