AN: Info duuuuuuuuuump time :'D
Chapter 19:
Killia stood by Samuel's hospital bed, watching with a careful gaze as Christo attended to an unconscious Samuel. He had assured him that he had just passed out from mild pain and fatigue, and there wasn't anything truly nefarious going on.
It…had been an eventful day.
And Killia shouldered half of the blame.
He had lost control. Killidia had been unleashed. He…had allowed him to be released. When he thought he lost Samuel to the Lost Army. It wasn't just Samuel he thought he lost to his incompetence. But Seraphina and Zeroken. Seraphina in front of his eyes, and Zeroken to the same soldiers that took Samuel.
And just like Killidia had warned him; when he thought he lost Samuel, his Other-Self would be unleashed. There was nothing he could do to stop him.
He didn't even try.
But Samuel hadn't been taken. He had appeared. In front of him. Alive. Unharmed. Just like…
Hah. He wanted to say like some kind of an angel. Out of the darkness, there he was. And the dark that shrouded his mind, the malice of Killidia just vanished. All he remembered was Samuel's big blue eyes, the feel of his presence, and relief that he was alive.
He vaguely recalled the things that Killidia had done. How he destroyed the Lost Soldiers. The first to fall as the soldier that thrown Samuel's axe at him. She…died brutally. The others fell quickly after.
His allies…could have been next. Red Magnus, he fought against him. He could have…
The guilt Killia felt was immense.
Thankfully, he hadn't hurt anyone. Didn't do any irreparable damage to anyone.
It was so close…
Yet, there was another concern bothering him; they had an unexpected, and unwanted, guest.
Killia had been unconscious at the time. Rather, swimming into consciousness when Overlord Brutus made his grand entrance. How he made his way into the Pocket Netherworld needed to be investigated. And promptly fixed.
From what he understood, the power he emitted was immense. Not unlike the power that Killia himself had revealed when Killidia had taken over. But less controlled, primal, savage even. Unstable.
The damage to the Pocket Netherworld had been limited, thankfully. Samuel had…done the right thing getting Brutus out before he could do anything truly destructive – or deadly. Killia just wished that he hadn't done it alone.
Yet, he knew the situation better than anyone, it seemed.
How desperate their situation had been, they would have to wait until he awakened.
"How is he?" Killia asked as Christo moved away from Samuel's bedside.
Christo sighed as he removed his glasses and began to clean them with a white cloth from his pocket. "Well, his arm is fractured, so he won't be using it for a couple of days. He has a couple of other injuries, mostly to his chest, but nothing serious."
Ironic. Killidia had been unleashed, and Samuel walked away unharmed. Yet, some random Overlord barged his way into the Pocket Netherworld, and Samuel was the only one injured.
"Never mind Samuel for now, Sir Killia," Seraphina said as she moved to stand in front of him, planting her hands on her hands in a determined manner. "I would like to know what happened with you."
Killia winced. "Yeah. I…" he sighed and sunk down to sit on the edge of Samuel's bed, his shoulders sagging forward as he rested his elbows on his knees. He looked up, toward his allies, toward everyone; Seraphina, Christo, Red Magnus, Zeroken, and Usalia.
Where could he begin?
"I owe you guys an explanation. And an apology."
Red Magnus, however, laughed. Good-naturedly at that. "Don't worry about it! It was pretty entertaining to go toe-to-toe with you for once."
"We are relieved that you're back to normal, however," Christo added with a smile. "Samuel explained to us that this 'other self' of yours is called Killidia."
Now that surprised Killia. "He did?"
Christo nodded his head idly as he replaced his glasses. "Yes. He also said that he only reveals himself when you're stressed or haven't eaten enough. Is that why you eat as much as you do? You've been trying to suppress this 'other self'?"
"Y-yeah, that's right."
But how? Killia had never mentioned anything to Samuel. He would remember if he did. How could he possibly have known?
Was…that why Samuel always made sure he had enough to eat?
"What else did he say?"
"Nothing else." Christo unexpectedly glanced in Seraphina's direction. "There was…a few disagreements."
…Samuel and Seraphina got into an argument again about him again, didn't they?
Seraphina was unperturbed by Christo's insinuation. "Now, Sir Killia, care to explain what this 'Killidia' actually is?"
"I'll try to explain to the best of my knowledge. Inside of me is something vicious. Something I can barely control. Destructive, violent impulses from when I was Tyrant Overlord Killidia. With him, lies the strong, overwhelming desire to destroy everything. That…was what he wanted, what he tried to do today."
What he allowed him to do after…when he thought…
"This other self. You can't control it?"
Killia shook his head. "No. Not entirely. I've been doing whatever it takes to suppress my Other-Self, this Killidia. Every day. And now, I'm at my limit."
"Interesting." Christo murmured as he folded an arm across his chest and tapped his cheek in thought. "Yet, Samuel said that he had encountered this Killidia before. And claimed that he wasn't violent and destructive then. And that he was actually protective."
What?
"What else did Samuel say about Killidia?" Killia quickly asked.
"Only that he didn't fear him, plip," Usalia was the one to reply.
"Right," Zeroken added with a wolfish grin. "He said whether you were Killia or Killidia, you would never hurt him, so he's got nothing to be afraid of."
He said that…?
Christo paced the floor for a moment, looking between Killia and Samuel. "I think it would be best if Killia and Samuel stay close to one another," he suddenly stated.
Seraphina immediately looked displeased. "Why is that?"
"Because Samuel was able to push Killidia back when no one else could, plip," Usalia, once again, answered in Christo's place.
"Indeed. This Killidia seems rather fond of Samuel."
Fond…?
That couldn't be the right word, could it? Killidia didn't know any such tenderness. He saw Samuel as a possession.
"I'm naturally against the idea as Samuel himself seems to be hiding some dark secrets of his own."
Hm. Seraphina wasn't there when Killia went after Samuel and Brutus. Someone else must have told her what happened.
"I'm also greatly disappointed with you, Sir Killia," Seraphina continued as she stood before him once more. "You should have told us all of this sooner. Why did you think you could handle this all on your own? Rather, why was Samuel the only one allowed to know?"
He supposed she had the right to be indignant and resentful. One problem;
"The truth is, I never told Samuel any of this either. He…must have worked it out on his own."
He was…very attentive.
A soft moan interrupted any further conversation and Killia immediately pivoted to look behind him. Samuel's brow furrowed, his eyes pinched shut. His features smoothed out a moment later as his eyelashes fluttered open, his head lolling to the side as he took in his surroundings. His movements sluggish thanks to the haziness of wading through post-sleep.
"Ah! Samuel's awake!" Usalia announced happily.
Killia stood up from the foot of the bed and moved so that he stood by Samuel's beside. "How are you feeling?"
Samuel tried to smile reassuringly at him but winced as he struggled to sit himself up. So, Killia helped him up and leaned him against the pillows and headboard. "A little sore and sorry for myself, but all right."
With thick bandages around one arm, bruises marring the other, and splotchy discolorations on his chest, it was hardly a surprise.
"Really," Christo sighed. "Killia, and now you. I don't think our hearts can take too much more of this."
"Especially after you dragged that guy out of the Pocket Netherworld all on your own!" Though it was clear that Zeroken was relieved to see that he was awake, he also couldn't help but chide him.
The same with Red Magnus. "What were you doing, S-Man? Trying to be the big hero on your own?"
"Sorry," Samuel said in response with a half-smile, leaning forward as Usalia fluffed up a pillow behind him to make him more comfortable. "I had good reason to, I promise."
"Well, your arm has been fractured," Christo explained. "You won't be using it for a couple of days."
Samuel sighed as he laid said arm across his torso. "Ah, at least it isn't broken."
Killia sat down in the chair next to his bed. "Samuel-"
"You have a lot of questions," Samuel cut him off, peering at him through one eye and with a knowing half-smile. "That's fair. I'm just going to assume that all my memories are true until proven otherwise. So, I'll tell you everything that I know and remember. And hope that I am wrong. There's a lot to unload here, so feel free to stop me whenever I start rambling. Where would you like for me to begin?"
"Could you start with what that thing was that came from Brutus?"
Samuel sighed and leaned back against the pillows. "That was a Snap Draingon, a mutated form of a Seedling. It's a by-product from something known as the Tree of Death, a misshapen tree that acts as the very core of Nugatory. These Seedlings are made up of highly condensed magical properties and when ingested, give its host the sense of euphoria and the power of ten-thousand Overlords."
To say that Killia was surprised would be an understatement. There…was quite a lot to unpack there. "Something like that exists?"
"Whatya mean ten-thousand Overlords?!" Red Magnus spluttered.
Samuel nodded. "Yes, but there is a catch."
"Only for six minutes?" Killia asked.
"Yes. It takes six minutes for a Seedling to take root within the host's body and upon the six-minute mark, it begins to sprout and manifest into Snap Draingons. During this stage, it devours and destroys its host so completely and utterly that there is nothing left. No chance of reincarnation. Nothing. When that stage is reached, there is nothing that can be done to save the host's life." Samuel sighed again. "It's…far too late."
No wonder Brutus screamed like he did. To be eaten alive, from the inside out…
"But before the six-minute mark?"
Samuel trailed his fingers over the bandages adorning his right arm. "There is still a chance. I can remove the Seedling from their body. But it requires their consent and willingness to comply. And…since they are in such a euphoric state, with immense power, they are unwilling to give it up. No matter how many times I tell them that their very existence is in jeopardy. And, well, demons will be demons."
And, with this war, Killia imagined some demons were so desperate for power in order to protect their home worlds from the Lost Army that they would do anything.
Christo frowned. "What of these Snap Draingons?"
"They are a form of sentinel plant life and can be extremely dangerous. They are connected to the Tree of Death, and their sole purpose appears to be gathering energy for said tree, either by draining the environment of which they find themselves in, or by devouring any unfortunate demon that happens to get in range of their attack. They gather their energy the quickest this way. They, themselves, are capable of producing their own Seedlings. Although, they aren't capable of producing Seedlings as powerful as the ones produced from the Tree of Death."
"Why? What purpose does gathering energy for this Tree of Death hold?"
Samuel shook his head. "I'm afraid I don't know. I don't know why this tree continues to create these Seedlings, or why Snap Draingons continue to gather energy for the Tree of Death after devouring its host. What purpose any of this has. I can only assume that the Tree of Death is amassing power for an insidious purpose."
There is no positive reason for gathering so much energy.
"Wait a moment, Samuel," Seraphina suddenly interjected. "Nugatory? But that is nothing but a myth and legend."
Samuel flickered his gaze over toward Seraphina and shook his head resolutely. "No, it is real. And that is where I am from."
Usalia tilted her head to the side. "Nugatory is Samuel's home world, plip?"
"More like a prison…"
"Prison?" Red Magnus repeated, oblivious to Samuel's discomfort. "Don't you need to commit a crime to go to prison?"
Samuel stared down at the blankets folded on his lap and nodded his head slowly. "Yeah. And my crime was being born."
Red Magnus blinked. "I don't get it."
Killia reached out to touch his hand to Samuel's shoulder. "Maybe we should drop this subject."
Samuel turned his head and smiled softly at him. He drew in a slow breath and then shook his head. "No, it's ok. It'll come out sooner or later, I suppose."
"I take it you already know, Sir Killia?" Seraphina asked in an accusatory tone.
Killia nodded. "I do."
Seraphina pouted, rather unimpressed. "What other secrets have the two of you been sharing?"
It certainly seemed that they had been purposely keeping secrets from the others. That…hadn't been his intention. It was simply…easier to speak with Samuel. His conversations easier. Natural.
He never pushed him. Never made demands or ultimatums. He asked and waited patiently for an answer. It was that…simple.
"Well, in short, I'm considered a…" Samuel hesitated, almost afraid, before just choosing to blurt out; "a Halfling. Half demon, and half angel."
Everyone's reactions were varying degrees of surprise, disbelief, and shock.
"What? No way," Zeroken uttered as he took a half step back in surprise. "You're half angel?"
Christo looked positively bewildered. "An offspring between a demon and an angel? That should be impossible."
Samuel him a sympathetic smile, knowing that he may be struggling with the notion the hardest. "Yet here I am."
"I-I'm not doubting you."
"It's alright." Samuel grabbed his fractured arm and cradled it against his chest as he sighed. "Both demon and angel, but neither. An abomination. An atrocity. A blasphemous creation that should not exist. That's what I am."
Usalia's ears drooped as she looked at Samuel sadly. "Samuel…"
Those insults…it was clear that he had heard them many times in his life.
"As punishment for our existence," he continued, "we are to spend our lives battling against Seedlings and ensuring that they don't make their way out into the three worlds."
Who…? Who saw to this 'punishment'? Who enforced it? Who formed it? Who was the bastard that ripped Samuel's wings from his back as a child?
Who dared to hurt Samuel for something he had no control over?
N-no, calm down. Killia couldn't afford Killidia making a reappearance so soon. Even if his bristling protectiveness was justified.
"You see," Samuel had yet more to reveal, "the Tree of Death continuously creates Seedlings, and Seedlings themselves have lifespans. If they do not find or are not given hosts within seven days of their inception, they start to decay. It is in this decaying stage that they take on another form, one where they become parasitical, searching for hosts for themselves. They take on the forms of larva and must be destroyed. They are what we Halflings spend the majority of our lives battling. And what I've seen others fall to. But there are times when power-hungry demons, and even some humans, have made their way to Nugatory in search for ultimate power. They all paid with their lives. As did some Halflings."
"You…saw these deaths?" Zeroken asked, appearing almost afraid to ask.
Samuel nodded his head once. "I eased them through it the best I could, yes."
That was what he meant by his duty…
"B-but, those screams…"
Samuel gave Usalia a sad, empathetic smile. "Yeah. They don't get any easier to listen to. No one deserves to die alone. Not in such agony."
How could anyone stand hearing those screams time and time again, and not be affected by them?
No, he was definitely affected by them. Knowing Samuel, he wouldn't show how much he was in front of others. He would keep it to himself. As to not to worry others. To keep others calm and safe.
To not bother them. To not burden them.
Killia was sure of it.
Samuel suddenly pushed back the blankets and crossed his legs, his frown marring his face. "Never mind any of that now. What I'm more worried about is how these Seedlings are getting out into the Netherverse. Where did Brutus get his Seedling? Are there others? Or did he make his way to Nugatory?"
Christo sighed as he pushed at the frame of his glasses. "Those are some very concerning questions."
Seraphina nodded. "If the rumours of demons dying in horrific manners suddenly are true, then these Seedlings have been floating around the Netherverse for a while now."
Samuel's frown deepened. "Then why haven't I encountered them…?"
"They're sentient, right? Maybe they are avoiding you?" Killia offered.
Samuel closed his eyes as he allowed that suggestion to mellow in his mind for a moment. "Hm. Maybe. I was one of the best defenders in Nugatory. Could they have developed a caution toward me?"
His brow suddenly furrowed as he shook his head, and he opened his eyes. "That's even worse. I need to find these other Seedlings and Snap Draingons, and destroy them before they get out of hand. Even just a couple of them could cause untold chaos throughout the Netherverse. But this war…"
Killia sat back in his seat and closed his eyes. Christo had told him that Brutus had specifically asked for the leader of the Rebel Army when he barged his way into the Pocket Netherworld. Had he been part of the Lost Army? If so, then someone may be attempting to use these Seedlings for the benefit for the Lost.
Yet, these Snap Draingons were also taking energy away from the magical spears. Seems counterintuitive to be using them.
Something else was going on.
"Well, we'll have to deal with this later," Christo stated. "Killia, Samuel; you two need rest. As does Seraphina. We'll talk more on this tomorrow."
Killia nodded and stood from his chair, instinctively reaching out to help Samuel from the hospital bed. "I'll help you back to our room. We'll be more comfortable there."
"Right."