The Demons of Shadow Moon

Part 108.5 - Sweetness or Poison?

New scene of Kata and Galaxy's first meeting! ^^

Charlie and Kata had escaped to a tree fort in the middle of the forest.

"I can't believe those two tricked me into this stupid thing!! I had no idea they'd try and hurt Shadow Moon. That was totally on my 'no don't do. Galaxy will absolutely kill me!' list!!" Kata whined, whipping off the blood on her with the water from the river under the tree fort.

"Sounds like you got dragged into it. I was the same. I knew there was something dangerous going on... Whether we're working for them or not, we have to be a step ahead of them! They don't share your plan, Kata. They want to endanger us all!" Charlie explained, casually sitting up in the tree fort.

"So we should kill em' and get on with our plan to save the world!!" Kata grinned.

"No. We need to keep their power. Like it or not, I don't think we stand a chance at changing anything without them. You have to play their game for now like Galaxy said. But we'll make sure they play fair... and that you get your victory in the end," Charlie explained.

"... but if we follow their plan... won't more people get hurt?" Kata asked.

"I don't know... But Galaxy seems to have something figured out. Seems pretty confident that we'll be alright," Charlie shrugged.

Kata diverted her gaze...

Charlie noticed her sudden tension.

"... she got pretty worked up earlier, huh? Has... she done that before?" Charlie asked, already knowing the answer.

Kata hesitated, not wanting to remember it..

"She-... she wasn't always like this. The real Galaxy would never snap at me like that..." Kata frowned.

"I get it. I was the same, got experimented on by those scum just like her. But my reaction was more... of a depressant. I almost offed myself altogether... until those two-faced soul demons saved him. If you can call it that..." Charlie went on.

"... You were there, too?" Kata returned, realising Charlie might understand her more then she thought.

"So... what were you like before?" Kata asked.

"Honestly... pretty much the same as I am now. Removing my soul and making a new body for it... it removed the chemicals effect," Charlie explained.

"Uh... really? Wait, do you think we could do that for Galaxy, too??" Kata suddenly asked.

"Ahh, well, it comes at a bit of a risk. I mean, forgetting you'd need the soul demons to do it in the first place... you kinda don't feel right anymore. Like... I feel like me, but... I know I'm not. Soul manipulation messes with your mind, now I've got a whole new bunch of mental problems," Charlie rolled his eyes as he leaned on his hand.

Kata listened intently. Her expression fell as she realised that hopeful solution wasn't as good as she thought.

A brief silence passed them...

"So, what about Galaxy? What was she like before all this? Much different?" Charlie asked.

"Hah. Yeah. Much different," Kata smiled weakly.

"... before she was attacked, she was... sweet. Smart... and so funny, haha! You know, we met cause she wondered into the lower class pits to examine us?? Haha!" Kata laughed.

"Hah. Seriously? Wait, what does that even mean??" Charlie chuckled.

"Hm. Well, she wanted change... and to make change, she needed to see the problems for herself..." Kata went on as her mind melted into fond memories of their first encounter...