PUER MORTIS (Child of Death)

20: Chibi

Leilyn wakes with a groan, a hand raising up to cover her mouth as she lets out a wide yawn. She stretches, bones cracking audible as she works out the kinks in her body.

“Good afternoon, Ms. Leilyn.” Zoranne says softly.

Leilyn blinks owlishly at the ceiling for a moment, before her brows furrow in confusion. “Afternoon?” She ask. “Z, what time is it?”

“12:36pm, Ms. Leilyn.”

“f**k. I slept that long?” Leilyn drops her feet on the floor, hand rubbing her eyes. Then she remembers. She shoots up from the bed, looking around her room. “Z, where’s Chibi?!”

“Calm down, Ms. Leilyn.” Zoranne says softly. “They’re fine. They’re currently sitting on the en, staring at the woods.”

Leilyn lays a hand on her chest, heaving a sigh of relief. She blinks when she sees the sleeves on her hand. She looks down, eyes blinking in confusion as she sees the clothing she has on.

“Chibi san cleaned you up after you fainted.” Zoranne clarifies.

Leilyn hums in understanding before she makes her way over to her room’s full length mirror. She blinks in surprise when she sees the white streak on her hair. She takes hold of it, giving it a close look.

Huh… she really turned Super Saiyan; with white hair instead of yellow hair. Her life couldn’t get any weirder.

Leilyn huffs out an amused breath before taking a good look at the dress, turning from side to side.

On her body is a tight, off shoulders grey dress; it’s neck lay on her breasts, showing the see through mesh turtleneck inner cloth that clings to her skin on her front; her back bare. The dress has long, wide and open sleeves and inside them are black wrist length sleeves that cling to her arms like a second skin and are light in texture. On both sides of the dress are slits, reaching her mid-thighs.

The dress is designed with elegant and beautiful emerald and black patterns, with what looks like precious jewels in the middle of the patterns. Leilyn plucks one of said jewels and takes a good look at it and yep! It’s a jewel alright. When she looks at where she got the jewel from, another one has taken its place. She plucks it again and another one takes its place.

‘Huh… so this must be Chibi’s magik in action.’ Leilyn muses. She walks over to her make-up table and carefully drops them on the marble furniture.

Leilyn, still bare feet, make her way downstairs, and is met with a surprising sight.

On the dining table are plates of food.

She slowly walks over to them and sees that they are still warm, and they smell heavenly. They vary from fried rice with balls of beef and pork, diced carrots, green pepper, green beans and green peas; a whole roasted chicken; a medium bowl containing mixed fruits – mostly blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cherries, diced apples, pears and plums, and they were mixed with a splash of orange juice; a small bowl of sliced up cabbage and lettuce mixed with mayo; and a tray containing thirty cinnamon buns coated with vanilla frosting, with fresh blue berries on top, the tray placed in the middle of the table.

Leilyn makes quick work of the food in minutes. Once done, she cleans the table and dishes, placing the remaining food into a plastic containers and deposits them into the fridge, while she places the remaining chicken into the oven for later.

After she’s done, Leilyn walks out and joins Chibi on the en. She sits beside them – folding her legs and sitting in a traditional Japanese style and lays her hands on her laps.

The Eldritch is currently playing a Japanese Koto, which is hovering in front of them. Their fingers run through the strings seamlessly, producing a beautiful melody.

Leilyn allows the beat to wash over her, heaving a silent pleasant sigh. She faces the woods, eyes drooping close.

Leilyn feels like she’s home again. Her mind teleports to the past, when the eight of them – sans Sensei. If he’s to be added, it will make their total nine – will sit under the cherry blossoms in Sensei’s hidden compound during holidays. The pitch black haired man will play his red colored, eighteen stringed Koto, joined along with Shinji who played the Shamisen, Asherai who played the violin, and Ogushun who played either a traditional Japanese or African drum.

Right now, the melody Chibi’s playing is bittersweet. It makes a sweet but sad smile to grace her lips.

All too soon, Chibi’s melody comes to an end. Leilyn slowly opens her eyes, just in time too, to see Chibi waving their hand, and the Koto disappears in a swirl of red mist. She blinks, wowed by the display.

Chibi turns their head and faces her with a soft smile. She blinks again when she sees their grown up appearance. There’s no antler in sight and their ears are that of a human. The only thing unnatural about them is their eyes; shining vivid violets with untold knowledge.

“Thank you.” Leilyn says with a warm smile.

Chibi shakes their head, violet eyes getting warm. “No, thank you, Lyn. If it wasn’t for you, I’ll be dead. Besides, you’ve been feeding me delicious food for days now. Time I return the favor.” They grin roguishly.

Leilyn lets out a soft chuckle – chuckle, not giggle. She sure as hell don’t giggle.

Their statement makes her realize something and her brows furrow.

Chibi blinks, tilting their head a little.

“What is it?” They ask.

“What I did back there… it wasn’t normal.” Leilyn says, a frown gracing her beautiful face. She raises her hands, agate eyes looking down at them. “It felt… it felt as if I wasn’t myself. It felt like I was cloaked with an incredible power. I really don’t know how to explain it. What really happened to me, Chi?” She looks up at them, eyes filled with worry.

Chibi reaches out and takes her cheek into their hand, gazing into her eyes. “Lyn, I cannot tell you much as I want it to be a surprise, seeing as you love them.”

“I love surprises that don’t see me dying.” She deadpans, her eyes taking a droll look. “My ex anniversary surprise to me was setting my work place on fire and nearly killing me. So, please, let it be a good surprise.” Leilyn says dryly, an equally dry look on her face.

Chibi chuckles. “And it will be.” Their hand drops to her stomach. “Your child will be a surprise to all of existence. Heck, they will be a death to some.” They grin, wiggling their eyebrows.

“Was... was that a pun?” Leilyn c***s a brow, an incredulous look on her face.

Chibi’s grin widens. “You’ll find out soon enough.” They softly pat her stomach before dropping their hand back on their lap.

Leilyn gives a suspicious hum, looking at them with narrowed eyes. “If you say so.” She heaves a sigh, shrugging, with a soft smile on her lips.

Leilyn goes back to staring into the woods, Chibi following her lead. After a minute of silence, she inhales and exhales heavily. Her hands slowly squeezes into tight fist.

“Chibi…” She lowly says. She knows what Chibi’s plans are. She knows that she should intervene, but it isn’t her life. “Are… are you still going to…”

“Yes.”

Leilyn slowly closes her eyes, smiling sadly. There really is no stopping this after all.

“I really had a great time with you.” Leilyn slowly opens her eyes. She turns her head to face them. “If I hadn’t crashed into you, literally, I wouldn’t have known what I know now. Thank you.”

Chibi slowly faces her, a soft look on their face. “No need to thank me, child.” They say. “Once again, I should be thanking you. Meeting you made me realize that I’m honestly tired and it is time for me to rest. My moments with you were a delight and they will never be forgotten.”

Leilyn smiles sadly at them, eyes getting misty. She hurriedly turns away to the woods, blinking her eyes rapidly, swallowing thickly. Damn dust.

Chibi reaches for her hand and he grabs it gently, getting her attention.

“I wish to show you something.” They stand up – and boy were they tall! Maybe at 6’8 or 6’9. What’s with the most important people in her life being tall as hell?! Being 5’6 (5’10 when she wears her usual 4 inches shoes) is honestly looking like a curse when close to them. Heck, even Ming-Mei and Alex are taller than her by 3 and 2 inches, respectively. Heck, when they wear heels, those two still tower over her. And let’s not get started on the rest of the Clan, especially Sensei –, and seeing as they had Leilyn’s hands in their grip, they she does the same.

They snap their fingers and a pair of black diamond – yes! They’re made of real f*****g diamond! – block heel sandals, with gold strings with tiny emerald stone dangling, appeared on her feet. She looks down at them in awe.

Not only did Chibi give her a beautiful pair of shoes, they also improved her clothes. Her dress’s side slits are now higher, on her waist. She now wears a skin tight emerald leggings, which looks like latex but feels like silk against her skin. The leggings ends inches from her sandals. If Anaestiane could see her in this, the woman will flip and gush over her and the outfit.

Chibi holds her left hand in a posh way and gives her a warm smile. “Come.”

Chibi leads Leilyn down the en, out of her property and into the woods. Leilyn dutifully follows, eyes blinking in confusion. They soon reach a clearing and they stop. Chibi lets go of her hand and walks few feet away from her. They then turn to face her, their smile still on their lips.

Right before her very eyes, Chibi changes. Their body changes and they grows. Leilyn stares up at the massive beast with her mouth and eyes wide open.

Chibi’s new form looks like a dragon from the fantasy movies she has seen so far. Only difference is that theirs’ is more ethereal. They’re as tall as a dragon but their appearance if just a bigger version of their cat hybrid form. Their antlers are way bigger and longer and are curved more than before. They have two large wings like that of a raven’s. Their feather is black, their tips white. All in all, Chibi is a definition of a fantastical creature. And beautiful too.

“Wow…” Leilyn breaths out. She taps her Holo-Watch and taps on the recording icon. “Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!” Leilyn says in one breath, circling Chibi, video recording them. She almost trips on some roots as she makes a trip back to Chibi’s face.

Chibi chuckles, their deep voice resonating loudly. “Are you going to just stand there or are you going to hop on?” They jerk their massive head at their back.

Leilyn ends her recording, looking at them with wide eyes. “You… you want me to get on you?”

“Yes.” They reply, their voice resonating deeply. “I want to show you something.” They bend down a little, a wing spread out and lying on the floor.

Leilyn gulps inaudible before slowly making her way to Chibi. She gently climbs their wing and sits herself sideways on Chibi’s back. She feels something wash over her and she shivers.

Chibi stands up and spreads their wings. They turned around and begin to walk fast. When they raise their wings to take flight, Leilyn braces herself.

It’s like Leilyn is riding her bike again. She closes her eyes as the wind softly caresses her. She breathes in deeply, a hand tugging her hair behind her ear.

Come to think of it, they’re heading higher into the sky. Leilyn blinks, brows furrowing in worry. And Chibi is going fast. Surely, this will affect her.

“Um, Chi?” Leilyn calls out. She blinks again when she hears her voice without any disturbance of turbulence. “You know I’m human right? I can’t possible breath high in the atmosphere.”

“Do not fret. I placed an immunity spell on you. As the name implies, you’re temporary immune to certain things. I also casted a sticking spell on you; don’t want you falling when I spin and dive whist we’re up here. As for the turbulence, I’m to blame for that. My head cuts through the turbulence.”

“Ah.”

Chibi flies through the clouds and does tricks in the air. Their companion on their back chuckles and hoots in happiness as she’s taken for a joyful ride. Leilyn runs her hands through the fluffy clouds, taking in deep breaths as soft winds ruffle her clothes and hair.

Chibi takes Leilyn flying for thirty minutes. In the air, they have a clear view of the continent Leilyn is currently living in.

The Ameraetyr continent, like the other four continents, is not a continent per say. Their sizes are just like that of the small countries of old, before the war. Each continent/country inhabits many people of ethnics.

Ameraetyr – her current continent of residence – is home to the people of the 21st century America and Canada. It’s the largest continent of all five and home to the most judgmental, blood thirsty sickos in all of human history. The honest reason Leilyn’s even in the continent to begin with is because it houses one of the natural habitats.

The continent of Eurosia – where Leilyn was born, raised and lived in for the first ten years of her life – is home to the people with Italian, British, Greeks and so many bloodlines that were living in the 21st century’s Europe.

The continent of Aesia is home to the remaining people of the 21st century Asia, ranging from Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Indians and others.

The continent of Saerion is home to the people of the 21st century Germany, Russia, Brazil and others.

Afriaeuon is a very small continent, home to various lost tribes of Africa, Native Indians, Mexicans and other smaller tribes that managed to survive the war and are begin oppressed even after everything. Unlike the others, it’s recently established two years ago, made from a sizable earth researchers could salvage from the barren Wastelands. Till now, the continent is still fighting to be seen as an independent entity, but no such luck. And the funny thing is that, unlike the other Continents, they are more advance in almost everything – especially technology; seeing as most of the renowned Technological Inventors and Scientists comes from this Continent. Leilyn see the Continent as such, and seeing as she and some other high ranking people are backing them up with their fight, it won’t be long before they achieve their deserved goal.

Soon, Chibi and Leilyn reach one of the many Wastelands of the world. The air becomes stiffer and the clouds are slightly darker. Leilyn looks down at the scotched, blackened and equally red earth, filled with desolated, destroyed and crumbling buildings. Her heart bubbles with anger once again as she stares at the consequences of the senseless war the human kind had caused.

The War of Decimation not only nearly caused the extinction of many living species, it also damaged the earth to a critical point. Scientists and engineers from different nations back then had to brand together and think quickly to save the remaining living things on the planet. A huge radiation was caused by the war heads and whatnots used by the feuding nations and by the tiny meteoroids of the shrapnel’s of the moon. They created a teleporting technology called the Earthmover; which does as its name implies. It takes three years for an Earthmover to be built into the deepest part of the earth and a wall is built around the area deemed perfect to be moved. They used this technology to teleport the unaffected areas of the earth and move them to perfect seas or oceans. Lakes, rivers, heck even mountains were moved. And they luckily did it on time before the radiation and its sickness spread.

From there on out, humanity has been living in the middle of the seas and oceans, running away from their mess - as usual. As if that wasn’t enough, they built technologies that could control the weather – although, snow can’t be created for some unknown reason – and teleport humans from one separate continent to another.

For years now, researchers, scientist, biologist and various others have been trying to deal with the radiation problem. Leilyn’s Healer101 paved a way for success. Lately, various plant life could be seeing growing on the scotched earth. Scientists have speculated that in two hundred years or so, maybe the earth will be whole again, maybe. Well, not truly whole, seeing as large craters decorated the earth here and there.

“Hey, Chi?” Leilyn calls out, making the Eldritch to turn their head and face her, wings still flapping. “Can you release the sticking spell on me? I wanna do something that I’ve been wanting to try again for months now.

“Sure.”

Leilyn once again shivers as Chibi’s power washes over her. She takes a deep breath before using her hands and feet to launch herself off Chibi’s body. She lets out a scream of delight, doing a back flip in the air. She angels herself straight and she’s falling fast. Chibi dives after her, a grin filled with teeth on their lips. Leilyn’s spinning in the air, heart rushing with adrenaline. She opens her hands and legs, stopping her speed a little. She manages to turn once again, looking up at Chibi. She gives the Eldritch an ear to ear cheeky grin, her eyes shining with delight.

Chibi suddenly changes into their humanoid form, horns nowhere to be seen. Their hair flap in the wind, while their vivid violet eyes were sparkling with mirth and their lips stretches in a wide grin. Chibi accelerates, and soon, they’re face to face with Leilyn. Agate stare into vivid violet, never once straying away.

Chibi wraps their arms tightly around Leilyn, gripping her close to their chest. Large widespan wings suddenly sprouts from their back, spreading majestically in the air. With a flap, they’re back in the air once more. In a blur, Leilyn finds herself in a bridal carry. She blinks up at Chibi, who gives her a cheeky grin. She c***s an eyebrow, amused.

“Get ready.” Chibi says in a sing sang voice.

Leilyn blinks with a frown. “Get ready for whaATTT!”

Chibi tosses her high up into the air, cackling as she lets out a scream of surprise. They transform into their panther-dragon like form once again – but this time, it looks as if they are… bigger? – and flies over to Leilyn. She grabs their antlers – which unknowingly to her has been made blunt by Chibi – and sits herself on their head, legs dangling and her shoes almost touching their forehead. Chibi snickers as she huffs, laughing loudly when she uses the heel of her shoes to hit them.

“Warn me before you do that!”

Chibi chuckles again. “Sorry.”

Leilyn huffs, knowing that they were anything but that. She shivers as she feels Chibi’s spelling washing over her once again. She blinks when she notices that they’re flying up.

“Umm… where’re we going?”

A red transparent shield suddenly envelops them, encasing them in a ball of soft red light. Leilyn frowns, looking from one end to another.

“Chibi?”

“Hold on tight, Lyn.” And with that said, they suddenly increase their speed.

Leilyn inhales sharply, her eyes going wide when she realizes what they’re about to do. “Chiiiibiiii.”

Her body goes ridged and her grip on their antlers tightens as they get further and further away from the required atmosphere for human. Her breaths hitches as the make it into space. She snaps her head to the side, closing her eyes shut. She waits for the inevitable cold end, heart beating and almost bursting out of her chest.

She waits… but nothing comes.