Brake my Heart Chapter 10: Some Times You Have to Say GoodBye
Ban shakely lifted his head and coughed, blood spewing out of his mouth as he did so. It splashed against the shattered wood and wooden floor, dribbling down his chin. He searched among the swirling smoke and only once he saw the outlines in the smoke did he realize it was his eyesight that was swirling.
As the smoke started to cleared he heard the voice of the double.
"..Watch what you say."
Then he distinctly heard the murmuring voices of Meliodas and the others asking if he was ok. As he pushed Meliodas away with his left arm he realized his hand was missing. He looked up again and made out King's form, he had wide eyes full of hurt and fear as he shook visibly. Ban's eyes quickly caught sight of his left hand gripping King's right bicep.
Then Ban saw him. It was mind melding looking at someone who looks like you staring down at you with such an intense malice that the air seems to vibrate with it. He watched as the man gently put his right hand on King's left shoulder. King flinched and looked up at Rye who smiled softly and nodded. His left hand came around to grab the dismembered hand that clutched King's arm.
As Rye pried the fingers from around King's arms he glared at Ban. Once the hand was free he quickly tossed it at Ban. The severed hand landed at Bans feet and rolled to a stop. Ban stared at it before he slowly looked up at the pair in the room. Ryes face was a mosaic of sharp lines and defined features as he looked at Ban. Then his mouth slowly opened.
"Apologize." He said his voice was clear and loud. Even Meliodas and the others outside the room could hear him as if he was speaking in their head and that caused them to shiver. His voice was so domineering that Ban flinched but still didnt move. Rye's eyes intensified as they bore straight into Ban's.
"Now." He spoke again and this time Ban could not refuse. He felt as if there was a force seeping into his muscles and bones moving his body for him as he shifted and moved, his feet coming under him as he crouched over his arms laying flat on the ground as he pressed his forehead to the ground.
"Forgive me and my words King. I was angry and let it get the best of me. I should have never said such things…As the are not true" he said, his voice shaking. He surprised himself when he spoke so respectfully and even Meliodas and the others looked at him in shock as he apologized.
"But King please tell me why you are leaving…" Ban started as he looked over and his eyes meet with Elaines. He quickly cleared his mind in hopes that she wouldn't read his thoughts as he quickly looked away and back to the ground.
"I-I already told you!" King said shakely as he stared at the back of Bans head as he knelt on the ground. "My people need their King!"
King was conflicted and confused. He never knew Rye was capable of such power. He had even told Meliodas that he was harmless! Was Rye capable of more power than this? Was he dangerous? And what about the way he got Ban to apologize? King shakely looked up at Rye, who only smiled warmly at him.
"Do not worry my King. I will never hurt you. Think of me simply as your loyal guard, here to protect and serve you." He said softly to King.
King sucked in a breath and looked away; it was like he could read his mind.
"I will end my life before I harm you, your Majesty." Rye said and took a step back bowing to King. "I will tell you my secrets one day, as well."
King looked back at him again and nodded his head. For whatever reason he trusted this man even if he was a symphony of red flags at the moment.
"Please… King don't leave.." Ban's voice came from in front of the pair conversing in the room. By this point Ban had already regenerated his hand and was now sitting up his head hung low and hands folded in his lap shaking. His mind was going crazy at the thoughts of King leaving his side. He bit into his lip, blood trickling down his chin to keep from uttering deep pleas of desperation.
Elaine watched the exchange with worry and as she read Ban's mind she became confused as to why he was so desperate to keep King here at the Tavern. She scrunched her eyebrows together and frowned slightly.
King quickly stepped towards the busted door frame and avoided looking at Ban. He thought about what he would say before he actually spoke and then once he knew he spoke.
"I haven't even forgiven you for what you said. Why would I stay? My people need their King." King said softly before he walked up to Meliodas. "Rye is getting my things from the room, can we go down stairs?"
Meliodas nodded and turned towards the stairwell. Everyone turned around and went back down as they didn't dare ask questions about the man who just blew a hole through the wall. As Meliodas and King walked back to the bar Meliodas slapped a hand on King's shoulder and brought him closer.
"You know when I asked you about him and you told me he was harmless, I didn't expect him to blow a hole through my wall. Do I need to be worried King?" Meliodas asked in a low voice as he looked King in the eyes. King shook his head vigorously as his eyes went wide.
"No! No! Think of him basically like a King's Royal Guard! He's here to protect me and my honor!" King said with a proud face and smiled at Meliodas. Meliodas studied him for a minute before he broke out into a large grin.
"Ok!" He said and patted King on the back. He handed King a bag of goodies and patted his back again. "You'll need these on your way!"
King nodded and carried the bag to the front door as he saw Rye stop to whisper something to Ban before he came down the stairs with a smug smile. Behind him on the stairs was Ban. Ban was gripping the railing so hard that his knuckles turned white and suddenly the rail cracked and splintered. His face was so dark that you could feel the frustration. As Rye walked over to King he nodded and opened the door and allowed King to go out first.
As everyone gathered at the doorway to say their goodbyes King began to feel nostalgia. Bam and his sister did not come see them off. He quickly said his goodbyes and walked away. He did not want to drag it out longer than it needed to be. Rye watched King as he floated next to him. He seemed to be sad.
"Will you be alright?" Rye asked softly. King stopped and looked back. They were a distance away by now and the Boar Hat looked small.
"Yes… Sometimes you have to say Goodbye.." King said softly as he stared at the Boar Hat from the hill.
