Tale of Discovery

"Before we start, there are several things that I need to state," I announce.

Having gathered their attention, I straighten my posture up a little and say while facing Krul,

"You are also able to leave this world as you have a power similar to mine."

This seems to startle her as she looks into my eyes and says,

"What is this 'power' that you speak of?"

Already expecting her to ask me such a question, I reply to her in all honesty,

"I have no idea regarding what it is exactly, but it's called a 'Code'. If you'd like to follow me to the other world, I reckon that Juno would explain the procedure of doing so to you."

At the end of my words, I shifted from looking at Krul to Juno with an innocent smile plastered to my face.

I'm not doing something so bothersome.

"The next thing that I need to state," I continue, "is that time will be frozen in this world upon our departure. In other words, it would seem like an instant has passed since our departure and return for those that are in this world."

At least, this is what's supposed to occur according to what I've been told by Irene and Juno. I notice through that Nao just let out a sigh of relief. Did she just make up her mind on something?

"I will go with you," she declares bluntly.

It seems like what I said gave her a final push of some sort.

I give her my approval by a slight nod.

Then, I look over at Shinoa.

Ah... I wish I could've taken her with me as well. I have grown a little fond of her as well from the short while we've interacted.

It's not like I'm not going to see her ever again, but it nonetheless makes me feel a little lost knowing that I'll leave her.

------

"It would take the Mete about a week to produce a body for those that wish to go over to the Rift. As for those that have a Code, it should take at most three days," explains Juno.

"Victor will send the data of where you will appear to the Mete."

So I need to find a place for them to safely take form huh...

"I will leave first," declares Krul.

Immediately after she says so, her body breaks down into small particles and disappears.

After her, Yuno and Juno follow suit.

The only ones that are now in the room are Ayumi, Nao, Shinoa, and me.

I move toward Ayumi and once in front of her, I stroke her right cheek and kiss her forehead before saying,

"Don't be afraid. You shouldn't feel anything."

Placing my palm on her chest, I use Destruction to spread around my energy around in her body. Then, I channel my power through it, causing her body to instantly turn into dark particles and vanish on spot.

{Code Status: Storing two souls.}

Hearing the notification, a sense of relief washes over me, knowing that it was a success.

Without wasting time, I go over to Nao and place my palm on her chest.

"Perv," she suddenly says.

"Hey, this has nothing to do with me being a pervert or not. I need to inject my energy into your body."

Wait a second.

"And was that supposed to make your actions not seem perverted?", Shinoa says with a smirk.

Just ignore them...

I repeat the same process with Nao and the same thing happens to her body.

{Code Status: Storing three souls. Maxed out.}

And so, only Shinoa and I remain in the room. There is also this awkward atmosphere around us for some reason...

"I'm sorry that I couldn't take you with myself," I say to her sincerely.

In response to my words, she snickers, "Why are you acting like I'm your lover or something. Just go already."

Now I don't want to leave her even more. Alas, I can't do anything about it.

Making up my mind, I move to where she is and pull her petite body into my embrace.

"I will be back before you know it," I whisper to her, "literally."

Letting her go I back away a few steps and chant-

αφήνω.

---3rd POV---

Upon Victor's departure from the world, everything comes to a direct halt.

Birds that were flying in the sky happily are now suspended in place.

The streets are filled with unmoving cars and pedestrians.

Everything has frozen in place.

--

Somewhere, Shun and his group are sitting around a table. They, like everything else in the world are frozen in place.

In front of them are several papers that seem to be reports of something.

On their faces, are expressions of anxiety, fear, worry, and on a select few of them: determination.

--

On a stage in front of a crowd that is stuck in a cheering position is Yusarin that was singing a new song for her album.

At the front of the crowd, her classmates are apparent, with Joijiro being at the very front covered in Yusarin's merchandise.

--

In a hotel room, two guys that seem to be of similar ages are facing each other on a bed with passionate looks in their eyes.

A blonde guy with blue eyes and a dark-haired guy with green eyes.

Like everyone else, they're frozen in place and will be staying like so for who knows how much time.

--

In a hospital room, stands a boy that seems to be about twelve years old.

In his hand is a bloodied kitchen knife, and in his eyes is emptiness.

In front of the boy is a girl of similar age lying on a bed with blood gushing out from several wounds in her body. On the girl's face is a look of horror and regret.

Beside the girl is a bloody heart-shaped pendant carrying a photo of the boy with one word written on it:

"Konishi"

~VOL 1 END