901…
902…
903…
904…
I counted. When will I awake from this dream, a dream I do not deserve to view?
Can it be that I was born anew or perhaps reached purgatory?
My last memory of myself was jumping into a 12ft pool in my apartment. I then woke up in a field filled with white and blue roses. That's not a bad combination, if I do say so myself. I prefer lavender wisteria trees, though.
But that's not the main focus at the moment.
…
Well - - I have been trying to die for over a month now, so I'm not sure if I should care if I am alive - - NO!
I'm supposed to focus, but the flowers are so pretty.
Ugh! This is precisely why my mother threatened to abandon me; I can never think straight.
…
Oh, as I was saying. I am an angel's vessel, Barachiel, the archangel of blessings.
So must carry on the deeds of an angel, and that will be to reply to God's messages.
I know what you may be thinking, "why would a vassal want to commit suicide?"
Well, a vessel's life isn't as "exciting" as it may seem.
It's the very reason why I'm so desperate to die.
There's just one problem… I can't die.
I can grow as old as I may be, but I can only get out of that curse if I finish all my commissions.
That also includes killing.
It is undoubtedly unconditional fidelity because I was chosen at random.
To tell you the truth, I think even God regrets it in a certain way.
But at the same time, he doesn't because I'm more capable than I am, he says.
UGHHHH!!!
Please, can I stop?
I just wanted to die a - -
"HEY, Hello~"
I was surprised to only notice him because of the pain of his kick between my pelvis and ribs.
"AHHhhhH! Bro, what the fu- -"
"Finally, I got your attention. You probably don't even know when I got here if you are that deep in thought, huh? Hahaha."
You see, this is why I want to disappear, because of mischief like this.
"My name is Alaric Viotto"
He extended his hand in a formal matter of greeting.
I got up from the flower bed and extended my hand, grabbing him firmly.
"The name's Souta Imre."
"Cool, then I can call you Uta for sh- -"
"Don't get too comfortable, pal. My name is short enough."
His smile dropped slightly, but I could have cared less.
"How old are ya," he asked as if my words didn't pierce.
But I can tell. I am a vessel, after all.
"16, you?"
"15; damn, you look pretty tall for a 16-year-old."
"I hear that a lot."
I guess he's pretty friendly, but too soft.
"What brings you out to this part of the land?"
"Traveling, why?"
"This is private property, lad. It belongs to the King's wife, Vin'nyla Besiana de Fayette, 4th daughter of the Empire of the Mirwal kingdom."
Wow, that's quite the introduction.
"Oh, my bad."
"My bad?"
"It's how we talk back home, don't worry about it."
"?"
Great, where do I go now? I was planning to starve here to die in this beautiful scenery, but I guess that's out of the list.
I gave out a big sigh in disappointment, for I must find another way to die.
"Why are you here if this is private property?"
"Glade, you ask. I am a proud worker of the Lord and Madam. My job is to ensure this specific area because this is an area passed down from queen to queen in this kingdom. There's another garden, but it isn't as impotent as this one."
"Say, what's the name of this kingdom anyways."
"You are in the Kingdom of Persona. Its name that way because it has many sections and resembles personalities."
"You have quite the viability for such a tiny entity."
"Thank you, but this is common knowledge."
It wasn't a compliment.
"What? Oh no, I'm talking about the inside of you."
"Hahaha! Souta my friend, you confuse me every second. It's a talent that makes me laugh."
Great! And he's crazy. Just my lucky day. Sighs
"Uh huh, glad you feel that way pal."
God, if you can hear me. Of all places you can place me, why here?
You know what, maybe this is a sign to take him under my wing. I'll practically be his ward, no, more like his mentee.
"Hey, by chance, can I stay at your place till I find my own?"
"No"
"Than- -"
"What?! I thought you were supposed to be nice."
"Yeah, nice but not naive, sorry mate."
"I'm not dangerous!"
"That's what every dangerous person would say. You're not beating the allegations."
"Wha- but- how can could- I thought that we were frie-"
"Acquaintances, yes we are."
Wooow. He switched sides real quick! Talk about having high expectations. 4/10
"But you must shelter me, you're an angel's disciple; it's just not right."
"What!? Ha, "you're an angel's disciple," these jokes are just getting creeper, man, 10 feet away from me."
Great, now he thinks I'm a lunatic. How did I get into this mess this deep!? I can sleep outside, and I have no cash; I use credit.
*sighs* "Okay, listen, I know it's only natural you're being cautious, but you gotta help me, man. I don't have any cash or a place to stay. So if you could help me get a job, that would be wonderful."
"I got a few replies."
"I'm listening."
Oh, thank goodness he is kind. Most orphans I look after are more or so… the opposite.
"First, what's cash?"
"A form of payment, money."
"Oh, number two, you will need to work in the castle with me. We were actually just looking for young men like yourself."
"Great!"
"Third, you need to make a cymtin ID."
"Kim-ten ID?"
"It's pronounced Kim-tine."
"What is it, an identification card?"
"No, more like a citizenship card, but not just a simple "citizenship card" it's much more than that."
"Explain, explain. I can't take the tension anymore!"
"Jeez," he whispered under his breath, but I could hear it, but I stood there quite as it pissed me off.
"Before I tell you, I have one more question."
"I guess it can wait. What is it?"
"Where are you from, and who are you?"
"Well, I told you that my name is Souta."
"That's your title, but who are you?"
"Well… I wait, what?"
"How many times should I repeat myself!"
"No, not that."
My surroundings got quiet, and I concentrated hard.
But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't remember.
Why Can't I Remember? Did I hit my head? Did my brain get an infection? Maybe I don't have enough oxygen in this world's atmosphere!
Or, or maybe…
"Retrograde amnesia"
The words slipped out of my mouth as I realized just how serious my situation had gotten; I didn't even know my age (I lied that I was 16 and that I was traveling)
Just– just my name…
All I knew was my name
"What, what is it?"
"Ah, huh, sorry, what were we talking about?"
"Where ya came from."
"Oh yeah… ahhhh…."
Shit, I don't have a single clue what to say. I don't know this planet at all! Let alone my essential memories.
"Go on now."
"Yeah, yeah, don't rush me."
*Clears throat*
Oh no, although my eyes are shut, I can feel his eyes piercing through my head.
"So… as you know, my name is Souta Imre."
"Yes, yes"
Oh holy mother of Jesus, I can feel the sweat slipping down my back. It's getting kind of itchy now that I mentioned it.
"And I came from that one place up north."
Oh no, no, no, no! My sweat is dripping down my butt, and I feel shivers on top of my trembles.
"Which north?"
"What?"
"Stop it with the confusion; there are 31 locations up north, to be specific."
"HOLY SH- - chicken, I could go for fried chicken right now."
Am I dumb, stupid, or mentally filled with screws?!
"You're quite passionate about chicken, huh."
"Ye-yeah, you already know what it is, hehe"
Finally, we're off-topic.
"Anyways, which way north?"
Damn, I spoke too soon.
"It, its has an S wi-with it."
"Oh, Schzinzic Nitefall"
"Ye-Yeah, Schzinzic, bingo…"
"I heard there were a lot of bizarre people there; no wonder why you so- -
"You were saying something."
" No, sir, you're just so… unique"
I was pissed off. Out of all the places I could have possibly chosen, it just had to be a place full of weirdos!
"Moving on, can I please stay at your humble estate since you know me a lot more now."
"Hmm… Well, I know you more, but you just gave me more reason not to let you stay with me. Sorry, sir."
What!?
"No, no, please, you have to help me!"
"And why is that…Souta?"
"Be-because…?"
"Because…"
Oh great! He just had to be a cautious boy. Dear Lord, why! I had no choice but to play the sympathy card well, like the reverse sympathy card.
"My parents… they want me dead."
Alaric placed his hand over his mouth in pure sustained shock.
"Bloody Hell…" It took him a while, like a good 5-7 minutes, to process that.
"Oh, my. What!? Are you okay?"
Does it look like it, pal?
"No, no, I'm not."
Would any child be okay to know that their parents want them dead? Plus, my situation is quite different from most.
"That's one of the reasons why I even went through such a journey to travel."
"Speak no more, my friend."
"Please I can even stri- wait you're serious! Thank you for understanding."
Wow, it took him forever to accept me in his place. And we're not fucking friends!!
"Wait in the other garden. If you turn toward the rose-covered gate you came from, you'll see a tall statue of an angel with a broken wing, and behind it will be a gate covered with rhododendron, wisteria, and bougainvillea. You can wait there for me in the meantime."
"Isn't a rhododendron a bush?"
"Yes. Your point?"
"Nothing, forget it. What if someone finds me there?"
"Don't worry, no one but I clean and walk in that area."
"Oh…okay"
I still remember that moment as if it was yesterday. I stood there staring at Alaric, running in the distance as the evening sun exchanged places with the moon. The tall green trees swayed along with the flower bed that laid around and underneath me. Petals flew as my cohesion of this world's function was far from complete, making my chances of survival even more difficult.
I proceed with the instructions Alaric has given me. And so I walked the other way.