BELLY OF FIRE

“Dripping sounds with a song playing with reverb and echo. No, it feels wet, like I’m sitting in a pool of water. Humming sounds? Is someone near me?”

Mika opened her eyes and found herself in a bathtub full of water and bubbles. She checked to ensure she wasn’t harmed or bruised, raising her legs out of the water.

“What happened?” Mika said as she touched her head.

“I remember…we were in a cage fight? Yeah, in an arena in front of a huge crowd, but what happened? Did I die? Am I dead now?”

“No, you're still alive, my princess.”

Mika stopped for a second and then looked in the direction of that voice. She scanned the darkness until she saw a figure emerge into the light surrounding her.

“Kai! It’s you?”

Kai turned away abruptly, kneeling, facing the floor.

“Forgive me for my intrusion; I didn’t mean to catch you in a sensitive situation.”

“Sensitive situation?”

Mika looked down at herself and realized she was fully naked in the tub. 

OH, MY UNIVERSE!

She pulled herself further underwater, covering her precious assets and preventing exposure.

“No, no! It’s not your fault! I technically called you to me. Therefore, you have no reason to apologize,” Mika blushed and smiled nervously as she looked at Kai.

“There goes that amazing back again,”

“Wait! Kai, why do you call me princess?”

“I don’t know,” Kai answered with a somber tone.

“Then why are you a shadowy figure, and why am I the only one who can see you?”

“I’m sorry, my princess, but I can’t answer those questions. Unfortunately, I don’t understand it myself.”

“That means he’s just like me. I wonder what else he could know about me.”

“Kai, why am I the only one who can see you?”

Kai turned to face Mika, kneeled, and leaned close to her. Mika started to blush from the thoughts in her head.

“What’s is he doing now?”

He then uncovered his left ear, showcasing a glowing earring.

“I believe it’s because of this jewel. I’m not sure where it came from or how I acquired it,”

Mika stared at the jewel with wide eyes.

“It’s so shiny and beautiful!”

Mika suddenly looked down, noticing a glow coming from the tub.

“Huh? Why am I glowing?”

Mika’s belly gleamed as bright as the jewel on Kai’s ear. 

“It feels so warm, and why does this feel so calming and familiar?”

“Kai, what does this mean?” Mika asked, abruptly looking up and noticing Kai was no longer there.

Nieko froze in the middle of putting on lipstick in front of a cracked mirror.

“Who’s Kai, Mika?” Nieko asked with concern.

Mika blushed in embarrassment as she looked around vigorously, realizing she was in a bathroom.

Mika wiped the water off of her face with a towel.

“I must’ve been losing my mind again. Why does this keep happening to me?”

“Mika, are you okay?”

“No, No, I’m fine. No need to worry, Nieko!”

Nieko stared at Mika disapprovingly while placing her last earring in her ears.

“Are you sure you're alright? You seem really anxious about something.”

“Where are we, Nieko?”

Mika asked Nieko as she brushed her golden bangs in the cracked mirror.

“We’re in a busted-looking motel in a town called Ravish Parish, such a weird name, I know, but it was the closest place for us to rest. You looked like you needed a nap, so I decided to rent a room so we could wind down and freshen up.”

Nieko explained while putting her hair up with a scrunchie.

“Freshen up? Are we going somewhere?”

“Yes, I have another lead about Zeth’s whereabouts, but I need more information. We must look fantastic to move into the area to get more information.”

“What do you mean?” Mika questioned

“Oh, I almost forgot.”

Nieko ran through the door leading to the next room. She returned with a flared yellow dress and a mini denim jacket. She also held a pair of black boots in her other hand, smiling endlessly at Mika.

“Okay, Nieko, where are you dragging me into this time?” Mika asked while grabbing a towel and getting out of the bathtub.

“Isn’t this outfit cute! I picked it up on the way here. I knew it would be perfect for you! Also, some new earrings since you lost your last ones somewhere.”

Mika looked down in shame.

“I’m sorry about losing them. I know you told me–-”

Nieko grabbed Mika's hands and smiled playfully.

The gesture caused Mika to drop her towel. She yelped and blushed harder from being naked.

“Come on, Mika! Let’s go to the Rave Palace and let off some steam. It’s time that we’ve finally had some real fun!”