AN: I'm leaving for a family trip tomorrow so this is an early update. Thanks for the love last chapter guys 3! I feel you starleads, you know how you've been craving to read a story but no one ever writes it so you do it yourself, that's pretty much me. By the way, you can call me Gigi (a nickname), I acknowledge that my username is hard to remember also I feel like I should tell you so you don't have to call me author XD but I actually don't mind either way.
Sometimes I take simple ideas from others and make 'em real. Fun fact, the first Chapter of Be my Queen was from an interesting Youtube comment I read once. An element of Too Late in this chapter is as well, so thank you, random people on the internet for giving me cool ideas.
C12: Too Late 2
As expected, even when one is able to adjust to their new surroundings that does not mean they don't miss where they used to be. It was out of the blue, after he and Liebe went for their daily rounds to find Hell's opening an inexplicable sense of yearning suddenly dawned on Asta. A feeling he had never gone through before.
Turns out, the Underworld isn't all the bad once you get used to the sky being an inky black, ignore the smell of brimstone inhaled with your every breath, control the paranoia of discovery from other devils threatening to kill you, and tolerate the she-demon insisting to gain your favor.
To say that one of their past enemies is an ally now couldn't be any less strange.
Asta isn't well known to think things through, so when he executed the idea to seal the demons away through the portal, it slipped his mind that it meant he would enter Demon territory. A place where he will be facing all Devils at 100 percent, when he's beyond injured and with not even a single comrade to act as support.
He was screwed, that much was certain.
So imagine his surprise when the moment he was cornered by not only Lucifero but also hundreds upon hundreds of grotesque looking creatures seeking to put an end to him, runes started to glow underneath his feet and all of a sudden he vanished to some unknown location.
It was as though he was transported to a demon-version of Sally's Lab. Various paraphernalia ranging from beakers, unidentified liquids, and equipment could be seen methodically arranged in their corresponding cabinets. Multiple alien-like organs floating in a semi-transparent solution preserved in jars. At the corner were cages of small demon-esque rats, some of which looked to have either been transfigured or have undergone mutation. It was certainly a whiplashing experience, one moment he was about to face certain death and the next he is face to face with the one and only Queen of Curses.
Megicula was an odd demoness, for one she isn't dead despite Noelle splitting her heart into four pieces although due to her last defeat only 50 percent of her power remains thus her previous position in hell is alarmingly demoted. Even if her power was reduced, she was still a threat especially when he was still fatally injured.
No matter how much Liebe wanted to fly them out of there, unfortunately Asta's body has already reached its limit. The excruciating pain he experiences whenever he uses antimagic causes his knees to buckle, he had certainly pushed himself too far this time there's no way he could transform again even if the recovery period passes. The she-demon drags him onto one of the operating tables in the room, no matter how much he internally screamed for his limbs to struggle they don't even move an inch.
"I applaud you for sustaining consciousness, you must have a strong tolerance for pain, consider yourself fortunate human. Aside from your antimagic, since you are a being with no mana you are essentially immune to all of my curses. The same goes for the traitor whose power you use." She states, her deft hands working at incredible speed and precision in the process of cleaning his injuries.
She wasn't going to kill him like the other devils?
"My Curse magic is strong because I transform the mana naturally harbored in another organism's body, seeing as you have none, there is nothing for me to manipulate." The demoness hums to herself as though this was just another normal day.
"You two are a rather peculiar case, mana is connected to life energy so technically speaking, you aren't even alive." Megicula adds currently wrapping one of his arms in gauze. Wait, he's technically dead? Gah – whatever that isn't the point right now.
"That doesn't explain why you're helping me." People liked to believe Asta was as dense as a rock, but he'd like to think he had his moments of clarity. Surely anyone would find Megicula's actions suspicious.
The devil sighs and starts to discuss many things.
Hell is kinda boring you see, everyone's position is made clear the moment they are manifested. Thus, demons that are born naturally stronger automatically hold power over the weak. The strong are free to do whatever they wanted to those beneath them, most of which took a liking to torture. And those at the bottom never dared to oppose those that are at the top.
It was a simple rule. One that irks her to no end because no one ever prosed a challenge and no fate was worse than a brain undergoing stagnation. Politics was even less stimulating; the Three Kings of Hell are rarely inclined to implement much, choosing instead to focus on increasing their influence in the human world. In that at least she can understand, humans were far more interesting to toy with in comparison to their own kind.
It was an exhilarating experience to be in the human world, even if for a brief moment. Although her presence there in actuality had lasted for millennia, it was an entirely different experience to manifest in her own body. It was a pity that her plans failed before they were fulfilled but one must make the most out of every failed experiment. And in her final moments was an invigorating discovery, she caught a glimpse of unbelievable potential harbored by what should've been an inferior species.
Humans represented a contradiction to everything demon kind had once thought.
Emotions were thought to be a hindrance in achieving strength and unnecessary in their day to day. It is the very reason why they look down on humans – because they relish in feelings that only make them weaker. However, she had discovered that emotions are in fact significant and with it the humans managed to amplify their powers to a degree that shouldn't be possible. Thus, in exchange of helping him escape – she wishes to come along in some way. Although seeing as he was manaless in nature, a contract with him was probably impossible, Liebe is the only exception because they both don't need mana. Asta was no fool of course should the idea even be possible he'd never agree to her conditions no matter how much she insisted to only harbor innocent intentions.
"Get over yourself, crazy hag!" Liebe spurs even if they were currently not in a good position to oppose.
Megicula is aware of this without him verbalizing it, so she already thought of a compromise. She intends to learn the principles behind human emotions and Asta was a very important source for her studies. Thus, he had been under her protection ever since.
For months on end, the demon bombarded him with experiments and countless questions, pushing him to explain why certain emotions are only for appropriate moments and even human concepts like camaraderie, family, hope, faith, and love. Asta was reluctant at first but saw no harm in answering her when she seemed genuinely curious. Although it was probably naïve to think that her interest was harmless, especially since the demoness had no qualms experimenting on 100 Spade people and turning them into half-blood half-metal creatures. Him and Liebe were already forming a plan to escape unfortunately they couldn't afford to act recklessly even when they fully recovered.
Lucifero's reputation was in tatters when word got around that he struggled fighting against humans. Thanks to Adrammelech's loose lips the three kings of hell might get reduced to two. While Lucifero was busy enacting revenge for his tarnished pride, other powerful devils are fighting over the new open spots (Naamah and Lilith died, leaving two circles of Hell unled). It was a new era of chaos, at least according to Megicula.
"You know the water mage Noelle Silva, don't you? You were present in our fight." This was the first that the she-demon asked about his comrades and on instinct Asta was protective.
"Yeah and she kicked your ass, so don't even bother using her to threaten me."
"That wasn't my intention, I was about to discuss the role of her emotions in our fight."
"Oh. Uhm – okay?"
"I had her at my mercy, you know." Asta grits his teeth. He remembers that moment because never had he ever sensed Noelle's ki in such a terrified disarray before, yet no matter how much she internally trembled she still managed to defend human nature with a strong voice.
'You're a devil so I don't need you to understand.'
'We fight even when all hope is lost because –'
'The real strength of humans is refusing to give up!'
"She was this close to succumbing to her despair yet you enter and it's as though her mind flipped like a switch. And that girl gained incredible power, why is that?"
"That's what friends do; we motivate each other to get stronger." Asta had been trying his best to explain to the demon, he never realized how difficult it could be to define concepts that are naturally simple for him to understand. But the blank look on Megicula's face is not one of confusion rather it was doubt.
"Just friends?" She probes and it makes him wonder if the demoness was expecting a different answer.
"What do you mean?"
"Defeating me wasn't just a matter of stopping the invasion or saving her friend Queen Loropechka. It was her personal mission to kill me and avenge her mother, in fact her older brother even showed up with the same agenda. However, your presence instigated an incredible spike of her power even more significant than all of the reasons previously mentioned.
So it would be natural of me to conclude Asta that you are in fact different."
"Different how?" He doesn't notice Liebe who was rolling his eyes beside him.
"Her surge in power is almost equal to that of the Lightning mage that used his life energy in his attacks to defend the Queen." She adds, as if she was giving him some sort of hint that he doesn't register.
Shouldn't that make sense though? Noelle wanted to protect the Queen just like Gadjah did, she was important to both of them. But as Megicula already said, her spike happened after he arrived when he rushed to deactivate her curse 'Exploding Life', he couldn't help more than that so all he really did was cheer Noelle on as best as he could. He always did that for the water mage, ever since they were rookies, so what did the demon mean that he was "different"?
Smoke escapes from his ears, the effort to activate his brain clearly overloading its normal capacity. Even the demoness looks perplexed at the phenomena, this wasn't the first time it happened under her questioning but it never failed to surprise her every time.
"Hmmm, perhaps we can discuss this on another time." Just as the demoness was about to take her leave, Liebe asks her a question.
"How do you even know if it's possible for devils to feel emotions like humans do?" Megicula locks gazes with the "lesser" devil that dared to speak.
"Of course, I know. Living proof is currently staring at me in the face." She answers him without a beat and the male demon scoffs as she flies away.
As expected, even when one is able to adjust to their new surroundings that does not mean they don't miss where they used to be. It was out of the blue, after he and Liebe went for their daily rounds to find Hell's opening an inexplicable sense of yearning suddenly dawned on Asta. A feeling he had never gone through before.
Megicula's questioning about Noelle ignited his thoughts of missing home.
The antimage realizes how much he underappreciated the simplest forms of normalcy; he misses the sun and its rays beating down on him, the cool breeze blowing at his perspired skin, the sound of tweeting birds as he trained, the comfort of his admittedly lumpy bed.
You would think that a 15-year-old moving out of the orphanage to join a brigade thousands of miles away would've felt homesick but he never did. As a magic knight he never felt homesick because there were plenty of things that reminded him of Hage. Not literally of course, but the sense of belonging was the same with the Black Bulls. Nevertheless, he always looked forward to his weekly letters he sent back home, within it were anecdotes of his life with the bulls, some interesting missions they've gone through, along with questions about his siblings or if the amount of money he sent was enough to provide a better accommodating home.
The Church back at Hage was barely adequate for him and his siblings to grow up in and the same could be said about the village itself. People had to grow their own food since the capital was so far away, medicine was even harder to come by when needed. Clothes were often worn until they were no longer salvageable. Buildings barely ever get properly fixed especially during rainy days. Despite their poor living conditions however, human nature manifested endless compassion and camaraderie in the middle of adversity. So there was a natural sense for the people of Hage to help each other gain a better life. It's been a while since he visited them, he misses them dearly.
Asta also yearns for the day-to-day experience spent in the Black Bulls base. He thinks of Magna and Luck's constant bickering and duels, Charmy and Vanessa's endless cravings of their respective appetite for food or alcohol, Gauche's diligence in creating another Marie inspired craft, Gray and Gordon's hushed conversations, Zora's never ending streak for mischief, Henry's amusement when he reassembles rooms, Nero's silent and sarcastic company, Captain Yami's bursts of anger when another disturbance comes up in the middle of important business (like taking a dump), and lastly Noelle's concentrated look when immersed in her reading.
It was weird how two completely different places could be recognized the same way in his heart; home.
It was even stranger how people elicit that same feeling in him, as well.
Noelle was probably unaware of the number of times she was mentioned in his writing. He couldn't help it; she was always with him and somehow she often reminded him of home. One incident in particular, made it very evident to the antimage. When she wasn't training, his Silva companion was often reading. In an effort to understand her he tried to read them alongside her but the words were so complicated that it only made his vision spin. The princess scoffed at him then and called him an idiot as usual.
"Fine, since you're so hopeless I can read it to you." And read to him she did.
The words were still complex even if the girl tried her best to explain whenever he asked. Eventually he even dozed off in the middle of the story, she didn't complain about it though. How odd is it that the memory itself was so vivid and yet he can't even recall what the story had been about? He isn't sure if he actually understood her better after that day but he nevertheless appreciates it as of the few moments Noelle's kindness is so prevalent.
At the time her reading to him reminded him of when he was younger, of feeling warm despite him and his siblings sharing a blanket during the winter cold, of feeling whole even when the emptiness in his stomach called for attention, of a gentle voice often apologetic for their state of living yet nevertheless expressed utmost affection. And on the brink of his falling asleep Asta swore he saw an image of Sister Lily flash before his eyes.
He wonders what they're up to these days.
Perhaps the Kingdoms have all formed an alliance? No doubt Clover and Heart would assist in reconstructing Spade and Diamond, hopefully reestablishing their rulers as well. Asta wonders if his own Kingdom would undergo a new rule since King Julius' condition has been made public, after all he had transformed into a child right in front of the Clover Kingdom population. The people would probably want another person to take charge especially since King Julius lost majority of his power.
He wonders if they still remember him.
That was a silly question, Asta isn't exactly sure how long since he's been trapped here but they estimate that it was over a year now. It was definitely impossible to forget someone after such a short amount of time, right?
He wonders if they're still hoping for his return.
Someone was bound to still be waiting right? But how many years does it take for that to eventually fade? Wasn't it kind of self-centered of him to want someone out there to remain hopeful? After all, they still had their own lives to live through.
He wonders if they even want him back.
The antimage is aware that doubtful thoughts such as these are uncharacteristic of him, it only further confirmed his suspicions; homesickness is indeed terrible.
"The hell are you moping over?" The demon grumbles, just as disappointed at their lack in progress. This situation was probably uncomfortable to him, he absolutely abhorred all of demon kind.
Liebe may have resided here but his existence was short in comparison to the others who manifested thousands of years before, not to mention his low status prevented him from navigating Hell as he pleased. He was basically just as uninformed as Asta when it came to Hell's geography but having little knowledge was better than none.
"Sorry, I just miss home and everyone back at the human world."
"Can't relate."
"I'm sure you miss someone too, Liebe."
"I'm a demon, shorty. Don't apply human emotions to me." Asta frowns. I thought we already established that we're the same height?
"Don't lie, I felt your anger back then. Your spite was the most intense emotions I've ever felt, I even saw your memories partially. Who was she?" The demon internally flinches, he doesn't take too kindly with intrusive questions.
"This discussion is irrelevant."
"Come on, Liebe! You've been in my grimoire this entire time so you already know a lot about me. Don't you think it's unfair that I don't know much about you?" Perhaps it was annoying, but Asta had been trying to get the demon to open up about himself the entire time they've been stuck here. The connection they had is solely based on their united goal regarding the devils but he wants their friendship to go beyond just that. So far, he barely made any progress.
Liebe stares at him dead in the eyes. "No."
"Fine, have it your way." Asta shrugs and goes back to lamenting over his yearning. A sigh can't help but escape from his lips. As much as the antimage wanted to know more he couldn't force Liebe to open up. Some people simply find it harder to be honest about themselves and trust other people, befriending Noelle taught him that. It was better to have faith that they will naturally share what they wanted at the right time.
"Lucita." He turns to the demon who clears his throat and adds.
"Her name." Progress! Asta's mind echoes and his usual enthusiastic self encourages the demon to keep going. The antimage even settles next to Liebe eagerly, feeling giddy for once in this dreadful place.
"What was she like?" The demon feigns annoyance at his follow up question but continues anyways.
"Lucita was nice, a loudmouth like you, kind of stupid too; just another human weirdo." Asta was incredibly intrigued, his demon friend often spoke in a mean voice that was sarcastic and mocking, very reminiscent of Zora. This time however, there was a subtle difference.
"She was a great person but she had a condition that put others in danger if they were near so she'd been lonely. That didn't stop her from being kind though, she was the only human that didn't care I was a devil. All she saw was an injured kid that needed help so she healed me, gave me a home." In the middle of talking, his demon friend starts to pick at the ground beneath them. He found a piece of pebble and started rolling it on the soil.
"Lucita gave me a name." This would probably be the only instance Liebe would ever sound so soft.
If anyone doubted that a demon was capable of feeling positive emotions all they had to do was look at Liebe's face. Care was reflected in that crimson gaze; affection was clear in his gentle smile. Whoever that woman was, he truly loved her with all his heart.
"So she's like your mom?" A sour expression takes over Liebe's face and he shakes his head.
"I never called her that." Hmm but she sounds like one though, the antimage thinks to himself. Asta never had parents but the closest people he could refer as that was Father Orsi and Sister Lily. He senses a familiar ki of anger right beside him, and just like that Liebe's softness rapidly fades away like the wisps of smoke from Captain Yami's cigarette.
"Lucifero killed her before I could." He doesn't say anything after that and Asta neither probes nor asks for specifics.
"Thanks for trusting me enough to tell me, Liebe."
"Whatever." No wonder Liebe hated the whole of demon kind, they took someone special from him and he found that unforgivable. And yet Asta can't help but sense that he was also harboring a little bit of self-loathing.
"You know, I don't really think you're just another devil." Liebe clicks his tongue.
"Did you already forget I tried to take over your body?"
"It was for a purpose though, you wanted to avenge someone that was important to you. It's selfish sure but you did it for someone you love." And that's exactly why you're different.
Another year and a half passed before they finally escaped. It wasn't easy and Megicula herself didn't want them to leave so soon but they had been away from the human world long enough. When they managed to find the exit, hundreds of devils were scattered about; it was unclear whether or not it was on purpose. As they flew, so many demons tried to pull them back down. They struggled to fight them off while simultaneously flying higher, even if the enemies were weaker, the sheer amount of them made them difficult to handle. The pair got out terribly bruised, bleeding and limping but they were out nonetheless. Asta could only take a few steps away from the gate before collapsing and falling unconscious.
When the antimage regains consciousness, he sees a cobweb infested wooden ceiling and walls made of large slabs of stone, dust permeated from every move he made on the bed and the ground wasn't any better. Random everyday items scattered around him, it looked like they were in an abandoned cottage.
"Oh, you're awake." Liebe comments beside him.
"Ugh where – what happened?"
"We're back in the human world." He informed and Asta can't help but flinch in excitement.
"We're home - ow!" Aside from his whole body aching, there was a stinging pain on his abdomen. The devil ushers him to lay back down.
"Calm down, we can't travel with these injuries just yet. We should stay here for a couple days." The antimage sighs, so close and yet so far. He understands where Liebe was coming from, it was probably better to reunite with everyone when he isn't injured, even if all he wanted to do was screw it all and get back home.
"Whose house is this anyways?"
"Lucita's." Lime green orbs widen in shock.
"Whoah, this was your mom's house?" Liebe purses his lips in contemplation. Asta wonders if he should've just said her name instead.
One of the devil's clawed hands goes up to rub his face as if to soothe himself from the anxiety of what he was about to say.
"She wasn't my mom Asta." He puts his hand down and looks directly at him.
"She was yours." Whhhhhhhaaaaaaaaatttttttttttt?
If he was surprised before, he was definitely astounded by now because apparently Asta had a third home he didn't even know about. And a brother that stuck by his side without him knowing.
Sorry there isn't much Astelle on this :P I hope you still enjoyed it nonetheless! I think this is my longest chapter yet.