Chapter 2: The Golden Stars Part 2
*whistling*
*footsteps*
"The civilization of this planet still seems to be in a state of maturity, especially regarding technology. Well, considering that they had an early awakening, technology won't advance much for a long time."
Yato commented as he walked towards Rael's house. His slow, calm steps contrasted with the chaotic scene unfolding a few meters ahead.
He decided to change his appearance slightly as he began his new adventure. Usually, his appearance was that of an 18-year-old.
But now, he seems to be 23 years old. His silver hair fell to his shoulders, reflecting the moonlight. His silver eyes also looked like mirrors, revealing the deepest secrets of those who looked into them. His skin was as pale as living marble.
"Master, that boy looks like he's in trouble," Yerin said, now in the form of a white cat.
"I know, but he's stronger than you think. Even if I weren't here, he wouldn't die today. But the consequences wouldn't be good. Anyway, I don't intend to let some irrelevant trash get in my way." Yato said with a weak smile.
'Stronger than I imagine?' Yerin looked at Rael for a moment. 'Maybe the master wasn't talking about power, so what?
"It's customary to knock on the door before entering, but forgive my inelegance." Yato walked through the door and continued on his way.
'Sometimes I don't understand you, master. You still choose to "walk like a human" despite so much power. It's incomprehensible. Yerin thought.
Yato's voice broke her thoughts. "Don't spoil the fun, my little one."
-
[1st person]
"W-What do you want from me?" My hands were sweating at the sight of that man. If this is a nightmare, I hope I wake up soon. I can't move my body very well; even speaking is difficult.
"Oh, you thought I'd let you go after what you've seen? We're a reserved kind; we don't like too much attention. But don't be so scared; at least you'll have the honor of dying by my hand." He said as he looked deep into my eyes.
My mind raced. "What are you?" I managed to ask, desperate for time.
"Oh? Are you curious about us? A corpse doesn't need to know this, but I will tell you, consider it your last request. We're humans just like you, but we are awakened."
"A-Awakened?"
The man then began to emit red energy from his body while appearing euphoric. A satisfied smile formed on his face. The pressure of his energy was strong enough to make the ground shake a little.
"Exactly! It's a select group of people with their bodies exposed to an unknown energy. Fascinating, isn't it? It makes us better. Superior. A higher form of life! Now..." His hand morphed into a crimson blade. "Time to end this."
'I don't understand... why? Why take a life for something like this?'
'I don't have any options. If I tried to scream, I could wake Obāchan and put her at risk. I don't want that...'
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!
'Is this my fate? To die in this miserable way?'
*Tock tock*
"Rael darling, what's going on? I heard noises coming from your room. Is everything all right?"
"No..." I mumbled. I felt sweat running down my face, and a tear began to form.
"Oh, looks like you're not alone-"
"No! Don't hurt her, I beg you! Please!"
"Hahahaha! Ah boy, so that's why you weren't making much noise. Well, I like how you look now."
"Rael, who's there with you?! What's going on?!"
Obāchan called, rattling the locked door.
"What if I... do this!" The man expanded his blade and aimed for the door...
"STOPP!" I tried to stop him, but a hand made of energy pinned me to the wall.
"Rael-"
*SLASH!*
Suddenly, there was silence. My eyes fluttered, and my breathing stopped. I... lost the only person I had?
...
"NOO! OBĀCHAN! You bastard, I'm going to kill you-"
"Hey, hey, I'd ask you to calm down. Soon, the neighbors will complain about the noise, you know?" a calm voice broke through the tension.
'What?!' That's not the voice I expected to hear.
When the door opened, I saw a young man with silver hair holding my grandmother by the shoulder; she was unconscious but seemed fine! I don't know who this guy is, but he seems to have saved Obāchan.
"You... Who the hell are you? Which organization do you belong to? Don't meddle in other people's affairs."
'...If they don't know each other, then I have a chance! The man has become a little alert.'
*Boredom yawn*
"It's not easy to find people like you in this vast cosmos, so try not to die so easily. Anyway, how about we chat?"
The silver-haired guy ignored the man and walked towards me.
'Chat?'
-
[3rd person]
Yato calmly walked over to Rael and instantly destroyed the hand that was restraining him. Then Rael began to float over to a chair.
"What are you going to do to me? Are you an awakened human, too?" Rael asked, his voice hesitant.
'What the hell is happening to this world? Superhumans? Magic? You're not going to tell me there are aliens, too.' Rael thought.
"Of course there are. Well, aliens isn't an appropriate name. And no, I'm not an 'awakened human' as you say. My aim here is to offer something."
"Offer? wait, did you just read my mind now?!" Rael exclaimed.
Yato just gave a weak smile and then snapped his fingers. Rael's grandmother disappeared soon after.
"You-"
"Don't worry; she's in her room. I erased her memories, too."
"ENOUGH!"
A furious shout echoed through the room. The man walked up to Yato and Rael with a lopsided grin. Rael was a little afraid, but not as much as before. He felt safer now.
The man then looked at Yato;
"You dare Ignore me, Punk? Well... I'll make you-"
"Bow your head." -Yerin.
*Bam*
'What-'
As if under a decree, the man could no longer stand. Yerin pinned his body to the ground, and he couldn't even lift his head.
"When did you get permission to speak?" Yerin looked at the man on the ground with contempt. "You dare overestimate your insignificant existence here? Let's see if you can do it a second time."
Suddenly, the man's fingers began to turn 90° and twist: all the fingers, one by one.
*Crack*
"Ahhhhhh!"
After that, Yerin made the man look into her eyes. The man began to convulse, blood pouring from his eyes. He begged and struggled; his eyes reflected the most horrible thing in the world as he looked into hers.
"S-Stop- AHHH!"
Then, his tongue was cut out as he struggled. After a moment, he fainted, but not of his own volition.
"Noisy. You'll spend the rest of your miserable life like this. You'll see each day go by, or rather, you won't see anything at all." Yerin said after taking the man's consciousness.
'My little one, your methods may end up scaring him.' Yato commented.
He had hidden everything Yerin had done so as not to frighten Rael. But he didn't quarrel with her for doing so.
'How cute you are.'
-
-
"Anyway, your name is Rael, right?" Yato asked with a weak smile.
"Oh, that's right. Rael Kazehiro." Rael didn't ask how Yato knew his name; he couldn't have been more surprised by anything today.
"Very well. You can call me Yato. Yato Mugenkami."
Rael noticed the man suddenly disappearing after shouting; apart from the cat Yato was carrying, nothing looked ordinary.
"So, what do you want from me? What are you if you're not one of those awakened humans?"
"Hm, I'm someone from outside your planet."
"Heh?! So you really are an alien?"
"You could say that. I'm here to make you an offer. Are you interested in becoming a Trailblazer?"
"Trail...blazer?"
"People who climb the tower are called Trailblazers. The tower is on a separate plane of existence designed to grant power to individuals who decide to climb it. It is a meeting point for many civilizations."
...
'If that's true, I can get what I want, but...'
"You could die in the tower. Opportunities and risks go hand in hand. The decision is yours. If you agree, I'll give you something to help you on your journey." Yato answered what was on his mind.
"And what's in it for you? Why me?" Rael asked with a complicated expression.
"Just for fun, thats it. Now, I'll say goodbye. I'd wait two days; you have that long at most to make your decision. Anyway, even if you refuse, I can still give you some of the answers you want."
And then Yato disappeared.
"Wait-"
Just as Rael was about to ask if he could repair his room, the walls were instantly restored, and everything returned to normal as if nothing had happened.
[Welcome, Rael Kazehiro]
[Analyzing]
[Confirmed]
[I am the system, created to assist specific individuals/Trailblazers on their journeys]
[Waiting for decision]
[Rael Kazehiro: Not confirmed]
[Sakura Kanami: Not confirmed]