Chapter 8
Merry Christmas from us to you
We all safely came back from that weird place, and we meet behind the cave, but somehow I couldn't understand how we made it out. Everyone came back with a kid next to them, and they were surprise as I was. I look at all of my companions kid version of themselves, and the other me.
"It look like everyone made it out alive." I said.
"Wow, there's another me beside you Vergil, is she from that place." Maxine point out.
"Yeah, so does everyone here, but we must introduced our new guests. The girl holding my hand is Maxine, and she's from the past." I said.
"Wow, I didn't picture you as a father figure." Jude said.
"It was the arrogant of Maxine that we turn out like this, but most importantly, why is kid Romana on top of you?" I ask.
"Well…stuff happen, and-"
"Hey! You should be glad that I'm ride you." K. Romana said.
"Look how cute you all are!"
Romana was hugging every kid in her sight, and they were scared of her for good reason.
"Don't tell me you act like this, when you encounter my younger self." I said.
"Sadly, She did that, and called me cute." K. Vergil explain.
"Hey! They are all cute, so I didn't do anything bad, and besides they loved, right kid."
When she turn around to smile at them, they all reacted in fear from her, even my younger self was rather uncomfortable with her actions.
"Focus Romana, we must look for the next town, and find the next lord." I explain.
"Fine, let's find the town, and continue were we left off right Vergil."
"Left off?" I wonder.
"Not you, the other you." Romana said.
"Please, no more hug.." K. Vergil sigh.
"This conversation isn't going nowhere, let's just continue with-"
"Vergil! " Maxine said.
"What wrong?" I ask.
"There is a big tree very close to us, see."
Maxine point behind me, and I turn around to see a enormous Chrisman tree with decorations. It look like that tree isn't far from where we are standing, and we could arrive there in a matter of seconds.
"All right, let's check it out, and maybe we could ask for information." I said.
"Sweet! Maybe we can celebrate Christmas together, come on let's go!" Jude happily March forward with K. Romana.
We follow his lead through branches, and bushes, we hear water crashing down comings further inside, and we felt a bit colder as well. We finally arrive to that big tree to discover a town, and this town is behind a waterfall making branch out lakes, which they made a small platform to pass through the water. We could see boats swiftly riding along the current of the lake, and it was rather beautiful. Kuro went to check a sign near us, and with K Jude following him.
"Welcome to Cascade." Kuro read the sign.
"Cascade?" Romana ask.
"Maybe this is the town we are looking for." Maxine said.
"If so, then we need to find the Lord of this town." I said.
Suddenly, a monster appear from the entrance of Cascade, and smile at us after she noticed us. The girl look like a human dragon, and I could see small spike going down from her spines leading down to the tip of the tail. The tip of her tail has a spade at the end, and two horn coming out of her head tilted to point backward. Her hair was dark purple, reaching down to her elbow length, and her eye's color is bright blue. Her clothing consist of a graphic tee shirt, that I can't read because of her chain mail on top of it, and black sweat pants, strangely she's barefooted.
"The human are here!" The Dragon girl smile, and waving her tail.
"Who are you?" Jude ask.
"My name is Lyssyth, and I'm the 2nd lord." Lyssyth smile.
"Wow! A dragon." K. Maxine happily said.
"How did you know about our arrival?" I ask.
"Venus told me about you three, but she didn't mentioned about the other two." Lyssyth explain.
"We're new for this team." Kuro said.
"Yeah, we meet them in the path through here." Romana said.
I noticed Lyssyth looking at the children, and she sigh.
"Did you enter the cave of distant past?" Lyssyth said.
"Huh? How did you know that." Maxine ask.
"When you enter that cave, you will encounter your partner version of themselves, and you two are bind to each other until you leave from this town." Lyssyth explain.
"Simple, let's just leave from this town, and they can come back." K. Vergil suggested.
"Sorry, but it's so easy as I mentioned, you need to stay here for a while, before the effect kick in, and you all will return home."
"Of course, I need to return home to my parents." K. Kuro said with determination.
Kuro was angry, and sadness to hear K. Kuro response toward his parents.
"Okay! Let's have fun in there, and celebrate Christmas!" K Romana happy yelled out, and cause Jude to lose hearing for a few seconds.
"Okay! Let's go inside the town for now, and wait for the effects to start!" Jude yelled out.
"Moron! We, and all of the town's people can hear you." Romana yelled back.
"What!? What did you said!?" Jude answer.
"Ignoring those two, why are you here waiting for us." I ask.
"Hey! Don't ignore me too!" Romana pout.
"Two what!?" Jude ask loudly.
"Hehe, human are so funny." Lyssyth giggles.
"…" I stared at her.
"Oh, sorry…I came here to guide you human through the Christmas holiday in my town. Venus, and Hiro would of showing you around, but they decided to celebrate Christmas in their town, and they will come tomorrow." Lyssyth explain.
"Tomorrow huh…then, we'll wait for them in here." I said.
"Sweet, we can celebrate Christmas." Maxine smile.
K. Vergil, and K. Jude weren't so thrilled to celebrate Christmas, and they had sad written all over in their faces.
"Yeah…" K. Jude muttered.
"Now, follow me, and don't get lost through the crowd." Lyssyth said.
We follow Lyssyth through the town's street, and to see decorations as the eye can see. Christmas light hanging around people's homes, and kids playing around with their family.
Is this what Christmas is?..
As we walk further inside, we finally found the enormous tree, and this time, it was large than I could imaging. Under the enormous tree lies many present, varying with different sizes, and shape for the kids in town. I could see a monster dressing as Santa, and little kids lining up to see him. Our kid version of ourselves weren't interesting, but some were. Many monster stop to wave at us, and it seem this town accept human like Twilight Town. Right now, happiness, and joy was felt through the town, but one place was given a different vibe. A block off path leading to the forest, and many sign saying to stay away from here.
"Why is this path block off?" I ask.
"Oh…that path lead to Lonely Peak." Lyssyth sadly answer.
"Lonely peak? Why is it called like that?" Romana ask.
"I heard from the people that a little boy monster came to this peak to kill himself by jumping off from the peak, and into the dangerous water current below." Lyssyth explain.
"Why did he do it?" Kuro ask.
"Who know, I heard it was because he was lonely or he didn't receive a present from a loved one. Anyway, let no talk about that, and walk to my house quickly." Lyssyth laugh nervously, and keep up her pace.
After a couple of seconds of walking, we reach a mansion in the corner of the town, and it too was covered with decorations.
"Welcome to my home." Lyssyth said.
"How is a 2nd lord living in a mansion?" I ask.
"I'll explain that later, but for now, let's get inside to warm up."
Lyssyth show us the way inside, and we rest in her giant living room filled with I already seen in my home.
"Now, I can explain to you the best event in town." Lyssyth wave her tail happily.
"Event? Like giving present!" K. Romana said with excitement.
"I don't think that what she meant." K. Vergil said.
"Awww, I was really hoping for it." K. Maxine sadly said.
"It's all rights kids, they will be present tonight!" Lyssyth confirm this.
"Yay!" K. Romana, and K. Maxine happily cheered.
"The presents are the next room, so check them out." Lyssyth said.
"Come on, let's go!" K. Maxine grab K. Vergil hand to follow her.
"Wait, I don't want to-" He was too late to response.
"Yeah, you two are coming too!" K Romana grab K. Kuro, and K. Jude hand.
"Okay, let us go then." K. Kuro answer.
"How about if we don't go?" K. Jude said.
K. Romana pull them with force, regardless of their answer, and we were left alone with the 2nd lord. Lyssyth giggles, and smile at the kid's action, and Romana was the same.
"Now, for the real event of this town's Christmas, begin now." Lyssyth said.
"Real event? So, you told them a lie." Kuro said.
"Well, there's present so I didn't lie, but anyway, I want the girl to come to my side."
"Why?" Romana ask.
"The event or traditional begin with the girl giving a present to the boy they want to give, and people said that this tradition can fix someone dark past." Lyssyth explain.
Us tree became quiet to the last part of her statement, and we didn't give a quick reply to her.
Fix someone dark memory…it isn't possible..but I seen impossible with my very own two eyes.
"The boys must go to the room that I assigned, and wait for the girl to show up in your room. If they show up, then you're lucky, if I show up, then….I'm sorry." Lyssyth explain.
Right…there's only two girl available, and only two can be save.
We were show in to our room by Lyssyth, and I was alone in that room, waiting if a Maxine or Romana show up or not. I sat in the bed, and wait for this pointless event to be done with it, so we can focus on other important things.
I know I won't be chosen for this event, and I want this to be over all ready. This is so predictable, I can all ready see the result, Romana is going to pick Kuro, since they're new to the group. Maxine is likely to choose Jude, since they're good, and kind-hearted person.
As I closed my eye to think, and waiting for Lyssyth to come to my room, I hear a click on the door.
"Took you long enough." I muttered with my eyes closed.
"Sorry." I hear someone else voice.
I open my eyes to see Maxine in front of me with a present in her hand, and she was smiling at me.
How?...I couldn't foresee this…I'm confused…I don't understand this..
Maxine
"Now what?" I ask Lyssyth.
"We go to the gift room, and in there you will find the perfect gift to recover their broken heart." Lyssyth said.
Lyssyth gladly show us the gift room, and it was the next room where the kids were opening the presents. Lyssyth show us in, and the whole room was filled with a whole variety of things, like toys, candy, armor, and gifts.
"You'll be busy, so I'll wait outside for you two." Lyssyth smile.
Lyssyth closed the door behind us, and we were left alone inside this room.
"So, you know who you will pick?" Romana ask.
"Yeah, I need to have courage to deliver to him." I said.
"Wow, then I need to follow you, or else I'll be left behind." Romana said, before searching around.
I starts to look around in the pile of gifts, and nothing seem to be the ideal present for him. Suddenly, a see a light coming from beneath the toys, and I dig deeper to find what I was looking for. Somehow, I knew this present would really make him happy, and so I took it. I see Romana still searching around, and I went outside to wrap the present. Lyssyth gave me wrapping paper, and I quickly went to Vergil's room to give him his present.
Vergil
"Sorry for the wait, here's your present from me to you." Maxine smile.
I took a step back at what I'm seeing, and it caught me off guard. She follow after me, and handed me the present.
"This present should make you happy!" Maxine said with confidence.
"Make me…happy?" I muttered.
I look at the present, and I slowly open it to reveal a red key shaped heart.
"A key?" I ask, and she happily nodded.
This key look familiar...Wait! This was they key to my room. Maybe if I had this, I could of celebrated Christmas..
"It look like your present didn't do anything to me." I said.
"Oh really, then why are you smiling?" Maxine happily said.
I noticed that I was smiling, and I couldn't stop myself from smiling like a fool.
"hehehe, I can't believe a key made me happy," I smile.
"Merry Christmas Vergil!" Maxine smile back.
"Yeah, thank you Maxine." I answer.
Kuro
I was waiting for someone to show up at my room, and I was Impatience at this little game.
I don't think a simple present could help me, beside I never received a gift from anyone, since my parents died..
I need to stop thinking about my parents…why am I thinking like this right now..
I hear someone opening the door, and I see someone inside my room.
"You!" I said.
Jude
I was very excited to receive a present from one of the girl, and I was walking around excitedly.
I wonder what I would receive from them? A snake? That would make my day for sure!
I hear someone coming in, and I happily open the door for them.
"What are you doing here!?" I ask.
Romana
Damn it! I'm too slow to find the perfect present for him, and Maxine all ready find her..
I desperately try to find anything that seem to be the perfect present, and I see light coming at the top of the gift pile. I climb the tower of gift to find "it" standing at the top, and I know this was what I need it. I rush for the exit, and Lyssyth gave me the wrapping paper to quickly make the present perfect. I quickly rush to his room, and open it to find him surprise to see me, Kuro doesn't change much.
Kuro
I see Romana holding the present close to me, and I couldn't believe at what I'm seeing with my two eyes.
"Here you go! Merry Christmas!" Romana smile.
"Why?.." I muttered.
"Because I want to, now open it, so this present can heal your broke heart." Romana said with confidence.
Romana push the present toward me, and I grab it. I slowly open the present to see a iron plate armguard with a small shield.
"A piece of armor?" I ask.
"Yeah, this armor me suit your speed like fighting style, and maybe a little defense couldn't hurt." Romana explain.
"…"
Why am I happy to receive this little present from her…maybe it's because this is the first time I ever received a present from someone other then my parent…
"Here! Why don't you try it on." Romana said.
She grab the armor, and forcibly put it on my arm, it reach down to my hand perfectly. I move my arm around to check on it's mobility, and surprisingly it was the perfect armor for me.
"So, do you like the armor!?" Romana jump with excitement.
"…Yeah, it fit perfectly." I said.
"I knew you like it Kuro, now we can meet the other at the living room." Romana walk away.
"Romana." I said.
"Yeah?" She stop, and ask.
"Thank you for the present." I answer.
"No problem, now let's go." Romana smile.
Jude
I see Lyssyth at the door, and I knew what it mean.
"Sorry Jude, but everyone is all ready in the living room."
"Oh….okay." I muttered.
"Are you okay?" Lyssyth ask worrying.
"Huh?..oh, yeah I'm okay." I said.
"Okay, then please head down when you feel like you're ready." Lyssyth explain, and I nodded.
I was alone in the room, and I laugh nervously at the outcome of this event.
"It's okay, we can move on from this, and become stronger." I said.
I felt cold water going down from my face, and I touch my face to realize that I was crying. I feel my leg trembling from unknow reason, and I felt on my knees with my arm on the floor, looking at the floor.
I wanted a present from someone…
I didn't want to feel alone like every Christmas I experienced..
Father! I'm all alone again..I'm always alone, and forever to be alone..
Vergil
Everyone, but Jade was present in the living room, and we were waiting for Jude to come down from his room.
"Jude is taking a long time in his room, is he okay?" Maxine ask.
"Of course he is fine, We're talking about Jude here." Romana answer.
"I'll check again." Lyssyth said, and left.
"It's strange for Jude to show up late." I said.
"Yeah, he's always early." Kuro said.
Lyssyth came rush down in a panic, and I knew this was no good from the moment she run down the stairs.
"Jude is gone!" Lyssyth said.
"Gone!? Where is he?" Romana ask.
"I don't know, I just saw the window open in his room." Lyssyth explain.
"Everyone, let's find Jude in the town." I order, and everyone agree.
We search all around town, and asking for Jude whereabouts, but they only mentioned seen a boy crying as he walk.
"Do you think it's him?" Maxine ask.
"I don't know, but it's the only lead we have at the moment, so let's continue with the search." I explain.
"Maybe it's my fault he left." Maxine whimper.
"It's nobody fault, you decide on your decision, so don't falter on your chooses." I said.
"Y-You're right." Maxine calm down.
"Besides, I was sort of glad I received your present, and I didn't think of anything else but the present." I admitted.
"Vergil.." Maxine smile.
"Stop with your smile, it wasn't a bit deal.." I said.
As we search around the town, my gaze stop at the block off road from before, and I hope he didn't went in there.
"I think I found him." I said.
"You mean Lonely Peak?" Romana ask.
"Yeah." I answer.
"Why do you think that?" Maxine ask.
"Well, the rumors said that the boy committed suicide, and there was two reasons for doing such a fool' errand." I explain.
"The first one is because he was lonely, and the other one is because he didn't receive a present from his loved one." Kuro answer.
"Correct, him not receiving a present is the most correct candidate, so let's check out lonely peak." I said.
We ignore the sign, and rush toward lonely peak at top speed. As we run toward the hill, we noticed a boy that look like Jude at the top, and it look like he was about to jump.
"Stop Jude!" Maxine cry out.
I ran after him beyond my limit, and jump to catch a bit of his shirt, but my hand pass through him. Jude fell down from the peak, and I look down to see nothing, but dangerous current below. I turn to them, and shook my head, and Maxine along with Romana cry for his death.
"Jude!" Maxine cry his name.
"You stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Jude!" Romana cry.
Damn it! I was too weak to save him…
Suddenly, I hear someone moving through the bushes, and I was surprised to see….Jude emerging from the forest. He look surprise to see Maxine, and Romana crying.
"What happen here?" Jude ask.
"How come you still here?" I ask.
Before, he could answer, Maxine, and Romana came at him with a big hug.
"You stupid moron! don't try anything stupid ever again.." Romana whimper.
"I'm so glad you're okay, I thought you died." Maxine cry.
"I'm sorry.." Jude sadly said.
"Why are you here?" Kuro ask.
"I came here to be alone for a minute." Jude answer.
"Is that true? You didn't have any other motive." I said.
"Or course not, I'm telling the truth." Jude muttered.
"Fine, then let's head back, and you must tell us, before deciding to leave." I said, and Jude nodded.
We all left together, and I turn around to see the peak, one last time, but I see a transparent monsters kid. He wave at me, and with a sad smile on his face, before vanishing out of thin air.
…I should keep this for myself..
We safely return back to the mansion of the 2nd lord, and Jude went to his room without talking to us. I decided to bring Maxine with me, to fix this "little" problem. Me, and Maxine came into Jude's room, and Maxine is better fitted to calm him down, after I talk to him.
"What are you two here?" Jude ask.
"You're still sad about the present thing right?" I ask without remorse
He look down, and not saying anything for a couple of seconds, I couldn't see his face right now, because of his cap.
"Of course I'm sad! What do you think I wanted to be alone!" Jude said.
Jude's tear was falling on the ground, and Maxine was surprise to see him like this.
"I was alone from the very beginning, I lost my father, and I was alone on Christmas day. You know how much pain I suffer for losing someone really important!" Jude cry even more
"No, I don't." I answer.
"Then, why are you here.." Jude whimper, and fall on his knees.
"Tell me…did my life had any meaning…did I truly lived happy?" Jude ask crying.
"Nobody can answer that question, but you." I answer
"Tell me, did you lived a happy life?" I ask.
"Of course I did!" Jude yelled out with anger.
"My mother was there for me, and…and…and!" Jude stop to calm down, and took deep breath.
"I had my mother by my side, and cheer me up when I fell down. I was happy, but I need someone to tell me it was okay to cry for my father, and mourn for his death." Jude whimper.
I push Maxine toward Jude, and tell her that's her turn to calm him down. Jude cry out loud in Maxine's shoulder for his father, and Maxine pat Jude's head.
"There, there, is alright to cry." Maxine whimper with Jude.
My work here is done
I left Maxine with Jude, and I see Kuro, and Romana outside the room.
"Is it alright to leave Maxine alone?" Kuro ask.
"It's fine by me, and I need to rest for today." I said.
"Oh, then sleep well leader." Romana said, and I nodded.
I was in my room, and with Maxine's present in my hand gripping it tightly. I slowly walk to my bed, and rest upon it, I look at the red key given by Maxine.
"Thank you for giving me this…but..it was a waste to use this on me..because I'm already running out of time." I muttered.
I started to breath heavily, and I felt pain in my chest, I try to suppress the pain from my body, but it didn't do much like last time.
Tonight, I'm going to sleep with the same pain again.
Special Christmas Event
Everyone was together in my room, and I was curious for the occasion.
"Why are you all here?" I ask.
"Vergil! We are here to say Merry Christmas to everyone!" Maxine happily said.
"Everyone? What do you mean?" I wonder.
"Don't worry too much, now, let's begin!" Maxine happily announced.
"Merry Christmas everyone! let's make it an amazing one!" Maxine yelled out.
"My turn! Merry Christmas everyone! Christmas, and holidays are the season of giving. It's a time when people are more kind, and open-hearted." Jude yelled out.
"Okay! Let's have a Merry Christmas everyone! No complaining about it!" Romana yelled out.
"…"
"Come on Kuro, you can do it!" Romana supported him, and Kuro sigh.
"Merry Christmas everyone. If only we could stop time right here, and watch the snow fall around us on this occasion. Unfortunately though, time will Continue, and like the snow, we will also fall someday. But let's sit here, and enjoy this very moment, that's all that matters right now." Kuro said.
"See! That wasn't hard." Jude smile.
"Whatever.." Kuro answer.
Everyone look at my directions, and it expects something to happen.
"What?" I ask.
"You're next!" Romana said.
"I'm not very good with Christmas speeches." I answer.
"Even so, we need our leader to end it." Maxine smile.
"Yeah!" Jude agree.
"Merry Christmas everyone…you can..no..you need to keep on living for those you loved, for those you want to protect, and stay by their side. Today, let's stay with friends or family, because you never know…how much they mean to you.." I said.
"Awww, is that what you think of us." Romana said.
"Maybe." I answer.
Relationships
Vergil
Maxine – Lv. 3 Friends
Jude – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Venus – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Hiro – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Kuro – Lv. 2 Friends
Romana – Lv. 2Friends
Maxine
Vergil – Lv. 3 Friends
Jude – Lv. 2 Friends
Venus – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Hiro – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Kuro – Lv. 1Acquaintance
Romana – Lv. 1Acquaintance
Jude
Vergil – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Maxine – Lv. 2 Friends
Venus – Lv. 0 Stranger
Hiro – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Kuro – Lv. 1Acquaintance
Romana – Lv. 0Stranger
Venus
Vergil – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Maxine – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Jude – Lv. 0 Stranger
Hiro – Lv. 10 (Max) Brother
Hiro
Vergil – Lv 1 Acquaintance
Maxine – Lv 1 Acquaintance
Jude – Lv 1 Acquaintance
Venus – Lv 10( Max) Sister
Kuro
Vergil – Lv. 2Friends
Maxine – Lv. 1 Acquaintance
Jude – Lv. 1Acquaintance
Romana – Lv. 2Friends
Romana
Vergil – Lv. 2 Friends
Maxine – Lv. 1Acquaintance
Jude – Lv. 0Stranger
Kuro – Lv. 2 Friends
Profile
Vergil (Leader/Protagonist) Leven 12 Level of Violence 100
Leader of the team, and prodigy with the skills of all, but master of none.
Maxine (Support/?) Level 8 Level of Violence 0
A girl that's kind, but afraid to go over the limit, and one with a hidden potential. Her bright smile can bring happiness to the one being shown.
Jude (Support/Defensive) Level 7 Level of Violence 0
A boy with the heart of gold, and nobody can calm everyone fear or worry like him with his personality. The person that can understand the situation more than anyone.
Venus (1stlord) Level 100?
A lord with a hidden past, and somehow the strongest for being the lowest rank of all the other lords.
Hiro (Blacksmith) Level ?
A guy with child traits, and kind to everyone he meet, surely everyone like his "hero" appearance.
Forte (King) Level ?
The king of all monster.
Kuro (Offensive) Level 10 Level of Violence 0
A quiet guy with few words, and quick with harsh simple response, the wildcard of the team
Romana (Offensive) Level 9 Level of Violence
A brave girl that's happy, and angry at the same time, has a soft spot for children.
Soul Fusion Compendium
Vergil
Maxine – ?
Jude – ?
Venus – ?
Maxine
Vergil – ?
Jude – Joy, The Savior
Venus - ?
Jude
Vergil – ?
Maxine – Joy, The Savior
Venus - ?
Kuro
Vergil - ?
Maxine - ?
Jude - ?
Romana - ?
Romana
Vergil - ?
Maxine - ?
Jude - ?
Kuro - ?