Chapter Five: The Incandescent

Seven would be walking around the forest as she could feel the ticklish grass when she went barefoot. She could hear the quiet melody of the humming birds singing. But she stayed quiet so she wouldn't scare any animals off. But Seven only took a walk in the forest because she was curious about who she was.

Who am I? She thought.

Before her walk, she was only helping Raijin wash the dishes. As she placed the plates and bowls away into the cabinets, she could still remember the part Owen was researching about her identity. But soon, it flooded as it kept running around her mind. All it did was bother Seven more.

"Hey Raijin-?"

"Hm?"

"Why did Yen decide to save me when she found me in her backyard?"

Raijin would open the pantree, grabbing the food for the Arowana before looking at Seven. His blank expression made Seven's question feel empty and mysterious. But he looked away before answering her question with a straight tone.

"Yen can sense auras. It's how she found the rest of us." He answered.

"Yen decided she wanted to raise a group of kids who weren't like ordinary people. She wanted to give us a place to live and a life to have." He continued.

Seven would walk to the pantree before grabbing a bag of food for the koi fish. Raijin then moved his head twice, signaling her to follow him out the door as he walked outside. Seven followed, but her mind was only filled with confusion.

I'll just ask Yen later on… She thought.

As Seven and Raijin walked outside, Yuka was watering the flowers since it hasn't rained for the past few days meanwhile Owen's job was doing paperwork. The both had stopped at the edge of the lake as they pulled out a handful of the food and dropped them into the lake.

Seven would stare at all the colorful Arowana and Koi fish, swimming around, eating the food they had dropped into the lake. Looking at the colorful fish had only temporarily erased the harsh thought of her identity as Seven suddenly paused. Raijin noticed Seven as he looked at her.

"What are you doing-?" He asked.

Seven would place her hand in the bag of food as she took a handful out. But instead of throwing them, she bent down and slid her hand underwater in the cold lake. She could feel the temperature of her hand quickly decrease before it slowly recreated the heat. But all the Koi Fish and Arowana wouldn't run off as they instead approached Seven's hand without hesitation and ate the handful of food she had in her hand.

Seven could feel the ticklish bites every time a fish approached her. But she was distracted by her own happiness and the colorful fish swimming around her hand. Once there was no more food in her hand, she slowly and gently pulled her hand out of the water so she wouldn't hurt the fish by accident.

"... That was weird." Raijin finally said, breaking the awkward silence.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Seven turned, looking at Raijin.

"The Koi Fish and Arowana would usually swim away when someone tried feeding them using their hands or when they attempted to pet the fish." He replied.

"I see… I apologize if it's weird for you." Seven commented.

"I didn't mean weird like that, it was just surprisingly weird." 

The word, surprisingly weird, had slipped into Seven's mind. Bringing her back into the thoughts of her own identity. Seven's smile went upside down as her mind was now full of questions. But, in order to try and shake the thoughts off, she inhaled.

"Hey, why is Owen doing paperwork instead of heading to the store?"

"Owen was asked to do more research about you."

"... Oh?"

Seven looked at the ground before she looked at the fishes swimming in the lake. But realizing Owen was trying to do research on her, she decided she would do the research herself without telling anyone. She placed the bag of food down as she ran back inside. She was lucky since Owen and Yen went out for lunch.

Seven entered Owen's office as she saw multiple papers everywhere. On the ground. On the ceiling and the walls. Seven tried to not make a single footprint on the papers as she slowly entered further in the office, moving her feet away from the papers. Once she got to Owen's desk, she sat down on the office chair and turned on the computer.

Although, it seems she was too late as Owen's computer had a password. Seven tapped the screen with her finger as soon, the Computer was automatically logged in. Allowing Seven to do her own research about herself.

Seven looked at the keyboard and computer screen as she began searching herself up. But all she had gotten was the number seven. She spent the next 20 minutes trying to research herself, but all she found was nothing but the number seven. Later on, she laid her head on the desk. She gave up.

This will be harder than I thought… Seven thought.

Seven decided she would continue her research until she heard the front door open and the voices of Yen and Owen. They had returned. Seven quickly got up as she ran out of the office, not realizing she stepped on many papers, causing the papers to be bent. But Seven ran to her bedroom since it wasn't too far from Owen's office, but far from the front door. As soon as she entered, she stopped herself and quickly slowed down her breath to not make anything suspicious. Seven decided to walk out of her bedroom and pretend she just didn't enter Owen's office as she approached Yen and Owen.

"Hey Yen and Owen." Seven waved, hiding her nervousness as much as she could.

Yen and Owen would look at Seven before they waved. Yen sipped her cup of coffee as her eyes glowed quickly. Yen knew what Seven was doing, but Yen allowed it anyway. It wasn't her job to stop Seven in trying to find herself. But Seven would have to deal with Owen. Yen would turn to her left as she walked away.

"I have some stuff to do. I'll see you guys later." She said,

The hallway was left with Seven and Owen. Yet, Seven quickly walked past Owen in order to 'act normally'. Seven would rush outside as she quickly ran into the forest.

As Seven entered the forest, she slowed down. She continued walking barefoot. Although, she soon stopped as she saw a small pond. The sunlight was shining down brightly on the clear water. But Seven could see crystals that were placed underneath the clear pond water. But the lily-pads had covered the crystals to keep them hidden from those who attempted to steal the crystals for money.

Seven would approach the pond as she saw a sign made out of stone.

The Pond of Incandescent. She read.

Seven would look at the pond before walking towards the edge. She would bend down a bit to get a closer look at the crystals. Although, it went unsuccessful. The Lily-Pads kept covering the crystals. Making it almost impossible to find a crystal. But Seven didn't give up. She continued to look for a crystal in the pond.

But as hours had passed, it was already night. But finally, the Lily-Pad had slowly moved away from the crystal. Yet, instead of the sunlight shining down on the pond, the moonlight was the replacement at night. The Lily-Pad would only move when a full moon had shined its moonlight down to the Pond of Incandescent.

The Lily-Pad had chosen Seven as worthy. Once the moonlight had shined down on the pond, the Lily-Pad would move to reveal a crystal. But not just an ordinary crystal. The crystal was the Fate of Memories. Seven was lucky to find a crystal like that.

But as Seven looked at the crystal, her eyes began to glow. Soon, her vision turned white as she immediately saw flashes of how she was created. But the flashbacks were too quick to know and see. All she caught was the woman who created her. Only to see herself, destroying the entire universe. The crystals were able to slightly see the fate of Seven. The cause of the Universe's destruction and extinction.

Seven soon snapped out of the flashbacks as she quickly stood up in fear. She was heavily breathing as she misunderstood the fact it was her 'destined fate'.

That was a dream… right? She thought. But her thoughts were racing. Her heartbeat pounded fast, but her eyes were confused on where to look at.

Seven was confused, like if she woke up from amnesia. But she looked to her left after hearing footsteps approaching the Pond. But, the footsteps weren't actually heading for the pond. They were approaching Seven.

As the sound of footsteps got closer, Seven stepped back a little. Only for it to go silent. Seven would look around her surroundings, double checking if anyone was near. But she didn't sense anything or anyone near. But as a couple of minutes had passed, she felt safer.

"You thought you were safe… am I right?" a young voice called out.

Seven would look to her right. She could see a silhouette, standing next to a tree. But she couldn't see as the shadows had covered her identity. But without hesitation, Seven had no choice but to respond.

"Who are you-?" Seven asked.

"A poor girl, who had lost her soul because of humanity." The silhouette replied.

Seven would stare at the silhouette as she never recognized the voice. It was a new person she never knew.

"Show yourself then."

The silhouette didn't hesitate as the silhouette walked out of the shadows, approaching Seven. The silhouette had revealed itself to be The Marionette, Kotohina. Seven could see her doll-like shape and body, but only two things stood out the most. Kotohina's white long hair, and her indicolite colored eyes. It looked similar to Seven's appearance. Almost like if they were twins. The only difference was the aura of Kotohina. Seven could already sense the cruelty from her as she took a step back.

Kotohina was able to sense Seven's emotion. Although, she wasn't surprised. People who were human would run away because they were afraid of Kotohina. But knowing that Seven was slowly being caught into the fear of her aura, it only make Kotohina smile on the inside.

"Are you scared of me?" Kotohina asked with her blank stare.

Her aura only darkened as Kotohina's blank expression made the entire conversation feel intense. Seven even had chills running down her spine. But all Kotohina did was stare. Her dull eyes would only made things feel like there was someone, watching Seven in an omni-directional way.

Seven would take another step back, unsure if she should run or stay. But it felt like she was staring at her own reflection. So she decided to stay, but kept cautious of it. Seven had a feeling Kotohina could pull anything at any time.

"No. You just have…"

"A cursed aura? Well, I wouldn't say it's cursed if it makes me feel all powerful."

"But why-?"

"Humanity has done enough crap. They've harmed all that the unordinary created. But… one had to stand up and push humanity back to their place. Am I right?"

Kotohina did a slight curtsy, revealing how 'helpful and kind' she was. But Seven didn't take any of it humorously. To Seven, humanity has been the nicest living being she's seen. No one in the city had judged her for being unordinary. But to Kotohina, her perspective was completely different.

Seven would slowly observe Kotohina with her eyes, only to realize that Kotohina was holding a doll. A small female doll. The doll had pale skin, almost as white as snow. The doll had bright purple eyes and long black hair. But there was something off about the doll.

The more Seven observed the doll, she realized there was a crack on the face. Although, it was clear the doll was made recently. But it was damaged.

"I should get going."

Seven turned around for an attempt to escape, but it was blocked as Kotohina continued the conversation.

"The woman you saw in your flashbacks… who was that?" She asked.

Seven paused, facing Kotohina. She would gently brush her fingers through the doll's hair. But Kotohina would still be looking at Seven with her blank expression. It seemed like it was impossible for Seven to get away. Yet the winds only increased as Seven could almost hear the wind whispering for her to run.

Seven looked around before looking back at Kotohina to not break any eye contact. Kotohina was still staring at Seven, but because of her dull eyes, it only made things worse. Seven truly felt like Kotohina had eyes all over her.

But, Seven was soon saved as she heard a familiar voice echo through the forest. Kotohina took her eyes off of Seven as she looked around her surroundings. Kotohina took too long as she wasted her chance from getting Seven. So she decided to retreat for the time being.

As Kotohina slowly took her exit, she looked at Seven one more time.

"Our paths will meet again soon. But when we meet again, you won't meet me for a third time."

Seven tried to follow Kotohina, but it was too late. She had already disappeared into the shadows of the night. Returning to her palace. But Seven soon changed her mind as she walked away from the Pond of Incandescent, following the voice she heard. 

She could hear the voice continue to shout for her name. But as she got closer, she realized that it was Yen's voice, calling out for her. Although, it was understandable. Knowing that Seven was out for too long and didn't return. As she walked back to Yen's place, Yen would be waiting for Seven outside.

"There you are, Seven."

"Sorry Yen, I lost track of time."

Yen looked at Seven, only to turn around and enter inside. Yet, she moved her hand. Signaling Seven to follow. As Seven noticed, she followed Yen as she led Seven to her office.

"Give me one minute." 

Seven nodded as she waited outside of the office. Meanwhile, Yen entered her office and looked in her drawers and cabinets. It seemed like Yen was looking for something. But Seven stared at the wall. Her mind was full of thoughts about Kotohina and her mysterious look-alike appearance.

Seven snapped out of it after she heard the sound of a door shut next to her. Yen approached Seven with a watch. It was brand new. The watch wasn't damaged or the time was wrong. After all, the watch was a gift for Seven. So Yen grabbed Seven's wrist before placing the watch onto her wrist.

"What's this-?" Seven asked.

"A watch. It'll help you keep track of time." Yen replied.

As Yen finished, Seven looked at the watch. But in curiosity, she moved her hand to her ear as she used her absolute enhanced hearing to hear the sound of the parts moving. Seven smiled. She looked back at Yen, who was confused at first.

"I can hear the sound of the parts moving in the watch."

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yes."

"I see. Well, have fun with the watch."

"I will. I promise to not lose the watch."

Seven would walk away, returning to her bedroom. But all she did was stare at the time. As Seven entered her bedroom, she hopped onto her bed and continued to stare at the watch. But she soon compared it to the damaged doll Kotohina held.

I wonder why the doll is damaged. Who was the doll supposed to represent? She thought.

Seven had begun to think, as she sat up. Only to accidentally stab her foot through a broken tile on the ground.

"Ow-"

Seven would lift her foot up, but there was no blood. Not even a single blood would be slipping out of the wound. But instead of blood, there was a very dark colored dust. Slipping out of the wound. To her surprise, she realized she didn't have blood. But in order to answer her questions, she grabbed the broken tile and began to pierce her thigh with it. Although, no blood was shown. All there was were just the dust. But the dust flowed like an aura.

What the…

Seven's mind was exploding with thousands of thoughts. First her identity, Kotohina, and now her own body.

Who am I? Why don't I bleed?