Is It Wrong to Pick Up Friends in Discord?
Chapter 4
"SCREE!!!" a bloodcurdling screech was heard within the dark reaches of the cavern he was in as he burned a large ant. Sadly, for the both of them, it's carapace was thick enough where his flames didn't instantly turned it into ash.
He tries to ignore the agonizing screeching to no avail as he continues to ignite its fellows near him. Tears start to spring up on the corners of his eyes as the screeching increases in volume and a heavy feeling falls over him.
Not being able to take the maddening sound any longer the pyrotechnic dashed away from the path he took, not even caring anymore if he got lost. He just wants the sounds to stop!
He ran, and ran and ran some more till he couldn't hear the damn screeching anymore and could finally think coherently. Stopping at another narrower intersection his body leans against the hard stone wall to the right of him panting, not so much out of exhaustion as relieve.
Wiping the tears off his face he looks around with a grimace. Now he was lost again. He could try to retrace his steps but he wasn't willing to risk another incident.
Sighing he stretches his hand out with his palm open and summons a small ball of green fire. It didn't illuminate as much as he wished but he would rather have the feeling safety it brings.
He took only one step forwards before the hairs on the back of his neck rose up. Not even thinking about it he quickly throws his body to the ground.
Not long after a giant cleaver of a sword smashed the wall into rubble, opening up another path hidden behind it.
Nerves already flayed the man on the ground quickly scatters away not even looking at this new foe of his. All it did was to save him from being skewered through the back.
Sadly the blade dove into his calf instead making him scream in pain and fear. He stops, the pain making him lock up in place as tears start to stream out of his eyes like waterfalls.
"Hmm, so you are the one Lady Freya felt." a baritone voice with a flat tone said easily enough behind him, most likely his assailant. Grinding his teeth he forced himself to look at them through blurry eyes.
A dark blur with red clothing was all he could make out from his pitiful position. He opens his mouth, to curse at them, to ask them why, or even to cough he does not know as all that came out was a unintended guttural growl as he feels utter loathing at them.
They said nothing but he did feel the blade digging into his leg get pulled out swiftly bringing forth another stab of pain that almost made him lose consciousness. A half-gasp, half-sob escape him at that.
But the dark feeling in his chest made him bear his fangs as he glares through half-illed teary eyes.
"D..T. ..r.e. .i.." he hears as a whisper. He wishes to move his head to look from where the sound came from but he couldn't. He couldn't even blink as he watched the bloody, his blood, cleaver swing towards him.
All he could do was watch. But even that felt wrong. It felt like he was watching a video from afar in the comfort of his room. Even though he knows this was real he felt it wasn't at the same time.
Moreso the words he heard next and what happened later as his consciousness left him.
"A eye for an eye, a life for a life, know this well for it is our way boy"
And then all he knew was darkness and a muffled roar close by.
(Scene Break)
"Kirche.." the name was hissed out from a ebon haired youth towards one of his companions, a silver haired woman as she sipped on a cup of tea leisurely "...this is not the time for jokes! Dammit, me and Frey haven't been able to sleep well because you're not telling us anything!"
As Kirche was being ranted at the now named redhead, Frey, just shifted awkwardly from her seat as she watched on.
"...and how can you be okay with being a chick!? You were a guy before!" at that last sentenced the male of the group deflated in exhaustion as he finally let ripped most of his feelings in the mess they're in.
"...you got some lungs on ya Daki." a sip was heard as Kirche taunted her friend before sighing. "By 'this is fine' I meant the tea and the atmosphere of the place before-"
Kirche would have continued her explanation if it wasn't for a small tap on her shoulder. Looking behind her she saw the annoyed vistage of one of the staff. All he did was point to the door.
"...you're a bastard Daki." the deadpanned sentenced flew like water through Kirche's lips as she glares at the sheepish ebonhead with Frey facepalming at them both in the back.
(Scene Break: 20 minutes later at another eatery)
"...so about before" "I'm sorry!"
Sipping on another cup of tea Kirche watches as Daki prostates before her in apology for the previous drama. Frey just sighs at this before munching on a scone Kirche bought her.
"So is there anyone else from the server? Besides us I mean." Frey started off just to get the conversation rolling. Kirche smiles at Frey, so did Daki for some reason. It might be because most of the server loves her for some reason.
"Yes, there's actually about a couple more of us here in Orario." "I knew it!" at the new information Daki suddenly exclaimed loudly, drawing annoyed stares from the other patrons and a glare from Kirche.
"Sorry! It's just that I knew something was familiar about this city." Daki said lower than before as he continued. "...is this truly the world of Danmachi?"
Hesitation and a bit of veiled awe was easily noticeable on his voice as he asked his question. Who would blame him, what's happening seems more like a shitty plot for a story than real life.
Holding back a grimace Kirche answered honestly.
"As much as it pains me to say this but yes. This is the world of Danmachi." even if she already knows this it still leaves a bitter taste in her mouth. Her old life might as well never have existed.
Looking at the shocked and saddened faces of the others they understand as well what that means. They can never see their parents, siblings or friends ever again. They were "reborn" in a way they wished never happened in the first place.
A old life for a new life.
