Alarming news.

It was a warm day, for March. It was still cold, but spring was showing its first omens. And Gaius was wondering if this was coincidence. That his life had restarted as winter died, and he opened his heart to others as spring came. It was a new start, away from the stigma of his childhood, away from his rage, away from his pain.

He quickly came to understand something, coincidence or not he had done well to open up. He now felt free. In a way only those who had felt burdened by not having anyone they could trust to see them for who they were and accept them, but managed to open themselves and be understood could understand. It was as if his worries, and that dull pain brought by solitude, melted and flowed away with his breath. He had never truly felt alone, God was always with him, but he missed humans. Even during his hermitage he knew his family waited for him, so he was not as lonely as he had been this week. His only meaningful interactions having been with Akai, Saturday and Sunday, both with something he wasn't all that worried about. But this time they saw him for who he was, a scarred man who had yet to surpass the tragedies in his past and move on, and they didn't laugh like he feared, but understood. Though they might not have known how he feared people would call him weak of heart, that just made their reaction sweeter, for they answered from their hearts.

He smiled from the bottom of his heart, a slight slime, not wide as a smile he purposefully put on would have been. A quirk of the lips that slipped into his face without his knowledge. He was once again amidst his fellows. His hermitage had served its purpose in giving him faith and a strong heart, but it no longer would help him. Now was the time to go to the world and show it his growth, so others may follow and grow through his example. The time of reflection had ended, the time of teaching had come. And what better way of teaching than living a happy life others would long for? Now it was his time to shine for others like his father had done for him.

With this resolution in his heart Gaius looked around him, at the three men that had understood him and laughed. An unbridled laugh, for how stupid had been his fear? It was lacking faith in his neighbours, in their empathy. After calming he saw their confusion and explained.

“Heh. Sorry but I just realised how much of a fool I was. I say, how could I be so arrogant as to believe I was capable of compassion and desired to help others with their problems, and yet others were incapable of the same? Did I believe myself the most virtuous man on Earth?” That just made them even more confused, so he explained what he had feared, why he had never sought deeper relationships in these two weeks. Why he had just offered help, and never accepted it. Well except that one time with Akai, but for him that was minor and didn't count.

Akihiko looked at him as if he was the greatest moron he had even heard of.

“You skipped seventeen hundred years. Everyone you love is dead. Your civilisation is dead. You are in a foreign land at the mercy of strangers. You went through the worst persecution of christians in Ancient Rome, where you lived in fear for three years. And your only problem is that you are enraged when things that remind you of said persecutions happen. And you fear we would call you weak. I've known of people with PTSD or depression for less! What kind of bizarre vision of your average human’s strength of heart do you even have?!”

Gaius began to speak, then shut his mouth. He proceeded to open his mouth, before rethinking his words. He finally chose his words and spoke, unsure of himself

“Apparently an overestimated one? PTSD was a mental illness…?”

Ryuunosuke facepalmed. “For having been omniscient you don't know much.”

“Hey, I can speak thirteen thousand Nearthental tongues, surpass that!”

“Not what I mean. How do you not know about mental illnesses?”

“I know about chemical imbalances and structural defects that cause…”

Akai stopped him. “He means, why do you not know about traumatic disorders?”

“I just don't understand how going through bad things would cause an illness. Shouldn't they, you know, learn and move on?”

The silence felt so heavy to them that they felt it would crush them.

“Insensitive.” Remarked Akihiko.

“Insensitive.” Agreed Ryuunosuke.

“Insensitive.” Confirmed Akairyuu. “But understandable, now that I think about it. I also had to understand about traumatic disorders during the twentieth century, when I was born that was called cowardice. For you who was born in the times when forgiveness, compassion, kindness, empathy, and the such were considered weaknesses to be purged it must be even more difficult. Why didn't I think of that? That explains a lot.” He began humming to himself in thought.

Gaius began to protest. “I don't consider them-”

“I know.” Interrupted Akai. “But it wasn't until the values of Christianity spread that Europe began to think of them as virtues. And I'm not saying you don't feel those things, just that your culture and personality makes it difficult to understand trauma.”

They fell silent once again. Gaius made several faces before surrendering. “Fine, I need to learn to empathise with trauma victims. Even if they're completely illogical.”

Akihiko barked in laugher. “What are you now, a Vulcan? That is illogical, they said. Why exactly is wanting to resurrect your son illogical I'll never understand. Even if from the point of view of perpetuation of lineage, the goal of life, it's logical!”

“What?” Ryuunosuke looked at him in wonder. Akihiko gave him the stink eye.

“Generation Z, so much internet and they don't know the sci-fi classics. Don't you know Star Trek?”

“Of course. Swoosh, swoosh.” He pantomimed swinging a sword.

“That's Star Wars. Star. Wars. Uncultured swine.”

“Actually,” began Gaius, “if my memories do not lie few people in Japan know of Star Trek. They are more familiar with Wars or Thunderbirds.”

Akihiko froze. “Why. Do you. Know. That. And not. Trauma. Disorders?”

“My priorities at the time, I guess?”

Ryuunosuke and Akai began laughing at that. Akai cleared his throat to catch their attention after.

“As much as I'm enjoying this conversation I have duties. If you'll excuse me.”

“Sure, Head.” “Of course, Master Head!” “Go then. Don't let my drama keep you. See you, Akai.”

Akai nodded at that and left. The three others followed soon after. Once they reached the plaza Akihiko asked Gaius for his plans.

“The morning is nearly over, so-. Eat, study a bit and then go to class. Why?”

“You want to eat with us?”

“Where are you going?”

“Ryuunosuke just lost his apocalyptic innocence so I am going to bring him to a fancy place. Good food, I pay.”

“Sure. What'll you do when he the first world ending event in his life happens?”

“It already did, three years ago. The Ulmor Society tried to start Ragnarok. But for his apocalyptic virginity I'll buy him something nice.”

“My what?!”

Gaius’ eyebrow twitched. “Apocalypse means revelation, you know? Ragnarotick or armaggedonic would be more appropriate. And the last one is a place.”

They went and had a filling meal. That evening Gaius learned how to avoid a throw from his martial arts class, and how to detect identify basic wards. After class he bought his first console and game, something about a goddess reincarnating, it sounded like a good one. He wondered if it was about Japanese mythology, and began playing.

Next morning he met with the others as they began their rounds around the seedier places of town. They were walking through an alley while talking when they came across a hint for something.

“So you actually liked the game? I thought that, you know, since angels are enemies, well-.” Ryuunosuke was trying to get his point across.

Gaius chuckled. “Ryuunosuke, that is not by far the worst portrayal of my religion I've seen. Also I can distinguish between reality and fiction. It's just a game, and I like the gameplay and story. So yes, I liked it.”

Ryuunosuke was about to start talking when Akihiko made them stop.

“Guy ahead.”

In front of them was a man dressed in dirty clothes who had clearly not taken care of his appearance for a long time.

“Got it.” Acknowledged Gaius.

“Is it a cultist?!”

“Let's see.”

Akihiko approached the shabby man, and called out to him.

“Good morning there! We're from a private detective agency, we are investigating a new crime ring.”

The man was startled. “I have nothing to do with no-!”

“Relax, they just target people in this area, it's just some questions.”

He visibly relaxed. “Oh, sure then.”

“Have you noticed someone disappearing for a few days and then returning changed?”

“No, but one guy in my home disappeared a few days ago. Has this something to do with Awakening?”

“Awakening?”

“No? It's something he told us before vanishing, “Awakening is the best. I can fulfill all my dreams with it!” He was weird at the time, like he was possessed.”

Gaius and Akihiko looked at each other.

“Did he seem like he was on drugs?”

“Drugs?!” The man was alarmed. “No! Why?!”

“Calm down.” Intervened Gaius. “This criminals we speak of kidnap and drug people, so they become addicts and buy their drugs. The victims don't seem to try and go to the police, we’re not sure why.”

The man was placated. “Oh, I see. Then I don't know, I think Awakening was some smartphone app?”

Akihiko interrogated him a bit more, but he had nothing of value to add. They let him go and analised his information.

“What do you think?” Asked Akihiko.

“It doesn't sound like what we were told yesterday about the Cult's modus operandi?” Answered Ryuunosuke, unsure.

“It may still be one of their plots. So we should investigate what this Awakening thing is.” While Gaius said this, he was also uncertain of the Cult’s involvement.

“I agree, let's keep our eyes and ears sharp.”

For the rest of the morning they kept interrogating people. They managed to identify two possible victims of the Cult, and learned more about Awakening.

During lunch they recapped what they had learned.

Gaius started the overview. “We've learned that Awakening is a smartphone game. It's not in any kind of app store, it’s spread through email. Not much is known except people that play go out more than they usually do, and seem to have more money they should.”

Akihiko hummed with his eyes closed. “If they were losing money I'd say it's a scam, but they earn it?”

“Maybe they exchange in-game items for money?” Said Ryuunosuke.

“You can do that?” Questioned Gaius.

“I don't play smartphone games myself, but don't you usually pay for in-game items?” Akihiko tilted his head reclining in his chair, and biting his tempura.

Ryuunosuke swallowed his udon and explained. “You make an account, get the items and then sell the account. Some games forbid it, but it can happen. Or there is an in-game exchange system and you pay in real money instead of game currency.”

“Mm. This gyudon is delicious, I'm going to have to learn how to cook it.”

“Be serious Gaius. So we know jack shit, that's bad. I'll pass word to the police and association so they can investigate. You should also keep your eyes open. Any mention of Awakening must be investigated.”

“I prefer the yakigyoza to the suigyoza.”

“Gaaaiussss.” Akihiko looked at him with narrowed eyes.

“What? Modern food is better than that I cooked in the mountain.”

“Wasn't gluttony a sin?”

“Gluttony is more than just overeating you know? It's the inability to refrain. But even then there is a difference between gluttony and eating good food. And I'm listening, keep your eyes open for Awakening.”

“Alright, alright. At least you are listening. So, see you tomorrow then?”

“Yes. Now I have to give my second class.”

“Who are you teaching?” Asked Ryuunosuke.

“Two guys and a girl. I can present them to you if you want." Gaius widened his eyes, he had had an idea. "You know, while you are weaker than them, you have more actual experience, it’d do you good to give tips to beginners.”

“Nice idea Gaius. I can evaluate him and see how much he's learned. Do you think in three weeks would be a good time?”

“Sure, just tell me at least a day before.”

“Ok.”

Ryuunosuke looked up to the sky. “How have I ended having to teach from a simple question?”

Akihiko laughed at that. They kept speaking until they finished their food and went their separate ways. Gaius headed to the association, while Akihiko and Ryuunosuke went to do other missions.