CHAPTER 02
Prompto kept shaking his head between the bite on the so-called sandwich he stole at the so-called cafeteria. Then we stayed in the forest. I sat above the tree, while Prompto stayed at the bottom. Why at the forest? Well, it's because of two reasons. First, is to never bump again with mortals. Second, because this place is darker and more silent.
Anyway, Prompto continued uttering on how he can't believe that the girl we've been looking for was already been right into our reach from the very first start. "I still can't believe it…" he said in the seventh time. "I mean… how we… you know…"
"Can you stop it?" I said, annoyed. "You're really getting in my nerves."
"But…" he paused and licked his lips to wipe off the sauce. "Tell me, Noct. What's your next plan? You already know the girl so… are you going to kill her now?"
I jumped down from the tree. "Not yet." I said. "I can't kill her yet."
"What do you mean, not yet?" he said. "This is your greatest chance."
"I wanted to know the reason, Prompto. I mean, I wanted to know why of all the people, it should be her."
"Why do you need to know? You are still going to kill her in the end after all."
If you clearly think about it, Prompto has a point. Even if I learned the reason, I still need to kill her. But…
"I still want to know." I insisted. "There is an important reason, Prompto. I know there is."
Prompto was silent for a moment. His face turned serious. He looked like that again; the look of something in him has changed.
"Fine." He finally gave in. His face also turned back to normal. "Then what to do now?"
"First…." I gaze at him. My eyebrow rose. "Wait… you're not done eating yet?"
Prompto swallowed first before answering me. "Speaking of eating, this tastes like turkey."
"Because that's turkey sandwich." I reminded him. "Didn't the old woman in the cafeteria tell you that?"
"Yeah. I almost forgot. But you know, freshly caught deer still tastes better."
"I don't care."
"But I do."
At that moment, gray smokes appeared next to Prompto. My mood automatically changes from annoyance into intense annoyance. As I expected, when the smokes faded, a warrior in gray armor become visible.
"Ignis." Wad of sandwiches fell off Prompto's mouth. "Why are you here?"
The guy bowed respectively. It makes me want to puke.
"Prince, General." He politely said. "I am here to deliver some assistance from the Demon King."
"What do you mean?" Prompto asked.
Ignis flicked his fingers. Two brown envelopes appeared at the ground in front of Prompto. He picked it up. "What is this?" Prompto said, as he cautiously checking what the envelope contains. No one answer.
Prompto looked up. His eyebrows knit. "Where's Ignis?"
"Left." I said, half-heartedly.
"You really don't like him, huh?" Prompto said, grinning.
"I extremely despite him." I corrected him.
"Oh, bad for him." Then, he took out piles of papers from the envelopes. Some of it has our pictures and names on it.
"Enrollment Form." Prompto read aloud. He looked oddly at me. "What's that?"
"Dunno." I said. "Come on, let's get going. We still need to think of what to do next."
"Then what I'm going to do with this?" he questioned.
"Take it. The arrogant servant of yours said that it is a kind of help, so might be useful some time." I said, walking. Prompto followed. "Despite of the messenger, I still quite trust my father."
When we reached the school, I almost distrust my eyes. The sun was already going down and no one was around. When I said no one, I mean no single human was in there anymore.
"Where are they?" Prompto asked.
"I don't know."
Then he looked suspiciously at me. "You… didn't kill them, did you?"
"You're accusing me?"
He nodded.
I sighed. "I didn't." I assured him.
"Okay." He said. "Just checking."
We walked around a little. Litters scattered everywhere. Some false lights are already opened. Evening. The absence of the sun. That's how they called it here on earth.
"Maybe they are afraid of the dark." Prompto said. "Or maybe demons."
"They don't know that we are demons." I reminded him.
"Well... maybe other demons…"
"Who's there?" A sudden flash of light beamed at our face. My eyes almost got blinded. Fury rushed through my veins.
"W-what's this?" I said, shading my eyes with my hand.
I can hear footsteps coming in our direction. A human, definitely.
"Put out the light." I ordered the mortal, but it didn't obey. He just keeps on advancing and keeps on pointing the light on our face. Patience, I told myself.
But it didn't help. My serenity reached its limit. I gestured my hand towards the light source, and balled my fist. Pieces of glasses scattered as it explode and the light faded. They guy holding it gasped, though I think he didn't know I did it.
"Sh*t…" he cursed at the thing and turned to us. "Hey, who's there?" Even without the light, he went closer.
"He's persistent." Prompto said. "What do we do?"
"Kill him." I suggested.
"Hell no." Prompto dragged me before I could do anything. "Let's run." He told me. "That's what a normal human would do in a situation like this."
So we did run, but the guy also chased after us. But hey, we are demons. In running, no one was faster than us, not even angels. In a matter of seconds, we outrun the mortal, using not even a quarter of our speed.
But I never thought that running a little speedy on earth is too dangerous. I didn't pay attention, so, before I could reduce my speed, I clashed into someone. Because of the impact, we crashed into the ground. I'm glad I save her head not to break into pieces. Yeah, you heard it right. It is a girl. How do I know? Well… because of her smell. A smell of newly melted chocolate. It's kinda familiar, though. I landed in top of her.
"Ow…" she grunted.
I focused my eyes on her face. My jaw dropped. "You?"
"M-me?" The girl was still in daze, but she tried her best to take a good look on my face. And when she did, her jaw dropped too.
"You?" Lightning said.
Vanille and Prompto run towards us.
"Are you okay?" Prompto asked.
"Yeah. I think so." I replied.
"The two of you again?" Vanille said hysterically. "What do you really want from us, huh?"
I was about to answer Vanille, but I caught Lightning staring and I can't help but to stare back. His crystal blue eyes shimmers even with the darkness. She looked… no doubt, beautiful.
"Hey…" Vanille said, irritably. "Can you separately from each other now? It's giving me the creeps."
Realizing it, Lightning pushed me and stands up. I also jolt up from my feet.
"Now." Vanille embarked. "Give us some answers."
"We don't have answers." I said as matter of fact.
"What?" Vanille seems impatient. With my luck, the guy who was chasing after us appeared. It saved me from explaining. He was running to us desperately.
"Y-you two!" he said, gasping.
"Uh-oh." Prompto mumbled. "Here he comes."
When the guy reached us, I saw what he clearly looks like. He must be in his twenties. He wore all blue, with some shining name plaque hanging on his shirt and a dark blue cap. "T-the two… of you…" he said, catching his breath.
"Mr. Mark." Lightning said. "What are you doing here?"
"T-those two…" Mr. Mark pointed at us. "…were wandering at the school in this late hour."
The girls looked suspiciously at us. I looked at Prompto and gave him what's should we do stare. With my greatest luck, Prompto is somehow on his intelligent side today.
He grabbed Vanille and locked her on his arm. It made her yelped in surprise.
"W-what are you doing?" she complained.
"As you can see, Mr. Mark." Prompto said to the guy, ignoring Vanille as she struggling. "We are planning to meet with our sweethearts at the school."
"Sweethearts?" Lightning and I said in unison.
Prompto took a glance at me and murmured something like, "Do it."
I am absolutely positive on what to do. It kind of insane, but well, this plan is better than nothing at all. I grabbed Lightning's hand. I heard her gasped.
"Let go of me." She ordered, whispering.
"Bear with it. I'm begging you." I whispered back. I know she hated it, but she did stop pulling back her hand. Then I suddenly felt… hotter; hotter than any fire on the Underworld.
"Light…" Vanille said to Lightning, giving her a warning look.
Lightning said nothing, still, some staring she did made Vanille stopped struggling. Maybe they have an eye language.
Mr. Mark looked us skeptically. He doubted it, for sure. So, he looked at Vanille to make sure. I thought that we are already doomed, but Vanille said, "I… guess he's right."
"He?" Mr. Mark asked, though I am sure he knows who she was talking about.
"I mean, him…" she gestured at Prompto while forcing a smile. "…my sweetheart."
"Oh." Mr. Mark hesitated. Then he turned to Lightning and me. "I thought you don't have a boyfriend?" He asked her.
Lightning blushed. She totally doesn't know what to say.
"Does it concern you?" I said. I somehow a bit annoyed. "What are you to her? One of her suitors?"
Lightning shoved me. "What are you saying?" Her eyes were wide-opened with caution. "He's the school's security guard."
"Yeah…" Mr. Mark the guard said. "I am the Main Line Academy's security. And these girls are almost like my own children. So, this matter does concern me. I wanted to make sure they are safe."
"They are." I promised.
Mr. Mark looked at Lightning with concern.
I sighed. This guy really made me impatient. He's too importunate. Why don't he just shut the fuck up and leave?
"We'll be fine." Lightning guaranteed. "So, don't worry 'bout us."
"Yeah. Lightning's right, Mr. Mark." Vanille agreed. "We will definitely be fine."
Then finally, the annoying security guard leaves. Vanille and Lightning eventually freed themselves from our grip.
"So, what now?" Vanille raised her eyebrow. "Care to explain?"
"W-well…" Prompto began. He looked at me, sweaty.
"Tell them the truth." I ordered him. Besides, they are going to find it out sooner or later anyway.
He nodded. "Okay." Prompto cleared his throat. "The truth is…"
"Hey, you two!"
I cursed. "What now?" I impatiently shouted. I turned to where the voice came from.
Running in a white housecoat is a middle age woman with a blonde hair. She wore glasses and a black dress under the unbutton coat. She was smiling joyfully at us.
"Miss Lilac?" I narrowed my eyes. "Why are….?"
She tackled me with a hug. "You two made me worry so much."
Before you made some nonsense illusions on your mind, let me explain. Miss Lilac Leavenworth is one of the most powerful demons on the Underworld. I won't deny it; she is so much more powerful than I am. Anyway, she is an Underworld's teacher and definitely has no relation to me. She helps young devils to improve and know their powers. From what I know, she never cared about anything regarding about mortal before, so I wonder why she's here.
"What are you doing here, Miss Lilac?" Prompto asked.
Of course, she totally ignored us. She was good at that. The ice-cold demon queen, Miss Lilac. Every demon knows her.
Miss Lilac turned to Vanille and Lightning.
"Do my nieces bother the two of you?" she asked, smiling.
"N-not at all." Vanille uttered.
"Niece?" I asked, confused. Last I checked, I don't have any relatives left besides for my father.
"The truth is, I lost them… or more like they lost me." Miss Lilac giggled as if that was worthy to be a joke. The two girls followed her half heartedly.
"You mean…" Lightning said. "…they got separated from you?"
"Exactly!" Miss Lilac patted Light's head and told her how smart she was.
"How did they, you know, separate from you?" Vanille asked.
"I was at filling up their enrollment form, and when I look back at them, poof, they're gone." Miss Lilac flashed a grin. "Aren't they like a little kid?"
"They worse than a little kid." Lightning said. Miss Lilac laughed.
"So, they are transfer students?" Lightning asked.
"Yes." Miss Lilac held up two brown envelopes. Prompto looked totally surprised and wondered when Miss Lilac got it from him.
"They're going to start tomorrow actually." Miss Lilac continued. "And I hope they will be good friends with you two." The two girls smiled like they were hypnotized.
"Hey." I interrupted. "I don't understand this. Can you…."
"So…" Miss Lilac said, cutting me off. I decided to shut up. "We should get going then. You two should go home as well. It's dangerous to walk at night."
"We will." Lightning smiled. "Thank you, Miss Lilac."
We watched as the girls disappeared in the dark. Finally, I said. "It's dangerous to walk at night. That's such a nice thing to say as a demon. I almost doubt you're one."
"You're not going to thank me first?" Miss Lilac complained.
"Thank you very much for that, Miss Lilac." Prompto said. "You really saved us."
"Two points for Prompto." Miss Lilac announced, like she does on Underworld tournament days. "Zero for Noctis."
"I don't care." I said.
Miss Lilac brought us to a five-storey rectangular building. She said human called it apartment. It is painted baby blue, with some white ones on the edges. We entered the door number 23 at the third floor.
"This going to be your temporary home while you're here on earth." She said.
"We don't need this." I said. "Demons don't sleep."
"But humans do." Miss Lilac opened the lights and threw her huge luggage at the sofa. "If you wanted to be one of them, you need first to familiarize yourself in everything they do and have, Noctis."
Prompto seated on one of the empty chair. In just a moment, he also seemed to be very comfortable.
"But it's small." I said, looking around. "It's not even a half of my throne room. And all three of us will be here?"
"As you said, Demons don't sleep. You can just stand there at the corner while I occupied the other parts of this place."
"That's not fair." I demanded.
"Nothing's fair." She agreed. "Am I right, Prompto?"
"Yup." Prompto answered.
I rolled my eyes. "Fine."
"Okay then. I'll just take a shower, after that, we'll talk about important things." Miss Lilac took her clothes off, revealing her sexy, curved body. Prompto's nose bleeds.
"Can you stop doing that?" I said. "Even we're demons; we're still guys you know."
Naturally, Miss Lilac didn't listen to me. She even showed us a seductive pose. I thought Prompto will fade just then.
"Don't worry." she said, mockingly smiled. "I don't plan on hitting with little kids."
"Oh." I said. "I almost forgot that you're old."
Miss Lilac looked surprised that I'm improved on mocking her. And I felt proud of myself. At least, I hit her bull's-eye for the first time.
She grinned. "Yeah. I'm a beautiful old lady now. But still, no peeking."
"I never plan to." I said. Then she went to the shower.
"Do we really need to obey the last one?" Prompto asked, mischievously smiling.
"Or else you want to die young." I chuckled.
It's roughly four hours, when Miss Lilac was done on taking a bath. I thought she's going to came out naked, but I think she never think about that. She wore blue night dress and her hair is on ponytail. She ordered us to sit.
"You two looked stupid all day." Miss Lilac confessed.
"You're watching us?" I said, wide-eyed.
"Yeah." She said. "And I wish I hadn't. The two of you look horribly pitiful. I can't stand to watch."
"Then you should just at least help us, right?"
"I… I can't." she said. "I still wanted to confirm something at that time so I can't." Miss Lilac turned at me. Her Lilac eyes were too vicious like her daughter's. "That pink-haired girl earlier. That's her, am I right?"
I wanted to lie. I badly wanted to change the subject. However, I know Miss Lilac. She is a woman who can see through everything.
"Yeah." I said. "It's her. Claire 'Lightning' Farron."
"And you're attracted to her." Miss Lilac said.
"No." I immediately answered.
"Honestly, I don't want you for Stella, Noctis. I don't want my daughter to be with a risky boy like you." She said. "But… I also don't want that girl to be with you."
I didn't answer. I don't know what the right answer is. Next to my father, I don't want Miss Lilac to be an enemy.
"I wanted you to never forget about this, Noctis." She continued. "Don't ever fall in love with her."
"I wouldn't." I said, looking down. "I wouldn't…."
Then, Miss Lilac voice changed, "As a demon, wanting to be a human is the most forbidden desire… and loving someone who is not your kind is the most forbidden deed. Committing two of the most forbidden law is very dangerous, Noct. And that's why I'm here. To prevent you for triggering the greatest war in the century."
I really can't understand her.
I sighed and look into her eyes. To my surprise, it was…. golden. Fears suddenly spread through my entire body. I never seen her so serious like this. Actually, I never really wanted to. Because seeing it right in front of me makes my blood chill in terror.
"I-I..." I uttered. "I'll never fall in love with her."
Miss Lilac eyes turned back to normal. She smiled. "I really hope so."
"HEY!" Prompto suddenly shouted. We turned to him, surprised. I don't know when he moved but he was now standing by the window with his arms crossed. His face was grim. "Don't just chat there on your own. Don't forget about me."
Miss Lilac grinned at him. "Of course we hadn't forgotten about you. Come and sit. We three are still need to talk about your poor performance on the school earlier."
When the sun rose, the three of us went to the Main Line Academy. Miss Lilac made Prompto and I wore clothes the same as the others. She said that school on earth required having uniforms.
"We are too good in these clothes." Prompto said.
No one answered him, so he pouted his lips in disappointment.
Then, we arrived at the school's main gate. Mr. Mark was standing at the side, looking critically at us.
"Mark…" Miss Lilac greeted him.
Mr. Mark smiled at her while glancing at us from time to time. "Who are they?" he finally said. "I remember them with Lightning and Vanille yesterday. Are they are their…"
"Friends." Miss Lilac ended. "So, mark. We must head inside now. Classes will soon start."
So, we went inside the building.
"Remember the things I taught you, okay?" Miss Lilac said. Last night, she told us many things about human, about the things we didn't know yesterday and about the things we are about to know this day. I somehow forgot some things, though.
Then she stopped on her tracks and faced us. "Just went straight ahead. Mr. Raisin was waiting for you."
"Where are you going?" Prompto asked.
"My office." Miss Lilac answered.
"Office?" he asked again.
Miss Lilac strikes a pose like she was on some TV commercial. "Got hurt? Find Miss Lilac. And she will cure your broken heart." She said those words dramatically, and then winked. Subsequently, Miss Lilac marched at the other part of the hallway.
"So, she's the school medic." I said.
"I think I wanted my heart to be broken." Prompto murmured, stunned.
"We don't have hearts." I reminded him. "We're devils, remember?" I chuckled and clapped his back. "Come on, let's get going."
Like Miss Lilac has told us, Mr. Raisin was waiting for us. His eyes narrowed, probably thinking where he sees us before.
"Noctis Lucis Caelum. Prompto Clevis Doughier." Mr. Raisin said. "Is that right?" Prompto nodded for us.
Mr. Raisin escorted us through the classroom. I looked around, about thirty seven humans. Then my heart –if I do have heart- flinched from what I've saw. Sitting at the least part of the room, next to the window, is a pink headed girl. Lightning narrowed her eyes to me. Naturally, Vanille was right next to her.
"Sh*t…" I cursed.
"Excuse me?" Mr. Raisin looked at me, doubting what I said.
Because of the irritation, I glared at him. He supposed to be our home room advisor, I think. "You didn't hear?" I said with anger. "I said, Sh*t."
Laughter filled the room. Mr. Raisin looked embarrassed and angry.
"He's violent and cute. I like that." Said a girl, with a wavy dark brown hair. She seems to be the leader of the class, because when she talked, nobody dared to say a thing.
Though I'm a little bit wrong. "Shut it, Fang." Vanille said. Maybe, Vanille is also a candidate of being a leader.
"Then try to shut me up." Fang suggested. Then the girl stands up. She went closer to me. Mr. Raisin never dares to stop her. He was too scared, made we wonder if he really is a teacher.
Fang smiled hungrily. "Hi." She said. "You must be Prompto."
"I am Prompto." Prompto said beside me.
Fang glanced at him and then rolled her eyes. "I'm not talking to you, Blondie." Prompto looked offended. He murmured on how he starting to dislike his hair color.
Prompto didn't fight back, so someone did for him. Vanille jolt up from her seat. "Stop it, Fang." She said. "You're disturbing the class."
"Oh," Fang made an artificial surprise face. "I thought you're not there, Vanille."
Vanille was shaking with annoyance.
"Vanille is right, Fang." Lightning suddenly said. "Take the flirting later."
I thought Fang would also vaporize Lightning to irritation, but she just said. "Fine." Then she went back to her seat.
Winner of the Ms. Main Line Academy Leader Contest? Lightning.
After seconds of silence, I turned to Mr. Raisin. He flinched. Okay, I made the professor gets scared on the first day.
"What now?" I asked him.
He was now drowning in sweats. "I-Introduced yourselves." He said.
I faced the audience. Fang winked at me. Vanille murmured to her seat, still looked annoyed. And lightning… she is looking outside the window.
"Look at me." I said. Everyone did look at me, except her. "I said look at me." I said louder. The crowd looked confused, but I don't care. I want Lightning to look at me. I want her gaze to be only mine. Finally, she did. I caught her eyes. We stared at each other for seconds… until Prompto nudged me. I blinked.
"What are you doing?" he whispered.
I composed myself and breathe. "My name is Noctis Lucis Caelum." I said.
Everyone started chattering. Then one asked, "Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?" I asked confused.
The girls giggled. Other muttered, "Looks like he doesn't have one. We're lucky."
"What about you, Mr. Blondie?" someone said.
Prompto face lit up when he heard his name, though he really doesn't like the name, Blondie. He smiled at them. "My name is Prompto Clevis Doughier."
"You're also cute. Do you have a girlfriend?" somebody asked.
"Girlfriend?" Prompto said. "No, Definitely No." The girls cheered.
"Don't be too attached." I whispered.
"I won't be." He whispered back. "I assumed you probably need to say that to yourself."
I was about to ask him what he meant, but then Mr. Raisin suddenly spoke, "Uhm… You can seat on empty chairs."
So we did. Prompto and I both grabbed a chair and placed it at the back, right behind Vanille and Lightning.
"Uhm…" Mr. Raisin said. "That place…"
"We like to be in the back." Prompto explained. Mr. Raisin didn't object. Then, the class started.
The day was ending so fast, that I don't even have a chance to talk to Lightning. Or to my point of view, she is really avoiding me. Thus, when the last period finish, when all the students left, I grabbed my greatest chance to never let her go.
"Hey…" I said.
Lightning looked around from her chair, annoyed. "What?"
"You're avoiding me." I noted.
"I didn't." she opposed, looking back to fix her things.
"But…" Before I can even finish my sentence, Lightning slung her knapsack and headed to the door. I followed behind her and grabbed her arm.
"What are you doing!" she said. "Let go of me."
I let go of her. I'm a good demon, you know.
"See, you obviously avoiding me." I said.
"I'm not avoiding you." She insisted. "It's just that, we have nothing to say to each other."
"I have lots." I lied. The truth is; I also don't know why I'm doing this. I don't really have something to say to her. I just… want her to notice me.
Lightning faced me half heartedly and said, "Let's hear it, then."
Ooops, I'm dead.
Think. You need to think, Noct. You're a Prince, right? You should be at least a little bit smart when it comes to strategy.
"Uh-, I think few minutes are not enough," I even looked at my wristwatch -which Miss Lilac gave to me- to make her believe that I really do mind the time.
"Then what do you want?" She said, impatient. "My whole day?"
"Yeah." I blurted out.
Lightning face turned bright red. I can feel mine's burning, too. Ooh, I never thought that earth is also a really hot place.
"Light!" Vanille suddenly shouted outside the room. I felt a flushed of relief. I heard Light breathe out, too.
"I'm coming!" Lightning shouted back. Then, she turned to me. "I need to go."
I nodded.
But before she could even take a single step, I grabbed her hand and pulled her closer to me. I whispered right into her ear, "Let's talks about your-whole-day-with-me some other time."
When I went outside the school building, I saw Prompto and Miss Lilac talking to each other. Prompto looked agitated as Miss Lilac is somehow saying something to him. I stopped from my tracks, and tried to listen to their conversation. I'm not really an eavesdropper, but I'm really worried about certain things. Something was wrong. And I'm certain that Prompto and Miss Lilac know it.
I closed my eyes and listened carefully. Even I'm miles away, I can clearly hear them. Demons have this kind of powers, the strong sense of smell and hearing.
"…you need to do your job properly, Prompto." Miss Lilac said.
"What do you think I'm doing right now?" Prompto retorted. "I'm doing the best I can. But it's just not working out."
I'm right. Something was definitely wrong. I never heard Prompto get angry like this, especially to a woman, more importantly to Miss Lilac.
"If it's not enough, then think of something better." Miss Lilac said. "Don't tell me you couldn't? If that's the case, then you should just never accept this job in the first place. The King…." Miss Lilac faltered. Shit. She smelled me.
I hurriedly opened my eyes. Too late. Standing inches from me is Miss Lilac. Her eyes were blended golden and red. She's angry. She's absolutely angry.
"I-I…" My mind was blank. I can't think of anything to say.
"Noctis…" Her voice was firm, yet still sweet.
Then unexpectedly, she smiled at me. "We've been waiting for you."
I don't know what expression I should make. Should I be glad? Or even get more scared? My ninety nine percent doubts now turned a hundred percent. If this matter is not really that important, then they should just reveal it out, right? Since I already heard some details of it anyway. But the scary part is; they said nothing. They appeared like nothing happened. That's what bothers me the most.
"Shall we go home?" Miss Lilac smile was really attracting, as if it's inviting me to forget everything I've heard.
But, I will never let that happen. I'll definitely know the truth. If they don't want to tell me, then I should find it out myself, right? Besides, I'm really good at playing games.
"Yeah." I smiled at her. "We should go home."
Prompto never said a word to me that night. He keeps on avoiding the subject and told stupid jokes to back it up. Though, I really don't push him that much. The fact is; every time I was about to open my mouth, he always flinched and barked at me, like I will sentence his death appointment. Even here at school, he seems to be really tense.
"You don't have to be nervous." I finally told him, as we waited for Mr. Raisin to arrive. "I'll find out the truth anyway."
"W-wha—what are you saying?" He laughed anxiously. "W-what truth? You're going crazy, Noct."
I looked at him. He looked so desperate to hide it. "You don't have to tell me." I said.
Prompto stopped laughing. His eyes told me that he is actually felt guilty. "Sorry, Noct." He quietly said. "But I really can't say anything right now."
"I know." I said. "Just promise me, if the right time comes, you will tell me everything. No excuses. No lies."
Prompto smiled. And I'm glad to see that. "I promised." He said.
In that moment, the students go back to their seats.
"Okay, class." Mr. Raisin shouted as he walking to his teacher's desk. "I need five volunteers; class representatives for the preparations of the school's festival."
Lightning immediately raised her hand. Mr. Raisin nodded as if it didn't surprise him. Maybe, Lightning really like volunteer works.
Then, my senses told me something. It's crazy, though.
I raised my hand. The class looked astonish.
Prompto elbowed me. He whispered, "What are you doing?"
"I wanted to volunteer, as well, Mr. Raisin." I said, ignoring Prompto.
Mr. Raisin looked petrified, probably doubting if he's seeing the right thing. "O-okay." He said.
Lightning gave me a cautious look. I gave her a smirk as response. Then, she rolled her eyes at me. Right, the exact reaction I'm looking for.
Mr. Raisin turned back to the class. "Three more."
Prompto raised his hand. "I can't leave you alone." He said, and then murmured something about how handful I am.
"Thanks." I replied.
Then, as I really do expected, Vanille also raised her hand. Lightning looked surprise at her action.
"I thought you don't like things like this." Lightning whispered to her.
"But I can't leave you with these two." Vanille whispered back. She meant Prompto and me, definitely.
Mr. Raisin's eyebrows were in knots. He seems to be calculating all the things happening right now. "O-okay then. One more…"
"I'll do it."
Everyone looked daze. To tell you honestly, I am also really stunned from what I'm seeing. It's kind of amazing. Right now I think, this voluntary work might be turned out fun.
"I'll do it, Mr. Raisin." Fang held up her hand high, smiling. "Since Noctis is joining, I wanted to join, too."
Mr. Raisin nodded anxiously. "S-so then, the five of you shall go to the gym now."
Lightning is the first one to stand. I was about to follow and talk to her, when Fang clung into my arm.
"Let's enjoy the fun, Noctis." She said seductively. Her way of flirting reminds me of Stella, but Fang looks more like a sorceress instead of a princess.
"Why do you join?" I asked her. "I mean, despite the fact that because I'm here."
Fang smiled, like she was impressed of my high instinct.
"Well, Lightning was here…" she said. "...with that stupid orange-haired girl."
"You don't like Vanille." I noted. "Why?"
"Because she's pathetic." Fang raised her eyebrow, as if remembering the bad memories she has with Vanille.
"Pathetic?" I said. "Why? Does she have to be strong? I mean, she's a girl. It's only natural that she's weak."
"Not all girls are weak." Fang said. She gave me a look that instantly saying that she was referring to herself. "You want to try me?"
"No." I honestly said. "I hate losing."
Fang giggled. Vanille and Lightning, who was walking in front of us, took a glance at our direction. They seem to be surprise that I made Fang laugh. Vanille rolled her eyes and Lightning expression's was blank. They look away immediately.
"You're funny." Fang said.
"I am?" I asked. This is the first time someone told me that, usually; they say that I am awfully serious.
"You are." Fang confessed. "It made me want to hang out with you more."
"Will you stop?" Vanille finally explodes. She looked really irritated. "Your voices make my head hurts."
"Just say you're jealous." Fang barked. "Because that Blondie guy never talks to you."
Vanille reddened. Prompto was surprised to hear that Blondie word again.
"W-what are you saying?" Vanille retorted.
"Why? Don't you like him?" Fang said.
"L-like? Wh—wha…"
"Will you shut up!" Lightning yelled. The two girls hushed. So, Lightning is really the boss, huh.
"We still haven't arrived at the gym, yet you started fighting." She said. "If you're not serious about this, then back out. I can do this thing myself."
"I'm not serious about this." I admitted. "But I'm serious about you."
Then without warning, Prompto grasped the back of my head. To the girls, it probably looks like a friendly clutch, but his fingers were honestly burying on my skin.
Prompto smiled calmly at them. "Can you excuse us for a second?"
The girls looked confused, but they all nodded.
"Then, we head first." Lightning said.
"Yeah." Prompto stated.
In an instant, we are standing at the forest. Prompto's hand was still on my neck. And when he released me, I saw some tinge of golden blood –my blood- at his hand. And his eyes turned red.
"Do you know what you are doing!" he shouted in rage. "Are you serious about… all of that, huh?"
"If I said yes, then what will you do?"
His inched his face in mine. "I'll kill you."
"Then kill me."
Prompto balled his fist. Black smokes appeared from him. He immediately distanced from me.
"You only know her from two days." He said, keeping his temper down.
"I know. But… I can't control… this… weird feeling."
"Then, fight it. If you can't control it, then try to fight it, Noct." Prompto demanded. "You're good at that, right?"
"I am trying." I confessed. "But something about her… makes me feel… addicted."
"What about your dream?" he said. "What about your mother's dream, Noct? For the sake of her own dream, her dream to be a human. Aren't you are the one who will make it come true? That's the reason you're doing this, right?"
Humans are wonderful, Noct. I really wanted to be one of them.
"I know." I said. My eyes turned teary. "I know."
"Then, you must kill her." Prompto barked at me. "Kill Claire. Kill the only hindrance of this dream."
"I will." I said. My emotions were turning in knots. "I will definitely kill her. For my mother's sake."
About thirty humans were sitting at the floor in the center of the rectangular gymnasium, when we arrived. The woman who is instructing them was wearing a white housecoat over a red velvet knee-length dress. Her blonde hair was curled like a princess'.
Miss Lilac looked at us under her reading glasses. "You're late." She said, smiling. "Hurry up. And join the crowd."
As the same time, Lightning raised her hand, to signal us at where they were. Prompto and I sat beside them.
Lightning looked at me. I looked back. Her crystal eyes never blinked. She seems to be learning every detail on my face.
"Where were you gone?" she finally asked in a low voice.
"This is the first time you talk to me that you're not angry." I noticed.
Lightning blushed. "Don't change the subject. Where were you two went?"
I smiled. I can't help being pleased. I somehow hope that the time would stop right now.
"It's a secret." I said. "Give me a kiss if you really wanted to know."
Of course, she didn't do it. I just make her angry, again. She turned back on listening to Miss Lilac.
"You're angry?" I said. What a stupid thing to ask, right? But can you blame me? I just want her to look back again at me.
Fortunately, she did. Her eyes met mine, over again. Fight it, Prompto said. But how? How can I fight such a good feeling? It's weird. I am so happy, even just when only I'm by her side, talking nonsense like this. What kind of feeling is this?
"NOCTIS!"
I blinked. Everyone was looking at our direction. Miss Lilac was looking dreadfully at us. Her eyes were very piercing. It's absolutely giving me a warning.
"Can you pay attention to what I'm saying?" Miss Lilac voice was sweet. "I hate it when people don't look at me when I talk."
She didn't wait for my response; she smiled another time, before turning back to what her saying.
Immediately after the meeting, Miss Lilac confronted me. I already expected it, though.
Again, the three of us went to the forest. Now, this forest is kind of our safest place on mortal world.
"Noctis." Miss Lilac began.
"I know." I nodded, trying to convince them that I know what they are about to say. "And I'm sorry."
Afterward, the weirdest thing happened. Without warning, Miss Lilac placed her palm in my forehead. In an instant, my eyes turned heavy. My visions went blank. I felt dizzy.
The things I wanted to forget the most, suddenly flashed back.
"Noct."
My mother called. She was lying gravely on the bed, as if she's already dead. Her eyes were sad, but her lips keeps smiling and telling me that everything will be alright.
"Come here, Noct." She sweetly said. "Come here, my son."
I obediently obeyed. I sat beside the bed and hold her hand. It was cold and pale. Her skin was dry and weary. Her hair was gray. I never seen her looked this old.
"Are you a good boy?" she asked. Her breathing was weak. I really wanted to stop her from talking, but I can't utter the right words out.
"I am a demon." I said. "I'm naturally not good."
My mother smiled. She always does. Even before, whenever I get in trouble or done something bad, she never got angry. She never makes me feel bad. She always believes that I do something because of good reasons. And I hate her because of that. I hate the fact that to make me feel better, she always tells lies.
My eyes got teary. I let go of her hand and turned my back at her. I tried my best to never make my tears fall. I don't want anyone to see me cry, especially her.
"Why did you come back?" I tried to sounds angry. "Aren't you having fun on mortal world?"
"I do having fun." She admitted. "Humans are wonderful, Noct. I really wanted to be one of them."
"Then be one of them." I said. "I don't… need you to be with me. Go back in there."
Even if I can't see it; I know that she's still smiling. "I… I can't make that dream come true anymore."
Then, my tears fell. I never seen my mother in years, but I never thought that when the time comes that I will finally met her again, it will be like this.
Seconds of silence passed. I know, s-she's… dead.
I turned around and saw the last bit of fading dust from my mother's corpse. The only thing left lying on the bed was the skull shape necklace she's always wearing; the symbol of darkness. It's funny to think the even if she's on another world, she never forgets that she is a demon.
I lifted the necklace up and recalled the things she always does for me. The things she used to say to make me believe that not all demons are bad.
So, I made a silent promise. "I'll make your dream come true, mom. For the payment of all the things you've done to me, for all the lies you've said just to make me feel happy, I'll become a human. I'll pursue your only dream. And I also wanted to see it myself, the wonderful thing about humans which are you talking about. So, I promise. I'll make that dream come true."
I woke up with a start.
My tears are falling. My body was in sweat. I was lying in a small white bed. Prompto and Miss Lilac weren't there. I was alone.
I got up to my feet. My whole body was shaking. Curse that Miss Lilac. Curse her powers.
"You're up." A familiar voice said. My heart flinched.
I wiped my tears out. I saw Lightning entering the room. She was holding a box with a Red Cross sign drawn on it.
"W-where am I? W-what are you doing here?" I asked, breathing hard.
"This is the infirmary. Miss Lilac has a meeting, so she ask me to look after you." She said. "She said you fainted. Are you alright? Are you hurting somewhere?"
"Curse her." I mumbled to myself.
I looked at Lightning. She was looking at me with concerned. I don't know what to do.
I do have feelings for her, a weird, unexplainable one… but I don't have enough time to figure it out. I-I need to kill her as soon as possible.
"Get out." I said.
Her eyebrows knit. "What?"
"I don't need you." I can't stop myself from shaking. "So, get out."
Lightning looked hurt. She went out to the door and slammed it shut with a loud bang.
I sat miserably at the floor and planted my head on my knees. "I-I need to. I need to kill her no matter what happens. I need to destroy her."
"You finally woke up." I looked up and find Miss Lilac smiling at me. She was standing by the window with her arms crossed.
I stood up and glared at her. "What did you do to me! Why did you have to show me those things?"
"To woke up your sleeping senses." She said. "To make you remember what your true objective is."
Miss Lilac walked closer. "Do you see it clearly, my dear?"
"F*ck you." I said.
Miss Lilac smiled pleasingly. "Right. That's right. You should be more like that. That's the real nature of a devil."
Then, her smile faded. She looked at me, real serious. "You should never fail to remember that you're a spawn of a demon, Mr. Next Demon King."
End of CHAPTER 02