Words Better Left Said

✧₊⁺

“You stand at the threshold of your destiny. How will you greet it, I wonder. With a smile? With a frown? I’m intrigued by what you may choose…”

I heard a distorted voice echoing in my head as I emerged from the sky, landing on the direct outskirts of Memoria City in a small shantytown. The lavender sky had begun to darken with the Digiscape’s evening stretch, and the place full of run down wooden buildings was practically devoid of life.

“Were you talking to me, Archie? I thought I heard something.”

“I was not, Jiro.” My partner replied, floating up beside me. “But as fortune would have it, our quarry is nearby. So we will not have to spend valuable time searching every single orifice.”

“The Songbird, you mean?”

“Correct, I have quickly been able to locate Miss Autumn, she should be in the residential district in the city on the other side of this wall. However… her life force is waning.”

“Waning, as in, her life is in danger??” I asked.

“I’m coming for the Songbird next, and then I’ll lock this place down so tight that nothing will get in or out…”

“Does that mean—“

“ATTENTION CITIZENS: This is your Supreme Leader, Connor Barnes speaking. The threat to the city has been mitigated, thanks to the work of our brave Hunters, but the danger has not fully subsided.” The PA system blared with the voice of our enemy as I narrowed my gaze. “I say this not to start a panic, but a wanted fugitive is among you who seeks to cause you stress and harm. Many of you know her simply as the Songbird of Memoria.”

“Supreme Leader??” I scowled.

“Do not let her warm nature fool you, she is not merely a performer. She’s a terrorist, created to end this world. But fear not, for myself and the city’s security force, will protect you from harm. If you have any information regarding the fugitive, please report to me in the control tower immediately. Those caught harboring enemies of Memoria may face… punishment. Thank you in advance for your cooperation, and may the yada-yada you know the rest. Ciao.”

The communication ended and I shook my head in disgust.

How dare Barnes use half-truths and bullshit to paint Autumn as some sort of pariah. She loves the people of the Digiscape. The only terrorist in these parts is him.

But I was unsure whether the people of Memoria City would be able to see through his lies so easily. His treachery was unknown to them, and they had no reason to doubt him, their love of the Songbird aside.

“The fact that he is relying on eye-witness accounts bodes well for us. His security drones appear to have lost her trail, and we were not mentioned in his manhunt.” Archie said.

“Meaning, he doesn’t know we’re back here yet. Let’s use that to our advantage, and go find Autumn before Barnes does.”

“Though, his forces are sure to be in high concentration in and around the entrances to the city, and arrivals will be heavily scrutinized. We must weigh our approach carefully as you are likely to be on their radar.”

I thought about it for a moment before a wry smile came to my face. I remembered a trick from a movie I saw once and had always wanted to try.

“Out of curiosity, am I still able to change my appearance data?” I asked.

“It would seem most Supporter services are down at the moment, including that one, why?”

“No reason. Guess we’ll just have to improvise.” I smirked, looking at a confused Archie. “‘Cause I just thought of a way to get us through the front gate.”

. . .

The shantytown itself seemed to be ground zero for some sort of battle, or maybe it was simply programmed to be a little rough around the edges I couldn’t tell for sure, but Archie and I dug through one of the abandoned buildings for a pair of disguises.

I was able to find a cloak with a hood in the belongings of a prior resident of the place that could shroud my appearance, and I dressed up Archie to look like one of Barnes’ security drones. Based on what I could remember, it wouldn't be a hard sell since they were really similar looking outside of a marking or two. And their retinal interface was red instead of blue, which Archie easily changed to fit their model.

That’s right, my grand plan was the trojan prisoner method. I would pretend to be Autumn as Archie’s captive whom he’s bringing to the crystal spire, and walk right past into the city’s residential district. If all else failed, I could always start blasting, but that would be less than ideal while the element of surprise was still on our side.

We approached the south gate, my hands loosely tied with twine. Archie floated beside me, flashing a stern look on his interface. Before long we were surrounded by security drones, and I tilted my head downwards to avoid detection.

“Unknown security unit detected. Warning, this area is locked down for outside visitors while a manhunt is ongoing. Please state your intent, and the identity of the humanoid figure with you, or face immediate particle disintegration.” One of the security units spoke in a monotone, albeit aggressive, voice.

“Reporting. I have captured the subject known as Autumn, the Songbird outside the city walls. It is my directive to bring her straight to Supreme Leader Barnes in the control tower.” Archie replied, making his voice sound more robotic to match.

“Impossible. Our recommended search radius is within city limits, and no farther. Statistically, there is no possibility that the subject escaped without alerting the collective mind. You are mistaken, security unit. Are you in need of repairs?”

I started to get a little worried that our plan wouldn't work, but then Archie said something that made my anxiety spike tenfold.

“I suggest scanning her to determine whether what I say is true, or false.” Archie challenged the drone. “Then we can discuss who is in need of repairs.”

Scan me?? What are you doing, Archie?

I thought for sure that our cover was about to be blown, since I wasn’t, in fact, Autumn. But then…

“Scanning…” A blue digital web passed over me, turning green after a moment. “Apologies, security unit, it would appear my judgment was incorrect. Data readings matching the fugitive’s have been found on the humanoid figure accompanying you, please proceed post haste to the control tower. Do you require an escort?”

“That will not be necessary, the subject’s threat level has been properly accounted for. Though I express my gratitude.” Archie sounded pleased with himself as we proceeded through the gate, earning our security clearance with flying colors.

After we were a safe distance away from any bots, I whispered to my companion.

“How did you know that would work?”

“They are obedient, adhering to their master’s whims, but obedience does not guarantee intelligence,” Archie said. “They can only loosely detect traces of the Songbird’s latent energy stores, due to your connection to Autumn as a Hunter, but their reasoning skills pale in comparison to mine. That is why they did not question the façade.”

I chuckled. It wasn’t rare to hear Archie tout his capabilities, but he had a point. My plan and his execution went off without a hitch, and we found ourselves closer to our objective.

“She should be around here somewhere.”

We looked around the residential district for Autumn, Archie insisting that she was close, but we had little luck at first. I would have assumed she was indoors somewhere to avoid detection and capture, unless she liked to live on the edge, but where? I was prepared to suggest we try another area before I saw a glowing blue butterfly floating at the end of the street we were on.

A playful look swept across my face, and I decided to run after it, knowing the drill by now. It kept disappearing around corners while we gave chase, leading us through a hilly area overlooking the south gate where the battlefield had been during Blackheart’s attack.

We rounded one last corner and the butterfly stopped in its tracks, interacting with another blue morpho who had flown in from the opposite direction. They swirled around each other, before disappearing into the sky together. I stared up at them confusedly, hands on my hips.

That’s odd, they usually lead me somewhere, or show up where the Songbird is. Was I mistaken this time?

“Momma, it went this way, hurry!”

I heard voices approaching.

“Sweet pea, momma can't move the way she used to…”

“—!”

My eyes widened in surprise as I saw someone I hadn't expected to see.

“Mister Jiro, Archie!” Shizuka came running from around the corner, screeching to a halt in front of us.

“Shizu, where did you—!?” Yuna nearly jumped out of her skin at the sight of me as I pulled the hood of my cloak down. “Jiro-bo… Wait, is that really you!?”

“In the flesh, and it’s so good to see you both whole and healthy, miss.”

The timing was impeccable, to say the least. If I was the conspiracy-toting sort, I would have surmised that it was intentionally ordained by someone or something, but I couldn’t help but smile at the coincidence after the initial shock wore off.

“Kururu told me she’d met you both during the attack on the city, but I wasn’t too sure if I’d get the chance to see y’all again. Much less right at this moment.” I said. “But before I go on, there was something I really needed to tell you, to apologize for. You see, I’m really… really the one who—mmph!?”

Yuna leaped forward without warning, throwing her arms around my waist and locking lips with me. I felt sparks as she lingered there momentarily before finally pulling away. Shizuka giggled, and Archie flashed a sly look over his interface.

“Uhhhh, pardon!? I don’t understand… what was…?” I was too shocked and flustered to speak, my brain short-circuiting.

“I figured it out already, Jiro-bo. I put the pieces together… after you left.” Yuna’s eyes were wet with tears, but a warm smile painted her rosy face. “There was something familiar about you, I felt it from that first train ride. But… I forgave that man, even before I knew it was you. And when you ran out of your hotel room… all I could think of was how I didn’t want things to go back to the way they were, when we were alone. That’s why I had to tell you my true feelings, I had to tell you that…”

I was speechless as Yuna grabbed one of my hands.

“I love you, Jiro-bo.”

“………..”

Yuna… loves me? Even though she’s figured out who I actually am?

“Wow, I… really don’t know what to say, miss.” I was surprised, but strangely happy at that moment.

Though I hadn’t prepared a response for such an event, and despite the challenges that would come from a relationship between man and Eternal, I had no strong desire to immediately reject her feelings. But I also wasn’t confident enough to run full-speed ahead with them either. I still had unresolved guilt from my failed marriage, and I wasn't the best man to boot. 

But I knew one thing for certain, however... that I cared deeply for Yuna and Shizuka and desired for them to be happy.

“I see those gears turning, but I’m not expecting an answer right away, silly man.” Yuna put her hand up to her mouth, laughing cutely. “I just knew if I didn’t make a move, you wouldn’t see me with anything but pity, and a girl wants more than that. But even if you can’t reply just yet, could you do me just one favor?”

I nodded my head.

“I’d like you to call me Yuna, instead of ‘miss’.” She punched my shoulder. “Can you handle that, partner?”

“You may be giving Jiro a tall task, madam,” Archie added in jest.

I thought about her request for a minute before smiling.

“I am simply no match for either of you, but… I think I can do that, Yuna.” 

She blushed intensely, which made me question why she asked me to call her that in the first place if she was going to get embarrassed about it.

“Oh yeah, what were y’all doing out here?” I finally asked.

“We’re on a secret mission for the Songbird!” Shizuka declared before quickly covering her mouth. “Oopsie.”

“Wait, for the Songbird, that’s who we were looking for.” My ears perked up. “Do you know where Autumn is right now?”

“Yes, she’s back at the place we’re staying,” Yuna said. “She actually sent us out here to recruit some help. We heard the broadcast, but we knew there was something fishy about the whole thing.”

“You mean, besides the guy referring to himself as the Supreme Leader of the Digiscape?” I scoffed.

"There was that, but I also figured that the Autumn we’d met would never do something like that. She saved us, saved you too, I heard. The Songbird said the butterfly would lead us in the right direction. Guess you’re our backup then, huh?”

“So it would seem. Can you take us to her?”

“Yes, but… she’s not in the best shape right now.” Yuna had a solemn look. “So I wouldn’t try to push her too hard. She seems much weaker, somehow.”

I followed Yuna and Shizuka back to the home of their friend, a duplex, and entered the living space. Upon walking into one of the bedrooms, I saw Autumn lying in a bed. She looked paler than usual, almost ghostly like she could blow away with the next breeze. Her eyes drifted to the doorway where I stood with the others. A weak grin touched her lips. 

“Come on in, Jiro. We have much and more to discuss concerning the transfer of my key, and the end of Project Memoria.”