Scale of Reality

Prism Swamp: Part 5

Muji POV

As I looked ahead in the darkness, I could see a figure there. They stood there unmoving with their face shadowed, but I could feel their gaze looking at me.

It's entire existence was oozing bloodlust, the main feeling I could get from it was death. I was certain it was going to attack me, but it wasn't moving.

"Who are you?"

The figure raised its hand and pointed at me. I felt some arms wrap around me as I turned and seen Cecile.

"I haven't seen you in awhile. Why are you here this time?"

She giggled.

"I should be the one asking that. Oh my, who's that guy?"

I shrugged.

"I assumed you knew."

She hummed.

"Now that I'm looking at him, he reminds me of you quite a bit."

I scoffed.

"That thing? Me? You can't be-

My mind went to each and every memory of myself after I left the Leona estate. Each and every time I got into an encounter.

"That's not..."

I began to think about my lack of concern about what's right and wrong. I began to think about all the times I didn't display any type of empathy towards anyone besides my siblings and Mya.

Why was it always Mya?

She's wasn't family so why?

No, I shouldn't have been asking that.

I should've been asking why am I like this?

Why is that I don't care about human life?

Why am I not phased with death?

"W-What...am I..."

"Muji!"

"I..."

"Muji!!"

"I'm...."

"Muji!!"

I shot up from my sleep, covered in sweat. I looked around me, seeing my party members looking at me, seemingly surprised and relieved.

They all had some clear injuries, but for the most part it looked like they had been healed.

"Yeah? What is it?"

Mari swallowed a nervous gulp.

"Y-You started screaming...a-and then you just stopped breathing altogether. We were scared you..."

I clenched my chest.

"This...I...I'm sorry. Thank you...forget this happened."

I stood up as I wiped my face with my hand.

"I'm sorry you all had to see me like this."

Mari seemed like she didn't know how to react. Iris was still trying to heal me, and the others were clearly keeping their distance.

They were hiding something from me.

After everyone was calmed down and we started to move again, I walked over to Adjest. She was the only person who didn't seem distant at the time.

"What happened while I was out?"

Adjest cleared her throat.

"We were attacked."