The Choice is Mine Chapter 8
Disclaimer: I do not own the Kuroshitsuji characters, however, Briar is all mine.
From the screams that rang throughout the night, a person would think that the building was haunted. Nothing life threatening happened, although I might have gone a bit too far. The cop that I targeted will need counseling after what I put him through. It's hard to be sorry for a dick.
As I pulled up my trousers, I think about what today was supposed to be. The third day was always reserved for Heavens advisor. I haven't heard not a peep from them. It's like they forgot about me all together. "Oh well." I think to myself. "It's their lost any way." Fastening the last button on my top I make my way to the kitchen to start breakfast.
"Just have to get through this meal" I recite. I was at the point where I had to take things one meal period at a time. Whole days seemed too taunting to deal with.
Breakfast, the easiest meal of the day went by quickly. As I washed the dishes and as the bubbles piled up in the kitchen sink my mind wandered. So many events happened yesterday. It felt like weeks were compiled into just one day. Turning into a demon, enacting revenge, and my discussion with Ciel. It all seemed surreal, like a dream. The more I thought about the events, the more I felt the guilt squeezing my chest. Now was a hell of a time for my conscious to act up. Waiting till after the act to make me feel guilty. Maybe I'm so far down the rabbit hole that I blocked my ears to anything that would try to stop me. Thought in mind, I continued to wash dish after dirty dish. I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the door open. The smell of Black Opium didn't register in my mind and the soft light footsteps were left unheard by my ears.
"Someone is deep in thought."
I almost dropped the dish back into the sink. Grell, who was usually loud in his grand entrances had managed to sneak into the kitchen without me noticing. I really was too deep in thought.
"I guess so." I said. Quickly finishing the dishes as Grell wiped down the grill top and counters with a rag.
"Thank you Grell."
"Oh, don't mention it Sweet Cake. Can't have William thinking that I'm responsible though. He might give me more task." With a wink he quickly rung out the towel.
I had to laugh at that. I could relate so deeply with what he had just said. It's strange. I suppose that burdening the hard workers with excessive workloads transcends all careers. Even the ones after death.
"Now, let's get to the real issue. What's wrong?"
"Why does there always have to be an issue Grell? I could just be thinking about what I want to eat for breakfast."
"Lies. I saw a whole new gray hair pop out of your head while I watched you over process whatever dilemma you are in now."
"Another gray hair?" I thought to myself. Will any of my strands be their original color by the time I am finished with all this mess.
I looked up to see Grell who was now staring a hole into me. I wasn't winning this battle so I gave in.
"I was talking to Sebastian about the types of demons in hell." Just a-little fib. "He brought up one that I thought was just a myth. Do you know anything about the Succubus and her male counter-"
Grell quickly rushed over to me. He had completely covered my mouth with his hand as he frantically looked about the room.
"Foolish girl." He hissed as he pulled out his chainsaw. Seconds passed before he released me and withdrew his weapon.
"How irresponsible can he be?" Pissed, Grell went to the kitchen and locked the door.
"Grell?"
"Hold on."
We stood there for a few more minutes and then Grell finally spoke.
"Don't ever mention that species name again. You might summon one by accident. They are dangerous. Especially the men."
Grell looked around some more before his eyes landed on me. I suppose that he could sense that I wouldn't give the topic a rest, so he sighed.
"You really do have a death wish. Fine, but I refuse to tell you everything. You'll have nightmares for weeks if I go in-dept. All you need to know Missy is that the males are possessive over their female targets. That has dire consequences on the females and any unfortunate person that is their lover at the time. They are bad so stay away and for Christ sake! If you see one let me know. We don't need you getting killed off by one of those things. Besides…" He said with a smirk as he picked up a wicker basket. "Only I can kill you."
"Ha ha ha. Very funny." I said as I rolled my eyes. That would defeat his goal of turning me into a Grim Reaper.
"Enough deep topics for now. Let's eat! I brought a lovely breakfast. On today's menu we have croissants, turkey bacon, scrambled eggs and that new coffee I was telling you about. You know, the one with the caramel swirls."
"Oh, that does look good. Did you make all this yourself?"
"Of-course I did!" He exclaimed as he proudly pounded his chest.
"Good job Grell. I almost didn't think you had it in you. Well, we shouldn't let it get cold. I'll grab some plates."
Me and Grell made our way to my private room. Once there, Grell placed the different plates on the desk while I pulled a lazy boy chair up to our makeshift breakfast table. Once we were both seated, we started to eat. Halfway through the meal we got an unexpected visitor. We knew he had arrived when our table was covered in black feathers and the small shadows wavered.
"Ah! Sebby! I knew you came to see-"
As usual, Sebastian had effortlessly maneuvered past Grell.
"I didn't come here for you. Good morning Briar." He said as he made a bow. Grell could be seen in the background giving me the stank eye. I shrugged. I can't make him like Grell. Not even Cupid could do that.
"Good Morning Sebastian. What brings you here today?" He usually has errands to run for Ciel when Hells day passes. Making him absent until the next Hell day.
"I won't be long. I just came to give you something from the young master. He wanted you to have it."
I peered into Sebastian's outstretched hand. In the middle of his palm was a silver ring with what looked like a sapphire in the middle of it. I took the jewelry out of his hand. Grell, who was tired of sulking had sat back down.
"I know he didn't send you this cursed ring. Is that how you all court women?" He said with disgust.
"It was a gift that was given to the master. Whether it is cursed or not will depend on its wearers superstitions."
As Sebastian and Grell talked in the background I could feel something. It was slow when it first started. I almost didn't notice it. A slow throbbing, pulsing through the ring. Next the temperature increased, it was hot but not hot enough to burn me.
"Uhm, is that blood?" Asked Grell. "Why is there blood?"
On a closer inspection I could see little ruby drops in the crevices that held the jewel. They were dam near impossible to see to the naked eye but they were there. I quickly placed the ring in a napkin. Briskly, I walked to the bathroom, scrubbed my hands and walked back to the room. Grell and Sebastian were right where I had left them.
"Sebastian, where did you find the ring?" I asked.
"My lady. I already told you that Ciel gave it to me. It's a very important article. It can detect what is happening and replicates it. Well, I must be leaving now."
Just like that Sebastian was gone leaving Grell screaming at thin air.
I clung to the words Sebastian had said. It detects what is happening. The ring is unusually hot and now that I think about it. The beads of blood seemed to be coming out of the jewel. What if the ring was connected to Ciel in some way? It could be replicating what was happening to Ciel right now. Instantly my mind was bombarded with every topic we discussed. Ciel was honest about everything. What if he said to much?
"Oh no." I say as a cold sweat started at my roots, chilling my whole body as it made its way down.
"What is it?"
"Somethings wrong Grell."
"Wait. Just calm down."
"I need to find him. I need to make sure he wasn't put in danger because of me."
"Briar. Do you hear what you are saying? Who could possibly be in danger?"
"Ciel! Why else is there a ring bleeding on my nightstand!?"
"It's just a ring. A crappy token of his appreciation."
Though Grell tried to convince me otherwise, I could not shake the feeling that he was in danger. Ciel has been honest about his past and he told me what hell had planned. Or at-least, he speculated what hell would use me for. He showed me his full hand while everyone else has been keeping an ace up their sleeves. I must save him.
"I'm going."
"Where are you going? Briar! I said"
"Grell I need you to keep an eye on the kitchen for me."
There was a release as the demon form shrugged back into place. In the background I could hear Grells gasp.
"You-You became a demon!"
"Yes. It happened yesterday."
I looked at my ruffled skirt and apron and my ink dyed hands. This is who I am and I hoped it would be enough.
"You aren't seriously going down there!?"
"I am. If I'm as powerful as everyone claims I am then I should be fine."
Before Grell could protest any further I leaped into the air.
In the background I could hear Grell throwing a fit.
"Fine then! Go save boyfriend number two!"
"He isn't." I think to myself.
Once I am in the sky, I desperately try to clear everything from my mind. I had to concentrate to get the rabbits to take me where I needed to go. On the wind that had now decided to pick up I breathed his name.
"Ciel. Find Ciel."
The light blue glowing rabbits appeared all around, circling me. They sniffed the air and then in unison they all took a nosedive. I followed them as the earth opened for us.
We passed unclaimed bones that lay dormant in the earth. Fossils of a time from long ago. Minerals and dirt surrounded us but none was able to touch my body. Further and further down the expanding hole. I thought that hell was located in the middle of the earth, where the heat of the core resided but I was wrong. What once was dark became illuminated by a bright light. It seemed like a portal of some sort pulling the souls destined for it through its blazing glory. The rabbits didn't hesitate and although screaming souls were being sucked into its vortex, I followed, unnerved by my surroundings. Once through the light it seemed that the world had been turned upside down, with the sky being where the land should be. Once I was right sided, I could see the lake of fire and the souls that were being burned in it. Sulfur and screams of agony filled the air. The most hideous of beast surrounded the fire and the land. In many areas, you could see the torment taking place. How the demons delighted in destroying their victims only to piece them back together again to repeat the process. I went through this world and to be honest, I felt nothing for the souls trapped down here. They were not my priority. Ciel was somewhere and I needed to find him. The rabbits, being the only light in hell, had led me through the streets. The demons hissed and backed away as they came through. After many turns down crooked wide roads I was led to a slab of rock. Ciels' body hung from a chain connected to it. With his arms stretched above his head and his feet bound. Cuts ran deep in his sides and different stages of bruises covered his body.
"Ciel. Awake."
His eyes flew open as he gasped for air. Using the prints to keep me in the air, I released him from the binds that kept him. His body fell into my arms.
"I didn't think you would figure it out." He said. "I misjudged you."
"You and the rest of the world. We are leaving."
"Where do you think you are going! We aren't done with him yet." Said a woman.
To my left was an ugly ogre with eyes that covered his entire face. Behind his back was a club with nails sticking out in all directions. His eyes were trained on Ciel.
"I'm afraid that you will have to find another target." I say.
The ogre launched himself forward, but my rabbits created a barrier of light that kept him away. With Ciel in hand I turned to leave.
"Can't I catch a break." I say to myself. A woman was blocking my path. She was white with blonde hair. If I wasn't in hell I would have sworn that she looked like a pin up.
"Out of the way. I don't want this stank smell in my hair." Wash days are already annoying. Don't really need to add anything else.
"Hello my child." She said with a smile.
"I am not your child."
"Course you are. I am the mother of all Succubus."
"Well if that's the case. Mother dearest, get the fuck out of my way."
"My my. What a temper you have. Why the hurry? Come stay and have some tea with me."
"I don't like tea, now move it." I said through gritted teeth.
I could feel the eyes. A large crowd of demons surrounded us on all sides. My poor rabbits were blocking the way as best as they could, but the ogre was taking them out with each swing of its club.
"I'm afraid I can't do that."
Before I could blink, her hand had snaked around my neck. Her body became a serpent and she hissed her disapproval to me.
"Sssssssseeeeee, I can't let you go. That boy mussssst ssssstay here."
Ciels' body was caught by the remaining rabbits that I had left.
"What do I do?" I think as my windpipe is crushed. "I'm supposed to be this powerful being that everyone wants. I can't even fight my way back out of hell. What would happen to me and Ciel?"
The woman had wrapped her snake end around Ciel and was squeezing him tightly. He gasped for air as his body became more and more constricted.
"Ci-el."
"This boy, he isn't going anywhere. He needs to learn his lesson."
"Stop."
"He spoke too much."
"Stop this."
"He will learn. What a pity. I'll have to scar this beautiful face."
I was in trouble. My rabbits were few in number, Ciel was being crushed and I was immobilized by her hand. I was as low as low could be, but in that low moment a spark lit in me. Similar to the cursed lullaby but different. Its purpose was different. I didn't know the words, but my voice hummed to the rhythm like it was sung to me all my life. A light resided deep in the pits of my now dark soul. I hummed it and then the words became unleased.
"Please don't let it die.
I don't want to be in the night.
And for all my days.
I am proud to say.
That I will, al-ways love you.
I want to shine, brighter than the moon.
Brighter than the sun.
Oh, I want to be in the light.
And for all my days.
I am glad to say.
That I will, al-ways love you.
The demons shrieked back as if burned. The woman simultaneously released me and Ciel from her grasp. I fell to the floor but thankfully, a lone rabbit had caught me. I crawled over to Ciel who was now trying to catch his breath.
"You bitch!" She shrieked. "You are going to pay for that!"
"That's enough Lilith." A deep baritone voice boomed as if it came from the distance.
"My Lord." Lilith said as she bowed. The rest of the demons did the same.
Approaching us was the most beautiful man I have ever seen. Everything about him screamed "I am man, hear me roar." He was taller than any human, and he had dark curly hair that looked like a sexy bed head mess. His eyes were steel gray and he had a strong jaw line. Behind him were black wings that were folded into themselves.
"That was quite a spectacle. You managed to cripple my demons dear. Such a fiery one you are."
He looked around, examining all the scorch marks that were left on his demons. I didn't need an introduction to know who he is.
"I see how powerful you are, and you did all this for Ciel. How charming. Tell you what. In front of this multitude I release Ciel from our bondage. You can take him. Think of it as my way of saying thank you. I wanted to see how powerful you are. Who would have thought that you would come to my domain to show me." He bowed, smiling while looking straight into my eyes.
"Have a safe journey little rabbit. I hope to meet you again."
As I got up with Ciel leaning on me I whispered to his ear.
"What just happened?"
"Who gives a fuck. Let's get out of here before he changes his mind. I would like to keep this beautiful face intact if you don't mind."
"Right. Thank you." I said to him. I really didn't know what behavior was appropriate here, so I did an awkward bow back. To that he nodded his head. Still smiling like a child who just got the present that he wanted on Christmas.
"Let's go home. Rabbits. Take us home."
Once again, the light blue rabbits swarmed around us and we swiftly left that dimension. We all breathed a heavy sigh of relief knowing that the ordeal was over. At-least, for now.