Akushujin Chapter 3: The End
Hey all~! Again, thanks to all who reviewed the previous chapters~! :D As classes are getting hectic, there is more consuming my time. Therefore, this chapter may be the last update for a while. I'm hoping I can still fit in fic writing while juggling everything else. I'm also planning to do some illustrations for the fic, but I have yet to draw them out.
Second, I'm running out of dish names, so if anyone knows names of dishes or what they are or something and would like to see the characters eating it or something, feel free to suggest using the review option. I know, demons don't really need to eat food, but I think it's good fun to make them eat anyway. It's also a good plot twist scapegoat. :9
Like always, Kuroshitsuji and its official characters belong to Yana Toboso. I claim only the plot and OCs that will appear here and there to move the plot along.
"omnomnom" speech and dialogue
'omnomnom' thought
*omnomnomnom* actions
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\ "He has awakened." For some reason, Chubbs' words seemed louder than they really are when I heard them. Finally, after three centuries of slumber, he's awake. My butler, Sebastian Michaelis.
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"…Are you absolutely certain about that?" Ciel recovered quickly after that surprising revelation. 'Of all things, Sebastian decides to wake up out of the blue after three hundred years. Tch, it's just like that bastard to pull a fast one…even his body knows how to automatically do that.' He thought to himself wryly as Chubbs went on a self-rant in deduction of how Sebastian could have awakened.
"So you're not absolutely certain that he is awake?" Ciel interrupted Chubbs' rant. "On the contrary, My Lord. ' Coal' reported seeing a pale, jet-haired man reclining by a chair at the window. He also reported sensing a stronger demonic pulse emanating from the manor, which suggests that 'he' is indeed awake." "I see. That bastard certainly has some nerve. Awakening but not reporting for duty as a proper servant of the Phantomhive name ought to. How disappointing, his long slumber must have turned his brain senile from lack of use." Ciel harrumphed silently as he put down the document and looked up at Chubbs.
"Prepare a carriage and bring him here. There are…certain scores that need to be settled." He commanded as he stood up and made his way past Chubbs to the study's door. "Yes My Lord. If I may ask, would My Lord be following the set agenda for today?|" Chubbs asked without moving from his spot before the desk, as a good butler does. "After bringing him , have him wait here, in my study. Then assume your duties as planned. I am off to inspect the employees as per the schedule. Now be on your way." "Understood, My Lord." With that final note, Ciel left and made his way to one of the lower rooms of his mansion where the servants conducted their work.
Chubbs bowed dutifully to Ciel's turned back, and headed to another stairwell that led straight to the stables. He expertly tethered the Nightmares* to the Neo-Victorianesque** carriage, and took off with a sudden burst of speed.
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Sebastian was beginning to become more clear headed as all his demonic senses reawakened from their slumber. 'Hmmm….what to do now…yes, I must locate my bocchan and see if he is still alive, and if so, how he fares. Then I must once again be in servitude, so as not to diminish my pride as a contracted demon.' He let out a sigh as he thought this, but his rare moment of self pity was short lived as a loud screeching echoed outside his door.
Standing up, Sebastian was prepared to charge out and defend, but stopped when a polite knocking followed soon after. Intrigued, he went over and opened the door just enough to see who it was. A tan demon with blond hair and green eyes stared back at him. "Can I help you?" Sebastian asked politely, with a guarded edge. This demon before him seemed to him disconcerting. He emitted a demonic aura similar to his bocchan's, if memory served him correctly. Yet at the same time, there seemed to be quite a difference from his bocchan's aura.
Chubbs bowed politely in greeting and announced firmly in his mellow, baritone voice, "Good evening, sir. My master requires your presence, and would appreciate your co-operation." With that, he motioned to the dragon-pulled steampunk*** carriage behind him. "Oh? What an interesting toy…is this what they use as transport now? How…strange and extravagant." Sebastian commented with a ghost of a smile on his face, noting the rosewood structure with golden brass details. It wasn't the wisest decision to simply comply and go when invited, but Sebastian figured he had a whole eternity and a little bit of entertainment wouldn't be so bad.
"There are less…extravagant versions of these, sir. You may not be familiar with them because of your long slumber, but yes, nowadays, demons use these steam powered machines. The carriage details and tethered dragons are more to my Master's tastes, that is all." Chubbs answered dutifully as he held open the carriage door. "Ah, I see…that would explain why I don't quite recognize those pipes at the end." Sebastian commented off-handedly as he stepped in. Before he could make himself comfortable, the carriage took off into the skies once again with a sudden lurch. Sebastian sat back calmly (after having been thrown off from the sudden lurch forward) and stared out the window. 'How amusing. A machine to travel by air? It is not as if demons cannot fly…well, not all, anyway.' With that, he leaned back and continued to stare.
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Ciel walked along the rows of various employees, all in various stages of their training. Some have already achieved a full, though shifty-looking human form, others still had animalistic features, like furry pointed ears or swishing tails. Some, who had little luck, remained still in fully animal form, though they have mastered speech. Many chortles of "Master Ciel!" or "My Lord!" could be heard as he walked down each aisle, looking over each demon carefully. Finally, he finished inspecting each row, and made his way to a platform that overlooked the entire room.
"Servants of Phantomhive, Listen, and listen well. I will only say it once. It is time again for The Test. Those of you who are confident or foolish enough, come forth and take it, though I must warn you that it is at your own peril. If you succeed, you will become full demons by my power. If you fail, you must retrain again from scratch, for the test would have drained you of any demonic energy you have gathered within you. Let the Test begin." With that short address, he tossed down a bunch of rolled parchment scrolls as the various demons (mostly those with a scrawny human appearance) scrambled to catch one. As each scroll touched a demon, it began to glow eerily blue. Slowly, each demon faded into a scroll.
After an hour, the scrolls all glowed together, and the various forms were ejected from them. Some were stunning human forms, others returned in full animal form, unconscious. Those who did not take the test stared from the back of the room in both awe and horror. The humanoid forms recovered shortly after being ejected from their scrolls, and bowed gracefully. Those who failed the test got up weakly on all fours, and bowed nonetheless. A chorus of "My Lord" can be heard from the lined demons, both those who passed and those who failed the Test. Ciel looked over each of them, eyes scanning the room slowly. After a while, he nodded in satisfaction. "Let it be a lesson, then. Those who have passed, I congratulate you. From now on, I expect you to pursue greater demonic techniques in my service. I will be entrusting you with the granting of approved proposals. You are to fulfill these requests for Luck, I trust you will not tarnish my name. Those who have failed, try again. It will be a while before you can amass enough energy to take the Test again, in that while, figure out how you might best pass by your abilities. As to those of you who huddle at the back…perhaps you are wise enough to know you are not ready yet. Or you may be too cowardly to handle the test. In any case, I hope to see some of you pursue the Test next time. That is all for today. You are all dismissed to go about your regular schedule. Of you who have passed, you will each be assigned a proposal to grant tomorrow. For today, work on developing your own demonic technique."
Having said that, Ciel turned and walked away, another unified chorus of "Yes My Lord" heard in the distance as he retreated off the platform and headed towards his study. After taking a few deep breaths, he walked to his desk and pulled out two items from his drawer. A tiny, delicate glass bottle with intricate designs held some slightly glowing blue liquid. The other item pulled out was a blade**** that looked to be made of twisted green vines, with a few red gems adorning the hilt (A/N: *hint hint*). He sat away from the door, facing the window as he collected his thoughts and readied himself.
A firm but polite knocking sounded as a muffled, "My Lord, I have brought him" could be heard from the other side.
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"My Lord, I have brought him." Chubbs announced firmly. Sebastian regarded the man carefully. Yes, this man was well mannered as a butler should, he expected no less from a servant of Phantomhive. Although he had his suspicions while on his way, the moment he stepped into the mansion, Sebastian became certain that Ciel had been the one to send for him. Although the mansion looked different from the Phantomhive mansion in the Human World, it still resembled it enough to hint at the Master of the house. Sensing a weak but sure demonic presence from the other side of the door, Sebastian now became certain that it was his bocchan who was at the other side of the door.
'Hmm…not too bad, bocchan. You have, like always, surprised me yet again. You seem to have fared well on your own as a demon.' He thought as he took in the décor and the amount of demonic energy he sensed within the mansion. Although it was not strong, it was numerous. Many different but slight auras permeated this mansion, all somewhat like to his bocchan's, but yet not quite his bocchan's demonic aura. Even certain items around the mansion…he could tell, they were not simply there as decoration. They have certain demonic uses. Certain powerful demonic uses. However, Sebastian's musing was cut short as a familiar "Come in" answered from behind the set of heavy oak doors. 'As resolute and firm as always.' Although he now loathed to be in servitude of another demon, he couldn't help but let a ghost of a smile flit across his lips. Ciel's resolute and firm demeanor never ceased to amaze him, and he was glad that this part of him had not changed. Perhaps serving him again may not be as bad as he first thought.
He stepped in after Chubbs and stood before the desk, eying the items laid out on the table. "My Lord, I have brought him, as you have commanded." "It has been a while, bocchan." Sebastian said lightly, smirking at Chubbs' surprised expression at Sebastian's address of Ciel (A/N: Chubbs' face right now is like this: D8). "You have done well, Chubbs. Now leave us. You are dismissed for now to resume your daily tasks. Return when I ring for you." "Yes, My Lord." With that, Chubbs bowed and left, glaring slightly at Sebastian's slightly raised brows (A/N: Sebby's expression at learning his guide's name is Chubbs is something like this: :s) at the mention of his (Chubbs') name.
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"It seems you have been well, bocchan." Sebastian commented a moment after the other servant left the room. "Well, that is to be expected, is it not? I am Ciel Phantomhive, after all." Ciel turned his chair around to face Sebastian, an impish smirk graced his otherwise angelic face as he did so. "Of course, as always." Sebastian replied dutifully as he bowed, returning a slight smirk as he raised his head again. He regarded Ciel silently, noting how the boy's skin had assumed a rare porcelain shade rather than the sickly purplish pallor of most demons. His cheeks held a slight tint of purplish-pink, and his eyes…could they be ever brighter and bluer than before? Although Sebastian was reluctant to admit it, instead of becoming as monochrome like other demons, Ciel had truly awakened into a lovely being, far beyond the seductive charms of the average demon. So brooding yet calm, a neat darkness that was pristine. Nothing about the boy in front of him produced the smoky darkness that most demons emit, Ciel's was a clear darkness. Like a shining black jewel amongst hazy smoke. His eyes…they now held a deeper melancholy within them, such heartwrenching sorrow that would draw in any mortal, and he was certain moved many demons as well. Yet, even within the sorrow, his eye shined with a cold determination like a blue moon**. Ah, such a rare and terrible beauty!
"Sebastian." His single utterance shattered Sebastian's musings (A/N: read as fantasizing =w=) , and he forced himself to focus again. "Yes, bocchan?" he replied, awaiting some sort of smartass comment along with an order, as was Ciel's habit. "…it has been a long time, hasn't it?" "Oh? Is bocchan unfamiliar with the eternity of demons?" Sebastian could not resist teasing him a little. "Hardly. I find it amusing, what I can do. There's always something new." Ciel smirked. Sebastian cocked his eyebrows up in question. "It is simply that I do not like owing debts or being owed debts. I pay what I owe." Still, Sebastian was met with more confusion, "Only that you cannot actually pay your debt to me, bocchan. You have no soul to give." "…Indeed, I do not. That Alois…he found what he wanted, in the end…he has denied me of what I ultimately wished for. Still, it bound you to me for eternity, so in that sense, I have not lost after all." He smiled grimly in self absorption. "Yes, unfortunately for me." Sebastian stated coldly, all his bitterness flooding back to him once again at having to serve another demon for all eternity.
"Still…what has been lost can never be brought back again. Even if you serve me now, I know…you will not be the same butler who served me when I was human…our time ended long ago, didn't it?" Ciel almost whispered this last part, a heartwrenching and sorrowful smile graced his lips as he looked at his butler. Before he could act, Ciel took the blade that lay on the desk and plunged it into himself. Sebastian snapped out of his confusion at the sight of that beautiful smile, and ran to Ciel's side, desperately wanting to stop the damage inflicted by the thorned blade. "Why? What could you possibly…" Sebastian asked, barely above a whisper. "With this…I….C-Ciel Ph-Phantomhive…release you…from …your…contract…t-take this…a-and consume it…" Ciel managed to utter between his winces and gasps of pain as he pointed to the blue bottle that stood on the desk.
"Bocchan…what is…?" Sebastian could hear his own voice breaking. Never in a billion years would he ever imagine anyone to kill themselves for him, especially not another demon. Yet here it was, and it was all to free him. 'Ah, that's right. That is why I always stood by my bocchan. He was always so resolute, and never owing. He also surprised me constantly with his unpredictability…my precious bocchan, it was my mistake. You haven't changed at all.' Unconsciously, he cradled the boy to his chest, his face rigid without emotion. "I-it….it's…m-my de-demon essence…I know…i-it's no s-soul…but the least…I could g-grant you…is…your freedom…and s-some po-power…I-!...I wouldn't…be w-worthy of the Ph-Phantomhive name…if I couldn't do…at…least…that much…f-for…my s-servants." Ciel smirked as blood trickled from the corners of his mouth. "…N-no…"
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Dundundun~! Is it the end ! Did the chapter title get you? …So is it the end? I will lay your fears to rest right now. No, it is not the end. It is only a mock end. I promise there will be more to come…I might have to change the rating to Romance/Humor or Romance/Hurt/Comfort later…the humor comes when Sebby and Ciel do…other things. Yeah.
*Nightmares: black horses with flaming hooves and manes, and blood red eyes. Yes, pun intended. They are indeed, mares. I'm pretty convinced that there was some mythology about such creatures, but I forget which culture they're from. :S
**Neo-Victorian: A style that combines cyber elements with Victorian elements, such as metal ruffles or plastic lace patterns.
***steampunk: A style that combines machinery with natural materials, such as wood. The overall aesthetic effect is to create something that looks like it came from a sci-fi Victorian era. A good example would be ray gun made of polished rosewood with stainless steel rims, and a glass cartridge that holds blue glowing plasma. Or wings made from watch parts. Yes, Sebastian has noted exhaust pipes on the carriage. To answer any inqueries, yes, Ciel's new carriage can fully be driven like a car on its own, but he likes the old style of horse drawn carriages.
At least, Ciel's character does not strike me as the type to follow the mainstream "norm" as the times change. So even if Satan himself drove a classy Benz, and other demons drove Porsches, Ciel would still stick to his Steampunk Carriage. :3
****the thorned blade: kudos to all of you who guessed what it was! To those who didn't, but don't' watch the anime or don't plan to watch it, I'll spoil it for you. The green blade is Levatein(sp?), the demon sword which can sunder demon souls, thus killing them.
Anyway, hope you guys enjoyed this super long chapter, and until next time! :D