So, starting from now(until I decide so) this is going to be from Sylvia's POV. Don't mistake her for Ethan ;)
Also, as I frequently forget and this is a special occasion, I don't own anything in Gakusen Toshi Asterisk nor Dragonhearted. They belong to Yuu Miyazaki and Tryhardninja respectively. Also, I just wanna say Dragonhearted is amazing!
"You don't seem too..." the fingers snapped, "Right! That's the word. You don't seem too distressed about his disappearance..."
I looked up at the towering man, face interested yet slightly disappointed, "...Sylvia."
One month and two weeks ago:
"Okay, let's cut to the chase. I understand you may not like the brusque quality of this questioning, but I just want a few questions."
I wiped my face and nodded.
"Did you know about Ursula being under the control of Valda-Vaos?" I shook my head, "Hmm."
"How?" I asked.
"Hmm?" Helga raised an eyebrow, "How?"
"How do you know that it was that Lux?"
Helga tapped her head, "Just absorbing in the evidence. First, she was recorded to have a high compatibility rate with it. Next, it is missing from her possession. The only explanation is that it was taken long before we found her.
"Which in itself is impossible, Ethan is now gone. If it were not in her possession, this wouldn't be happening. I'll get to that later. Finally, there was a reported unconscious victim in a separate room from the hallway. As far as we could tell, there are no external injuries and he has no recollection of the previous hours."
I nodded, "But...if it's that...then Ethan is now controlled?"
Helga looked solemn, "The most likely case for the absence of the Valda-Vaos."
Tears worked their way to my eyes again and I choked out a sob. "Do you know anything about this?"
"W-why-How would I?" I exclaimed in surprise.
Helga studied me and chuckled ironically. "Bah, foolish of me to ask. I'm not an incorrect judge of character and knew better to ask...But! Firstly, Ursula is really close to you as you grew up," she tapped the clipboard, "Not only that, when she appears, Ethan is gone. Too coincidental, isn't it? But as I said, you wouldn't do that."
I swallowed and nodded, hoarsely answering, "Makes sense. But if I want to go back in time, I will to protect him."
There was only silence and I looked up from the hospital bed Ursula lay on, "Helga?"
She tapped the edge of her clipboard. "Maybe...Hmm." Helga stood up, "There's a boy outside going under the name Takahashi, but I can't find anyone his age under that name. I've questioned him already, but he wants to speak with you too."
My breath quickened, "Takahashi? Ethan's partner during the Coliseum?"
Helga gave a grim nod, "Is this good? He informed me to tell you that it involves Ethan and he wishes to take any blame."
I perked up and became crestfallen. It's not promising information the way she said it, but I want to know. Have to know. "Okay, let's listen."
Helga scribbled the notes and stood, "That's all I need. Thank you."
Takahashi nodded absently then when the room was silent save for the steady heart monitor, Takahashi spoke up, "Do or will you be angry at me?"
I gritted my teeth and burst out laughing as I felt sadness, "No...I just wanna kill Ethan right now. He...he didn't ha...have to..."
Takahashi bent over Ursula, "You know, I beg to differ. Your life was on the line."
"But...Takahashi. H-"
"Kichirou values you more than he himself!" Takahashi yelled. "YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING HE'LL DO WITH ME!"
He widened his eyes and then lowered his voice, "He wouldn't even sacrifice himself for me. That's how much he values you. Or..." he started to growl. "If you don't believe in him, this is how much he is deluding himself."
I looked at Ursula who hasn't stirred one bit, "Does he really see me as someone that...special?"
I smiled sadly, "I am. It's just you have to understand that I can't cry all day about this. If I want him to be found, I have to do something, Hideki."
Hideki Ichirou is the leader of the only multi-purpose police organization and second strongest, just behind the Stjarnagarm, well. There's only really two that the Enterprise created. I would like to say control, but there are many small groups out there that they relatively don't control but technically do. I'll just leave that there.
Hideki looks like your normal movie agent at first glance, but his true abilities and characteristics are too much out of that league. Seeing his competence and skills, I'd actually go ahead and rank him among the World Commandos, who are the hidden security watching me on my tours, and maybe even on par with Helga.
That may be an overstatement, considering he's human, but the fact that the Enterprise trust him to run Soldiers of Dawn freely suggest that there's even more than there is to meet the eye. Onto the topic we are on, Ethan Sakamoto, my...ah...extremely close friend has been missing for almost two months now, taken by the Ogre Lux that had taken my teacher.
"I see..." he turned back from the window, "That's good. I'm glad you've already grieved, but not broken, but also not uncaring. Makes me glad."
"I've already cried long enough about him going then," He patted my head and went to his desk, and his eyes widened for mere moment, long enough for me to catch. "What is it?" He shook his head, "Don't say nothing. I saw the look."
He only frowned and continued reading as he pinched the global map to zoom out, scroll, and then focus, "Not to get your hopes up, but Hideyoshi has gotten a gleam on Ethan waay over at the Zwei Islands."
I ran to the screen, "Where my next perform-" Realization dawned on me, "This isn't...coincidental, is it?"
Hideki leaned back and sighed, "I want to say it is, but it'll have to depend on if you have enemies. Although I doubt the mafia is even strong enough to rear its head, I remember a few prominent figures in it." He chuckled, "Although them bothering to do all this to get to you is silly. I'd take them down before they could."
I grinned. I forgot to mention, but long before Hideki was the leader of SoD, he was a prominent member of the mafia running rampant in Rontlicht. I only found this out when I let myself taken hostage by them, although not by him personally, to protect Ethan from being assassinated by him. Once I was rescued, I helped Ethan find a maid-to-be of Julis -Alexia von Riessfeld named Flora and we became quite close then. I had, admittedly, been jealous when I heard him say he was rescuing Flora, and I hounded on him for just a moment before he snapped back, saying he was doing just the same for me and didn't expect me to actually be where I was. Immediately trying to rebuild the bridge, I asked for forgiveness, and luckily for me, he forgave me. I wouldn't want to say that he liked me then, but...it is possible.
He met Hideki during my time imprisoned and threatened to kill him, but Hideki was only putting up a facade at the time, and admitted so, to give him the golden opportunity to leave. Hideki is the father of a close friend of mine, Lyynesta Ichirou, and I found that out when he came in to give his assistance in taking down the remaining members.
Eventually things led to things and we now get back to the present. "..ia?"
I snapped out of my thoughts, "Huh? Yes?"
"What is on your mind?"
"Just...how we know each other, because of Ethan."
He nodded slowly, and the office grew quiet, the occasional ringing of a telephone which I picked up for Hideki if he was busy and wrote down the notes given, "How'd you two meet in the first place?"
I blushed, "Well...erm. Initially I had gone to Rontlicht to see Ethan perform. I heard of his performances and rare sight as a male performer. Even stated by a few Queenvail girls that he was better at singing than most of them, and arguably as good as me."
"So you took that as a challenge then, huh," he smirked as he looked at the screen for a moment and looked at me, "Keep going." He returned his attention to the monitor.
I actually went after finding some time and embarrassingly then, became drawn to him. They were right about him actually singing as well as I do. Most boys I meet can't do better than lip sync, and lose my attention. Especially because they brag about it. And worse, they take me for a fool.
Soon after, I took as much time as I could to be in the crowd, and sometimes as even myself when I could blend in. But earlier last year, he vanished because of the placement exams. I became worried after a week and made the choice to find him. He became surprised that I actually found him worthy of looking for him, and offered to walk me back. At the time, he may have already had a crush on me like every boy that exists, but he at least was normal around me. He didn't brag in my presence and seemed closer to Priscilla. In fact, when Queenvail saw us together, he denied that he even knew me enough to date.
That was made my heart start to go for him. Never had I found someone willing to even put somebody or something between the two of us. He didn't care about my reputation and use it for his own interests.
I count it my victory that night after his global announcement.
"So, I'm still lost. It's fine to enter the Zwei Islands?"
"Yes, but I'll have Daiki and Hideyoshi swap places. I want the best protection for you if it's going to be dangerous."
I smiled, thinking about the arrogant second in command of Hideki and what he would say, especially he should have just touched down in Russia by now. "Okay, I'll go on to the Zwei Islands then. I'll keep an eye out for Ethan."
I stepped out onto the airstrip and immediately met with the overeager manager of this event. Young and full of expectations, but I really didn't have the heart to tell him the Enterprise would be profiting the most.
Regardless, I reluctantly went to the plush penthouse that was readied for me and stayed there for the day. Although I saw Daiki prowling the roofs purposefully, if he really tried to stay hidden, I wouldn't be able to see him in broad daylight, it didn't do much to reassure me.
Every day, I'm treated like a prisoner. Yes, I'm completely different than one, but tell me, what's so different than being stuck in Queenvail or this room and being stuck in a cell until the guards release you for exercise, therapy, or whatever else is done? Please, enlighten me.
That was initially my purpose on trying to spend time with Ethan. That was initially. Soon I realized I was no different than the very people I hate. That's why I allowed myself being taken hostage. It's not truly protecting him, but to redeem myself. Afterwards is when I truly tried to make up for what I've done, and now...he's gone. But I need to keep my hopes up. He's out there somewhere. If Ursula was somewhere when he was under control, surely Ethan is out there too.
It was around sunset at six when I was allowed to leave. The concert manager continuously rambled on about how big the stadium is, how packed it was, and how many fans there were, I didn't really bother. I...just worry about Ethan more. Not only that...I promised him that he would go on this convert with me. Now we can't and probably never will.
I mindlessly went through the procedure to prepare for my appearance, putting on the clothes, adjusting my headphones, clearing my voice and the last drink of water. I smiled into the mirror, happy that I didn't need any makeup. It's one thing I really dislike doing, next to being hit on when I don't want to.
As the instrumental started, I inhaled and smiled, seeing a glimpse of Ethan in my imagination, at least he'll hear, even if he isn't himself.
Okay...
.
.
.
Lost but marching on - like we've always known the trail,
Searching for our-ending to the fairy tale
I smiled wider as I remembered the feel of the song.
Sometimes even shooting stars
Find wishes that miss their marks
But when the night gets too dark
And the road home seems too far
We'll see the sun come up again
We will climb higher than we've been,
We got a fire that burns within,
We are the Dragonhearted!
We are the Dragonhearted!
Courage to stop a cannonball!
Together we stand thirty feet tall!
We got a fire that burns within,
We are the Dragonhearted!
We are the Dragonhearted!
.
.
.
We are the Dragonhearted!
People cheered and I ignored the boys trying to interrupt, but continued.
Fearless, we soar speeding arrows ricochet.
Break free, our hearts burn brighter than yesterday
And through the battles we wage,
When our shields fall away
The armour cracks and breaks
If ever our torches fade,
We'll see the sun come up again,
We will climb higher than we've been.
We got a fire that burns within,
We are the Dragonhearted!
We are the Dragonhearted!
Courage to stop a cannonball.
Together we stand thirty feet tall!
We got a fire that burns within,
We are the Dragonhearted!
We are the Dragonhearted!
.
.
.
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
We are the Dragonhearted!
Standing tall, forever united.
We are the Dragonhearted!
We are the Dragonhearted!
Oh-oh oh!
We are the Dragonhearted!
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
Oh oh, oh oh
We are the Dragonhearted!
.
.
.
I smiled at the applause, no matter how much I regret meeting the people I dislike, there still seems to be a lot of people who still like my singing. Although this isn't mine in a sense. I admire the video game singer back when Earth was different, around 2016. It's really nice how games are so much like games then, unlike the tournaments now.
That was the best song I've actually sang in a while, most of the others I had to sing were ones I went through before. I already knew them by heart and was generally bored of them, listening to your own songs over and over eventually becomes dull, even if you enjoyed them when your first listen to how well it turned out, always better than you think. Usually, that is.
It lasted well past nine and with little breaks, but I was finally let out and into the dressing room. I was just putting back on the Queenvail clothes when I heard raised voices. I peeked out and grinned when I saw Daiki intimidating the manager as he refused for him to enter, "T-T-Th-"
"Let him in, he's one of the Commandos," I lied and saw the color of his face drain even more as Daiki shouldered through.
"What an ignorant brat," he commented when the door closed, "Doesn't even fucking believe that I'm part of the Soldiers of Dawn. I'm Daiki Hokkaido, well-known member and all that potbelly does is count his earnings."
He scoffed and turned to me, "Nice performance by the way." I started to nod absently when he held up a hand, "But you didn't seem too happy."
I then turned to smiling, "No, I-"
He smirked, "Hey, I can tell as easily as you can tell if a boy's trying to hit on you." I sighed defeat.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Nope, not to an untrained audience. You acted lively, you sang well, you just...didn't have that oomph, I guess. I could just tell you weren't enjoying it too much."
I shook my head, "No. I really enjoyed it then, but everyone just puts up their acts, I just...can't talk to them without getting honest opinions."
"Then why talk or even bother to date Ethan?" Daiki laughed.
"I..."
"Redemption," Daiki answered for himself, kneeling in front of me, "Redemption. Don't you know how much he's been through? You offered to bring him up. Now he's fine and you were ready to toss him aside? Was that it, but he created such an uproar you decided to change your mind that one day you brought him from a coma?"
I shook my head, "No. It's not it."
Daiki narrowed his eyes, "It's too easy to tell. I'm surprised, actually. You don't care about him much at all."
"I...do..."
He heaved a sigh, "I won't imagine what he'll think. Good thing I'm here rather than Hideyoshi. Nobody else but me would have the courage to give a shit."
I merely looked down. "I don't think I should, but I will tell Boss that we shouldn't include you in the search. You just don't care enough."
I swallowed and he opened the door to leave, "Rest assured. Your secret is safe with me. But, Ethan would definitely like to know."
"Don't tell him what's not true!" I blurted out as the door started to close.
"What? He has all rights to know."
I started to grow angry, "What is it that makes you think that? At all?"
Daiki gave a scoff, "Well, other than everything's too perfect? There's no such thing as perfection."
He blinked and widened his eyes, "...!"
"Daiki," I growled, "We may not be perfect, but it doesn't mean any-" He shot his hand up and cut in.
"I understand completely. I will take my leave." I was stunned when he left just as quickly as he came. I turned to sit down when I saw myself. I jumped and stared closer and laughed, Just a reflection. I'm sure.
"..."
"Silence is always powerful, ain't it?"
The white haired woman only looked solemnly at her companion who stood beside her with his hands in his pockets. "..."
"As curious as I am, you won't mind me asking how you plan to approach her, will you?"
"Takahashi, you know that something controls him now. So I must do all I can to get her to move and free him."
Takahashi sat down, letting his feet hand off the edge of the building, "You can do that, Ophelia...But you have to understand, Double V won't be easy to find."
"Valdo-Vaos?" Ophelia asked.
"Well...duh, Valdo-Vaos? Double V?" Takahashi waved his hand. "Besides, why won't you just go yourself?"
"..." Ophelia looked sad at the question, "You weren't there when the promise was made, but we swore that we would only come in direct contact if it were to fight."
"Shortly after the lab was destroyed?"
"During that." Ophelia stood, "She's outside now."
Takahashi sat up, but Ophelia had already dropped down.
I looked up at the shadow and jumped back as it fell. The figure landed lightly and the aura was unmistakable. "Ophelia?"
She didn't answer but slammed me into a wall, surprising me that she would be so violent here. "...Pathetic."
"Pa-Pathetic?" I gasped as I swooned from the miasma.
"You really will let him just be taken like that?" She growled. "The one you sat you love you'll just let be taken?"
"What does it matter to you?" I shot back as fresh air filled my lungs, "I can't find him no matter what I do! That...that Lux would just scramble my powers! That's how I never found Ursula!"
Ophelia raised an eyebrow, "Ah...so you're a hopeless case then? Only powerful with just your abilities?"
I flared and brought a kick up, to which Ophelia blocked with an arm, "Me relying on mine, huh? What about you?"
"..." Ophelia was silent, "Enough games. You should know, if you don't find him first, I will. Not only that, I will fight him to the death."
I faltered, "But he's not himself! Why?"
She only shrugged, "Other than the fact he can fight? Nothing more."
This didn't make any sense? Why would Ophelia care...unless... "Are you doing this out of jealousy?"
This brought a chuckle, unnerving me, "Ms. Diva. Understand that if I had wanted to be close to him, I had almost years to do that. I have no interest in any useless relationships."
I stayed silent, not knowing how to answer. "You say you love him. People speak about your relationship, people question the legitimacy. He told me once before it's because of you that he's stronger. Look at you. You're a mess. How can you help him? How possibly?"
I flared, angry at the...truth...? All my anger faded, and I saw how contradictory I am. "I..."
She laughed, "Hopeless case. I wouldn't be surprised if he is killed first. By me."
"I won't let that happen!" I shouted, "I'll free him before you harm him!"
Ophelia gave a hum of slight satisfaction, "Then get moving...You have no leads and I do. Every moment counts now."
The air cleared up when she vanished and I lay against the wall, breathing heavily. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Kirigara.
"Kirigaya Kazuto, was it?"
He chuckled, "Kirito is fine. It's used everywhere and also my field name."
"Kirito...okay," I nodded, but... "What are you doing out here in Zwei Islands?"
He smirked, "You know that SoD isn't the only person searching for Ethan, right? The Stjarnagarm is on his phantom trail too."
"Stjarnagarm?" I gasped. He shrugged, "But...how are you...you're too young?" Kirito shrugged again and I sighed, "Right. Ikaruga..."
This gained a look of surprise, "You know Shimon?"
I gave what I suppose was a look of resentment, "Yes. He...wasn't exactly a boyfriend, but being together was one thing we both disliked. People we both know forced us to be together and act like the perfect pair."
I sighed, "He and I both disliked each other."
"Really?" Kirito asked, "He is at least likable. A bit serious about his job, but likable."
I shook my head, "No, we're friends, but dislike that we have to be poster children. That's what I meant. We're still friends now, but we aren't going to be making moves on one another."
Kirito nodded, "I see. I can understand why entertainers would want that. He made the Stjarnagarm when he was eight you were a huge star then too. Then he became a leading officer, the right hand of Helga at fourteen." He waved a hand, "Enough about that. Helga asked me to tell you Shimon and I are here to assist you if needed."
"But...how?"
"Well," Kirito scratched his head, "I was absent for a long time, since the incident from Julis's birthplace, but only because of the applications. I'm an apprentice of Shimon and we're...I guess private investigators of the case. Hideki had a request from Daiki to not include you, but that's only in SoD. Stjarnagarm is a different question."
He held out his hand, "So I and Shimon Ikaruga are here to led you our assistance." I smiled and took his hand, shivering at the cold shake.
"Don't think I'm helping willingly. I'm only here because Helga said so." I looked at the shadows and saw the nonchalant teen stroll out. "Hey, Diva."
"Shimon..." I growled slightly. He held out a grainy photo that was near the northern end of the northernmost island, "That's what a public camera caught as we two were camping out here. Can't guarantee it's him, but he's made an appearance multiple times."
I grinned and hugged the printout, "Thank you. I'll go there immediately!"
His blue eyes sparked, "Good. Kirito, let's get moving. Helga stated there were dealers we need to..." He scoffed, "Deal with. Get Elucidator and Dark Repulsor." Shimon took out a talisman and entered the shadows.
Kirito followed and turned once more, "Be careful, Ethan's powers haven't ever been fully unlocked, and with a Lux controlling him, I'd hate to see what it can and will do. Say hello to the others for me. Seidoukan students."
I rubbed my arm, "Er...well...Ethan and I haven't really been in touch with them recently. While they have been focusing on the Gryphs, Ethan has been going around controlled by Vaos."
Kirito nodded understandably, "One last thing, you nee-"
"Hey scrub! Hurry up!" Kirito flinched and quickly turned without finishing. I looked at the photo and yawned, instinctively covering my mouth.
Should I go look now? It's quite late and it wouldn't be smart. But...if I don't, I may miss my only chance.
I shook my head and started for the pier. It became hard to stay awake, but I put my mind forward to saving Ethan. Upon entering the northern island, a feeling of dread washed over me. I felt the ethereal aura of the powers I know as Ethan, but less controlled and more...insane.
Not only that, I was cold. Cold all over.
I shivered and pressed on, searching alleys and corners, into buildings as time seemed to freeze outside this island. I didn't feel tired any longer and I felt as if I searched for hours. I knew I searched for hours.
Just as I reached the main landmark of this island, I found him. He was huddled against the wall, muttering incomprehensible words and phrases. He shivered and I longed to go to him, to fight to free him. But nothing felt right.
"Helluuoo, jere." I jumped as he materialized in front of me. I started to speak but saw the glazed, unfocused look in his eyes. I froze in fear and shock. He saw the look and his smile grew wider and wider, reaching an inhuman length.
"Run, Diva. This...boy is not human any longer. His inner animal, his infused powers of a subject test, an incomplete prototype has resisted. Without his true being in control, I couldn't contain this power...and he has gone nearly insane."
I was shocked at the calm disposition of Valda-Vaos, but it shouldn't be surprising. It wasn't human and could technically be immortal. I, on the other hand...
"Hew art ye? Would ye leek to pley?" I shivered at his unearthly tone.
"E-Ethan." I reached for him.
"Don't-"
I touched him, he shrieked at a pitch high enough to shatter windows, "Don't touch me! LeaVe me alone monster! I'm sorry! I'm sorry I couldn't do anything!"
I didn't know what compelled me to, but I grabbed his arm and held him at the shoulders. His jaw opened to an impossible width and he howled.
"I Don'T wAnt to die!" He screeched, "I did nothing! I know! I'm sorry! Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorry..."
"Don't be insane. Just run...he is haunted."
Then it hit me.
He still blames himself. Despite all my reassurances and comfort, he still feels guilt. I started to slap sense into him but saw the boy behind him, having the same, dead look. Then there was the girl, and the teenage boy. The one teen with a good build, hole in chest. One boy with a smashed head.
All had their malevolent feelings aimed at Ethan. He was not just insane, but cornered and afraid. But this realization led to another.
He did forget all of this.
A tear slid down as I hugged him, Ethan no longer fighting to be free out of rage or fear, but finding something pure that would protect him. He put it all behind him. But his subconsciousness didn't and only stored it.
Now he isn't in control, his mind let out all the grief and guilt into the world. His own powers put this island in a realm of nowhere, for only this fragment of the boy I used to know to suffer in his own shame.
I found my voice as the first boy touched him, "They aren't real. Only you are making them real."
Their echoes haunted me, "Are you saying we haven't died? That we are only fragments of a story told for entertainment? Are you that ignorant, young girl? YOU HAVEN'T GONE THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE! WHAT CAN YOU SAY THAT IS TRUE!"
"No!" I shouted back at them as they crowded the two of us, "You're all figments of his own guilt! He's told me all about everyone! They are kind! They aren't the ones to hold grudges! They knew that with the doctor they are working for, they will die! They all knew! They accepted it!"
"BULL-"
Ethan gave a screech and Sylvia yanked off Valda-Vaos as it glowed, "Thank you, you know you've freed me, right? Just as I was using his powers, it destroyed me instead. You might...as well...say I was tied to him." The glow faded and all wraiths looked up.
Ethan was staring at them.
"Ethan?" I asked quietly and he put a hand over my mouth.
"Begone." They all stayed within view and existence, "Begone! Be banished from my mind! You hold nothing against me! You won't hold anything any longer!"
~Play Take it Off by Arden Cho~
They stepped forward and Ethan sighed, pushing out with his palm and sent a ring of shadow at the wraiths, which promptly exploded. He smiled, "Well, glad to be myself again. I...didn't expect my own powers to be that uncontrolled. Seems as if I can't be normal for either a human or Genestella, eh?"
I nodded. I hugged tighter but he split himself and grimly gave a scowl, "Now you aren't in danger, leave."
I started, "What? What do-" He slapped his palm on my head and I temporarily blacked out.
"I saw that while you held onto me. So not really caring for me, huh?"
"Stop-"
"No, you stop. You shut up. I'll say something," he leaned in and smiled, "I wanted the same too. Only a person to use."
He chuckled, "Ah, how...natural. We were so perfect I'm glad it was all false. You wanted a handhold in keeping out boys. I wanted a person to use as a handhold for dragging me into the world."
"Stop!" I covered my ears, "Stop! It's never the case!"
"Ho? You can lie. Anyone can lie. You lie better than most, but your subconsciousness never does. Daiki saw it, but what stopped him?"
"That was then. It's completely different now! Please, stop being like this. I know it's my fault for it, but I want to fix it, so this will all stop!"
"Stop, stop, stop. You want it to stop?" he asked, "Oh it will."
I felt a force push me back. My feet left the ground and my back hit a building. I gasped when I landed on the floor as the impact took my breath away. "I want to explain!"
He walked up to me as I cried out. "No. You can't and I won't let you. It's all going to be lies.
"My escape then was to sing, to compose and to entertain. All my worries left behind.
"Then I met you. You helped me when I least expected help, when I thought the circumstances made help improbable. But you did.
"I leaned towards you romantically and figuratively. I lessened my burden. My pain was pushed off a bit.
"When I saved the Phoenix Festa, I did it with a purpose. I did it for a reason, out of will.
"You saved me, and I thought it was out of true love. Now...I wonder why you did so.
"Then was short history that spanned a thousand years. It meant nothing. It means nothing.
"I knew, or suspected, about Ursula, but never knew. I did it because Takahashi told me you'd be in danger. How foolish of me to do so.
"Now...this. Here. Today. I know nothing. I understand nothing. Ophelia is right. Love is so cumbersome. So useless. It has no real meaning. Because nobody is truthful."
He laughed harshly, brutally, and ironically, "Not to people like us, anyhow. Subjects and tests to throw away. No purpose but to fight or die. Ophelia is right. Love isn't any damn help. Anger. It feels so...empowering. Especially when you've been...betrayed my one you believed in. It hurts so much more."
"Let's start over. I never thought our feelings were fake."
He stopped and stood, making me flinch, "Start over. Yes, a good choice for next time. Maybe in another life."
"I want this life..." I replied softly.
He shook his head, "I'm sure we both do. But You've kept me back for far too long."
Tears welled as the words stung, "Why me?"
He grinned, "Well, considering I've put more attention into you than finding out why Ophelia is stronger. If she continues growing, I'll definitely have no chance later on."
His eyes gleamed as the irises grew, "And now this is a good time. I'll thank you one last time. Anger is satisfying to have. No wonder that one emperor of that faraway galaxy called the good warriors weak. Hoarding all negative feelings can surely fill you with power."
I got up and saw a familiar figure walk up to me and kneel, Ethan was already gone, "Takahashi...Ethan. H-"
"I know," he cut in, "All is fine."
He grabbed my hair and yanked on it, "Ta-Ah!"
"Ah-ah," he tutted, "All is according to plan. You do know that of all of us. Only one is supposed to live in the end, no?"
I widened my eyes, "You...you mean of the test subjects? You plan to-"
"Of course! The Great Doctor made sure that only one would live a full life, including dying or dead times, to ensure even if we'd all rebel, not all of us would live."
"You're killing your fellow friends to be the one?" I screamed.
"Well, they never were, but believed I was," he laughed, "Besides, you shouldn't care now that Ethan's...'dumped' you."
I gritted my teeth, "Then how can you face Priscilla or Irene?"
He gave a nonchalant wave, "Bah, they're already dead. Good powers they have."
I widened my eyes, "Y-You monster!"
He snapped his fingers, "Absolutely am. Not only that. There's a thousand-year old score I want to settle with him. Your time will come later."
Just when I knew why, all went black.
~End~
Ethan landed on the ground of the empty island, with all its plans and future glory put aside and forgotten.
The only other living being on the island was barely visible in the distance.
Making his presence known, he walked closer to the center, the gravel crunching under his feet.
"You've come."
Ethan stayed silent as Ophelia raised an eyebrow and watched. She stared for a while and a smile grew, "Ah. That mood. I understand nothing good is coming out of your relationship with the Diva?"
His sad eyes betrayed his true feelings, "You expect me to care?"
"I don't, really. But you do."
He took a breath and held it, "I don't."
Ophelia smiled at the denial, "Really."
He replied with a sprint, arms being surrounded with shadow and slowly getting faster.
Ophelia sidestepped and he ran past and she caught his evil smile, which shocked her as she caught her mistake.
She barely set up a barrier of miasma as his fist flew at the same time he moved too fast for her to see. His fist punched through the power with little effort. "Come, show me your real power. You may grow stronger, but what you don't have is the assistance of emotions."
Ophelia was surprised when he barged through the miasma, the power moving away from it as of from fear. But she frowned and brought up her Lux, the scythe slashing across his chest.
He brushed off the attack and tried to shatter the central barrier with all his power, but it didn't budge. He snarled and Ophelia grew concerned, "Your flaw. You are feeding it."
"SCREW IT! I CAN DESTROY ANY FLAW I HAVE! I WILL KILL HER! I WILL DESTROY YOU! EVERYTHING! WHEN THERE IS NOTHING LEFT...I NEED NOT SUFFER MORE!"
As his bitterness grew, he tried again and again to use pure power to destroy the single barrier protecting Ophelia from certain death, but each time her reflexes were in check and she raised her guard the moment he turned his focus.
He tried to use his speed to confound her, but she simply smacked him out of the skies at each try. His Susanoo-like form did nothing to weaken, much less break, the barrier Ophelia held up, and he was tiring.
Kanshou and Bakuya both did their best, but the dragons couldn't do much this time around. For the first time in...ever, Ethan never felt so underwhelming in a fight. He won, he overpowered, he dominated. Yet...in this case, he couldn't do anything.
Was he too weak?
Or just now stood alone? He noticed the arm swinging at him from the corner of his eye, but made no effort to stop it.
He braced himself to be hit and was sent into multiple trees, one after another, and only groaned when he struggled up. Ethan was barely on a knee when he couldn't breathe, Ophelia standing above him. Ethan clutched his throat as Ophelia gave a look of contempt, "You strayed from your promise. If this is how it ends, then so be it. Although I'm below giving you a slow death, I'd rather you stay whole."
Ethan glared up at her, pupils filling his eyes when Ophelia stumbled, clutching her chest. The air cleared and Ethan was able to take a breath. He cast a surprised look behind Ophelia as she fell in his arms and saw Takahashi walking up to them, hands in his pockets. "Hey."
Ophelia was bleeding profusely, frowning at the teen donning grey. "You...you said you wouldn't interfere."
"I know," came the reply then his face twisted in a disturbing grin, "But...if it kept up, I wouldn't be finishing what I wanted to do."
"Killing me?" Ethan asked, frowning.
"Oh, so it clicked instantly. Nice," he smiled, "I've wanted to kill our sister for keeping me from finishing that job...OH! A thousand years ago. But...sadly, I don't know where she is."
Ethan widened his eyes, "So you knew?"
"From our first meeting. I was giddy with excitement at the divine intervention. Did you know that when the so-called 'Great Doctor' gave us our powers, we have our powers and resistors?
"Our powers come from our emotions, negative emotions and one emotion in specific. Ophelia uses gullibility, you use resentment, while I? Pride. I've gotten the easiest one of them all." He laughed amiably, "Oh how easy it is for me...You're all so weak, so pathetic. You can't even make yourself grow.
"To suppress our powers, little slave here needs to be loyal and rather independent...You need gratitude, a little love here and there, while I need to be caring." He scoffed, "All of you...each and every one of you have no hope. You suppress your own powers and gradually grow weaker. It's so easy for me to get stronger. Nobody means something to me."
"And this affects me because...?" Ethan asked.
Takahashi gave a cackle, "Ah...your old life means nothing to ya' right? I'll help a bit."
With a snap of his fingers, Ethan's mind opened up.
Xinglou said she couldn't open her own seal...What if this seal is Takahashi's?
Sylvia's head throbbed when she woke, leaning on the back of Fan Xinglou, "Xinglou? What are you doing?"
The child shrugged, sending a wave of pain through Sylvia's head, "I've found...someone. Along with Ethan. This isn't going to be pretty and he'll need your help."
"Who is that one...person?"
Fan Xinglou looked over her shoulder, "You'll know in three...two...one..."
At the countdown, Sylvia felt an overpowering sensation of anger, and the bone-chilling cry of agony, "TAKAHASHI!"
They arrived at the area the moment the shout dissipated into the air.
Sylvia stared at the pure white figure, coat hanging off his shoulders, hair blowing in the wind, and blue eyes blazing with anger.
"SISTER, YOU LIE!" He addressed Fan Xinglou with disgust, "My life has been going in a loop for the past millennia. On and on. You never revealed that. And yet...you bring Shang'er here. Why? WHY DO YOU HAVE ME SUFFER? WHY MUST I OF ALL PEOPLE SUFFER?"
Xinglou didn't answer. "Don't you remember at all? Each life...we go through the same thing...yet, you never prevent it."
Sylvia realized he was speaking about her just a moment ago, "Ethan?"
"I am not him, Sylvia. I am who he originally was. And you are also an incarnation of by beloved Shang'er." He smiled sadly and closed his eyes, "I cannot believe you look just like her, your face, figure...I suppose it is for the torment."
When he opened them, unearthly aura dominated the area, sending unmatched fear through Sylvia. The heck...is this?
Sylvia POV - First Person:
I could only stand still, unwillingly paralyzed, as who used to be Ethan brought up his fists and charged Takahashi, who laughed in response, "Futile."
"With. Each. Life." I saw the ground crumple and destroyed with each punch and spells fall from the sky, striking at Takahashi. Despite "Ethan's" effort, he didn't seem to be making any progress. However...I would say that if Ethan were to do this, he'd be infinitely more impressive than before.
Not that Ethan was already perfect then. Oh, what am I going on about?
"I suffer. With each life. I cannot achieve what I want to do. With each life, the two of your purposely repeat the original events with variations. I should believe you both are conspiring against me."
I turned to Xinglou, "Why haven't you done anything to change how he lives?"
She barely acknowledged me and rather walked away to pick up...Ophelia?
The former test subject smiled painfully, "Took you guys long enough to notice me. Lyyneheym, you should prevent Sakamoto from going any further. At this rate, he'll get out of control. With this power he's...exponentially building up..." She swooned and just at that moment I noticed the hole in her chest. "Drat...I suppose this is my time to end. I didn't foresee this. But..." she laughed softly, "I didn't see into today. Lyyneheym."
I gripped her hand, "Right here. I haven't moved."
"I want you to give him the best life he can get. As a younger sister, I wish that he not suffer more. Onee-sama," Ophelia grinned, "I'm glad you're as young as you always are."
Xinglou raised her eyebrow, "Chang'e?"
"Of course it's me," her voice grew quiet, "It's quite amusing how the entire family is reunited each time..."
As she breathed her last, she faded into purple specks, floating into the air. Ethan turned toward us and he froze, "Sister?"
"Not yours mongrel," Takahashi slammed a knee into his face, sending him flying. "I've just had enough of your helplessness."
Walls of light appeared behind Takahashi, and weapons focused on Ethan before turning to me, "Say farewell, mong-"
Takahashi flew away as something tackled him, sending a wave of blood into the sky and the weapons quickly vanished. I whirled to the direction he was yanked to and saw a fox-like silhouette tearing at Takahashi. "NEVER AGAIN! NOT SHANG'ER!"
His voice became distorted and he gave a howl before slashing down, only to lose an arm when Takahashi cut upwards. The screech nearly burst my ears as Takahashi slid out from under the fox and stabbed at its heart. "Perish."
I cried out when the blade sunk in, but nothing happened, "What?!"
The sky turned dark and cracks tore up the ground, shadows seeping through the craters. "No...all of you shall perish. Each and every one of you."
Japan
Kirito stared at the darkening sky and felt a sense of dread, "Damn..."
"Kirito-kun?"
"Think that's Ethan's doing."
"You sure?"
"Heck...only he can pull off a feat like that. Not to mention, Takahashi spoke to me days ago during the Coliseum event. He was...pretty suspicious."
"I would agree. That Takahashi always had something off about him."
"Well...if this is a battle of good and evil, we can only pray for the good." Asuna gripped his hand.
"Right."
Asterisk
Julis stumbled and clutched the desk when the entire building was wrenched to the side. "What in the heck?"
Claudia covered her mouth in worry, "Oh my."
"What?"
"You've heard of Ophelia going on a rampage when she broke out of the lab, right?"
Jukid seemed to pale significantly, "Don't tell me..." She shook her head, "This feels off for Ophelia. This is full of emotions. Ophelia isn't susceptible like...like that...Ethan..."
Claudia didn't reply, but sadly looked at the table.
"I'm worried. Not for us," Julis quickly added, "But Ethan. It's like...he could destroy the world. I just wonder how."
Claudia looked at the stormy skies and the gathering of clouds at the distant Zwei Islands, "I don't know either, but let us pray for him to make it out."
Ayato stared at the storm building up and resisted the wind threatening to throw Kirin and himself off the balcony. "I gotta say. This is pretty impressive."
Kirin agreed, "It's dangerous, obviously, but I've heard not even the strongest Genestella have been able to reach this tier of destruction."
She observed the emergency warning flashing on the cell screen, Violent storm reaching all corners of the world. Source is reported to be at Zwei Islands. All humans and Genestella receiving this please stay calm. Do NOTevacuate underground, repeat, do not evacuate. Seizures found can cause cave-ins and deaths. Stay aboveground.
"Let us pray this works out," Kirin said when lighting struck Zwei islands and a beast's roar rose from the Underworld.
"HOW?" Takahashi screamed, as blood poured from wounds. The multi-headed hydra hissed as the wolf stopped existing, "I cannot afford to lose to...TO SOME MONGRELS LIKE YOU!"
The heads screeched in outrage and Sylvia clasped her hands over her ears to keep them from exploding. She caught a glimpse of Takahashi snarling and started to bring up a weapon.
She felt immensely uneasy from seeing it, as if it didn't belong in this world...this modern time. "ETHAN!"
The heads lowered as they quieted. One head looked at her while another spotted the weapon
Takahashi widened his eyes when he felt his arm being ripped off. He stared at the stump and the aura growing from it. All his weapons around him and the ultimate weapon vanished.
"Fool, by saving him from Ea, you've doomed the world."
Sylvia lowered her hands and shook her head, "No...Ea was its name? Ea was the bigger threat to the universe."
Takahashi gave a bitter laugh and vomited blood as marking appeared on his neck and face, "How do you expect to stop that?"
Sylvia looked at the hydra that was now attacking Fan Xinglou. She puffed up her chest and punched it, "Love. Ethan and the original man are still sentient. I know they're there. Only you won't understand because all you've been doing is antagonizing him."
As Takahashi started to vanish, he chuckled, "Maybe I do have some things to learn from humans after all..." He faced Sylvia, "Shang'er. Save Kichirou. I myself wish you two a single, definite peaceful life from today. I hope all goes well and find out what I can do to make it up to my brother."
When he disappeared, his voice echoed, I want to admit...he seems much more powerful than I. I think everything he's learned paid off...If I could only apologize in person.
Sylvia faced Ethan, who had shrunken to a humanoid figure and of human size. Fan Xinglou's eyes changed and they gained shadows. Her hands glowed, "I've never had to do this for such a long time. Only against Helga, but now...brother, you are the second person."
They flashed and sonic booms filled the area. Craters appeared instantly as they smashed the ground in lightning quick combat, leaving Sylvia breathless. She covered her eyes when the storm picked up, lightning flashing around the islands and earthquakes seemed to tear the unfortunate piece of land apart.
However visually impressive, the battle was still one-sided. The figure of Ethan was falling apart and miasma dropping in clumps. "I understand why you have this curse. You never used Murasame, but the sword shares your feelings. But however deadly, it is not strong enough for me."
Fan Xinglou launched Ethan across the field and he landed on the grass, the miasma dispersing and picking up. Her hand glowed and she continued, "I'm sorry, b-Kichirou. It must be done. Be exorcised."
Sylvia widened her eyes as retainers appeared behind Fan Xinglou and pointed their weapons at the snarling shade above Ethan, all drawn out from the power being emitted from the sage mode of Xinglou. Despite being a last-ditch effort, Sylvia ran in front of Xinglou and tried to stop the hand.
When it touched her, a pure breeze flooded the island's vicinity. The retainers stopped and bowed, Xinglou lowering her hand, "Shang'er. You finally showed yourself."
Sylvia saw an identical copy of herself smile, sharing an exact copy, and wink at her, "So. I see that you are an incarnation of myself. Sylvia. Mind taming the beast?"
Sylvia blinked at Shang'er and nodded, "For Ethan."
"For the boys we love." Sylvia winced as the curse tried to attack her, but Shang'er put up a hand, "Anything in Kichirou's possession cannot harm us. He doesn't have the heart to do it."
Sylvia grabbed Ethan's shoulders and knelt, "Ethan. You're in there, I know it."
Shang'er held her hand out to the shade and grabbed the throat.
"With the curse to live a cycle forever, and to not know what your path is after must hurt a lot. But...we're fine now. We can live the rest of our life peacefully. Takahashi is gone, Xinglou has no obligation to mess with our lives anymore, so throw away the curse. I love you, and I think it'll help the two of us if you stay alive to share some happiness together, right?"
"That's it...Come on stubborn brat, you." Shang'er smiled and the male clad in white with white hair finally became visible in the cloud, he stared at Shang'er for a moment then sighed. Time seemed to reverse, the storm cleared in an instant, the cracks were filled, and Ethan now lay on the floor, motionless.
"My apologies, Ethan," he said, "I think I overworked you. Here."
With a chant, Ethan was rubbing his head, and he coughed when Sylvia squeezed him tightly, "Ethan!"
"Hey bae," he chuckled, "I didn't destroy the world?"
Ethan faced Fan Xinglou, "Kichirou has a question. You know what the hell it is."
Xinglou ran a hand through her hair, "I alone couldn't do it. Only you, Kichirou could. You've always gained more power through anger, although more resentment, and I want to use that."
"So you wanted me to live my life again and again until the perfect time I would have honed it, then wipe out Takahashi with a single shot."
"Yes. His existence should be gone now. Forever, maybe."
Kichirou nodded, "I heard what he said with his dying breath. Ethan, Sylvia."
Ethan grinned, "Of course."
Sylvia nodded, "Why wouldn't I stay with him now? Even without any of your influence, I have an attachment to Ethan."
She rested her head on his face, "Besides, you, Ethan, aren't leaving me until I make it up to you. For everything."
Kichirou turned to Shang'er and held out his hand, which she took. "Now, our time to leave should be now. Older sis, I will find you in our next lifetime."
Xinglou bowed, "Let us hope it is under favorable conditions."
A breeze picked up and with a snap of his fingers, Kichirou and Shang'er were gone.
"I will leave you two alone now. I will be doing the explanations to the world." Xinglou turned and walked off without another word.
"Right. What about Ophelia?" Ethan asked.
"It's...complicated. It won't affect you anyhow."
"Sure. Does that mean we just make out now? And fuck each other until we can't move anymore?"
"Ethan!" Sylvia protested.
"Kidding," he replied, "I can feel myself going in a coma...let me sleep for a bit."
As he closed his eyes, Sylvia ran a thumb over his cheek.
"It's okay. After the past year, you definitely need some sleep. I can always wait for you to wake up."
That's a wrap folks! Man...this is much too short for a finale, but I suppose this is what I have to give. Now, it's pretty poorly written, especially the beginning part. Up to the singing, it was like that, unchanged since the last update. Now, I haven't tried changing it(apologies) as I've been hyped up on making a rewrite. Completely useless elements and characters removed and some original rules changed. You'll see when it comes out! I hoped you enjoyed it to an extent, and watch out for a rewrite of this! Coming soon late Spring to early Summer 2017! *Warning: Will be M rated and few scenes I would have liked to do here!*
Also, check out Asdivine Dreams in the DxD fandom and give Konoha Rising a read right here in this fandom!
An epilogue is coming up too, so please wait patiently to find out what happens afterwards!
Now! Rewrite in progress and Brigade out!