NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 4: Choice in another world
"Or Two. Stay here, work for me, and fight the Kaijus with us."
That sentence echoed through my mind endlessly.
Just why did it stick?
I've always wanted to be a part of the KAC, however I never unlocked my powers.
Well, it's more so that I don't know how to in the first place.
How it occurs to a person is quite a mystery. One day a person will just randomly unlock it, while another day a person who undergoes an emotional upbringing does so. And even those who go through emotional upbringings don't even unlock it.
That was the usual cliche.
I never asked Belle how she unlocked her powers since I thought it was personal thing. Now that I think about it, it probably wasn't.
It's truly random.
"Asol, are you okay?"
"Ah!"
Fujiwara was accompanying me as we were walking on the sidewalk, exploring the city.
I guess me being quiet for an extended amount of time caused her some concern.
Toma and Hikari unfortunately had to leave us as they had a collab to stream onto their media channel.
It had something to do with the nature of this energy that's present in all things.
I forgot what they called it.
"Ah, I'm fine. I'm just astonished at how beautiful the city is."
I was not lying. It truly is beautiful.
Trees called, Sakura Trees, were everywhere with their petals covering the cement beneath us like a petal blanket.
The air was clean. In fact, it smelled sweet. It was probably due to the abundance of Sakura Trees here.
Gruuuuuumble
Gruuuuuumble
"Eh?"
"Eh?"
We both stared at each other's stomach in an awkward silence until Fujiwara broke it.
"Heh, heh. It seems we're both a little hungry. How about we stop by this one place. It's got great food and it happens to be nearby."
Food...
"Sure."
I said while lightly smiling at her.
Eating. I had almost forgotten all about it.
The memories of Mom and Belle dying before my eyes were still fresh in my mind so of course I would forget.
...
...
...
And now we are eating burgers in a fast food restaurant.
I for one, was never a fast food type of guy.
Burgers in my world we're on the unhealthy side. Well let's be honest. Fast food was never a healthy choice option.
However...
The burger I was eating was probably the best I've had. Fujiwara can attest me to that.
Though the experience was...
Well...
When you are with someone who has a major online following and you are eating with them, it tends to be quite...
Populated to say the very least.
As we were both munching on our burgers, several people (more like a whole group of fans) surrounded the table we sat at, taking photos of us.
Fujiwara didn't seem to care much. Probably due to her being acclimated to this type of thing.
The presence that the media holds in this world is quite powerful.
I guess someone can say-
*World famous idol eating burgers with an unknown boyfriend?!?!?!*
And it would be on a news head or something.
"So Asol, how are you liking your burger?"
"It' delicious. The burgers in my world can't compare to this."
I smiled nervously due to the presence of such a crowd aroud us watching and taking pictures or videos.
"Don't worry about the people around us. It'll die down soon."
Die down soon huh...
I could hear whispers and murmurs about the two of us being a couple.
Though I do understand. Fujiwara is beautiful and cute at the same time. Her body frame could easily match those who model in those magazines. I think Belle could even compete in it.
Huh...
Weird...
For some reason she resembles her the more I look at her.
...
A few minutes later, we were sitting alone in the restaurant unbothered when Fujiwara let out a sigh of relief.
"Whew... Now that thats over."
She grabbed a napkin and lightly patted her lips and started a conversation.
"It's difficult being famous both here in Japan and overseas. Out of us three girls, I'm the most famous. Of course there's more of us spread throughout the world in the Americas and South East Asia."
Being famous huh?
There was one time as a kid I wanted to be famous for writing a world nominee. The world's best selling piece of fiction.
But I knew that there was a different topic she wanted to discuss.
"Your right. There is something I want to discuss with you."
Wait, can she read my mind?
"Yes and no. You see, I have the innate ability to see Aura in its purest form. I can see the Aura fluctuate in other people to figure out what they are thinking."
"Aura?"
"Ah that's right! I don't believe your world gave the energy a name."
"Yea. We just called it Powers."
"Pretty basic if you ask me."
"Yea. Heh. But I'm curious. What is this Aura you're talking about?"
She smiled lightly at me.
"Are you familiar with the how all of Creation came to be?
"If you mean how everything was created by the one Creator, then I unfortunately don't remember much."
"Here on Earth, we call the creator you know as, Kami. Here in Japan, it's translated to God."
"Kami..."
"You see, everything was created with Kami's light as it shaped all of existence. The light is an energy that is infinite, present within everything; from the ground, to the sky, and even the sun. The different religions and mythologies across Creation call it something else like the Dao or even the Brahma. Every single being has the ability to utilize Aura around us. Though they seem to be under the impression that they have to unlock it eventhough they have access to it."
"..."
"Although Asol, you don't seem to be aware of it?"
So that means...
"So, I have powers?"
"Yes."
Aura. Kami. Argh. So much to process! I pressed the palm of my left hand on my forehead in deep thought.
But to think I had the ability to fight the Kaijus all this time. If I had known, then perhaps I would have been able to save Mom and Belle.
Just thinking about it will tear me up.
Fujiwara opened a can of soda and started taking sips from it. Seeing as this may be the perfect time to ask-
"So if you can see Aura, what else can you do?"
A small grin appeared on Fujiwara's face.
"Well, I have a transformation. It enhances my physical capabilities and gives me flight. Though anyone can achieve it. I can manifest a gold longsword I call, Durandal, which can release a wave of energy that cuts through space-time. I created a pocket reality where I can fight the largest of Kaiju, minimizing damage to our world. But the possibilities on what I can do are endless."
"Endless you say..."
A small grin appeared on my face.
And she said it all with a light smile while I stared in awe as I thought to myself as she continued to sip on her soda.
If only I had knowledge of this, I could've saved them. Possibly even saved my world. Thats a little ambitious, but it was a possibility. There had to have been a timeline that I did, surely.
"So Asol. What else do you want to know?"
I've always wondered about what the others can do.
"If you can do all that, what can the others do?"
"Ah, you mean Toma and Hikari? I think we'd be here all day if I were to tell you now. But if I had to put it in a nutshell, itd be Fists and Songs."
"Fists and Songs? That's not much."
"Yea. Toma is quite the brawler. She would rather fist you then talk. It really shows the low level of intelligence she possesses. Hikari on the other hand..."
Her light smile quivered for a second.
"She is the most intelligent out of us three and is the strongest and the fastest. To top it all off, she uses a Sangen. It's a three string instrument. The notes she plays is disastrous."
"So it's Toma, the brawn with no brain and Hikari, the smartest and strongest?"
"Yep!"
She said as she smiled.
"So what would you be?"
"I would be the one who steps back and enjoy the ride."
"Heh.."
"We pray. We call. We sacrifice. Come! Descend to our reality and destroy those who stand in our way!"
"What the?"
I look around us to see no one in the restaurant. I swore I heard whispers. Fujiwara didn't seem to notice or even hear the whispers.
"Are you alright Asol?"
"Uh, yea. I don't know. I thought I heard whispers, but it must've been my mind."
CRAAAASH!
BOOM!
Our conversation was interrupted by a nearby explosion with a ghastly roar following it as the building around us shook.
ROAAAAAAAAR!
Memories of Mom and Belle flashed through my mind.
It was a Kaiju!
Sirens started to ring.
Belle finished her soda drink and let out a sigh of satisfaction.
"Stay here Asol. I'll be right back."
She said smiling lightly as she immediately stood up and slowly made her way out the door.
I yelled out to her as I followed in pursuit.
"Fujiwara!"
She reminds me of Belle. Though thinking about it keeps giving me flashbacks.
...
...
...
Third person POV
As the girl idol exited the restaurant, she could see the Kaiju wreaking havoc on buildings nearby.
The Kaiju was standing at forty-two feet tall, as big as the average three story building.
It was almost humanoid. Equipped with extradimensional armor that covered its vulnerable areas, it slowly approached and destroyed nearby buildings with just a swing of its slender long arms. It's head was just a mouth with no eyes.
SHREIIIIIIIIK!
The Kaiju had noticed Fujiwara dashing towards iy, and so it grabbed a nearby truck, launching it at the girl but failing to hit her causing a large dust cloud to form.
CRASH!
BOOM!
While all this was happening, Asol had hid behind some cars in a safe distance, as to not be noticed by either of them as this was his first time being close to it all.
As the fire and dust settled, a bright gold light erupted from within revealing the girl in a completely different outfit from the one she was originally wearing.
[TRANSFORMATION: PANDORA'S DRESS]
Pandora's Dress.
Most individuals would connect it with the infamous Pandora's Box, an artifact that spread misfortune and chaos if the box were to be opened.
The dress itself is the physical manifestation of Fujiwara's Aura.
In other words...
The dress is her Aura.
Fujiwara stood with her eyes closed for a moment, as if she was suppressing something deep inside her mind and finally opened them smiling.
"Alright. Just another Tuesday."
Her eyes glowed a golden color. The Aura emanating from her dress repeatedly pulsed through the space around her as if it had a heartbeat.
Though she could see Aura in its purest form, others could see what they can comprehend of it. To everyone, it was a gold color.
A golden energy formed around her right arm, gathering in her open hand, and forming into a golden longsword.
[THE GOLDEN DEATH: DURANDAL]
She lifted her sword, painting the tip of the blade towards the skies above her, imbuing her Aura into it.
The humanoid Kaiju began charging towards her in the attempts to interrupt her. However it was too late. Fujiwara finished imbuing her Aura into the blade and swung her sword in the direction of the Kaiju, like an axe chopping wood.
[DIVINE SOLIDUS]
A wave of golden energy shot out from the blade in a straight line, cutting through the fabric of reality towards the charging Kaiju.
SHIIIIIIING!
The Kaiju then came to a halt and stood still until it split apart from the center and began to dissolve into nothingness as it fell to the ground.
The girl then took a breath of relief, and then her dress dissolved into the clothing she was wearing before.
"Whew..."
Cheering and clapping could be heard from the sides.
Apparently there were spectators. Or rather her fans who were in the area, watching her take down the Kaiju. She smiled and waved at them as they surrounded her for autographs.
SHRIEEEEK!
Fujiwara and the crowd looked back towards the spot where the Kaiju had fallen.
Eventhough its body was dissolving, it reattached itself and charged towards them, reaching out with its long slender arms equipped with razor sharp claws.
Time seemed to slow down.
Fujiwara was caught off guard, and the crowd was in the way. She could not transform into her battle dress in time to protect them.
The Kaiju's long arms were right in front of them.
Asol, who was watching a distance away had awakened something.
Flashbacks of his mom and Belle dying briefly appeared in his mind. The urge to want to protect them all and to protect the one who reminded him of his friend arose. A desire.
He didn't want to let another person die.
"NOOOOOO!"
As he let out a cry, a purple red Aura encompassed his body as a burst of energy surged through it, allowing him to travel faster than the eye can see, allowing him to stand in front of Fujiwara and the crowd.
He pulled back his left arm back as the Aura emanating from his body was imbued into his fist.
He cried as he swung his empowered attack, aiming for the center of the Kaiju's chest.
THOOM!
At first, nothing happened until-
PSHYOOOOM!
The Kaiju was sent flying through numerous buildings, destroying them in the process, and finally dissolving into nothingness.
Time seemed to have resumed to normal.
Everything happened in an instant.
However...
Fujiwara had seen it all as she stared in disbelief at what she had witnessed what Asol had done.
...
...
...
Asol's POV
(Night time in the room Asol first woke up in on Earth. He is currently sitting at a table by himself and thinking of the events that happened that day.)
That was...
Amazing.
Witnessing Fujiwara, in person, single handedly "kill" that Kaiju made me think to that day when Belle killed that dinosaur looking Kaiju.
And me? After what happened to me today?
It felt amazing, but there was something else. A feeling that I wanted to save the crowd and Fujiwara and so much more.
Thinking back to what the CEO said:
"Or Two. Stay here, work for me, and fight the Kaijus with us."
Those words still echoed in my mind.
If I were to accept it, they can train me.
But then, there's the first option.
"One. To be transported to a world of your choosing to live the rest of your boring and tragic life out?"
I get to live in a world of my choosing.
But...
What difference would that make if that world were to fail at fending off the Kaiju threat and be destroyed?
"Argh!"
Frustrated, I slammed my fist onto the table, breaking through with ease.
I looked at my fist and thought of what I had done today.
I had powers.
Powers that I didn't even know I had.
And when I saw Fujiwara and the group innocent being attacked by the Kaiju, it makes me wonder of what I could've done if I had known of my powers.
Sigh...
I turned on the nearby TV to see that the battle that had taken place today was on the news.
...
*We bring you the events that transpired today in downtown as a Kaiju attack had occured. A humanoid Kaiju appeared and started destroying nearby buildings until the famous streamer idol, Fujiwara Kane, momentarily defeated the Kaiju threat until it regenerated and charged at the idol and her fans. That was until, The One Armed Wonder, appeared and finally put an end to the threat-*
"I wonder who that One Armed Wonder could be? I gave you twenty four hours to decide on two choices, and you decided to make a third and immediately kill some Kaiju's? I'm thoroughly impressed by your decision."
I was in the CEO's office sitting face to face with him as he laughed.
"Right. I don't know what came over me, but I helped defeat the Kaiju threat with Fujiwara."
"Hmmm."
The CEO rest his chin on the back of his hands being supported by his elbows on the table.
"And?"
"And..."
I really hope I make the right choice.
"I decided that I want to work for you, be a part of Earth's KAC branch, and work alongside Fujiwara."
I said this with a determined look.
"Even when you, an eighteen year old boy, lost everything. His home, his world, his only friend, and his beloved Mom?"
I looked down into the table. The CEO's facial expression expression turned serious and spoke in a stern voice.
"Why Asol? Tell me."
"Yesterday, I felt something when Fujiwara and the crowd were going to be- You know. A feeling arose in me. A desire to want to protect them all to make sure that none go through what I've experienced."
Silence fell into the room once more.
The CEO got up from his chair, sporting an intimidating look, and made his way to my side.
He put his right hand on my shoulder and smiled.
"That's great! I've been looking for a manager for Fujiwara and you are perfect for the job!"
"Eh?"
The door then collapsed revealing Fujiwara who was eavesdropping, on the floor.
"What?
"So, what do you say? You become Fujiwara's manager for her idol activities, and in return we train you to the best of our abilities and forge you into a Kaiju killer?"
"Uh..."
"Great! You start today!"
The CEO said with pure joy.
Fujiwara then got up from the ground and greeted me while bowing respectfully and smiled lightly.
"Well, you already know me. My name is Fujiwara Kane. I will be in your care."
...
...
...
(5 Days later)
It was 8 am on a Monday when Fujiwara Kane was live streaming on a media platform called V-Tube.
It was a very important day for her and a certain someone.
She opened up with her greeting.
"Good morning to you all! Welcome back to the Livestream! I hope every one of you had a great weekend!"
With a mass following of 1.69 million ecstatic and down bad fans.
*Yatta!*
*Good morning!*
*Marry Me!*
*Please bear my children!*
The comments went on and on...
Fujiwara proceeded with the live stream by playing some games she found on a certain website like "Reel of Legends" and "Team Castle 2".
Of course, being a streamer who fight Kaijus that can destroy entire realities rubs off on her gaming skills as she dies for the tenth time in "Reel of Legends."
Fujiwara glanced at her chat.
*Wow...*
*RIP*
*Fs in the chat boys!*
*0/10 powerspike!*
"Heh heh... Well this is the first game of the day chat."
She said as she smiled.
After five hours into the stream, it was showtime.
Fujiwara turned off "Reel of Legends" and switched the stream overlay to one where they could see her full body, standing in front of a green screen.
*Whoa!*
*What the-*
*Wait what's happening?*
*Please marry me!*
Fujiwara smiled towards the camera.
"Well everyone. If you are still here after these five hours of me streaming, then you are in for a treat."
*Wait!*
*An announcement?!?!?*
*Lt's fuckinh goooooooo!*
"So for those who have been following and watching me for the past few years, you would know that my manager passed away during the incident that occured half a year ago..."
*Oh no...*
*No...*
*Are you quitting?????*
*I wanna have your kids!*
Fujiwara glanced at the chat.
"Oh! No no no no no! I'm not quitting! Haha."
*Oh thank God...*
*Man... We screwing ourselves...*
"In fact, we are welcoming a new member. Although they aren't just any member!"
Fujiwara then looked to the side, signaling to someone.
"Are you ready?"
"Uh... Yea?"
*Ain't now way!*
*Is it new member???*
A black haired boy who seemed to be in his late teens stepped in from of the camera and nervously spoke as Fujiwara smiled.
He wore black jeans, complemented with him also wearing a black blazer over a plain white shirt.
"Uh... Hi! Thank you for having me!"
*Nani!!!*
*It's her boyfriend?????*
*Dang it! I knew she had a boyfriend!*
*Wait a sec, he looks like that guy from the news five days ago!*
*He's got one arm!*
*Yo where'd your right arm go bro?*
*He's kinda cute!*
"My name is Asol Ansaldo. I come from another world called Dystopia, and I was assigned to be Fujiwara Kane's manager. Thank you for having me!"