Lindy told them Fate's past and her current situation: Locked up inside her room. She was not even eating the foods they gave to her and talking to them when she is called. She would shout at Lindy from the other side and then throw things at the door. All Fate wanted was Alicia.
"Alicia... Nanoha if you mind, will you visit Fate? She was so frustrated and kept on hating herself and all. She won't go outside her room and she won't even go to school. She is too afraid to face you I think. You girls should visit her after school tomorrow. Please, you are the only one who can save her."
The group accepted Lindy's invitation. Fate has been skipping school for weeks and Nanoha can't stay idle anymore; especially when she knew that the blonde was in such state. The group decided to beat Fate up and drag her out of her room.
Nanoha prepared herself for what is going to happen later on. She thought of the words she should say and apologize to her. She kept thinking what Fate looks like now for she was not eating at all. She was curious what has become of the girl and also worried about her at the same time.
Little by little, they are getting closer to their destination The Harlaown household. Nanoha is worried that she might her feelings might take over and says something hurtful; she is worried that their friendship would be broken and Fate would not accept her anymore.
"We are here." Signum informed then. "Shamal and I visited her yesterday." She paused. "She demanded for you Nanoha... well Alicia."
Chrono, Fate's brother in law, greeted them at the entrance and let them in. Chrono examined the girls like it's the first time he saw a girl. "I didn't know Fate had friends. Knowing her, she would ignore anyone and give them a cold shoulder. This is surprising"
"We are going to melt that ice inside of her heart and be closer to her!"
"Well, good luck on that girl. Lindy has been expecting you. She told me Fate's so friends are visiting."
"Welcome to my household people!" An orange haired girl shouted.
"It's not yours. You are staying here temporarily." Chrono said.
"I'm Arf Testarossa. Fate's cousin"
They also introduced themselves and got friendly with each other. Nanoha and her group knew more about Fate by taking with Arf. Fate once had a smile that shines brighter than any star and eyes that sparkles with happiness. Fate was a gentle, weak child but was ambitious. They also knew what Fate likes and dislikes back then but now, she probably hates everything and everyone; since the only thing that clouded her heart and mind is Alicia and the past. She is trapped, caged in by her dreadful past.
"Um... How is Fate-chan?"
"Good question." Lindy complimented."She's getting rowdier. She kept on punching the wall and shouting hysterically. I tried talking to her last night but she didn't let me in. The only one she can solve this problem is the cause of this problem." Lindy looked at Nanoha. Everyone did the same.
"Well sorry if I said those words to Fate-chan. It hurts to be seen as a different person, I can't help it."
"The only one who can save Fate is Alicia; it has always been like that." Arf said.
"Well, Arf-san, if you would, can you lead us to Fate's room?" Suzuka asked.
"Suzuka no; I'll go alone."
"It's better if she goes alone, so she won't be able to enjoy Lindy-sans pastries!" Hayate laughed.
"Hayate! Just you see I'll drag Fate out of here and eat Lindy-san's pastries as well."
It was a short trip to Fates room. She was tired of Fate acting like a child so it's time to end this. Nanoha thanked Arf for accompanying her. She could hear her heart throbbing like a loud drum; her body was shaking as if there is an earthquake inside her and her mind is filled with words that she should say to Fate. There should be no flaws; she is Alicia after all, right?
Nanoha breathed in and let a bit of her nervousness out. She knocked the door but received no response from the other side. She knocked again while saying the name Fate calls her. "It's Alicia." The door creaked open slowly. A dark passage in front of her was shown; there was no hint of light inside the room, only darkness. The room looked like a long dark passage, an abyss that would swallow anything. Nanoha was afraid to step inside the room, she has a bad feeling about this but nonetheless, she is still determined to enter that room and drag Fate out.
Nanoha braced herself and entered the room. She called for Fate and the blonde immediately appeared in front of her.
"Alicia, do you still hate me."
Nanoha stared at Fate who was standing in front of her, covered by a big blanket. Fate looked so thin and deprived. Just those three words made her like that. Nanoha began blaming and hating herself for what she has done to Fate. Maybe it was better if she didn't befriend Fate; maybe it was better if she left her alone. Nanoha thinks it was her fault, because of her, memories from the past resurface and haunted Fate again.
"I'm sorry Fate-chan, I hurt you. I don't hate you I just-"
"Really?" Fate ran towards Nanoha and took off the blanket. Fate held Nanoha's shoulders and looked at Nanoha eye to eye. Fates eyes were puffy and her eye bags were noticeable. "Alicia" Fate hugged Nanoha. After a few seconds, Nanoha forcefully let go of Fates hug.
"How many times should I tell I am not Alicia?" 'She needs to be slapped by reality and face the truth.' "Alicia died and you fully know that. She is dead and she is never coming back."
"Alicia won't tell me that she is dead."
"Of course she won't she already died. Why would she tell you if she already died? People die when they are killed right?"
"Tch, Alicia come on now, don't joke with me." Fate has her head down. "Alicia." Fate glared daggers of killing intent to Nanoha. "Hey Alicia, want me to drag you out of that puny body?" Fate asked her.
"W-what do you mean?"Nanoha trembled.
Fate's red wine eyes glowed with malice and grinned. She ran towards Nanoha and pinned her hands on top of her head, on the ground. She used her left hand to pin Nanoha downwhile her right hand was occupied by a knife.
"F-Fate-chan! W-what are you holding?"
"Hey Alicia, I am going to carve you out from this human. I'll make sure I won't hurt you. I'll do it slowly." Fate had a glint of malice from her eyes and a smile of a murderer. Nanoha knew that Fate killed bad people before but she knew that she won't be able to bring herself to harm a friend.
"F-Fate-chan, I-"Nanoha was cut off when Fate stabbed the floor, at the side of Nanoha's head. Fate took out the knife and slashed Nanoha's cheek, causing a little wound and bleed. Nanoha got scared and trembled. 'I might die but Fate-chan won't kill me right?' Nanoha took a look again at Fate; she still has that face, a face of a murderer. 'Shit, I might totally die. She'll kill me'
"Hey, I can chop you into pieces right?"
"S-stop" Nanoha whispered and began to whimper. "Fate-chan, you big idiot!" Nanoha shouted. Fate's eyes widened and her grip on Nanoha's hands weakened, making Nanoha get a chance to break free and reverse their position. Nanoha tried hard to pin down Fate but Fate was stronger and bigger and once again, Nanoha was underneath. Just when Fate was about to stab Nanoha, a hand stopped Fate's hand from swinging. Fate took a look behind her and it was…
"LINDY! Let me go." Fate tried to break free but Lindy's hold was getting tighter as she struggled so she stopped.
"No Fate, stop that right this instant." Lindy raised her voice.
"Shut up, you have no right to scold me."
"I am your mother." Lindy glared at Fate"I adopted you to make sure you won't fall the same path your mother did. I raised you to be obedient and good, not be a murderer. I know that back then you killed people but you can't do that right now especially that your mom, brother and your teacher are part of the police."
"Who asked you to adopt me?"
"No one did Fate, I wanted to save you. I want to make you feel loved, I want to give you the love your mother was not able to give you." Lindy's voice softened
"Who asked you to do it?"
"No one did, I did this out of-"
"Out of what? Pity? You pity someone like me? An abandoned and unloved child? I don't need your pity, I need you to stop getting on my way in killing that girl. If you continue…" Fate paused and licked the knife. "I'll kill you with this." Fate grinned and lunged toward Lindy.
Lindy went in to a defensive position and was able to dodge Fate's attacks. Lindy was able to pin Fate down after a little sparring with the help of Chrono. The others also came into the scene, shocked and surprised. Chrono took the knife and confiscated it while Lindy just pinned down the struggling Fate below her.
"Bitch, get off."
"Don't call my mother a bitch. If someone is being a bitch it's you, Fate." Chrono looked down at Fate glared at her. "Your friends came here worried about you and you just tried to kill them like that. Mom cared for you and was always worried for you for the longest time and yet you just repay her with your cold antics and callous remarks. You even tried to kill the one who saved you, you badmouthed the ones who saved you, is that the way you say thank you? Signum, Shamal... Everyone! All you did was disrespect them. This is why I don't like you!." Chrono ranted.
"Chrono, you shouldn't say that you don't like you little sister."
"Mom, even after all this you still defend her?"
"Of course." Lindy got off Fate and stood up; Fate also got up as Lindy got off. Lindy hugged Fate from behind and smiled. "She is my daughter after all."
"What the hell do you mean? What did I do to deserve this?" Fate turned around and faced Lindy. Fate tried to slap Lindy but Lindy got to do it first.
"If you lived through all those tortures then maybe you'll get what you truly deserve, happiness."
"How stupid."
Lindy slapped Fate again but harder than the last time. Lindy went out of the room with Chrono and the Wolkenritter.
Fate was in a state of shock. She touched the cheek where in Lindy slapped her twice. Her cheek hurts but also her heart. Fate clutched her heart and looked down. Her heart hurts, just like before, when Alicia died. No one died yet her heart aches.
Nanoha went in front of Fate and slapped both of her cheeks with her hands. Fate looked at Nanoha; she was smiling, even though she just hurt her.
Nanoha chuckled. "What's with that look? Are you going to cry?" Fate didn't answer. "I am not Alicia. We may have the same personality but we are different persons." Nanoha patted Fate on the head. "I'll help you move on from Alicia and from your pasts and fears. No knives and pinning down okay? That scares me a lot." Nanoha pressed their foreheads together. "I'll be the one who will protect you this time."
"Alicia…"
"It's Nanoha, idiot."
Fate wiped of the blood that was dripping on Nanoha's cheek. She suddenly hugged Nanoha and weep. Nanoha hugged her back.
"I'm sorry, Nanoha."
For the first time, Fate called her name out. Nanoha cried as she comforted Fate by patting her hand on Fate's back. Nanoha smiled with success.
People die when they are killed.
Best line made in the Fate series xD.
Exams are donezo but still have a lot of projects incoming~
Hope you enjoyed this chapter ^_^ reviews are free no worries~ Ciao!