Spiritless Life

Kingly Life

Karam took almost two weeks to heal fully. In that time, she had several weapons and survival requirements made for her sixth star. On her second try she had brought down the rabid dog and not many days later she had successfully finished surviving the forest on her own for a night. All just as Dolph had predicted. She graduated school with a small ceremony along with three others obtaining their Mou title. Needless to say, she was the youngest of her graduation class. She also may have caused a little bit of an uproar.

"Grandfather, I've come to discuss the possibility about the end of our world." In the throne room Karam and Hakase bowed before two chairs. One chair was empty, in the other was a thirty year old man with silver-white hair and an aura of unyielding confidence.

Dolph stood behind the two children as they touched their foreheads to the pavement.

Immediately following her statement Prince Jasna stepped forward and began yelling, "Karam! I didn't think school would have given you such preposterous ideas! Leave! Come back to apologize once you've cooled your head!" Jasna, Rena, and a few others stood in lines on either side of the thrones.

Karam lifted her head from her Kowtow, "Grandfather, please listen to my explanation."

He looked down on her and squinted, but didn't move to either agree nor disagree with his first son.

"Grandfather... If you are willing to hear me out than I hope to speak to you in private for this..." She paused and hardened the look in her eyes to make sure he knew she was serious, "Concerns the identity of 'The New Hope'."

One of the woman next to Jasna spoke up, "Are you saying that you are not her?" Her voice was cold, but at the same time slightly hurt.

Karam didn't respond. She only continued to stare into the eyes of her grandfather, the King. After a moment the king stood and motioned to Karam with his head that she should follow him.

A few of the people in the line gasped, "Father!" The girl from earlier spoke out, "You can't be serious!" The two lines on either side of the thrones watched them leave into an adjoining room. Jasna and Rena followed them.

In the room was a large table occupying most of the space. The King walked to the far end and took his seat at the end of the table. Karam stood at the other end while the others all took their own seat. After a moment Dolph pulled one of the empty chairs over to Karam for her to stand on because she wasn't tall enough to see over the top of the table.

"I'd first like to apologize. Jasna, Rena, I am not who you think I am." She glanced over at her parents before turning back to her grandfather, "I am a consciousness from another world. I was murdered by my mentor, Hakase." She pointed to Hakase.

Hakase laughed nervously, "Couldn't you have put it any nicer?"

"Due to the way he cut me up that led to my death I was able to move my spirit- or consciousness- from that world to this. I am actually a middle-aged woman called Ishii Ayano." Karam took a deep breath to calm her nerves and let the words sink in. No matter what, admitting something like this took a lot of courage. Her family listened quietly, Jasna mostly taking his que from his father. "I'm afraid- that in doing so- we have opened up a hole. Through this hole is pulling others, like me and Hakase, to this world.

"On our last planet we were researching reincarnation and spirits. We had come to believe that if there is a hole, such as the one we believe has been created, that the secondary world will eventually be wrought with destruction. We have already met with others-"

Karam continued until she felt they had all the information. After she had finished, the room was quiet. Karam, Dolph, and Hakase were all watching the royal family. Though it was more correct to say that all eyes were on Grandfather to see if he was about to believe such a story.

"How do I know this isn't just a rouse?"

Karam looked down, "I've thought about it but... There really is no sure way..."

"Maraak, I've been with Karam since two weeks after she was born. The very day I met her she admitted that she was a woman from another world. She did this, Maraak, is writing, which she had never seen before that day. This, along with other strange actions, have lead me to believe that it is the truth.

"Their world seems to have more knowledge, as well. They have already found a possible cure for the Castaways."

Karam had never seen Dolph so serious before, so... adult-like. It amazed her for a moment but she briefly, mentally, thanked him and turned back to her grandfather.

Maraak watched Dolph for a moment before slowly turning his gaze to his son, "Were you aware of this?"

Jasna shook his head, "N-No! I would never hide-"

"Rena?"

Rena also shook her head, though not quite so violently. It was obvious she felt terrible.

Karam gulped. Was Rena going to pull away from her after this?

"Is there a chance that she is simply a genius?" Maraak returned his gaze to Dolph.

Dolph looked at Karam and Hakase, than back to Maraak, "In my mind, there is no question. Hakase and Karam were obviously friendly before they had met each other on this world. Their language, actions, attitude, insights, and knowledge all support Karam's words."

Maraak turned slowly to Karam, "As you are now, do you consider yourself Ishee or Karam?"

Karam and Dolph exchanged a glance. That had been one of the first questions Dolph had asked, as well.

Karam smiled as she responded, "No matter what you call me, I am who I am. But if you are asking me if I still consider myself Ishii Ayano than I don't really have an answer for you. Earth is a part of me... but now so is Sunijunki. I am who I am, even if it means that I am the woman who has taken over the real Karam." In her eyes was a glint of sadness, but she held her chest out and her chin high.

Maraak nodded, "Than how do you propose we fix this?"