Speech = ``...´´
Thoughts = [... ]
ºº
``That was quite the show the one you pulled out there...´´
The soft, sultry tone of Auroras voice reminded him that she was, as ever.., not far away from him at any time or place as she hovered right next to him, always brandishing that broad, devilish smile on those scarlet, ethereal lips of hers, lilac eyes glinting in their depths with playfulness.
The witch still persistently finding it amusing for herself to bother him with endless one sided rants and monologues as she spoke and spoke again of anything the ghost considered worth talking about….even though, most of the time it was not.
At first they had been bothersome, though albeit a bit bemusing on their own to see her ramble until even herself lost track of what she was saying.
Right now they were only bothersome.
Trying to find comfort in the barely distorted silence of his boots on the empty corridor he was traversing of the underground passage that connected the arena he had just left to the inner sections of the change rooms as he moved towards the next part of his little plan.
However, if that had not dissuade her then, it would not do so now...
``Though it was a bit anticlimactic the end of it..´´
He stopped, momentarily holding his training sword he had been carrying on his hip, pulling out the cords keeping it lock and holstering the two things over one of the stretched wooden pillars attached to the wall, meant to hold them in place.
He watched his reflection on the dulled, blunted face of the blade before he switched his attention for once back at the purple haired witch
Once again, she was just a few breaths away from the two of them headbutting each other if they took a wrong turn, and her hand, as expected…. was somewhere that it shouldn't be.
His frown could only deepen at that.
Ghost or not, personal space will be one of the many things he will iron out in his air-headed companion.
``What is it..?´´
He huffed though more than likely grumbled through his teeth as he finally deigned her the attention she sought. Once again, if she was bothered by it she did not show it or she did not care.
Knowing her, the latter was the most probable.
``I mean, do you really needed to use a shovel to beat the old man?´´
Ah….
So it was that which she was referring to..?
In that case he would not blame her for it, it had been quite the last moment decision. A tricky one at that, given that he had to...level the perception of things for the people watching to not act too rashly or petulant at the sight of a boy dropping their blade and picking a utilitarian tool to fight against a believed to be seasoned warrior.
Like pulling the levers of a machine.., while no one was non the wiser.
And so, the truth of what happened would never be the truth that the world believed.
``I was making a statement..´´
For both the spectators and those hiding behind them.
After all, hiding in plain sight was not on the cards when he took this form and role. Making noise then was the best way to draw and shield himself from the attention his mere presence caused.
In other words…..he was placing a huge boarding sing with glowing colors that said: {Here I am, but careful that I bite}
And there was nothing more appealing to a psychopath that the though of finding another of their own.
Aurora nodded, though more to herself than anything else before she went sliding through the air to the right...before appearing once again in his left, leaning over his shoulder and nudging her arm with his, pressing it tightly.
Giggles slipping through her lips as if the deadpan glare he sent her way was the best thing ever. It was good to know that no one could see her, it would have been hard to explain the sight.
That did not stop him from checking once, twice or thrice just to make sure.
``Oh, a statement it was alright...but to who I ask?´´
``I don't know, perhaps the dozens of pairs of eyes watching me from afar..?´´
``Oh? That…? How could I not notice?´´
If sarcasm was a metal, she would have been drilled long ago by any miner worth their salt.
``You did.., you just pretended you did not..´´
``You know its not fun when you explain the joke…, something that I have already told you many times already´´
``Your grievances makes my heart bleed for you...´´
He two orbs flatten against him, having already overtaken his arm in their depths and now pressing against the rest of his body.
What was with the ghost and her proclivity to cling to him like a fly would do to shit? And where they always that big..?
``Well, at least one have a sense of humor, dry as it is…´´
Her attempt at poking at him was good enough to derail his mind from whatever thoughts that line would have led him to.
`` Speaking of which, you did seem to had a good time back there, perhaps bit too much though.., something you wanna confess?´´
``Explain..´´
``Oh, don't give me those looks darling, you know what I mean...´´
Her words were as melodic as they could be, perhaps they would have sway the heart of any man she may have come across in her path. He however could only feel his body tense and shore up its defenses as her mawkish words reached his sears.
He shook his head, fighting the urge to roll his eyes. He had been doing that too much these last few weeks.
He wondered why...
``You are exaggerating.., as always´´
``Nuh, nuh...after all it wasn't I who said I am going there making a show for the my excitement craving eyes..´´
``I have done no such thing..´´
``Are you sure?´´
``Yes..´´
``Are you completely sure, sure? ´´
``You are not going to let this one down, are you?´´
``Nah..´´
``I guessed so..´´
At this point in time he was already getting used to it.
``Oh, but don't worry...you were really cool with {I am going to put some dirt in your eye}, or when you said {I am gonna bury you with it}...´´
She said coolly before following those statements by making weird buzzing sounds and flapping her arms in weird directions...almost as if she was holding an invisible blade.
If she thought that trying to emulate after him would make him feel better, then he would have to disappoint her.
He rose a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose. For once in so long, he was feeling embarrassment. And he did not like it.
``Please, stop..´´
``Admit it, you were waiting all this time to say those lines…´´
``You know very well that's not the true, and even if it was...do you really think I would admit to that?´´
``Oh, my sweet, sweet killer sweetheart..who is totally not a prickly old man that spends his time dazzling the ladies with one liners followed by long silences, followed by more one liners.…´´
``…´´
`` There is no need to be shy, little old me is not going to judge you when you want to vent out your frustrations in a childish manner, I do it all the time...´´
He sighed, holding now his head as the headache became stronger, this game of theirs….to say that it was taxing would be an understatement.
[And this morning was going so well…..]
Things went from bad to worse when he felt a few pads in his head, followed by the soft humming of a very self proclaim witch and End of the world.
.
..
...
If he had the strength or will to do so his blood would have boiled by now as the witch was literally patting his head as if he was a dog, ethereal fingers stroking raven black hair.
``Here, here...everything's fine. You can tell mammy Aurora all of your problems…, pinky promise..?´´
Had someone told her that her eyes were sparkling with hidden intentions..? No? No one..? Well….
Without wasting a beat he brushed her hand away, slowly…., but without pause.
Silver eyes glaring back towards those glinting ponds of purple, gazing at his own reflection that formed in their surface.
It took him a few more seconds that he would have wanted to respond.
``Admitting finally that you are a child with too many years in your back?´´ He fired back, though it only earned him a simple, childish, little pout.
``I said I fool around, not that I never grew up as a person..´´
[Because growing into a demon Lord does not count, right?]
``You thought something rude, didn't you…?´´
``Was I not always..?´´
``Using my own spells against me now, darling? Hehehe...perhaps there is still hope for you´´
``I don't like the sound of that.., I hope you have not planing in doing something foolish again..
``Foolish? Oh, you sweet summer child…, if only you knew..´´ She muttered the last words, red lips parting ways if only to give way to a timid tongue licking the dry edges of it, ending in a smile.
He wished he had not seeing or heard any of that.
``By the sound of your tone, I believe I would rather not..´´
Her smile grew further…
His frown deepened a bit more.
``You would certainly said that now, until you take a taste for it…and then you at it again, and again and ag-
``Go away woman…´´
``Whaaaa? Scared..? The more we speak I have the believe that you are more and more a warm and fuzzy teddy bear.´´
He closed his eyes, clenching his teeth as he tried to keep himself still while he felt her poke again and again at his cheeks with one of her fingers as if he was an actual plushy instead of a human living being.
Pain started to hum, sing and touch him as those thoughts came by inside his skull, like the tides waves crashing ashore, their reach grew slowly as time passed, even though not even a few seconds had passed.
A coldness mixed with a strange heat piercing his veins, his thoughts becoming a little more heavier, the world slowing down, but never fully stopping as he forgot to breath.
A human?
A human living being….? That was a rather generous thought to have these days. Grimacing in the process, but even more so at the admission of such failure.
A failure that came back like the cold winds howling against the windows, his body involuntarily trying to hear the throbbing sound of his beating heart.
And found nothing…
Only emptiness...and the scar left behind. Coming a lit as if the mere reminder of its existence gave it pleasure to make itself known.
Flashes of light slipped past his guard, making him remember the scent of rusted iron in his mouth, the coo touch of rain against his skin, and the sickening feeling of been tainted by the weakness that gripped his broken body..
It only lasted for a few brief seconds, but it was enough to sour his present mood beyond repair, the silver shade of his eyes bleeding out into blood red.
``Go away…´´
``What?´´
``Just. Go. Away...´´
He asked once more, no.., he demanded, turning to face the woman to make the message be known and how severe it would be to ignore him once more. Which was rather unfortunate when his wish was….mistaken for something else.
Whether Aurora took notice of it and pressed on anyways given her mischievous nature, or just misunderstood the reason of his new found grievances, it meant little as she kept going...
``Where was I? Right, a teddy bear with claws and a bit dusty, but a teddy bear nonetheless…hmmp, what a moment to be a live...or un-alive I guess...since you know, I am a ghost and all tehee.. ´´
`I am afraid that what I am feeling has nothing to do with what you are thinking..´´
``I guess that not everyone holds the same ideas, still…, I heard that sometimes when someone denies something with such vehemency then a shred of truth must exist..´´
``Aurora….´´
He pressed a little more harshly, a little more force to the words. The purple haired witch rose her hands in a placating manner, quickly giving him a bit of space as she went back to float around.
``Ok, ok...got the message, I will respect your boundaries…´´
He would have at least try to pretend he believed her...if she had at least the decency of erasing that grin plastered all over her doll looking face. However, it was not as grating as it was before.
``For five minutes..´´
``Oh, for darkness sake…´´
``Do you know that you have said that exact same quote 789 times in these last few weeks?´´
``Keeping count? You…?´´
``You should know by now that making implication of a lady is not by knightly..´´
``The day that comes that you actually behave like one the world will end..´´
``OI..! What kind of god of death are you? The sassy kind?´´
``The tired kind...´´
His head slowly tilted to the side, away from her form and down at his hands, gazing at their form as he tried to quell that sprout of wayward pain that had come out in the spot.
Silver eyes unable to move from those pale, slim, unblemished fingers of flesh that flexed and clenched at will.
Hearing the way the fake muscles echoed in his brain…, the way the flesh, the strands of hair and pores moved and contorted at will, and how clean they were.
But he could still smell the blood...
..
..
He didn't like to speak…
He liked to listen even less….
Back in the abyss he had the monsters, the depths of that hell and the voices in his head to judge him and fill the silence for him. And as they did, he did not spoke a word, he did not needed to even listen.
He just….existed. There.., in a vacuum. Doing what the cavity that was his heart desired, the only thing he could do. The only thing he had ever known to do
His hands clenched tightly, nails clawing at the soft side of his palms, yet not drawing any blood.
But now they were gone…, the noise was gone. And with it...its gifts, but none of its curses.
And now he had to listen and speak…..and the worst thing, if that he had no one to blame for it..
Not Alpha and what her mere presence brought with it..
Not Aurora and the memories her antics made him remember..
Not even him…
He closed his eyes,
Even as he weaved his plans….there was something that still bothered him. Something that was dug deeply inside him, and refused to let him go. But what? Was this the purpose that he had sent himself to do? Was this not it.?
By the time he opened them, he knew that something was different.
Something that had to do with the fact that Aurora was holding his hands with hers. Delicate fingers intertwined with his own, ethereal, yet giving off some warmth in the process..
He rose his head, waiting to find once more that sly smirk of hers, the playful glint in her eyes…, or perhaps both.
What he found was that she had them close, the two standing asymmetrically of one another.
How long had she been holding him?
How long had he been lost in his own thoughts..?
``Being tired must be more common place than I thought…, it was insensitive of me to forget that´´
Should he speak?
Should he say yes and berate for it, or should he just kept silent and let it blow? Let it fly over his head and bury this along ever other mishap that trouble him..?
Before he came to a resolution, she spoke again.
``But, if that its the case…. you know that if you need to rest you have only to ask…, I am not going anywhere´´
``Ask what?´´
``You know, ask…´´
He did not understand, had he hit his head or something..? She could not be implying what he thought she was...
``So.?´´
``So?´´
``Will you take on my offer..?´´
He stared at her, then at their hands before looking up back at her. Could it be? Was it so easy?
No.
No, it never was….and even if he could, was he even allowed to? With that thought he walked away. A mild look of apprehension and disappointment drawing in the witches face as he did, but he was no longer paying attention to her to do so.
``I was being factual.., a shovel can be used to throw dirt at their targets.., they are rather useful tools.
``Eh..?´´
``What you asked before, that was my reasoning...and the advantages found in it. Shovels are actually rather sharp and durable, more armies should make use of them´´
``I was not asking th-you know what? It doesn't matter…..´´
``Are you sure?´´
``Yes, yes…..I am sure thats what I wanted to say. Why did you have to play the dense card now?´´
``What?´´
``Nothing, the wind is a bit strong today.´´
``We are indoors..´´
``I mean through the windows of course-´´
``They are closed..´´
``Then with even more reason..hahahaha...´´
``You are strange..´´
``You are the one talking to a ghost...´´
``Fair enough..´´
In a weird, strange way...the mood returned to its easy going self. Perhaps all of that had been in his mind and nothing else.
``So...who do you think is behind those doors?´´
``You don't know?´´
``I cant see through walls like someone else around here, I just sense their souls´´.
``I take two smell like rotten shit..´´
``Yes, that's kind of-how did you know?´´
``That's for me to know.., and you to find out´´
``Oh, a mystery? Don't mind if I do…, but I guess that this has to do with why you started beating people up..´´
``Yes, and its called putting them back into shape..´´
``In a rather loose manner of speech, among other things right?´´
``If that makes you happier, then yes...puppet two is behind those doors with useless one, puppet one however is walking away from the building´´
``Puppets, eh?´´
He noted a shift in her tone, barely...but it was there.
``You disapprove..?´´
``Nah, I could not care less. I think is very fitting and ironic fate for those madman. Puppeteers being made puppets...is it not poetic justice..?´´
``I thought that you would have something against it.., given our past history´´
And by that, he meant when she became enraged by his meddling in his essence. Yes, she had been a brat then...but it had been uncalled for.
``Waaaaaaaaaaaaah? That? Water under the bridge…´´
She was being honest…or at least trying to., he knew that much. But he also knew that one did not just whisk away those memories like paper clips.
Not when they had hit so close to home..
``Even though, it still must have caused some sense of dissatisfaction, the same when I did the same with useless one.`´
Her easy going expression melts a little bit, letting a more mature outlook settle in, her lips still weaved in a smile, but compared to those fake or exaggerated grins...this one feels a lot more genuine.
``You know…, is very sweet that you try to make amends for your mistakes.´´
He had been almost tempted to speak out that nothing he ever did would ever made it better, that there was no right that would ever changed the wrong that had been seeded.
He chose to kept his mouth shut.
``But dont fret much over it. Besides, Why would I even waste a single moment losing sleep for them? They are a bunch of bastards, sons of whores who made my life hell. Anything that happens to them is good in my eyes..´´
``Perhaps you are right..´´
``Dam right I am! Besides, I don't think you will be able to accomplish my wish as long as they live...´´
That...was probably true. Not like he was gonna let one of them get away anyway.
Only fools don't kill everyone they sough to bring their vengeance on and allow the chance of counter retribution to be possible in the future..
They. All. Must. Die….
``And about the girl….to be honest she is really annoying. Anyway, is not like you did something bad to her, you merely did what her parents failed to do.´´
``And what would that be?´´
``Teach her manners…´´
Well, he couldn't find any flaw in that logic.
`` Anyway, how does that explain the fact that the old man tried to kill you? With the poison and all?´´
Ah, yes...with all this fuzz and pointless commentary he had almost forgotten about the old knight.
A poor attempt on his life if there is one, but he had to cut the man some slack.
If he really had been just a prodigal boy, who should be tired and near breaking point from having to contend with more than a hundred contestants the chances of dying a few hours later by the poison laced into blade may have worked.
If he was able to touch him.
``On that regard...I believe that puppet number three is the one who was at work this time., I wonder what he was playing by doing that.´´
``Oh? Number three you say….? Where did one came from?´´
``If you were paying attention to anything for more than five minutes you may have already piqued on it yourself..´´
``Rude..´´
``But true..´´
``Hmmpf, as if! I am sure that you made out that number yourself..´´
``Dont worry Aurora, numbers are not real, they cant hurt you..´´
``No, they cant...because I have a strong and gentle knight to protect me..´´
``I am a knight again..?´´
``I forgave your misdeeds, ain't I just the best?´´
``No, not quite…´´
``You cant play along, can you?´´
``No..´´
``Fine…, if that is how you are gonna be, then plan B is it´´
``You had a plan A?´´
``Say it´´
``What?´´
``Say I am the best?´´
``Why..?´´
``Say it´´
``No.´´
``Say it..´´
``No..´´
``Just...do it, ok?´´
``If this was plan B, I dread to imagine what plan C is about...´´
At that a thick cloud of depression shrouded the ancient witch as she fell to the ground, a comically droplet of water sliding down her head.
Talk a bout been over dramatic…, after all, she should have seen it coming with her lousy planing skills that he was not going to be swayed just like that.
Still….
...
...
He sighed. Fine, what would be the worst that could happen? They would be just a few words.
Little that he knew that would be a terrible mistake.
``Fine, yes….you are the best´´
Aurora rose her head, eyeing him curiously...
``W-what?´´
``I said that you are the best..´´
A second passed, then another before the ghost stood up with a jump.
``Come on, say it with more conviction´´
One of his eyes started to twitch.
``You are the best´´
``Louder..´´
Several marks started to pop up all over his face, eyes closing to a half lid as they sent daggers at the ghost.
``I am going to kill you..´´
``I am already dead so suck it, tehee…´
[Slimy little b-] ``Fine...! You are the best...´´
``Yay! I knew you would say it! You really are the best, darling!´´
And just like that, before he could spat an endless tirade of jabs at her….the purple haired menace flew towards him at light speed and clung to him like bad luck would stick to poor life choices.
Closing her long, elegant legs behind his back while trying to pull his head into her large, jiggling and soft bosom, all while giggling maniacally.
``GET OFF ME WOMAN..!!´´
And like that, in the worst possible way the two of them slammed into the door right next to them, making them stumble inside the room where both the cultist and Arisha had been waiting for them, falling flat on his face in the process like a mere common drunk...instead of bearing any sense of pride like he had planed to.
This..
This was…
This really was the worst.
CURSE YOU AURORA...!
ºº
A/N
Here comes another chapter, I apologize if there are things that are hard to understand and for any other grammatical error you may find. Don't be afraid to share your opinions about the story for any feedback is accepted.