Soul's Requiem: B1 - 5. A Broken World (Patreon)

1:  Clover Emberfield

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Clover proceeded down the steel hallways with Lilly guiding her.  Not a single unique design could be seen in the wide passageways.  It was as if the facility was built to accommodate far more staff and equipment than currently occupied it.

Security was sparse, to say the least, and based on the Commander’s comments, they were probably deployed around Hollow Vail to keep the Transevil in check.  Eyeing their outfits, she figured there weren’t that many positions within the SPU’s Steel Cube Bastion.  Most of the personnel wore tags that marked them as programmers, cleaning staff, and the occasional scientist specializing in Spirit Force, Rassi, or Transevil.

Their engrossed faces were on their files or in deep conversations about various topics, yet the moment they noticed her, their eyes followed, clearly curious by what they’d heard from their colleagues.

Clover’s focus returned to the 5' 3" brown-haired woman next to her as Lilly waited patiently for her to start the discussion.  “So, Lilly … What did the Commander mean about my outfit?  Melissa was hesitant to speak about it, as well.”

Lilly rubbed her left arm while shifting her head to appraise her garments, slightly pushing up her semi-transparent polka-dot long sleeve.  “Most Spirit Users exit with damaged clothing … Some are totally nude.”

“I’ll count my blessings,” she mumbled, looking into an open room they passed with what seemed to be soldiers performing drills.

A giggle shook Lilly’s frame.  “I know a few girls growing up that would have loved to wear those clothes—most of the outfits now are either salvaged from the past or mass-prod—”

The lights around them flickered, causing everyone to pause and tentatively wait to see what happened next; it only lasted a five seconds before returning to normal.

Clover hummed.  The lights … I was the cause for all the problems … Still, they should have warned me to not go so fast if it would cause issues.

She turned back to Lilly as they continued; she didn’t really answer Clover’s question, but the current state of the economy and production did interest her.  “You have a pretty dress; in fact, I would love to see something like that mass-produced … However, considering the gray dresses, pants, and shirts others are wearing, I take it that is not the case.”

Taking a closer look at Lilly, Clover’s lips parted in momentary surprise.  “Wait … was that designed by Julia Florance?  I believe seeing it in one of the recent catalogs … I suppose it’s not so recent any longer…” she mumbled.  “I’m rather envious of it, to be honest.  It’s classy.”

Lilly tucked her lip under for a second, fingers tightening against her arm as she glanced back at a few older researchers passing by.  Clover didn’t miss their critical eye, clearly sour, before moving on.  Something about Lilly had most people giving similar looks.

“Thank you … I don’t know anything about Julia Florance, but—collecting clothes is somewhat of a hobby.  I, umm … I found these ones when I was a kid—heh, I just so happened to grow into them.”

Clover’s focus fell to the girl’s trendy, polished black 2-inch heels, a large belt complete with gold buckle, and her hoop earrings with a single draping pearl attachment.  The only thing that would really complete the look would be a wrist accessory, a small necklace, and maybe a single ring on the opposite finger—perhaps an anklet.

“Mmh … Well, your mother taught you how to dress—on the other hand, my outfit needs, ugh… work,” she grumbled, gesturing at her ripped clothing.  “Really, Lilly, why does everyone keep harping on me keeping these damaged items?  I don’t even know how to take them off with how fitted they are.”

Lilly’s lips tightened further as she mentioned the girl’s mother, but moments later, she was all smiles.  “To be honest, I only learned this from my older brother—It’s not something they even teach Operators that much about, but I guess … it could be somewhat of a touchy subject for some.”

“Mhm?”

“Uh … he told me that some very strong Spirit Users could manifest clothes, just like their weapons.  Anyway, these brooches of some kind can be fused with them to grant more power—they can be found inside some of the stronger Transevil, I think?”

Clover lifted an eyebrow, twisting to pluck at the hem of her sleeveless shirt as they made it to the stairs and descended the floors.  “Did Commander Laurence really expect me to be satisfied by that explanation?  Humph, still … You’re saying that I can become stronger by attaching these brooches to this outfit?  Will it magically mend itself, too?”

“Yes … I think?”  Lilly forced a smile.  “The stronger Spirit Users were kind of secretive about a lot of things since MASS was always asking them to participate in odd experiments—my brother didn’t like MASS.”

Running her fingers through her pulled back hair, Clover sighed.  “I’ll keep it in mind.  These are such strange powers … First, a sword, and now this … Well, until I obtain some of these items to test out, I’ll need something more… appropriate to wear—if I can get out of these.”

“He-he, I can totally help with that,” Lilly promised, continuing to lead her down the staircase; they’d started on the 10th floor.  “I mean, heh, not the getting out of the clothes part!  Just … eh, the getting more clothes part.”

Lilly’s awkward comments made her smile; the girl was really growing on her.  “I’m thankful for everything you’re doing for me.”

“Mhm!  So, there may be more to your clothes than I am aware of as a new Operator—I’ll ask Captain Melissa about it for you.”

She trailed off as a few people passed them before speaking again.  “I have some things that will probably fit you back home, but for now, I’ll need to get you some standard stuff.”

“Those gray dresses?  That’s fine … Was there anything that…”  She slowed to a stop with Lilly as the lights flickered again.  “The Commander made it sound like you had more information on my test.”

Lilly resumed their path, brushing her shoulder-length hair back a little as a few older gentlemen gave her a sharp look.  “Umm … Yes, from what I understand—at least from my training and older brother—every Spirit User, including Masters, expel SF all around them, which you did, too, but you were also absorbing it.”

“Is that all?”  Clover asked, not all that impressed by the news.  “I can, but Spirit Force doesn’t give me the best feeling—it’s like eating … ugh, bland food that makes your stomach sick if you have too much.  On the other hand, the Transevil I killed was the most divine flavor I’d ever had the pleasure of sampling.”

“The taste of Transevil…”  Lilly asked, leading her onto the 2nd floor of the facility.  “You can actually taste them?”

Clover nodded.  “It’s like their energy is absorbed into my weapon, which then transfers to me … Honestly, I’m surprised I didn’t vomit when I was going through that simulator.”  She giggled at Lilly’s questioning gaze.  “Perhaps it was because you were entertaining me.”

“Heh, well, I’m glad to be of help.”  She pointed up at the door they’d just stopped in front of.  “The showers are inside.  I’ll just go grab you some temporary clothes, a towel, and other supplies to use.”

“The towels aren’t inside?”

Lilly laughed.  “No!  No, they keep those in another place.  Unfortunately, towels are stolen a lot, so you need to check them out and back in once you’re finished with them.”

“You can’t be … Oh, heh, you almost had me on that one,” Clover mused, shaking her head.  “Towel thieves.”

“No, I’m serious,” Lilly returned, laughter trailing off.  “Yeah, it’s a real problem—answering towel questions wasn't something they taught us in Operator school.  I guess it wasn’t that widespread in Skydream when you were … well, fifteen years ago.”

“Eh…”  Clover scratched her temple, looking at the door with a slight frown.  “No … that would have been a comedy skit … I suppose a lot has changed.”

“Right!”  Lilly cleared her throat, but Clover didn’t miss her tight hands, clasped at her front.  “Well, I’ll go get those and be right back—oh, and you’ll need to use a fingerprint logger to get in and start the water.  Since it’s your first time, it’ll make you be kind of thorough.”

“I appreciate all of this, Lilly.”

“Of course; I hope you enjoy the shower; I’ll be just a second.”

Waving the woman away, Clover rubbed her right arm a little.  The world’s so different—to them, it’s fifteen years, but to me … it hasn’t even been a week.  It’s messing with my head.

Walking past the first door, she placed her thumb on the scanner; just as Lilly said, it forced her to roll her thumb around a few times to get a solid match before confirming it was logged.

Two women stiffened as she entered.

“Hold on,” the blonde mumbled, brushing back her wet hair and backing up against the wall; she was completely nude.  “Hey, she has snake eyes!  Is—are you a Rassi … are we…”

The dark-skinned woman beside her held up her hand.  “Hey, Holly, chill … No, she’s the new Spirit User that people are talking about.”

“Wait … for real?  The one that did that thing with the lights?  Crazy.”

Clover walked forward with a welcoming smile.  “My name is Clover Emberfield; it’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, and your friend is correct … This world is much different than when I entered the void,” she whispered, turning to stare at the twelve open showers lining the walls.  “So much has changed.”

The girls suddenly went back and forth, leaving Clover to try and keep up.

“Wait … you went in … at the start of the invasion?”  Holly tentatively picked up her plain gray bra and underwear, putting them on while studying her.  “Josey, is she the Spirit User that Lilly wormed her way into being an Operator for?”

Josey flipped her hair out of the back of her gray dress, turning for Holly to help her zip it up.  “That’s the one—Clover Emberfield … like Emberfield Emberfield?”  she asked.  “East Skydream Emberfield?”

“No way … I’ve heard stories about that place from my mom,” Holly mumbled.  “It was a paradise—until the Rassi and Transevil ruined everything.”

“I heard it’s pretty stable right now with the Class 5 there,” Josey commented.

“You kidding?”  Holly scoffed.  “That’s ground zero for one of the major Rassi faction wars—of course the Deputy Commander would be there.”

The blonde’s nose twisted as she glanced at the mirror.  “Plus …Well, people will say any place is better … We heard it was stable in Hollow Veil, so we moved back when Talon saw some Transevil show-up, only to be met by orphans … stealing promotions, like usual, and Castro.”

A low groan rumbled in Josey’s throat while Holly used an automatic wall hair blower by the mirror, and Clover examined the showers.

“I mean, you’re not wrong—Rassi, the stupid Hollow Veil Orphan Initiative has screwed me over at least three times now.”

“Orphan Initiative?”  Clover asked, finding dispensers for shampoo and conditioner that utilized fingerprint logs and trying to keep up with the discussion.  “Hmm … I assume all of this is rationed?”

“You would guess right!”  Holly chuckled.  “Still, better than most places.  It’s why you’ll mainly see girls … non-Spirit Users, with shoulder-length hair—You’ve got a mane of gorgeous hair, by the way.”  The blonde’s tone was slightly bitter with envy.

“I appreciate the compliment…”

She was about to start the shower when Josey rushed forward.  “Woah!  Woah!  Woah, there, girl!  You don’t just go straight into it like that—It’s timed!  At least take your clothes off … nice outfit … kind of cool, to be honest.”

“You would like it,” Holly giggled, directing her to the sink.  “Yeah, get your hair wet before diving into the body shower when it’s that long, and lather the shampoo on as much as you can.”

“Timed showers…”  Clover mumbled, allowing Josey to guide her to the sink.

At this moment, she was utterly lost and vulnerable—at least in combat, she was in control, but here she was feeling her inexperience, and it wasn’t pleasant.

“I … don’t even know how to undress in this…”

All three of them jumped as her outfit glowed a faint blue and purple before vanishing and leaving her skin bare.

“Huh … Well … That’s, uh, one way to do it,” Holly chuckled with a small, impressed smirk.  “Spirit Users are awesome.”

Josey walked around her with a lifted eyebrow.  “I guess … Girl, why are Spirit Users always so hot?  If I had a figure like yours or Captain Melissa, I’d have Peter chasing me down the halls.”

“Gah, tell me about it,” Holly grumbled, eyeing her thighs and chest.  “And if she’s a Spirit Ruler, she doesn’t have to eat or even sleep!  Think about it, being able to eat and drink whatever you want and not have to worry about weight or looking bad—no need for insane birth control costs … all that power and fame.”

The information they were throwing at Clover made her skin crawl with uncertainty; she was an alien in her own body.  “Wait … I don’t have to eat or drink … sleep … Are—are you saying I’m … I’m sterile?”  she mumbled in disbelief, lungs starting to pump faster.

“I mean, that’s what everyone says,” Josey said with a shrug.  “Have you needed to eat?”

It suddenly hit her that she had no inclination to drink, eat, or sleep after she’d awoken; the fire inside her chest was doused in water as she realized how little she knew about herself.  In fact, the unusual spur inside her that pushed her to keep moving felt foreign—an internal urge driving her to seek out more conflict with the Transevil and Rassi—to feed off their energy.

No, but … I really can’t get pregnant … The Void did that to me?  Does every Spirit User feed off the Rassi or Transevil?  What happens if I don’t … For how long?  Is this permanent?

“What’s with that look?”  Josey asked.

Holly leaned in to study her.  “Yeah … you look like you’ve seen a Rassi or something.”

Clover’s world was collapsing around her; she couldn’t help the emotions swilling within her breast.  Is this what I really am now … Am I broken … Did I do this to myself by going through the Void?

It wasn’t easy, but she managed to pull herself together through sheer willpower, fighting back the urge to run after holding her breath for a few seconds that felt like eternity, giving the woman a fake, reassuring smile.  “No … No, I’m fine.  I’m learning … There’s a lot I’m still discovering after coming out of the Void—what’s happened to me.”

She wasn’t alright, but she couldn’t show weakness … it was worse than death—something instilled in her since a child.

“Not just any Void, but the Great Void!”  Holly laughed.  “Yeah, let us help you through all of this…”

They paused as the door opened, Lilly coming in with two towels in one hand and a gray dress folded atop it; what appeared to be a bra and other objects were underneath it.

“Miki,”  Josey mumbled with a feigned smile.

Holly mirrored the dark-haired girl’s expression.  “How long has it been … Seems all those nightly Restricted Zone raids paid off in the end, huh?  Look at you, dressed all unique.”

A short pause followed, Lilly’s gaze shifted between them, lingering on Clover before giving the women a soft laugh.  “Josey, and is that you, Holly?  I thought you moved to Talon City years ago.  Heh, working here now, are you?  Oh, and my name’s Lilly, remember?”

Josey rolled her eyes, obviously biting back a venomous tone.  “… Right, when your brother came out of the Void, he told you your name before the collapse.”

“Ahem, may I speak to you two outside?”  She stepped forward and placed the items on the bench, not commenting on where her clothes had gone.  “I’ll be right back, Clover.”

Josey and Holly hummed, glancing at one another before giving Clover a bright smile.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, Clover,” Josey said, motioning to Holly.  “If you need anything, then ask around for us … I’m sure you’ll learn a lot in the next few days.”

Holly exited after Lilly.  “Not a lot of it good.”

Clover watches in silence, noticing a fancy new wrist accessory on her Operator.

Obviously, Lilly and the two young women were on bad terms, barely keeping any level of decorum, but her Operator appeared to be the most tactful of the three.

Moving to the items Lilly deposited, Clover lifted the knee-length dress, noticing the gray undergarments underneath and a few other wrapped things.  Huh… Did they take my measurements when I passed out?  Perhaps it would have shown up on that medical bed scanner.

Turning to the mirror, Clover pulled back her dirty hair, vision falling down her unfamiliar frame; she had changed, and while she was naturally beautiful before, her skin and figure were somehow even tighter after exiting the Great Void.

Am … am I even the same person?  She focused on her snake-like eyes.  I can’t tell…

Trying to pull her mind out of the depressing spiral it was entering, Clover focused on the door, wondering what they were talking about—when she concentrated, their voices became clear—she could hear through the thick barrier.

“C’mon, cut the lies, Lilly,” Holly hounded.  “There’s no way you didn’t get into a prime Operator position without greasing someone’s leg.”

“Or letting them grease yours,” Josey added.  “Seriously, Nick has been a raving Rassi all night since he heard you’d skipped the list.  Who was it?”

Lilly’s tone was neutral and calm.  “To be clear, it’s none of your business how I obtained the position, but it is my business when you tamper with the fragile transitional state of a Spirit User, and just after she exited the Void—I was trained for this, you two weren’t, and you know that.”

Clover folded her arms under her bust, full lips pulling in to glare at the floor; she didn’t like the word fragile, yet the things the two said had certainly elicited that response from her.  It further illustrated how broken she might be, and she didn’t want to think about that, so she continued to listen in hopes to latch onto anything that would take her thoughts elsewhere.

“Tampering?”  Josey scoffed.  “Hah!  That’s rich, coming from you.”

Holly’s tone turned ugly.  “Right?  You have some nerve, traitor!  I can’t believe the SPU let some of you remain—you should have been exiled with the rest of the instigators.”

A heated hiss shot through Josey’s teeth.  “You’re telling us we’re tampering?  You got your brother killed with how many other Spirit Users … Oh, just about all of them.  You’re one of the reasons why humanity is in this mess right now—or did you forget your part in that?”

“I know!”  Holly growled, hot air shooting through her nostrils; Clover’s grip tightened against her elbow as she sensed the heat.  “How can you even think about … How could Commander Laurence even think about putting you anywhere near a Spirit User after what you did?!”

“I’m not a traitor,” Lilly whispered in a hollow tone.  “I was cleared … And I didn’t—I didn’t kill my brother.”

“Coming from a traitor to humanity … You disgust me,” Josey growled.  “C’mon, Holly … Who knows what ideas this Rassi lover will put in Clover’s head.”

“Yeah … Maybe I should tell my mom to move to Bloom City,” Holly grumbled as Josey spat on Lilly’s dress, shoving her way past her.

“I hate orphans like you…”

They left Lilly alone to compose herself; she wasn’t making a sound, but Clover could sense her tense muscles and raised body heat.

Closed her eyes, Clover held her breath, sitting back on the bench while combing back her thick platinum blonde hair.  Her mind was spinning; it seemed like bully tactics that she’d rarely seen at school, and typically, she would have intervened at such uncouth behavior … And yet, here she was, trapped in her head, pondering the things the women said.

It seems I know so little about this new and harsh world … Lilly didn’t deny everything they said … only two things, and weakly … She didn’t kill her brother, which she hesitated on, and that she wasn’t a traitor … Something happened that severely affected Skydream, and she was supposedly a part of it.  Orphans seem to get privileges those with parents do not, as well, giving them a bad reputation … I’m so lost in this life.

A tear slid down her cheek.  Can it just go back to how things were before?

She swiftly wiped her cheek as Lilly entered, giving her a smile that didn’t reflect the way Clover knew she felt inside.  “I apologize for that … We actually used to be friends before a lot of things happened, but—but that’s in the past.  Umm, did they say anything to you…”  she trailed off, noticing Clover’s gaze on the smeared snot staining the side of her dress.

“Oh … Don’t worry about that,” she mumbled, walking over to the sink and using her thumb to authorize some napkins to be expelled.

Her attempts at ridding the waste only left a broader mark on the fabric.  “I have some old products back home that help clean things like this … Umm, did they say anything that you have questions about?”

Clover wanted to ask more about the accusations they made, but then again, there were things she didn’t wish to disclose about her own feelings, which was anything but fair in her mind.  She wouldn’t want to discuss her past … And I don’t want to linger on rumors or myths that may not even be true from jaded former friends.

“No … I’m fine,” she lied, getting to her feet.  “They were telling me about washing my hair in the sink first because the water is timed.  Is that correct?”

“Normally, yes,” Lilly replied, getting back into the swing of the conversation.  “However, because you are a Spirit User, certain privileges have been granted to you.  The Commander should … Yup, there it is,” she whispered, looking at some holographic screen that popped up on her new wrist device.  Oh, and this is an Operator Accessory I was given when getting your items!  I’m excited!”

Clover smiled, realizing the girl was spiraling a bit herself.  “Lovely.  Has conditioner and shampoo changed while I’ve been in limbo?”

“No,” Lilly chuckled.  “Would you like me to help?”

She shook her head.  “Heh, if I need help bathing, then I’m in more trouble than I thought.”

Clover started the shower and flipped it to cold water, allowing the liquid to cool her mind; the conversation between Lilly and her former friends wouldn’t go away, though.  At least the cold water running through her hair and across her skin helped calm the insecurities forming inside her.

Lilly sat on the bench while playing with her device, busy communicating with people and looking up data.  “So … I’m talking to Captain Melissa, and she said she might have something that could help us better understand your clothing situation … She wants to do it with you alone, though.”

“Is that typical?”  Cover asked, finishing with her hair.  “It … could be top-secret information?”

“Maybe … Umm, anyway, she’s heading back to Hollow Veil right now.  She said she should have it ready when we get back—whatever that means,” she mumbled, clearly feeling a little left out.  “I’ll find you some appropriate clothes while you’re with her—at least, I hope they’ll be acceptable,” she laughed the statement off, but it showed how much Clover’s judgment on her outfit mattered to the girl.

“If it is anything like what you were wearing, then I can only be impressed,” Clover returned, “and I don’t have many options … period.  Although … I do have to wonder how you were able to accurately assess my measurements.”

“The medical scan,” Lilly instantly replied, turning off her device.  “Medical technology has advanced exponentially since the Void’s appeared—or so I’m told—I was only two when it started.  MASS is huge into the experimental sciences and medical field; in fact, Talon City was built around a MASS research center and employs most of its residents.”

Two … so, she’s seventeen … the same age as me.  How soon did she start the Operator Training?

“MASS…”  Clover mumbled, turning off the water after scrubbing the dirt, sweat, and dead skin off of her body.

Lilly shifted her legs on the bench.  “Have you heard of them?”

“Hmm … Yes, I think.  Multinational Analytics Society of Science, I assume … They were a non-profit when … fifteen years ago … I suppose it was reorganized.”

“Well, I guess,” Lilly shrugged.  “They’re the biggest company in West Skydream and employ 78% of the non-SPU affiliated workers.  It was MASS that stabilized the economy when it started to collapse after McArthur’s death.”

“McArthur?”  Clover repeated.

“Hmm … I learned it in school; I don’t remember it much since I was four, but after everything broke down at the close of the 2nd Void Year, MASS offered a stable environment with experimental weapons that could repel Class-1 Transevil and Rassi … It gave humanity enough time to survive until McArthur put us back into the fight.”

She moved to the wall as Clover dried off and used the comb Lilly brought to straighten her hair; her Operator continued her story.

“McArthur was a Class-7, the first Spirit User, and strong enough to win the war on his own.  He created the SPU, organized us, and devastated the Transevil infestation in East and West Skydream within three months—dismantled a large Transevil army in South Skydream.  He was insanely powerful and even destroyed the Black Abyss in the Deadlands, cutting off a major spawning source for the Transevil.”

Lilly’s brown eyes fell to the tiled floor, playing with her heels.  “He almost secured peace between the Rassi and humanity,” she whispered.  “My brother always thought that was the most important part of McArthur’s legend.”

“It sounds like a myth from what I’ve been shown,” Clover stated, examining her now clean and wet, platinum blonde hair.  “So … If Class 5 and 6 are Spirit Masters, what does that make a Class 7?”

“A legend,” Lilly mumbled, arms folding around her core.  “He was a Spirit Emperor—the first.”

“Wonderful.  So, there were more?”

“There were … No Empresses, though,” she laughed, and Clover got the distinct impression she was sidelining the topic.  “McArthur was assassinated—no one knows how a Spirit Emperor could possibly be assassinated when he was strong enough to force the likes of Kalayavan to come to neutral-territory for peace talks—Oh, he was the Class-7 Faction Leader over the Felmore Faction.”

Clover’s eyes narrowed before snapping to the girl.  “Felmore Faction … The one that the Commander said assassinated my mother and father?”

“Oh, uh…”  Lilly sucked in a breath.  “Sorry, touchy subject.  Umm, yeah, they were taken out by the Great Inferno Tribe a year after McArthur’s death … Rassi fighting each other and all … From what I’ve heard, they splintered after Kassra, the Inferno Faction Leader, killed Kalayavan.”

“Is that how it happened?”  Clover mumbled, drying her damp hair with the blower.  “Interesting history … And all this happened in the 3rd and 4th Void Year?”

“Mhm … Well, McArthur was only a few months of the 3rd … He was the savior of humanity—literally, he took everything on himself.  Only Class-6 Spirit Masters could even attempt to keep up with him, and there were only three at that time.”

“Well, I suppose we’ll have to change all those statistics, and a Spirit Empress needs to rise, does she not?”  Clover asked with a slight grin, carefully putting on her gray undergarments before the knee-length dress, hoping her old outfit wouldn’t return.

She pulled her hair aside, turned her back to Lilly, who instantly walked over to zip it up.  “Heh … That would be awesome.”

Noticing the small band that was left, her full lips lifted.  “Would you mind braiding my hair?”  Clover asked, staring at her slit eyes in the mirror.

“Of course … Umm, which kind?”

“A snake braid would…”  A heavy sigh puffed through her mouth as her eyes dulled.  “On second thought, can you do an ombré braid?”

“Oof … Eh, I can, but I’m not the best at it—I’ve only practiced on my own from steps in old magazines.”

“Perfect.  Practice and a lovely style.”

Clover sat on the bench, mind floating between everything she’d learned since arriving in this unfamiliar world.  I’ve never really thought about kids, but … I don’t even have the option now.  How is that fair?

She held her abdomen, feeling her muscles tighten and a dirty sensation passed through her gut.  I feel … It’s like I was violated.  I haven’t aged … I don’t eat, except for whatever I absorb from those monsters.  How can I even justify that I'm a human?  What’s there that’s left for me?  Who did this to me?  I have to find out, but … but what if I’m not strong enough.  Clearly, there’s an upper echelon that is currently far above me.

Breathing in deeply, she let it go in a slow stream to ease her heart as Lilly’s fingers gently combed through and separated her locks.  “… Can Spirit Users get stronger?”

Lilly hummed, sectioning off her hair.  “That’s … a complicated question.  There does seem to be a cap on a Spirit User’s power, but that fluctuates when they first exit the Void—and can decrease if there is psychological trauma; sometimes Class-3 Spirit Rulers can grow to Class-4 or even 5, depending on how drained they were when exiting.”

“How long does it take to stabilize?”

“Anywhere from hours to a month,” Lilly sighed.  “I’m sorry, that’s not a very helpful answer.  You’re stronger than at least Class-2, which is what the simulator showed.”  Her fingers paused.  “Are you … feeling depressed about your current strength?”

Clover slowly shook her head.  “I don’t think that’s it … I know I’m strong—I know it like the beat of my heart … Yet it’s like it’s fragmented,” she whispered, pressing a hand against her breast.  “I … don’t feel right, and I can’t explain why … Have Spirit Users talked about a ghost child that looks like them?”

“A what?”  Lilly giggled, returning to her hair.  “No.  No, no, no.  I haven’t heard anything about ghost children.  Although to be fair, Spirit is still a very mysterious subject.  It’s like your clothes; there are just so many unknown elements about the Void, Spirit, and the strange powers Rassi or the Transevil possess—so much secrecy between MASS and everyone else, too.”

“Hmm … Thank you, Lilly.”

“No problem!  Is there anything else you want to ask?”

“Not at this time … Melissa was right, I don’t want to go too deep, or I could start becoming … confused.  What, hmm … what I really want,” she held her breath, feeling the pump of her heart, “is to go back out and fight.”

Lilly chuckled.  “Don’t you feel tired after the simulator?”

“No … in fact, I feel more energized—I want to do something … anything.”

“Wow … Umm, okay, but we need to wait for the Commander to find the best place for you to go … Just aimlessly wandering the countryside in hopes of finding Rassi or Transevil won’t help anyone … Is that what you want to do?”

“Help…”  Clover twisted her hips to give Lilly a curious look.  “I’ve heard that before … Is that normal for Spirit Users?  I … wouldn’t say I want to help everyone … I want to help, though—it’s a conflicting emotion within me.”

“Mmh … generally, the more driven a Spirit User is, the stronger they tend to be, and yes, that is a common—oftentimes at the expense of their own personal well-being.  Umm … I’m finished!  Are you ready to head back to Hollow Veil?  It’s actually like … 2 A.M., and it’ll be 3 when we arrive if we leave now and drive fast.”

“Sure,” Clover whispered, checking her hair in the mirror.  “It looks beautiful, Lilly … Thank you.”

Clover didn’t know what she wanted to do—well, she did, but at the same time, there were so many other conflicting emotions raging inside her that were holding her back, which was frustrating, and these new questions resonating in her soul didn’t help.

Following Lilly out of the facility, she saw it really was built like a steel cube, and the sky was toned a dark purple instead of black.  The brown-haired girl paused as she stopped, vision heavenward.  “Lilly … The stars?”

“Oh, heh, I’ve never seen them—I mean, the only place you can anymore is Bloom City—rarely, given the light pollution.  Although, maybe you can in some other places—but yeah, the Voids messed with the sky when they appeared.”

“Hmm…”

Getting into one of the SPU cars given to Lilly, she noticed how old the model was, at least seven years before she entered, meaning it was 22-years-old.  The production infrastructure certainly had taken a hit since the Voids appeared.

The drive back along the old freeways was surreal; it may have been black for Lilly without the headlights, but it was almost as clear as day to her.  All she saw along their path were signs of destruction, neglect, and old fires, likely caused by the infamous Inferno Faction.

However, when they made it to the town, she began to notice signs of life beyond the barriers encircling the hilly region.  Lookouts could be seen on the ten-foot-tall walls, scanning the darkness with spotlights; it was a dystopian world, trying to pick up the pieces.

The streets were a blur to her; parts of the town were decayed while others showed piles of trash that some people were sorting through them.  Still, the few people active at this hour were clean and seemed happy with smiles on their faces, talking to each other.  All ages could be seen, from young to old.

“Huh…”  Lilly’s eyebrows pulled together upon seeing the scattered people in the alleys and sidewalks.  “A lot breaking curfew tonight—I guess they’re restless after the Great Void expanded again.”

Lights filled the inside of the town, and Lilly got a text from Melissa, saying the blonde would pick Clover up at the Operator’s place.  The Spirit User would need the address since she’d need to know where it was to drop Clover off anyways.  Lilly was a little hesitant about it but complied.

When they stopped outside the tight apartment complex, Clover’s heart went out to her new ally; the place was far below poverty by Emberfield standards—a historical site of Skydream’s distant past that reflected nothing of the powerful City-State she’d grown up in.

Lilly cleared her throat as she got out of the car, motioning to the 2nd floor.  “I’m B8 … Oh, there’s Melissa,” she whispered, pointing at a truck’s bright headlights, a 19-year-old model, and it showed it.

“Hey!”  Melissa chimed, leaning out of the window with a bright smile; she was alone.  “I’ve gotta get back on patrol in three hours, so we need to be quick.”

Clover smiled at Lilly, waving her off.  “I know I keep saying it, but thank you for the help; I’ll be back whenever Melissa stops kidnapping me.”

“He-he-he, I’m the bad guy tonight!”  Melissa snickered.  “Sorry, Lilly, but it’s pretty private.”

Lilly waved back with an understanding smile, probably thinking it was some kind of Spirit User secret.  “Okay.  I’ll find you something better to wear.”

Getting in Melissa’s truck, they sped off.  Clover had to wonder about the secrecy, but Melissa was actually exactly the person she wanted to spend a bit of alone time with, and she’d get an explanation to the outfit she could materialize with a thought—everything lined up.

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