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Of Gods and Demons
~A Familiar Stranger~
Hello, everyone! I finally finished with another chapter, and to be honest, this one is a lot shorter than the previous one, barely half as long. But to be fair, the last chapter was almost 4,000 words, after I added a few scenes and smoothed out the plot. If you are interested...or just bored, feel free to reread the last one because I added a couple important scenes for new future developments! To be honest though? This chapter is more of a retelling than anything else. Last chapter focused on Jawred(Jellal)'s perspective, and this one focuses on Resha(Wendy)'s reaction to everything she has gone through. Still, I hope you like it!
As always, thanks to everyone who read, wait, and review, and that includes Never Ending Song Of Insanity,(thank you for the support, buddy, I really appreciated those reviews! xD) and Louise24Zoldyck (I'm glad you liked the last chapter too, hope this one will be enjoyable even if it is just an old scene regurgitated in a new perspective, lol). And thanks to all the shy readers out there who won't come out and identify yourself. You know who you are! :P
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"Life was beautiful until I was betrayed by the one I trusted most."
-Resha Serrinius.
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What?
Suffocating terror and despair suddenly burned in the swirling darkness like a poisonous fog and Resha weakly edged back, thereby rustling the glistening chains ensnaring her bloodstained body. Heavy footsteps suddenly echoed in the distant blackness with a sinister cadence and her shining brown eyes instantly glittered in surprise.
What is going on?
Shock sparked faintly in her heart as a stranger suddenly stormed out of the swarming darkness and into the golden glare of the flickering candles. As soon as he appeared, snarling shadows suddenly exploded from every crack and corner with a soundless shriek, splashing into a grotesque splatter of dancing black ink as they tore into the dying candlelight in ferocious hunger.
Insane, this is insane...
Fearful moans and breathless gasps leaked into the desolate darkness and Resha blinked furiously in surprise as some of her torturers scurried away in terror. Dread glistened in their vibrant, candlelit eyes as the Demons fearfully pressed their back into the walls before awkwardly falling onto their knees, as if their own shadows would suddenly swarm alive and stab them from behind.
W-who is he?
Stars abruptly sparked across her blackening vision and Resha feebly shook her head, suddenly dizzy and lightheaded just by looking at the stranger. Agony blazed in her brown eyes as she reluctantly turned to him, drinking in the violent dark powers that quivered violently just beneath his suppressed black aura.
And then, the young girl suddenly understood. He was a dark wizard, and an extremely powerful one. The snarling shadows and curling darkness loved him and recognized him as the master who imbued them with life. Therefore, each wispy dark tendril resonated with his every heartbeat and emotion. If needed, the spiraling darkness would destroy itself to protect him. And that is why–hungry as they are–the voracious shadows had not yet swallowed her alive.
N-no wonder his entire life force is like a black hole!
"M...Mas...Mas...ter?"
An impossibly soft whisper quivered meekly into her ears and Resha awkwardly turned around in a daze. Disbelief instantly boiled in her heart when the young girl realized what had suddenly occurred to her regal and beautiful friend.
Seconds ago, the Mistress had appeared so composed and unperturbed as her smiling black orbs glowed warmly with love and benevolence. But now, this same woman was trembling vigorously among the dust and grime of the bloodstained stone earth as her aura burned vibrantly in horror and despair. Dewy sweat glistened on her forehead as her unblinking black eyes gleamed in wild terror, her lips sputtering inanely like a dying fish out of water.
What...the heck?
"Go on."
Dark, jagged icicles suddenly exploded into existence overhead and Resha whimpered in fear as he released a roaring laughter of sadistic glee. Darkness dripped in his wake as he swept toward her like a violent storm, sprawling across the cold dungeon floor with clawing black wisps. The young girl could not see him distinctly because of the spiraling shadows that danced around him and the swaying cerulean tresses beneath his black hood. But she knew he was grinning from the treacherous and predatory tone of his voice. "Pray tell, I am a vulgar what now, Aeraya?"
"My, my sincerest apologies!"
A sharp and vibrating thud suddenly erupted beside her and Resha flinched in horror as Aeraya suddenly collapsed onto her knees. Vivid terror and despair leaked from her dilated black orbs as the Mistress frantically lowered her head to the filthy floor with a breathless gasp. "I meant no disrespect, Master Jawred! I really had–"
Hold on. Blinking furiously, Resha whirled around. What, what did she just call him?
"–please, I beg your forgiveness for my impudence!"
"Why do you shiver as though you have seen a ghost, dear Aeraya?" Shadows suddenly crackled around him like streaking black lightning as he responded with a hollow and taunting laughter. "Who am I to question you, much less forgive you? Please do stand up. An unquestionable Mistress of your supreme stature belongs not among the blood and filth."
Darkness drowned Resha in and she carefully edged back as the Master stopped beside her bloodied and tormented body, his piercing laughter abruptly dimming into a soft but deadly growl, "After all, did Captain Irin not worship you as the one omnipotent Mistress who alone can command...me?"
"M...mas...mas..." Aeraya gasped breathlessly as her terrified black eyes frantically peered into his unreadable features. "It...it...it's...not...not...what...what...you–"
And then.
Blazing blackness suddenly detonated from the dark wizard just inches away from Resha and swallowed everything into a desolate darkness. Releasing a strangled yelp, the young girl struggled in vain as the smothering black waves submerged her completely. Darkness thundered in her ears with sizzling screeches as terror jabbed into her heart like broken glass. Scorching agony pulsed through her veins like boiling tar as burning shadows streamed into her eyes, nose, lips, and skin in a flooding black haze.
Dark. Abyssal. Despondent.
Seconds, minutes, or years. Resha had absolutely no idea how long it lasted as the poisoning black powers boiling through her blood vessels and smothering her mind with its harrowing despair. And then, she wanted to die all of a sudden. Agonized tears suddenly glimmered down her feverish cheeks and her throat instantly exploded in a splintering scream of pure despair.
And then just like that, it was over. The darkness dissipated and Resha was suddenly back in the gloomy dungeon, cold, shivering and breathless as her tortured brown eyes blinked wearily. Sweat glittered on her grimy forehead and the young girl gasped heavily, her body trembling as terror tore into her thundering heart.
W-what...what...the...heck...was, was that?
"Well then, it appears that I have misunderstood you." A soft but treacherous whisper oozed somewhere far, far away as a sleepy dizziness fogged her mind once more. Blood pricked inside her mouth as the young girl winced as she bit herself to stay awake. But it was worth it as the world became clear again. Gasps sounded heavily beside Resha, and she shivered numbly as she somehow realized that the woman had also endured the same gruesome Fate. "So, care to explain?"
"Plea...please..." Terror glistened in those widened black orbs as Aeraya released a broken murmur choked with despondent despair and quivering sorrow. "Mas...Master...Master, please...please...I, I..."
It...it's him!
Ferocious rage erupted in her heart and, suddenly, Resha was no longer physically agonized or distressed as her soul thundered in furious recognition. Iridescent tears bubbled in her scorching brown eyes as the young girl bit back a brokenhearted scream, her tiny, grimy knuckles curling until they turned white with fury.
My home...my friends, my family! All, all because of him! He is why I lost everything!
"So you do remember who I am, dear Aeraya." A sinister chuckle vibrated across the inky darkness as the bloodthirsty demon shook his head. "What a surprise. I thought you have long forgotten me and taken Sacred Demon for yourself."
"I...I would never, never do something like that, my Master..." She responded with a soft, quivering whisper as her terrified black orbs burned into the cold stone floor. "I, I am forever loyal only to you, Master Jawred!"
"Oh, really?"
"For...forever and always, my Master!"
"Heh, very well. If you insist." Venom almost dripped from his hollow voice as the Master snickered nonchalantly. "Redeem yourself then. Can you please explain what is going on, dearest Aeraya?"
"As...as you command, my Master..." Aeraya whispered in tangible terror, her voice a low murmur as though any louder sound would endanger her life. "This...this girl here...is the only one in all, all of Earthrealm...who...who knows...where Forbidden Curse...is..."
As her soft whisper dissipated into the somber darkness, the Master released a soft grunt before slowly turning around. Instantly, Resha instantly stopped breathing as her widened brown eyes glistened in scorching hatred, venomous hatred blazing in her heart as the most mysterious and wanted criminal lord in all of Earthrealm swiveled around to face her.
I will remember him. I must!
He was the bloodcurdling demon whose bloodstained hands terrorized all of Earthrealm. He was the soulless nightmare that burned her village and tore apart everything she had ever had. He was the reason why she lost everything. He had killed her friends, family, and loved ones without so much as a valid reason. He was–
"Dagen?"
A faint, ghost of a whisper slipped from her trembling lips as her furious brown eyes finally connected with his. When Resha finally realized what was truly beneath the hood, her heart suddenly shattered as delirious pain tore into her every fiber. Time froze as iridescent tears slowly blurred her vision as the young, helpless girl stared at him in disbelief...and betrayal.
"W-why, how...how in the world...can it be you...Dagen?"
Anyone wanna try to guess what nonsense Resha(Wendy) is talking about here? Like who or what the heck is a "Dagen" in the Fairy Tail universe? ^_^ Everything will be revealed in due time, just after, in like a lot of chapters. And by a lot, we are talking about dozens here because we all know I go on and on without any substantial thickening in the actual plot. But if you actually can guess what she is referring to, I will be happy to let you know. :D You will like what is coming, I promise!
Also, if it isn't too much to ask, please let me know if this repeat of an old chapter in a new perspective is boring or more insightful. Does it help you understand the situation in newer lens, or is it just boring and I should just stop wasting time and proceed in write new scenes? Please let me know! I got a strong stomach for all feedback and criticism, and it would really help if someone can utterly destroy my work so I can work on rebuilding and improving! :D Thank you, and help me reach 16 reviews, please?
Uploaded on June 25, 2017. (Technically, it's...1:27 so it's June 26? But who cares, I haven't gone to bed yet so to me it's the 25th. :P)
(Technically, it's...1:27 so it's June 26? But who cares, I haven't gone to bed yet so to me it's the 25th. :P)