Chapter 75: A Lone Pebble (Part 1)

Abgere: "…"

With an equally horrified and amazed look on his face, he stares at nothingness.

I can understand why. What he has just learnt about the incident that took place in his aunt's house a few days earlier - I'd be baffled if he wasn't horrified after hearing it.

So to say, I am baffled for not being horrified at all. I can just accept something like this, like it's normal.

Just how much of a nutcase am I?

Ethan: "Leave your self-introspection for later."

As always, Ethan perfectly reads my thoughts without any psychic abilities and then proceeds to mock it.

But, I do know what we are here for takes precedence right now.

Ethan: "I suppose that 'that white-haired man' told you that you can never try to Scry for the sake of gaining the knowledge about the location of the Psychic Library, or something along those lines."

Trisha: "Yes, that is what he told me."

And that is the reason she was quite hesitant earlier. However, we can't accept no for an answer here.

Ethan: "Hah! Do a little something then."

He says as the corners of his lips curl up.

Ethan: "Scry upon the soul of that man."

As he is pointing at me, his words to Trisha surprise everyone but me. The reason they don't surprise me is because he had told me earlier what his strategy for compelling this woman into Scrying for us will be. Hence, I knew he was going to play this card.

I don't know how this is going to work, but I guess I'd have to trust him.

Trisha: "Are you … okay with that?"

Asks the seer while looking confusedly at me.

Ethan: "Of course he is. He uses every bit of spare time he gets to analyse himself. Why would he mind if someone helps him in his research?"

…

I admit, I do have a habit of keeping my mind occupied with one thought or another.

I was really over-thinking situations and being cautious of everything for the past 12 years. I guess, somewhere along the line, it became a habit. So, now that I am trying to change that, I have ended up picking a habit of self-introspection.

And well,

Ethan: "See, I bet he is probably doing it right now."

Yeah, well, it's better than spending my time thinking of ways to curb some sadistic desire to stand atop those who are stronger than me.

Trisha: "Well, if he is okay with it,"

Saying so, Trisha composes herself and puts a hand on her crystal ball again.

This time, her goal is not Ethan Kales but me.

I wonder what kind of image would she come up with. I hope it's something refreshing. That's what I hope, at least. What I think it'll be - is a really twisted one.

Trisha: "Eh!"

Making that weird sound, she only makes me more nervous about it.

Sona: "What do you see?"

Please be something good! Please me something positive! Please don't me something like … I don't even know what to think.

Trisha: "Well,"

Gulping once, she says,

Trisha: "The image I see is that of a pebble, alone in the darkness, shaking around as if it's trying to find a mirror."

…

Ethan: "HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"

Of course he laughs.

Sona: "Hahahahaha!!!"

Of course she laughs too.

Sneha: "…"

Gabriel: "…"

Of course those two are surprised enough to not say anything.

Abgere: "That's … darkly impressive."

And of course I don't get whatever the hell he is saying.

Trisha: "What … the hell … are you!!?"

With a terrified expression, she asks me.

But even so, I have no idea what to say. I want to know the answer to that myself. I had hoped this Scrying session would help me with that. But it clearly only made things worse.

So,

Kais: "Why do you look so terrified of me?"

I word whatever thoughts that come to mind first.

Trisha: "How can I not … be terrified of that?"

Ethan scoffs as if it's stupid of me to not understand the meaning of that. Then Sona smiles like she is looking at a dense idiot.

The other three don't change their expressions, which doesn't help the case at all.

Kais: "Hah!"

I calmly sigh,

Kais: "Alright, what the hell is going on?"

And not so calmly, I ask as I stand up while looking at Ethan.

Ethan: "Well,"

Not at all intimidated by that reaction, even thought Trisha freaked out quite a bit and is now looking at me like a scared rabbit looking at a fox, Ethan explains.

Ethan: "Try thinking of that scenario. A place where there only seems to be pebble and nothing else. By the way, the keyword is 'seems'."

Okay! I can do that.

I mean, a place where there is nothing but a pebble. Or, there SEEMS to be nothing but a pebble. Does that mean there are other things there?

Ethan: "Now tell me, how many things are there in this scenario?"

Well, obviously, there is more than one since he blatantly said that there SEEMS to be just the pebble. But then, what-

…

Wait, the heck?

Ethan: "The correct answer is indefinite."

That's just … just stupid.

Ethan: "Even though you can't see it, there are an indefinite number of things in this scenario. However, they are all enshrouded in darkness and are almost like microorganisms in respect to the pebble. That is why, they aren't even visible to the naked eye."

Sona: "Hah! So to say that everyone and everything around you is only as significant to you as microorganisms are to a pebble."

With a dry laugh, she summarizes the analysis. And well, it's stupid. I am not buying it. There has to be a different meaning to it.

I mean, sure, it explains Trisha's reactions quite well. And it is consistent with Barry telling me that I am somehow special. And it does kinda makes sense that every side was so greedily wanting me to join them.

But, still, I … don't even know how to object to that.

Ethan: "I have read that there are many levels of a person's being that you can see through Scrying but it seems just the first level of our friend here was enough to absolutely terrify you."

Looking at the seer who is still somewhat freaked out, he says so.

Ethan: "In that case, it should be pretty clear who, that white-haired man or this moron, is scarier. And hence, it should be clear whose side you should be on."

I … never expected to hear those words out of his mouth.

Ethan: "So, let me ask you once-and-for-all, which side are you on, Trisha?"

I can sense the discomfort in his voice when asking that question. I understand why he, a man who prides himself for having gone up against and perhaps defeated many supernaturals far stronger than him, doesn't like the fact that he is using sheer strength to threaten someone.

But, it seems to work.

Trisha comes back to her seat, takes a glance at me with eyes filled with anxiety and some level of despair, and then puts her hand on the crystal.

Just before she starts though,

Trisha: "Just what in the world are you people?"

Ethan: "A trio that God loves to destroy the life of, combo-d with an Aura master and, for a limited time, come with the bonus products of two morons."

…

Wow!

*******************************