《Liberi Fatali》 Chapter 1 LI B E R I FA T A L I Chapter 1 Junshin struggled into consciousness through a drug induced haze. His entire body was restrained behind straps on a metal table that straightened his spine at an unnatural angle. A helmet encased his head, and Junshin couldn¡¯t maneuver his head very well underneath the heavy weight. His neck was also bound, like his arms and legs and chest, from straps that attached him to the metal table and the too confining straitjacket he wore. A murmur of voices surrounded him. Junshin wanted to speak, though the only thing he could do was drool. ¡°Ah, he¡¯s awake,¡± one of the people mentioned around him. ¡°Someone injected too many drugs into him. We don¡¯t want to overdose our golden goose, do we?¡± ¡°Everything is going according to plan,¡± another person spoke, and Junshin heard footsteps clacking on the metal floors. ¡°His father¡¯s research really is a wondrous thing. Such brilliance. Hiding secret knowledge inside a Psion¡¯s brain¡ªwhat better way to keep your secrets than to entrust them into someone else¡¯s memory? Though we will eventually decode Taka Fujimoto¡¯s research.¡± One of the scientists paused, before checking on Junshin. ¡°Fujimoto-kun? You¡¯ve got a little drool coming from your left lip. Were you trying to say something?¡± Junshin wanted to spit in the scientist¡¯s face. He hated this undignified treatment, he hated having his freedom stripped away, and more importantly he hated being used as their personal lab rat. Or in this case, the goose that lay golden eggs. Junshin couldn¡¯t remember anything properly¡ªthey kept him too drugged and dazed to resist and fight them; though he wanted to escape. ¡°He¡¯s got the Mind of God,¡± one of the scientists said. ¡°In essence, he is omniscient and has god like powers, can possibly be omnipotent as well. One day humanity will become an evolved species that surpasses the original mankind and we will become godlike as well. The secrets to enhancing humanity is through this young teenage boy.¡± Junshin wanted to scoff at their notions of helping humanity. Did that mean someone who didn¡¯t have god like powers didn¡¯t have the right to exist anymore? What if someone hadn¡¯t consented to having these powers? Wouldn¡¯t technology suffice in comparison to psychic powers? Humankind achieved many kinds of things without the assistance of the Mind of God or whatever it was that was inside of him. Why have telepathy when you have cell phones? Why have telekinesis when manipulating magnetic forces was just as applicable? Junshin wanted to rant and rave against these lunatics, that he didn¡¯t ask to have the Mind of God implanted into him. You¡¯re only going to bring about humanity¡¯s destruction, Junshin thought darkly. Even superpowers didn¡¯t solve humankind¡¯s arrogance and need to exceed beyond boundaries. They still haven¡¯t solved war, world hunger, or other crises such as humankind¡¯s inclination to murder and rampage and cause wars with one another. This Mind of God was more trouble than it was worth, and Junshin would happily be rid of it. However, that didn¡¯t mean he wanted his brain detached from his body into a chemical pickled jar to preserve it. He very much wanted to be alive and breathing and have a physical body, thank you very much. He had been forced to endure the program this long. They were trying to brreak him so that he would be compliant to their wishes. When he disobeyed, they would injected him with all kinds of diseases and poisons to see if he could suffer through them all. They tortured him at every opportunity that they could, breaking limbs, stabbing him, choking him, and even doing unethical experiments on him because Hatoyama convinced the public that he¡¯s working on something that will revolutionize the scientific world with his funds. Junshin supposed he was under Kazuki¡¯s protection, which was the reason why Dr. Hatoyama got away with human experimentation. Absolutely unforgiveable. Junshin clenched his hands into fists whenever he thought of Kazuki. IT was because of Kazuki that he ended up in this mess. Being locked up in prison for a crime he didn¡¯t even commit. But no, no matter how he tried to present them with reason and evidence, the legal system was corrupt and swayed by Kazuki¡¯s hand. His brother outsmarted him. Too bad that his brother didn¡¯t put his talents to use for other reasons, like helping make the world a better place, to share knowledge and inform humanity about things that will prove their advancement and hopefully towards the betterment of society. No, Kazuki simply wanted to watch the world burn, as far as he was concerned. Junshin was one experiment away from that mindset, actually. Fuck the world that betrayed him. Why should he strive to help save a world that turned its back on him? Nobody cared about him, only labeled him as a criminal because that¡¯s what Kazuki wanted. And he learned the most important rule of all; eveyrone is out to betray you. Including someone that you once loved and cherished. So Junshin, when he was told that he would get out of jail if only he worked for Dr. Hatoyama, was desperate and said he would do anything to earn his freedom. But instead he ended up captive to another person. And betrayed again. If there is a God, he is one sadistic overseer. Or maybe it¡¯s bad karma from a previous lifetime? Did I let someone get away with something that they shouldn¡¯t have? Did I do something so terrible, so unredeemable that I deserve to be subjected to this kind of treatment? I don¡¯t know. But I just don¡¯t care anymore. The world is so senseless. The notions of justice and the notion of right are only written by the victors. So in a world where Kazuki is right because he influences the criminal underworld and manipulate powers, the losers like me will be shoved into obscurity and left to rot and crushed underneath his heel once they become disposable. There was another voice that Junshin would hear in his dreams. Something that still gave him a glimmer of hope, even in his darkest despair. He wondered if it was God or some kind of other deity that might¡¯ve been talking to him, though Junshin felt so powerless. He couldn¡¯t do anything. They consistently put him under drugs so that he was barely in consciousness. They infected him with a mutated strand of the virus flu so that his head was pounding in delikrum from pain and he couldn¡¯t think. He struggled to remember the meditations that a religoius text he read when his father gave him a book to find serenity and peace, but the ever pervading pain kept on pulsing and dragging him udnerneath the undertow. He felt like a swimmer drowning and gasping for breath in the ocean, stranded with no land somewhere in sight. In his deliruim, he thought he heard gasps and screams of dying men. Junshin was too much in pain to hope for a rescue. Even if they did rescue him, he would just be another captive. And Kazuki would be sure to make his life a living hell if he resisted against him. A man with slate grey eyes was saying something to him. Junshin tried to catch his words, though they remained incoherent babble to him. ¡°He¡¯s delirious,¡± he thought he heard the man say. ¡°Hina, you can stave off the worst of it, right?¡± He heard a girl in the background ,a brunette girl with wide brown eyes that stared at Junshin with concern and worry. ¡°Don¡¯t woryr, I¡¯m on it,¡± she said. ¡°Curing him is top priority. He¡¯s almost near dead. But make everyone else keep the soldiers off of me while I¡¯m curing him.¡± ¡°Right,¡± the male with slate grey eyes said, before he gestured towards other people in their positions to spread out through the laboratory while Hina worked on healing him. Junshin saw blue light emit from the girl¡¯s hands, and suddenly his pounding headache and delirium was gone. The effects of the drug were staved off, too. He could think clearly now. More clear than he could ever before. They may have showed him an act of kindness, but they couldn¡¯t save him from Kazuki. Or they might betray him. Unfortunately, that was the experience he was taught with Kazuki. Anyone could betray you, even your most loved ones.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. The girl started to undo the latches and restraints on Junshin, before murmuring something to Reito. ¡°Our mission was to retrieve him , right?¡± ¡°That was the objective,¡± The man said. ¡°Can you talk, son?¡± ¡°My name is Junshin,¡± Junshin said, suddenly feeling foolish. What did it matter what his name was to him? He was only a mission objective, not a person, to them. ¡°Right,¡± the male said with a nod of approval towards Hina. ¡°You¡¯re a miracle worker, you know that? But we gotta haul ass outta here. Before reinforcements come.¡± ¡°Right,¡± the girl said, before she hefted Junshin upon her shoulder and started running down the corridors with the male. The girl carried him easily over her shoulder. Junshin wondered if she had super strength or something of that nature. She easily carried all one hundred twenty pounds of him, and didn¡¯t need any assistance from the elder male. But Junshin wondered; would they be able to escape? Could he dare hope that he would escape from the torture and experimentations that he suffered for so long? Yet, Junshin wondered if he could completely trust these guys. They might have some motive for taking him. What if they took him back from the laboratory to put him in jail again? ¡°I¡¯m not going back to jail, am I?¡± Junshin said. Reito glanced at Junshin through the side. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we provide leverage to souls like you. We know that you¡¯re actually innocent.¡± Junshin couldn¡¯t yet bring himself to let out a sigh of relief. ¡°What¡¯re you going to do with me.¡± ¡°Talk later, we got redshirts to get rid of,¡± Reito said as he easily took out several guards at once. Junshin blinked. Was there a glitch in his sight? Reito seemed to have stuttered in emotion, as though a video camera didn¡¯t get proper feedback and hiccuped. Reito seemed to have¡­teleported and took out three guards at once? Was it teleporting? Junshin couldn¡¯t believe what he was seeing. But then he supposed he witnessed first hand the girl¡¯s abilities, he shouldn¡¯t be surprised. These guys had super powers. ¡°We got Junshin,¡± Hina said, without sounding out of breath. ¡°You¡¯ll be safe with us. I promise.¡± ¡°Hey, I can walk, you know,¡± Junshin protested and Hina set him down. ¡°Listen, there¡¯s going to be a lot of gunfire and maybe they¡¯ll bring in psionic reinforcements,¡± Reito said to Junshin. ¡°You think you can handle that?¡± ¡°No time to talk,¡± Hina said as a glowing energy emanated from her hands. ¡°They¡¯re coming!¡± Just as Hina said, two soldiers came in rattling gunfire. Hina used the blue aura from her hands and deflected the bullets with her hands; and Junshin wondered how she maneuvered so quickly with her hands and managed to catch the bullets that stuttered out towards her and deflect them at certain angles away from her body. She then hurtled towards them at a breakneck speed, knocking the soldiers out with solid punches to the abdomen. The soldiers crumpled, and Junshin wondered just how strong this girl was. Once Junshin and Hina made their way out of the room, Reito, Hina, and Junshin made their way to freedom outside of the laboratory. Junshin gasped, swallowing lungfuls of air. He craved the outside air so much; to feel the sunshine on his face. It felt absolutely sublime after being cured, and he was in a rational sense of mind to think and feel the wonerful sensations on his skin and through his pores. ¡°I¡¯ll recall Rika, Shizuya, and Kanna,¡± Reito said. ¡°We¡¯re out.¡± Junshin wondered how Reito would be able to do that, as he had no communication device attached to him; then suddenly realizing that they must¡¯ve had some kind of power to communicate with them without such things. Junshin shivered. He couldn¡¯t imagine becoming dependent on those kinds of powers. His father told him if that Junshin used his psionic powers, he would be driven mad. He wondered if you had to be a little mad to obtain psionic powers, or whether his family had a history of madness. After all, Kazuki changed when he began experimenting with his powers. Junshin was transported in a getaway car. He wondered how Shizuya, Rika, and kanna would get out, though he did not protest this. They were just names to him, really, though some part of him was concerned that they might not make it out alive. All because of him. That would only tarnish his record even more, wouldn¡¯t it? Why was everyone putting so much effort into saving him? Was it because of the powers that lay hidden deep inside of him? So he was being used again? Wasn¡¯t he? That¡¯s all everyone wanted him for. They didn¡¯t want him because he was an individual that merited respect and human rights. He was just a tool, of course. Junshin swallowed the angry words he wanted to say. They rescued him, didn¡¯t they? But that also meant that he was in their debt, and he hated owing people. They probably would make him work underneath them, and what freedom would Junshin have? It seemed that everywhere Junshin turned, people compromised his freedom. ¡°Gotta shake them off our tail,¡± Reito murmured as he drove. He assumed that the other three had their own getaway car or something to get out. ¡°I¡¯m sure they¡¯d hate to lose such a valuable subject.¡± ¡°So you guys want the same thing they do?¡± Junshin asked out of curiosity. He dared not to hope that they rescued him because the scientists subjected him to inhumane treatment and wanted Junshin for him. No, they wanted what was inside his head as well. The Mind of God. ¡°To be honest, we are intrigued by the power that you hold,¡± Reito said. At least he was up front about it rather than making sweet, honeyed promises that tasted bitter when swallowed. ¡°But we also rescue one of our own.¡± Junshin pondered on this in silence. He didn¡¯t completely trust them yet. They must¡¯ve felt some kindred with him, because they all had special powers. When Junshin first experimented with his powers, he thought that it gave him perfect recall. He was able to ace tests and schoolwork easily, marking him as one of the top students in the district with his grades. Junshin also read tomes upon tomes of books at once, reading in sips and swallows or in long gasps. He always had his nose in a book, and he was told that he was quite smart. He often hoarded information and books like one hoarded food or clothes or other materials. His pocket money was often spend on books; and whatever was left over was for food and clothes, basically. ¡°You want me to work with you guys,¡± Junshin said, before the girl turned toward him and tried to soothe him. ¡°It would be nice if we got your cooperation,¡± the girl said kindly. ¡°But it¡¯s all about your consent, Junshin-kun.¡± So he had a choice after all? Or maybe she was saying that for politeness sake? Reito pressed on. ¡°However, it¡¯s recommended that we transport your to SeRAPH safely at first¡­and then we¡¯ll figure out what to do with you there. You can spend some of your time observing the classrooms and students ,of course, we¡¯re not rushing you into anything, but it will be good to train you in your powers. Because there¡¯s a lot m ore to you abilities than what you think it is.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± Junshin said, cocking his head at Hina. ¡°All will be explained in due time,¡± Reito said gently. ¡°Though youre in great danger. There are many people that are after yo ubecause of what you harbor inside. We, the ANGeLs team, promise that we¡¯ll protect you.¡± Junshin wanted to say that he didn¡¯t need babysitters to look after him, though it would look spiteful at best and well¡­considering he had been captured and betrayed, he really ought to be more grateful. Though Junshin didn¡¯t like the idea of being tied to the ANGeLS or SeRAPH or whatever. He wanted to be his own free man. Since when did his ambitions of going to a college and living a normal life had disappeared so quickly? Ever since this whole Mind of God business, people were targeting him and using him as threat. There was no way that these peoiple didn¡¯t have some sort of agenda in their mind for him, like all the others. ¡°Why are people after me?¡± Junshin asked. ¡°Can¡¯t talk right now. There are soldiers chasing after us,¡± Reito said as he drove sharply on the road to avoid gunfire. ¡°These guys just don¡¯t know when to quit.¡± Reito avoided the gunfire and went into giant looping roundabout ways of leading them away from their destination. Hina then opened fire on the car pursuing them, the wheel squealing and causing the car to squeal and careen dangerously, though it kept their pursuit on their tale. ¡°Will SeRAPH have to pay for damages again?¡± Hina asked nervously, and Reito shrugged his shoulders. ¡°The important objective is keeping Junshin safe and outside of enemy hands,¡± Reito said. ¡°As much as we¡¯d like to avoid as muc attraction as possible, they¡¯re forcing us to go to extreme measures. Though I think Rika and Shizuya should¡¯ve eliminated the psychics, at least.¡± ¡°Will they get out?¡± Junshin wonderted aloud, and Reito grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Reito said with a smile. ¡°They¡¯ve been personally trained underneath me. They¡¯re professionals.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Junshin said, his heart accelerating with the car as gunfire rattled towards them and shot at the windows. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the driving,¡± Reito said, ¡°We¡¯re professionals. And naturally, we¡¯re the good guys. So you¡¯ve got nothing to fear.¡± Junshin wasn¡¯t so sure. But for now¡­what choice did he have? He hoped that the ANGeLS would be his savior and get him out of the mess that he was entrenched in. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 When they narrowly escaped from their captors, they arrived from the frying pan into the fire, so to speak. The news reporters and journalists and everyone else was gathered around SeRAPH Headquarters, assaulting Reito and Hina when they exited out of the car with flashing cameras and scribbling pens. ¡°Reito Kazuyuki, you¡¯ve been involved in a recent event where you failed to protect an important client of yours? That was that criminal¡¯s father there, wasn¡¯t it?¡± Another reporter said. ¡°Kazuyuki-san, why are you protecting that criminal? Dr. Hatoyama is a respectable man who is known for scientific advancements in our community and has contributed much to our technology. Is it because he¡¯s the son of your friend, Taka Fujimoto?¡± Reito and Hina flocked over Junshin and shielded him from the reporter¡¯s prying eyes and cameras. Though Reito seemingly kept his cool, Junshin could hear him grinding his teeth and uttering out, ¡°Bastards¡± underneath his breath while Hina quickened her pace and kept her head bowed down while she helped Reito escort him into SeRAPH¡¯s doors. When Reito slammed the door behind him, his cool facade melted away. His grey eyes glinted like steel as he shouted, ¡°Those rat bastards will do anything to undermine someone¡¯s reputation. Don¡¯t they know that I¡¯ve been trying so hard to redeem myself for my previous error?¡± Reito shook his head. ¡°Nothing will stop them. But the most important thing is, we escorted Junshin safely to SeRAPH.¡± Junshin remained silent, his skin prickling underneath Reito¡¯s intense gaze. The remnants of anger still haven¡¯t completely left him yet, though the steel edge in his eyes disappeared. Hina lifted her head. ¡°That¡¯s so awful, Reito. You¡¯ve trained us to become who we are, to be professionals; we¡¯re indebted to you, so we won¡¯t abandon your side just because of a couple of reporters or so. We believe in you.¡± ¡°Thank you, Hina,¡± Reito said while putting a hand to his brow and smoothing his black hair as though it would relieve him of the obvious stress that bubbled underneath his demeanor. ¡°Rika, Shizuya, and Kanna should find their way in here shortly. They probably went the roundabout way, most likely. Our priorities lie with getting Junshin to see SeRAPH¡¯s therapist.¡± Reito snapped his fingers at a nearby adult staff member, who immediately saluted Reito and stood rigid straight upon seeing his gaze directed upon him. ¡°Go tell those media people to fuck off, except in politer terms,¡± Reito said, and the adult nodded while he headed out of the doors and into the seething crowd of masses. Reito prowled down the halls like a great panther or some other predatory cat, and he opened the doors to Therapy Services. ¡°Setsuna, we need your help,¡± Reito said as he started to number the things she had to do, ¡°First, we need to get Junshin¡¯s consent towards a telepathic scan. Make sure his mental shields aren¡¯t too heavily damaged or fractured by trauma and then repair them if need be. Then we need to investigate the abilities that this Mind of God can do¡­because I have a feeling that it has infinite power and implications, though we don¡¯t understand or fathom the full functionality of it yet.¡± ¡°What¡¯s all this about?¡± Setsuna said with a frown towards Reito, before she smiled towards Junshin apologetically. ¡°Consent is important of course. We have a policy not to read another person¡¯s mind unless if they consent permission for it. There are a handful of tricky laws of the handling of telepathy, though we¡¯ve got staff that monitors the misuse of telepathy or uses it to help heal broken minds or traumas.¡± ¡°That sounds awfully convenient,¡± Junshin said. ¡°It involves careful handling,¡± Setsuna said. ¡°I prefer using traditional therapeutic methods to extreme methods like using telepathic wipes or fixing fractures inside the mind forcibly. If not under the hands of a professional, then a person could end up quite different from what they used to be, or even regress.¡± ¡°Regressing? It¡¯s natural that there would be some consequences to something that could overwrite someone¡¯s mind, but doesn¡¯t it sound like brainwashing?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s a very delicate process, and a professional should handle someone else¡¯s mind and work to help improve any fractures and fissures inside the mind.¡± ¡°Hina cured me,¡± Junshin said. ¡°I think.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t heal the trauma from your mind that you no doubt experienced,¡± Setsuna said. ¡°She¡¯s one of our best Medics, but she¡¯s not a therapist or telepathic master. Though to some extent, every Psion has baseline telepathy and telekinesis, but to find someone who mastered a certain branch of that, like Hina specializing in biokinesis, her brain is wired towards healing and body enhancements. Her side effects are also being immune to diseases and aging, as her cells adapted to that certain effect of what deliberately practicing biokinesis.¡± ¡°You can get rid of it?¡± Junshin asked. ¡°I could, though there are certain risks involved,¡± Setsuna said. ¡°You could end up with a completely different personality or you might acquire another trauma or personality flaw that you didn¡¯t have before.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure if I would get rid of it,¡± Junshin said. ¡°I need to have these memories. To remember what I must do.¡± ¡°And what is it that you¡¯re planning to do, Junshin?¡± Hina asked. ¡°Find Kazuki, I suppose,¡± Junshin said. ¡°He¡¯s mocking me. He¡¯s trying to one-up me. He¡¯s trying to make me feel incompetent.¡± Setsuna frowned a little, before saying, ¡°To be honest, we¡¯re trying to track down Kazuki as well. But I think that should be put on hold before we acquire your consent to do a telepathic session. The reason why Reito took you to me first. We wanted to discover some things through your memory that your father left behind and try to track down Kazuki. He¡¯s kept his tracks well covered this entire time and we can¡¯t locate him. We¡¯re not sure what kind of powers he has, though he seems to disappear without a trace and is wanted in several countries. But he eludes the authorities and organizes and rallies criminals together.¡± ¡°That sounds like my brother, all right,¡± Junshin said with a grudging admiration. ¡°He had fearsome intellect, though he doesn¡¯t use his talent for any good at all. When he was testing his powers, he used me as an experiment and would use all kinds of telepathic and telekinetic stuff on me.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Setsuna said. ¡°You¡¯ve always competed with your brother or something like that when you were little?¡± ¡°Every time that I would show times of outshining my brother, he would do one of his experiments on me,¡± Junshin said. ¡°And he gave me cramps so bad that I thought I would die.¡± ¡°That must¡¯ve been awful,¡± Hina said sympathetically before she clasped Junshin¡¯s hand within her own. ¡®Listen, Junshin, we¡¯re here to help you. We¡¯ll get you out of this situation and make sure that you live a free life, without being tied to your brother. We¡¯ll catch him and bring him to justice, but we¡¯re going to need your help doing so, okay?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll do my best,¡± Junshin said, before Reito nodded towards the man who handled the media. ¡°They¡¯re gone,¡± the man said, flipping a coin in one hand and catching it swiftly. ¡°I also foresaw something interesting with our new charge here.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Reito said, humoring the man known as Ichinose Gin. ¡°Yeah,¡± The white haired male said. ¡°I saw that he¡¯s gonna be getting a Happy Meal at Mickey D¡¯s. Who doesn¡¯t love their chicken nuggets?¡± Hina laughed a little. ¡°That¡¯s just like you Gin. Though I think the food provided here at SeRAPH is good.¡± ¡°Awh, Hina-kun,¡± Gin said. ¡°I think that Junshin needs to fill out a little. Have some chicken nuggets dipped in honey. But in all seriousness, though, I foresaw something interesting¡­I think that you guys better huddle around and hear about it.¡± ¡°Your predictions are usually wrong, friend¡­¡± Reito said while patting his friend Gin on the back. ¡°But the times you are¡­well, it¡¯s really helped give us leverage against our enemies.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go to the precognition room,¡± Gin suggested and gestured for Junshin and the others to follow. When they made their way down a narrow corridor, Junshin ducked his head under the doorway that entered into the precognition rooms and saw various identical women with brunette hair typing on the computers and wearing some kind of contraption on their head while they typed. As they typed, there would be a huge holographic projection of statistics and data that fascinated Junshin. He wondered why the women were all identical. Clones of some sort? Synchronizers to form a mother brain data analytic hologram that predicted the outcomes of disaster and crimes that happened around the area? This seemed so surreal, as though he were in a movie or comic book. ¡°These wonderful ladies train under me,¡± Gin said cheerfully. ¡°Of course, they¡¯re doing the heavy lifting, I just commandeer them all to take statistics and real live cams around Tokyo to see any activity that happens there. That¡¯s how we got wind of you, Junshin. When we found you, we saw that you would be key to our success in capturing Kazuki.¡± ¡°Could you see the details why, friend?¡± Reito said calmly, and Gin gestured to Reito. ¡°Well, it was more of a feeling rather than visualizing a future, you see, but I just know that Junshin will be a great part of our success.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that common sense though? ¡°Setsuna questioned while she shook her head at Gin. ¡°Obviously Junshin is our ace against Kazuki, I think. If we train him properly and give him the right leverage, then we will be able to take down the greatest mastermind behind Tokyo¡¯s criminal populace.¡± ¡°Patience,¡± Reito said to Setsuna, and Setsuna seemed flustered when she was being chided by Reito. ¡°We found Junshin because of Gin, remember? At least for each prediction that he gets right out of the ones he gets wrong, he¡¯s proved fruitful on this one.¡± ¡°Yes, I contribute too, you see,¡± Gin said while winking at Setsuna, while Setsuna scoffed.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°I think that you just slack off from work and go to McDonald¡¯s whenever you can just to have chicken nuggets with honey sauce at every opportunity,¡± she said meaningfully. Gin laughed. ¡°Hey, a good appetite means that you¡¯ve lived a good life.¡± ¡°As a doctor, you shouldn¡¯t be eating those things!¡± Junshin watched these interactions carefully, taking note of their mannerisms and expressions and how they interacted with one another. He wondered how they could be so open and carefree while dealing in unsavory matters such as the criminal underworld in a military police force, that was filled with death and morbidity. How could they smile and laugh while a serious situation was going on? They seemed to be bonded together, though something lingered in Junshin¡¯s mind: the more they try to get to know you, the easier they can con you. He suspected there was some catch to this whole thing. They didn¡¯t give him any reason to believe that they were unreasonable people or even cruel like the scientists and Dr. Hatoyama did, but Junshin learned another important lesson from Kazuki; that the deepest betrayals were made from the people that you trusted the most. If he were to grow to trust these people, to let them in and share his problems with them, the wrench of the knife in his back would only hurt worse. So Junshin kept his eyes upon them, observing any signs of deceit or swindling cons. He had been a slave to Kazuki. He had been a slave underneath Dr. Hatoyama. And now he would be enslaved to SeRAPH. However, SeRAPh might be the key to his freedom; it would be foolish of him not take advantage of the opportunity. It seemed like there might have been a divine intervention after all if there was a God. If he were to be truly free of Kazuki¡¯s complex machinations to tear him and break him down and live with freedom, then he would have to survive and endure a little longer. He needed to gain the knowledge to overcome his situation. He felt like he was being thrust in without any preparation at all, but it looks like it''s time to take action. There were many possibilities. Maybe Junshin could use Setsuna to learn how to tamper his own mental engineering so that he can self-hypnotize himself into overcoming his fear. Yet, it was also this fear that kept him alive in all these situations, wasn¡¯t it? His sense of self-preservation was too strong. He knew that if he openly allied himself with the ANGeLS, his brother would only bring down wrath and fury upon even harder. The ANGeLS were quite possibly using him, and where did Junshin¡¯s interests lie? Junshin decided that he would use the ANGeLS to become so powerful that no one would fight him or control him. Ever. His environment simply switched, after all. This SeRAPH seemed like a place conducive to learning. But he didn¡¯t trust that the ANGeLS could truly help him? How can he trust someone that hasn¡¯t managed to capture Kazuki and bring him to justice yet? No, this was his problem and his alone. As the underworld taught him, no one was your friend. Others only looked out for their own self-interest. Betrayal was common, and those who were kind and naive quickly got gobbled up in the maw of monsters known as men. ¡°Junshin?¡± Hina questioned, snapping his attention out of his thoughts. ¡°You seem deep in thought.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Junshin said, wondering what to gauge of Hina. Hina smiled easily and laughed easily it seemed, even after bouncing back after a stressful situation. How could she smile like that? And she was a professional Medic, it seemed. ¡°There¡¯s no need for concern. I¡¯m simply thinking.¡± Setsuna clapped her hands together, before saying, ¡°Right, Junshin. We need to work on your memory constructs. You¡¯ve had some time to consider it. What is your answer?¡± Junshin felt frozen to the spot. Was he supposed to make a decision right here? He wished he had longer to think about it. On the one hand, it could lead him to undermine Kazuki, but it also gave SeRAPH leverage against him in his most intimate memories. Or they could straight up brainwash him if they so wished, or a person would be privy to his most private of thoughts and secrets. If he were to go through the procedure, how many people would be in on it? Would everyone know? Would they question him as ill and out of control, a danger to be kept confined out of sight from society? He wanted to be among other people again. He was constantly under the control of other people, had someone else make the decisions for him. But if Junshin were to catch Kazuki and screw him over as badly as Kazuki did him¡­ ¡°I don¡¯t have much choice, do I?¡± Junshin said with a somewhat resigned tone. ¡°There is always a choice,¡± Reito said while he began escorting Setsuna and Junshin back to Setsuna¡¯s office, while Gin and Hina went off to do their own thing. ¡°You may have a circumstance where you feel everything is out of control, but it¡¯s how you choose to react to the situation. We need someone like you on our side.¡± ¡°I¡¯m on no one¡¯s side,¡± Junshin said, sitting up and looking Reito directly into the eyes. ¡°How do I know that you¡¯re the good guys? You may have rescued me, but that doesn¡¯t mean that you don¡¯t have your own agenda.¡± Reito suckled on the toothpick, before letting out a sigh. ¡°What will it take for you to trust us, Junshin?¡± Junshin hung his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I do want to get my memories back, but I feel like¡­those thoughts should be my own. My own memories. I don¡¯t want to share them with anyone else.¡± ¡°That is perfectly understandable,¡± Reito said mildly. ¡°That is why we won¡¯t do memory work without your consent, Junshin. What we can do, however, is figure out solutions. The organization that kidnapped you is going to strike back again, surely. They will be looking for you. So long as you¡¯re with SeRAPH, you¡¯re under our protection.¡± Junshin clenched his hands into the sheets. ¡°So as long as I¡¯m with SeRAPH, I have to be monitored closely and always be with an escort? Sounds like a breach of freedom to me.¡± ¡°Your circumstances are different from other people, Junshin,¡± Reito said patiently. ¡°We are looking after your best interests.¡± Junshin folded his hands together and stared down at them. They did rescue him, that much was true. It meant that he probably owed them a great debt. Yet somehow, Junshin couldn¡¯t bring himself to completely trust them and submit to their will. He hated the thought of doing memory work, of having his memories penetrated and pieced together for someone else to see. He understood that Setsuna was a professional at her work through memory reconstruction through her telepathy, though Junshin didn¡¯t want to surrender what little control he had.If he didn¡¯t own even his own memories, what freedom did that give him? ¡°I understand your reluctance,¡± Reito said while putting a hand on Junshin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°If I were to do this memory reconstruction thing,¡± Junshin said slowly. ¡°How long would it take?¡± ¡°Probably several intensive sessions,¡± Reito said, shrugging his shoulders. ¡°We can¡¯t say for sure. It all depends on how resistant you are to our help.¡± ¡°If I were to help¡­¡± Junshin said, thinking over his thoughts carefully. He knew he was at a crossroads here, and a great destiny awaited him. He didn¡¯t like surrendering his freedom and control, though he felt as though his destiny lay at SeRAPH Academy, whether he liked it or not. ¡°I want as few as possible people knowing about my memories.¡± ¡°It will just be Setsuna and me,¡± Reito said. ¡°Also¡­I want a place to be on my own. No escorts or anyone monitoring me. Just a private room where no one bothers me and let me think. My own private space.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Reito said before he steadied Junshin into a standing position and led him down the hallway. ¡°We¡¯ll accommodate you with these things. The first session of memory work with Setsuna is about to begin.¡± Junshin swallowed. He still had misgivings about the memory work, though he knew that SeRAPH wouldn¡¯t let him just go free, especially with having important memories in his head. Once Junshin entered the room with Reito, Setsuna was prepared. ¡°Are you ready for this, Junshin?¡± Setsuna asked, staring at him with vivid green eyes. ¡°Are you absolutely sure?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like it,¡± Junshin stated. ¡°But I have no choice but to trust you guys. I still have my reservations, though it seems like my only option is to go along with your wishes. It seems like the most beneficial choice to me, after all.¡± ¡°We will help you,¡± Setsuna promised. Setsuna held hands with Junshin, interlacing her fingers with his own. Reito grabbed Setsuna¡¯s hand and linked Junshin and them together, closing his eyes as well. When Junshin closed his eyes and relaxed, he felt that same probing presence trying to enter his mind once again. Junshin attempted to relax his mental barriers, imagined removing the barrier that he provided brick by brick, and eventually, after the bricks have been lifted away, Junshin saw an image of himself using telekinetic force to explode the windows in his house and scatter kitchen implements, food items, shattered glass, and more into a revolving whirlwind around himself. He was talking to someone, but who? Junshin couldn¡¯t quite see the shadowed figure standing before him. ¡°So this is a piece of your memory,¡± Setsuna explained. This is you demonstrating your telekinetic abilities after having an argument with someone, it seems. Do you remember much else about this scene? Try to absorb the details and try to find cues that remind you of important clues to this memory.¡± Junshin walked around the room, watching himself in third person detachment. He saw the water faucet spout water and the glass in the middle of shattering. He looked around, trying to find clues, anything that would give him more details about this memory, though he couldn¡¯t find anything. The expression on his face in that period, however, looked pained, as though he were suffering agony. ¡°I don¡¯t remember much of this,¡± Junshin admitted. ¡°At least we have a memory fragment that we can work with,¡± Setsuna said as she explored the Japanese home with interest. ¡°You lived in a nice neighborhood. This must be the awakening of your telekinetic powers. Though what caused them? Stress? Anger? Some kind of emotional outburst? Though look at your expression here. It looked pained. It¡¯s almost as though you didn¡¯t want to use your powers. Why? Did you hurt someone, perhaps?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Junshin said, his mouth suddenly going dry. But looking at the scene here, it was very possible that he could¡¯ve embedded shards of glass into someone¡¯s skin, or pierced a knife through their soft flesh. Whatever caused the telekinetic outburst, it was a dangerous power, for certain. Though something else disconcerted Junshin, besides the fact that he discovered an unpleasant memory. He felt a presence watching them, an unknown entity that lurked in the shadows and observed their every movement and thoughts. Junshin hated being watched without his permission, and Junshin realized, with a sudden despair, that he wasn¡¯t free even in his own mind. Something was there. He knew it. Something that was watching patiently, observing him, though it hadn¡¯t spoken to him yet. But the presence was tangible, like the air that was choking the breath out of him in this room. He couldn¡¯t breathe. ¡°Junshin?¡± Setsuna said, as she clasped him by the shoulder in the dream. ¡°This is only a memory, it can¡¯t harm you! Remember to breathe!¡± Junshin opened his eyes, and suddenly the materialization of the memory melted away from his surroundings and he ended up in the SeRAPH corridors once more. Junshin took a long, deep shuddering breath, before saying, ¡°Something was watching us.¡± ¡°What was?¡± Reito asked, looking at Junshin curiously. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­but something,¡± Junshin said, shivering. ¡°We had to get there as soon as possible. It could¡¯ve¡­hurt us.¡± Setsuna looked towards Junshin, then to Reito, before saying, ¡°Fascinating. His mind is resisting us even now. I think that presence that you felt is a manifestation of your resistance towards us, of not yet trusting us. You created a lingering presence that repelled us away from the memory and forced us out of your mind. This is going to take more intensive therapy then I imagined.¡± Junshin¡¯s mouth compressed into a thin line. ¡°So I need therapy now?¡± ¡°To help you, yes.¡± ¡°You go on and on about helping me, but is this really beneficial to me? I was scared, I was frightened, I saw something I didn¡¯t want to see and I felt something there that could¡­I don¡¯t know. Something I didn¡¯t like. Something monstrous. I don¡¯t want to go back there again if I can help it.¡± Reito put a hand on Junshin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Junshin, you need those memories. You need to go back in. You may not like them, they may be unpleasant, but remember, Junshin¡ªyou¡¯ve got to take responsibility for the memories that you see and the powers that you have. Running away isn¡¯t going to do you any good.¡± ¡°You just want information out of me,¡± Junshin said in a bitter tone. ¡°Am I just another lab rat to you guys? A golden goose who lays golden eggs.¡± ¡°Oh Junshin,¡± Setsuna said. ¡°We care about you. Honest, we do. That¡¯s why we¡¯re doing everything in our power to help make sure that your powers are stable, that you can control yourself.¡± ¡°I have plenty of control,¡± Junshin said, turning away from them. ¡°As long as I don¡¯t¡­think about certain things, then I should be fine. I can control myself. I have power over myself.¡± Reito shook his head. ¡°You obviously don¡¯t. You sensed something in there that you couldn¡¯t control, could you? Remember that memory of you losing control? Imagine that happening on a much larger scale. Imagine this happening when you¡¯re a fully matured adult and you still don¡¯t have a grasp of your growing powers. You could cause a city-wide scale of destruction if you don¡¯t learn about your powers. That¡¯s why you need us. That¡¯s why we¡¯re trying to help you.¡± ¡°I still don¡¯t trust you guys,¡± Junshin said after a long while. ¡°But what other choice do I have?" Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Junshin was dismissed from Setsuna¡¯s office. He was left brooding in a room that he had to himself, wondering what he should do. It seemed like everywhere he went, he was enslaved to someone. He understood the importance of having control over his powers, but the odd things that happened was because of the Id, not his own doing! He couldn¡¯t help that the Id would get irrational and threw temper tantrums like a child. They couldn¡¯t seem to sense the presence inside his mind or manifested out of his body sometimes. He knew that this being was very dangerous, but he felt like he had no control over his life whatsoever. And no he had no control over himself, either. Why did life spiral deeper and deeper into a darkening depression that told him everything was hopeless? Why wouldn¡¯t he just give up? Didn¡¯t Kazuki say that life was cruel and unfair and only the survival of the fittest stood on top of the others? He didn¡¯t want anyone to get hurt. Junshin hurt someone before; he saw that in his memory. But suppose that this happened on a wider scale/ What if it was an entire neighborhood, a city, or even a country? Suppose the whole world fell into darkness because he lost control? But Kazuki taught him from an early age on that control was a mere illusion, and that Junshin never had any control to begin with. Ever since the day that Junshin was born, Junshin admired his brother fiercely and wanted to be just like him. However, when Kazuki backstabbed him, betrayed him, Junshin¡¯s entire world fell apart, and Junshin didn¡¯t know what to do with the shattered pieces. Reito looked towards Junshin in concern. ¡°Listen, Junshin. You don¡¯t have to go through this if you don¡¯t want to.¡± It would¡¯ve been easier to say no. He should have said no. But damn it, Junshin felt some kind of responsibility over this, and he couldn¡¯t just turn a blind eye towards it. They did save him, after all. But he would not blindly trust them just yet. He needed to observe them, the people that surrounded him and their dynamics. To see if anyone of them had the potential to betray him. ¡°I think I need more time,¡± Junshin said, to which Setsuna looked towards him sympathetically. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that there might no be much time we can give you,¡± Reito said. ¡°But we will try to provide it all, teh same. Though let¡¯s review your memory, from what we saw. I promise that all of this will be confidential and won¡¯t be shared with anyone else besides Setsuna, myself, and you.¡± Junshin nodded. His tongue felt numb. He still didn¡¯t like the idea of his memories being probed like that. ¡°You have a lot more potential than we¡¯ve originally thought,¡± Reito noted to Junshin, who was half-listening, too absorbed in his own thoughts about the situation. How was he going to escape from Kazuki¡¯s control? Will Kazuki send more soldiers and scientists and assassins after him? Could the ANGeLS really protect him from all this? ¡°What do you think your powers can do, Junshin?¡± ¡°It seems like¡­I can memorize anything that I read or hear or see once and commit it to long term memory,¡± Junshin said, wondering if this would be all right to share. He supposed that knowledge was power, but no one could possibly understand what it was like to have such power. ¡°Right,¡± Reito said. ¡°That¡¯s one aspect of your powers. But we believe that there¡¯s so much more to it than that.¡± Junshin watched as Reito formed his hands into a steeple and then pointed it towards Junshin while he contemplated. ¡°It may seem like the power of just memorization. Thus far you demonstrated your academic abilities by being in one of the top colleges at a young age. You¡¯ve been put under observation for a while now from the ANGeLS team when your father showed potential for a gene that could produce Psions¡­and it was coincidental that Taka Fujimoto ended up with two sons that were Psions.¡± Reito paused, before he continued on again. ¡°Both of you had a lot of potential. In fact, the two of you were created in the APOCALYPSE program that involved a legendary psionic hero named Minoru. Both of you received his genes to become ideal soldier in that program. I imagine that Kazuki¡¯s bitterness and resentment lies in that.¡± ¡°APOCALYPSE?¡± Junshin asked, his attention piqued. ¡°What kind of program is that?¡± ¡°It stands for Advancement of the Potential Caliber of Yielding Psychic Energy. It¡¯s a shadowy group where Kazuki¡¯s mentor that taught him everything that he knows about psionics is leading. Kazuki is also part of the SOLDIER program¡­and was assigned to assassinate you, Junshin.¡± Junshin¡¯s heart leapt in his throat. What did all this mean? Why were these shadowy organizations after him? What did they k now about him? And why did they target Junshin specifically? Just what was It about him that made them want to kill him? ¡°You were originally of their creation,¡± Reito explained. ¡°But your genes started mutating in a way they did not foresee. You were actually a weapon that was designed form a blueprint for newer psionic soldiers on the battlefield.¡± Junshin took this all in, wondering about it silently. He was a weapon, only a tool to be used. He honestly had no control over his life, or his powers, or anything else. His birth wasn¡¯t an event to be celebrated or cherished; instead, he was a weapon. Who was supposed to have no emotions or human feeling. Just a tool, a piece of furniture in the background. ¡°So¡­¡± Junshin said. ¡°I was originally designed to be a blueprint for other psionic soldiers trying to replicate the best psionic soldier in history, Minoru?¡± ¡°Correct,¡± Reito said. ¡°You also had an interesting mutation that far surpasses Minoru in some ways¡­though they deemed you too dangerous and have too much self will to under their control. They tried to brainwash you for one purpose only; and that is to topple over the current political climate in Japan by seizing power for them once more.¡± ¡°That¡¯s just my life, isn¡¯t it?¡± Junshin said, knowing that he was reacting like a child but he couldn¡¯t help but feel that everything was spiraling out of control and he had no choice in the matter. ¡°I never got to live like a normal teenager.¡± Reito pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°True, you aren¡¯t a normal teenager. You never will be. However, Junshin, like I said, we¡¯re here to provide leverage and we will provide you with therapy sessions and train you in your powers so that you can reintegrate into society, hopefully. You¡¯ve had a hard childhood, I understand, and it feels like you don¡¯t have much control over your life, but you need to do this. There is a concept of enduring and waiting things out rather than going through a rash decision.¡± ¡°What if I just give up?¡± Junshin said. ¡°What kind of life is it to be enslaved to others, constantly serving others and never going with what you truly want?¡± ¡°What is it that you truly want, Junshin?¡± Reito said patiently, and Junshin faltered. ¡°I¡­I don¡¯t know,¡± Junshin finally said. ¡°But at least a life other than the one I have right now. But complaining about it won¡¯t do anything, so I guess I¡¯ve made my choice.¡± He turned to Setsuna. ¡°Setsuna,¡± Junshin said, bowing his head respectfully towards her. Setsuna nodded at him. ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°I voluntarily decided that I would get more memory work done today,¡± Junshin said. ¡°I¡­really want to get to the bottom of it. I need to learn how to control my powers and also discover my memories. They play an important clue in all of this, I think. All of it is connected somehow. I need to learn more about my powers, why I have them, and why so many organizations are after me. So in order to protect myself from people who might wish me harm, I think I¡¯m going to train in my powers to defend myself.¡± Setsuna clapped her ahnds together delightedly, before saying, ¡°You came to that decision on your own, Junshin-kun? You¡¯re rather mature for your age, aren¡¯t you? Though yes, iimagine it¡¯s a scary experience and it wasn¡¯t an easy one, but we¡¯re very glad that you¡¯ve decided to trust us. We¡¯ll try not to break your faith in us.¡± ¡°All right,¡± Setsuna said as she linked hands with Junshin and started to chant the necessary meditation for him to relax and slip into the memory reconstruction phase. ¡°Your thoughts are my thoughts. You will relax and gradually, muscle by muscle, breath by breath, become calm and serene. We will take a peak into your memory when you awakened your telekinetic powers. You will keep in mind that it¡¯s only a memory and it cannot harm you. All right?¡± Junshin nodded, and before he knew it, he was at the memory reconstruction scene again with the whirlwind of silverware dishes and food items whirling around him ni a telekinetic swirl. His expression looked pained as always, and he still couldn¡¯t see the shadowy figure that he had been talking to. That part of his memory wasn¡¯t clear yet, though maybe with a little deeper digging, he can discover who it was. ¡°Your telekinetic powers were brought upon stress,¡± Setsuna finally decided. ¡°Stress is a trigger for your psionic powers, I think.¡± ¡°Stress,¡± Junshin said, before that uneasy feeling started to creep up on him again, like a monster waiting to pounce in the dark. He looked towards a doorway, and something peeked through. Junshin jumped.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°I see something over there!¡± Junshin said in a shaky voice, and Setsuna turned and looked towards the doorway that Junshin was looking at. ¡°I don¡¯t see anything, Junshin-kun,¡± Setsuna said with a frown. ¡°It¡¯s there¡­¡± Junshin said, struggling to breath again. ¡°It¡¯s¡­can¡¯t you see it or feel it? Something¡¯s there, something¡¯s watching us, and it really doesn¡¯t want us to be here.¡± Setsuna frowned, though she noticed the enormous amount of stress that Junshin was put under. ¡°Remember, Junshin, it¡¯s a memory, and it can¡¯t hurt¡ª¡± Junsin suddenly jerked into reality once more, and everything within the room revolved around him. Books, paper weights, paper clips, papers all revolved around him in a monstrous swirl, and Junshin tried to direct a paper cutter away from Setsuna while it revolved around them. Setsuna¡¯s eyes widened, and she tried to bring Junshin to a calm. ¡°Junshin? I want you to listen to me very carefully. ¡°You need to learn a calming meditation to bring yourself to reality and stop your powers if they ever got out of control. Okay?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t¡­control it¡­¡± Junshin said in despair. ¡°Listen to me, Listen to my voice. Only focus on the sound of my voice,¡± Setsuna said, trying to direct him thorugh the procedure to calm himself down. ¡° Okay¡­okay,¡± Junshin said, trying to keep a tight rein on his emotions. ¡°What should I do next?¡± ¡°Take some deep calming breaths, and try to retreat into your mind to a safe place. A happy place. We¡¯ll go there together, okay? Think about¡­when you were a child. Where did you hide so that no one could find you?¡± Junshin closed his eyes, trying to imagine his secret hiding place to run away from¡­whatever it was that stalked them in his mind. He went through a ventillation shaft and went into the small crawlspace that concealed him from view. He tried to keep Setsuna¡¯s chanting meditations in mind. To aclm his breath. To release tension muscle by muscle until his body was in sync with his mind in relaxation. When he breathed, teh revolving whirwind of items settled down and all dropped to the floor. Reito was there. ¡°What happened?¡± Reito asked, and Setsuna looked shaky. ¡°Junshin-kun had a telekinetic burst of stress,¡± Setsuna decided. ¡°So I think that we¡¯ve got a clue to one of his memories, which was that his telekinesis was caused by stress. But what could have triggered that stress? Perhaps this was a defining traumatic childhood memory?¡± ¡°Who knows?¡± Reito said, before he frowned and put a hand on Junshin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Maybe this was too much to ask of him.¡± Junshin shuddered. The memory of that thing stalking them seemed too real. ¡°Junshin, you¡¯re trembling,¡± Setsuna said, putting her hands on his shoulders to calm him down. ¡°There¡¯s something lurking there,¡± Junshin said with a gasp. ¡°Something¡­terrible. I don¡¯t know how to get it out of it¡¯s hiding place, but it¡¯s definitely there. It was watching us. And it almost could¡¯ve hurt us.¡± Reito frowned. ¡°So before we can do memory reconstruction, we have to encounter this¡­thing that you¡¯re mentioning, Junshin?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what it is,¡± Junshin admitted. ¡°But I don¡¯t like it, and I feel like I know it. It¡¯s something that defies reason and logic¡­and it instills a deep fear inside of me. But it only seems like it¡¯s getting stronger the more we revisit that memory.¡± ¡°Like a Minotaur in a labyrinth,¡± Setsuna murmured. Junshin perked up. He heard about teh Minotaur myth plenty of times from his Grecian literature classes. ¡°We¡¯ve got to find a solution to this,¡± Reito said. ¡°But why can¡¯t Setsuna or I sense the thing inside your mind? You¡¯ve mentioned that something was watching us before, though we¡¯ve found no signs of its presence.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Junshin said while shaking his head in frustration. ¡°All I know is that¡­it sees you guys as enemies.¡± ¡°Hm,¡± Reito intoned, before he put a hand on Junshin¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I think we might have to take drastic measures and perform psychic surgery on our young charge here.¡± ¡°But wouldn¡¯t that scramble up his memories even further?¡± Setsuna said in shock, and Reito nodded. ¡°We have no other choice. There is a deep fracture within Junshin¡¯s mind and he senses that something is there that shouldn¡¯t be. Maybe if we separated the entity from Junshin¡¯s mind, we can get answers out of it.¡± ¡°How do we even know it¡¯s real?¡± Setsuna said, before Reito tapped a finger against his cheek. ¡°Junshin should know his own mind better than us,¡± Reito said. ¡°I think he¡¯s onto something here, that there¡¯s something that is watching us when we try to touch that memory. It must be a very important memory, and if it¡¯s the first one that we encountered, it must be a clue about Junshin¡¯s mind and how his abilities work.¡± Setsuna turned to look at Junshin, worry cast her in her eyes. ¡°Oh, Junshin. I understand that all of this is too much to take in. We think we can help you if we do psychic surgery, though there are certain risks involved. Are you willing to take that risk to discover the truth, Junshin-kun?¡± Junshin swallowed and clenched his hands into fists. He didn¡¯t know if he had the resolve to find out what that terror was that nestled deep in his mind. But he knew if he didn¡¯t find out the truth, then it could literally destroy him and bring him down to his knees. Or drive him to the deepest kind of despair that drove him to suicide. He couldn¡¯t let that happen, he needed to save himself from himself first, before he thought about saving others. ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡± Junshin said with finality. Reito looked grim. ¡°Let¡¯s get to work, shall we?¡± ¡ªx-- Reito strapped some electrodes to Junshin¡¯s head and neck, the machines gauging Junshin¡¯s brain wave lengths. Setsuna wrung her hands together. ¡°To do psychic surgery on someone so young¡­¡± Setsuna said. ¡°It might not be just one psychic surgery,¡± Reito said. ¡°It could be several psychic surgeries that we¡¯re talking about here.¡± Junshin looked at the various apparatuses that he was attached to by the electrodes. He suddenly felt like a lab rat once again, though he wondered if this would really hlep him. After all, they were talking about performing psychic surgery on him, and the prospect frightened him. What if they did find something wrong with him? What if the thing that watched them wanted vengeance or blood? He knew that the entity or whatever it was didn¡¯t harbor any friendly feelings towards Setsuna and Reito¡ªand possibly towards the entirety of SeRAPH. Junshin wondered then, if, it was really safe for him to stay in SeRAPH at all. It seemed that once again, he¡¯ll have to be on the run again and never establish something as his home because of that darkness that lingered inside of him. ¡°All right,¡± Reito said, before speaking through a screen that overlooked the room where Junshin was in. ¡°We¡¯re monitoring your vitals and we see something curious. There is brain wave activity going on your brain as though you¡¯re speaking, though there¡¯s no one there but you. What¡¯s going on here?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Junshin said truthfully, clenching his hands into fists. Though the thing was, they were monitoring different brain wave patterns than his normal conscoiusness. Something about the subconscious rising up from underneath. When Junshin peered into the dark corner of his mind, he let out an ear shattering scream that reverberated across the walls and ceilings like a curse, before he lost consciousness. ¡ªx¡ª Junshin collapsed after screaming. Not good. Reito wondered if he should turn off the apparatus and not go thorugh the psychic surgery after all, though something curious happened. Junshin¡¯s hair and eye color began to change, and instead of the red haired gangly teen with green eyes staring back at them, this was a fine haired boy with almost white hair and glowing red eyes staring back at them. ¡°What¡­just happened¡­¡±Reito said, and he guessed this was the entity that Junshin was talking about. The scourge of his nightmares. The entity grinned before them. ¡°I am the Id,¡± the entity said to them. ¡°You could say that I¡¯m a defensive mechanism that Junshin created to protect him from the Mind of God. To prevent him from going insane.¡± ¡°So we finally speak face to face,¡± Reito said, frowning. He didn¡¯t like this Id, and a sinking feeling in his stomach told him that things were going to get much worse than they were now. The lights flickered on and off, and the machinery started to malfuction. Reito cursed, before making his way into the other room where Junshin lay, wondering if he could get into the boy on time an dhelp wake him up, though the Id easily knocked him aside with a powerful telekinetic force as though he were only a leaf blowing through the wind. ¡°You are probing into things that are none of your business,¡± the Id said to Reito. ¡°Though remember this. If you try to eliminate me, then you will eliminate Junshin as well. We are interconnected¡ªone cannot live without the other. As much as I despise this weak stripling of a boy, I am obligated to protect him out of self preservation. But know if the tables were turned, I would show no mercy.¡± ¡°Bring him back,¡± Reito said in a fierce tone. ¡°Junshin is not you.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± the Id said. ¡°And Junshin is a mere false personality that I have created. I¡¯m his subconscious, his primal thoughts and fears and deep psyche of the reptilian brain. Junshin considers himself rational and enlightened, but I know things that even he doesn¡¯t know.¡± Reito swallowed, before approaching the Id cautiously. ¡°Tell us what you know.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give up secrets that easily. And I believe that I¡¯m the one in the position ot be asking you questions. Are you really looking after Junshin¡¯s best interests? Or is this mankind¡¯s greed to have divine knowledge that they weren¡¯t meant to know?¡± ¡°What kind of knowledge,¡± Reito said warily. ¡°Don¡¯t tamper with this boy¡¯s memory,¡± The Id growled towards Reito. ¡°There are things in there that aren¡¯t meant to be shared. I¡¯m the protective mechanism that he created to keep his secrets.¡± ¡°There¡¯s more to Junshin than we originally thought?¡± Reito said, considering the Id¡¯s words. It suddenly started to make sense. Why Junshin sensed the Id¡¯s presence within him and Reito and Setsuna weren¡¯t able to. Though if the Id were a protective mechanism to prevent them from getting further access into Junshin¡¯s memories, then what other kinds of powers did Junshin develop as a result of harboring the Mind of God within? ¡°Reito Kazuyuki,¡± The Id breathed. ¡°I will kill you if I sense you inside Junshin¡¯s mind again.¡± ¡°But you wouldn¡¯t kill Junshin, would you?¡± Reito said warily. ¡°He and I are one and the same,¡± the Id mentioned. ¡°Though I could always put his consciousness on the backburner and make myself the dominant part of his personality.¡± A sadistic grni spread on the Id¡¯s face. ¡°Soon¡­I will have complete control¡­and the boy that you¡¯ve grown attached to will become nothing but a faded memory.¡± With that, the Id suffered convulsions, and Junshin started to return to his normal colors. His white hair turned red, and his red eyes turned a vibrant shade of green again. He woke up, shuddering, before he said very warily. ¡°What just happened?¡± Reiot shook his head and started to take the electrodes off Junshin. ¡°There¡¯s a long explanation that is due. But right now, Junshin, just focus on getting rest.¡± ¡°You talked with it, didn¡¯t you?¡± Junshin said, and Reito¡¯s throat tightened. ¡°Junshin, there¡¯s more complexities to your mind than we originally thought. The Id¡­or whatever it was¡­was trying to protect you. I¡¯m not sure if this is a separate entity or a self defensive mechanism that you¡¯ve created to repel people from your memories, though the Id mentioned something interesting. That you¡¯re the ¡®false¡¯ personality.¡± Junshin pt a hand to his head, before saying. ¡°I really¡­really don¡¯t know who I am. Why I¡¯m here. But that thing, the Id or whatever¡ªI¡¯ve always sensed him lurking deep inside my mind. He haunted my dreams and gave me nightmares.¡± ¡°What I know is this,¡± Reito said. ¡°The Id is trying to take over your consciousness. What we need to do¡­is work on your mental shields so that the Id can¡¯t breakthrough whenever he pleases just like that. It says that it was protecting you, though I don¡¯t trust teh Id any more than I trust the scientists that have been experimenting on you.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t either,¡± Junshin said. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 ¡°Junshin,¡± Reito said while steepling his hands together. Junshin paid attention. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°You may feel like a prisoner here, but we¡¯re doing everything that we can to help you. The complication of this Id coming up all of a sudden¡­one pattern I¡¯ve noticed thus far is that it only manifested once out of the entire time that you¡¯ve been here. Can you think of a reason why that would be possible?¡± Junshin considered it. ¡°I¡¯m not sure. When you were testing my powers, I was really stressed out. The pressure of all the memory reconstructions, the psychic surgeries, and testing the limits of my powers¡ªit became too much. I was stressed out.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Reito murmured, considering further. ¡°So when you¡¯re stressed, that¡¯s one of the ways that the Id may materialize. What point, in particular, made you stressed out about the testing?¡± ¡°I was¡­afraid that something bad would happen. And I felt like I would lose control.¡± ¡°I see¡­do you feel like you¡¯re in control most of the time, Junshin?¡± ¡°I think so,¡± Junshin said while frowning. ¡°But sometimes, I think that¡­I doubt that I have enough power to stop myself. The memory that I witnessed before in the memory construction was something that I probably suppressed. It¡¯s obvious that I hurt someone in that memory. I don¡¯t know who, or why, but that stressed me out. The thought of hurting someone makes me feel¡­as though I¡¯m some kind of monster without any logic or reason. Just goes with the whims of his own pleasures and self preservation, just doing what he wants. I¡¯m not sure if the Id was the one who hurt someone in that memory, or whether it was actually me. And that¡¯s the part that¡¯s killing me.¡± ¡°Junshin,¡± Reito said. ¡°Our powers can be helpful to other people. But in other times, they can hurt, or even yes, kill other people. It is a double-edged sword, and we must be conscious about our intent and what we are using our powers for. I don¡¯t think your intent is to harm or kill anyone, Junshin, though you¡¯ve created a dangerous entity that is almost like a child¡­though another thing is¡­how was the Id created in the first place?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Junshin said truthfully. ¡°One thing that¡¯s bothering me,¡± Reito said while he looked at Junshin with steel gray eyes. ¡°Is that someone could¡¯ve deliberately cultivated the Id inside of you.¡± ¡°Cultivated? What do you mean?¡± Reito thought for a moment, before saying. ¡°You were originally implanted with the Mind of God, yes? People who are said to have made contact with the mind of God would ¡¯ve gone insane from all the knowledge and power that came with it. But teh Id is a defensive mechanism that prevents you from going insane, but it seems that it¡¯s developing a personality of its own and it wants to assert itself as the dominant personality.¡± ¡°But you also said that it said I was a false personality,¡± Junshin said while thinking about it further. ¡°The id isn¡¯t exactly trustworthy and it might be trying to mislead us. Hina¡¯s idea about talking with the Id though¡­that plan may have some merit, as long as we get some information out of it. We may have a truth serum that we can put the Id under and use psychological tactics to get the answers that we want. Since the Id is influenced by you, I¡¯m sure that being under the effects of a truth serum will affect it too.¡± ¡°I think that''ll just make it angry though,¡± Junshin said doubtfully. ¡°We need to get the Id to trust us.¡± ¡°And how exactly do we go about that, Junshin?¡± Reito said. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Junshin shook his head. ¡°I¡¯ll have to think of something. Though I think the Id¡¯s influence is only going to get stronger, so we gotta do something about it first before it gains control over my body.¡± ¡ªx¡ª ¡°Junshin-kun,¡± Hina said as she watched the redhead carefully. ¡°Do you think that you should rest a little bit. It won¡¯t do to have you push yourself and then collapse.¡± Junshin shook his head. ¡°I have to do this.¡± ¡°You have an incredible work ethic, though remember that you¡¯re human and have limitations, too,¡± Hina said with a smile before she said. ¡°You¡¯re feeling much better, I trust?¡± ¡°I suppose so,¡± Junshin said. ¡°I need something to do, or else I¡¯ll be driven crazy.¡± ¡°You will need to recover,¡± Hina chided him. ¡°Though I suppose I could bring something for you to read in the meantime. Aren¡¯t books wonderful? They¡¯re great for passing the time.¡± ¡°I like reading technical manuals and nonfiction rather than reading fiction,¡± Junshin said, to which Hina smiled at him. ¡°Do you know? You¡¯re just that type of person, I suppose,¡± Hina said while restraining laughter. Junshin cocked his head at her. ¡°When I¡¯m not on my Medic duties, I consume tons and tons of fiction in one sitting. Stories, whether it''s anime, manga, novels, and everything else in between, I love a good story.¡± ¡°I suppose that I¡¯m too busy being the director of my own narrative that I don¡¯t have time to think of made up exploits and adventures,¡± Junshin said before Hina waggled a finger at him in response. ¡°Did you know that in fiction there resonates a great truth that if something was accounted factually? You should try reading some books sometime, Junshin. I¡¯m sure that you¡¯ll enjoy the escapades of the imagination if you give it a chance.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Junshin said. ¡°But tell me how you join the ANGeLS?¡± ¡°Oh? You thinking of fighting alongside us, perhaps?¡± Junshin looked down. ¡°Well, I made my choice, and I decided that I would rather work with you guys rather than against you guys.¡± Hina laughed. ¡°Well, I think some people are willing to scout you out, Junshin. It depends on what you plan on being in the ANGeLS. How do you wish to serve SeRAPH?¡± Junshin clenched his hands into fists. ¡°I want to find my brother. I know he¡¯s out there somewhere¡­but it was my own cowardice and selfishness that led him to disappear. If he¡¯s alive, I would like to apologize to him for running away, and not having the strength to save him.¡± Hina nodded. ¡°I originally took on the ANGeLS position because I was scouted by Reito at a young age for my biokinetic abilities. My family is very important to me, you see, and I wanted to make enough funds so that my sisters can graduate college without debt and my father can live an easy life. It¡¯s very hard, you know, without a mother to take care of everything.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± Junshin said, while Hina smiled at him. ¡°Don¡¯t be,¡± Hina said before she handed Junshin a fictional book that she took out of her personal library. I¡¯m always looking forward to the future. It holds so many exciting possibilities. No one can predict what¡¯s going to happen. Not even the most carefully laid of plans can determine what a future holds, and ti can be unraveled at the seams by a slight variable or something else. But when you¡¯re in this business, Junshin, you gotta have a good motivation for becoming a crime fighter like us.¡±This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°I see,¡± Junshin said, before taking a deep breath. ¡°I really want to join the ANGeLS. I decided this of my own volition. No one forced me into it.¡± Hina smiled. ¡°As long as you¡¯re willing, that¡¯s all that matters. Anyway, we¡¯re going to go through a training simulation for you. To help you control your powers.¡± ¡°Someone said that there was a special power hidden deep within me,¡± Junshin noted, to which Hina nodded. ¡°The problem is, though, we can¡¯t always rely on that power alone. Which is why you need training. But after you¡¯ve been given instruction and direction, I think that you will be a huge asset to the ANGeLS team.¡± Junshin nodded. ¡°I see.¡± ¡°From what we¡¯ve determined,¡± Hina said while she chattered on. ¡°You can activate the Id under certain conditions. We¡¯ve determined that you need to focus your mind on no other thoughts. You probably need a clearly stated goal in your mind to help you activate it. Because the id doesn¡¯t activate out of senselessness or without purpose. Second, and we ¡¯re going off a theory here, but visualization is very important. It¡¯s like imagining what you want into reality. Of course, psionics is about visualization and making something into reality through a person¡¯s desire¡¯s, and the Id Is no different. But what makes the Id so special is that it¡¯s a superpower without the limitations of psionics.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Junshin said while contemplating to himself. ¡°Well, let¡¯s go to the training simulator room,¡± Hina said with a kind smile. ¡°I¡¯m sure Reito will want to observe you as well behind the glass window.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Junshin said, as they walked out of the Infirmary and into the training simulation room where his superiors observed from above. ¡°What do you want me to do?¡± ¡°Hm,¡± Hina said, putting a finger to her lip. ¡°First you need to attach to this electrode here and put this helmet full of wires on. We¡¯re going to monitor your brainwave activity and whatnot through this.¡± Junshin obediently put the helmet on, awaiting further instructions as he did so. Someone behind the window operated the machinery to activate the helmet and wires, and Hina clasped Junshin¡¯s hand within her own. ¡°Good luck, Junshin-kun,¡± Hina whispered. ¡°Remember, I¡¯m here to patch you up if anything happens.¡± Junshin nodded. ¡°Got it.¡± Reito then activated the machines . Junshin felt a slight buzzing humming across his head through the helmet, and eventually, he relaxed. He needed to concentrate. He needed to think of the time when his Id activated, to make it work. IF his power wasn''t¡¯ reliable, then what good was it? He needed to learn how to activate it, at any time or anyplace. Junshin chewed on his lower lip. Concentrate. Ignore the pain of chewing on his lip, he needed to make this work. Or was he getting distracted again? ¡°Concentrate, Junshin-kun,¡± Hina said while wringing her hands. Junshin then decided to focus on Hina. Her words encouraged him, and she had unshakeable faith within him even during the most trying moments. Junshin concentrated again. Think about Hina, he thought. She has unwavering resolve in you. You must match that resolve. Think about the time that you activated your Id? Why did that happeN? How did it happen? What exactly triggered it? Junshin thought even harder than he thought before. Back at that time¡­yes, he was feeling stressed. Under pressure. Wasi t stress that caused him to freak out and react? But there were plenty of other times that Junshin was also stressed, like for schoolwork, and his powers didn¡¯t activate. So it seemed like it needed to be a desperado situation, didn¡¯t it? Someone¡¯s life was endangered? He knew that his friends were in danger and he wanted to save them. That meant he had a clear-cut goal in mind too. So there was a purpose and direction for his powers, and he needed a focal point to sharpen the spear and pinpoint it at an enemy. He felt¡­angyr. But why? He wasn¡¯t used to naming his emotions and telling what they are, but when Hina was in danger, Junshin felt a righteous anger and wanted to kill the enemy before him, to make sure the threat no longer endangered Hina¡¯s life. So someone needed to be in danger, a life or death situation that challenged and pushed him? That made sense, but not every situation was going to be a life or death scenario, and there were smaller moments that called for his help. Junshin could help in a pinch when it came to desperado situations, but even then, that wasn¡¯t guaranteed. He needed to make this work 100 percent of the time, not just part of the time or only under certain variables. Junshin tried to flare his Aura, tried to visualize it as the tip of a sharp point drilling and honing in on that vital point. Yet, his Aura didn¡¯t activate and the machinery hummed and throbbed, before malfunctioning. Junshin probably caused a lot of damage to expensive lab equipment, with no good results. ¡°I can¡¯t do it,¡± Junshin said with a sort of heavy despair. Hina unattached the electrodes and rods to him, before saying cheerfully. ¡°You tried your best, Junsin-kun. Besides, I think we¡¯ve got some important data on what does not work and what does. Thank you for your cooperation.¡± Junshin gritted his teeth and pulled his hands into fists. ¡°I¡¯m just not sure how I will be able to contribute if my power is this unreliable,¡± Junshin said before Hina laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Junshin, you will receive a lot more training than just with your Id powers. You need to learn the art of marksmanship, martial arts, combat, and other things to be able to hold your own should your powers are disabled or are unreliable. The ANGeLS are prepared for anything, so they say, and you need these necessary combat skills to fight against the enemy. Well, I guess you¡¯ve done a lot of thinking about it for now. For now, let¡¯s celebrate and eat!¡± ¡°Thinking about it, I am rather hungry,¡± Junshin admitted. ¡°Using psionics takes up a lot of brainpower,¡± Hina said. ¡°Which burns up glucose or the brain''s energy. I¡¯ll treat you to something good, Junshin. Your meal is all on me. How about it?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Junshin said before Hina and he headed to the cafeteria to have lunch. Hina paid as promised. A menagerie of delicious food awaited him, and Junshin ordered a lot of meal to satisfy his growling stomach. Hina watched him eat and clapped her hands together when he ate some miso ramen in gulping slurps, before chugging it down with some cola. ¡°This is very good,¡± Junshin said while he was munching on his food, before thanking Hina. ¡°Thanks, Hina.¡± ¡° No problem,¡± Hina said, before she said. ¡°For now, you need to regather your strength. New ANGeLS recruits are coming in, and you will be training with them starting tomorrow.¡± ¡°Who are the new recruits?¡± Junshin asked wonderingly before Hina thought about it for a while. ¡°Well,¡± Hina said, ¡°You¡¯ll just have to see for yoruself, why don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Thanks for the meal,¡± Junshin said as he finished eating everything on the table. ¡°I¡¯ll pay you back once I start earning ANGeLS wages.¡± ¡°Oh, think nothing of it, Junshin-kun,¡± Hina said with a wave of her hand. ¡°You treated me,¡± Junshin said while looking her straight in the eyes. ¡°And you said you were saving up money for your family to have your sister¡¯s graduate from college debt free and have your father live an easy life. You didn''t have to treat me, but you did out of the goodness of your heart. I really appreciate all that you¡¯ve done for me, Hina¡­and I find that¡­the reason why I wanted to join the ANGeLS¡­was because of you.¡± ¡°Because of me?¡± Hina said with a smile, putting her hands on her cheeks while she looked at him dreamily. ¡°Yes,¡± Junshin said. ¡°You inspired me to become the best that I wanted to be. I drifted through life before, not doing anything particularly important, but ever since I saw you fight and try your hardest to save me even when I was deadweight and ragged you down¡­you helped anyway. So I thank you, Hina¡­from the bottom of my heart.¡± ¡°Oh goodness, you¡¯re going to make me blush,¡± Hina said while she waved a hand distractedly. ¡°But really, Junshin, it¡¯s just what I do. Being a hero isn¡¯t easy, but it¡¯s a mindset. It¡¯s about decision making. And you choose to save the people important to you or those who need your help, over and over again, just for the reason that they need your help and you¡¯re there to provide it for them. See? The ANGELS rea like, should I say it? The champions of justice.¡± ¡°They truly are great, aren¡¯t they?¡± Junshin said admiringly. ¡°A hero of justice. I like that.¡± ¡°Oh look, Reito-sensei is here,¡± Hina said cheerily before waving the dark-haired male over. ¡°Hina,¡± Reito said with a nod, then looked towards Junshin. ¡°And Junshin.¡± ¡°What did you think about Junshin-kun¡¯s results?¡± Hina said while clasping her hands together admiringly towards her elder. ¡°I think that we can do something with him,¡± Reito said with a slight grin towards Hina, before looking seriously at Junshin. ¡°However, he¡¯s got to work hard and keep up with his homework and studies and training if he wants to make it into the ANGeLS.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Junshin said, ¡°I will try my hardest.¡± ¡°There¡¯s another matter that I need to discuss in private with Junshin,¡± Reito said to Hina. Hina nodded in understanding before she stretched her arms in the air. ¡°Well, Junshin-kun, I¡¯m going to perform my duties in the Inf8irmary!¡± Hina said. ¡°Make sure that you make your way there if you''re hurt or just pop in to say hello if you like? Bye Reito, bye Junshin-kun !¡± With that she scurried off, leaving Reito and Junshin alone. Reito guided him to a more private quarter, to his office, before he laced his hands together and looked towards Junshin with seriousness. ¡°We may have found a lead on your brother,¡± Reito said, and Junshin¡¯s eyes widened. Eh slammed his palms on the desk, appearing frantic. ¡°You found him? But how? What is he doing? Do you think¡­is he okay?¡± Reito held up a hand. ¡°One question at a time, please. Anyway, your brother was found somewhere within Tokyo, just as predicted."