AN: Managing to keep with the weekly updates, despite the pain I've been experiencing lately, so whoo me :'D Hope you enjoy reading~

Chapter 12:

It was quiet and peaceful upon the bridge high above the main floor of the Pocket Netherverse. Samuel sat on the right platform, one leg dangling casually over the edge with the other folded up underneath him. With him were a couple of books, one set open on his lap.

He wasn't searching for fragments of his past. He had given up on that. Searching through the myths and legends sectors of the library hurt too much. Brought up too many feelings of confusion and fear.

Next to him sat Killia, with his legs crossed, a bowl of curry in his hands and a book of his own on his lap. What he was researching, however, was a little simplier; recipes.

"Killia, can I ask you something?"

Killia idly flipped a page in his book. "Hm?"

"After this war is over, what do you plan to do?"

He paused. "…I don't know."

"Yeah," Samuel immediately sympathised. "I don't know either. Thinking about it…I feel lost as to what I should do."

"Yeah…"

Samuel pulled his leg back onto the platform and rested his chin atop of his knee as he pretended to pay attention to his book. "You know Seraphina has feelings for you."

From the corner of his eye, he watched as Killia wince. "I know."

"But you don't feel the same?"

"No."

Samuel was surprised by his overwhelming need to sigh aloud with relief. "Honestly, I'm revealed," he did admit. "Especially, since you're not even entertaining the idea. Seraphina isn't…well, I don't think she's very well suited for you."

"There is nothing inherently wrong with Seraphina," Killia replied, ever diplomatic. "I just don't feel the same. And...I suppose you're right. I can't see myself having a future with Seraphina."

Samuel nodded his head idly. He glanced at his book before he closed it slowly, drawing in a slow breath. He lifted his chin from his knee and turned to look at Killia. "Do you mind if I ask you about Lieze?"

Killia fell silent. He then slowly closed his own book and looked up at the endless expanse of the Netherverse. "I suppose I don't mind."

Samuel was inwardly surprised but hoped it didn't show. "What was she like?" he asked as he set his book aside.

"Well…"

He spoke slowly at first. She was bossy and constantly nagging him. But encouraging him and attentive to his needs. Softly spoken but able to talk him into doing whatever she wanted for 'some reason'. She didn't have a single special ability, but she could whip up an amazing meal with minuscule of ingredients.

Samuel sat quietly; his arms wrapped around the leg pulled to his chest with his cheek resting atop of his knee. He listened as Killia talked, his eyes focused up toward the vast Netherverse as he recounted, fondly, his past memories.

It was clear to Samuel that Lieze was important to him. Very important.

She…hadn't just given him a heart.

She had a firm grip on it.

Still did.

And, for some unknown reason, that hurt Samuel in his chest.

"She sounds like quite the girl," Samuel commented. "I would have liked to have met her."

"Yeah. The two of you would have gotten along really well."

"She obviously meant so much to you. Otherwise, losing her wouldn't have hurt you nearly as much."

"…I suppose."

Samuel lifted his cheek from his knee and turned his head to also gaze out at the endless Netherverse, focusing on a sparkling distant Netherworld. "I wonder if I have anyone out there that misses me. Or if I'm actually all alone."

Alone.

In his memories he wasn't alone. But the faces and names of all those he had met, in the Rebel Army and the faces of his enemies; none of them were remotely familiar. Absolutely none of them. Not a hint of nostalgia. And the Netherworlds, not even their names, instilled a sense of longing.

Nothing.

Could be really be…alone?

"Samuel?"

Samuel automatically plastered a smile to his lips as he turned his head toward Killia once more. "Sorry, that was quite the downer, huh?"

"It's only natural to wonder," Killia returned, always so considerate. "Any new memories?"

Samuel shook his head before he rested his cheek atop of his knee again. "No. I don't know the name of my homeworld, It's location. Just…fleeting visions that I don't even know are real or if my mind is playing tricks on me. Filling in the blanks. Or are imposed upon me by outside forces. Truth be told, nothing is remotely familiar. The Netherworlds. The names, the faces; nothing."

Killia furrowed his brow in mild concern. "Nothing?"

"All these famous Overlords. Goldion's legacy. None of it is familiar. None of it rings a bell." Samuel huffed out a sigh to blow a strand of hair from his eyes. "My memories of the Netherverse must be faulty. Or I lived a very sheltered life."

"That couldn't be the case; your range of skills are unlike any I've encountered before."

"Really?" Samuel lifted his head from his knee when he received an affirmative nod from Killia and furrowed his brow in mild confusion. "So…I've lived a sheltered life…battling?"

Were his memories of endless battling be real?

Battling Seedlings. Preventing them from escaping. Preventing them from becoming parasites. Preventing them from latching onto the souls of victims. Onto the souls of those who lived there. For those who were foolish enough to break into the walls of…

Nugatory.

But Nugatory was…a prison for those who lived there. For those who dared to commit the crime of…being born.

"Samuel?"

Samuel hadn't realised he had been clutching at his forehead until he felt Killia grasp him by the shoulder and gave him a gentle shake. "Sorry," he automatically replied as he dropped his hand to his side. "The ol' head is aching a bit. I think that's enough thinking for one night."

Killia kept his hand on his shoulder, a subtle expression of concern still gracing his features. He searched him with his golden eyes, studying him. Something he had done before. Numerous times before even. And yet, there was something about the intensity of his eyes that made his chest feel…strange.

"So, anyway," Samuel prattled as he snatched up the book he had been reading and flipped through the pages. "I've been thinking about something else lately. I've stumbled about something about curses and wanted to run it past you. I think it might be useful…"

What was that feeling?

… … … … …

For a Netherworld being drained by a magical spear, there was a surprising lack of Lost Soldiers, in Samuel's humble opinion.

The latest Netherworld they were attempting to save was small and honestly unremarkable. The grass was sparse and simply green. The fields were dotted with the occasional rocky outcropping of red stones, but other than that there wasn't a single speck of colour. No wildflowers. No trees. No water features.

Nothing.

There didn't even appear to be any locals or inhabitants living on the Netherworld.

The only thing notably unusual was, of course, the giant magical spear of malice promptly draining the world of its life energy.

The spear was located atop of the tallest pillars of stone in the middle of the Netherworld, though that wasn't saying much. There truly wasn't much to look at upon this particular Netherworld.

Christo gazed up at the magical spear. "Well, this was easy."

"We haven't encountered a single Lost Soldier," Samuel commented as he curled and uncurled the chain of his axe around his fist to mask his unease. "Why do you think that is?"

Killia spared a glance in his direction before he returned to surveying their surroundings. "It is a little suspicious."

Ah, good. He wasn't the only one who noticed.

"Who cares!" Red Magnus shouted. "Let's just destroy the spear and leave. This is place is super boring."

"Samuel is probably still just a little on edge," Usalia commented airily, despite the sagely nod of her head.

Samuel winced, not wanting to think about Ulric. An incident that, remarkably, no one was willing to talk about. As if it never happened. "Can you blame me?"

Having been the outspoken one, Red Magnus was volunteered to be the one to destroy the spear, though the Overlord of Scorching Flame didn't mind too much. Any excuse to show off his new Overload skill.

He destroyed the spear with little effort on his part, yet Samuel still couldn't shake the unease and trepidation he felt. There was still that sensation of malice in the air. Could no one else feel it? Was he truly just paranoid because of what happened?

"It still doesn't feel right," he muttered under his breath.

Yet, loud enough for Christo to hear. "Something on your mind, Samuel?" he asked him.

Samuel dropped his axe to the ground and rested his palm atop of the handle casually. "It's just that this Netherworld is relatively vacant. Why target it? There isn't much energy to be gathered. Why waste a perfect good magical spear on such a lowly little Netherworld? Void isn't the type to miss, I wager."

"That's right," a new voice remarked casually, coldly from somewhere behind them.

A chill raced up Samuel's spine as the air suddenly became thick with malice, so dense that it was suffocating. All because of a voice. A voice that was cruel, cold, and vile.

A voice that could belong to only one demon.

"Void!" Killia snarled as he spun around.

The déjà vu that Samuel felt was almost overwhelming as he, too, turned around.

No no, they could not afford a repeat of Dark Testament!

"You really are as brainless as you are worthless, Killia," Void sneered. "All this way for such a pathetic little Netherworld? You won't be able to save anyone at this rate."

Samuel felt himself break out into a cold sweat. Had his suspicions been correct? Had Void targeted this Netherworld in order to lure them out just to deal with them and get them out of the way?

"Great," Seraphina murmured under his breath as she shot Samuel an annoyed side-eye in order to hide her fear. "Samuel just had to jinx us."

Samuel shot back a glare of his own. "Don't try to pin this on me."

Void's stare suddenly narrowed in straight in Samuel's direction. "So, you're Samuel, are you?" His voice was as cold and harsh as his eyes. But there was an added element to his gaze.

He was scrutinizing him.

Samuel took a half step back in surprise. "What…?"

Out of everyone there, he was the last demon that should have gained Void's attention, let alone have him actually know his name.

Void suddenly flickered out of sight, only to reappear directly in front of Samuel. And he had his hand around his throat before he could even react. Samuel instinctively reached out to latch onto Void's wrist and arm as his draconic like fingers curled around his neck. The grip was tight, causing him to involuntarily gasp and squeeze his eyes shut.

When he opened his eyes again, he realised that he had been carried to the same rocky pillar that had supported the magical spear. Out of reach and range of Killia and the others. Held in front of them, as if upon some stage.

As if he was about to be executed…

"Samuel!" Killia called out to him, obvious alarm in his voice.

Alarm that Void sadistically picked up upon. "You're fond of this one, Killia? Isn't that interesting?"

Samuel peered down at Killia through one eye as he continued to fruitlessly grasp onto Void's arm. "K-Killia…"

Despite the distance between them, Samuel was able to see the abstract terror in Killia's golden eyes. He was reliving that day. When he lost Lieze. When Void took her away from him with his violence. With his innate, overpowering, self-seeking violence.

Was he about to do it again?

Samuel…couldn't die in front of Killia.

There had to be something he could do.

Void raised his free hand and…clicked his fingers. Red geo-panels appeared suddenly around and beneath the feet of Killia and the others.

"I'll deal with you later," Void sneered as he clicked his fingers again, activated the geo-panels.

The others…they disappeared?

Warp geo-panels?

What? He wasn't going to kill him in front of the others?

Void peered at Samuel from the corner of his eye before slowly turning his full attention toward him. "Your Overload skill."

"Wh-what?" Samuel stuttered out as he continued to feebly grasp at Void's wrist. "I don't have one."

Void's eyes narrowed, filling further with contempt. His grip around Samuel's throat tightened and he effortlessly lifted him up off the ground, where he then slammed his back into a large piece of stone jutting up from the pillar. Breaking the stone and stealing the breath from his lungs.

"Then hurry up and get one," Void growled as he pivoted on his heal and oh-so casually threw him off of the pillar. "I don't have time to waste waiting for you."

The ground was unforgiving as Samuel landed hard on his back, taking what little air was left in his lungs in a strangled gasp. He coughed and spluttered as he rolled onto his side, leaning heavily on his elbow and cradled his throat as he tried desperately to get air back into his lungs.

Get…get an Overload? What was he talking about?

With his throat burning, Samuel peeled open an eye when a shadow fell over him. Both his eyes shot open when he caught a flash of green from behind the pillar of red stone.

Christo?

No. He couldn't get involved. Void would kill him immediately. The Rebel Army could not afford to lose their tactician as well. They couldn't. Killia was the leader, but Christo was the brains. Everyone knew that. He was the one that everyone turned to for a gameplan.

He needed to stay alive, no matter what.

Stepping out from behind the pillar, Christo looked haggard as he inspected his surroundings in a skittish manner. His head then snapped in his direction and their gazes locked onto each other's.

'Stay there. Don't get involved,' Samuel mouthed to him desperately.

The second uttered that silent plea, Void landed on the ground next to him and stomped his steel boot onto Samuel's lower left leg. Samuel gritted his teeth to prevent a strangled cry of pain from escaping and he raked his fingers into the ground in a futile attempt to disperse the pain.

"Now," Void said coolly as he dug his foot deeper into his leg. "What does Killia see in you?"

He…couldn't die. Not yet. He couldn't leave Killia yet. Killia couldn't lose someone else to Void.

Not again.

Samuel didn't know what Void wanted with him, but he hadn't killed him yet, so he wanted something. He might just be throwing him about to get back at Killia. But Killia wasn't around to witness any of it.

Maybe…maybe he could get some information out of him? It was a risk, but he had to try. Christo was nearby. He might be able to make sense of something.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Oh?" Void pressed his heel into his leg. "What makes you think I'm going to chat with some plebian like you?"

The urge to be sarcastic and defiant was strong. That egotistical bastard had caused so much pain and devastation across the entirety of the Netherverse. But Samuel knew it wouldn't get him anywhere. It wouldn't earn him Void's respect. Void didn't have any respect to give. It wouldn't earn him his intrigue nor interest. The man only thought of himself.

But if he stroked the man's ego, made him believe he was in charge (which, unfortunately, he was), then maybe he could gleam something from him.

So, he had to be passive. Submissive.

It…wasn't going to be easy.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Samuel said slowly, calmly. "I had figured it has been a while since you've had a conversation."

"That's quite amusing." Void fell silent for a moment. Then, surprisingly, he removed his foot from Samuel's leg and took a step back. "Alright, I'm interested to hear from the lowly little demon that is always hanging around that eyesore. What is your question?"

Samuel pushed himself into a half sitting position, sitting on his side as he grabbed his injured leg by the knee, pulling it toward himself subconsciously. His back ached and his lungs burned from having the air stolen from them.

"Thank you." Be polite. Respectful. Even though all he wanted was to spit in Void's eye. "I just wish to know; what is the purpose of this war?"

Void snorted. "Shouldn't that be obvious?"

"Power, true. But what power do you seek? Absolute power? You seem to already have it. But, then again, you don't seem all that interested in controlling your Lost Soldiers."

"Oh?" Void shoved his hands into the pockets of his white jacket. "What makes you say that?"

Samuel knew better than to cast his gaze upon Void as that could be seen as defiant and disrespectful, so he kept his eyes downcast, looking at his feet or just beyond him. "I've met plenty of your Lost Soldiers, and while they are ruthless indeed, they were already preconditioned for that role. The war is just an excuse to practice their ruthless ambitions further. They're just using your name for their benefit. They're not exactly loyal to you."

"Loyal?" Void repeated with a hollow laugh. "Demons don't know loyalty. Tell you what; since you're so observant, you tell me what you think the main reason for this war is."

Samuel hesitated as he risked a quick, split-second glance upon Void's face. "…Your sister."

Void's eyes flashed with rage, and he reached down, snared Samuel by the collar of his vest and pulled him up off the ground. And toward him, bringing him a mere inch away from his face. "What did that eyesore tell you about her?" he snarled.

"He hasn't spoken much about her," Samuel placidly replied, lying through his teeth. "And I haven't asked. And I won't ask you as I can see it's a touchy subject. I don't want to be inconsiderate."

Void rolled his eyes in contempt at his response. He did, however, remove his tight grip he had on his collar to instead grip his upper arm. He did the same with his other arm, unexpectedly thrusting him against his body, trapping his arms against his chest.

With one injured leg, he had to balance himself on the other, so he had to rely on Void's steely vice grip and harden chest to keep himself upright.

A power stance, no doubt. Proving to Samuel that he had complete and utter control over him.

"You are a strange one," Void said. "A brainless one to be having a conversation with me."

Samuel managed to place a well-practiced smile onto his lips. "Well, warriors are more known for their brawn than their brains."

He was honestly surprised that Void hadn't beaten him into a bloody pulp yet. Why? What did he actually want from him? What did he mean by him getting an Overload? What made him think Samuel was capable of getting one?

Unless Void somehow gained the ability to predict the future (which was truly a frightening thought), the guy must have mistaken him for someone else.

Right?

He…would have to ponder about that later. If there was a later, of course. He just needed to stall Void for a little bit longer.

"So, I was right. This war…is for your sister. I see."

Void tightened his grip on his arms. "Are you judging me?"

Samuel shook his head and tried to maintain an empathetic smile, even though he knew that Void's draconic fingers were leaving bloodied bruises on his arms. "No. I understand now. You lost your heart completely when you lost your sister."

"Heart?" Void snarled sharply. "You're spouting the same nonsense as that worthless old man."

And his sister, too, if Samuel remembered his previous conversation with Killia.

"But you must have had a heart once, otherwise your sister's death would not have hurt you nearly as much as it did. And still does."

He was pushing it. He knew he was. But maybe, just maybe, if he repeated some of the words his sister used to say, then maybe he could unnerve him enough to…

He honestly wasn't sure what he was hoping for.

A part of him wanted Killia to return, yet he also didn't want Killia to come back for him. Void was too strong and too dangerous. And far too willing to hurt everyone around Killia to get back at him.

So…why hadn't he hurt Samuel yet? Really caused him harm?

A troubling thought occurred to him. He must be planning something with him. He hadn't killed him yet. Void had no trouble using and abusing others, killing them when they no longer served a purpose. Or killing them for the sake of it.

What did he want with him?

An Overload skill he didn't have?

"You're gathering power and strength for your sister, yes?"

Void threw him to the ground suddenly. But did nothing else to him as he spun on his heel and stalked away. "This conversation is over."

"Void, wait," Samuel said before he had the chance to reconsider and abruptly pushed himself up onto his elbows. "You need to be careful. That much power and energy in one place will only-"

Void abruptly paused in his steps, his back rigid and tense. "I need more power. He said this will work."

Samuel looked at him, his brow furrowing. "He?"

Void shook his head, clearly agitated by something. He raised his hand and Samuel found himself tense. But Void simply clicked his fingers, to teleport himself away. The heavy tension of malice that hung in the air dissipated along with him.

And Samuel flopped down onto the grass and onto his side. He felt like laughing and throwing up at the same time. He was still alive. Ugh. Somehow.

What were his injuries? Back, ribs, leg, upper arms? Not bad considering he was face to face with the one and only Void Dark.

He hoped the others were ok.

The sound of footsteps caused Samuel to tense, and he snapped his head up. He breathed a sigh of relief when he recognised the green-haired man who approached him from behind the red stone pillar.

Christo. Right. He had forgotten about him for a moment. Thank goodness that Void hadn't known he was nearby.

"I'm sorry," Christo said immediately as he knelt down next to him and helped him to sit up. "That was hard to watch."

Samuel shook his head. "N-no, it's fine. We couldn't afford to lose the Rebel Army's tactician, too. Void is too strong. For any of us." He bit out a half laugh. "I can't believe I'm still alive."

Christo slipped an arm around Samuel's shoulders, allowing him to lean against him. "I'm honestly surprised, too. Now, let me see your injuries."

"I thought that, at the very least, I could try to get some information out of him." Samuel tried his best to suppress a wince when Christo began to heal the injuries to his back and ribs. "I can't believe it worked."

At least his pain and suffering won't be in vain.

"You did well. And we learnt a few interesting notes. This war is for his sister and who is 'he' that he spoke of?"

"He appears to be working with someone else, but who? From everything that Killia has told us about Void, he wouldn't willingly work with someone. Look at what he did to his own father."

The bastard.

"Maybe Killia knows?" Christo shook his head immediately after. "No, it would be best to keep this conversation between us for now."

Probably because the war appeared to be for, in Void's demented mind, Lieze's sake.

"If you think so," Samuel murmured and then sighed when he thought about Killia. "He's going to be worried."

"And more protective than before."

If Ulric had Killia's protective instincts bristling, then Void was going to send them into overdrive. Poor Killia. As if he didn't have enough to worry about.

He still couldn't comprehend what Void wanted with him. The way he acted today; from everything he had seen and heard of the guy, he acted completely out of character. He clearly wanted something. Something for his sister's sake.

His sister…

"He's gathering power." Samuel grabbed Christo by the arm as a terrible thought suddenly struck him. "Christo, he has the Alma Ice Sculpture and he's doing this for his sister. You don't think…?"

Christo's face grew pale. "It…couldn't be, surely."

They…definitely couldn't let Killia know. It would…it was just a theory. Probably a far-fetched one. It would only cause him more distress. If…if Void was attempting something with his sister, she may no longer be the Lieze he knew and cared for.

Samuel couldn't do that to him.

A powerful force suddenly landed onto the grass next to them, causing both Samuel and Christo to jump and then tense. A figure with dark hair and wings was crouched in the middle of a small crater, their aura menacing, yet protective.

"Samuel!"

Samuel breathed a sigh of relief and momentarily relaxed. Killia. He must have been warped the furthest of them all.

Despite the painful protest of his injuries, Samuel sat up and reached out a hand toward Killia. "I'm all right."

Killia was immediately next to him, one hand grasping his as he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "What happened? Where's Void?"

"He left."

Killia looked incredulous. "Just like that?"

"Yeah," Samuel said with a forced half smile. "I'm surprised, too. "

"He has a few injuries," Christo explained as he allowed for Killia to take Samuel's full weight in his arms and against his chest. "Nothing too serious, thankfully. Void wasn't very kind to him, regardless. Let's get in contact with everyone and return to the Pocket Netherverse. I'll go in search of them. Killia, stay with Samuel."

Killia nodded his head. "Alright."

Christo pushed himself to his feet and pulled out his phone as he made his way toward the stone. He set about climbing it, focusing his attention toward his phone, leaving Samuel and Killia alone.

Killia fell silent as his cast his golden eyes over Samuel, noting the bruises on his arms, his gaze lingering on his throat, and he breathed a sigh. "He targeted you because of me."

Samuel rested his head on Killia's shoulder. "I'm not entirely sure. He said something strange. He wanted my Overload skill. And something about me getting one quickly. He didn't make much sense, honestly. He must have mistaken me for someone else. Someone else called Samuel?"

"It's possible," he said, though his tone stated he didn't believe it to be so.

Samuel sighed, only to wince when the muscles in his back ached in protest. "This amnesia has caused me nothing but trouble. Especially lately. Sorry."

"Don't apologise."

How could he not, though? Void's appearance brought up numerous new questions. Void didn't make mistakes, surely. Could he have known him? But, that violent, egotistical man wasn't familiar to him. He should have been.

"What kind of Overload could I have had, or capable of in the future that Void would want?"

Killia curled his arm tighter around Samuel's shoulder, but unlike Void, Killia's touch was gentle and comforting, and Samuel willingly leaned against his chest. "I don't know. What it was or will be, we will need to ensure that Void will never be able to steal it."

Samuel didn't have any memories about possessing an Overload skill. What did Void know about him?

Who was 'he' that he spoke of?

Just…who was Samuel really?