Archive Of Potentialities.

Identity [[SS X Tensura]] : Chapter 5

The vessel in the distance was small, about 7 meters in length, its presence was faint, as if attempting to hide from perception.

The woman standing atop it was aged enough to be reasonably called ancient, she stared straight at us, I could observe a semblance of confusion in the wrinkled lines that made up her face.

An understandable sentiment, to be fair.

I engaged Thought Communication and sent a wave of really powerful mental shouts at Sunny, to shock him out of the fugue of his transformation.

Nephis glanced at me as Sunny slowed down, she seemed relaxed..though I'd be hard pressed to give her expression any other label. As hard to read as ever.

I stood on Sunny's back and waved with both hands at the lady, wondering if she would let us atop her boat. While Sunny could keep swimming for a while longer, I felt a little bad for him. Staying in that state couldn't be pleasant in any measure.

The woman, frail as she looked, managed to make a gesture back. This brought a smile to my face.

A few seconds later, me and Nephis were standing on the open deck of the masterfully crafted ketch. Sunny, who had just transformed back to his human self ----- which had ceased to be familiar to me after the past few days ----- climbed in slowly after us.

I watched as he sluggishly sank to sit on the deck, leaning his back against the sides. He placed his right arm over his face as he let out a groan.

I chuckled, earning a glare from him. Nephis approached him while I turned to our gracious host.

Bowing my head slightly, I spoke.

"Hello, my name is Rimuru Tempest, I'd like to thank you for letting me and my companions board your boat."

Completing my introduction, I paused, waiting for her to speak. She had only watched quietly as we got on, and the only sound I could credit to her were the soft rustle of her black mantle.

Her hair was grey, more a mark of time than a genetic feature, she fixed blue eyes that seemed to be untouched by said time on me, and spoke.

"I will always welcome the Children of Weaver, it is both my duty and my pleasure." Her voice was raspy, but clear, but it didn't make her words any easier to understand for me.

Children of Weaver? Who?

I turned to look at Sunny, who regarded her with a shocked expression. Nephis was looking this way as well, but not with the same intensity as Sunny.

Realizing I was the only one confused in this situation, I sighed.

Sunny rose to his feet and strode over with Nephis. They gave each other a look loaded with meaning, before Sunny turned back to the woman.

"Children of Weaver? Why would you call us that?" He asked, his tone firm. He didn't have an angry expression, but he seemed intimidating all the same.

Ananke tilted her head slowly, impressing me with her range of movement.

"You are carriers of the Spell, are you not?" She asked, as if confused. Sunny took in a sharp breath.

It was safe to assume that this wasn't information she was supposed to know.

"Yes, we are," Sunny answered, in accordance with his mysterious compulsion to speak the truth.

"How do you know that…who are you?" He asked.

I waited patiently for her answer.

She reached into her mantle and pulled out an item.

It was a mask. It was pitch black, with four fangs, bare teeth, and horns. Sunny gasped as soon as he made eye contact with it.