Soul's POV
I just had the weirdest dream. In it was Maka, She was so pale that she could collapse any minute now, but what made it weird was that I was sinking my fangs on her, feasting on her luscious blood, her blood that smelled and tasted so sweet, giving me surges of power coursing back to my body and repairing whatever damage it suffered. l was devouring it like l hadn't drank for a lifetime. But there could be no possible way that that happened, I mean she is in the human world, like she can travel between worlds on her own. She still isn't capable of such things. Yeah,It was all just a dream. I couldn't have possibly bore my fangs on her, I can't seem to bring myself to do it.
"urgh." I groaned as I regained consciousness and opened my eyes.
"Soul-sama, you have finally regained consciousness, ribbit." A new servant, with strange orange hat, squeaked.
See? I knew I was just worrying over useless stuffs.
"We all got worried when we saw the both of you collapse, ribbit."
"Both?" l repeated in an inquisitive manner.
The taste... of.. Blood?
"Yes, apparently Maka-sama offered you her blood to help you recuperate but unfortunately lost too much blood, She is currently resting on her own room, ribbit."
l... I drank her blood?
We, Dark Lords, aren't that much dependant on blood. Bloods are just something for us to have fun on drinking. Well it's like a wine or juice if compared to humans, but it also works as a great medicine for us. When we are greatly wounded, with the help of blood we recover much faster than our natural rate of recovery. But, it also has side-effects on us, if we drink bood surely we get stronger and recover faster, but we also tend to get mad. We lose our rational reasoning and go berserk which is why it was made a taboo for all demons to not drink blood anymore.
I'm sure Maka didn't know about this and the gang wouldn't even dare mention this to her as her Mother declared this law. The only person that could tell her about this and not care whether it was taboo or not is none other than that man.. that old bastard geezer.
I thought and growled at the thought.
"but why didn't I lose my mind?" I thought aloud and stared at my hands.
"Well, we took that into consideration and so I was tasked to look after you, Fortunately you seem still lucid to me, ribbit." she said and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where is Maka?" I suddenly burst out. She jolted and looked so surprised.
"I.. I believe she was taken to another room at the left wing of the castle, ribbit." she confessed in an unsteady voice.
I threw the blanket off my body and found myself still in my uniform and ignored it. I went off and hurried to the room she was taken to.
She might be very scared right now, given that she is in a world completely different from hers, I must go and comfort her. But.. Do I really have the right to say that when I sank my fangs on her? She must be scared of me right now. But.. I really must see her right now.
I thought while bearing the heavy guilt of boring my fangs on her. I reached her room and knocked before I went in but when I opened it, the room was empty.
"Empty?"
Why is it empty? Wasn't she supposed to be taken here? What did they do? Damn it. If only I didn't drink her blood. Now it'll be my fault if someone finds out that she is the heir to the Elmerian throne. Damn it! Damn it! DAMN IT!
I thought and mentally hit myself. I hastily marched towards the throne room where that man usually spends his time. It's quite perplexing but when I think that Father might have done something bad to her, I can't help but feel my blood boil in anger. I could never forgive myself if something bad happened to her because of me. I reached the throne room and opened the doors with a slam and found him sitting so leisurely on the chair on the center.
"Where's Maka?" I asked straight to the point without bothering to greet him even.
"My, You sure have changed. It has only been a year since you ran away again but you sure have changed unlike the last time you went there." He said as he reminisced times I don't remember and have the slightest Idea about.
"Cut the chase, Father! Where's Maka?"
"Maka? oh, Do you mean the girl who gave you the blood? I see.. Your name was Maka." he said and looked past me. I turned around and saw her in the same black dress she wore when She visited me in my dream and bid Goodbye. she looked so ethereal but something's off about her. She's pale and the glow on her eyes died down. Well, I do admit I am the reason behind her pale complexion but I don't Know who's responsible for that.. sadness.
"Maka.." I called and tried to reach for her when she walked forward me but drew them back as I remembered how I assaulted her. she surprised me when she didn't stop in front of me but passed by giving me the cold shoulder and proceeded to the throne.. to Father.
"Isn't she stunning Soul? Well? How do you like the dress Young Queen?" he asked but didn't receieve a single, even a short response from her. But instead averted her gaze and turned away.
"Well then Soul, Now that you are well, Don't you think it's about time that you head back to your beloved Human Realm? Seeing as how you loved that realm, Here! I'll even give you a hand." He beamed and drew his hand creating a portal beneath me, sucking me. I jerked but kept still, Learning as it's like a quicksand; the more you move, the more it sucks you in. Maka saw this and immediately rushed to me.
"Soul!" She cried and tried to reach me but l suddenly became transparent which is the reason why she can't hold me.
Damn that Geezer!
"It'll be fine Maka, So don't cry. 1 even am not worthy for you to shed your tears."
" Dummy! l.. I never regretted anything I did.. Because.. Because.. I could save the person that I love. I Love you, Soul. So please, Live your life and be happy for me. Okay?" she said and accompanied it with her trademark smile.
"I know that already."
I know she meant it as a bestfriend, buddy and brother only. I mustn't misunderstand it.
"No! You don't understand me. I meant it like I want to be your wife, that I want to spend eternity with you by myside." She certainly surprised me with what she said that I even froze for a moment. I didn't get the chance to answer given that the portal completely swallowed me up. I opened my eyes and found myself under the orange skies and on the rooftop of the school. I glanced sidewards and saw the gang unconscious too. I sat up and held my head with my hands and ran a hand on my hair.
This whole ordeal is frustrating me.
I thought and heard groans, apparently they're coming to consciousness already.
"urghh.. Where are we?" Black Star, who first woke up, asked.
"I think.. This is the human's realm." Tsubaki answered him when she woke up too.
"What was that black hole? I don't remember the Demon realm having anything like those." Liz inquired.
"nuuuu~ Patty's head is spinning~" Patty complained.
"why are we sent back? Where's Ma-" Kid paused when he saw me. Everyone turned to what made him stop and turned to me with mixed emotions; surprise and gladness.
"Soul!" they all cried and rushed to me, except for kid who remained frozen.
"You are fine!" Liz exclaimed and patted my shoulders.
"Hah! Your God knew you would be fine!" Black Star proclaimed.
"Soul isn't weak so it was a given that he would make it through." Tsubaki said gently.
"Soul-kun is fine~!" Patty cheered.
"Where is Maka?" As I thought, that would be the first thing that Kid will notice. Everyone suddenly fell silent and turned to Kid then to me. I hang my head and averted my gaze.
"I asked you WHERE SHE IS? DAMMIT!" He cried and suddenly charged at me. Black Star and Liz grabbed hold of both of his arms and managed to stop him.
"Calm Down Kid!" Liz scolded.
"How the hell would I calm down? That bastard left Maka alone after he got what he wanted from her!"
"But still, won't you want to hear him out first?" Tsubaki, the ever Democratic, suggested.
"He's right. I left Maka's side. Let him go. He has the right to hit me." I said without lifting my head.
"You inconsiderate Monster!" Kid growled and broke free from Black Star's and Liz's grip and lunged at me, grabbing my collar and forcing me to lift my head up and hit me in the cheek. I fell back to the ground and stayed as I wiped the blood away.
"Maka.. Maka sacrificed so much for you. She even went as far as visiting another world just for you.. Just to give you her blood and help you recover faster.. She.. She even loves you and you just leave her just because your ass is already saved? Just how much of a dimwit can you get before you notice her feelings for you?" Kid scolded and clenched his fists so tight that it started bleeding. I let off a heavy sigh and ran a hand through my hair.
"Yeah. How could I possibly do that. How could I possibly live happily when you're all I want." I murmured and pulled myself together, standing firmly like what I used to be.
"Thanks for that little wake up punch Kid, it surely hurt like hell. Well,. Can I.. uhh.." I paused as I can't figure out how to say it.
"Of course! There's no need to ask Dimwit! I'm going back to save her!" Kid exclaimed and pumped his fists.
"Thanks."
"Well, Maka needs us after all. So we'll help too." Tsubaki chimed in.
"Urghh. I can't believe I'd have to save someone far more stronger than me." Liz complained.
"Morelike, We'll be going back again and on the same day too! After rescuing Soul, now we'd have to rescue Maka. Stop troubling your God, you lovebirds!" Black Star added.
"Let's go!~" Patty cheered and seemed so enthusiatic. We all nodded and I proceeded with our transfer. I am a Dark Lord, and we have this unique ability to create portals, it's kinda different from a royalty's private portal since it is situated in every kingdom but with us, we can create wherever we want it to. An orb formed in my hands and made the portal, we all hoped in one at a time with me being last to close the portal. I made it that the portal would take us in my room to avoid Father detecting us, which is usually hard but today was quite easy to sneak in every nook of the castle.
"Hey! Is it just me or the castle seem to be empty?" Black Star suddenly said and we examined the hallway of the main castle.
"Yeah. I feel something off about this silence." Liz said and got goosebumps.
"Is this what they call the calm before the storm?" Tsubaki asked.
"We won't know if we won't move out. Lead the way Soul." Kid said and let me go first. I walked the hallway leading to the throne room and just like the hallways we passed by, it's completely barren.
There's no way Father wouldn't notice us by now. What is that Geezer trying to pull?
Just another turn and we'll reach the throne room, any minute now and we'll find Maka already. I turned left and paused when I noticed two guards standing on the throne room's door.
Weird. Father never leaves any guard on that room, so why now?
I thought and hid back. The gang stopped and took a peek at what made me retreat and hide.
"Guards?" Liz asked the obvious.
"As expected, when he noticed us sneak in I'm sure he was already expecting us to attack him and so placed guards there." Kid theoritically said.
"No. Father isn't like other king. He is especially cruel, arrogant and stubborn. It is not like him to place guards on the throne room." I explained and made them confused even more. We heard clanking of shoes closing in near the throne room. The guards then stiffened up and saluted. The person then came into view and I saw my brother; Wes, wearing his suit. The guards opened the doors for him and we heard trumpets and drums playing as soon as the doors opened. The doors closed and we made our move, we assasinated the two guards, morelike sent them to sleep, and borrowed their uniforms.
"Kid, you're coming in with me. Black Star, Tsubaki, we'll lure two guards out so we can go in and take them out. Liz and Patty, both of you put their uniforms on and replaced those two here." I narrated our assignments. They all nodded and we hurriedly wore the uniforms we stole. Black Star and Tsubaki managed to take out the two guards we lured out as Kid and I replaced them inside. A grand feast was held and lively music was playing. My sight drifted off to the 3 high-backed chairs with two people sitting on the chairs. The man sitting at the center is definitely Father but on his left, was a girl with her hair tied up and she was hanging her head.
Could that be Maka? What's going on here? What are you planning, Old Geezer?
Wes walked up to Father and sat on his right side as he glanced sideways to Maka. Father suddenly stood up and cleared his throat. The noise died down as they all turned to face Father, who was grinning from ear to ear.
"I welcome you all to the Engagement Party of my son, Wes, the Crown Prince, to the Elmerian Princess, Heir to the Throne and possesser of the Eye, and especially your soon to be Queen, Maka." he announced.
WHAT?!
Maka's POV
As I watched Soul getting sucked by the portal, I felt my heart being ripped apart. It pains me so much having to part with him in such a manner, but I've got no choice, this is in exchange for his life.
*Flashback*
"Ready to listen already? I have just one condition and you can go and save Soul." he said. I nodded and listened to what he's got to say.
"Become my daughter by marrying my son." he stated so vaguely.
He wants me to marry Soul? that wouldn't be a problem at all.
"The Crown Prince, Wes." he finished and clarified. I jerked and froze.
What? Marry Wes? Why?
"After all, you are bethrothed to the both of them, it'll just be a matter of time before you choose someone though, so I'm telling you, Marry Wes and you can save Soul." he said with a smirk.
"mm. I will." I agreed without turning to him and stared at Soul enduring the pain.
"Very Well. Go and offer him your blood." he whispered as the barrier dissipated.
*End of Flashback*
I stayed on my spot and the King strode close to me, offering me his hand to help me up.
"Come. I want to give you a gift before your marriage." he said. I didn't want to leave the spot but I took it anyway, somehow, something's telling me I shouldn't disobey this man. He's the one who almost killed Soul, after all. We walked out of the room as he guided me through different halls and stopped in front of a room I recognize as where I was taken after I suffered loss of blood. We walked in and he let me sit on the bed. He sat beside me and turned to me.
"Consider this as my gift. I figured you might want to retrieve them someday." he said and poked my head softly. I suddenly felt my self fall back as my vision got blurry and turned dark.
..
.
"Sou-chan, want to eat cake with me?" a younger me, about 4-5, asked. They were in a meadow with flowers all around. I turned to who I was talking to and saw Soul, his current look.
"No. It's sweet." he said plainly.
"Mou~~ Then I'll give this to Wes!" I pouted and pretended to stand up. He grabbed my wrist but didn't turn to me.
"I-I'll eat it." he said. The younger me giggled and sliced some of the cake, feeding it to him. He shivered as he gulped it down.
"Too Sweet." he complained.
"Ne Sou-chan, Someday.. Will you take Maka as your bride someday?" the younger me asked.
"Of course. Maka is troublesome and only I can keep up with it." He answered me with his adorable smile.
"Pinky Swear?" I asked as I held out my finger.
"Yeah, Whatever oath it is." he said and linked his pinky finger with mine.
What the-?! Soul made such a promise with me? And what's with that Attitude? You're already a grown up. Really, he's such a child at that kind of age.
I thought as the scenes unfold before me. Wes then came in the scene as Soul was pulling on my cheeks and chuckled innocently. He hit Soul on the head and leaned on his head.
"Don't bully Maka. She's going to be my bride and your nee-san after all, right?" he proposed and smiled at the younger me. She smiled innocently back at him and gave him some cake too.
Wait.. As I thought.. It is familiar! This is a scene from my dream but a clearer version, so Soul was that boy. But what is this? Why am I dreaming it again?(refer ch.2)
I thought and suddenly the scenes changed to that of a dark forest.
"Mister?" I heard a call. I turned around and saw myself entering the forest.
This.. This forest is.. Isn't this the Enchanted Forest?
"Mister?" I kept on calling. This time an eight-year-old me called.
"Mist- Ah!" I exclaimed and rushed to a flower, exclaiming at how beautiful it's shade was.
I'm quite the nocturnal aren't I? to be able to see in such darkness.
A boy with creepy wings stood behind me and approached me silently, but somehow, I don't feel alarmed at all. The young me turned around and saw him, Soul.
Soul? What on earth are these? What's the meaning of this dream?
It came to the point where Wes came to take Soul away. Wes got angry, saying Mama sealed my memories. Soul fought him but they came into terms. Soul had to leave the young me so that Wes won't do something bad to me. Soul went inside the portal but the young me rushed back to him. Wes stepped in between us and pushed Soul in as he grabbed me and pulled me close, kissing my forehead and uttured soft words.
"you will forget about Soul and you will remember only me."
..
.
I slowly opened my eyes and felt the dried tears on my face.
"What.. What was that dream?" I asked a question not addressed to anyone.
"It wasn't a dream, those are your sealed memories. How are you feeling, Young Queen?" he answered for me. He was sitting there, in a chair directly opposite of where I laid.
"I feel strange. What do you mean with sealed memories?"
"Just as I said, those are your memories being sealed. It isn't possible to seal a Demon's memory, such as a strong Demon like you, so in order for you to forget such memories, it is sealed, this can only be done, however, by someone far stronger than you do." He explained.
"then.. Mama and Wes really did seal ny memories?" I murmured.
What could be her reason to do such things?
I thought. He stood up from his chair and paced to the door.
"I will leave you for the moment to get prepared. I expect that you fulfil your promise. Proceed to the throne room after you're done for Wes is on his way here too." he instructed before he left the room and the servants(?) came in.
They changed me out of the black dress to a longer one that it completely hid my feet. It was flowing like waves with every move I do. My hair was tied up in a bun with my bangs pushed to the side. They placed black hair ornaments on my hair that it stood out of my blonde hair.
"It is done, Maka-sama." I heard her say.
I opened my eyes and saw that they had painted my lip with black lipsticks too.
Now I really look like one of them.
I complained mentally and frowned.
"Thanks." I said and gave them a light smile.
"Uhh.. We-Welcome, Maka-sama. uhmm.. wo-would you want to be accompanied to the throne room? I.. uhh.. I could guide you there." she franticaly stammered which is cute.
"mmh. I could really use a guide." I said and smiled. She smiled delightly and rushed to the door. I took one last glance to my transformed self and stood up. I walked to the door and found her already waiting by it, and keeping the door open for me.
It really feels creepy when someone opens the door for me, much less a girl like this.
She guided me through the maze of hallways and stopped by the two guards guarding a door.
"uhmm. I believe you might have took me to the wrong room, the throne room didn't have any guards." I whispered to her.
"You are not mistaken, your highness. This is the throne room. The King ordered us to guard here." one of the guards kindly explained.
"I see." was all I could say before they opened the door for me again and was greeted with a sweet, soothing, lovely music and cheers of people, I mean Demons.
Aren't they Demons? Why do they look human to me?
I thought and strode forward to the center. The King greeted me with a smile as he gestured me to sit on his left. I did as what he gestured me and sat down and hang my head down.
There's no way I'd feel comfortable with all these gazes around me.
Sooner the door opened again and in came Wes, my soon-to-be-husband.
I wonder if he'll understand if I tell him I love Soul and that I don't want to marry anyone but him.
I planned but somehow, it doesn't feel right, like I might regret it if I tell him all about it. I stared at him as he walked towards us. When he finally reached us, he directly went to the empty seat beside his father. The King suddenly stood up and announced.
"I welcome you all to the Engagement Party of my son, the Crown Prince, Wes to the Elmerian Princess, Heir of the Throne and possesser of the Eye, and especially your soon to be Queen, Maka."
I clenched my fists and bit my lip as I reminisced it all.
But I don't have the right to have regrets. I was able to save Soul after a-
I stopped when I felt my tears rush down. A cape suddenly hid my face and someone hugged me.
"It'll be fine. I won't let you down." Wes whispered. Murmurs rose up in the air as he continued to hide me crying.
"On the first night when the moon shines bright shall be their wedding day." The King announced again.
Huh? Full Moon?
"Full Moon? Isn't that.." Wes was cut when his Father finished for him.
"Yes, tomorrow." he smirked.
What?! TOMORROW?! Soul, Maka, Wes and Kid thought as the crowd around them cheered.