Fractal Plane: Awakener's Pact

Chapter 7 - Turning Gears

1

After going a similar tunnel like the one he traversed on the way to the Fragment, Kazuki found himself landing on soft grass. Gently putting Amagi down, he turned his head to look at the surroundings.

"I'm back," he commented, recognizing the environment as being in the middle of the park where he entered the Fragment.

However, something was different. His shield was gone. Also, this was not the exact place where he entered from. Instead, it was somewhere in the middle of the rather large park.

With the sound of a few insects accompanying the otherwise silent night, Kazuki felt relieved to finally be back in his world. He smiled upon seeing the dimly-lit field and the tranquility of it all.

Taking out his smartphone, Kazuki saw that reception is back on. He also noticed the time.

10:45 p.m.

How long has he been inside the Fragment? He had lost all sense of time when he jumped in, and it's quite late already. Thankfully, this park never really closes its doors, so getting back wouldn't be that big of an issue.

It's finally over, huh?

He stared at the starry sky before remembering another thing. He turned around, looking for any signs of his Awakener classmate.

In the dimly-lit field, he made out the shape of a long-haired girl a couple of meters behind him, and seeing a blonde person on the ground next to her, he quickly recognized her.

"Uehara!"

She took a little while to hang up her call, but once she did, she started to walk towards him.

In between relieved breaths, Kazuki began speaking,

"First of all, thanks for the help. Now, can you tell me what just happened? Mu, Nullities, I just want to know what they really are. Now that we have a bit more time and all..."

"There is nothing more that you need to know."

Those cold words cut him off abruptly.

"Come on, Uehara. If something like this would happen again—"

"I'll destroy the Nullities. Alone."

Kazuki saw no hesitation in Uehara's eyes. She really meant it.

That realization made Kazuki feel uncomfortable. He was sure that his past self would be a bit inclined to just let her be. However, things are a bit different now.

He's already an Awakener, one of the only two people who can deal with the perpetual disappearances in Shiroki City.

Also, the other world, Mu, and the multiple Fragments that connect the real world to that dimension consumed him with a newfound thirst for knowledge.

"Are you sure about that? Listen, I want to know more about those things, so that in the future, I could help you and –"

"Help?" she answered with a condescending tone. "You almost got yourself killed a while ago, if I may remind you, Arata."

Kazuki stopped. She's right. If it was not for her cutting off the tail and unloading everything on the scorpion, he would have been done.

"I remember it all. That's why I am trying to learn! What would you suggest me to do, then?"

"Quit," she said without any second thought. "Have nothing more to do with Mu or the Nullities. Nullities, the one behind all this... all of them will die by my hand alone."

"Uehara, you can't do this –"

"And why?" she swung her hands down, much to Kazuki's surprise.

Her voice remained stiff, but under the dim light of the park lamps, he noticed a different look in her eyes: one of slight wavering. As if pent up pressure threatened to blow up at any time.