The air was tense, but Haruta's presence had a way of grounding the room. She sat at the head of the table, her expression unreadable behind her mask.
Takuro: The truth about the world…?
Tamiko: What exactly do you mean?
Haruta: Much goes on in this world that most people don't know, but for now let's start with the basics…Serava.
Haruta folded her hands as she leaned forward on the table, her tone was somewhere between a knowledgeable professor and a kid with a very active imagination.
Haruta: Serava is essentially the pulse of the world. A constant. Like gravity, air, or even time. You can't see it but it's always there. It flows through the earth, animals…and people. Especially people like you children.
Sakiko: People like us?
Haruta nodded before continuing.
Haruta: You six have very high levels of Serava. That's the reason you all were kidnapped.
The six kids went still.
Haruta continued, unfazed.
Haruta: Serava is something that treats all of humanity both equally and unequally, most people's Serava levels are random, those with more may be inherently better than those around them, but by no more than a small margin. They may live a bit longer than their spouse, or be faster than their peers; but some like yourselves, have far more than that.
Seigan: How exactly can you tell someone has so much Serava?
Haruta: Excellent question, there aren't many natural ways to tell. However, one of the more common ones is certain physical features. For example, you with the purple hair…Takuro, correct?
Takuro: Yeah that's right.
Haruta: Do either of your parents have the same hair or eye color as you?
Takuro: No… both my parents have dark hair and eyes.
Haruta: That is a sign of higher Serava levels. Sometimes one's hair color deviates from the norm and becomes a more… unique color.
Akida: Ok, so we have a lot of power but what does that mean exactly?
Haruta: It means you have the potential to become one of us, but first you'll need a catalyst for it.
Takuro: A catalyst? Like a weapon?
Haruta: No, something a bit different…Deities.
Seigan raised a brow.
Seigan: Deities?
Haruta: Beings beyond that of human understanding, the true wielders of Serava. Everyone at this table is connected to one. They'll grant you the ability to use your Serava to its full potential.
Tamiko: What is this a fairy tale?
Inezo: Don't get me wrong, after what we've seen there's no reason to doubt you, but this is a bit much.
Haruta: That's understandable you can—
Vera held up a hand to Haruta before rising from her seat. She walked away from the table into an empty area of the room.
She snapped her fingers.
Vera: Practice dummy.
A metal dummy rose from the floor. She casually wiped her hand down the dummy's chest, and she relit her cigarette as she took her seat back at the table.
Moments later, the dummy's torso started bubbling and melting away. The dummy slowly began to split down the middle.
Vera: Still have doubts?
Inezo: I apologize for my previous comment.
Haruta: Thank you for the demonstration Vera, and for not going overboard with your abilities.
Inezo: [What the hell counts as overboard?]
Haruta: Where was I?
Elijah: Deities, Madam Haruta.
Haruta: Right, ahem. Contacting a Deity isn't always easy. Some people in Xodur's Hold've tried for years, yet still haven't made a connection, whereas others succeeded on their first try. It's quite unpredictable. But with your levels of Serava, all of you have a chance.
Tamiko: What happens if we succeed?
Haruta: Then you become a Blessed. You'll gain a power unique to you, a manifestation of your connection to your Deity. But it's not just power. It's a bond.
Unease swept across the group. The weight of the unknown pressing down on them.
Haruta: You've agreed to fight, but without a Deity, your chances of survival are not very high.
She walked towards the door, motioning for them to follow.
The three Divinities moved as one. Exiting right behind her.
Siana: C'mon, we're taking you to the Divine Sanctum.
The six hesitated briefly before they rose, and followed them.
The elevator ride was silent. Haruta stood at the back, arms crossed, expression unreadable behind her mask.
Takuro: So…How exactly do we go about obtaining a Deity?
Haruta: You meditate, clear your mind, try to feel the Serava around you, and when a Deity tries to reach you…you'll know.
Akida: We're just gonna, sit down and hope we get picked?
Haruta: Essentially.
The elevator doors silently slid open.
The Divine Sanctum was unlike anything they'd seen on the island so far. The moment they left the elevator the air felt heavier, like a thousand pairs of eyes were all focused on them. The room was circular and vast, carved from a smooth white stone. Golden metal spiraled along the floor. At the center of the room was an elevated platform, which had six circles all connected to a seventh one in the middle.
Seigan: I gotta say, it does feel "divine" down here.
Vera let out a soft chuckle.
Vera: We've heard that one before.
Haruta: This is where potential Blessed come to commune with Deities. Don't try to force a connection, if a Deity wants to talk to you, they will. If not, then we'll try again at a later date.
Vera: Before you start, let me tell you three pieces of advice about divine contracts. First and foremost, do not lie, once you make contact with a Deity assume that they already know you better than you know yourself. Being honest is the best way to go.
Vera dropped her cigarette on the floor and stomped it out.
Vera: The second one is terms, some deities may ask for a certain quota to be met for your contract, take for example, a water Deity may ask you to swim for a certain amount of time every day. Now listen, if you don't believe you can accomplish what they ask of you, do not agree. Breaking a contract is incredibly dangerous.
Tamiko: And the third?
Vera: The third is proof of the contract, you'll need to take an aspect of the divinity onto yourself. It can't be something small like a single piercing, you're going to have to choose something that fulfills the requirements. But also keep in mind that this will change how you look for the rest of your life.
Akida: What's your proof of contract?
Vera rolled back her sleeve to reveal a multitude of glowing chemical formulas careening down her arm, they start at the edge of her wrist and continue up, seemingly without an end.
Vera: Another example is Siana's eyes, that's her proof of contract.
Sakiko turned her attention to Siana, looking into her bullseye-patterned eyes.
Sakiko: Did it hurt?
Siana offered Sakiko a kind smile.
Siana: No, you won't notice a difference, it'll be as if you were like this your entire life.
Haruta motioned for them to follow her to the platform.
Haruta: Now, come sit.
The six confidently ascended the stairs of the platform, each moving to an open circle. As they settled the air seemed to hum.
Siana sat in the seventh circle.
Haruta: Siana's Serava will flow through the platform to your circles. This'll make it easier for you to feel the Serava around you.
Sakiko: Are you sure all six of us should go at once?
Haruta: It's fine. We've found that six recipients is the optimal number.
Haruta steps down, joining Vera and Elijah.
Haruta: Now, close your eyes. Remember don't force anything.
A deep breath. Then silence.
Minutes passed.
Then, the first light.
A calm glow came to life around Inezo, encasing him in an orb of Serava. His breathing became steady as his consciousness shifted to another place.
Then another.
Sakiko's body stiffened as a pale light surrounded her.
Seigan, Tamiko, Takuro, and Akida. One by one, each of them was wrapped up in the mysterious light.
Siana's eyes widened as she looked around. She expected one, maybe even two of them to succeed…but all six?
Vera: …Interesting.
Haruta nodded, her gaze locked on the scene in front of her.
Haruta: Very.
Takuro awoke in the center of a quiet dojo, the walls lined with every kind of weapon imaginable.
Akida rose slowly, catching her breath at the entryway to a divine temple atop a mountain.
Sakiko opened her eyes in a room pulsing with energy. Floating debris swirled above her head, as if the air itself was restless.
Tamiko stood in a surreal art gallery, the paintings seemed to ripple with emotion.
Inezo found himself floating in a never-ending cloudy sky. No up, no down, just freedom.
Seigan blinked. After his eyes adjusted and he found himself in a sleek music studio, neon lights highlighted the soundproofed room. Numerous Instruments were scattered across the walls, some of them he'd never even seen before. The air itself vibrated with a low hum, like it was waiting for something to begin.
At the center of it all, reclining in a chair, was a woman.
Her feet were kicked up on a console, one hand twisting a dial back and forth while the other, idly tapped a slow rhythm.
Without looking up she spoke.
Woman: Alright, here we have Seigan Atasa in the flesh.
The words took a second to process. Seigan's mind was still catching up to his body.
Seigan: Huh?
The woman let out a dramatic sigh.
Woman: Seigan Atasa, that's your name isn't it?
Seigan: Yeah that's right.
Seigan looks around
Seigan: Where am I?
Woman: This is my studio. We're gonna have a little jam session. I suggest you pay attention.
Siegan frowned as he glanced at his surroundings.
Seigan: Right…and who the hell are you?
Woman: Me?
The woman leaned back in her chair, she crossed one leg over the other as she continued to fiddle with the console in front of her.
Woman: Name's Sonia, I'm the one who's supposed to teach you not to be a total waste of Serava, I'm the sound Deity.
Sonia stood out immensely in the small studio. She was a wild figure–her heavy black boots clicked as she took them off the console, her leather jacket stretched as she leaned back. Chains on her waist jingled at the slightest shift of ripped jeans. Her long black hair, an untamed mess of waves and curls. But it was her eyes; sharp, off-white voids that scanned Seigan with cocky amusement.
Seigan: …You blind?
Sonia: Wow, way to soft-pedal that one. My eyes are naturally this color. I can see perfectly fine.
Seigan: Right…So you're gonna help me harness my Serava or whatever right?
Sonia: Mhmm, that's the plan.
Seigan: Well then let's go, form the contract.
A smirk tugged at the side of Sonia's mouth.
Sonia: Slow your roll. I can help you but first I gotta see if we're playing to the same tune.
Sonia leaned forward tapping her black nails on the console.
Sonia: So kid, what do you want?
Seigan looked at her with the same perplexed look as when she asked his name.
Sonia: Power? Revenge? Maybe even money? Oh, and I can tell if you're lying so let's avoid that yeah?
Seigan thought for a second, trying to find the right words.
Seigan: I won't say revenge isn't slightly on my mind but…I really just wanna prove I'm worth keeping around.
Sonia: Self-worth huh? That tracks considering what you've gone through.
Seigan's face immediately drops into a glare.
Sonia: Yikes, seems like I struck the wrong chord, but I like the sound of that.
A wide grin spread across Seigan's face.
Seigan: So we're gonna form a contract?!
Sonia: Maybe, it seems like we'd be a good match.
Sonia studied him for a brief moment, her tone shifting.
Sonia: How about weaknesses? Whatcha got?
Seigan scoffed at the question, holding his head high.
Seigan: None.
She tilted her head, and let out a laugh.
Sonia: Uh-huh. I like the confidence, let's see how long it lasts.
She clicked her tongue and adjusted a couple of dials on the console in front of her, making the hums around them intensify.
Sonia: I can work with this. You've got some serious potential but you're also going to need some serious direction. So just remember you're going to have to play the role of listener sometimes.
Seigan raised a brow, folding his arms across his chest.
Seigan: You don't sound too convinced.
Sonia: Oh I'm convinced, trust me, but you've got some work to do. So don't get cocky just yet.
Sonia stood up, pressing a button on the console as she moved. A small door opened in the booth. Seigan stepped through finally coming face to face with the Deity.
Sonia: Now it's your turn, got any questions?
Seigan: Yeah, Deities are supposed to help us fight right? But how do I fight with sound?
Sonia: Well, let me correct you there. We deities aren't simply for fighting…or all of us aren't I should say, you can fight using our gifts but it's not exactly a requirement. You can honestly use your Serava for whatever you desire. It's yours after all.
Sonia grabbed a guitar off the wall and slowly began strumming a soft tune.
Sonia: How does one fight with sound…hmm… Let me put it like this. Sound as you know it right now is just something you can hear. But when I push Serava through it then it becomes something you can feel. A force that can crack boulders but also make you silent as a mouse.
She looked at Seigan, pointing at him.
Sonia: But honestly that's only the basics of it. How you use that force is all up to you, I'm the producer and you're the musician. I won't just throw you into the deep end though. Every contracted human… or "Blessed" as you people say is granted an enhanced body. So if things like your reflexes and speed will be way past that of your average human. But as a bonus, because you'll be contracted to me, you'll be able to hear better too. The best part is, you'll adapt instantly like I'm handing you an instrument you've been playing for years.
She tapped her temple repeatedly.
Sonia: Of course that doesn't mean you'll be perfect. I'm sure you'll mess up. Hit some wrong notes. But, that's part of the learning process. And lucky for you, I'm the best damn producer around.
Seigan sat in silence as he took in everything she said, but he couldn't stop the wide grin from forming on his face.
Seigan: I'm so in!
Sonia: I like the sound of that! Now, let's talk business.
Seigan recalled the warnings Vera gave him and his friends earlier.
Seigan: We need to talk about the terms of the contract right?
His heart raced thinking about all the negative conditions she could give him.
Once again an amused smile spread across Sonia's face, as if she could tell what he was thinking.
Sonia: Calm your heart kid, it's beating too loud. I don't have any crazy conditions for my contracts. That doctor lady's got you on edge.
Seigan: Like, none at all?
Sonia: Nope…Oh, actually I would appreciate it if you could play music from time to time. I love hearing how music has progressed, it's not a requirement though.
Seigan let out a sigh of relief.
Seigan: [I lucked out.]
Seigan: That's cool, I listen to music a lot anyway.
Sonia: I like you better already. Now, the proof of contract. As you heard you're going to have to take one of my features onto yourself, like my hair color.
Seigan: Got any tattoos?
Sonia: …Sorry, but no. Never been the biggest fan of 'em.
Seigan circled her, looking her up and down, analyzing each feature.
Seigan: Eyes.
Sonia: Say again?
Seigan: Your eyes. They're pretty cool, would that work for the contract?
Sonia: They would…But are you sure? They'll never change back you know.
Seigan: That's ok, not like I'm attached to my eye color.
A single amused breath slipped from Sonia.
Sonia: Oh and you're gonna need something to protect your ears.
Seigan: Why's that?
Sonia: When I said "You'll hear better" I really meant it. Everyone else will be deaf 10 times over compared to you. I can keep it in check for now but it'd be best if you get something.
Seigan: Got it, get something to protect my ears.
Sonia: Other than that, we just need to wait for our Serava to fully align, then you can use my power.
Seigan: Well how long'll that take?
Sonia: Some hours, you'll know when though. Oh, your body's gonna be enhanced immediately though so don't hurt yourself.
Sonia put the guitar down as she approached Seigan.
She extended her hand out, boasting a wide grin.
Sonia: We're gonna put on the greatest performance this world has ever seen!
Seigan returned the handshake, sporting a grin himself.
Seigan: I like the sound of that!