10.3 - The Seeds of Doubt

I kept my eyes locked on the large orange and yellow lens glowing on Doctor Molecruel's helmet.

I swallowed. "You know...the Yoshinagas?"

One of Molecruel's fingers twitched when I said Elaina's family name.

"Yes, unfortunately, I am aware of their filthy existence," he admitted. "Mitsuki Yoshinaga. Grandmother of your friend—the Anomaly. Mitsuki was a former classmate of mine. We attended university together. Her bizarre interest in fantasy novels was already uninspiring, but when I learned of her active practice of the Magical Arts, I knew she'd be nothing but trouble. Once, we discussed the nature of the Supreme Deities—the great Lord Isah and Lady Anya. Of course, the notion of any such beings existing is nothing but superstitious nonsense born from a bygone era—when science could not yet shed its purifying light on everything 'religious' and 'spiritual'. Science enlightened that which Magic and religion sought to answer. That is where she and I drifted apart."

"So you...killed her because of that?"

"No, not because she was an ignoramus. I had her killed because she moved against my vision."

"And that is to wipe out every Normal in the city? Is that it?"

"Put simply, yes. She berated me for 'pushing for genocide,' but Mitsuki was too blind to see my vision, too far gone in the realms of Magic and faith to see what I saw. This wretched city must be cleansed of all those who are barren! And that is why…the Atomizer will soon be completed."

“The—The what? Atomizer?” I repeated. “What’s that?”

“A device capable of exacting destiny’s wrath upon the Normals of this city!”

“How does it work?”

“Now, now,” Doctor Molecruel waved a finger. “I’ll not spoil the details before the party begins. But even if you aren’t there to witness its greatness, you will know when the Atomizer activates.”

I shook my head. "Even as a scientist, you've allowed your twisted rationale to dictate your actions. I think the only reason you want to kill every Normal in Ave Strata...is because of what happened to your wife. That's all."

Doctor Molecruel lowered his head. "That is...but one fragment of my reason."

"Just a fragment? Or the whole thing?"

"You are sharp in making such thought-provoking connections, Jacen Jacinto. Tell me, is that why Elaina Yoshinaga fancies you?"

"Wha—?! Ela has nothing to do with this!"

"Ah, so you are that close."

"It's...none of your business."

"Love," Molecruel chuckled. "So young, so naive and reckless. How could one so talented as you be attracted to such a lowly mage?"

I balled my fists. "Say one more thing against Elaina, or how I feel about her...and I'll kill you."

"Look at you. The 'Most Infamous' Abnormal driven to rage over a simple girl. How pathetic. Has she even told you about her attempt to kill me yet?"

My mouth fell agape. "What?! Elaina...tried to kill you?"

"Hm. I see. So, she didn't tell you, after all. But yes, she certainly tried. And very nearly succeeded, no doubt."

"When did she...?"

"Truth be told, I am surprised she withheld this from you. I wonder then, what other secrets has she kept away?"

"Shut...up. Shut up!"

"...You should know...Mages are only similar to scientists in one regard: they always crave more knowledge...and they would do anything to satiate their hunger."

"What are you...talking about? What does that have to do with...Ela?"

"That your precious Anomaly is not the lovable girl you think she is. At the end of the day, Elaina Yoshinaga is a Mage. And all Mages desire one thing: expanding their power to become as all-knowing, as all-powerful as they can be!"

"But that's crazy! There's no way Ela's like that!"

Doctor Molecruel tilted his head. "Hm. Have you ever wondered how Elaina Yoshinaga learns new Spells?"

"H-Huh...?"

"I wonder...Are you even aware of how many Spells the Anomaly can cast?"

"I...don't really...know..."

"Of course, you don't. Because she would never tell you about any of the Magic she keeps for herself! As I said, Mages desire nothing more than power. Who knows? Perhaps the Anomaly is just saving you for the right ritual to be sacrificed for a greater level of—"

"THAT'S ENOUGH!! I'VE HEARD ENOUGH SHIT FROM YOU!"

I opened my hands and curled my fingers, grabbing at the air. Two arrows of solid red light appeared along my left arm.

I glared at Doctor Molecruel. "You keep talking all this nonsense...But you'll never convince me to betray Ela! You're just trying to...sway me to your side!"

"No, Vector," Molecruel shook his head once. "I am merely concerned for you. After all, how could you trust Elaina Yoshinaga when she hasn't even told you the true nature of that damned Spellbook she carries around so often?"

"The Spellbook? You know about that, too?"

"It is the same one used by Mitsuki since a decade ago. The same one filled with Dark Magic and horrifying curses. Just how well do you even know Elaina Yoshinaga?"

I punched forward with my left hand, and the arrows obeyed me.

But Doctor Molecruel reached out with his right arm, and a transparent triangle of white and green particles spiraled to life in front of him—blocking my arrows.

Molecruel chuckled. "It is useless, Vector! You may be able to morph your trajectories into photons now, but you are still no match for my Particle Control!"

"I don't give a damn what your ability is! What's most important now is...THAT I TAKE YOU DOWN!"

But the arrows suddenly dissipated as Molecruel pushed forward with his right arm.

I fell to my knees after losing my trajectories' momentum.

"As I said before," Molecruel said, looking down at me from across the room. "I am not here to fight or kill you, Jacen Jacinto. I am merely here to talk. I believe I have completed my objective."

"What?! You're leaving?!"

"This will certainly not be the last time, though. As it happens, I must attend to other matters now. Farewell."

Doctor Molecruel turned to walk out of the office, before stopping by the doorway.

"Oh, and...as for your Mage friend, the Anomaly...I suggest you think twice before continuing to trust her."

I shot my arm at Molecruel again, and three red solid light arrows burst to life in midair, zigzagging right into his body.

But at every impact point, a circular disc of white and green particles expanded, until they enveloped his entire body.

Molecruel sighed. "I suspect she has plenty of explaining to do." Slowly, his body dematerialized into micro particles. "Think over what I said," Doctor Molecruel instructed. "The time has come for your mind to open."

"..."

Only the upper half of his body remained, while the rest dispersed into clouds of particles that gathered in the air above the doorway.

Molecruel's iridescent helmet kept its gaze on me as the rest of his body dissipated.

"We will meet again, Jacen Jacinto. But, next time...perhaps then you will see...that your destiny lies not in the protection of Ave Strata...but its destruction."

The particle clouds around Molecruel swirled into a stream that dashed out of the office.

I was left in silence.

I stepped out of the office to an empty hallway. As I made my way through the police station, I saw the bodies of dead officers littered on the floors. In a twisted sense of courtesy, I stepped over those strewn about my way.

I didn't have to look at every cell in the Abnormal Detention Hall—all of them were now empty. I passed the bodies of the male and female officers who previously congratulated me for being the "Hero of Ave Strata."

When I reached the lobby, I found the body of Lieutenant Vali. The left side of his body was partially vaporized, leaving a puddle of blood mixed together with melted flesh. His eyes remained open in a shocked expression.

I felt nothing when I stared down at him. All I remembered were the many times he looked down on me—for simply having my powers, for simply being an Abnormal.

I pushed open the front glass doors of the police station and walked outside.

The rain patted down on my hood and jacket. Even as I took a deep breath, the stench of death remained with me.

I looked up at the dark clouds above the city.

I thought about my past talks with Elaina—about Lord Isah and Lady Anya, the Supreme Ones who oversee all of existence. I wondered if they were laughing at me, laughing at my pathetic life, my pathetic self.

The raindrops fell on my face and dripped down my cheeks.

A verical, multicolored portal manifested on the sidewalk.

Elaina rushed out, her hands glowing with cyan light, ready for a fight. She stopped as soon as she saw me standing atop the steps leading to the entrance of the police station.

"Jace!" she called out to me, her face full of relief. "Are you all right? I was worried when you didn't come back—"

"We..."

"Huh...?"

I stared into her eyes. "We need to talk alone. Now."