Fractured – Chapter 13
Cardinal immediately closed the laptop computer, its bright screen winking out. "How much did you see?" she asked without turning around.
"I…uh…" Tiese didn't know what she saw exactly. She backed away warily, her hands searching the wall for the door. Her questions rushed out suddenly. Why'd that person look exactly like Eugeo? What is that box?"
Cardinal replied vaguely, "These are things beyond your comprehension."
"Then explain it to me," Tiese pleaded. "Maybe I can help."
"It's best if you keep your distance," Cardinal stated firmly.
"I'm not leaving until I have some answers," Tiese demanded. "If this is something to do with Eugeo, I have to know. Please. I…"
"Your feelings for him are written plainly all over your face," Cardinal said, turning to face the young girl. Tiese's face now matched her crimson hair. Cardinal continued, "You must know though, he is not who he was, and can never be, again."
"It's Zero making him do those horrible things," Tiese said defensively.
"Is it now?" Cardinal walked toward her. "How well do you really know Eugeo? You were his page, for what, about a month, before he broke the seal and saved you from Humbert and Raios."
"Seal? What seal?" Tiese was confused.
Cardinal sighed. "Never mind. The human soul is a complicated place, one that isn't so easily defined by good and evil." She placed one hand on her hip, the other holding onto her staff. "I regret what I will do to you, but it is what it is." She glided over to Tiese, her staff making contact with the girl's forehead. Tiese's eyes glazed over as Cardinal searched her memories. Removing the most current ones of the computer, she then pulled her staff away.
Tiese's eyes swam back into focus. "What happened? Where am I?" she looked around.
"You were just leaving," Cardinal escorted the young girl from the room.
Tiese looked over her shoulder, her brows furring. Cardinal merely shrugged, turning the opposite way and headed down the corridor.
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After Eugeo had spent himself on Alice, he now lay on top of her, his head resting in the crook of her neck. His eyes were closed, his breath soft on her flesh.
Alice lay limp, silent tears streaming down her cheeks, her eyes hard as they stared up at the sky. She had counted the number of times Eugeo had thrust into her, eight in total. One for each year he'd spent trying to rescue her. She shifted under his weight, the space between her legs damp, sticky, and incredibly sore.
"I'm…sorry…" Eugeo whispered, voice strained. Slowly, he rose to his hands and knees. He gripped her chin in one hand, forcing her to look at him. Blue tendrils pulsed along his skin, but his eyes shone green.
Eugeo's hand moved from her chin down her throat until his long fingers began to curl around her neck. How easy it would be to just simply squeeze this part of his life out of existence. Pontifex had promised him these feelings would be buried and gone forever after undergoing her ritual, but she had lied to him. His eyes narrowed. Why must everyone lie?
Alice squirmed and flailed beneath him. Breathing was hard enough with the gag in her mouth, but the added pressure of Eugeo's hand around her throat had her vision starting to dim. Alice didn't show much emotion, but panic and fear was evident on her face now. Within seconds, Eugeo pulled his hand away, relieving the pressure from Alice's neck. She sagged against the ground.
Eugeo stood to his full height, looming over Alice. After waiting a beat, he simply turned and walked away.
Her tears fell freely now as her situation fully sunk in.
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Leina had dressed, drew her hair back up into a high ponytail and exited Kirito's room.
"You're playing a dangerous game," said Renly. He was leaning against a wall in the hallway.
"I don't have to justify my actions," Leina said flatly.
"I'm not asking you to," Renly replied curtly. "Although things may have gotten complicated now that the Star Queen has arrived and has seen your…interactions with the Star King."
"Was it you?" Leina accused.
Renly waved his hands defensively. "Of course not! It's not any of my business what you and he do in private. Even though I have to listen to it most of the time," he muttered.
Leina raised a brow. "Maybe you should join us some time. See what it's all about."
Renly's face turned redder than a beet. "I..uh…" he stammered.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Then the petite form of Ronye appeared as she crested onto their floor. "Good, you're both awake. Fanatio wants to see you."
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"Alice has gone missing and I'd like the two of you to go out and find her," said Fanatio.
"Missing?" Renly placed a hand on his chin. "I thought she was told to stay here and wait for us to return."
"Seems Kirito rubbed off on her and she chose to break that command," Fanatio couldn't help the smile that tugged at her lips. Kirito really did have that effect on people.
"Speaking of, where is Kirito?" Leina asked casually.
Ignoring her question, Fanatio said, "You'll take Renly's dragon to cover more ground. Keep a lookout for Eugeo too. There haven't been any reports about his whereabouts since he left Rulid. He could be anywhere."
Leina and Renly nodded, then headed out to the dragon stables.
"Where do you think Alice could've gone?" Leina asked Renly, crossing her arms.
"I have no idea," Renly replied, shrugging. "Though she couldn't have gotten far without her…" he sighed heavily, "…dragon."
Sighing, Renly went past Amayori's empty stall, heading further down until he found his own dragon. A sleek dark green male who was snorting in aggravation. Renly frowned, when was the last time he'd actually ridden this creature?
Leina was glancing back and forth between Renly and the dragon. Neither seemed excited to see the other. In fact, they were both eyeing each other warily and with disdain. "Shall we?" she gestured, pointing to the dragon's saddle and harness, which were lying nearby.
"Right," Renly shook his head, gathering up the equipment. He seemed less than thrilled to have to do this, but an order was an order.
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As much as I wanted to talk with Asuna about what happened, I turned tail and headed back out of the Cathedral. I'd give her time to cool down, I told myself. I found myself wandering the streets of Centoria until I happened upon a bar. I stepped inside, heading towards a table near the back.
"What'll it be?" a young barmaid asked me.
"Anything strong," I mumbled, sliding into a chair.
The barmaid eyed me. "It's awfully early."
"Just do it," I growled, tossing shia across the table.
The barmaid scooped the shia up quickly, then headed towards the bar.
I sighed, this reminded me of Agil's place, the Dicey Café, where I was usually surrounded by people I knew. This time, I was alone. I ran my hands through my hair as events stirred in my mind. If I had a solid relationship with Asuna in the real world, why was I messing around with another woman? I honestly didn't know, and Asuna would never take that as an excuse.
"Here's the strongest we've got," said the barmaid as she placed a full mug down in front of me.
I took a sniff, grimaced at the way it smelled, then downed it in one swing. I nearly choked at how bad it was, but I could already feel a slight buzz from it. "Bring me another one."
"Sure thing," the barmaid replied as she took the mug from me.
I leaned back in my chair, now thinking about my best friend. I knew he was being manipulated by Synthesis Zero, but I'd seen Eugeo's true self in there when we met up. He looked at me full of contempt, anger, and hurt. I had never felt so lost with such a reaction. For if there ever was a constant in this world, it was having Eugeo by my side. We could do anything together and always had each other's backs. Now, we stood on opposite sides. Could I really go through the Synthesis Ritual that Cardinal had planned in order to fight with everything I had against my best friend?
"Here's your second," the girl had returned with another mug. I took it quickly, then gulped it down, wiping the foam from my lips. It didn't taste quite as disgusting this time around.
"Another," I snapped.
"Maybe you should have some food to go with your drinks," the barmaid suggested.
"I'm fine," I waved her off. My mind wandered to another issue, what happens when I do get Eugeo's soul out and into the real world? What does Kikuoka have planned for him? Whatever the case, I'm not letting him harm one hair on Eugeo's head, ever. "You'll have him over my dead body," I mumble to myself.
The barmaid returns with another full mug, and I grab it greedily. I down this one too before she even has a chance to leave my table. I hiccup as I hold up my hand for another round. She sighs, turning to head back to the bar. I slouch onto the table, my arms extended across it. My fingers pick at the slivers from the wooden table top. I know they're biting into my fingers, but I don't feel a thing. By this time, the morning crowds are coming in and people are looking at me, shaking their heads. I narrow my eyes back at them, envious that they don't have the problems I do or have to make choices like I do.
I could feel the table vibrate as another drink is placed on it. I take it in my hand, swallowing the contents without even tasting it anymore. I clang my mug on the table signaling a refill. Drinking like this reminds me of when Rulid celebrated Eugeo when he cut down the Gigas Cedar. Hmm…Eugeo, maybe if I was messing around with him instead of Leina, Asuna wouldn't be so mad? Or maybe, I could really piss her off by screwing around with Eugeo and Leina at the same time. Wouldn't that be the catch all? I laugh mirthlessly. I sober up for a moment, my muddled brain entertaining a thought. Hmm…me and Eugeo? I smile devilishly to myself.
"Um, maybe you should stop," the barmaid said uncertainly.
"I'm not paying you for your thoughts," I slur angrily, throwing more shia across the table. The coins clatter to the floor as the table top seemed to move on me. "Damn it all," I muttered, bending down to pick up the fallen shia. As I bend over, everything seems to tilt and I nearly fall out of my chair.
"Are you alright?" the barmaid reached down to help me.
"Don't touch me," I tell her. Then, I laugh out loud. Well, isn't that the quote of the day? "You see, Eugeo, Asuna, I can be like that too," I drawl. I'd lost count how many drinks I'd had. I laugh again, I didn't even know what I was putting into my body, and honestly, I didn't even care.
"What's going on over here?" The burly bartender had approached my table, wiping his hands on the apron he wore at his waist. He looked downed at me and frowned. "Hell, girl, how many did this guy drink?"
"Um, he's had four so far," the barmaid nervously wringed her fingers.
"Four?! You never said all these drinks were for the same person!" the bartender scowled. "This drink ain't made for light weights like this guy."
I sit there smiling like an idiot because I honestly have no idea what anyone is saying anymore. I sink back into my chair, my eyes trying and losing their battle to focus. Everything has slowed down and my senses are all jumbled. Ironically, I enjoy the numbness that has begun to take over my body.
"Kirito? Kirito?" Ronye called out, entering the inn. "Are you in here?" Her blue eyes light up as she catches sight of me. "Kirito, thank goodness," said Ronye, relief evident in her voice. "We've been looking all over for you. Fanatio called a meeting and…whoa!"
Ronye gasps as I pull her onto my lap, her face turning bright red. She's had a crush on me the moment she became my page. I smile up at her, then planted kisses along her neck, pushing her brown hair over her shoulder. "Kirito, um…" Her body temperature soars as desire pools deep in her belly. I could feel her getting wet for me in my lap already.
"Should I fuck you too?" I slur lustfully into her ear.
"Oh my god, yes!" Ronye screams internally. She leans in to find my lips when she takes a sniff, smelling the alcohol on my breath. "Have you been drinking?" she grimaces.
"So? My life is kinda fucked up right now."
"I think you've had enough," she states firmly.
"Come on," I urge. My fingers have a hard time finding the flap to open the front of her uniform. I growl in frustration because focusing is no longer something I can do. Instead, I begin to grope and paw at her breasts. After a bit of fondling, I nuzzle my face into them. They feel so warm and soft. "Mm…" I murmur, before my hands and arms go slack and I pass out.
"He'll be out for awhile," the barmaid shakes her head. "What he drank ain't for the faint of heart. Come on, I'll help you take him upstairs. The room's on me."
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Renly and Leina were flying North looking for Alice, when suddenly, Renly's dragon reared up. It snorted and huffed, stopping abruptly to hover in the morning sun.
"What's going on?" asked Leina.
"I think it senses something," Renly drove the dragon into a downward spiral as it headed towards the ground. The dragon landed hind legs first, followed by its front legs. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, then swung its head around until it came face to face with another dragon.
"Kyee!" Amayori cried, whipping her head towards the right.
"Kyah!" Renly's dragon replied.
Renly and Leina slid off the dragon. He withdrew his Twin Wing Blades while she pulled out her two-handed sword. Heading in the direction Amayori had shown, they both stepped quietly and cautiously into the brush. After walking for a few minutes, both stopped short at what lie before them. There she was, tied to a tree, lying on the ground, her clothes ripped to shreds and her skin raw and exposed.
"Alice?!" Leina's jaw dropped. She dropped her blade to the ground, then turned towards Renly. "Give me your cape and one of your blades." He nodded stiffly, then did as instructed. Leina went over to Alice, bent down to cut at the binds that held her wrists to a tree above her head, then helped her into a sitting position. She then covered her with Renly's cape to restore her modesty. "Who did this to you?" she said quietly, her voice layered with anger. Alice said nothing, her eyes blank as she simply stared. "Let's get you back to the Cathedral," Leina helped Alice stand. She was like a limp doll, merely going through the motions. Leina walked her slowly back to where Renly was, returning his blade to him. He went to take Alice's hand, but she recoiled at his touch, fear crossing her face.
"It's not you," Leina said sadly, rubbing at Alice's arms. "It's what she's been through."
Renly looked at Alice. It was painful to see such a brave and powerful knight reduced to something like this. There will be severe consequences to whoever had done such a thing. Renly walked over to where Alice was held captive, and bent to the ground. His fingers traced along faint footprints, his eyes following them as they headed South. "You take Alice and Amayori back to Centoria. I'll catch up with you later."
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"I can't believe Kirito would do that to me," cried Asuna.
"I'm sure he didn't do it to hurt you intentionally," Fanatio tried to reason with her, rubbing at the girls back.
"He shouldn't have done it at all," Asuna sobbed.
"He's been under a lot of stress lately as the Underworld's situation is quite dire…"
"It's always about this place," Asuna muttered bitterly.
"Kirito loves the Underworld," Fanatio said gently. "He'd do anything to protect it."
"Or anyone," Asuna ground out. Curling her hands into tight fists at her sides, her face grew deathly calm. "This place has corrupted him, and you people along with it. When all of this over, I'm taking him home and we're never coming back." Turning abruptly, she spat, "Where is he anyway? I thought we were going to have a meeting about the threat that's coming this way?"
Fanatio's golden eyes slid hesitantly to the side. She did not want to add fuel to the fire. "We're working on trying to find him."
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"Kikuoka, we have a problem," Rinko deadpanned.
"Oh?" Kikuoka asked, walking up beside Rinko.
"The tank Eugeo was in was much better at keeping his body intact," Rinko began. She then turned and pointed to where Eugeo lie on the cot beside her. "Being exposed like this is proving detrimental."
"How so?" Kikuoka scrunched his eyebrows.
"Well, for one," Rinko went to pull back the blanket that had partially covered Eugeo. Blue and purple patches were mottled across his abdomen. "There's also his irregular heartbeat and his extremities are getting colder." Rinko turned to Kikuoka, her mouth set in a grim line. "His body is dying."
"I'm not losing this project. What can you do?" Kikuoka deadpanned.
"Well," Rinko placed her hand on her chin. "I could set up a circuit of sorts. Have Kirito's healthy blood run through Eugeo's body, then back into his. It would keep the blood fresh and circulating, giving us a little more time. Not much though, I'd say maybe 72 hours. After that…" she hesitated.
"Do it," Kikuoka said flatly. "Higa? Send a message to Kirito, however you can."
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I found myself kneeling in the center of a room. My wrists are bound in front of me with a short, leather strap, which was connected to a metal horizontal pole about two feet long. The pole was held up by another pole and sat a foot off the ground. Reminded me of a squat letter T. I struggle against my bonds to no avail. "What the hell?" I mutter. Squinting my eyes, I look around. There's nothing special or particular about where I am, just a dark place with a bit of light shining on me. It's cold, and I notice that I'm not wearing a shirt, just my usual black pants and boots.
"Comfortable, Black Swordsman?" came a smug voice.
Shit.
"Judging by your reaction, I can see you remember me, how flattering," Johnny Black replied airily. He began to circle me, his hands holding onto something, although I couldn't make out what it was.
"What are you doing here?" I growl.
"To torment you, of course," he states matter of factly. Striking like a snake, he grabs onto my hair, and pulls my head back. I could feel a thin metal bar shoved between my jaws, followed by the roughness of leather straps up along my cheeks as they're pulled tight, connecting to another strap that encircles my head. Near the corners of my mouth are silver rings, to which Johnny attaches some reins. He then pulls on them, and I am lurched forward. "You know how I always like to play with my prey before I kill them." I glower at him, and he merely laughs.
Taking the reins, he ties them to the same bar my wrists are connected to. "It's fun seeing you like this. Powerless, no control over anything that's happening to you or the situation around you." Johnny Black stands up beside me, then disappears from my view. I can hear him shuffling around behind me, when I feel something sharp trailing up my spine. It's light and doesn't break the skin, but there is pressure. "You know, somehow you always seem to weasel out when I try and poison you," Johnny began. I felt the pressure stop around my lower back, then the sharp pinch of a needle. "Not this time."
I feel myself go numb and my statis screen opens in front of me. I can see my life depleting, though I'm having trouble focusing on it. "I want you have a slow death, though before you do, let's review a few things. Let's start with the failure to save your best friend. I could only imagine the guilt you live with everyday knowing how you botched that up. Then you got to see him again, only he didn't want to see you, did he?" Johnny mocks me. "Did you ever think if you didn't interfere with him, he never would've died in the first place?"
My eyes widen a fraction.
"Oh! Let's not forget your dear girlfriend. Wow, you really fucked up big time with that," he laughs at his own pun. "There's no way she'd ever forgive you, not after being with that other lady, what, four times now? Such an example," he tells me sarcastically. He bends down next to me, "However, the sin you'd be most guilty of is pride. You always believe you can defeat anything, regardless of who you put in danger or what it costs to them. You're only out for yourself, putting everyone around you at risk to prove how strong you are, only for you to leave them in the wake of death behind you. Should I start naming names?" he whispers coldly into my ear. "Just look at where that pride and guilt has gotten you. Right here, trussed up," he sneers. "The ironic part is, you brought this upon yourself."
I bolt up from my nightmare. My hands go to my face, where thankfully, there's nothing on it. I'm panting hard, sweat dripping everywhere. My head is pounding, and I grip it between my hands, closing my eyes to the harsh light that's streaming down through the thatched roof above my head.
Ronye stirs, as she was asleep next to me. "Kirito, you're awake!" she cries.
"Not so loud," I hiss. "Where are we?"
"Upstairs in the inn. You passed out and the bartender and I brought you up here," Ronye explained.
"How long has it been?"
"You've been out for nearly a day," replied Ronye.
"You didn't think to wake me sooner," I snap.
Ronye flinches.
Remembering my nightmare I say quickly, "I'm sorry, Ronye. I shouldn't have yelled at you." I lean my head back against the headboard. I thought about the guilt Eugeo had been carrying for so many years over Alice being taken. I thought I understood, but now, I knew what a heavy burden that guilt had been. My own guilt was eating at my brain daily and I was losing control over everything that was happening. Could I not do what was needed to be done because I felt guilty and undeserving? What if I made the wrong choice? Sighing, I looked over at Ronye. Was I really so selfish when it came to those around me?
"What?" Ronye blinked.
"Uh..well," I began, searching for how to explain what I'd dreamt. Suddenly I panic, scrunching my body up against the headboard. "Tell me we didn't, you know…" I make a crude gesture with my hands.
Ronye sighed, "No, nothing happened."
"Thank the goddesses," I heave a sigh of relief and close my eyes. I needed another fuck up like a hole in the head. Opening one eye, I look at Ronye. "Why do I get the feeling you're disappointed?"
Ronye's face goes scarlet, her eyes darting away. She scoots towards the foot of my bed.
"Trust me, it's better we didn't," I collapse back into bed, my arm going over my eyes. I think I have the hangover from hell. Obviously, drinking myself stupid until I passed out was not the answer to my problems. That nightmare, it left me scarred, and honestly, scared. What the hell was in that drink anyways?
"You call for him, you know," Ronye said softly. "In your sleep."
"Huh?"
"Eugeo."
My breath catches and I'm glad Ronye can't see my eyes. I can feel tears prick at the corners, then slide down my cheeks. Must I be reminded of my failures so soon?
"I learned something about him and Synthesis Zero."
"Oh?" I choke out.
"I was thinking, why possess Eugeo specifically? So, I decided to trace his family back, to see if I could learn anything," Ronye said.
"And?" I prompted.
"Well, you see Synthesis Zero, or rather, Galen, is a direct ancestor of Eugeo. I believe that is what made the possession possible, their blood bond. It's also going to make it tougher to break."
"Why must everything be so damn difficult?" I mutter to myself. I place my arms behind my head and stare up at the ceiling. I attempt to formulate a plan when in the corner of my vision, a clock pops up, giving me a countdown of 72 hours.
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Eugeo had bent down, his hands on his knees and began to dry heave. He couldn't believe what he'd done to Alice back there. There was no way he could live with himself after doing something so revolting. Without a second thought, he called the Blue Rose Sword into his hand then went to level it at his gut.
"Always the stomach with you," Synthesis Zero sighed. He then took control of Eugeo's hand, forcing him to stop. "I can't let you do that."
Eugeo gritted his teeth. "I'm done. With all of this."
"Always such a defiant one, aren't you?"
"I…" Eugeo began, but stopped abruptly as a clock with 72 hours appeared in his vision. It began ticking down. "What is that?"
"Hmmm…."
"Stop right there," Renly deadpanned, emerging from the nearby brush. His eyes flashed gold, fury clearly written on his face.
Eugeo looked up at Renly, his eyes shifting from green to blue. "I remember you."
"How could you defile a knight in such a manner," Renly ground out.
"Don't look at me, your friend has a lot of pent-up emotions in here," Eugeo pointed near to heart. "Bad for him. Good for me."
Renly withdrew his Twin Winged Blades and slid into an attack stance. "I will kill you, you vile creature."
"Vile am I?" Eugeo raised a brow. "Let me tell you, the only one vile around here is the Pontifex."
"Yes, it was discovered she was…," Renly struggled to find the right words. "…not quite who she said she was."
"You really have no idea the things she's done," Eugeo calmly stepped up to Renly. "Take for example, the memories she's stolen from you."
"What memories?" Renly narrowed his eyes.
"Ahh…so no one has told you the truth?"
Renly took a hesitant step backwards. "How can I believe anything you say?"
"Simple. You can't. But can you afford not to?"
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