> Ellie PoV <

“So what...? Can you… fix our child… or not?” (Kira)

“Seriously! Every minute is precious, isn’t it?” (Ellie)

She really should stop wasting our time with this pointless trivia!

“Uhm. You don’t seem overly concerned about this ‘being an otherworlder’ thing...” (Skittles)

“It’s… your loss… if you… mind it…” (Kira)

“... Okay?” (Skittles)

“What Kira means to say is, we have more important things to worry about right now!” (Ellie)

“Right… I was just… shouldn’t you be more surprised? I mean… Nevermind.” (Skittles)

Was she looking forward to our reactions or something?

So what if Kira is from another world?

Everything and everyone we care about is right here.

Something like being born elsewhere doesn’t make a blind bit of difference!

“Hurry up and do your job! This time without freaking out, okay!?” (Ellie)

“Then, I will now proceed with the ritual. Please stand perfectly still.” (Skittles)

Skittles walks closer to me who’s standing and Kira who’s laying in our bed while clutching her bulging belly.

“Come on out Khamis. I know you’re here.” (Skittles)

“Ahh pizdec…” (Khamis)

A familiar voice comes out from beneath Kira.

Slowly but surely, a small ball of near-black smoke comes out from under the bed.

It floated up in the air and stood between Skittles and us.

It has two pure-white triangles for eyes and a triple white stripe around its forehead like a bandana.

The size is much smaller though - this one is about the size of an apple.

“... How long has he been there?!” (Ellie)

“I’m guessing Draglael called him at some point. He hates being out in the open like this so he probably hid where it was dark.” (Skittles)

“Privet cyki, kak dela? Vnutri vas teper urodets?” (Khamis)

Okay, that weird language is definitely Khamis.

“Don’t talk that way to them!” (Skittles)

“Pochemu nyet? Cyki vseravno menya ne ponimayut!” (Khamis)

“Do you want me to bring Gray out again?” (Skittles)

“Poshla nahui! Ne vipuskai etu ebanytyu!” (Khamis)

His arrogant tone of voice suddenly became much more panicked, like he’s afraid.

Gray, huh?

Yet another personality I wasn’t warned about.

Judging from Khamis’s tone of voice, we should make sure we avoid meeting that one.

“Now then. Ellie, please move Kiressara to the middle of the room and lie down next to her.” (Skittles)

I gently lift Kira in my arms while she gives me a dreamy smile.

She looks really happy... maybe I should carry her around like this more often...

I move to where the titan instructed us to go and set her down on the hardwood floor.

I lie down right by her side.

“Closer, shoulder-to-shoulder. That’s it, now hold onto her hand.” (Skittles)

I do as she says, feeling Kira grip my hand with all her strength.

There isn’t much of that strength left…

“Good. Now try not to move around too much.” (Skittles)

*SNAP*

Huh?

Is her body is morphing again?

*SNAP*

Please don’t tell me she’s trading places before she even started!

*CRACK*

No, wait, her color isn’t changing, but the number of limbs sure is.

*SPLIT*

Numerous arms grow spring out in quick succession from her back, her sides, and her shoulders.

Altogether there are… twelve pairs of them!

I see four clawed carapace-covered arms clearly belong to the brown one.

Then the red one’s ridiculously muscular arms stand out like a sore thumb

The rest are all human in appearance, but far from identical.

I spot Kira’s perfect arms among them, too.

It was expected, but I’m still glad to see it had healed properly.

Skittles moves around and sits herself down next to our heads.

That is really close to my face now.

I really wish she would put some clothes on already!

She bends forward, the twelve pairs of arms fanning out above us.

“Hum hum hum hummmm... Haaahahaaa haa hummmm...” (Skittles)

I start to hear a solemn tune, it sounds like Skittles is humming.

However, it seems to come from all around me rather than from the spider-lady looming overhead.

“Haa-haaahaaaah! Haaaahah ahaaah!” (Strange Voice)

Another feminine voice came out of nowhere, its vocalizations matching perfectly with the humming.

A second, a third, a fourth voice join in soon after.

I can’t tell how many there are, but it’s basically a chorus now!

A darkness draws in around us, blocking out our view of the ceiling like a curtain.

Dozens of small red eyes open up, peering at us from above.

At this point I only see eyes, blackness and multiple arms waving and weaving in the air above us.

The limbs in question start glowing slightly, becoming bright and transparent.

The movements become more complex, the hologram-like arms phasing through each other with no difficulty.

I’d like to freak out right now, but I cannot move.

My voice won’t come out and my head and face are completely unresponsive.

Arms, legs, neck - the rest of my body is also refusing to obey me.

I lose the feeling of the hard floor against my back and my sight fades to blackness.

The only sensation I feel is the gentle chorus…

It’s no longer around me, but within me….

An undeniable feeling of comfort washes over me…

Then, I started hearing a second set of voices singing a slow, somber song...

Beyond the touch of Enuri

You were born to another sky.

Through twists of fate, you passed the gate.

From somewhere deep, yet somewhere high.

Freed from your chains - the avatar

Of your own future, your own star.

Our paths have crossed, with you souls lost.

Thy forms misshapen and bizarre.

Now hear my voice, a guiding light!

Join together, by rule of White!

Fulfill thy word to forge a third!

Undo the wrong and make it right!

The song ends and the humming dies out gradually as the world returns.

No,that’s not quite right, it’s more like I’ve returned to the world.

I open my eyes and see the same room I was lying in, yet it looks different.

The colors are more colorful.

{-ie! Ellie can you hear me!?}

“Nano?” (Ellie)

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

{Oh thank goodness! Your pulse stopped for a few seconds there! How are you feeling?!}

“I’m fine.” (Ellie)

The sounds are somehow crisper.

The hard surface pressing against my back, the warm hand holding onto mine, the sensation of my own clothes on my skin.

It is all the same, yet different… clearer.

It’s like a transparent film was removed from my whole body…

Somehow I understand, I did not simply return… not exactly.

I was welcomed back with open arms.

“Ellie…” (Kira)

I turn my head to the side and behold Kira’s smile.

“Beautiful…” (Ellie)

It’s even more dazzling than I remember.

I think I’ve fallen for her yet again.

“Yes… you are…” (Kira)

“Well, they’re already flirting so I take it you succeeded.” (Nano/Gunner)

“That is correct. Their souls are now in complete harmony with the heartbeat of this world.” (Skittles)

“Well that was a sentence that made absolutely no sense. I’ll have to take your word on it.” (Nano/Gunner)

I gently rub Kira’s thumb with my own.

“How are you feeling Kira?” (Ellie)

“... At peace… Like I’ve… come home…” (Kira)

“Is your body still weak?” (Ellie)

Her smile falls away to reveal a small frown.

“Yes…” (Kira)

I look questioningly at Skittles.

“We’re not done yet. We will now proceed with the second stage. Normally this part happens on its own, but this is a rather special case. That’s why Khamis and I are here to assist.” (Skittles)

“Blyat ne mogu poverit’ ya sogalasilsa pomoch cykam...” (Khamis)

“Oh quiet you. It’s not like you have anything better to do.” (Skittles)

“Da blyat est! Ya dolgen zanovo izobresti vodku!” (Khamis)

“But why? You don’t even need to drink!” (Skittles)

“A tvoey zelenoi obzhiratsa ne nado.” (Khamis)

“This and that are completely-” (Skittles)

“*Ahem* Kira and our baby are still not healthy, right?” (Ellie)

I get it that it’s a reunion and all, but don’t forget why we’re all here in the first place, okay?

“Right, sorry. This part is actually much simpler. Khamis, go prepare the vessel.” (Skittles)

“Da, vseravno.” (Khamis)

Khamis turns from a semi-solid black mass into a cloud of dark smoke.

“Haaaaah!” (Kira)

He invades Kira’s body through the nostrils!?

If he’s going to ‘prepare the vessel’ I think he went in through the wrong end!

That’s not how anatomy works!

Ah, but if he actually entered from down there then I would never forgive him!

“Hum hum hum hummmm ha-hum-ha-hum...” (Skittles)

Skittles starts humming again, this time a more lively, upbeat tune.

The two dozen arms become transparent again and she slowly reaches down to where we are.

Six hands hover over my torso and two more over my face.

I see a strange substance slowly spread from her fingertips.

It’s like the see-through limbs are weird bottles being filled with a bubbling violet liquid.

Is that… a part of my soul?

Should I really be awake for this!?

No, her actions earlier already proved she knew what she was doing, so let’s observe quietly.

Once all eight arms above me are filled to just above the wrists, she moves them closer to Kira.

It looks like Skittles did the same thing on Kira’s side.

The main difference that is Kira’s Soul Juice (tentative name) is a darker, richer shade of purple.

I guess our souls were not completely identical after all, huh?

That is… it makes sense, but I still feel a bit sad about it.

Skittles claps the eight pairs of hands together.

She’s emptying half of the collected samples of Soul Juice into the other half of arms.

Sixteen portions become eight, then four, then two, then finally one.

The final arm is filled almost all the way up to her shoulder.

I think it’s White’s original right arm, based on where it’s connected to her body.

Her humming intensifies and the cocktail of Soul Juices gradually shrinks as it becomes darker.

Is she compressing it!?

When it’s shrunk down until just the palm and fingers that are filled, she touches Kira’s belly with five purple-tinged fingertips.

Whatever is inside seems to drain away into Kira, though it’s not leaving any stains on her night gown.

I don’t know why I expected there to be a stain…

Skittles stands perfectly still like that for several seconds while still humming.

“KEH! KOFF KOFF! PTUI! KOFF!” (Kira)

Kira has a rather harsh coughing fit, throwing out small clouds of smoke with every breath.

The humming stops when the coughing dies down.

Khamis reforms himself, throws both Kira and me a quick look and turns back to Skittles.

“Vse blyat, poidy pomous. Khamis, outski!” (Khamis)

He spouts off something at Skittles and then instantly dissipates into thin air.

“Khamis said it was a success. The child’s new soul was successfully forged and bound to its vessel.” (Skittles)

“Really!? Kira! How are you feeling?” (Ellie)

“Disgusted… that guy… smelled horrible…” (Kira)

“Hey! She’s supposed to get better! Why is she still out of breath!?” (Ellie)

“Give her time. She’ll be good as new after a full night’s rest.” (Skittles)

“Oh! Yes, of course. Sorry.” (Ellie)

I got pointlessly agitated, it makes sense if I stop and think about it.

She’s suffered from a debilitating condition for weeks, so something like instantaneous recovery is impossible.

“Then… our child… will live?” (Kira)

“Yes. You have my personal guarantee that it will be born strong and healthy.” (Skittles)

“Kiraaa!” (Ellie)

I throw myself on top of her and hug her tightly!

“Ellie… we did it… *Sniffle* Finally… *Sniffle*” (Kira)

My Kira… our child… I’m so glad that my tears flow down my face like a torrent...

I’ve been trying desperately to stay strong, to not let myself be controlled by fear and uncertainty.

But now that it’s over, all those bottled up worries are flowing freely from my eyes.

It feels good to let it all out.

After a while, we’ve both calmed down.

Skittles is still sitting there, her extra arms disappeared at some point.

“Thank you. *Sniffle* For helping them both.” (Ellie)

“It is simply my duty as a titan. Think nothing of it. In truth, I should be the one thanking you, Ellie.” (Skittles)

“Really? I don’t think I did anything to help you, though.” (Ellie)

Pretty sure all I did was hurt her.

Crap!

Don’t tell me I’ve managed to create another Ariel!

“Thanks to you, I was able to create a new daughter of my own.” (Skittles)

“... Huh?” (Ellie)

“Ellie?” (Kira)

She’s looking at me with a confused face.

I’m the one who’s most confused here!

“No! No no no no no no! I did no such thing! I completely rejected that pink imitation with all of my might!” (Ellie)

“Ah, I may have misspoken. It is different than the, um, process you two are familiar with.” (Skittles)

Don’t say things that will cause misunderstandings so casually!

“Explain yourself properly... Or else!” (Ellie)

My stabbing arm’s practically twitching at this point!

“By peering into your memories, I was able to experience love and passion unlike anything else I’ve seen before. The sheer intensity of those feelings echoed within me, flooding my being with an emotion I did not possess.” (Skittles)

“You mean… you took a part of me to create the pink one?” (Ellie)

“Not quite. It is just a reflection, a splinter of myself that mirrors a specific concept.” (Skittles)

“Didn’t that just make you crazier?” (Ellie)

“I am perfectly sane, thank you very much.” (Skittles)

No, that’s exactly what a crazy person would say!

“There are like 8 people living inside your head! If you’re not crazy, then what’s up with that!?” (Ellie)

“Actually, this is a good opportunity. Would you two be willing to listen to the tale of an old soul?” (Skittles)

I blink a few times in surprise.

Looking towards Kira, she gives me a small nod.

Seems she wants to know.

“... Okay. We’re listening.” (Ellie)

Skittles puts on a blank expression and holds out her arms.

The black curtain from before seems to envelop us, but I’m still very much awake.

“You see, like yourselves, I too am not a native to this world. I came here from another plane, a mere wisp that was barely conscious of itself.” (Skittles)

She waves her hands and a small, transparent orb appeared out of nothing.

“I wandered aimlessly, no goal, no purpose, no thought. Then by chance… I met a little girl. A small thing lost in the woods. Hungry, thirsty, bleeding and afraid. Sensing this unfortunate soul, something called out to me to protect her. To save her. I gave into what she yearned for. And thus, I became Compassion.” (Skittles)

The orb shone with a bright white light.

“I reached out to her and she accepted me, embraced me. That is when I understood her inner self. She was not afraid of dying. She was afraid of being alone, of being forgotten in those dark woods. So I stayed by her side, keeping her company in her final moments. Before long, she had abandoned her physical form, and I had taken her soul and her worries within myself. This is how Compassion found Fear.” (Skittles)

A second, yellow light appeared and slowly started orbiting around the white one.

“This new sensation was strange for both of us. It overwhelmed us, drove us to desperation. We sought shelter and forcefully entered the closest vessel we could find. A tiny spider, minding its own business, living life as its nature dictated. Sensing the intruder within itself, this tiny soul lashed out in a blind fit for survival. Eventually it gave up and became a part of us. And it was thus that Compassion found Instinct.” (Skittles)

A third, pale brown light now joined the yellow one in circling the center one.

“Now bound to a physical body, I had needs. Thirst and hunger now needed to be satiated. I ate and grew peacefully. Then, a lizard happened upon me. It pounced at us meaning to feast on us, but it would not succeed. Fear avoided it while Instinct ensnared it in thread. But the lizard was not afraid, for we had no means of harming it. It kept thinking of eating us, of how we would taste. Not for survival, but for pleasure. This desire resonated with my newfound Instinct. And it was thus, that Gluttony sprang forth from us.” (Skittles)

A green orb joined the small atom-like formation.

“Leaving the would-be-predator behind, Gluttony led me to eat and eat as I grew and grew. Before I knew it, I had become larger than men. But I was still a spider. To them, I was a threat, a hateful existence that needed to be purged. I was hunted, hurt and wounded. Instinct fought back, but the hunters returned each time, filled with anger and rage over their fallen comrades. During such a time is when Wrath bubbled over.” (Skittles)

A larger red light appeared.

“Wrath was overwhelmingly powerful. It decimated the hunters and their village. It was at that point we realized we had grown far beyond a simple spider and did not actually need to eat, sleep or drink. But all that led to was an feeling of loss. A realization we had no purpose and no goal. An existence without meaning. And thus, amidst the silent ruins of that village, Apathy settled in. Apathy and its complete unwillingness to act sprang forth Sloth. And Sloth decided to hide us away in a deep, dark cave so it could sleep in peace.” (Skittles)

A gray and then a cyan light flowed in one after the other, joining the others.

“With every fragment, every new soul that joined or sprouted, Compassion retreated further and further away from the surface, while the brown spider’s form gradually become what you see before you. But, down in that cave, is where I would meet an old mage. He did not fear or resent us, nor did he want to eat us. He wanted to study us. To observe, learn and understand. Sloth, Fear and Wrath agreed to allow this mage to do as he pleased, provided he did not hurt us. We observed and studied him in return, and our mirrored intentions gave rise to Curiosity.” (Skittles)

A purple orb floated in from nowhere, joining the rest.

“Curiosity led to understanding, through understanding came knowledge, through knowledge we learned words, through words we could now communicate. The mage, grateful to us for allowing him to sate his own desire for knowledge, offered to take us in. Curiosity, Instinct and Gluttony agreed, and thus we followed the mage to his home. There we found a group of strange beings, outsiders just like us. Some small, some large. But all were glad to be there, glad to have each other. We spent our days alongside them, their combined happiness and love eventually giving birth to Joy. And with Joy, Compassion was finally able to resurface.” (Skittles)

Orange was the new addition.

“But alas, it would not last. The concept of a lifespan had long become foreign to me. I inevitably saw the old mage pass away. His companions would also eventually succumb to the flow of time. As they all mourned each other, so did Sorrow join them in their grief.”

A deep blue light emerged from within the white one.

“And thus I was left alone once more. But I was not lonely. For by now there existed ten disparate souls within the same vessel. Sometimes bickering, sometimes laughing, but always in harmony. We supported and complemented each other. All this had occurred for the sake of bringing comfort to a scared girl in the middle of the forest.” (Skittles)

Skittles smiled broadly at us as a pink light emerged from chest.

“And thanks to the two of you, Passion was born. Another addition to our strange little household, helping to keep us all in balance. For this body before you is more than mere flesh, it is a stronghold. A wall that staves away that which would see us all chained. A beacon that wards off the corruption that would drive us into Nightmare. A force that fights back against that which claws at the edge of our sanity.” (Skittles)

She claps her hands, causing the small light show to disperse.

“For you see… Titans are not born. They are not made nor do they pop out of thin air. Titans are beings who rise up. Beings who cast off and transcend their former selves. All in order to protect what is precious to us. To safeguard this little corner of reality we call home from what you know as the Calling. This is our purpose and our duty. Regardless of your reasons, your actions in assisting Umphrumphil, Draglael, Khamis and myself will likely end up saving more lives than you will ever know. For this, we are all truly and eternally grateful.” (Skittles)

She relaxes her hands and the blackness gives way to the bedroom we never left.

“I’m… Wow…“ (Kira)

“...” (Ellie)

I share an amazed look with Kira, letting all that sink in.

“Ellie… do you realize… what this means?” (Kira)

“I do. It seems I was naive… I did not consider this possibility in the slightest.” (Ellie)

“Fufufu, then where did you think titans came from?” (Skittles)

“No… that’s not… what we’re… talking about…” (Kira)

“Huh?” (Skittles)

The titans we've met so far are a narcoleptic bird, the original dwarf, an antisocial puff of smoke and an absolutely deranged spider.

“To think you idiots actually had an important job like that!” (Ellie)

“We’re… doomed…“ (Kira)

“What?! Hey, come on! That’s not fair!” (Skittles)

“Nano! Start working out a way to repair that Jump Drive! We need to be able to run the instant they screw this up!” (Ellie)

{Way ahead of you Ellie.}

As long as we have that, then we have a way of avoiding the fallout of their inevitable incompetence.

Preparations are important, after all.