This story isn't as lighthearted as the previous chapters, sorry! I hope it is still enjoyable.
Chapter 4 - Chasing Stars
Gundam Tanaka looked to the sky. Sitting at the edge of the school field, he lay underneath a great oak tree, his Four Dark Gods of Destruction playing in the grass. Content with watching the clouds go by, he closed his eyes and decided to have a brief rest.
His mind went back to his first week of school, when he had met the most peculiar mortal. One who remained undaunted in his presence, who didn't fear the magic he possessed. She had even managed to track the movements of his Dark Gods of Destruction, something he would deem impossible to any normal mortal. But she was quite the strange one. He had given her the title, 'Lady of Darkness' after that to commemorate the occasion.
Unfortunately, since then he hasn't seen her at all. A glimpse here or there sometimes, but otherwise he was left alone to his thoughts. No one else dared approached him, and when they did they quickly found reason to leave. Perhaps it was better this way.
Gundam Tanaka had always walked the down the path of fate alone. He didn't require any assistance, and no one required his. He didn't need the presence of other mortals anyways. All he needed were his Dark Gods and silence.
Yet recently he's felt... different. Ever since his encounter with the Lady of Darkness, Gundam has felt a sharp pain in his chest. It was similar to the pains he first felt before he arose and became a Dark Lord, separating himself from human emotion. Surely the pain would not come back now, after so many years?
Perhaps I have been cursed without my knowing. Later tonight I shall have to brew a potion to cure my ailments.
"Mr. Tanaka?"
Gundam cracked open an eye.
In front of him stood the Lady of Darkness in question, Sonia Nevermind. She was leaning forward, looking at him with curiosity.
"Why have you bothered me in my respite from this realm? One should show more care when approaching a slumbering Dark Lord..."
"Ah! My apologies, Mr. Tanaka! I just thought you looked so lonely, and we haven't found time to talk since our previous meeting!" She offered up a friendly smile, looking at Gundam.
Gundam scoffed. "Ha! I, the Ascendant Ruler of Ice, lonely? Absurd! You would do well to heed these words Lady Sonia, for as long as I have them..." Gundam whistled, and the Dark Gods of Destruction hopped back into his lap. He smiled. "...I am never truly alone." Yet he felt another pang of pain at Sonia's words.
"Whoa! That's hella cool! I've never seen that before!" She beamed, hands clapped together in delight. "Mind if I try?"
"No such results will come forth of your attempts, but you are free to try." Gundam watched as Sonia eagerly bent down and started whistling, trying to draw the attention of the Dark Gods. He observed her, noting the enthusiasm in her eyes. A thought occurred to him.
Was she cursing him? That would explain why the pain started after meeting her. But then, why would the pains in his chest disappear in her presence? He couldn't understand any of this.
Then again, she is quite ... odd.
Sonia's voice pierced his thoughts, pulling him back to reality. "Ah, it's quite tiring crouching down like this. Would you mind if I joined you Mr. Tanaka?"
His face instantly flushed red at the thought. Quickly pulling his scarf up, he hesitantly spoke. "Th-that would be most unwise. Poison courses through my veins, my very essence toxic. Making contact with me would be akin to suicide." He glanced at Sonia's crestfallen face, and quickly added "But if you so desire, I could cast a seal of protection over you... though its effectiveness would be unknown." Gundam raised a finger, drawing circles in the air. Sonia waited patiently, until he gave her a nod to indicate the seal was placed.
She let out a cry of happiness, than quickly plopped down beside Gundam, resting her head on his shoulder. He immediately stiffened, surprised at her sudden proximity. He waited, expecting her to howl in pain as the poison seeped into her, or run away as everyone else did.
Yet no ill fate awaited her, and she sat there, happy and content. Bewildered, Gundam stared at her. He noticed passing students watching the two, murmuring and pointing at them.
"Ah, this is great! This is a magnificent spot to just sit down and relax Mr. Tanaka! I've hardly slept the past few days." she said, stretching. "I wish we could spend more time together... in between classes and my duties to Novoselic, I don't often have much free time..." She looked down wistfully. "Oops! Sorry for bothering you with my problems!" she said, awkwardly smiling.
"Nonsense. I would listen to whatever problem you may have." muttered Gundam, then he cleared his throat. "For if anyone dare laid a hand upon you, I would ensure their deaths be slow and arduous! They'll wish they had never crossed me! I would leave a trail of destruction in my wake!" He raised his hands, poised to conjure a spell, laughing. Sonia eyes widened in shock, but then she too laughed.
"... Thanks." She smiled again, yet this time it felt more natural, more sincere to Gundam. She yawned, before wrapping her arms around his, closing her eyes. Gundam froze, unsure of what to do.
He decided to look at Sonia's pristine face, that of an angel's. She seemed to be at peace, but he knew that was impossible. No one was ever at peace with him near. Only the beasts of the wild have ever appreciated his companionship. Yet she has been subverting everything he thought he knew about other human beings. Gundam rested his head on the tree, looking upwards.
She's different from the others. Just like me. He realized.
And at that moment, Gundam realized that he didn't want to walk down the path of fate alone any longer. He wanted to traverse it with her, to share his experiences with her, to be with her. He was happy around Sonia, and wanted to stay at her side. Yet he knew that was never meant to be.
For he, a being of evil and darkness, could never be loved by a princess. What ruin would it bring to her country to have befriended a Dark Lord like himself?
Gundam took another glance at Sonia, noting her sudden silence. Before he had realized, she had fallen asleep at his side. Blushing, he decided against freeing his arm in fear of awakening her, satisfied just sitting there. Watching the sky, he realized something. Gundam raised his free arm, looking at it. If she truly is resistant to the poison within me...
He hesitated, unsure if he should take action. Then slowly but surely, he reached over to Sonia, gently patting her on the head. She stirred, than a small grin appeared on her face. He wondered what she was dreaming about, possibly of her homeland. He allowed himself to smile for a moment.
He was right of course. These feelings for her would never be realized. He felt like he was chasing after a star at night. Always within sight, yet never within reach. No amount of sorcery or magic would ever make this work.
However, Gundam didn't care right now. He just wanted to enjoy this occasion, under the sun, out in the fields, with Sonia, surrounded by his Four Dark Gods of Destruction.
He wanted to treasure this moment for eternity.
And most importantly, he never wanted it to end.
