Into The Pupil

Sarai froze at the doorstep, his eyes circling over the devastating sight his gaze stumbled upon.

In almost every corner, peculiar, ancient glass jars were scattered. They were vessels for eyes, ones that seemed to belong to animals and drowned in a strange yellowish liquid.

Each jar had a piece of parchment stuck to it, bearing an eye symbol and strange writings drawn on it.

Sarai felt nauseated. He suppressed himself from vomiting and muttered, “Mitsu-san… What’s all of this?”

Mitsu ignored him, took off her short heels, and hung her coat on a wooden hook near the entrance.

She stepped out of the entryway into the main room. “Take off your shoes first,” she said.

The apartment was a small one, shrouded in gloom. The walls were dyed in muted brown, shadowed behind bookshelves.

Carved into the walls and roof were organic shapes, a closer look revealing their true nature: Living observant eyes. Although this sight made Sarai uncomfortable, it was nothing compared to the security procedure he went through in the library.

One beige couch stood in the middle, before it a wooden table surrounded by three chairs of the same material. Everything was dimly lit.

Sticking to the left wall was an old television with thick glass, resting on a dark wood TV stand.

Sarai removed the shoes that he had no memory of buying, and followed in Mitsu's steps.

This is just… too extreme. The sight of liquified animal pupils assaulted his guts.

Mitsu sat on the couch, crossed her legs, and leaned back, resting one foot on two eye jars at her feet. “Come here,” she sighed.

Hopefully I won't vomit. Sarai approached in hesitant, steady steps, covering his mouth, and sat next to Mitsu.

“You saw Enji fight, didn't you? Did you notice anything?” she asked, her tired eyes fixed on him.

So she did see me from Enji’s eye… Sarai’s temples beaded with sweat.

“I actually did,” he gasped, “He didn't use any spells until he had burnt one of the men.”

“It's like he needed fuel for his Magic. Or like, a condition.”

Mitsu raised her brows. “Nice observation.” She was visibly impressed.

“You see, Magic works differently from one sorcerer to another. But there is a clear pattern.”

Mitsu curled her finger. “Manifestation is the first type. Basically elemental direct use of one's Magic that doesn't require sacrifice or rituals.”

She curled a second finger. “Then there is Sorcery, which requires a sacrifice or a condition. But the abilities are more technical and usually stronger.”

Mitsu jiggled her foot. “Of course, we're all called Faithful Sorcerers, but each Faith and Magic works differently. The government doesn't consider this pattern when dealing with us though.”

“Enji’s Magic is considered a mix of Manifestation and Sorcery, a hybrid. For me, mine is just Sorcery.”

I see. This goes way deeper than I expected. Sarai was listening attentively, not missing a single word.

“There are many forms of sacrifice, but for me, all I need are eyes.” Mitsu tapped the jars beneath her sole. “The pieces of paper sticking to the jars and the yellow liquid inside are all materials from the underground. I used them in a ritual to bind the eyes to me,” she added.

The underground, you say.

Wait… A thought crossed Sarai’s focused mind.

“W-Where do you get the eyes from…?”

Mitsu smirked, tilting her head. “I hunt animals and stock their eyes. Of course, human eyes are better, but I already stopped taking those. Call it repentance,” she chuckled.

How many animals did she have to kill… Sarai’s nose wrinkled in disgust, his upper lip exposing his teeth.

Mitsu looked around the room. She pointed at the table. “See that empty jar there? All the pupils inside it were sacrificed to claim your right eye.”

Sarai thought deeply before muttering, “What happens to the sacrificed eyes?”

“They degenerate into mana dust,” replied Mitsu.

She moved closer to Sarai. “It's kind of against my personal policies, but I'm curious. What's your Faith?”

Here comes the question.

“It's The Scorpion.” A chill crept through Sarai as he muttered the name.

Mitsu paused, cupping her chin in thought. “I never heard of that. A very strange word.”

I'm gonna lose it. She's the smartest person I asked so far, yet she has no clue… Sarai’s expectations were struck with immense disappointment.

“I won't ask you about it, or about how your bond was forged,” she said, “that's a line I don't wish to cross.”

“What do you mean?” Sarai asked in confusion.

“Never ask a Faithful the details of their bond,” Mitsu sighed. “After all, this flawed Magic forms from one's darkest beliefs. Keep that in mind, Sarai,” she whispered.

Mitsu stood. She examined Sarai’s figure. “Your pants are scratched. Luckily, I have some male clothes.”

“Male clothes?” Sarai asked before he knew it.

That was kinda rude.

“Yes, I had a boyfriend that lived with me here.”

“Where is he now?”

Mitsu looked sideways. “When I told him about being Faithful, he wanted to report me to the authorities. You can guess the rest,” she exhaled slowly.

Did she murder him? Well, he deserves it to be honest… Sarai had no idea on how he should react and simply remained silent.

“Your face is stained and kinda puffy. Go take a shower, I'll give you some pajamas to wear.” Mitsu walked toward her room’s door.

“Thank you.” Sarai nodded.

A shower would be nice.

…

The bathroom was narrow and dim. Sarai let the warm water wash over his body, rinsing away sweat, dust, and the traces of dried blood clinging to his legs.

It's been a while since I relaxed like this. This day has been the craziest in my life…

Thankfully, she had closed the eyes in here. She respects my privacy, unlike that bastard Enji. Sarai glanced around, relieved that the carved eyes along the walls and ceiling were no longer watching.

He cleaned the shallow scratches, hastily bound them with a bandage, and turned off the rushing water.

I wonder if I should meet the person behind the clown… I didn't tell Mitsu-san about it. I think this is the right choice. Sarai dried his body and hair with a soft towel.

Still inside the bathroom, he pulled the loose pajamas Mitsu had left folded by the door, and changed into them.

Before leaving, he stared at his reflection on the blurry mirror.

My hair is becoming pretty long. He thought, a moment before catching the sight of the sigils in his neck.

It's the exact same as the one left by the clown… I haven't had the chance to look in a mirror today. Sarai pondered for an instant, before finally deciding to meet the person behind the clown.

He washed his face with cold water so as to refresh himself, brushed his hair, and was about to leave when suddenly—something strange was reflected in the mirror.

Thud! Sarai, in tremendous fear, fell to the ground, trembling like a tree caught in a storm.

I’m seeing things… He raised his head, glancing at the mirror, the same faceless, hairless figure from the global broadcast incident loomed before his wide, skittish eyes.

It observed him from above, vast and silent, before shattering again like a fragile mirror.

Thump! The bathroom door was pushed open.

“Sarai! Are you okay?” Mitsu, wearing baggy, blue nightwear and an apron around her waist, stepped inside quickly. Her face held a pleading look, her one good eye scanning Sarai.

I’m seeing things… Hopefully… He murmured inwardly.

“D-Don’t worry, Mitsu-san. I just slipped.”

There is no need for me to tell her about that. There is no need to speak of what I myself don't understand. Sarai came to a stand and brushed his warm, loose pants.

Silencing the terror echoing in his heart, he mumbled, forcing a smile, “I’m really okay!”

Mitsu sagged with a breath, “I prepared dinner. Let's eat.”

Sarai walked into the main room, and took a seat at the table, the smell of curry wafting through the apartment.

After having enjoyed a quick late-night dinner of curry rice, Sarai helped Mitsu clean the table and wash the dishes.

“Sarai,” Mitsu called, taking off her apron and following Sarai out of the narrow kitchen.

“Yes?”

She hesitated, but said anyway, “Although Enji told us about sensing a lot of potential in you, I can tell you're not experienced at all.”

What is she trying to say…? Sarai felt deeply uneasy.

Mitsu steadied him, her hands resting on his shoulder. “Don't let this stress you. If you have questions, ask.”

“But to be fair, there indeed is something special about you. I can feel it.” She patted his head.

This… I thought my incompetence would get me kicked out. This is the first time I'm truly invited somewhere. The first time I felt like having a family again… Sarai’s eyes were almost in tears.

“It's getting late. You can sleep on the couch, there is a blanket next to it.” Mitsu yawned.

“Good night.” She turned off the lights. “Also, you will find mana suppressants in the drawer there.” She pointed her finger at the left. “Don’t forget to consume one potion when you wake up.” She walked to her room, then shut the door.

“Good night!” Sarai forced a smile, his mind still processing the incident inside the bathroom.

He laid on the couch, placed his pendulum pendant behind the pillow, and buried himself under the warm blanket. 

Immedately, he sank in profound thought.

Could that mirror figure be related to the clown? Actually, I hope that's the case… Anything else would simply be worse.

Just a couple of hours from now, when the hooded figure’s broadcast ended and the screens blacked out, Enji wasn't able to see this faceless entity… And from their reaction, I doubt anyone else did.

I'm alone in this one… but I won't ask Mitsu. She had helped me enough, I can't let myself be a nuisance. At least, it feels like I'm having some sort of family now, despite only meeting her today.

I'm tired… For now, I'll learn more about my Faith, maybe learn how to fight, and actually try to live, unlike the years where living itself felt like a punishment…

…Value what you have now, before it all disappears like always.

“Haha…” A soft, huffing laugh escaped him. “For someone like me to think this way, it's like, a strong will is pushing me forward. I wonder what changed…” Sarai whispered.

His eyelid grew heavy, fluttering shut. Eventually, he was lost in deep slumber, descending into the realm of dreams, or maybe, nightmares.