Xterminator

Chapter 61

Nanami Yoshino (Umi Weiya)

I already regained most of my strength after the defense mechanism of Katana’s body hit me really hard when I felt too much emotion.

And now, she let me take over her body just to face Ashen as they told him everything that involves me.

Since I already know everything about Ashen, and how Katana feels about him, I was about to greet him properly.

But things got different.

As soon as I take over, I immediately get away from him.

“Umi,” tawag sa akin ni Lychee na kasama namin dito sa silid. “Katana knew him so you don’t need to be hostile.”

“He…” Napahawak ako sa dibdib ko habang pilit na ikinakalma ang sarili ko. Aba’y kaka-recover ko lang.

Kapag muli ko na namang na-trigger ang defense mechanism ng katawan na ito ni Katana ay siguradong ilang araw na naman akong hindi makakapag-training at ang lahat ng schedule namin ay masisira.

“Calm down.” Nilapitan ako ni Lychee at hinaplos ang likod ko. “Ano ba ang nangyayari sayo? Hindi ba’t alam mo naman ang tungkol kay Ashen.”

“I know him,” sambit ko. “I know his relationship with Katana but…”

“But?”

“He is not a normal human being.” Marahas akong bumaling kay Ashen at matalim na tingin ang ibinigay ko dito. “Your body is just a clone and the soul inside you is–”

“Like you,” ani Ashen. Tumango siya at itinuro ang dibdib niya. “Yes, what you think right now is true. I am also a high level parasite. But unlike you who just accidentally got inside that body, I was put here by the ZeRL’s scientist. At first, I became aware of my surroundings and learned that I am confined in a transparent box. They sent their disturbed employee just to feed me their negative energy and when I finally got into the level where I can get into the human body that they were ready for me, they immediately put me in and made sure that I cannot get out.”

“Hey…” Agad na pumagitna sa amin si Xhylem bago pa ako makalapit kay Ashen. “He is not a threat to you or anyone in this place. And he especially will not be a threat to Katana and you know that.”

Huminga ako ng malalim tsaka inis na ginulo ang buhok ko. “Bakit nga ba hindi ko agad napansin ang pagiging kakaiba mo?”

“That’s because you are not used to controlling Katana’s body,” sabi pa ni Xhylem. “At ngayon ka pa lang nagkakaroon ng physical awareness sa paligid mo dahil lagi ka lang naka-rely sa kung ano ang nararamdaman ni Katana.”

“Then?” Ibinalik ko ang tingin sa kanila. “The connection that you two have with Katana has something to do with that?”

Umiling si Ashen. “No, that was a different thing.”

“We are still studying what this connection we have to her means but we are sure that it is not something that involves you inside that body,” paliwanag pa ni Xhylem. “So, it would be better if you start to calm yourself down because as you can see, Lychee is unable to do anything to stop you.”

Doon ko lang napansin si Lychee na halos nakayakap na pala sa akin habang pinipigilan ako na mapalapit sa magkapatid na Aozaki.

“Oh.” Tinapik ko si Lychee na agad namang bumitaw sa akin. “Sorry about that. I was just being defensive because I never heard of a parasite that lives inside someone’s body aside from me.” Muli akong bumaling kay Ashen. “Well, he is kind of different since he is alone in that body and there is no one to share.”

“Because this is a clone body,” ani Ashen.

“And you didn’t tell that to Katana.” Inirapan ko siya at naupo sa sofa. “So? What now? Tapos na ba kayong magkapaliwanagan?”

“Well, we already told Katana everything.” Huminga ng malalim si Xhylem at muling bumalik sa kanyang mesa. “And Katana has already told everything to Ashen.”

“And he wants to join this organization just to be with Katana’s side,” sabi ko. “Is he allowed to join in?”

“Yes,” sagot ni Xhylem. “He is qualified to join since I established this organization mainly because of him.”

“Eh?”

“He might have been avoiding parasites but his ability has started to manifest and it keeps growing that parasites are attracted to him,” paliwanag niya. “So I built this organization to train people that will help him in the future to exterminate this creature.”

“Oh,”

Because of staying inside Katana’s body, I slowly learned how to feel emotions so I know one thing that might be the reason why Xhylem do this despite them being not really biologically related with each other.

Sibling’s love.

A kind of love that will surely sacrifice everything for the sake of others.

One thing that Katana doesn’t have with her biological siblings but she managed to obtain for the people that she saved at ZeRL.

So, I understand why they are doing everything.

“If that is the case, what should we do next?” tanong ko. “I am sure that he will not need the kind of training that I have because he is already used to the body where he is right now.”

“Yeah,” ani Lychee. “But I think that it would be better if you resume your training with Ashen starting today.”

“What?” Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. “What do you mean?”

“Ashen is also a parasite’s vessel so you will be able to fight him without holding back,” paliwanag niya. “And you without holding back will help with the situation you are in now.”

“Katana’s body needs to get used to you and your power so its defense mechanism will stop being triggered by your emotions,” sabat ni Xhylem. “So, training with Ashen will benefit you.”

“And what about me?” tanong ni Ashen habang nakaturo sa kanyang sarili. “What can I gain if I fight with her?”

Binalingan siya ng kapatid. “You will be able to control your own power, which has become unstable ever since we got back from Canada,” sabi nito. “And of course, you will be able to be with Katana.”

I was about to say something but Xhylem immediately cut me off.

“And this is a final decision,” sambit nito. “You may get out of here and start your training.”