I Woke Up In A Completely Different World! 11 Silence Is Golden

(The perspective is now back on Steven Omeo.)

----

Nathan: "Aye, that's about why I'm here in Everhand."

I was at a loss for words, I didn't think it would've been Lilith that destroyed the fort he was stationed in. If I didn't know how powerful she is, I do now. I'm going to need help if I want to stand a chance against her.

Livia: "We're sorry, we shouldn't have asked."

Nathan: "Don't worry, it's not a problem."

When I think about it, maybe Nathan can help? He is in the Army, and he did come all this way to find Lilith. I just need to convince him to help us.

Steven: "What about Lilith?"

Nathan: "What about her?"

Steven: "How do we stop her."

Nathan: "We? I'm sorry, but it's far too dangerous for you to be playing hero, kid."

Steven: "I'm not a kid."

Nathan: "What are you going to do then? Stop her?"

Steven: "Yes!"

Nathan: "You won't get any medals or recognition for it."

Steven: "That's fine, that won't help me sleep at night anyways."

Nathan sat quietly as he looked up at the clouded sky. No doubt thinking if I'm all talk. Oh well, Lilith has to be stopped one way or the other.

Nathan: "Huh, looks like the rain is coming soon."

Steven: "Look, we both know Lilith can't be stopped by one person."

Nathan: "She took on an army and got away, what makes it any different?"

Steven: "We'll be prepared this time."

He begins to stir his drink before taking a sip.

Nathan: "Fine, you can help. If you find anything, you know where to find me. I have to head back before it gets too dark, you two should do the same."

After he left, it was just me and Livia at the table, enjoying the peace of mind that came with the silence, finis.h.i.+ng our drinks. It was getting dark and I offered to take her home. It wasn't too far from where we were, just down the street. When we arrived, her home didn't look any different from the usual townhouse.

Steven: "You'll be alright?"

Livia: "Yeah, thank you."

Steven: "What about your parents? You don't need help explaining where you've been?"

Livia: "My dad's a researcher for the Navy, so I live here by myself mostly."

I always knew that her parents were smart, thinking them to be scientists, but to be researchers for the Navy? They're actually the real deal!

Livia: "Do you want to come inside?"

Steven: "If your fine with it.""

Her home wasn't too different either, just like every other town house I've seen. The living room had a fireplace with a couple family portraits on the mantle, a sofa, coffee table, a couple bookshelves. Though, it's a little messy, knowing how Livia keeps things clean.

Livia: "Sorry about the mess, I've been really busy and haven't had the time."

Steven: "I don't mind, take your time."

Looking at the portraits, there's only a man and a young looking Livia, she's smiling brightly. Something I've never seen her do. Well, considering the situation, it sort of makes sense for her not to smile. Besides, where's her mother? I want to ask, but that might be pus.h.i.+ng it. What if she pa.s.sed away?

Steven: "Hey Livia, how old are these portraits?"

Livia: "Those were painted 6 years ago, when I was 12."

Steven: "What about this other one?"

Livia: "10 years ago."

Steven: "Do you have any others?"

Livia: "No, I don't like having my portrait taken."

That's a shame, the portraits were really well made. I was about to head home when I looked outside as a light rain came down. Great, now I have to run home before it gets worse and I end up getting caught in it. I was about to head out when I was stopped by Livia.

Livia: "Wait, can I ask you for something?"

Steven: "What do you need?"

Livia: "Could you stay the night?"

Steven: "W-what?!"

Livia: "I meant that I frequently have nightmares, and I thought that if you were here, I'd be able to sleep."

It was an odd request coming from someone like Livia. So much in fact that I was fl.u.s.tered until she explained herself. It doesn't look like she's up to something. Though, I was planning on bathing after I head home and I don't have any other clothes to change into.

Steven: "I was planning on taking a bath when I get home."

Livia: "You can do that here, you can even borrow my dad's clothes to sleep in."

Steven: "He won't mind?"

Livia: "He doesn't have to know."

Steven: "No, of course not. Alright, I'll stay if it helps you sleep, but I still have to take that bath."

She guided me to the bathroom and handed me a towel that I could use. She even left the clothes I could borrow nearby, and with that, I began bathing. It was a good way for me to think back home and it still is now. Though, nothing comes to mind when I think of a solution for dealing with Lilith. Defeated, I looked around and noticed the caddy. It was full of different soaps and shampoos. I wonder what Livia uses, or what she even smells like. It's a bit weird, but she smelled like blood and sweat when I carried her. Oh well, it's not too important. I grabbed the closest one and used it to clean myself, changing into her father's clothes that she let me borrow after finis.h.i.+ng. After drying off, I went back towards Livia, who was sitting down reading, in gla.s.ses. They're just reading gla.s.ses, but every time she wears them, she looks different.

Livia: "What's wrong?"

By the looks of it, we were both going to sleep in the living room, there were two futons laid out on the floor. Something I haven't seen in a while, and they were s.p.a.ced a few feet from each other.

Steven: "Nothing, I just haven't seen a futon since I was on Feles Isle."

Livia: "Don't you live with Nekomatas?"

s.h.i.+t, I had forgotten about Kanna and Yuuna. I hope they're doing fine without me. They were devastated when they heard Mr. Hisakawa pa.s.sed away.

Steven: "Great."

Livia: "Sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Steven: "No, it's fine. I just forgot about them when Nathan was telling his story."

Livia: "Oh."

Yet again, silence filled the room as I hoped the girls would be fine. I should be really more careful and not forget about them next time.

Livia: "I'll go and take my bath now, I'll be right back."

She left, leaving me to look around. I was curious about what she was reading and picked the book up because it was face down. The t.i.tle of the book was "How To Make Friends." My G.o.d, I placed the book down where it was out of disbelief. I thought I misread it and picked it up several more times just to make sure. There's no way Livia has no friends, she's both smart and beautiful. h.e.l.l, she's even honest, hospitable, and kind. How can someone like her not have friends? She should be popular! Though, I can't help but feel bad. I ended up telling myself that if no one is going to be her friend, then I'll do it. I should get to know her better, besides, there are some questions I want to ask her that are important. It might be a while, so I looked at what kind of books are on the bookshelves. Philosophy books, several science books, encyclopedias covering several topics, like Magic, filled the shelves. Nothing like the one she was just reading. I decided that I saw enough and sat down by the futons, waiting for Livia to finish bathing.

Livia: "Steven, are you out there?"

Steven: "I'm right here."

At first, I thought she needed something until she came out, in pink pajamas. It's the first time I saw her out of the formal wear she's always in, but do they have to be long-sleeved? It tends to get hot at night, since there aren't any fans in this world.

Livia: "What do you think?"

Why is she blus.h.i.+ng?

Steven: "It looks great on you, but why are they long-sleeved? Don't you get hot at night?"

Livia: "No, it's not a problem for me."

Steven: "Do you like pink too?"

Livia: "It's my favorite color."

She moves over to the futon across from me and sits down. She notices the book and quickly hides it, I doubt she knows that I noticed it.

Livia: "Sorry."

Steven: "Can I ask you something?"

Now seemed like a good to ask her questions. I don't think I'd get another opportunity for a while if I don't.

Livia: "Sure, what is it?"

Steven: "How much do you know about me?"

Livia: "Only what the Headmaster told me, you were from Toku Village, anything before that, you were a ghost, we couldn't find anything on Los Angeles either."

She doesn't know too much, I guess that's good. I don't want too many people knowing because that might give me more trouble than I want. Shame, I really had hoped that I could find my way back home and let everyone know that I'm fine. Looks like Lilith is my only lead on finding a way home.

Steven: "Nothing on Los Angeles?"

Livia: "The Headmaster thought it was a city from Hei'an Zhi Guo at first."

Steven: "Hey-an what?!"

Livia: "Hei'an Zhi Guo, it's a country far east, where the Demons come from. It's also far west from what several expeditions have claimed in the past, but that's at least 3 months of sailing and only the Navy is allowed on the seas there."

Great, there's a country full of them now!

Steven: "Then, where's Los Angeles?"

Livia: "Not there I believe, it wouldn't make sense with their culture. They have odd names like s.h.i.+ De Emo, but they all have one thing in common, they all have 3 words in it. So, a place like Los Angeles wouldn't fit in, but I can't say for sure. We don't know too much about them."

It sort of made sense, Los Angeles wouldn't fit in with the culture because it's made of two words. Though, it seemed like a generalization, the country and cities have 3 words in them, but they seem to call themselves by normal names, like Lilith Klein. I can't exactly rule the whole country out. At this rate, Los Angeles is going to be like the Atlantis of this world.

Livia: "If it does exist, it's really hard to find."

Now what? This just reinforces the thought that Lilith only knows where my home is. I'm going to need her alive, but she won't let herself be captured, will she?

Livia: "We can talk about it more in the morning, it's getting pretty late."

Steven: "Yeah, that's a good idea."

We went into our respective futons after turning out the lights. Ready for tomorrow, I planned to go to the Academy tomorrow, take Livia to the Headmaster, and if possible, get Cynthia so we can go over to Nathan's and make a plan to stop Lilith. Nathan was in the Army, and if he can, he can hopefully get a few others from the Army to help too. I don't actually have anything that will work when it comes to stopping Lilith. She's strong, both up close, as what happened in the estate, and from a distance, from the construction yard back home. There was only one problem, I can't sleep. Not even Livia could sleep, it seemed, she called my name about an hour later. She was out for 2 weeks, so it did seem reasonable that she couldn't sleep.

Livia: "Steven."

Steven: "What is it?"

Livia: "I can't sleep."

Steven: "Did you have a nightmare?"

Livia: "No, I can't sleep."

Steven: "Oh, I can't either."

It was dark, but I could just see her sitting up. I wasn't sure what she was doing and I ended sitting up as well.

Steven: "Livia?"

Livia: "It's just hot in here."

Steven: "I told you that you'd get hot in that long-sleeve."

Livia: "That's not it."

She crawled over to me and fell into my arms. What the h.e.l.l is going on? This isn't like her at all!

Steven: "Livia, are you alright?!"

Livia: "You're such an idiot."

Steven: "What are you talking about?!"

In a blink of an eye, she pulls a dagger and slices me across the chest with it. I jumped back and land against the wall. Why is she doing this?

Steven: "What was that for?!"

It's weird, I can't feel the pain for some reason, but I know it's there, like a numb pain. She stood up and lunges towards me. Reflexively, I roll out of the way and she quickly climbs on top of me, pinning on the floor.

Steven: "Livia, please!"

She doesn't listen, she raises the dagger and with her might, swings it down towards my neck. A sudden jolt of energy and I scream as loud as I can. I look around and I'm still in the futon covered in sweat.

Livia: "Wh-what was that?! Are you alright?!"

A nightmare? I look at myself and there wasn't a sign of any injury, not where I was slashed. My heart is running like a race horse and I'm trying to figure out if it was a dream or not. Livia runs to turn on the lights and looks at me terrified.

Livia: "S-Steven? Did you have a nightmare?"

A nightmare, a terrifying one that felt real too. Relieved, I collapse into the futon. There is no way Livia would attack me, she's my friend, after all.

Steven: "It felt real."

Livia: "It always does."

She comes towards me and sits by me.

Livia: "But they're still dreams."

Steven: "I'm sorry, did I scare you?"

Livia: "Yes, you did. Wait here, I'll get you some water."

Left to my thoughts, I begin to wonder why I had that dream at all. I've never had something so vivid, could it be one of those precognitive dreams? No, it can't be, Livia wouldn't do something like that, unless the Headmaster told her to do so, probably. What's her relations.h.i.+p to him anyways? I should ask her when she gets back. She said that she'd get water, but does it usually take so long?

Steven: "Livia, where'd you go?"

No response, I went into the kitchen and couldn't find her. I tried knocking on the bathroom and still, nothing. Maybe she had to go to her room? I don't know which is her room and I don't want to walk into her room uninvited. If she doesn't show up soon, I'll look then. I went towards the front and looked out the window, the rain was still falling, not too heavy and not too light. It gave me a peace of mind, something I really needed after that nightmare. What was that about anyway? I stayed because she was having them, but now I'm having one. I wonder if this place is haunted.

Livia: "Here's your water."

Livia came up from behind me and scared me, almost causing her to drop the cup of water in her hand.

Steven: "Sorry, Livia."

Livia: "It's fine, just take your water."

Steven: "Thank you, but where did you go?"

Livia: "To get you water outside."

She sat down next to me, looking out the window, watching the rain. I don't know why, but relaxing in silence with her is really enjoyable. There are still some questions I should ask her, but I'm not sure how to go about it. Maybe casually bringing it up in discussion?

Steven: "Livia, why do you have nightmares?"

Livia: "I think it's stress."

Steven: "You're stressed?"

Livia: "I don't want—"

She's speaking so quietly, that it makes it hard to hear her.

Steven: "What was that?"

Livia: "Nothing."

We continue sitting in silence, the sound of the rain echoing throughout the room. It continued until Livia spoke up.

Livia: "We're friends, right?"

Steven: "Yeah, why do you ask?"

Livia: "You told the Headmaster after you got in trouble for hitting Malin."

Steven: "Yeah, and you called me an idiot for doing so."

Livia: "Were you telling the truth? I don't really have any friends other than the Headmaster."

Yeah, she didn't have to tell me that. Why else would she have a book about making friends? How close is she to the Headmaster anyways?

Steven: "Of course I was, why would I lie?"

She's looking away from me, not doing anything when I try to grab her attention. Looks like I'm going to have to change the subject to keep things from getting awkward.

Steven: "Hey, who is the Headmaster to you anyways?"

Livia: "He's my G.o.dfather."

That's something you don't hear everyday. In fact, it took me by surprise, I was expecting her to have a crush on him or something. Seems like it doesn't always play out like it does on the television.

Steven: "I didn't know that."

Livia: "You're the only that does now."

Steven: "A secret?"

Livia: "Yes, please don't tell anyone."

Steven: "I won't."

It's not like I was going to in the first place. I don't think something like that was worth gossiping about.

Livia: "What about Kanna? Is she your girlfriend?"

Steven: "Kanna is my master, we made a contract back on Feles Isle."

Livia: "I didn't know that."

Steven: "I guess we're trading secrets now."

Livia: "Is that what friends do?"

Steven: "Well, yeah, kind of."

Not everyone knows that she's my master other than Cynthia and Yuuna. It felt appropriate to tell her after she told me that the Headmaster was her G.o.dfather.

Livia: "Why is Kanna being your master a secret?"

Steven: "She asked me after I got off the boat, when I arrived in Ostroven"

I never knew why she wanted to keep it a secret. The only reason that made sense was that she was shy about it.

Livia: "Were you rushed into it?"

Steven: "They gave me some time to think about it, and a day later, I agreed."

Livia: "Why did you agree anyways?"

Steven: "When I was in Los Angeles, I didn't really know how to do anything useful other than working in a restaurant. I didn't exactly have a way back home and thought that best scenario was sticking with Kanna. If I didn't, I'd probably still be on Feles Isle with nowhere to go."

The only choice I had on the Isle was either living a free man with magic or be a servant with it. At first, I was reluctant to do so until Kanna offered to be my master. I should've thought it through more, but I'm glad I made that choice.

Livia: "Do you regret it?"

Steven: "No, never did. I never believed that she would work me to death and she only made me do menial tasks, like cleaning and cooking."

Livia: "You're pretty weird."

Steven: "I guess that makes two of us."

Finally, we went back to our futons and got what little sleep we could get, as tomorrow would be the day we finally plan against Lilith...