Someone I'm Not

20 [pt.3]| Ask Me, Tell Me

[Earlier. . .]

"Eduardus, my trusted guardian. I see you're here for something." Goddess Dyke seems to notice his presence the moment he steps foot into her office. Same as usual, the goddess is skimming right through her books of information. Not only does she stops reviewing all the data encrypted on the books, but because for the past decades of her existence, she has never been more in love with books.

"I wanted to ask you something." Eduardus stood still a few steps away from the closed door to keep the conversation going, without any pause.

"Well, I sent Houdini for unanswered questions. Wasn't he good enough at relying upon the truth?" She says as she finally picks the right book.

"I don't trust her." Eduardus frankly replies, not wanting every single gut of the man. He then watches as the Goddess turns in his direction, still gripping ok the green leather book she has in hand.

"And why is that, Guardian Ed? Why do I think that you hated him so much—"

"HE'S GOOD AT MANIPULATING OTHERS!" He is flabbergast to his sudden outburst. He raised his voice when he shouldn't have, making him regret all along. "I'm sorry, Goddess, I didn't mean to—"

"You don't have to be sorry for the things you've done or said, especially when anger drives it. I mean, doing bad is regrettable, but if you have just raised your voice because you're frustrated at something, that proves that you're dealing with an emotion that, at that point, it is a bit complicated to control."  She lectures as she takes a seat on the comfortable sofa. "Sit with me, and let's talk." She says as she taps the space beside her. Eduardus sighs before approaching her and sitting beside her.

"Tell me what's the matter." She asks as she placed down the book on her lap. Eduardus thought for a moment on how to start the conversation.

"Somethings going on between Miss Vianne Greene and Houdini and my Client, Mister Oasis, just experienced a glitch earlier, but he hasn't completely separated from the body he's possessing, which is Miss Greene's younger sister. I don't know if these things are just weird for my own observation, but I know that something is going on."

"And what if there is?" The goddess immediately asks that made him a bit taken aback.

"So there is actually happening? That I am not only overthinking things? That Houdini is actually manipulating Vianne to God knows what his plans are, and there is also an explanation to my client's condition?" This time, it was his moment to ask back. He wanted answers, and he didn't go and talk to the goddess for more questions. He doesn't wish to sentences ending in question marks anymore. He wanted assurance.

But then, Goddess Dyke just gives him a small smile before grabbing the book and opening it on a particular page. She opened it to the first few pages, stopping when she saw the bio she wanted to see. Eduardus furrows his brows as her lips curve into a bitter yet sad smile before turning it for him to see.

"What's with this? Who is she?" Eduardus asks, too puzzled to connect the dots as to why the Goddess showed him a bio of a woman he has never seen before.

"She's Brianna Martin from Canada." Goddess Dyke starts as she flips the page to the next one. Now the page holds a picture of a man he knows. "And Dale was her guardian."

At that moment, he recalls Dale as one of the senior Guardians when he started to become one, but—

"He's the guardian that vanished. He's the missing guardian for the last few years." He exhales as he trails his hand into the photo, feeling the dusty yet authentic piece of an image as he brushes his fingers into it. "And no one knew why he went missing." As the thought clicks into his mind, he lifts his gaze to see Goddess Dyke leaning into the sofa as if she's exhausted.

"W-why are you showing me this? What's with Senior Guardian Dale and his client?" He asks, now lore intrigued to find out what happened. The goddess closes her eyes as her body is too relaxed for Eduardus to get jealous about. His body is tense, his mind is a mess, and his heart beats faster than the standard rate. He can never relax.

"Brianna died waiting for his lover to come back to him. . . She died in her rocking chair as she hugs the picture of her husband tightly in her arms. She died as if she just exhale her counted breaths and close her eyes, and darkness and coldness envelopes her. But then, her soul couldn't rest. . . Not yet.

That's why I have to send Guardian Dale into the realm of justice. Of course, I can't just let the woman go if only her wish were to see his loved one. . . But, I didn't know that it would be the worst decision I've made because. . ." she pauses as she looks at Eduardus, straight in the eyes. "Because I've lost someone I truly trust."

As Eduardus flips to the next page, he was them more surprised to see the photo.

"Th-they. . ." Eduardus couldn't say the words. He wasn't prepared for this revelation that he's been too eager to know behind the reason for the legendary Guardian Dale's disappearance. The guardian that everyone knew him to be one of the most popular, and now, he's gone.

"Fell in love? Yes, he did fell. But it's more than that. There's more to it than meets the eye. He didn't just fell in love. It was bound to happen." She says as she grabs the book delicately off of his grasp. Goddess Dyke closes the door as her gaze is still now focused on the book. Silence fills the air as the immediate tension rises. Goddess Dyke felt that, too, the reason why she decided to stand and walk towards her shelf. But then, Eduardus wanted answers. He wanted more information. He wanted—

"You knew all along what happened. Why not tell us? Why didn't you announced it to every one of us? There are still others who loved Senior Guardian Ed, and we demanded answers! Why not answer our—"

"Because it would only bring chaos to our world!" Goddess Dyke raises her voice as she balls her hand in a right fist. She halts and sighs, taking her time as she closes her eyes to calm herself. When she's calm enough to talk again, she turns to her shoulder.

"There are a few things that you thought you knew, but then you don't. And soon enough, you'll find those answers to yourself. It only requires time and patience for you to realize what everything meant." She says that makes the puzzle more complicated. But then, one thing also bothers Eduardus.

"Then why did you let me know? If this is supposed to be a secret, why would you want to let me know?" He raises the question that haunts the Goddess. She knew this day would come, but if she wanted to save the written plan, she has to do everything not to lose another one.

"The sun will not rise, but cries of clouds will fall into the warm grass of the Earth. Two will stand, facing each other. . It will not be inevitable, but that day will come soon enough."

"What does that suppose to mean, Goddess?"

"It means that you should always be aware of everything. I trust you with everything, Eduardus. But, if you'll get to choose between past and present, would you choose us, your present?"

Eduardus couldn't answer. Not that he's become mute, but because he doesn't know what to answer. The silence makes the tension grow more prominent, but Goddess Dyke takes that opportunity to talk.

"I want you to look after Client Oasis. His condition is far more interesting than the others who have experienced the same situation. He's been fighting the glitch, and this is the first time that someone succeeded. If he sees you, he may search for answers. The time's ticking, and I don't see any progress."

•••

Eduardus comes back into the Earth with the uncertainty of everything. Goddess Dyke's question seems to get inside his head, and he wasn't sure if it's just a point to scare him or tell him something more.

What happened to Senior Guardian Dale has always been a mystery for him. And now that he knew, he's more determined to find out about it. But first, he has to see his client.

It was already eleven o'clock in the evening, only for him to realize that his client is already fast asleep.

"I know you've been following us earlier on the mall." Eduardus almost flinches when he hears someone talk behind him. He's standing right in front of the apartment building where the three boys are staying in.

"Well, I had my reasons why." He says as Houdini steps right beside him and crosses his hands across his chest. He heaves a breath as his muscle stretches on the shirt that he's wearing.

"You got a new outfit." He says as he notices Houdini wearing a different outfit. Houdini then looks at his reflection and smiles.

"Oh, this? I choose this design myself. Vianne thought its nice."

"And you seem to be getting along pretty well." He gritted his teeth, not wanting the image of them together.

"You sounded jealous. Why? Have you fallen for her already?"

"What? Are you asking me that? I SHOULD be the one asking you that, Houdini." He says, reminded of what happened to Guardian Dale before. Instead of answering, Houdini lifts his gaze into the sky filled with stars.

"You know what we, officials do, Eduardus. . . And it happens that it is me who you're dealing with. Of course, I always wanted to go against you. . . But, you seem to be a lot tougher than I thought. Maybe I just underestimated you for a bit." He breathes out, still looking up in the sky. Eduardus wasn't expecting it. He has never expected anyone to say nice things to him. Maybe he was just used to not hearing any reaction at all.

"Are you trying to fool me? Because if this is part of your manipulating plan, then you've chosen the wrong target." He says as he looks at the man beside him. Houdini felt his stare as he shifts his gaze to him, then chuckles.

"Do you think I would stoop this low if I have a plan on bringing you down? Come on now, Ed. We know how our feud works. And we shouldn't have gone this far if we're faking it. So, consider this night as my generous side because I'm giving you compliments." He says that makes him chuckle.

"And this is, by far, the longest conversation we had that doesn't include arguing."

"You're right. . . Maybe this is the start for us to get along?"

"Are you saying you're giving up on annoying me?"

"Hmm, maybe? I just figured out that I am just tired of these non-sense arguments. I don't even remember my reason why I hated you so much!"

"Well, maybe you're not the only one."

Silence fills the air as they both stare up in the bright dark sky. The cold breeze, the few cars passing by, the footsteps of few people still wandering on the streets, and the chirping of the birds makes it more real for them.

"Does that makes us friends then? Or was it too soon?" Eduardus invites, which breaks the silence. But soon, they found themselves bursting into giggles when the suggestion comes to mind.

"Maybe we'll find out soon. For now, we are just mere mortals who are guiding one client to attain justice."

"Yep. You're right. Indeed we are." He exhales.

That moment Houdini felt the sincerity of the moment. He wasn't sure what has gotten into the mind ether that pushes him to talk nicely to his enemy. . . Or once called to be. And at that moment, he realized one thing. . .

He wasn't sure of anything anymore.