Sixth Sense

[fourth_rider]

(See event post below for location.)

[Fyra is out on a public mountain trail not too far from the resort - mostly to see the sights. She requires an escort, and you've been chosen to tag along so she doesn't get into trouble.

As you begin to head back and pass by a healthy cypress specimen near the path's starting point, the Rider stops to help pick up a stuffed animal that fell out of a mysterious young girl's hands.

Said girl is dressed in traditional Japanese garb, which is quite unusual in itself...]


...

"Thank you, miss...! I-"

[The girl is initially delighted to receive her toy back, but that quickly changes when she gazes up at the person who assisted her. Her eyes widen, and that joy is quickly replaced by an expression the UG would have seen many times on the faces of helpless civilians and hostages: fear.]

"I-I have to go now..."

[She immediately turns around and hurriedly walks away. And before your very eyes, she vanishes...

This does not escape Fyra, either.]


...?

[However, there is another besides you who has just witnessed this: an off-road motorbike stopped on the dirt. That being none other than a certain steed awaiting his master, only in a much less conspicuous form.

When the coast is clear, he recites a particular line - one that he has recently learned of.]


And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him... this is what most believe these days, isn't it?

It has been like this on our outings since Arabia. I wonder...what did that girl see?


...

[In the backdrop, the cypress tree's branches sway from a sudden breeze...]

Comments

The only one of my characters responsible enough to be here

[star_of_sad]

What just happened? Did we... see a ghost?

Or did she see a ghost in you?

[Perhaps both, but the fact Morte mentioned this happened before makes Setsuko concerned.]

[fourth_rider]

The spirit of a deceased human being, yes. It is said that the dead do walk among the living at certain times and places.

They have been appearing in my Mistress' presence frequently since that time. Though none have approached with ill-intent.

What she saw, I do not know.

[star_of_sad]

It really was a ghost? I wasn't serious, that was... and it happens all the time for you?

You really are... special.

[fourth_rider]

Only after the mission in Arabia. I suspect that has something to do with what occurred in that battle against Enlil.

That said, stranger things have happened since we awakened. And special would describe all the members of the Unity Group.


[Fyra gives Setsuko a curious look here as well. People did talk about her having mysterious powers, too.]

[star_of_sad]

That's true. Almost everyone has some kind of special ability or power. And sometimes... sometimes it's something you don't know very well, or can't control. It can be scary.

[fourth_rider]

[This gives the steed pause. He takes a moment to contemplate something, but it's difficult to tell when he's in that form. A bike has less facial features than a skeletal mecha-horse, if any at all.]

You speak from experience, Miss Ohara.

[Meanwhile, Fyra brings an open palm to her own chest.]


...How do you cope?

[star_of_sad]

Yes. Yes, I do.

[Setsuko glances in the direction the ghost girl disappeared off to, before turning back to Fyra and her mount.]

It's not easy. I try not to think about it too much, but when it can't be helped, I look at the bright side. This power can be used to help others - or at least, help me help others. Without it, I think I may have been... dead by now.

And, there's one more thing...

[fourth_rider]

One more thing...?

[star_of_sad]

Because there are so many people with strange abilities in Unity Group...

We have your back. I was afraid others would alienate me because they'd be afraid of me, but that didn't happen. They offered support, and accepted me for what I am.

The same applies to you. I'm sure of it.

[fourth_rider]

Those with unpredictable circumstances like yourself, and ones who would have become enemies like the Abyss Empress...

I see what you mean.

[However, Fyra suddenly takes on a more concerned expression.]


...

[star_of_sad]

Yes. This is why... what's the matter, Fyra?

[Setsuko takes a step forward, the expression not escaping her.]

What's wrong?

[fourth_rider]

If I find the answers I am looking for... what lies behind the information that I am missing... it is highly probable that it will be us who cannot accept you.

That is what the four exist for in your legends. There must be some truth to it.

[She gazes up at the symbolic tree.]

I have no intention of letting it come to that. But this is something I must know.

[star_of_sad]

Fyra... you have a mind of your own, and make your own decisions, don't you? You already proved it time and time again.

Even if the Horsemen are supposed to bring biblical doom to humanity - I trust you will make a good choice.

[fourth_rider]

Morte and I have considered it for some time: we are beings that run on directives, like your machines. I have been free to choose since I awakened. But perhaps, what I have now... this is also the result of the malfunction. That is something that must be left to chance to find the truth.

Should I reach that point, where my commands are restored, I may no longer have a mind of my own.

[star_of_sad]

I really hope that's not the case...

[Setsuko takes a deep breath.]

But nothing good comes only from hoping, does it? If it ever happens, that you lose free will, everyone will try to bring you back somehow. Even though we're not sure how... but we're going to try.

[fourth_rider]

Risking your own lives for that would render my efforts a waste. In that event, we should be dispatched as quickly as possible.

The reason I am seeking this information is because this involves the safety of this world. The Unity Group is strong... but preparation can help protect the innocent.


[The bike form of Morte does not move, but it's almost as if it's staring at Setsuko now.]

There are four horsemen - four of us. Going by your texts, each appears to be designed to spread chaos across the planet.

We must be ready if these others do decide to awaken, or if they are awakened by outside forces. It's likely they will not be as cooperative as we have.

[star_of_sad]

Maybe it's a logical thing to... kill you, as quick as we can. But human minds don't work that way. You know we'd try to help you if your code activates.

That's because, well. This kind of thing has happened already, more than once. Sometimes we succeeded and sometimes we failed, but we always tried.

This is why, we need to learn as much about the two of you as possible. That's also a part of preparation.

[fourth_rider]

[The steed suddenly chuckles. It's definitely a first, but he finds this both admirable and very amusing.]
Ha ha... I suppose if gods cannot stop you, there is nothing we can do to deter you from that either.


...You also speak the truth. As soon as we get the opportunity to, there is one place I would like to visit.

[star_of_sad]

Everyone will try their best. I can promise you that.

A place to visit? Something you remember from your past?

[fourth_rider]

[Nod.]

One of its members joined the group recently.

[She raises her hands above her head, trying to mimic a certain Kijin's prehensile hair.]

I have not been able to approach her...

[star_of_sad]

What is this, animal ears?

...

Do you mean Astara? Gloster Foundation? Is that where you want to go?

[fourth_rider]

Yes.


The Kijin were also present in the era that gave birth to us.

If anyone has such information from that time period, it would be them.

[star_of_sad]

Ah. Ah, I see! That does make sense. They probably have records that go so far into the past, even if not many members of the Foundation remember it.

Well. It sounds like your next step is already set, then.

[lostamigo]

...This is not the first time something like that happened?

[fourth_rider]

There were places in the cities and bases that had lingering spirits as well. Fortunately, none have meant us any harm.

[lostamigo]

I didn't know ghosts are real.

[fourth_rider]

There are many things in this world that I didn't know were real. After meeting the Unity Group, the presence of spirits doesn't surprise me in the least.

I expect I'll be seeing more of them either way.

[lostamigo]

They appear because of her, don't they. Because of Fyra.

...But the way you describe it, it didn't happen in the past. Before she fell asleep.

[fourth_rider]

No, it didn't. This is a new experience, even for me.

Of course, there was no need to make use of that power back then. This may be a side-effect of having to utilize it more and more.


...

[lostamigo]

The power of unmaking...

Hope that's the only side effect.

[fourth_rider]

It's best to be bracing ourselves for more.

What we should hope for is that the rest will not cause any harm.

[brought_it_back]

I...

...Who was that? What just happened?

[fourth_rider]

That was a spirit; a ghost, if you will. One that somehow manifested in the physical world.

[The motorcycle form of Morte cannot turn to face Eva, but if it could, it would right now.]

Hmm. I may have heard wrongly... but you possess psychic powers, do you not?

Since we are shielded from such influences, this also means we can never pry into the thoughts of others - living or dead. Such an ability might be helpful here.


[Hearing this, Fyra looks over at Eva as well.]
...

[brought_it_back]

I do-though, they're not as...useful, as you might be thinking.

I have to touch people, and the impressions can be very vague. Even then, sometimes...Well, it can be painful to make contact with the dead.

[fourth_rider]

That's unfortunate. While not hostile, a number of the ones we have encountered seemed...disturbed...restless.

It would be reassuring to know what they are after, or if they are simply stuck replaying events over and over...


...Have you tried it before? Making contact with the dead.

[brought_it_back]

...Not intentionally. The only case has been with my mother, and she is...angry. Angry enough to try to burn the world. She's been calmer when dealing with me, but when our minds first touched, I spent the day hiding in fear from the horrors of her mind.

...I don't think it would be that bad with most people. If it will help them, I can try.

[fourth_rider]

[Nod.]

They seem to be ordinary people.

When either Morte or I attempt to approach them...it leads to a situation like the one you just witnessed.


Admittedly, we have little understanding of this subject due to our circumstances.

[brought_it_back]

You are not alone in that...I can't say I'm in expert in this.

Have...spirits, been appearing around you?

[fourth_rider]

Only at times. I suspect that has something to do with the locations we visit.