User:NeloAngelo/Redstuff/1-25

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Chiara - Nelo Umbra continue leading me down alleys, twists and routes while avoiding the Blackguards, eventually, I found myself with Yotta waiting.

Yotta went first towards the Umbra, and issued a "dismiss" order, as the Umbra rapidly shrink in size and dissolve.

"Get in the train. We son't have a lot of time." Yotta said, his calm demeanor could barely hide his hurried tone. As I entered the train, Red was already in, waiting anxiously.

Everything feels so off. It almost seems Yotta knew something like this would happen in the first place.


 * Red: Nelo! What did you do? The whole place is in high alert!
 * Nelo: Nothing. I followed Araya and suddenly she ordered my arrest. Speaking of which... You knew this was gonna happen, didn't you?
 * Yotta: Somewhat. Do you honestly expect you can go past Chiara's security with only a cosmetic magic?
 * Nelo: ....
 * Red: ....
 * Yotta: But, even if you're just attempting an illegal entry, at the worst, you'll be ousted out of Chiara. What happened to you today is....peculiar, to say the least.
 * Red: Because of your red eye?
 * Nelo: Araya never said anything about it. Her Transmigration Staff didn't even pick up anything, remember?
 * Red: Then why else would she sic the Blackguards on you?
 * Nelo: How should I know?
 * Yotta: Nelo, what exactly happened back there?
 * Nelo: I don't know... Araya led me to the shrine, asked to greet Arato in a private room, then suddenly, it's Blackguards.
 * Yotta: Anything off?
 * Nelo: Did you know I have thermographic sense?
 * Yotta: Like a Grotesque?
 * Nelo: ...Something like that. Anyway, though Araya said to greet her grandfather in the room, I can only sense the body heat of one person.
 * Red: That doesn't make sense. Are you saying that Maiden Araya has been masquerading the Sage?
 * Nelo: If she is, then she's making a poor impression; during the supposed greeting, she spoke to me with a weird disembodied voice, almost like she's another person.
 * Yotta: Hmm...things that require more investigation. But first-
 * Nelo: Yeah, I know, it's another favor I owe you.
 * Yotta: I was actually thinking that you should destroy the mask. Since the Solvei identity is broadcasted associating with this mask, you should destroy the image.
 * Nelo: Oh. Right.

Taking off the mask, I channeled as much heat as possible into it. In a moment, the mask began to crack, then to burn, eventually vanishing into cinders.


 * Red: So...what now?
 * Yotta: Have you acquired the Red Thinner stocks you need?
 * Red: Yeah.
 * Yotta: Good. You have to leave Chiara and Everia now. Since we did not enter Chiara with full registration, it would be harder to track. The most likely delay before Chiara request for Everia's help is 5 hours.
 * Red: You got something in mind?
 * Yotta: I can fly you two out of Everia in 3 hours, but it won't be as comfortable as this ride.
 * Red: Good enough. I have my reasons to return urgently as well.
 * Nelo: That's awfully generous of you.
 * Yotta: Perceptive, aren't we? I'd say we are now partners in crime, and I have a responsibility to fulfill the end of my bargain, but- What happened between you and Maiden Araya is too interesting to be silenced. For now, go back to Beovault, and lay low.
 * Red: Whatever it is, I still owe you my thanks.
 * Yotta: No, I should thank you. In the short amount of time of meeting you, you two have provided me an interesting subject to study.
 * Nelo: ....
 * Yotta: Anyway, Nelo, take this.
 * Yotta: It's a private communication line linked to me. Obviously you're not in position to repay me right now.
 * Nelo: ...Fine. I'll load it in my sword.

True to Yotta's words, he managed to book us two tickets to Beovault under 2 hours. Something tells me this is something he does regularly. Red and I rushed to the assigned station, and within an hour or so, we left Everia. Yotta did not see us off, and simply left us with "we'll meet again."

Resting in the flight to Beovault, I started reassessing my situation. Damnit! Not only did I not learn anything about the link with Transmigration Staff, I'm also nearly hunted down by them. But Araya's weird acting...and the sense of familiarity I felt back then... Forget it- Chiara's not a place I can go for a long time. Now that the lead is down, my other two choices are-

"Nelo?"

Red's voice suddenly broke through my thoughts.


 * Red: You've been grimacing alot, are you alright?
 * Nelo: ...yeah.
 * Red: That doesn't seem or sound like it.
 * Nelo: It's just...going all the trouble, and I still know nothing about myself.
 * Red: .... I'm sorry.
 * Nelo: It's....
 * Red: You don't have to be nice. I dragged you into this.
 * Nelo: ....
 * Red: But Nelo, if....this is just a hypothesis, you can never get back your memories, what would you do?
 * Nelo: I don't know. Ever since I've awakened, regaining my memory is the only thing that mattered to me.
 * Red: .... If you'd like, why not start anew?
 * Nelo: I....
 * Red: Well, you don't have to answer me right now. Hey, it isn't much, but you're welcome in Rizaia. Give it some thoughts.
 * Nelo: Thanks.

Both of us didn't have much to say throughout the entire flight. What Red said isn't wrong. But to abandon my past? I would, but something deep within me knew I would regret doing so.

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