Synopsis: AU. And to you, I give my all.
Author's Notes: Random. Dark. Cliche. OOC. Slavery. Weak Juvia because I want one and I missed damsels in distress.
Cover Art from DeviantArt by ZenithOmocha.
I got into Greek Mythology during the typhoon chaos. Have it all thought through but idk when I'll finish it. Again, not expecting anything from this one; just needed to get it out of my system.
Proceed with caution.
Standard disclaimers are applied.
Piece 2: Arethusa
"You can't do this."
"I wish I could; you know how weak I am when it comes to you."
"Then stop… Stop this right now."
"I'm sorry."
Soft, lifeless hazel orbs came with. Another, same old thought in her sleep.
Was it a dream?
A nightmare?
A premonition?
She grew tired of figuring it out. Gone were the days where she'd uncontrollably weep after waking up from such a vivid…reverie.
At 24, Juvia – the only thing she could remember about herself – grew tired of it.
Of having to see a stranger die and feel as if that person meant her whole life to her – or possibly even more.
Of having to open her eyes at the crack of dawn just so they could force them to close.
At night, it'd be the death of an unknown person; at day, it'd be hers.
Decades of living with the same dream whilst trying to survive every single day in hopes of no more additional scar be lashed in her body had finally took a toll on her.
She wondered which of the two wasn't real anymore.
She instinctively held onto her neck, expectant of the pain she'd grew accustomed to.
It's gone.
No.
She held onto it some more.
Pat. Pat.
None.
No.
What was this?
No.
Please.
Stop.
Don't.
Don't…give her hope.
Panicking, she rolled up the sleeves of the soft, white, gown she was wearing, forgetting to contemplate as to why she'd even be wearing such luxury.
She scanned her arms.
Her legs.
Her chest.
But there was none of it.
Her breaths were no different whenever her previous masters were done with her – ragged, rough, jagged –
Broken.
She tumbled off the big, soft bed, ignoring the pain she should still be feeling as she scurried in front of a massive mirror adorned with stones she never knew could rival the stars in a calm night.
Nothing.
"Oi, oi listen to me right now!"
A rumbling voice reached her ears, for a split second she forgot her dilemma. To think it'd be quickly replaced with a new one. The owner sounded angry – to which, in Juvia's mind, meant she'd be at the receiving end of their frustration.
Trembling, she slowly stepped backwards, at a loss of what to do. Again, she was unfamiliar with the place – even the thought of escaping was in her mind no more as she just how futile and painful the consequence would be.
"I've said it before. I will compensate. Isn't that enough?"
"Compensate?! You think this's about you turning that damn place into one big popsicle?!"
The argument was heating up quickly. Juvia, without realizing it, kept moving backwards and ended up stumbling on her feet as the voices grew closer and their spats grew fiercer – thus, a yelp escaped her lips. "Hee–"
"…"
"…"
She'd done it.
But what should she expect?
This had always been her life.
To open her eyes just so they could close them.
With hands clamped on her mouth, feet that kept pushing her back against the wall, and a heart that still beat wildly despite the constant torment, Juvia braced herself for another day.
Another da–
BANG.
"AH~ YOU'RE AWAKE! FINALY~!" the booming voice, albeit already loud before, amplified even more as he slammed the doors of the chamber along with his sunny greeting.
Juvia missed the sudden shift of tone and continued to back herself in a corner of the room, eyes filled with nothing but pure horror.
"D'YA KNOW THAT GRA –"
BANG.
Gasp.
Juvia found herself screaming as she heard another loud thud, scrunching her eyes shut, shielding her head with her trembling arms protectively.
"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT YOU D–"
No.
"Out."
Stop.
"WHA –"
Please.
"Out."
Stop. Please.
"BUT SHE JUST WOKE UP. I WANT TO CHECK UP ON HER TOO–"
I beg you.
"OUT. NOW."
…
"IS THAT YOUR WAY OF TALKING TO YOUR KI –"
NO.
"GET THE FUCK OUT RIGHT NOW, NATSU."
Indeed, with their auras fuming wild, there was – in no way – anyone would stay within the confines of such a small chamber.
But neither of them yielded.
And yet there was one that dared escape the room.
"Shit."
She always thought it was impossible.
That she wouldn't run away anymore.
That she would endure everything and stay obedient.
But who would so at such a place? Juvia thought she already knew hell. But who knew her nth masters would be the very incarnate of it?
The first, Juvia thought, was surely the son of flames.
While the other, would probably even make darkness tremble.
She was going to die.
She was going to die.
No.
No more.
No–
Juvia never knew she could run as fast as she did that day. She randomly turned at every corner of the dark premise she could find until she finally saw a ray of light.
Can she really do this?
Was she finally going to be free?
She unconsciously reached a hand out towards the light.
Just a little more and she'd be out.
Just a little more and she'd be
Just a little more and…
Just a little –
"Sleep."
…
No promises. Reviews are much appreciated still. Keep safe.
-nakneknik