Ultimus Stat- World Trigger

The dining room was dimly lit, casting a soft, ambient glow over the space. The interior showcased traditional Japanese design elements, such as tatami mats and shoji screens, seamlessly integrated with subtle touches of modernism. Dark wooden beams lined the ceiling, complementing the polished wooden floor. A sleek, modern dining table, higher than the traditional low tables, stood in the center of the room, surrounded by stylish chairs with clean lines and comfortable cushions. Minimalist artwork adorned the walls, featuring delicate brushstrokes of calligraphy and nature scenes. In one corner, a modern refrigerator with a stainless steel finish stood, blending functionality with the room's elegant aesthetic. Modern elements, like sleek, unobtrusive lighting fixtures and a few contemporary decor pieces, blended harmoniously with the classic Japanese aesthetic, creating a serene and sophisticated atmosphere. But no matter the aesthetic, what really captivated the picture were the people. 

"so, how was your first day at work?" Tatsumi Kage asks his wife, Shoko Kage. Shoko contemplated the question of her husband as she was setting up the table for dinner.

" It was a much-needed break. I like running the business, and I know that Takumi is at least awake and well." her husband hummed in agreement. Ding! The timer of the rice cooker alerted Tatsumi of the rice being done. Opening the cooker he saw the steam radiate off the rice as the smell started to cover the hybrid kitchen/dining room.

" Ok, the rice is done, here Honey tastes the curry and tell me what you think." Tatsumi rushed to the curry and used a serving spoon to scoop up a little for his wife to taste. Holding the spoon for his wife she tasted and hummed. 

" perfect as always." she smiled at her man sharing a quick kiss.

" But I'm glad you enjoyed today, it's good that things are returning to normal." Tatsumi says. 

" Normal" Shoko scoffed at herself. Her mind drifted to Takumi, her one and only son and how a monster called a neighbor robbed Takumi of Normalcy.

Wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't notice her husband wrapping her in his embrace from behind. " Shoko, eventually everything will go back to normal." he whispered, taking her out of her thoughts. " Even Takumi, we just need to be patient and supportive." Tatsumi finished. Shoko grasped Tatsumi's hand from her waist. She turns and faces her husband " your right." 

" Aren't I always?" Tatsumi responded with A playful smile.

Shoko pointed a finger but she couldn't help but let a chuckle escape her lips. "don't push it" she says

They both laughed, their eyes softening as they gazed at each other, finding comfort in each other.

"Dad, Mom, we're home!" Their two daughters' voices broke the moment, bringing them back to the present. 

"Hey, we're in the kitchen. Dinner's almost ready. Go take a shower before you touch the table," Shoko called out as her daughters walked in.

Aiko nodded and headed straight upstairs, but Miyu had other plans. She ran straight into her father's arms.

"Daddy!" she shouted, leaping into his embrace, both of them beaming.

"Hey, my little plum! How was your day?" Tatsumi asked, his smile mirroring hers. Before Miyu could start her enthusiastic recounting, Shoko intervened.

"Miyu, didn't I say to shower?" Shoko's tone was firm but gentle.

"Yes," Miyu replied, her voice tinged with a hint of trepidation as she glanced at her mother.

"So?" Shoko's gaze was steady, but Miyu stood her ground.

"But Mom, I'm not even sweaty. Can't it wait? Please?" Miyu pleaded, deploying her best puppy-dog eyes.

Shoko stared at her daughter, unmoved. "You know those don't work on me. And you've been outside all day. You're covered in dirt. Go on, now."

Miyu hung her head in defeat, letting out a dejected "Okay."

"We have dango for dessert, so you better hurry up before we eat it all," Shoko added with a knowing smile. Miyu's eyes lit up like fireworks.

"Really." she exclaimed, more of a statement than a question. Shoko nodded, and Miyu bolted upstairs to shower.

"Y'know, we don't actually have any dango, right?" Tatsumi said, raising an eyebrow at his wife.

"Then I guess I should buy some," Shoko replied with a sly grin.

"Have you gone soft on me?" Tatsumi teased.

"Nah, just in a good mood. I'll be back before everyone's ready." Shoko grabbed her coat and left Tatsumi to set the table.

xxx

Shoko walked into the house with a bag of Dongo in hand. The aroma in the air caught her attention.

"I guess the table is set," Shoko says out loud. She walked into the dining room seeing her family seated, she took her seat at the end of the table across from her husband.

" Hey mom, do I have to eat my vegetables to get dongo." Miyu asked, but a scoff came from her sister.

" I thought you banned dongo, don't tell me you went soft on me tyrant." Smirk crossed Aiko's face. Her father burst into laughter, " I literally asked the same thing." he said once his laughter died down. 

" shut the hell up you two!" Shoko shouted but the rest of the table erupted into laughter. She eventually gave in and joined in the laughter. The excitement died down and the kage family dug into their meal.

" So how's tennis practice Aiko, is coach Okuma running you through the ringer." Tatsumi asked his daughter.

" Well not me specifically, my conditioning is way too good to be put through the ring but the incoming freshmen, yeah." Aiko says with this plastic smirk as she stares at her plate of food as if she is looking for something.

" That's good, how bout you miyu, how was your day." Shoko asked. Miyu starts to go on this rant about her day. Her best friend kana, art class and gymnastics practice.

" It seems we have two athletes in the family." Tatsumi said, smiling at his little girl.

" Hey mom how Takumi." Aiko blurted out. A silent tension hung

 over the room once Takumi's name was brought up.

" Sorry, I just heard that he woke up. I just-" Aiko frantically tried to explain but ended up just letting out a sigh of defeat.

" I just miss him." Aiko said while playing with her food, not paying attention to the atmosphere she created with her words. The mother looked at her husband and gave a silent nod to each other and Shoko let out a sigh.

" Look, Takumi has woken up, but he's different than before he's-" she couldn't finish her sentence stuck up on her words, But her husband took over.

" He lost his memories. He doesn't remember his life before the incident." Before Tatsumi could continue his older daughter cut him off.

" So like, he has relearn everything like words and stuff." Aiko asks with panic and a hint of regret. But Tatsumi raised his hand in response to quiet his daughter.

" Not at all the basic functions of life he understands, such as math, the language, and how to socialize. Even though Takumi wasn't so social to begin with." Tatsumi let out a little chuckle but no one was laughing. In his awkwardness he cleared his throat. "But other than that he is fine, he is going through physical therapy at the moment. Since he hasn't moved his body in 6 months." Tastumi answered.

" So…how Yuyu doing?" Miyu with her every perky self asked and her father just waiver a hand at her mother.

" Well, I've been seeing Takumi almost every day. And he has lost all memories of us and who he is." Shoko's eyes soften as she looks upon her family.

" It's been a process. You can even say that Takumi is a different person now. But he is still Takumi. A little grumpier, yes but Takumi nonetheless."

" So when can we see him?" Miyu perked up.

" Um, well, this whole process has been underwhelming for him too. He would only like to see me for now. He's clearly struggling with this whole thing, losing his whole memories and all. He just needs time to adjust, best not to overwhelm him." Shoko finished. Seeing his daughter ask another question he cut in.

" That's enough of a question for one night, let's enjoy dinner." Tatsumi intervenes.

So the kage family finishes their food and the girls head to bed while the husband and wife stay to clean.

"A cigarette, huh? I was wondering why you were so quiet," Tatsumi said with a smirk, his hands still wet from washing the dishes.

"Oh, shut up. I've been smoking for months now, so don't patronize me," Shoko shot back, her tone sharp, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

"Yeah, I know. Figured it was helping you get through things, so I kept my mouth shut. But just so you know, the smell lingers when you kiss me." Tatsumi grinned, unable to resist teasing her.

They both shared a chuckle, the moment light but fleeting.

Silence soon settled between them again. The only sounds were Tatsumi cleaning the dishes and Shoko tapping the ashtray, the cigarette burning down slowly between her fingers.

"So, what's really bothering you?" Tatsumi finally asked, breaking the quiet.

Shoko opened her mouth to respond but hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She was worried about Takumi, the weight of her concern making her feel anxious and restless. But she didn't want to ruin the mood. Tatsumi had been her rock these past few months, always steady and supportive. She didn't want to add to his burden, especially not tonight, when things finally felt calm, even if only for a moment.

Instead, she walked over to him, gently wrapping her arms around his waist. She leaned in and kissed him softly, letting the kiss linger just long enough.

"Let's go upstairs," Shoko whispered with a smirk, her eyes glinting as she looked up at him.

Tatsumi gave her a knowing smile and nodded, turning off the tap. They embraced, holding each other close as they headed upstairs, leaving the worries of the night behind them, at least for now.

xxx

Takumi, who seems sound asleep, his posture rigid, lay amidst a sea of lush, emerald grass that seemed to stretch endlessly in every direction. A gentle breeze whispered through the blades, carrying with it the scent of wildflowers and earth. Sunset hues of orange, red and purple filtered through the clouds, casting a warm glow over the scene.

Takumi's eyes didn't flutter open slowly, but in one motion he awoke. The world around him is coming into focus like a painting. He took in his surroundings and blinked against the brightness, raising a hand to shield his eyes. As he sat up, he felt the cool, tickling sensation of the grass against his skin, grounding him in this surreal moment. 

"Euphemia." the word rang out in the open air. Said by a boy no more than 14, his dark almond skin and honey-eye glisten in soft sunlight that kissed his skin. The light breeze ruffling his locs displaying the bag under his eyes, the weight they carried was heavy. Those same eyes were directed at an individual the same age as him, a girl.

" How'd ya know?" Her voice is serine, and elegant with a tint of sadness. She had her knees to her chest, her arm wrapping around herself tightly, her head laying on her arms. The boy didn't need to turn to know her eyes were on him.

" I sensed someone, and you are the only person that would be looking for me." The boy said, laying back down and closing his eyes, trying to lose himself in the grass. The girl chuckled, her laugh haunty and shallow.

"I guess that's true," she responded, but her eyes told a different story. To the casual observer, they might seem soft, but a closer look revealed a sharpness as if she were analyzing the boy in front of her. Silence fell before them, nothing but the wind singing.

"You still don't trust me," she said, catching the boy fidgeting. He opened his eyes and looked up at the late evening sky, painted with beautiful hues of orange, purple, and blue.

"How'd you know?" His voice was steady but with a cut of sarcasm in it .

"You can't relax; you're on edge. Are you scared?" she asked, amusement dancing in her tone. The boy's brow tightened, and his eyes sharpened.

"Don't patronize me. I know exactly why I'm here. You chose me because I'm the perfect pawn. No family, no wealth—a nameless orphan, desperate and easy to control. Strong enough to fight, but expendable when I fail. So don't pretend you understand me, because you don't. Don't let these past few weeks deceive you into thinking otherwise."

His voice was steady, but the weight of his words hung heavy in the air, unshakable in their defiance.

Euhpiema dusted off her skirt and stood up. She walked down the hill, each step steady and patient, unhurried. When she stopped in front of the boy, he looked at her for the first time since waking up, and his breath caught.

Her flawless almond skin glowed with a soft smile, revealing a glimpse of her pearly whites. Her emerald eyes sparkled, perfectly complementing her hot pink hair that cascaded down her face and back.

" Aiger I won't deny those are the reasons why I've invested in you. But don't take me to be so fickle." Her smile carried heavy as she spoke.

"By now, your eyes must have seen the truth: in this world, power is the only currency that matters. Whether it takes the form of strength, wealth, fame, information, or influence—power is power, no matter its shape. The sole reason I bear the surname Ekleipsis is because I stand as a candidate for chancellor. But I have no allies, no formal training. They expect me to be nothing more than a puppet—a showpiece for their amusement. Yet, I will seize this chance and with it and claim it; Claim true power."

Euphemia's eyes blazed with unshakable resolve as her hand touched the emblem of a half sun resting over her heart. Every word she spoke radiated purpose.

"I am without the backing of any official faction. That is why I need those who will stand by me, utterly devoted. I must find allies who will support not just my candidacy, but my vision. And I believe in you, Aiger—more than you could ever know. Become the first of my keepers."

With that, Euphemia turned, her hair catching in the wind as she extended her hand to Aiger, her presence commanding as if the world itself awaited her rise.

Aiger couldn't help but stare at the girl in front of him. A keeper, the chancellor's personal force. He wanted to play it off as if she was just saying anything. But her eyes seemed genuine like she truly believed the words she spoke. He couldn't help but scoff at her words.

" A Keeper? you sure dream big princess, but sure let's pretend for a bit" Aiger professed but he gripped her hand and Euphima pulled him up. He knelt down in front of Euhpiemia.

"I, Aiger, will support and protect your claim to the throne, Chancellor Euphemia," Aiger declared. His words carried a hint of skepticism, as though her dream was a distant fantasy, but deep down, he desperately wanted to believe in it.

"Are you really going to protect me, Aiger? Or is it Takumi now?" Her voice rang out, and suddenly, the grassy field transformed into marble floors, the dazzling sun giving way to a towering ceiling of stone and glass.

"What?" Aiger's face contorted in confusion. He looked up, expecting to find Euphemia, but instead, he saw someone different—someone older.

Her hair, once straight, now cascaded into thick curls. She was no longer a child but a woman, adorned in the robe of the Chancellor. But her eyes were pitch black and hollowed.

Aiger took a step back, his heart pounding as he tried to make sense of the transformation before him. The vibrant innocence that once defined Euphemia had vanished, replaced by a sternness that sent a chill down his spine.

"Euphemia... what happened to you?" His voice was barely a whisper, the disbelief in his tone unmistakable.

"I'm dead, you idiot. Our world was destroyed, and your what's left," Euphemia hissed as she stepped closer to Aiger, her eyes cold and devoid of life. Her hand moved with unsettling ease, sliding around his neck like a vice.

"And you, Takumi now, is it?" she whispered wickedly, her grip tightening just enough to send a shiver down his spine.

"No! I'm Aiger! Aiger Concella—the name you gave me!" Aiger declared, his voice trembling with a mix of defiance and desperation.

Euphemia's expression remained unchanged, her eyes narrowing as she studied him. "I'm sorry," Aiger continued, his voice breaking. "I couldn't have known. There was no way I could have taken them on. I would've done anything to save zebc, you know that, right?"

Euphemia's lips curled into a twisted smile, and she began to sing softly, almost mockingly, "Aiger, Aiger, Aiger… my sweet little toy." Her voice dripped with malice as she trailed a finger down his cheek, her long nail drawing a thin line of blood.

"All that time and money, so much I invested into you," she crooned, her tone shifting from sweet to venomous, "and you turned out to be such a failure. You failed to protect me, you failed to die with me, you failed to love me… a failure in every sense."

Aiger's heart clenched at her words, the weight of his guilt pressing down on him like a suffocating fog. He wanted to argue, to beg for forgiveness, but the truth of her accusations cut too deep. He had failed—failed her, failed their world, failed himself.

But as he looked into her hollow eyes, he realized that this wasn't the Euphemia he had loved and sworn to protect. This was a twisted echo of his own self-loathing, a manifestation of the guilt and anger he couldn't escape. The real Euphemia was gone, and all that remained was his shattered memory of her.

Tears welled in his eyes as he whispered, "I'm sorry… I'm so sorry."

Euphemia's grip loosened, but the coldness in her gaze never wavered. "Sorry doesn't change the past, Aiger. Lance, Karume, Hazel, Blu, Blaire, me—sorry doesn't bring back the dead. Accept it: everywhere you go, you leave a trail of bodies." She paused, humming as if in thought. "What was your childhood friend's name? You told me once…"

She smiled wickedly as the name came to her. "Oh, lily. Did she smile when she died too or your crew? Do you even remember their faces anymore?" Euphemia's sharp nails dug into Aiger's throat, the pain sharp and searing.

That was the final straw. Something inside Aiger snapped, the weight of her words crushing the last vestiges of his composure.

"Stop!" he yelled, his voice raw with emotion, the word tearing through the tension.

Aiger jolted awake, his heart racing as his eyes snapped open. He was drenched in cold sweat, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. The darkness of his room was a stark contrast to the vivid nightmare that had just consumed him. He sat up quickly, wiping the sweat from his brow, trying to steady his pounding heart. But no matter how much he tried, he couldn't shake the haunting echo of Euphemia's voice—or the guilt that gripped his soul.

"Fuck!" Takumi yelled, his voice breaking as he screamed it again and again, until all that escaped his lips were whimpers. Tears streamed down his face, and he began to wail, unable to hold back the flood of emotions.

"I just need to check on a patient," Nurse Rumi said as she opened the door, only to find the young boy in the throes of despair. "Takumi?" she called softly, her voice filled with worry.

Takumi wiped at his tears, but they just kept flowing. He looked up at Nurse Rumi, his usual nonchalant demeanor shattered, leaving nothing but a boy who could no longer hold in the pain.

"They won't stop. I can't stop crying," he said, a hollow laugh escaping his lips, betraying the depth of his anguish.

Without a second thought, Nurse Rumi closed the door and sat on the bed beside him. She reached out, trying to wipe away his tears, her heart aching for him. "Everything's going to be okay," she whispered, but those words struck a nerve in Takumi. He slapped her hand away, his voice rising in anger.

"Okay? Nothing is okay! Everything I've ever known is gone! Everybody, everything! So don't say it's okay because it's not! It's fucking factually incorrect!" he yelled, his pain and frustration boiling over.

Nurse Rumi, momentarily at a loss for what to do, pulled him into a hug. Takumi tried to push her away, yelling, "Get off me!" But she held on, refusing to let go.

"Takumi, I can't bring back what you've lost. I'm useless in situations like this," she admitted, her voice soft yet firm. "But let me just give you this." She tightened her embrace, and slowly, Takumi began to melt into the warmth of her hold. His struggle to escape gave way to a somber acceptance.

"It's okay to cry, Takumi," she whispered, gripping the back of his head and pulling him closer. In that moment, something inside him broke, and the tears he'd been holding back for weeks flooded his face. For the first time since everything had fallen apart, he allowed himself to mourn—mourn for everyone, for everything he had lost.