Trickcal: Chibi Go story · Apostle stories
Xion's Story
Xion rescues me from Erpin's clutches. However, Xion's insufferable attitude is equally something I'd like to keep my distance from.
6 scenes, 430 lines
1. Xion the Dark... Whatever
73 linesXion the Dark... Whatever
One lazy afternoon, Erpin came to the Master as usual, pestering the Master to buy her buns.
Come on, just this once! I promise this is it!
I don't have any money, Erpin! Just buy some with your own money!
Sigh... This is like a daily thing...! Is she gonna keep whining again until I cave in...?!
Ahh... I'm baaaaaaack... Everything's back to normal...!
Sprite Village
.........?
Er... Xi-Xion?
Oh, yessssss, I won...! I DID it!
Uh, Master. What's wrong with her?
Don't ask me. I don't understand what she says sometimes either.
Oh, yessssss. I totally missed this!
Ugh... I just came here to bum some bread... What's with this weirdo...?
Yes, yes! Please, keep the contempt coming! She says as she laughs with delight.
Arrgh! I can't take it anymore! I'd rather go back to work than deal with her! See you later, Master!
Wait, are you running away?! Don't just leave me here!!
Huh?
I've long since figured out that you're tired of the Sprite Queen and her incessant whining, hehe.
You were putting on an act to scare Erpin away?
Yes! O "Master," for you... I, Xion, will gladly sacrifice myself!
.........
Erpin's gone. Can we drop the act?
What...? I already dropped the act when she left...
No way... Could it be that I've mastered the art of method acting without realizing it...?
No, you haven't!
Oh, my, my... My abilities truly are limitless... filled with infinite possibilities...
Xion, she... She's serious about this, isn't she...?
I don't think I can take this anymore. I've gotta fix her somehow...
Hmm? What's with that menacing glare?
Huh? N-No, I was just...
Ahh... You're jealous of me? Even by glimpsing the fragments of this simple world, I have mastered all knowledge...
My ever-expanding POTENTIAL, limitless and unending?
Her symptoms are going to keep getting worse! I've got to do something... anything!
Giving her a noogie might make her normal again.
Yeah, there's nothing like a good whipping to bring someone back to their senses.
But since a whipping is a bit much... a noogie instead... Take this!
*Whoosh!*
You... dodged it...?
Too slow. Hehe...
She's faster than I thought...
I don't know why you suddenly tried to hit me, but you'll have to try harder. Hehehe...
Unless you see through the power of my dark shadow... you're never gonna land a hit on me, you know?
Let's have a serious talk and convince her to stop.
Xion, can you please talk normally when we don't need to be so dramatic?
Normal...?
But who gets to decide what is normal and what is not...?
Don't you dare force your arbitrary standards on me, for I am the Magic Bullet Slinger!
I mean... well... I guess it is arbitrary, yes... but...
So you realized it yourself? Then what's the problem?
If you just flap your gums without knowing what you're talking about...
Makes you look WEAK, doesn't it?
Argh... Now she's all smug, trying super hard to "look down on me" when she's so tiny... Ugh, that boils my blood...!
Gah! Whatever! Just do as I say and stop talking like that!
It's literally going to make me go crazy if I have to keep hearing that!
Huh?!
Wh-What's wrong? Why so surprised?
Alas... I did not know that your mental fortitude was so fragile...!
Forgive me for not realizing that your mental fortitude would be as weak as the average commoner...!
Very well, Master. From now on, I will lower myself to your level when we talk.
Ugh... So insulting, but... urgh...
...Does that mean you'll talk normally from now on?
Ay... If that's your level, I'm more than capable!
I, Xion, the Black Flash, the Magic Bullet Slinger, have a tremendous responsibility to protect commoners like you!
U-Uh, okay... if you say so...
Put up with her just this one... and I'll never have to hear her talk like this again...! Just focus on that!
So, what is my mission today?
Your mission?
Yes. Please give me my mission, Master. Otherwise, I cannot quell this violent dark spirit within me... O woe is me!
You haven't changed at all!
Th-This is too much for you too?! Just how much will you disappoint me, Master...?!
2. Master of the Gray Domain
64 linesMaster of the Gray Domain
Sprite Village
One sunny afternoon, the Master admires the flowers in the flowerbed.
Hmm... Ner is doing a great job with these. The flowers have bloomed nicely.
Oh...
This one has wilted... The roots are alive, but...
Flowers in Elias... can they even die when they wilt...?
It's just a flower, but I still feel bad for it. Living forever in this wilted state, unable to die...
Oho... DIE? Is that what you call it, Master?
Wha...?! Aaaaah!! What the heck, Xion?! How long were you there?!
Why are you so surprised? I, the Black Flash of Elias, am always within the shadows.
Urgh... The way she talks... It always makes my skin crawl...!
Uh... never mind. By the way, were you just eavesdropping on me?! How much did you hear?
Ahh, I heard everything clearly. "Flowers in Elias... can they even DIE when they wilt...?" and "Living forever in this wilted state, unable to DIE...!"
Stop emphasizing random words when you speak! It sets my teeth on edge!
But doesn't it help our conversation since it leaves a LASTING impression?
It leaves an impression alright, but it's embarrassing as hell!
Anyway, don't worry about it too much, Master.
I... know what it means to 'die'... or rather, that silly pun you humans call 'Weekend Farm'.
Err... What?
Hehe, whether you call it 'dying'... or make that silly pun 'Weekend Farm'... it's just another way of saying the same thing.
I-Is she serious?
I call this phenomenon the "Light and Dark Divide."
Uh... Um...
I, Xion, am a transcendent being who has once traversed that divide!
Whaaat?!
Are you saying that you've "experienced death"?
Indeed, Master! Of all the denizens of Elias, I am the only one who has experienced it!
My extraordinary intelligence, my magic, my marksmanship... They all stem from how I once dipped my toes into that divide.
...I can't tell if she's serious or not because of the way she talks!
I should test her to see if she knows what she's talking about...
How did you get to the Light and Dark Divide?
So.. Um... How did you get to this Light and Dark Divide?
Ahh, it wasn't as difficult as I thought.
You let go of your body and mind and leave everything to the flow of this world.
Hmm... That's actually not too far off...
If you close your eyes... and slowly decrease the frequency of your breaths...
You eventually lose consciousness and get sucked into a deep abyss...
What did you see at the Light and Dark Divide?
Err... Did you see anything... at this Light and Dark Divide...?
Hehehe... But of course! My memory of my experience from that day is crystal clear.
That thick and damp sensation, as if swimming aimlessly in a sea of melted dark chocolate...
A dry breeze that blows without a hint of sugary sweetness...
I struggled to move my paralyzed body and escape from that situation in any way I could...
...Wait. Sleep paralysis? That's what it sounds like...
Wait... that's a little strange... You aren't just talking about a nap you had, are you?
A n-nap?! How could you entertain such an idea? Just who do you think I am?!
Oof... You almost had me there for a moment!
Hmm? You find these stories interesting, Master?
Uh, oh...! I was so engrossed in her story that I almost started talking about the real world...
Ah, n-not really... I was just...
Like I said earlier, Master, you don't have to worry.
I have no intention of preaching that dark knowledge to others.
Such a heavy burden... is a tremendous responsibility that... I, the Black Flash of Elias, must bear alone...
...I don't know what she's talking about— Actually, does SHE even know what she's talking about?
This may not be a coincidence.
Huh? Wh-What are you talking about all of a sudden...?
You and I... We are the only ones who know this forbidden knowledge of Elias, are we not?
It is just as I thought... Perhaps you and I are the CHOSEN ONES?
P-Please stop... urgh...!
You cannot deny that which is evident, Master.
Just be calm and ACCEPT this bitter and harsh TRUTH... okay?
Aaaargh! I just can't stomach it anymore!
Where are you going, Master? Are you that afraid of having a serious conversation with me?!
3. Space Above the Web 1
74 linesSpace Above the Web 1
Banquet Hall
Huh? It's time to start cleaning up the Banquet Hall... Why is Xion still here?
What's she doing over there by herself, squatting down?
I approach Xion quietly. She seems to be lost in thought, holding a smartphone-like device in her hand.
It must be an elven device, seeing how it looks like a smartphone. I guess Xion uses things like that?
I peek at some of the many lines of text filling the screen. Is it... an article? No... a novel?
Playfully snatch the device from Xion and read further.
Hey, hey, what're you reading here all by yourself? You look like you're having fun! Hehehe.
Wha...?! Give it back! What are you doing?!
Hold on, lemme have a look and then I'll give it back... *Snicker*
Playfully ask Xion what she is reading.
Hey, what's that? A fun novel or something?
Eek?! That's gross! What a perverted hobby, peeping at someone's private stuff!
I wasn't peeping, I was just curious because you were so absorbed in it...
Will you stop it already?!
*Thwack!*
Xion grabs her rifle upside down and whacks the Master on the head with its butt.
Uwaaagh!!! What are you doing?! That hurts like hell!!
Urgh...? Eeek! I-I'm sorry! You flustered me and I...! Oh... Oh no... There's a lump on your head, Master...!
Wh-What?! Really? Geez, it was just a small prank. You didn't need to go that far!
No, it's just that I was... uhh... really focused on something...
Ah, right. I was curious about what she was reading, wasn't I?
I'll forgive you if you tell me what you were reading.
Wh-What?!
I'm so curious now because of all the fuss you're making!
Ugh... You're so awful!
Really? You gave me this lump on my forehead and you still don't want to tell me?
Urgh... Well... I guess I did want to know what others would think about it...
This isn't how I wanted to reveal this... but I'm only gonna show you this once, got it?!
What's with her? Why is she acting like she's doing me a big favor or something?
H-Here...
Blushing, Xion gingerly hands me the device.
Let's see...
Title: The Lonesome Adventures of the Dark Ranger Who Walks in Darkness
Author: Dark Bullet
Oh...
Prologue: The year is 321 AD. The world is split into two due to a magical fallout in Elias.
Elias was split into the Upper Layer and the Lower Domain, and the denizens of each territory called themselves "Angels" and "Demons" respectively...
...Elias was turned into a hellish realm of endless war and strife.
Twenty years pass... and the Dark Ranger of Darkness is here to save the world!
Ugh... I don't wanna read this anymore...
Er... Xion is looking at me expectantly...
What's this? Er... Upon closer inspection... I can see the "Edit" and "Delete" buttons at the bottom of the screen...
Hang on... Wait, you wrote this...?
Yep! What do you think? It's good, r-right?
Oh no...! What have I gotten myself into?
Uhh... Should I say it's good? Or should I be honest?
Hurry up... TELL me what you think. NOW.
She's really looking forward to what I'll say, isn't she?!
*Bleep!*
Huh? What's that sound...?
Oh! Someone has left a comment! Let me check that quickly! Hold on!
*Bleep, ble-bleeeep!* There seem to be more comments, as the device continues bleeping.
Xion presses the "Refresh" button with a big smile, but her expression quickly turns dark.
*Clatter*
Huh? Hey! Isn't that expensive? You shouldn't just drop—
Unforgivable... How dare they insult the Magic Bullet Slinger like this...?! I shall not stand for this!!
Huh? How bad are the comments?
ypSretsaM commented: Boooooo. Why's it so grim? Is this some dark comedy? This stuff is so amateurish.
Greenstone commented: Do you seriously call yourself an "author" with this piece of garbage? Look at you putting your name on this. How embarrassing. Two thumbs down.
RealElena commented: Why is it called "Upper Layer" and "Lower Domain"? It should be either Upper and Lower Domain, or Upper and Lower Layer. This is driving me nuts!
UndergroundUnderdog commented: Guys, what's this story about? I'm outta data so I can't read it...
Trolls...?
I, the Magic Bullet Slinger, swear on my honor that I will annihilate these worthless scum...!
C-Calm down, Xion! There are always a couple of trolls like these on any social platform!
Silence! Ridding the world of scum like these would be a public service!
Xion kicks the door open and dashes off.
Ugh... Sigh... Should I stop her? Is Xion gonna go after them IRL?
Aside from trying to stop her... is this actually happening? An "IRL assault" in Elias?
How could anyone... not wanna see that...?
Hold on, Xion! Wait for me!
4. Space Above the Web 2
75 linesSpace Above the Web 2
Monatium
One dark night in Elias.
Xion's obsessive desire for revenge has turned the moon crimson!
Why are you following me, Master?! Do you think you can stop me from getting my revenge?
Well, yes... of course, I'll try to stop you, but, um...
I'm too curious about this IRL fight in Elias, so I'll just watch for now...!
For now, I'm here to make sure you don't cross any lines... Hm...
So, you're here to help me?
Well, no not to help exactly... Anyway, how are you planning to find them?
Do you want to witness how this Magic Bullet Slinger solves the case? Hehe....
There aren't many people who use elven devices in Elias.
Except for a few outside, most users are inside Monatium!
... Why does she state the obvious in such a show-offy way?
Are you saying all of Monatium's denizens are suspects? How can you find the culprit hidden among so many elves?
I'll use the Monatium IP tracking system.
Huh?
Wait, you can hack?
But with my device, I can only go so far... so I'll have to use Monatium's intranet.
Huh? Xion... has some surprising skills, that's unexpected!
Then let's get over there...
Hmm?
... Th-This is...?
Monatium Suppression Unit, District 27 Substation
..........
Master? What brings you here? Did you come to cover the night shift?
No, not me... um....
Monatium Police! Take my report right now! A cyber crime has been committed!
What?
Your plan was to report this to the cyber police?
This is... a shared IP, so it can't be traced... but I'll take down your report for now.
The mayor's directive ensures that Monatium's intranet guarantees complete anonymity, so catching the culprit is going to be much more difficult.
A directive from Elena? I bet that's a lie....
N-no way...!
For the sake of my anonymity... I must endure even such vile deeds. This is but a cruel trick of fate!
Well, that's not wrong, but you could say it normally...
Anyway, don't worry about it too much. You just got caught up in some troll leaving nasty comments anyway.
You might... be right? Wait? Does that mean you liked my work, Master?
Uh... how do I... respond to that? If I say no, she might get raging mad and plan revenge.
It was, well... a work with a unique style of your own.
Ahaha... Well, it wasn't bad.
I know this kind of work is in demand... but personally, for me, it was a bit hard to understand.
Hard to understand? Can't you... read?
Huh?
Oh no...! I'm sorry I didn't notice! Let me read it out loud for you!
Argh! Stop it! At least wait until we leave the station!
I really enjoyed it. It was my style!
I don't usually say things plainly, but...
It was right up my alley! I love stories where a dark protagonist explores a dark world.
Right?! It's only meaningful when the setting and the protagonist are completely detached from our reality!
Fiction is sort of a curtain that blocks the ugly realities of life!
Sometimes a story that makes people forget reality is necessary, and has its own value, too!
Hmm...? I thought she was just an edgy novel writer... But, she seems to have a very clear view, as well!
Sigh... Anyway, I thought my work might get good reviews if it saw the light of day... but I guess the world isn't ready after all.
The light of day? What do you mean?
It's sort of "jargon" for the more public intranet space... There really are a lot of things you don't know, Master.
No, I know that... But coming out into the light of day... Were you originally in some kind of dark web stuff?
Hehehe...
... Stop giggling and explain...!
Of course! I am the "Dark Bullet," the moderator of the "Darknet," as deep as the abyss, which is hidden in the most secluded corner of the "Elfnet!"
Seems to be unnecessarily "Dark"...
Do you usually just... hang out there alone?
What do you mean?! Alone? The Darknet has around 200 members!
W-What? 200 members?
It feels like a lot of members for it to be called the dark web... But I'm a bit curious about what's there!
What is the Darknet? Can I take a quick look around? Is it members-only?
Well, well, well, it seems another lost lamb has been caught on my hook...?
Ugh... I shouldn't have asked...
If you're curious, I'll show you. It's perfect timing. Tomorrow is our first meetup for Darknet members!
A-A meetup?!
With my privileges as the moderator, I'll bring you along!
Why do I feel... both excited... and a little scared...?
Then, let's meet at the Monatium Riverside Park tomorrow morning, Master.
Uh... Okay.
Is... it really okay to go?
5. Space Above the Web 3
61 linesSpace Above the Web 3
The next day. The Darknet meetup.
Let's see... I think I'm in the right spot.
... But where's Xion?
Come to think of it, Xion gave me her number, right? Let me try calling her!
I find the Monatium public phone booth and enter the number.
Why does her phone number look like that? Did she do that on purpose?
Ring-ring Ring-ring
Click
Hello? Xion? Where are you...?
*Rejects the call*
Huh? Wh-what the?! Why'd she hang up?!
I enter the number again.
*Ring-ring Rrrring*
*Rejects the call*
Hey! Why did you hang up on me?!
Who even makes calls nowadays?! Just send a text!
Even if you can't live a civilized lifestyle, at least learn basic etiquette!
I'm on a public phone, how can I send a text?!
Open the control panel under the Monatium public phone booth, then you'll find something to type on! Sigh... People without the benefits of civilization are...!
So... you want me to text? But we're on the phone now!
Master! This is a basic etiquette, please!
Sigh...
*Rejects the call*
So, open the control panel... it opens like a drawer?
Write here... Enter the number... Ugh... Why do I have to do this?
Public Phone Booth 101: Did it work?
666-4444: seems like u can type. u did it
Public Phone Booth 101: Whatever, where are you?
666-4444: im almost there just wait
Public Phone Booth 101: But... I'm the only one here. Is the meetup really today?
666-4444: what? u r the only1 there?
Public Phone Booth 101: I feel like I've been waiting 30 minutes, and no one's here yet.
666-4444: ...........
666-4444: tch stupid dorks all promised to come...
Public Phone Booth 101: What's going on? Was it cancelled?
666-4444: hehehe... well, whatev i new this would happen and didnt really get ready either
Public Phone Booth 101: What?! Hey! You said you'd be here soon!
Public Phone Booth 101: I'm here waiting, so you better get here right now. Even if you have to come alone!
666-4444: Master sorry but... any1 who shows up at a meet up no1 else went 2 is weird!
Public Phone Booth 101: What...? Hey! Get out here right now! Where do you live?!
-The other person has left the chat-
Argh!! What is she doing, seriously?!
Please refrain from extreme language. Users' call and text records are stored on the Monatium Cloud.
Oh, that Xion! When I see her later... huh?
Across the river, the Master sees a familiar, tiny, shadowy figure in the distance.
That-that's...!
Ugh... Master, I'm sorry...
The meetup... it's kind of embarrassing, isn't it? Everyone will see my face... ugh....
It would've been fine if the other members of the group and Master had hung out together... It's their fault!
Hey! You, you stay right there!!
Eek?! Master?! When did you get so close...?!
Ah, Argh! Don't come closer! Keep your distance! It's basic etiquette!
You already came all the way here, why aren't you at the meet up with them?!
I was planning to watch from afar and appear dramatically after more people gathered! The protagonist always shows up fashionably late!
Neither "Dream Phantom" nor "Revolution10" showed up, and now it's embarrassing to go out there alone!
I came because you invited me!! Wait there, I'm going to give you a knock on the head!
Eeeekkk!!!!
Oh? Isn't that the Master and Xion?
Huh? That's not something you see everyday! They're so noisy!
Uh... oh, yeah. What a... a coincidence. Hmm!
6. Inconvenience Store
83 linesInconvenience Store
Monatium
On the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Monatium Monorail, the Master was invited by Elena to attend the event.
After finishing an exhausting schedule, the Master was taking a break, strolling around the streets of Monatium.
Phew, so tired. I thought all I had to do was sit in the spectator area....
I didn't expect Elena and Amelia to make all sorts of requests, stalling for time....
Before I knew it, I was stuck there till dawn... I'm kind of hungry, maybe I'll check out the convenience store?
Monatium Convenience Store
*Jingle*
Hello, this is Monatium 25.
Let's see... it looks like they are running a bit low, they must not have restocked yet...
One drink... and a block snack...
Here, can you ring these up, please?
*Beep- Beep-beep*
Come to think of it... Amelia's been complaining that a lot of people are using the Elf Intranet for "dark and private purposes" lately...
No matter how I look at it... It must be "the one." Should I just tell her the truth?
Would you like a bag or receipt...?
Huh...?
Eh...?
T-The one?! Wait, Xion?! What are you doing here?!
Eeek! Master, what are you doing here?!
You-You...! Do you work part-time job here?!
It's not a part-time job! And it's none of your business!
You just rang up my items! And you're standing behind the counter right now!
Misunderstanding!! It's all misunderstanding!! I-I'm just covering for a friend!!
So... if I wait, the real employee will show up?
..........
..........
*Sob*
What?
Waaah... waah... My life is over...!
Now everyone will know that I live such a shabby life... No one's ever going to pay attention to me...!
W-what? Why are you suddenly getting "really" dark?!
It's all your fault, Master! You're a bad person, for suddenly showing up at the store where the Magic Bullet Slinger works part-time!
Everyone only respects me when I seem cool...! That's all I had left...
W-Working part-time isn't even that weird! What's the matter with you?!
Urgh... I still have to work to pay my rent! The Black Flash of Elias needs money to survive, too, you know!
What did I say?! I was just a little surprised!
How far has the Magic Bullet Slinger fallen...? My life is over!
Argh... Are there actual tears in Xion's eyes...? I didn't mean to...
How do I fix this?
Inflame the darkness in Xion's heart to cheer her up.
Hahaha... Ah! So, this is your "base," right?
Waaaaah... Huh?
To hide yourself in reality with a disguise like this... Pretty impressive...!
No matter how you mask yourself, you can't conceal the dark aura you give off! Show yourself now, Magic Bullet Slinger!
Urgh... if I keep talking like this, my hands and toes are going to curl up with embarrassment...!
That's right, Xion! Just hang in there a little longer!
I have chosen the most ordinary job to hide myself... but the DARK ENERGY overflowing within me might be impossible to contain...!
I'm not sure if this was the right choice... but still...
Master, who serves Yggdrasil! Why did you seek out the Magic Bullet Slinger today...?
Calm her down, promising to keep this a secret.
Xion! I'll p-pretend I didn't see anything! Don't worry!
You already saw me! You're going to tease me about this every time we meet! *Sniff, sniff*
I swear I won't tease you! Honestly, there are plenty of folks out there that are stranger than this, so I can say this is nothing!
O-other weird folks? *Sniff, sniff*
Like a Queen who is punished for not finishing her homework... or a priestess who punishes the Queen...
Or the one who causes a disturbance every day due to the cognitive dissonance between her dreams and talents...
What does that have to do with me? Waaahhh!!!
No, I mean...
I just wanted to say there are way weirder people, so compared to them, you've nothing to worry about...
*Jingle*
What?
H-Huh? Master? I couldn't find you after the event... you were here?
Uh... yes?
Oh no, Amelia showed up at such an awkward time...? Wh-what should I do?
Wait... come to think of it, this could be a chance to reveal that Xion's the Darknet moderator...
Xion is looking at me with those pitiful eyes, barely holding back tears...
That's odd... What were you doing here with a convenience store part-timer?
Uh... well... I was just... waiting for my change. So, how much change do I get, Ms. Part-timer?
H-here... you are, Customer...
Xion is lowering her head, looking unsure of what to do.
We-Well, have a good shift! Ms. Part-timer! I'm leaving now!
G-Goodbye, customer!
???
The Master dashes out of the convenience store, leaving Xion's identity concealed.
Then, the Master gives a thumbs-up through the store window, catching Xion's eye...
Xion, thankful for the Master protecting her secret, smiles faintly, with tearful eyes.
That was our summer.