Chapter 145 - Hope

There were a lot of things one could glean from reading someone’s aura, Brock had learned. There were the usuals that he’d known forever; levels, vague emotions, Augments, all that jazz. But through his training, he realised that that was barely scratching the surface of its potential.

Even with the newfound method people were using to obscure their auras, Silence of the Abyss made breaking past that defence effortless as Brock walked down the street and surveyed those around him. Mostly, he did so so then he’d know if his disguise – a simple cap and bandana around his lower face – failed him.

But while he moved, so much information became readily available to him from those enjoying their days. Their physical health, rough stats, personalities and even their Techniques; Brock could distinguish them all. Hell, he’d even learned that the emotions he sensed could be manipulated using his aura.

While he hadn’t done it to anyone else, as that’d be a form of mind control, he continuously did it to himself. It calmed him to a degree and helped numb his negative emotions. It was also due to his knowledge of that – courtesy of Zonoebah – that he’d realised Zin’s ability to freeze him must have utilised emotional manipulation somehow.

Buildings of marble and smoothed clay rose up to his left and right, having long replaced the shabby constructs that had once plagued the streets of King’s Cavity. Bustle filled the beaten path that wove through the centre of it all, and the excited chatter of people filled the air. He did notice people tended to give him a wide berth, and he knew it was mostly because his aura was entirely undetectable.

He’d learned to what Ryan seemed to have done with Silence, and the fact that he was an unreadable element seemed to frighten people. He only really did so around people though, as it took away a portion of his focus.

His eyes glanced over at a familiar storefront, the stylised sign reading ‘Beatrice’s Bakery’. He smiled but refrained from entering. He knew the owner still lived in Meiyo, although he was happy that she’d managed to start creating branch stores.

It seemed that when people found out the Undying Monster ate their often, it became exceeding popular. Hell, Beatrice even had the money to hire employees now.

In the distance, the towering structure of the Teleportation Hub loomed, and Brock knew he was getting close. To a ways to its left, the Grand Archives stood tall, and although the shelves weren’t yet filled, it possessed all of humanity’s gather research and information as of the System’s integration. He felt proud to say it was his idea.

Occasionally, guards patrolled the streets in armours created of various metals, thanks to shipments from Meiyo. And coupled with the Rune Guns placed at their sides, his brother’s mainstream invention, they looked rather menacing.

Generally, they stayed under the shade cast by the rooftops, as the sun was quite hot in King’s Cavity, and Brock felt that the city in general was a far contrast from that of Meiyo. The new capital of Japan was like a vista, the kind placed on the front of brochures, with its streams and blended nature.

KC on the other hand, was all earthen magnificence and lush, untamed wilds. One was intentionally beautiful, and the other was beautiful in the harsh variety of nature.

As he moved, he felt the attention of several guard’s auras fall onto him, and he felt their concern rise as their senses came back with nothing. As far as Brock knew, there were three people in the Meiyo-KC-Australia alliance that could totally hide their auras: himself, Mio and Minerva.

He was sure there were others out there, but none that lived within the cities under their alliance. Those that could had been recorded down, for safety reason. So, when the guard began to group up and tail him to the hub, he wasn’t surprised.

With his cap and all round closed off way of walking, he was fairly certain he looked like a terrorist. Factor in that he was walking toward the centre of this city’s livelihood…

This is reason three why I don’t go out. I can’t hide myself without getting pulled up.

Idly, he wondered if he could learn to use his aura – or Spirit, he supposed – to make himself invisible. It would be a great help.

Finally, Brock reached the steps that led into the teleportation hub, and he was immediately by guards surrounding him from all sides. Their weapons were held at the ready, whether blade or firearm, and he could see that they were fairly confident in themselves.

Every single one was above level 80, and three were even in the E Grade. One wearing a green tinted armour, probably a call back to the sets they made from Iz’ Takon, stepped forward, “Reveal your identity and unbind your aura. You have five seconds.”

I wish my depression didn’t take the energy I needed to deal with this…

Brock obeyed their wishes and his aura roared out in its full intensity. Compared to the E Grades, who’s aura had been doubled upon evolving, it wasn’t much, even with his aura percentage boosts. The thing that made them flinch, however, was the way the air began to keen, and the surroundings began to darken. Whispers tickled their ears.

And then Silence gripped them still, leaving them unable to move. His aura volume rapidly dwindled, but as Brock stored his cap and mask into his ring – his actual one – they stilled. Without fanfare or resistance, he walked past them and into the hub. He didn’t release his grasp on them.

Strobe lights shone behind the stone pillars that surrounded him, and shadows had been cast along every part of the inscribed flooring. At random intervals, shadow scouts rose up from the darkness, bringing with them somewhat important people or supplies from Meiyo or Australia. Several of them glanced at Brock and their eyes widened.

He ignored it and strolled up to the nearest SS, “I need to get to Meiyo. Can you take me?”

“Uh… y… yes sir.” The young man fumbled with his words a bit, and Brock found himself somewhat annoyed at being addressed as ‘sir’, but both stepped on the shadows, nonetheless. They quickly rose up to meet them.

Brock was rather disappointed he hadn’t seen Margo or Erin along the way, as he knew the latter would have found a way to cheer him up somewhat. He’d also wanted to talk with Margo if there was anything he could do to help, although he was still afraid of Anastasia, who hung around the woman like a fly on dog shit.

She’d challenged him to a fight a while back, and of course, he hadn’t been in the best place at the time. So, he’d wiped the floor with her, and broken several bones. She was hospitalised for a couple hours, but still, Brock felt horrible. That’s why it was a surprise that she seemed to be interested in him.

If I see her and she slings her arm around my shoulder one more time… I’ll do nothing. But still. The shadows consumed him, and he snorted to the darkness falling around him and his ride.

He felt a shudder travel down his spine as the darkness reminded him of… his death, but he restrained himself. He hadn’t died. The System had saved him. He even had a Title to prove it.

At The Precipice III: Die. +1 Resurrection (used).

He had no idea why it had done so considering its history, but it made something evidently clear. It wanted something from him. If what Zin had said when they’d first met was any indication, then Brock was originally meant to be that… thing, not himself in that jungle. It had saved him from that, and while it was harsh, it was leading him to something.

He knew it. He was clueless why it had chosen him, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t going to entertain its stupid games. As he thought that, the shadows sloughed away and revealed the hub all the way in Meiyo.

People bustled within the area, although the place went dead quiet as everyone noticed his presence. No one really knew what to do, and he honestly didn’t either. So, he created a field of darkened Silence around him and got to walking. His phone flickered in his hand, and he let his aura senses guide him through the evidently confused crowds.

His finger blurred, and he called Harry. He didn’t want to do it… but I have to tell him. So… so we can all start making the arrangements. I don’t want to believe it… but…

He didn’t finish the thought. His phone crackled and Harry’s voice resounded through the speaker. It sounded immensely confused, “Brock?! Where have you been, du-?”

“Meet me at Beatrice’s Bakery in five minutes. I… need to talk to you.”

A silence followed, and as Harry continued to speak, Brock hung up. He needed to save his social energy for when they met. He felt shock and fear flare in the auras of those wandering around him, and he sensed Mio’s from a rooftop where she was probably watching him. Her rippled with relief.

It seemed she had talked to Jane beforehand, and she was glad it worked. He supposed he should be glad too. The last time he’d walked in a city proper was when he’d visited James in Alice Springs after Ari’s funeral. It had been… impossible to hide his emotions from his brother, although he kept the truth behind them hidden perfectly.

He assumed Jane was going to be the one to tell him about their mother.

Walking to Beatrice’s Bakery took six minutes, not five, and Brock was surprised to see that Harry had arrived before him. He’d kind of expected Fon to join him, although he supposed that she was busy with her new relationship. From what he knew, he was one of the alchemists trained by Amara, and he was just her type.

As he pulled out a chair, removed his aura and sat, he grimaced. He… still hadn’t paid her a visit. But to be fair, he could barely pay his own friends a visit. Harry looked to him as he settled in, and Brock noted a wide smile across his face. It appeared that he… was happy his friend had finally visited him.

“So… Brock,” Harry began, fiddling nervously and waving down a server to bring them ‘The Carter Lot’. It was basically one of everything, “How… how have you been?”

Brock sighed, and he resisted the urge to place his head in his hands, “Mate, I’m… I’m just sorry. I’m sorry I haven’t been around. And I’m working on it. But… that’s not why I’m here.”

“You didn’t answer my question, but why are you here then?” he frowned.

The man opposite him sucked in a breath, “Jane came to me today. They’ve almost searched the entire continent. They still haven’t found my mother. Or yours. They could be in Australia or one of the islands… but…”

Harry’s face remained impassive, like he hadn’t heard what had been said, “but…?”

Brock clenched his jaw, “Harry… you know what I’m saying man…”

Silence followed and Brock’s gut twisted when he saw the expression slide across his friend’s face. It… made him feel silly for being disgusted with himself when he could see the kid in that much pain. His eyes glistened with tears, and behind them, Brock could see Harry beset with the urge to stand up and run. But he didn’t.

“But… but what… what about…” he stuttered, and tears began to fall. Brock felt his own eyes becoming moist.

“Harry…”

The boy’s head fell into his hands, “No, no, no. What about…. What about Adelaide! The scryer! She… she found them once, so she can… she can do it again.”

His voice trailed off towards the end, as though he realised how hard he was trying to convince himself of his own words. Brock didn’t even notice. Instead, he was frozen still. That… I mean it wouldn’t hurt to try…

They hadn’t spoken to the scryer since they’d last used her services, though she’d been at Ari’s funeral, so he knew she was still alive, “That’s… not a bad idea…”

“Huh?” Harry glanced up. Brock saw hope within his eyes.

“Harry,” Brock began, standing in his seat. Others looked over at him, and now that the remaining mists left behind from his dispelled aura bubble had dispersed, they recognised him. Chatter erupted, and a few people moved to speak with him, “we’re going to Adelaide.”

A smile slid across the kid’s face, and Brock quickly found one on his own. For the first time in a while, he felt an emotion other than sorrow, grief, dread or disgust. He felt hope.