Chapter 118

Bonfire - The Mini Universe Traveler

Truth be told I didn’t know what to expect when I came back to Día Monde. I half expected an evil elaborate trap to be set up. Something along the lines of an airtight tank filling with salt water and sharks. No clue why that idea came to mind, but after seeing her merciless way of pulverizing my alternate brother, I realized she was likely capable of many different things.

There was also the other alternative, one where she just had dozens of beautiful women gathered at a tea party, ready to be healed from my scumbag brother’s compulsions. There was also the other fear that she somehow found out about this universe’s version of Jess and Wizard noodle armed me and tried to use them as hostages.

Hostages for what? I didn’t know, this girl was crazy.

At least that is the impression I got from her the last time we met.

What I was not expecting however was her to be completely by herself, in what one could only describe as an opulent dining establishment in a very revealing form fitting dress. Also of note was the fact that she was seated at a table that had clearly been set up for two.

“Am I intruding?” I found myself asking.

“Not at all. I figure you must be famished with your travels.” Día said, gesturing for me to sit in the open seat.

I sit, feeling slightly under dressed for the occasion. In comparison to the way Día is dressed in her stunning attire. I am in black jeans, a t-shirt, sneakers, all while my violin case is strapped to my side. Honestly, my violin case being black, only adds to my look. The look of course being a struggling artist trying to make his way in the universe, while avoiding all real responsibility.

Looking at the bread and water that are already out, I can’t help but wonder a few things.

“This isn’t poisoned, is it? If it is, I will let you know now that I have a rather high tolerance for poisons.”

Giggle.

She laughs lightly, an enchanting laugh that causes the skin on my neck to shiver.

“You must think me a monster.” Día begins.

I want to protest, but she just holds up a gloved hand to forestall my objection. Only now do I realize that she has seemingly gone all out for this meeting.

“I can’t say I blame you. You did see me at one of my weakest moments, after all. I was angry, almost irrationally so.” Día said, her voice calm and inviting.

Honestly, I doubt honey tasted as sweet as the way she was able to speak. It was clear that she had an aristocratic upbringing. Just her posture alone seemed to denote a proper upbringing.

“That is why, I would ask that you allow me the chance to do a reset. That you allow me to introduce myself properly, when I am not nearly so close to being violated.” Día said, at that I let out a slight wince. “I must thank you for that again. I don’t know if I thanked you for any of that but know that I wish to thank you now.”

I nod, not knowing how to respond to that statement.

“As a gesture of good will, I have the list.”

“List?”

Día nodded.

“Yes, the list of other women your brother. Or the version of your brother from this universe violated.”

With that, she made a swiping motion.

I instantly understood the gesture to be her way of trying to send information to me. The only problem was, we were using two different forms of equipment. My equipment was far more advanced than hers, and likely unable to read information that was this outdated.

Día just nodded at that, as if this was somehow an expected outcome.

“I also took the liberty of having the list printed out.” She said, patting a parchment of papers by her side. “Again, this is yours. However, I will warn you, that you will have a hard time finding most of these people. I myself, had a hard time finding them and I am from this universe.”

At that, my eyes went wide.

“Yes, I do believe your story. You are from a different universe, that much is for certain. In addition to these people, I found the real you. Well, the you from this universe, I must say, I like what you’ve done with yourself.” Día said, the last part a clear flirtatious compliment about my looks.

I knew it was a line, and I couldn’t help but be excited by the comment.

Seeing my reaction, she continued.

“I of course, also found you. It turns out you saved one Jessica Childers from her time in the Temple. She had been written off as dead, or KIA. But then not only did she come back alive, after a week of being missing. But she also had a set of powers no one had ever seen before.”

At that I snorted, remembering how this universe’s Jess went for the set of powers that could let her charge her digital devices.

“At the same time, she appeared, there was a mysterious man with silver hair that appeared next to her. A man who was shot by officers. He was shot, then he disappeared. By all accounts he went missing, no one knowing where he went to next.” She paused.

“However, we both know that last part to be a lie. Or at the very least untrue. We both know where you went. As you came here to save me. Granted you were just here to stop your brother, but that gave us the chance we needed to meet. I can’t help but think it was fortuitous for us to have met in such a manner. Then when you said you would be back in a week, I knew you would somehow keep your word.” Día said.

With that I nodded.

“So, what would you like to do now?” I ask, still not quite trusting this woman who seemed to have a major spy network available to her.

“Now, I offer you a proposition.”

“A proposition?” I ask, as my mind goes into multiple different directions.

Seeing my look, she smiles brightly. Her ruby red lips gleam as her face seems to light up like a beacon. Looking at her, I can see why my brother was attracted to her. She does seem to radiate charm and sex appeal.

“Nothing so intimate. At least not at first.” She said, as if reading my mind.

At that, I pause. Fortunately, she is just flirting still.

“No, I want you to help these women.” She says, tapping the papers by her side. “I also mean it when I say that I would like to have a redo on our introductions.”

“I’m listening.” I say, nodding along.

“Well, here is the deal. I too, as you have likely already guessed have the power of Total Recall. While I will admit that your version is far more powerful than mine, I am no slouch either. During my investigation, not only did I find these women, but I also made sure to have a resonant contact with them. This way, I can get back to them whenever I want.”

“That’s great.” I say, it truly was great, as this meant rather than hunting these women down. I would just need to keep following Día from victim to victim. I am so excited that I am nearly ready to get up and go, right now.

“There is one catch. And no, while this might be seen as me using this time for my own selfish gains. Realize that right now, these women are at peace. They do not know, not truly, what has happened to them. Right now, they are in a state of blissful ignorance.”

“So, what, you want me to not heal them?”

“Oh no, on the contrary. I think it is our duty to do so. But I want to point out that doing so now, or after a nice meal will not make any tangible difference in the long run.” Día said.

Grumble.

All the talk of food caused my stomach to rumble, as I realized I had been keeping myself alive on space rations and protein supplements.

Taking a breath, I answer.

“Okay.”

With that a victorious smile crosses Día’s lips, followed by her clapping loudly. With that, three waiters in formal attire come into the room and begin setting up the table with salads, soups, and different types of bread rolls.

Then just as quickly as they arrived, they left to let us enjoy our first round of our meal.

“I have to ask, what is your intention behind all this?”

With that Día, just rests her head on her interlaced fingers and stares at me. “I honestly want to know what makes you tick. Where you come from, truly, what your story is, how you are you.” She says.

As she speaks, I can tell she means it, though of course this whole line of questioning causes me to just chuckle lightly.

“What’s so funny?”

I just shake my head. “Oh, it’s just that I don’t think you would believe me if I told you.”

I answer.

With that Día, just cocks an eyebrow. “I have believed you this far. Like for instance there is a huge jump from that, to believing me.”

“Really? You don’t think I would be able to somehow accept the fact that you are level 566 in both your primary and secondary classes, while only being level 563 in your tertiary class? A class that much like your friend Ms. Childers, should not even be possible, nor should you be able to gain levels. At least you shouldn’t be able to gain levels within this universe.” She states.

With that my eyes grow wide, before I even realize it I am standing up.

“Relax, I don’t mean to cause you any harm. Not that I could likely do anything of the sort to you. But realize, I see the real you. I know who you are. Well not the real you, which is what I want to fix with this meeting here.” Día says, while gesturing around us.

I pause, I know this is a bad idea. A terrible idea in fact. Somehow, I know that the longer I stay with this woman, the more trouble she will cause for me in the future.

“Oh, come now. Sit and let’s enjoy this meal together.” Día said.

“How?” Was all I ask.

“How what? How did I know your levels? How did I find out about the other women your alternate brother abused? I’m afraid you might have to be a bit more specific.”

At that, I nod. “How did you know about my classes?”

At that Día just chuckles, the sound of wind chimes gently playing on a summer breeze. “First, it is not like you are using anything to hide your status from others. This means there are multiple ways one can find this out. As for me, I have Inspection Lenses on.” Día says, pointing to her eyes. As I stare, I can see the faintest traces of magic glass within her eyes.

Seeing this, I am intrigued, as I am not aware of any such device existing within my universe. Then again, maybe there is, I just never noticed.

“Why didn’t you use those earlier?” I find myself asking.

“Oh, you mean, why didn’t I use the insanely expensive, painful to use, and hard to charge Inspection Lenses all the time to avoid people like your brother from trying to take advantage of me?” She asks.

I find myself nodding, though after her description of the use of such an item, I can see why most would be averse to using one. Still, I can’t help but wonder if I could get one installed anyways.

“I guess you just explained why.” I reply.

With that she nods her head.

“So, now that you have asked me a question, I feel it is only fair for me to ask you a question as well. How old are you really?”

At that question I pause, not quite knowing how to truly answer that question. I have over a hundred and fifty years of memories, or at least I used to. But since that point I have spent over a year within these different time loops saving the universe. But I am still in my original eighteen-year-old body. Which number do I go with?

“That is a good question. Technically I am eighteen.” I respond, with the one that comes up on my status screen. Which is likely the same number she sees on her magic lenses.

“Technically?”

I nod. “It’s a bit complicated.”

Silence.

To break up the silence, I decide to ask my own question. “So, if I might ask, exactly how old are you?”

With that she smiles brightly. “Technically, I am twenty-six.”

She of course is trying to be humorous, answering me with my own ambiguous wording. But all that comes out from me is a realization about our differences in age.

“Good lord, you are a cougar.”

At that, she stopped, as all semblance of cordiality dropped from her face for the moment. As I realized I had really stepped in it this time.