ACT XIII : DISSENSION
The battles carried on for three days before the war was won.
After the capture and execution of the commander, the fighting had ended, celebrations ensued, and Nightmare was left feeling thoroughly languorous and tired of the revelry.
It was only when he was called to speak with Megumi that he felt any sort of enthusiasm. But that was quickly replaced by anger when he entered the room and saw who else was there - Ismaire.
Noticing the immediate tension between them, Megumi spoke up. "I would prefer if we avoided any confrontations."
"That happens to all be up to him," Ismaire grumbled, casting a glare in Nightmare's direction.
Had she not been friends with Megumi he would have killed her by this point.
Megumi let out a slight sigh. "Well, that being said, I have promised to explain the situation in full, and I will do just that." She paused before continuing. "I left off with the both of you on the subject of Azoth's declaration that Nightmare is the one fated to defeat Lucifurius."
"And take his place?" Ismaire scoffed. "Of course. That will make our situation so much better."
"Ismaire," Megumi warned. "Azoth said nothing of a replacement for Lucifurius; I believe he is planning to allow the forces of light and darkness to exist again without interference, as is safest and most constructive to proper balance. But regardless, Nightmare is a creation of Lucifurius, and of a dark affinity as well, so he must be the one to do it. As for how this benefits you, Nightmare, you will be entirely rid of his control, for as long as he exists he will seek to manipulate you."
"...Or destroy me," Nightmare added after a hesitation.
Megumi frowned. "...That, too. Soul Edge is nearing having enough power for Lucifurius's resurrection, and only once he has manifested in a corporeal form can he be destroyed. His body will be vulnerable - he will seek to create a new, indestructible one, and that cannot be allowed to happen. He will also be able to summon forth an army of monsters to fight at his command."
"So we'll have to be prepared," Ismaire concluded.
Megumi nodded. "I've already sent for reinforcements from the armies of the other three Elementals. Although... it will be more a matter of holding them at bay until we can locate and defeat Lucifurius.
"Locate? So, he'll be hiding? Well, such cowardice really is to be expected from a being that operates through the use of a puppet and kills anyone avaliable for power, including children," Ismaire stated.
Truth be told, Nightmare avoided children as much as possible. They usually held an insignificant amount of power and were always a last resort. That, and there was a part of him, perhaps because in actual age he was still a child himself, that indentified with them somehow.
But even if he said that, Ismaire would not likely listen. He would save his breath.
"Nightmare will need to go to Caer Pelyn, the black temple built by Septimus Swain, to release Lucifurius. He will need accompaniment, in case Lucifurius makes an attempt to kill him."
"I could go," Ismaire said with a shrug. "But of course, if Lucifurius doesn't kill him, I will."
Nightmare scoffed. "Go ahead and try, miserable human."
Before anyone could blink, Ismaire had lunged at him, scythe drawn. "Invitation accepted."
Nightmare dropped to one knee, avoiding having an arm taken off. Fighting instinct took over and he drew his own sword, hefting it over his shoulder and swinging for Ismaire's legs. She easily leapt out of the way and slashed at his head, which he ducked to avoid and stood, swinging this time at Ismaire's torso. She leaned out of the way with ridiculous ease and jumped up, catching him in the chest with her foot and forcing him to the ground. Holding him down, she brought the scythe blade down at his neck, intent on taking off his head.
"Ismaire!" Megumi shouted, stepping forward.
Ismaire stopped an inch from where she would have cut into his neck. She stood in place, motionless, for a few moments before stepping away and heading for the door.
"The only reason you're still breathing is because that's what she wants," she snarled. "Remember that."
And the wooden door slammed, and silence descended over the room.
"I... I'm sorry," Megumi said after a moment, sounding upset. "I... shouldn't have allowed the two of you to be in the same vicinity. I suppose I overestimated Ismaire's self-control."
Nightmare stood, irritated, but not at Megumi for apologizing, at Ismaire for making her feel as though she had to. "...Do not apologize for the actions of another. You were not the one who chose to attack me."
"No, but I..." She stopped. "In any case, perhaps you should consider heading down to the main hall to get some food? It has been a while since that last meal of yours, if I'm not mistaken."
He nodded. It would be so odd having to remember to eat rather than just acquiring his energy from killing on the battlefeild.
"Think over what we've discussed," she said as he left. "...If... Whenever you need help in this, I will be there to offer it to you."
Nightmare stood at the edge of the doorway, watching the human joviality with detatched indifference, unwilling to even give a semblance of wanting to join in.
There was more he wanted, and at this point it was not to devour human essences or see blood pooling at his feet.
"A bit loud, isn't it?"
He turned at the sound of the voice behind him, brightening considerably when he realized it was Megumi.
"I suppose. Seems humans are always that way when there's something to celebrate about."
She smiled. "It doesn't seem to be so when you are part of it, though."
"No, I suppose not."
They stood in silence for a few moments before Nightmare finally spoke up again.
"I overheard your conversation with Ismaire," he stated. "A few days ago."
Megumi's smile faded. "...Oh? What... did you hear?"
"I heard her say that you had... fallen for me, and I didn't hear you say anything to deny that." He also had not heard her say anything to confirm that, but he would refrain from saying as much.
"...No. You didn't. Because I had no reason to."
He looked at her. "Did you mean it?"
"Why would I say it if I didn't?"
He raised an eyebrow. "My creator and I are not the only ones who enjoy toying with people, I know that much."
She looked away. "I did such things, once. I... I've done things worse than you have, but those days are behind me. So to answer your original question, yes, I meant what I said."
He didn't answer for a moment. "...I wanted to know... if my feelings were returned. They seemed meaningless enough without being denied."
Megumi looked almost hurt. "They aren't meaningless."
"No. Not now that I know."
They looked at eachother for a moment. Megumi gave a slight laugh.
"Ismaire isn't going to be happy about this..."
"I don't care. I'd fight and lose to her a thousand times if it meant I could stay here with you."
"It is good to hear you say that, but try to avoid any more confrontation at all with her if you can. I can't - I mean... I won't always be able to stop her if she tries to..."
"I know. I will try."
"Thank you. And what I said about being willing to help you, with anything... I meant that too. If you'd like me to, I will go with you to Caer Pelyn."
"Yes, I would, as a matter of fact."
She nodded. "But you need more power first. There are still... Stragglers out on the battlefeild. They will be killed anyway."
"They should be just enough." Good. The sooner he could get rid of this blasted sword, the better.
Megumi was turning to leave, but paused. "...Nightmare?"
"Yes?"
She turned to face him. "Would you... take off your helmet? ...I want to see your face again."
Reluctantly, he did. This time, it didn't feel quite as unnatural. Everything else had changed, hadn't it? He was freed the sword's control, he had a new established purpose... Why not a change in appearance?
She looked at him again. "...You know, it may help conceal you identity more if you go without it, which may lead to fewer problems for you... That, and you look better without it." She smiled up at him. "Tomorrow, then."
"Tomorrow," he agreed.
Which would make tonight one of the longest nights of his life.