Don't own Rosario + Vampire or Dark Souls

Chapter 2

"How many days has it been, Godrick?" Tsukune asked in a muted tone.

"About five days, my good man. I must say you seem rather willing to beat me in this game. I very much appreciate the effort an adversary of your caliber...But you won't win this game. No one ever beats old Godrick." Godrick's tone dropped noticeably, but Tsukune payed no attention.

'Five days...Five days...Five days...I don't even...I'm losing all sense of time?! It's only been five days...yet it feels like five years. Is he lying to me? He must be, it's impossible that's it's only been five days!' Tsukune shook his head, forcing himself back to this twisted reality. "You're lying." The venom was as plain as day in his words.

"So Aono san, you think old Godrick is trying to pull the wool over your eyes? I can't say your the first, nor do I doubt you're the last. However I forge no falsehoods. I should pray that you trust every word of my mouth, but I understand your skepticism. For what am I, if not a madman locked in a cage? I'm but a mere dweller in this cell." Godrick shifted himself, allowing Tsukune to see him. He could the man was in a meditative position, his legs crossed over each other.

"Are you...meditating?!" Tsukune yelled, outraged.

"Why yes I am. It's good for the soul, and for the flame." Godrick replied, not opening his eyes.

"For the...flame?" Tsukune's eyes darted around his tiny cell. "What flame?"

"No, no Aono san. Not a flame of the outside, but the one in here." Godrick motioned to his chest. "However, the flame from the inside, can be channeled to the outside. There is only one rule about the inner flame, you must always fear it."

"What are you talking about? It doesn't make any sense." Tsukune complained, casting strange glances at the man.

"This is what I'm talking about." Godrick outstretched his right hand, and as if one cue, a lick of fire beginning to sprout from his hand. It swayed from side to side in slow lolling motion. Tsukune soon found himself captivated by the fire. Godrick flicked his hand, snuffing out the flame.

"What...What was that?" Tsukune found himelf bewitched by the flame.

"Just a simple flame, Aono san. However be warned, a flame lives only to feed or be snuffed out. Fire must be feared, never abused. For to abuse the flame is to abuse life itself. Anyone who does that shall soon find themselves corrupted. Heed my warning Aono san. Don't abuse the flame." Godrick's voice had become cold as ice. His words pierced Tsukune's mind like daggers.

"But...But if you can do that, how are you not able to leave?" Tsukune finally worked up the courage to question him.

"Even the mighty stone arch trees don't bend to fire Aono san. And if they did, they would not bend to my meager flame." Godrick opened his eyes. "Would you look at the time, has it been six days already?"

"WHAT?! We've only been talking for minutes! It's impossible that another whole day has gone by!" Tsukune's eyes bugged out of his head, the blood draining from his face.

"Perhaps where you hail from, Aono san. Time here does not move in a way you are used to." Godrick paused to take a breath. "Time is not a clear line, much like we wish it to be."

"That means...I could be here for years, and never even realize it. Or perhaps you have only been here for minutes. Who's to say?" Godrick replied.

"Apparently you." Tsukune muttered under his breath. "You expect me to trust you, however you things that are so contradictory! You claim to be wise, then turn around to call yourself a madman! You say I've been here six days, or six years, or maybe just six minutes! Well which is it?!" Tsukune bellowed, rushing to the cell door. He wrapped his hands around the bars until his knuckles colored themselves white.

"Whichever happens to be right." Godrick replied cooly. "Wait...! Did you hear that!" He jumped to his feet, scanning the ceiling with the intensity of an ambitious man.

"Don't change the subject! We're talking about you! You're insane." Tsukune declared as Godrick disappeared from his sight. "Don't you walk away from me! I want some straight answers! How long have I bee..." Tsukune trailed off as a loud thud echoed down the hall. It was coming from Godrick's cell.

"All of them? Yes, yes I understand. It will be done right away." Godrick was clearly talking to someone, but Tsukune heard no other voices.

"What are you doing in there!? Stop talking to yourself, you're insane!"

Godrick suddenly shot into Tsukune's view. He was fumbling with something in his hands, but Tsukune couldn't see. Godrick's tattered robes were blocking most of the body. A soft click was heard.

Godrick's cell door slowly screeched open. Neither of the two said a word, only staring at each other. Finally Godrick took a half step out into the hall.

"I'm...I'm..." Godrick choked up, unable to finish his sentence. "...Years of rot, depression, insanity, fear, and hallows. But not anymore! I'm free! Hahaha! I'M FREE!" He was overcome with emotion. He started to walk down the hall.

"Wait! Hey! WHERE ARE YOU GOING!" Tsukune screamed. "You can't leave me here!" He was starting to panic.

"You have no idea what I've suffered in this place. You shall suffer what I've suffered, until then you will never appreciate freedom..." Godrick replied without turning around. Tsukune dropped to his knees.

'This is happening...? This is really happening. I'm going to spend my eternity in here, and then some.' Tsukune could feel his heart beginning to stop. He was losing his will to live.

The door to his cell slowly opened. "So what? Should I have taken that job as a player in the theater?" Godrick asked Tsukune, offering him his hand.

"Wha...Why?" Tsukune asked, looking up at the older man. He had the look of a scared puppy.

"Because, no one deserves to be in this hell. Now let's go find this Moka of yours. I'm sure she's worried sick."

Tsukune took his hand, bringing himself to his feet. 'I will find you Moka, and Kurumu, and all the others! I won't stop until I find you!'

ZenIaidoka