Dislyte story · Esper Stories
Esper Story: Ling Zhao
4 scenes, 288 lines
1. Outsider
54 linesSeaside Town: Seaside
Ling Zhao stands alone by the sea, quietly looking toward the distant horizon.
She has never left town on her own. People call her the "Sea Maiden blessed by the ocean," but she has only been out to sea a handful of times.
......
A woman hurries toward her from the direction of town.
What are you standing around for? Come back to the shrine.
We have a very important guest today. She came all this way just to meet our "blessed Sea Maiden."
Okay, Mom.
They walk back toward town, one behind the other. Ling Zhao's mother moves so fast that Ling Zhao has to break into a little jog every few steps just to keep up.
So who's coming to see me this time?
A girl about your age.
But she's already a scholar, young as she is. So mind your manners.
Every time I use my power to "bless" someone, I feel awful for days afterward. Sometimes I can't even get out of bed.
I only blessed someone the day before yesterday. Can't they give me a couple of days to recover?
Enough excuses. I spent all that money raising you, and what have you done with it?
Now that your power can help support the family, at least all those years weren't a complete waste.
Okay, Mom.
Seaside Town: Shrine
Incense curls through the shrine. A few outsiders stand near the offering table, speaking quietly.
Sorry to keep you waiting. This is our blessed Sea Maiden.
When the girl turns around, she looks warm and composed. Ling Zhao suddenly feels awkward and looks away.
Hi. I'm Sia. What's your name?
...Ling Zhao.
Sorry, she's not much of a talker. So, what brings you all this way?
We're scholars studying Miramon.
Mira...mon?
Correct.
I heard Miramon activity has been making these waters unsafe for boats. But people also say that with you aboard, ships can sail safely.
......
If that's true... I'd like to hire you to come out to sea with us.
Coastal Zone: At Sea
The boat has left town behind. The sea rises and falls around them, and the shoreline slowly fades into a thin, blurry line.
For this trip, we'll head south from town and test your abilities out on the water.
Test what abilities?
I want to record how you fight and study how your power works at sea.
We'll also observe aquatic Miramon and handle a few related field tasks.
Sounds like a hassle...
Are you nervous?
No. Just a little tired.
Sia pauses for a second before breaking into an easy smile.
Then how about this? Tonight, I'll take you to the next town over for something good to eat.
There's a really popular restaurant there. I think you'll like it.
The next town over? We're not going back today?
No. You didn't know?
This trip isn't one day. It's three.
Three days?!
When I left, I asked my mom why she packed such a big suitcase...
She didn't say anything.
...She didn't tell you?
No.
The waves lap against the hull in a slow, steady rhythm. Ling Zhao's expression turns unreadable, and Sia watches her with growing concern.
Are you alright?
...I don't know.
It just feels... strange.
2. Sia
61 linesCoastal Zone: At Sea
The boat sails farther out, until there is nothing around them but rolling waves.
If you're ready, let's start the test.
...Okay.
First, try calming those waves over there.
I'll try.
The churning waves slowly settle, as if an invisible hand is pressing them down.
That's amazing! Your control is incredibly steady.
...It is?
A Miramon suddenly bursts from the water and rushes toward the boat.
Perfect timing!
Now try driving it away.
Yes.
Water spirals upward into a brief waterspout, knocking the approaching Miramon back.
You can handle something that big too... That's incredible!
You're... not scared of me?
Why would I be? Espers aren't exactly unheard of these days.
Our village is pretty isolated. People there call it a "blessing"...
A blessing? I like that. For ordinary people like us, maybe it is! And you really are strong.
Ling Zhao falls quiet for a moment, and some of the tension leaves her face.
...Thanks.
Evening draws near, turning the sea a deep gold.
That should be enough data for today...
...Ugh.
Ling Zhao suddenly grabs the side of the boat, her face going pale.
Ling Zhao? What's wrong?
I'm fine... just a little...
Backlash from your power?
Maybe... I used too much.
Why didn't you say something earlier? I kept pushing you to continue...
It's okay. You hired us for a job, so I wanted to do it properly.
And your research matters, doesn't it?
I'm sorry... I should've noticed earlier.
Really, I'm fine... I just need to rest for a bit.
The sea breeze turns cooler, and the boat rocks gently. Ling Zhao sits on the deck in silence for a while before glancing up at Sia, a little carefully.
Um... tomorrow... can we still go to that restaurant?
I recover pretty quickly... and if it's still okay, I'd really like to go!
Sia freezes for a second, then gives her a smile that's hard to read.
Of course. I promised, didn't I? I'm not taking it back!
Seaside Town: Restaurant
The restaurant is full of noise and chatter, a far cry from the quiet out at sea.
It's... so lively here.
This place has been really popular lately. Lots of people come here just to check it out.
The decorations... and the lights... they're all so pretty.
Ling Zhao looks around, taking everything in with wide-eyed wonder. When the food arrives, her eyes light up.
This is really good... and this one too...
I've never really left the village. My parents won't let me go out by myself.
Most of the time, I just stay in the shrine... so people can look at me. I only get to leave for a little while when there's work at sea.
Sia starts to ask something, then stops herself. She simply watches Ling Zhao enjoy the meal.
I'm glad you like it. Slow down. No one's taking it from you.
By the way... if using your power takes that much out of you, why agree to go out to sea at all?
...I don't really get a choice. All the money from the shrine goes to my mother.
She won't let me leave town either. She says people won't trust the "Sea Maiden" if I do.
So that means... you barely have any freedom at all?
Pretty much. I'm used to it.
My family was very poor when I was little. Raising me wasn't easy.
And I don't have any other skills. Not like you. You're already a scholar, and you're so young.
......
So this is probably the only way I can repay them. But...
Thank you for bringing me out here. I think... today might be the happiest day I've ever had.
Sia looks at her and, for a moment, says nothing.
3. A Written Agreement
84 linesSeaside Town: Street
After that trip out to sea, Ling Zhao returns to town in much better spirits.
Because of her work, Sia comes to see Ling Zhao often, and the two go out to sea together to collect data. Little by little, they become friends.
You're back again.
What, not happy to see me?
No... I just wasn't expecting you.
Same as usual this time. Another job out at sea.
Yes.
Oh, and this is for you.
What's this?
Ling Zhao takes the little keychain Sia hands her. It's a golden dice keychain from Golden City.
I saw it while passing through another city. Just a little thing.
...It's really pretty. Thank you.
Do you travel a lot?
I guess so. Different waters, different cities... I don't usually stay anywhere for long.
That sounds... free.
Free, huh...
Sia's smile falters for a moment.
It's not always a good thing.
......
I'll tell you about it sometime.
Yes.
Coastal Zone: At Sea
The sea is calm, and the boat moves slowly forward. The two stand side by side on the deck as the ship heads back after another round of data collection.
Sometimes I wake up in a different port and have to think for a second before I remember where I am.
Isn't that exciting, though?
At first, sure. But after a while, you realize you're all alone.
Sia looks out into the distance, her voice softer than usual.
No place to go back to. No one waiting for you... It gets lonely.
I still envy you.
You do?
At least you get to go places. I've been stuck in the same town my whole life.
I've barely even seen the sea.
The sea breeze sweeps past, carrying their voices away softly.
Then I'll tell you about them. The seaside cities I've been to. Some have pale blue water, and some are almost black.
Some even glow at night.
The sea can glow?
Yeah. Some glowing jellyfish come into the shallows at night... It's beautiful.
If we get the chance, I'll take you to see it.
Really?
Of course. And your power shouldn't only be used to "bless" other people... Want to try using it differently?
Differently?
Like what you did earlier. Don't just force the waves down. Try feeling the water itself.
I've been comparing the data, and I'm wondering... maybe the backlash is so bad because you hate using your power for other people.
But after spending time with you, I don't think you hate your power. I think you've just never used it for yourself.
So how about it? Just feel what it's like to use your own power.
......
Ling Zhao reaches out, and the sea rises gently in response. With a small motion of her hand, she links the waves together.
Sunlight passes through the lifted water, scattering clear, shimmering ripples across the deck.
Whoa! That's beautiful!
Ling Zhao holds the raised waves steady with both hands. Watching Sia spin through the rippling light on the deck, she smiles too.
...I guess I really never have just... felt it before.
See? It's kind of fun, isn't it?
......
Ling Zhao lets go, and the water falls back into the sea. The two lean against the rail, and the mood between them grows lighter.
Someday...
I wish I could always be out here like this.
You like it out here?
Yes.
Then I think that day will come.
How so?
Soon.
Sia speaks with a strange kind of determination.
Seaside Town: Street
Half a year later, the town is still peaceful on the surface, but the air has grown tense.
You're making a fuss over this little bit of money?
I just want to keep a little for myself.
What "yourself"? Everything you have came from me!
I... I've earned money for this family too.
Now you're talking back?
The argument goes nowhere, leaving only a heavy silence behind.
Seaside Town: Ling Zhao's Home
Late at night, the house is completely quiet. Ling Zhao carefully pushes her door open.
...I'm sorry. Just a little...
I'm not a child anymore...
She searches through the cabinet, whispering to herself. After a moment, she pulls a stack of contracts from the cabinet where her mother keeps the money.
The pages are slightly yellowed, and her name is written clearly on them. It's a purchase contract.
Sia...? Shadow Decree...?
Testing...? Divine power...?
Ling Zhao's breathing quickens.
A sale... agreement...? Tomorrow... the final payment...?
Her hands tremble, and the papers rustle softly.
So... it wasn't research...
They're... selling me?
4. Sea of Freedom
89 linesSeaside Town: Seaside
Ling Zhao runs out of the house with the money. The sea breeze before dawn is damp and cold, and the darkness feels suffocating.
She runs along the shore for a while. Today is the day she is supposed to meet Sia, but right now, she has no idea where she's even going.
A familiar figure appears on the beach, and Ling Zhao stops dead.
Ling Zhao! Wh-What are you doing here?
Thank goodness. I need to tell you something. Let's go somewhere else!
Sia takes Ling Zhao's hand, but Ling Zhao doesn't move. Instead, she throws the contract down at Sia's feet.
Do you know what this is?
Wh-What is this...?
Sia crouches down and picks up the contract, her face going pale.
Wait, Ling Zhao. Please listen...
Why? You told me it was research.
You told me... we were friends.
I...
The research part was real. But I did... hide who I was.
Then tell me the truth. Right now!
Sia takes a deep breath and looks Ling Zhao's in the eye.
I'm a researcher with Shadow Decree. My job was to find Espers who could operate at sea for long periods.
...So I'm the "cargo"?
At first... yes.
A brief silence falls between them.
I was going to bring you into Shadow Decree through your parents. But then I found out...
There are plenty of researchers like me looking for Espers who can control wind and waves. And once the "cargo" is found, no one cares whether they live or die.
We... only wanted to use you to open the way to Primordial Island.
For the first time, Sia's voice loses its calm.
Based on my calculations, you wouldn't last until the mission was over. You'd die at sea.
......
So now you're here to save me?
I...
I don't want you to die.
Ling Zhao lets out a cold laugh.
Do you really think I can believe you? You lied to me from the start.
What's the point of saying all this now?
Ling Zhao turns to leave.
Wait. This is exactly why I came early. Today is the day they're supposed to deliver the "cargo."
Sia reaches out to stop her.
Don't touch me!
Ling Zhao jerks her hand away.
More Shadow Decree members will be here soon. I came because I can't let them take you.
Stop pretending you care. After everything you've done, why would I trust you?!
The bushes by the beach rustle, and several dark figures step out from the shadows.
Are you two done?
We've been waiting.
...?
Oh no...
More figures emerge from the darkness, surrounding them both.
Sia, you made your hesitation too obvious. Sander's been suspicious for a while.
So we followed you here. Convenient, really. Now we have both of you.
What do you want?
Just picking up the cargo. Routine job.
And now we've got one more task: dealing with a traitor.
What? No way!
Sia steps in front of Ling Zhao without hesitation and draws her divine weapon.
You...
Run, Ling Zhao.
I'm sorry... but I wanted you to have a chance to truly see this world.
Your journey has barely even begun.
Ling Zhao stands frozen as the sea wind suddenly grows stronger, and the waves begin to move in a strange, unnatural rhythm.
......
I'm not running.
What?
If we go, we go together.
The sea churns violently. Wind howls, and dark clouds roll together with the waves.
Answer me!
The wind whips the waves high, then sends them crashing toward the shore.
That power!
Fall back!
The surge forces the Shadow Decree members back, throwing the beach into chaos.
You... controlled it?
Come on!
Ling Zhao grabs Sia's hand, and the two run into the distance.
Coastal Zone: At Sea
The sky begins to brighten, and the rising sun turns the sea gold.
They... won't catch up for now.
Yes.
The boat rocks gently. They have already left the shore behind.
Did you steal this boat?
It's a Shadow Decree research boat. But... it's ours now.
Sia tries to make it sound casual, but it doesn't quite work. After a short silence, the tension between them eases a little.
Where do you want to go now?
I don't know. But I don't want to go back.
Then let's travel together.
...Together?
We'll see more of the sea. And all those cities I told you about.
I'm not going back either. There are so many places I want to take you.
Ling Zhao looks toward the distant horizon.
Okay.
This time... together.
The boat sails into the sunrise, with the endless sea stretching ahead.