After that intense conversation, the Master called my grandpa to ask if I could live in the building. Strangely, my grandpa agreed without putting up a fight. It only took two minutes. They spoke as if they'd known each other for years. Anyway, for now, the Master told me that Katia had to stay in the box, and that tomorrow morning, he would explain the situation to the other members. After that, Komi showed me to my room.
"Hey, Marvens, are you happy to live here?" she asked.
"To be honest, part of me is happy, because I'll get to know everyone better. But another part is kind of sad, because I'll have to live without my grandpa," I replied, a bit downcast.
"I understand, Marvens. Just know I'll always be here for you, whether you need help or just someone to talk to," she said, blushing.
"I know you'll always be there. After all, we're the heroes of the prophecy," I said with a sincere smile.
"Even though I'm far from my grandpa, I know he still loves me. And besides, I've got you and Katia," I said, looking at her gently.
"Uh... y-yeah," she said, turning her head.
"Oh, and also-we're neighbors! My room's just to your right," she added with a smile.
"Really? That's awesome! I'll get to bug you every night!" I said loudly.
"Don't start, Marvens. I won't hesitate to zap you with lightning," she joked.
We reached our rooms.
"Good night, Komi. See you tomorrow!" I said.
"Good night," she replied.
Her voice was calm, but I was sure that in time, she'd open up more.
"Katia, you can come out of the box now," I whispered.
"Ahhh, finally! It was so cramped in there," she said, stretching.
"Hey, Marvens... do you like Komi?" she asked.
"Where'd that come from?" I replied.
"Well, I overheard your conversation, and you sounded really happy that she's your neighbor," she said with an annoyed tone.
"Sounds like someone's jealous," I said with a slight grin.
"No way! Not at all!" she snapped, face turning red.
"HEY, YOU TWO! SHUT IT! SOME OF US ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!" yelled the man in the room to my left.
"Look, I see both of you the same way. Don't forget-you'll both be there to help me in the future," I whispered.
"Yeah, but... just remember, I was here from the very beginning," she murmured.
I decided to pretend I hadn't heard that, since everyone was probably listening, and it was late.
"Alright, let's go to sleep," I said.
"And where exactly am I supposed to sleep?" Katia asked.
"The Master said you had to stay in the box until tomorrow, just in case someone checks the rooms during the night."
"Ugh, fine. Good night, Marvens," she said, a bit grumpy.
"GOOD NIGHT, KOMI!" I shouted with all my heart.
I was so happy to have found her again and to have met Komi. I hoped that Komi, Katia, me, and the last member would become the best of friends. After all, to save the world, it would help if we got along. That night, I thought about everything that had happened in such a short time. I didn't sleep well because of it.
"COME ON, WAKE UP! THE MASTER WANTS EVERYONE OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING!" a man shouted over and over.
Half-asleep, I got up, changed, washed up, and grabbed the box before heading outside. On the way, I ran into Komi.
"Sleep well, Komi?" I asked with a smile.
Better to hide how tired I really was.
"Yes, thanks. But judging by those eye bags, you didn't," she replied.
"That's not important. What matters is that you and Katia are in top shape," I said with a big smile.
"You too, Marvens. Don't neglect yourself," she said in a slightly scolding tone.
"By the way, you have the box with you?" Komi whispered in my ear.
"Of course. I wasn't about to leave Katia wandering around alone and unprotected in my room," I replied.
"Good. I thought you might forget that today, the Master's holding a vote to decide whether the members want to let her live... or execute her."
"Wait... the Master never said anything about an execution," I said, suddenly nervous.
"Oh? I thought he did," Komi added.
"But... do you know why he's going that far?" I asked.
"You're forgetting something: everyone here wants to exorcise every Spirit in the world," she said.
She was right. I had completely forgotten that everyone here hated them.
"You're right..." I replied in a somber tone.
We arrived outside. Over two hundred people were gathered. The Master was about to begin.
"My dear children, know that today you must make a choice... one with great consequences," the Master said in a calm voice.
"You will decide the fate of a Spirit standing among us."
The crowd erupted-murmurs, shouting, frustration. The Master raised his hand, and his authority quickly brought silence.
"I ask Marvens to step forward," he announced.
My heart raced. Stress took over me. As I stepped up, I could feel every eye on me. Some looked at me with hate. Others whispered-not kindly.
When I reached the front, the Master gestured for me to speak.
"Tell them everything, Marvens. They need to understand before they vote."
I took a deep breath and began to speak. I told them everything Katia meant to me, how important she was in my life, and how she had died only to come back as she is now. But I didn't mention Komi. That truth was mine to protect, for now.
"Please, try to understand me. Have mercy..." I pleaded.
The crowd erupted again. Some argued to spare her, others called for her destruction.
"You have ten minutes to think and make your decision," the Master announced. During that time, I turned to him, my thoughts swirling.
"Master, why are you doing this?" I asked, angry.
He looked at me calmly, but I could see his hands trembling slightly.
"Marvens, I can't tell you more, but trust me-Katia won't die. But if she's not the chosen Spirit... then..." he paused.
"What do you mean, the 'chosen Spirit'? What are you talking about?!" I yelled.
He looked away, staring up at the sky. The minutes passed quickly, and each second added to my panic.
The ten minutes flew by. I was so anxious, my mind racing.
"Alright, it's time to vote. But first, I'll explain the rules for the newcomers," said the Master.
He turned to me with a smile, but I could still see his body trembling.
"Listen closely, Marvens. Here, people vote using tablets. You'll see the results in the sky. An X means they agree. An O means they disagree with you," he explained.
Simple, but smart. That way, no one could influence anyone else.
"Also, if the vote ends in a tie... we'll have to execute her," he added.
That made things even harder, especially since all Half-Spirits hated Katia's kind.
Nine minutes passed, and the score in the sky was tied. My body gave out, and I dropped to my knees in tears. The thought of losing Katia a second time was unbearable.
"Only ten seconds left," the Master announced.
"10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4..."
I stopped believing in miracles. What kind of anime did I think I was in? This was real life-and in this world, Spirits had no place beside Half-Spirits. I wanted to live this prophecy with Komi, Katia, and the final member, but... I guess dreams don't always come true, I thought.
I looked up at the sky for those last seconds. Then... I saw one more X appear. A miracle?
"Are you seriously okay with killing a Spirit who's still sane? You all seem to forget-this one didn't attack him or the girl who was with him! Have you no heart?!" someone shouted.
The vote ended with those words. The symbols vanished from the sky as time ran out.
My eyes were full of tears-I couldn't see who had saved Katia. But once I wiped them away and looked again, I saw a man with Latino features. His accent, his haircut, his face-it was clear to me. He was Latino. I wanted to speak to him... but was this really the right time?