Chapter 11 - Fate

“So, what do I call you? I feel like spirit is an odd thing to keep calling you.”

“A name… I never thought of a name. Simplest would be to call me Elysium, but that scientist gave me that name. Not so sure I like it.” The spirit placed a finger on her chin and looked up at the sun.

“You know about Whitlock?”

“Of course. That maniac created almost everything that uses my essence. Or at the very least laid out plans on how to use it.” The spirit shook her head, dispersing her annoyance. “A name to call me… Although it was kind of my mother, I do like the name Trinity. Call me that.”

“You want to be named after a bomb?” Eric said, not hiding the sarcasm in his voice.

“Yes.” Trinity said blankly.

Eric stared at her, a sudden realization washing over him; he was currently in some limbo space, talking with the living essence of Elysium. And that essence had just discussed the importance of his cause. Yes, Eric was fighting to protect his country, but Trinity had revealed to him that he needs him to fight for something greater: fight to free the world from Elysium. When she told him that, he instantly rebuked her, claiming that the world would collapse and regress. Their technology would become useless and all advancements over that last 200 years would vanish. But Trinity explained the future of Elysium.

“I will burn everything. Eventually.” Trinity said, looking off in the distance. “I need you to free me from this prison before I do so.”

“I get that. I do… but I feel like I’m dooming the world if I help you or dooming it if I don’t.” Eric looked down at his hands. “How can I be the one to decide that? Why did you choose me?”

“I didn’t. Whitlock did. Before he died, he wanted to find a way to keep Elysium’s technology while also curing the atmosphere. But how do you keep a generator running without the fuel? It was one of the only things Whitlock couldn’t figure out. So instead he selected you.” Trinity explained, turning to face Eric, her face somber.

“I don’t understand, Whitlock was dead long before I was born. I’m barely twenty, he’d have to have lived for over two centuries to be there when I was born.”

“He was around when your father was, though. He managed to lengthen his life quite a bit, but even with my essence, humans can only stay for so long. He placed an imprint on your father that would be passed down to his eventual child; to you.” She walked over and placed a hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. “He forced the decision on this heart. The Yatogami, Whitlock’s last creation, was made to only be used by you to make this decision.”

Trinity walked away from him. The air around them was tense. The once peaceful and warm environment felt cooler and anxious. She turned back around, holding in her hand a glowing orb.

“In 50 years, I will burn the Earth, not through my own will, but by my own lifespan ending. The Earth was supposed to burn that day, but instead, I was created. I held the sky ablaze, and shielded this planet. But since then, I knew the day would come.”

Trinity looked down at the orb in her hand with a somber smile. She placed her other hand above it and the orbs changed from blue to a crimson red, burning in flames. She stretched her hand out, presenting it to Eric.

“It’s in your hands. Act now and give the world a future of returning to primitive technology and chaos, or keep on your path and condemn the world to a crimson inferno.” Her somber smile dimmed. “Easy decision, right?”

Eric’s hands trembled as he struggled with the burden laid on him. His eyes watered and he was sweating profusely. He watched the burning ball, the flame reflecting in his eyes. He closed his eyes and clenched his fists.

“How do I free you?”

***

Eric woke up in a familiar white room. Pristine white walls and ceiling surrounded him; he was in the medical bay. He felt a familiar sensation on the back of his head and looked above him.

“Hey, Laura. Guess I finally fainted?” Eric asked, already knowing what really happened.

Laura was again acting as Eric’s pillow. She was sitting on the bed in place of where the normal pillow would be, resting his head in her lap.

“I gave you five minutes. Well actually four minutes and fifty four seconds, but who was counting." She paused for a very, very brief moment. "I was.”

“By the way, I didn’t ask that because you were bothering me or I didn’t want you around, I just needed to try something private.” Eric explained, hoping she’d understand.

“Yes, that is what you said.” She replied, monotone and expressionless.

“I… yea, I did. I thought I may have made you mad or something. Glad I was just over reacting.”

“No, I respected your request. Now, you must respect mine.”

Eric’s face filled with concern for what Laura may ask, knowing her type of humor and past remarks.

“When you’re ready to, tell Alice and Iris about what happens in the Yatogami when you faint.”

Eric sat up instantly, facing Laura and looking into her eyes. He started to sweat a bit, carefully selecting his next words.

“And what exactly happens when I faint?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t watch you or hear what you may have said during practice. But whatever it is, those two deserve to know.” Laura tilted her head down slightly. “And maybe after you tell them, you can tell me?”

Eric stared into her eyes, the usually blank face and stagnant eyes now had a hint of concern, compassion and sorrow. Somehow, Eric felt that Laura knew everything already. Knew of the burden laid upon him, and knew of the constant struggle his mind is going through right now. Unknowingly, tears started to roll down his face. He felt them drip down to his chin and onto the bed. He touched his face, feeling the wet tears. He stared at Laura, who now had a meek smile. He then dove forward, wrapping his hands around her and smothering his face against her, letting himself succumb to the stress, crying out into her. She simply patted his head and whispered to him reassurance.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know why I can’t stop myself right now.” Eric cried out, sobbing uncontrollably. “There’s so much going on in my head, so much going on everywhere... It’s just too much. Why do I have to bear it all? I just wanted to be a soldier, I wanted to protect my country and my home, but now...”

“I can’t say I understand, but just remember there’s no reason to apologize. You have two wonderful friends you can talk to and you can tell them exactly what’s going on, I’m sure of it. Iris and Alice can help you.” Laura said, lightly wrapping her hands around his head.

“Laura... You’re a friend, too.” Eric sniffled and let go of Laura, sitting upright. His face was red and his eyes swollen from crying. “You’re right though. I can’t keep this to myself, I need to talk to them. And to you.”

For the first time that Eric had known Laura, he saw her give a wide smile and a pure happy expression. Eric stared at her, entrapped by rarity before him. His mouth gaped slightly as he looked at the precious smile.

“Well, well, well! What do we have here!” A loud energetic voice boomed.

“Sister, looks like we may be in trouble.” A quiet yet stern one followed.

Eric spun around to see both Alice and Iris standing in the room. Eric stammered and stood up off the bed trying his best to defuse the situation to no avail. The two girls walked over to the bed and stared piercing glares into Eric’s very soul.

“L-look, I was just surprised that she had such an expression- well any expression at all! She was smiling! I’ve never seen it before! Look! Look!” Eric shouted, pointing at Laura.

Everyone looked at Laura who was playing on her tablet, glasses on and not paying attention at all to the other three people in the room. Alice and Iris turned back at Eric and glared harder, stabbing him with their eyes.

“Seems pretty regular to me. And you, dear purple haired sister?”

“Exactly the same, crimson haired sister.” Alice confirmed her. “But, I do have to ask; Eric, were you crying?”

“I... uh...” Eric scratched the back of his head while wiping his face. “No, it’s just...”

Laura let out an obviously fake cough and gave Eric a glare out the side of her eyes. He sighed and wiped his face again.

“Yea, I was. I was crying into Laura’s chest after I came to. I couldn’t hold it back, it just happened.” Eric stared at the ground. “Guys, there’s something I need to tell you. All of you. And it’s really serious.”

Iris and Alice blushed and looked at each other. Before they could say anything, Laura spoke over them.

“It’s not what you think. Or maybe it is. I’m not telepathic. But it won’t be a love confession.”

“BWAH!?” The two girls screamed at Laura’s statement.

Eric sighed, but had a small smile. This precious moment, this unimportant, every day event with these friends of his was just what he needed right now. What he needed before explaining to them what horrors await them and the world.