The Music Speaks

I eventually arrive near my apartment complex a bit less than two days after I first re-entered civilization. I wish it would have taken me less time, but that would not have been possible. While I did say that I was planning to run straight to my destination to arrive faster, there were a few obstacles that I did not take into consideration before making that bold claim. First and foremost, I am human, I need to eat and sleep, which does take up a considerable portion of my day in normal cases. In my haste, I even resorted to shortening the duration of those essential tasks. During my journey, I spent a total of approximately four hours sleeping and I mostly ate berries I found on the way after making sure they were edible. This was feasible because I could already do with less sleep than most even before attaining [enlightenment], hence, four hours in two nights did not affect me too deeply. Though I must say, sleeping under the sky is not one of my favorite activities.

While I was making my way towards them, my two siblings never called me back, only increasing my worries. I tried to reach them a few more times, to no avail. I hope that they are simply ignoring me, but my conviction that something bad has happened only grew as I did my utmost to return home. Now that I am here, I am prepared for the worst. I approach my residence and I think to myself.

‘I hope they’re okay… Though if they are, I'll have to sternly remind both of them that they need to answer when I call, or at least return the call eventually!!’

I make it close enough so that I have a clear view of my front door. As i get closer, I notice something strange. The door is opened slightly.

‘...’

It could be that someone failed to close it completely but I prefer to take precautions. As it is difficult to remain unseen when the sun is high in the sky, I make use of the suit once again. It has yet to fail me, and I doubt it will now.

“S.O.N.G. turn on dynamic camouflage, silent step, thermal vision”

“Command registered - Activating tactical enhancements: Dynamic camouflage, Silent step, Thermal Vision”

I carefully reach the front door and peer through it using thermal vision. With it, I detect four heat signatures. Without seeing them directly, I cannot tell if they are [enlightened] or not and the thermal vision provides no information on their current actions. In other words, I have no idea who they are and what they’re doing here.

Three heat signatures would have been normal, Calliope, Asher and Aurora, but who could possibly be the fourth one? I cannot think of anyone whom my siblings would be comfortable enough to invite inside. This situation is suspicious. If, by any chance, something has happened to them, I do not think my mind will be able to handle it, especially after what I’ve been through in these recent few days. I want to enter, but I know that the door will emit noise if I move it, its hinges are old and rusty.

Instead, I place my ear against the door, attempting to gather more information about the situation inside. I hope to be able to at least hear something. When I am in position, I close my eyes and listen carefully. It is difficult to make out anything, but I hear something resembling a sob. I also hear a female voice that sounds too mature to be Calliope’s, but I do not understand what she is saying.

‘Maybe Aurora..? I can’t tell…’

While the voice does sound familiar, it is difficult to pinpoint who it could belong to as I can barely hear anything. Her tone seems to be rather calm, if not sorrowful, and the sobs accompanying it are incessant. Unable to gather information, I ready myself to enter, despite the noise it will make, when suddenly, I finally clearly hear something. It is an extremely loud voice which shakes the entire building.

“No! No! No! He can’t!! He said he would come back! He promised!”

The sudden outburst which contrasts with the previous silence startles me. It is quickly followed by powerful blows which make the ground tremble. Her voice resonates once more. She forces a few words through her uncontrollable wails.

“He said he would always come back!! I can’t give it back to him if he doesn’t! I-I have to return it!! He promised!”

I know she is referring to my mother’s memento which I leave in her care when I plan to be away for long periods of time, or when I am off to do something dangerous. It keeps her calm and makes it easier for me to leave. The life she led before meeting me left her with deep scars. Most of the time, she acts as your typical nine year old would, but it is in these moments that I realize she is anything but typical.

‘That’s Calliope!! What’s going on??’

I waste no more time and simply push the front door open. I deactivate all of my tactical enhancements and walk in. There, I see Sylvia, sitting down in the kitchen. She is surrounded by my siblings. Aurora is on her knees, face in her hands, sobbing. Asher is looking down and clenching his fists so hard that blood drips from them. Calliope, the source of the commotion, stands far from them, with teary eyes and a runny nose. Due to the noise, they have not heard me entering and have yet to notice my presence. Before I can announce myself, Sylvia speaks, restraining a torrent of her own emotions.

“I… won’t make any excuses, we left him behind like cowards. He sacrificed himself for us… I spared no effort to return into the forest to find him, but no traces were left. I do not see how he would have survived…I’m… I’m sorry”

Asher replies with a soft voice.

“... That’s just like him, that dumbass…!!”

Aurora appears to be in shock. She mumbles to herself, her eyes devoid of any spark. Calliope expresses her sorrow differently. I see pureflow being directed to her arms and-

‘Wait, why can I see the pureflow??’

Cutting off my thoughts, Calliope screams. Her foot crashes into the floor and the beautiful wooden tiles are shattered.

“IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!”

She lunges at Sylvia, rivers flowing from her eyes, and directs all of her negative emotions towards the blonde-haired woman. Sylvia raises her hand, ready to catch the little girl’s fist. While her nonchalance does not show it, I’m sure she has noticed by now from the previous tremors that she is not a normal nine year old. I can tell from the pure flow I see being directed towards her arm.

‘No, seriously, why can I see this!?’

Leaving me no time to ponder, the clash occurs and the building shakes again. At this rate, the authorities will be contacted. As I had expected, Sylvia effortlessly parries the young girl’s attack, but that does not stop her. Calliope prepares another blow and launches it at Sylvia once more. However, before her attack connects, a shield manifests itself out of thin air between Sylvia and Calliope’s fist. Everyone in the room freezes, they all immediately recognize the shield. The wolf’s crest embedded in its center is unmistakable. They look around, in search of its source. Eventually, they all turn their attention to a man standing near the entrance to the kitchen. I look back at them, slightly embarrassed.

“Uh, hi? haha…”

They look at me, in disbelief. Calliope is the first to snap out of it. Her eyes previously filled with rage and sorrow, turn into eyes of pure happiness upon recognizing me.

“B-big brother!!”

She runs in my direction, but Sylvia stops her before she can reach me. She stands between Calliope and I, her hands placed into combat position. She shows me an expression I had never seen on her face before, one of pure hatred. Her gaze is fixed on me, her breathing becomes heavier and a deep frown takes shape. She immediately considers her assumption of my real identity to be true and spats a few words at me.

“How dare you desecrate his body, Soulweaver!! I won’t forgive you!”