Chasing Dreams (Discontinued)

Chapter 232: Purpose

In this world, there is no place for people like us. Hybrids are anomalies that aren't supposed to exist. We're deviations from Homura's ideal vision and imperfections in the universe she's trying to create.

Like any child, Manasa often wondered about her place in the world. What was her purpose? Why did she exist? Was the sole purpose for her existence to illustrate how Ikumi could've turned out if her soul wasn't corrupted?

Possibly, maybe, how would she know? Her creators had different things in mind when they brought Manasa into existence.

Ren created Mai out of guilt for killing Mei. Ren wanted to save Mei and did so the only way he knew how by reincarnating her soul.

Reincarnation is the strongest ability Tachi has at his disposal. Yet, he uses it sparingly.

Manasa mouthed. She picked up a stone and threw it across the ocean surface, and watched it disappear beneath the waves.

Why not reincarnate every evil soul? The world would be so much better without bad people in it.

However, Manasa knew better than that. He probably can't. She picked up another stone and tossed it into the air, catching it. If he did, it'd probably throw off the balance of the various realms.

Manasa stared at the stone in her hand and rubbed her thumb against the smooth surface. Even with all her deductive reasoning, she couldn't figure out why Ren reincarnated her in particular.

What was so special about Ikumi in particular that made her worth saving compared to all the other people he killed?

Why was Mei the lone flower among a sea of corpses?

Manasa sunk her head feeling tired and frustrated. How long had she been out here? Minutes, hours? Truthfully, Manasa didn't know. Time flowed differently when she meddled in her thoughts. Manasa pictured skipping stones might alleviate her stress and give her something less taxing to think about.

But it didn't. Skipping stones felt like a pointless endeavor. Every stone tossed sank beneath the water and seemed as pointless as trying to determine her self-worth.

"What use is there in a recycled soul? I'm like hammydowns, old and soiled. No one has faith in me because my past-self already showcased my worth and determined I had so little value that their life was worth wasting." Manasa struggled to throw her last stone. Strangely her rock felt heavier than the previous ones.

"I must be getting tired." Manasa deduced, swinging back her arm. She didn't have the same stamina as a warrior. Ren, Maija, and Suzume could go on for hours throwing stones. Stones weighed hardly anything compared to what they were used to picking up, and Manasa figured Anji would be the same way.

"Are you sure it looks like you were just getting the hang of it?" Ren noticed.

Manasa nearly jumped out of her body like a snake shedding its skin. Even with her diamond, she couldn't pick up on Ren's life force. She wasn't sure if it was because he had gotten that good at suppressing his power or because he was still recovering.

Ren approached Manasa with one of his hands planked over his brow, staring off at sea and his other hand partially hanging out of his dark blue kimono. "You got one hell of an arm Mana. I don't think I could've thrown that stone half as far as you did when I was your age."

"Hmph." Manasa tucked her cheeks. She wasn't in much of a mood to hear Ren's empty compliments.

"Stop doing that." Manasa scolded.

"Doing what?" Ren asked.

"Sneaking up on me." Manasa frowned. "It's creepy."

"Huh?" Ren looked a bit surprised. He wouldn't normally expect Manasa to have much of an attitude. "That's ironic coming from you."