6 - Sleep Paralysis

“Today’s the big day.” Reina said, accompanying Otto to the place of hearing.

“I’m well aware. Everything will be sorted.” Otto said. “We’ve struck gold. The hearing is behind closed doors. No media, no listeners, no anything.”

“You put Erwin to good work looking after the strike force.” Reina sighed. ”Though, I’m doubtful about stationing them here.”

“It all depends on how well Sheller’s campaign goes. If we need to move to America, we will.” Otto said. “Sheller’s success is the ultimate goal.”

“Then, go and have your fun.” Reina said with a smirk. “I’ll have fun of my own.”

“Huh?” Otto asked, but before he could inquire, Reina had already vanished from sight.

“Damn bloodthirsty woman...”

Otto took a deep breath. His primarily black uniform, the only one of its kind, was the proud indication that the soulful wearing it was in control of a powerful soulful organization - the “Adler Group”. Founded in Central Europe and eventually expanded worldwide, the organization had a tricky relationship with the GSC.

Under the guidance of a soulful that swore to be a servant of justice, the Adler Group was submerging itself into the murky and bloody waters of the political game. The hearing he was about to attend was a large-scale meetup of politicians worldwide, with many of them being major influences in America. The meeting had one goal: to answer the question ‘what do we do with soulfuls?’.

From the perspective of the soulless, these supernaturally gifted maniacs were rampaging their cities, destroying their lives and killing with no remorse. They had no vision, and realistically, no regard for the webs that soulfuls were entangled in. Further amplified by the terror caused by Kouta’s attack, the previously somewhat controllable fear of soulfuls transitioned into hate. And because of the hate, some were willing to take action.

Otto walked into the building and made his way to the auditorium. A large, circular room filled to the brim with who he considered were the lowest scum of humanity - politicians. For his goals, he needed to cooperate with them, and even pander to them. His entrance was met with great uproar. He calmly made his way to the stand which faced the countless seats.

“Our meeting is inevitable.”

“By the time you choose to confront me, I’ll plant the seeds that will destroy the sinner.”

Otto cleared his throat.

“Everyone, I would like a moment of-”

His words were drowned by an array of upset screams. He felt himself to be a farmer, guiding the pigs into their barn, all while being deafened by them. He stood in silence, while the uproar continued.

“Dear ladies and gentlemen.” He said, in a slightly louder voice. It felt like now, even for just an instant, he subjugated the crowd.

“I would like to begin this discussion with a moment of silence. Let us pay respects to the many victims of soulful terror.” Otto spoke. “May they rest in peace.”

“It’s the terror that your kind has caused!” An older politician yelled from his seat, causing another uproar.

Otto stood in place, letting the chaos persist. In a moment, though, he spoke again.

“Do not misunderstand. I despise the soulfuls just as much as you do.”

“What?” Slowly, the chaos descended into silence, brimming with confusion. Gossip amongst the members was spreading like wildfire.

“I detest the soulfuls. I loathe them with every fiber of my being.” Otto said. “I wish for the dismantlement of their lives just as much as you do.”

“Then start by killing yourself first. You’re one of them.” A woman yelled.

“Your species was a mistake. You need to be exterminated! That’s the only way!” Another man agreed.

“All those children, how dare you? How dare you speak of misunderstanding?!” A younger lady said.

“Do not misunderstand!” Otto exclaimed. A very light force shook the building, just enough to cause everyone to acknowledge it. Likely out of fear, the audience was quiet yet again.

“I am not here to ask for forgiveness, nor am I here to seek vengeance. I ask you, from the bottom of my heart. Do you think you are capable of killing soulfuls?!”

“Soulful or not, they are all still human.” An older man said with a raspy voice, correcting his glasses. “They bleed the same blood we have.”

“That is where you are wrong.” Otto said. Immediately, his words were followed by confused voices. He continued, wielding the same stern tone. “I know what soulfuls are like. I know their capabilities, I’ve fought against and with dozens of soulfuls, each of them powerful enough to destroy all of you without breaking a sweat. You cannot deal with the ultimate threat by yourself.”

“Then why should we trust you? You’re as much of a soulful as the terrorists in question.” The old man asked.

“Because I am the only soulful both capable of and willing to go against the GSC.” Otto said. “I am an ally of Aughrey Sheller himself.”

The crowd was drowned in gossip once more.

“It is not the soulfuls themselves that present a threat to humanity.” Otto continued. “It is the evil cult of Kaito Kamiki and his coalition. They manipulate both soulfuls and the soulless in order to reach their twisted goals which put all of you in peril’s reach. Because of that, I call upon you all to listen to my message.”

“...?”

“The Global Soulful Coalition threatens society and mankind. Kaito Kamiki and his hounds are a threat to global security.” Otto exclaimed. “All of your lives, each and every one of your kin and family, will be under their claws. They will slaughter you, they will destroy you, and they will not leave any of you standing. They will rid you of your breath and pulse. They will purge you with powers far beyond your comprehension.”

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“And what do you suggest?” A younger female voice said from the audience. “How do we trust that you don’t share the same goal?”

“Upon Sheller’s victory, my allies will receive orders to deploy effective countermeasures against the coalition. Sheller, as I mentioned before, is a good ally of mine. To believe me is to believe him, and I do believe he is currently the voice of reason.”

“...”

“I need not to see you as an enemy. Soulful or soulless, we are all fated to die. We are all human and share the same emotions. In my plan to assist Sheller against the soulful threat, I aim to deploy all forces necessary to destroy the coalition to its very core. People, once again, I beg you to not misunderstand. It is the evil of the coalition, and their puppet, Dyeman, that poses a deadly threat to all of you and your children!”

Suddenly, the confused and upset gossip started to shift into praise and quiet applause.

“Are you not done with them? Are you not eager to see them get crushed to pieces, and die like the dogs they are? Do you not want to see the terrorists that killed our brothers and sisters suffer in the hands of almighty justice?!” Otto yelled. “Do you not wish to be a lesser species anymore? Do you not want revenge?!”

“Now you’re making sense, soulful.” The old man said with a smile.

“I have a name. My name is Otto Richter, and I am the head of the Adler Group. We all have names!” Otto continued. “We all have names that deserve to be remembered and sung, not trampled and erased by the oh-so-lucky soulfuls with supernatural strength! Their strength does not matter against our resolve!”

“My comrades in vengeance...do you wish to aid me and Sheller?”

In an almost off putting transition, the entire audience was cheering on. How could a soulful betray his own nature like this?

Otto, at the very last, could complete his goal. Every one of the prominent political figures worldwide, which was around 20 or so people, had accepted that Sheller must be supported. They swore their loyalty to him, they even cried tears of joy...

It was a rather easy task for Otto. After all, with the right weaponry, it’s easy to spread an agenda amongst a crowd of helpless people, all asleep on the floor.

“ ✦ Divine Acclamation ✦ ”

Otto and Mukawa were the only ones awake. Behind Mukawa’s head, there was a dark and bright ring, indicating the release of his ultimate ability. His soul presence was expertly well-concealed.

“ ✦ Vivid Daydream Cemetery ✦ ”

“This should be good enough.”

“So...this was all it took?” Otto asked, amused by the spectacle.

“The soulless are surprisingly fragile, aren’t they?” Mukawa replied. “Sorry if I made them imagine some corny lines. I’m not the best speech writer.”

“My soul expression can only put people to sleep and have them dream. There is no guarantee whether they believe what they see is real or not.”

“But my acclamation technique engraves these dreams as concrete memories that the targets will remember until they die.”

“Otto Richter, your sole weakness disallowed you from attaining this power. But your senseful mind allowed you to taste its fruits to their fullest sweetness.”

“Besides...”

“There’s something I didn’t tell you.” Mukawa said.

“And what would that be?” Otto asked.

“My acclamation allows me to be aware of all targets within effective range, and choose which target gets to remember what.” Mukawa said. “There’s two GSC agents outside. They were trying to listen in. I shut them down.”

“Kaito’s dogs, huh?” Otto chuckled. “Good job.”

“These meat bags should wake up, and amidst the confusion, all agree that what happened was what we agreed on. And the agents outside will wake up and believe that you were kicked off the stage.” Mukawa sighed, glancing at the piles of sleeping bodies, listening to the requiem of their snores and other bodily sounds. “Sheller’s support from the world is almost guaranteed. Dyeman would need some miracles.”

“Good. I will expect continued support from you.” Otto said.

“Really?” Mukawa asked, sarcastically.

“I know for certain you won’t go anywhere.” Otto said. “I fear Kaito might already be looking for you.”

“It’s not my fear of Kaito that makes me your ally.” Mukawa said. “You told me-”

“Mukawa, what is your goal in this?” Otto asked, sternly.

“To be left alone.” Mukawa answered. “To just do my thing in a decent world.”

“You’re a shitty liar.” Otto said. “Had you wanted to do so, you’d use your manipulative abilities to do just that. You and your soulful comrades would end up living in a world where you’d be perfectly alone. You just can’t stand the idea of people dying.”

“Watch your mouth, old man.” Mukawa said. “I might put you to sleep too. What if this is all a dream? What if Kaito is next to me, waiting to execute you?”

“Hah.” Otto chuckled. “I don’t need to be awake to see your empathetic nature.”

“...”

“You’re fighting for the right thing, Mukawa. The GSC must be destroyed. It’s that simple.” Otto continued, walking away from the building. “Lowering ourselves to Sheller’s level is but a plan we must play along with. A sacrifice.”

“As if there’s any other way.” Mukawa said, walking in a separate direction, heading for the exit. He was deep in thought.

“Empathetic...?”

He took a deep breath, taking one last look at what seemed like a failed sleepover party. All those soulless, all of which held immense influence over other similar soulless...

“Saving Sakuto Hitori was a double edged sword.”

“He’s working with Kaito now, but thanks to him, Otto has acquired the adaptation soul expression.”

“I had the choice to remove him from the equation completely, but...”

“Mr. Kamiki, we are back with the report.” Two men in fancy uniforms said, entering his office.

“Go on.”

“The hearing was a complete disaster.” One of them said, excited. “The politicians started yelling at and insulting Otto. They left midway.”

“And what would their opinion be?” Kaito asked with a sinister smile.

“They will promote Dyeman. They will support his upcoming rally in California.” The man continued. “They’ll promote Dyeman all over the world!”

“That’s it! We won!” The man beside him cheered.

“Well done, thank you for the information.” Kaito said, signaling for them to leave. Once left alone, he picked up his phone.

“I’ll make a quick call to Dyeman in that case.”

“I’ll...”

His hand seemed a little shaky. He took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, but the strange, empty sensation inside of him didn’t go away. It only intensified. Before he could call Dyeman, he received a phone call himself. He quickly picked it up.

“Yes?”

“Mr. Kamiki, this is regarding the special info you asked me to get.”

“Go on, Zawadski.”

“At the time of the hearing, Mukawa was not at his residence.”