Chapter Nine
Soul awoke with a start, sitting straight up and looking around frantically. She remembered what had happened and was scared that Hiro would be gone and a dead man lying where he had been. That wasn’t what she found.
She was sitting in a round bedroom with a glass ceiling and glass walls. Sunlight filled the room and outside was a wonderful garden filled with hundreds of colors and different flowers. Soul saw a brick path and then noticed that it led to a glass door that opened into her room.
Shaking her head, Soul looked around again, seeing the bedroom was elegant and that there was a fine wood door that led into the house. Soul got out of the bed and went to the window, trying to look at the house. She saw tall brick walls and windows, but that was all. The house looked like a mansion and Soul wondered if she was a prisoner or a guest. How had she even gotten there?
A knock on the door made Soul jump and spin around.
“Are you awake, young lady?” Called a mannerly voice.
“Yes,” said Soul, nervously moving towards the glass door. She wanted to make sure she had an escape in case things went wrong.
The door opened and a man entered. He stood by the open door, smiling at Soul with a depth of understanding that alarmed her. “Soul, right?” He said, leaving the door open as he moved forward and looked Soul up and down. “My, you’re a beautiful young lady.”
Soul blushed. “Who are you?” She asked. The man looked old, but he had a youthful smile and lively gray eyes. His short hair was white and thinning and he wore black clothing.
“I’m called Syph,” replied the old man kindly. “Hiroshima is okay. I thought you would want to know.”
“He’s okay?” Soul demanded swiftly. “How? What was happening to him?”
“Crystal Crier was taking over his body,” replied Syph, moving around to sit on the bed. He picked up the pillow Soul had slept on and fluffed it then returned it to the head of the bed. “I’m assuming you know everything about who Crystal Crier is?”
Soul shook her head. “I thought he and Hiro were one and the same,” she said.
Syph look at her, his gray eyes flashing as if he had realized something interesting. “Crystal Crier is no more Hiro than you are me, young lady,” he said with a hint of gravity. “Hiro is a human, Crystal Crier is a force of nature that was implanted into Hiroshima’s body.”
“What?” Soul whispered.
“I’m going to assume Hiro never told you about the voices in his head, right?” Syph asked, folding his arms and leaning forward. “Or you’ve never seen how some times he acts unlike a human and will, say, leave you behind without knowing it?”
Soul recalled a moment when Hiro had kept walking while she was having an attack, but he had claimed he hadn’t known. “What are you telling me?” Soul asked, looking at Syph with fear. “What is happening to Hiro?”
“It’s a little confusing,” explained Syph with a sigh. “The crystal implanted in Hiroshima’s chest is dying. At first it was powerful enough to keep Hiro and Crystal Crier alive and separate. Hiroshima was in complete control over them both, and the crystal kept his emotions locked away. The scientists wanted it that way. The crystal was actually supposed to kill every one of Hiroshima’s emotions and also make him immune to physical pain.”
“But he feels pain,” said Soul quietly.
Syph bowed his head. “Yes, he does,” he said quietly. “For years, those who remade him wondered why that was. No one figured out that it was the crystal itself, the heart they had given him, that was causing Hiroshima’s downfall itself.”
When Soul looked puzzled, Syph explained.
“The crystal is alive,” he said. “It’s not just an energy source. It wanted to take over Hiroshima, but the human will was stronger. The crystal was never able to completely take over Hiroshima for that one reason. It was bent to the will of its mortal puppet and the crystal hated that. It was trying to take over his body, but it couldn’t. I’m guessing Hiroshima hadn’t been sleeping well?”
Soul nodded.
“I figured,” Syph sighed. “His mortal body is growing weak and he has become Crystal Crier to save you numerous times recently. Hiroshima is weak and so the crystal is taking him over.”
“Can’t we stop it?” Soul asked desperately.
“Hiroshima was mindless and weak when the scientists took him and turned him into a killer,” said Syph gravely. “Were he able to, he should have stopped it then and there, but he had not the mind nor the ability to. The deed was done. The crystal connected to him. So no, we can’t stop it. Not even he can stop it.”
Soul hung her head sadly. “But...” she whispered in a shaky voice. “I wanted to save him.”
“His system has begun to crash,” said Syph as he stood up. “The crystal has waited for this. Its power is low, it’s releasing the grip on Hiroshima’s emotions to gain back energy, and then, when Hiro is at his weakest, it will kill him and take over his body. No, Soul. You cannot save him.”
“I have to,” said Soul, looking up at Syph. She had tears in her eyes. “I have to save him!”
Syph blinked and stared at her. “Symphony,” he said with a blank expression.
Soul’s face grew pale. “What?”
Syph shook his head. “Nothing,” he said politely, clearing his throat. “I’ve made lunch if you want some. The garden is also open to you if you’d like a walk.”
Soul looked back at the garden. “No,” she said, turning back to Syph. “I want to see Hiro.”
“He’s recovering right now,” Syph said with a frown.
“I don’t care,” said Soul, rounding on Syph, but then she froze. Her mind shifted back to when Hiro had acted odd and a shout of alarm erupted from her before she could stop it. “You were stabbed!” She cried, pointing at Syph. “How are you alive? And how were you able to help Hiro?” Soul felt a chill of dread wash over her as she stared at Syph. “And how do you know so much about the crystal and the scientists?”
Syph smiled in an embarrassed way. “I think we should go see Hiro now,” he said with a weak laugh. “I’d rather answer those questions in his presence. He needs to know the answers as well.”
Soul followed Syph through the beautiful mansion. The halls were long and bright; the rooms were furnished and decorated with a chandelier in the larger rooms. It made Soul’s head spin because of how majestic it was. They came to a close door and Syph knocked before opening it slowly. He and Soul peeked inside. The light at the back of the bedroom was dim. It was set beside a bed where the shadowy figure sat, cross-legged with his head down and his black hair over his face. His jacket was on the floor and the bandages that had been around his torso lay with it.
Soul covered her mouth with her hand. Hiro’s body, from beneath his left arm, down and around his ribs and abdomen was made of titanium plates, bolts, wires, gears and shifting panels to allow a full range of movement. It looked eerie in the low light and Soul slid back a step with a pit in her stomach.
“Hiroshima,” said Syph, stepping into the room. “Soul is here.”
Hiro’s head shot up at once. He stared at Soul, ignoring Syph, and then stood up. “Soul,” he said in relief. “Thank goodness. When I heard you had passed out I was scared I had hurt you.”
“You did hurt her,” said Syph, moving forward. He took Soul gently by the wrist and led her into the room with him, but he suddenly turned her hand over and showed the bandages Soul had failed to notice. “Crystal Crier cut her palm. I didn’t see what happened, but her blood was on his armor when I found you.”
Hiro stared at Soul’s hand in shock. He crossed the room in two steps and took her hand in his. Hiro didn’t see Soul blush as he unwrapped the bandages and looked at the deep cuts on her palm. They were smeared in ointment so they would heal quickly with little pain. Hiro gritted his teeth before looking at Soul.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I was so tired. I don’t even remember what happened.”
“Its okay,” said Soul awkwardly, taking her hand back. She began wrapping her palm again, feeling the cuts stinging a little from being unwrapped.
“Soul asked some questions I feel you need to hear the answers too, Hiroshima,” said Syph. “May you both take a seat on the bed?”
Hiro looked at Syph, but then shrugged and returned to where he had been seated. Soul followed, sitting beside him with an uneasy look. Hiro reached over and helped her finish wrapping her hand. Soul couldn’t even thank him because her throat was dry.
“The first question,” said Syph, pulling over a chair and turning it as he sat down. “Soul asked how I was alive after you had stabbed me.” He looked at Hiro who nodded as if he had wondered that as well. “She also asked how I was able to help you, Hiroshima, and then she inquired as to how I knew so much about the scientists and the crystal inside of you.”
“I can’t say I haven’t been wanting to ask about that stuff as well,” replied Hiro grimly. “Are you going to answer?”
“Of course,” replied Syph kindly. “But first, Hiroshima, I want to tell you I’m shocked you don’t recognize me.”
“Should I?” Hiro asked.
“Yes,” replied Syph. “I was there when you were made and I accompanied the scientists at many of your missions. Of course my hair was darker way back then.”
Hiro and Soul were both silent. “Who are you exactly?” Hiro asked, his expression sinking to suspicion.
Syph smiled sadly. “I am someone who turned against the scientists long ago,” he explained calmly. “I used to be one of them. But one day they brought in a poor young man who had lost his whole village to an explosion and the other scientists used stories of you, Hiroshima, to turn the young man into a merciless killer.”
Hiro became rigid. “Geicko,” he breathed in horror.
Syph nodded. “I was the one who placed your crystal heart inside of you,” he said quietly. “I thought you would bring peace to the world, but the others had plans of their own. Sadly, they had more of the company on their side. I soon became aware that I was there under false pretenses that I had control over the projects. At first I stood back and let things go on as they were. You were sent on missions and I watched as your destroyed innocent lives. You had no idea how much evil was done by your hand, Hiroshima.”
Soul looked up at Hiro. His expression was stony.
“I was reaching the end of my tolerance when they brought Geicko to me,” said Syph. “When they began tearing him down and making him feel hopeless is when I snapped. I told them I refused to help them any longer. The looks I got told me I was in danger of losing my life so I ran. I ran away when you escaped, Hiroshima. I came to this island and here I have dwelt for many years.” Syph looked at the dark ceiling distantly. “I’m over two hundred years old,” he murmured. “All scientists are ageless. Anna included.”
“Ageless?” Soul whispered.
“We scientists are given the same treatment as our succeeded experiments,” said Syph. “We’re granted immortality in the worst way.”
Hiro and Soul were both struck speechless. They gawked at Syph who was smiling in a pained way.
“You’re a robot like Hiro?” Soul cried.
Syph smirked. “And like you,” he said.
Hiro cringed and Soul looked confused. “I’m not a robot,” she said, pointing at herself.
“You are,” replied Syph. “You’re real name is Symphony, right?”
Hiro buried his face in his hands and Soul nodded. “We gave me the name Soul so Hiro’s curse wouldn’t kill me,” she said, glancing at Hiro who was shaking his head.
“The curse of killing those whose name he learned,” said Syph in agreement. “The crystal is what caused that curse. It has odd powers, but that one I doubt will fade easily.” Syph looked at Hiro who gazed over his fingers at him.
“Why did you remind me?” He hissed, his golden eyes misting over through his glare. “I had forgotten her real name. She was safe.”
“She won’t be safe,” said Syph in a solid voice. “Not with Anna chasing you.”
“Anna won’t catch us,” said Hiro, slamming his fists to his knees. “I’ll protect Soul with everything inside of me, even if I have to let Crystal Crier kill me to do it!”
“Symphony was dying,” said Syph, maintaining peace through Hiro’s glare. “Anna and I are the ones who saved her. We removed her broken heart, giving her a mechanical one that would act as a real heart. Her blood wouldn’t flow though.” He pointed at her hand. “It stained your armor, but it didn’t leak from her hand. Her blood is dormant within her. She’s not human. None of us are.”
Soul looked at her hand. “That’s why you survived Hiro stabbing you,” she muttered.
“I’m sorry, Soul,” said Hiro, turning to look at her. “I’ll forget your name again. I’ll keep you safe-”
“Hiro.” Soul covered his mouth with her hand. She gazed at the tears in his eyes. “We’re both going to expire,” she told him quietly. “My name is the least of your worries.”
Hiro shut his eyes and then turned his head away. “I don’t want...” He cut off and ran his hands through his hair.
“You two have little time,” said Syph as he got up. “I have even less.”
“What do you mean?” Soul looked up at him.
“You two can run,” replied Syph simply. “But you led Anna right to me. Hiro’s curse will ensure that I die a painful, merciless death and I know it will be at Anna’s hand.”
Hiro’s attention locked on him. “Your real name,” he whispered.
“Is Syph, yes,” he replied. “And since you now know that I will finally be allowed to die.” Syph grinned. “I’ve lived too long,” he said. “Anna has lived even longer. Hiro, Soul, she is the one who began this whole thing.”
“What?” Hiro and Soul demanded in shock.
“Anna started creating killers that are more robot than human. Granting immortal life to those she can use.” Syph examined his hands. “She is the one you should fear, and it’s a good thing that you both do. If you didn’t then I’d call you idiots.” He looked at them both intently. “I’ll tell you honestly, I don’t see a happy ending in any of our futures. But if you can stop Anna before you expire then my life will not have been in vain.”
Hiro looked away. “I’m not going to stop her for you,” he said, getting to his feet. “I’m going to stop her because she’s ruined Soul’s life.”
“No,” said Syph, shaking his head. “Hiroshima, you ruined Soul’s life on your own.”
Hiro cringed.
“He didn’t!” Soul said hastily. “I would have never met him if Enimito hadn’t kidnapped me!”
“Enimito?” Syph asked, looking at them blankly. “Oh!” His eyes lit up. “You mean Oratorio.”
“Who?” Hiro gasped. A brick fell heavy on his chest. “Is that... is that Enimito’s real name?”
“He was given a fake name when he was made,” explained Syph. “It was suspected it would come in handy after making you. Seems it kept him safe. I’m actually shocked that Geicko lasted so long with you knowing his name. He was impervious to the crystal’s power. He didn’t know it, but he was rare, a human who was unaffected by the crystal. That is why he was kept and not killed. Your explosions didn’t touch him. The energy emitting from you did little more than tickle him. People like that are just as rare as the crystal. There has only been two more who were unaffected by the crystal and they were both turned into robotic immortals, thus losing their immunity to the crystal.” At this, Syph looked at Soul.
“Me?” Soul asked blankly.
“Had Anna not gotten to you then you and Hiro would be fine,” he told her. “You and your brother are both in danger because Anna decided to fix your heart problems and use you to reach her own goals.”
“Brother?” Soul asked blankly. “I don’t have a brother.”
“Believe me, you do,” said Syph. “And Hiro knows it too, but he won’t admit it because he
calls the man brother also.” Syph looked at Hiro who was breathing hard and looking pale.
“Before we were made into weapons we weren’t,” said Hiro in an unsteady voice. “Enimito and I aren’t related by human blood. I don’t see him as my brother any longer.”
“Well, that’s good,” said Syph with a smirk. “Now there’s nothing to stop you two.”
Soul blushed and Hiro looked away, his eyes hidden by his hair.
“You two should rest,” said Syph, going to the door. “I’ll be around if you need me.” At that he left, shutting the door behind him.
Silence filled the room. Soul looked at Hiro who gazed at the door. He suddenly shut his eyes and took a deep breath.
“Now Enimito will die too,” he whispered. He dropped his head into his hands. “You and he are both doomed. I’m so sorry, Soul. This is my fault.”
“Anna made it your fault,” said Soul, placing her hand on Hiro’s shoulder. “You didn’t volunteer to kill everyone.”
Hiro was shaking his head. “I can’t let this go on,” he said quietly. “I don’t want you to die, Soul.” He reached up and set his hand over hers. “It looks like nothing will change that now.”
Soul frowned and him and took his hand. “I’ll be okay,” she told him quietly. “As long as I’m with you.”
Hiro didn’t answer. He simply held her hand with his head down and tears running down his face.
The Beginning - 7
My escape was going to be tricky. The scientists kept the lab well protected and there were many people who could get killed. I didn’t want to risk killing even more people than I already had. Since I knew where the exit was, having gone there many times blindfolded to missions, I had an idea of where I was going. All I needed was to act at the right moment. That was going to be tricky. There were cameras on me at all times. I stood outside my habitat’s house and looked around, using my advanced sight to pinpoint each of the cameras. Once they were mapped out in my head I made my plan. There was a way I wouldn’t be noticed. I would have to move fast and get away before they could bring out the heavy artillery. Not that an attack would faze me, I simply didn’t want to kill more than necessary.
It was the night after Enimito gave me my Massacre Title that I escaped. I left my home when the lights dimmed and cast my habitat into darkness. I crept out of my house, already aware that the cameras were on me. It was then I made my move, because delay would end my mission.
I took off, running to the large metal door. It wouldn’t open for me, so I gathered up some energy and used it to blow the door open. As soon as the door exploded a siren went off and red lights blazed around every corner. I ran full speed, zipping past doors that opened and people that shouted in alarm at the sight of me. I kept running, but it was then I heard the voice in my head.
“Little risky, don’t you think?” It said in a voice clear as ice. I almost stopped from surprise, but the alarm and blaring red lights kept me running.
“Who are you?” I demanded, skidding as I turned a corner and ran down the next hallway.
“Crystal Crier, of course,” the voice told me with a chuckle. “Listen, why don’t you let me help us escape? I could do it in no time at all. In fact I’ve been waiting for you to do this.”
“No,” I snarled. Ahead of me a door flew open and armed men poured into the room. I jumped, spiraling through the air over their heads and then landed on my feet. I shot off again, the gunfire rattling through the hallway behind me. “I can handle this myself,” I told Crystal Crier.
“Suit yourself,” replied Crystal Crier contently. “Look out, though. They’re sending in the cavalry.”
I didn’t know what Crystal Crier meant. I had to blow open one more door and then the exit lay ahead. I had known no humans would be able to stop me. I was a weapon after all. As I ran to the door I saw shadows dancing beneath my feet and then a chill covered my heart.
Out of nowhere, Shadow Eater slammed into my back and we tumbled across the floor. I threw him off me and got up, two black knifes shooting out of my wrists into my hands.
Shadow Eater stood up, drawing a sword from his leg and pointing it at me. “Why don’t you change into Crystal Crier?” He asked mockingly, his dark goggles hiding his eyes. “It’s the only way you’ll escape here alive.”
“I told him that,” sighed Crystal Crier in my head.
“I don’t need to be Crystal Crier to get past you,” I said, trying to ignore the mockery of them both. I threw the knives at Shadow Eater who deflected them. When he was occupied I rammed into him and sent him head over heels. I ran for the door when he hit the ground on his back, but he turned in time and seized my ankle. I hit the floor, rolled over, and kicked Shadow Eater off me, but then there was a second pair of hands. They seized me from behind and drew me to my feet. I grabbed their arms, dropped my weight, and threw the person over my head, but instead of going flying, the person reversed the momentum and rocketed back at me.
I struck the ground, looking up in shock at the person before me.
Geicko. His cloak had red stains on it and his eyes were hollow. He slid the hood farther over his face so I couldn’t see his eyes and behind him Shadow Eater stood up.
“I’m sure you haven’t met Red Assassin yet, have you?” said Shadow Eater, looking down at me. “He’s new to our little trio of weapons.”
His words made me glare. “I’m not a part of this,” I hissed. “I don’t want to be a part of this!” I got up and felt the energy burst from my chest. The white light blurred my sight and I heard Crystal Crier laughing at me.
I shot out of the light as Crystal Crier, my black and silver armor gleaming in the florescent lights. My fist hammered into Red Assassin’s stomach and them I turned on the spot, kicking Shadow Eater in the head. I held onto Red Assassin’s cloak as I spun in the air, throwing him with me. We both struck the ground, but I landed on my feet. I turned, blocking Shadow Eater’s sword with my arm and then grabbing it. A knife shot from my hand and I stabbed it into Shadow Eater’s stomach.
The sirens kept blaring as I held Shadow Eater’s gaze. The visor slid back and my golden eyes narrowed.
“I am no longer one of you,” I said quietly.
Shadow Eater grabbed my wrist, trapping the knife in his stomach. “You cannot stop being what you are,” he hissed, oil and blood drizzling from his mouth. “Believe me, Crystal Crier. We will never stop hunting you.”
“Not after all you’ve done,” said Red Assassin, standing up and glaring at me.
I glanced back at Red Assassin coolly. “You led me to your village,” I said hotly. “It’s not my fault I killed everyone.”
Shadow Eater released me and I in turn released the knife, leaving it in his stomach.
“Get out of here before they come,” said Shadow Eater quietly. “This is the last time I help you.”
“Good,” I said, moving and walking away. However something inside me jerked to a stop. I tried to move, but my body rebelled.
“My turn for fun,” said Crystal Crier, laughing in my head.
“NO!” I shouted. I could feel the energy building up inside me and the light filled the air. My feet lifted off the ground and I heard myself screaming for Enimito and Geicko to run. The explosion went off; shaking the lab and tearing it up as fire fell from the sky and burst out of the ground. Everything shook and my sight went black. All I knew was Crystal Crier was laughing and the lab would be nothing more than a crater when I woke up...