Chapter 15: Other Self
There was no surge of memories. No glowing aura. No climactic light that engulfed him. Nothing Happened.
“God damn it.” Daragon scratched his head as he threw the note down. “Hey Vox. What now?”
There was no response.
“Vox? Hello?” Daragon asked himself. He closed his eyes to meditate. He could still enter the void. But Vox wasn’t there. The only one there was his child self. However this time, he could see the face.
“Hey there!” The child said cheerfully.
“You’re not Vox. And you can talk.”
“Yup! I’m you. But Vox isn’t here anymore. No clue why.”
“So you’re just me?”
“And you’re me.”
“No. I’m me.”
“Yeah, me!”
“Hold on. I think I’m going to get a headache.”
“We are going to get a headache.”
“Stop!” Daragon put his hand out to his child self. “Okay let’s backtrack. Vox is gone, the void is still here and you can talk.”
“Basically.”
“Do you have all the memories of what happened?”
“I do. I think since they couldn’t just overwrite the ones we’ve formed for 6 years, they manifested as me. I makeup our decade of experiences.”
“So you’re 10? Wait, then what does that make me?”
“I don’t know. But can I take over?”
“Take over?”
“Can I control us? Our body I mean.”
“Sure?”
As soon as the older Daragon agreed, he took a back seat. It was a surreal experience for him. He watched from afar. As someone else took over the wheel.
—------
“Fresh air!” Daragon declared as he took a deep breath. It was late at night. “Oh right. Where am I?”
Daragon had no memories of the past 6 years or what happened. They didn’t share any memories. It was like an alternate personality. No, it was exactly an alternate personality. Though most times people with dissociative identity disorder still had some recollection.
Daragon searched around to find signs of where he was. And then found a map. He recognized the names of the locations.
“Oh! This is the Lion City!” He exclaimed. “I’ve always wanted to see the giant boat with my own eyes.”
Daragon walked around and wandered more. It was midnight so there weren’t a lot of people out. It was also a bit cold. Daragon however had no place to lodge at. Hotels closed at this time. And even if they didn’t, he was only 16. He needed to be 18 to get a hotel room.
‘Oh right! Last I remember, Nayla lives here. I’ll ask her if I can spend the night at her place.’ He thought to himself. ‘Hey other me, you know where she is?’
‘I don’t know actually. Relic portaled us there. And he’s gone. And you probably don’t want to go there. I kind of argued with her.’
‘Who’s Relic? Such a weird name. And that’s all the more reason so we can apologise! Well, I guess we can just sleep on the floor or something. I’ve never tried that before.’
And so, Daragon found an apartment complex and slept on the stairwell. By the time he woke up, it was daybreak. The first thing on Daragon’s list was to find Nayla.
‘Okay. According to you, Nayla was wearing a uniform yesterday. That meant there was school yesterday.’
‘Wait. Yesterday was a Saturday. Today’s July 17th, 3000.’
‘What? Why was she wearing a school uniform? Well, I guess we can just wait here.’ Daragon told himself. ‘Here’, being the place they met last time. It took him a while but the older him confirmed
He waited and waited. Until finally, he saw her. She was walking by with a small sling bag. It looked like the one from before.
“Nayla!” Daragon shouted. Nayla turned to see Daragon before turning back and walking away much faster. “Wait up!”
Daragon caught up in front of her and held her by her shoulders. Nayla was caught off guard by the Daragon that wanted to keep his distance from her yesterday.
“What do you want, Daragon?” She asked while peeling her eyes away. Afraid to meet his gaze.
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for yesterday. I might have said some things.” Daragon gave a warm smile to Nayla. Nayla’s heart started beating faster.
‘Do you even know what you’re apologising for?’
‘Nope. But its better to be loved than hated, right?’ Daragon responded to his other self.
“I’m sorry too.” Nayla responded. “I heard from my friend yesterday about what happened to you. I shouldn’t have mentioned stuff like that.”
“Whatever it is, it’s fine.” Daragon swept it away. He didn’t know what it was, but figured it couldn’t be that big. He let go of Nayla before looking away. “Where do you live by the way?”
“I thought you already knew?” Nayla asked inquisically.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Oh. Someone else took me there. Relic.”
“Then I’ll take you there right now.” Nayla smiled as she walked with Daragon over to the place.
The pair arrived at an even shabbier apartment complex. It was riddled with ants and other insects. Moss growing at the side of the building.
“Give me a second.” Nayla said, urging Daragon to wait outside. She tidied the place as fast as humanely possible. She then opened the door to let Daragon in.
“What happened to the apartment Draken gave you?” Daragon looked around the rundown place as he sat down on the broken part of the couch.
“Draken…” Nayla looked down. “I decided to find work and rent this place. Its privately owned so its much cheaper than the Government buildings. You guys have done enough for me.”
“Nonsense. You’re still a teenager like me. And why are you wearing a school uniform on a Sunday?”
“Oh. This is what I wear to work. I don’t have any other clothes that still fit besides home clothes so I wash this uniform daily.” Nayla answered.
“Here.” Daragon gave her a 100 dollar bill. Nayla refused straight away.
“Please stop. I can pay for my own stuff. You should keep this money for yourself.”
“Its alright. Besides, I can just ask Draken for more.”
The room went silent.
“Daragon…” Nayla said softly.
“Whats wrong? Oh. You’re right, I should probably not rely on Draken for money anymore. I’m 16 right? Yeah. I’m 16 now since today’s July 17.” Daragon contemplated.
‘He must still be in denial. I have to try my best to support him then.’ She sat down the cup of water and went to sit beside him. “Are you okay Daragon?”
“Should I not?”
“Well you were pretty upset yesterday. About you know…”
‘What were you mad about?’
‘We killed someone because of her.’
“Its been a long time.” Daragon looked down at his cup. His reflection was the older him. “I regret that day but what can I do? Whats done is done. I have to live with that.”
“I understand. I guess you're strong like that. I could never get over it that fast.” Nayla smiled. “I’ll go get some food.”
“No need. Tomorrow is a holiday, right?”
“There’s no holidays in July, Daragon.”
“Really now. Can you get a day off school then? You’re smart. You can manage.”
“I only go to school from Tuesdays to Thursdays. So long as my grades are fine, I can still graduate and then try to apply for a scholarship.”
“Great! Then lets go explore tomorrow. I’ve always wanted to visit the boat in the sky.”
“Isn’t that a bar? And its not in the sky. It has 3 towers.”
“Semantics. Take a day off tomorrow. I’ll reimburse you.” Daragon insisted.
“I really can’t Daragon. And I can’t keep taking your money.” Nayla explained. ‘As much as I want to go. Daragon needs to face this alone.’
Daragon suddenly heard a beep come from his left pocket. He reached over to pick it up to find a circular device.
“You have a phone?”
“Is that what this is?” Daragon confirmed with Nayla. “What does it do?”
“Well, look at the caller ID. Someone’s trying to call you. Though I haven’t seen that model. Most phones are rectangles.”
“Hmmm. Is this it? ‘Brandon Faust’. I know him!” Daragon exclaimed to himself. “Now what?”
“Press the green button. That’ll connect you.”
“Okay.” Daragon did as instructed. A voice rang through the device.
``Dara? Are you there?``
“Oh Brandon! I can hear you!” Daragon shouted. “Are you trapped inside here?”
``Nice joke Dara. Anyways I’m on the phone to ask Relic something. Where is he?``
“Don’t know. He took off.”
``Huh? Really? Nevermind then.``
“What’re you doing right now?”
``Nothing much. I’m going on an expedition now because of my expertise. We’re going to the French Empire to recover a seguri.``
“Whats it called?”
``I’m not supposed to tell anyone. But its Ex-``
The call ended as it said a message flashed ‘No Battery’.
“What? Where do I get batteries, Nayla?”
“Oh here. Let me charge it. You need to use Mana to do it.”
“Then let me.”
“What? Daragon I think you misunderstand. It’s not like a Mana Extractor that takes mana passively. You need to pour your own Mana into it actively.” Nayla explained.
“I’m confused.”
‘Dude. We can’t use mana.’
‘What? You sure?’
‘Yeah. Did you forget that too?’
Daragon tried his hardest but couldn’t pour any mana into the phone. Nayla gently laid her hands on Daragon’s phone as the percentage bar went up.
“I can only get it to 50%. I need some Mana to boil water. Sorry.”
“Its fine. Speaking of which, can I stay here?”
“Here? With me?” Nayla started blushing.
“I can sleep on the floor. I’ve never slept at a friend’s house before. Draken never let me.” Daragon peeked around the room. “It’ll be a new experience!”
‘Thank you Draken!’ Nayla thought. “Sure!”
“I’ll go buy groceries then. What do you need? Its on me.”
“Are you sure? Groceries are expensive.”
“Nayla. You already know how stubborn I can be. Just give me a list of what you need. I have plenty to spend.”
“I don’t need much. If its for just the two of us today.” Nayla started writing down a long list of groceries. “Here.”
“What are these things? This does not sound like food.”
“Just ask someone working there. I’m sure they’ll know. I’ll go prepare something.” Nayla walked off to the kitchen. Daragon parted to find whatever was on the list.
After half an hour of scouring, Daragon had finally managed to find everything.
‘Vegetables. This sucks.’
‘Switch with me if you don’t like vegetables then.’
‘Oh right. Can I give you the wheel after the sleepover?’
‘Be my guest. Right now I’m just looking through our memories.’
‘You can do that?’
‘I’ve been watching them. Just the important bits. This void is pretty cool. I can even fly around.’
As Daragon walked, he saw a beautiful white haired girl arguing with a man at a stall. It had attracted a crowd. Daragon was the busybody type so he decided to see what was going on.
“What do you mean I’m senseless?! Your directions were just horrible!”
“Babi! Awak hendak cari pasal dengan saya!” (You pig, you’re looking for problems with me!)
“You!” Priscilla drew her blade.
“Hey hey! Let’s all calm down. Apa masalah sekarang?” (What’s the problem now?) Daragon asked. Trying to speak in the same language as the man.
“This girl has been walking in circles! I’ve told her multiple times its straight ahead then left! Yet she can’t get that through to her! And she’s been blaming me!” The man explained in English after calming down. He was the type to talk in his native language, Malay, when he was mad.
“Ma’am? Where do you want to go?”
“Do I look old to you? I’m only 16!” She exclaimed. “I’m trying to go to Block 665. Where my friend lives.”
“I’m headed there too.” Daragon said. “I’ll guide you there, come with me. Just make peace with the stall owner.”
“Fine! If it’ll get me there faster.” She turned to the stall owner to make the quickest apology of her life. Priscilla didn’t value pride that much as her time. “I’m sorry.”
“Alright then, lets go.” Daragon said as she led her to the block only to meet Nayla downstairs. Nayla’s eyes grew wide seeing the two of them together.
“Daragon. Priscilla. What are you two doing together?”
“You’re Daragon? Nayla’s cr-” Before Priscilla could finish her sentence, Nayla shut her mouth.
“Yup! Your name is Priscilla? You two know each other?”
“Yeah she’s my sister basically. I was getting ready to pick her up. She suddenly called me saying she was back in the area. But she’s terrible with directions.” Nayla responded. Priscilla pried Nayla’s hand from her mouth with all her energy.
“I’m not. Also Daragon, my deepest condolences for your brother.”
“What for?”
“I couldn’t attend his funeral.”
‘What is she talking about.’
‘Oh right. I got so caught up I forgot to tell you. Draken died.’
Next Chapter: Ca-Ching