Another Lifeless steps onto the bus. She stops and hesitates, looking across the many rows of seating. Most only occupied by a single Lifeless.
The radiant smile that had adorned her lips, fades slightly when looking at all the occupied seats. The hope she could find an ideal spot to sit, dwindles along with her smile.
Noah’s eyes move towards her, but instead of just a cursory glance, he continues to stare as a glint of recognition passes through his eyes. He remembers this woman, from the school of dreams of darkness.
This time she is not accompanied by another. She had boarded the bus alone. This is that same woman, the first one he had truly ‘seen’ since waking up in his new existence in the Afterdeath.
As if feeling his eyes on her, the woman turns her head to look at Noah, causing her shoulder length hair to flutter. She stands very near to him, as Noah is sitting in the first row just behind the bus driver.
Reigniting her hope, she asks with a smile, “May I please share your seat?” She says this very respectfully, even giving a small bow towards him.
Noah silently looks at her for a few seconds, avoiding eye contact. Eventually, he turns back to look at the seat in front of him, giving a half hearted reply. “..sure..”
“Ah, thank you!” She says with bubbling enthusiasm. Which slowly dies out as she realizes Noah is not making room for her to sit beside him. He is currently sitting in the middle of the seat, leaving barely any room for her to properly sit down.
Waiting awkwardly for a while longer, she finally asks. “Um, could you please move over a little, to make room for me to sit?” She says this as kindly as possible.
Noah takes a second to comprehend what she is asking, before slightly tilting his head and looking through the corner of his eye at the edge of the seat facing the aisle.
He picks himself up and scoots closer to the window side of the seat, leaving just enough room for another person to sit.
Seeing Noah readjust himself and then stop moving, the woman hesitates before sitting down next to him. The side of her leg ends up touching Noah’s, prompting him to pull his own leg back rapidly and move further into the seat. He slides over until his own leg is flush against the wall.
Like he is recoiling from the touch of another person, Noah tries to make as much distance between himself and the woman as possible. Even repositioning the mop handle to lean into the space between them.
This leaves the woman with plenty of space to sit comfortably and not be hanging off the edge of the seat, like she had been when first sitting down.
Fidgeting slightly to make herself more comfortable and to also get rid of the awkward stiffness between them, the woman decides to introduce herself first. “My name is Julia, by the way.”
“I don’t know if you remember, but we briefly met inside the school.” She says turning to give Noah a friendly smile. Which he doesn't notice as he is still looking at the seat back in front of himself.
Noah does not respond to Julia, causing her smile to falter slightly. So she decides to hesitantly ask. “Do you recognize me?”
She is met with a few seconds of silence, before Noah dips his head into a nod and says “..yes..” softly. He did this while still looking at the seat back, oblivious to the awkwardness that exists between them.
Julia responds joyfully, “That’s good!” Before hesitating with what she wants to say next. Finally deciding there is little harm in doing so, she decides to speak her mind.
“Um, I was with Amanda the first time we met. We were working on the trials together, but we got separated after going to detention...” She trails off.
“I managed to escape with everyone else after someone distracted the guard. Well, almost everyone escaped. The important thing is, I didn’t see Amanda in my detention. I didn’t know where she was.”
“I looked across the entire room and even when escaping I searched for her. But I still couldn’t find her. At that point I had assumed that we were brought to separate detentions.”
“It was a shame, I wanted to work alongside her more. But now that we were separated, I had felt lost and hopeless. The school was a large confusing maze, you know. I didn’t think I would be able to get into contact with her again, and I never did.”
Julia rubs her eyes when saying this, wiping away the forming tears. She continues on with her monologue that Noah is not listening to. “We didn’t get along perfectly, but still, it was far better than working at the trials alone.”
“We often disagreed on the next thing to do and our capabilities kind of overlapped. I guess we weren’t exactly the best pair for long term cooperation. Maybe it's for the best we got separated, but I’m really not sure.” Julia’s voice fluctuates with emotion while she speaks.
“What do you think? Is working with others better for completing the trials?” Julia directs a question towards Noah, a question that has a far reaching meaning in his still developing mind.
She finishes her speech with heavy emotion, even turning to face away from Noah. “I just don’t like to be left alone…” She says in a soft, vulnerable tone.
Julia’s words and displays of emotion would more than likely have a profound impact on those that hear them. However they fell onto the metaphorically deaf ears of Noah and his currently unsympathetic mind.
Meaning he is wholly unaffected by anything she said, If he was even paying attention to it at all.
Becoming slightly aware that her words did not have the desired effect, Julia tries to bring the topic of discussion back to something more relevant to the man sitting beside her.
What she had said however was not false and did help her feel more relieved. Perhaps she needed to justify the reasons for her actions. The reasons why she had completed the rest of her trials alone, forsaking her promises to Amanda.
Julia turns to look back at Noah, who has yet to look in her direction even after everything she had said. Perhaps he thought she was talking to herself and not talking to him?
“Sorry, I got a bit carried away.” She pauses before continuing. “I forgot to ask before, but what is your name?”
Noah hesitates for only a second, before saying, “..Noah..” Something in his mind tells him this is not a complete answer, so he says again a bit louder, “You can call me Noah.”
“Nice to meet you then, Noah.” Julia says with slight enthusiasm. But the rest of the words she was about to say are held back, as something unusual happens around them.
The bus that was once still and only filled with the subdued whispers of dozens of Lifeless, rumbles to life as its engine is started.
The bus driver, who had remained motionless since its unnatural exchange with Noah, moves again. He pulls the lever to close the bus doors, then fumbles around with some unseen pedals and gauges, finally starting the bus’ engine.
When the engine stabilizes its rumbling, all the lifeless aboard the bus freeze unnaturally for a split second, as a new prompt has just been given within their minds.
Simultaneously, all the lifeless hear this: “Trial 5 complete.”
There is no new trial given to them, which for Noah is a new occurrence, as usually after every completed trial, he is immediately given his next one to work towards.
For now, it would appear there is some transitionary period. Something that will become a regular occurrence every five trials.
Waiting for about 30 seconds after the newest prompt from the announcing voice in her mind, Julia asks Noah. “I know this is not appropriate to ask, but do you want to work together to complete the next trials?”
“Just through trial 10, at least. I really like working with others. So, would you like to cooperate with me, please?” Julia asks pleadingly to Noah, being a bit more straightforward than her previous statements.
Getting no response for a few seconds, Julia says more. “You don’t have to, but I would greatly appreciate having you with me. I get really afraid when I have no one to rely on and trust nearby.”
“Please, just think it through. The next set of trials will be difficult, way harder than these first 5. Especially trial 10. I’m not sure if you know this, but every 10th trial is a lot harder than the others. Like a great enemy to overcome or a grand obstacle to get past. This is usually how it goes, anyways..”
Despite being oblivious to the emotions and sympathetic feelings that Julia is trying to incite, her questions still get Noah thinking. He recalls the few moments in his new existence where he had worked alongside others.
Specifically when he had been with the Janitor in the maintenance closest. Then how the girl had greatly helped him resolve his next trials in the art room.
With others around, his trials had been far easier. Looking from the outside, Noah’s first trial where he had blindly bumbled around until coincidentally solving it.
Comparing that to his trials after which had involved others aiding him, the subsequent trials had been far easier.
As all he had to do was allow himself to be guided, just go through the motions and do as he was told. Besides the few mistakes on his part, the trials had been resolved simply.
Not thinking nearly this deep, only remembering how the Janitor and young girl helped him, Noah gives his response.
He finally turns to look at Julia and says. “..Yes, I can cooperate with you, for the next trials.” He does not specify for how many trials or how they will work together, because he is unsure of the specifics himself.
But he does accept working alongside her, and that is enough for Julia who immediately shakes off the growing shame and embarrassment she was feeling since asking her forthright question.
They both fall into silence, neither knowing what to say next. But words are not necessary as the bus itself begins to move, bringing with it a wave of silence across the entire bus.
Noah is again staring at the back of the seat in front of him. Julia meanwhile, looks past Noah to see through the window, observing the large crowd of gathered people that are being held back by a wall of riot shields.
There are reporters holding microphones, flashing cameras taking pictures and hundreds of people in various states of distress and outrage at what is unfolding across the school grounds.
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Julia whispers softly to herself. “This must have been truly apocalyptic for everyone here. To cordon and block off an entire school, trapping the students inside. All those people, they are probably friends, parents and relatives of all the trapped students…” Her voice trails off, leaving her thoughts inconclusive.
What Julia says hints at the nature of the scenarios within which Lifeless complete their trials. These are true settings, real happenings that have occurred or will occur in some way or another.
Whether they exist in a fictional book, are dreamt up by creative minds, or truly occur to the people of the worlds. As long as it exists, did exist or will exist in the minds and memories of individuals that enter the Afterdeath, then it can appear within the trials.
As the Trials are integrated within the Afterdeath itself, only one existence, one being, knows truly just how close they are.
The bus drives on, its engine rumbling louder at times and fading at others. The landscape beyond the windows is not clear. Instead it is an assortment of skewed and vague images. They form a picture of the distorted and blurry world around them.
The bus passes by uniform suburban houses in varying shades of grays. Then the images shift, displaying traffic lights alternating between greens, yellows and reds, with crowded urban streets and the tall monoliths of gray skyscrapers surrounding them.
Again the images shift, displaying fields of undulating grasses of browns and yellows. Distant rocky hills and mountains form the horizon line, the orange glow of the setting sun resting behind them.
The sun’s glow begins to fade, the oranges and yellows growing dimmer. Being replaced by the deep blue of the dark night sky. Finally, there is nothing more than a faded outline of yellow and sickly green light behind the black outline of the distant hills and mountains.
Noah has been looking out the window, taking in the collage of changing colors, absorbing the beauty of the first sunset in his new existence. This should be the first of his pleasant memories since arriving in the Afterdeath.
He is eventually taken out of his reverie by a question coming from Julia, sitting beside him. She too had been looking out the window at the passing, blurry scenery. However, to her, it was all quite mundane.
Her focus had been fixated on how she should ask her next question. Her efforts dedicated to understanding the oddities of the man sitting beside her. The way he had been observing the passing scenery gave her the first notion of Noah’s innocence and naivety.
This was the first insight she had made into Noah’s character. She has finally come to the realization, the inference, that he is an Undeserving, new to the Afterdeath.
This would perhaps explain his odd bouts of silence and disregard for her words. As he simply did not know how to respond.
Finally deciding on the best way to ask, Julia says. “Since we are going to be working together in the next few trials, we should tell each other about our boons. This is the best way to ensure effective cooperation, being aware of each other's capabilities.”
Julia speaks much softer than before, perhaps trying to limit the extent to which her voice carries across the bus. Preventing the important words from entering into the ears of other Lifeless.
“Of course, I will go first.” She says, giving a smile to Noah’s back, as he is still looking out the window. His odd social behaviors no longer affecting her, too majorly.
“I have the Boon: Graceful Manners (Tier 1). It functions exactly as it sounds, I can act more graciously and properly when I actively think about it. Something along the lines of social propriety and etiquette, those are the intuitions the boon gives me.”
“I suppose you can just sum it up as being more friendly and lady-like?” Taking a short pause to judge Noah’s reaction, Julia adds on. “It’s a boon of the Solidarity method, if you couldn’t tell.”
She notices an odd reaction from Noah when she mentions this last part. Prompting her to ask further, “Um, how much do you know, about the 4 profound methods?”
Again, Noah’s shoulder’s had tensed up when she mentioned the profound methods. Leaning closer to Noah while speaking even softer as if telling secrets, Julia whispers. “I would be happy to share my limited knowledge on the methods, if you want.”
Only now does Noah turn fully away from the window, finally deciding to look at Julia who sits so close.
“Are you willing?” She asks with a bit too much energy. Then realizing some implications her words could carry, she adds in a more subdued tone. “To hear my explanation on the methods, that is.”
Noah slowly moves his eyes to meet hers, but only for a second before looking away. He gives his hesitant response, “Yes, I would like, to hear it.”
Overjoyed for various reasons, which includes finding more insight into Noah’s character, or lack of one. As well as getting the opportunity to obtain positive rapport with him by explaining the methods.
Julia begins explaining in a quiet tone. “Okay! Let's start with this basic knowledge. There are 4 profound methods, as I have said before. They are: Solidarity, Indomitability, Sagacity and lastly, Authority.”
“I don’t personally know much about Sagacity and Authority, as they are very complex, but I will try my best.”
“So each method represents a route to power, here in the Afterdeath. All of them holding their own, uh, what you could call characteristics or traits.”
“Let’s start with Solidarity, as I have the most knowledge and experience with it. My Boon: Graceful Manners (Tier 1) belongs to this method after all.”
“Solidarity is about teamwork and cooperation. Uniting our strengths and all acting together in unison to achieve the same goal. Solidarity is at its strongest when this happens.”
“Solidarity boons themselves are not that impressive. Most of them have minor effects or give small buffs, like my graceful manners. Thus, Solidarity is often referred to as the supporting method.”
Julia gives her explanation of Solidarity, offering her own personal experiences along with some more commonly known stereotypes surrounding the method.
“Next is Indomitability. It is pretty simple really, as it is all about personal strength. Somewhat the counterpart of Solidarity.”
“Indomitability boons improve and strengthen your physical body and mind. Most who embrace this method believe that they can overcome their trials with pure and raw strength.”
“I just think that Indomitability boons are simple and quite limited in what they offer compared to other methods. I personally don’t like Indomitability much..”
Julia trails off after her simple explanation of Indomitability. She expresses her dislike of the method, a common trait for followers of Solidarity, which Julia considers herself to be.
However the reason for her losing confidence in her speech, is because she refuses to acknowledge the exact reason why she dislikes Indomitability.
One reason is because the dislike is naturally ingrained from her chosen method, and is not her own notion. The other reason is maybe there was a specific person, a man, in her past that caused her to dislike the method as a whole.
Growing silent for a few seconds longer, Julia completely loses her train of thought as her attention is pulled to the strange happenings that are going on through the window.
A major change occurs in the world outside of the bus. The fading light of the setting sun has completely vanished. Which causes a complete darkness to engulf everything outside.
No colors or scenery can be discerned, all that remains is a world of vague blackness, like the infinite vastness of space.
There are still the sensations of the bus traveling forward across a level surface, but the speed or direction in which they move, can no longer be distinguished.
All points of reference, all the blurry landmarks outside, are now gone. There is nothing but a void. An unsettling and vast space where nothing can be seen.
Julia takes her eyes away from the eeriness that exists past the window, attempting to return to her explanations. “Um, I believe I was moving on to Sagacity. I honestly don’t know much about it, as it is the most complex and unknown method.”
“The best way to describe it would be how someone once told me: Sagacity is about sensing things we normally cannot, obtaining future knowledge about things that have yet to come and holding wisdom of things that have already passed.”
“That is what someone told me some time ago. It has stuck with me, because I have always seen Sagacity as the most intimidating method. It's hard to imagine, just all the things that can be achieved with Sagacity…”
“Anyways, the last method is Authority. I also don’t know much about this method, however I have seen it’s boons utilized many times. It often feels like magic, but those that possess Authority boons commonly describe what they do as controlling or manipulating other things.”
“From what I've seen, this includes elemental manipulation and even managing to control other Lifeless. Authority has quite widespread powers and its boons are easily some of the most powerful. This is why the method is somewhat known as the strongest amongst the 4.”
Julia stops speaking for a short time, seemingly gathering her thoughts. But before she can continue, her attention is once again drawn to the events that are currently unfolding outside the bus window.
The strange void that had represented the transition between fragments of the Afterdeath, has finally receded. The nothingness has been replaced with something. A darkness still covers the lands, but at least now, there are surroundings visible in the dim light.
What had caught Julia’s attention so suddenly was the rising of a full red moon. The moon has illuminated the unseen landscape in its bloody red glow.
Julia gives a small whisper, intended for no one to hear. “It seems we have arrived..”
She falls into an odd silence, various thoughts racing through her head. Thinking of the trials they are about to undertake. What kinds of dangers and perils may lie ahead.
A larger portion of her thoughts are dedicated to the strange man that sits in the center of her vision, blocking a large part of her view of the window. The quiet Lifeless named Noah.
Julia then remembers the way she had ended their previous conversation, in her opinion, it lacks a proper conclusion.
“Sorry, I don’t have much more to say on the methods. That's pretty much all I know.” She speaks in a soft and distant voice, different from her prior behavior.
As she resumes her silence, she gets an unexpected response from Noah, who turns to face her. He pulls back his upper lip, revealing the points of his fangs. He drags his thumb briefly across the sharp point of the prominent cuspid tooth.
After doing so, he closes his mouth while turning away and says, “This is my boon. It's called Fangs.”
Julia seems surprised at first, excited almost, at Noah’s uncanny behavior. But then as she hears what he says a realization settles over her, a dawning disappointment as she gives a brief, “Oh,” Before speaking fully.
“I suppose that is from Indomitability, then?”
Noah lightly nods his head, “It said something about Indomitability, I think.”
Unaware to Julia, Noah is referring to what the Boon: Fangs (Tier 1) had spoken about when he had first woken up inside the school. His recollection of the words from the boon is hazy, as he had just regained consciousness at the time.
But despite not being able to remember the Boon’s words, Noah is able to feel an affinity with the Indomitable method.
Just the concept spoken about by Julia on the method resonates within him, within his boon, he is able to tell that the Boon: Fangs (Tier 1) indeed comes from Indomitability.
The bus continues to drive along the straight road through farmlands. Passing rows of wooden fence lines that separate the many distinct fields. Everything is bathed in the red glow of a full blood moon that looms overhead.
If one were to pay attention to the long shadows in the fields, they would be able to make out strange fantasy-like creatures skulking about.
Or if one were to possess a boon that helped in observation, then they would be able to notice the strangeness of this environment, like a few Lifeless aboard the bus.
However, neither Noah nor Julia are aware of this, as they sink deeper into their silence. Content with letting their bodies and minds rest while they still have the chance to do so.
Julia is more so aware of the perils and stresses they will soon face. Giving her even more reasons to rest in silence.
She does not know the exact details, but she is certain that these next trials will be true tests and will push them to new extremes, something the first set of trials could never do.
Perhaps she will even be forced to face greater dangers than she has ever faced before. Maybe even experience a greater struggle than any other she has previously endured.
She is currently fighting against these types of thoughts. These worries, fears and insecurities. She is aware of her greatest weakness, her lack of confidence for facing the future.
This is why she prefers to work alongside others, going out of her way to pair up with another. This is why she is even willing to cooperate with Noah, knowing how great of a burden he could potentially be.
But perhaps his naivety, his obliviousness to the dangers of the trials, will give her the confidence she needs to advance forward and no longer be left in the peripheries.
Julia is even willing to give Noah precious knowledge that most Undeserving, those new to the trials, would never obtain so easily. She is willing to do all this, just so she does not have to face her own fears, her own weaknesses alone.
Julia’s descriptions of the methods can suffice for now, but there are still a few things to add. The strengths of each method should not be compared to one another, as they all are able to achieve great heights, in their own ways.
The strength of Solidarity is found together.
The strength of Indomitability is found within.
The strength of Authority is found without.
And lastly, the strength of Sagacity is found all around.