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[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; margin-top: 20px; padding-top: 30px; font-size: 18px; font-family: arial; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: -3px;]BURN MY DESPAIR[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; background-color: #212121; color: #f3f3f3; font-family: arial; width: 450px; padding: 1px;]CHAPTER 1: THE FOOL[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; color: #606060;]
MUSE Still blaming nostalgia for this.
NOTES Without anymore delays here it is~[/style]
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Tuesday, April 10th 2018I looked out through the window. It was still cloudy but at least it was no longer raining. I place on black long sleeves and jeans. I place on black rain boots so that I do not have to suffer the feeling of getting my socks soaked with rain water. I stood up and took the transparent parasol with me as I opened the door and headed on out. I decided to explore the town.
I walked over to the shopping district. It seems to be the south section. I see to my left is a gas station, a book store, a metal works shop, a tofu store, and finally a general store. I could use some fried tofu actually. I take out my cellphone and looked at the time. It was only eleven. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten some French toast for breakfast and something more filling. I should explore the rest of this district first before I decide on anything though.
The north section however seemed like my type of place. There was a Chinese diner called Aiya next to a side dish shop. There is also a town bulletin board. In the same street I could see a shrine gate. Over all, I think I found a place I’ll be often during my stay in this town…at least that was what I hoped was the case if I didn’t hear the faint sound of bodies collapsing on the concrete and the sounds of physical violence. No weapons involved seeing as how I don’t hear any smash of wood or metal against anything.
I wanted no part of the violence. They’re a fair distance away so I can just walk away and avoid the conflict all together. I just silently prayed that I don’t get somehow dragged into this…but then I remembered that I am not exactly in a position to decide anything.
I turned around just in time to see a scooter fly past me and slam on the ground. Okay…what are the locals eating?! I tried my best not to shriek in complete horror however I must appeared to be stressed because I see looks of worry from two people. A lean boy with neck length brown hair and headphones, he stood over the numerous collapsed and unconscious bodies of what appear to be the local biker gang. The other person who seems concerned was a petite girl with blue hair, decorated by a red hair band. The girl was standing between away from the boy and the people I assumed he beat up so it was clear to me that she didn’t participate. They both ran up to me. I wanted to run away but the blue haired girl somehow ran past the boy and grabbed me in the shoulders and started to shake me.
“Are you okay?! I’m so sorry, I’ll scold Takao right away, he should be more careful! In fact, if anything he shouldn’t get into fights in the first place!!” The girl’s voice was shaky due to the fact that she…well…was shaking me like I’m some kind of plush toy.
“S-sorry, I thought you were another one of them.” Throwing a scooter is a bit of an extreme don’t you think?! The blue haired girl sighed in relief upon finally slowing down and observing I’m not hurt. I pulled back a little. The locals that are in my age group are starting to scare me. I prayed that not everyone in Inaba was like this. “Hey, are you new around here?” The girl looked at her friend then back to me and started to circle around me.
“Yes.” I answered. “I recently moved here.” Pray they do not ask me where I live. I’m honestly kind of afraid of these people a little. However, the girl seemed really delighted about me.
“Welcome to Inaba! I’m Shizu Sayomi.” The girl went over and dragged the boy by the arm, making me start to doubt how the boy managed to take down the biker gang himself. “This here is Tamotsu Takao.” Takao waved hello to me. I returned the wave only due to formality.
“I’m Mana Amae.” I responded. They gave me their names, so I might as well give them mine right?
“S-sorry about all the chaos here, the local biker gangs can get a little bit hectic so I usually have to be the one to put a stop to it.” Takao smiled sheepishly. Wait, so this is a daily thing?! What does this guy eat for breakfast?! How come I can imagine him in a kick boxing arena no problem?
“A-anyhow, we don’t want you thinking that Inaba is always like this.” Too late. “How about we treat you to Aiya!” Takao nodded in agreement. I wanted to make an objection to this. I have the money to pay for myself after all…however as I opened my mouth my stomach revealed my utmost priority. “You seem pretty hungry after all.” Sayomi laughed. I decided to surrender to my body’s desire for food. At least I have some company.
We all ordered beef bowls since that was this diner’s specialty. I’ll have to remember that the next time I come here. Personally I’m more one for pork but I might as well try out this country side’s delicacies. Sayomi began to partake in small take. Not that I mind, a meal in silence is rather boring after all.
“So you’re going to Yasogami High? What was your old place like?” A typical conversation topic but I really wasn’t up for answering that question.
“It was…hectic.” That was as much information as I can put down for them at the moment. “In fact, if anything moving to this place might be a change of pace. The city is too chaotic for my taste.” Sayomi and Takao look at me with amazement.
“Wow, most people around here say that there is nothing to do around here.” Takao said. Sayomi however was pressing for more questions though.
“So what do you mean by hectic?” The interested look in her eyes told me that she was one of those ‘curious’ types or a gossip hen in the making. Takao patted Sayomi on the shoulder and gave a sad sigh.
“Come on, don’t pressure her too much.”
“But I’m curious.” The blue haired girl said under her breathes as she went to take a few bites out of her bowl. I can’t help but to smile at this. These two are a bit strange but they must’ve been good friends for a long while. “Say!” Sayomi said after swallowing her food. “Did your city have rumors about the Mid-Night Channel?” I shook my head. “I heard that if you watch it alone, at mid night, with the lights turn off and the TV unplugged, you get to see unique programs not on broadcast!” I arched an eyebrow. Yup, Sayomi is definitely a gossip hen in the making. I was about to say how silly that was but… “I checked it out yesterday and I saw a strange green tower.” A strange green tower? That was what I saw on TV last night. “Takao would also tell but he was asleep!”
“Hey I need to wake up early for exercises!” I stared into my beef bowl. This…can’t be coincidence. I didn’t hear any rumor like that before heading into this town. So the fact that apparently this is a thing in this country is starting to freak me out a little.
“Have you tried the rumor out?” Sayomi asked. I looked back up at her.
“No, this is the first I heard of it.” I’m going to have to go home and watch this ‘Mid-Night Channel’ tonight just to see if it confirms anything. I pray this is just my mind playing tricks on me. “How far spread is this rumor?”
“I just heard about it just recently. I think it’s been around for…a month?” So this has been going on for a few weeks? “Some people dismiss it as them being tired or just seeing things but I for one saw that tower.” Sayomi looked over at me with a hopeful expression. “Want to try it out tonight? Oh wait…are you going to Yasogami high?” I nod though more to the latter question. The girl across from me looks like she is going to burst due to joy. “Are you a second year?!” I slowly nodded once more. I wondered if I should’ve answered that because the girl across from me really looked like she was going to explode.
“Calm down Sayomi, even if we’re not in the same class, we can see each other and lunch and after school.” Sayomi laughed in embarrassment and calmed down a little. I get the feeling that these two are the type to balance each other out depending on the situation.
We spoke for a few hours. It was small gossip and me asking about what else there is to do. Apparently these is some flood plains were one might go fishing though Takao just liked it for the wide open space and the ability to get exercise done. Sayomi liked it for how much there was to explore. I figured that I might be able to go there then. School doesn’t start until the 12th anyways, so I told them that I had no plans.
“Then we should meet up!”
“Please not here though.” Takao said; lamenting the beat down he gave to those guys earlier. “Maybe we can meet at the entrance of the flood plains? They’re not that hard to find, in fact you can even take a bus there from here.” I kept note of that in my mind.
“Thank you for keeping me company.” I bowed in politeness to them. They may very well be my first friends in this country side. I’m not going to lie…they’re pleasant people. I still have to ask about the motorbike throwing though…
We parted ways, I was home alone again. This time around I bought a bento from a local store. This should be better than the subway stuff and hopefully produce less weird dreams. I ate the rice, meat, and vegetables. It was only a marginal improvement over the subway stuff. The corner of my eye took notice of the TV.
That rumor was still ridiculous but I can’t deny what I saw last night. How else can I forget that image? However what still concerns me is that a dream was not a part of the rumor. I stared at the TV and watched the clock. It was going to be awhile until mid-night. I stood up from the table and grabbed my jacket.
This town really is different at night….though I guess peaceful in its way. I didn’t want to stray too far from my home so here I am at the flood plains. Though, as expected, there wasn’t anyone else here. They should be finishing up dinner by now. I stared at the river. Thinking about it I could go fishing…however I’m not exactly sure what good that’ll do. Personally I’m not that patient enough for fish.
“Oh, someone else is here tonight.” I flinched and then shot up from where I sat. I turned around to see a long haired albino girl. She wore what I can only describe as a white Lolita costume. I can’t exactly describe it since I’m not that into Lolita fashion but it seems to be a white and dark blue Lolita theme outfit. Maybe Sweet Lolita? I honestly don’t know the dozens of goth Lolita fashions that are out.
“Hello.” I politely greeted her. Her fashion was odd yes but she was still willing to speak with me. “What brings you out tonight?” The girl had a pleasant smile on her features. I see no hostility in her at all.
“I am simply on a walk. This place at night is beautiful is it not?” I look back at the river. It really was. I’d imagine it’d be gorgeous during a full moon. “Are you new around town?” I nodded. “I welcome you to Inaba then. You know, this view makes this town worth all the while. How long are you staying?”
“I honestly don’t know. I moved here to get away from a few things.” I gave her an abridged version of why I was here. Not that she’d believe my reason for being here in the first place. “I am most likely going to stay here a year unless something comes up.”
“I won’t ask any more.” This girl was surprisingly understanding about it. Most people would ask questions are be curious but when I looked at her, her expression was the same as always. It gave me comfort that she didn’t ask any questions…yet at the same time it unnerved me. “I hope your situation, whatever it may be improves.” The girl curtseyed to me. “I am Susumu Katsumi, my pleasure.”
“Eh…” I awkwardly curtseyed myself the best I could even though I wasn’t wearing a skirt and using my coat. To be honest, I was more one for handshakes but I was raised to return greetings proper. “I am Mana Amae.” Katsumi smile grew a little.
“Well then, Mana-san, I must be off. Enjoy the rest of the night and be careful on your way home.” She started to leave me to my river gazing. I watched as she walked off. Odd…this place just gets stranger by the second. First I met a boy who can take on a biker gang with his bare fists and now I met a goth Lolita. I checked the time on my cellphone. It was now closer to midnight.
I looked at my TV. I stared at it as I gazed at the clock. It was now midnight. I looked back at the TV. Like last night, a static filled image formed. Like the rumors and the image that I’ve seen, the image was green and I can still see a tower…however this time around the TV presented an image from what appeared to be the city from a dream. I saw three figures. I couldn’t make out who they were though just that I could barely hear their voices. However one of the figures was massive, easily towering over the two figures.
The image then got cut off. To double check, I made sure it was unplugged. Yes it was, then that means the rumor is true and not me being delusional. But what is this channel trying to show us? I couldn’t think of anything. I don’t know why…but I decided to poke my TV screen just to check if I wasn’t dreaming again. I leapt back after I touched the screen.
I wasn’t shocked…well…not by electricity and literally but I saw for a moment that the TV screen reacted to my touch. A white ripple appeared not long after I touched it. I looked at my hand and back at the TV. I looked at the TV and touched it once more. I noticed my hand starting to sink into it. I right away shot my hand out. I looked at the hand and at the TV once more. I think my grip on reality is slowly breaking up. I decided to run toward the showers. I must be tired, it’s the only reason why I even saw such a thing.
Wednesday, April 11th 2018As I walked over to them, I see Sayomi and Takao waving over at me. I might as well get to know them through social activity. It doesn’t seem like they have any harmful intents for me after all. Sayomi seemed really ecstatic to see me. I can assume that Takao is her only friend for a long time or that she doesn’t see other people often.
“Mana-san!” I waved back at their greeting. They’re pleasant people at least. I looked to see Sayomi with a picnic basket. I guess eating out all the time would be a touch unhealthy…speaking of which I really need to learn how to cook. The only thing I have left at home is ramen and bentos.
We sat out and had a picnic at the flood plain. There was a roofed area so the benches and tables there weren’t wet from the rain the other day. The picnic food was good. Yes it was simple rice balls and sandwiches but they were well crafted, the best things I’ve eaten in days with only the beef bowl from yesterday matching the quality and taste.
“I see you’re enjoying it with how much you’re eating.” I blinked at Sayomi and noticed I already cleaned through two rice balls and two sandwiches. I sipped my water. I have to admit, I’m a bit embarrassed but I haven’t eaten anything decent in a while. I guess if I can give Inaba a positive, it’s the food.
“Sayomi’s self-taught too!” Takao said. Wow, with food like this Sayomi must be really capable of taking care of herself…speaking of which I’m tempted to take another. Then again Takao already cleaned through a lot of food. Sayomi however seemed happy despite the food not being of even amount.
“Oh!” Sayomi suddenly said as we talked. We both looked at Sayomi. “I left something at home…I wanted to ask your opinion on something.” Opinion on something? “I occasionally make cloths and accessories. Since break started the only person I can get an opinion on some of the things I make is from my boss. I work at a textile shop you see.” Well I guess it wouldn’t hurt…
“Sure why not. My critique might not be what you have in mind since I’m not exactly what one can call into fashion.” Despite my answer Sayomi seemed to light up at my answer.
Sayomi’s house was not too different from mine. The only difference is that it was only one story. I walked on inside the house. There was the entrance hall that led to the living room with a kitchen. Also another hallway that I’m going to assume that led to the rooms of Sayomi and her family. Sayomi went over to that hallway as Takao and I sat down. I looked over at the TV. I start to remember what happened last night.
“You can watch some TV if you’d like.” Sayomi came in holding what appeared to be a sundress that she sewn together. It was a nice simple silver design. Quite frankly I was more fascinated by that. I pointed at it and looked at her. Just from my expression she seemed to know the question I wanted to ask. “Yes I made this.”
“Sayomi here is great at sewing. I always see her helping out at the textile shop.” Takao added on. Sayomi looked at me with…I admit a very discomforting expression of happiness and interest in me. “Eh…fair warning; she tends to want people to model her creations. She really does have a good heart though.” Takao quickly whispered. I just nodded.
“I can hear you Takao.” He just snickered. Sayomi did look at me questioningly though. “Say…why were you staring at the TV?” I looked at the two of them and started to weigh my options. Should I tell them I can put my hands into TVs? That sounded…a touch ridiculous….speaking of touching though.
“Okay…” I began. “But before I do…” I needed to see if last night really was just some delusion I had. I walked over to Sayomi’s TV. I reached over and…like last night, my hand started to sink in. I could hear the dress Sayomi drop as I did. Takao quickly got up and took a close look.
“I-is this some kind of magic trick?” Oh how I wish it was.
“I discovered this last night.” Sayomi went up. However instead of fear, there was intrigue. I wonder…I considered seeing if my head could go through. However a hand lunged out a grabbed my arm. Takao and Sayomi grabbed on to me to avoid getting pulled in. Whoever this hand belonged to has a really good pulling arm. Eventually all three of us got dragged into the TV.
I slowly began to regain consciousness. The first thing I saw was a dark green sky with light green clouds. As my vision began to focus I got up. My entire body was sore. I can assume whatever dragged us down here did not do so softly.
“You alright?” I looked over to see Takao. I looked right next to me to see an unconscious Sayomi. To no one’s surprise we were bruised and roughed up a bit. Considering my normal outfit of long sleeves and jeans, Takao’s t-shirt and jeans, and Sayomi’s long sleeve and skirt, our clothing doesn’t really equate to protection. Takao walked over and started to pick up Sayomi. “Can you walk?” I nodded and started to get up.
“What…the…” I looked around. It was just like that dream I had back on Monday. We were in some kind of city area. It was green and covered in blood. I looked behind me. “Ack!” Out of shock of what I saw I dropped down on my behind. I gazed up before a gigantic deranged tower. Unlike the dream, I was right by the entrance. Takao was visibly shocked upon noticing the tower. “Okay…this does not bode good news.”
“Ugh…” Sayomi slowly began to wake up. I got up and quickly checked on her. It seemed her vision was refocusing itself. Takao slowly lowered her down so she can start walking normally however she still used Takao for support. “W-what happened?”
“Well, we were pulled into your TV and now we’re in this place.” The three of us took a moment to look around. “Better yet, we don’t exactly have a way out.” Sayomi gazed up at the tower. She then looked over at the gate. “Shizu-san?” Sayomi looked over to me as I called her. “Are you…thinking of going in there?” Sayomi looked at me and quickly shook her head nervously.
“N-no!” Takao laughed sadly.
“Now isn’t the time to be so curious.” Sayomi looked down apologetically. I do admit though…something about this tower intrigues me. “Welp let’s getting going, an exit isn’t just going to appear before us.”
“But we do not know our way around, worst case scenario we get even more lost.” Before we could ponder further solutions, we hear the sound of flesh moving. No, it was more like flesh squishing against the ground, dragging something. We turned over to see a group of three slime creatures. Two of them had a blue mask with a roman numeral one engraved on the forehead area. The one that stood out the most was the larger one. It had a purple eye cover mask with numerous decorated spikes with a roman numeral four engraved in the forehead area. Run, run…run! My brain had that word repeating in my head over and over again. Sayomi and Takao were like wise as struck with fear as I am.
“W-what are those things?” How the hell should I know?! Was what I’d say to Sayomi’s question but I don’t think I want to know. Soon the slime creatures’ bodies began to shift. The ones with blue masked soon formed into strange pink spheres with gigantic mouths and black tongues and teeth. The one with the purple mask started to transform into something resembling a medieval knight on the back of a horse, the knight summoning two lances. There was no question; we all started to run as fast as we can.
We stuck together. To separate would only mean that they pick us off one by one. We looked back to see the creatures still chasing us. It was only a matter of time before they gain on us. Sayomi in particular looks worn down. Having just woken up from unconsciousness and getting dropped her, I can imagine that the only thing that is allowing her to keep up with us is her panic. However…panic is only a motivation for so long.
“Wha…!” Sayomi tripped and collapsed. She was breathing heavily and exhausted. Takao took notice first and started to dash right back towards her. I like wise did the same. I can’t exactly leave these people and there is no chance that I’ll be any good on my own anyway. I started to look around. Weapons, a weapon, come on a weapon! “What are you doing Takao?”
“I’m not leaving you!” It seemed we walked into a rundown area of sorts. I noticed not far from me is a baseball bat. I ran over and grabbed it and then thwacked a nearby trashcan to get their attention. Good news, it worked. Bad news is that they found a new focus on me. One of the heads lunged at me. I swung as hard as I can.
The creature was knocked away but as a consequence my bat broke. I only had half a bat to defend myself with. The other head was quick to act on after his companion. He started to lunge at me. I’m going to die. There was no ways I can survive getting crunched by jaws like those. Even if I did, it would only mean a death that was agonizing. I’m going to die….I’m going to die…I moved into this town just to die…I don’t want to die…I don’t want to…
“I DON’T WANT TO DIE!” My life started to flash before my eyes…but suddenly stopped at the thought of Igor and Nicholas. The creature stopped. They all stopped moving. They started to focus on me. I dropped the broken bat on to the ground. My body started to feel a sense of…euphoria. Without any reason I raised my right hand and presented it to the air. My body started to glow a brilliant blue. Slowly, a blue card began to form above my hand. Imprinted on the card was the card that represented my past. No, this time it was right side up. The picture of a person carrying a sack at the end of a stick being followed by a dog marked with a number 0 to label the card. I don’t know why but I started to smile. I knew only one word at that moment, a word that gave me a sense of power.
“Per…” I reached out toward the card. “…so…” I grasped it. “…na!” I crushed it. The aura around me soon started to form into the being from my dream, an elegant lady of white skin and blonde hair tied back. She wore an elegant blue and silver dress that accommodated her beauty. In her hands, she held a beautifully crafted silver sword covered by a wisp of blue vapor. I pointed at my target.
The monstrosity finally made up its mind and tried to devour me, however he should’ve done so when he had the chance. The lady I summoned forth sliced the creature in half with ease, the remains of the creatures splashing into black slime. I no longer had to fear these creatures…no…they should be
bowing to me.
The other mouth clearly did not learn from the experience of his predecessor and soon charged at an attempt to devour the being I summoned. Another target effortlessly sliced in two. That left the knight that was now preparing to charge at me. I shifted my focus on to the knight and the lady like did as well, flying toward her. Lance and sword soon clashed. I felt a surge through my body. It seemed that we were connected…no…connected would be putting it lightly. That lady I summoned can only be described as an extension of me. While the lady was able to parry away the lances, I realized that the lady was not a swordswoman…but a being of magic.
“Viviane!!” I called upon the Lady of the Lake, the Lady of Avalon. The name of the one who presented King Author with Excalibur echoed throughout my head and around the area as Viviane leapt back away from a lance strike. She swung her blade and a wisp of wind drilled through the skull of the knight. Soon the knight started into a pile of black sludge like his other companions did. I turned over to my friends. They had an expression that could only be described as a mixture of relief and shock. It must’ve also been my expression too. I felt myself smiling. I looked at my hand, Viviane fading away and the glowing tarot card appearing in my hand once more before it faded away. I soon collapsed on my knees and started to laugh. “I heard people change when they move to a new place but this is ridiculous.”
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[style=font-size: 10px; text-align: center;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF
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