Binary Soul

Act Nine - Trinity

> Kira PoV <

It’s been a week since Skittles helped us, but I still feel a bit off. Ever since that day I’ve been more in tune with my senses than ever before! That includes my sensitivity to the flow of mana. And that sensitivity is telling me that my mana is still being drained away, only at a much slower pace. Skittles kept saying there’s nothing to worry about and while she may be a titan, she’s not all-knowing.

“So, how am I?” (Kira)

So I asked for a second opinion - Nano’s! Someone who clearly knows way more about pregnancy and the human body than some deranged spider lady! I mean Nano is literally living inside Ellie, so that much is expected, right?! Okay, maybe ‘living’ is the wrong word to use here.

{Well, I have some good news and some bad news.}

“Bad news!?” (Kira)

I almost stand up from my bed in a panic, but-

“It’s okay Kira. I’m sure it’s something we can handle.” (Ellie)

-a soothing voice and gentle embrace from beside me instantly calm me down. I am so glad she’s here for me. It’s a good thing we’re in our bedroom again, that sort of outburst isn’t something I want to show people.

“Okay. Give me the bad news?” (Kira)

{It’s a bit too hard to explain. To begin with, it seems that the child is still growing at an accelerated rate, yet you’re showing very few signs of pregnancy.}

“What? Then what do you call this?!” (Kira)

I point at my bulging belly for emphasis. It’s gotten quite noticeable lately!

{Not what I meant. A woman’s body goes through many changes as the pregnancy progresses, yet yours has shown pretty much none of those!}

“Like what?” (Kira)

{Like morning sickness. That should be one of the first signs of being pregnant, yet in your case the first symptom you showed was when you collapsed in broad daylight!}

“Well… maybe it was because of the whole… no-soul situation?” (Kira)

{If it was just that, I might agree. However, there are many more symptoms you aren’t showing. Like how your breasts should be getting larger and more sensitive.}

“... And how do you know they aren’t?” (Kira)

{I, uh, have my sources.}

“Ellie!” (Kira)

Is that why she’s been fondling them so much recently?!

“Hmm?” (Ellie)

“Don’t talk to other people about that sort of thing! It’s really embarrassing!” (Kira)

“Nano isn’t a person, though?” (Ellie)

“... Oh. OH! No, you’re right. Sorry about that, Nano.” (Kira)

{It’s okay. It was simply necessary to ask.}

“Nano, I don’t think you told us what part of that is the bad news yet.” (Ellie)

{Right. What I was trying to say is I have no idea what’s going on with Kira or her baby. It’s completely outside my knowledge. So while I am certain Kira isn’t just imagining this mana draining sensation, I can’t say for sure what could be causing it.}

“So… you’re saying…” (Kira)

{In short, the bad news is we’re going to have to improvise.}

…

“And the good news?” (Kira)

{I’ve gotten pretty damn good at improvising lately.}

“Nano will find a way. If not, he will find a way to find the way!” (Ellie)

“Alright. So I assume you already have an idea. What is it?” (Kira)

I have to admit, Nano’s pretty good at piecing things together. We already dropped Draglael off at Ecebis, but we can still run his idea by Skittles, see what she thinks. I’m really glad she decided to stick around at least until the baby is born. We may need to rely on her yet again.

{Now, as I was saying, your body isn’t doing a lot of things it should be. One of those is demanding more food. I think that may be a hint at what’s really going on.}

“But I’m eating everything you gave me, right? Was it not enough?” (Kira)

Ever since I was bedridden Nano had been preparing my meals separately. While not literally ‘eating for two,’ my portions did seem to be slightly larger than normal.

{No, it was enough. I dare say it may even be a bit too much.}

“Then… that’s fine, isn’t it?” (Kira)

{It would be. If it were a human baby. I didn’t realize it at the time since there were no complications, but this baby is developing three times faster than normal! Shouldn’t it demand three times the nutrition? Turns out it doesn’t. That does not make sense. And whenever something doesn’t make sense to me, it involves magic.}

“What are you getting at?” (Kira)

{Think about it - Puff got an overdose of your mana while he was an egg and grew rapidly as a result. Not to mention the whole fire-breathing thing. And this child absorbed much more mana than that so far. Even if it was trying to 'fill the void' of being created without a soul, that amount of mana is not something that simply disappeared into nothingness. What I’m getting at, is that it’s possible it developed a taste for it.}

“So you’re telling me... my child is trying to eat my mana?” (Kira)

{Rather than trying to, I’d say it’s already eating it.}

“That... can’t happen. Something like ‘eating’ mana is impossible! Even I will admit to that!” (Kira)

{You told us there are slimes to the east that-}

“MY CHILD IS NOT A MONSTER!” (Kira)

I scream at the top of my lungs, ready to fly into a rage! But Ellie’s there to comfort me immediately… She strokes my cheek while whispering gently into my ear.

“It’s okay, Kira. You know Nano isn’t just being mean.” (Ellie)

She’s right. I know she is. But I still can’t accept it that easily.

“... I’m sorry, Ellie. I’m just scared. It’s been nagging at me for a while. I’m trying not to mind it, but Nano and Skittles both call our child things like ‘abnormal’ or ‘clearly not human.’” (Kira)

Such gloomy thoughts are unlike me, so I tried to ignore them. But… that’s little more than running away from the truth. The more I think about it, the more I hug my belly, tryint to shelter it.

“I’m worried, Ellie. I’m worried the world will shun our baby. That it won’t accept it… What if people one-sidedly decide it’s a monster and come after it? After US?!” (Kira)

“I see. Kira is desperate to protect our child from harm.” (Ellie)

“... Yes.” (Kira)

“But Kira, tell me. Do you know anyone who would do such a thing? Any one person that would dare get in the way of our happiness?” (Ellie)

“Well… no… Not specifically… But people talk. Rumors run out of control.” (Kira)

“So? Since when did anyone in this house ever pay attention to those?” (Ellie)

“But what about the people in the street! The masses as a whole!?” (Kira)

“They’re unrelated.” (Ellie)

“They are not! What if an angry mob suddenly barges into our home!? Or an assassin! Or we lure in some weird monster! Or maybe the whole country decides we’re a threat!?” (Kira)

“Kira. You’re selfishly overthinking things again.” (Ellie)

“... I am?” (Kira)

“Even if all those things come at us, do you think I would ever allow anyone to hurt my family?” (Ellie)

“No… But then you’ll-” (Kira)

“It’s not just me, you know. Nano, Kelly and Ariel will support us and our children no matter what happens. I know you may not fully trust the King or those titans, but please believe in the people around you. Even if the whole world becomes our enemy, I will find a way to protect our happiness.” (Ellie)

She wraps her arms around my shoulders and pulls me in afor a light, wet kiss. Then, with our foreheads touching, she stares deeply into my eyes and flashes me a smile that seems to washe away all my worries.

“Since I’m the wife.” (Ellie)

I feel my face heating up. I’m pretty sure I’m blushing right now. Ellie is not playing fair! Since when did she become this reliable?! There’s no way I can compete with that! She’s just way too perfect!

“Thanks, beautiful. I needed that.” (Kira)

“Any time, Kira. Besides, you forgot something very important.” (Ellie)

“What’s that?” (Kira)

“Don’t we already know a place that will accept our child with no questions asked?” (Ellie)

“Ah!” (Kira)

That’s right! We do know of one!

A bizarre place that can’t stop attracting trouble!

A noisy town where an Ancient Evil runs a cake shop!

A city that got pooped on by a passing dragon for no discernable reason!

An odd community that is more concerned with running out of booze than being invaded.

...

“Uhm, Ellie? That’s a bit...” (Kira)

“Yes, I realized it the moment I said it.” (Ellie)

“Let’s just call that Plan B for the moment.” (Kira)

“Agreed.” (Ellie)

Living there is fine, but it’s not a good place for raising children. I’m worried it’s already been a bad influence on Sophie and Lara. Their common sense has been getting a bit weird lately.

Yes. On second thought let’s not go to Runetap. It is a silly place.