12. Inside out.
By the end of the first day, Leo was exhausted as he'd never been before. He seemed to be aware of every cell in his body as they all screamed in agony. His legs shook, his chest ached, his throat constricted.
His mind remained set.
At the end of the first week, he thought he might be breaking apart. His fingers refused to move, he could hardly feel his feet and his head felt like it might come off at any moment.
His pride was perfectly fine.
The first month felt like being turned inside out. His whole body tingled, it seemed impossible to get air into his lungs. The thought of slipping back through the gate became more and more appealing. Then his eyes caught sight of Hamal, and from there traced the rest of Aries' constellation.
His heart was still exactly where it was meant to be.
At the end of the first year, he chose the name Loke. It seemed appropriate, considering his sin. Loke, who had helped the Gods, then brought war upon them. Weren't the contract holders 'Gods' to spirits after all?
Then he found Fairy Tail. His sin didn't disappear, but he could live with it, day by day.
Until the end.
