Disclaimer: I do not own Odin Sphere and the characters.
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The End of the Torment
"..................."
"Is he dead?"
"Stupid. Everyone's dead here. He must be just unconscious."
"....What do you trashes want?" The man opened his eyes, glaring coldly at the curious Geists.
"What the hell? Who do you think you're callin'...."
"Get lost." He stood up, emitting a dangerous air around him, as if he could rip them to pieces with just his glare.
"E-eeeeek!!" The Geists hastily ran in fear.
"Tch... Weaklings...."
He could feel his legs giving away. He threw his back to a big boulder behind him and slide down to seek shelter under the darkest shadow, hiding his body from the Halja that's been loitering around. "Damn... Looks like those Halja didn't hold their scythe back then." He could still feel the pain all over his body.
Every day, there's always a Halja lurking around in the shadow. And every time they found him, they would never let him escape their tortures. The wounds, the poison, the dark atmosphere of Netherworld, everything had made his body decayed more and more every day.
How long has it been since I entered this cursed land?
I already lost count of how many times those Halja dragged my body to meet their torture.
My body... I couldn't even recognize them anymore... This rotten, disgusting body...
Will this pain ever end?
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"Take this!!"
"........!!"
The Halja landed another slash on his body. The pain was so immense he already lost the strength to even scream in pain. It had been the second torture today, not that he could count days in this endless night. The pain from the countless wound had made his body numb with pain, the poison from its attack eating him from the inside.
"You, who destroyed your own kingdom, took countless life, and scarred the land, feel the pain of your sin, despair from your agony, and receive the wrath of our scythe!"
Countless, countless of times had he been reminded of his crimes. He knew with all his heart and body that he deserved all these. He would never forget, they would never let him. But the pain, the agony, the despair, had all made him almost lose his mind. Often he wished for his body to just wither away, gone forever so that no scythe or poison could harm him anymore. But he knew, deep down he knew that his sin were far too great for him to ever wished for such freedom.
By the time the Halja finished with his body, his body was far too sore to even budge a finger. He lied down, unable to move, searching for the slightest comfort from the cold ground. How he'd love to cry in pain and feel cold tear on his parched cheek. But both his tear and blood had long left his body, leaving him but a dry, decayed body.
I only got...what I deserve...
No use in complaining and praying for everything to stop now....
No... I must hide and rest... at least until the next Halja find me...
But my eyes... feel so... heavy...
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"...sorry...son..."
What?
"Please...forgive...this useless father..."
Whose voice was that?
"You destroyed the kingdom you loved, just to save this worthless life...."
That voice...Could it be...?
"And what I ever do was betraying your hope. Never even once had I act as a good father for you..."
Damn... Can't open my eyes...
"That's why this time; I'll save your soul no matter what. Let me take burden of the heavy sin you bear for me."
What is this feeling?
"Return to the world above, and live a better life. A bright, happy life."
I can feel the pain leaving me... so light... so warm...
"Live with no regrets, and when you return to heavens, tell your mother and sister that I always love them."
I can see a light...
"May you find happiness, my dear son."
Father...
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Cornelius entered the room, approaching the bed where Velvet rested. He caressed her wife's forehead lovingly, watching her as she sleep peacefully. Feeling the warmth of his hand, she opened her eyes slowly. "...Cornelius, is that you?"
"I'm sorry, did I wake you? How do you feel?"
"I'm fine. And so is the baby."
He turned his eyes to the little baby, sleeping soundly beside her mother. He gazed at the small miracle in awe. This new life is the living proof of their love.
"Just like you said, we have a wonderful, healthy boy." He said as he held his baby for the first time. "He looked just like you. His face... His hair..."
"Yes. I can feel him when he was inside me, a nostalgic feeling, like I have known this small life for a long time."
She reached out her hand to the baby in his arms. She could feel the warmth of the life she just gave birth to. "Let me hold him."
"Are you sure? You must be still very tired."
"I'm fine, Cornelius. I want to feel that nostalgic feeling again."
"But..."
"Cornelius, please."
He sighed and gave up, handing the baby over carefully to his mother's arms. She hold him tenderly, lovingly caressed his head. She kissed his small forehead, and a strong feeling came to her. "I have no doubt now. Being twins for so long, this feeling can't be wrong." Tears started filling her eyes.
"Cornelius, this is him."
Cornelius looked a bit shocked for a second. But the shock in his eyes quickly replaced with a warm look. He knew, even if not as strongly as her, he knew that the small life he just carried in his arms had the very same soul as the man he once fought. He wipe the tears from her cheek, and looked at the baby, born from their love.
"Then I guess, we won't find a better name for him."
"Yes... Welcome home, Ingway."
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A.N: So, how did I do with Ingway's character so far? This is how I imagined Netherworld. Did I make things sound too impossible? Well, I needed a way to make him happy, didn't I? Not yet complete. Please keep reading. Reviews and criticisms will always be welcomed.