I couldn't move as I stared at the face of my father, the man I had seen lying dead on the floor. Sebastian roared in anger as he was slammed against the floor. Father and I looked at him as Hydria got to her feet, the air around her vibrating. When she looked at us, I saw that her eyes were pale blue. That was how they got when she used a lot of power. Or so I thought. She glared at Father, "What kind of sick joke are you playing?" she demanded coldly. His eyes were wide, "Joke? What are you talking about?"
"There's no way you can be Ciel's dad."
"Why?"
"His parents are... Well, you should know!"
Father nodded, putting a hand on his head, "It's true, we were viciously attacked. But, somehow, I survived." Hydria's glare grew, "You could've been with Ciel this entire time if that was true." There are no words that can express how grateful I was that Hydria was there, trying to make sense of this whole thing. "Things happen, miss," Father countered, "And I have noticed that my butler's loyalty may not be 100%"
"Why would you say that, my lord?" Sebastian asked through his teeth as he struggled to push himself up off of the floor. Father sighed, "You are powerful, correct? Why won't you free yourself?" I looked at Sebastian as if in a daze, "Don't..." I whimpered, feeling a numbing pain in my chest, "Sebastian, don't..." I knew very well that he could free himself if he wanted to. Hydria couldn't be that strong, could she? Sebastian hesitated, ceasing his struggles. Father frowned, "Sebastian, break free this instance. That's an order." Again, Sebastian hesitated and I felt a sense of pride towards my butler. He then sighed, "Yes, Master." Hydria turned her attention to him again, the red lightning now glowing bright and clear, "Don't you do it." I glanced at Father for a moment and he looked at me, "You seem lost, son," he commented. "I thought you were dead..." I told him, "I saw your body... Your grave.. You're supposed to be gone..!" He frowned, "I thought you'd be overjoyed to see I wasn't dead."
"You made my butler betray me... You both said I was a fake. A father doesn't say that kind of thing."
Hydria suddenly let out a scream that made my heart stop in my chest and I watched in horror as she put her hands to her ears before collapsing on the floor, Sebastian now standing tall over her, "Hydria!" I exclaimed, forgetting my father as I dropped off of the bed and got on my knees next to her, shaking her shoulder, "Hydria? Hydria, can you hear me?!" Looking up at Sebastian, I lifted an item off of the floor - a picture frame- and threw it at him, "You idiot!" He whacked it away with his hand, "She's still alive so do not lose your temper."
"Idiot!" I shouted, "Idiot, idiot, idiot!" Father frowned, "Sebastian." Forgetting about me, Sebastian looked at Father, "Yes, my lord?"
"How about a game?"
"A game, sir?"
"A test of loyalty," Father clarified, "Come with me to set it up. And, Ciel?" Taking my eyes off of the unconscious Hydria, I looked up at with a frown. He smiled but it wasn't exactly warm, "You and your loyal butler are to participate."
"Why would I do that?"
"To test whose loyalty is the strongest."
"I refuse."
"Oh, well," Father said with a sigh, walking towards the broken bedroom door, "We'll be outside waiting for you. Don't completely rule out the idea, Ciel. I know how much you love games." Squeezing my eyes shut for a second, I turned my attention back towards Hydria. I could feel Sebastian's gaze on my back but ignored it. Then, he followed Father out of the room.

Sebastian and Father didn't matter right now. The only thing I was focused on was Hydria; she wasn't moving and I couldn't hear her breathing. Swearing lightly under my breath, I felt her wrist for a pulse just to be sure and was shocked to feel nothing there. I leaned over her and felt her neck, waiting for what felt like forever. Then I felt her weak pulse. Letting out a sigh of relief, I rubbed my burning eyes. Knowing she was at least alive (Even though Sebastian said so) was enough for right now. Now, I had to figure out the situation at hand; my father had returned from the dead. He wasn't as kind as I remembered him. I didn't even know why he was here. I had seen his body! He was dead! How did this kind of thing happen? And then there was Sebastian. He seemed to be obeying Father but had obeyed me only moments ago. Then listened to Father again. I rested my head on my knees, confusing thoughts bouncing around in my head as I tried to put things together. Was it possible that this could still be a dream? Even this far in? Hydria groaned, causing me to lift my head. She pushed herself up to a sitting position, putting a hand on her head. "Hydria..." I breathed, "You shouldn't move so much.." She looked at me then frantically looked around, "Wait, where'd they go?" I put my head on my knees again, "Outside, I think. Father said something about a game." She put her hands in her lap, "You don't have to bother with it, do you?"
"He said me and my loyal butler are going to participate..."
"Butler..?"
I nodded, "How annoying... He knows I don't have one anymore if Sebastian is participating for him." Hydria looked up at the ceiling, "And what if you don't participate?"
"Who knows."
I sighed and gripped my hair, "God, what am I supposed to do!?" We were both silent for a moment then Hydria stood up, wobbling a little on her feet. I looked up at her. "Without knowing what'll happen if you don't, you should at least go to see what it is he wants," she said, "Then you can decided what to do from there once you have an idea of the situation."
"I don't know..."
"I don't see any other options right now, Ciel."
Ah, she was right. In multiple ways; it would be better to figure out what it is Father wants and what to do about the situation. Also, there aren't really any other options. Taking a breath, I got to my feet, "Alright.. Hydria, I think you should stay here." Her eyes widened, "Why?"
"You're weak and if this was a trap to stun you, you'd be easy prey."
She crossed her arms, "Why would it be a trap for me?"
"You're pretty powerful. They wouldn't want you getting in the way."
"But-"
My eyes narrowed, "Hydria, please." She fell silent and crossed her arms, "Fine..." I sighed, "Thank you."
"How convenient it was that you didn't change before climbing into bed," she commented. I shook my head and walked out of the room, into the hall, "While your here, please fix the door." She sighed, "Ugh, fine..." I couldn't help but smirk slightly as I made my way down the stairs and out the front door, walking towards a large, strange platform on the ground. On one end stood Father and Sebastian. I swallowed and stepped onto the opposite end of the platform, staring straight at them, "What do you want?"
"Straight to the point, I see," Father said, chuckling. I frowned, "Cut the crap. This isn't just a simple game of loyalty, is it?"
"It is. Depending on how you look at it."
He looked around, a cold smile on his face, "I don't see a butler participating for you."
"I wonder why," I muttered bitterly, "Maybe because my dead father took him from me." Both Sebastian and Father's eyes widened at my statement. Father frowned lightly, "Well, I win by default."
"And what is your worthless prize?" I asked, crossing my arms. He shook his head, "The winner doesn't get a prize. The loser does."
"And that is..?"
"A lesson."
He took a step forward and I found myself taking a step back even though we were far apart, "Do you know what this means?" he asked. When I didn't say anything, he continued, "No one is here to stand by you. You are completely alone." I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists but that didn't stop the impact of what he said; I was alone. No one stood by me and no one will. Not like how Sebastian did. I looked at the ground in defeat. How pitiful it was, to lose a game you didn't participate in. Father chuckled, "It seems you finally understand."
"He's not alone."
Sebastian and Father stiffened, staring in shock at the black cloaked figure that approached from my end, moving like a ghost. They stepped onto the platform and stood beside me, facing the other pair, "You and your stupid 'lessons'," the person growled, "I'll be participating on Ciel's behalf." Then, they removed their cloak, throwing it to the side. Sebastian's eyes narrowed as he glared at his opponent. Father's eyes widened, "Oh my..." I, on the other hand, stared in shock, "What the hell are you doing..?" I asked. Hydria glanced at me, a smirk on her face, "You keep falling for whatever these idiots say. I may not be a butler or a demon but I can stand beside you and protect you better than Sebastian." Still, I couldn't believe my eyes. After all, Hydria was here, trying to prove to me, again, that what I believed was wrong. It seems like someone other than Sebastian was and had been looking after me. I nodded, "Alright." Feeling stronger, I pointed at Father, "WE will play your game."