"What do you have for that kid, Pandora?" Sera sighed as she took off her glasses and set them aside.
"Whatever it is... I'll bring it out." She reached out towards a nearby telephone and pushed a button in the corner of the number pad.
"Prepare Mr. Kannazaki and the newcomer. I have a task for them." She released of the button and leaned back in her seat, deep in thought.
"I'll get to the bottom of this... But for now we have to make it manifest..."
[Treatment Sector: Room 252]
Myra gunted as she stirred awake. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. She looked around, quickly realizing where she was.
She quickly sat up and looked around, her gaze landing on Hibiki. The only one she trusts here now, after what Rei did. Still working tirelessly at the mixing station. Working with herbs and other substances
"Miss Amagishi...?"
Hibiki looked over her shoulder at Myra and smiled. "Ah, you're up already, dear Myra?" She set her tools down and fully turned towards her.
"How are you feeling, dear? Any pain?" Every time Myra sees that smile on Hibiki's face. She feels an abnormal sense of safety. But isn't complaining.
"Miss Amagishi... He.... That Rei Kannazaki! He tried to kill me! He threw me down in that hole... With those... Those things!" She yelled out with a look and tone of pure rage.
Hibiki's smile fell down in surprise at her words.
Myra tried to stand up. But quickly sat back down and winced in pain. She had many broken bones in her legs, chest, and arms.
Hibiki quickly went over and put her hands on Myra's shoulder. "Myra, dear! Calm down! You're far from recovered!" Her tone was stern, yet caring.
Myra complied. But was still angry. "I trusted him.. And he tries to kill me... I can't stay in this place.. I wanna go home!"
Hibiki went to her knees, getting on eye-level with Myra. "Dear, listen to me. It's not what it sounds like."
Myra's rage only grew at those words. "Not what it sounds li-" But her words were cut off before she could finish them.
"Please.. Just listen to the end..." Hibiki's tone was calm, yet very demanding.
"What Rei did sounds insane, yes. But I promise you. He's truly a great person. You'll never meet anyone like him again. Not in this world, at least." Her grip on Myra's shoulders were tight, but not in a bad way.
"What he did... Was for you to grow stronger. It will happen one way or another." She let go of her shoulders as she got up and approached the window, looking at the vast sea outside.
Myra's gaze followed Hibiki as her confusion overcame her anger. "Make me stronger?! How the hell does trying to kill me make me stronger!?"
"It's... To manifest your ocean, dear... It can't happen another way." She looked back at Myra. A sorrowful glint in her gaze.
Myra cocked her head to the side in confusion. "W-... Manifest my ocean..? What do you mean..?"
Hibiki approached again. Wrapping a comforting arm around Myra's shoulder. "Oceans aren't exactly a blessing... They're the outcome of a curse."
Myra leaned into her touch. Despite the situation, she felt slightly at ease in her care.
"Outcome of a curse...?" She repeated, in utter confusion.
"Yes, dear... Those dire predicaments... They are the very foundation of manifesting an ocean, my dear."
Myra's eyes widened as the last remaining bits of anger in her started to dissipate, replaced with confusion and pure intrigue.
"The most painful events in a person's life—those are what manifest an Ocean... The first even, your family... That is what set your connection to your Ocean in stone. And another is bound to happen. That will be when your Ocean truly manifests, dear."
Myra reeled in astonishment, Struggling to find a way to comprehend Hibiki's words.
"My family dying... That's what gave me... What I have...?" She stared down at her hands. Remembering the feeling of the report card. And the traumatic experience she's been through.
"Indeed, dear... Rei did what he did for your sake. He wanted you to manifest your Ocean early. That way you can protect yourself in case there was no Waveborn there to help." She smiled faintly.
"He did that... For me...?" She quickly felt a pit of guilt forming in her stomach at the words she said when she first woke up.
Hibiki nodded solemnly. Holding Myra close and comfortingly.
But... Could I really forgive him just like that..? Even if it was for me... It still hurt... She thought, conflicted about forgiving him or not. But she ultimately decided to be the bigger person.
"I... I judged too soon..." Myra muttered as she thought what she would've done if she was put in a similar situation, had Rei not tried to do that... It failed, yes. But it awakened something. Even if slight.
She gritted her teeth in anger, at her self. Why would he even want to kill me in the first place...? I'm such an idiot... She thought in self-reprimand.
"Rei might have used drastic measures, yes. But he was never going to let you die. How do you think you got here? He saved you at the last second, dear."
Myra's eyebrows shot up in understanding. That makes sense... She nodded slowly.
"He'll probably surely do it again. But just know, he'll never let you die. He never lets any of his comrades die, while he can stop it." Hibiki smiled brightly as she ran a hand through Myra's silky white hair.
"I... I understand... Thank you, Miss Amagishi.." She still didn't trust him. She still found what he did to be insane. But the ultimate goal... It was worth it.
Myra's eyes widened as she then remembered the Abyssal Orb she had stashed away in case she needed it.
"Right!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out the half-eaten sphere.
"Oh? Good thinking for keeping that, dear. I was about to go get you an Orb myself." She chuckled lightly. Her smile warming as she sat down next to her.
She put the remaining half entirely in her mouth as she bit down, its inner liquids exploding into her mouth, It was tasteless.
She swallowed it... And she sat there, expecting to be instantly recovered... But nothing happened. She looked around in confusion. Before looking at Hibiki.
"What happened? Why did it not work?" She thought as fear took over, thinking something bad is happening.
Hibiki raised an eyebrow before chucking. "Rei, you stingy fool.." She muttered under her breath, before picking up her tone.
"What Rei gave you, dear... 'Tis but a low-tier Abyssal orb. It has enough Drowned blood for only one healing. After that, it's just a ball of water." She giggled. Finding Rei's action amusing.
"Oh... I see..." She let out a sigh of relief. Glad it's nothing bad. "I thought I was cursed or something.." She chuckled at how fast she imagined the worst.
"You sure aren't, dear." Hibiki reached out and gently pat Myra's head, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Wait here, I'll go get you one." She got up and left the room. Leaving Myra to her thoughts.
"Gosh..." She muttered as she tried to reach for her diary. Only to pull back and grunt in pain. Her shoulder's dislocated. She can't stretch her arm out far. But somehow, she doesn't feel any pain anywhere when she sits completely still.
Hibiki quickly returned, an Abyssal Orb in hand. This was one was shimmering brighter than the one Rei gave her. Indicating it's higher quality.
"Open up, dear~" She smiled brightly as she approached.
Myra blushed, feeling embarrassed that she's gonna be fed in her mouth. But yet again, she can't really reach out to take it from her. So she complied as she opened her mouth wide.
Hibiki reached over and gently placed the orb before her mouth as Myra bit down onto the soft object.
The second she swallowed... She felt weightless as her body started shimmering brightly, her broken bones felt like they were clicking into place. Her bruises disappearing, her cuts instantly healing. And not long after, she felt like she was born just a second ago.
"I... I don't think I'll ever get used to this feeling.." She muttered as she stood up and smiled at Hibiki. "Thank you, Miss Amagishi."
"Oh you're very welcome, dear!" She ruffled her hair once more.
Then, the door to the room slid open as a.. Machine... Walked in... It was large... A structure of a tough-looking metal, it was wearing a large helmet, covering the entirety of its head, for some reason. It has the Mariana symbol on its chest.
"Myra Vespera. You have been summoned by master Sera. Please report immediately."
Myra stared in shock and fear at the sight before her. "What the hell is that thing!?" She exclaimed as she looked at Hibiki, awaiting an explanation.
"Don't worry, dear. That hunk of steel that holds no respect for privacy..." She glanced at it over her shoulder, as if trying to tell it something.
"Is Unit 00: Viren, Or just Viren. He's the first of the many machines built by the folks over at the Research and Engineering Sector. And he's lady Sera's personal assistant!"
Myra nodded in understanding. Her earlier shock disappearing. "I see..." She thought that made sense.. This place is literally floating above an ocean, it must be technologically advanced to that point.
"But.. Who's that 'Lady Sera' it assists..?" She cocked her head to the side in confusion.
"Ah! I can't believe Rei didn't tell you yet!" Hibiki exclaimed. "Lady Sera is the leader of the Mariana! She's the one who brought as all together! She's a great woman, I tell you!"
"I see.. She must be really nice, then.." Myra muttered as she looked over at the machine.
"She sure is! Go now, dear! You don't want to be late on your first time meeting lady Sera, do you?" She pat her back. Sounding rather enthusiastic about this..
"Y-.. Yeah.. I'll go now.." Myra approached the machine. "Sh-.. Should we go, or something like that..?" She watched as it quickly turned around and started walking forward.
It's movement looks rather smooth. She expected something more.. Robotic... "Follow me, Myra Vespera."
Myra gulped as she followed it. Eventually, they arrived at a large door. The robot approached as a pair of cameras rose from either side of the door, scanning the mechanical being.
"Welcome, Viren." A feminine yet robotic voice greeted the machine as the door swung open.
Myra watched in shock at the advanced tech in every nook and cranny of this building. She looked ahead and gasped very lightly at the sight of the beautiful yet stern looking woman sitting on the large desk at the end of the room..
She gulped as she imagined her emerald eyes sizing her up. "Hello, Ms. Vespera." She smiled warmly. "Come on in."
Rei was standing on the other side of the desk, his hands in his pockets as he grinned at her. "How was it, kid?"
Myra glared at Rei in anger.. But that anger quickly disappeared as she remembered Hibiki's words. She just ignored him as she approached the desk.
"H-.. Hello, Miss Sera.. I- I'm Myra. Thank you for letting me stay here and helping me..." She trailed off for a moment before speaking again. "W-.. What did you need for me..? I mean.."
Rei chuckled at how much she was stuttering. Sera gave him a look to shut him up before looking back at Myra.
"It's okay, young one. Nothing to fear." She reached out and pointed at the chair, gesturing for her to sit down.
Myra nervously sat down as her gaze drifted between Rei and Sera.
"You see, Ms. Vespera. You've been here for enough time now that you surely have gotten used to everything. So now, I believe it's time you go on a real task, and become an official member of the Mariana Attack and Defend Sector."
Myra's eyes widened in shock. "W-.. What..? But.. I can't even use my Ocean, yet! How can I do that?"
Sera shook her head. "Don't worry. You'll be accompanied by Mr. Kannazaki over here." Rei waved at Myra as Sera mentioned him.
"It'll be a very low-tier Drowned. One that is barely of power. And Mr. Kannazaki will be there to help in case things got dire. Do you understand?"
Myra looked at Rei again. She can't forget what he did.. But at least.. It's safer with him around. Even if he's insane.
"But, low-tier or not. Drowned are still unpredictable. You have to be careful." Sera warned, her tone growing rougher for a brief moment.
"I see... Very well. I'll do it, Miss Sera." A look of determination was blazing in her eyes.
Sera smiled at her resolve. "Good. Thank you, Ms. Vespera. I'll now brief you on the mission."
Sera took her glasses off and set them on the desk before standing up. "We've been getting very faint Drowned reading in a small hut in the North Hollow forest. You are to locate that Drowned and neutralize it. Can I trust you with that?"
She nodded slowly in fear and anticipation. "Yes..! Yes you can! I can do that, Miss Sera!"
Sera giggled at her enthusiasm. "Thank you. Good luck now."
[2 hours later.]
Rei and Myra have been walking through that forest for a long time now.
"Agh! How much further is this place!?" Myra yelled out in frustration.
"Relax, kid. We're almost there." Rei cracked his neck.
"You've been saying that for the past Hour and a half! Can't you just do that weird thing you do and take us there instantly?" She jabbed a skinny finger towards him.
"I can. But I've been ordered to only use my powers in the case of emergency~" He stuck his tongue out at her, like a child.
Her eye twitched and she was ready to punch him in the face right now. But she calmed herself down.
"God damn it.." She sighed as she just looked forward and kept on walking.
Eventually. They finally arrived at the hut. It looked like it hasn't been attended to in years. The wood turned black due to the humidity and lack of use. Every corner in the house was infested with spiders and other bugs.
"Finally!" Myra sighed in relief as they approached. "Guess it's Mission Start now, right?"
"It sure is!" Rei grinned as they entered the ominous house.
[Chapter Seven: END.]