*
A few minutes later, Rigel turned to Alza and asked, “So, um... what's it like, out there?”
“Out there?” Alza replied, with a curious tone.
“You know... out there, in the real world. I was only a kid when I died... so I never really had a chance to see what the world was like. But you have been living there forever, so you must know what it is like!”
Alza almost chuckled again, but the solemn look on Rigel's face blew away any sense of levity. It was humorous because Rigel thought that she had spent years living in the 'real world', when in actuality her time there had been much shorter. In all likelihood, Rigel had probably spent more time 'outside', but somehow Alza knew that the boy before her would not understand that. So, in her very first attempt at empathy, she said, “Well, I have not seen all that much, but I guess I have seen a few unusual things...”
And so Alza began to describe all of the places she had been; from the waterless, danger-filled deserts to the mind-bending forests of ç'aether. She spoke of the things that she had witnessed; such as the courage of a boy who fought against overwhelming odds and won, and of a re-mech who taught her to see the world through different eyes.
“Wow, that’s amazing!” Rigel explained, while staring at Alza with admiration in his eyes.
“Yes... amazing...” Alza said, partly to herself. Even after speaking about it, she was still having trouble understanding what her words had meant. She had travelled so far, seen so much, and yet, at that moment, she would have thrown it all away.
“Because it's not about the places I saw and the things I did, it's about the people who helped me do them. Even if I were to forget everything that I had experienced so far, It would be alright. As long as I am with Barsch... and Kingston and Maloch, I can create new memories. I can start over. I can forget about Alza, the daughter of Dr Emmerfield, I can begin again... as Alza, the girl...”
“Rigel! Stop bothering her, can't you see that you're making her uncomfortable!” The new voice had come from up ahead, and it belonged to the most beautiful woman Alza had ever seen; although she had thus far only met Ion and seen her reflection in mirrors, so her basis for comparison was understandably low. The girl, who appeared to be a few years younger than herself, was standing in the middle of the transparent road. Her skin was the colour of bronze, and her soft, hazel eyes radiated with a mischievous spark. While looking at Alza, she ran a hand through her short, auburn hair, in what was most likely an attractive manner.
“I'm sorry, Alza, for his rudeness. He is... not used to talking to people.” Her voice was an unusual mix between motherly kindness and youthful playfulness, to the point where Alza could not tell how serious she was being.
“It's okay, he wasn't a bother,” Alza replied, feeling slightly insecure.
“Ah, where are my manners! I am Yumiere, it is a pleasure to finally meet you, Alza.”
The bronzed beauty was holding out her hand, in the common greeting gesture. Alza took it tentatively and squeezed, hoping that she was responding correctly. “How did you know Barsch?” she asked, curious.
Yumiere squeezed her hand in return, and with a cheeky smile, she said, “I was his first crush.”
Alza kept her face neutral, as the mischievous girl continued, “We used to play together when we were younger, while our parents worked. We would go off and explore the remnants of the old world, clambering through deserted playgrounds and crumbling buildings. I was always dragging him along... making him keep me company.”
Yumiere let go off Alza's hand and stepped back, a sad frown replacing her youthful smile. “My father warned me to be careful and Barsch asked me to stop, but I did not listen. I was young and foolish, and so very unaware of the dangers of this world. While we were playing in an abandoned settlement, I tried to climb up a nearby clock tower. However, the old stonework gave way as I reached the top, sending me crashing down to the ground. And then, I guess I just ran out of luck. A broken branch, placed in my way by coincidence, ended my life. There was nothing he could have done, but I asked him to help me nonetheless.”
A single tear had appeared on Yumiere's pretty face, streaking down her sculpted features. Dozens more followed as she said, “I can still remember the look on his face, the pain in his eyes as he watched me die... I had asked him to save me, and he had failed. The guilt of what I did will never leave me. But, that was in the past. And although his heart still bears the scars of guilt; you, Alza, are helping to heal him. It's too late for us... our time has come and gone... but it’s not too late for you! Find his Core, and make him whole once more!”
Yumiere, Rigel and the Unknown Woman were starting to fade; their forms becoming less and less solid. In seconds, only Yumiere's outline was left, a mere shadow of her former self. “Alza, despite everything that happened, despite all of the pain and hardship he has endured... I'm glad he met you. Please, continue to watch over him, in our stead...”
Yumiere's sad smile was the last thing to go, an arcing line made up of hopes and regrets.
Alza turned away from where the three memories had stood, unable to comprehend their message. They were a part of Barsch, just as surely as The Void was a part of him, and yet they were also unique entities. If they had been nothing more than simple memories, then how could they have felt so... real.
“Barsch... what are you... really?”
Awakening Page 237