MIND OF MY BUSINESS

"Ugh…huh? What?"

"Oh, not again! Another wild dream? I have enough trouble trying to find my place in the regular world. Why does this keep happening to me?!"

Mika had woken up in another strange dream. The area seemed to be falling apart—a series of broken land floating through the air. The world was filled with the colors blue, gold, and darkness, followed by glitching and lightning all over.

"What is this magical place? I must've finally lost my mind because this is where someone with an out-of-body experience would probably see, right?"

WELL, YOU’RE NOT WRONG.

A voice is heard from the void creating a loud echo. Mika looked around for an answer to the mystery.

"Who said that?" 

Mika scanned the area, spotting a bright light floating in the distant void.

"What could that be?"

A glowing blue butterfly, seen blessing the sky with a sparkling glow, landed on a rock near Mika.

”Was it you who spoke to me?" Mika asked the butterfly, feeling a bit silly about the accusation.

"Yes," the butterfly said.

"Now I know I'm losing my mind. Although this is a step up from having a shadow stalking me, who are you?”

"Well, you brought us here—"

"I brought us here? I don't even know what here is. How could I have done this?”

"Ah, you still don't remember anything yet. I guess I need to explain things to you." 

The butterfly said, fluttering away.

"Wait, where are you going?" Mika yelled from afar.

The butterfly placed some distance between them. A gust of wind started to form around the butterfly, picking up flowers in the surrounding area.

Mika watched with curious eyes, mesmerized by the fantastic showcase, speechless.

The butterfly's transformation ended in the form of a cloaked character wearing some sneakers. No face was shown, but intense eyes could be seen glowing.

"Phew! I felt very limited in that form, and it always gives me vertigo afterward," The mysterious figure said, shaking all the remaining flowers off their shoulders.

"Are you here to take me to the afterlife? "Mika said uneasily as she hid behind a bush.

"Now, what gave you that idea?"

"Well, a light spirit would usually have brighter tones than a dark spirit, right? You seem to have more hidden qualities, so what are you?"

The figure suddenly appeared behind Mika.

"You're right. I'm not an angel," it whispered.

Mika screamed, from the sudden occurrence, falling to the ground in surprise.

"Nor am I a demon. I am just a humble messenger, here to give you a bit of guidance on your journey."

"Guidance? Guidance with what? Am I on a quest or something? Mika asked consecutively.

"Please ask one question at a time," the figure said.

"I apologize. I'll start again," Mika said.

"Ummm…what is your name, if you don't mind me asking so informally."

"Ah, no problem at all," the figure reassured.

"As I mentioned, I am a messenger, and you can just call me Thaspirit."

Thaspirit reached their hand to help Mika off the ground.

"Okay, Thaspirit, do you know what this place is that I apparently brought us into?"

"Yes, this is the fabric of your consciousness. It is scattered and distorted, as you can see from the things floating around us.

"Yea…what is up with that? Why is everything all over the place and broken down like this?" Mika asked.

"This place reflects your memories and energy, thus, creating the world we see now."

"Wait, so this is my brain?!" Mika questioned.

"More precisely, this is your soul's mind palace in disarray and confusion.”

A piece of the floating plane broke apart, thus creating an even smaller area. Another plane disappeared into a void.

"Woah!" Mika exclaimed.

"What just happened? It just disappeared into the void!"

"Yes, your consciousness is in dire need of rejuvenation and amplification of protection," The spirit explained.

"Dire state?" Mika wondered with great concern.

"Meaning you will become vulnerable, and the Metropolis of Sovanna will be in an even more dire state."

"Wait, Sovanna could be in danger because of me?!

"How? Why am I so special to Sovanna?

"Simple… you're the KEY," The spirit smiled.

"The KEY? You want me to believe I am the key to saving Sovanna's dire state?"

"Whether you believe it or not is not of great concern. The Kreator chose you, and this is your destiny. The Kreator has blessed you with the task of saving this beautiful metro.”

"Okay, say I believe this insane conception you've presented me. What can I do? I have amnesia. I can barely remember my name, let alone save the whole Sovanna."

AKIMA.

Mika stopped in her tracks, frozen as a shiver traveled through her whole body. Her heart beat faster as she fell to her knees, holding her head.

"That name…why did you say that name?"

"Oh, so you have heard of the name. Good to know there’s some progress after all," The spirit smiled.

"Why does that name create a huge knot in my stomach and an unbearable headache?" Mika groaned

She started to recall the shadow spirit appearing around her recently.

"Could it be?" 

Mika remembered what the shadow had said to her. Her eyes grew as she realized his words.

"He said Akima to me. That's why I remembered that name!" Mika shouted.

"A shadow? What shadow are you singing about?"

"Recently, a shadow appeared in my dreams when I was asleep. Every time the shadow showed up, I froze and couldn't move. I'm starting to believe it was a sleep paralysis demon until the shadow showed up in my dreams as a-…."

Mika stopped her explanation. She started to blush.

"As a what? You can't just leave me hanging in suspense. Please, finish the story." The spirit said anxiously.

"Well…it kind of caught me off guard, but…."

Mika blushed even more, struggling to get the words out.

"He appeared to me naked— not that I tried to look or anything! But he spoke the words Akima and reached out for me…."

"I see. And did you both make contact?"

"He almost touched me the last time, but I woke up too soon, thanks to Nieko's loud eating habits,"

"Understood, but by any chance, did you have the urge to, you know, kiss him?"

"NOW, WHAT KIND OF INSANE QUESTION IS THAT? WHY WOULD THAT EVEN BE A QUESTION!" 

Mika suddenly became embarrassed, covering her face from shame as she bowed for forgiveness.

"I apologize for the overreaction."

"Hahahaha. Still the same well-mannered flower as always," The spirit chuckled.

"Huh? What do you mean, have we met before?"

"Let's just say we're not total strangers. But as of right now, that's not important. You called me here. According to my orders, I am here to give you a message from the Majestic Kreator."

"Majestic Kreator?"

"Please stop interrupting. I don't want to forget the words. I tried my hardest to remember the exact words of my majesty." The spirit ushered.

"My apologies, please continue," Mika urged.

The message is as follows:

When our world becomes restless and the tides have turned ill. Look for the glass stones to bring back the thrill. Gather your memories and hold your head high. Your people will need you more and more as time goes by. Hear his words and listen carefully, for he is your steel and heart of destiny. Do not fear what is to come, for he will stand by your side as your blazing sun.

"That ends the transcript of the message. Now I must be on my way. I've done my duty."

"Wait! What does all that mean? I'm perplexed!"

"Your destiny will lead you in the right direction as long as you pay attention to the signs."

A glowing portal void is summoned behind Mika.

"Please, maybe something a little more concrete?"

"I'll give you one last piece of advice before your departure. Don't be afraid of the shadow that follows you. Trust, and you will find the necessary answers." The spirit reassured Mika.

"Now go. Your friend Nieko needs you?"

"Wait, how do you know Nieko?"

Mika was pulled into the portal.

“Wait! I have more questions!"

Mika's voice echoed as she disappeared into the void.

The spirit looked with a smile.

“She should be fine.”