I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 38 The Council

Everyone is enjoying themselves in the living room and Rayna is making fast friends with everyone. Which is good, because I'm sure she's now apart of our group.

I let everyone get to know Rayna and went to my room to get myself into a fresher tunic. I was changed when Rayna soon followed me.

Rayna: "Oh, this is your room? It's pretty small, don't you think?"

Steven: "Well, we can't be too picky. It wouldn't be too bad if the bathroom wasn't a separate building."

Rayna: "If you're looking, you're always welcome to sleep with me at the tower."

Steven: "Sure, that sounds like fun."

Rayna: "Oh, you'll love it! It's a beautiful tower!"

I should check the place out when I get the chance. I've been a hermit since I woke up. It's just too d.a.m.n cold to do anything. When we left the room, the girls had welcomed Hugo in who had been sent to retrieve Rayna and I.

Hugo: "Steven Omeo and Mei Klein, your presence has been requested."

Rayna: "By who?"

Hugo: "Master Isaac."

I look around at everyone and they seemed as clueless as I was. Young Mi was the first to step up.

Young Mi: "I'll keep an eye on everyone."

Steven: "Alright, we'll come back as soon as possible."

We went out to the cold winds of Sefre and went to the center of the isle where Mageia Tower stood. The tower was indeed impressive, being at least 11 stories at 310 feet tall, I stood at the center of all of Twilight. The tower appeared Gothic, with it's liberal use of flying b.u.t.tresses, and extensive stained gla.s.s. There were even statues of the original 4 members on each corner that made up the legendary "Twilight Squadron."

Steven: "This is Mageia Tower?"

Rayna: "Yeah, this is where all the important things are centered. Sefre is kind of like the capital of Twilight."

Steven: "And Mageia Tower is the workplace and residence of Isaac?"

Hugo: "Oh, yeah, you got it down pretty well."

I'm not sure how things work here, but there isn't many people around. For a capital, it's pretty isolated. I'd want to live on the capital just so I can tell people I do. So, why isn't there more people?

Steven: "Doesn't it get lonely to have a large building with so few people?"

Hugo: "Not to worry, Sir Omeo, I also reside here along with a select few other members of the legislature. There's 10 total people that work or live here."

That's not very much to begin with.

Steven: "Legislature? What are you, a democracy?"

Hugo: "We're a republic. Every island on Twilight has 2 senators to represent them and this is where they commune and debate for major issues."

Is Twilight a secret society or a country? I a.s.sumed the latter when I found out that the population of everyone in Twilight was just under 19,000 people, with Sefre having 31 permanent residents. Some of them live in nearby cabins like us.

The inside of the tower seemed pretty cramped. The first floor is the most s.p.a.cious one with it being like a reception area for anyone trying to enter, like us. We had to go to the back of the tower to use a spiral staircase that covers all the floors. It just really seems dangerous that there's only a single one, even if everything is mostly stone, what if a fire breaks out?

The second and third floors were the most commonly used, being the clinic and small grocery store respectively. The store held meats as it had a working freezer using Ice magic, the first of it's kind I've ever seen before, so I was honestly impressed.

Normally, meats were preserved through salting, spicing, smoking, pickling or drying.

Fourth and fifth floors were the cafeteria and storage area. Nothing was interesting about them apart from the odd servant that was cleaning it by himself.

The sixth floor was a courthouse, used to solve issues between the people on Sefre, should there even be any. For a small island, they really covered all their bases here.

Hugo: "This is the council chambers."

We kept climbing until we reached the seventh floor, the council chambers. This was a large conference looking room. There was an oval stone table with enough seats for at least 14 people. There was already a small group and Isaac was standing tall at a podium overlooking the room and table.

Isaac: "You're both here. Where's the female human?"

Hugo: "Madelyn? I was not aware that she was attending as well."

Isaac: "Well, it doesn't matter, we can't stall any further."

Steven: "Yeah, what is going on?"

Isaac: "Debate, I told you I'd speak to the council about your family."

Senator #2: "Are we ready to proceed?"

I sit down near the corner of the room with Hugo and Rayna. We were pretty much observing the meeting unless we were going to be asked specific questions.

Isaac: "Only 8 senators? Where are the others?"

Senator #1: "Their presence has been hindered. Apparently, some of the flood walls had collapsed on the islands of Ley, Lison, and Wuling."

Isaac: "Then all senators that wish to proceed, say "I."

All the senators simultaneously say "I".

Isaac: "Now, the issue that is presented to us is due to the humans Steven Omeo, Madelyn King, and our resident time-traveler Mei Klein."

Senator #6: "The heiress of Hei'an Zhi Guo?"

Isaac: "Indeed, the heiress. For convenience, she adopted the name Rayna Ifearnan."

Senator #5: "What is the issue that is being brought to us?"

Isaac: "Our first one is of morals and ethics. Steven Omeo has a family in the city of Everhand."

Senator #2: "What kind of family?"

Isaac: "Is that a necessary question?"

Senator #2: "Yes."

Isaac looks at me and motions for me to stand. I did so nervously and responded to the senators.

Steven: "Kanna Hisakawa is my master, we've done a contracting ceremony."

Senator #1: "Sounds like a Nekomata."

Senator #6: "We're supposed to uphold a contract?"

Senator #8: "Anyone who discovers the archipelago of Twilight is offered immediate citizens.h.i.+p."

Senator #1: "None of our laws concern humans. We should be flexible."

Senator #7: "Steven Omeo was brought back from the dead as a Wight and is protected by our laws. He is cla.s.sed as a Wight."

Senator #3: "Wights have the same rights as anyone on Twilight."

Senator #8: "Him being a Wight should be irrelevant. Our issue at hand is him having the desire to leave Twilight."

Senator #1: "n.o.body is forced to stay, if you want to leave, then you leave."

Senator #3: "You mean exile?"

Senator #4: "He shouldn't be exiled. There's no doubt that a human is very special to this world, Wight or not. So far, we've only known 2 and they're here on Sefre."

Senator #7: "The man's done a contracting ceremony."

Senator #4: "So we've been informed."

Senator #3: "What are you trying to say?"

Senator #7: "I'm saying that: by law, if the ceremony remained voluntary, we're supposed to uphold that contract. So far, only 1 person has been exiled because they wished to leave Twilight and that was over a century ago. We can't base our laws on a single event."

Senator #5: "Anyone that steps foot on Twilight is given citizens.h.i.+p. We're supposed to uphold a contract, but n.o.body is allowed to leave Twilight without being expelled."

Senator #6: "Wights especially aren't allowed to leave the archipelago. Their presence can disturb others."

It seemed that the senators have put themselves at an impa.s.se.

Hugo: "It's seems you've been put in quite a bind, Sir Omeo."

Isaac: "On an "aye" or "nay," should we allow Steven Omeo to leave the island without facing expulsion?"

Why is my fate being handled by a group of strangers? I don't care what they do, I'm going to Everhand whether they want me to or not! The council is even split in half on what to do with me.

Rayna: "Are you alright?"

Steven: "I'm just nervous, Rayna."

Rayna: "Oh, darling."

Hugo: "You're allowed to step outside, if you need to."

Steven: "Yes, I could use a moment to think."

Rayna: "Well, follow me."

She led me up another flight of stairs into the eight floor, which were rooms for the select members of the legislature, like the ninth floor. Rayna apparently has one of the 8 rooms across the 2 floors and enter it.

Steven: "Oh, nice room. It's like a studio."

Rayna: "Yeah, but, sorry about the mess."

It's small and cozy and looks nice if I can get past the stained gla.s.s making the room look like a disco. A tiny kitchen if I can call it that and a small bathroom. The living area was the biggest room in here and that alone wasn't very big.

Steven: "How long have you been living here?"

Rayna: "Almost a week now."

So, she probably woke up as a Wight at the same time I did. Rayna has a couple of her outfits strewn around the room and her bed is unmade. How could a room get so messy so quick?

I didn't try to think on it too much on it and sat down on the bed. What I didn't expect to see was her underwear right next to me.

Steven: "I never would've saw you as the type to wear a garter belt."

Rayna: "I'm wearing one right now."

She moves her clothes and drops them near another duffle filled with more of her clothes. She makes a s.p.a.ce next to me and sits,

Rayna: "Do you really love her? This "Kanna" girl?"

Steven: "I—do, she pulled me off the ground and helped me. Twilight is just another obstacle on my way back."

Rayna: "So, you're going to forget about me? You'll be far away… from me."

Steven: "That's not true at all, you're my wife."

I near instantly covered my mouth. It just slipped out of my mind, like I wasn't thinking before speaking. My memories are getting jumbled up. I looked to Rayna, believing I had offended her but she was smiling and blus.h.i.+ng.

Steven: "…oh…"

Rayna: "Oh dear… I wasn't expecting you to say those words."

Steven: "No, I—what I meant—nevermind."

I sighed.

There really wasn't a way for me to take back what I said without hurting Rayna.

Steven: "What I'm saying—we're both going to be members of Twilight, right?"

Rayna: "Yes, what does that have to do with anything?"

Steven: "I'll be visiting."

Rayna: "You will?"

Steven: "Of course I will."

If it's even possible…

Rayna: "Steven?"

Steven: "Though, it's a bit terrifying. They could say no and I'll probably still leave, never having the chance to see everyone again."

Rayna caresses my cheek.

Rayna: "Don't be, we'll be our greatest when we overcome our fears. I'll be with you wherever you go."

Steven: "Aren't you the motivational speaker?"

Rayna: "You know, when I'm stressed, a ma.s.sage always helped me unwind."

Steven: "So, you want to give me a ma.s.sage?"

Rayna: "Precisely, remove your tunic and lay down."

Well, she didn't seem to have any ill intent.

After obliging, Rayna uses water magic as a subst.i.tute for a lubricant and glides her hand gently across my back. I could feel my body warming up and relaxing to her touch.

Steven: "Mm~ ahaha~ this actually feels good."

Rayna: "You body is tense."

Her fingers start to dig deep into my body. I was receiving the harmonious touch of the heavens from a half-Demon of all people. Her fingers flew across my back, loosening up my muscles and easing any knots.

Steven: "You're amazing~"

Rayna: "I know I am, thank you."

After she finishes, I get up to my body feeling relaxed. Rayna took pride in her work and was content with me being satisfied with the ma.s.sage.

Rayna: "How do you feel?"

Steven: "Like new!"

Rayna: "Would you like to return to the council chambers?"

Steven: "Actually, do you want to talk for a bit?"

Rayna: "I'd love to, what do you want to know?"

Steven: "Well, how did you time travel? Did you really do it just for me?"

Rayna: "My sister taught me. I wanted to make things right, try to… protect you… I guess I can't even protect myself."

She looks down and shows me the scar where she was fatally stabbed. It was smaller than mine but, then again, she was stabbed, not fillet like I was. It really must've hurt for her.

Steven: "I'm here, and I'm talking to you."

Rayna: "You still died."

Steven: "I know for a fact that there are fates worse than death. Thank you, for preventing that."

Rayna: "But…"

Steven: "No… you can't keep looking back on the past or you won't see where you're going."

I grabbed Rayna's hands and picked her up off the bed.

Steven: "We're going back. Understood? No more regrets. No more fantasizing about what could've been. We live in today, and dream about our futures."

She smiles slightly and nods. I lead the way back downstairs into the council chambers and found my seat next to Hugo again, who happened to be just spectating the meeting.

Hugo: "Oh, welcome back. The council have settled your issue. They're moving onto Rayna's."

Rayna: "You don't have to stay, Steven. You can go back to your friends."

Steven: "I'll stay."

It felt like the right thing to do considering she stayed with me. And the fact that I don't know what they're going to do with me. Hugo's role wasn't very important, so he started taking shots of liquor. He offered the both of us a shot gla.s.s, which, well…

Anything to calm the nerves; we both took him up on it.

Isaac: "And so our second issue is about Mei Klein. She's our time traveler."

The senators bunch up together and start whispering to each other. It looked like Rayna would be in more of a hole than I was, until one of the senators spoke up.

Senator #1: "That shouldn't be an issue."

Senator #3: "There's nothing we can do. If we try to fix the time, G.o.d knows what more we can unintentionally change."

Senator #6: "Her knowledge in magic could be beneficial. It's not everyday someone is powerful enough to change the course of time."

Senator #4: "Not an issue if she joins Twilight as a Loremaster."

Senator #5: "We just keep an eye on her. She probably knows more than she leads on."

Loremaster? I've heard that word tossed around, and I know Hugo is one, but what do they do?

Steven: "Hey, what's a Loremaster?"

Rayna: "A wise person with knowledge of rare magic."

I'm not sure if it's wise to be taking shots in the back of a council meeting.

Isaac: "She can only voluntarily join Twilight, then she can be a Loremaster. Senators that approve of this motion, say "I."

As if it were a miracle, every senator said "I."

Rayna: "Did you hear that, Steven?"

Steven: "You got off luckier than me."

Rayna: "Don't be such a downer. We did it without getting into too much trouble."

Yeah, but what about me? I'm starting to feel like I was glossed over!

Isaac: "That went over smoothly, if you ask me."

Steven: "My fate is still unclear over here."

Isaac: "Yes, I know… they see that forcing you to stay against your will is not what Twilight was founded for, but they don't want to lose you, either."

Hugo: "I'm a.s.suming there's a legal loophole?"

Steven: "I remember you said joining Twilight would have the advantage of traveling the world."

It's starting to seem like we were lied to. I do enjoy the sweet tune offered by Twilight, but it could be just a house built on lies and deceit. I'm going to have to be very careful from here on out.

Isaac: "Our First Marines, they travel under our direction. Though, none of them have a family outside of Twilight to our knowledge."

Steven: "Are they like your military?"

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Isaac: "Don't be ridiculous, we only need a self-defense force. They're mission is to preserve the intellectual and moral objectives of Twilight. And, as chance would have it, traveling the world is a way to uphold that mission."

Hugo: "Well, we can always reactivate Twilight Squadron."

Isaac: "I want to hear you say that when you're not under the influence, Loremaster."