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Chapter 14
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"Waaahh! Master, I'm sorry for everything! I should have prepared something for this kind of thing!" Solomon cried clinging to the left side of my waist.
"Knock it off, you damn useless child!" The man who looked strikingly similar to Sorrell, but his eyes are gold, smacked Solomon upside the head with a wooden cane. The force of the hit was enough to knock the silver haired god unconscious. "Seriously, how are you feeling, Lady Walker?"
"Ah, I'm...fine now. Thank you...er...Suzaku, right?"
"That's correct. I am Suzaku, but I am no god despite what may assume. I work as a healer in the human realm, but I live here."
"Oh. How is Sakura?" I looked at the girl still sleeping with Syaoran watching over her. "Unlike me..."
"She'll be fine. Wisps eat the energy from humans and while it wouldn't affect normal people, those who are weak physically or those with weakened souls...well, you know what happens. I gave you both some medicine to recover the lost energy. Don't do anything strenuous for at least a day."
"Ano..."
"Yes?"
"Do you...have a child?"
"Hm? Not that I know of."
"I see..."
"Is there something wrong?"
"...No, it's nothing..." I absentmindedly patted Solomon's head, turning my gaze to the walls and ceilings of the room. It was faint, but you can see something akin to dozens of rune like marks across the surfaces. "Where's Salazar?"
"She went home for some things I need in return for treating you and the girl."
"Thank you..."
"It's not a problem, Lady Walker."
"..."
"Is there something wrong?"
"...I...I don't understand why any of you are so respectful towards me...if anything...shouldn't you hate me for creating this world? Solomon especially..."
"Even if you made this world full of peace, justice, and love, it wouldn't change that there are those who seek evil and those who seek the light."
"...Yes, like how there are humans who seek battle and those who seek peace. While I created this world, I can't control every person here...I can only write about one person...that person's story...Each person has a story, but for someone like me..." I felt guilty, about everything. "If I knew...then maybe I wouldn't have..."
"What's wrong, Lady Walker?"
"...I love writing, I love telling stories that I made up, but...is it worth it...if they become real and...I cause them so much pain?"
"You feel guilty for everything, I assume?" I nodded my head at his question. Suzaku hummed, staring me in the eyes. "Don't."
"Bu-but..."
"Why don't you ask him yourself then? Drink this tomorrow morning after breakfast." Suzaku placed a glass container on the side table, inside is a purple liquid. "I have to give something to your friend as well. Excuse me."
"Y...Yes. Thank you for your help..."
Suzaku gave me a polite smile and nod before moving to speak with Syaoran. I turned my gaze to Solomon and I shut my eyes, releasing a small sigh. I never would have thought that I would end up in...a book I wrote. I could just remember the pain I caused Solomon at the end of the book...that...I wanted it to be interesting, a plot twist, but...how can he smile at me so happily as if it was nothing...after everything I did. It didn't take long for the red haired healer to take his leave after finishing what he had to do.
"What are you thinking about, Luc-chi?" Fai asked approaching me.
"Huh, ah...Don't...It's nothing, please don't worry about me." I said trying to wave off his concern.
"It doesn't look like it to me." Fai sat down in the chair Suzaku occupied earlier. "You had this scary look on your face." Fai frowned and furrowed his brows, using his index fingers to pull the edge of his eyes up a bit to make a fake glare. "Like this!" Fai said holding the expression for a few moments.
"...F...Pffwwaaahhhahahahaha! What is with that look?!" I held one arm across my stomach, a hand covering my mouth to try to stop the laughter from escaping my lips. "Wwwaahahahahaha! It's too funny!" I cried my stomach hurting.
"There we go! You have a pretty smile now!" Fai said smiling at me.
"I doubt I made such a face though, Fai." I rubbed away the tears caused by my laughter. "I'm fine, really though. Thanks for cheering me up." I said returning his smile.
"So, what were you thinking so hard about? Don't try to brush it off because you had a really scary look. Don't make me do it again." Fai threatened with a grin.
"..." I released a small snort, I can't believe it's Fai of all people who is getting me to open up about anything. "This world...Do you really think I created it?" I asked turning my gaze to the large glass window.
"Well, it's possible, isn't it? Two people you created, you've written about are here and they know about you. There are many things that corroborate to what you imagined, right?"
"Yes, even things I haven't written about."
"Like?"
"Well...I never wrote about Solomon's home. I drew out designs, but I never put it into the actual story. From what I can tell, everything is matching up as well. Wisps that love Solomon's indoor garden...various plants used for potions...the tea table...even the teapot and cups used were exactly as I imagined it to be."
"So this is a world you created."
"That's why I feel bad...Solomon's ending...When he lost his memories, he lost a vast amount of his powers, his powers would only be above average in the human world...his ending...his ending, I...for him to regain his memories and powers...He lost his most precious friend..."
"Why did you do that?"
"Eh?"
"For what reason did you have for killing that person? Couldn't he have regained his memories and powers another way?"
"No, it's..." I sighed, staring at Solomon's sleeping face. "...No, he wouldn't have been able to regain his memories or his powers. This child...he would have been satisfied with traveling with that person forever even without his memories. If his memories never returned, he would watch that person grow old...and die while he remained forever young. He would have never remembered...He would have probably have continued to travel the world after that person's death searching for answers, yet never receiving them..."
"Are you sure?"
"Un. The shock...would have been similar to..." I paused, feeling a bit...confused. I held my head, something not matching up in my head. "Wait...why...?"
"What's wrong?"
"Ah, no..." I shook my head, remembering something strange. "It would have been similar...to an attack his teacher received when he was a newly created god...when he was learning to become a god...before he became one of knowledge and creation. To protect him, that person received a curse and the shock was enough to fear those stronger than himself. It was the spark that caused him to do whatever he can to protect those he loves while also...making sure that what happened would never happen again."
"How did that person die?"
"That person received a curse as well, to protect Solomon. The curse was strong enough to kill a god, but...for a human to receive it..."
"So that person died."
"Rather, their existence was erased. A god has a presence, an aura, and a life force a human cannot compare to. If it is to kill a god, then for a human to receive it then their very existence will disappear, from the past to the present. Humans who met this person would never remember them, it's as if they didn't exist. However, gods who met said person before will have faint memories of them."
"That's very sad."
"...Yes, I know..."
"Does he remember this person?"
"...I don't know..." I shook my head and I felt depressed again. "That's why..."
"You still feel guilty."
"Un."
"You wrote this story, but you regret it now. Is that any way to treat those who are so happy to have you here despite what you did?"
"...You say that as if I'm regretting my decision. I don't. I'm actually proud of Road of Memories." I pushed my glasses up a bit and I gave Fai a small smile. "The only thing I regret is that...I decided to not write a sequel. Solomon's tale ended long ago...and I wanted to focus on the lives of many others...of other worlds."
"You won't write a sequel despite meeting them in person?"
"I decided this the moment I finished Road of Memories. I can't bring myself to write a sequel. I know that I would have been pressured into writing about reviving that person, into pulling that person back into this world, but I won't, I wouldn't. Life once lost cannot be regained, no matter what others say...Conrad Williams had died and he cannot be brought back."
"...Is that right?" Fai was surprised at first, but he quickly regained his composure and smiled at me. "Don't you feel better now?"
"...Somewhat. Mokona!" The little rabbit looked at me from atop of Kurogane's head. "Can I have my bag please?"
"Okay!"
"What are you doing?" Fai watched as I gotten my bag and I quickly pulled out a large sketchpad. I put it down on my lap and I began to flip through it. "Oh, it's Solomon. Hm, he looks a bit different here."
"These were rough sketches of how I wanted him to look. I also drew out the birdcage. This...is Conrad." I showed him the picture. "Now, can you please do me a big favor?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Get Solomon off me and don't tell Suzaku I'm going out for a bit."
"You have to stay in bed."
"Come on, it's just for an hour or two. Please?" I gave him a pleading look and he laughed lightly. "Fai?"
"Alright, alright. Don't blame me if you get yelled at."
"I'll be fine. Besides, this charm Solomon made to keep the Wisps away should work." I raised my left wrist where a golden bangle was located. "Now, help me out!"
Fai got Solomon off me and I quickly got to my feet, tugging on my boots. I gave Syaoran and Kurogane a grin before running off. The two released a shout, clearly intent on stopping me, but I was already out the door and leaving Solomon's birdcage like home. I wanted to visit someone who I'm sure exists in this world. After all...I had a bad habit of putting my people I know into the story even if I change the name.
"Let's see...It should...be right...around this corner..." I hugged the sketchbook to my chest as I wandered about. "Here it is..." I said with a small smile.
"Master?" I jumped and my foot slipped causing me to start falling backwards. "Ah!"
"Ow...Salazar...?" I saw the small child holding me around the shoulders when she tried to cushion my fall, but didn't help much since I still landed on my ass. "Ah...crap..."
"Master! You should be resting!"
"Sorry, sorry, I just had to do something first. Do you recall a man by the name of Conrad Williams?"
"Conrad? That name...where...have I heard it before?"
"I need to see Weiss."
"Ugh..."
"Please, Salazar."
"...But..."
"If you agree, I'll...what do you want from me?"
"Hm...Then...pat my head..." S-So cute! "A-Also...I want to be hugged..."
"Of course." I began patting her head and she looked so happy. "Shall we go?"
"Ah, yes, master."
I smiled at the young girl before we met with Weiss. The man is tall, but androgynous so one could mistake him as a woman if he didn't correct you. His white hair is long and tied near the end with a plain light blue ribbon. He looks remarkably similar to Solomon, except his eyes are a shade of ocean blue. He has the same half wing mark on the back of his hand and he dresses in plain clothing that didn't suit a god. Well, then again...Solomon doesn't dress like one.
"...Milady Lucy, it has been a long time." Weiss said evenly despite the slightly cold look in his eyes.
"...Well, at least someone is mad at me." I patted Salazar's head, calming her down since she looked ready to beat the man up. "I would...like to ask a favor of you." I said opening my sketchbook.
"Who is this?" Weiss questioned staring at the picture of Conrad.
"I would like your help...in creating a painting of this man. If not for him...Solomon wouldn't have returned to the realm of the gods."
"Oh?"
"...It was my fault that Solomon cannot recall a friend who helped him when he had forgotten who he was. It is also my fault that no one will remember this man. I...at the very least, I can create something to help remind him."
"...Soft-hearted as always..."
"Weiss!"
"...I don't...Ah...!" I felt dizzy again. I was about to fall, but two pairs of hands were quick to catch me. "...I'm...sorry...I just feel a little dizzy..."
"...Reckless...Very well. I'll paint this picture for you. In exchange, you must come here when I am."
"...Thank you..."
"Hmph. Hurry and take this reckless woman back to her companions. Solomon...what is that idiot doing not properly keeping watch on her?"
"Shut up you!" Salazar began to glow a faint green and in an instant...she became a large snake. "Hurry up and put her on my head or I'll swallow you whole."
"Don't order me about, lowly snake."
"Lo-Why I ought to...!"
"Don't fight..."
"Master..."
"Milady Lucy." I stared at Weiss after he laid me down on Salazar's head. "I'll begin in three days."
"Alright..."
"Now get going. I'll be keeping this with me as well." Weiss held up the sketchbook before walking away. "I shall see you then."
"..."
I began to get sleepy as Salazar made her way back to Solomon's home. I could hear her speak with me, but I couldn't find the energy to reply to her. When she realized I was close to falling asleep, she began to hum softly. It was a strange song...but a familiar one...where...where could I have possibly heard this song before? I don't remember...but...it's familiar...very...very familiar.
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Chapter 14 Ends
There is...two more chapters before they head to Outo. Hm...I don't really got anything to add at this time. However, in two chapters there will be something interesting going on~! I hope you all will look forward to it! Until next time my dears! Bye-bye~!