Chapter 9: Whispers in the Dark
Talon moaned, "Why can't we just play League?"
"Because we are already in a damn game!" Optic Flare yelled.
"Yeah, but League isn't deadly," whined Talon.
"Just shut up!" Flare whined.
"I could be playing Blucian or Blukong…" Talon whined.
"Arrgh! Shut the-" Flare started.
"Cool it there, young blood," Diana stopped him.
"Tell him to shut up!" Flare whined.
"Why do I have to?" Diana asked.
"Because he won't shut up!" Flare continued to whine.
"Why should I do it? Why can't you?" Diana asked.
"Because I don't want to!" Flare moaned.
"God, you're so annoying Flare," Talon moaned. "Quit whining and moaning!"
Flare started sputtering like an old car, spitting out lots of curses. Talon and Diana laughed. "Guys, stop abusing your brother," said a high-pitched voice. It was like a little girl's voice.
"Ohmygodsheishere!" Heruseus yelled overjoyed!
"Uh, do I know you?" asked a petite Asian girl.
"I'm your biggest fan LilyPichu!" Heruseus squealed like a fangirl.
"Aww, thanks!" beamed LilyPichu as she gave Heruseus a hug.
Heruseus grinned uncontrollably, "TodayisthebestdayeverIhopeitneverends!"
"Lily!" shouted a boy's voice.
Heruseus turned to see a boy small Asian boy with dark hair. "Today just got better!"
"Who's this guy?" Talon whispered to Flare.
"Umm, I don't know," Flare sighed.
"Lily, who's this guy?" The boy drew his sword, a simple two-handed sword.
"Chill Dom, it's a fan. Apparently of both of us," Lily smiled.
"Well, great to meet you, but we gotta go!" Domics shook Heruseus' hand and then Lily and Dom ran off.
"Well, that was awesome!" Heruseus smiled.
"Ok, well that had no point. We continue!" Flare yelled.
"It had point! I met my idols!" Heruseus complained.
"Whatever. Your 'idol's' are superstitious," Dragonstar pointed out.
"Shuddup!" Heruseus whined.
"Chill," Flare calmed him down.
"Fine," Heruseus sighed.
After a few hours had passed when the team had hit the next town of floor 17, a gothic themed floor, and already checked into an inn. Heruseus walked outside for a bit. It was cool night despite the fact they were in a small town in a mesa. Heruseus began to run out to the fields and killed a few monsters before sitting down and opening the voice crystal.
Hey Little Brother. Heruseus choked as Josh's familiar voice filled his eardrums. I figure that I am dead by now. On the other hand, maybe I forgot to take out the voice crystal. Either way, you deserve to hear this. I know lately I have been hanging out with some of the popular kids and treating you like trash. I'm sorry. You will always be my little brother. The day this game became reality, I began to look for you frantically. I met up with Gracie, Cesar, Jerrod, Amy, Amber and Beth, but I kept looking for you. I never stopped. I hope by the time this reaches you I'm still alive so you can find me. Every night since that day, I've had dreams about the beta, the only time you and I could hang out. Especially because you go to that stupid Catholic High School now. But whatever. We will both be going to the same school to catch up. The dreams are always very vivid, usual with us dueling before we log out, as we often did. The dreams are more like memories. You see, it started with me beating you in the duel. However, slowly you have been getting better. I hope to live long enough to see you beat me, as you did on the last day of the beta. I still have enough time, so I'll sing you one of your favorite songs. Enjoy Little Brother. And remember, even though I might be dead, I will still always love you.
You would not believe your eyes
If ten million fireflies
Lit up the world as I fell asleep
'Cause they'd fill the open air
And leave tear drops everywhere
You'd think me rude
But I would just stand and stare
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
'Cause I'd get a thousand hugs
From ten thousand lightning bugs
As they tried to teach me how to dance
A foxtrot above my head
A sock hop beneath my bed
The disco ball is just hanging by a thread
(Thread, thread...)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)
Leave my door open just a crack
(Please take me away from here)
'Cause I feel like such an insomniac
(Please take me away from here)
Why do I tire of counting sheep?
(Please take me away from here)
When I'm far too tired to fall asleep
(Ha-ha)
To ten million fireflies
I'm weird 'cause I hate goodbyes
I got misty eyes as they said farewell
(Said farewell)
But I'll know where several are
If my dreams get real bizarre
'Cause I saved a few and I keep them in a jar
(Jar, jar, jar...)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
'Cause everything is never as it seems
(When I fall asleep)
I'd like to make myself believe
That planet Earth turns slowly
It's hard to say that I'd rather stay awake when I'm asleep
Because my dreams are bursting at the seams
I love you Little Brother…
Heruseus began to sob uncontrollably. He couldn't stop. "Leave it up to that jerk to sing a sad song,"
Heruseus bawled for an hour before he could pull himself together. When he did, he put the voice crystal in his inventory and ran back to the inn. When he opened the door, he checked the time. It was 5:30 in the morning. And who better to greet him than Dragonstar. "I actually thought you'd stop going hunting so late at night," she sighed.
"I didn't go hunting," Heruseus said quickly. He could feel his tears welling up.
"Really? Did you go on a date then?" Dragonstar mocked.
"No. Leave me alone!" Heruseus shouted. The tears almost fell down his cheeks.
"You've been alone since you left!" Dragonstar yelled.
"No I haven't! Josh has been with me!" Heruseus blurted out.
"Are you insane? Josh is dead! Theo I get that it hurts and this seems harsh, but you have to get over it! Josh wouldn't want you to mourn this long!" Dragonstar shouted.
"I was with his voice! He sang to me! He apologized to me!" Heruseus shouted. The tears now began to fall down his face. Grimmjack woke up to the noise.
"Theo! Are you ok?!" Grimmjack ran to him.
Heruseus grabbed him and hugged him. "I want Josh back!" he shouted like a child.
"Hey, hey, it's ok! Josh is in your heart! And other places like your memories!" Grimmjack tried to calm him down.
Diana came running down stairs. "Take him upstairs Diana. Dragonstar, outside, now!" Grimmjack shouted.
The early morning light bathed the small town. Grimmjack made the pretty image ruined. He had a horrible scowl. "Listen up Stephanie! I don't normally act like this! I'm normally chill. You get that right?" he demanded.
"Yes," Dragonstar said weakly.
"Good. This is the only time I'm gonna go ballistic! Listen to me! Theo is not gonna get over Josh for a long time. Josh was like his brother! They even passionately referred to each other as Little and Big Brother respectively. They even included me in this as well. I'm not as hurt because I only knew Josh for two years, Theo knew him for 7. He's known Josh longer than he's known Westin! And those two have known each for 6 years! Look, what I'm trying to say is you have no idea how much he hurts. What we do need to know is what he's talking about with Josh's voice…" Grimmjack seethed.
"Ok," Dragonstar started for inside.
"We're not done here! You still need to apologize to him. And to the others because your screaming woke them up," Grimmjack finished.
"Yes sir!" Dragonstar said.
"Am I detecting sass?" Grimmjack yelled.
"N-no!" Dragonstar cowered.
"Good," Grimmjack folded his arms.
The duo walked inside were Heruseus had calmed down. The others had woken up. Titanus was stroking Heruseus' hair as Titanus was murmuring with Flare. Dragonstar nervously approached the group. "I'm sorry for waking you up," she turned towards Heruseus, "And I'm sorry for making you cry. It won't happen again," she apologized.
"Shut up. It will happen again. Onii-two, I'm sad," Heruseus murmured like a little kid.
"Onii-two?" Flare asked.
"I'm his temporary replacement for his Onii-san, Josh," Titanus explained.
"Ah," Flare nodded.
"Yeah," Heruseus murmured.
"Get this kid a blanket, he's falling asleep," Titanus got up and Heruseus laid down.
Titanus put the blanket over Heruseus and after a few minutes, he had fallen asleep. "Ok, I really am sorry. I don't mean to be rude, it just happens," Dragonstar sighed.
"It's ok," Grimmjack sighed.
"Huh?" Dragonstar looked at him.
"Theo is just really needy right now; he needs someone to take care of him. And Axel can't do it forever," Flare sighed.
"So, I've decided on your punishment," Grimmjack said firmly.
"DON'T TOUCH MY CHOCOLATE-COVERED BANNANA!" Heruseus screamed.
Everyone froze except for Flare. "He sleep talks," Flare muttered. "Usually about Assassin's Creed,"
Everyone sighed.
"I can guess my punishment. I have to take care of him," Dragonstar murmured.
"Yeah. Maybe he'll call you Onii-chan!" Flare said hopefully.
"He'll probably call her Koibito," Titanus laughed.
"And he'll whisper 'Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu'!" Grimmjack laughed.
"He's such a weeaboo," Titanus laughed.
"I AM AN OTAKU!" Heruseus screamed in his sleep.
"His subconscious can hear the word 'weeaboo'," Titanus muttered.
"What does all that mean!?" Dragonstar yelled.
"Shhh, it's ok!" laughed Flare.
When Heruseus woke up Dragonstar was sitting next to him. There were tears in her eyes. He closed his eyes and listened to her plea, "I don't understand. He is a good person but why does he like me so much? Am I that beautiful to him or something?"
Yes. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever met. I wish I could be a brave as you. Heruseus wanted to say, but he held his tongue.
He made a cough and Dragonstar turned. Thank the gods his eyes were closed, otherwise Dragonstar would've been bright red. She shook him awake. "Hmm?"
"Wake up sleepy head," she smiled.
"Why?" Heruseus moaned.
"Because today, I want your help," she blushed.
"Why?" Heruseus asked.
"Do you still remember how to play piano?" she asked.
"Yeah. Wait; is this about the music in SAO?" he asked.
"Yes. I want Jamie, you and I to make a band," she admitted nervously.
"Aww, it's sweet that you thought of me. But, my main priority is clearing the game," Heruseus sighed.
"Do you still have an empty skill slot?" Dragonstar asked.
"No," Heruseus sighed.
"What did you use it on?" she asked.
"…Piano," Heruseus sighed again.
Dragonstar smiled, "I knew it! When you disappear during the night and I hear the piano in the chapel, it's you isn't it?"
"Yes," Heruseus admitted.
"You still play as beautifully as you do IRL," she smiled.
"My Piano Mastery is 674/1000," Heruseus admitted sheepishly.
"Holy crap! Who taught you that much?" Dragonstar gasped.
"I just used my knowledge from reality," Heruseus shrugged.
"Who taught you IRL?" Dragonstar asked.
"I was self-taught for a month, and then I got Talon to teach me," Heruseus explained.
"Incredible, for a weeaboo," Dragonstar smirked.
"Shut up. We live in America, it's called an otaku," Heruseus growled.
"Chill," Dragonstar murmured.
"Whatever, let's start a band!" Heruseus cheered.