Forbidden Love Chapter 29: 29, a yu-gi-oh! zexal fanfic

Star's POV:

Serenity is such a pretty name and it has a deeper meaning to it as well. Whoever her mother and father are must have loved her dearly. As it turns out, I was correct but I did not expect things to turn out like this at all. I know how it feels. This little girl who is barely 5 years old is blaming herself for her mother's death. I know that feeling all too well. After all, my parents and my older brother are dead because of me. Sometimes I wonder what is the point of living anymore. Don't we all die eventually? So what's the point of living when we all have to die? I know that I shouldn't be thinking these thoughts, but I can't seem to not think of them for some reason. Do other people think of these thoughts as well?

Flashback to earlier:

"Mother!" Serenity exclaimed while running up and hugging my legs. To say that I was surprised is an understatement. Do I look that old to be a mother?

I looked at her with a confused face. Then I looked at Astral who had the same confused face as I had.

"Serenity," he said as he pried her away from me, "she is not your mother."

He kneeled to her level and put his hand on her shoulder, "You said your mother died a long time ago before you were born. Although Star fits the description that you told me, that doesn't mean that she is your mother."

"I know father but your friend looks so much like the picture that you showed me that day." She said in a sad voice, "I just want us to be a happy family again."

I slowly walked toward her and kneeled towards her level next to Astral, "I know that I am not your mother," I said while smiling and looking sadly at those beautiful eyes, "but if you want me to be your mother then I would gladly accept." I exclaimed as her eyes widen significantly.

"Really?" She said in a disbelieving tone of voice.

I had a small smile on my face when her eyes lit up with excitement. I opened my arms and nodded as she rushed into my arms happily.

End of flashback

I smiled slightly as I remembered what happened this afternoon. I was deeply affected by her life and that comment she made to Astral pulled my heartstrings. I still don't get why she calls him her father though. I guess he looks like her father. After we got that situation settled, she was given a new room to rest in.

The wind is blowing in my face as I stared at the full moon. This night is pretty. Just then, I saw a bright red flash in the distance. I widened my eyes.

That flash...It looks so...

(Pulse)

"Arg..ugh"

(Flash):

...A scary-looking monster approaches me with a whip and a syringe...

...A bloodied-looking boy on the ground with blue hair...

...Echos of freakish screams are heard making the figure shiver...

...The smell of blood...The musty air...The deafening screams of the boy...

(Flash)

...I stood there, shivering from the images I just saw. My palms were sweaty and my heart was beating out of my chest as I unconsciously floated back to my bed and slowly sat down. I think I'm going to be sick. I thought as I sat down.

That monster...the monster may come back...I-I...

There was a knock at the door and in comes the thing that I dreaded the most...the monster holding a whip and syringe.

I stood up immediately and started to back away with my extremities still shaking. I felt myself going into a panic attack and was beginning to hyperventilate. What do I do? What do I do? I began to scan the surroundings. There are no windows. No lights. It was pitch dark with the smell of fresh blood in the air. Screams could be heard throughout the halls. A dark ominous door creaked opened and in arrived a strange monster with markings all over its body.

"You brat time for your daily beatings!" It said as it comes closer to me, smiling maliciously.

Damn it! Come on legs, move! How hard is it to just move! Why do you freeze at a time like this?! I couldn't move!

(Pulse):

"Uggh-hg..."

I gripped the sides of my head in pain.

(Flash):

...A dark room...

...Blood filled the air...

...A dissection table...

...Knives...Needles...Screams...

(Flash)

"NO NO NO NO NO! DON'T COME ANY CLOSER YOU MONSTER! DON'T YOU DARE BRING THAT THING NEAR ME. WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS PUNISHMENT! HELP ME! SAVE ME! ANYONE! PLEASE! HELP!" I screamed out but that monster kept coming closer and closer.

I flailed my arms to scare it away but of course, it grabbed one of my arms. I felt intense fear course through my veins as I tried to jerk my arm lose.

"STOP! STOP! I DON'T WANT ANY MORE BEATINGS OR INJECTIONS! PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME! PLEASE SPARE MY LIFE! I DON'T CARE IF YOU KILL ME! I DON'T CARE IF I LIVE. I DON'T CARE IF I DIE...ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN THIS! JUST DON'T TOUCH ME!"

(Flash):

"Uggh-hg..."

...A figure tied to a cross gets injected with serum while screaming in agony...

(Flash)

"JUST KILL ME! I WILL NEVER BE YOUR LAB RAT! STAY AWAY! KEEP THAT POISON AWAY FROM ME! YOU KILLED MY PARENTS AND BROTHER. YOU RUINED MY ENTIRE LIFE! WASN'T THAT ENOUGH! WHAT DID WE EVER DO TO DESERVE THIS!"

I backed against a wall with my heart ready to burst any second. "Ge...get aw..away from me. P...please j. s...stop" I begged the monster as I tried to hold in my tears.

I was currently in the corner of the pitch dark room. I was up against the bloodied wall, rocking back and forth with my hands over my knees. My heart was hammering in my chest. Sweat covered my entire body and I could smell the stink of blood in the room.

"Anyone... please help m..me," I repeated over and over in hopes that this is only a dream. "H..he-help. Any...anything is better than this h...hell."

(Pulse):

"Aghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."

(Flash):

...A beaten body...

...A green serum in the figure's arm making her scream in agony...

...A woman and man getting shot with arrows while protecting a little child...

(Flash)

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

I jumped up abruptly and started to flail my arms while muttering with tears rolling down my cheeks.

"W-why?"

"Why? Why? Why is this happening?" I said between gasps of breaths.

I gripped my head in pain as I felt a sharp ice pick hitting the side of my head. Unfortunately, this gave the monster a chance to a needle injected into my arm.

"NO! TA-TAKE THIS EVIL THING OUT!" I yelled while punching the monster in the stomach, making him retreat a few steps.

My vision was getting blurry.

Was this it? Am I finally going to die and escape from this torturous place? I smile slightly at the thought of dying. It's not like anyone who cares for me is alive anymore. Mother, father, brother, wait for me...

The room spun. I clutched my head in pain as I lost my balance. I expected to fall on the cold and hard floor but for the first time in years, I felt a pair of warm arms wrap around me...everything faded into the darkness...

Astral's POV:

I have just gotten everything settled. My parents and friends were all shocked when Serenity called me her father and Star her mother. I was surprised too but then again, I'm not her actual father. I am positive that where her father is, he is worried sick about her. I slowly floated toward the balcony outside of the room, I just hope that I don't get too attached to her. It will make leaving more painful. I thought as I looked at the full moon. Just then out in the distance, I saw a flashing red light shooting straight up in the air. I widen my eyes at the sight.

That's peculiar, where is the red light coming from? I thought as I narrowed my eyes.

Although, it does seem familiar in a scary sort of way. Is that the right word to use?

I unconsciously put my hand on my chest which was beating rapidly. All of a sudden, pain struck me and I started to cough out blood. I kneeled to prevent myself from collapsing to the ground. I took a napkin to prevent the blood from flowing to my hands.

(Pulse):

"Agh-hh"

(Flash):

...Fresh smell of blood on the walls of a room...

...Defining screams of a girl...

(Flash)

...What were those images that I just witnessed? I thought as I sat there on the balcony to try to calm my racing heart from beating out of my chest. Am I recovering my memories? Were those images that I saw my memories from the past? It doesn't make sense though, Maria and Lily never mentioned those images I just saw before. So then are they not my memories?

I got up from the ground and floated into my room, If those were not my memories, then who? Those images... all seem so realistic. Then again, why on earth are those...horrid memories are in my memory bank?

I was in such deep thought that I didn't even hear the door open.

"Father!"

At that call, I turned around to see Serenity rushing up to me happily and jumping into my arms.

I smiled slightly, "What are you doing here so late? Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"I wanted to say goodnight to you and mother." This child is something else.

"Is that okay, father?"

"Of course it is," I smiled, "why wouldn't it be okay?" I said as I poked her on the nose making her giggle.

"Can I go to mother's room?"

That could be a bit of an inconvenience. Considering it's 10:30 at night, she might be in bed resting. I don't want to disturb her peace and there is this one thing that I don't get. Why did she look so frightened this afternoon? Just what was she thinking about?

"Father?"

"Am I not allowed in mother's room?" She asks looking down at her feet

"Of course you are allowed in her room but she might be resting at the moment considering how late it is currently."

"Please father, I want to wish mother a good night." She said while looking up at me with those eyes.

I let out a sigh, "Alright, we can go."

"Yay! Thank you, father!" She exclaimed happily while hopping out of my arms.

I took her to Star's room which was around the corner on the left.

I knock at the door and waited for a few minutes. Then I knocked again. The lights were all off.

"See? She's resting. We shouldn't disturb her peace." I said to Serenity as I turned around to leave.

"Father, the door is unlocked." She said while fiddling with the doorknob.

Before I could stop her, she pushed the door open to reveal Star who was shaking? Why was she shaking?

"Mother!" Just as she was about to run up to her, "Stop," I held her by the arm to prevent her from doing so. Something is wrong here...I thought as I narrowed my eyes at Star.

"Eh?" Serenity looked up at me with confusion written on her face, "Why did you hold my arm?"

I stood at the doorway while I pushed her behind me. Then, I noticed her eyes...Why do her eyes resonate so much fear?

"NO NO NO NO NO! DON'T COME ANY CLOSER YOU MONSTER! DON'T YOU DARE BRING THAT THING NEAR ME. WHAT HAVE I EVER DONE TO DESERVE THIS PUNISHMENT! HELP ME! SAVE ME! ANYONE! PLEASE! HELP!" She screamed out in fear.

Is she hyperventilating? Monster? Punishment? What is she talking about?

"Father, why is mother yelling?" She said while gripped onto my hand in fear.

"I don't know but everything will be alright," I said smiling at her

I turned my attention back to Star who is backing away and holding her head in pain.

Just then, my parents, sister, Lily, and Maria came rushing to the room.

"Astral, we heard screaming and yelling. Is everything alright?" My mother asks in concern

They turned the lights on and found Star shaking with sweat dripping down her face and punching the air.

"Gasp, what happened to her?" Maria asks me

"That's the problem. I don't know."

My breath hitched in my throat, Injections? Beatings?

I felt the grip on my hand tighten as I look over at Serenity, her face filled with fear.

She is just a child. She shouldn't be witnessing this kind of thing. I then look over at Maria who was frozen at the sight before her. I quickly took both of them out of the room and into the hallway.

"Maria, are you okay?" I put my hand on her shoulder and she flinched

"Yea...yea, I'm fine." She is not fine. She still has that scared-to-death face written all over her.

"I could tell that you are scared of what you just witnessed," I stated

She nodded, "I-I have never seen anyone act that way before."

"I believe that she is hallucinating."

She widened her eyes, "You mean, seeing things that aren't there?"

I nodded, "Yes, but I'm not sure the reason why she is hallucinating though."

"Okay," I said staring directly at her, "Maria, I need you to take Serenity back to your room away from all of this," I said gesturing towards Star's room.

She nodded, "Also, don't think too much about it ok? Star is going to be fine." I said smiling

I kneeled to Serenity's level, "Listen, Maria will take you to her room for a bit okay?"

"But what about mother?" She asks in a concerned voice

I put a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry, she will be fine."

"Now, don't think about it too much okay?"

"Okay, father."

I stood up and looked at Maria. We nodded and they left. I rushed back to Star's room, finding her back in a corner and rocking back and forth.

"Ge...get aw..away from me. P...please j. s...stop" She begged, "Anyone... please help m..me," She repeated it over and over like a mantra, "H..he-help. Any...anything is better than this h...hell." She was now on the floor, curled up in a ball, rocking back and forth.

I have never heard her sound so...broken in my entire life.

Just what has she been through over the last few years for her to wish of death like that? If this escalates then maybe she will...No, I refuse to let it escalate to that point! There is only one thing to do now. I turned towards my mother, "Mother, do you happen to have a syringe?"

My father, Lily, and Crystal looked at me in curiosity, "We have one in the emergency medical kit. Why?"

"Can you go get it?" I said in a serious tone of voice and she flew to get the kit.

My father looks at me, "Why do you need a syringe?" He asks in suspicion.

I let out an external sigh, "I will fill the syringe with a sedative then inject her with it to make her pass out."

Lily turned to me with a shocked look, "Astral, are you crazy? She made it very clear that she hates syringes and injections. So why amplify her fear?"

My sister puts her arm on Lily's shoulder, "I get why you are upset but think about it. If this escalates, what do you think might happen?" At that statement, her eyes widen.

"She might..." She covers her mouth in utter horror.

My sister nodded grimly as my mother returned with the kit. I quickly took out the syringe and filled it up with the sedative. All that's left is to inject her with it. It hurts my conscience to do so, but it may harm her in multiple ways if this escalates.

Just as I was about to move towards her, my mother grabbed my hand, "Be careful." I flashed a small smile at her, "I know."

As I continued towards her, she suddenly screamed in agony as she stood up and started to punch the air. Just what on earth happened to you, Star? What would make you panic like this?

(Pulse):

"Arg-hh" I hissed in pain as my head was pounding.

(Flash):

...A bloodied boy with blue hair...

...Screams echoing off the walls...

...A child with white hair rocking back and forth in the corner...

(Flash)

I stood there frozen as my hands shook in fear. Why are those images popping up? Where was that place? Why did I hear screams? Why did I smell blood? Why...why is my hand shaking like this?

"W-why?"

"Why? Why? Why is this happening?" She said between gasps of breaths.

Right, this is no time for thinking. I have to inject this. Now if I could get this close enough to her...

She started to grip her head in pain. An opening! This may be my only chance.

I lunged at her and managed to inject all of the medication into her arm but I was so focused on the injection, that I failed to notice her arms coming into contact with my stomach and didn't move in time. I retreat a couple of steps in pain as my family and friend came up to me in concern.

"Are you okay?" My father asks with concern in his tone.

"I'm fine, father," I said in reassurance

I noticed that she was about to pass out so I flew towards her and caught her just in the nick of time. I looked at the syringe that was now on the floor and looked back at Star, now laying in my arms. Wow, the medication works fast! I carried her to the bed and turned around to face my family and Lily.

"Son, are you sure your okay?" My mother asks, "That was quite a punch."

I smiled at her, "I'm fine, mother."

Why do I feel so dizzy and lightheaded all of a sudden? I clutched the left side of my head in pain as it throbbed.

"Astral?" Lily asks with a worried tone

"I'm fine, just a little lightheaded that's all."

My arms were both taken by my sister and Lily, "Here, sit." They both said pointing to a chair

"You girls are overreacting, It's just a headache." I pointed out to them.

"Can you blame me for overreacting?" My sister said, "After what happened today with Star, I don't think I will be able to look at anything the same way again."

"Also, the last time you had a headache, it turned out to be a migraine which made you unconscious," Lily stated.

"So this time, we are not taking any risks." Crystal said

"Exactly, so sit in that chair." They said simultaneously pointing to the chair

"Alright, I will," I replied as I sat down in the chair directly across the bed.

I looked over at Star, sleeping peacefully on her bed. Quite a contrast from 10 minutes ago.

"So, she had a panic attack?" Lily asks

I directed my attention to my friend, "Yes, I believe that was because of her past when she was still in Barian World."

I heard a sigh coming from my mother, "Just what have this 18-year-old girl been through on that planet?"

"Whatever it was, it wasn't good considering what we just saw." My father said

Meanwhile, I was trying to think of a cause for my headache. Why isn't my headache easing? Instead of getting better, it seems worse than before...could it be related to those images that keep popping up in my head?

"Just out of curiosity, how long is the sedative supposed to last?" Lily asks

"Let me check," My mother said as she picks up the bottle, "It says about 8-10 hours."

"Ah okay," Lily said, satisfied with her answer

"You know what?" My father said, "Maybe we should have someone keep an eye on Star in case she wakes up with another panic attack."

"I agree," My mother said, "It would be bad for her to hurt herself in any way."

This all started tonight and I saw a red flashing light. Of course! It's that light that probably triggered those images and if Star was seeing that light too, then maybe there is a chance that light is to blame for her panic attack. I have to figure out what on earth is going on. Why do I keep seeing those images? Why did Star have a panic attack on the same day?

"Don't worry about Star," I said turning my head towards my parents and Lily, "I'll keep an eye on her."

My sister looked at me in concern, "Are you sure you are up for it? I mean like your headache-"

I flashed a small smile at her, "My headache died down a bit, don't worry, I will be fine."

"Plus, It is getting really late and father, you got a council meeting tomorrow remember?"

My mother seems to be hesitant, "Alright, but if the headache gets worse, notify one of us immediately. It might be a migraine again."

"No worries, I will."

Eliphas' POV:

As I was talking to my wife, daughter, Lily, and Maria about the council meeting that took place today, I heard screaming and yelling coming from upstairs. It immediately alerted the servants and all of us were startled, to say the least.

"Did you hear that scream?" My daughter asks us with her eyes wide

"Yes," I replied, "I think it came from one of the rooms upstairs."

"Do you think it's an intruder?" Lily asks with a sword ready at hand

"No," Enna answered, "I don't think so."

"Intruder or not, let's go check it out," Maria said following the sound of the yelling

We followed the sound to Star's room and noticed that Astral was standing in the doorway and Serenity, gripping his hand tightly with a frightened expression on her face. I wonder why she is so frightened?

"Astral, we heard screaming and yelling. Are you okay?" My wife asks, fearing that something grave has happened.

He moved out of the doorway and turned on the lights in the room. That is when I stepped foot into the room and saw Star flailing her arms and punching the air with a fearful expression on her face.

What on earth...? Why is she behaving like that?

"Gasp, what happened to her?" Maria asks my son

"That's the problem. I don't know." He replied confused as I was in this situation

Injections? Beatings? Was it possible that she was tortured? Was she used for a human drug test? But then what is she yelling at?

As I stood there trying to come out with possible scenarios of why on earth she is acting like this, Astral dragged Maria and Serenity out of the room. Then a couple of minutes later, he came back.

Just what trauma has this 18-year-old been through for her to sound so...broken like this? She lost her parents and brother but I have a feeling that she has been through massive amounts of torture and fear. Why else would she react like that?

I looked over at my wife who was covering her mouth with tears in her eyes. My daughter was next to her to comfort her but she also had a shocked look on her face. As Lily and Astral, they have near-emotionless faces on.

Just what on earth are they thinking? Why do they act like this doesn't bother them at all when clearly, it does. I can see it within their eyes.

Suddenly, my son turned to my wife and ask if she has a syringe. That's odd, why would he be asking that during a time like this?

As soon as Enna left, "Astral, why do you want a syringe?"

He sighed, "I will inject a sedative in her arm to make her pass out."

So that's his plan...Right now, that is the only thing we could do at a time like this.

Lily made a noise in protest, "Astral, are you crazy? She made it very clear that she hates syringes and injections. So why amplify her fear?"

My daughter came over to put a hand on her and told her that was the only thing we could do in this situation.

Exactly, if this keeps up, then she might really harm herself.

My wife got back with the kit and Astral filled the syringe up to the correct amount and started to move towards Star very cautiously.

At this point, she was holding her head in pain and my son lunged at her, injecting her with the medication but she immediately reacted and punched him in the stomach. He stumbles back as a result.

We quickly came to his aid and he said that he was fine. The sedative apparently kicked in fast, leaving Star passed out in my son's arms. He carried her to the bed and winced a bit because of a headache on the left side.

My daughter and Lily made him sit in a chair because they said that they don't want to take any risks because of what happened last time.

I looked at the person lying on the bed, Just what happened to you? What monster were you talking about? Note to self: Research Star's past ASAP!

Hi!

Thank you to all who have been reading this story. I am forever grateful. Please leave comments and or predictions of what will happen next time on Forbidden Love!

-Peace