“A coming threat?? That’s unfortunate, could only wish it weren’t that. Though we have no other choice but to hear it out.”
“Unfortunately the threat has already arrived and seems to now be distancing itself from the village after the attack. I’ve been sent to this village for what reason I can’t truly say, I have done part of the purpose but I feel as if there is more that is lost. Mr. Way Walker… Is there some of my memory you have stored?”
“I don’t. Your memory fragments will take much more time to raffle through, overtime I’ll need to do multiple sessions with you in order to assess what it is that’s keeping them so far repressed. What can you recall??” Rivkah sat down on a floating construct she created, placing her mask on and trying to recall whatever she could. 217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0uOriTUyx
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“I-I can’t think of anymore… It’s too dark…”
“It’s as expected. Recollection ain’t any easier for her.” Zaibatsu exhaled looking at Dallas.
“She just needs some rest, a stable environment, some food and she’ll be fine.” Rivkah would nod and Dallas reached out to take her hand, instead of standing. She took his hand and floated into the sky, seating herself on his shoulder and crossing her legs. He would look at her and then Zaibatsu.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ydofVzX7V
“How much do I owe you Zaibatsu?”
“I’ll make this first time free. So don’t worry about it Dallas.”
“Thank you, I’ll treat you some time.” Dallas & Rivkah proceeded to exit his shop together. Leaving the Way Walker, alone.
“Even a demon isn’t beyond the assistance of Valentina… This wasn’t easy, the minds of Fiend, Mortal, and Demon all operated in such vastly different proportions I was rather unprepared.” Zaibatsu would sit down and proceed to fiddle with some scrolls, taking a pen he proceeded to write down the memories he found within the mind of Rivkah. As a Way Walker, part of his job is to piece fragmented memories together when the shards are too disturbed. Fiends recall easier, they’ve lived it, it comes back to them easily but the life of a fiend makes memories a hated thing, thus he is sworn to take their memories, document them and never reveal them. Mortals live it, they live finitely, thus memories become cherishable things, which is why he keeps mortal memories separate from the others. Lest they be corrupted. Demons… Demons don’t have safety in their minds, their memories rarely ever count as their own, they fade faster than they’re made and those lucky enough to keep their memories are at risk of returning as husks and nothing more upon being slain, thus he must document them quick and document them efficiently for their shards die faster than they’ve ever lived…An unfortunate situation Rivkah bares.
Time continued and so did Zaibatsu in documenting memories, his next clients came to be Ibaraki & Xenthos. Grabbing their minds and doing a special technique known as a Mental Fund. Simply put he crafts memories and information into the minds to feed them information as if it were their own. Giving Ibaraki & Xenthos the information they needed for the future.
“That creature is a Blissful Ravager. Dangerous creatures that feed upon the carnal desires of mortals and use it against them in various manners to free them of their earthly bonds and deny them of any in the spiritual plane.” He told them, they would look at each other and then him.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD1aKREXUX
“You’ll know one is nearby in the open more than you would inside of the village. It’s a dangerous being but I doubt you two didn’t know that, be careful. May Valentina watch over you both.”
“Thanks Zaibatsu, come on Xenthos. Let’s go.” Ibaraki gently punched his shoulder, walking back towards the entrance to Zaibatsu’s restaurant.
“I need Xenthos a bit longer if that’s alright Ibaraki.”
“Huh? Okay sure, I’ll round back up with Sun and the group and we’ll discuss the plan Xenny. See ya later.” She waved and ran off back to the group, Xenthos looked at Zaibatsu and Zaibatsu at him.
“What is it Zaibatsu?”
“I could ask the same of you, there’s a cloud over your soul. One that destains the very fabric of who you are, what you’ve strove for, and finally what makes you. You.” Zaibatsu looked at Xenthos who turned and rubbed his head clearly not following, Zaibatsu chuckled.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qrsNo3iwV
“Working with Rivkah disturbs you, doesn't it? You’re not following this motion because of your own motives but the will of the one you hold dear.”
“This also part of your confidentiality?”
“Absolutely, this conversation stays between us if it’s what you want.”
“Fine, no use keeping this to myself… It isn’t just her. It’s this village as a whole. It doesn’t feel real, it doesn’t feel right. Not just because of Rivkah, it hasn’t felt right for me since we woke up here.”
“Care to tell me why?? I can brew us some tea, these things take a while. Planning for explorations I mean.” Xenthos looked at Zaibatsu and then took a deep breath agreeing, Zaibatsu brewed some green tea and handed some to Xenthos who sat with him on a bench at the back of the shop.
“Pretty clean for the back of a shop.”
“It isn’t easy to keep things clean, kids run around, mess around and all but I make it work.” They sat together in silence, Xenthos felt odd. Usually people press for conversation when it was the offered notion to their company. However, Zaibatsu just sat there smiling and looking at the sky.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM303srBRlC
“By the way, the fall of purity is actually down that road there.”
“Smart set up, a warm meal and drink after a purification… Hmph…”
“Take your time Xenthos, I won’t rush you. Your input matters.” Xenthos sat there taking a deep breath before he sipped some of his tea and then began to speak.
“The world has passed me by, years have jumped, lost and so far I can never gain any of it back. Now I’m in this unknown place with new rules, more open minded individuals, things that just… Don’t sit with me…” He looked down and then at his hand.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJIMrpRVbeg
“Every time I look at the various things in this village, Konkitsu, Lee, Utsukushī, Sun, all of them make my hands ache every time I look at them…”
“Your impulse to destroy all deemed demons. Does it cause you great pain?”
“It does but I know it would give me no satisfaction, they’re not fiend and they’re especially not human… But they’re all better than me. Utsukushī… She’s…” Xenthos sighs as he takes another sip and then looks to Zaibatsu.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2ZRfR74sC
“I feel like I failed my job as a fiend.”
“Failed indeed. You were bested, beaten, and launched aside. However you can make amends, you can make things better for the future. Which you’re already doing, if your impulse had enough power over you I wouldn’t be speaking with you.”
“Pft why’s that?”
“Because Utsukushī would’ve beheaded you.” They both laughed together in agreement of her power but in the end Zaibatsu managed to help Xenthos.217Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeKeMHjLo0
“Your mission isn’t over, it was just postponed for a while. It only ends if you give in now, Xenthos.”
“I ain’t giving in… I’m just… struggling to adjust to this new change.”
“We all struggle to adjust to change but change can give life more meaning. It keeps the things you love fresh and vibrant and makes you stronger as you go.” Xenthos nodded and they sat together.
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