Tales of Berseria: A Second Chance
Prologue Part 3:
A Second Chance
After Phi went to Grimoirh room, I kept analyzing my idea, the only hope that remained to me and finish this quest of revenge once for all. Too many sacrifices were made, too many people died or were devoured by me. It will be finally over...
"So, what did you need to say to me alone?" Eleanor asked as she stopped behind me. Her tone was calm and a bit cheerful. I turned around to face her, she was looking to her surroundings. "I thought you were with Laphicet, he said he was going to be here."
"We talked for a bit. But I told him he needed to go to bed after all our recent fights, tough he went to talk with his teacher..." I said with a little smile, as I shook my head slowly. He was a little incorrigible, "Always trying to play the tough guy."
"Just like the one who named him," She smirked.
"He... is nothing like me. His motivation comes from hope," I lifted my head toward the sky, full of thoughts.
"Hope..."
She sounded pensive as well, worried as well of the coming day. "The wind feels nice..." tough I couldn't get it's cold, I liked the sensation.
"Yeah, the world may be full of hardship and sadness. But as well filled with lot of beauty," I pressed the edge of the ships railing were I rested my hand, my thoughts as well. "The endless ocean, the island of the south, even the frozen tundra and the mountains spread with fire." She put herself close to me at my side, close to the edge and resting one arm.
"Yes, it is." As well, I turned toward the ocean once again, "and humans makes their home around that beauty..." I put my hands together, looking down, "is the world Laphi always wanted to travel... I finally understand what he saw, when he was looking over the ocean all those times."
I always thought we were going to have that chance of travel together after his recovery, probably I never showed to share his enthusiasm, but reading about Claudin Asgard made me interested about the world to some extent, a least until was my turn to take over my two brothers care after Celica passed away...
We remained silent for a little while, by the edge of my eye I noticed the sadness on her faces, waiting for me to continue.
I decided to get to the point, "Eleanor, I have one last favor to ask." I tried to remain my calm tone, tough my usual harsh was a bit on my voice, I will not lost anyone else, "If anything happens to me, take care of Laphicet."
"What? Is something the matter?"
I looked to my left hand again, "The power possessed by Innominat and it's therions are fundamentally the same, I have a theory..." I move my fingers a bit, then shaked my head, "no, call it a theory is a bit rational." I turned my head to the side, looking to the front of the ship, I didn't wanted to met Eleanor's eyes, "A part of me, separated from my hatred and despair, wants me to do something..." I smiled, "I want to leave this world with hope."
"You... don't mean?"
Releasing a dry chuckle, I met her face again, "humor me, ok? If the worts happens. I'm counting on you.
She frowned her eyebrows a bit, "We are not going to..." she closed her eyes, clenching one fists, shocking her head, "I understand... I will take care of Laphicet, if something happens to you." She suddenly sounded more determined, without putting aside her concern.
Despite having my doubts towards the first part, I decided to trust in her. After all, she was the one most worried about him after me... Sorry I couldn't fight for you, but I'm sure you're be better with her.
Her mouth smiled, "While I would like to take advantage of this little moment of weakness, I really can't," she shrugged, "my oath forces me to take you're orders until my dying breath."
Widening my eyes for a second, I nodded smiling, "I'd almost forgot about that," then focused myself on the ocean, "Good thing I kicked your butt that day after all."
And I'm glad you stayed by our side to this day.
"Yeah... me too."
"Hmm?"
"Still, I hope nothing bad really happens, I'm sure we're all going to be fine, take my word," she explained before starting to leave, "If it's not enough for you, then a least have faith in Laphicet, he wants you to live." And she finally returned inside the ship.
I released a sigh, I knew you heard us, not just today. Then I sat on the floor as I took off my comb, appreciating it's details one more time, unknowingly smiling.
I thought Laphi's vengance was everything that was left to me after this started, now my remaining hope was Phi's future, as I continue this path toward my expected demise.
As the Lord of calamity, or even before I started calling myself like that, I expected to meet my own end, by whoever hands, or my own volition. This world was doomed to the eternal cycle of Innominat and the malevolence, the curse of the acient malaks. But if people like Phi, people that learn from him keep living, Im sure the world Laphi really wanted... no, the world I wanted would be possible.
Despite what happened in the earthpulse, the malevolence inside me just grew stronger and devastating, to the point I could easily infest malaks in a single touch. All of it was born from all the feelings inside my heart, all the love that was betrayed, all my regrets that I will not look back, and the despair that remains of my stolen life, "It's still going..." I could felt it, an ugly corruption surrounding me...
"Eleanor... can you carry Laphicet to his bed?"
"Why you don't do it? He saved you, is the least..."
"I know... that's why I want you to do it..."
I feared I couldn't touch Phi anymore, he was endangering his life just staying by my side... yet he still followed me, supported me, and accepted me for who I am.
And even succeeded in make his flame strong enough to be able to hug me... It gave me a little hope that it was possible for me to be human again.
Don't do it... I don't deserve it...
It's too late...
I will never be forgiven, I probably going to be forgotten, just like any piece or character in a story that dissapears after it's role concludes. but that's fine, I just want to stop Artorius and Innominat, not for the world and it's people, but for the life I once had, and I will make sure they both realize it.
"Because I was happy of the life I had, I'm glad I got that chance..."
"Birds fly, because they possess strong wings. Mankind must be suppressed, because it possesses great sins. Malevolence, tragedy, war, despair, tears, even love. All of it must be suppressed!"
That's what Artorius said before Armotize with Innominat.
Divided they were hard to deal as separate groups, but now fuse they were a total pain to fight despite everyone using our entire strength, thanks to Laphicet and Magilou constant healing we were able to keep fighting. His strength was beyond our normal reach, but together we could compare to some extent.
After a long battle, he was in his last strength, determined to end this fight in the next attack, preparing the next slash of his sword.
I was the only one near him, the rest of my team was staying behind, knowing this was my personal fight, and I was ready to unleash my claws as well. Transforming my therion arm.
He released his next move, coming full speed to my position. I reacted fast as possible, jumping to one side and using my foot blade to counterattack. But he deflected my cuts with his swords, chaining his movement to one stab, I used my wrist blade to block it, staying in place as I felt his super human strength going up any second.
Innominat was inside the armor, he was devouring Artorius malevolence non stop. If he continue, his body was going to end in his menu. And I will not allow that!
Using my Therion arm claws I successfully scratched Artorius torso, punching him to the front. Not letting him recover any second I jumped toward him almost dissapearing from his sight just to teleport in front of him and spin in a vertical circle slashing him with my my legs and foot blade, "Defiant Conviction!" he grunted at the surprise, almost losing balance and falling on his knees the floor.
"Mega sonic thrust!" Using earth energy on my hand I slide close to him giving him a fatal punch followed by shattered little pieces of rock as I took of the shining at the impact like an explosion.
He blocked instantly my last attack, followed by one of his artes, "Soul Burts!" I avoided it in the last second, waiting for this opening. "Flame of fury!" He kept attacking, almost hitting my sides, I received the arte blocking it with my Therion Arm, enduring the pain.
"Heaven claw," taking him by surprise, I throwed him right above me, he almost lost his sword. I groaned baring my teeth, jumping once again toward my prey, my predatory eyes full of rage and my heart bumping full speed at the next second.
But he stopped both my blade and my therion arm, grabbing them as he watched me with determination to end this battle, "You can't win Velvet. Give up! I need to end this world sadness!" His eyes were cold, despite his heroic words, "I have to do it!"
I wouldn't let you... all the sadness, despair, pain, suffering, all of it are the feelings that made me move forward here, a world empty of those emotions is one not worth living!
Aside...
Not wanting to let him talk anymore, I hit his head with my forehead, my amber eyes burning in anger piercing his cold ones, "Arthur's forgotten Maxim!," opening my mouth wide I chomped his neck with all my strength, feeling the taste of his flesh and blood on my taste buds, sucking his strength as much as possible. Artorius groaned at the painful sensation, his both arms were still blocking my attacks.
He tried to shake me off but was impossible, I was grabbing his torso with my legs, glued to him and nothing will stop my vengeance.
"She is devouring him!" I heard Laphicet shouting, surprised.
Eizen then added, "He is losing his strength every second, soon he will--" but before he could end the sentence, my intention were a success.
There you are, you're stupid god wanna-be!
Without letting go of Artorius, I pulled my head back with all my strength, but instead of taking off his skin, I took someone else entirely with me, grabbing his throat with my fangs as he was groaning in immense pain. Losing his Armartus, I used my therion arm to push Innominat away, and an upper kick to kick his sword upward with my foot blade, going in circles above us, I punched Artorius forward using my adrenaline making him fell on his back.
I jumped high using my both feet, grabbing the handle of the sword in the air, and shouting all my rage into the followed ending blow, "Don't despair..! Not matter what!" trusting the tip of the blade right into his heart.
Silence was fulfilling the scenery, as all the rage I contained this long, was finally leaving my body. Looking at Artorius wound on his chest, as blood was soaking his shirt. I finally felt genuine relief, after a long time.
"Spoken... like a true hero..."
His only hero, was his mentor Claudin Asgard...
"You're like him, Velvet. You're both have unique personalities!"
He told me back in aball.
"Claudin's dead affected him so hard, he almost lost himself"
One of his normin companions told me, he and his friends were counting on me...
He had such a hard life, and despite being able to move on, with a wife and child, destiny had other plans for him...
After releasing a slight sigh, I spoke, "You told me something like that, a long time ago..."
He nodded, as blood was coming from his mouth he continued, "On that day... of the opening..." I remained silent, just listening to him. I already knew what he tried to say, "Velvet... the Arthur you knew, died that day. It was always there... on the back on my mind," his usual cold voice was full of regrets. I smiled to him, a nostalgic one, "If only hasn't been Celica and my son, the ones who died that day..." he focused his eyes on Celica's gift, attached on the sword, "If only had been you two... instead..."
I started to feel a pressure in my eyes, "I thought the same, so many times. If only had been us, then now..." my voice started to tremble, but I kept my smile, "then you would have fought to save the world, for us!"
"It's true... I wanted to save... everyone..." he was about to close his eyes...
"Arthur..." he focused on me once again, with his last strength, "Birds fly, because they want to fly... They don't need a reason for it, even if their wings may snap and doom them to die... They don't fly for anyone's benefit, or because someone ordered them to! They build their own courage and fly toward the horizon, because a winged bird that do not fly would be denying their own happiness..." my tears started to going out, "that's my answer..."
He smiled one last time, "You're really a fool Velvet... guided by emotions. But I can tell, that's what makes you who you are..." he closed his eyes, "If only... I wanted to fly too... such a pity."
"Yeah..."
My tears started to fall over his face, as I pressed my teeth together, putting more pressure on the handle of the sword. Despite all my hatred toward him, and his actions, he was an important person in my life, I loved him... he was such an incredible brother, who inspired me. Even after such betrayal, his words guided me to this day.
"Goodbye..." Laphicet said, without finishing his words.
"It's over." Rokurou added, relieved.
"I'm hungry..."
"It's not!" Eizen suddenly said, alert.
"I'm hungry, I'm hungry, Im hungry!"
Without a source of malevolence to relied, Innominat was starving to his death, shouting the same phrase over and over, with Laphi's voice. I knew so well his sensation of hunger, when I just recently escaped Titania, and didn't had as much Daemons or prisoner to devour, I almost lost myself and eat Phi, who just tried to help me. What I did, was endure until we arrived to the secret passage.
Unlike me, Innominat depended of malevolence, to supress it and keep living.
A nostalgic memory from we were kids rushed to my mind, giving me the sign that it was time, time for us to rest, to leave this horrible world forever... I wiped my tears from Artorius face, and I leave the sword pierced as I stood.
Just as I was about to look at Innominat...
"P-Phi?!"
He was standing in front on him, as I glanced at his back. Innominat was still shouting, but not even trying to attack Phi as he kept himself in a fetal position.
"Phi! What are you doing?!" I looked over the rest of my party, they were looking down in silence, and I finally understood. Feeling a cold shower on my spine, I tried to run toward him, "Come here, it's dangerous your idiot!"
"I'm sorry Velvet..."
A barrier appeared over them, not so big, I was a few meters close, with both hands on it, I tried to cut it with my blade, slash it with my therion arm, but nothing worked, "Get out of there this instant, Phi! It's dangerous!" I kept trying to destroy the barrier, as my voice became harsher, with tears still on my eyes.
"I made it with the Empyreans power, you can't destroy it..." he looked to me slightly turning his torso. Phi was... smiling? My thoughts stopped, putting my palms over the barrier, as I kept watching him in extreme confusion.
"What... are you doing?!"
"There's something I need to talk with Innominat. After that, I will do what's needs to be done, to save not just everyone, but you as well Velvet!"
"No! Don't! I don't care if I die, but you Phi... YOU CAN'T DIE, PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" Shouting on the top of my lungs I tried to open the barrier once again, failing so many times. The day Laphi was took away from me appeared on my mind, I don't want to lost you Phi! I don't want to lose anyone else!
He just smiled a me, "I told you, everything will be fine!" He scratches his head, "sorry for hide this plan from you, but I know you would dislike it... I apologize for make you worry.
My tears keep going sliding my cheeks, my eyebrows narrowed, and I pressed my teeth containing my mix of despair and anger, right now, "Phi... Phi... Laphicet! Come back... Please, come back to me..!"
"I want to... I want to hug you again, but I can't." He faced Innominat, putting one hand over his own chest, "I want to save you Velvet Crowe, and I trust he does as well..." he started to aproach him.
Feeling more tears coming down, I put myself down over my knees, "Idiot... Why... Why... I don't deserve that! I don't deserve anyone's worry!"
But he ignored me, now in front of Innominat, who was still in trance, "I'm hungry, I'm hungry..." he finally looked up, surprised at Phi presence, "You? What... are you... doing here?"
"We need to talk, I have an offer you can't refuse."
"Oh? Why I can't refuse?" He inclines his head, arching one eyebrow.
"Because you will die of starvation if you don't, and this is the last chance you will have to keep living, eating malevolence as well." His tone was serious, it even surprised me. My eyes widened, What did you figure out Phi?
"Why? You hate... me, do you? For what reason... you want to save me?" Innominat grinned, "because you will die if you don't?
"Because Velvet will sacrifice herself If I don't do something!" He suddenly shouted at him, taking both him and me by surprise.
"Phi..." I lowered my gaze, feeling my bangs covering my eyes. My tears kept flowing, as my hands turned into fist. I started to punch the barrier once again, no... noooo!
"Sister would? What are you saying?"
"She figured a way to keep you alive, but far from causing Chaos. At the costs of sealing herself as well, forever...
Innominat didn't respond.
"I don't want that, she saved the world, the same world that was so unfair to her! So, I decided to be the one who will keep you alive."
"And how that will happen?"
"You will fuse you're essence with mine, we are going to be the same person once again. Just I will be the one in control this time, you can't eat me thanks to my silver flame, and you will survive with the malevolence that will come around me."
"Phi... no..."
"So basically, you will become a new empyrean?" Innominat sound surprised, "I didn't expected that decision from you, I guess I underestimated you..." he groaned.
"Yeah, you were too high to yourself..."
"Just one last question, why to save my sister?"
I pressed my fist again, already expecting harsh words from him.
"She's evil, and a slave to her emotions. She never heasited in ruin others life as long it benefit her selfish desires, or hunger for destruction, you saw it beforehand don't you? Why you want to save her? I understand if you're doing it for the world, but why her?"
Is true... all of it, that's how far I went with my selfish revenge...
"Because she's important to me, she showed me how to be alive, and be my own person. Her tenderness knows not boundaries, and she wants to protect the future of everyone important to her!" I put my widened eyes on Phi again, as I was trying to say something but my voice was stuck in my throat. It's true that he was important for me but... I almost ate him, he is in danger near me "You still had Laphi's memories don't you? Velvet is still like that..."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes I am! Maybe you just remember her sisterly side, she's not a perfect person, sometimes scary and selfish, but she is strong, kind, and full of life , not even the malevolence in her heart changed that..." he turned his head to me. My face was probably a mess.
"Phi... don't, don't do this... I want you to live..."
"You probably don't believe me because of her daemon side, but trust me... If it wasn't for her, I probably would still be a tool... and this adventure at her side, made me take this decision." He smiled to me, then turned to Innominat, "I want to change this world, end the cycle created between the malevolence and you. Create a world were humans and Malaks can co exist in harmony. But right above that..." he extended his right arm, inviting him, "I want the two of us, to create a world were Velvet Crowe can be happy!" He shouted with determination.
"A world were sister can be happy..." Innominat lowered his gaze, "that's why I... why Laphicet sacrificed himself. He desired to free her sister from the restraint that was taking care of him all the time, he didn't wanted her efforts to be wasted by the nature of his Illness, the twelve year's old sickness, and create a world without daemons, were she could be safe..." he focused his eyes on me, "It's my fault she got turned into a therion... I saw it in the earthpulse, and Arthur forced her to keep devouring people and daemons back in titania."
He showed what he has grabbed in one hand, my heart almost lost a beat noticing it was my broken comb, my last memory of him.
"Laphi..."
"I guess let her live, would be the least I can do for her..." he finished, extending his other hand to Phi, without changing his expression, "I accept, Laphicet..."
"Thank you... Laphicet!"
"Why did she called you like me?"
"I don't know, and I don't care, I love this name. It's my real true name!" Phi said excited, as the two of them were illuminated by an strong light.
Innominat smiled, "Always bad at naming..."
"That's just how she is!"
My pupils shrinked fearing the worst, "PHI NO, DON'T LEAVE ME! AAAAAAAAAAGHHH" With an strong slash of my claw against the floor, leaving a mark, the barrier disappeared.
No, no! Why Phi, why did he do this?! I don't deserve this, I'm a killer, a disaster, a monster. Why you didn't let me leave this world in peace... Why you sacrificed your life for me? Looking at the light, I Opened my mouth wide as I whined, "Why?! WHY!?"
As I punched the ground hard enough making my fist blood, not feeling the pain I was about to hit it with my forehead. This wounds are nothing!
"Velvet stop! You're bleeding!" Eleanor grabbed my shoulders, so I instinctively tried to take her off, "hurting yourself will do nothing!
"You promised me to take care of him! I don't want to hear you! GET OFF ME OR I DEVOUR YOU!" I pushed her away, but she kept coming back.
"Only if something had happened to you! Remember? Laphicet told me he wanted to do this, I just respected his decision!" She kneeled to be face to face.
I frowned with my eyes burning in anger, feeling my blood boiling. My body was shaking, with my tears still coming out, "Why didn't you stop him!? He was just... starting his life! He deserved... to keep living in peace!" I put my arms on the floor, hiding my face as I shouted once again, sobbing between each word, "Phi you dumbass! Why you did this? Answer me now!!"
"Velvet..." Eleanor put her hand on my back.
"WHY YOU LET A MONSTER LIKE ME LIVE! the entire world hates me! I could devour everything if I wanted to! Why you gave me hope of be able to have a second chance and actually do it behind my back, Phi! LAPHICET, MAOTELUS WHY...!" I cried loudly, my broken voice resonating in the entire room. Covering my eyes with my arms, even after feeling the rest of my party coming closer, telling me to calm down, I ignored them. My heart was totally broken, my soul has not reason to keep living...
I want...
A sudden earthquake happened, as four giants familiar souls appeared around us. Hearing Eizen said they were the Empyreans confirmed my doubts, they started talking with their voices, but my head couldn't take anything anymore, it was hurting me, my chest was in pain as well... I was totally...
Alone...
I want to die...
I succumbed to my sleepiness, being everyone surprised reactions to me the last thing I heard as my vision went dark...
...
I caressed Phi's blond hair as he kept burying his face on my abdomen, feeling his slow breathing against my skin.
"There's something I want to tell you"
"What is it?" Curious, I amplified my smile.
"I want to tell you my true name, I wanted since Meirchio but I couldn't find the chance," embarrassed, he made a noise.
"It's fine, you told me is a big deal for malaks to reveal them, I don't want to force you." He lifted his face to meet my eyes, but I returned it to the previous position, "If you want to maintain the hug, don't look up..."
"Ah! Sorry..." Phi shakes his head, fluttered. "Maotelus, it means Laphicet in the ancient language, "The one who lives," that's my true name.
My eyes widened a bit, surprised by the coincidence. I couldn't help but release a little dry chuckle.
"¿Eh, you don't like it?" He asked in a sad tone.
"No, I think it suits you really well. You're being the one who lives has a perfect ring on you!"
He flushed, "Velvet please! It's just a name don't tease me!" He did some steps back, lowering his eyes, then he opened them more as I offered my hand, holding the fortune apple
"Here, I want you to have it."
"But, you don't need it's luck?"
"I already have two of the best good luck charms I need right now. Three is just overdoing it," He grabbed it, amazed by the apple. "Take a bite out of life..."
"Wh-what?"
"It's something my sister used to say, sorry. It made me nostalgic for a second." I released a tired sigh, I tend to focus myself on the past too much, "I hope it gives you the strength, to become the kind of person you want to be, I'm looking forward to it, Maotelus!
He was surprised for a second before returning the smile, "Thank you, Velvet! And please, keep calling me Laphicet, or Phi. Those are my real names!"
I was so moved by what he said, so I unconsciously kneeled and hugged him against my torso. I was so happy, of meeting someone like him, and I will not let anyone stole his future and dreams.
...
"Good grief... did Velvet's recklessness rubbed off on you?"
I heard Magilou saying, as I recovered my conciousness.
"Is that really him? But... how? He had... her malevolence under control..."
Eleanor's voice, and it was closer. I felt my body laying over a hard structure, and my head on something soft.
"That's his Empyrean form, is also proof of his determination."
Eizen added, just what's they're talking about? My memory felt a bit fuzzy, as my eyes didn't wanted to open yet.
"Like an Oath?! You mean... they are now?
I finally opened my eyes slowly, meeting Eleanor's face under her chin, she was crouching near me looking her front, ¿I'm on her lap? I also noticed Rokurou a bit behind her. I released a slight yawn, just how long I was sleeping? What did I miss?
"Yes, do I frighten you now, Eleanor?"
An unknown voice, that somehow feels familiar said. Do we got a visitor? No wait, Eizen said Empyrean form, but don't empyreans already had that form? Uh, Innominat was using a seraphim one, so then who?
"Not at all, you matured into a fine man, Laphicet."
"PHI!" I shouted lifting my body up, now in a sit position, I looked around, noticing we were back in the empyrean throne almost at dawn; Everyone in my party was here, but Phi. They were looking at me surprised.
"Wow, look who finally decided to wake up!, Eleanor's lap is that comfortable? Did you planned to sleep forever?" Magilou teased with a grin.
"You really shouted a lot back there Velvet, I heard your voice clearly, you're definitely not a Daemon!" Rokurou added laughing.
"You underestimated Laphicet, but he also didn't told you nothing, didn't he? How stubborn you both are." Eizen was a bit angry for some reason, but he just shrugged it off.
"Are you... alright?" Noticing Eleanor close to my side I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes I am, just a bit lost..." I stood on my feet, with my bandage hand over my forehead, feeling a headache, "What happened, after... Phi sealed Innominat?"
"Well... the empyreans told us they respected your decision to save the world, and that they will fulfill yours and Laphicet's desires for a better future, in fact..." Eleanor looked behind me, "they already talked with him about it days ago..."
Confused at her smile, I turned around, opening my eyes wide as I found the origin of that voice. A giant white dragon was towering above us, looking directly to the five of us, especially me.
I trembled, not by fear. That voice was somehow familiar, and slightly remembering their conversation, It took me a second to realize who he was. You... are?
"I'm glad you're alright, and alive... Velvet!" Phi said animated, he couldn't make expressions anymore. So I guided myself by his voice tone.
"Phi... did my malevolence..--?"
He interrupted me, "It has nothing to do with it, my silver flame vanished the most of it, even if a little portion got into me, It wouldn't be enough to transform me into a dragon." Phi clarifies, nodding his head.
That relieved me, but I wasn't totally convinced, "Then why...?"
"It's the form the empyreans gave me as soon I got the authority, Innominat is inside of me getting the malevolence I generate as soon I became like this, you don't need to worry about it."
"So you become the new Empyrean..."
"Yes! I'm going to protect this world from the malevolence from here on, and shape it in the way we dreamed of!" He explained determined, I could imagine him in his malak form raising a hand skyward.
"Oh, so that pulse you sent moments ago was your Silver flame?" Magilou asked.
"So that means all the daemons are gone?" Eleanor was hopeful.
I don't think so... I suddenly transformed my left hand, taking her by surprise.
"Huh? I thought it went back to normal..." i couldn't see her face, but I guessed by her voice she was a bit sorry.
"Not all the daemons vanished, I'm still one." Rokurou advised, getting everyone attention, though I was still focusing my eyes on Phi.
"But how?"
"I can guess the Silver Flame is capable of purifying malevolence from harmless emotions that force humans to transform. But It cannot change someone's heart."
"You're right, you're totally messed up..." Magilou sighed.
"Pretty much!," he proceeded to laugh.
"I can respect that decision. But then, why Velvet is still a therion?" Eizen asked, as everyone was looking at me.
I kept myself silent, lowering my gaze.
"Velvet can't turn back..." Phi's voice became harsher, "I'm not strong enough to purify her soul...
It's not your fault...
"So Velvet turned complete into a Daemon..."
"I disagree Eizen, Velvet is Velvet, nothing else!"
"I'm with Rokurou, Velvet still has her emotions unlike him, since I met her I totally wasn't convinced she was a daemon aside her devouring power. I would say is more like she doesn't feel like becoming a human anymore," Magilou explained.
"It's true..." I raised my therion arm moving my fingers, closing my right one into a fist, "It's too late, I don't deserve going back... my emotions are just, too out of control..."
"That's..." Eleanor didn't finished her sentence, not finding what to say.
"Despite that, you're still human at heart, Velvet," I raised my face to Laphicet again, with my mouth half open, "you started everything for selfish reasons, but that ended with you saving the world, never forget that."
"Human at heart...?" Lowering my head, I hide my eyes behind my bangs. The pressure in my head grew stronger, as memories of every disaster I caused on my journey appeared on my mind. That's impossible... "Why... why did you did this..." I said as my voice become colder. Feeling my eyes heavy, and burning emotions inside my chest.
"I told you, I wanted you to live. So I did everything to make it possible. They offered me to be the Empyrean in exchange of use their power and help.
"BUT WHY SACRIFICE YOUR FREEDOM?!" I finally let it out, the single thought that bothered me since our gazes met a moment ago, "I wanted you to live your life, breathing, eating, playing, anything you told me you dream of since you got your own conciousness!" I scowled him as the malevolence inside me was showing up, slowly walking toward him, mysti eyed, "You told me about it every night... you wanted to keep traveling the world, why you chose this duty to save me? I'M NOT WORTH THAT, I'M WORTH NOTHING!" I finished looking up at him, my eyes were trembling, as my tears came out again, my face was a mixture of anger and guilt.
I wanted to make things right for him...
I wanted to open out a future for him...
Why he threw all of that away for a miserable girl like me..?
He looked at me in silence, it was still hard to tell his expression. But already knowing him, I knew he was on his thoughts, then finally spoke.
"I did it for myself, Velvet." I gasped, "I wanted to help the world, do everything I can to let a hand to anyone infected by malevolence, and make a bright future for them. I don't want... no one else to suffer like you..."
"I brought the world into chaos, I took away those therions and transformed others in daemons! I eat humans, I eat malaks! Why you saved me?" I put my hands over my face, feeling them tremble. I wanted to dissapear, to end my life, the world would not recover with me around, "If you are a new protector, you should let me d--"
"And as well, I wished to save you Velvet. Above everything I wanted, that's what motivated me to become an empyrean, dealing with Innominat myself. You deserve a second chance."
"Why you want to save a failure of human being like me?" I let my arms fall, hanging. I started to sob again. "I resent, devour, kill, hate...why Phi, I wanted you to be in a safe world, a world without me...
"If a world without you If what was needed, I rather let it be destroyed!" He said serious, making me frown my eyebrows more. He said something like that back in Meirchio, his words gave me hope back then, but reality was totally different.
I'm a therion, a daemon that wants to consume anyone. With a terrible heart full of pain and betrayal, since three years ago, I only wanted to destroy and eat, kill Artorius. And since Phi saved me in the earthpulse I concluded someone miserable as me will never have a normal life...
"Someone like me doesn't deserve to be happy, I committed too many sins, ruined so many life... I... I..."
"And you thought sealing Innominat would bring you peace?
"Yes..."
I heard him exhale, "Velvet, you're devouring power is as powerful as Innominat, that's true. But you're energy, you're body, are not like him..." I kept silent, "not matter how long you endure, soon or later, your body would end out devoured by him... He would be free, again.
"It's possible... but still...
"I would absolutely don't let that!"
I lowered my gaze again, noticing my tears falling over the floor, my boots, and my chest. A long time ago, this same dragon was a little kid without free will, that somehow succeeded in obtain his wish to be alive, his mere company, his words, his determination, were everything that recovered back my hope, and my resolve to complete my revenge...
Now he was saying that it was ok for me to get a second chance, not be the lord of calamity anymore. Keep living acknowledging my sins, moving forward to my uncertain future.
"How... how I can live, I'm nothing... I'm just a cruel human being... I'm dangerous, malaks can't come near me, humans are scare of me. I have nowhere to go..."
"Velvet, stop making senseless excuses and look at my eye..."
I raised my head again, his face was too close to me, with his green eyes a few meters up, I could see my reflection clearly...
My face was a mess, with my tears marked over my cheeks, red eyes, a trembling mouth, sobbing nose, and my hair was a bit even more disorganized.
"Me..."
"When I look at you, I don't see the Lord of calamity everyone resents and fear... I see a broken girl who wants to keep loving everyone important in her life, whose love is so big and beautiful that makes you wonder if you really deserve it. Her tenderness invite you to be at her side, even if she reach to be harsh and scary most of time. You can tell she just afraid, afraid of be loved and cared, of losing these important bonds that meants the entire world to her, she cares more for her friends and family more than her own happiness. For me, Velvet Crowe is a beautiful person, with a strong heart full of pain and suffering." He approached the top of his nose to me, closing his eyes like simulating a smile, "and she deserves to keep living, experience her life, and find a place to put her whole love to this world!"
My entire being couldn't contain it, as I broke in another loud cry again, feeling Phi laying my torso over his head, with my feet still on the floor.
"You embraced Kamoana when she needed a mother, you defended Eleanor of being suspicious, you prioritized get back those visitors to their world, over the possibility of change your past. You're always attentive to all of us, cook for us. Even if you're harsh, you're always supportive!" he giggled, "and of course, you helped a lost malak to find a place to call home... you're that place to me, Velvet."
"I really want..." my voice was calm, but it was difficult to talk, "I really want to be with you, to keep cooking... for everyone, traveling, taking care of someone... all of it... but I... I..." I felt the corruption of my malevolence again, with my bandage arm over Phi's temple, shaking along my entire body. My heart hurts, so I keep letting it out with my whine.
I was angry, not at Phi. But at myself for being this selfish woman who brought chaos to the world, and as well still was so caring to Phi, and motherly to others at some extent.
Why I am like this? Why I'm not complete evil? Why I'm not a mindless monster who just wants to devour the world? It would be easier to just die in that case...
Why I'm so important to Phi? Why I saved the horrible world that stole my happiness from me...
My heart is ugly, and full of contradictions...
"And that's a sign, that you are alive!"
Both Celica and Phi voice sounded in my head, as I noticed my right hand holding something. The Fortune apple, with a bite on it, his bite...
"I'm sorry I couldn't let you rest in peace, but I didn't wanted to let you give up your life for my sake... or left this world with regrets; Instead, I want you to experience to be alive, you can choose your path now...
"Are you sure... someone like me, can be alive... be happy?"
"You taught me to be alive, I am Laphicet thanks to you" he sounded so content, almost melting my heart in my burts of emotions.
As my tears keep coming down, I bited the apple as well, biting it slowly inside my mouth. Still no taste... but I felt, I felt Phi's warmth, his love and support. What I thought I would never felt anymore.
"I guess you're finally convinced." I heard Eleanor behind me. I looked over my shoulder, finding the rest of my team smiling at me, nodding.
"I will... try..." I hugged Phi again, as I let myself be overwhelmed in his support one more time.
I had a long journey full of agony and despair, almost losing myself in my hunger for vengeance, devouring anything that opposed me, clawing everything that would stop me. And just at the journey ends, instead of my sacrifice, I was invited to keep living... putting aside my doubts, fears, and guilt for one time...
I decided to embrace this second chance.
~To be continued
Author notes:
Thank you for read this far! With this I conclude the prologue, basically wanting to retell some parts of the endgame.
I really love Velvet and Phi bond a lot, they care so much for each other and it's just pain how they were forced to be apart in lot of aspects. I wanted to portray how powerful it was so far, so I hope I did well.
I'm happy to finally reach this last scene that I started to imagine as soon I planned the fic, there's a lot more in future chapters but it will take awhile. This will be the last update this year(2021) I wrote almost non-stop, but was worth it!
Happy holidays!