AN: Sorry for the wait, hope you enjoy reading!

Chapter 15:

Samuel moved toward the main bridge in search of Christo, and as expected, found him in front of the main console, stood before the many charts and atlases.

"Christo? Can-?"

"'Chu!"

Samuel winced. "Sorry, still sneezing?"

Christo removed his glasses with one hand as he wiped his noses with a white handkerchief with the other. "They're lessening, thankfully," he revealed, sounding disgruntled.

"I see." Samuel still had his own sneezing fits, so he could empathise. "Can I talk to you about something?"

"What is it?"

Samuel leaned against a handrail. "I've been thinking about Void Dark. And I've been wondering about what kind of energy he's been gathering. Is it life energy, physical energy, spiritual energy, or magical energy? Or just general energy?"

"Hm." Christo readjusted his glasses. "I see what you're getting at. He must have a specific purpose for all the energy that he is gathering. For strength, for intelligence, for defence, for skill, for spite. If we can determine what kind of energy he is gathering, we may be able to understand his motives. Then maybe we can come up with some kind of plan to counter. Of course, that man is truly unpredictable. And malicious."

Samuel sighed and nodded. He couldn't get his conversation with Void out of his head. It was so…uncharacteristic of him. Imagine him showing up on a lowly little Netherworld, take Samuel (of all the demons there, him) hostage, simply warp the others out of the way, and then…talk to him.

Was that really him?

It didn't make sense.

But what bothered him the most was the possibility that Void Dark had started the war for the sake of his sister. His sister, Lieze, who by all counts would be absolutely devastated to learn that she was the cause of such death and destruction.

Misguided brotherly love or pure, unadulterated malice?

Both?

And what if Samuel's theory was correct? Would the life energy of a Netherworld be the right kind of energy to sustain the life of a single, solitary demon? How much power and energy could one demon possess? How much power could one Overload acquire before it started to breakdown?

Samuel could ask Killia the specifics of what Alma Ice Sculpture was capable of, but he was actually afraid to. He didn't want to raise the possibility to Killia. He didn't want to place more confusion and doubt upon him. It's hard enough being the leader of a rebellion.

He didn't want to hurt him further with the possibility that Void Dark may be attempting to bring Lieze back from the dead, and she may or may not return no longer as the girl he once knew and…loved.

"We may be wasting our time," Samuel said. "Still, coming up with a plan is better than nothing, I suppose."

"That is true."

Samuel wanted to come up with something. To help Killia with his burden. He was starting to really worry about him. He was taking on so many burdens on his own. He had done so much for everyone, yet he refused to allow others to help him in return.

No one knew of his past like Samuel did. No one else knew of Lieze.

No one knew of Killidia, or how possessive he appeared to be, or how separated he was from Killia. Killia didn't even know what Samuel knew. He wasn't sure how to bring it up to him. He was fairly certain that Killia knew that he had…another side to him. After all, there were a few times he had caught Killia talking to himself. Or deep in concentration, struggling with his thoughts.

And those 'thoughts' were becoming more and more frequent.

Could "Killidia" be growing stronger because of stress?

"Samuel, Christo; there you are."

Samuel turned his head to the right and watched as Killia reached them. In his hands were a couple of mugs holding a warm, light brown liquid with a light floral scent. It was a sweet scent, one that was somewhat familiar, though he couldn't quite pinpoint what kind of flower it could have been.

"Here; this should help with your…stress," Killia said as he presented the cups toward Samuel and Christo.

Samuel retrieved his cup without a word while Christo tilted his head in curiosity.

"What's this?" he asked before he retrieved his portion.

"Just a tonic," Killia answered, somewhat dismissively. "I read it somewhere. It should help."

That didn't surprise Samuel one bit. Killia must have stumbled across the tonic's formula while searching for other recipes.

Samuel lifted the cup to his lips and drew a long sip. He allowed the liquid to rest in his mouth for a moment before he swallowed. Not too bad. A tad sweet, so he couldn't imagine drinking it too often, but not bad. Definitely one of the better tasting medicines he had ever taken.

As he drank the rest of his tonic, he noticed that Killia seemed to be studying him closely, watching intensely for a response. A bit curious.

"Do you feel better?" he finally asked.

Samuel fell silent as he a little bit of a self-analysis. "I do. Much better. I don't feel congested anymore."

"Yes," Christo said, sounding surprised. "Remarkable."

"I see." Killia nodded his head, though it was a movement toward himself, as though he had accepted or recognised something. It was as though he had witnessed something that had just affirmed a theory of his.

Was it about the tonic or…?

"Samuel."

"Yeah?"

"I'd like to have a word with you."

Samuel blinked. "Ah, sure."

He pushed away from the railing and gave Christo a small smile and short nod of his head before he followed Killia away from the main console and down the stairs. He figured he would want to talk to him at their usual place; the walkway over the main bridge. They were the only two that frequented that place.

Instead, Killia led him toward the dormitories. And toward their shared bedroom.

Whatever he wanted to talk with him about, he wanted to do it in private.

"What's wrong?" Samuel asked as the stepped into their room, shutting the door tight behind them.

Killia walked over to his bed and picked up an opened book. He turned around and presented the book to him. "I want you to have a look at this."

Arching a questioning eyebrow, Samuel set his empty cup aside and retrieved the book from Killia. He quickly scanned the two pages and noted the word 'angels' thrown around a few times.

"I know about Christo being a…you know," he said as he turned his attention back to Killia. "He's not very good at hiding."

Didn't help that Seraphina kept bringing it up at every opportunity.

He had a reason for hiding. He must have a good reason for being in the Netherverse. Angels weren't exactly welcome, were they? Couldn't she understand that?

Killia nodded. "Yeah. But that doesn't explain why you caught that illness, too." He pointed to the first paragraph. "An illness only angels can catch."

Samuel's breath hitched in his throat as he reread the paragraph again. Only angels could catch such an illness. Tonics and medicines for angels actually made demons ill. Angels could withstand medicines for demons, but demons could not withstand medicines for angels.

By right, since Killia made the tonic from the recipe, if Samuel was a pure demon, he shouldn't have…

He was a…

Samuel slowly closed the book and backed up to his bed. And sat down shakily. "That is a good question…I guess that means that part of my memories is true."

"What part?" Killia urged.

Samuel opened his mouth to answer, but the word became lodged in his throat, and he swallowed thickly. "…I don't want to say it aloud."

So Killia, every patient and compassionate with him, stepped forward and sat down next to him on the bed. His patience with him brought a prang of guilt to Samuel's conscience. A part of him wanted to keep his uncertainties to himself as it's clear that Killia had enough worries of his own.

Yet, he knew that Killia would want to know. He wouldn't have brought him to their room to speak with him in private if he didn't know.

He…had to tell him.

So, Samuel leaned toward him and whispered; "I'm a halfling."

Killia looked confused. "A what?"

"Half demon. Half angel."

Killia's eyes widen. "What?"

Samuel simply nodded, his gaze dropping to the floor.

Truly, Killia hadn't expected that.

Since…Samuel was half demon, that meant he was susceptible to both angel and demon illnesses.

Typical.

Yet, that meant he was able to take medicines from both without side effects, too, if the tonic Killia made for him was any indication. So that was something.

But that wasn't exactly important right now.

Samuel closed his eyes. "And I think the scars on my back, the circular ones on my shoulder blades were once…my wings."

"They were…torn from you?" Killia asked carefully.

Samuel nodded his head slowly, solemnly. "When I was younger. As a child. I…don't remember much. Just a lot of pain. If my memories are correct. Halflings are…abominations, after all."

Angels and demons weren't meant to meet, let alone…procreate.

"The rest of your scars?"

Samuel shook his head. "Just minor incidents. Battling. Punishments. Taking punishments for others."

Killia shifted uncomfortably next to him. Almost as if he was bristling with protectiveness. "Others?"

A part of him had hoped his memories were false. But they seemed to be real. Could…?

"…Do you know anything about Nugatory?"

"Nugatory?" Killia's brow furrowed in confusion. "I've never heard it."

Samuel sighed and he clutched his forehead. "Never mind. I guess that part is false, then."

"No, go on."

"That name, Nugatory, it plays a prominent role in my memories," Samuel explained, the word Nugatory feeling so foreign on his tongue. It felt so wrong to say it aloud. He wasn't allowed to say it verbally. But he had to. He wanted to. He had to know. "But…it's apparently nothing but a myth. A Netherworld that doesn't exist, according to the history texts of the Netherverse at least."

"This Nugatory, what is it?"

"The name of my homeworld." Samuel pulled off his headband in mild frustration. "I think."

Killia slipped an arm around Samuel's shoulders. "What's it like? Describe it to me."

Samuel sunk against Killia's side and rested his head on his shoulder. He closed his eyes as fleeting images flickered through his mind. "My memories of the place are shaky. Underground, because above ground is constantly storming. It was hidden away, the entire Netherworld. It was done on purpose, I think. There were…others with me. I remember faces. I know there were others. They were…like me."

It was…

"…A prison. For Halflings."

A sharp pain erupted in Samuel's head and his hand flew up to clutch his forehead. Right over the jagged scar. The one he blamed for his amnesia.

It was…almost if his scar was stopping him from remembering.

"Samuel?"

"Sorry," he murmured. "My head hurts."

"You should get some rest."

"Yeah." The weight of the last few days was beginning to catch up with him, too. Even so, Samuel couldn't bring himself to move. "I'm sorry, for unloading all of this unto you."

Samuel couldn't even begin to imagine what was going through his head after learning all of that. Especially the whole Halfling thing. It sounded ridiculous, didn't it? Half demon and half angel. Absolutely ludicrous.

"No, it's fine," Killia replied, comforting him. "I wanted to know."

Hah. It seemed that Killia believed him.

"Thanks, Killia."

Killia was far too kind to him. Too patient. He could never know of Samuel's feelings for him.

He didn't deserve him. Yet, he couldn't bear to lose him now…

… … … … …

They were becoming quite adept at battling brigades of Lost Soldiers and hunting down spears.

Either that, or the Lost were getting picky with which spears that were willing to send their most proficient soldiers to protect and which ones they were willing to sacrifice. If so, their latest venture appeared to be the latter as they had fought their way through several legions of soldiers and reached the magical spear in less than an hour.

Just one band of Lost Soldiers left to go.

They appeared to be hesitating, however.

And, though it could just be Samuel's imagination, they appeared to be glancing at him in particular.

"What are you whispering about?" Killia demanded.

An Imp, seemingly the leader of the band, turned to regard them. "Rebel Army, we'll strike you a deal. We'll allow you to destroy the spear, if you'll hand over that white-haired warrior to us."

"…What?" Killia returned, in a deadpanned voice.

Samuel pointed at himself. "Me?"

"You have yourself a deal," Seraphina returned, joyfully, and far too eagerly. "He's all yours."

Samuel rolled his eyes. She never let an opportunity slipped by, did she? "I appreciate your honesty," he said as he looked in Seraphina's direction. "It allows me to be open with my own distain regarding you."

Seraphina fluttered her eyelashes at him shamelessly. "But why would you do that?"

"No deal," Killia snapped as he stepped forward, his aura quite menacing. "In fact, I'm going to make sure your inevitable defeat will be all the more painful for daring to utter such a suggestion to me."

"I'll help out, too, Bro."

"I won't let Killia have all the fun, bwahahaha!"

Usalia smiled in genuine fondness as Zeroken and Red Magnus moved to join Killia in battling the remaining Lost Soldiers. "Killia is as protective as usual, plip."

Samuel wasn't going to lie; Killia's protectiveness was indeed very endearing. It made him all that more attractive. If that was possible.

He would also admit that he did find some enjoyment that it got under Seraphina's skin, too. Watching her bristle whenever Killia revealed his blatantly protectiveness toward him made him inwardly smile smugly.

Hey, today's display, she brought it upon herself.

It'll probably bite him in the ass one day, though. She was becoming more blatant in her distain for him, constantly stealing 'her' Sir Killia's attention. One day she may actually succeed in getting rid of him…

Killia would come for him if that happened. So, it would end poorly for her.

Samuel stayed back with Christo and Usalia, letting Killia vent his irritation while allowing Red Magnus to have his fun and Zeroken to show off his skills. Naturally, it didn't take the three long to dispense of their enemies, and they soon re-joined them.

"What was that about?" Samuel couldn't help but ask. "Why would they be after me?"

Killia sighed, revealing that he was still slightly agitated. "I blame that magazine."

"The Nether Gossip Magazine?" Samuel questioned, his nose wrinkling with distain as he thought about that wretched magazine. "But why would a bunch of Lost Soldiers know about that?"

No one answered him. In fact…

"What's with the sudden, awkward silence?"

"I'll volunteer to destroy the spear!" Zeroken suddenly shouted before he stepped in front of Samuel and looked up at him expectantly. "Hey Samuel? If I destroy it in one hit, you'll have to make me a pork curry without any vegetables."

Samuel smiled, indulging him. "Alright. But if you fail, with every subsequent hit, I'll add a vegetable that you have to eat."

"Ack! I-I'm not going to lose!"

Samuel chuckled. Zeroken had grown a lot, in both power and maturity. He definitely had the power to destroy a magical spear, no problem. But it never hurt to give him an incentive or two.

Sure enough, with a single powerful kick, Zeroken broke the magical spear in half, rendering it useless, and preventing it from stealing the Netherworld's life energy.

"I told you I could do it!" Zeroken announced with a triumphant smile as he made his way over to him.

"Good job, Wolf Pup," Samuel readily congratulated. "A deal's a deal. I'll make you some pork curry as soon as we get back."

"I want some curry, too, plip," Usalia stated as she moved to stand on Samuel's other side, throwing her hands into the air enthusiastically. "But with lots and lots of carrots. I can eat carrots again!"

That was right, she could. She had manifested the strength to change her curse to work for her rather than to harm and hinder. She was able to eat her beloved carrots again, and not have them accelerate her curse.

"Sure thing, Bunny Princess." Samuel turned to look over his shoulder at the others. "Since I'm making curry, does anyone else have any requests?"

"I wouldn't mind a bit of curry," Christo admitted. "Anything you make is fine."

Red Magnus promptly smiled widely. "I'm always up for some curry!"

Seraphina pouted and looked away. "I prefer Sir Killia's curry."

Killia glanced over in Seraphina's direction before he looked away sharply. "After today's little stunt, maybe you could start making your own curry."

Seraphina's eyes widen and her face paled. Clearly, an expression of shock and surprise adorned her face. "B-but…"

"I might reconsider. If you apologise to Samuel."

"Wh-wh-what…?!"

Spluttering and stuttering? Why, how unlike Overlord of Gorgeous, Seraphina!

"You can do it, Seraphina!" Usalia encouraged. "Do it for the curry, plip!"

Seraphina spluttered some more, barely even forming words.

Samuel hid a smile. He was never going to get that apology. And he didn't want or need it. Watching her squirm was enough. And despite what Killia said, he was definitely kind-hearted, and he would make curry for her.

Eventually.

… … … … …

Killia had lost count how many nights he had awoke with a start, wrenching himself out of his own nightmares before he relived that event. Of when he lost Lieze. Watching as she flung herself before him. As crimson blood floated in the air like precious jewels. As her fragile body slumped to the ground.

As her last words, her last thoughts focused on her violent brother.

Lately, however, Lieze's image had been replaced with Samuel's face.

Those nights he would quietly sit up in bed, push aside the blankets, settle his nerves by taking a moment to watch as Samuel slept soundly in the bed across from his, before he would either venture out to retrieve some food. Or return to bed in hopes of getting some much-needed rest.

But tonight…

He was out of bed. Standing up. Standing over…Samuel's bed. His hand…reaching out for him. Toward his face.

Samuel…

What…was he doing? What was he about to do?

'He's vulnerable lying there, isn't he?'

Killia immediately reeled back. He staggered back a couple of steps, the back of his knees hitting his bed, causing him to fall back onto it. He scrambled back onto it until his back hit the wall next to his bed.

What? What did his Other-Self do?

A low, menacing chuckle. 'I didn't do anything.'

Yet.

There was an unspoken promise to his words.

"Don't you dare hurt Samuel," Killia hissed under his breath.

'Hurt him? No. That's what you'll do.'

Killia froze. "What?"

'Your weak and foolish nature is going to get him killed,' his Other-Self hissed at him. He didn't taunt him, like he usually did. No, he was angry. 'You can't protect anyone. How many times have you almost gotten him killed so far?'

"I…"

'He's mine, you know?'

Killia was suddenly up on his feet, bristling protectively. "What?"

'Hurry up and unleash me. Or are you going to wait until you lose another possession?'

"Samuel isn't a possession."

His Other-Self uttered a low growl. 'I'll warn you now; if you lose him, I will be unleashed. You won't have a say in the matter. And when I do, nothing and no one is safe.'

Killia's gaze flickered over to Samuel's bed, and he swallowed thickly. Lose him? "I won't let that happened."

'You better be extra vigilant.'

His Other-Self mercifully fell silent and Killia was left standing in the middle of the bedroom, his mind reeling. His control was slipping. He wouldn't be able to keep his Other-Self hidden and under wraps for much longer.

He…needed to keep Samuel safe.

And in order to do that, he might need to keep him away from him.