Volume 2: Chapter 1: The Arrival

[3 days later]

The morning sunlight streaming through the window causes my consciousness to stir. I cover my eyes with my arm to block the offending sunlight.

‘What time is it?’ Is the first thought that popped into my now waking mind.

???: ｢It is obviously time for you to wake up.｣ I hear an annoying voice in my mind.

‘Remind me again why we let you out again, Erebus?’ I mentally sigh.

Erebus: ｢I thought it was to bring me down to your level?｣ He says sincerely.

‘And the real reason?’ I mentally sigh again.

Erebus: ｢In exchange for my release, I will be assisting you in the game Methodius Online and as a measure of good faith I presented you with my true name so that I cannot disobey your commands.｣ He says with the same false sincerity.

‘Right, where are the other? I can’t feel them anywhere?’ I ask Erebus. While he is compelled to answer, I know for certain that I cannot take his answer at face value.

Erebus: ｢The others? One second.｣

I suddenly feel a pulse of energy hit my conciseness that makes it flicker for an instant. When I came to, I started to rage at Erebus.

‘What the hell was that!?!?’ I mentally scream at him. I can feel his patronizing smile looking down on me.

Erebus: ｢You asked me where the others were, and I just *knew* you wouldn't accept an ‘I don’t know,’ so I just did a little soul searching to find them.｣ He says offhandedly like it wasn't a big deal.

‘You call that Soul Searching?!’ I cry out in incredulous fury.

Erebus: ｢You know, you really have some anger issues. I happen to know a good anger management group…｣

‘Can it!’ I mentally scream at him.

Erebus: ｢…｣

I mentally take a deep breath and forcefully calm myself down.

‘Why is it only you who can light the fire of my temper so easily?’ I ask Erebus.

Erebus: ｢…｣ His silence causes me to let out another mental sigh.

‘Fine, you may talk. Now answer my questions.’

Erebus: ｢Very well. First, as to why I can so easily set you off. It is because I was trapped in your subconscious for so long that I got a though chance to sit back and find out what exactly makes you tick on a subconscious level.｣ He says with his usual false sincerity.

‘…’ I remain silent. While I generally cannot believe what he says, these words have a ring of truth to them and what’s worse, since I was the one who trapped him there with the help of the other four, I have nothing to say in my defense.

Erebus: ｢As for where the others are? They are here, but you simply can’t hear of feel them due to the interference my presence creates. Since they cannot physically manifest in your mind like I can, their voices are being overshadowed by my mere presence. Shall I hide my presence so you can hear/feel them?｣

‘Yes.’ As soon as I said those words his presence vanished from my mind and he materialized in my mind’s eye.

D: ‘Milord, are you alright?’ I heard Darth’s voice call out to me in my mind. As usual he is concerned about my safety and well being.

O: ‘Master? Can you hear us?’ I can hear the worry in Overseer’s voice as he calls out to me.

M: ‘Can you hear me now? No? How about now? Or perhaps now?’ Marth randomly rambles. I can’t tell if he is being serious or just playing around.

L: ‘Interesting. For his presence to have this much of a dampening effect on us. I must study this effect in greater detail.’ As expected of Logic, maybe I misnamed him. Perhaps he should have been named Science instead?

‘I’m fine. And I can hear you, so can you stop yelling? You’re making my mind ring.’ I responded to the four.

D: ‘Are you alright, Milord?’ Darth repeated. ‘Erebus didn't do anything to you right?’

I remain silent as I think about what happened earlier. Darth must have picked up on my thoughts because he immediately sighed.

D: ‘I knew letting him out was a bad idea.’

Erebus: ｢To be fair, you guys got the better end of the deal.｣ Erebus replies in my mind, much to Darth’s chagrin as he thought Erebus had already left. ｢Since I’m no longer in “Milord’s” unconsciousness I can barely even use a 10th of my true abilities right now.｣

Three of the four ‘look’ at Erebus in surprise and amazement and a little fear, while Logic just yawns sleepily.

L: ‘Unlike the most of you, I’m sleepy as I've been awake all night hammering out the details of our current contingency plans. So unless I’m needed, I’m going to take a nap. Night.’ With that Logic’s presence disappears from my consciousness.

The remaining three ‘look’ at each other, then shrug as there was nothing they could do about it now.

‘I guess I should wake up now and greet the day?’ I think to myself.

M: ‘Oh that reminds me. Today our dive equipment for Methodius Online arrives, so I think you so get ready to receive that if nothing else.’ Marth reminds me.

‘That’s today? What happened to the weekend?’ I ask nobody in particular.

Erebus: ｢You went drinking with the ‘guys’ on Saturday. Sunday, you went back to ZMI to pay off your tab and work on the illusion manipulator with Ted, and because of Friday’s field test, you were able to fine tune it so much that even Ted was astounded at your progress.｣ Erebus says offhandedly.

The events of the past few days flash before my mind’s eye as he recounted them.

‘Ah that’s right.’ I let out another mental sigh. ‘That’s where my weekend went.’

Erebus: ｢Indeed, your capability to drink anything besides coffee astounds me. I didn’t think you had it in you, and believe me, I checked.｣ Erebus says with a great deal of respect in his voice. ｢I am in such awe of your drinking capabilities let me address you as Dono-sama.｣

‘Now you are just fucking with me…’ I can feel my anger slowly start to rekindle.

Erebus: ｢Of course not, Dono-sama. How could such a lowly person such as I, even dream about trying to mess with someone held in high esteem such as yourself, Dono-sama?｣ His false sincerity returned, but all present knew his words were just a hoax.

‘I should be more mellow this.’ I think wryly to myself, while mentally sighing. Dousing my rising anger with cold reason, I manage to quell it.

O: ‘Master, I think Zash wants your attention, as he is currently sitting on your chest.’ Overseer’s voice breaks me out of my self-depreciation.

‘Thank you Overseer. I’ll attend to that now.’ I thank him before letting my awareness actually respond to the outside stimuli. Sure enough, Zash was sitting on my chest just like a cat would.

I let out a mighty yawn and with my eyes still closed and covered I call out to Zash.

“Zash, are you hungry?” I ask him.

Zash: “Hai~” I hear Zash’s voice respond in front of me. I let out another sigh.

“Zash stop playing around with the prototypes please, or I won’t make you breakfast.”

Zash: “Hai~” He says again before I feel him hop off me, and hear him run out the door.

Ever since I got home Friday, he has been playing with the illusion creator that Ted made and the illusion manipulator that I created non-stop. His childish mind came up with countless ways to use my manipulator to modify the illusion without breaking it, and it is that along with the field test we conducted on Friday that allowed me to make so much progress, but I digress.

For instance, the ‘Zash’ that just left my room was one such illusion. I knew this because in all the years I've been raising him, not once has he entered my room. Regardless, for the illusion to be advanced enough to fool even my other personalities, Zash’s skill has grown considerably in the past few days.

While he is having fun playing with the illusions, I’m getting valuable data so I can’t really get mad at him. Although I have to be careful, once this technology matures we have to keep it out of the hands of the military otherwise the consequences… Well… let us not call in bad Karma.

I move my arm away and open my eyes… only to close them once more before sighing.

‘Damn. He got me.’

I slowly open my eyes and stare directly at a small replica of myself in my ‘finery.’ It has no presence, no weight, emits no sound, nothing, it’s just an image. I blink slowly as the implications of what I am looking at slowly sink in.

‘I see. So that is how it works…’

The image before me isn't distorting like other illusions, it is like it’s a reflection of how I see myself in the mirror. I couldn't stop the smile that crept onto my face.

‘Once again, one of his pranks allows me to grasp something important.’

“So here I am by myself, talking to myself. Is this what you call progress?” I say to the image of myself.

Zash is probably laughing at my expense because his latest prank worked on me, but since it allowed me to gain some insight in what direction I should proceed my research, I can’t really scold him.

“Fine. You win. Do what you want until you are bored.” I say raising both my hands in the air.

Zash: “Hai~” Zash’s voice comes from the image. With a bow and a small ‘pop’ the image disappears and I’m left alone with my thoughts. No longer encumbered by the weightless image, I sit up and stretch my arms.

Despite everything that has happened the past few days, I manage to get a decent amount of sleep night and even taking into account the energy lost having to deal with Erebus first thing in the morning, I don’t think I will need to have some coffee anytime soon. I shift out of bed and stand up.

‘Since Zash should be busy for a while longer, I should have enough time to take a shower before beginning to prepare breakfast.’ I grab a fresh change of clothes and proceed to the bathroom. ‘Ah, I need to do the laundry today as it is Monday.’

I slowly walk down the stairs, carefully balancing the pile of clothes between my arms. As I reach the bottom step I suddenly hear Jane’s laughter and come to an abrupt stop.

‘Why is Jane even here? A: She stopped by Jess’s place and since Zash was nearby came for visit, B: She is an illusion created by Zash to further ‘prank’ me, C: She came to torment me to let Zash go and stop dating her aunt, D: …’

Various reasons on why Jan could possibly be here float through my mind, as I resume my slow trod towards the laundry room. Unbidden an extremely random thought appears among the various plausible reasons.

‘Maybe she likes me and is just using Zash as a means to see me without realizing it?’ But I immediately discard that thought because I wasn't interested in her like that, and besides I have Jess.

As soon as I reach the laundry room I noticed the door to the connecting bathroom was closed. As normally it is left open, I knew someone was in there. I drop the clothing I was holding onto the floor and knock on the door.

“Don’t you have work today?” I call out through the door.

Alice: “Today I have the evening shift.” Alice-san calls out through the closed door.

“I see. After I put some laundry to wash, I’m going to be making breakfast. Do you want me to make you some as well?” I ask again through the closed doors.

Alice: “Yes please.” She replies.

“Alright, I’ll leave you alone now.”

Alice: “Thank you.”

With that matter settled, I quickly sort the laundry by how it should be washed and by color. Putting the first load into the washer, I leave the laundry room and enter the kitchen.

Looking into the living room, I see Zash playing a multiplayer racing game with Jane. He was currently in the lead but it seems Jane wasn't that far behind, and since I often play that game with Zash, I know how good he is at it.

‘Did he give up playing with illusions or am I in the middle of a complex prank and I just don’t know it?’

“Because you are here, I will ask you too. Do you what me to make some food for you as well.”

Jane: “Sure whatever.” Jane says offhandedly. She didn't turn to face me or even acknowledging my presence.

I smile wryly to myself, and turn my attention to preparing a meal for four. And I might as well set a pot of coffee to brew in case I need it.

[45 Minutes Later]

I was just putting on the finishing touches when I hear three people sit down at the kitchen.

“While I know my food is far from good, hopefully it is adequate for your young palates.” I say to the three without turning my head.

Zash: “That’s not true! You food is good!” Zash says unexpectedly.

“Then I must thank you for your kind words, but as you are my son, your words are obviously biased in my favor. So we shall let our two guests decide on my skill as a cook.” A small smile appears on my face, although nobody could see it.

To be honest, while I’m not bad at cooking, I’m not good either. It is just a thing I had to pick up in order to survive, as I can’t afford to eat out much due to my status as a student, unless of course it is on another person dime, but I digress.

I hear Zash and Jane talk animatedly about the game they were just playing while I prepare everyone’s servings. Once I finished, I brought Jane’s and Alice-san’s meal first as they were our ‘guests’.

Alice: “Thank you.” Alice-san thanks me, as I place her plate in front of her.

Jane: “…” Jane says nothing and doesn't indicate she acknowledged my presence.

‘Is Jane an illusion or is she just trying to avoid me?’ Since I couldn't decide, I just stopped thinking about it and brought back Zash’s and my own food.

Zash: “Itadakimasu~” Zash grabs the chopsticks I prepared for him earlier and begins eating.

Alice: “Thank you for the food.” Alice-san says as she pick up the fork next to her plate.

Jane: “…” Jane remains quiet and starts eating, the food I prepared.

‘To eat the food of a hated enemy without even a second to question if it has something funny in it. I don’t know if that is foolishness or bravery.’

Erebus: ｢One of these days, you should spike her meal with a sleeping agent. That should give her a good scare.｣ Erebus whispers in the back of my mind.

‘An excellent idea, the only flaw is that I’m too nice to even contemplate much less attempt such a deed.’

Erebus: ｢Your loss. Which is quite unfortunate really. In Methodius Online that kind of thinking will get you killed. In a life or death situations, being nice will only get you killed, and they will get in the way of achieving the goals you set for yourself.｣

‘Perhaps, perhaps not. We shall see.’ I say to him while mentally shrugging.

Erebus: ｢I suppose…｣ Before Erebus could finish what he trying to say, Jane spoke out and drew my attention away from him.

Jane: “Zash’s father!” Jane stands up and points at me. “I heard from Zash that you will be receiving the Methodius Online dive equipment soon. I demand you hand it over to me once you receive it!”

“No.” I kind of figured it might be that, but this can’t be all she will demand from me. Jane unfazed by my blunt refusal continued.

Jane: “Fine. Then stop dating my aunt. Because she is obviously too good for you.” Jane resumes her demands.

“I know she is but that doesn't matter. What does matter is she is currently mine, and unless she herself wants to end our relationship, I will by no means let her go.”

All her moxie seem to drain right out of her as I uttered these words. She slumps back into her chair with a completely defeated look on her face. I raise an eyebrow and look towards Alice-san to see her reaction.

Alice-san was looking at Jane, and once she confirmed Jane was down for the count she sighed and looked at me.

Alice: “Yesterday, Jane tried to convince Mom to abandon you, but was readily refuted in each and every attempt. Mom said that she would only leave if you initiated the breakup…” Alice-san begins.

“I understand now. The only chance of the relation ending currently rested on my shoulders, and since I refuse to let her go unless she wants to…”

Alice: “Exactly. A catch 22, if you would.”

“What do you think about me dating your mom?” I ask Alice-san.

Alice: “It is not my place to say as Mom is a grown adult. It is up to her to seek her own happiness, no matter where it lies. But I must thank you, as you managed to do something in just a few days that neither I nor Grandfather were able to do in a years. Thank you for bringing back my Mother, and Grandfather’s Daughter.” Alice-san bows her head to me as she thanks me.

“Don’t sell yourself short, if you hadn't acted the way you did to spark her interest in me, I wouldn't have had the chance to help.”

Alice: “I see, so you truly are a kind person. A slightly twisted personality with many facets but generally a kind person.” Alice-san says after a few seconds.

Erebus: ｢Slightly twisted with many facets, huh? She got you described to a T.｣

“I not sure about the ‘kind’ part, but the slightly twisted personality is correct.” I say with a sigh.

Alice: “I see. Well, let us just leave it at that. As long as Mom accepts you, I wouldn't mind you being my step-father. On that note, it would be weird for my stepfather to keep calling me, his step-daughter using –san, so can we change it or has Zash’s way of speaking been too ingrained into you?”

“Alice.” I say softly.

“Yes Step-father?” Alice tilts her head as she responds.

“I guess the Japanese honorifics aren't yet ingrained into to my psyche. So I suppose I can drop the honorifics.”

Alice: “That’s good. Also just imagine Jane’s face when she realizes that we are both called without honorifics.” Alice says as a wicked smile forms on her face.

“And you say I have a twisted personality.” I say chuckling.

Alice: “Well, being dragged around according to her whims just because she is older does grate on the nerves.” Alice sighs.

“You too huh?” I say sympathetically.

Alice: “Yep.”

Jane: “Fine! If you won’t give up on the game or my aunt, then let me marry Zash!” Jane suddenly comes alive again as stands up and points at me as she makes her next demand.

“That’s fine with me.” I say without skipping a beat.

Jane: “Wait what?” Jane was flabbergasted. She obviously didn't think I would agree, and then so quickly.

“Zash? Do you like Jane?”

Zash: “Jane-neechan? I like her.” Zash says as he looks up from his food at me.

“Would you like to marry her?”

Zash: “What is marry?” A question mark appeared of his head.

“It means to be together with someone forever until one of you dies.” I say to him.

‘This kid, still using the illusions.’

Zash: “Hmm… Yes I would like to be together with Jane-neechan forever, and ever~” Says after a few seconds of thought.

“Well there you have it. Just wait until Zash reaches the right age and then you can marry him, unless of course you are a shota-con daughter-in-law?”

Jane: “Wha… wait. What do you mean daughter-in-law?” Jane stutters as desperately tries to grasp the rapidly changing situation, but suddenly hones in to the last word I said.

“Didn't you realize? If you marry Zash who is my son, you would be marrying into my family and would be considered my daughter-in-law.”

Jane: “I’ll going to be related to the Creep!?! I just wanted to get Zash away from him, but now I’m going to be related to him?! Arg... Why must this be so difficult?!” Jane grasps her head in confusion and sits back down once more.

Alice: “… That was quite well done. And if that was completely ad-libbed, you may be a better actor than I gave you credit for.” Alice says after a few minutes of silence.

“Well, I try. Also …” I tell Alice my plan on making her leave on her own.

Alice: “Quite vindictive. Remind me not to get on your bad side.” Alice says with a small laugh.

“Please, this is mild compared to what I could potentially do.”

Alice: “True.”

* * *

A couple hours have passed since Jane first fell into confusion. Suddenly she snaps out of it as she comes to a single realization.

Jane: “Wait! If he is getting married to my aunt, then we would already be related, so who cares if there is another line of relation!”

Proud of herself she looks around, only to notice that there was nobody there. The table was clear of dishes save her own which still contained the meal she left half finished. The house was silent as if everyone had already left and the lights were off save for the ones in the kitchen where she was seated.

A note was left beside her plate with the following message.

｢We are going ahead, as you were still in your own little world and couldn't hear us, we left you behind. When you leave, please turn off the lights and shut the door.

Thanks, Robert.｣

Jane: “Damn it.”

Jane quickly finishes her food as she grumbles how tasty food from a creep is.

Jane: “Damn it! Why does this actually have to taste good?!”

Dropping her fork onto the place she quickly gets up and rushes into the dark living room where she was playing with Zash earlier. She grabs her bag and then rushes to the entrance, throws open the door and storms out.

After a short moment of thought she rushes in the direction of her parent’s law firm.

* * *

As I watch Jane run off in the direction of James’ office I let out a small chuckle and close the door. I snap my fingers and instantly the illusion of the empty house is dispelled and all lights and sounds returned. Still chuckling I return to the living room where the others were. Alice and Zash were on the sofa playing a co-op game on two handheld consoles.

Alice: “I’m surprised that worked as well as it did.” Alice said without looking up from the game.

“Based on Jane’s current mental state and my attention for detail, it had a low probability of failing.” I say shrugging.

Alice: “Still making it look like a lot of time passed when at most only 30 minutes past was quite amazing.”

“That was all Zash, as he often house sits, he knows how an empty house looks like at most hours of the day.”

I walk into the kitchen and collect the dishes off the table and place them in the sink.

“Ah that reminds me, I already know why Jane was here but what about you?”

Alice: “I thought I said before, I was dragged by Jane to come along.”

“And the real reason?” I ask again, preparing to start the dishes.

Alice: “Super top secret mission from Grandfather to find out your true nature.” Alice says in a super serious military tone. If she wasn't playing with Zash on a console I would bet she would have stood up and saluted me.

“At ease.” I say jokingly, and begin doing the dishes.

[30 minutes later]

I finished the dishes and was drying my hands when the doorbell rang.

‘Has it finally arrived?’

“Coming one moment.” I make my way out of the kitchen to the door way and open the door. Standing before me is single man wearing a black uniform and at the driveway is a large truck.

???: “I have a delivery for Mr. Wolfington. Are you him?”

“I am, but I didn't order anything from Sith Industries.” I recognize the moving truck belonging to the biggest for profit organization in this city: Sith Industries. I don’t remember everything it does but I do know it specializes in energy production, among other things.

??? : “I know, but you did order one set of Methodius Online Dive Equipment, and we were commissioned to build and deliver them to beta testers in this city.”

“I see. Thank you for your hard work then.”

??? : “No problem. If you would sign here we can get started on setting up your dive equipment.” The man hands me a clipboard as well as a pen.

I read through it and quickly sign the sheet and return it to the man.

“Here you are, Mr…?”

Chris: “Chris. Chris Jenkins. Leroy Jenkins is my brother.” Chris says with a smirk forming on his lips.

“I didn't ask that, but can you install it upstairs in the guest room? It is the second door on the right after you go up the stairs.”

Chris: “Of course. Come on boys, it’s time to get to work.” Chris calls out to his ‘boys’ who were obviously still in the truck. I return to the living room so I wouldn't be in their way.

Alice: "So who was at the door?” Alice asks me as I return to the living room.

“Sith Industries with the specialized dive equipment. They are bringing it in and will install it for me shortly.”

Alice: “I see. Then I best be off, I have to make my report to Grandpa before my shift starts. So I bid you farewell prospective step-father.” Alice says as she hands the hand-held back to Zash and takes her leave.

[1 Hour Later]

Chris and I are standing at the entranceway saying our farewells.

Chris: “Everything is setup and working correctly. We ran a few tests to make sure there was no problems, so it should be ready for use immediately.

“Thank you Chris for all your help.” I say extending out a hand.

Chris: “No problem. We were just doing our job.” He says as he takes it and pumps it once then releases it. “Come on boys, let’s get out here and get some lunch.”

I watch them get back into their truck and drive off before going back inside.

‘I suppose it is a good time to begin character creation.’ I think as I close the door and walk to the guest room.

Continue Reading?No

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Just so everyone knows Erebus = Warden. Anymore would be spoiling, but we finally know Robert's Full name: Robert Wolfington. I wonder if it is fitting for him?

I hope you all enjoy the chapter.