Chapter 17: Ghost Of The Past

"....mans are nonsensical creatures that justify the truth based on their own perspectives, creating bias opinions along the way."

"They only believe in the things their senses tell them. Perceive the colors of the scenery, the fragrance of the ocean, and the echoes made in mountains and caves."

"True, it was proven there is gravity everywhere, discovered the.....matter, and finally......power of dark energy."

"Yehooh! We finally fu...ing....achieved! Finally achieved it! That is all that they can say from their heads! All thanks to their Jirhens!"

"...........relied too much on it! What intergalactic accredited mathematician, what top-notch physicist, what genius chemist, they are just a bunch of fools."

"A circus made of clowns!"

"They had forgotten one of the fundamental factors of a scientist. Our own curiosity and innovativeness! The thing that will slowly tear you apart if there are no answers. Answers to the simple yet special facts I....."

-an excerpt from a random burnt diary in Hiul galaxy.

...

"Mister, where are you going? Why don't you have a cup of tea?"

A clear voice of a person can be heard. That mood conveyed in that question is fulfilling to others, but for him, it was a freezing chill incomparable to the burning pain that almost killed him before.

Nana has still eight days remaining. She will only return the day before her work starts. Her sister Nila is studying in an institution located in a distant star. The female puppet is in his room, chained for security purposes. While the male puppet is in front of him.

So, who is behind him?

'Holy shhhhheeettttttt!'

The realization of a soul talking hit Lon hard. He never thought that there could be something like this happening to him.

According to 'Introduction to Soul Studies', their manifestation of the physical world is hard. At most, they can interact with inanimate objects and that often consumes a lot of energy for them.

Rarely they can speak in a coherent manner. If they really can do in an appropriate environment, it simply entails that their soul power is high enough to initiate a normal conversation with any living person.

He just put down his foot when his nose twitched. A distinct aroma of herbs entered his nostrils. From the smell alone, it was enticing enough to interest even the most cold-blooded killers in history.

"Ahhh, I can't get enough of this taste", another distinct voice exclaimed. This is a different one because of the deeper tones produced by that voice.

"Hey boy, come here, come join us in our tea party.", the person sent an invitation to him.

His body swiftly turned around, holding the gun while the corpse puppet ran to his front.

Attacking them for no reason is disrespectful. They didn't even harm him in any way. Except for the violation of privacy and trespassing private property.

Once he got a clear sight of them, he was flabbergasted. They have no features every living being out there has. However, they have the same shape humans have.

Dark matter does not nullify normal particulate matter. They are particles that simply do not absorb, reflect, and emit light. The same trait these two exhibits. A skin that doesn't reflect light yet their shapes is observable and visible to light. A curious phenomenon that will fascinate researchers studying dark matter.

They looked like the things he saw back in that abandoned facility, those human shadows.

Laid out on the dining table are two additional chairs, making it reach four. They have the same appearance as the other two but they exude this ethereal feeling that it can disappear anytime soon.

Four sets of teacups for four people and a big teapot that has unknown capacity placed in the center. It isn't a joke that they are having tea at the current hour of time. The first one is filling the other two cups while the other person is drinking the tea.

In his perspective, they are just two shadows doing something not possible for an incorporeal being. A soul drinking tea with delight and hands that firmly held the items.

"Are you afraid, boy?", the drinking man faced him and its finger pointed to the chair opposite of it.

"Don't make me stand up and get you seated there.", it wasn't finished as it jokingly added.

It may be a joke to others but for the subject of this small talk, he felt a suffocating pressure that he will die without knowing whether he follows those instructions or not.

It was directed not on his body but on his soul. The oppression is short-lived yet his body unconsciously began to sweat.

He's not fearless like an android because his body unconsciously carried him away to seat in one of the empty chairs.

Getting a gun wound and fighting a wounded cimexan still presents a slim chance of survival. But one way or another, Lon knew this thing could kill him and he wouldn't be able to do anything at all.

"Here, drink it", once seated, he was offered a refreshment. A complete contrast the other one displayed.

The problem is that the liquid inside the teacup is water. His eyes wouldn't be mistaken for it really is water. The translucent properties and transparent color cannot be mistaken for any other fluid.

Water in tea time? He might as well go mad and reveal in the public that his Jirhen is different.

To not enrage these two people, Lon took a sip from it. But that light tasting turned into drinking the whole beverage until it was empty. One swoop and the tea is gone.

Mere words cannot describe the sensations it created from drinking a small portion of this water. There was no restrain as he tasted every single bit of what it offers. If he were to define it, he would tell them what its outcomes.

It was a gush of excitement, knowing that a special rejuvenation will help all states of an entity. Though it only lasted a brief moment.

The cracks in his soul were slowly mended and it felt more lively than before. The pulsating signals it releases became shorter but stronger than before. One of the signs of how souls get stronger in a natural way.

His bones and flesh never felt fresh like any before. All the burdens on them that unhurriedly popped out of existence. There's also this warm current in his blood that swam freely. Pumping up his lanky body into good condition.

Among them, the peacefulness in his mind is the most special one. As clouds of dust that impeded his sight has now scattered, gaining insights for the previous complicated knowledge he had learned. Though it didn't make him smart, the effects alone are sufficient for him.

"An uncultured swine, he doesn't even know how to drink it properly.", the man spat out after he saw the actions of Lon.

"Tch, why are like this every time, darling? You are scaring him!", the other one reprimanded. Clearly mad about its attitude.

The amazing thing about them is that they could speak without mouths.

Telepathy?

It is a voice that is directly transmitted to the brain through various means. In their case, he could hear their voices that have distinct accents and manners of speech.

There was this bizarre belief Lon has that these two are simply a married couple that wanted to have a peaceful chat with him. The following scene in front of him proved this notion.

"Why would he be afraid? He's even dabbling in sorcery involving the dead. So, why would he be afraid of ghosts like us?", the man rebutted after forcefully putting down the cup on the tea plate.

"Ohhh, now you're challenging me. Shall I remind you then who has the idea of coming all the way here? And who's the one who thought of that idea?", she retorted as the teapot was placed down with scary noise.

"Wanna fight then? I can destroy you to smithereens!"

"Talk about language! I'm in for it! I have to remind you who's in charge."

Achoo!

Their bickering was interrupted by a flash of a sneeze. These two entities faced each other before calming their tempers. It is obvious that they came to this place to discuss something with him.

If it really is not, they would have not a friendly approach. Attacking him is a lot easier for them but it will end up in a disastrous conclusion that they will find disheartening.

"I'm sorry for that improper display, mister.", it turned to its husband.

"Yeah, yah boy, I am sorry for that lousy decorum."

In this short moment, these two shades appeared sociable. They are the ones the good ones described as benevolent wandering souls. But there is no absolute state in the universe.

The corpse puppet moved on his right side while his gun was tightly gripped on his right hand, unlocked and loaded.

"Moving on, do you know why are we visiting you at this hour?", the woman, in turn, asked him.

"Thanks for that delicious tea, madam", he expressed his thanks first. Drinking that simple water has alleviated his current shortcoming.

For that, Lon was grateful. He may be crazy at times but that doesn't mean gratitude is not a part of his emotions. That doesn't also equate to him lowering his guard.

Who knows that all of these are just the prelude of their wonderful performance?

"But, I don't wanna even know your names.", the subtle shaking of his head is enough for the two of them. They did not get mad despite his nonchalant attitude or outright refusal. Instead, they did the exact opposite of the expected reactions.

"Lets cut to the chase. We will be direct to you, boy.", the man confessed as something came out of his shadowy body.

There were no damages apparent to this object. However, this item, a picture, has lost its color and important details, fading along the passage of time. Nonetheless, some elements inside have managed to survive.

A family of three is standing quietly behind a fountain park. The faces of the two adults became blurred yet their bodies are still discernable. It doesn't take a genius to figure out who are those people in the photo.

The third one is a cute little girl that has the appearance of a ten-year-old. In a generic dress with strawberry flower patterns, she looked dazzling and sunny.

The white petals are a great contrast to the grumpy face, indicating her day was terrible for some reason.

"So we want you to take care of this girl.", the woman said as she pointed out.

"Of course, we would pay you."

At the unimpressed face, the man took out another thing directly from his body. This time, Lon saw how it was taken out.

The dark hand easily penetrated his breast area. It reached in the nothingness for a few seconds before pulling out. A rectangular briefcase was taken out by a hand that came from his chest.

The sharp edges gave a feeling of seniority. While the leather surface has the ability to evoke nostalgia for anyone. The twin locks of the case are opened. The contents are the blinding 1,000 banknotes that are organized in a hundred bills per stack.

"5 million Nins and we shall give you two things you like."

This physical exhibition meant they are clearly not fooling around. Although there is practically a sea of money in his lap, there are still suspicions he wanted clarification. A natural response from a man not easily devoured by greed.

His hand swiftly touched and twisted a bunch of the dubious items. They have the same texture and the matching smell of cold, printed cash issued by the Natilian Empire.

Lon couldn't help but be skeptical because of how these things came out of from a soul-body that is possibly made out of energy. There is a chance that they can turn into soft cotton balls of air once they left.

"Don't worry, darling had always amassed money from various sources.", that was told in a friendly tone to reassure him. "They won't disappear if you accepted and faithfully fulfilled our request."

"I need the money but I must decline.", an answer completely shocking from what they expected.

"What? Is it not enough? How about another million, two million, or five million.", the man was distressed to the point his hand submerged below the surface again.

"Easy, easy darling, don't be like that.", the wife calmed him as her hand stopped him.

"Mister, why would you not accept this money?"

Rejection always hurts for anyone, producing negative biological reactions then becoming crestfallen for some time is normal. But that rule does not apply to the female in front of him. The reason she was calm is that the thought of this occurring was within her expectations.

Since they asked in a straightforward manner from the start, Lon would do the honors to speak his frank opinion.

"Isn't it fairly obvious? Why would you leave your child to me, a stranger with no redeeming qualities."

"I don't even know who she is or met her in the streets."

"Not accounting the fact you would give me a huge sum of real money just to take care of your child. That point alone is suspicious to anyone."

"I mean, if she is still alive you would send her to a relative or some orphanage."

The mention of the last remark made the two stare at each other. Their thoughts are unknown before they took corresponding actions based on their decisions.

The man flicked his finger and the door to his room was closed with a bang while the bolts were securely locked and the woman inched her body to get closer to him.

"Listen here, young mister. You're one of a kind.", she was whispering to his ear. It was weak that if he didn't listen carefully he would miss out on what they are going to say.

"But she's stuck inside one of your toys."