"We're here." Navi says, rapping on the wooden door to the carriage with her fist. Both me and Samuel awake.
Ever since we've escaped that Fog Zone, I've been sleeping. Perhaps it's the constant physical activity that's taking its toll on me. Not to mention I'm hungry.
I roll onto my back, sighing. My eyes are stuck together, and it takes quite the effort to force them apart. I'm also sore from sleeping on this damned floor while Samuel sleeps on the little couch part of the carriage.
Wait, did everyone else even sleep?
I look at Navi, whose eyes seem utterly exhausted. The bags underneath contrast heavily with her pale skin. She's sheathing her saber.
I sit up, rubbing my face.
If I had a comb, I'd comb my hair back, but I don't have one. I end up using my hands to slick my hair back.
I glance at Samuel, who's already getting out of the carriage, following behind Navi. Getting to my feet, I squat down, and follow as well, hopping out the carriage.
My feet, not used for a long time, brace for the inevitable contact with the ground.
The sun blots my vision.
Also, it's cold.
Two contradictory things happening within the same time.
I cover my eyes with my hand, squinting. Finally, after a few moments, my eyes adjust. I am almost overtaken with what fills my vision.
It's as if someone took every major culture's architecture, painted it black, and shoved it all in one place. Of course, since we're in a Lagomian city, the largest buildings are Norse-looking. But their shape seems less triangular, and instead focuses on smaller, geometric designs. Some parts are even cantilevered outward.
Despite that, to the very left, is a very Japanese inspired building, albeit influenced slightly more by the triangular designs of the Lagomians. Still, it's honestly interesting to look at. Just across the street however, is a more Mughal designed building, a large dome in the center of the various spires surrounding it.
All of these buildings are black, of course. Yes, they've got accents of color and things of that nature, but all follow that general rule of sorts.
People walk past, all of their outfits corresponding to the respective 'cultures' they hail from. Some wear long garments with extra cloth wrapped around their heads, sabers at their sides. Others wear more traditional Kimono, with armor pieces attached.
Once again, everyone seems to tap into this 'gothic' vibe going on. For example, more loose, tattered clothing, and belts of sorts. Although, there seems to be some outliers wearing more colorful clothing.
I walk over to Kors, who has his hands on his hips, and seems to be conversing with Asakawa, Navi, and Arivia.
"We'll be in there for about a day, no more, no less. It is imperative we do not idle around, as that would certainly attract unwanted rumors about us. That goes for you, Asakawa. While Sable Veil's library is vast, I beg that we do not find you inside, absorbed in four books at the same time."
I glance at Asakawa.
I expected a witty reply or something, but she remained silent.
Kors takes note of this, confusion present on his face.
"–Gah! It's cold!" I exclaim, reclaiming control of the situation.
"Midgard is known to be freezing…" Kors notes. "But, have no worry, we are right outside our base."
"Huh?"
I look upwards as the members head in, Samuel practically running after them.
It's absolutely astonishing to gaze at it. It slightly resembles the Notre-Dame de Paris, albeit with some changes. The main color is a nightshade of black, covering about 90% of the building. The rest is adorned with an equally deep purple, resembling that of night. Another key recurring object within the building are the large windows, that seem to also be a deep purple, yet somehow reflecting yellow.
And within the very middle, hangs the logo of Sable Veil. The bottom row of teeth pertaining to the jaw of a monster.
It's day, but I wonder how it would look at night.
I guess it goes along with the name, Sable Veil.
Normally, the word Sable belongs to the small weasel-like animal of the same name. But if you put the words Sable Veil next to each other—in English—it means a dark covering, or midnight cascading over night.
I guess that's how these people are in reality. Each of them, down to their very personalities, are shrouded in darkness, unbeknownst to the light. It even describes what they do, being mercenaries, they often deal with risky, downright criminal activities, and will sell out to the highest bidder.
I know they go for criminals, but still.
It's like midnight covering the night.
The doors are large, with equally mindboggling designs as the rest of the building. Everyone is already inside seemingly.
Also, a few questions from my end: why aren't there any guards at all, let alone anyone else present? There's only a small stone path in front, with no gate of the sort protecting the building.
I look around.
Passersby just ignore the building, as if it were a mere tree. No, it's as if those that pass by already know the danger of stepping foot within.
I sigh.
I take a step forward, and begin my walk.
It only takes a few moments to actually reach the doorway. Not sure of what to do, I resolve to simply push open the door. I do just that, and it creaks open, revealing the inside.
The floor is decorated with various insignias I couldn't care less about, yet still fascinating all the same. There's no grand chandelier in the center of the room, rather, a set of stairs that seem to spiral infinitely upwards.
On both sides, there exist hallways that seem to have no end, endlessly stretching. Each hallway has a different pattern along the ground, ranging from tiles, to spirals, to even faces. I notice my group standing in front of a tunnel, no, hallway.
Other than them, once again, there's nobody–
I gaze up.
On both sides of the spiral staircase, two statues of a maw belonging to some kind of creature extend towards the ground. A bit to the side is where I see movements. There's an entire upstairs section, where the bulk of the operatives are.
Some are big, some are tall. Some have cloaks, some don't. Some have large weapons, while some have small ones. But what they all have in common—
—Is that mask.
It's as if all people, regardless of their backgrounds, gender, were all covered by this 'midnight'. It did not matter who they were, rather, who they were going to be. All of them move with frightening silence as well, not a single sound ringing out as they walk.
There's so many people, yet you can't hear a single one.
Done gawking at the sight above, I walk over to the group.
The members are speaking to what seems like other operatives. The operatives seem to lack masks, except for one.
The woman talking to Kors is the same height as him, her hair curly and long. It's a strong ginger, colliding with her ginger colored eyes. She looks more mature in age, her face communicating a motherly, warm feel.
I'd never expect such a person to be in an organization like this.
She's covered in a cloak, but you can make out the general layout of her figure. Under the cloak lies a multitude of belts and utility items, hanging off her. It gives an impression of a lethal, yet disorganized assassin.
Speaking with Navi is a tall man, his nose and mouth obscured by a bandana covering of sorts, or rather, a piece connected to the short cloak around his shoulders. He's wearing a large, grey duster along the rest of his body, as well as bronze gauntlets. Speaking of bronze, it's adorned across his body in various parts.
On his left thigh hangs the Sable Veil mask.
He's leaning against the wall, speaking to Navi, who seems disinterested.
Arivia and Asakawa are conversing as well, albeit with each other. Arivia is hanging off a small couch located near the entrance of the hallway, while Asakawa sits on the arm rest.
I travel over to Samuel, who gazes in awe. This is directed towards a particular painting, depicting a seriously grotesque werewolf corpse. Holding the head of the creature is a man, adorned in a top hat, yet wearing a plague doctor mask. He's wearing a cross between a suit, and armor.
"Ah, I never knew Saint Germain was a part of Sable Veil." He turns to me. "Are you familiar with Saint Germain?"
"Not really. The name's familiar, but I can't give you specific details…" I muse, going over the artwork.
It's in black and white, with the surrounding landscape being particularly hellish and oppressive. Tree branches seem to curl in all sorts of directions, trying to grasp at Saint Germain.
"Well, as you can see in this photo–"
"Photo? That's a photo?" I squawk.
They've got cameras in this world? Well, it does seem relatively steampunk, so I guess so. I guess I assumed it was art, as the circumstances captured within seem too fantastical for my mind to comprehend.
"Yes, it is in fact a photo, taken by what I presume to be a member of Sable Veil."
He points at the photo.
"Anyways, Saint Germain is a famous Devil hunter Gazer, who contributed heavily to the exploration of the largest Abyssal Valley ever recorded. He had been given the title: Saint, due to this reason. Saints are considered below Heroes, but close."
"Was the Abyssal Valley bigger than the one near Varos?"
"I would not consider that to be an Abyssal Valley. It did not even contain Fog within."
"Mm."
"Saint Germain was mostly known as an academic, but there is another story that contributes heavily to his popularity. He was a Severer but had somehow managed to turn his Severant into a homunculus of sorts. His Severant also possessed the ability to switch between the two as well. Some had surmised that he merely possessed a gift from a Celestial, but that was not the case according to him."
Samuel crosses his arms.
"Over time, the various questions of what ability he had obtained began piling up. Tired of the incessant questioning, Saint Germain finally decided to give a definitive answer, and promised to teach those that sought this power. He gave a specific date for the time he would reveal it."
"...However, a day prior to the date he had given to the public, Saint Germain was found dead in his room, decapitated. His head was later found in a nearby orphanage with the words: Mankind eats itself, carved into his scalp. His Severant, which was a sword, was found embedded inside his brain, somehow being compressed within."
"Creepy."
"It very much is. Though, I find the concept of a pig-faced spider more terrifying to me."
"..."
"Sorry."
I sigh.
"By the way, are you ready to take your Gazer test, Kaito?" Samuel asks.
I'm looking at the painting at this moment.
"Hm, yeah."
"What path do you see yourself taking?"
My eyes turn towards Samuel.
"Path… I'm not sure yet…" I mutter.
"I see. Perhaps a decision will find itself once confronted."
"Hoperfully."
"Alright, let's get going!" Navi suddenly yells at Samuel, causing him to flinch. "Kors managed to convince the hag that we actually do have an audience with the boss!"
At the mention of the word Hag, I notice the ginger haired ladies's eyebrow twitch. It seems like she's seriously holding the urge to lunge at Navi. The silverback gorilla, on the other hand, has a self-satisfied grin on her face, seemingly ecstatic that her victim cannot do anything but listen.
As the two of us walk past the two figures, I notice the 'hag', whispering something under her breath, glaring at Navi. I'd rather not hear what she said.
As for the male… he's staring at me…
He averts his gaze suddenly.
Weird.
__________________________________________________________________-
A double set of doors lay in front of us. They aren't large, nor imposing at all. In fact, they seem like regular old wood doors you'd see anywhere else. It's safe to say this is the most unique part of the entire base.
"... Before you enter…" Kors steps in front of us.
He then looks at me and Samuel, his emerald eyes softening.
"El Sombra is utterly unforgiving. If you make a single mistake, you will die for it. Do not look into his eyes, either, you will end up taking your own life. If he asks a question, do not spend more than twelve words answering, or you will die."
He places his hand on the door.
"When you two enter, bow as low as you possibly can. Once you do, there will be two Gaugers on each side. Do as he commands."
The sound of bones cracking rings out in my brain. I set a checkpoint.
He smiles.
"I wish you luck."
Kors pushes the door open.
And we both go.
______________________________________________________________
It's dark.
Supremely dark.
I can't even see the floor.
The only other existence within this room is Samuel, who I can barely see as well.
I'm about to call out, when—
A grotesque amalgamation floats in front of the both of us. I can't make it out, but it seems to be a crude imitation of a skull of sorts, with patches of dry skin hanging from various spots. Its mouth is open as well, leaving a smell of rot lingering.
"Kaito. Samuel Volara."
A voice says.
A pressure, akin to a thousand industrial vices, presses against my form. My breath, I can see it. My eyes shake in their sockets. Is this fear? No, this is something else entirely. Is this Hollow Entropy?
I have to physically fight the urge from running outside the room at full speed. The saliva in my mouth constantly dries up as I repeatedly swallow nothing. I don't even know if my teeth are chattering.
What is inside this room?
Who?
What?
I immediately bow as low as I can.
The voice is deep, assuming, but not inhuman.
"What is the self?"
It asks.
"—-Something that struggles to form itself." Samuel immediately answers. I glance in the direction he answers, surprised at his bluntness, even in the face of such monstrous power.
"Exquisite."
"Kaito. What is the self?"
My eyes travel in front of me.
A lone figure sits on a table, his elbows on top. His hands are seemingly merging into each other, given the darkness surrounding them. I can't even make out his face. The only thing I can make out are his skull-shaped irises–
No, don't look.
I avert my gaze.
"The self… is something that's perfect." I say, my voice dragging along.
"...Well, It is an answer…"
"Now, the two of you, we shall determine your Paths. Insert your hands, up to your forearms, into the maw of the Gauger."
I can't see properly, and I'm glad I can't. I'm sure I'd be much more appalled and opposed to the idea if I were to witness the actual appearance of this Gauger.
I quickly insert my arm into the Gauger's mouth, feeling teeth brush against the fabric adorning my arm. A sharp, yet painless feeling begins traveling around the inner of my arm. I can feel thousands of prickles moving within, each one pressing against the skin of my arm.
"Now, Gaze."
I drag my free hand—my left—across my left eye. The world inverts. Yet, it's as if I've never turned anything on at all. Everything remains the same. The darkness does not shift into white, it remains the same.
There are no strings whatsoever.
Am I even in the same plane of existence as before?
"Samuel Volara, what do you intend to separate from?"
"...My wealth. I wish to give up my material wealth, for the path of Severance."
I hear a faint crinkle. Then, something pops. It isn't particularly loud, but just the right level. It's akin to the sound of a soda can exploding.
"You have received your Severant. Remove your hand immediately, or risk losing it forever."
A light shines briefly, tainting the room in a bright crimson. For a moment, I can see the room…
Are those people at the edge of the room, staring at us? No, no, pay it no mind. Focus on what's ahead of you.
"You must find the name and function for your Severant. You may now exist as a member of Sable Veil, belonging to the Foreign Affairs division. Please exit."
Ceremonies claps begin erupting from every corner. I can't see the crowd whatsoever, but they can see me. It's an entire audience, forming an orchestra of their own using their hands.
A large source of light opens behind Samuel. Wasn't the door farther away?
Footsteps echo against the 'walls' as Samuel makes his way towards the exit. I can only make out his silhouette, nothing else. Before he exits, I can make out a block-like shaped blade in his right hand.
He turns, before nodding. Once he does that, he exits, the door closing behind him.
I'm alone here.
"Audience, you may leave." The man booms.
A barrage of footsteps soon follow, as creaking from various doors echo across the room.
I'm truly alone here.
A sigh rings out.
"Hah, I hate acting this way…" The man groans.
Somehow, light is shining on his form from above. Still, I can't see his face. I can make out him wearing a suit, but I can't make out his face.
He places his feet on the table, reclining back on his chair.
What the? This feels like a totally different person from before.
"Traveler from another world."
El Sombra begins.
Huh? How does he know? No, seriously, how does he know? I haven't told a single person since I've been sent here where I'm from. The only other person who knows about my origins isn't even in this reality.
I'm suspicious of asking if he's familiar with Aza, in fear that he'd try to exploit that information.
"..."
"You lack surprise."
"..."
" Haha, relax my friend. You're clearly tensing up. I'm from earth too."
"!?"
He spins his wrist. "To be more precise, I'd say I'm from about 1980. You?"
What? What, what, what, what??
Is there someone else here from the same world as me? Are we the only ones? Are there more? I've got so many questions right now, if I were to unload them, my body would lose all its water.
Also, he's from the 1900s? Does this world indiscriminately pluck people from other worlds? Are we needed for a set purpose?
"Now, you must have many questions. That much is obvious. You have been sent to this world for a large amount of time, and just now, someone reveals they are from the same timeline as yours. Naturally, you'd be curious."
His eyes squint.
"However, there simply isn't enough time to explain our circumstances thoroughly as there is something of more importance awaiting."
He leans back.
"In short, those like us are known as Fill-ins. Across every universe, multiple versions of the same person exist. However, when this individual dies prematurely, or from an unnatural cause, it results in something disastrous that even I cannot wrap my head around. As a result, there is a small chance that the same 'individual' will be sent to the corresponding world. I am sure you have other questions, but they will be answered with time."
So a version of myself existed in this world previously?
"Though, this is one of the reasons Sable Veil has opted to assassinate Odin, the chief celestial. His very existence is being threatened by a mysterious sickness. This is an opportunity for us to correct this world. That is my goal. To rid this world of the oppressive, all powerful beings that rule it in chaos. The fog has spread across, yet they continue to bicker, sacrificing millions of lives in the process."
All right, all right, hold on. This is too much information.
"... First off, how did you know I was from earth? I've never told anyone about that. Second, why are you telling me all this? Aren't you the leader of a secretive mercenary organization that prides itself on shadows? Why would you willingly reveal so much?"
"… Hm. Well, naturally, such questions would be asked from someone of your intelligence."
He leans in.
"For your first question, I knew from that strange device in your pocket."
I glance at the lump in my left thigh.
"When you had first been acquired by the Foreign Affairs Division, I had received a report about virtually everything they knew about you. They had described the object as being: "A camera with moving art."
"Now, a Camera is a fairly recent invention. While it differs from our world's own, only nobles have access to it at the moment. You were found in Soraya, a fairly poorer side of the world, where the concept of the Camera is foreign. Obviously, that would raise suspicion as for why a seemingly random boy would possess something that even the richest would die for. As for the moving images, I had never heard of anything of the sort from this world. Animation is not an existing concept here, surprisingly."
"That was the moment I realized you were not from this world."
He raises two fingers.
"For your second question: I am revealing this amount of information for you as you are already labeled as an operative."
Huh?
"Depending on what path you choose, that Gauger will stamp the Sable Veil insignia onto any part of your body, resulting in it etching onto your blood flow. You may think of it as being a curse of sorts."
"...Seriously…?"
"No. I am joking. Haha."
"..."
"But seriously, I am revealing this much to you due to your upcoming assignment. You are aware of it, correct?"
I nod.
"Yeah. Sable Veil is going to enter Asgard, and will try to take out Odin." I answer.
"While that is true, there are layers to such a plan. There is a glaring issue: Huginn and Muninn. In myth from our world, they are known as crows that travel around the realms throughout the day, and return at night, whispering what they had seen to Odin. However, here, things differ heavily."
"While Huginn and Muninn belong to Odin, they are his Hommunculi. It is assumed that they do not even take the form of crows as well."
Ah, so Odin's a Shaper.
"This is something many do not know about, even operatives of Sable Veil, but they are the main reason why external forces cannot breach into the city, despite its weak status. We are still not fully sure on what exact defensive measure they deploy, but it may have something to do with Odin's function still operating."
"A full on invasion would be suicidal, and would surely result in thousands of casualties. A more reasonable approach would be to send in a single individual. That is why…"
He points at me.
"You would need to breach within the city."
"Me? How? When? What can I even do? I'm sure there are stronger people."
I can't deny, a part of me is surprised, while another, deeper part of me is slightly ecstatic.
"Recently, we managed to apprehend a platoon of Asgardian soldiers that had been stealthily dispatched from behind the city. One of them, a newcomer, was a man known as Axel Freud, belonging to the Fortyr, the city's own defensive force. One of my own men possesses the ability to alter the outward appearance of one's hair, albeit at his own discretion. It just so happens, that besides your hair, you resemble Axel Freud heavily."
"...You're going to change my hair. So I can infiltrate Forctyr's ranks."
He nods.
I glance at my hand, still inside the gauger.
"Hm. What do I need to do?"
El Sombra pulls out a small knife, no larger than my middle finger. It glints in the light.
"Stab either one of the two with this. The target must be located between the forehead, or it will not work."
He spins the blade.
"This weapon is imbued with fog, which is trapped inside the cylinder that comprises its hilt. Once stabbed, it will remove all their Hollow points, which homunculi are exclusively composed of, thus rendering them useless, or dead."
"Though, I'm sure you are more than capable of performing it. After all, you had eliminated Tyrox."
"..."
"You will be performing this mission exclusively of course."
He points at me.
The collar that had been cursing me since I came to this world. The collar that had labeled me as a slave, belonging to someone else since I came to this world. The collar that communicated to all those that saw me to be property.
It pops off.
And falls to the ground.
I feel around my neck area.
Skin.
I'm touching skin.
…
I don't even know how to react.
Alone.
I can finally be separated from these people. I'm finally capable of creating my own story. I know I wanted to escape from Sable Veil, but at the time, I had only presumed that specific group I was a slave of to be the entire organization.
This is different. This is much more professional, organized. It's more willing to give me a chance, rather than brandishing me as a slave to be discarded once I hit my limit.
I am suspicious of El Sombra.
Yet a part of me chooses to feign ignorance and carry out the act. What stops me from running away is the very thing that's causing me to run away. It's more purposeful. Strength will soon follow.
"Ah, your Path choice. Your arm is still inside. I apologize."
"What do you wish to sacrifice?"
"...My…"
A severant. I want a Severant. It's simple, yet effective. I don't have to give up much either.
"Phone. I give up my phone."
It's got my memories. Photos of what I've had in the past. The phone itself is a memento of the world I hail from. It's the one thing that separates me from this world and the other. It's a part of me.
No.
It's not like I really had much of a presence anyways.
The lump in my pocket disappears.
"Remove your arm. You have been granted your Severant, Kaito."
Following what he says, I slowly remove my arm from the Gauger, and deactivate my Gaze. The sharp feeling slowly wears off with every portion of my arm revealed to the air. I then finally remove the entire thing.
I gaze at my hand.
It's a bone, shaped like a screwdriver. After all this time of being powerless. The moment that I had been looking up to throughout all this time. The one thing that gave me vision in the darkness.
A momentous step in my path to strength.
What is the result?
A fucking bone?
I grit my teeth.
There's no way. There's no fucking—
"Please calm down. I'm sure with time, your Severant will evolve along with you. It is up to you to discover its function and its name."
I sigh internally. He's right. There's no way I get something weak, right? Maybe I'm judging this by its appearance. Was the phone even worth less than I thought? No, no, this weapon is just fine, I just need to learn about it.
I clench the bone.
"You may leave now. I will give you your final details tomorrow morning, before you set out. At this moment, your companions are unaware of the assignment I have given to you, so I will reveal it to them later. Take this time to mentally prepare yourself for this task."
I smirk.
"Don't worry. I stay dangerous."
All semblance of my initial fear towards El Sombra has been dispelled. He's much cooler than I thought. I still heavily distrust him.
I walk towards the door.
It's the start.
The start of a new life.
"Welcome to Sable Veil…"
"KAITO."