AN: I hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 10:

Samuel sat on his bed at the Pocket Netherworld, his back against the wall and with his vest on his lap as he attempted to stitch up the tear in the material. Across from him, sat on the floor with his back against his own bed and with a series of already empty plates and bowls next to him was Killia.

Yes, they also shared a room. Something that Seraphina wasn't exactly pleased about. But with the Rebel Army increasing by the day, the Pocket Netherworld the main hub for new recruits, they needed the extra space. And the two of them didn't mind sharing.

Tying off his stitch, Samuel arched an eyebrow when Killia added another empty bowl to the stack. "Killia. You ok?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You've already had a healthy appetite, but you've been eating more than usual lately."

Killia looked over at the stack and barely suppressed a wince. "…I've just been expending a lot more energy lately."

"Ok." He wasn't being a hundred percent honest, but Samuel wasn't going to press him. "Maybe you should get some rest, too, then."

They had been doing a lot of fighting lately, and Killia had been issuing a lot of orders along with said battles. It wasn't easy being the leader to a resistance army, after all. So, if there was anything that Samuel could do that could make life that little bit easier for him…

Samuel slipped off the bed and tossed his vest over his shoulders. "Don't worry about the dirty dishes; I'll take them out," he insisted as he tied off his vest at the collar. "I'm not tired yet."

Killia looked over at the empty plates again and seemed about ready to protest. Instead, he sighed and nodded his head. "I appreciate it," he said as he pushed himself to his feet, only to sit himself on the edge of the bed.

Samuel smiled, happy to be of use. Killia wasn't the one to ask for help, or accept it, all too often. So, Samuel always made sure never to make a big deal out of it whenever Killia did ask for or accepted his assistance.

Besides, it was only natural that the two of them helped each other out.

Bending down to pick up the bowls and plates, Samuel noted that Killia's gaze seemed to be lingering on his back. "Do my scars bother you?"

"A little," Killia admitted, which was a little surprising. "They mean that someone has actively harmed you."

That brought a small smile to Samuel's lips. So, his gaze wasn't curiosity or disgust, but protectiveness. And it seemed that thought had been playing on his mind for a while. Likely longer than he was willing to admit.

"You…don't remember?" Killia asked slowly.

Samuel pressed his lips together tightly and shook his head. "…No. I don't think so."

He couldn't exactly trust his memories, either. Some appeared to be true, like with the elemental attacks and healing spells. But, with Nugatory proving to be nothing more than a myth, he couldn't trust that being the name of his homeworld.

Balancing the bowls in his arms, he plastered a smile on his lips once more. "But they don't hurt, either. So, whoever made them are likely a long way away from me now."

With that, he walked from the bedroom.

Those words were meant to reassure Killia, but they also brought him some relief.

Even if Nugatory wasn't real, he had terrible and painful memories of some place. A place where he was trapped underground. A place that inflicted scars upon his back. Wherever he came from, he…didn't want to go back.

He was happier where he was; with Killia and the Rebel Army.

Depositing the dirty dishes in the kitchen, thankful that it wasn't his turn for kitchen duty, Samuel quickly turned and made his way back to the bedroom. Despite what he said earlier, he was a little tired. Holding back in battle was a lot more draining than going full on in his humble opinion.

At least they could go back to pummelling Lost Soldiers in the future. Hopefully, at least.

"Killia?" He popped his head into the room and noted that only the lamp between the two beds was lit.

Strange. He didn't remember turning off the main light, but he may have done so unconsciously.

Or Killia flicked it off himself. He appeared to be in bed. He rested on his back on top of the blankets, an arm over his eyes as the other rested on his stomach. One leg was flat against the bed, while the other bent at the knee. His lips were parted, breathing in quietly through his nose and exhaling through his mouth.

He was sound asleep. He was more tired than he let on.

Samuel studied him for a moment before leaned down to grab a blanket, intent of draping it over Killia's sleeping form.

Only for Killia to suddenly snare his wrist.

Before Samuel could react, he suddenly found himself flat on his back, his arms pulled up over his head and pinned at the wrists by a single hand. A soft gasp escaped his lips as Killia leaned over him, putting pressure on the hand pinning his wrists together as he planted his other hand firmly into the mattress next to his head.

"Wh-what?" Samuel spluttered. "Hey, I didn't mean to wake you, jeez."

Talk about sharp reflexes. He must have startled him awake when he reached for the blanket. Killia must still be on high alert from all the battles.

"That weakling can't keep anyone safe."

Samuel froze as he stared up at Killia. That voice…? It was deeper, huskier, and notably crueller than the voice he was used to. And those eyes…they were black in colour, nothing like his piercing but kind golden eyes.

They weren't Killia's eyes.

Samuel licked his lips nervously. "Who-?"

"Just call me Killidia."

Killidia? As in Tyrant Overlord Killidia?

"What do you want?"

"Those scars." Killidia took a hold of Samuel's chin, forcing him to focus solely on him. "Who gave them to you?"

"I…I don't know."

His scars bothered him that much? No, it wasn't the scars themselves, it was the thought that someone had actually hurt him that bothered Killia the most. Had he grown that…protective of him.

That…was actually quite endearing, he wasn't going to lie.

"What…would you do if I did know?"

Killidia leaned forward, causing Samuel to unwillingly shiver and turn his head to the side. His movement allowed Killidia to whisper into his ear, his heated breath ghosting against his cheek and the side of his neck. It made him shiver again, withering upon the bedsheets involuntarily.

"Kill them."

Samuel's heart skipped a beat.

And his breath left his lungs when Killidia suddenly pressed his body against his. "H-hey!"

But Killidia didn't move. He seemed to have collapsed limply atop of him. Even the steely grip he had on his wrists had loosened and Samuel quickly pulled back his arms, and placed them on Killia's shoulder's.

"K-Killia?" he questioned, only to get a soft snore in response.

He was asleep?

Samuel breathed a sigh of relief.

Killia was back. Asleep, but he was back to normal. And Killidia was…wherever he went when Killia was around. Deep within in consciousness?

Carefully, he slipped out from under Killia and rearranged him comfortably on the bed.

"You're a complex guy, Killia," he murmured as he draped a blanket over Killia.

… … … … …

Killia had slept relatively well that night. Even his antagonistic Other Self had remained silent within his dreams, which was a pleasant surprise. And a rarity these past few days.

With so many battles, with the Lost growing in number, with Void's maliciousness knowing no bounds; his Other Self was growing harder and harder to contain. Food was only sustaining him for so long.

And yet, when Samuel was around, he seemed to grow…quiet. Unexpectedly so.

Almost suspiciously so.

Samuel hadn't been treating him any differently, yet he couldn't help but feel that something had occurred during the night. Something he wasn't quite aware off.

Killia paused in the breakfast rush to pull Samuel aside. "Did…something happen last night?"

Samuel regarded him with a curious tilt of the head. "No. Why do you ask?"

There really wasn't a way that Killia could respond to that. "It's nothing."

Samuel shot him a smile as he turned his attention to happily serving up some curry to the hungry masses. "Even if something did happen, you would never hurt me. I know that much."

He sounded so confident. "Y-yeah."

"You know, you haven't asked me about whether my memories have returned or not for a while," Samuel pointed out suddenly.

Killia shrugged. "I figured that you would tell me on your own whether or not they have. Besides, you seemed content with making new memories here in the present."

Samuel paused to turn to him, to look at him for a moment, before he smiled. "Yeah, you're right."

A sudden snigger caused the two to look away from each other and to look forward, to a pair of faces that were peering at them from over the curry counter. A Clergy and an Archer, a pair of teammates if he wasn't mistaken.

"And what are you two sniggering at?" Samuel asked, exasperated.

The two sniggered again before they sprung back and motioned toward a table that hosted a large bouquet of flowers. "Ta-da~!"

Samuel looked between the two demons and the flowers, unimpressed, though also wholly confused. "Yes, they're lovely and all that, but what's that got to do with me?"

"They're for you," the archer sniggered, having far too much fun from the situation.

"Me?" Samuel pointed at himself in disbelief. "You're kidding?"

"Ooh, Sammie has a secret admirer!" the clergy said in a sing-song voice.

"That doesn't sound right," Samuel said adamantly as he threw a hand towel onto the counter and marched over to the flowers, seemingly intent on proving someone wrong. Somehow. "Someone is just messing with me."

Killia stayed at the counter and looked at the flowers with a growing sense of suspicion. As he stood there, he listened to the whispering gossip of the other Rebels lingering in the communal area.

"Flowers? It must be Killia."

"What if it isn't? Someone is trying to move in on his territory."

"Ooh, a love triangle. How scandalous."

"Who could it be?"

"Honestly, take your pick. He's quite famous thanks to Nether Gossip Magazine."

"True true."

Killia sighed aloud. He really needed to do something about that magazine. And that ninja. Especially something about that ninja.

"Killia, Samuel, can you come to the main bridge, please?"

With another sigh, Killia set aside the curry he was preparing and motioned for Samuel to follow him. They made their way to the assembly point in silence. There was little doubt that the meeting was about another magical spear. From what they were able to ascertain from Panchos yesterday, Void Dark was able to send several similar spears out into the Netherverse, though he did not know where they had landed or what their true purpose were.

No surprise. No one within any faction of the Lost Army was likely to know the truth behind those spears.

"What's wrong, Christo?" Killia asked after everyone had been assembled. "Another spear?"

"Not this time," Christo answered. "It seems we have just received a request for assistance from the overlord of Raging Rapids. But he has one condition."

A condition? He wasn't in dire straits then.

Christo folded an arm across his stomach as he pushed his glasses further along the bridge of his nose. "He has specifically asked that Samuel attends."

For the second time that morning Samuel pointed at himself. "Me?"

"Maybe he knows you, Samuel," Usalia offered.

"We may have finally found someone from Samuel's past."

Samuel frowned and shot a glare in Seraphina's direction. "You're awfully eager to get rid of me."

Seraphina smiled wickedly. "Why, whatever do you mean?"

Killia frowned, unable to hide his suspicion. He also felt uneasy and troubled. "This overlord?"

"Ulric."

Killia immediately turned his attention back to Samuel, finding the warrior looking positively confused; his brow furrowed and a deep frown on his lips.

"No," he said after a moment. "That name isn't remotely familiar to me."

The name was unfamiliar to Killia, too, so he was unable to say whether they were trustworthy or not. Even if they were, he wasn't about to let Samuel head in alone. Something about the whole situation did not sit right with him. A trap? Possible. A glaringly obvious one.

Still…

"Very well. We'll see what this Ulric has to say," Killia said. "Let's head out now."

The others, minus Samuel, nodded their heads in agreement and made their way to the portal. But Killia hung back, as did Samuel. When it was just the two of them left to walk through the portal, Samuel suddenly and skittishly, which was uncharacteristic of him, grabbed him by the elbow.

"Killia?"

"Don't worry," Killia immediately told him. "I'm not just going to leave you on a Netherworld without making sure you in fact know them."

Samuel gazed at him with those big blue eyes of his for a moment before a smile finally made its way to his lips and he finally sighed with relief. "Y-yeah, I knew you wouldn't. Hearing that does makes me feel better. Seraphina seems intent on getting rid of me."

It certainly looked that way, but Killia wasn't about to allow that to happen.

With the others waiting, the two of them quickly made their way through the portal.

Raging Rapids appeared to be a water netherworld made up of sand and wrecked and broken pirate ships. The water currents were treacherous with whirlpools, crashing waves, and a turbulent breeze, so it was little wonder that multiple ships saw that world as a ship graveyard.

It was a surprise that the Lost Army hadn't already invaded.

Tearing his gaze from the environment, Killia turned his attention to the warrior next to him. "Samuel?"

Samuel shook his head. "Nothing about this netherworld is familiar to me, either."

Hmm…

Pushing his suspicions aside for the time being, Killia and Samuel walked further along the wrecked ships to where the rest of their companions were gathered. With them was a pirate with green hair and a red coat.

The pirate spun around when Christo indicated toward them and his expression brightened immediately upon laying his eyes upon Samuel. "Ah, it is you, my Ocean Pearl!"

…Ocean pearl?

He seemed to immediately recognise Samuel.

Samuel, on the other hand didn't have an overwhelmingly positive response. "M-me?" he stuttered as he took a few steps backwards.

"Where have you been, my Ocean Pearl? I've been looking for you everywhere!" the pirate that had to be Ulric gushed as he rushed forward, ignoring Samuel's personal space and lacklustre response as he snatched up Samuel's hands in his in a vice-like grip.

Samuel continued to try to put some distance between the two of them. "Ah…"

"Are you not happy to see me?"

"N-not really…?"

"You mustn't be rude, Samuel," Seraphina suddenly chided. "You must forgive him. He's suffering from amnesia, you see."

"Oh, you've lost your memories?" Ulric gave an overly dramatic sigh. "Oh, my poor Samuel! Come, we must spend time together. Your memories are sure to return."

"Yes, a brilliant idea," Seraphina urged. "If you are to spend time alone, Samuel will sure to remember."

Killia felt his protective hackles just bristle. "Seraphina," he said tersely, in a warning tone. She was pushing her luck. It was clear that Samuel had a less than positive response to Ulric. She truly was attempting to get rid of Samuel, for whatever reason.

Because she saw him as a rival?

Ridiculous.

"Are you ok, Samuel?" Usalia asked but received no response.

"Samuel?"

Ulric then did something unexpected; he wrapped an arm around Samuel's back in an attempt to sweep him toward the interior of a large pirate ship that likely acted as a living-quarters for Ulric and his closest underlings.

"Come now, Samuel. Don't be shy, my Ocean Pearl."

A look of utter panic crossed Samuel's face suddenly and he roughly placed his hands on Ulric's chest, only to push him back. He jumped back himself, placing more distance between them. It still wasn't enough distance, however. He scrambled back further, moving to duck behind Killia, placing his hands on his shoulders to hide behind him for protection.

Another act that was quite unlike him.

Either the man was known to him, and not in a positive light. Or he wasn't known and something in his actions was a trigger for a bad memory, activating a flight or fight response from Samuel.

Either way, Killia wasn't about to allow the ruse to continue for a moment longer.

"You don't know him, Samuel?"

Samuel shook his head as he looked at him with those wide blue eyes of his. "H-he's not even remotely familiar. I think I would remember being creeped out by all those nicknames."

Killia nodded. "Indeed. That means only one thing-" he turned his head sharply to look directly at Ulric, "-this guy is lying."

Ulric took a step back and swallowed thickly. "S-Samuel, how can you say such things?"

Samuel peered over Killia's shoulder. "I don't know you and I don't know this Netherworld."

"Y-you don't know what you're saying, Samuel!"

Ulric was only digging himself deeper and deeper. If Samuel hadn't been hiding behind him, his hands literally on his shoulders, Killia would have walked straight up to Ulric – and punched him in the face.

"We don't appreciate you taking advantage of our companion's amnesia. This conversation is over. Unless you wish to engage in battle. You don't wish for that, do you, Ulric?"

"…B-bro's aura has turned murderous."

"Of course. Killia is very protective of Samuel, plip."

Best leave before Ulric did something…regretful.

Killia spun on his heel. "Let's go, Samuel."

"R-right."

He didn't know what Ulric wanted with Samuel, wanted to do with him, but he wanted something from him. Whatever schemes he had in mind, Killia wasn't about to allow him to put into fruition. Not with him around.

Killia was forced to pause in his steps when Seraphina suddenly stepped in his path. Hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed, she looked displeased. "Sir Killia; you and Samuel. You two are just friends, right?"

"What is with this line of questioning?" Killia returned coolly. "Besides that, I also don't appreciate your efforts in reuniting Samuel with his past without first ensuring those who claim are from his past are in fact sincere."

Seraphina was surprised into silence and an indignant flush appeared upon her cheeks. She didn't attempt to refute his words to save face, which in itself was a surprise.

It was safe to say that Killia was a little bit agitated.

… … … … …

Samuel had never been so happy to see the Pocket Netherworld. It was strange. All the battles he had endured. Even after being stranded on an unknown Netherworld with an injured Killia and Lost Soldiers prowling. All it took was on short one-sided conversation with an unfamiliar Overlord that made him appreciate the safety of the Pocket Netherworld.

Ulric just felt so…predatory.

Well, he lied about knowing him. There was that. But the way he looked at him, like he was a piece of meat. A prey he had been waiting for.

At least he knew what to expect from the Lost Army.

"Man, can you believe that?" Samuel bemoaned as he and Killia walked along the tall gangway above the main bridge. "What kind of demon takes advantage of someone else's amnesia?"

"Indeed," was all that Killia would say in response.

Killia was still agitated about the whole thing, too. More than Samuel was. While Samuel was creeped out, Killia was furious.

So, perhaps, it wasn't the Pocket Netherworld that made him feel safe.

Samuel turned around to face Killia and folded his arms behind his back. "Killia. Thank you."

Killia lifted his head up, to look at him with an expression of restrained surprise on his face.

"I kinda felt pressured to give Ulric a chance," Samuel continued. "If he said he knew me, then he must. I'm lacking memories, after all. But nothing about him felt familiar. Nothing about him felt…safe. It never really occurred to me that someone would take advantage of my amnesia."

It truly didn't. He never saw the point. Or why anyone would want to target him.

"So, I'm glad I have you on my side."

Killia gave a short nod of his head. "Yeah. I was glad I was there, too. You didn't know him?"

"No. Not at all."

He did know that Ulric creeped him out like no one else.

"And, you know, I'm relieved that I didn't know Ulric. Turns out, I wasn't ready to leave you. And the Rebel Army. Not yet."

Samuel couldn't imagine being confined to one Netherworld while a war was going on around him. Not that he would allow someone to keep him confined to one place, whether he knew them well or not.

…Thinking of getting to know someone.

"Um, Killia. This is kinda off topic."

"Hm?"

Samuel paused to take in a slow breath. "Who's Lieze?"

Killia snapped his head up, surprised. "Where did you-?"

"In your sleep," Samuel interrupted, ensuring to keep his tone light, to sound curious and harmless. "You've said that name a couple of times in your sleep, for a while now. They must be someone important to you."

Killia turned to gaze out at the Netherverse, a haunted, faraway gaze in his eyes. "…She was."

Oh…

He kinda figured as much, honestly.

"Whether she is still with you or not, she is still important to you. But I understand now. I won't pry anymore."

"It's…fine," Killia said slowly. "I might tell you more about her. Later."

Hm. He was fine with that. Plenty of time to talk later. "When you're ready."

"Yeah."

"You hungry?" Samuel asked suddenly, purposely so. "We should make some curry."

"Yeah, alright." Killia seemed somewhat appreciative of the abrupt topic change. "I'll meet you in the kitchen. I just need to…find someone. I need to have a quick word with a certain ninja…"

Samuel quirked his head to the side. Ninja? Cpt Chop Chop?

The thought brought a smile to his lips. "Well, if you're going to have a 'chat', make sure you give him a what-for for me."

"I plan to."

The two quickly made their way off of the gangway and temporarily separated. While Samuel would like to know what Killia was going to 'chat' with Cpt Chop Chop about, he'd just have to hear all about it sometime later. From Killia or through second-hand gossip. Should be fun, nevertheless.

"Excuse me, Mr Samuel?"

Samuel paused in his steps and looked behind him. A Wrestler dressed in pink and a Professor in blue.

"Hm?" he turned around to face them and tilted his head to regard the two. "You're a couple of new faces."

Though, that shouldn't be a surprise. They were gaining new recruits by the day.

"Ah, yes, we've been asked to deliver a message to you," the Professor revealed.

That was…odd. A message? From who?

Before Samuel could ask her what she meant, the Professor raised a hand toward his face. Where a magic circle suddenly appeared before he could react.

"What are you…?" Samuel's words trailed off as his eyelids began to droop.

A sleep spell? They used a sleeping spell on him?

His knees buckled beneath him abruptly but a muscular arm around his shoulders prevented him from hitting the floor. His vision blurred, greying out at the corners. He was falling asleep, and there was nothing he could about it.

Why? What were they…?

Killia…