ノエル: すべてをやり直すために (第二の並行世界にて)

Dea Metempsychosis

　I've never trained against a real knife. My father said that was too dangerous.

　I've only ever had to face rubber knives with no stakes.

　But this is different.

　In less than a second I will have to make a move that dictates my life and Sazanami-chan's.

　Should I screw it up, I'll surely die.

　Those thoughts weigh me down, causing my already strained breath to catch. But hesitation means I lose.

　Just as he lunges forward, I instinctively repeat the movement drilled into me by my father.

(Keep low... stay steady... trap the shoulder...)

　The knife slashes towards me faster than I expected. But the world around me is sharp from adrenaline.

　I barely manage to step inward, my foot skidding on the wet path. But I stick to the sequence, moving my head out of the blade’s path as I block his arm on my shoulder, locking his neck in place.

　Remembering the warning from my father to maintain absolute control; To never give your opponent time to react or switch hands.

(Grip tight... control...)

「B-Bastard!」

　He tries to jerk back, but I’m already shifting my weight, stepping across his body and driving my hip beneath his center of gravity.

(Switch feet... get lower...)

　I hook my leg behind his knee, pulling it forward and causing him to lose his balance. His body tensed and flaied, trying to grab at my collar.

　With practiced precision, I shift my weight and pull. He’s airborne for a split second before crashing onto the ground, the impact sending a shock through the air.

「Kaah!」

　I lock his arm, twisting his wrist, my fingers finding the knife. With a swift jerk of his thumb, it falls from his grip and clatters to the ground.

　The world rushes back, sound and pain flooding in.

　I've done it.

　Saved by my instincts, a product of my father's endless training of me.

　Well...

　Perhaps I saved Sazanami-chan. But myself?

　No, definitely not.

　I see the blood I tracked everywhere in such a short time frame.

　My eyes refocus as I see the boy stand up, assuming I'll have to fight one more time.

　But instead, he looks afraid, and gets up from the ground, sopping wet. With a final hateful look at me and Sazanami, he stumbles off.

「Hah.... hahhh...」

　I underestimated how much energy a real fight would take. I thought I could be cool, like those guys in movies who fend off six attackers without breaking a sweat.

　But just this... has drained me.

　When I turn, I see Sazanami-chan’s face, still twisted in shock and fear.

(Ah... look what I’ve done. I’ve scared her. Can’t I do anything right?)

　I reach out, wanting to reassure her somehow. But my vision blurs and my head spins.

　Instead, I feel myself tipping backward, my legs too heavy, my body out of strength.

　No energy left to even catch myself.

　...

「I guess this is the end of the line for me...」

　Just looking up at the rainy sky I admired earlier.

「Uwah... it's cold... and numb... Ah, now it's getting hot...」

　I feel like I haven't slept for weeks. At least the pain is leaving, and that sick feeling...

　It looks like Sazanami is trying to say something to me. Crouched down beside me, panicking clearly.

　If only I had the strength to pat her head or something. I suppose that's a regret, not showing her enough attention.

　But she's okay, so... I guess I am too.

　Sorry Sazanami, I can't hear what you are saying, but I bet it's something nice. I bet you're trying to console me, aren't you?

　I'll just rest my eyes for a bit... After all, the rain is hitting them and it's pretty uncomfortable.

　I'll sleep for a bit.

　...

　......

　..........

　I thought I was dying? Clearly not...

　So where am I? This obviously isn't where I just was.

　A void? Well maybe something like that, but the darkness is illuminated.

　Maybe there's been an error in the process.

　But really, where is everything? There's just nothing here. No-one...

　I still have a body at least.

　...

「Hello?」

　Perhaps if I call into the void, I'll get an answer. They do say that if you stare into the void, the void stares back. Does that apply to speaking to the void?

「Hello... is there anyone out there? I'd like to speak to management! There seems to have been an issue in your filing department!」

　I probably shouldn't joke in the face of death...

「An issue...? Please, we do not make mistakes here. You've come for a reason, clearly.」

「Hah- who's there?」

「You wish for me to reveal myself so soon? Do you not want to converse as if I am a bodiless God? Many choose to not see me. Though... many demand I reveal myself, as you just did.」

「Well, it's rude not to speak face to face, right? And it's also rude not to introduce yourself!」

「I suppose you have a point...」

　I look around in search of this voice, seeing nothing.

　Until gradually I see a figure become clearer and clearer in the darkness.

　Flowing white robes that reflect the sparse rays of light. Gold-accented associates and inlays. Wings, two of them.

　A woman comes closer.