"...Fuck... FUCK!"

  Rakoji desummoned his weapon, kicking the rubble that he and Megami created. The Ubashi Plaza of the Envia Dome, once bustling and resembling Akihabara of Tokyo, was now another battlefield and a testament to how strong Soul-Wielders were, especially in a life-or death situation.

  "...Fucking... got civilians involved... might get banned from Mars... No... no no no no no nononononono... this was HER fault! I just took on a bounty hunting job! She already has a few hundred thousand on her head! That's right! She was going to die anyways..."

  Rakoji walked a few meters away, realizing the mess he had made.

  "But hey..." Even though he could care less about the person he just mercilessly killed.

  "... The toughest target is done."

  Rakoji reached into his pocket and took out his communicator, ready to send the information back to Evtoria Mugen. But there was just one problem he had solve, and his Soul was also acting up.

  "!"

  Flynnigan stood up, with his head facing the ground and a body language that screamed impending doom.

  ".......... Are you satisfied now?"

  "... Don't take this the wrong way, kid! It's just business! Y'know, normally- I tend to keep my emotions out of my contracts, but White Eye brought this upon themselves! I'm being paid to kill a few of them, and given how they've treated me like garbage... you know? It feels like JUSTICE!"

  Rakoji laughed a little, in denial of what was going on. His mind started to warp the situation, seeing if there was something off about it. And yet, the world continued on around the two men.

  "Just a few weeks ago, alright? They tried putting a hole in my head! MY head, you know!? They can deal with their piece of shit whore having a hole in hers! Justice! SHE KNEW WHAT WAS COMING FOR HER!"

  For a bounty hunter that tries his best to keep his emotions in line when taking a bounty, it had unknowingly exploded onto Flynnigan Shotaro, an innocent kid that only tried to save a poor woman from being assassinated.

  This poor woman was against Dark Intrinium, against the tyrannical, oppressive body that has almost the entire galaxy under its control, against everything she could've possibly gone against.

  "...Justice, you call that justice?" Flynnigan stared at Rakoji. A cold, dead stare.

  "What the hell do you know about bounty hunting, you fucking kid!? There's no need to feel sorry about her! This is my job! She was going to die either way!"

  "Right... you'll just kill anybody. Doesn't matter who or why, do you? Even when there's innocents? You don't care, do you?" Flynnigan was calm, like the calm before a storm.

  "Yeah... generally, I would." Rakoji sighed, coming back to his senses. He walked further away to contact Evtoria through his comms.

  ...

  "No. No you come back here and look at me."

  Upon dialling his contractor, the comms would suddenly scramble with static, cutting out.

  "I said, you come back here and LOOK AT ME."

  "The fuck--" Rakoji turned, the comms broken beyond repair now as it short-circuited. "W-"

  "Listen, I don't know what the fuck you are doing, but I prefer this ended peacefully between us. I don't want to kill you, kid... and you best not interfer-"

  "And you killed her and called it JUSTICE!? After clearly stating that she was against the oppressors and not doing anything out of malice. She fought for peace, and you took it away."

  "If any person affiliated with an organization would fight for peace, wouldn't you think that they're just lying to your face? Like they're sugar-coating the issue?" Rakoji took some steps forward, ready to draw his HYPERVOLVER if necessary.

  "Soul-Core is corrupted to the core. It's easier to roam around Dark Intrinium space than any other organization. That's because it's a lie."

  "No, you don't get it. What you did... isn't justice."

  Flynnigan's Soul-Energy increased exponentially while his Soul-Aura increased to the size of a 20-story building. Its effects can be seen from the other buildings and even felt on Rakoji, as the winds swept debris and dust everywhere. His eyes changed colour to a glowing cyan white.

  The crooked buildings and those unharmed from the earlier fight, were seen as if it increased in size and decreased back down repeatedly. It almost looks like an optical illusion.

  It would be deemed impossible to be able to manipulate the very core essence of the universe and its elements... but Flynnigan's Soul, or better yet, his Soul-Energy was so strong that it fundamentally started to change the way geometry worked, at least to the very man's perspective.

  .:. The fuck- .:. Rakoji thought about the impossible.

  .:. That... just simply isn't poss- .:. And so did Jumkou.

  Then, Flynnigan's Soul-Energy boomed to a certain intensity, stopping there. The massive surge would shake the ground below and induce vertigo on Rakoji, Jumkou and everyone in the vicinity.

  "It was disorder."

  Flynnigan said, with a changed voice. It was like his own, but not quite.

  "... How..."

  "You want me to tell you what justice really is?" Flynnigan said, raising his right hand at Rakoji.

  Rakoji dropped the remains of his comms, readying his weapon. "Don't do this, kid! Bounty hunting is a complicated profession! You can't just--" He then went silent - watching Flynnigan for an incoming attack. Someone just doesn't have their Soul-Aura appear after seeing an acquaintance get shot in the head.

  No, what Flynnigan did there shouldn't even be possible in the slightest.

  From having 0 perceived Soul-Energy, to his Soul matching the same intensity and frequency as a certain someone. It felt, disorientating... it felt, chaotic.

  .:. Wha-.:. Jumkou was the only one who noticed such a change in a Soul's intensity. Ramiel and Asheera were talking about CHAOS, how the Soul that they could feel Soul-Energy from turned. From a strong, sharp sensation to an intense, disorientating and chaotic one.

  But no one can just change Souls. It's simply impossible.

  Those born with a Soul stay with their Soul until their death. So changing Souls is just impossible.

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  Who is Flynnigan Shotaro, and what is his power?

  Rakoji would brace for impact, while having unholstered HYPERVOLVER. "..." However, at the very same second, he thought he would feel the brunt of his attack, Flynnigan put his hand down.

  Jumkou was trying to close in on Flynnigan, to take his hand get the hell out of here.

  "I won't be what you are." Flynnigan said as his Soul-Aura sized down and changed.

  "...If you don't want to become me, then sparing me is a good start..." Rakoji would be surprised nothing came out of that, although was also thankful. He was barely standing tall due to how close he was to the surge of power - being claustrophobically close compared to his own. He then shot the ground under him - blowing himself onto a building and retreating.

  Flynnigan watched him leave, feeling his Soul-Aura completely sizing back down to it's previous state. It essentially returned to nothing. No perceivable Soul-Aura, and virtually no Soul-Energy to sense.

  What was also remarkable about Flynnigan was that he was able to see the Soul of Megami Duvet leaving the body, and slowly... very slowly being taken to the afterlife.

  The afterlife being The Arc, where all Souls that have died on the mortal world, reside. He did not, however, knew this, but the question was how did his mind perceive such a thing?

  Then the police arrived as the fight was over, pushing Flynnigan over to the crowd.

  .:. I'm sorry, Megami... I stood by and just watched... .:.

  Tears slowly drained over Flynnigan's eyes. This was the second time he became helpless. He couldn't save his village, all of his dear loved ones... and now he couldn't save this girl who was fighting for a better galaxy.

  .:. And I only just met you... .:.

  Jumkou would walk up to Flynnigan, a ship hovering above them. It was Sachiel's ship that Jumkou borrowed. She was hell-bent on taking Flynnigan and bring him to Testharia.

  "We have to go, Flynn..."

  "... Who even are you?" Flynnigan asked, depressed. "..."

  "I'll tell you on the way. I'll bring you to a place infinitely better than this dumphole. You wanna know how your power works, what is really inside you? I can help uncover it for you." Jumkou told Flynnigan, gently touching his head.

  The ship, which was illegal to touchdown on the street and outside the landing pads, slowly moved above the two Soul-Wielders. Knowing how strong Flynnigan is and how much damage has caused by just his power surging, the police let them leave Mars.

  "Come on." The staircase attached to the bottom of the ship moved. Jumkou jumped on, grabbing hold onto it. Then, Flynnigan hesitated for a bit - just standing on the sidewalk. He walked, wondering and pondering. Megami died in vain, and so did everyone in his village.

  Was this power he had a curse?

  Why are people so interested in him?

  From the masked figures that tried to "confiscate" his Soul, to this red-haired overly desperate girl who wanted to give him "asylum" at Testharia. Nevertheless, he would jump up, and then pulled himself up.

  "Nasse, fire up the ship."

  "You haven't told me who you were, or where you are taking me." Flynnigan said, freaking out a little bit.

  "Listen, I'll explain soon, just calm down, please. Let's head back to Testharia, Nasse."

  - Setting course to Tristate City, Testharia. Estimat- -

  "I know! Just hit the throttle!"

  - Initiating high-risk Hyperspeed in 3...2...1... -

  "High-risk...?"

  The ship would then seemingly vanish from the Dome, setting a series of strong shockwaves. As all light faded out and they were hyperspeeding through interstellar space in an instant.

  -

  5 minutes later.

  "Phew..." Jumkou would take a seat and relax. Nothing that she has done screamed kidnapping a young man. It was pretty funny she was oblivious of all of that... but kidnapping is the least bad thing she could've done in that situation.

  Flynnigan Shotaro, coined as the "Call of the Gods" by Jumkou herself, where she thinks that he is the prophesized warrior that will vanquish all Souls of impurity, the evil... is finally with her.

  "HEY, you're going to tell me what I'm doing here?" Flynnigan walked over to Jumkou.

  "Right- yeah. My name is Jumkou Katatoria."

  Flynnigan looked around and then back at Jumkou. He has nothing else to do but listen to Jumkou, really. He thinks he is being kidnapped, yet does not say it, thinking he might be forced to shut up and be afraid if he said something about this being a "kidnap attempt". Good thing he brought his bag, though.

  "... Listen, Flynnigan... I'll just get straight to the point and say that your life is in trouble. Deep trouble."

  "Yeah, I know. Apart from my village being utterly destroyed, I'd say I'm well aware of what is going on. So you're gonna tell me why my village is destroyed then, or are you one of those that did it?" Flynnigan balled his hands into fists, frustrated that not even a day after the incident he was whisked off from a stranger and was now flying to an unknown, distant location.

  "Okay- first of all. Don't punch the nice captain, that's not a good start... to us..."

  Flynnigan stared Jumkou down, listening closely. "I already know you're one of those... somethings, those Soul fighters or whatever. So just cut to the chase."

  "...A Soul-Wielder. Yeah." Jumkou crossed her legs. "I'm not the only Soul-Wielder on this ship, though. You are one too."

  "...What? Me? I'm not a Soul-Wielder! I can barely handle a fat person, let alone... whatever you guys are?"

  Jumkou stood up from her pilot seat and walked to the back of the ship, opening the fridge and taking out an ancient can of apple juice. It almost looked like she was haunting him with suspense on purpose - either way, Flynnigan wanted answers.

  "Are you drink- AGH- Can you just tell me what the fuck is going on!?"

  "If you stop being so noisy then I'll tell you everything! Have a seat and relax for a bit." Jumkou pointed to a lounge seat in the middle.

  The young boy then sat down, eyeing the door suspiciously as if an assassin might try and take his life. After all, he doesn't have anything useful or needed.

  "So. What now? Why am I in trouble?"

  After taking a huge sip of her beloved apple juice, she let out a gasp of freshness. That can must have been way older than she is. She placed the can onto the table and crossed her legs, looking at Flynn as if she was about to drop the biggest lore in the world to him.

  "You are an important piece of figure, Flynnigan. This may sound like a big stretch, but you are what I think and what is prophesized as the Call of the Gods. You are the key to saving this galaxy. You have to believe me that I come from the future and went to the past solely to find you and to stop the galaxy from plunging into absolute entropy."

  "... What? Yeah... yeah, and I have some godly power that can stop a planet from exp- You're full of crap!"

  Jumkou sighed. Of course he wouldn't believe me that easily. You don't think I've tried? We had this exact same conversation more times than I could count.

  "My Soul is called Time. It allows me to manipulate the flow of time, but I haven't mastered it yet. Better said, when I travelled to the past, my Soul-Energy was basically zero. I'm slowly healing, but it's going to take a long time. I know exactly who you are because of it, that is how I found you. You're going to have to believe me one way or another!"

  "... No." Flynnigan responded. "This... It doesn't make sense at all. Your Soul, and me... it's just so ridiculous!"

  "I know! It's a lot to take in but you have to just... trust me."

  "Trust? You basically kidnapped me!"

  "It's not a kidna- Ughhh... If I tell you that I had this exact same conversation so many times already, you'd just brush it off, wouldn't you? What can I possibly do?"

  "Yeah- Yeah... You can take me back to Mars. That would be nice."

  " "Yeah- Yeah... You can take me back to Mars. That would be nice... See?"

  "... Oh, how about that." Flynnigan was still sceptical. "Anyways... you said that I'm the key to saving the galaxy, what does that even mean?"

  Jumkou took another sip, contemplating the situation, what is the right thing to say at this very moment. There has been too many situations where this ended in absolute failure.

  "...Where I am from, the galaxy collapsed under a chaotic act of darkness. A state of absolute entropy, some would say. At this moment, we are heading toward that time period. You were meant to be killed at the village where you live."

  "..."

  "What? You're saying I was meant to die by them?"

  "Yes. But because you're alive means something was changed. How did you escape the intruder in your village?"

  Flynnigan was thinking all of this was crazy but from what he has seen so far, could he really not believe it? He was living in peace for a whole 19 years, before a group of masked Soul-Wielders came by and destroyed his village, tried to kill him and confiscate his Soul.

  He also went to Mars thinking he could find some form of solace there, and to find himself, only to see the only acquaintance, a friend he made get killed in the next 10 minutes.

  And then, this person would then "kidnap" him and explain everything about his background.

  That's crazy. That's mad. But it doesn't look like she is lying. She also clearly knew what happened. No, those eyes of hers. They have seen Death, multiple times. They have seen things happen.

  The woman is telling the truth.

  "I tried to fight off those that destroyed my village. I believe they were Soul-Wielders so it was obvious I stood no chance... They caught me so I thought I was going to die, I figured I was just done for right here. Until something just... snapped. I couldn't explain it. I felt this extreme burst of energy... like life was breathed into me... and not just any form of life, something existing for millions of years, since the start of time itself. I didn't feel conscious though... it was like my body acted on its own. As if I was crying for help, as if this energy ensured my survival. Whatever it was, when I woke up again, the Soul-Wielders were gone and all I saw was my village, destroyed. All the injuries I sustained prior were gone... I can hardly really explain what it was. It's not something I could ever explain... it's weird... it's scary. All I know is that I managed to escape and survive..."

  Poor guy.