"Within the Shadows of Hell"
By: Nyago
:Ciel POV:
My head, why does it hurt so much? Why does my body feel so light? Could I be...dead? No, It doesn't feel like I have died. Then again what am I to judge over something I never experience in my life? I spoke too scientific; maybe I should learn to have some faith. After all there was a home that needed me as much as I needed them. The Resistance. Zero. And even Neo arcadia.
'What's with the sudden positive change?' My mind spoke, I shook my head and look around. It was all so dark. 'Because even if I must be the only person that still believes there is hope, then I will by all means stand with it.' I replied.
'So then, you are saying even though there are people out there might hurt you, you will still stand and believe there is hope?' Another question.
'Yes, there will always be good and bad in the world...that's just how it is.' I knew this, and even my own mind knew of this. Why would I question myself when I knew the answer all along?
'You are truly pathetic, but I guess that's what makes you...you.' I felt a smile cross my lips, I knew all along that I must try to rely on myself rather than going after my friends. Sure is nice to ask for help once in a while, but there are something's that I could still solve by myself. Making me realize this, awaken a whole new part of me.
As I continue to look around I began to notice I wasn't alone. There were shadows...many of them surrounded me. Was I going to fight? I don't know...Maybe this is just a dream my mind created to scare me. Either way I didn't take my chance, I ran, ran as fast as I could away from them. Only to notice they were more and more. "Someone help me!" I yelled. Holding my arms around my ears, trying to block out the noise that was coming from the shadows.
What a horrible sound...almost as if death wanted to torture me...Making an attempt to shield myself, my eyes quickly open to a different sound. I look around, noticing the shadows were disappearing little by little. "What..?" I said to himself out loud, soon it began to glow. Showing a figure of a long hair man that stood there. "Zero?" I asked. Before I knew it, he was gone and I was falling...falling again and again. Until I couldn't see anymore.
Zero sat quietly at the seat next to Ciel bed, along with Alouette and few members of the resistance. The doctors had told Zero, Ciel had passed out a couple of days ago because of the lack of blood running through her body. Thankfully there was enough blood of Ciel type to replace the missing blood. It was only a matter of time before Ciel awoke from her sleep.
Slowly and blurry Ciel did open her eyes, she tried to focus her eyes in the roof that was in front of her. It was white...that much she could tell. She recalls her dream as a long haired light came to her and saved her. "Ciel!" Alouette screamed, grading a hold of Ciel hand and jumping in excitement.
"Where...am I?" Ciel asked, she began to notice she wasn't alone in the room. There were many resistance members as well as nurse in the room. There were cable and wires of many different types attached to a machine that had one hook into Ciel arm. She must had though it was her food. "Don't you remember?" Alouette asked curiously.
"No..." it was a simple and yet soft reply.
Where to begin was everyone question in their minds. So they decide to take it easy and slowly, first telling her about the attacks, what she did, what the others did, and even what Neo arcadia did to finish the war. So many new things...so many things left out. "I know this is rather sudden but right now you should focus on getting better, you won't be out of the hospital for a while now. So rest." That voice, Ciel knew that voice. "X..." She said, as she saw his cyber form float around the room. "Everyone let Ciel rest for a bit..." He asked.
Within minutes everyone was out of the room, expect for Alouette and Zero. "Will you be better later?" She asked, holding Ciel hand.
"Yes..." She tightens her hand around her small one. Alouette smiled and let her go, happily jumping out of the room. She cried to sleep that night of the incident thinking how Ciel was, and when Zero arrive at the base to rest for a few hours, she pleaded him to let her go with him. Since then she stood next to Ciel, along with Zero since then.
"Zero..."Ciel whisper as she notice he has yet to leave the room, he just sat there, arms crossed and his eyes were closed. The only simple reply that came from him was "Hmm..?"
"I am sorry for all the trouble this has caused." She began, "I don't remember about earlier either..."
"Don't worry about it, beside the doctor said you were half consciously at that time. It was only natural for you not to remember it."
"But even about earlier..."
"Doesn't matter either way, just shock you, happens to all" He just replied so...seriously.
Ciel sighed, no matter how she looked at it, or no matter how Zero describe it she still felt guilty what happen. If she hasn't gotten involve into stopping them from attacking them, she wouldn't get hurt and if not worst, could have died from it. Zero and the others wouldn't have been so worry about her either, and the war would have been over sooner if Zero had gotten involve. It was all her fault..."Zero..." She said again.
"Hmm?"
"What did Neo arcadia do to solve the problem?" She had to ask. She had been out for days now, who knows what method of cruelty Neo arcadia did to those reploids and even humans.
"Believe it or not, Copy X got involve and solved it the nicest way possible" Wait did Zero just say Copy X? Her creation? Or someone else copy? "Don't worry, Copy X isn't corrupted rather more peace loving than before. Yes he still remembers you..." did Zero just read Ciel mind or was her brain playing tricks on her? It must be that oblivious to everyone, Ciel wanted to know, she needed to know.
"Thanks.." She replied, closing her eyes.
Zero sighed as he stared at Ciel in her bed; he wasn't going to tell her that most of those in the war had died, that they refused to give up and rather killed each other in the progress of trying to destroy Neo Arcadia. This would be too much for her to handle right now, especially since she just got up from her cold sleep. Shaking his head be stood up from his chair and walked towards her.
Ciel open her eyes to stare at his, the two remained silence for a minute before Zero spoke. "I should say I am sorry, I fail to protect you."
"Zero.." She smiled, how simple and pure her smile was. "That doesn't matter to me anymore..." She replied, lifting one of her arms to touch his cheek. It felt so hard to get near him. "I am ok, that's what counts. Even though I was a bit doubt full I am still here..." She smiled again.
Zero could only sigh once again, grabbing a hold of her cold hand that was currently located in his cheek. Not that he could feel it but rather support her hands. It looked like she was having a hard time just trying to maintain it steady. "You should get some sleep..."
"Reploids don't sleep..."
"But you are an exception" She replied quickly.
"How am I different?"
"You are Zero, that's enough reason to sleep."
"That's not a very good excuse..."
"Did I ever say it was?" Zero chuckled. He rather not argue, because it was a battle he was going to lose. Ciel giggled and smile at him once again, before dropping her hand back on the bed. "I am going to be bored to death now..." She replied.
"Why do you say that?"
"I hate hospital" a small laugh came from Zero, "What so funny?" she stared at him, curious to see why he found it so amusing.
"Who would had guessed, after all you are a doctor.." He spoke.
"Doesn't mean I like hospital beside I am a doctor for fixing reploids, not humans.."
"You have a strange way of saying things..."
"I guess..." Another smile.
As they both stare at each other again, Zero smiled and when to sit down again. "You are not going?" She asked.
"No not yet..." Answered. "Go to sleep" he said. Silence took over once again. "Zero?" One more question and finally sleep.
"Hmm?"
"Thanks for fighting my shadows..."
"Huh?"
"Good night" a grin crosses Ciel face. She knew that light wasn't just anyone, it was Zero. He was there in her dream, saving her like he promise. Maybe someday she will tell him, but for now she kept it to herself. Beside her mind was wrong, maybe it wasn't so bad after all, maybe there was something worth looking forward when she got out. A home, family and friends all waited for her. Maybe this time, she will fight, in her own way without getting hurt again...
The darkness that stood in her heart.
End
A/N: Crappy ending I know, but at least Ciel is alive. Also I didn't write the fighting scene because I dedicated it to Ciel only. And since she wasn't involved, there was no point in writing it. Anyway I hope you all enjoyed it!
