Chrono X Angel, Book 5: Winds of Change

Winds of Change

ChronoXAngel
Book 5:
Winds of Change

Written by Reiko Ayanami

Special thanks to BuffBunnyMika and CalmusVtuber on Twitter!!

Once more Usoko found herself on the dream plain, having nodded off to bed mere moments prior. Once more, she found herself in that strange nighttime desert, confronted by the hulking figure of Ahrimanes. He did this on occasion, taunting, cajoling, or threatening her, only to be battered back every time by the spirit of Tatsuya. It was annoying to Usoko for sure, but at least it gave the two Tachibanas time to chat afterwards, about many things. Tatsuya had even taught Usoko a new spell, a powerful banishment magic that was only to be used in the most dire of circumstances as there was a chance it could accidentally seal her away as well. Normally this was not a problem, but without an Angel on the other side to unseal the magic she could be trapped forever.

Lately though, Usoko had begun to notice something peculiar about Ahrimanes. It was as if his body was becoming less and less distinct to her, as though he were becoming a literal shadow of himself.
Then this time when he appeared, his tone of voice even seemed... almost concerned? There was definitely a slight undercurrent of worry in his voice that Usoko could just barely pick up on. What was going on?

"Usoko, hear me well," he began, "You have no reason to trust me, to heed the warning I am about to bestow on you, but you must for your own sake if nothing else."

"And you care... why?" Scoffed Usoko, a hand on her hip, not even bothering to face him, "Look buddy, we both know how this song and dance ends so I don't know why you even bother at this point."

He laughed, a hollow an gravelly sound.
"Because your well being, believe it or not, is in my best interest. If harm comes to you, or more specifically to your body, to the point I cannot inhabit it... it would be such a waste. Now hear me."

Usoko rolled her eyes and sighed, but a part of her realized he was right in a sick and twisted way. His ultimate goal, as far as she knew, was to possess her body before he was sucked back into the Black Knight stone and sealed away again. The only two Overace left alive that were worth possessing were herself, and her father, and he was apparently so weighted down with holy trinkets that Ahrimanes did not dare go near him with a 29 and a half foot pole.
If something were to happen to her, she knew, he would be undone just by playing the waiting game. That said, she was not about to make that sacrifice any time soon... well suffice to say, she would hear him out for now. If something was coming that had him this badly on edge, she would be a fool not to at least listen a little.

"Alright, say your piece and then I'm calling mom," she replied, placing both hands on her hips now, "But hurry up, I wanna go see Antarctica, and these dreams are the only way I can right now."

The shadowy beast yawned in contempt of her wishes before continuing, slowly.

"Soon you will encounter a girl, a child seemingly your own sister's age... this girl will drain your very mind from you. She is what is known as a Psychic Vampire. The von Orlok could possibly tell you more of them."

He paused for a moment before opening his palm to reveal a grimoire, bound in what Usoko hoped was not actually human skin.
"I will provide you a spell, utilize it when you awaken and your mind will be protected from this child's power."

Usoko could not help but burst into laughter.
"Use a spell given to me by my archenemy, the same one who wants to take over my body? A spell that's gonna 'protect' my mind? Look dude, I might be 16, but I'm not stupid. C'mon who do you take me for?"