…
11:00 PM
*Apartment door opening*
- (Raphaella looking at the door) Jack! Why did you run off? Did… something happen?
- (Jack frowning ironically and supporting me as I walk) Yes, something happened. A hell of a lot happened.
After Jack and I arrived at Raphaella's apartment, she just told me to sit on the sofa to tend to my wounds, even though they had been somewhat healed by the effects of Jack's talisman. I was even more indignant that half of my shirt had been partially burned and the mark from Karma's punch was still on my face, even though it wasn't as strong as she imagined it would be.
- (Raphaella finishing tending to my wounds and sitting down in front of me) Okay. What happened?
- Raphaella, before we tell you, confirm something for me. Before Jack got to you… how many lights in the sky did you see on the day we camed here? Can you remember?
- (Raphaella) Yes, I remember. There were 5
- Are you sure?
- (Raphaella) Are you going to doubt me, Ellyn? I remember there were 5. And if you don't believe me, ask Sebastian, he must have seen the same amount as me.
- (Jack looking at me) So that's right, Ellyn.
- (Raphaella) Jack, no beating around the bush. What is it?
- (Jack sighing) So… We met an acquaintance, and we accepted that if there were indeed 5 lights you saw the day we arrived… We assume they are Gachas like me and Ellyn.
- (Raphaella slightly surprised) … Okay. Crazy like you guys… But that's good, isn't it? Like, having more of your colleagues on this mission of yours, right?
- That would be the case if we knew there were 3 more Gachas coming with us, but we were only aware of me and Jack coming here. And let's just say that not all Gachas think the same way we do
- (Jack pointing to my abdomen with a burn mark) So much so that acquaintance did this to her
- (Raphaella) You're messing with me, right?
- (Me and Jack) No way.
- (Raphaella putting her hand to her face and closing her eyes) That's all I needed. So… there are 3 of you here on Earth that you don't know and aren't as nice as you. Great…
- (Jack looking at me) Did your Caelus find her?
- (concentrating) … No. It doesn't seem like she's within Caelus's range…
- (Jack) Okay. Better deactivate. You almost exhausted all your energy in this game of hitting Karma.
- (deactivating the line of my eyes) It's not my fault if she ran away.
- (Raphaella) Wait, but wasn't the point of using the energy from the contract you made with Sebastian so you'd have a reserve of energy in case you needed it?
- (Jack) Raphaella, we're not using that contract energy on you or Sebastian.
- (Raphaella incredulously) And why not if that was the intention?
- Because we noticed how you two react after we use a larger amount than usual. You said you almost fainted when Jack was making his talismans. If that alone was enough to almost make you faint, imagine what would happen to Sebastian if I used my more complex magic.
- (Jack pointing at me) Not to mention that this crazy girl here has a much higher cost because of the origin of her powers.
- (Raphaella) … Okay, okay. You recover that by resting and using us as a reserve battery. But in comparison between you two, and aside from the fact that you got beaten up by someone, you seem much more exhausted than Jack.
- (Jack) Yeah, because that idiot isn't the best example of energy conservation. She went invisible, mapped the whole city at night, and used her magic to locate some places that would be useful for us. Of course, using her energy like that, she was going to run out sooner or later.
- Stop treating me like I'm some irresponsible teenager. At least this helped us understand that we're not alone, even if the person we think is chaos incarnate.
- (Jack) That's not about you being a leak in your tank, Ellyn.
- (Raphaella) … This "colleague" of yours… I don't need an explanation that she's dangerous just because of Ellyn's state, but is she really that bad?
- (Jack) Let's just say some Gachas aren't as calm as me and Ellyn. You know about the cases of people being burned alive in the city? We think it was this "colleague" of ours who did it.
- (Raphaella) Seriously?
- At least, that's what I thought. So, no matter what you do at night, avoid being alone. And Jack will be keeping a closer eye on you.
- (Jack) And for us, avoid creating another resonance if you're with your colleagues or alone. If that catches her attention…
- (snapping his fingers) Jack…
- (Jack looking at me and understanding) No. That's out of the question.
- (Ellyn) I'm not suggesting it specifically to her, but what about the other two? If they're smarter or more chaotic than Karma, we better have a way to find them and try to figure out who they are.
- (Raphaella) Are you… trying to use me as a radar for these Gachas?
- (Jack looking at Raphaella) No, absolutely not.
- (looking at Jack and Raphaella) Jack, Karma already knows about Sebastian, it seems. It's only a matter of time before she finds out about Raphaella, and that's because the resonance she released may have caught the attention of the other two or anyone who has a slight affinity with energy.
- (Jack) Out of the question!
- (Raphaella) Out of the question beacuse you think I'll get hurt?
- (Jack looking at Raphaella) Yes, for that reason. That woman, Karma… she's dangerous, and there are others who are much worse than her. There's no way we're going to put you in a situation where we don't know what might happen. You're already helping us by giving us a place to rest, and knowing about our existence already puts you at risk if what we find isn't exactly what we wanted. So…
- (Raphaella) You don't want to. But have you considered what I want? I'm just listening to your talk as if you're only discussing your own affairs and telling me the basics so I understand, but it seems like I'm absent or not being a useful help to you. Sebastian may not show it, but he surely thinks we're just pawns that could be removed from your mission at any moment if you hadn't found us first because you thought we were trustworthy. I just keep complaining about my things, my life, and you guys, especially you Jack, just listen and laugh. I wanted to do more than that. To have more courage to sort things out and decide what I want… So, let me help you in some way. Not telling you places or buying you clothes… But really helping you with this damn mission that you can't complete because the more you try, the harder you realize it's getting.
The silence between us was evident. I understand Jack's point about the danger it now represents for anyone associated with us, especially Sebastian and Raphaella, even more so because of what happened with Karma and who we might run into, and I would be against her request to help, but…
"…She's so silly to think that the humans here are as nice and sweet as she wants to let herself be…"
- (Raphaella with her arms crossed) So… what's it going to be?
- (Jack) I'll say it again… no conditions…
- (looking at Jack) I would allow it if necessary.
- (Jack looking at me incredulously) What?!
- Jack, we're already in a complicated situation. If there really are people with an affinity for magic in this place, it could take us a long time to find them if we do this the way we are, hoping that someone will go to the places we go. If she manages to resonate in some busy place and attract attention, we can handle it if it's Karma or any other Gacha, just as we can if it's someone with an affinity. It's time to change things a little if we want to have a chance of finding something. And if she, knowing what could happen to her, is aware of this, we will do our best to protect her.
Even though I know what this could mean for Raphaella, simply increasing the target on her back, I notice her smile of approval for me supporting her. On the other hand, Jack is just looking at me as if he can't believe I put up with an idea that, in his perception, would be bad, but in the end, he looks at me and just sighs…
- (Jack) … Karma must have hit you on the head for you to agree to this?
- (smiling ironically and standing next to Raphaella) Maybe, but honestly… If she finds Raphaella, I'll make sure to beat her up before she even thinks about touching her.
- (Raphaella looking at me doubtfully) Resentful, huh.
- You have no idea, Ella~~
- (Jack) Look… I think this idea is stupid, but Raphaella…
- (Raphaella) But it will help, won't it?
- (Jack sighing) … I will. But if you regret this, I'll point a finger at you and say I warned you.
- (Raphaella smiling slightly) It's not the first time someone's told me that.
- And how many times has someone pointed a finger at you and said they warned you?
- (Raphaella looking to the side disconcerted) … a few times. But I trust this one will work out… I hope so…
- (Jack) Hopefully…
With that, it was decided, even though Jack was reluctant. To organize this better, we decided to call Sebastian in 2 days to teach him how to create a resonance to help us with our idea here in Madison. With everyone nearby, at least the chance of things going wrong will be smaller.
- (Raphaella pulling me towards the bathroom) Now… go take a shower, throw that shirt away because tomorrow I'm buying a new set of shirts. And please, don't go burning yourself out there because my money isn't even drunk in a bar to spend it all on that.
- (making a face and laughing) … okay, Mom~~
…
August 31st
6:30 AM
- (news report on television) "According to residents, explosions were heard after one of the victims called for help. The victim was found unconscious with a burn on part of their arm, near another victim who had part of their body partially covered in minor burns. The victims were identified as Daniel Linston and Nozomi Yuhkana, both university students at UW-Madison. Families have been notified, and we do not yet know the victims' condition. These are new cases related to the wave of pyromaniac attacks happening in the city for at least a week, and because of this, the Madison Police Department issued a statement reinforcing the message that citizens should avoid any contact with people suspected of strange activities in order to prevent more similar cases."
The three of us woke up early to use the day to get ready. Jack started preparing some sensory talismans, while I mapped the city using the effect of my Caelus, which helped me visualize a large part of it. But unlike us, Raphaella was getting ready for college when she heard the news on television, which left her slightly shocked when she heard the names.
- (Jack) Raphaella?
- (Raphaella looking at me) Was it this Karma that did this?
- Yes. If I hadn't intervened… the boy would be dead.
- (Raphaella turning her gaze and sighing) …I understand.
- (Jack) Was he someone you knew?
- (Raphaella) Not this Daniel. But this Nozomi… she was a friend of mine before we fought over David.
- (looking at Raphaella) Has anyone ever told you that this guy is a magnet for trouble for you, Ella
- (Raphaella smiling nervously) Yeah. And I'm not exactly the type of person who listens to this kind of thing… but I didn't expect her to get caught in the crossfire too.
- (Jack looking at Raphaella with a furrowed brow) I hope you didn't say that on purpose.…
- Do you understand why we need to find her and the Gachas soon, Jack? If they're even more clueless than Karma, it's only a matter of time before something like this happens again.
- (Jack looking nervously at me) I know, but…
- (Raphaella interrupting) Jack, don't even start. I already noticed it's dangerous, but like you said, you'll do your best to protect me, right?
- (Jack looking at Raphaella nervously) … Yes, we will.
- (Raphaella) Alright. I'm on my way. College must be crazy and they haven't given out any notices about suspending classes because of them. So you know where to find me. And Ellyn, later, go to the place I told you to go, okay?
- Okay. See you later.
With that, Raphaella leaves the apartment, dressed up, and goes to her college. Even though she's saying she'll help us, I can't stop thinking that this dangerous situation could affect Sebastian, even though he's far away, precisely because Karma somehow found out about him. This makes me a little nervous because if something happens to him, I wouldn't have the same emotional control I had when Karma talked about him.
- (Jack flicking me) If I were you, I'd talk to Sebastian right away. Use the talisman to talk to him.
- Okay.
I put Jack's communication talisman on my arm and try to talk to Sebastian, but after a few minutes without a response, I think he won't keep Jack's talisman on his arm all the time, especially since it would be strange if someone noticed and found out about us in the accident.
- I'm going to kill Raphaella. She still hasn't gotten his phone number, even though she knows we need to communicate one way or another.
- (Jack laughing) You can talk to her about that later. Come help me with the talismans.
…
2:30 PM
The day passes peacefully without any incident or anything like that. After Raphaella went to university, Jack and I started working on mapping the city, highlighting locations where we could use Raphaella's resonance points to attract attention and possibly locate someone. We determined that these would be in various locations at the university she attends, in the various outdoor parks including a botanical garden that seems to be quite busy, and in various locations in commercial districts. Although the locations are quite broad and vague, we prepared a route that would allow us to cover a large area of the city in a short time, which will require at least two days. I also suggested doing it in the city where Sebastian lives, just to make sure nothing escapes our attention.
- It should be here.
After we finished, I got ready in an outfit borrowed from Raphaella to meet her at a clothing store to replace the one I lost due to Karma's explosive attack. To preserve my own energy and not use the energy from my contract with Sebastian, I decided to walk to the store Raphaella indicated. I can't help but notice people staring at me, almost as if I were some exotic animal loose on the street, but honestly, I only expected my hair color to attract attention since I don't see many people with differences in their clothing styles or anything similar. And after a few minutes, I'm here in front of this store.
*Opening the door and hearing an announcement bell*
- (Girl at the counter looking at me) Good afternoon~~ How can I help you?
- Ah… I'm looking for Nathaly. Raphaella recommended I come here.
- (Girl looking me up and down) Ah… Ah! Excuse me. Let me call her. One moment.
The girl, who looks more like a teenager, simply entered a part of the store as if she were looking for someone. I notice various styles of clothing, some more normal like what I was wearing and others more daring that I would never dare to wear, but I find their designs interesting as if they cater to various types of ideas. I notice a shirt in a shade that I liked and I start touching it.
- (Raphaella appearing behind me) I hope you don't have another bleach accident if you choose that outfit, cousin~~
- (Turning to speak to Raphaella) Of course not, cousin~~
As I imagined, Mary must have told Raphaella's friends about me, so to keep the idea alive, I am Raphaella's cousin for all intents and purposes, and I ruined my outfit because of cleaning product.
- (?) So you're Raphaella's cousin?
I see a woman who is 1.74 meters tall, with long brown hair, sharp brown eyes, a well-cared-for white complexion, and a very striking body, even for me, wearing a purple long-sleeved shirt and dark blue jeans. She comes towards me.
- (? looking at Raphaella ironically) My name is Nathaly, and I appreciate you choosing to come here of your own free will.
- (Raphaella) Oh, come on, Nathaly. You know I'd recommend buying clothes from the best clothing salesperson in town.
- (Nathaly looking disdainfully at Raphaella) No exaggeration, Ella. I'm not really in the mood to be flattered.
- (Raphaella) Spoilsport~~
- Nice to meet you. My name is Ellyn.
- (Nathaly looking me up and down and turning to Raphaella) …you didn't tell me your cousin is much… prettier than you, Ella.
- See, Ella? It's not just Mary who thinks I'm pretty.
- (Raphaella) That doesn't mean anything, Ellyn.
- (Nathaly keeping a comfortable distance and looking at me) If Mary thought you were pretty, you better watch out for her. At the first opportunity, she'll just take you to a dark corner and only God knows what will happen~~
- (Raphaella) Nathaly!
- Relax. I deal very well with people who have dubious intentions towards me.
- (Nathaly sighing ironically) Hmm. Go ahead.
- (Raphaella looking at Nathaly and pointing at me) Anyway. Nathaly, do your best for her. Don't disappoint me.
- (Nathaly) Leave it to me.
A few minutes pass and Nathaly suggests some clothes that suit me. Her relaxed and somewhat professional manner convinced me to try on some of the clothes there, including one that seemed a little more revealing than I would normally wear. Furthermore, the teenager, whom she later introduced as Cinthia (her younger sister), kept asking me things about how I maintained my skin or how I took care of my body to look so naturally beautiful without makeup or feminine cosmetics. This intrigued Raphaella, since it's due to my semi-divine nature, but I could only emphasize that I was blessed with good qualities that Raphaella lacked, which made her furious with me.
After trying on some clothes, Raphaella ended up buying some outfits for me, and we stayed there for a few more minutes. In a way, I liked Nathaly's mature and relaxed manner and Cinthia's curiosity, and I keep thinking that maybe… Karma's talk about me being wrong about people in this world not being only kind applies to some and not to everyone.
- (Raphaella leaving the store with me holding some bags of clothes) Thank you, Nathaly. See you tomorrow~~
With that, Raphaella and I started walking back to her house. On the way, she updates me on the two young people I saved from being burned by Karma. Apparently, Nozomi only said that she had gone out with some friends and was approached by this Daniel guy, and that after that, she didn't remember what happened next and only woke up when she was in the hospital. I explained to Raphaella that it was because of the sleep powder magic I use to make people pass out as if they were drowsy, which has helped me a lot in my world in some cases, including here at least twice.
But what caught my attention was that Raphaella told me that Daniel was getting better, but the burn marks would take a long time to heal since the doctors couldn't figure out if those burns were caused by chemicals or something similar, and this is one of the consequences of being hit by Karma's flames: these burns don't disappear when the person affected has a rotten soul, the equivalent of doing many bad things to other people. Upon hearing this, Raphaella simply frowned and said that this boy had already done similar things to other girls to what he supposedly tried to do to Nozomi, and that in a way, these burns would be a mark for him to remember not to do it again, which makes me a little uncomfortable because he would have died if I hadn't intervened, but I'll let that one slide.
…
We arrived at Raphaella's apartment at 3:00 PM, and when we got there, Jack immediately started informing us about a few things. His sensory talismans were ready, and I was supposed to place them in the city, but only when I could do so discreetly—that is, when I had enough energy to activate my invisibility, which I still refuse to do using Sebastian's contract energy.
Another thing he mentioned was which Gachas might have come with us. Raphaella ended up saying she saw 5 lights, with one light having different colors: green, blue, red, yellow, and purple. The Gachas are associated with 5 elements: fire, water, wind, darkness, and light. This distinction is solely to define the nature of our powers, since, due to my semi-divine nature and powers of nature, I was associated with the element of wind, while Jack, due to his somewhat animalistic race that has great contact with cold temperatures, was associated with water. Karma is self-explanatory, even more so when associated with her chaotic and temperamental behavior, which leaves us with the other 2 Gachas who could, based solely on interpretation, be someone focused on the use of complex mystical arts associated with the element of darkness, and someone with a symbolic and heroic personality associated with the element of light. But this only makes things more difficult since there are a large number of Gachas to define who they could be, and the only clue to the Gacha of the element of darkness would be that portal that pulled Karma in before I hit her. In the end, we just kept banging our heads against the wall and explaining this to Raphaella.
…
8:25 PM
- (looking at Raphaella) So… Someone didn't get my darling's contact, did they, Raphaella?
- (Raphaella) Your darling now? That's news to me.
- (Jack) Raphaella, try calling him. I'm trying to contact him through the communication talisman, but no answer.
- That's strange. Can't you feel your own energy coming from that talisman? It would be much more practical, don't you think?
- (Jack) If I do that, I'll need to use the contract's energy. I spent a lot of mine creating the sensory talismans.
- (Raphaella fiddling with her phone) I already said. Use it.
- (Jack closing his eyes and concentrating) Okay. Just call him. We need him to come here so we can explain the plan to him.
- (Raphaella looking at her phone) Here. I found his contact. I could have reminded you earlier, Ellyn.
- (speaking sarcastically) Sorry if you were too busy talking to your friend and helping us both with something else.
- (Raphaella) Go to hell, Ellyn.
I notice that Jack has become so focused, making the contract symbol on Raphaella's hand glow slightly as she sits on the sofa to call Sebastian.
- (Raphaella frowning) It's impossible that this kid doesn't have his phone on at this hour. It's out of range.
- Isn't there another way to contact him?
- (Raphaella holding onto the sofa) I texted before calling, but there's no sign of him seeing it. You'd better go there and use his energy to get there.
- … Yeah, I guess I'll have to visit him myself. Okay, I'll go…
- (Jack opening his eyes quickly) Ellyn, locate him through your contract.
- What do you mean, Ja…
Without saying anything and with a worried expression, Jack just gets up and looks at me.
- (Jack) Do it quickly! Concentrate and focus on Sebastian.
- (concentrating on my contract symbol) Jack, what's wrong?
- (Jack looking at me) I'm not feeling the energy of my talisman. It's like it's hiding him.
- (Raphaella) What do you mean? This wasn't supposed to be something you could find at any time.
- (Jack) Yes, but if something is blocking it, I can't work miracles.
I focus on the symbol and focus on the image and energy of him and Sebastian in my mind, but…
- …I can't feel him…
- (Jack) Damn it! Could it be… Raphaella, try calling him again.
- (Raphaella) I'm trying. He's not answering or even seeing my messages.
…Wait… What is this?
*slowly turning around*
…Why do I feel like I'm… being watched?
- (Jack) Ellyn?
- You two. Is there something behind me?
- (Raphaella and Jack) No.
- (looking directly behind me) So, I'm not crazy…
…because I know you're looking at me. Who are you?