Chapter Text
Enjin doesn't get up. Everyone stares at Delmon, still as a statue. Everyone, including me, is confused on why Delmon would listen to Amo. I grit my teeth, looking from Delmon and then to a half soaked Enjin on the floor. I move my eyes from the shocked faces of the group to Amo. She is smiling, like this is a game. I flinch a little at her expression. It's wild and crazy. She has done this before. My eyes lower to her boots and notice a familiar symbol on the sides of them.
' 3R has the same mark..! That's her Jinki! '
Rudo looks back at Delmon for a moment, showing his eyes are open but, it's like he is seeing something we can't.
" Hey, Delmon..? You good..? Say something man! You're freaking me out- "
He watches as Delmon doesn't respond to him. Pausing a moment before turning to Amo in panicked fury.
" Hey! Don't sit there smiling like that! What did you do to him? You did something- you're a Giver! You're boots have the same mark as my gloves! What did you do? What the hell did you do?! "
Amo just continues smiling. It turning from manic to her old one of bubbly interest.
" So, what kind of boys or girls do you like? "
She is back to the same question as before, before Enjin decided to grace us all with his stupidity. I take that moment to Drag him to the side while everyone is occupied by her question. I tune out the conversation as I move to a wall and lay him down on his back. He is awake but, only slightly. I can only hope the water didn't wash off Remlin's spell!
" Shit-! Enjin? You good there you dumb ass? "
I put a finger to his neck to feel a pulse. It is there but, much slower then a normal one. I grit my teeth in mild panic before I rummage through my bag and put a mask on him.
" She said something about smells- right? Glad I didn't take mine off… "
I am brought back when I hear a smash from where the group is still at. I look to see Delmon attempt to knock Zanka out. Luckily he moves out of the way in time to avoid it. Delmon finally speaks, yelling at Zanka for calling Amo a cow and making her cry. I watch as he moves from the group to in front of Amo to protect her. He yells about her happiness and that it is sacred as she giggles behind him.
I narrow my eyes as Tamsy halts anyone going to move, he disputes the claim that Amo is controlling her, saying this is Delmons real feelings. Key word, feelings. Amo grins at their confusion before walking over to Delmon and leaning on his arm. She chides the others for not knowing Delmon enough, saying he has been her fan for ages. He transforms Thirst Quencher into his battle mode, using his pink and purple Anima as they continue to " Talk. "Tomme moves over to where I dragged Enjin and checks over him. I rehash everything I checked over to her so she knows what to do.
I watch in horror as Riyo walks up to Delmon. Zanka reaches out to halt her but not succeeding. She ignores him he continues to try and get her attention. I huff and leave Enjin with Tomme, moving over to Riyo as she finally stops.
" Can't trust any of you… Figured it would happen sooner or later. "
I move to her side as Zanka yells in desperation.
" Eyes forward, Riyo! "
My eyes widen as Delmon adjust his pressure to strong, point blank in Riyo's face. He shoots, I wrap Amon around her and myself as he lets it go. I kneel on the floor with Riyo as I pull her way as the wall behind us bursts from the strength of the water. I lead her over to Enjin and then unwrap her. She is obviously startled, mouth agape and eyes wider then saucers.
" Listen Riyo, I know there is someone else here under her spell but- stay in the present! I don't want you to pop like a balloon! "
She nods a little muttering an " Oh, Crap. " under her breath as Amo speaks again.
" You're weapon is so cool and powerful! But, you're gonna have to fix whatever you break. So, don't break Amo's house too much, okie doki? "
Zanka is floored.
" What did I say! Pay attention! Be glad we have like Ghost to save your ass! "
Amo giggles wildly, bangs covering her eyes.
" Wow! You don't know who is a fan of who anymore, Huh? And now you're scared… Amo told you but, you didn't listen! Everyone would have lots of fun if they just talked to Amo! "
Her eyes open, shimmering.
" You can't be enemies when you talk about romantic stuff! "
Tamsy stares at her with thinly veiled disbelief.
" Someone really messed you up! "
He turns to a cowering Rudo.
" Hey, Rudo! Get on your feet! "
Rudo trembles and looks at Tamsy with fear and confusion. I watch in realization as he is taken under Amo's power. He mutters about being thrown away, being on the Ground, not the Sphere. It clicks for me, then.
" She is making us see memories though smell! Put your masks on! "
I scream, startling everyone. Amo blinks.
" Who said that? It wasn't one of you guys… Amo can see your face and it wasn't moving! Is there a ghost here? Did one follow you in Amo's house? "
Her eyes sparkle in awe.
" Is that where the smell of Forget-Me-Not's came from? A real ghost? "
I frown, upset I had to give away my position so early. Zanka puts on his mask, Tamsy, Tomme, and Gris following. I look around and realize everyone else is already in her grasp. I sigh in frustration.
' I should've said something sooner-! '
" If Ghost is right… you can show people things though smell? I gotta say, that's a dangerous game you're playing. Messing with memories you know absolutely nothing about. "
Amo pouts with a glare.
" Amo doesn't know how to show people things that aren't there! The only thing Amo can do is make smells! Only smells about happy times… Smells making you remember being with people you love! It's different for each person… If someone smells the right small they always protect Amo. "
My eyes narrow a little. She blinks realizing something.
" Oops. Amo told a big secret… "
I move next to Amo with a frown.
" We don't always love good people, Amo. Same with loving them, it doesn't always leave us with happy or good memories… What you are doing could cause more harm then good. "
Amo flinches away from my voice, like I physically struck her. Zanka huffs out a laugh.
" Sometimes the people we wanna kill are the ones we love! "
Amo clenches her teeth, grinding them against each other in anger.
" You're stupid- and stinky! You're brains rotten your soul! "
Her eyes bug out in frustration.
" Amo told you- remember? Amo makes smells of happy times! So, you have to be happy! "
I stand in front of Amo, intangible, with a sympathetic face on my features. Tamsy and Zanka approach her slowly. Weapons in hand. They are about to get too close but Amo suddenly smiles wide. I flinch a little.
" Come save me, please! "
In the next second, Rudo smacks Zanka and Tamsy away from Amo with one hit. He phases through me and stands in front of Amo. Zanka Fumes.
" You dick! You're paying for that you hear me! Rudo! "
Said teen slowly raises and turns a little towards Zanka and Tamsy with a tired and rage filled look in his eye. I move to pat him on the head, like I used to, but he tries to slay my hand away, missing as I phase through him.
" Shut up! Don't touch me! I'm not the same guy you used to trample on.. I'm someone with power now… The kind of power the apostles only thought you had! So, get in line assholes, 'cus I'm about to show you what real power is like! "
I watch in horror as Riyo and Follo begins to get under Amo's smell spell, moving like zombies. I hiss in annoyance as I watch from next to Amo, trying to figure out my next move as the others surround Zanka and Tamsy.
" Seems we've miscalculated our numbers… How unfortunate. They are all too far gone. Hey, Ghost? Are you with us? "
I sigh though my mask. Kicking behind Rudo's Knee and then throwing him at Delmon as light as I can without actually hurting him. Delmon skids back from my hit and Rudo yells a bit.
" Been with you cense the beginning, Tamsy! Never took my mask off. "
Tamsy and Zanka are back to back as I weave around the entranced Supporters and Cleaners.
" I'd hope to never used my Jinki on a friend… So, this is on you. "
Zanka looks a bit concerned once Tamsy's Jinki, a Yarn Swift - Tokushin, slides down from his sleeve to reveal itself to everyone. Rudo stands up and Delmon becomes more protective of who he thinks he is seeing in Amo. The girl giggles.
" Thank you, big man! And, sweet Rudo! And… the girl one! "
Riyo breathes out sharply though her smile, Follo shifts his stance, holding his hammer higher, ready to attack. Amo stands up from her perch and grins playfully.
" Amo has a lot more fans then before! So… do you still wanna be party poopers, or? "
Tamsy glares under his lashes and holds up Tokushin, his light blue Anima surges from his hand and into the item, coating it in a white light, transforming it into a battle mode. It grows into a staff like shape and height. Navy blue handle and gold on the top and bottom of it, the blocks of wood inside now hold the previous yarn-turned-rope, becoming larger.
" I'll kill you! I'll kill all you sons of bitches! "
The enchanted ones launch towards the foes that they can see.
" You will never, ever touch or hurt her again! "
Tamsy just stands there for a moment before speaking in a simple, clipped tone.
" Net. "
He raises Tokushin above his head and spins the cylinder, catching everyone in a web of navy rope. It locks around their arms, legs, and torso; hindering their movement and keeping them in place. Amo falls to the ground in shock, eyes wide at the action.
" But… that's not playing fair..! It's not..! Just- Look! "
I look around for a moment.
" You messed up Amo's room with your rope stuff! "
She looks from Delmon to Rudo to Riyo in mild panic.
" C'mon guys! Do something already! "
At her words the entranced ones struggle, making rope burns appear on their skin where they do. Rope tightening over the areas they are locked around.
" I advise you struggle as little as possible. My Jinki's rather insidious. The more you move the tighter it's grip becomes. I am sorry, I didn't want this. "
I narrow my eyes and walk wards the cause of all this mess with a sigh and crouch down.
" Amo… Please, let them go and we can talk. You give us information about the people moving to and from the Sphere to here and I'll talk about romance with you if you really like. It doesn't have to be this hard. It can be like a trade! "
Amo looks in front of her, where I am despite not being able to see me. Her frustrated face melts a little into a deep thought. She inhales deeply.
" The Forget-Me-Not Ghost… How does Amo know you will really want to talk to Amo after Amo gives the info? How does Amo know you are being honest..? Amo can't even see you! Amo want's to see the face of the Ghost talking to Amo! "
I can hear the others slow their struggle behind me. I sigh and a small tired smile spreads on my face.
" I can talk about romance with you first and then you can share the info if you deem our conversation good enough. Though, I can't show you my features… I have an intense fear of people seeing me… "
Amo looks at the ground in thought, her face scrunched up as she does.
" You promise..? "
I chuckle a little before humming in confirmation and nodding.
" Yeah. Here, I'll start! You said you wanted to know what boys or girls we liked, yeah? "
Amo nods up and down ecstatically. My eyes soften.
" Well, does the question include what people we want to befriend? Not just like romantically? "
Amo thinks for a moment.
" Romance it more run to talk about but, friendships are just as good! So, sure! "
I sit down in front of her and sway a little as I speak.
" I ask because I don't have a so called romantic type, in all honesty. I don't feel the urgent need to be in a romantic relationship, though I do kinda want one in the future. I don't have the average attraction to others romantically like you may. It's called being Cupioromantic. "
Amo makes an 'O' with her mouth at my information.
" But, you still want a romantic relationship even though you don't feel the attraction? That sounds a little hard… "
I hum. I can hear people wake up behind me, being confused and being slowly let down from where they were confined in the air. I can tell Tamsy is ready to tie them up again at a moments notice. I can feel Zanka's careful eyes through me to Amo. I shiver slightly, despite knowing he can't really see me.
" It is a bit hard… That's why I wanted to talk about friendships! I think they are more important to me then a romantic relationship. "
Amo nods, already invested in our conversation.
" So, Amo want's to know the type of people you like! Romantically and not! Amo likes people with strong smells! Like Amo said in the beginning! Before that party pooper made things annoying… "
I see her glare at a still downed Enjin. I snort a little.
" Yeah, that guy isn't the best with words- or using them carefully. It's a chore to deal with. "
Amo giggles.
" Yeah! Amo doesn't like that man! "
I laugh lightly with her.
" Anyways, I like people who are understanding, supportive, and have a sense of humor! They need to be kind and respect my boundaries- "
Amo raises her hand.
" What are boundaries..? "
I eyes dim slightly at the seemingly innocent question.
" A boundary is like when you make a line in the ground, saying to another person- " Please don't cross this or I will be upset. " If the person does cross it, you have the right to give them a warning, letting them know not to cross it again. And if they do? You can stop talking to them. That's what it means to make a boundary. "
Amo thinks for a moment.
" So… Amo could've made a boundary to Mister; telling him she didn't like our special ritual and he should've respected that..? "
I feel my blood freeze. I have an idea of what she went though now… Though I don't have all the pieces, I know not to ask for details unless she is willing to give them to me.
" Correct, Amo! If he was a good person, he would've respected that boundary of yours when you spoke to him about it. "
Amo nods with a slight frown.
" Mister was mean to Amo… He tried to take the boots the angel from the Sphere gave to Amo… "
I blink. I feel someone walk up to us and crouch down. I look to my side to see Gris and Tomme. I turn back to Amo.
" What do you mean Mister tried to take the boots the " Angel from the Sphere " gave to you, Amo? "
Amo looks up to the sky, lost in thought before opening her mouth to tell us everything.
***
" You poor dear… You've been though so much. "
Tomme's mask is now off. She looks at Amo with sympathy. I clench my teeth and pull Amon closer to me.
' I knew she went through something horrific but- this? Being sold, groomed, and assaulted repeatedly by this… this " Mister?" She deserved so, so much better then that useless, disgusting, heap of a so called " Human! " She even killed him… He deserved a death more drawn out and painful then just a fall… I can only imagine the trauma she has… '
I shakily sigh, unclenching my jaw and letting Amon loosen around my shoulders.
" Amo..? "
The girl looks through me, humming.
" Can I hug you? Only if you are alright with it..? "
Amo's eyes widen a little, she looks to the side in thought before softening.
" Amo would like that… "
I move to in front of her and hold her gently to my chest. She curls into my like a new born animal with it's mother. I pet her head and hum softly to her. I hear her sniffle a little, a dampness spreading on my chest. I rock her softly.
" You're safe now, Amo… "
She cries harder at my words. I hear Follo ask Gris what his theory on Amo's "Angel" actually is. I listen to them talk it over, debating who the "Angel" is, what it is, and if it is a Spherite. I note Tamsy saying that Amo could've imagined it, saying that she is clearly ill. I narrow my eyes at him. After a while I let go of Amo so she can continue drawing with a rock. Enjin speaks up ( he pretended to be out, the spell from Remlin saving his ass, waiting until the right moment to " wake up." )
" Hey, Amo? How long ago was it that you saw the " Angel? "
Amo hums tiredly.
" A month ago… maybe… "
I nod, looking back at Enjin and Rudo.
" Now that is interesting… That is right around when Rudo made his glorious decent… "
I watch as Amo finishes her drawing, Rudo walks over to see what it is. His eyes widen in shock before a disbelieving smile appears on him.
" You asshole..! "
I look at Rudo in question as he continues.
" So, that's where you ran to… All the way down to the Ground..! And- you even had a friend with you! Good to know.. "
He takes a deep breath, his bags covering his eyes. before he smiles in rage. He is lost in thought as I look from Amo, the drawing of the " Angel " and then to Rudo. The drawing of the Angel looks familiar. I am lost in its detail until Amo speaks, breaking me out of it.
" You smile like Amo does… You and Amo… We're the same.. Your gloves made your heart human, just like Amo's gloves did. We can feel our missing pieces. Where things go well with who are like that. There is a whole inside us that seems too big to ever be able to get filled again… "
My eyes soften at her words. Rudo is stunned silent.
" But, our things have enough to fill the holes in you and Amo's hearts. Amo knows because she has gotten back the feeling humans are suppose to have. But… Becoming human made Amo understand somethings she never understood. "
Rudo's eyes widen. I reach out and hold Amo again as she beings to cry again.
" Like… how what Mister was doing to her was never really love… But, she's lonely and now she doesn't want to be lonely anymore. She want's to be with someone! Want's to be wanted… But, she is too scared to leave her walled garden..! So, she waited. Hoping for people to come and find her… Waited to make friends with people who came to her garden.. "
I squeeze her shoulder lightly as she talks.
" But, it never went how Amo hoped it would. Even this time… We only use our hands when we wanna hurt somebody… And, that's why nothing ever changes… "
Rudo's eyes shake before crouching down to Amo's height on the ground.
" Then… "
He reaches out to Amo, I can tell she thinks he is going to hit her but, she doesn't flinch. It makes me sad for her.
" Let's try and be different… We can learn how to use our hands to help others… To connect… I wanted to hurt you very badly when I came to but… When Ghost was talking to you… I think I realized something… Though, I still don't know how but- Maybe we can work on it? Together? "
I smile at Rudo, even if he cant see it. I ruffle his hair and he only flinches a little. Amo smiles.
" You're already doing it… "
***
Down the stairs of the tower and outside, I stand by Amo. I am slightly unwilling to leave her alone after everything that happened.
" You're really not coming..? "
Amo nods at Rudo's words.
" Yep! Amo has some things to work on before she is ready to leave… "
I pet her head, she leans into it.
" But, She would still like Rudo and Forget-Me-Not Ghost to come and visit sometime..! "
She scratches her cheek, showing off a red communication bracelet instead of a choker. I hum.
" You can call me Vei, that's my actual name. You too, Rudo. Well, though whatever you like more is fine with me. "
Amo nods with a smile and Rudo seems to have recondition flash in his eyes for a second. I blink and its gone. I tilt my head.
' Did he remember something..? '
Rudo shakes it off and nods.
" Sure thing, Amo, Vei. "
I hear Enjin call for the both of us to get going. Tomme waves, yelling she would come by sometime soon. Rudo waves at Amo, telling her he will see her later before walking off. I watch him leave before I turn to Amo.
" Amo. We will come back. When you are ready, please contact us… I gave you some of my blood so we can call whenever you want. Be safe, okay..? "
Amo nods with a smile before launching at me. I solidify before she can fall though me.
" Thank you, Vei..! Amo thinks you would be a great big sibling! "
I freeze a little, burry features of Merritt flashing behind my eyes before I hug Amo back.
" Thank you, Amo… I'll be your sibling if you'd like? "
Amo nods into be before letting go, I pat her head. I think for a moment before making my hand visible and wave to her. Her eyes light up as she waves harder to me. I smile gently.
" Yeah, later! "
I phase into the Jeep and sit on the floor in front of Follo like I did before. After a while of driving in silence Enjin speaks up.
" Well, we still don't know how to cross the damn border. But, I'd still consider this a victory! "
I feel Follo nodding off behind me as Enjin speaks.
" We've confirmed that there are people who can cross the border, and found another Jinki that is just like Rudo's! "
Riyo leans in from the back.
" You mean that series purple guy mentioned, right? Think that emblem means the boots are part of it too? "
Enjin mulls it over for a built before confirming. I pull out my notebook and write a note.
-
There is a series of multiple Jinki around the world. We have found two, Rudo's 3R Gloves and Amo's Boots. Keep this in mind for future missions.