Kai entered the tram and, finding that all the seats were taken, went to stand at the side, holding onto a handrail.
He had taken a shower before he left the house and wore one of the winter outfits Felicia had prepared for him—with a yellow jacket and a long-sleeved black shirt underneath—reasoning that, even though Hexaphalia probably didn't care what he looked like, it didn't hurt to be presentable on such an important day.
Okay… he thought to himself as the tram started moving. What now?
Take a look around you, he startled as he heard her voice echo in his head, then did as she asked, scanning the crowded railcar. At first, nothing peculiar jumped out at him, but slowly, his vision seemed to focus on certain things, as if guided by an external force.
At the far end of the car, a young couple sat close together, the girl's head resting on the boy's shoulder. Across from them stood a handsome man in a business suit, his thumb absently nudging the wedding ring on his finger. And right beside Kai, a tall man with a large beard pulled out his phone—his lock-screen set to a family photo, with his wife and baby daughter.
Jealousy pinched at his heart.
For some people, love and relationships come so easily, Hexaphalia said. But you… you had to work so hard for it… only to get your heart broken.
You… you know about that? He thought, then shook his head. It doesn't matter, we have each other now.
Yes, my love, yes we do, but we both know what we have isn't normal. I've had to cross dimensions to get to you, and I can only imagine how many hurdles you had to overcome before you found me. He felt her sadness through the telepathic link. I know I am not your first choice… You should have gotten together with a human woman—like everyone else. She let out a sigh. But your society has conspired against you, just like mine had conspired against me.
Kai considered her words, lowering his head. What do you mean?
Like you, Kai, I am an outcast. Where I come from, being in love is forbidden, and I was forced to live a life of sisterhood and celibacy.
You mean like a nun?
Similar, yes… It is only in this dimension that I can finally fulfill my dream, to love and be loved. Everyone deserves that and yet the societies we live in have neglected us, painting us as either worthless or villainous, when the truth is: we are victims.
The tram drew to a stop, and more people entered the railcar as the doors opened.
I know, he thought, his knuckles turning white as his grip on the handrail tightened. But so what? Screw them! As long as we have each other, nothing else matters.
Unfortunately… we cannot be together, not while this world is the way it is.
Then… what do you propose we do?
What all oppressed people do when faced with their oppressors—we fight, we rebel, we destroy the current order and replace it with our own.
I… he hesitated, as the tram began moving again. I don't know if I can do that.
Of course you can, all you need is the will… There is power in conviction, and together we can harness that power and wield it as a weapon against this world… This world that showed us no mercy, that rejected us… Now, it is time that we reject it!
Her words resonated with him and sparked a building fury in his gut.
Look at those around you, these normal, happy people, who have all that you ever wanted. Why do they get to be loved, and you don't? Why has society deemed them worthy while condemning you to misery and solitude? This envy that you feel, the rage that burns in your gut, it has a name, Kai. It is called—justice.
He gritted his teeth, feeling his body grow warmer and warmer, the mark of the Omen stinging his flesh.
Fuel that rage with your hatred! Think of all those who wronged you and ignored you, who showed you nothing but contempt and rejection—your tyrannical father, your conniving sister, your heartless ex-girlfriend—feed them all to the flame of your fury, and watch it grow!
He let go of the handrail and clutched his head, her voice overpowering his mind, causing blood to boil in his veins and hairs to stand all over his body.
Yes, yes, just like that, more, more! He felt her touch, sending waves of pleasure throughout him, and he stifled a moan. Now, my love, release it, let it out, let it all—
The tram hit a sudden stop, cutting off the channeling of magic as momentum sent something heavy falling on top of Kai. He winced as his head hit the floor, knocking him out of the rage filled trance the witch had provoked him into. Then, he looked down at the thing that was on top of him.
A fat girl with long, messy black hair squinted back at him, her hands padding around in search of something. "I'm-so-sorry," she said hurriedly, as if it were one word. "My glasses, I dropped my glasses."
Kai scanned the floor in a daze, his head spinning. He spotted the eyeglasses and clumsily handed them over.
She put them on, still lying awkwardly on top of him, and shoved them all the way up the bridge of her small, beaked nose. They blinked at each other twice in recognition.
"Nekoko?" he said groggily, as if waking from a dream.
"Mr. 69?"
"Please," he rubbed his sore, pounding head, which was slowly starting to clear. "Don't call me that in public," he said, becoming all too aware of the gazes that were on them. "My name is Kai."
"Why? What's wrong with 'Mr. 69'?" She giggled as they helped each other up, and the tram began to move again. "I hope I didn't—Ow!" She flinched.
"What's wrong?"
"My leg," she lifted her right foot off the ground, then tried to rest it down again. "Ow!" She winced. "I must have twisted my ankle or something," she pouted and looked around. "I could have sworn someone tripped me," she mumbled to herself.
Kai narrowed his eyes; the fog in his mind had dissipated, and a curious suspicion was taking its place. This 'coincidence' has 'Vira' written all over it.
Focus, my love. Or did you forget why we are here?
He blinked as he heard the witch again, and with a clear head, reflected on what they had almost done. What was that, Hexaphalia? What were you doing to me?
It is as I told you, She said. Conviction is power, and your righteous anger at this world is a great source of magical energy—energy that I can use to bring us together.
And destroy the world in the process? A chill went down his spine.
Not literally, but… Yes, why not? This world, this depraved society that rejected us—why shouldn't we destroy it and create a new one? One where you and I can be together, forevermore.
He furrowed his brows, his eyes absently set on Nekoko as she bent down to check on the two large plastic bags she had dropped when she fell. "I hope nothing is broken," she mumbled to herself.
But… if we do that, won't people get hurt? Kai asked.
What people? The friends who abandoned you? The family that all but disowned you? The girlfriend who dumped you? Screw them. You said so yourself. You and I… we only have each other—only our love and nothing else.
He caught a glimpse inside one of the bags and saw that it was full of small carton boxes. "By the way," Nekoko smiled, "are you coming to the Expo?"
His lips opened, then closed. The Aura Gaming Expo… it didn't even cross his mind, not since he started dating Maria.
Ignore her, focus on me, on us, on your rage!
He shook his head. No, hold on a minute… I… I need to think about this.
"You aren't coming?" Nekoko frowned, thinking the gesture was aimed at her.
Think about it? Hexaphalia's voice came through, fragile and hurt. Don't you want to be with me? Hold me in your arms? Feel the warmth of my skin against yours?
"Yes, but—ah, I mean, no—I…" he stammered, struggling to manage two conversations at the same time. "I was busy the past few months; the Expo just slipped my mind…" he said, then his eyes went wide. "It's not today, is it?"
"No," she laughed. "It's in a couple of weeks, though I'm pretty sure they're out of tickets…"
"Right…"
Kai?
Look… He closed his eyes and sighed. You are right… about everything… I am jealous and angry at the world, and there are times when I see people who have everything I want, and I wish they suffered like I do. His shoulders slumped. But I don't actually want to hurt anyone, I just want to be loved… I want to be with you.
"Aww… don't look so sad," Nekoko slumped her shoulders too. "You can always catch the live-stream… and besides," she smirked and leaned on the wall, her hurt right foot still hovering slightly above the ground. "If you ask nicely, dear customer, I might be able to aid you in acquiring a most coveted VIP ticket to the event." She pushed her glasses up her nose. "For the right price, of course."
Kai chuckled. "I guess I'll have to consider it," he said, then remained quiet for a long minute, waiting for Hexaphalia to respond but heard nothing.
I hope she isn't mad at me, he thought. Hexaphalia… if you are still there, meet me tonight, let's talk about this… There has to be another way for us to be together… please… He grimaced. Don't leave me.
"Are you okay?" Nekoko tilted her head to the side. "You look… sad."
He blinked, relaxing his expression. "Yeah… I'm fine…" He gestured to the plastic bags. "What's in there, anyway?"
"New merch," she smirked.
Kai raised an eyebrow. "What kind of new merch?"
"That's a secret," she held a finger to her lips. "I'm afraid you'll have to come to the Expo to find out."
"Ah, right…" he smiled. "And where are you taking all this new, secret merch?"
"The Godray Convention Center."
"I thought the Expo was only in two weeks."
"It is, but we still need to set up and do rehearsals."
"Are you sure you can carry this all on your own? With your twisted ankle?"
"I'll be fine. It's only the next station over," she waved off the implied offer for help with a smile. "Besides, I'm sure you have better things to do."
"Ah…" he thought for a long moment. "Actually, I don't. Already missed my… 'appointment,' so if you need help carrying this stuff, I really don't mind."
"Thanks, but… I'll be fine. You don't have to trouble yourself," she said, testing her feet again and wincing.
Kai averted his gaze. She wasn't fine, but she wasn't going to admit it, either because she didn't want to bother him or because she didn't want him bothering her. He assumed it was the latter, reasoning that even though she had been nothing but kind during their chance encounters, escorting her to work was crossing a boundary that made her uncomfortable.
"And like I said, it's only the next station, so…" she shrugged. "I can manage."
"Then, I'll help you off the tram, at least. I need to change lines to get back home, anyway."
She pursed her lips and lowered her head.
She probably thinks I am being a creep, he thought—but there was nothing to it, he really did need to switch trams. Whatever, he pinched the bridge of his nose, then rubbed his eyes. Let her think what she wants. I just wanna get home and play games until I pass out… then see Hexaphalia again. He let out another sigh. I really hope she isn't too angry with me.