Yuna's room was not what I was expecting a girl's room to be like, not in the slightest. It is huge, yes, but almost every space is occupied by bookshelves, books and paper. What is this place? I mean i knew she was a bookworm, but don't you live. No clothes in sight, too–wait, no, that's a wardrobe beside another bookshelf. Yeah, nothing else noteworthy in this place. At least it smells nice.
Where is the bed…oh, filled with paper. I looked at the bed, then Yuna, then back at the bed, then Yuna again. Yuna glared at me and walked to her desk, which was filled with paper. She sat down and then gestured for me to sit on her bed.
I sat, and I couldn't help but think that Bella's scales are more comfortable to sit on.
"So, what's umm…all of this?" I spun my head around the place, giving her an obvious hint. "What are the drawings and writings on these?"
The drawings were…weird. Some long, some short and others were in different shapes and forms. In fact, I won't call them drawings; they are more like symbols.
"I thought you could read?"
"I can! But this doesn't look like Adamic." I brought a sheet closer to my eye. "What is this?"
The writings were another piece of work; I'm not sure what I am looking at.
"Control," Yuna brought out a book from one of her many shelves and handed it to me. "Read this, it will explain it better than I can. I'm not the best in that regard."
The book was nothing special. Just old and musty, its covers are brown with the title "Secrets of Aequor; Control." What is this book?
Opening it, I began to inspect, but Yuna stopped me.
"I believe it is better to focus on it at a better time."
"Yeah, you are right…the little I saw got me my head spinning, I might need reading lessons."
Control. Is everything here related to that? Hmm.
"Yuna, what is control?"
"I suppose you wouldn't know. Yet you ended up with an Elder dragon, so strange."
Well, Bella chose me; I am lucky to have her.
Yuna, in the middle of drinking from her cup, stopped and faced me. "Control is just another way people make use of Aequor."
"What's Aequor?"
Yuna slumped on her desk in dismay, "You don't know that either? Why are you here then?" She held her head. "Who did I bring into the faction?"
Oi, you bitch. Watch your mouth, you are hurting my feelings. How am I supposed to know about something I have never heard before?
"How the hell am I supposed to know about something I have never heard of before??" Ahh, I said it out loud, too.
"But you use it too, are you not aware of that?" Yuna sighed deeply. " Anyways, this isn't what I brought you here for."
That is true, it's a bit odd for her to want to spend time with me. Of course, I didn't question it, but that doesn't make it any less questionable.
"That can wait. How do I use it, too? And how does that connect to all this…stuff, in your room?"
"Aequor is the energy that resides inside everyone and everywhere. Given to us by the forsaken creator," Yuna touched her chest. "That is the power that runs through this world, and control is just another way of using it."
"I see, so that's what that energy is called." I looked at my palm, opening and closing it.
"How did you not know that?"
I might have known that before, but not anymore. I can't remember so far back. The way I use it comes naturally to me, like I already know what to do before doing it. Then my journey with Bella, surviving every way I could, only helped me develop it and get used to it.
However, I never once thought to look into it.
So that's the feeling that turns my eyes red. There is so much I don't know.
"Haha, I might have forgotten haaha." This response should be fine. Yuna doesn't seem to be interested enough in me to look deeper into it.
She brought forth a book and opened it, "still nero, you are strange. You say you have forgotten, but somehow you have an active ability, are capable of using touki, possess a mysterious sword, and have an elder dragon by your side. Who are you?"
She closed the book and then crossed her legs. Her dead expression fixed on me.
I take it back. She is actually very interested. What do I say? I don't want to say anything that will get me kicked out, but I don't have much to say in the first place.
But does my past really matter too much here? The leader said it himself, people gave up their dreams to fight for his.
I just so happen to have none.
"Does my past really matter?"
"As long as it brings no harm to the faction, no."
"Then I——"
Yuna held her hand out to stop me. "The leader knows all about you and has already decided you are harmless, not counting the dragon, of course. So do not say anything if you do not want too"
This conversation is getting uncomfortable. "How does he know that?" I asked, balling up my fists.
"The technique called All-seeing eye. It is set up to give the leader a look into anyone's past. I'm not sure of all the specifics, but it appears to only work in his office and once for each person."
I see, so that's how he knew about me, about Bella. I had just met him, and it felt like he was looking through me. She called it a technique… but it felt creepy. Like my mind was being forcefully pried open.
Is that why he quickly accepted me? Because he had looked into me and immediately saw me as useful. I can't expect more from him. I did join out of nowhere, but what made him accept me so fast?
I know so little and have no skills. I am basically disposable, and I add nothing to his plans. Just an extra body.
Not like I'm some destructive force. So what is it….
"Bella"
"Nero?" Yuna tilted her head at me.
"Ahh…sorry," I was completely absorbed. I didn't even know when I began to sweat. But it makes so much sense now…
"It can't be helped. What I told you would cause anyone to falter."
Not just that.
The energy began to pulse through my body. I could feel it flow into my eyes. "It would make anyone consider leaving, too."
Yuna looked at me, then, with a sombre tone, she closed her eyes. "I suppose. But it won't come without consequences."
"By consequences, you mean my death," I said, staring her down with Aequor flowing through my eyes. My blood red eyes.
Yuna opened her eyes and stared back. With her usual deadpan expression.
"Might I say more?"