Chapter 0:

Prologue

Survival After my Unexpected Revival


The air was heavy despite it being only mid-morning in the city with a low yet dissipating fog hanging in the air. Makoto looked up when he felt another jolt from the train as its leading trolley made a grunting noise and sighed after he glanced at the outline of the approaching forest as they loomed closer and closer toward the city’s limit.

“We’ll soon be with the witch doctor, my Lord,” said Melanie.

Makoto sighed as he turned to look at the blonde girl in nun’s clothing. “I’ve told you before, Melanie, you can drop the ‘my Lord.’ Just call me by my given – er – my name,” he mumbled.

Melanie looked hurt. “Apologies, Master Ikeda.”

“And I’ve told you that you can drop the ‘master’ part as well.”

“Mr. Ikeda.”

“Ugh…now I’m just thinking of my father. I told you, use my name.”

Melanie squirmed in place and bit her bottom lip. “I apologize…but my upbringing would deem that improper, as I’ve said many times before. But, well…I-I’ll try harder, Mr. Ma-Makoto, sir.”

“Thank you, and…” He trailed off as he looked back at the wooden floor. “I’m sorry, it’s not really my place to judge how you talk. After all the trouble I’ve put you through, I really shouldn’t be pushing you harder than everything else already has.”

If Melanie had any thoughts, she kept them to herself as she eyed up the scenery passing by the train’s window as the city’s limit sign came into view. “Our stop will be in fifteen minutes or so. Are you sure you want to go through with this? There’s absolutely no guarantee that the procedure will be a success.”

“I’m sure of the risks.”

“But all the same-”

“I’ve already made up my mind,” said Makoto firmly.

“As you wish, Mr. Makoto.” She tipped her head in his direction. “I appreciate what you are trying to accomplish with this, but I’m still worried all the same.” There was a pause and before Melanie could look up, she felt Makoto’s left hand patting her on the head. “Master?”

“I understand, but we’re not going to get anywhere if I don’t go through with this. I’ve made up my mind – and if it doesn’t work out, I can at least say that I tried.”

Melanie humbly tipped her head with a gentle, acknowledging smile. “Then may God smile favorably upon this endeavor.”

“Yeah.” He glanced around, glad that the coach was unoccupied by the common people. The only other individual present being the train driver, except all “he” was is a deaf, artificial brain. He was glad that its only thinking capacity was for problem solving in cases of obstacles on the track or if the services were delayed. Everything he and Melanie were talking about was deeply secretive stuff.

His thoughts worried him, but as he sighed pathetically for himself, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes that the nun’s hands were shaking a bit. With a kind smile, he tapped the top of her thumbs with a gentle touch of his palm, which calmed her down. She looked out into the window and saw a distinct fruit tree standing out amongst the pines and ash trees that lined the rolling countryside.

“The halt will be coming up in ten minutes, my Lord.”

“Thanks, Mel.” He tightened his fists as he stared vacantly at the seam in the woodwork beneath him. “I must find out what I can do for myself,” he said to himself, “for me, for Mel, for everyone else. The world is counting on me – I owe it to try!”