Archive Of Potentialities.

Short Story: Dreamer [9]

There would be consequences for Nathan, whose skill had generated the world. The possibility of the skill itself getting caught up in the annihilation existed, and such an event would erase the skill and possibly the soul of its bearer.

But Carrera decided it was an acceptable risk.

The worst case scenario would have her owing a debt to Chloe Aubert.

Carrera held in a groan as she closed her raised hand into a fist.

But then…nothing happened.

“What the hell?”

Carrera had all her expectations betrayed as she felt her power being held at bay by something.

She once again looked at the otherworlder and noticed the invisible barrier that her master had placed on him was pulsing with activity.

It seemed strained by the weight of the destruction she had called forth, but Carrera could tell that it would hold.

“Damn it,” she cursed.

“What's wrong?” Nathan asked, picking up on her frustration.

“That barrier around you is really annoying, I can't do anything that can possibly harm you.” She grumbled, lamenting her lack of more subtle means.

Carrera's nature was to be direct and unyielding, abilities that required a softer touch were difficult for her to manifest. Much to her displeasure, she pondered on how easy it would be for someone like Diablo to escape this world without triggering the barrier.

“So, what are we going to do?” Nathan asked.

He already knew the answer but held back from saying it, knowing how much Carrera wanted to keep her memories private.

He didn't wish to continue either, remembering the discomfort he had felt at the eerie nature of the so-called trial.

But he also knew that he had no choice.

As he mused, Carrera had taken the time to compose herself.

“Fine then, kid. We'll watch the damn thing, and after….”

He froze again, feeling as if her gaze held him in place.

“We're going to see Lord Satoru, and we're getting that damned barrier off of you,” She finished, her malice on full display.

Nathan sighed and nodded. He was in favour of seeing Satoru immediately as well.

He suspected the effeminate man was hiding more than he had thought.

Carrera clapped and the hall regained color. Another Carrera was sitting where the Judge was supposed to be, but this one lacked the impatience and abrasiveness of the one next to him.

“Two of you?” He asked.

Carrera sighed.

“You'll need to adapt how you think in this world at some point, you know? That over there lacks the qualifications to be called ‘me’, it's simply part of this grand illusion you've conjured.” Annoyance dripped through every syllable as she begrudgingly answered his question.

Nathan clenched his fists, annoyed at how much he agreed with her assessment. Her explanation was something he could have arrived at if he took his time, and it irked him.

Carrera snapped her fingers, and the memory resumed.

“--To death,” Judge Carrera completed her earlier proclamation.

The hall remained unchanged by her words, Nathan even saw some of them nodding, as if this was how it was meant to be.

He shot a glance at the Carrera next to him.