Chapter 7: Confession
MG's P.O.V.
When we arrived, it was already noon. Andr got us here pretty quick. We were in front of this big stone brick wall. The gate door was made of oak fence. I think it's supposed to come down? Not exactly sure...
"I have to return to my dimension before my father worries. Remember what I said!"
"Yeah, yeah, don't get caught..." I lifted the hood over my head.
"Bye!" Cupa waved.
"Later, Cupa!" She left without saying a word to me. It was quiet again.
"...So, are you ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." I took another deep breath before following her through the gate. There was no one attending the gate; it was that easy.
"What, no guards for the gate?"
"Would you enter a kingdom of self-detonating creatures?"
"..." I scratch the back of my head in embarrassment.
"...Nevermind." It looked similar to the one underground, the only difference being the buildings were made of dark oak. It seemed pretty peaceful here. The Creepers were going about their business. It seems there are a lot of mobs tied to the royal bloodline in some way; though, I'm sure not all of them are true heirs to the kingdom. I decided to make smalltalk with Cupa.
"Hey, Cupa, you guys were pretty surprised to hear how old I was. But how old are you two?"
"Andr is 500, and I'm 180." Now I'm the one surprised. She has the body of a 17-year-old! She has to be at least 5'1! And Andr? She looks like she's in her early 20's!
"...What about who rules this kingdom? I'd like to understand this place a little more."
"I...can't remember."
"You don't?"
"...No." I can tell Cupa is lying, but I chose to leave it at that. She must have her reasons.
"You know, I never expected a mob to spare my life. I'm curious, though: Why let me go? You could've easily turned me over to the Endermen."
"I don't know. Probably 'cause I..." She got quiet.
"...Yeah?" Cupa never answered. She just kept her eyes forward.
(Yeah... Figured as much...) It was stupid of me to mistake kindness for something like love. It sounds ridiculous when I think about it. I tried to fake a smile, even if it hurts a little. There was still something she needed to hear...
"Well, regardless, I should be thanking you..."
"For what?"
"If you hadn't cheered me up with that letter, I'd be a completely different person... So, Cupa, thank you..." Saying those words made a weight lift from my chest.
"Heh... You're welcome." She suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"...We're here." We were in front of a huge cabin, with a wooden deck in the front and a green stained glass Creeper window. I was let inside. There was a normal living room with 2 couches. They were lined with red carpet, so they were pretty comfy. There was also a little table in the middle and some bookshelves. This was the living room. Cupa stared at me, nervous about something.
"I have to go take care of this... Promise me you won't go anywhere!"
"Cupa, relax..." I put my hands behind my head and casually smile. "I'm not going anywhere. Promise!"
"A-Alright..." She shuts the door. It would be some time before she gets back. What to do, what to do... Guess I can look around the house...
There were stairs turning right. I wanted to see what was up there. The first door on the left was a bathroom. The shower is just a dispenser filled with water. From what I can tell, the lever controls the temperature and the button is what actually starts the shower. Glass blocks kept the water from flooding the room. The toilet is actually just a hopper with water and an iron trapdoor. I think the hopper flushes the waste away. The sink was also a cauldron.
I took the next door on the right. It was a small bedroom. The blankets were green, and had the Creeper face sewn in. On each side of the bed was a bookshelf with a torch. That was it. The door across was another bedroom, this one much bigger. To the left was a closet as well as another door.
(Two...?) It took me a minute to put to make sense of it. This must be the master bedroom. I opened the other door. It was another bathroom even larger than the last. What really surprised me is that there is a mirror in here. I can actually see myself. My hair color's dark brown; it's long and messy, but it looks good in a way. I part my hair a little to see my furry ears. And then I notice my eyes... The scleras were black instead of a normal white. And my irises were dark red. I at least make an effort to smile, but I become discouraged by the sharp teeth. My ears fall in response.
(I've always looked like this, haven't I...?) I felt heavy all of a sudden. This sharp pain rushes through my head. The room started spinning as several voices began to speak at once.
(This all because of my powers!)
(This isn't a gift, it's a curse...)
(Why wasn't I born normal?!)
"What's happening...?!" The voices were quickly getting louder. There were more of them.
(They all look at me like I'm some kinda freak!)
(No...they think I'm a monster!)
(They push me into a corner like an animal. They attack for no reason!)
(I can hear their thoughts...! They're afraid! They all want me dead!)
(People... They're liars, selfish, ignorant, destructive, and they're afraid of anything they don't understand...!)
(I wish everyone would just go away!)
(Wishing is useless. It's time they all pay!)
(Pay...pay...pay...!)
"No... That's not me..." The voices grew even louder. The pain intensified, overloaded by the amount of words being processed. I was on my knees.
(I've become what everyone fears: A monster...)
(I finally got what I wanted... Now they're all afraid...)
(It's...quiet...)
(Everyone runs at the sight of me...even whenever I try to help...)
(Who needs them?! I hate everyone!)
"Just shut up..."
(I hate people! And I hate myself even more!)
(I'm not even human; I'm just a monster...)
"I said shut up...!"
(Monster...)
(Monster...)
(Monster...)
(A monster doesn't need friends; a monster doesn't need love.)
(Monsters need to be killed.)
(I can't live like this...)
(There has to be a way out...)
(I'm gonna Kill this monster, EVEN IF IT KILLS ME!)
"Shut up, shut up, SHUT UP!" My true voiced was finally heard. It fell silent.
"...You're scared, aren't you?" A chill ran up my spine. Inches from my face was this dark entity, enshrouded in a black mist. What made it worse is that this creature is me! I stumbled back in fear.
"Hahahaha-ahahaha!" His voice was too much to bear. I covered my ears, but his laughter still went on in my head. I finally broke down, right then and there. I curled up, unable to hold back these tears...
"These words—who do you think they belong to?"
"They aren't mine...!"
"They aren't, or you don't want them to be?!" He asked, now more agitated. There was a lump in my throat. I couldn't answer. It felt like something had a hold of me; and no matter what, it won't let go.
"Don't lie to yourself. You're scared of your own past—!"
"The past is dead—!"
"—THEN WHY AM I HERE?!" His words countered mine. "We took our own life to escape the world, or have you simply forgotten?"
"I'll tell you why: ...There is no rest for the wicked." That hold on me—it became stronger...
"We're monsters, you and I; it's time you remembered that."
"I am nothing like you...! You are not me!"
"THEN WHO AM I?!"
"I don't know, I—!"
(...Shadow...) His voice whispered in my own head. "The...Great...Demon..."
"Now, we're getting somewhere...!"
"—JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
"—JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" We shouted the same thing to the each other. While I was downright terrified, he was over there laughing at my expense. This hold on me was coming from him. I realized too late. This dark vapor surrounded me. I was blanketed in darkness, without any source of light.
"You and I are one and the same. WE are monsters... It's why we're born with this power." The sound of his voice echoed.
"Please...no more..." Just as I was on the verge losing any sanity I had left, I remembered the words written in a letter.
(...I don't think you're a monster. It's not the power, it's how you use it. I know you might feel scared and alone right now, but just know you aren't.) The grip he had on me was gone, like he were never there in the first place. The pain, guilt, anger, the anxiety... I was relieved of it all...
"Thank you...Cupa." I took a moment to wash my face. I didn't want anyone to be seen crying like this... That's when I noticed the change... While the sclera to my left eye was still black, the right one was gradually becoming white. Both irises turn from a pale yellow to a calm, deep blue. I feel like I recovered something important, but...I can't remember what...
Cupa's P.O.V.
"Come ooonn!" I tried to convince my oldest sister, Lapis. Even though we were sisters, we looked nothing alike. She wore a grey-teal hoodie and blue socks. My father named her Lapis because her eyes and hair were just as deep as the ocean. Of course, she was suspicious of my request. We were already on our way to the house I wanted.
"I just don't see why you needed to borrow emeralds for a house..." I told her the house was for me. It was the only way I thought I could convince her.
"Because I spend a lot of time in the other kingdoms. I just thought it would come in handy!"
"But the castle is right here. Plus, Andr can take you anywhere you want."
"But the castle is just too huge! I just want a nice, cozy, quiet place to sleep."
"Then why are you making such a big deal of this? Just let me see the place..."
"I said nooooo!" I was trying to hold her back by the hand, but Lapis was a lot stronger than me. It's to the point where I'm being dragged on my heels. She already stepped on the porch. Lapis opened the door and let herself in.
"This is it, huh?"
"I..." (I really hope he's hiding...!) I followed Lapis to the kitchen. The kitchen itself was enclosed on three sides. There was a double-chest, 2 furnaces, a crafting table, and a regular counter made from piston blocks. The dining table seated 4.
"I guess the kitchen's okay." This is bad. She's looking around! Under the stairs was an entrance to a room I never noticed. In the center were 4 furnaces and 4 crafting tables. Double-chests lined the walls, along with a few armor stands.
"Storage is pretty good, too." This was it for the downstairs, so we headed up. He's going to get caught for sure! First was the main bathroom. MG wasn't there. Next was the master bedroom. Just a 2-wide Creeper bed and a nightstand on each side. This one had its own bathroom as well, but they were both empty.
"This is all? There's no glowstone. How are you going to keep warm at night?"
"Oh, uh...I was thinking of getting some extra blankets later..."
"Well, if you say so..." I never felt so stressed before. Lapis was going to check the last room in the house. If she sees MG now, then—!
"Oh. A guest bedroom." She closed it just as quick as she opened it. Lapis was already heading downstairs. "Alright. I'll get the house for you."
"Really?"
"Yes. This is what you wanted, is it not?"
"Y-Yeah! Definitely!"
"I can give you the deed by tomorrow. But this door doesn't have any locks on it. You might want to stay the night, so no one loots the place."
"R-Right, thanks!"
"Well, let me know if you need any help moving your stuff!"
"I will. Bye!" I waved, closing the door behind her. I waited until she was off the porch. Finally, Lapis was gone. "Ho-boy, that was too close..." I headed back upstairs and called out for MG.
" 'Kay, you can come out now!" I waited for a while, but heard nothing. He didn't come out of the room, so I headed in.
"Hey, you didn't hear? I said the coast's—" I stopped. He isn't in here... I checked under the bed; it was the only spot he could be hiding. He wasn't there either.
"~MG!~" I call out again. Still no response. Did he...leave?
"...This isn't funny!" I started rechecking all the rooms upstairs. The master bedroom was empty, and so was the bathroom. The bathroom in the hall was empty as well. My eyes started watering.
"...You better not have run off!" I look over the rail. Part of me was just hoping he'd be downstairs. The kitchen was empty, the storage room was empty—I can't believe this... He lied!
"You promised you wouldn't leave!" I started stomping my foot in frustration. I never felt so stupid in my entire life!
"I can't believe I actually thought you were a nice guy! Have you been lying to me the whole time?!" Still nothing.
"Why did you even wanna live in a kingdom full of mobs?!" When there was no response, I banged my head against the wall, now sitting down.
"Did you even like me...?!" The whole reason I bought this stupid place was so I could see him. Now I'm all alone in an empty house I bought for someone else. I started sobbing into my lap. That was when something flicked my head. I started hissing in defense.
"I...I like you..." He was right there...hanging upside down by a tail...
"What...?" I can't believe I never notice this before. There were 2 support columns made of oak logs.
They kept the roof from caving in as it closed inward. His tail was stretched long enough to just reach me.
"I... Why didn't you answer before?!"
"Yeah...I was kinda having a mental breakdown of my own... *sigh* Sorry..." My face turned red.
"You really feel the same way...?" I stood up, wanting to actually hurt him for scaring me like that.
"...Yes, you jerk!" I shoved him back. Hard. He only smiled, even when he hit his head against the pillar. As he was coming back, he reached for my face...and kissed me. If only for a moment, I felt my anger slip away. His lips left once he lost the momentum. I never stopped crying after; he only made it worse by kissing me.
"This whole time I was underground, the only thing to think about was you. For days, I wanted to see you more than sunlight..." His tail dissolved. He landed perfectly on his toes.
"Then why scare me like that?!" He dropped that smile when he saw I was still hurting. His eyes changed colors. They went from a pink color to turquoise.
"I'm sorry..." He wrapped his arms around me. For minutes, I just cried and cried. It felt like an eternity before I could speak again. When I finally did, I just kept scolding him.
"You better not do this again...!"
"I won't. Promise..."
"You are the worst...! And you stink...!"
"Yeah. I probably do..."
"When this is over, you're taking a shower!"
"That's fine by me..." My frustration faded away, and I felt stupid for getting angry in the first place. I can tell MG liked me as much as I liked him... I found myself holding onto him as well.
"What else, Cupa?" The truth is I ran out of ways to tell him off... My grip tightens, knowing there's no way delay the truth... He deserves to know.
"I'm...the Princess of the Creepers..."
"...That's it?"
"You don't...?"
"No, no! I just didn't expect you to run outta ammo so quick..." MG scratches the back of his head, now with a calm smile. "I'm no good at this, but...I do like you, Cupa. I could care less if you're a Creeper or a princess. You are what you..." He dropped that smile, and his pupils grew... His irises—the color drained from them, turning an empty grey...
"MG?" I feel his arms loosen around me. Something's wrong.
"...You are...what...you..." He collapses to the floor.
\ Flashback: Age 13...\
MG's P.O.V.
I remember it so clearly, now... Winter. A girl with a pink hoodie stepped in. She closed the door behind her. This was my warehouse. No one but her had the courage to enter, yet even she was a little scared after hearing all the stories. This building belonged to The Great Demon Shadow, and those who entered must be prepared to die! The whole time she was looking around for me, I was actually stalking her from above.
"Dōshite?! Anata wa watashi ni itte iru hitsuyō ga arimasu!" [How come?! You should've told me!] She spoke Japanese. And somehow, I understood her.
"Jā nani?! Boku no shinjitsu o katarimashita, dono yō ni han'nō surudarou?!" [Then what?! If I told the truth, how would you react?!]
"Watashi wa ki ni shinaidarou!" [I wouldn't care!]
"Anata wa uso o tsuite imasu. Watashitachi ga deatta saisho no hi wa, anata boku no osorete imashita." [You're lying. The first day we met, you were afraid of me.]
"Shikashi..." [But...] She glanced at the floor.
"Ki o waruku shinaide kudasai... Shinjitsu wa jinrui wa nani o osorete iru watashi amu. Boku no subete no nochi ni monsutādesu." [Don't feel bad... The truth is humanity fears what I am. I AM a monster, after all.]
"Soshite, sore o shōmei! Karera wa anata ga koroshita to iimasu!" [Then prove it! They say you killed!]
"Ore ga motte imasu. Sore no nani?" [I have. What of it?]
"Soshite, watashi o koroshite! Watashi no ryōshin wa shinde imasu, karera wa watashi no kami no tame ni watashi no majo o yobidashimasu—watashiniha nanimonai. [Then kill me! My parents are dead, they call me a witch for my hair—I have nothing!]
"..." I stay quiet. Those tears of hers were not of fear. They were of sorrow...
"Watashi ni...shūshifu o uchimasu..." [Just...put an end to me...] That's right! This is how everything went down. I swooped down with 4 tails at my disposal. She froze in terror as I came closer. I picked her up by her wrists using two of my tails. My eyes were just evil red slits. I can't believe I was actually gonna through with this! It was something about her that made me hesitate. I remember her life. She was tormented on a daily basis, the same as I. Her foster family ignores her. She hardly had anyone by her side. Using another of my tails, I pulled back her hood, letting me see her face. Her skin was paler than mine, her hair white and her eyes red. The girl only continued to sob. It took forever, but I gently put her back on her feet... I just walked further away, closer to the wall.
"DAAAAAMMIIIIIIIIIIT!" I trashed a door that was already ripped off its hinges. I made it seem like paper. "IT HURTS! WHY DOES THIS HURT?!" What happened after was I kicked through an empty oil drum, getting it stuck around my ankle. I was free once I sent flying to a wall. All you could here was the sound of metal being scraped, banged, even shredded! My form didn't last. I found myself tiring out, after there was nothing to destroy.
"This pain... It's love... Monsters don't love, so what am I...?!" A pair of arms wrapped around me.
"You...are...what...you...are..." For the first time, she had spoken English. I started sobbing as this moment came to an end. I gave her a reason to live; she gave me a reason to change. Her name...it was Rhyme. After this moment, I think this is when my new life actually began.
\Current Time...\
I finally darted awake. I was in bed, in the guest room. The lights were off, so it was pretty dark.
(I must've fainted...) I tried to get up when I noticed the weight on my lap. It was Cupa...sound asleep. My eyes watered.
(Rhyme, or Cupa...?) I shook the thought from my head.
(What the fuck am I saying?! Cupa, of course!) Rhyme is just a memory from my past life. This is where I belong! So, then...why am I trying so hard to recover my memories? And the name Shadow... What's the point in recovering this if I'm just going to abandon it?
"Kehehehe... Feeling conflicted, are we?" A familiar voice asked. There, on the other side of the room, was me.
"For how long will you haunt me?!"
"Ouch! And here I was gonna tell you something important." I raised a brow.
"Tell me what?" He folded his arms.
"A hint, jackass! You NEED to know the reason you lost your memories."
"I had enough splitting headaches for one day, thank you."
"What if I told you the answer to defeating HB lies within those memories?" And like that, he got my attention.
"You're serious..."
"Do you even remember who HB is?" I shook no. "What about here? Do you recognize this world?"
"...Minecraftia?"
"Bzzt! Wrong answer!" I tried to think. Where else could I be? "Don't feel bad. It's just the amnesia."
"The truth is we...YOU came here for a reason. You just need to remember that reason."
"I thought you knew everything?"
"Not me, wise guy—YOU know everything." He was quick to point the finger. "You just have to remember." He started fading away.
"No, wait! Tell me more!" He vanished, but the last of his words remained.
"..Sorry, I can't remember..." Like that, he was gone... The Shadow of my past was no more. I feel the bed shift a little. Cupa stirred awake.
"M...G?" I rub her back softly.
"I'm fine now, Cupa. ...Thank you."
"You were out for so long, I..."
"I've been doin' a little remembering..."
"Really? Like what exactly?"
"I know my name was once Shadow. Also you're not the first girl I fell in love with. There was another... From my world."
"Do you still, you know...?" I chuckle a bit.
"I made a promise to a certain someone. I won't be going anywhere."
"I'm glad..." Cupa dropped her head in exhaustion. She's really out of it.
"Hey, go get some rest." When she doesn't respond, I take her hand in mine and shake her lightly. "There's another room across the hall, sleepy! Go sleep there!"
"Wha...? What about you?"
"I still need a shower, remember? This bed is gonna stink if I don't..."
"Right... Goodnight, Shadow..." I winced hearing the her call me by that name. It was like being pierced with an arrow.
(It's just a name. You can get over it...) "How 'bout Shade? It sounds less sinister."
"Okay...Shade. Goodnight."
"Sweet dreams, Cupa..." Cupa takes her time getting up, wanting our hands to remain together for just a little while longer. When they finally part, I feel a little guilty. She walks out the room, leaving me to my thoughts. I pull out the letter from HB and hold it to the ceiling, reading it.
Dear Mg3z,
You may not remember who I am, but I could never forget you. Four long years ago, you destroyed my physical body. But now, I have grown stronger as a spirit. I have ordered my mobs to let you go for now, but I will not spare your life again. This is not an act of kindness, but an official writ of challenge. As you are now, killing you won't be satisfying. You've grown soft... Only when you are strong enough, will I face you in battle, force you to watch me take away everything you love, and then kill you... Heed my warning, Mg3z: The last thing you will ever see will be my cold, lifeless eyes. The life you took for me...
Signed, HB
Oh, and one more thing: Happy 18th birthday...
(Cupa...) I couldn't just lie about how I felt for her. Without my memories, my feelings are all I have. If I abandon those, then I truly have no identity...
(I'm sorry... But I love you...) Even if it was the truth, I may be putting her at risk. Now that I think about it, HB knew where I was the first day I came to Minecraftia. He's been waiting for me... And the day the Zombie Pigman attacked—he was testing me... He even knew my birthday, and my age...
(Oh my god...) I just figured him out. I see a brief flash of red in my vision; my eyes...
"...I can't see you, but I know you're watching me... HB, now I know what kind of person you are. You know more about my life than I do. And that time during the rain—you were testing me. You're the type who's obsessed... If that's the case, I have a request. Will you listen?" Silently, I wait for something to happen, anything at all...
*...Knock* It came from the wall behind me, where nothing should exist beyond it. This is the second floor.
"By all means, test away. I haven't forgotten your challenge, and I'm still looking for new ways to grow stronger. I only ask you leave Cupa out of your tests..."
"..." ...Nothing. Only the sound of the stirring wind.
"If you think you have nothing to lose, you're wrong. Now, I have someone important to me; it isn't much, but I have a reason to survive. Kill her now, and it will only break me..."
"..." ...Still, no reply... I never felt so afraid. There is no way to know he's there. Why, because HB is omnipotent; that's the only explanation for how he can know where I am while still avoiding detection! I sit up and place my hands on the bed, groveling.
"I finally remember how love feels... Please, don't take that away...!" ...There was still no reply. My grip tightens around the bed sheets. "If she dies now, then I'll take my own life. You won't get the satisfaction...of doing it yourself..." I meant every word of what I said; this is the only way I could possibly hope to barter with him. That's when I finally get a response.
*...Knock...knock* Two knocks against the wall behind me. I don't know what that could mean.
"...Once more... Do I have your word?"
*...Knock* I earn another in confirmation. My grip on the sheets loosens, but I keep my head down.
"...Thank you. HB, you won't be disappointed..." And just like that, there was no more knocking on the wall. I remain frozen, unsure of whether or not he's still watching. The only sound came from the cold winds of Winter. It brings a sense of calm...
(I still need to shower...) This is gonna be a long night. I'll be lucky to get any sleep. I get off the bed, gather some clothes, and leave to take a shower...
Hey guys, that's it for this chapter. I had chapters 5, 6, & 7 waiting here for a long time, but never got around to finishing them. Today, I finally had some free time, so I devoted it to posting all three! Don't forget to review, and I'll see you all later!