Law of the Soul

Chapter 6: Childhood Friend

"Huh? Wh- Where am I?" A bright light was above him. He could smell alcohol—a hospital. He could hear the sound of rubber gloves clicking on the hands of doctors—chatter from distant rooms. Someone is dying. Another is very sick. He looked down at his battered body layered by blankets. Needles, IVs, machines. All of the things he was scared of. He turned to his left where a window was. Peering out onto the city. Is he in the dimension? Is this a standard hospital? He attempted to move out of bed, but he couldn't. It felt like he was hit by a thousand trucks. He realized that a black cloth was wrapped around his head and tied in the back, acting as a headband—the lengthy bangs draped over the edge. "Don't worry, kid. You're safe." The deepest-sounding voice he'd ever heard came from the edge of the windowsill. A gloomy-looking man sat on the edge, smoking a cigarette. He has stunning, long white hair, and a red cloth is tied around his eyes. "Huh, who are you?" He asked.

"I am one of the Guardians. I've been asked to watch over your hospital visit. Let me introduce myself. I am Ninigi. Mikoto Ninigi. I act as Giin's counselor and foundation. I serve Myojo and no one else, not even Souta, the Minister. I don't know if you've met him, but he's not nice. Don't tell anyone I said that, or I'll kill you." "Yeah, I've met him. Only for a second, though, didn't get to know him." He replied. "Good, keep it that way." He stood up, and the cigarette in his mouth suddenly vaporized. "Let's get you to the others." He held his hand out to him. "Oh yeah, is Shiori alright? It was a tough battle." "Yeah, she's fine. It's been three days since the incident, so you know." "Huh?! Three days! I gotta catch up!" He yelled nervously. He accepted Ninigi's hand, and fire surrounded them. It didn't hurt at all. As the flames dwindled, they appeared in the lounge area of the dimension. Myojo, Shiori, Kaori, and Apollo were sitting on the couch watching TV. "Heya!" He said. All of them except Apollo turned their heads. "You're back!" Kaori hugged him. Shiori did, too. "Hey, that's my line." Myojo pouted. "Thank you, Ninigi. Will you be staying this time?" He asked. "Yeah, I'll stay a bit. After all, we're going after the Black Blood." Ninigi replied as he lit another cigarette. "Black Blood? What is that?" Okami asked. "It's the organization we've been searching for. They're after you." Myojo explained. "For some reason," Apollo whispered. "You all good to move?" Shiori asked. "I think so. Just a little sore, that's all. Enough about me. What happened after I passed out?" "I killed Amikiri if that's what you're asking. He was exhausted and beaten to a pulp by the time I found him. You did a number on him." "Yeah! You cost me eight hundred thousand bits! You will pay me back, by the way." Myojo shouted. "Oh, sorry. I guess I got carried away when I gained Kodo." He replied. He had a flashback of the darkness that surrounded his fists and feet. That feeling of the heat inside of him, the tingling sensation. He wanted it back. "So what leads do we have on the Black Blood?" Okami asked. "Souta said that he discovered a secret hideout on the outskirts of town. We'll head there first. Then, we can track the trails. This could take a while until we return to this city, so pack your things." Myojo ordered. "Who's coming?" "Me, Kanashi, you, Ninigi, Shiori, and another Guardian you haven't met." "Aw. I wish Kodame would come." He sounded bummed out. "He might meet us there. He's on a mission that I assigned him. It shouldn't take too long, don't worry." "If you all are done talking, please stop talking," Apollo grumbled. "Oh, hey, Apollo!" Okami waved, but he didn't get a reply. "Oh. I'm sorry, Shiori. I'm sad that our date was ruined. We'll have our first official date soon, okay?" He asked genuinely. "Don't worry. We will have another date." He felt warm around her. He felt a sensation that wasn't describable. He's only thought of it one other time before.

"Hey, Kaori. I'll see you later. Okay?" "Okay, come home safe, please." He could barely leave her with those precious eyes. He hugged her and then left. They headed out to the car outside.

"So? Who's the mystery guess for today?" They sat down. A woman came from the opposite side of the car. "Nia Jade," Myojo replied. She has long, bright green hair in pigtails, eyes that resemble the sun, and a lizard on her shoulder. She entered the car and sat next to Okami. "I hate reptiles!" He screeched. "They're my friends. Be nice! This black lizard on my shoulder is Nio, and the snake around my waist is Noir. My cat here, her name is Torani." He moved himself away from her creatures. "Wait- That's not a cat! That's a tiger, a black one!" "Silly tigers are cats." She smiled. Torani is a kitten, but she would grow to become a supernatural size for a tiger. "Ninigi, can you roll down your window? I hate the smell of cigarettes." He asked. The window rolled down in agreement. He stared out into the brisk, filled sky. A shooting star could be seen moving across the sky rapidly. He closed his eyes and felt the air hit his face as the car ascended. "Please be okay, Subaru."