A Holy War
~Choice of a Lifetime~
Ohayou! Another chapter updated, and sadly not the last to the flashback once more. *Cough, cough...for more information please read the end of the story* Today thanks to sereneskydragonslayer and sHirOi-chAn along with Vehemens Ford and 1fairytaillover as well as CrimsonNight41 and Sovereign64 and Darkside. Wolf reading and reviewing and all that support. No, I did not forget Burning Soul and BlackCatNeko999, here's my thanks to you all and now plz enjoy.
"No!" A sudden explosion of rage suddenly replaced his surprised. His voice had suddenly shifted into an enraged roar as deep memories are again salvaged to his worn out mind and heart. "I'm not going back, that illusive land is not my home!"
Simon was noticeably shocked; his voice was bathed with a coat of sorrow and disbelief. "Why not? I thought you missed me, and everyone else. We'll be a family again!"
Once again, Jellal suddenly felt the rising dark rage that had consumed him and his conscience twice. The voice and the hunger of death was once again returning to him as the intense flood of memories again forced out the demon from within.
Although he did find that after killing Rob, he was capable of controlling the overwhelming darkness more and keeping Areyuski at bay better, he had no desire to take anyone else as another sacrifice in order to control them faster...especially one that was once so important to him. But still, he must struggle a great deal to suppress the desires of Areyuski and his murderous suggestions.
When had they ever taken you as a true family member or friend? Zeref sighed.
I must agree to this. He replied mentally.
"Rurcorlus, return to us, return to your home and we will be a family again! Please, we can finally return to what we've always been!" Those words, however, are only stabbing through Jellal's heart, because he knew it was all fake...
For a brief second his eyes glowed red from the pressure within and the next second he had locked those bloody rubies to Simon's startled gaze with a dangerous roar, a coal colored aura drowning him within.
"We never were a family, since the very beginning!"
Silence and great overwhelming tension clogged over the air as Simon's stunned face turned sorrowful, those eyes suddenly radiated a gaze of utter sadness that almost killed Jellal. "So that's what you thought of me, thought of Leo, Gray and everyone else now...They're right, you've changed."
Jellal sealed his eyes tight as he gritted his teeth. His heart was throbbing with pain from those soft words that contained so much sadness. But he knew that he must be cruel currently, in order to remain strong and unwavering...still, it hurted him more than anything to hear Simon's words.
He will not go back to Heaven, no matter what Simon says. For he knew that he must learn to be cruel, he cannot have them continious to keep themselves at risk in a vain belief of converting him back to what he once was.
He knew that his heart and mind had already been broken, and it is impossible for him to return to what others are waiting for him to return. Even if he did return to Heaven, after what he had learnt himself as, after he had experienced the true sorrow and dark existence of Zeref, he knew he never be able to return to the innocent boy known as Rurcorlus.
He must turn mean, so no one will ever try to dissolve the armor he built up after so much sadness, and try to rip out his heart once more. Also so that he will never again have the chance to harm others, and himself as well. Not to mention, he probably won't ever be able to control Zeref's hatred towards an Immortal, after all he was killed by them during the War.
So with a trembling voice, he growled. "If this is all you're here for, then you may as well return."
"Rurcorlus, we wished you back so badly...please." Simon's voice was colored with what seems to be a sob. For a moment his heart almost melted with pain, but he still did not turn around to face him, this is the best for them both...
"I have no more words for you on this matter, Simon, scram!"
"Rurcorlus, brother..." His voice, the blazing fact he had tried so hard to forget and put aside, that this here is a brother he had grown up with together suddenly sent a wave of flesh tearing pain within Jellal.
For a moment he gasped as the words drilled holes into his heart, while Zeref roared with fury from within, do not be melted by his words, Jellal! He is no different from the others...he is here only to follow the orders of the scums, Guran and Belno! Do not give in to him! It's all lies; they will wound you once more!
I-I know...but-
Had they truly cared for you, they'd have rescued you from Hell, and treated you properly instead of only breaking your heart and tearing your trust! I have had enough with their illusions and false promises, you should have had too!
But Simon is different, h-he's my...
He's one of your enemies! Do not be fooled, only I will be your everlasting friend that truly wishes you good, Jellal, for I am you!
He's not an enemy! Rage suddenly consumed him, but Zeref was just as enraged.
Yes, he is, Jellal! How many times will you disregard the fact that he is sent by the scums of Heaven! Do you wish to return to Heaven, Jellal? Answer me!
No...
Then quit being such a weakling, Jellal! You know I am your only friend that will ever watch out for you! This creature here is only covering himself as your friend to bait you back-
"Shut up, you've got no right to say such about Simon!" He suddenly revealed a bloodcurdling scream at the monster from within with closed eyes. "He may just be another Immortal, an enemy to you whose blood you wish to taint your hands with. But to me, he's my friend!"
Then am I not? He's been with you since your birth? He's been with you to Hell and to Heaven? Have lent you power when you wished to save that redhead of yours?
I never said you aren't! But you've killed Rob!
But for your own good, how many times must I repeat that, you fool?
"Shut up, that's what you thought!" He howled.
Shock painted Simon's gaze, completely unaware that Jellal was in another mental battle that's consuming all his humanity and self righteousness. "A-Are you okay?"
I'm warning you here, Jellal! I will not allow you to continue this unrighteousness self torments. I am embarrassed, that in this life, I've grown so weak hearted and unstable minded. Tell me, did you not ask for revenge to the Immortals?
Simon is different from the others!
Then you are blinded by your false and tender friendship! Had he tried to help when you are banished? No! Had he saved the beloved of your life? Double no! He's been useless, a false ally that merely stands by and watch as you suffer with the excuse of mere friendship and a hope that you will understand of his betrayal!
No, that's not true!
I am you; I am fueled by your hatred to the Immortals as you are to mine. We've had our shares of sorrow and darkness from such very existence. Why cannot you understand? That we are the only true ally designated to one another for eternity! He is one from the bunch that had given you your sorrows and me of mine along with death. His very existence churns me with disgust and hatred. Shall you not have the abilities to make him leave; I shall mark this land as his eternal rest land!
No, you are not going to kill him! My will has grown since Rob's death, you are not strong enough!
Then you've foolishly underestimated me! Last warning, make him leave! Or I shall convert all I has into power and have his body torn apart before you!
No!
Roaring in agony, Jellal fell to the ground from Zeref's words. He did not want that, but he can recognize Zeref's hatred as vividly as his own. He, like Zeref, wanted nothing more to one day personally kill the Immortals and have their blood flow over his hands...but does that mean, even Simon, Gray and Leo, along with those few individuals he truly cared for must also die in his hands?
Yes! They must!
"Rurcorlus?" Simon was utterly confused, his eyes glinted with worry. "A-are you in great suffering?"
I will not kill Simon like I did to Rob! Void of all strength, the bluenette panted as the miracle and the impossible in this frozen land, sweat flowed down his cheeks. His eyes are shut tight; this time...you won't be able to control me enough to have me kill him, Zeref. Thanks to the incident with Rob. I will deal with him as I like.
I admit your willpower had grown enough for me to have trouble taking over since last time, but mind you, this is a creature that belongs to the scums that killed me. This is on a completely different term than the old geezer back then. Even right now, that hatred that lies within my soul is still more than enough to consume your conscience!
I-impossible!
This is your final warning, have him leave or I will scar you for life with the vision of his blood spilling before your very eyes!
A-alright, I yield! I'll make him leave, just don't...
As soon as his supply of oxygen allowed him to speak once again, he turned to the nearby confused man he once loved so much. "Simon, you are the reason to why I suffer. So get the hell out of here, if you refuse to leave, I'll make you!"
The surprise and confusion in Simon's eyes faded away into graveness, but he did not budge. He will not take the life of what's important to him just to appear strong and unwaveringly uncaring before Zeref. "Leave, or do you wish I do help it for you!"
"I'd like to see you try, Rurcorlus." The reply shocked him but as their eyes met he understood, Simon was once one of his best friend, and therefore he would not give up the fragment of hope in helping him. Simon is betting on everything to see whether he had changed evil enough. Should he choose to attack, he will lose full faith in him and mayhap leave. But of course, for Jellal to do so, it will truly take a steel heart. Whether he attacks or not will be indication to Simon whether he had changed enough.
Then he must do it for Simon's sake! His teeth gritted and his fist clenched as he staggered up, bangs casting shadows over his pained eyes. "Must it come to this?
Simon nodded, "If you truly hate me as much as you said, you will be able to kill me without the blink of an eye."
His last strand of self control was fading as rage shifted his eyes red, but this time it was not Areyuski's doing. He was becoming the monster himself from the weary mind conflict he just had, and Simon's piercing gaze was what he despised the most in his life, a glowering look of rage, coldness and mayhap hatred and fear. "Simon, I give you a final chance...to leave. I was once the Dark Mage that had killed Kicurao, your mother... you're not even as strong as her..."
The other male's eyes narrowed. "I know, my father loathed you for that. So had I for some time, but I had thought that in this life you are different from the Dark Mage..."
Jellal's teeth gritted, "I am not. I've never been. Whether it is the past life or this life, I've always held a secret hatred towards you Immortals. I guess that even in this life, a huge battle is inevitable."
"Then if you truly hate me so much, kill me!" Simon suddenly roared furiously, "Show me that you have truly fallen into the darkness enough to sentence your best friend the end! Express your rage, hate and sorrow towards me, an Immortal that belonged to the group of the Gods, descendent to one of the Immortal that had resulted your death previously!"
Jellal's eyes sealed close temporarily, sorrow painting trails of tears down his face. You don't understand, I'm trying to protect you here...
But then the next second with a pained heart he leapt forth with a battle cry, a punch aimed for Simon's face, entangled with waves of black electricity. For a moment he can see the shock and surprise glittering in Simon's eyes before he was sent flying away, and it broke him on the inside as his best friend crashed head first to the ground with a thud.
He forced himself to remain on his spot though every bone of his body wished to help his friend to his feet for he knew that it will only bring harm to them both. His heart was shattering as tears threatened to betray his inner emotions. "Simon, now leave before I kill you. You are too weak; you stand no chance to me like your bastard mother, Kicurao."
Much to his surprise, Simon suddenly flew back to his feet. As their eyes met he can see pure anger suddenly gleaming within, his voice had also grown to a dangerous whisper. "Leave my mother out of this, Rurcorlus! She had done what she could, and is in my heart the most beautiful Goddess that ever existed. Please do not badmouth her!"
He did not know why, it may have been the inner hatred towards all Immortals, especially to those that had participated in killing the former him or mayhap something else. But he said, "Why shouldn't I? I hated her, one among the scums that had misunderstood me and once killed me…"
"Shut up, my mother was an honorable Goddess, Rurcorlus! She died in the sake of Balance of the Three Worlds, honorably sacrificing her life in an effort to defeat you! She is my hero!" Simon's anger was suddenly lit, and the next instant he had flashed before Jellal whose eyes widened in surprise as a fist drenched in shadows spilled against his stomach, sending pain throughout his body. "Do you know how pained my father was when she died? Do you know how hard I had to keep myself from hating and blaming you for her death?"
A knee collided with his jaws before Jellal flipped away with gritted teeth, red eyes glinting with rage as the memories soaked through him. By now the blizzard had arrived, with powerful winds and freezing snow mist, but Jellal's anger fueled him enough to barely feel anything. Simon seems the same.
"No, I don't, I only know that she had participated in an attempt in eradicating me!" A golden light surrounded his being as Meteor was activated, and the next second he was moving at the speed Simon could barely see. Fear was radiating in Simon's aura for a moment before Jellal roared. "What had I done to result such discrimination? All I had wished for was a little love, a place to fit in! All Ze- Areyuski wished for was a few request in improving the cares and tolerance Gods have for those that suffers in Earth Land!"
"You had killed countless beings, that's what you've done! Storm Magic: Thunder Speed!" Simon roared, his own body suddenly swirling with a dark gray light before his speed suddenly increased sharply, nearly comparable to Jellal's Meteor. The two forces danced through the blizzard atmosphere in an aerial battle as he howled. "I have viewed you as my best friend, yet you only grew dark and uncaring of us after you returned from Hell-"
"Do you have any idea of what I experienced in Hell? Do you know how badly I wished to return to you all while you Immortals ignored my disappearance?" Simon's howl was drowned by his as Jellal suddenly flew over to him in the speed of light; a hand had grasped his throat with deadly force enough for a kill. He dragged Simon along as he dashed over the area, crashing Simon's body against the sharp surfaces, earning cries of pains from what was once his best friend.
He was then hurled downwards towards the ground with a roar of pain; before it split open on the impact. The sight calmed Jellal's raging anger as he remained aloft. It was everything he can do to keep himself from rushing forward to Simon, for he had tried so hard to indicate that Simon does not mean anything in order to get him to leave.
But burning tears still rushed down his eyes as he panted. "H-have yo-you had, had enough now? Leave, leave immediately…"
"Rurcorlus!" The gray and white mist was suddenly cut apart as Simon suddenly flew from the cover of aerosols created from the impact. Gray shadows swirled about him, enhancing him to the speed of light and fueled even further by his rage. Hot blood was flooding off his forehead as his arm was curled back with a fist enshrouded in sharp ice. "If you will not return willingly with me, I shall force you!"
The ferocity of his words almost startled him senseless, and the sight of the scarlet liquid raining away from his forehead, dripping off his head brought tears to Jellal's eyes. He was for a moment unmoving as Simon flew forth at a breakneck speed, screaming with his own tears raining away. "Rurcorlus, return to us!"
All he can manage was a slight nod as his tears rained away, eyes of all emotions, sorrow, pain, remorse, guilt and rage glowing under the white land.
Hehe...give me another chance? You understand that this probably yet again isn't the final eh? But next chapter, I promise~ if I can't get the flashback over with, I'll update two chapter at once later on! If you've read All for Scarlet, you'd understand about the goal thing, please, 155 reviews. Thank you!