—Cael Lucian
[WARNING!!! WARNING!!! DEV⟟⍲⍑⟟⌾☊—] BZZT [0] The system's screen appeared to glitch out and all my questions for the day was instantly used as it instantly went to [0]
"Wha—?!" That was my last thoughts as the teleportation happened
—
"This place is-?" A weird place , the walls were completely white , they weren't seamless , cracks and discoloration of the walls prove that wherever I was , it was a place that had been standing for a few years minimum.
"You have got to be kidding me." My questions were burned , I'm completely alone at an unknown place , powerless , without bodyguards, without anything to help me , just me and my thoughts.
[There you are—Come We are waiting for you.] An echo could be heard , a voice I recognized quite well , Ddraig from the world of HighSchool DxD , the Welsh Dragon , or the more famous word Oppai Dragon.
"Come." Another voice could be heard as I turned my head to see a woman , her pale skin and pure white hair in a long braid , her eyes were closed , my brain , true to the nickname Fiction Overlord, instantly recognized her as well.
"Shiraori." I murmured slightly , she nodded slightly as she started walking slowly which I followed.
Step Step Step Creakkkkk
A wooden door was opened as its hinge creaked , inside I could see a few familiar figures.
Gray Reaper from the fictional world of Seoul Object Story, its golden eyes were staring right through me before giving a quick nod , besides it , 2 figures that I would never forget.
"The Pillar of Conclusion and Deviation."
"Shhhh—Quiet now , the others are asleep" Kiana said as she pressed her finger to her lip , Klein was also nodding quietly.
"Mahiru , Firefly and Amane got school tomorrow , Gavin's probably gaming some valorant quietly , Grandma , Mom and Dad are asleep , Bronya well… if we don't tell her to sleep she's gonna pull an all-nighter for weeks."
"Hu Tao and Arrodes are also asleep , I made sure of it" Klein said with a gentleman voice without a single change in his tone.
"I see , and the one sitting there is?"
"Ah—Hello." Her voice was soft , I could've sworn I felt my heart skip a beat out of shock , I knew this voice , as she turned around , her long pale grayish hair , her light blue eyes. A Remnant that caused the ████████ ████ incident.
Yoisaki Kanade
S̴̶̡̡̬͇͔̖̭̾̆̑̊̆̿ͦ̿̒͟͡͝Ǎ̷̸̶̹̫̦̈́ͨ͐̔V̴̷̨̨̛͇̘̺͈̳͉̯̩͊̒ͤ͂̂͗̏͒̓̇̀͑̎ͧ̊̋̑́̿͌̾ͧ͘͜͢E̶̷̵̴͙̥̪̤̙̞̙̰̼̣̱̪̟͕̰̓ͬ̽̑̀̊͊̍ͨ̾͛ͤ́͗͑̾̽͘͟͜ M̸̵͉͓̠̠͔̙̟̤̠ͮ͆̾̀̋E̵̢͕̻̩̲̘̳̊ͩ̓̈ͨͧͪ̇͌
"Ah-?"
"You're hurting…" She said as she held my hand softly , her voice filled with genuine sorrow , her light blue eyes looked like tears were about to fall.
"Some old memories resurfaced."
"Is that so…" Yoisaki Kanade said before placing my hand back and turning her chair into her computer—My mind was busy focusing , this Remnant , Yoisaki Kanade was said to be to neutralize everybody.
"~♪" A humming noise , my mind while worried at the beginning remembered the high-tech gears that could block mind controlling abilities or those that alter your perception.
—
"~♪" Kanade had started her humming , everybody was silent , myself included , beforehand I had asked Klein to help ensure nobody would be able to track when we meddled with Herta's gadget and Silverwolf's tracker.
A funny thing about Kanade's melodies , it seems unstoppable , until you realize. All you need to make it ineffective is to plug your ears and boom no effect on you , sometimes the hardest problems only needs the simplest solution
Klein looked at me without saying a word , but the look he gave me was simple: Why do you look like you're about to laugh? I looked at him back , my eyes giving him all the information he needed.
I bet my ass Herta's gonna be pissed , no probably the entire Herta's Society would be pissed , Bronya's gonna get questioned non stop , Klein looked at me for a bit before merely nodding and giving a faint chuckle which was hidden by the others using his Fool.
"Do I even deserve this?" Cael Lucian spoke
"I was never a good person, I was a bully , I ruined so many lives." His voice cracked as tears ran down his face.
"But you're trying to change, are you n—?" Kanade , wanting to comfort him , yet before she could finish—
SLAMMM
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND. I RUINED PEOPLES LIVES," "There was this girl. I couldn't even remember her name , she rejected me and I—scarred her face. Permanently."
"…" Everybody was silent , nobody spoke , nobody even moved , the sound of course wouldn't travel beyond this room , all of us made sure of it.
"She wanted to be an idol. I ruined her entire life. She later came—To take revenge… yet even that failed. I subdued her. Because I had a screen. A screen telling me her powers , her weaknesses."
"Captured we were. The Silentium , and the worst part? She was dead. Neutralized , a useless Remnant they called her , her powers too common they say , I should've asked the system , yet I didn't. I thought she was on a different branch."
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW UNTIL RECENTLY , WHEN I WAS PROMOTED TO LEAD RESEARCHER AND SEARCH HER FILES."
"Human? Remnant? No. I'm just a monster—a Vestige wearing human skin with the echoes of Han Ga-In like Mafuyu's mother. Ena's father , Mizuki's 'friends'. Just a lucky bastard who's still living."
"I'm not Kevin nor Otto with a grand purpose to save the world or someone important to me , I'm not an all-powerful God like D who toyed with the world. I'm not somebody who's trying to find a worthy opponent. "
"That girl died. Perhaps with even more resentment and me? I'm a director now a leader of a fucking huge organization , connections with so many powerful Remnants and Humans alike I don't even—Know."
The sound of quiet sobbing could be heard as Kanade was patting his head , the man didn't even try to lean on her , was it out of fear or was it out of respect? Nobody could tell as the quiet sobbing soon disappeared , replacing it his chest going up and down.
Flutter
A Blanket was formed , who knows by who , as it covered Cael's body as he slept , in the end nobody comforted him , they just let him let it all out , as for an adult man like him , being comforted would probably feel worse.
"You can't hear this for you're already long asleep. However the fact that you're admitting your sins , trying your best to change the way you life is truly commendable" said Klein Moretti.
"Your past sins will stay with you , they will remind you what you've done—and remind you what you should never become." said Kiana Kaslana
The Gray reaper merely nodded , Ddraig averted his eyes , perhaps his way of respecting the grown man who cried by looking away , Shiraori was as silent as ever before finally muttering.
"Rest Well."
Creakkk…
"Hoahhhhh—What are you guys doing ah." Alena's voice cut through the place as Aldric was right beside her , they only looked for a while before giving a nod and closing the door once more.
—Cael Lucian , 07.50am local time
"Hm—?" I muttered grogily as my eyes adjust to the surrounding light , as I tried to move , I realized a blanket was covering me ,
"Oh you, finally awake?" said Klein Moretti as he handed me a slice of desi pie
Clink
Kiana placed a single can of Monster, an energy drink
Pat Pat
The Gray Reaper , it was short but it seemed to float slightly reaching my back before patting it twice , as I checked my surroundings, Ddraig was already gone, in front of my eyes the system was showing a [3]
"You slept for a while right there big boy~" Kiana said with a rather alluring voice as she showed that pose that One-san's would use to seduce the younger kids
"I'm joking~ I'm joking~" she instantly continued her reply before waving her hand and shooting another reply
"How was your sleep? Was it finally peaceful this time?" another question coming from her
"…" I couldn't answer as I couldn't even remember anything that happened last night.
"I can't remember." I said honestly , there was no use in lying either way as the Pillar of Deviation could just 'steal' my thoughts using Error.
"If you truly want. We could stop time completely. You'll have all the time in the world to think and contemplate." Klein Moretti gave an unexpected and outrageous reply to stop time completely for everybody.
A single Pillar could definitely do it but if 2 of them were to do it—I don't even want to think about it.
"Thank you for the offer but no—The world needs me—no the world needs Director Cael Lucian the one who'll do anything to minimize casualty , the hero in the eyes of humans and remnants"
"I see." Klein Moretti said with a slight smile before he disappeared from my eyes. Whether he actually disappeared or fooled my perception I have no clue , but my heart feels lighter.
"The sins of the past will cling with you forever, they will remind you of the things you've done—And they will forever remind you of what you must never become," Kiana Kaslana said calmly before also disappearing from my eyes.
"Heh—" I said while giving a wry chuckle
"I need to go back now , my team might be worried and I could get into trouble" I said as I looked at my watch , it was now 08.00am in the morning , it was time for me to return back to work.
Click Beep Bzzzt
[CALIBRATING—TELEPORTATION IMMINENT IN 10 , 9 , 8 , 7 , 6—]
"And Cael. You're always welcomed here. Just say the word!" As both Kiana and Klein appeared in my eyes again , Kiana said those words with a soft voice with Klein nodding slowly beside her.
"The others have already agreed , so there's no need to feel burdened" Klein continuing Kiana's words
For a few seconds I was frozen in place as the teleporter said 1 I barely said a single word.
"Thank you."
BZZZT
—
Creakkk…
As the door opened again , Alena and Aldric were there waiting outside
"Alright back to sleep now , I know you guys must've pulled all-nighters " Alena said with a rather stern voice before leaving the room , Aldric also did the same.
Soon even the Gray Reaper and Shiraori left the place as Kanade was already fast asleep.
"Did you feel it?"
"There was something but I couldn't recognize it."
"It felt familiar."
"I see—I thought it was just a coincidence , but if you had to put it into words what would it be?"
"Recollection."
—
"Ah, Director Cael, you're back!" Mira's voice pierced my ear , as I blinked a few times to recover my vision , I could see the members of Task Force X all looking at me.
"Where were you? My tracker couldn't locate you yesterday" Reana asked with a curious tone.
"I met a friend."
"I see—Back to work guys!" Owen's words filled with understanding before instantly redirecting the attention.
Yeah that's right , today I'm Director Cael again. There were Vestiges to find , Treaties to uphold , A Pillar at its limit , now is not the time for sorrow , and right now—
"I'm okay." I murmured softly
"Did you say something?" Reyna asked me , her tail was slithering slightly as her eyes looked at me with curiosity
"Nothing much"
—Raja Ampat, Indonesia
"Why are we doing this Hhhh—Kshhhhh again?" I asked Evelyn , wearing a fully enclosed wetsuit with a LAMA helmet, it reminded me of the past , when we were still just cleaners.
[Hhhh—Kshhhhh Isn't this place beautiful?] Evelyn's voice was clear this time , we were using a newer model, still made for recreational diving , yet that voice of her voice remained the same,
"I guess ? Hhhh—Kshhhhh"
Grab
Evelyn grabbed both of my hands , her face clearly with a smile , the visibility here was great , I could see every single expression she made , it was just the 2 of us , I could hear her breathing , she could hear mine
[Well you were down for a while y'know Hhhh—Kshhhhh I thought a quick trip would be nice?] She said while giving me a honest smile
"Hhhh—Kshhhhh Is that so…"
[Well I'm sure you've had your worries , and I'm sure Hhhh—Kshhhhh it's quite lonely but hey, if you really can't handle it don't forget to reach out Hhhh—Kshhhhh okay? I'm always ready to listen to you]
"…"
Bonk
[Hey promise me okay? Stop dozing Hhhh—Kshhhhh off rookie] she said in a calm manner
"HaH—Hhhh—Kshhhhh Rookie huh… I haven't heard of that in a while, "
[PFFFT—HAHA—Hhhh—Kshhhhh—HAHA—Hhhh—Kshhhhh—HAHA—] She gave a hearty laugh, her shoulders were shaking, her breathing faster but if I were to be honest.
"This is nice Hhhh—Kshhhhh"
[You do know I can hear you right? Hhhh—Kshhhhh] Evelyn said as she gave me a scrutinizing look , was that a faint-? No probably just my imagination , and my reply?
This is nice