Pulsation [Taboo]

"It's dark," Seiya's calm voice echoed in the void.

The space around him was pitch-black, and he sat alone, curled up in a corner.

"It's so dark," he murmured again, clutching himself tighter.

{Of course it's dark! You have your eyes closed!} A tiny voice rang out in response.

"…?" 

Seiya froze in confusion, startled by the sudden intrusion, falling silent as he tried to discern the source of the voice.

"Who…?" he asked, straining to peer into the impenetrable darkness.

{Sigh. So you can finally hear me.} The voice replied, relief evident in its tone.

"…"

"Who are you? Where are you?" Seiya tilted his head, glancing around as if he might spot the source of the voice in the pitch-black void.

{Um… you might want to open your eyes first.} the voice suggested.

"…"

{Open your eyes!} the voice snapped impatiently.

Slowly, Seiya peeled his eyes open. A piercing white light flooded his vision, forcing him to squint before his eyes adjusted to the brightness.

The endless black void transformed into an all-white expanse.

Seiya stood, moving cautiously as he examined his surroundings. It felt like a completely foreign realm—endless and featureless, with no windows, no doors, no walls and no visible boundaries—nothing but a surreal white emptiness stretching endlessly. 

Despite the stark emptiness, the space exuded a serene calm, a peace so profound it felt liberating.

It felt otherworldly, like stepping into a different dimension.

For a brief moment, Seiya felt at ease. The heavy weight he had always carried on his shoulders seemed to lift. His muscles relaxed, and his mind quieted.

But that peace was fleeting.

"What's happening…?" Seiya murmured, his brows furrowing. "I was… I was in pain. I'm sure of it."

Frantic, Seiya ran his hands over his body. One hand combed through his hair, while the other pressed firmly against his chest.

But no matter how much pressure he applied, the excruciating pain he remembered was absent.

He inspected his neck further for any decomposed skin but nothing—his whole body was as good as new.

There was nothing. No pain. No wounds. Not even a scar.

"How…?" His voice trembled, his heart pounding with confusion and rising panic.

{Calm down!} the mysterious voice cut in again.

Seiya's gaze darted around, searching for the speaker.

"Who are you? Where is this place?"

{We're inside your mind—your consciousness.}

Seiya looked around, his gaze lingering on the endless white expanse.

"My consciousness?" he repeated, struggling to grasp the concept. The place felt nothing like the chaotic thoughts swirling in his head from time to time.

"Why am I here? What happened to the pain? Don't tell me… Am I dead?" His eyes widened in panic.

Was he dead? If he was then what about his mother and the kids? What would become of them?

{Relax. If you were dead, I wouldn't be talking to you right now. You're still alive—barely breathing, maybe—but alive.} It said wryly.

The voice's reassurance did little to calm Seiya. He sighed heavily, frustration and confusion mounting.

{Don't look so defeated. I'll explain everything—but listen carefully since we can't remain here forever} 

Seiya nodded, his focus sharpening.

{You drifted here because the pain you experienced was too much for your body to bear. You were on the brink of death. I had no choice but to make myself heard, fearing this would be the end,}

The voice paused.

{Place your hand on your chest.}

Seiya did as instructed.

{Do you feel it? The heartbeat—that's me. I'm right there.}

"What do you mean?"

{I mean I am your heart,} the voice replied plainly.

Seiya's eyes widened in shock. "What…? My heart?"

{Exactly.}

As if to prove a point, Seiya's heartbeat suddenly intensified, loud and forceful. Then, just as abruptly, it slowed, as though someone other than his body was controlling it. It stopped altogether, causing him to cough up blood, before resuming its normal rhythm.

{Oops, sorry! I forgot I can't push too hard with your current level} the voice remarked sarcastically.

Seiya dropped to his knees, clutching his chest and panting. His mind reeled.

What's it saying? That my heart can talk and act for itself? Is this some kind of Awakened Ability or something?

{It might be}

Seiya's head shot up as the voice spoke like it could read his mind. 

{Why so shocked? I told you I'm your heart so of course I can hear everything that has to do with you} It revealed.

Seiya asked, alarmed. "So there's a chance you might be my Awakened Ability"

{Right!}

"Doesn't that mean I'm just a late bloomer, not an ordinary person?"

{Is that really so?}

"What do you mean?" Seiya was well focused.

{I can't be sure whether or not I'm your Awakened Ability or whether you're just a late bloomer. But one thing I'm sure of is that: I've always been here with you, since the very beginning}

"Since the beginning? What do you mean? That's like saying—" Seiya's eyes started to widen as realization started to settle in.

{Yes, ever since you came into this world, from the very beginning} The voice added, confirming Seiya's thoughts.

"Then why now? Why didn't you speak before?" Seiya's tone carried frustration.

{I've always been calling. On your birthdays, at school, when you were alone… even on your fifth birthday, when you were so sad and even when you were brought to this lab by your father. But you never heard me—until now.} It explained solemnly.

"…Why not?"

{Because you were too weak.}

Seiya fell silent, the weight of those words settling over him.

{Even now, you're still weak. But recently, you've grown stronger—just enough to hear me.}

"I'm sorry," Seiya muttered, his voice low.

His heart fluttered unexpectedly, his cheeks flushing red.

"Eh?!" Seiya gasped, touching his burning cheeks.

{Oops! Sorry. I'll control myself.}

Seiya sighed. "Still… I'm not sure how I feel about this. It's not exactly a combat ability, is it?"

{How rude!} the voice snapped, bristling with indignation. {Do you think abilities are only about fighting? Everything has its use!} One could already imagine the green veins popping on it, should it have been visible.

{Haven't you heard that everything has an advantage?! I might come in handy one day! Like you're one to talk! Why don't you get stronger first before being rude, huh?!} It lashed out but it was Seiya feeling the toll of its stress.

Seiya rubbed his neck, exasperated. "Fine. So, what can I do with you?"

{…}

"I mean, what can you do?" Seiya rephrased his words when he was met with silence.

{If you're asking what skills you can use with this ability a.k.a me, then I'm sorry to announce but ZERO! Emphasis on that ZERO!} It seethed.

"…."

{You're too weak to let me act in the real world. You can't even hear me outside of this space. Why exactly do you expect to do at your current level? Until you get stronger, I'm just… here!} It bombarded.

Seiya sighed again. "So, I need to get stronger. And how do I do that?"

{How should I know?! I'm not the one who's privileged to roam free around the world! No offense intended in regards to you being imprisoned by your father but still! You're the one who's out there so figure it out!} it lashed out.

"…."

"I'm sorry I'm weak" Seiya's head drooped low eliciting a sigh out of the voice, his heart.

{Don't take my words to heart, I'm still quite shocked I almost died today} It sighed out loud.

"I'm sorry" Seiya apologized yet again for almost dying and killing his heart, along.

{Yeah it's okay. On a second thought, I ain't that scared to die, hahaha} It laughed awkwardly, its tiny voice echoing.

Seiya gave a hard to explain expression as he remained silent.

It's lying!

{I can hear you!}

Seiya chuckled softly, crouching to sit down. "So… how do I get out of here?"

{You should stay a little longer. Your body is still undergoing the poison's effect. Besides… I know you don't want to leave. I can feel your emotions, remember?}

Seiya fell silent at the voice's concern. After a moment, he nodded.

"Mn."

For the first time in a long while, he smiled—a genuine, bright smile, eyes closed in peace.