As I sit up on the stretcher I'm on.

The two nurses that were moving me jump away from me, showing clear signs of surprise. Embarrassed, I take a deep breath to calm myself, get off of the stretcher, and bow.

"Lo siento." I say.

!!!!

(That's right! Togo-sama and the others!!!)

I dash over to the nearest made and take her hand.

"Please maam! Could you tell me where I am?"

"Um..." she sheepishly stutters. "Wave Medicine's clinic."

"How far to Tokiport!?"

"Um...a...couple hours?"

(Not good!) I think, letting go of the woman and running towards the direction I assume the entrance is at. (I've got to warn...!!!)

"Oren?" a familiar voice questions.

!!!!

I turn around to see Tarran. At least, I think it's him.

"Hey, Oren! You're already better! Guess Riva was right about you!"

"Que?"

As Tarran walks towards me, smiling and gesturing for a hug, I take a closer look at him. He isn't wearing glasses, so I assume he's wearing contacts. He's now in more formal attire that I'd associate with hospitals. White lab coat. Blue tie. Black pants and dress shoes. His hair is combed too. Truth be told, I didn't think he could look THIS formal.

He comes over to me and hugs me while patting me on the back.

"When Riva brought you here, she said you got stuck in a terrible accident! Specifically, I think she said she hit you with her car and you landed on your head! Got to say, you recover quickly!"

(That's their excuse?)

He starts to look me over, quickly dashing around me at electric tone speed.

"No broken bones?"

"Um...no."

"No concussion?"

"No."

"Back pain?"

"No."

"Shoulder pain?"

"No."

"Numbness?"

"Tarran, I'm fine."

"Okay! Okay! Just checking!"

(Oh! Wait a minute!) I think.

"Could you tell me where I was hit? I can't remember?"

"Oh, near the closed rhime crystal mining facility about a half hour from here by walking."

"Thank you! Now, if you'll..."

"Oh no you don't!" Tarran says as he dashes in front of me.

"Tarran, I'm sorry, but I'm in a hurry."

"You may recover fast, but I cannot let you out that quickly. You at least should get checked for broken bones."

"Tarran, get out of my way."

"Sorry, buddy. Doctor's orders. Besides, I was informed that you were coming here in the first place because you volunteered."

"Volunteered?"

"Yeah. Riva said you wanted to help the Terraz survivors."

!!!!

"Well...I..."

(Hunter...what are you planning? Wait! I can't let Tarran know about Hunter! What if she goes after him because of me?)

"Oren, you okay?" Tarran asks.

"It's just..."

I look down to my waist. Where Clarent should be. Something seems off about this, but like it or not, I know I don't have a chance against Hunter like this. Not by myself, and certainly not without a sword.

I let out a sigh.

"Well, if it helps." I say.

"Thank you, bro!" Tarran happily states.

"Will it help?"

"Hopefully."

"Hopefully?"

"Wishful thinking, given the circumstances. But any hope is better than nothing!"

I let out another sigh, then follow Tarran down the corridor. I walk past the nurses again and bow, apologizing. And I continue to do so until Tarran grabs me by the collar and drags me away.

"I don't mind walking." I say.

"Sorry, but I'm on a tight schedule. You know how it is."

Tarran let's me go and I continue following him. As we take a turn to the left, I nearly bump into...

"Oh, Sutoria!" I proclaim. "I didn't expect to see you!"

!!!!

"Sis?" Tarran asks. "Is something wrong?"

Looking closer at Sutoria, her face shows both an expression of fear and hatred. However, this is only for a brief moment, as she calms herself and smiles.

"I'm sorry, I was just startled, that's all." she says.

"Take it easy, sis." Tarran says. "Don't overwork yourself!"

"Don't worry! I'll be fine!"

I smile and wave to her as Tarran and I walk past her. She continues on her way as well, though she doesn't seem to look as calm as she wants us to believe.

Eventually, Tarran and I make it to a typical examination room.

"Have a seat." Tarran says, gesturing to towards the bed.

I follow his instructions and sit down. I then choose to lay back on the bed and, when turning to my right, look out the window towards a mountain dotted with lush forestry.

"Okay then," I start. "What do you want me to do?"

"You don't know what you volunteered to do?"

"Truth be told, I was 'volunteered'."

Tarran gives me a confused expression, then chuckles.

"Something funny?" I ask.

"No, nothing. Nevermind. I'm just surprised at how we keep meeting."

I shrug.

"Okay, I know this might be hard for you, but please bear with me. Could you please tell me more...about that snake monster that attacked Terraz?"

!!!

"You mean...that Hydra creature?" I ask.

"So it is a hydra... Damn!"

"Tarran?"

"Oh! Sorry! Sorry! That wasn't very professional."

He clears this throat.

"Anyway, Oren. You said before that you helped with the antitoxin shipments, I am correct?"

"Yes. It was."

"I see... Normally, divulging company information isn't approved of here, as we don't wish to cause any scares in the public, but seeing that you've lived through that ordeal, I believe it's only fair."

Tarran walks over to the sink and pulls out an antitoxin from a nearby box.

"The reason we ran short on antitoxins is because of our constant experimentation in the hope of finding a cure for hydra poison. Unfortunately, the results have been...rather unsuccessful. Basically, we've been using snake venom antitoxins as a basis and, using some donated blood samples from some of the Terraz victims, we've been hoping to come up with one powerful enough to break down the poison. And as another Terraz survivor, we were hoping that you might have some information on how to combat the venom. Although..."

"Although?"

Tarran sighs.

"It didn't occur to me until when we were halfway through the hall, but I guess a blood test or full body examination isn't necessary. Given what makes the hydra's poison so deadly, the fact that you seem normal makes the mere thought of you, or even anybody, having an immunity is practically impossible."

I get up from the bed and walk over to him.

"Surely you can do something." I say.

"As I said before, it's wishful thinking."

I put my left hand on his right shoulder.

"I have faith in you." I say.

Tarran looks to me, then the antitoxin he's holding.

"I guess...I have some explaining to do. Hope you can follow along."

I sit down on the edge of the bed.

"Snake venom is most comprised of proteins and enzymes, and the immune systems of many animals are actually capable of breaking down the venom like many other invasive illnesses through the use of antibodies. The reason why more lethal venoms still manage to kill stems from the fact that the poison works faster than a human's body with no immunity can fight it. That's why antitoxins have been developed to combat snake poisons that can be broken down. The basic procedure for creating antitoxins is obtaining antibodies from species with immunity to the toxin and injecting these purified antibodies into the patient. While some species already have immunity to some poisons, one procedure to "train" a species to build up an immunity is by providing small, non-lethal doses to a species and build up their immunity over time."

Tarran puts down the antitoxin.

"Sadly, hydra poison isn't that simple. Even quantities that would be considered non-lethal doses for even the deadlist of combatible poisons can easily spell doom for a victim. The hydra's poison is a powerful, if not the MOST powerful, neurotoxin I've ever studied. Not only can this be categorized as a venom that has yet to be curable, how it 'protects' itself is even more frightening. Not only does it mess with the nervous system, it hijacks the immune system of the host and makes it reproduce antibodies that would counteract the antibodies of any other toxin. In other words, it turns the only way a victim can combat the poison against the victim itself. Unless there exists an antibody out there strong enough to combat both the poison and a victim's immune system, there is no way to break it down."

...

"And..." I start to ask. "What are all the symptoms?"

"Again, the hydra's poison is a neurotoxin. But one unique thing about the symptoms is that the toxin itself is rather slow. It's meant to...provide agonizing discomfort long before the simplest of the side effects kick in. Personally, it's one of nature's cruelest torture methods. As for symptoms, after a few weeks of enduring the toxin, victim's will likely experience loss of memory, headaches, and, hopefully, temporary limb weakness. And that's in the best case. If victims are exposed for months, changes in behavior, numbness to complete loss of functionality of certain body parts, retardation, and...death from the nervous system shutting down completely, are all possible."

I can only think about everyone that is...suffering because of me...

Terraz burning...

Everyone I knew writhing in pain, assuming they still can, in rows upon rows of hospital beds...

(Everything...and it's all...my...)

"Oren?"

!

"I'm...I'm sorry." I say.

"I see that I brought up some bad memories. I'm sorry too."

"Any...positive news?"

"Given what we think we know, most of the Terraz victims survived, and the symptoms for the more healthy individuals seem to be the minor ones, should they have any at all. While the clock is ticking, there is still time. Plus, if we can combat the hydra's poison, we might be able to cure anybody of any snake venom. That would be the first time in recorded history!"

...

"The only thing also bugging me is the hydra itself." Tarran continues. "From what I've heard, it's a person who can transform into it. What reason could anybody have for such a massacre? Sure, many poisonings have occurred over the ages, be it for political gain like for Bagoas of Persia and Locusta of the Roman Empire in the First Age, or perhaps protection like Velatha Faemys poisoning her husband, the Elven King of Ullsrion, to protect her children in the Second Age. But why do such a thing to a village so secluded as Terraz?"

...

"I'll...give you some time to yourself." Tarran says. "Do you mind waiting a bit?"

I shake my head.

Tarran heads towards the door.

"If nothing else, I'd like to check that you're okay from the car accident. I'll be right back."

Pata.

I lay down on the bed.

"Some story." someone says.

"Tell me about it..." I s...!!!

"Who!?" I question, getting up.

"Kind of jumpy, aren't you?"

It's...coming from my pocket?

I reach into my left cloak pocket and pull out...a communication crystal!

(I remember now! Hisao put something in my pocket before I got frozen!)

"Good thing Jonathan didn't pick up on it." the voice from the crystal says. "Thank the Rhoken that Crystal's ice is thick enough to disrupt the communication."

"Uh huh... And you are?"

"I'm another Keisetsu member."

"Your voice doesn't sound familiar."

"I'm one of Hisao's...'shadows' if you will. I do a good number of the...shadier missions in the Keisetsu. You're the first one I've spoken with that isn't Katsumi or Hisao. Hisao asked me to watch over you while the mission is underway. Basically, I'm your bodyguard from afar. Or...at least your surveyor."

"Okay... Fill me in. Can't say I know much, given that I was frozen in a block of ice and shipped here."

"I cannot give you the details, as Hisao doesn't want to risk any information getting leaked. Just sit tight, and watch the hell your partners raise."

"Not much point in contacting me then."

"Well...I also wanted to ask you something."

"Asking me questions before even giving me your name?"

"Ah yes, how rude of me. ... Let me see..."

"It's really that hard to tell me your name?"

"I've...given up on my real name a while ago. The name I've given myself for the past couple of years is 'Bako', while I've been getting a reputation under the nickname of 'Nomohe', so take your pick."

"Honestly, both sound kind of stupid."

"You're not one to talk."

I manage to snicker, albeit only a little.

"Fine, Nomohe. At least I won't be tempted to call you 'Baka'."

"That...was actually the idea."

"You're weird."

"Takes one to know one."

...

"Alright," I start to say, "what do you want?"

"Are you...an illusion tone?"

!

"Well...I...uh..."

"That sister of your's got your tongue? Well then, let me be more specific. Are you a pure blooded illusion tone?"

...

"You know, I'm not the only one who wants to know. Hisao and everyone else in the Keisetsu does too. Besides...I have my own reasons."

"Where are you anyway?"

"Ah yes. Look out the window."

I follow his instructions and look towards the mountain view.

"See the tallest tree near the tip of the mountain?"

"No. That's too far away for me to see." I say, scratching my head with my left hand.

"Well, I can see you scratching your head from here."

!

"What the!? What tone type are you?" I ask.

Last I checked, most tone types don't have that type of enhanced vision.

"You didn't tell me, so I think it's only fair that..."

"What's your goal in life?"

"To not die a virgin."

...

......

"D'OH!!!" Nomohe, the darkness tone, proclaims.

I snicker again.

"Okay, fine! You got me!"

...

"Although," Nomohe continues. "That's the...less important goal I have in mind. I just answered on a force of habit."

"If you say so."

"Just remember Oren. Don't try anything funny. We're hear for you, but we need you to not try to do anything on your own like with what happened during your escort mission."

"You know about that?"

"Indeed. I've been watching you from afar ever since you joined the Keisetsu."

"Well, that doesn't sound stalker-ish."

"Again, I have my reasons. Just...come out alive, will you?"

...

"I promise." I say.

"Very well then. And I'm out. Best to destroy your crystal. Don't want anybody else to use it."

And with that, the communication is cut. As instructed, I throw the crystal on the ground...

BATAN!!

And it shatters in little pieces. I quickly pick up all of them and toss them into the garbage can and cover it with some paper towels for washing one's hands at the sink. I lay down on the bed again and start to dream of the past.

My time spent in Terraz.

It's destruction.

The pleasant memories of New Vegas with Hisashi...as well as his sacrifice.

And memories of my time in the Keisetsu. Training. The current members trying to cheer me up in their own ways.

(Is this truly where your loyalty lies?)

!

In that instant, my mind goes blank, and I feel as though my conscience is wisped away to the void I was in before. This time, I am standing on a small floating crystal, and I choose to sit down on its edge.

"Can't I get any time alone?"

(I said I would speak with you again when you had such time.)

"...Fine. But try to change the..."

(I will not change the subject until you give me a clear answer. Geez, you're more indecisive than a harem light novel's protagonist. Oh wait...you might be one eventually... Let me refraise that.)

"Just get on with it."

(... As you wish.)

A flash of light appears before me and, when it disappears, a crystal in the generic shape of a human lands on one of the crystals floating far away from me. The shape itself doesn't provide any physical traits like gender or build, but I assume that the voice is a woman.

(Are you really planning to wait for them to rescue you? That doesn't sound like you. We both know you're reckless and do things your own way. Besides, in spite of what this "Nomohe" individual says, don't you feel that they might have just cast you aside?)

"Why are you always against me trusting others?"

(It's because I want to know why you're so trusting.) the voice says while the crystal body makes gestures to her words. (Must I remind you why you're life has been so painful? Trusting Mydrea, despite being given warning through your "visions". Trusting Hisashi, the man you were framed to be. And now trusting the Keisetsu, who not only have a bad reputation as is, but they literally used you as a bargaining chip to get back other members. I know that your lack of memory implies that you have no ties of loyalty to blood or culture, but the obvious fact that you're never wary of others gets you into trouble! Tarran is yet another example. Can you be certain that you won't regret putting trust in him?)

"This is just who I am. Must I remind YOU that humans aren't meant to be alone?"

(You're not human. Not anymore.)

"Again with the vague answers..."

(I've given you a straight answer before. You are a successor candidate.)

"And that again is a vague answer.

(You make comments that you know who you are, but that is one of the many lies you continue to believe. I've been with you further back than you can even remember. You didn't trust anybody in the past, save for far fewer than you do now, and rightfully so. And why should you now? Sucessor candidates are above all others. The second closest to the divine, only behind what I am.)

...

(And to be a successor candidate means to be alone.)

"Are you done?"

(Pardon?)

"I made myself perfectly clear. Wanting to be alone isn't who I am."

...

.......

(Why?)

"There is no 'why'. I am who I am. And I don't want to be alone."

(But...it has always been this way.)

"Let me ask you something. Do you really believe in everything you say?"

(...)

The crystal body "looks" away from me.

"Everything you ask is about me. But what about yourself? You say you know me, but do you even know yourself?"

(...)

...

(Instinctively, everything I've told you, everything I've asked you, is what I believe. Such is my fate. And yet, you don't desire to embrace yours. That's why I must know. Why does someone who has survived through "miracles" amidst such painful tragedies wish to help those who've wronged him. Those I instinctively know are "inferior".)

...

"It's simple. It's because I have so few memories."

(?)

"While I do have many painful memories, I do have many pleasant ones too. And all the pleasant ones are memories of companionship, not 'superiority'. And it's because of this that I treasure every memory I have with those I love. Besides, what truly makes me 'better' than anybody else? I shouldn't have to remind you that I have no rhime tone nor culture where loyalty lies. From what I can tell, all people have their strengths and weaknesses. Such is the way of humans."

(...)

"Is that good enough for you?"

(Change...)

"Hm?"

(A chance for change...)

"You're being vague again."

(Prove to me that "companionship" is enough to prove me wrong. That those different from us are worth protecting and embracing. I must know.)

Don! Don!

!!

In that instant, I see that I'm back in the examination room.

"Oh! Uh, come in!" I proclaim.

Tarran opens the door.

"You seem frazzled. Something happen?"

"Uh...no. Not really."

"If you say so."

Tarran pulls out a large flat electric crystal and begins to charge it with his rhime.

"Alright, close your eyes. This crystal will allow for me to see your skeleton via electromagnetic radiation. Basically, it's an X-r..."

"Hey, Tarran?"

"Hm?"

(I don't know what Hunter is planning.) I think. (But even so...)

"What if I told you that I know someone who has survived the hydra's poison?"