Saiph

When I was little, I wanted to be a superhero. To be more precise, I wanted superpowers to use to fight bad guys. I would always pretend I was fighting villains with all sorts of powers, to prepare myself for the day I finally got them...

But I've grown out of that now. I longer desire to fight bad guys, and I no longer desire superpowers or anything of the sort. I'm perfectly happy living a normal, mundane life.

"It's such a beautiful day today." I said to myself, heading to the perfectly normal grocery store to do my perfectly normal weekly shopping in my perfectly normal town. "I'm sure nothing wrong will happen at all!"

Well sure, there is this strange group of bad thugs called the "Disco Faction" that have been hanging around town recently. Because they look and act so silly, people didn't take them seriously at first. But once their serious crimes began to get noticed, the police finally got involved and the townspeople tried their best to stay away from them. Now they only seem to hang around back alleys and such.

That being the case, no one would possibly be stupid enough to interact with them, right?

"Help! Someone help me!" I heard, coming from a back alley I happened to be passing by.

I'm sure I'm just hearing things...

"Won't someone come save me? Please!"

I didn't hear that, either! It's none of my business!

"O woe is me! If only a hero would come to my rescue!"

... Dang it.

"You've only yourself to blame, missy!" Said a member of the Disco Faction. "You're the one who wandered into our ter-ri-tor-y~! Aaooww!"

"No, it's not! I was asked to come here!" Replied the "maiden in distress". "A handsome guy in a white tuxedo told me to come here if I needed a guide around town! I wasn't expecting some weirdo with an afro!"

"Aaooww! A weirdo, missy?! Clearly you don't know the beauty that is Di-sco Fe-ver~!"

"There's nothing 'beautiful' about you! You're just weird, weirdo!"

"Hey missy, that's a school uniform you're wearing, right?" Said the afro man, changing the subject randomly. "From that newly built private school? Your family must be loaded!"

"What's that have to do with anything?!"

"Hand over all your cash, this instant! For the sake of the Disco Faction! Aaaooowww!" He said, spinning towards her.

"Aahh! Help!"

"Hold it right there, disco scum!" I shouted, saying the most lame thing ever.

I appeared in front of them, in between the girl and the afro man.

"Wow, it's a hero!" The girl stated. "And he's handsome, too!"

"Who are you?" The afro man asked, after he stopped spinning. "Are you one of the rebels?"

"No, I'm Saiph. Just... Saiph."

"Oh, really? Well, you're gonna have to change your name to 'Danger' after what I do to you!"

That... didn't make any sense.

"Take this! Groovy Spin!" He started to spin again, this time in my direction.

Huh... This tactic looks familiar...

In the middle of his spinning, he pulled out a metal claw.

Crap, I knew it!

"Take this... Disco Fist!" He shouted wildly, tearing a sharp, iron punch through my abdomen.

"AAAGH!!!"

"Oh no! Mr. Hero!"

The afro man pulled out the metal claw, a large amount of blood leaving my body from the wound. I instinctively clutched the area where the wound was, to try and stop the bleeding.

"As you can see, despite the way they look, these guys are pretty dangerous." I told the girl calmly. "So you should get out of here and try to avoid them from now on."

"B-but... What about you?"

I gave her a faint smile. "You don't need to worry about me. I'll be fine..."

To their surprise, my hair and eyes started to glow suddenly. All of the blood that I spilled rose up off the ground, gathering to my wound.

"W-wha?!" The afro man exclaimed. "What are you, some kind of monster?!"

"Nope, I'm just..." I removed my hand from my waist, showing them that my wound was gone. "... immortal, that's all."

Like I said before, perfectly normal... well, I've started to consider it "normal" nowadays, anyway.

There's something I didn't mention about myself before. Those superpowers I wished for? I actually did end up getting them. Although the "powers" I ended up getting weren't what I was expecting.

First of all, I knew right away when I received my power, because both my hair and eyes turned bright green. My body's aging has also slowed down by about half that of a normal person. I made the wish when was 10, and I'm 23 right now, so I currently look like I'm 16 (16½ actually, but who cares about minor technicalities like that). Despite that, for some reason, my hair began to grow at double the speed of a normal person. I regularly wear my hair in a ponytail now because going to see the barber so much has become tedious and costly for me.

And lastly, and certainly the most interesting of them all, is my "immortal" power. Whenever I take any injury of some sort, my body will recover it instantly. To be precise, it's more like my body is rewinding the injuries. I can't even get sick, either (well, I haven't gotten ill since my wish at least). It's not as great as you'd think though, since I can still feel pain. I felt that stab punch as much as I would have if I wasn't immortal.

... Just like all of the of disco morons I've come across that have witnessed my power at work, he became frightened, and ran away like a raving lunatic.

"Well, that takes care of him..."

"Wooow...!" The girl said, looking at me with amazement. "You're not just a hero, you're a superhero!"

"Wooow, I've never gotten a reaction like that before." I uttered in a snarky tone. "Whatever, my work here is done, so..."

"Wait, let me introduce myself, Mr. Hero! My name i-..."

I ignored her and continued on my ordinary walk to the grocery store.

--

My powers aren't all sunshine and rainbows. Sure, there's a lot of times where they've helped me (my immortal power, at least), but they've certainly also made my life difficult as well. I got bullied often at school for being small, and I had a hard time finding a job because of how young I looked. I began to wonder if I could ever live my life without hardship at that point, and fell into depression when I was 18 years old. I did a lot of strange things during that time, but I don't remember most of it, as my mind has blocked out most of my memories from then (understandably so, as depression is obviously... not fun).

But oh well. I've gotten used to it now, and I'm content knowing I'm the only one who has to live with having this power.

Plus, I'm still fortunate enough to have kind, loving, and understanding parents. I told them about my powers when I learned about them (I didn't really have much choice, since the new color of my hair stood out like a sore thumb). Luckily, they had no problem with it, especially my mother. They're a bit eccentric, but they really care about me. I couldn't wish for any parents better than them. I love them so much.

Ahem... Anyway, I decided to move out of the house after I had finally managed to get a job (about 2 years ago). My mother was really upset to see me go, but I figured it was about time I started taking care of myself at my age. So now, a small room on the second floor of an apartment complex is what I call home. Still, it gets pretty lonely sometimes...

Maybe a cute girl will magically appear in front of me when I get home... nah, just kidding!

... After doing my shopping for the week, I went home and brought my groceries to my room, like usual.

Home sweet home. And like always, I'm treated to the sounds of nothing but the refrigerator running, the breeze blowing through the windows, and that weird scratchy noise. It's so peacefu-... Wait, what.

Well, it actually wasn't really a scratchy noise; it sounded more like someone was... drawing something?

It's true I never lock my door when I step out, but that's because I never figured anyone would want anything from my room!

"Hey, is someone there?" I asked, dropping my groceries and moving myself to the living section of my home.

And it was there that I saw her... A little girl sitting on the floor, drawing something in a notepad with crayon.

"Um..." When I thought 'cute girl' earlier, I was expecting someone a lot... older.

Hold on, now's not the time for that! What's going on here?!

Obviously I had no idea who she was nor where she came from. So, of course, I decided to enter the room and ask her.

"So, who might you be?" I said in a very gentle manner.

The girl stopped what she was doing, and looked up at me. She continued to stare at me, not uttering a word.

"Uh, excuse me? Little miss?"

She then finally uttered something, something I wasn't expecting at all...

"... Daddy?"

Eh? What did she just say...?

She suddenly became wide-eyed, like she had realized something. The girl took something out of a bag (presumably hers) and handed it to me.

"Huh? An envelope?"

I opened it up, and took out a piece of paper that was inside. I unfolded it and saw it was a letter.

"Dear Saiphy,
This is Diana. Do you remember me? We had a... 'fun' time together five years ago. As a result of the fun we had though, I got an unexpected surprise. That surprise being that cute, little, green-haired hellspawn sitting in your dingy apartment room right this very second! I'm sick of looking after her, as I am a free-spirited person, so would you mind taking care of her for me? You're her FATHER after all, so it should be no problem for you, right? Well, take care!
- Diana~ <3"

"..."

I couldn't even think of a way to respond to what I just read. Although there was one word in that letter that stuck out in my mind the most...

... Father.

It was pretty obvious to me what that "fun" thing mentioned in the letter was. And that sort of thing did indeed result in creating a child. But I never thought I would have done something like that during my depression!

I took a better look at the girl, who was still staring at me with wide, innocent-looking eyes.

Well, she has green eyes and hair, just like me. I guess there's no doubt she really is my daughter...

... Wait, green?!

My hair and eyes turned their current color from gaining my immortal power. If she inherited that, does that mean she also has my power? Come to think of it, her hair is abnormally long as well...

No, it's too early to say for sure. For all I know, she could've just recieved my pigments and nothing else. At least, I hope so...

"Um... daddy?" The little girl repeated. "Are you my daddy?"

"Yes, that's right. I am... your father." I answered, not believing I was saying that aloud seriously.

She looked at me in confusion.

"Ah, sorry. Yes, I'm your daddy." I corrected.

"... Oh." She uttered with a dull surprise.

Wait, that's it? I was expecting a bigger reaction than that...

She stopped looking at me and continued drawing in her notepad.

Maybe she's not comfortable with me yet... I should get to know her a bit better first.

"So, what're you drawing?"

"Stars."

I took a closer look, and noticed she was, in fact, drawing stars.

"Stars, huh? Do you like stars?"

She nodded. "They're pretty."

"Oh, I see. I think they're pretty, too!"

Out of curiosity, I tried to flip one of the pages to she what else she drew. But before I could get the chance, she suddenly swiped the notepad away and held it close to her defensively.

"Ah, sorry about that! I just wanted to see the other things you've drawn."

"... C-can I keep... drawing stars here?" She asked with a sorrowful expression.

"Sure you can! You can draw as many stars as you want!"

She gave me a faint smile (the first smile I had seen on her so far, in fact), as a expression of relief seemed to appear on her face.

What was that about? Did she think I was going to take the notepad away from her or something?

She placed it back down, and started drawing more stars.

Anyway, what should I ask her next? Hm... I thought about it, then realized there were some important things I needed to ask her first.

"How old are you?"

"Four."

Four, huh? Yeah, I guess that makes sense.

"And what's your name?" I finally asked; what I should have to begin with.

"Name...?" She looked at me, with an odd look of confusion.

"What does mommy call you?" I said, changing the wording of my question.

"Uh..." She thought about it pretty hard, then... "Brat."

Wha?!

"Um, that's not quite right, sweetie. What's your name?"

She looked very puzzled by this, not knowing how to answer.

Could it be... she was never given a name? I mean, I could tell by the letter her mother wasn't too fond of her, but still!

I decided there was only one thing to do then.

"Would you mind if I see that for a second?" I pointed at her notepad.

She hesitated, but eventually nodded, and handed it to me.

I closed it, took one of the crayons, and wrote something on the front cover.

"Here you go." I gave it back to her. "Can you read that?"

"Al... ta... ir?" She read slowly.

"Altair." I repeated. "It's a name of a star. And it's also your name from now on."

"My... name?"

"Yes, that's what you're going to be called. The name people call me is Saiph, which is also the name of a star." I explained to her. "So we match... kind of. Are you okay with that?"

"Altair..." She looked at the cover of her notepad again. A huge grin appeared on her face. "Heehee! Altair!"

That's good... She really seems to like her name!

"So, Altair." I said to her. "If there's anything you need, feel free to ask daddy, okay?"

The grin on her face suddenly turned into a frown once again.

"Altair is a good girl... I don't need anything, daddy. Daddy doesn't need to worry about Altair..."

"Um, alright. If you say so..."

The way she's acting seems kind of strange. I wonder if something is bothering her?

All of a sudden, I heard a light gurgling noise, coming from Altair's direction.

"Hey, are you...?"

"Altair isn't hungry, daddy..." She looked downward to hide her face, still frowning. "Altair is fine, daddy..."

I heard the gurgling sound again, it being louder this time. Altair responded to this by hugging her stomach and turning away from me.

"... Listen, Altair. If you're hungry, just say so." I told her, gently placing my hand on her shoulder. "I just went grocery shopping, so there's plenty of stuff I can make for you."

She looked back at me in surprise.

"I... can eat something, daddy?"

"Of course! What would you like to eat, sweetie?"

"Anything daddy makes is fine."

"Really? Don't you have any favorite foods? Or foods you like or don't like?"

She didn't say anything for a while, but eventually she said: "Bread."

"Bread?"

"Bread is fine, daddy."

"Just bread?" I looked at her in confusion, until I realized. "Oh wait, is it a sandwich you want? Don't you at least want cheese with it or something?"

"..."

"Or are you lactose intolerant?"

"Lac... tose?" She looked at me, her being the one confused this time.

Idiot! What are you doing saying such complicated words to a four-year old!?

"Er, I mean, do you like cheese?"

She nodded. "But just bread is fine. Altair doesn't want to trouble daddy..."

"It's no trouble at all, sweetie." I patted her head softly. "It'll take a little while, so do you mind waiting a bit?"

"Okay, daddy."

I went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for the two of us. I began to look through the food I bought, while Altair continued drawing in the other room.

"Let's see... What can I make that's okay for a little girl like her to eat?"

Altair seems really hungry. There's no way I'm going to give her just bread...

"But come to think of it, I don't really know what she likes. All I know is that she can eat bread and cheese..."

I rummaged through the stuff I bought again, keeping in mind what she told me. Eventually something caught my attention.

"Ah, of course!" I picked up a box from one of the bags. "This should be good enough! It shouldn't take too long to make, either."

And with that, I finally started to make dinner.

--

After I had finished, I brought two bowls of the food I had made into the room Altair was sitting in.

"All done!" I told her, setting the bowls down on a small table in the room. "Did I make you wait too long?"

She shook her head. "No, daddy."

Altair sat at one side of the table while I went to get some spoons.

"This is... for me, daddy?"

"Of course it is!"

"What is it, daddy?" She asked, after accepting one of the spoons I brought over.

"It's called 'mac & cheese'." I explained. "It's really good! I used to eat it all the time when I was your age."

And I eat it all the time now too, since my cooking skills aren't that great...

"And... this?" She held out the piece of silverware she was holding in front of her.

"What, you mean the spoon?"

She looked at it, looking confused.

"Have you never used one before? You've never eaten cereal, or oatmeal, or anything like that?"

She shook her head again, frowning.

"I see..." I sighed. "You use it like this..." I slowly spooned up some of my own dinner, and brought it against my mouth to eat. "See?"

"Oh!" She exclaimed, imitating what I had just did. She made special care not to drop any of it.

"Well? Is it good?" I inquired, watching her eat it.

"Mmngh!" Her face lit up in surprise, her mouth still filled with food.

"W-what's the matter?! Do you not like it? Or is it too hot?"

She swallowed it, a big smile appearing on her face.

"Y-YUMMY!!!" Altair cried, in an unusually loud voice.

"Heh, it is, isn't it?"

"Yes! Altair loves this 'mac & cheese'!" She continued to gobble up more of it from her bowl.

"Don't eat so fast! You might choke!"

She might get thirsty eating all of that, too... I have no idea what she likes to drink, so I guess I'll get her some water.

Before I had come back to the table with some cups of water, she had already finished eating.

"Here you go." I set down one of the cups next to her.

She said nothing, sadly looking at her empty bowl.

"What's wrong?"

"All gone..."

"Well, of course it is. You did eat it all, Altair."

"... All gone..." She repeated.

"... Do you want some more?"

"Ah, r-really?!" She said in shock. "C-can Altair really have more, daddy?"

"Sure you can! There's still plenty left in the kitchen!"

"T-thank you, daddy!" It almost looked like she was starting to tear up. "Altair promises to always be a good girl, daddy!"

"You don't need to make such a big deal out of it; it's just mac & cheese..."

She picked up her bowl and went into the room where the rest of the food was.

"Wait, Altair!"

"Altair can get it, daddy!" She said, trying to reach a pan on the counter above her.

"It's too high! You can't rea-..."

Before I could stop her, the pan fell over, hitting her head and making her drop her bowl. Thankfully, the pan was just an empty one that I had left there to dry from last night's dinner, but it seemed to hit her fairly hard.

"Waaah!" She fell over as well, and started to cry.

"A-are you alright, sweetie?" I ran up to her worriedly. "This is why I told you to wait..."

There was a large bump on her head, which seemed to be hurting her pretty badly.

Oh no, what do I do? I don't think I have a first aid kit anywhere...

All of a sudden, Altair's eyes and hair began to glow. The bump gradually shrunk in size, until it completely disappeared.

"N-no way..."

She stopped crying, but she continued sniffling.

This confirms it... Altair definitely has my power. My immortal power...

End of Chapter 1

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Writer's Comments:

This is a (sort of) new series I've started; Miracle Gracer. I've been gradually working on this first chapter for a while, so I hope you enjoy it!

(By the way, as this is a CS-Mania 2 series, it'll be taking a back seat in priority to the regular CS-Mania series'. So don't expect a new chapter for this one for a looong time...)

- CS-Masyet