Vylt: The New Dawn

Chapter 23: Who's There?

Lucy's question was still present in my head as I laid on my bed, staring at the window. I was never partial to sleeping on my back. I could swear that resting in such a position made me thirsty, even though it made no sense. Now that there were wings attached to my back, this event went from rare to never happening. It didn't hurt to do so. It just wasn't comfortable at all. It felt like trying to sleep on top of a bunch of logs. Sitting was the real issue. Backrests were now my worst enemy.

That said, was the discomfort my new limbs brought enough to make me wish I didn't have them?

It wasn't. I could fly, thanks to them. After four days of training, I hadn't graduated from parasailing, but even that was thrilling enough. This morning, the cable reached fifteen metres in length, and yet, my acrophobia never triggered. I was free from it! For the most part, at least. Despite having a limit, I could choose the height or manoeuvre a bit. The scene below was amazing. Now that I knew what to look for, I could even spot Viken and Belaury watching me from the forest a couple of times.

My eyes shifted to my waist, or rather, the new appendage draped over it. Thankfully, my tail didn't bring much inconvenience. It made putting clothes on feel like threading a needle sometimes, but it rarely got in the way. Most of the time, I didn't even notice it was there. At that thought, I moved it over to my left hand and examined it. It wasn't hairless, although the tiny hairs were pretty much neglectable, almost invisible to the naked eye. I played with it for a few minutes before finally setting it free.

What about being a child?

It was probably the one thing I truly hated about my transformation. My sudden impulses and the change in my behaviour, the way others treated me, the limitations my size brought; they all could get very annoying. However, unlike the other changes, this was temporary. It would take many years, but, eventually, I'd be back to being an adult. As much as I disliked it, there was no point taking it into consideration.

Then came the magic. There were no negatives. I couldn't think of a single thing for which I wouldn't want to have the ability. It had been nothing but exciting and even useful. Lily had, indeed, been saved by it.

Damn. And here I was trying to forget about the voice for a bit.

I sighed. I already knew the answer to Lucy's question. I did, even before it left her lips. I strongly believed that the virus itself was responsible in some way, yet it wasn't the only factor. I liked being a demon. That was the new me. Society was far from ready for it, but I wasn't. I was ready to fully accept what, and more importantly, who I was.

"Good."

I jerked in my bed, taken by surprise.

I wasn't expecting you yet.

There was no reply.

Are you a part of me?

Are you what Lucy thinks? A Tulpa? An Alter?

Nothing. Belaury's words echoed in my head.

'Occasionally, the blessed could hear voices or visions.'

'Those entities called themselves gods or spirits.'

'You were blessed!'

I gulped, steeling myself for my next question.

Are you a spirit?

"I am."

How can I tell for sure?

I waited, but there was no reply.

Are you there?

"Yes."