Chapter 11: Fading Away

Sebastian was charging towards me, sword in hand.

I can't stop him. I know I can't. It's impossible.There was only one thing left I could do. Slowly, my fingers unwound themselves from the sword I was holding. It hit the ground with a loud clang. I raised my hands in the air, shouting "I concede!''

At the same time, Sebastian swung his sword, narrowly missing my left arm. He took a step backwards, giving me a skeptical look. ''Are you sure you want to give up?''

I looked back at up at him, a twinge of anger rushing through me. ''Of course! There's no way I could win at something like this.'' I let my arms drop back down to my sides, taking a deep breath. Then I walked over to Ciel, clenching my fists. ''You win. Okay? It's over now.''

A satisfied smirk spread across Ciel's face. ''You made a wise choice by conceding.''

I glared at him. ''I really didn't have much of a choice, did I?''

Ciel's smile didn't waver. ''You were fine player in this game.'' I continued glaring at him, too annoyed to answer. I had never been so furious with Ciel before. He seemed to be able to work his way under my skin just as easily has he had ordered Sebastian to fight me. Except now I've finally lost.

Suddenly, the door to the drawing room opened up. Bardroy, Mey Rin, Finny and Tanaka piled in, practically tripping over each other.

''M-Mr. Sebastian!'' Mey Rin cried, running up to him, ''I put too much detergent in the laundry, and it leaked everywhere, gyaaa!''

Bard rubbed the back of his neck. ''I may have, er, accidently burned the meat we were supposed to serve tonight.''

''And can't find my trowel!'' Finny cried, dropping to his knees.

Ciel closed his eyes, putting a hand on his forehead. ''You three…'' he murmured under his breath, ''you really should-''

Sebastian cut Ciel off, putting a hand in front of him. ''Mey Rin,'' he started, ''take the clothes out of the basin, and mop up the extra water.'' Then he turned towards Finny. ''The trowel is by the rose bushes, like it always is.'' Finally, he said to Bard, ''Bardroy, you may excuse the food for once. My young master and I won't be eating here tonight.

Then he bowed towards all of them. ''The work the four of you have done has always been appreciated here. I thank you for serving the Phantomhives for so long.''

''Oi, you make it sound like yer leaving or something, Sebastian,'' Bard stammered.

''We are,'' Ciel answered sternly.

''Where are you going?'' Finny asked, a sad look in his eyes.

''And when are you coming back?'' Mey Rin chimed.

''We're not,'' Ciel said, turning his back towards them. ''This place is yours now. You may do what you want with it.'' My heart sank at the Earl's words. Bard, Mey Rin and Finny looked crushed.

Sebastian walked up to Tanaka, and handed him a pin. I recognized it as the one the head Phantomhive Butler was supposed to wear. ''This is yours now,'' he said.

Tanaka fastened the pin onto his tailcoat. ''It's been an honor,'' he returned, bowing slightly.

''W-what about Lady Cynthia?'' Finny asked.

''She's coming with us,'' Ciel replied, ''so you may bid her a farewell too.''

''We'll miss you all terribly!'' Mey Rin cried.

''Yeah,'' Bard said sniffing, ''it won't be the same without you.''

My eyes started to get watery. I stepped forward, bowing to the servants. ''All four of you were wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.'' I bit my lip, trying to hold back tears. ''Goodbye,'' I whispered. Goodbye, forever.

A carriage had been prepared for Ciel, Sebastian and I. It didn't take us long to get situated inside. As we started traveling, I couldn't help but reflect on what happened. Everything started off so wonderful. If I had just realized how much time has passed, I could have prepared for this. I could have…

I glanced over at Ciel, who was absently looking out his window. I couldn't have done anything different. Ciel's fate was already sealed. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, looking at the Earl again. ''They're going to be so sad,'' I said to him. ''The servants. You have no idea how much they're going to miss you.''

The boy looked away from the window, crossing his arms. ''I have to leave, or they'll be exposed to the truth.'' Then he reached for his eyepatch, tossing it onto the floor. Both of his eyes were a crimson red now, the same shade as Sebastian's. I only met them for a brief moment before returning my gaze towards the window.

''I know,'' I said sullenly, resting my chin in my hands.

Silence ensued in the carriage for the next few minutes. I glanced at Ciel occasionally, wondering what he was thinking. Is he going to come to my home? Am I going to have to travel with him? What is my family going to think if they see him? I closed my eyes, desperately wishing for something stop the inevitable. Though I knew that nothing would.

Finally, I heard Ciel say, ''Sebastian, this an order: Do as Cynthia says."

For a brief second, I considered not saying anything. It almost seemed more appealing to fade away in a fictional universe then to let two demons enter mine. But I couldn't bring myself to go through with it. I was tired of the games. My mind was made up.

I felt my lips tremble as I uttered the dreadful words. ''Take us back to my world." Fatigue instantly overcame me. I knew was drifting. Though there was no need to open my eyes; for at the moment, only darkness surrounded me.