Agony
1179 Words
"Sister... How could they...!"
"Cory..."
"I couldn't believe my eyes. Why would anyone do this Broki?"
Michaela, Annie and Leen expressed their disgust, both in statements and faces.
Snow passed out. It seems that she can't handle herself well yet in this kind of situation. I changed how I carried her this time. She's on my back, her body's still shaking from the shock, albeit slightly.
Ah.
I, of all people, shouldn't think of that.
I literally snapped at the spur of the moment.
At least I discovered that my [Nightmare Requiem] could do such a feat. It's not that great in scope like the [Teleport] but it's better for it's a battle-oriented rune card. I still have to learn how to do offensive strikes though.
No.
Attacking the psyche is my specialty. I'll stick to that.
Casting all those thoughts aside, I'm worried about Snow. She slumped down to this extent.
Of course.
I felt the pain even when I'm not someone from the same blood. What I've felt is just a quarter of her pain.
"Mentor...so this is why you're so angry back then."
I could only nod.
I don't have the spare energy to talk. I guess we need to rest. Of course, Cory too needs to be properly rest. For eternity.
"Yukti."
I lifted my face to see Michaela, clenching her teeth and trying not to shed a tear anymore. Her voice is obviously shaking. She wiped her tears with her arms. Her eyes were a bit red and slightly swollen.
"Thank you."
"No. I hadn't done anything—"
"You drove those crazy goons away and secured this place, as well as these rune cards of hers, right? That's more than enough reason to thank you. Give yourself some credits, you moron."
"B-but—"
"No buts. I'm fully aware Yukti. You're way of interaction with us was stained with the guilt you felt after losing Cory. Isn't that the reason why you agreed that easily to my request before? Though at first you're a bit hesitant, you went to the scene and rescued that lovely sister of mine behind your back. For that, I thank you. Still! You better change that mindset of yours!"
"My...mindset?"
"Don't interact with us because of the guilt. Interact with us because you wanted to."
"Isn't that the same...?"
"Where's the 'same' part? Listen here kiddo. Don't drag yourself down to the abyss of depression that no one ever wanted."
I lowered my head once more.
"But..."
"Do you think Cory would be happy seeing you in that state?"
!!!
"In the end, it'll always be you who'll decide what you should do", she continued as she tapped my shoulder. "It's just that you shouldn't allow yourself be shackled by the past. You can pick a lesson or two by reading history right? It's similar to what I wanted to say. Ugh, I don't know how to console, but that's that."
...
What the heck am I doing...?
"Hmm? Your expression is lighter than before."
"Is that so?"
"Yep. Let's cast aside the personal matters for now. So what's the plan?"
"You could tell?"
"There's no such thing as straightforward action whenever you're involved."
I scoffed after hearing Michaela's words.
And here I thought she's just a happy-go-lucky, airhead chairperson.
"You're not thinking about something rude about me, are you?"
"Who knows."
"Whaaaaaaaat!?"
Michaela's voice is lighter than before. This is the usual tone I've always heard.
Thanks. Thanks for the motivation.
I took a deep breath, and exhaled the heavy sensation weighing within me.
"Please listen up. My plan is—"
"Mind if I join you as well?"
Just before I could finish talking, a matured female voice could be heard out of nowhere.
"Huh? Who's there?"
"It's me."
Who?
"Hey, mentor?"
"Is something wrong Annie?"
"I don't recall anything about a talking rune card."
That's stupid.
"Huh? That's plain impossible."
"Eh...? But I did exist though? Thus, I'm real."
Curious, I looked at my right, since it's where the voice coming from.
I found a rune card floating barely that it could touch my shoulder.
What's this card?
"Are you perhaps the source of the voice?"
"Mmm? Yes. Indeed I am. Surprised?"
"I don't recall having a rune card like you."
"It's because I'm a new one."
"Are you perhaps a Summoning rune card?"
"Mmm, maybe."
Even she doesn't know? Wait, should I address a rune card a female? Ah, nevermind.
Stil, she could be a Summoning rune card, huh?
Summoning rune cards -- the cards that could turn the tides of war to their favor. As the name implies, it's a rune card that summons the being dwelling within it. It's one of the rarest kind of rune cards and could only be obtained in a dungeon. I kept on wondering how did I get this rune card.
While I'm still occupied with thinking this matter, Leen stepped up and asked this talking rune card.
"Excuse me, miss uh...rune card? How did my Broki obtained you? Knowing my Broki, he won't ever pick up a rune card and kept it for himself. He would instead sell it in an auction instead."
"That's pretty simple. I was born here just two days ago."
Huh?
"SAY WHAT?" the three of them exclaimed.
"You don't believe me?"
"It's just incomprehensible", Annie said while pinching her nose.
"I've been reading a lot of books about rune cards for my card craft license, but I didn't cross a single information about this", Leen stated as she rocks her from side to side.
"It's the first time I've heard of it", Michaela said while raising her brow.
I'm with them, actually. A Summoning rune card (she did say she could be) that wasn't born in a dungeon is totally unheard of. If someone were to report this, it'll spread like wildfire and the one who reported it would be hailed as one of the great contributors of unveiling the mystery behind the existence of rune cards.
"Hmm, how should I make you all believe in me... Ah, I know! It's because you don't recognize me in this appearance that's why you didn't believe me!"
Huh? Where's the catch?
"Hey, master."
"Eh? You're talking to me?"
"Of course! I don't have any master besides you."
"Ugh...being called as master is cringy as hell. Just call me by my name."
"Eh, but that'll impudent of me."
"Come on, just listen already."
"But... Sigh, okay. If you say so..."
Thank goodness.
"So Yukti. Better use me to reveal who am I."
"Sure, sure. So, what's the chant?"
"There's no need for a chant. Just call my name with intent to summon me."
"Oh. That's nice. And here I've always thought that Summoning rune cards have long chants."
"I told you I'm different."
"Yeah, I'll believe you. So, what's your name?"
"Agony."
Very well.
"[Agony]...!"
Wait.
Agony?
Isn't that the name of...
"You did it, all right. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name's Agony. It's a pleasure to be of service, Yukti."
- Writer
