Conscious, Conscientious

The burly vehicle’s tire bumped against something, briefly rocking Lammy, Pang, and the sleeping Zayza in the process. The chill from the unknown air outside was beginning to set in.

“…Alright, just so I’m clear on this,” checked Pang, “You fell into No Man’s Land trying to find Deon, met Princess Zayza—who had amnesia and didn’t remember the whole triple-murder detail—got hunted all the way to Fantasy Country, found out Kotono and Hiroko are her friends, and they led you to the conference to find Deon and Skrili, and then you got caught anyways, so now you’re here?”

Lammy thought about it for a moment. “Yeah…well…there were a few other details, but…yeah.”

“That’s freaking ridiculous. You have bad luck, kid.”

For someone so standoffish and superior, Pang sure seemed talkative. And considering their current plight, bound in the back of a dark vehicle, Lammy found her overwhelmingly unconcerned.

In a strange way, it was comforting for someone like her to hear him out. Nobody on the outside of their conflict could know, so to finally lay it out there—to someone who, as he quickly found, wouldn’t hold back her reactions—felt surprisingly cathartic.

He’d almost forgotten: all he wanted was to make sure Deon was okay when he disappeared from Tailpiece. He never asked for any of this.

Pang tugged at the tight black bindings on her wrists and ankles for probably the hundredth time now, still to no result. Her eye narrowed as she reached a conclusion in her head.

“Wait a sec—since you’ve been helping her stay on the run, this kingdom sees you as an accomplice,” Pang realized. “Even though you didn’t know you were helping a murderer.”

Dismally, Lammy nodded.

“That sucks hard.”

“I’m…I’m sorry, Lammy. So sorry…”

Lammy’s heart skipped.

Pang’s eyes checked past him, and Lammy’s head whipped towards Zayza.

“Oh, welcome to the party,” greeted Pang.

Zayza kept her eyes on the shaky floor, her hair falling over her face. “Admittedly…I’ve been awake for a while,” she uttered.

“Oh. You heard all that, then? Awkward.”

Lammy didn’t know what to do now that he knew she was present. Even if he could stand and distance himself, which was his initial impulse, he felt a war inside him that raged against it.

Zayza was dangerous. Could she really be trusted, after turning out to be everything Lammy swore she wasn’t?

It twisted his heart.

But still…the familiar sound of her smooth voice, though somber and wise now, still sounded like her.

Why did this all have to happen?

“Zayza…” Lammy started uncomfortably.

“You’re right, Lammy. Everything you told her is true,” Zayza assured. “I am a killer. I watched them fade away forever… my own family...by my hand. But I had no other options. I had to.”

A fire flickered in Lammy’s mind. “How could you have no other options—” he began.

But Pang sighed over him. “Yep. Tell me about it, girl. Been there, done that.”

“…Huh?” Lammy and Zayza both uttered, their full attention now on her.

Pang shrugged. “What? I’m just saying I relate. You sound like my kind of girl, Zayza,” she defended. Her golden eyes fell to Lammy. “Trust me, you should hear the princess out. Life gets real complicated—I had to kill a bunch of people in death battles growing up, but if I didn’t, my dad and me would have drowned like my mom. It’s just like that, sometimes.”

Lammy and Zayza paused in astonishment.

“Wait—is that…why they captured you, too?” asked Lammy.

“Ha. Doubt it. That’s just how Artifex was. I don’t know these people or their deal,” dismissed Pang. “But the point is, kid: give the girl a chance. It sounds like you two got really close, like a consciousness team. Don’t just jump to conclusions and give that up—I’ve made that mistake before, too.”

Receiving Pang’s insistent words, Lammy tried to look Zayza in the eyes. His fear was messy and loud, yet still, he could see her—the Zayza he knew—through it.

Maybe his attachment wasn’t trying to fool him. Maybe Pang was right—he’d begun giving up too soon.

But…could there really be a justifiable reason for something so horrific?

“Th—thank you,” Zayza whispered to Pang, her voice choking up. “I…I needed to hear that.”

“Eh. Don’t mention it.”

A tear falling slowly, Zayza returned her heavy gaze to Lammy and flipped away some of her hair to stop hiding her face.

Her eyes repelled his at first. But he couldn’t truly avoid them.

Everything we’ve been through, he thought.

“Lammy…I know this is hard to accept, because I’ve heard how much you love your family. And I love mine dearly, too,” said Zayza. “But…I had to make that choice. For their own good…and for the entire kingdom. Nobody believes me, but something truly terrible has come over Azvaylen, and I thought I could stop it. But…I failed…”

Her chin trembled as Lammy and Pang listened closely.

“And now…so many more have suffered because of my failure,” she added in a frail whisper. “You’re in the deepest danger imaginable…and Ryan, and Raznizu…they died defending my innocence when I didn’t deserve it…”

“I wouldn’t necessarily say ‘died.’ Not yet, at least.”

Lammy, Zayza, and even Pang pounced in fright at the sudden deep, weathered voice. They traced the sound across the dark back of the vehicle. At first, it seemed to have come from nowhere. But when they peered more carefully, they could make out the outline of a slender, spiky-haired individual leaning against the opposite wall.

He was bound up in similar fashion, and hunched slightly as if his body wasn’t fully functioning.

“Holy—how long have you been sitting there?!” Pang exclaimed.

“Apologies. I never immediately trust my company,” Raznizu explained with a cough.

Lammy could still picture him back in the forest vividly, standing defiantly in a puddle of his own blood as Najinzu slashed away, trying to get past. They would have been captured much sooner if not for him.

“Wait…you’re still…?” Lammy uttered.

“They kept me alive for questioning,” Raznizu said. “Zayza, listen to me carefully.”

She lifted her weary head further, still in slight disbelief to find him alive—or at least, hanging on to life.

“You said nobody believes you about Azvaylen,” Raznizu began. “But I assure you: that is not the truth. You’re not alone, and your cause is not yet dead.”

Raznizu’s optimistic certainty, even while tied and heavily wounded, sent shivers down Lammy’s spine. He listened as closely as possible over the road rumblings; if there was any inkling of hope—any at all—he longed to hear it now.

“Zayza, my princess: since your disappearance, I’ve served a secret task force with the specific purpose of finding you, and keeping you alive. But not only that,” he said, “We exist to complete the mission you started. I swear to you: you’re not alone.”

“Raznizu…” Zayza uttered.

She sounded unexpectedly familiar, and even warm, with him. But then Lammy realized: Zayza had recovered all of her memories, now. Clearly from this brief exchange, he could already tell they’d known each other for a long time.

“But…should you really be disclosing all this to me,” started Zayza warily, “when Najinzu is likely in this vehicle listening in?”

Lammy’s eyes jumped to the wall at the front of their compartment. It pained him to know Najinzu was probably just behind it. It was a perceptive observation on Zayza’s part, one that Lammy had been too rattled to reach: with Najinzu’s Sense-Enhancer powers, he probably knew everything they’d said thus far.

But Raznizu seemed past this already. “They’ve already learned everything I just told you,” he revealed. “It was interrogation magic. But since we’re in Fiction Country, and due to my stubbornness, I was able to repel it. They don’t know anything else.”

He shifted, grunting from the pain.

“But that won’t be the case when we arrive in Azvaylen,” Raznizu cautioned. “Your predictions proved right: as you’ll soon see…Azvaylen has changed.”

“Huh. Then just like me, you guys probably don’t wanna stick around.”

A devious grin formed on Pang’s face as she said this unabashedly. Lammy had to force himself not to squirm—her expression was even more menacing than Najinzu’s cold eyes.

Zayza shook her head in refusal. “We can’t try—they would already know it’s coming. They can hear you,” she reminded her.

“So what? The only reason they kidnapped me was ‘cuz it was an ambush. I bet we can take these losers,” Pang sneered. “I’m no slouch, you know. We have two killers in here between you and me. I take it the creepy spy guy over here is one too, right?”

Raznizu didn’t deny it.

“See? And not to mention…” she turned to Lammy. “Kid, I’m guessing you’re also an Imaginer? Got any weird bonus powers like your cousin?”

“Like…my cousin?”

“Huh? You didn’t know?” she noticed. “When Deon gets pissed, his imagining gets insanely strong. It’s freaking terrifying. But it’s awesome. Got any of that?”

Lammy’s eyes widened.

So…it’s not just me…he thought. Deon’s been awakening new abilities, too?

For a moment, he almost forgot to reply. “Well…for me, it happens when I get stressed…but yeah,” he confirmed. “And I can enter the Dream World, too.”

“Man, you’ve got three powers going on, huh? Not sure how that last one would help, but the first is just what we need.”

Pang’s foreboding smile spread even wider.

“So what do you say, guys? Let’s bust the heck out of here.”

~~~

Deon’s foot tapped endlessly as he and Skrili waited outside a small building. The stark contrast between their current feelings and everything around only unnerved him further.

Countless consciousness teams passed by all around, giddy and boisterous as they headed to endless panels, stores, and events. The rain had mostly died out, and everyone took full advantage to continue their spirited plans. Lights from buildings and stands flashed everywhere, reflecting against Deon and Skrili’s faces.

It was like they’d stepped into their own unknown world, dark and urgent, lurking within the joy.

Skrili happened to glance at him briefly. Her face was impassive as usual to any onlooker, but he saw the anxiousness and determination underneath.

The vision, Deon thought.

“Skrili Kay! WOO!!!” came a lively shout from across the walkways. A consciousness in light-up merchandise pointed at her, and a small crowd cheered along.

Skrili ignored the admiration and turned to the door. “He’s back,” she told Deon.

Phillip emerged from the building and joined them somberly, yet quickly.

“They filed a report and alerted officials,” he filled them in.

“Good. Let’s head to the spot,” Skrili said.

They hurried off, weaving through the crowd with haste. Every second, Lammy, Zayza, and possibly Pang were farther and farther away, in more and more danger.

Abruptly, a reddish light befell the entire area from above. The group looked up to see a projection in the sky.

It was a professional profile of Pang, with her full name, teammate’s name, type, and Country listed underneath. The top of the light image read “MISSING” in massive bold letters.

In that instant, all of their TeamTracks vibrated sharply. They quickly found the same image in a notification on their screens.

All around, consciousnesses looked up at the sky or opened their TeamTracks, muttering to each other.

“They moved quickly,” Phillip noted.

Deon patted his shoulder as they walked. “Yeah. Pang will turn up in no time, you’ll see. If we don’t find her first, they will.”

They scurried along, shifting past the last few buildings and tents at the front of the convention to meet back up with Kotono and Hiroko.

Deon glanced around as they reached the colorful entrance, hoping not to spot any of the champions’ bodyguards. He wondered how many times the famous team could manage sneaking away undetected, considering their poor luck back at Gloat Stadium.

The group passed under a large stone archway decorated in noisy signs. Beyond the entrance he found a wide sidewalk that met a curved, busy street. Taxis and transports of all sizes dropped off or picked up consciousnesses here—it reminded Deon of the dragon landing platforms in Fantasy Country, but for ground vehicles.

They walked off to the side and stood in wait, checking around carefully for Kotono and Hiroko, but not so obviously that it would raise suspicion.

“Seems like the wrong kind of place for celebrities to sneak out,” Deon noted.

“It’s the fastest way to get a transport before anyone catches on,” said Skrili. “And I’m sure Kotono and Hiroko have a thought-out way to go undetected—”

“Psst! You got…the ‘stuff?’” came a feathery voice.

The consciousnesses turned to find Kotono and Hiroko—or rather, hunched, hooded versions of them. Despite their black hooded sweatshirts, big sunglasses, and unmarked travel bags, Deon immediately recognized them.

Kotono slyly removed her sunglasses. “D—don’t worry, guys. It’s us!” she assured in a hush.

Deon facepalmed, and Skrili looked around guardedly.

“We know,” said Phillip.

“See? I tried telling her the ‘fake drug dealers’ disguise never works,” Hiroko grumbled. “Come on, we’ll have to move fast.”

Hiroko took a step towards the end of the sidewalk, but Skrili stepped out first.

“Uh…maybe I should get the taxi…” she suggested.

The rest watched on while Skrili hurried over to seek out an available driver. Her lesser fame, thankfully, allowed her to search undeterred as she neared the vehicles.

Deon smirked: if he’d been the one with the terrible disguise, she probably would have reprimanded him, and rightly so. Clearly, being Skrili’s idols got Hiroko and Kotono off the hook.

After a moment, Skrili turned and observed some of the grass at the very end of the sidewalk. Something caught her eye, and she headed over to the taxi nearest to it. Following a quick discussion through the window, she opened her TeamTrack.

Everyone’s TeamTracks vibrated:

“Let’s go.”

The rest of the group shuffled their way over. Kotono and Hiroko stayed between Deon and Phillip, probably a habitual response to walking in crowds with their bodyguards. Phillip peered around several times.

“I think we’re clear,” he muttered.

They joined Skrili at the taxi. It was a slick black vehicle, and unlike the rusty, faded blue one Deon and Skrili had traveled in last time, this one had a fresh sheen. Deon didn’t have to be familiar with cars to know it was brand new.

Something in the grass by the edge of the sidewalk caught Deon’s eye: a few white, flowing pedals, just across from the taxi.

Omniflowers, he remembered. Nice catch, Skrili.

The driver’s door opened, and out came the exact same man who had taken them to Nightwood Valley.

“Hey—Whoa, wait a second! How many of you are there?” he asked. “I thought it was just gonna be you and the boyfriend again!”

Hiroko checked behind them hastily. “We’ll pay extra,” she insisted.

“But I’m not sure if I can fit five people in here without…ah, whatever,” he conceded, reading their eager faces. “At least you’re not runaway killers, or nothin’. You wouldn’t believe it: few days back, I accidentally helped a wanted princess escape. They even got my trusty old car totaled! But eh—forget you heard that.”

Shaking his head and grumbling to himself about paying the new car off, he made his way back into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

The five fighters exchanged lightning-fast glances.

“Uh…yeah…good thing we have nothing to do with that,” Deon laughed nervously.

“Uh-oh.”

It had come from Kotono: she was staring at her TeamTrack, wide-eyed.

“Hiroko,” she said hastily. “W—w—we uh…really need to go!”

“They’re onto us?” Hiroko shot.

Kotono nodded rapidly.

“Are they close?”

“Ms. Inoue!!! Ms. Hamasaki!!! WAIT!!!”

Bursting from the conference entrance, an entire flock of massive men in black came stampeding onto the sidewalk. A few of them shoved bystanders out of their way.

Hiroko dove to the taxi’s back door and swung it open.

“GO! GO! GO!”

Phillip shoved Deon forward, and he wasted no time diving straight into the back. Skrili and Phillip immediately followed.

“Wait, hold up! What’s going on here?!” the driver demanded fearfully.

Hiroko lifted Kotono off her feet and pounced in with her, closing the door.

Within a moment, they were all crammed on each other in the back.

“DRIVE!!” Hiroko shouted.

“Hold on—what are you running from?! I’m not getting caught up in any more dangerous—”

“WE’LL PAY OFF YOUR CAR!!! GO!!!!”

“Oh, for the love of…” the driver grunted, slamming his foot down and barreling the taxi forward with a screech.

As he sped down the road, everyone attempted to shift into more reasonable positions. Eventually, Skrili had to settle with Deon’s lap, while Kotono moved to Hiroko’s, and Phillip sat stuffed in the middle.

It was far from comfortable, but that was the least of their concerns.

Deon noticed the driver eyeing him through the mirror.

“Hey…you look kinda like that kid who was with the princess…” he uttered. “Aw, no…please, no…”

Deon gulped.

“Alright, what the heck is going on here?! I’m not getting caught up in whatever mess this is!” he roared. “Give me one reason not to stop this taxi and kick you all out right now!”

“Because…” started Kotono. Again, she removed her sunglasses dramatically. “I—I’m Kotono Inoue!”

“You’re famous. So what? I’m not going to jail!”

“So it means she can beat you up, and we can just drive your car ourselves,” Hiroko told him darkly.

It even scared Deon a bit, and she was on his side.

“I probably won’t, though…I—I’m scared of violence,” Kotono clarified kindly.

Again, Deon slapped his face, as did the rest of the bunch.

“Listen man,” Deon tried. “We’re just trying to save the people we love.”

The driver kept glancing at them through the mirror as he sped along, not yet offering a response. He looked past them, too, fear setting in.

“They’re behind us,” said Skrili.

Deon couldn’t turn to look with her on his lap, but her eyes locked onto something in the distance: the same view as the driver.

“What’s with ridiculously fast dudes chasing me on foot these days?!” the driver lamented.

“They were hired because they’re the best,” Hiroko replied. “You’ll have to punch it.”

At first, they didn’t speed up. Deon figured the driver had given up.

But then he let out the longest sigh—uneven and uncertain.

“Why does this keep happening to me?” he grumbled. “Fantasy Country border, was it?”

They all fell back against the seat a bit as the engine revved up, and the driver forced the taxi forward full-speed down the long, straight road.

The Conscious Conference, and the desperate bodyguards, disappeared behind them as they sped off to start their rescue.