Author's Note: It felt right to come back to Feliciano again. This time, I brought in Luciano. This happened because of the Hetalia part of the Halloween special. (The first part is finished and I am about wrap up the second part of the special.) Then I decided to go back to Qi and Noelle. I figured that it was time to drop a little bit of the plot into the story. I can't wait to get more into her family history and her curse. I already had next week planned out in my head. For now, enjoy this week's match.
Match Sixteen: Uncertain:
-Luciano-
I don't think I'm really needed here. The other guy seems a bit… off. I tilted my head as I watched him around Venice.
"Is he feeling okay?" I asked. "This is the same guy, right?"
"Why yes," that Red Witch said.
"Then why is he acting me like?" I asked. She rested her chin on my shoulder.
"He sold his soul for love," she purred. I whipped my head around.
"Are you serious?" I asked.
"Why yes," she said. I let out low whistle.
"Wow," I said. "He really went through with it." Another thought crossed my mind.
"Wait… Where does that leave me?" I asked. "Will I still exist? Will I turn into what he used to be?" She chuckled and patted me on the head.
"You will still be you," she said. "You two will just exist together." I turned my head.
"Is something like even possible?" I asked.
"You will have to see," she said. And just like that, she was gone. That last thing she said stuck with me. I could live together with my soulless double? Such a thing is unheard of. But I would be lying if I said that I wasn't interested. Looks like it's time to pay Feliciano a little visit.
-Feliciano-
I know he's been following me. He thinks that I don't see him. Let him follow me. What is he up to?
I began my walk out at night. I waited, anticipated him following me tonight. In fact, I glanced over my shoulder. I know you are here.
"Nice night out!" I said aloud. I glanced around and smirked.
"Come on," I said. "Why don't you come out and show yourself? I want to talk to you." I heard footsteps walking up behind me. I turned my head. And sure enough, there he was. He had my face. His clothes looked darker than mine. His deep red eyes seemed to glow in the dark. Even the curl on the side of his head looked just like mine. He twirled a knife in his hand.
"Chao!" he said.
"Heh," I said. This should be interesting.
-Luciano-
There's nothing inside of him. I could see it in his eyes. That smile mirrored mine. I felt a chill down my spine. Is that what I really look like? I pushed that thought out of my head.
"Where are you going tonight?" I asked.
"Who's asking?" he asked.
"Well, me of course," I said.
"And you are?"
"Heh." I stuffed my knife into my belt.
"Allow me to introduce myself," I said. "My name is Luciano. Learn it well."
"Okay." He had nothing in his eyes. Was this going to work? Did he know what I was planning to do? Would he even be interested in my little offer?
"Do you know who I am?" he asked. I smirked and took out my knife.
"Why yes I do," I said. I held out my hand.
"Care to talk with me a little more private?" I asked. He raised his eyebrow.
"Why would I want to do that?" he asked. I stepped forward with a smirk.
"Oh, you are going to want to hear what I have to say," I said. "But first, let's go somewhere a little more private. Interested?" Feliciano shrugged and shook his head.
"Not like I have anything better to do," he said.
"Right," I said. I lowered my hand and walked over to his side. I put my arm around his shoulders and walked down the direction he was originally going. Maybe the Red Witch was right. I was going to see where this was going.
Qi stood in the bathroom of her hotel room. Her body broke out in a cold sweat. It's getting worse lately.
"I know," she whispered. "I know. I know." Qi gripped the edges of the counter. Her vision blurred as she stared in the mirror. The voices in her ear reminded her that time was running out. She gulped in a mouthful of air.
"I know," she whispered. "I'm doing the best that I could." The memories started to skip around in her head. Only, they weren't hers.
Darkness. They never got to see the light of day. That devil woman would walk come down the steps and light the candles. There had to be hundreds of them in that cage. She looked inside through the bars. They don't make a sound. They know not to. They wouldn't be heard anyway. They were buried deep underground. Her devilish eyes seemed to glowed as she leaned into the cage. They could see the large black key in her right hand. It was time to make the selection again. The key slid into the lock. With one click, the carnage will start again.
Qi rubbed under her right eye. She felt their pain every day. That's part of the curse of being a vessel in her bloodline. She could feel everything that they went through before their deaths.
"I am working on it, I promise," she murmured to herself in the dark. The burning in her body subsided. Qi was able to catch her breath. She stood up and wiped the sweat from her forehead and neck. They've gone quieter again. She turned and walked out of the bathroom.
Noelle sat on the bed. She kept her staff by her side. She too can see what is going on. The doll swore to stay by her mistress' side until the end. Right now, that looked like that wasn't going to be so easy. Noelle watched as Qi stood in the doorway. They didn't speak at first.
"I'm okay," Qi said. "We'll go back to them tomorrow." The corner of Noelle's mouth turned slightly upwards.
"Let's just get some sleep, okay?" the mistress said. Qi walked over to the bed and climbed. Noelle watched as she lay down next to her. She whispered something over her head as she closed her eyes.
"You need to hold on a bit longer. She is trying to do the best that she can. Hang in there."
There was came a pause. Noelle bowed her head.
"I understand." She wouldn't go to sleep until after midnight.