A Most Unlikely Hero Vol. 7 Read online

  He fortunately did not have to say anything. Karen spoke before him.

  “Alex,” she said, her tone softer than he remembered. “You seem to be doing well.”

  “As well as could be expected, I guess.” Alex couldn’t stop the sheepish grin from spreading across his face. “There’s a lot going on right now.”

  “I heard. Azazel informed me that you plan on leaving with this Prince Arthur.” Karen sighed. “You certainly don’t do these things half-assed, do you?”

  Alex shrugged. “I’ve recently made a decision and following through with that decision requires me to travel with Prince Arthur and help him out.”

  “I figured as much. What about the people living with you? Are they coming as well?”

  “Gabrielle and Nyx are coming,” Alex said. “I couldn’t stop them even if I wanted to. However, Ariel and Michelle won’t be coming with us.”

  They had wanted to, of course, but Alex had asked them to look after his sister instead. Alice was an important part of his life, and there was no telling who might show up while he was gone. He had told Ariel and Michelle that he was entrusting his sister’s safety to them. While Michelle was probably skeptical, no doubt imagining that he was just trying to keep them from going to Camelot, Ariel had enthusiastically declared that she would protect Alice with her life.

  Karen placed one manicured hand on the desk, tapping her fingers against it as she studied him. “You know, I always thought that you were different from everyone else. You never acted like a normal child. You were either serious beyond your years or more playful than anyone I’d ever seen. You had this incredible talent to make things most of us could never dream of, and whenever you put your mind to something, nothing would stop you. To be honest, I used to think you were a little creepy.”

  “T-that’s an incredibly rude thing to say!” Alex shouted. “That last statement was completely uncalled for.”

  Karen smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry. I don’t think that way anymore. I realize now that it’s because you’re different. You live in a different world from us normal folk. You’re a lot like your father that way.”

  Alex didn’t remember anything about his father, not what he looked like, or what he acted like. What few snippets of memory he had were cast in shadows.

  The reason was because of the seals on his mind. Several symbols from the ancient angelisian language had been used to create seals that locked his memories away. Ariel said she could break the seal, but Alex had told her to hold off because, at the time, he had been worried that it would leave him incapable of responding to trouble.

  I should have her release the seals when I get home.

  “When are you leaving?” Karen asked.

  “Tomorrow.”

  “That soon?”

  “It will take about a week to get from here to Camelot.” Alex shrugged. “There’s a lot happening over there, and we don’t really have the luxury of time. Frankly, I’m surprised Prince Arthur even suggested waiting another day, but I guess there’s things that he needs to take care of that can’t be dealt with while in hyperspace.”

  Alex assumed Prince Arthur was communicating with his half-siblings and subordinates, getting as much information as possible and giving out orders.

  Communication was impossible during hyperspace, from what Gabrielle had said. Hyperspace was a region of space that coexisted within this universe. Entering hyperspace required a Hyperspace Adapter and a Hyperdrive, technology that the people of his solar system didn’t have, that could allow a ship to create a bubble around themselves and enter hyperspace.

  While in hyperspace, the laws of Spatial Relativity did not apply, which was what allowed for faster than light travel. During their time in hyperspace, communication was impossible. The reason was because they were “out of phase” with the rest of the universe.

  Karen agreed with a slow nod. “Yes, I suppose that would make sense. Azazel has already informed me of what was happening, but I appreciate you coming to tell me.”

  “I thought it would be appropriate,” Alex said. “But I didn’t just come here to tell you that?”

  Karen raised an eyebrow. “You have more you wish to tell me?”

  Nodding, Alex took a slow breath before saying, “I wanted to apologize. I know that dealing with me over the years hasn’t been easy. I know that putting up with my, uh, recklessness has placed you under a great deal of stress. You’ve done a lot for me over the years, and I repaid your kindness by acting like an idiot with a chip on my shoulders. I’m sorry.”

  This was the main reason Alex had come to Karen. The number of times she had kept him from getting in trouble, the number of times she had run damage control for a disaster that he had caused, were too numerous to count. Back then, he had never expressed gratitude for everything she’d done for him. He’d kept pushing his luck chasing after an unachievable dream. Even if she didn’t accept his apology, he had to let her know how he felt.

  To his great surprise, Karen actually smiled at him. “It seems you’re finally beginning to grow up. I was honestly worried about whether or not this would ever happen.”

  “That… I somehow feel like I’ve just been given the most insulting backhand compliment ever,” Alex muttered.

  “Alex, be careful out there,” Karen said, her smile now gone, expression serious. “There’s no telling what’s waiting you out there in the galaxy. Make sure not to do anything reckless and come back home.”

  “I will,” Alex agreed. “I have a sister waiting for me, so I can’t afford to be reckless.”

  “I’m glad you’ve realized that.”

  There wasn’t much left for him to do, so Alex said his goodbyes and left Karen’s office, then left the police station altogether. As he hopped onto the nearest shuttle, he thought about what would be happening tomorrow morning. Space. A new adventure. His lips curved into an involuntary smile.

  He couldn’t wait.

  1

  Alex made curry that night. He was going on a journey, with no way of knowing how long it would take, when he would be back, or even if he would be back. To that end, he had made curry because it was Alice’s favorite meal.

  Later that night, after making sure he had packed everything that he might need in his D-glove, Alex decided to take a shower. As he wandered into the hall and toward the shower room, the door to Gabrielle’s room opened.

  “Oh, Alex!” Gabrielle chirped, hugging his arm. “Are you going somewhere? Wanna watch Titan Girls with me and Alice?”

  “Maybe after I get out of the shower,” Alex said before he realized what he was saying. He only recognized his mistake after he noticed the sparkle in Gabrielle’s eyes.

  “A shower?! In that case, let me take a shower with you! We can wash each other’s backs!”

  “Erm… I don’t think that’s a good idea…”

  “Why not? We’re a couple now, right? You confessed to me, didn’t you?”

  “W-well, I did…”

  “Then it should be okay!”

  Just the other day, Alex had confessed to Gabrielle. He had been aware of her feelings were the longest time. However, he had refused to let himself get close, laying the blame on Gabrielle’s naivety and lack of modesty. Of course, that reason had been nothing but an excuse. The real reason was because Alex had… issues when it came to dealing with the opposite sex, specifically, he had problems with his own hormones.

  Ever since he turned about nine or so, Alex had begun to notice, well, girls, though it might have been more accurate to say he recognized the distinct difference between boys and girls. What’s more, he had been attracted to them in ways that other boys hadn’t at that age. This attraction only became worse when he grew older. By the time he turned fourteen, he’d been a walking sack of testosterone.

  That was when Alex confessed to Selene. He’d been rejected. Not only had it hurt, but Alex had ignored the pain and feelings and devoted himself toward becoming a police officer. He had taken
an accelerated course during primary and graduated from Atreyu Academy before heading straight into the Cadet Academy. This was despite numerous universities offering him scholarships for their science and engineering programs.

  However, that hadn’t stopped the lust he felt, not for Selene or anyone else. His desire to for sex had only grown with time. Alex would have wet dreams featuring Selene, Jasmine, Kazekiri, Ryoko, or any number of girls. It wasn’t unusual for him to wake up most mornings with a major case of morning wood.

  Matters only became more problematic after Gabrielle arrived. She had made controlling himself more difficult. Every day was a struggle to control his beastly urges. Ariel had called him a perverted beast, but she probably had no idea about just how right on the money her nickname for him was.

  His lustful desires had become so bad that Alex had decided to let Prince Arthur have Gabrielle. He thought that if she was with him, then surely she would be happier than if she stayed with Alex.

  It’s probably a good thing Ariel put a stop to that real fast. I almost lost myself to my own weakness, and Gabrielle… I very nearly destroyed the life we have together. I’ll have to thank Ariel later.

  Shaking his head, Alex tried to think of what he should say to get out of this situation.

  “At… let’s at least wait until after our first date,” Alex said. “I’ll… take a bath with you then… sound good?”

  “Muu…” Gabrielle puffed out her cheeks. “Okay… fine. But I’m holding you to this promise.”

  “Right.” Alex smiled, wondering what sort of trouble he was getting himself into with this promise.

  With Gabrielle placated, Alex continued on to the shower room.

  It was called the shower room specifically because it was divided into two rooms: a changing room and a shower room. The changing room was sort of like a restroom, changing room combination. It had a toilet, a sink, and a rack to place clothes on. A door separated the changing room from the shower room, which was literally just a shower and a tub in a tile-filled room.

  The door that led into the changing room was automatic now. Gabrielle had changed it when she was remaking the house after her sisters destroyed it. Now it opened whenever someone who was registered into the security system, another feature of hers that she added without his knowledge, was in front of it.

  Alex paused as he stepped into the changing room, the door behind him sliding closed, and the temperature around him dropping rapidly.

  There was already someone else in there.

  Nyx, an assassin who had formerly been after his life, stood in the changing room. She was not wearing her usual black dress, or her arm and leg bands. In fact, outside of her white cotton panties, an odd choice that, she was not actually wearing anything.

  Being a small girl, Nyx was not very big. She only came up about his chin. She had pale skin and hair darker than a raven’s feathers, which framed a lovely porcelain face that could have been mistaken for a doll.

  Alex felt his throat dry as his eyes wandered down her slender neck and shoulders, admiring her arms and delicate hands before glancing at her chest. Somehow, she looked even more erotic with her nipples covered by the two strands of hair that trailed down to the middle of her stomach. What’s more, her stomach was tantalizing. Not only was it flat, but she had abs, and for just a second, Alex imagined himself licking the sweat from that six pack after a night of passionate sex. Then he continued trailing down, observing the V of her crotch. She was hairless. He hadn’t expected that. Finally, at long last, he reached her feet, and the memories of how she had reacted when he cleaned her feet made his face burst with heat.

  Alex was only aware of the danger he was in when Nyx released a choking amount of killing intent.

  “Erm… Nyx, this isn’t what it looks like,” Alex said, backing away several steps. “T-the door wasn’t locked, so I didn’t know anyone was in here… um… can we talk this out, please?”

  “I hate perverted things!” Nyx shouted before she stomped one of her tiny feet on the ground.

  Alex squeaked when the floor suddenly came alive. A large chunk of the floor extended, shooting straight at him. Alex reacted on instinct. He called upon his Aura of Creation, created a sword that covered his right hand, sidestepped the floor, and cut straight through it with his ethereal weapon.

  The floor crumbled.

  Nyx stared at him as though she hadn’t expected him to defend himself.

  “L-look, Nyx. I know this looks bad, but I promise you that I didn’t walk in on purpose.” To emphasize his words, Alex turned around, presenting his back to her. “I had no idea anyone was in here.”

  “Oh…” Nyx trailed off. Alex had no idea what she was doing, but from the rustling of clothes, he guessed she was getting dressed. “I understand. I made a mistake. I thought you were coming in here to peep on me.”

  “I’d never peep on a girl,” Alex said. “Especially not someone who is so precious to me.”

  The rustling stopped. “I am… precious to you?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t have let you stay with me if you weren’t.”

  The rustling started again. “I thought you were letting me live with you because you’re too nice.”

  “W-well, I suppose.” Alex coughed into his hand, hoping to hide his embarrassment. “But in the time we’ve started living together, you have become very precious to me.”

  “I see.” Another pause. The rustling stopped again. “I’m dressed.”

  Alex turned around to find that, indeed, Nyx was dressed now. Her dark black outfit contrasted with her pale skin. The hem didn’t reach the middle of her thigh, which allowed him to see the bands around her thighs. Likewise, her dress was sleeveless, and her arms were covered in armbands. Alex knew from experience that these were material that she used to transmute her primary weapons.

  “I’m sorry for walking in on you.” Alex rubbed the back of his head as he bowed in apology.

  Nyx grabbed her left arm. “It’s all right. Um…”

  “Hm?”

  “Do you… think I’m pretty?”

  Huh?

  “I think you’re gorgeous,” Alex answered honestly, mostly because he was too shocked by the question to answer it any other way.

  “I-I see.”

  Nyx looked down, her hair covering her face, and walked past him. The door slid up, but he didn’t hear footsteps. Alex turned. Nyx was standing in the door, her head still turned toward the ground. He couldn’t see anything except her hair, which was long enough to reach her ankles.

  Finally, she turned her head and pierced him with a glare. “If you tell anyone about what happened here, I’ll hurt you.”

  Those were the last words she said before she left. Alex stared at the now closed door, trying to process what happened, only for his neuro processor otherwise known as a brain to come up with the words “cannot compute.”

  “I have no idea what just happened,” he said to the now empty room.

  2

  Alex’s destination after taking a shower was not his own bedroom, but was instead, the bedroom belonging to Ariel. He stood in front of the door. Unlike the shower, which anyone could open, bedroom doors could only be open by people keyed in. From his understanding, only Ariel and Gabrielle was keyed to this door.

  He knocked once.

  “Who is it?”

  “It’s Alex.”

  There was a pause.

  “Hang on.” Loud thumping reached his ears, followed a beep before the door opened with a slight hiss. Ariel stood on the other side, dressed in modest yellow pajamas. She frowned at him. “What do you want?”

  “Remember when you said you could break the seal on my mind?” Alex asked.

  Ariel’s demeanor changed as she straightened her back. “I do. You want me to do it now?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “All right. Let’s go to your room. This is gonna knock you out, so you’ll want to be on your bed or something.”

 
“Okay.”

  They both entered his bedroom, and Alex walked over to the bed and laid down as the door slid shut. Ariel climbed onto the bed and straddled his waist. Alex suddenly became aware of the fact that Ariel was also a girl.

  “W-wait! What are you doing?!”

  “Don’t move!” Ariel demanded, only to gasp when Alex tried to push her off and ended up brushing against her wings. She threw her head back and released a sound that Alex knew well. It made him wish he could bury his head in the sand. “I-idiot! I told you not to move--ahn!”

  “I’m sorry, but what else do you expect me to do when a cute girl randomly straddles me?!”

  “C-c-c-cute?!”

  Alex couldn’t be sure, but he could have sworn he’d just heard a poof! sound effect as Ariel’s face burst with red. The girl swayed on top of him for a moment, and Alex realized that her thighs were really muscular for such a tiny girl. He could feel them flex even through the fabric of her pants.

  “S-s-shut up! Just be quiet and let me work!” Ariel demanded.

  “R-right.”

  Alex turned his head and tried to ignore Ariel as she straddled his stomach. She was warm and soft. It made ignoring her difficult, but he did the best he could as she leaned over, reached out, and placed her hands on his temples.

  “The seals are located inside of you,” she said softly, suddenly no longer embarrassed. She was totally focused. “In order to unlock them, I need to send my power into your mind and create a key to unlock it. It might feel a little weird at first. Also, I should mention this, but I can only unlock the first seal right now. I’m not sure what you’ll see, but it won’t be all of your memories.”

  “That’s fine,” Alex said. “Even if I only get a few of them back, it will be enough. Thank you, Ariel.”

  “I-idiot! Don’t thank me for something like this! Anyway, here we go!”

  Alex soon understood what Ariel meant when she said it would feel weird. It was like an electric shot racing through his brain, and while it didn’t hurt, it did leave a strange, tingling numbness in its wake.