Chapter 4 – Where love is born

Still Her POV

Endless pain and no escape from it. My mind is forced on the horror in front of me. At times, the image of a beautiful forest would enter my thoughts but would soon be replaced by the terror of death again. I try to hold onto it but there is no use.

Death has put his hand around my heart and is tightly clenching it. He does not let go of it no matter what.

I have heard that the Undead have no souls. Did that happen to me, too? Are my remains already a wandering skeleton that destroys the living wherever it goes? Had I known of their suffering earlier...I would have devoted my life to release them from this state.

But now I have become a pained existence myself. My death left me helpless, I have no control over myself anymore. The only hope I have left is that maybe someone would cross my path and smash this unholy existence into pieces.

Isn't there someone who could cleanse my soul and free me from this vile curse? Atleast burn my bones to ashes so I could not hurt others; because I fear this pain will force me to become a slave to darkness.

I hear someone screaming. It is not me. P-Please, please let it not be a victim of mine. Anything but this...I don't want to come closer to the source of these screams but they are so alluring. Is this how it feels for an Undead to kill others? It is irresistible, I'm drawn to them against my will. Please run! I can't hold on to me any longer. It feels as If I could find peace, if only I could reach the person that this voice belongs to. How can screams of pain hold such a promise?

There is such a warmth to them. Why aren't you running? Don't you see that I am lost? Ahhh...I can't fight it any longer. Forgive me...

“Ara...? I'm awake?”

These legs...are those mine? There is no flesh to them, only skin and bones. My voice...it sounds so hoarse, no life to it.

“So I did become an Undead, after all...”

There must have been an acolyte of the 'School of Death' with them when the ambush happened. Binding a soul to an inanimate object is only possible at the moment of death. That much knows everyone.

There is no other explanation, because when I was born I received a minor blessing from a Beast-Race Shaman to prevent my turning into an Undead from simply rotting away. It cost my father a small fortune.

I closed my eyes again out of fear upon realizing the nature of my last thoughts right before waking up. I still hear his screams. They are broken, stopping from time to time as if he finally had his last breath only to re-emerge again after a while. An undead slave is forced to follow every order of his new master. Was it a command to feast on him?

Why was I released from my madness; did the acolyte want me to take notice of what I had done? A cold feeling is spreading throughout my body. It wasn't enough to curse my bones, he had to drag me to the deepest and darkest place imaginable.

But what is this? Those screams of agony...they are fighting the coldness inside me.

“H-How...just how is this possible?”

Those screams...they are words. I do not understand them but they are definitely words. What is he saying? Are you blaming me for my actions?

“I don't mind if you do.”

Oh...I understand. You are saying I should atleast show the courage to face you, aren't you? That's probably it. Even under my eyelids I can feel the tears flowing out, they will definitely block the vision. I can't even wipe them because my arms won't move; I have most likely been ordered to stand still and witness everything without running away...

“WAIT! Tears!?”

Since when do Skeletons cry?

Opening my eyes, I force myself to watch around me. I failed. I notice nothing, except for the man screaming to my right. Even though I didn't want to look in this direction without first checking my surroundings like a proper warrior. His existence naturally drew me in. Just laying my eyes upon him puts me at peace.

It's a terrifying experience that makes me lose faith in myself once again. Before my eyes is the most grotesque scene of my life displayed and I am mesmerized by it. I have never felt such shame before.

In front of him is a high noble of the Eternal Black Demon Empire. I have never seen one before but there are enough stories about them floating around. The only demons with black skin and four arms, not bowing to anyone but the strongest Demon-God-Emperor of their realm, demanding absolute obedience from everyone else.

Only numbering a few hundred they are the 'Will of Destruction' and bring despair for those who blaspheme against their emperor. It is said that they are the only ones who can lay their eyes upon the Demon-God-Emperor without withering away. Nobody else has been able to do so but them. Their presence is what gave birth to the name of their empire and is the strongest know fighting force easily equalling the dragons. Utter helplessness is the sole feeling left inside you after even as simple as seeing the path they have walked upon.

There are no words to describe what is happening. From the outside, this absolute being is silently tormenting the man by constantly cutting him in half. Just seeing one of his swings brings agony to my body.

“I see...this axe has also sliced through me.”

I have been hit by a weapon that is said to directly attack the mind. A cursed axe. The two pillars behind the strength of the Eternal Black Demon Empire: The High Nobles and cursed blades.

Even with those two pillars combined into one menacing existence, the centre of my attention is clearly the man kneeling before the demon. He has a devastating appearance; malnourished, no muscles or hair. If not for his screams I would have surely believed he had already died a long time ago.

This is an otherworldly scene. I do not understand what is happening. What kind of magic is used here? Is this a spell from the 'School of Life'? How can he be healed from a deadly strike with such easy? Just reattaching a lost finger costs already a great deal of Mana and recovering a lost limb is only possible with the highest level spells, whose secrets are kept hidden with a burning vigour by the followers of the 'School of Life'. But he is constantly revived. There is no denying that he dies and then, one heartbeat later he is alive again.

I can't question my eyes, I am not a victim of an illusion, either. There is a truth to this display that makes it undeniably real. Maybe he is dead and is just being re-summoned? I still have the suspicion that we are undead. Yes, we probably are.

Is this the kind of punishment the Eternal Black Demon Empire has developed for it's objects of hate? Death is not enough? They wish to hold the power to crush you even in your grave? Just what do you need to do to incur such wrath?

“I...need to help.” Even though it will be my doom.

Thinking of a proper way I can only come up with a measly fireball. The thought of preparing that spell alone was enough to completely deplete all my Mana, though. How weak have I become?

“So I am forced to watch...”

“...”

I want to scream in anguish, begging the black demon to stop, offering my own soul in exchange but something won't let me do it. Why? Why can't I stop his torment?

“Moshkashte...?” Did I misinterpret the situation?

Yes, clearly, the high noble is performing a flawless piece of torturing and the man is screaming in anguish. But those screams, they have such a serene feeling to them despite their obvious reason; it's mythical. Beyond my ability to reason...How could I be so blind?

“It's a battlecry!”

Under constant torture he is besting the demon, not yielding although his body is being destroyed and the cursed weapon is attacking his inner self. What kind of power lies in the words he's throwing at him? It's not horror forcing me to watch, it's hope!

The high noble is disappointed and leaves. He won! Against that opponent.

He is in deep meditation, reciting a Mantra in a foreign language and gathering his strength. He's concentrating on the chain following it's path, soon his eyes will be upon me. What will they look like?

[Deep blue...] There's something in his gaze...It's as if he can see directly into my soul. ['Mind reading magic?'] No, there's no deception in his eyes, only sincerity. It's captivating. I don't want to look away but I believe even if I wanted to I wouldn't be able to do so.

He looked away in shame? Why? There is no need for it. You defeated the demon, I saw it all. Or is it because I am naked? I am thankful to you trying to defend my chastity but this is no place for it. [Please look up again.] I have the feeling that if I look long enough into those eyes of yours, I might be able to survive.

[There!] He looked up again. But why is he crying? [It is because I am crying myself.] Those tears are for me? It's that, isn't it? I probably look the same way you do, completely destroyed. You are crying because you couldn't free me from this place. You already did, you just don't know it yet.

He's saying something:

“#´^²€”

Words of a foreign tongue but it's alright, I understand.

“I love you, too.”

-------

His POV again

I didn't understand her answer. Her words hold a special meaning, I know despite the language barrier. If I had heard such words from the mouth of a woman when I was still alive I could compare and be certain about it but it is dangerous.

I try the demon language:

“Do you understand me?”

“Why are you talking in the black tongue?”

“The what?”

“The black tongue!”

“Not Latin?”

“The what?”

“Forget it.”

What a comical exchange. I fear, if I would have said something meaningful I wouldn't be able to bear it. I am a lost soul, it would be a shame. [Somewhere in my mind the words 'Don't bother yourself with me' floated around but I stopped that thought. Such a thing will never leave my lips ever again.] I still want to know more about her.

As if reading my mind, she said:

“I am Aoi, Aoi Wolfcleaver. Could you tell me your name?”

“I am” - krrrrieeeeeghhh!!

A guard has come. Can't he see that I'm busy?

“I am” - fliishshh!

“I” - hrushhhhh!!

“I...” - splatt!! “am...” - crruushhh! “Lucius...” - thrieeshhh!! “Faber!” - Frgrggg!!

“Do you know where we are?” she asks, not minding the useless interference. There is something more important than physical pain going on right now.

Four minutes ago, before I could look into her eyes, I would have immediately answered with 'Hell'. But now I need to assess the situation anew.

I obviously belong here. But why is she here?

“D-d...” I didn't end the sentence and looked down again. The question I wanted to ask was whether she did something wrong that deserved to be punished. It is clear that she didn't. The only possible explanation I could come up with was that a demon dragged her down against her will.

-------

Her POV

[“D-d...”]?; and he looked down in embarrassment. Was that supposed to be:[“D-do you have a boyfriend?”]

Don't worry, I don't.

Ah, no. This isn't embarrassment, this is shame. He thought of something rude.

-------

His POV

“I'm sorry.” (Lucius)

“As long as you understand.” (Aoi)

“As long as I understand.” (Lucius)

“What was it you wanted to ask just now?” (Aoi)

I looked at her, unable to say anything.

“I will answer it honestly.” (Aoi)

[Talking to her is such a soothing experience.]

“It was a foolish thought. There is a reason why I didn't end it but if you want I will say it.” (Lucius)

“There is no need to make a fool out of yourself for me.” (Aoi)

“You looked happy at first. What did you think I was going to say?” (Lucius)

“Nothing...” (Aoi)

[It's funny how two people can tease each other with honest intentions.]

“I-Is it OK to call you Lucius?”

[Why are you asking me this now? Is it your way of leveling the ground again; to show me that you don't mind my blunder?]

“Please do so, Aoi.”

[Judging from her choice of words she puts an emphasis on proper manners. It's better to meet her halfway and also watch out for my tongue.]

“So do you know how we got here or where we are, L-Lucius?”

“I died.”

“I was also defeated.”

“I wasn't defeated. I just...died.” My feeling of regret must've been carried through my voice so she didn't further inquire and continued with her own story instead.

“Those demons dragged me here, after they defeated me.”

“You fought against them?”

“Yes, 30 of them ambushed me.”

[Wait a moment! You fought against the demons and you are important enough for them to send out 30 guys? The logical conclusion would be that you are an exorcist. No...most likely an angel. At this point I'm about to believe anything.

Let's go with 'innocent being in hell' (and my only light here) I can sense it after all; that her circumstances aren't that romantic. Am I just sugar-coating our discussion? No, how could I? There are blades chopping us up right now. She is obviously in pain. We are only putting up a tough act. Is that the true reason why it is called the 'Divine Comedy'? Following the baka-couple routine under these circumstances...playing a lovely comedy while tears of blood are flowing down our eyes. Good that I realized it. There is no need in running from myself; no need for imaginings of random forests.]

Here goes all or nothing.

“I-I love you.”

A fog of anxiety was lifted from Aoi's eyes, which I didn’t even notice up until now.

End of Chapter 4

A little afterword. There are still five months left in the story until it finally catches up with the two year mark in the prologue where our MC will learn some 'greater sorrow'. Out of this some even greater anger shall be born, for lawful good needs a just reason to smite evil without becoming evil in the process itself. I swear they will gulp on the term 'fairy'. So please bear with me until i can go into the story for good. For now there are some other inmates to wake up from their slumber first, though.

I am sorry for my punctuation. Even in my mother tongue I'm lousy this. Please feel free to comment on anything you can think of. (if you want to (but you don't need to))

I have not a schedule planned for now. As long as i can come up with a satisfying way to mess with the MC (or his foes) I'll bring it immediately to paper. I agonized over this chapter for 12 hours to get a good ending (i hate filler) so it can take a little longer from time to time. I am slow compared to others...

PS: I love baka-couples.