YEEEEEES IT IS NOW TIME FOR THE CHAPTER I HAD A SUPER FUN TIME WRITING.
And also, geeeeeeeeet REKT, finals! Alright, let's get going! As usual, REVIEW REPLY TIME, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I'M IN A HYPER MOOD TODAY!
Redrat8: Hmhm, yeah. I've had Guiche's power-up planned for a while now. I think it was planned since like... Chapter 18 when I decided to plan the story to reach it? Hehehe. And yes, Karin's ability to analyze was something I thought was good for her character, especially as I didn't want her to just be a "powerful" person by virtue of just smashing everything. As for the torpedoes... yes, you can still dream XD Thanks for your review!
DGKSilver: Haha, no. Kurt would be pretty much screwed if he had to fight Karin with his extremely limited arsenal. I mean, provided he had enough equipment, he probably could face her without his powers, but nope XD And as for Tabitha's super move, hehehe, I already got something planned. Thanks for reading!
Demons Anarchy of Pride: It's in the chapter "Shards", I believe, with the entire impostor shenanigans being part of Operation Negative Charge. With the hint, hehehe. You'll see~ Thanks for stopping by!
The Digger92: Ah... well, that was meant to be more dramatic than steamy. It's sort of like Tabitha believed she was in the final moments of her sanity so she decided to fantasize in those last moments. If it came off as steamy, I guess I fumbled while writing. Ouch. Anyways YES, there's a lot of references. As for our progress in the fic... well, it is Season 3 anime-wise, so I suppose you could say that the end may be coming soon. Thanks for reviewing!
Krazyfanfiction1: Ah, thanks. And again, while it might not mean much coming from me, I hope she gets better soon! Thank you for dropping on by!
Me (Guest): Haha, maybe. And thank you! I hope you enjoy today's chapter!
FrankZTank13: If Cole showed up, I think he'd be a little in favor for Kurt. Of course, Kurt would probably ensure that Cole wasn't about to dismantle everything he's been working on. An interesting question, though. Thanks for reading!
Okay, that's all the reviews, I believe! Now, let's begin!
Chapter 37: Mental Out
"You are stronger than that."
"I'm going to kill him when he gets back." Louise thought, as the Illusion-made-real doppelganger ran a hand up her thigh in the middle of the crowd, its other hand holding her collar close as she had broken her "mind control" collar earlier, "Kurt, the things I do for you sometimes…"
I sense a horrible wave of malice from Louise as I creep along in beams overhead. I think I'll watch a little while longer.
"Tell me, why are you doing this?!" Henrietta asks, holding her wand ready but the doppelganger puts a hand on the supposed 'mind control device'. "Everyone knows that the real Kurt Bright would never do something like this!"
"Oh but I would. You know, since I have so many women who want me, so why not? All I want is for that big tittied blonde one in Albion here."
Oh that's it. I was considering waiting, but seeing how far this motherfucker is going, I'm going to end him here. I won't allow you to talk about Tiffania like that!
"Then I'll also have Agnes, and then I'll—
He doesn't get to finish as I descend and run the Gigawatt Blades through his chest, my dark gray cloak surging out dramatically. I immediately disperse them, grab the back of his collar, yank him up to his feet, then twist him around.
"Burn, you motherfucker!" I roar out as at least a few dozen people watch, hicking him into the air,. "MAAAAASTER SPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARK!"
I then blast him with the giant-ass beam of electricity. That takes care of that.
And of course, as expected of Louise's Illusion spell, that thing was actually a doppelganger, shifting back to its original form which looks like some grey-skinned humanoid figure… without a head anymore, anyways. Or most of a body.
"Commeh here." I growl, breaking the collars on each of the girls, except for Louise whose collar is already broken. "I can't fucking believe it. I'm going to kill shit later for this."
"Chevalier Bright, what are you doing here?!" Henrietta shrieks, starting up the acting spree again. "Where is Captain Agnes?!"
The doors to the Courthouse open, revealing Agnes who is panting like she just ran two miles except not really because she's a good actor as well. "…my… apologies… but he just… leapt off the damn Wind Dragon…"
And to verify that story, Agnes had also gone missing before on a Wind Dragon around the time that I had left. After all, we had Operation Negative Charge planned for a while in the event it was needed.
"I can run pretty damn fast." I say with a shrug. "The work finished early. Agnes has the documents regarding the job you hired me for, aaaand I have the results and product of the job on me. But that's something else for another time. Anyways, I hurried back because one, I heard I apparently had caused a possible international crisis and I you know, was pretty damn confused. I was away, so how the fuck did I do that?
"After a bit more hearing, I found out that apparently a doppelganger was running around pretending to be me. It kinda should've fucking tipped everyone off because I never heard once of it using electricity which I…" I spark up my right hand, making sure everyone can see. "…clearly can do. That thing did apparently know how the hell to make an explosive or two, though. 'cause daaamn, did you hear about the damage to that castle? Holy shit. Anyways, let's get you out of those."
I look over the group. "…Huh, Tabitha. What are you doing here? Last I heard, wasn't…?"
"Why… I cooperated with the obvious doppelganger…" she said, going up to Henrietta and falling to her knee. "I… I would like to request political sanctum in Tristain."
"On what grounds?" Henrietta asks, narrowing her eyes.
"As someone who has valuable information on the dark inner workings of Gallia… as the next in line for the Kingdom of Gallia, Princess Charlotte Helene Orelans. Recalled back to Gallia on supposed family matters. Discovered assassination attempt on my life to rid of a leak. Doppelganger rescued me, cooperated when revealed intent to go to Tristain."
Henrietta looks at me, but I shrug.
"…Tabitha, how bad are these inner workings? Er, if I'm allowed to still call you that."
"You may." She takes a breath. "…Fundamentally change relationships with all nations."
Henrietta blinks. "…Are you sure?"
"Positive."
I walk up to Henrietta and lean in to whisper to her. "I don't see any signs of lying. No elevated heart rate, no rapid breathing and whatnot. She's telling the truth."
"…Very well. Princess Orleans, you may have the sanctuary you speak. We will discuss our terms after I finish debriefing Kurt Bright and Agnes. All of you, let us go. We have much to discuss, and I require the reports for the doppelganger incident."
I sigh, shaking my head. "Man, I race back here as fast as I can and more reports… great. Well, nice seeing that the imposter is dead. Seriously though, people thinking it was me when it never used electricity…"
I make it very evident that I'm extremely upset with everyone for believing a fake so easily, leaving as my cloak billows out right behind Henrietta, the rest of the girls also follow, leaving the nobles and commoners who were watching the entire debacle in awe.
"You should be thankful." Henrietta says to Tabitha, who sits down with the rest of the girls while I sit down on a stool. "…Kurt risked much for you."
"I am." Tabitha almost whispers, a little intimidated, perhaps.
"Ah come on, Henrietta, don't give her too much of a hard time. You know what happened to her family. Where's your mother, Tabitha?"
"We recovered them along the road." Agnes states as she leans back on the wall, listening for anyone at the door. "I have already moved her to a safer location which we'll disclose to you later."
"Alright, I'll need to visit her to begin working on a cure. Okay, let's get this out of the way. First, not a word, anyone. After all, that would be treason. Second, Tabitha, you need to share the information with Henrietta later. It's your decision to go public with it afterwards. Any—"
Everything in my body seizes up. Ghrk…! The… the runes…! No… no…!
I begin coughing violently as I collapse onto the ground. A quick check on my hand shows… the runes have gone completely black and… the black veins on my arm weren't there before…!
No!
I try to fight it, but nothing's working. My body isn't moving of my own will…!
"Lou—" My mouth stops moving as I grab Louise by the collar and plant my lips onto hers.
No…!
I summon as much as I can into my mental strength, fighting back the dark influence that stretches throughout my entire body. Right… I need to seek out… Lifdrasir…! The master of Lifdrasir…! That would be… Tiffania… she's in the forest before…!
Black space invades my mental space of thought, that place where I met Sasha before. Gah…!
"Louise!" I yell out, feeling exactly what Sasha must've felt. "We need to get to Albion! Tiff…ania… needs to contract me… as Lifdrasir…"
Not if that is not what Master wants.
Get the fuck out of my heeeead!
I surge with electricity, the others screaming out as I use the burst to momentarily disrupt my nerves. I throw another glance to Louise that tells us to get the fuck going…!
"We need to go! Agnes, can you pilot the Wind Dragon?! We need extreme speed and another person!"
I trigger another surge, fighting with the last of my mind, fighting the effects of these dark runes. Yet… when I fight with my body, I can feel my mind being attacked. When I focus on my mind, my body moves without my will behind it…!
Damn, it's a two prong approach…!
A cold sensation runs along my arms and legs, then my vision is seeing the floor. It appears Agnes has frozen me, but the electricity surge will probably start melting the ice, not to mention the fact I'm heated up with lightning…!
"We'll work as fast as we can."
With that, Agnes is already carrying me down the hallway at full sprint, Louise right at her toes. Even though I'm frozen, I can feel it.
It craves Master. It wants to embrace her. It wants to ensure I never leave her side again. It wants me to have no free will of its own. It desires to become one with Master.
Stop… trying to… rid me of my free will…!
The instant I try fighting the thoughts, I can feel my limbs shaking, trying to escape the ice prison. When I try to make them stop using my strength to shatter it, my mind falls under siege again.
I don't even… how far have we gone… it's felt only like thirty seconds have passed but…
I keep… blacking out…?
Sheesh… this thing is really… taking its toll on me…
"Louise, here we go!" Agnes yells.
Oh… we're up in the sky…? Damn, I gotta… fight it…!
"Ha…aaaagh!" I roar out to the heavens above, using my powers to try to momentarily scramble the nerves that it's utilizing. Unfortunately, I'm still producing more heat, so the ice starts to melt.
"Agnes, can we get another ice layer?!"
"I have to focus on piloting this beast! I can't divert my focus too much…!" she yells, looking back for a moment to reapply a small freezing layer.
It helps, but not by much. The effects it has are pretty much negated within seconds. But each second is… valuable…!
TakehernowTakehernow.
Are you fucking kidding me?! You gotta be kidding me! That's the first thing you want? Seriously?! Doesn't that kinda fucking go against what you want? Me to submit to her?
MakehercraveyouMakeherdesireyou.
Mastersattentionistheonlywant.
Ya'll are out of your damn minds!
"K-kurt?!" Louise asks as my body breaks free of its icy shackles. "Mmph!"
I switch back to taking control of my body and pry my lips and tongue from Louise's. "Dammit…! Sorry!"
As soon as I finish with that, I instantly leap back to defending my mind. To compare, if my mind was once a blank white room before, the black of these runes probably has covered at least a forth. That's being generous, too.
IdesireMasterIwantherattentionIwantherloveIwant—you to shut the fuck up, that's what I want! Get out of my thoughts and stop trying to mess with them! This isn't your place to say what I want! No one but me can tell me what I want, you fucks!
Black light surges from the runes. Oh shit, I've put them in pissy boss mode now, haven't I?
"Hey Louise," my voice calls, my body no longer under my control while I'm fighting the runes mentally. "Did you know that breasts expand when grabbed because of thermal expansion?"
"W-what?! K-kuuuuu—!"
I seize control back as my right and left hands are groping her breasts. "Get your filthy fucking hands off of her, you bitch in my head!"
While still in control, I throw a punch right for my face, and leave to go fight mentally again.
DidyounotenjoythefeelingoffleAAGH!
Threw a pretty hard punch now, don't I?
YouwillcraveMasterShewillcraveyouWewillneverbewithoutMaster—shut the fuck up again, will you? Stop it, stop it! These thoughts aren't my own! This mind is not yours, and neither is this body…!
The white room of my mind has lost the advantage. Fifty one percent of it is black, and slowly losing as its tendrils creep across. Every time I make a leap back to my body, it gains more ground…!
Louise looks scared, seeing my body with the face of someone she trusts do something so disgusting to her. Dammit…!
I make one final leap. "Louise."
"K-kurt?!"
"If I keep having to come back, the runes are going to take over my mind." I explain as quickly as I can, mouth running a hundred words per second. "…Is it okay for me to leave my body out of my control?"
"Kurt… dammit, you should've told me sooner! Just… just go back! It's okay, I'll…. I'll handle it! Do your worst to them! I can take whatever they try to do with you!"
"Got it!"
With the last forth of my mind, I fight back against the enclosing, dark influence of the runes. You will not have this mind… you will not take me over, I refuse! I refuse, I refuse, I refuse! My freedom's always been the thing I cherished most! The freedom to take action, the freedom to not take action! The freedom to deal with the consequences! The freedom to run away! That's what I've always just wanted to keep!
And that freedom to define what I am with other people, that is a freedom I have long sought! I won't let you take that wonderful gift Sasha gave me!
SashayoumeanthetraitorhespeaksofthetraitorWEspeakofthetraitorWEareoneandall
Shut… shut up…!
Perhapsyouwill listentoyourbody
Damn, they're starting to form separate words and sentences…! They're not even trying to just get all the information and words into my head all at once anymore!
—A soft feeling. One of nice, supple flesh in the hands. A round feeling, warm and squishy—
Oh fuck you, making my body molest Louise! You bastards!
Itfeelsnice does it not
Fuck you!
I can feel my hands track down her stomach—wait what, Louise was fully—oh son of a bitch!
While still not seizing control of my body, I tap into what my mind is receiving. If I can perceive touch, then I can perceive sight without control.
Louise's blouse is completely ripped off, but a tan bra is still there—never mind. Underneath, her nipples stiffen from the coldness of the wind up high in the sky.
—The carnal beast has awakened. Blood flows down to it. It prepares to become one with its target. A mouthful of flesh. Warmness against the face. Curving as hands flow down.—
You're a sick fuck, that's what you are!
Youenjoyit too, don't you?
If you think I enjoy the fleshy feeling of molesting my partner, think again! Only a freak would like something like that, you bitch!
—A moan. Involuntary. A result of physical pleasure. Stiffening flesh. A height not yet approached is near.—
—The sensation of cloth on one side, skin on the other. A hand, slipping through. The cloth on top, once protecting the skin underneath, now causes the hand to be trapped. It searches the curves, trying to find its mark.—
You sick fuck, you sick fuck, you sick fuck! I can't believe it…! AAAAAAAGH!
This immense feeling of rage within me pushes the darkness back a bit. I have finally reclaimed a small piece of my mind. But I'm losing it within the next second…!
Doesn't this feel good to you, Kurt Bright? Can you not feel the sensations?
I can, and I can't believe that you have this much control that you can make me feel it! God, I'm going to need to take like, seven thousand cold showers after this, because now I just feel dirty!
"Ha… ha… haaaaa…!"
—The hunter has found his mark. It teases, letting the prey know its time has come. Running circles, lightly touching it, rubbing the prey the wrong way, letting it know who is in control. And then… after much preparation, the hunter loads his shot and enters!—
"Aaaaaaah!"
Louise's scream of horror and ecstasy fill the space of sensation as a sensation of heat and flesh surround my fingers. I can feel my mind igniting, blowing back much of the darkness in my sheer, flaming rage that they would dare make me do this…!
I'LL KILL YOOOOOOOOOOU!
In this mental space, as I fight back against the Dark Runes' influence by slicing every fucking tendril that tries to advance in, against now what appears to be Dark Sasha who's finally shown her face here (and gets a faceful of Gigawatt Blade too), I can feel the sensation of moisture on my right hand. I'll… fucking… kill you…!
"Hoho. But doesn't it feel good? Doesn't this sort of carnal wish… it feels nice…"
Yeah, good for the body, sure! But fuck this shit for the mind! I don't give a damn how much pleasure it brings to the body, because pleasure's a fleeting damn feeling! This sort of thing won't bring me happiness!
"Hhmmm…? Oh, but look at you."
What about me?
"Look down. It wants it too."
That's a fucking natural reaction, you bitch!
She leaps back as I try swiping with the Gigawatt Blades.
"Oh, but you enjoy it, then? Just stop, and let us return to a lover's den, where her screams of pleasure as she begs to be with us forever will be the loudest thing Halkeginia ever hears~"
I'll kill you… I'll kill you so many times over, that you'll never be heard from again! Everyone will forget you with the sheer amount of times that I kill you! I'll kill you in the past, in the present, and even in the future!
I try once again to attack her, but I'm feeling tired. Even so, I must keep fighting!
Hack. Slash. Stab. Cut. My limbs go into an adrenaline drive frenzy as the battle for my mind continues.
"With that amount of strength? You can't even muster the mental strength here to speak while moving your mouth. Your mind is so tired that even in a mental space, you don't have the energy to keep up with that motion."
Conserving my energy in here to kicking you and your darkness' ass!
"Let's take a look at Master's darkness, shall we? Look at her face, hear her moans, she's clearly enjoying herself with the amount of… moistness, shall we say? The weather appears to be a very moist afternoon with a chance of showers~"
"Aaaaaaah!"
I feel movement on my hands, similar to a vibration. But I'm not causing it. It's the sensation of Louise vibrating and convulsing with my hand still in her.
I'll…
I'm going to…
...absolutely kill this presence.
"N-no… that's… ha… ah… enough… I can't… aaaah~!"
—No matter what, I—no fuck you, it's not I, it's you, because you're making my body do this—won't stop—
"Oh, she's starting to enjoy—what?!"
—The world shifts as I focus what mental energies I have left into shaping it into something else. I have to try…!—
"Do you really think that's going to save you?"
It's… all I can do…!
I feel fatigued in here from that. I can't fight off her influence as much.
But this world already combats it. The dark tendrils slow down as they crawl along the pure rivers and path and the wooden bridge… the place where I and Sasha had a drink while I was jailed and talked into the night.
It was one in a long shot. But that wish of hers… that wish of hers to be free, even if she can't be right here by my side, fighting with me, she still supports me!
"So this mere taste isn't enough to satisfy you? Then again, for a man who has been more than enough for several women, I suppose so…"
I can feel exhaustion taking over me. Dammit… just gotta hold a little longer…
"Louise… do you want to know how you taste?"
"Ha… ah… ah…"
I feel moisture on my right hand again and the stimulation that feels like a tongue…
You are already dead.
"Ohoho, such arrogant words."
With the shout of "WE'RE HERE!", my spirit is renewed.
I surge forward, ready to face the oncoming dark. I sense she's getting desperate…!
"Sink into the full pleasure you have felt! Desire nothing more than Master, in body and mind!"
—Carnal pleasure invades from all angles. No part escapes untouched. The filthy, corrupt, mortal, fleshy pleasure and all of its addictions, threatening to override all common sense. The urge to violate. The urge to please. The urge to take. The urge to satisfy. The urge to be satisfied. The urge to ravage. The urge to dissolve in pleasure.—
I can feel myself sinking, fading away into nothing but pure pleasure as my mind is consumed by such a brute force assault. I…
You are stronger than that.
—An impossible voice.
What the… impossible!
Maybe… in that normal space. But here… where we have shared a bond, got closer, and… where I fell for Kurt Bright, you cannot erase that!
A brilliant light shines from the river!
—Hopeful bravery shines from all angles. No part escapes untouched. The brilliant, pure, eternal, transcendental joy and all of its labors, threatening to break even the most determined. The urge to protect. The urge to make happy. The urge to give out unselfishly. The urge to fulfill completely. The urge to be together in true love. The urge to make whole. The urge to rise in hope.—
It purifies the area around it! Sasha…!
My voice finally comes back, the mental exhaustion from before fading away. "Believe in me!"
I hack and slash, over and over again, fighting back the dark tendrils, with the white light helping me, pushing it back when things get rough, acting as my shield of pure light in the corrupt darkness.
"But… isn't he already a familiar?" I hear, still tapping into my senses without taking control of my body.
"He… well, he breaks the rules… and his runes told him before…!"
"O-okay…!"
N… no!
It only takes a few more seconds.
But Tiffania puts the kiss on my lips, then it begins.
The world here returns back to its normal space of a box, covered in mostly black. However, there is another presence.
"Sheesh… it's a real mess in here. Well, fortunately I'm a very good container. Worry not, Sasha," A deep, baritone, confident voice rings out. "I will have you freed. For I am Lifdrasir, the one who can act as a container for magic. And I shall hold you, the one labelled as Dark Sasha, and perhaps erase you this time."
You won't! You'll destroy her as well!
"I'm not that careless. In fact, I'm insulted you think so little of my abilities."
A man in a trenchcoat steps out, smiling with his blonde hair and light green as he raises his hand. With the snap of his fingers, all the black tendrils race towards his open hand, but he doesn't seem affected as he seems to be absorbing them.
"I'll simply absorb this section of you. Of the spell, anyways. Like I said, I'm a good container, right? Thanks for splitting off from Sasha, by the way. It made my job far easier. Goodbye."
NOOOOOOOOOOOO! MASTER! PLEASE, CALL FOR ME—!
"And if you're listening… how dare you do that to Kurt's body… I'll hate you forever, whatever made him do that. Don't you dare come back."
Thanks Louise.
And with that, Dark Sasha loses all cohesion. She all but falls apart, sinking to her knees. Lifdrasir walks up to her and places a hand on her head before she disappears.
I hear a sharp breath behind me.
"Thank you… Lifdrasir—a-ah?!"
I don't even realize that I had tackled Sasha, wrapping her in a deep embrace. "Oh God, thank goodness you're back…"
"Kurt… are you crying…?"
"…It's just… I got really scared for you, you know? Like, this enemy was killing you from within, but I couldn't do a damn thing about it for the longest time…"
"Though you know Sasha, I'm surprised you admitted such a thing. Falling for your host… hahaha, why, I thought you'd never fall in love~"
"S-shut up, Rex."
"Rex?" I ask, getting off the ground and pulling Sasha up. "Oh, is that what your name was when you were originally Lifdrasir?"
"Yes, it was. As you heard, I am Lifdrasir, the Heart of God. I am a container of Void magic, or well, magic in general. And like any container, I can bring in and take out, or perhaps throw out. For example, with this familiar spell, I can take the magic that attempts to bend you to its will out. Or, if an object were infused with Void magic, I could take it out and then later, implant it in another object. Or, if you so wished, I could even put the magic of Sasha in another body, allowing Gandalfr to be moved. As you just saw with our little problem here, I simply absorbed the section of magic that forces your subservience and put it into its own container. It's rather sloppy though, so don't think my ability can be used for absolute fine tuning. That's Myz's job."
"Whoa… that's…"
…That's how the identity changed. He took the previous spell, absorbed it, and then transferred it out to a different person.
"And yes, judging by your memories and current thoughts, I would say that I am the person who changed the identities of the familiars. I only complied because I hoped the new hosts would be able to resist that apparently consumed runes… As for my most important property. I can amplify the effects of any Void spell either of your masters now cast. But, it comes with a price."
"…Oh boy. And riiight, you guys can read my thoughts."
"Your life. It taps into your life force, converting it into pure magical energy. Even this familiar spell, as both of our Master's versions are quite special. Namely, the ability you refer to as Hyper Accelerated Evolution."
"What can you do with it?"
"By using your life force, I can push the ability to its utmost limits, given Sasha's consent. Essentially, your evolution will be pushed to even greater heights and at a breakneck pace. Anyways, Sasha, I'll also remove the magic that blocks your memory now. Or at least, some of them. There's this one that looks like it's attached to the memories, so I can't get rid of it."
"How do you…"
"…Well, if you wish for the truth… it was Myoznitnirn and I's doing. Void magic that wiped the memories… well, I carried it into you. Myz, as we used to call her, then used her ability at manipulating magic to change it so your memories would simply be sealed away. I can absorb that Void magic now and return your memories."
"Ah…" Sasha takes a breath. "…I'm ready."
"Then, I shall absorb it."
"Um… Kurt…"
"Sasha?"
"I might… experience something painful. There's a lot missing, so…"
She doesn't have to say anything else.
I change the world around us to that beautiful forest. It's just us two on the wooden bridge and Lif is out, standing over the water. I offer my right hand, which Sasha grasps in her left.
"Do it." Sasha commands with no hesitation in her voice.
"Oh, huh…"
"What is it?"
"There's two seals here… one that I can remove easily, the other is attached to some memories. Must be Brimir's work, which means we need Myz. Getting rid of the second would get rid of the memories as well…"
"Just do what you can."
"Alright. Here goes."
Lif's hands glow as he does his work. I can see strings, almost, being pulled into him. Sasha's grip on my hand increases to the point she's practically digging into my hands. I will it that in this space, for this moment, I can feel that sensation, just so I can help her.
She trembles. I can see her face and she looks like she wants to scream hysterically out to the sky. Sasha… just as I heard your voice, hear mine! I'm here for you!
"Mmmmmnnn…!" she hisses in pain, starting to crush my hand. Agh…!
The strings stop.
"It's finished. I'm surprised you weren't a screaming wreck… the memories that we sealed were… horrific, right?"
"…Yes. But…" Sasha smiles at me. "I have found someone I can depend on."
"Awww, that's so cute~ Sashy-kins is in wuuuuuv."
"You disgust me." Sasha growls, summoning her own version of Derf and attacking Lif, as I'm going to call him. Unfortunately for her, he only laughs and dodges easily.
"But you admitted you fell for him~"
"I'll kill you!"
"Um… Sasha, is that true?" I ask, getting a bit cautious. "'Cause uh… you're kinda in my head."
"If you desire her to have a body, we can arr—okay, both of you are giving me a very scary look, so please stop." Lif says, holding his hands up in the universal surrender position.
"W-well…" Sasha looks away, lowering Derf. "It was more like… a family sort of love, but um in a way different um… you know… like… um… i-it's hard to explain! W-what else would I feel for you, after having spent so much time together and so many memories?! But… but I know that it's impossible you know. A-and after not having physical contact for so I've wanted to just… I just…"
I hug Sasha from behind and hold her close. "Hey, you were never that good with words, so you can stop."
"I-idiot…"
"But, I get what you mean. I… you know, I'm sorry I can't return whatever feelings you might have, but I care for you too, you know? I don't know if you could hear me, but every time it was quiet in my head, it was… it scared me. So… let's just keep things alive between us, alright?"
"I…" I can sense a smile. "I… that would make me really happy."
"Awww, Sashy-kins is in wuuuuuuuuuv~"
"You're not helping." I growl, letting go of Sasha.
"Well, it's really surprising, you know." He leans back on a tree. "Do you mind if I tell him?"
Sasha shrugs. "Go ahead."
"Well, it's just surprisingly, seeing that her first love was Brimir, after all. And then she went ahead and killed him. You never did tell any of us why… you kind of just vanished. We were all really scared for you, Sasha. Myz, me, and Vin were all worried."
"I… he was going to destroy the elves. I, being an elf myself… I had to fight that thing before that was here. I had to fight it to submission to regain full control of my body so I could kill him to stop him. I panicked, after that. And then I cursed and cursed the fact that despite killing him, those damn runes in my hands made me… made me keep wishing to be by his side and while I know I did what I needed to do, I still loved him truly after that. I fought that depression until my final natural breath…"
I take Sasha by the hand and wipe away her tears. "So the beginning, when we first met…?"
"…I hated you. Because you were free. You had a way of resisting. Even when I partially succeeded in using the runes' abilities to cover up your memories, you found a way of getting them back naturally. I hated it, I hated it, I hated you because of it. Because you… you didn't have to go through what I went through!" she half sobs, sinking to the ground. "Do you know what it was like, watching you be able to use my power and yet, keep control of your mind?! Be barely affected by my presence in your head?! Resist the slaving effect that magic has?!
"And yet…" she pauses, smiling. "I came to fall for you. I thought for so long… that hating you… was okay…"
"Oh, that explains why when I first ran into a previous Gandalfr, why I couldn't separate you and your darker counterpart like I did now. You were truly one and the same."
"Indeed."
I decide to put the conversation back on course. "So the thing about romantic love…?"
"Well… that was me still partially hating you. You drew strength from a brotherly love while I thought I drew mine from a romantic love, despite it being brainwashed… all of us, deep inside, loved Brimir. Maybe not romantically, but we held a deep feeling for the man. Before he went insane, anyways. But at that moment you surpassed my prowess, wielding lightning in one hand and my most treasured sword in another, I realized it was wrong. From there… well… we already had an odd friendship and things sort of just happened as they did."
"Huh." I mumble, crossing my arms. "Well… it's good to have you back. Does this mean I'll have another person hanging around in my head?"
Lif just gives another shrug. "Well, if you'd like me to stay quiet, not really. I won't interrupt your precious little dialogue~"
"…You'll probably be hearing less from me as I attempt to cut him."
"My, my, Sasha, he's really influenced you. Well, you should probably wake up. I'll just tidy up around here and make sure that Sasha's okay after having her memories unsealed."
"Kurt!"
"Oh… agh…" I growl, shaking my head. Oh… I'm back in the bed at the orphanage area…? But I don't see the kids… but they did move over to the village for more protection. We did have this place as a hideout, so Matilda should be nearby. "Um… L-louise…"
"It's… i-it's okay, Kurt. It's what had to happen." Louise says with a thick blush, shaking her head. "Um… but ahahaha… w-where'd you learn to do something like that?"
"Um… well, it's kinda hard to explain."
Let's just not introduce the concept of pornography to this world.
Not that I watched any back home or anything. It's just that well… um, ahaha, let's just um, say that Cynthia was a little curious after our first time, even with all of the other girls and we did um, a bit of research. I am pretty good with research… I'm going to shut my mouth now.
"But… I'm really sorry."
"R-right." Louise mumbles as I hand over my coat to her. "Thank, Kurt. Um…"
"Let's just not ever mention this to anyone? Especially your mother."
Louise goes deathly pale at the mention of her mother. "Oh Brimir."
"Yeah."
"…Let us never speak of this again."
"Agreed."
"Speak of what?" Tiffania asks happily. "Um… did it go alright, Kurt?"
"Yeah… where are the runes?"
"On your back." Louise answers. "I saw the glow."
"I see… well, I've got another voice in my head." I add a nervous chuckle to the end of that, scratching my head. "But he seems like a friendly guy."
"Um…"
"Yeah my mind's going to get pretty hectic, but whatever. Anyways, you guys should head back. I'm going to have a little bit of business here, actually."
Louise doesn't question it, but shoots me an odd look as I leave.
It's a bit of a walk to Ronaldo's place, but I find him in his office.
"Oh! Kurt, I didn't expect to see you so soon. Just making rounds on everyone who you usually work with after that doppelganger incident, huh?"
"Pretty much. And a slight status update. I'm ah, well, you know the Void mages, correct?"
He nods. "Of course. You informed me."
"And each one has a familiar."
"Ah, so you mean to tell me that the half-elf girl that we are guarding has summoned one?"
"Well, I'm her familiar now."
He raises an eyebrow. "Hm? I thought you served the Valliere girl."
"I'm special, apparently. Just thought I'd inform you about it. If you need to see the runes on my back, go ahead."
"No, you wouldn't lie about that. But, just in case… if you would?"
I take off my shirt and turn around, showing him the new runes on my back, and the ones on my hands.
"Ah, confirmed. Thank you, Kurt. Oh, and please do take this form back. It's the paperwork for requesting a library branch to be opened in the capital city."
"Hm. Well, you finally got it." I say with a smile. "Alright, I'll run these back straight away. ? I'll also be moving Tiffania back once things calm down, though that might not be for a while. Keep in touch, eh"
"I will. On your way, then."
After that, I find that Agnes has been waiting with Louise nearby with that Wind Dragon. "You know, you two put on quite the show. I'm fairly sure that if you dig deep enough into the criminal underground, you might be able to make a pretty decent amount of money."
"Agnes, I'm not going to even question why you know that, but know that my opinion of you a has been sullied. And here I thought you were a virtuous woman. Who knew you'd be the type to sell yourself for money?"
"I did no such thing."
"Yeah well you implied it pretty much." I say with a chuckle, helping Louise up onto the dragon. "And again Louise, I apologize for my ridiculous behavior. I'm sure it'll never happen again."
"You better." Louise half hisses, slapping my back. After a few seconds of silence, she continues. "…Are you considering what Agnes said?"
Kurt Bright, I'll end you!
Ohoho, you might be very interesting. I see another one of us takes delight in… such an activity.
I'll kill you too!
Sasha, I didn't consider it. Besides, it would be too easy to recognize Louise.
Oh, oh! Does that mean if you were to take someone less known—
Lif, shut up.
Awwww.
Heart of God, my ass. Asshole of God is more like it. Or Can't-Keep-It-In-His-Pants of God.
But Sashy-kiiiiins…
If you ever say that again, I will come into my head and beat you.
Hehe, okay. I understand completely. Besides, Sasha's your woman, so I won't put a hand on her.
…I'm beginning to regret leaving him in my head. Whatever…
"I don't know why you'd think that, but Louise, I won't go into a business like that, even if you ask me to."
"I-I never would!"
"Don't know why you were asking about it then." I say with a shrug. "But whatever. Let's just get going. I just wanna sleep in a bed for once instead of relaxing on some cold fucking rock in that place."
A few days later, Tabitha, having slipped back into the school without making too much of a scene (though news about her spread like wildfire), came into my office down in the Contact Light.
"Tabitha?"
She hands over a letter. "…Publish. Help."
"Can I open this?"
She nods 'yes'.
I carefully unseal it and read it. "…Oh my. You want to publish this?"
Another nod.
"You understand there is no going back, correct? Once this information goes public, Gallia is going to try to refute these claims, but still… it's going to trigger a lot of suspicion and you're going to make enemies. It might even trigger a war… But… knowing these consequences, do you still wish to continue?"
Tabitha looks me right in the eyes and speaks.
"I do."
"Did you already talk to Henrietta?"
"I did."
"Does she fully understand what you intend to do with me and this letter?"
"She does."
"…Then, I'll do my best. After I confirm things with her."
Three days after that, things got pretty chaotic. Tabitha's letter inspired a lot of investigations and questions about Gallia, which revealed things like military buildup and confirmed sightings of elves and the fact that elves and human guards were holding her prisoner.
So yeah, you can understand the amount of crap that's going down. Albion and Tristain pretty much have a super solid alliance because of it, especially because Albion wants to defend its own place and the Gallia shelling of Reconquista all the way before brought them under more suspicion.
"Well, check 'stir up a lot of political shit' off the bucket list." I say to Tabitha who visiting the office again. Colbert knew it was a major risk as well, but he said the rewards outweighed the risk.
She smiles at that as I look through my mail.
…An unmarked letter? Hm?
…I'm not opening this here.
I leave the Contact Light, making sure to tell Tabitha is not following me. Going to somewhere where no one will get hurt if this thing ends up exploding or has something with it, I open it.
"Take something of mine, I'll take something of yours."
So that was fun.
And Sasha returns! Back with Lifdrasir, all in one body. Aaaand there sinks the Sasha and Kurt ship, as they've decided on what their relationship is. Well, maybe it's not sunk, but more of just anchored for now as they're not moving towards a romantic relationship.
Plus, we got more of Sasha's past revealed, along with Lifdrasir. I didn't recall if Lifdrasir was really characterized in the novels, so I decided just to create my own persona for him. Since he's the male voice in Kurt's head, I decided to just roll with him being Mr. Vice Man and being that standard perverted character that's teasing Kurt.
But yeah, the Dark Sasha battle was really fun to write. The whole "hopeful bravery shines from all angles" vs "carnal pleasure invades form all angles" was something that struck me when writing the battle and man I felt that it was just really good when I wrote it. Let me know what you guys think of it.
And that last line, huh? HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE.
Well, I won't be updating this story until next year (2 weeks, so it'll be 1/1/16 assuming I don't pass out the entire day), so... seeya guys next chapter, Happy early New Year, and Happy Holidays... IF YOU CAN AFTER THAT LINE AND THE HIIIIIIIINT!
Cryptic Hint for Next Chapter
"Oldest trick in the book."