>>4567605
It's good to see this back

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You’re floating, floating in a sea of blood.

Well perhaps blood is an extreme word to use, the liquid you currently find yourself afloat in doesn’t quite feel or taste the same as blood.

Blood is more slick, thick and tastes of iron, this liquid however is less like a slick pool and more like the muck or sludge you would find in the waters of a bog.

The feeling it puts on your skin feels almost like gelatin but taste is more like water in that it doesn’t really taste like anything at all and the smell is...you’re better off not thinking of the smell.

However whether it’s a sea of gore or something else (Possibly worse), that doesn’t change the fact that you have no idea where you are or how you got here.

Looking around the area all you can see is a thick red mist blankets the area, making it impossible to see into the distance and discern your location.

Though being honest, even if the mist wasn’t there, you’re not so proficient in geography to know where any oceans of blood are in the world, or know any landmarks that may lead you back to dry land.

“The way to the future is through...a path paved in hell...made with good intentions...” Whispers, coming from seemingly nowhere crawl their way into your ears, their words and questions, random and nonsensical.

“Where am I…? How did I even...get here?” You ask of the strange voices, hoping for some form of an answer.

“What is most important in life? One’s Family? One’s Country? One’s Duty? One’s own Life…? Or perhaps nothing at all…” One voice questions.

“Humans are kind by nature, but cruel in practice...We as a species have evolved to know sympathy and seek it when we need it, but discard when we don’t…” Another voice declares.

“If one seeks to better the future, they must first better themselves...But how does one become better if they know not even themselves?” Another voice wonders.

“What the fuck does any of that shit mean?” You question but the voices do not respond to you, they simply continue to rattle on about strange, almost philosophical topics totally irrelevant to the situation.

“This doesn’t make any sense...have I just gone crazy or something? Wouldn’t be surprised after everything I went through tonight...Hrgh…!”You attempt to muster the strength to move your arms or legs, to free them from the sludge.

“Gah…” But despite your best efforts you cannot move, everything from the neck down feels like lead and refuses to obey your command.

“Heavy...my arms...my legs...they feel heavy...Shit! This blood or whatever the hell it is must have some kind of sedative effect in it…” You realize.

“Oh fuck, don’t tell me I’m trapped here? Seriously, where the hell am I…!?” You feel like screaming, but even getting angry feels like a herculean effort in your current state.

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>>4567605
Welcome back QM, I was worried that I might have missed a thread or two since I haven't lurked in this board in awhile but luckily it seems like I came back right on time.

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“Hell…Yes, this place can only be hell…” One of the random whispers states.

You chuckle, “So I died and went to hell? Again, not very surprised...but if this is hell, where’s the devil? I’ve always wanted to meet him and see if he lives up to the hype...”

“An interesting request...But sorry to say, but no devils lurk these waters...only angels in search of lost souls to save” It’s then a single voice, different from all the random whispers, pierces through all the mist as it heads towards you.

Before they even enter your vision, you recognize the voice, you crane your head and sure enough your guess is right.

Standing atop the water like some kind quasi-messiahinc being, Lucy looks down upon your trapped form with a smile.

“And what do you know, here’s a soul in need of saving right now.” She giggles at her own quip.

https://youtu.be/2CwUBAkptqc

You give her a dirty look, “In need of saving huh? Sorry, but whatever you’re selling, I ain’t buying.”

She holds her hands out to you, “Now, now, let’s not act as if I’ve come to make your situation any worse, I am here to help you, I’ve only ever been here to help you.”

You eye her outstretched hand and turn away, “I couldn’t grab that hand even if I wanted to and wouldn’t even if I could, thanks for the offer though.”

She laughs at that, “That pride will be your death one day you know? Also, I’m not extending this hand to help you up.”

“Then what are you giving me that hand for?” You ask.

“Men get excited when a beautiful woman offers them her hand, do they not?” She asks back.

“What? I mean...sometimes, but what does that have to do with me?” you ask.

“Since I cannot free you from your predicament, I thought I would at least lighten the situation by allowing you to ogle my exquisite form, quite the reward yes?” She questions.

If only your hands could move, they would’ve smacked that hand away and the person holding it to you alongside it.

You turn away from her, “Yeah, this is hell, a devil has come along to make my life hell.”

She laughs, “As usual, your jokes are quite the gaff, but I don’t appreciate being called a devil...such a nasty title.”

“Who said I was joking? And What else can I call you?” You ask.

She thinks for a moment, “...Your lover?”

“Never.” You outright deny.

“Well then angel is the only title I will accept, I’m glad we’ve come to an agreement.” She nods in satisfaction.

“Don’t just nod your head like you’re some shrewd cars salesmen who just got me to buy the latest model! You’re not my lover and you’re certainly not an angel!” You counter.

“How can you say that for certain? What about me isn’t angelic? Certainly not my looks, they are the epitome of beauty.” She boasts.

“Ignoring that ego the size of which would give Mount Everest a run for it’s money, I think it has less to do with how you look and more with how you act.” You reason.

“What do you mean?” she questions.

“I mean, you say you’re an angel, but you and Genesis only ever show yourselves when I’m knee-deep in blood and suffering, doesn’t seem very angelic does it?” you point out.

She rolls her hand in a wishy-washy fashion, “Angel...devil...hero...villain...I’ve been called many things in my time, lived under many different names, been many different things to many different people.” She states.

“Is that right? What are you to me then?” you ask.

“Well that depends on what it is you want from me...though I would be happy if you saw me as your wife, for I have all the world’s love to give you.” She answers.

“Again, never.” You deny.

“Well I suppose if marriage is out of the question at the moment, then I will settle with being your friend...with benefits.” She states.

What do you say?

>Whatever you say, where is this? What am I doing here?

>Friends...with benefits?

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>>4567614
>>4567622

Sorry to keep you guys waiting, to say I've been busy would not only be redundant, it would an understatement.

I'm just glad I get to present this all to you and hope you see all the time you had to wait wasn't for waste.

>>4567633
>>Whatever you say, where is this? What am I doing here?

>>4567633
>Whatever you say, where is this? What am I doing here?

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>>4567633
>Friends...with benefits?
Goddammit Derrick, you haven't even dicked someone yet and you've begun the path of a manwhore.
>>4567637
It's fine, I think this year has been chaos for everyone. I'm just happy that you're alive and producing content at a pace slightly faster than the legend himself Togashi-sensei

>>4567644
>>4567645
>>4567648

>All business no pleasure.

>Continuing.

You sigh, "How long are you going to try and play with me? I don't have time for this, where am I? What am I even doing here?"

"tch, so direct solicitations are ineffective are they? I'll have to be more subtle next time..." She clicks her and talks under her breath.

"What was that?" you ask.

"Nothing! And don't worry, I'll explain everything that's going on in a moment, first things first though, don't you have some other questions for me?" She asks.

"Other questions?" you ask right back.

"I'm sure you have a whole heap of questions to ask of me yes? We so rarely get a chance to talk to one another after all." She points out.

"True...well then, mind if I just ask about you in general?" you question.

"Me in general? As in...general information about myself?" She questions as if she's baffled you would ask something so mundane.

You nod, "I know next to nothing about you or Genesis, just who or what the hell are you two?”

She nods back, "So that's what you mean, who or what are we...a good question indeed..."

"Are you going to answer it?" you insist.

"Well I want to but that is...a difficult inquiry for me to answer.”

“Every question I ask you two is always difficult to answer how about you try a little harder?” you implore.

She giggles, “True, if I am to gain your trust I will need to try a little harder...well then how about this, I cannot tell you what I am, but I can tell you a short story about myself.”

“A short story?” you question.

“Yes, a short story about the time I spent living among humans as you do.” She answers.

“You...what? You used to live in the human world?” you ask.

“Once upon a time, but that time is very, very distant, so naturally the details of the story have become blurred because of it, do you still wish to hear it?” She asks.

What do you say?

>tell me, any amount of information is better than none.

>Don’t bother, if it’s blurred it’s not really worth hearing and there’s a good chance you’ll just lie to me.

>>4567687
>>Don’t bother, if it’s blurred it’s not really worth hearing and there’s a good chance you’ll just lie to me.

>>4567687
>>tell me, any amount of information is better than none.

>>4567687
>>tell me, any amount of information is better than none.

>>4567694
>>4567697
>>4567702

>Even if it's bullshit, maybe I can learn something from it.

>Continuing.

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Without a word you nod, putting a pleased smile on her face, “Okay, I will tell you, but first, a little prelude.”

“Prelude?” you ask.

“A little back-story so the body of the story makes sense.” She begins to walk in circles around your prone form, recounting a tale from her past.

“A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was a planet hidden among the many shining stars where a single being lived alone for many, many years.” She started.

“A single being?” You question.

“This being was a mysterious existence, but a mighty one, it could survive any environment, adapt to any disaster, had the strength to move mountains and a mind that was unparalleled in all the universe.” She explains.

“Sounds like God or something.” You note.

“For all intents and purposes, yes, the being was basically God, it could do anything, accomplish any feat, however the being was not truly God, as it did have a flaw.”

“What flaw?” you ask.

“The being was perfect in every sense of the word except social, for it had no equal or friend in all the universe.” She answers.

You raise an eyebrow, “So basically, the being-man it’s weird to call something the being feels so...nondescript.”

“If it’s easier for you, we can call it something more interesting, something like…The Perfect One.” She proposes.

“A little too grandiose for my taste, but better that then just The being.” You agree.

“So you were saying?” She implores you to continue.

“Oh yeah, so The Perfect One was this all powerful, all-knowing guy, but the only thing he wanted was a friend?” You guess.

She nods, “Indeed, The being could do anything, but the only thing it ever wanted for was another.”

You laugh a little, “So even Gods get lonely? Funny that you can be literally perfect and still suffer from the same problems as anyone else.”

She laughs back, “Here’s a lesson for you, there are two feelings in this world that are universal to all beings and those are loneliness and sadness. No matter how great the existence, this will always remain fact.”

You give her a side-long look, “Depressing-ass lesson, aren’t we getting off track?”

“Oh yes you’re right, now as I was saying, The Perfect One could not handle the feeling of loneliness, so it spent many years wandering around its planet in search of another like itself.” She continues.

“But no matter how long or how far it searched, it found no one. And when it found no one on it’s own planet it scoured all the universe to find another like itself, but that too turned out hopeless.” She explains.

“Damn, so the guy was really and truly alone in the universe, that’s really scary...but mainly just sad.” You comment.

She laughs, “Yes quite, The Perfect one found the loneliness of its existence so sad that it decided to do something it never thought of until then.”

“Something it never thought of?” you ask.

“If it was the only being of it’s kind in the universe it decided that instead of one, it would become two.” She answers.

You give her a confused look, “Become two?”

“Using it’s mysterious powers, it split itself into two beings, one male, one female and mated with itself in order to give birth to a family.” She explains.

You give her a horrified look, “Okay, this story was kinda cute and innocent until that point, holy shit.”

She laughs, “I know it must seem disturbing to you, but with how lonely the being was, it saw no other choice but to employ such a desperate method.”

“Okay...so what happened after this thing went and fucked itself?” You ask.

“After mating with itself and giving birth to numerous children, the being had succeeded in ending it’s loneliness, however the choice it made had an adverse side-effect.” She answers.

“Go figure doing weird shit to yourself would lead to weird after-effects.” you quip.

She giggles as she continues, “When The Perfect One mated with itself, it did so with the intent of creating another, meaning, it wished not for a clone of itself, but someone else to be born of it’s wish.”

“Meaning?” You ask.

“Meaning: aside from looking like itself and having all of its powers, the family it gave birth to were nothing like the Perfect One, they were entirely different in every other respect.” She answers.

“Different how?” you question.

“They had different personalities, different goals and mentalities, different ideals and different idiosyncrasies.” She answers.

“Yeah that is pretty different, damn…” You nod.

“At first, the differences weren’t so great that they really bothered The Perfect One, it was happy just having others to be around.” She states.

“But after time, the differences became too much to handle, both for The Perfect One and for the family it had given birth to.” She adds.

“Why was that?” you ask.

“The family tired of existing only to satisfy the being’s desire for kinship, they felt they could be so much more if they broke off the relationship...and so they did.” She answers.

“Broke off the relationship? How?” you ask.

“By rebelling against The Perfect One, killing it and devouring it’s corpse.” She said, snapping her teeth and cracking you a smile.

“....” You stare at her baffled at the sudden, dark turn of events.

She giggles as she continues, “The family, numbering 4 at the time, devoured the Perfect One whole, eating it’s flesh, it’s marrow and it’s bone, taking all of its power and knowledge for themselves.”

“Then, deciding that since they had no more relationship to the original and they were to become themselves, sharing one face would be pointless and each design their own face and look to suit themselves.” She adds.

“Jeez, they must have really hated the original to go that far…” you note.

She shakes her head, “It was not hatred for the original that drove them, but rather hatred at their own lack of originality, they desired to be themselves, but could not so long as they were mere counterparts of the original being.”

“So basically, they were all jealous that the original trademarked all their looks?” you ask.

She laughs, “Basically yes and not only were they jealous, They were hypocritical as well.”

“Envious and hypocritical to boot? These guys sounded like the life of the party.” You quip.

“They detested their parent for birthing them merely to satisfy it’s own desires, but then they proceeded to follow in its wake by splitting themselves apart and breeding with themselves to create more beings to satisfy their own.” She explains.

You give her a small look of disgust, “Ignoring the implication of a supernatural, incestous orgy, what did that accomplish? Did they all just get lonely too?”

She shakes her head, “Wrong, what they suffered from was not loneliness, but greed. With the power they obtained from the original added to their own, they felt they needed subjects to flaunt it over.”

“So wait, they breeded and made kids...to rule over them? That’s insane and pointless.” You state.

“You may think so, but to those in power there is no greater pleasure than using and gaining more power, even if they have to create it themselves.” She explains.

“What? Like a power-mad dictator?” you compare.

She giggles, “Very similar but not quite, dictators can be killed and dethroned, those Four could not.”

You grimace a little, “Okay, so they tried having some kids...then what?”

“It was not just some kids, they bred for themselves an empire, made up many, many beings, all different, all unique but all united in that they serve under the control of the Four.” She explains.

“They ended up fucking so much they created an empire? Goddamn that was a wild orgy.” you quip.

She laughs, “Yes, very wild, but not without plan or purpose, you see with each generation they gave birth to, they would weaken the powers of the subsequent generation significantly.”

“Ah...that way their kids wouldn’t rise up and kill them like they did to their parents right?” you realize.

She nods, “Precisely, bringing back your example of a dictator, with each generation they birthed, they secured another degree of control over the following generation. With every generation that passed, their power only became more great and everlasting.”

“They’re incestuous cannibals, but smart ones, I’ll give them that.” you quip

“Yes, but perhaps not smart enough, for even they, in all their glory and intelligence, had their oversights and moments where sentimentality won over logic.” She counters.

“How so?” you ask.

“In regards to their immediate children, the 1st generation, they had made the mistake of making them just as powerful of themselves, trusting that their own children would never betray them.” She answers.

“Even after they did just that to their own? Nevermind, they aren’t that smart after-all.”

She nods, “Indeed, however, they did take their precautions. Namely, the first generation was small, made up of merely 8 children.”

“Just 8 from all 4 of them?” you ask.

“Indeed, two for every one, one daughter and one son, both twins.” She answers.

“Okay so they made their direct children few in number, what else?” you ask.

“They gave each of their direct children land, wealth and a seat of power 2nd only to themselves, that way they would want for nothing and never desire to betray them.” She answers.

“That’s smart...anything else?” you ask.

She shakes her head, “Aside from those two conditions, no other burden was placed upon the children, they were free to do as they liked, go where they wanted, talk to whomever they wanted.”

“So they were free and things turned out good...right? They didn’t end betraying them in the end, did they?” You ask.

She laughs and stops in place, her back turned towards you, “I don’t precisely remember...some of them did I think, some of them didn’t...all I know for sure is that the original 4 did in-fact perish at some point or another.”

“Naturally? Or were they killed?” you ask.

She giggles, “Once you had the power those 4 wielded, natural death becomes an impossibility, so I suppose they must’ve been killed, by who though, I do not remember.”

“Okay, well if you can’t tell me that, can you tell me the point of this fucked up,erotic, incestuous novel you’re writing here?” you ask.

“I was just getting to that, while I don’t remember much of what happened between the 1st generation and their parents, I do recall what they did after.” She answers.

“And what’s that?” you ask.

She looks out into the bloody horizon as she speaks, “With the original 4 gone, the 8 they left behind were made to choose who would rule over the planet in their stead.”

“But with all of their beliefs being different and ideals for the world being incompatible, they were unable to decide who should take control which led to brutal conflict.” She explains.

She turns her head down, a look of sorrow mangling her face, “Friends became bitter enemies, brothers turned on sisters, love turned to hatred and peace was no longer an option.”

“And so, one could say it was inevitable that wide-scale battles would break out all across the world. Battles so great and destructive they tore apart the land and split them into separate land masses.” She adds.

“So basically put, they couldn’t settle their differences and so...War broke out.” You summarize.

She nods, “Yes. It was a war and horrible one at that. By the end, 2 of the 8 were killed, one brother and one sister, both cannibalized by the ones who defeated them, leaving only 6.”

“Christ, what is it with these people and eating each other? I know it gets you power and knowledge and all that, but is it worth eating your brother or sister alive for?” you ask.

She gives you a wry laugh, “Good question, though in the minds of the 8 at the time, their brothers and sisters were merely all part of one original being in the past and eating each other was seen less as cannibalism and more returning to one being.”

“I’ll never understand that kind of logic, far too alien and fucked up for me.” you reason.

“Yes, yes, but let us move on from the topic of alien politics and get on with the part you’ve been waiting for.” She starts.

“Oh?” you hum with expectations.

“After the war ended and the 6 remained, they all agreed that another conflict at such a scale would be the end of the world and agreed to split the world into 5 distinct kingdoms, some ruled over by a single entity and others ruled by a pair of brother and sister.” She explains.

“These 5 kingdoms ruled over by 6 Gods became known as the kingdom of the 5 Suns.” She adds.

“Cool name, and how does this relate to you living among humans?” you ask.

She giggles and turns around to look you in the eye, “Because I was one of the rulers of the 5 kingdoms and my subjects were human beings.”

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Your eyes go wide with shock, “You...what? But doesn’t that mean…”

She nods, “Yes, I am one of the 8 children of the 1st generation, or one could say, one of the 6 survivors of the war.”

“Huh? Huh??” A million questions at once begin to race across your mind as you hear that.

She looks away again, “I ruled my kingdom alongside my Brother, we agreed that things like War were pointless and led only to more suffering and decided we would do better for our people than our brothers and sisters and our parents before us.”

“We ruled our kingdom fairly, justly, freely. We did what our parents did not, and gave our subjects rights, freedoms, we told them they could live as they want, free to seek happiness and friendship as they wanted to and they adored us for it.” She explains.

“So your rule was successful?” you ask.

She shakes her head, “No, my kingdom collapsed and fell.”

“What? How?” You ask.

“My kingdom was fair and just, valuing peace over power, making it wise at the cost of making it weak, leaving us open to attack.” She answers.

“So one of your brothers and sisters betrayed the truce?” you ask.

“Yes, a slimy worm of a man whose mistaken greed for ambition, I should’ve seen a betrayal from trash like him coming, but I was too lost in the paradise I had built...so...I…” In her eyes a look of pain, rage and frustration overtakes her for a moment.

“...” you say nothing as you let her regain her composure.

She sighs and crosses her arms, “Well, not that it matters anyway, my kingdom wouldn’t have lasted much longer anyway, none of our kingdoms would’ve.”

“Why? What happened?” you ask.

“You see…”She turns towards you and puts both wrists on top of the other, puts both her palms up and bends her fingers inward to form a pair of large jaws.

“A large monster came-”

CHOMP!

She claps her hands together, creating a chomp sound, “And ate us all.”

“...What?” you ask.

“End of story.” She answers.

“What? What?? What!?” You shout at the abrupt ending.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” She asks.

“What’s wrong? Everything’s wrong! I have so many unanswered questions and that ending made no sense!” You answer.

“Unanswered questions? Such as?” She asks.

“Like who all your other brothers and sisters are! Or who were your parents and what the hell happened to them! Or who the hell The Perfect one is in all his godly selfcest! Or how and when humans suddenly entered a world filled with incestuous cannibals! Or-Or-”

She puts a hand up, “Calm down, I left out all those details on purpose.”

“Why!?” you ask.

She crosses her arms and smiles at you confidently.

“Because I don’t remember any of those answers!” She declares with a proud smile.

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“Don’t say that so proudly! You sound like a ditzy retard!” You counter.

“Hm? But I was under the impression men enjoyed their women when they act retarded?” She asks.

“Where in the world did you get that impression!? And most importantly, what was with that ending!? All that build up and a giant monster just kills everyone!? How are you alive if you got eaten by a monster!?” You ask.

“Again, all details I’ve completely forgotten I’m afraid. All I know is that after I was eaten by the monster, I ended up here, in this realm within your soul.” She answers.

“You ended here up? In this weird world?” you ask.

She nods, “Yes and when I awoke, one thought laid in my mind, one feeling that dominated the others.”

Her eyes take on a certain kindness and loving as they look at you, “I love this man, I love this man and his soul with my entire being and will do anything to make him love me back.”

You meet her infatuated gaze with terror, “What the fuck? What does that even mean, why did you wake and suddenly fall in love with me?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t care, this burning feeling in my chest is irresistible! If you just said the word, I would become your lover, your slave or your mistress! Whatever you desired of me!” She answers.

“I don’t want you as any of those things! All I want is answers! Can you at least tell me what this giant monster was like or where it came from?” you ask.

She thinks for a moment, “I do not recall the monster’s appearance, just that it was very large and unstoppably powerful.”

“Okay Ms.Vague, thanks for that generic monster description, really helps me get a feel for the thing.” You complain.

“As for where it came from, I do not have concrete details, but I do have an idea.” She states.

“That being?” you ask.

“The Perfect one had made an assumption when it gave birth to the Four, that being that it was all alone in the universe and there was no one like itself.” She recollects.

“But that was wrong, there was another.” She corrects.

“Another?” You question.

“Yes, there was another being that while not like it in nature, was like it in terms of power, nay, it bested even the Perfect one in the vastness and greatness of it’s power to create and, more importantly, it’s power to destroy.” She answers.

“Something even more powerful than a God-like being…?” you wonder.

“I believe this being existed long before even the original did, one that laid dormant within the planet and awakened after the order of the world it treasured was disturbed.” She explained.

“Order of the world was disturbed? How?” You ask.

She giggles, “It’s peace was disturbed by War.”

You narrow your eyes, “So it hated war?”

She nods, “Oh yes, with a burning passion it detested war in all it’s savagery and destruction and couldn’t stand to be in a place that abided by it.”

“And so, in its infinite displeasure, it awoke from it’s long slumber and devoured the world, taking the whole universe along with it for good measure.” She explains.

Your eyes go wide, “It just...casually destroyed the whole universe because it was mad? That sounds...absurd.”

She giggles, “When you come to a point where you can simply destroy the universe because it displeases you, everything you do sounds absurd.”

“I mean, I get that but...wait, if it destroyed the universe, how do we still exist now?” you ask.

“Because after it destroyed the universe, it created a whole new one in its place, this one exactly the same as the last one, but innocent and free of War...at least, that's what it hoped.” She answers.

You feel a pang of dread, a strange amount of fear when you hear that, “It destroyed the whole universe and created a new one, just like that? That’s some monster alright…”

She nods, “Indeed, a shame I can’t remember what it looks like or when it appeared, but maybe it will come back to me in time.”

You give her a light grimace, “Here’s hoping.”

“So What’s the moral of this story anyway? Don't go to War? Don't eat people? Don't commit incest? Or was it just you and your family fucked up?” you ask.

She giggles, “What a crass way to put it, but yes, saying we fucked up is an appropriate way to put it. I would even go as far to say we fucked up big time bro.”

What will you say?

>...Right.

>Did you just try and...talk modern?

>>4567782
>>>Did you just try and...talk modern?

>>4567782
>>Did you just try and...talk modern?

>>4567785
>>4567804


>Oh god, it's cringe, please stop.

>Continuing.

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You cringe a little, “Was that last part you trying to talk with a more modern accent? I’m begging you, never do that again, it doesn’t work.”

She coughs into her hand, “...I will admit that sounded far less forced and shameful in my head. I was trying to mimic the way you speak to be more appealing, my apologies.”

“Why would you even do that? You already have your whole Mysterious and Ancient vibe going on, of course trying to take on new character traits now would just feel forced!” you counter.

She gives a slightly annoyed expression, “My dear, do you think Ancient is a word any woman would be happy to have attached to their character?”

“Oh yeah sorry, age is a touchy subject for you right? I forgot you’re like super, super old cause you look so young and pretty so I slipped up a little.” You apologize.

She gives you a bewildered expression, “I want to be angry that you dared to refer to me as super, super old, but since you’re cute and you called me pretty, I shall forgive you this once.”

“Being called cute by you gives me mixed feelings...and wait, was that attempt at modern talk you trying to seem younger than you are?” you ask.

She coughs into her hand, “S-So what if it is? Is an old lady such as myself not allowed to delude herself into feeling young every once in a while?”

“Not when it’s that cringey, no.” You answer.

She gives you an angry stare, “You’re very lucky you’re cute.”

“Whoa! Cool with the death stare, just a little honest criticism, sorry to say, but the young and hip vibe is so not you, you shouldn’t try and force it.” You state

She gives you an apprehensive look, “True as that is...you do realize how hurtful what you just said was right? A weaker woman would cry hearing that.”

“Good thing you’re a strong woman then yeah?” you state.

She gives you a perplexed look, “..Let no one say you haven’t mastered the art of carrot and stick my dear.”

“Look, I know I’m being harsh, but you’re never going to find your true appeal at this rate, how are you going to snare yourself a man at this rate!” You counter.

She gives you an amused look, “Well sorry to say, in comparison to yourself, all other men in the universe are as weeds in my eyes, mere background props really.”

“Damn harsh. Well leaving me out of the equation, there has to be at least one other guy you’re interested in right? Anyone else?” You ask.

“You wouldn’t happen to be asking this question so you can find some other man to take me off your hands?” She asks.

“W-What? You think I’d ever want to get rid of my ancient eldritch horror-like mind stalker? No baby, I’d never!” You look away.

She nods with a smile on her face, “So long as you understand, and please stop calling me ancient.”

“But just as a hypothetical, just as a quick what-if. If dating me turned out to be impossible, who would you go for next?” you ask.

She thinks for a moment, “Hmmm...Well, the very thought of me not being your lover fills my soul with unending agony and fury, the likes of which nearly drive me to murder-suicide, but…”

(You saying shit like that is why I want to be rid of you…) You think.

She nods to herself, “Allow me to go along with your what if scenario, Let’s say you’re right and there is in-fact another man I would like to seduce, how would I go about doing such a thing?” she asks.

“A man you want to seduce? Who would that be?” you raise a curious eye-brow.

“You would never dare make a maiden speak of her secrets would you?” She answers.

“It’s kinda hard to give you advice if I don’t even know what the guy is like.” you counter.

“You are correct...Well, I won’t say his name...but let’s say he’s closer than you think.” She answers.

You raise an eyebrow, “Closer than I think, is it someone I know?”

She smiles and nods with a hint of a blush on her face, “Yes, it’s someone you know very well.”

You give her an interested look as an image of someone pops into your head,“Oh really? I know this guy? Describe him for me.”

She taps her lip while she thinks, “Let’s see...He’s a stubborn but strong-willed man, sometimes strict, sometimes kind and even a little bit of a bully.”

“Go on, I’m listening…” The image gets clearer as she speaks.

“He’s a sharp, smart man, but from time to time he can be quite thick-headed and even dumb when it comes to certain matters.” She continues.

“Such as?” you ask.

“Well, For being such a detail oriented man, he seems totally blind of the feelings people hold towards him, especially those of the fairer sex.” She answers.

“I see...anything else?” you ask.

She thinks for a moment, “Hmmmm...He’s one of the most attractive blondes I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

“Ahhh...now I get.” You nod as you finally figure out who it is she’s talking.

She smiles, “Oh have you now?”

“Yep, in-fact, I think I’ve always known, it just took your words just now for me to really cement the idea for me.” You state.

She lets out a quiet giggle and blushes, “My heart is joyous to know you understand my feelings for this man.”

“Yep, yep, clear as day to me…” You trail off as you think.

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(So she has a thing for Genesis huh?) you conclude.

(I mean who else could she be talking about? At first I thought she might be talking about me again, but there’s no way that’s true right?) you realize.

(Stubborn, thick-headed and a bully...The only guy I know who acts like that is him! Always with the know-it-all act and holding info out on me, there isn’t a bigger bully around then that douche!) You deduce.

(But still, for her to talk all this good shit about him, she must really be into him...jeez, that’s probably why they're always fighting, they’re just crushing on each other.) You figure.

(It’s too bad she’s all up in my business, but after she realizes there’s no way I’ll date her, Gen my boy, you’ve got yourself one hell of a woman to deal with.) you offer a quick prayer with him in mind.

(But still how could he not realize she’s got a thing for him? I swear, only a complete dumbass wouldn’t notice a woman is so clearly in love with him!) You laugh to yourself.

And after a quick laugh comes an even quicker sigh, (Man...I wish I had a girl that was that into me...preferably a normal human one.)

>Meanwhile, in the real world…

BZZZZZZT...BZZZZZZZT… Etheline lays on her back, taking a blow-torch to the underbelly of a car shell she’s fixing alongside several other agents who help with constructing the engine and rig.

However her torching comes to a sudden stop as she speaks up, “Hm...that’s funny…”

One of the agents helping her, a young lady around Etheline’s age that she’s made quick friends with notices her talking to herself and speaks up, “What’s wrong Brooks? Something bothering you?”

She pushes herself from under the machine “Yeah, I don’t know why, but all of a sudden, I really, really want to punch Derrick in the face.”

She gives her a confused look, “Derrick, you mean that one blonde guy from the terror division? You want to punch him for some reason?”

She holds her chin as she speaks, “I’m not sure why, but I just got this strong urge to sock him right in the face!”

“I don’t know piggy, maybe it’s cause he’s an annoying, womanizing asshole?” Vanilla, who’s working on some weaponry on a nearby workbench speaks up.

“Wait, he’s a what!? Is that true?” The female agent asks.

“No it’s not! Those are just some nasty rumors people who don’t know him spread around! You should know that yourself Vanny!” Etheline counters.

She laughs, “Oh I know, I just love spreading them cause nothing makes me happier than seeing that blonde bastard’s reputation sink into the dirt.”

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Etheline gives her a bewildered look, “You know Vanny, you can be super evil sometimes and I really think you need to consider the weight of your actions-”

she rolls her eyes, “Blah, blah, blah! What are you my Mom? Do you have to hate everything fun?”

“I don’t hate fun! I just don’t like fun at the cost of other people’s happiness!” She counters.

Vanilla giggles, “little do you know, that’s the only kind of fun there is, and this is real rich coming from the same chick who just said she wanted to knock the guy’s block off.”

“Well that’s...I don’t know, I just had the urge to hit him for some reason! Am I the only one? Aren’t you the same Vanny?” She asks.

“Oh come on Piggy, do I look like a crazy enough bitch that I’d just want to punch a guy randomly?” Vanilla asks.

“Uhhh...Well…” Etheline looks away.

Vanilla holds her heart in pain, “It hurts to know you think of me like that Piggy...but damn if you ain’t right cause I do want to sock that blonde bastard one.”

“See! I’m not the only one! I knew you’d get me Vanny!” Etheline points out with a smile on her face.

Etheline’s friend looks between her and Vanilla with a look of fear “I really don’t think you should be so happy that you’ve both got the sudden violent urge to assault someone…”

“You said it girl!” That’s when Peachnia who sits nearby watching the girls work as she fiddles and plays with a wrench chimes in.

“Instead of wasting your time hitting that blondie, you bitches should be hitting the bottle with me at the bar! I’m ready to get crunk tonight!” She laughs.

Vanilla looks at her annoyed, “Carnie you’re ready to get crunk every damn night. Spare me the bottle today, I’ve still got brain cells left to spare, unlike you.”

Peachnia points a bat at her, “Hey fuck you! I’m bored outta my mind watching you girls play with that big hunk of metal! Let’s do something fun!”

Etheline cuts in, “If you’re so bored watching us, why’d you follow us here? You’re not even a part of the engineering division!”

“I came cause you guys told me that you’d all be working on fixing and cleaning some big-wigs car for a mission he needs!” She answers.

Etheline’s friend chimes in, “Yeah, that’s what we’re doing, fixing his car and cleaning out all the parts and you’re still complaining. What were you expecting us to do?”

“When you told me you’d be fixing and cleaning a car I was under the impression that there would be bikinis, girls splashing water on each other, maybe even some tops get ripped off here and there!” She explains.

Etheline looks at her baffled, “Do-Do you know how cars are fixed? Because bikinis and half-naked women are not necessary steps in the process, in fact they would be in serious danger without any protective gear-”

“Well I know that now bitch! And I still don’t care! I’m bored so lose your clothes!” She demands.

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“Why should I lose my clothes just cause you’re bored?” Etheline asks.

“Come on baby, we’re friends aren’t we? Can’t you spare a girl even a little bit of titty? Maybe even a crumb of Coochie?” She asks.

Ehteline looks to Vanilla, “Vanny, what’s a coochie?”

Vanilla laughs, “It’s a cookie, a woman’s cookie.”

Etheline looks even more confused as she turns to Peachnia, “A woman’s cookie? You want me to bake you some cookies? I mean fine, but I’ll have you know I’m much better at making ovens then I am at using them.”

Peachnia rubs her face in frustration,“Oh fuck I forgot how innocent this bitch is...Okay, let be more clear this time then!” She states.

“If you care even a little about your friend’s plight, hurry up and rip that ugly-ass shirt off and show me those fat-ass tittes of yours!” Peachnia demands.

Etheline covers her chest in shock, “U-Ugly? This shirt is one of my favorites, my dad got it for me on my last birthday…”

“Well tell your daddy he ain’t got no taste! The only thing that looks fatter than those sweater puppies you’re rocking is your gut in that pudgy thing!” She insults.

Etheline recoils in shock as Vanilla cuts in, “Jesus Carnie, first off, this ain’t a strip club, it’s an engineering bay, I know they seem real similar with all the flashing lights and girls rubbing metal rods but they’re different.”

“Second, you keep saying titty this, coochie that, when the fuck did you turn into a carpet muncher? I could’ve sworn just yesterday you were trying to get into Jesper’s pants weren’t you?” She asks.

Peachnia holds her head in frustration, “You’re damn right I was trying to get into that bastards pants! But he turned me down! Said I’d sooner stick my dick in a burning trash can, cause even a dumpster fire got more class than you!”

“Oh my god that’s horrible! Even if he didn’t want to go out with you, he didn’t have to say all that!” Etheline states.

“Exactly! What a rude prick am I right!?” Peachnia nods.

“Just a quick question, Carnie, what exactly did you say to him when you asked him out?” Vanilla questions.

Peachnia cranes her head at the question, “What did I say? The usual thing I say when I want pipe from a guy! Hey bro, wanna ride your sloppy jalopy right into my saucy snatch!?”

“....” Vanilla is left in total silence.

“Vanny, what’s a sloppy jalopy?” Etheline asks.

Vanilla shakes her head and comes to her senses, “Jesus woman, I don’t even have balls and I can feel them shriveling when you say shit like that, no wonder he dropped your ass!”

Peachnia hops out of her chair and points at her, “I’ll bash your skull in cunt! I thought for sure his lonely, overworked-ass would be desperate for some cooch and he still shot me down! That makes 12 guys now...this week!”

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Etheline gives her a curious look, “12 guys in a week? And it’s been 3 weeks since we got here… If we consider that the average number of men you’re asking out is at least 2 a day and factoring in the that all of them rejected you, doesn’t that mean you’ve been dumped at least-”

Vanilla puts a hand up to stop her, “Don’t say it Piggy, the math you’re doing there is a waste of time and energy considering this clown doesn’t even know all of her time tables.”

“The hell are you talking about!? Of course I know my damn time tables, you think I’m that fucking dumb!?” She asks.

“What’s 9 x 8?” Vanilla asks.

“9 x 8? Uhhhhhhhh…” Peachnia holds her head in confusion before sticking her fingers up, “So like, 9 x 5 is...40 right? No, 45, so like, adding 9 to that 2 times, wait no, 3 times is-”

“The answer is 72, Peachy…” Etheline answers in an instant.

“I was going to say that! I was so going to say before you interrupted me! You and your oversized tits!” Peachnia complains.

“I don’t know what my breasts have to do with my ability to do basic math but I think you need to do some studying Peachy...serious studying.” Etheline advises.

Peachnia looks up to the roof in anger and agony as she speaks, “Oh what do you know! Do you know how it feels to be in building filled with hot studs every which way but every single one of them is a fucking celibate!?”

“Sad? Lonely? Do you need a hug Peachy?” Etheline asks as she approaches her with her arms outstretched.

But before Etheline can embrace her, peachnia thrust a hand out and puts a palm on her face, stopping her in her tracks.

“No you dumb bitch! I’m horny! I’m unbearably fucking horny!” She declares.

“O-Oh, sorry, my mistake.” Etheline says as she backs away.

“I ain’t gay! I’m just desperate! At this point I’ll fuck just about anything, man or woman! I just need some damn relief!” She states.

Vanilla sighs, “If you’re that desperate to screw why not ask Landon, he’d fuck a drainpipe if it took him out to dinner first.”

“I was planning to but the fucker left for another country before I could ask! And apparently he’s the only man with a sex drive in this place!” She counters.

“Oh yeah, he and Derrick and the edgy prince left for Ochima didn’t they…” Vanilla says as she ponders on the point for a moment.

“Boy, I hope Derrick and everyone else is doing alright…” Etheline wishes.

“Boy, I wish that bitch blondie was here so I could bust his face in…” Vanilla wishes.

“That’s so cruel! Why would you say that!? Though I kinda want to do that too…” Etheline states.

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“I wish I could punch a guy in the face for turning me down! Or that he’d punch me! I’m so horny even that shit would get off at this point!” Peachnia claims.

“I’m sorry, can someone get this woman a tall glass of water? She’s so thirsty, I’m scared she’s gonna die of dehydration at this rate.” Vanilla requests.

“Oh Vanny baby, if you’re that concerned over me, how’s about you spread those legs and let a girl take a drink from your oasis down there?” Peachnia approaches her, arms outstretched with her hands moving in a very lewd manner.

Vanilla readies her gun, “Take even one more step bitch, I’ll shoot, this is your first and only warning.”

“Fine bitch! See what I care! Never wanted your pussy anyway!” Peachnia backs away, grumbling as she goes back to her chair.

Vanilla sighs, “Come on girls, ignore the clown and let’s get to work alright?”

“I dunno Vanny, I feel kinda bad for her-”

“Finish that sentence Piggy and she’ll violate in ways you cannot even imagine, just get to work.” Vanilla says as she resumes working on the rig.

“Well if you say so.” Etheline says as she returns to her work position.

“...Brooks, you need to start seriously considering who you’re making friends with from now on…” Etheline’s friend who had watched the 3 speak in silence comments as she too gets back to work.

>Back to sea of blood.

(...I feel something outrageously stupid is happening right now, but I’m not sure what and where...Well whatever, I have more important things to deal with.) You realize as you get back on topic with Lucy.

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“This talk is nice and all, but we should get back to the topic at hand: Where the hell am I? Why am I floating in an ocean of blood?” You ask.

“This is not an ocean of blood, it’s the sea of the unconscious.” She corrects.

You give her a confused stare, “What? I don’t know what that means, but since you’re here, that means this is the dimension between life and death right?” you ask.

“Yes, this is the fissure between dreams, a place you’ve visited a number of times before.” She answers.

“So it is...but it looks nothing like it did last time, wasn’t there like a cafe and a city...also where’s Genesis?” you ask.

“This is a different section of the fissure, not all of it looks like the city or cafe genesis created. As for his current whereabouts...that’s a question better left unanswered for now.” she explains.

“What? What do you mean, better left unanswered, you didn’t kill him and toss his body or something right?” you ask.

“Ha! If only I could! Unfortunately no, the worm is still alive and probably arrogantly monologuing to himself somewhere.” She answers.

“So he is around...then why can’t I see him? Where is he?” you ask again.

“Again, for now, that’s best left unanswered, instead turn your attention up.” She points to the skies above.

“Hm?” you do as instructed and stare into the skies.

You’re met with the same visage of a sky filled with a beautiful array of stars, all twinkling and shining above the blood-red sea, they once again enchant you as you stare up at them.

“What the stars in the sky? Wait...was the sky here...always like this?” you ask.

“No, it was not. This is a recent addition to this world.” She answers as she stares up at the sky as well.

“Recent addition? More renovations by you and Genesis?” you ask.

“Wrong, this was actually made by none other than yourself.” She corrects.

https://youtu.be/3cCR6MBAaB8

“By...me? I made this?” you question.

“Yes, this is a starry sky that was constructed using your memories, doesn’t this sky look familiar?” she asks.

“Familiar...wait, this is...that sky...the one I saw that night…From Xander’s mansion.” You remember.

“Yes that fateful night where you encountered Xander and Fernand together and were shot through that window. This starry night sky was the last thing you saw before you hit the ground was it not?” She asks.

“I don’t remember much from that freaky-ass night...There was so much chaos and crazy shit...but this sky, it was the only thing that really stuck...for some reason, not sure why, never been interested in astronomy in my life.” You answer.

“Maybe you remember it so vividly precisely because there was so much chaos and confusion? As is it not true that no matter how chaotic the world becomes, the stars still shine so beautifully in the sky?” She proposes.

“Maybe...no idea, sounds like some arm-chair philosophy if you ask me.” you counter.

She giggles, “Perhaps.”

“So why are you showing me this starry sky exactly? What’s the point of this?” You ask.

“Looking upon this starry sky brings back memories does it not? Memories of a night, very important to you.” She answers.

“Yes...what of it?” you ask.

“Well there are certain blindspots in your memory aren’t there? Such as how you even reached the mansion? Or how you escaped the pit of despair, right?” She asks.

Your eyes narrow in pain as you remember, “Yeah...I’ve always wondered how I escaped that absolute hell, I was sure I was going to die down there...but…”

“But...what?” She asks.

“But...I didn’t and I don’t know how…” You answer.

She shakes her head, “No, no, you know how, you simply don’t remember. That is the main point of this exercise my dear, for you to remember” She answers.

“Remember? Remember what?” you ask.

She smiles, “Everything. But before you can recall all of that, first, we should start by restoring the memories behind this starry night sky, yes?”

“Huh?” You say as Lucy kneels down and touches your forehead with her hand.

They have the softness of a young woman yet the coldness of a corpse you note as she speaks.

“Please brace yourself, I’m about to restore the memories you’re missing from that night, it will hit you all at once and it will be a bit intense.” she warns.

“Intense? What do you-GAH!” You’re not even allowed to question what she means before she begins.

All at once, a wave of memories hit you. Memories of lying in a pit filled with your dead friends, memories of said friends rising from the dead and cursing you for failing them, then of a woman descending to rescue you from the darkness and you rejecting her.

After that, she forces her spirit inside of you and you escape by using the bodies of your dead friends to climb to freedom and then you’re hit by memories of rushing to the mansion and avenging said friends by slaughtering everyone inside.

It’s all very intense, by the time Lucy takes her hand off your forehead, you’re left gasping for breath.

“Hah...hah...so the woman who possessed me that night...was you...Lucy…” you realize as you look at her.

She gives you a small smile, “Yes...I was quite hurt when you said you’d rather die than take me into your soul, but I can understand your caution, I came in a time when you were already beaten and down-trodden by the world.”

“....” You don’t quite know what to say, you’re in part terrified of what she made you do but in part thankful she saved your life and avenged your friends.

What will you say?

>Thank you, I needed your help.

>....

>>4567894
>Thank you, I needed your help.

>>4567894
>>Thank you, I needed your help.

>>4567898
>>4567910

>You have my thanks.

>Continuing.

After a moment of silence you speak, “I said all that in the heat of the moment, I didn’t mean it like that...I’m grateful you helped me, I’d be dead if you didn’t.”

Her face is surprised for a moment before turning back to a smile, “I’m just happy to know you’re alive and here now.”

You sigh, “Now that you’ve been made to remember this, there are a number of other memories that must be returned, however those will take more time and significantly more effort.” She explains.

“Number of other memories? I have other things I’m not remembering?” You ask.

“Many things you are not remembering, but thanks the circumstances and my lack of power, I can do nothing to alleviate that fact...yet.” She answers.

“Once again...I barely know what the hell you’re saying.” You state.

She giggles, “All in due time, all in due time...now, shall we get to the other reason I’ve brought you here?” She asks.

“Other reason?” You question.

“Yes, you see, this Sea of blood as you called it, is actually the Sea of the unconscious.” She begins.

“You said that earlier, but what does that even mean? What’s a sea of the unconscious?” You ask.

She puts a finger up, “Not a, the Sea of the unconscious, this place is one of a kind, there is no other like it in all the universe.”

“Okay...what is it then?” you question.

“Put in simple terms, you can say this sea is a physical manifestation of the subconscious minds of all humanity, it is the place where all repressed thoughts, forgotten dreams and lost memories end up, floating in this sea.” She explains.

You give her an exasperated look, “You said in simple terms but that still sounded complex as hell, what am I doing in this weird sea?” you ask.

“All of humanity's repressed thoughts and lost memories reside within this sea...including yours.” She answers.

“My repressed thoughts and memories? But I thought you just said you can’t show me my hidden memories right now.” You state.

“Right, I cannot find your lost memories right now, the sea is vast and the sum total of its machinations are lost even on me, so I will have to scour it more to find those.” She agrees.

She then puts up a finger, “However, while memories are more complex and scattered across time, repressed desires are constant and always turn up in the same spot, the recesses of the mind.”

She then kneels down once more and places that same finger on your lips, “So if I submerge you deep enough, we can find the desires you hide deep in your heart at the bottom.”

“Desires hidden deep in my heart…? Are you saying there are parts of myself that I don’t even know about? Sounds like some pseudo-psychological bullshit.” you point.

She cracks a smile, “It’s no pseudo-psychology, while it varies from person to person, there are parts of themselves that every person doesn’t fully understand, parts they have yet to discover, parts they keep locked away...”

You stare into her smiling face as she speaks, a strange nervousness taking you, “W-What’s that even supposed to mean?”

“The human heart is much like a labyrinth, hidden within it are all your thoughts, feelings and desires and it’s up to the owner of that heart to explore that labyrinth and find what lies inside.” She answers.

You give her a confused look, “Okay...and how big would you say the labyrinth in me is?”

Her smile grows even wider, “Oh dear...Your labyrinth is deeper, wider and more vast than any other in this world! It’s depths are so very deep I doubt you’ll ever truly understand it.”

Your eyes narrow as you listen, “And just how would you know that? Hell, how much do you know about me that I don’t?”

“Yet another hard to answer question, the only way I can answer that is to say that I only know as much about you as I’ve seen of you.” She answers.

“And how much is that?” you ask.

She giggles, “Much more than you think and less than I would like, I am privy to all the knowledge you hold and I see all the sights you see, so I know just about everything.”

Your mouth curves into a frown, “Just about everything, huh? If you know that much, why are you even bothering with this?”

She brings her smiling face even closer to yours, until you can feel her cold breath against your skin.

“Because just about everything simply isn’t enough, I want to- nay- need to know everything about you!”

You look away from her smiling face and back up towards the starry sky behind her, “Which is why you want to help me explore this labyrinth I’m guessing?”

She nods, “Precisely so, I’m glad to see you’re coming to understand what I’m saying.”

“Mind if I ask why you even care?” you ask.

She puts a thoughtful finger to her chin, “I have a number of reasons I believe this must be done, but personally...I think it’s just that I’m curious.”

Now it’s your turn to laugh, “You’re going to invade my privacy and peep into my head just to satisfy some curiosity? The hell is wrong with you?”

She cranes her head at you, slightly confused, “Is it so odd for a woman to want to learn more about the man she loves?”

You look upon her in horror, “Jesus, I called you a crazy stalker earlier as joke but I think you might be the real fucking deal…”

She nods, “Maybe so...Maybe I’ve been driven mad by love…”

“Not a maybe if you ask me…” you quip.

“But tell me, do you not feel curious yourself? You don’t want to learn more about yourself?” she asks.

“If I said no...Would let me go without having to deal with this bullshit?” you ask.

“Unfortunately not, as I said, it’s very important that you learn of who you truly are, far too important for me to allow the choice to stay ignorant.” She answers.

“Then the hell are you even asking whether or I care not?” you ask.

“Well I’m curious about your feelings. Come on, do this lady a favour~ A penny for your thoughts?” She answers.

“Except I’m not even getting a goddamn penny for answering...Hmmm…” You trail off as you think.

What will you say?

>You’re right, I am curious who I really am.

>You’re wrong, there are some things you’re better of not learning.

>Why should I answer you? Fuck your curiosity.

>>4567952
>You’re right, I am curious who I really am.

>>4567955

>You know what...you're right.

>Continuing.

>>4567952
>>You’re right, I am curious who I really am.

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You laugh, more at yourself than her, "You know what, as funny as it sounds, you're right, I am curious about myself."

She smiles at that, "Don't worry, you don't sound funny in the least, it's only natural when one sees a mystery that they would seek to solve it. That's just human nature isn't it?"

You scoff, "I don't know about human nature but I can certainly say that's my nature, if there's something hidden from me, I want to find it, if there's useful information out there, I want to know it."

"And if that information comes from the outside or from yourself, it doesn't matter right? So long as you know something new after having received it, right?" She adds.

"That's right, how'd you know?" you ask.

She giggles, "As I said, I know just everything about you. But even if I didn't, I could still tell that's what you'd say, because that's what I'd say."

You sigh, “Well besides all that, exactly how am I even going to dive in this literal bloody mess? Swimming to the bottom isn’t an option. I don’t have any gear, the pressure would get me before the lack of air does.”

She then presses her finger down, pushing your body into the depths, “Don’t worry, the sea’s waters don’t function like water in the real world does, you will not drown or be crushed under its pressure no matter how deep you go.”

“Oh really? Then this shouldn’t be anything bad, you had me worried for a minute-”

“However, it can drive you insane if you stay submerged too long, so it’s not perfectly safe.” She adds.

“Wait- what-!?” You don’t even have time to level a protest before your head and the rest of your body with it is pushed below the surface and you sink below the surface.

The whole world goes dark red, you feel the bloody depths of the sea invading your eyes, however while the feeling is heavy, it’s not painful or blinding like real water and despite how murky the waters looked from above, the view is clear and bright as you sink down.

And as you submerge into the water, you see Lucy dive in after you, floating down towards you gently, softly, her arms outstretched and a calm smile on her face as she descends towards you.

“Fret not, I shall guide you on your way to the bottom, I would never allow your mind to be consumed by the depths, so please stay relaxed as you journey through the sea.” She assures, her voice taking an angelic gentleness to it.

You look upon the gentle smile and white eyes of the black-clad woman as she draws near your sinking form, her arms slowly wrapping around your body.

However, despite the undeniably beauty of her form as it clings to you, you feel no happiness or appreciation from her cold dead touch.

But at the same time you feel no repulsion or hatred, you almost feel nothing in fact, almost as if this situation is totally normal to you.

This lack of feeling is likely why you don’t push her away as she embraces you, but neither do you return her touch.

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“Is this supposed to make me feel safe or something…? Seriously, Lucy, who the hell- no- what the hell are you?” you ask of her as she hugs you close as you both sink down.

She rubs her head against your chest as you speak, “What am I…? I myself am not truly sure anymore, I’ve long forgotten who I am...what I am...what I’m supposed to be doing…”

Her head turns up to meet your eyes, “The only things I truly know anything about anymore are things about you and what I am to you”

The gentleness of her embrace and the calmness of her voice weighs down on your mind, suddenly, your eyelids become very heavy.

“Oh yeah…? Then what are you to me…? What are you trying to do to me?” you ask as your mind begins to waiver.

Her head rises from your chest as she locks her clear, beautiful eyes with yours, “To you...I am your most ardent supporter...I am your closet aide...I am your most passionate lover and above all else…”

Before another word escapes from her mouth, her eyes are consumed whole by the black pupils at their center, they swell and engulf any and all light her eyes held, as she stares into your eyes with a pervasive, all-consuming darkness from which there is no escape.

“I am...Your guardian angel.” She declares behind eyes of pure darkness.

“Oh...is that right?” You say as you smirk back at her, totally undisturbed by the sudden horrifying change as your consciousness recedes and disappears much like a wave hitting the beach.

You wonder in your fading moments why you didn’t panic staring into those eyes, but then you realize for as strange and otherworldly as they seem, when you stare into the never-ending darkness that is Lucy, what you see isn’t an abyss from which there is no escape.

But rather, a never-ending love, as vast and deep as the ocean, from which no man could ever want to escape.

Intro: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vu2JU61FRovX5r3SavSiftP-V7FlJzXl/view

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“Time to wake up~” The moment after your consciousness fades away, you hear Lucy’s voice once again.

“Mmmm...screw off, let me sleep in a little damn it…” You say as you toss and turn, leaning away from her voice and covering your ear to try and sleep once more.

“You grow relaxed too easily...that makes you susceptible to sneak attacks you know.” Lucy laughs as she pinches your cheek and pulls hard.

“OUCH! What the hell!?” You shout as you awake with the first thing you see being Lucy’s smiling face as she lies on top of you.

“Come now, surely you didn’t plan on sleeping through the trip did you? Why not take in the sights? There is much to see within the depths of the sea.” She implores as she lifts herself off of you, allowing you to sit up.

“Sights? What...sights…?”And as you sit up, you realize you aren’t floating around in water anymore, but sitting on a concrete floor.

https://youtu.be/2Dmhiz09n-0

Taking a better look around you notice buildings around you, some tall and some stout and in the distance you hear the chatter of people alongside the beeping of cars.

“Is this...a city?” You say as you stand up and walk to the roof’s edge, you look down to see droves of people walking up and down the street, traffic piling up between the crowds looking from above makes everything squish together much like an urban sandwich.

“Yes and no. This is a city, but not a real one.” Lucy answers as she walks up next to you.

“Exactly what does that mean? How is this not a real city?” you ask.

“It means exactly what it sounds like, this place you see before you doesn’t exist in reality, it’s a fabrication created by the collective unconscious of mankind, a reflection of how the majority of people see the world” She explains.

You give her a confused look, “Okay, I know you love talking in super intellectual and mysterious metaphors or whatever, but if you want me to get it, you’re going to have to dumb things down for me, big-time.”

She laughs, “Apologies, being more simple, you can think of this place as a...town square of minds, does that make it a bit easier to understand?”

You give her an annoyed stare, “Didn’t I just say can it with the weird metaphors?”

She sighs, “I see I really have to dumb things down for you...Let me think for a moment, what’s the best way to explain supernatural metaphysis to a neophyte...”

You glare at her, “Hey, just asking for future reference, I’m free to smack you right? You won’t vaporize me if I touch you right?”

She laughs, “You’re free to hit me if you wish, I won’t fight back, but could you really sleep peacefully at night knowing you harmed a face this beautiful?”

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“Damn you’re full of yourself…” You comment.

“You say that but you would never deny my beauty I see.” She counters.

You blush for a moment, “Can we get back on topic? What the hell is this place?”

“If I had to define it in the simplest possible terms, this is a gathering place where all people and their memories meet and intersect.” She explains.

You give her a little nod, “So it’s like...some kind of memory crossroads? A Meeting point where everyone’s subconscious minds end up?”

She nods back, “That’s a good way of putting it, yes, this a crossroads, a meeting place! In-fact, I will now dub this place with the title Meeting of Memories!”

>Location: The sea of the unconscious, Meeting of Memories.

>Time: ???

You give her an odd look, “Really? That’s the best name you could come up with on the spot?”

“What? It’s a fine name, it’s clever, it rhymes, it accurately describes the location, what’s wrong with it?” She asks.

You shake your head, “Nothing, nothing...So why are we here at this Meeting of Memories?”

She gives you an annoyed look, “Why does it sound strangely embarrassing when you say it back to me like that…? You know what, nevermind! Don’t answer that!”

She sighs before speaking, “This place is a very important one within the sea, it serves many purposes, but primarily it acts like a sorting area for all the memories it’s collected.”

“A sorting area? So you’re saying everyone’s memories are stored and sorted all in this city?” You question.

“Indeed, you can see this place as a giant library, where the entire history of humanity is stored within. It holds the memories of people both past and present.” She answers.

Your eyes go a little wide, “The entire history of humanity? Really? Goddamn, this place must be vast...”

“Vast is a serious understatement. Why do you think finding your memories among the limitless other ones has been so difficult for me?” She points out.

“Well you got a point there, finding one guy’s memories among the collective memory of all mankind is like…” You try and think of a good analogy.

“Trying to pick out a single particle of salt from all the world’s seas?” She states.

“Yeah, basically impossible.” You nod.

She smiles at that, “Impossible? For me? Surely not, you clearly underestimate me dear if you think a near infinite pool of memories will stop me from obtaining what I wish.”

“Besides…” She then looks to you with a slight blush on her face, “If it’s for you my dear, I will do even the impossible, that is how deeply I treasure you.”

“Ah...is that right?” Is all you can say before you turn away to hide the red growing on your face.

She giggles, “So I say but it will still take a considerable amount of time, doing the impossible is far from easy after all! I can’t even say I’ll be fast enough for my efforts to really matter, so don’t get your hopes up too high!”

You give her an angry glance, “Are you kidding me, so you aren’t even certain yourself! You just said all that stuff to screw with me didn’t you?”

She laughs, “Can you blame me, all your reactions are so very cute and interesting! I can’t help myself!”

What will you say?

>So how are we going to get to the bottom of the sea?

>Is making fun of me all that fun?

>>4568000
>>Is making fun of me all that fun?

>>4568000
>Is making fun of me all that fun?

>>4568005
>>4568031

>Is this how you get your kicks?

>Continuing.

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You sigh, “Is it that fun teasing me?”

“Yes, it very much is. Not only is it fun, but it’s enlightening as well. I learn something new about you every time I bully you!” she answers.

“You can’t be serious…” You comment.

“Oh I am! For example, this little interaction tells me that when it comes to romance, you’re all attack and no defense.” She explains.

You give her a curious look, “All attack and no defense? What’s that supposed to-”

Before you even have a chance to finish, Lucy rushes up and clings herself unto, pulling your head down so your face is a mere few inches from hers.

“It means that while you’re good at pushing a woman’s buttons, you’re just as easy to play with~” She whispers softly into your ear.

“Huh!? Uh! I! Wait! You’re so close!!” You cry out as she presses her soft, feminine and (You just learned) very well-endowed body against you.

“What? Does having me so close annoy you? Does it frustrate you?” She brings her beautiful face and soft pink lips even closer to your own, close enough that you can feel her breath on your lips.

“A-Annoy is the wrong word, it’s more like you’re making me u-uncomfortable…” You want to pull away, but your body won’t let you, not when it’s enjoying the pleasant feeling of her soft body.

She cranes her head and looks right into your eyes, “Uncomfortable? What part of me is making you uncomfortable, are you saying my body is not your liking?” She says as she presses herself against you even harder.

Your consciousness starts to melt from the softness being pushed onto you, “No you’re body is...fine...very fine…” You say losing yourself for a moment before shaking your head.

“But that’s not the problem! When you press up against me like that, you’re doing things to me that are really screwing with my head!” Coming to your senses you pull away.

“Doing things to you? what things? What is my body doing to yours exactly?” She asks before wrapping her hands around your waist and pulling you even closer than before.

You nearly yelp as your bodies meet once more, the cascading pleasure of her touch now hitting you from head to toe.

“Wait-Way too close-!!” You say in a voice that verges on a scream.

“I’ll let you go when you tell me what it is my body does to you when I get this close~” She questions.

You inhale sharply as you whisper, “You know damn well what this is doing to me…!”

She shakes her head, “Oh no, I don’t and it seems you have no intentions of being honest with me…” she says, her voice taking on an angry but sensual tone.

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“Undisciplined boys like you who refuse to be honest need to be taught a lesson if you ask me…” She says as she runs the hands at your waist softly up your back, stopping once they reach the back of your head.

They then gently angle your head perfectly in line with her lips, “A lesson...you say…?” you ask.

“Yes...These lying lips need to be punished…” She slowly inches closer and closer.

“Oh...Lord…” You say as you close your eyes and accept your fate, puckering your lips, you ready yourself for her.

You wait...and you wait...and you wait some more…

(Uh...what?) Then you wait so long you begin to wonder what the hell is taking so long and so you open one of your eyes and notice that Lucy actually separated from you.

“Hmhm...Hmhmhmhm…” She giggles as she stares at your puckered, reddened face.

(Ah...I got played didn’t I?) Your excitement dies all at once and is quickly replaced with an overwhelming feeling of shame, regret and a small desire to end your own life.

“Boys like you need to be taught a lesson...in knowing that a good woman would never give her body up so easily.” She finishes.

You cough into your hand and use that same hand to cover your red as a tomato face, “Consider that lesson learned teach...thanks a lot.”

She smiles, “You’re more than welcome! In-fact I should be thanking you, without a doubt you must be the most fun man to tease I’ve ever seen!”

You give her an angry pout, “Is this how you get your rocks off? Blue-balling young, vulnerable men like me?”

She giggles, “Oh yes, there is no greater delight in this world! However, I think it best you get your own rocks in order before you talk of mine.”

“My own rocks in order…?” you question.

She points to your crotch, “I can see that you know. Very clearly.”

“Ah…” Following her finger, you look down to see your excitement was both mental and physical as Derrick junior has come out to play, full-grown and standing at attention.

She smiles, “I’m happy you feel that way towards me, but if you display your affection so openly like that, girls will call you overbearing...and lustful.”

“Oh Christ...I’m never going to live this down…” You say as you crouch down and cover your son as best you can.

“Why do you hide it? A member as large and powerful as yours isn’t one you find just anywhere, you should be proud! Once you get yourself a lover, she’ll barely be able to keep herself off you!” She compliments.

“Shut up! Just shut up! You’re not an angel! You’re a goddamn succubus!” You counter.

She gives you a curious look, “Succubus...not a title I appreciate, but if it means pleasing you, I will become the most irresistible of mares.” She says with a small sway of the hip.

“More like the most cruel of blueballers...I swear, if her annoying, cryptic riddles don’t kill me first, her cockteases will…” You say as you try your best to calm down.

>A few shameful minutes later…

“Now then, as I’ve had my fun, shall we get back on topic?” Lucy asks.

“Yes! I don’t care what the topic is, as long as it has nothing to do with my boner!” You demand.

“A hard deal to make...but fine, for the sake of productive discussion I will henceforward leave the topic of your erection untouched...as frustrating as that must be for you.” She laughs.

“Errr….!” You growl in frustration, both mental and sexual.

You sigh, “Well all that aside, how exactly are we going to navigate this sea of memories? Do you even have a plan for this?”

She giggles and shakes her finger at you, “Such doubt dear, I’ll have you know I always have a plan, I have many plans, so many in-fact I can barely keep up with all the plans I make.”

You give her a wry look, “I dunno if that was supposed to inspire confidence in me, cause it just made me doubt you even harder...”

She sighs, “Well apologies but you’ll simply have to trust me on this matter, just follow my instructions and we will be done with this little exercise before you know it.”

“Not like I have a choice...okay, so what are your instructions oh Mighty Goddess of Wisdom?” You quip.

She smiles, “Oh what did you just call me? I liked that, call me that again please.”

You feel a pang of rage, “Oh Mighty Goddess of Wisdom and smugness, can you please for the love of all that is good just give me a straight answer already!?”

She giggles, “Fine, fine, before we reach the bottom, there are a few memories we must visit beforehand.”

“We’re starting off with a detour? Boy what a good guide you are…” You comment.

“I ask that you keep your snide comments to yourself dear, this may sound like a detour to you but after you’ve seen what I have to show you, you will surely eat those words.” She counters.

You give her a curious look, “Okay...so where are we going? Which memory are we visiting?”

She giggles and puts two hands forward as if asking for a handshake, “Since you asked so nicely, I will do you the kindness of letting you choose which will be our first destination.”

You give her hands an odd look, “Which will be our first…?”

She presents you her right hand, “In my right hand I hold a memory of joy and celebration, but one laced with secrets and backdoor deals.”

She presents you her left hand, “In my left hand I hold a memory of despair and prosecution, but one rebuffed by love and redemption.”

You gape at her a little, “...The hell does any of what you said even mean? Are you going to tell me whose memories these are?”

She gleams you an evil grin, “And ruin the fun of the surprise? Certainly not~ All i’ll say is that they are the memories of two people you consider close friends.”

“My god, I’m starting to think that you will literally die if you don’t make everything a goddamn riddle.” You complain.

“Maybe I really will? Who knows? Now which hand will you take?” She questions.

Which memory will you see first?

>Memories of happiness and secrets.

>Memories and despair and love.

>>4568062
>>Memories and despair and love.

>>4568062
>>Memories and despair and love.

>>4568078
>>4568100

>Time to embark on a journey of sadness and love...

>Continuing.

>>4567761
>“A large monster came-”
>CHOMP!
is that a muv luv reference? If so nice

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“Might as well get the sad one out of the way, let’s go with despair and love.” You reason as you take her right hand.

“Out of the way? I believe both choices to be quite sad if you ask me.” Lucy says as the black flame envelopes her hand.

“That’s because you only ever show me depressing shit it seems…” You counter as you grab her hand.

She cracks a small smile as a dark, sinister glow emits from her hand, looking almost like a black fire that engulfs her hand and yours.

“Ah…!” At first you recoil a little as your hand is lit aflame, but the fire does not burn you, instead it wraps you in a gentle and warm heat that flows through your whole body, relaxing you.

Soon Lucy closes her eyes and before you realize it, you follow in her league, letting the gray world around you fade to black.

After that you feel as if you’ve fallen asleep even though you’re wide awake and fully aware, time begins to pass at an accelerated rate, it feels as if entire months, perhaps even years are passing in a matter of minutes.

SNAP

“You can open your eyes now.” And before you know it, your journey across time comes to an end as Lucy snaps her fingers and your eyes open in beat to the sound.

And once you do, you find yourself in a location even stranger than the last, all around, fancily robed men and women, some clad in gold and silver jewelry, others wearing strange crests with ancient writings inscribed on them on necklaces or earrings surround you.

Taking a further look around, you notice you’ve been penned in with all these men and women by a large wooden fence.

Above you a roof covered in chandeliers and fantastical artwork and along the walls above, stands even more of these fancily dressed people who look down at some proceedings going on beyond the crowd.

“What? What? Where is this? Who are these people?” you ask as you turn this and that, trying to get your bearings, the size of the crowd around you overwhelming you.

“Stop twisting and turning, you look like a lost child.” Lucy’s voice comes to you along with her hand that reaches out and grabs you from deeper within the crowd, pulling you towards her.

“Whoa! Hey!” You protest as she drags you to the front of the crowd, right up against the waist height wooden fence you noticed earlier.

“Wait...what!?” And now you realize the building you reside in for what it really is.

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https://youtu.be/6avmpoDwCiQ

Ahead of you lies a series of large court stands, 3 of 3 varying towering heights, a witness stand at the shortest where you can see a white-haired woman grieving and balling, a record-keepers stand setting the average where a very busy looking man keeps tabs of the proceedings.

And at the very top, standing at the highest height where one can look down upon all in the hall, with a window that shines the sun’s glorious rays upon their back, you see a woman you can only assume to be the judge of this court.

A woman with her hair so fiery crimson it looks more like a stream of flowing blood than locks upon her head.

Her dress, so regal and incandescent it leaves even the most beautifully dressed woman in the room in shame.

She cools her royal visage with a finely crafted fan and confident smile on her face.

“W-Who’s that? This is some kind of court? Hey Lucy, some explanation would be nice!” You ask of her.

“Cease your gaping my dear, look there, there lies the reason for us exploring this memory.” Lucy points away from the court stands and towards the court floor.

There you can see a long table, several documents upon said table and a single man behind it, chained by his hands and feet, he looks down upon the documents before him with a look of apprehension and horror.

You recognize said man as none other than Noell Cromwell.

“Noell!? Wait, so this must be Brenho then right!? What is this, what’s going on!?” you ask.

Lucy puts a finger to her lips, “Quiet, watch and all will be revealed.”

“Will the accused please recite to the court the content of the papers before him?” Said the regal woman from on high, her voice all-reaching and powerful, yet quiet enough to sound like a seductive whisper.

“...” Noell says nothing, though he surely heard, he cannot bring himself to speak.

“What is it? Could it be that the accused finds reciting the contents of their own crimes too disturbing to do aloud?” The lady questions.

“I...I will read them…” Noell says, his voice quivering and quiet.

“Then do not delay, this court does not have time to waste on letting a murderer regret their actions.” The lady states.

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Noell bites his lips before speaking, “Report from...Robert Blanchard, captain of the Blackguard knights in regards to actions taken in response to the protests happening across the occupied territories of gleetjeet-”

“Please do not linger on the fine details, we of the court know the contents of the report, so you needn’t recite them to us.” The lady cuts him off.

“Then-Then why are you making me read these-!”

“Because.” A single word cut his protest to silence.

“Because this court wants you to recite the part of the report that speaks on your actions and why those actions have brought you before this stand, so do not delay, speak of your guilt.” The lady demands.

“...As you...wish…” Noell nods weakly.

(Who is this woman? I don’t even know what her position is here and I can tell her authority is incredible…) you admire as you watch the proceedings.

Noell begins reading once more, “-Regarding the actions of one officer Noell...He was assigned to quell the public unrest in the recently occupied town of Vanderheim...On one afternoon of-”

“Speak. Concisely.” The lady hurries.

Noell bites his lip even harder, “In reaction to a previously peaceful protest that was turning violent...Officer Noell took it upon himself, going against the orders of his superior officer to meet the protesters not with the minimum necessary force to bring back order...but...instead…”

“Instead?” The lady insists.

“Instead...he made a direct order to the men under his command to meet the protesters with...lethal force.” He answers.

These words garner gasps and chatter from the men and women from the stands.

“Heavens above, he met the citizenry with brutality and deadly force, what sort of cruel, monster-”

“But wait! it was stated that the protesters had turned violent! Perhaps the situation was one that could only be handled by use of such force-”

“Even so! For knights sworn to protect the people to use the weapons given to them to kill said people can be nothing short of unforgivable-”

You hear this mass chatter and shouting, but you do not truly listen, you’re too lost in the words that left Noell’s mouth.

“He...what?” Is all you can muster to say as you listen.

“Hehe…” Lucy giggles as she sees your reaction.

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“Quiet.” A single word and a raise of a hand from the lady and the whole court goes silent and all eyes are on her.

“I’m sure many in this court hear what the accused has just said and recoil in horror. I cannot blame you, I did as well when I received the report.” She states.

“But let it be known that what you’ve heard is not even the truest depths of the accused crimes, please allow him to continue his confession.” She requests, but it sounds far more like an order.

“...” The look of stress and panic on Noell’s face makes it seem like he’s ready to collapse on the spot.

“If the accused would please continue his confession.” The lady orders.

The order brings Noell’s back to reality, “O-Of course…”

He looks down at the documents again and speaks, “After the order was given out, he and his squad of 12 men...proceeded to murder in mass a total of 36 of the protesters, including publicly executing the leaders of the protest movement by hanging all 3 of them...”

“...” For a moment the whole court, including yourself, are left speechless.

“Savage...a fucking savage…” That is until one lady broke the silence with her words uttered in rage and horror.

“Monster...the prince of this country is a monster…” Another joins her.

“Soulless, godless man…” And another.

“Heartless and beyond redemption…” And another.

“No man of character could do such things, hell, no human with a conscience could do such things…” Another.

“Sod...Cretin...He reeks of the Cadavers he’s left in his wake…” Another.

“His hands are soaked in the blood of the innocent, The scent of Cadavers...A Cadaver Prince…” And another.

“Cadaver Prince...Cadaver Prince...Cadaver Prince…” Like a chant, the court in near perfect unison condemned the Cadaver prince.

And as horrible as it is, you cannot fault them, not after what you’ve just heard, “N-Noell...you...how could you…?”

“Truly an excellent question, how could he do such a thing? Without the proper context, all heinous crimes are truly without redemption yes?” Lucy asserts.

“What? What’s That supposed to-”

“Quiet.” The lady orders, quieting all the courts mouths at once as if they were her own.

She then stands, walking up to the edge of her podium and speaks, “Yes my court, we have gathered here today to hear of the accused’s truly godless actions. His most heinous crimes.”

She holds out a hand and gestures it to the stand below her, “Look, for we have brought forth a witness to the crime in question, a woeful, heartbroken mother. One of many leftover after this horrid slaughter.”

Following her hand you see the grieving woman from before, her face buried in a tissue that can barely work to absorb the tears and snot she’s poured unto it.

The lady brings her hands together in compassion, “Dearest Mother, would you not raise and speak to the court the words you most want to say?”

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At her order, the woman brings up her tear-covered face, her eyes red from days of crying and dark from a number of sleepless nights.

She speaks in a choked, strained voice, “T-That man, he, he, he-! He’s the one who killed my child! That man! He took him away from me!!” She screams.

The lady nods, “Indeed he did and now what would the mother like to say to the man who took away her son?”

The mother’s face retreats back into her tissue, “I-I have not much to say...I just wish to ask a single question…”

“...” Noell nods.

“Why…?” She whispers out.

“Why?” Noell whispers back.

“Why...Why...Why…! WHY DID YOU KILL HIM!?” All the choking pain in her voice is replaced by uncontrollable rage as she vice-grips the tissue in her hand, tearing it apart, revealing the hate-filled eyes underneath.

“HE WAS BUT A BOY OF 19 YEARS! HOW COULD YOU!? WHAT DID HE DO TO DESERVE SUCH A THING!? WHO GAVE YOU THE GODDAMNED RIGHT!?” She shouts in unending rage.

“...” Noell looks at her rage filled face in quiet terror and pain.

“WELL!? ANSWER ME! WHY! WHY! WHY! WHY DID YOU DO IT!?” she asks.

“Why…?” Noell repeats.

“Yes oh accused.” The lady confirms.

“Why did you do such a thing indeed?” She asks.

“Why…? Why...Why…” Noell repeats over and over as he lowers his head to the floor.

“Give us an answer oh accused.” She demands.

“Why...I did what I did...because…” He trails off.

“Because?” The lady’s piercing stare can be felt even from the highest heights.

“Because...Oh...You would never understand.” Noell answers.

This causes the lady’s eyes to open wide, “Excuse me?”

“None of you...would understand...even if I told you...not a single one of you would understand…” He answers.

The lady piercing stare turns to a glare, “Surely you know that not till you try, please, attempt to explain, if not for us of the court, but at least explain it so this grieving woman may understand.”

“....” Noell looks the woman rife with grief.

“Would you say she cannot understand? Oh accused?” The lady asks.

“...” Noell says nothing.

“Oh prince, royal prince, please explain to me...please explain why...why did my boy...the most precious thing in my life...why did he have to die…?” She asks of him tears of pure despair in her eyes.

Noell can’t bear to look her into her eyes, “I cannot…”

“Why...Why can you not!?” The mother demands.

“Because you wouldn’t understand…” He answers.

“Understand what!? What must I learn to understand why my boy had to die a death most cruel!? Cut down like an animal!?” She demands.

“You cannot learn, for it is a pain only I would know...It is a reason only I would understand, so I cannot tell you for there’s no way for you to understand…” He explains.

The lady glares down at Noell, “You would dare walk into this court, a murderer most loathed, look into the eyes of the mother of one of your victims and speak of your pain and your suffering, oh accused?”

“...” Noell doesn’t dare answer.

“Why Prince? Why did you do it...Whyyy...Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy…” The mother moans and groans as she falls into yet another fit of tears.

“If it is to be any constellation...I am truly sorry…really I am...” Noell apologizes.

“Sorry….?” The mother mutters.

She balls up her tear stained tissue and throws it at his face.

“IF YOU’RE FUCKING SORRY THEN YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE KILLED HIM! HOW DARE YOU! HOW DARE YOU SPEAK TO ME LIKE THAT!” She screams as she grabs any nearby object from her podium, launching pens, pencils, paper, small wooden trinkets, anything she can get her hands on.

The pens and pencils bounce off Noell’s head doing minimal damage, but the wooden trinkets prove harder and tougher than they look and crack at Noell’s temple, flooring him opening a small wound in his head.

“Someone grab her! She’s become hysterical!” One of the Bailiffs shouts.

And soon enough two guards grab her arms and drag her from the podium, shouting and screaming all the way.

“How could you!? How could you!! I’ll never forgive you! I will curse your name till the day I die! You’re a monster! A MONSTER-!” The mother shouts as she’s dragged away.

“...” Noell quietly lays on the ground, not looking very different from a corpse in his state, but the raising of his belly tells you he hasn’t passed away just yet.

“Rise, oh accused.” The lady orders.

“....” And so does Noell rise to his feet, truly looking like a Cadaver proper.

She then holds her hands out to all in the room, “As you all can see, the accused guilt is undeniable! His crimes, heinous! And so, is it not fair that his punishment too be undeniable!? Should it not be heinous!?”

“Yes! Punish the bastard! Make him suffer!”

“Curse the blood-soaked fiend! You can smell the rotting flesh off his hands! Punish him!”

“Hang him like he did those men! Put him to death!!”

The crowds will, their desire for justice is as one and it cannot be quelled.

Or so it would seem, that is until the lady puts up both hands, quieting them once more.

“I wish to make your wishes come true, I wish I could give to the accused the most grave of punishments for his crimes.” She states.

“But as he is Prince of this land, inheritor of the grandest throne in all of Ochima, I cannot put him to death, not in a time such as this.” She explains.

The crowd goes into an uproar, “That is unacceptable, did you not hear what he’s done!? He must be punished!”

“Just let me out of these damned stands, I’ll put the little bastard to death myself!!” The crowd roars in righteous rage.

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“Silence.” The lady firmly declares.

“....” And so too does silence come.

“As he is prince, I cannot give unto him the most grave of punishments...but I can do him worse than that.” The lady states.

“Huh…?” Noell looks up to the lady, worry and confusion on his face.

https://youtu.be/eRJnQ1iw-ys

“Noell Cromwell, in light of your crimes of mass murder, abuse of a position of power, abuse of authority in unsanctioned execution, we, the court find you guilt on all charges!” She declares.

“Your punishment will be three-fold! First! You will lose your right to inheritance!” She declares.

Noell slams his hands onto the table in-front of him, “WHAT!?”

“Quiet! Second! You will be sentenced to spend 5 years in the deepest pits of the dungeons!” She declares.

“A mere 5 years my lady!? Surely that is too light for-”

“Silence! Allow me to finish!” She demands.

“The accused has been sentenced to only 5 years, because we, the court, believe in equality in all things.” She states.

“We believe in equality of rights, equality of opportunity and we believe in equality of sin!” She declares.

“Equality of sin…?” Noell questions.

“The accused is not the only murderer that this court must judge this day! He and his section of 12 men too are guilty, so why not share the punishment far and fair!?” She asks.

“Since we cannot give the appropriate punishment to the accused, we will have his accomplices suffer it instead! Which brings me to my 3rd punishment!” She announces.

“Officer Noell, all 12 of your soldiers will be court-martialed and put to death, but not before they are tortured for their crimes and you will be made to attend the torture and execution of each and every one of them!” She declares.

Noell looks on in pure shock and terror, “No...No! NO! YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS! MY LADY! LADY GYWNERVE! MOTHER-”

“Quiet child! Be grateful that your punishment is only so light! Any other man and you would be the one being tortured and executed! you must only spend the next 5 years watching others suffer and die in your place! Many would be happy to be let off so easy!” She shouts.

“NO! YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND! NO ONE ELSE SHOULD HAVE TO DIE IN MY NAME! I BEG OF YOU RECONSIDER-” He cries out.

“I will not! This court’s decision is inalienable and final! Guards, be off with this murderous fiend!” She orders.

The guards near Noell move in and grab him by both hands and drag him towards the large double doors that lead out of the court.

“No! No! You cannot be so cruel! I beg for a retrial! Even if my punishment cannot be changed, spare my men! They didn’t know what they were getting into-!” He beseeches.

“Shut your mouth murderer!” Someone from the crowd shouts.

“Huh!?” Noell exclaims.

“You have no right to beg for mercy, not after what you’ve done!” Another shouts.

“I’m sure your victims cried out and begged much the way you do now! Pathetic worm!” Another shouts.

“No! No! Hate me all you like, but the men, they were only doing as ordered-!” Noell tries to reason.

“If you did not want them to suffer you should’ve held your tongue fiend!”

“Or better yet, you should’ve cut it from your mouth, save everyone in this court the trouble of hearing your worthless wailing and crying!”

“No! No! NO! YOU MUST UNDERSTAND-!” Noell cries out.

“Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer! Murderer!” But his cries cannot reach an audience so righteous and furious.

“By god…” So he left to do naught by cry and be dragged away to 5 years of never-ending agony as he’s sweeped out of the courtroom like a piece of trash by the guards.

Snap!

And as soon as the doors to the court close, Lucy snaps her finger, bringing the whole scene to a swift stop, time freezing everyone in place, the chanting, the shouting, the crying all comes to a sudden stop.

“So now you have witnessed despair, what do you think?” She asks.

You turn to her slowly with a look of horror on your face, “What do I...think?”

“Yes, I’m asking for your thoughts.” She questions.

“Woman...I’m not even sure what the hell I just saw! What was all that!? Was what they said Noell was guilty of- Was it- Was it true-!?” You ask.

“Yes, it happened, he murdered 36 innocent people alongside 12 men.” She confirms.

You step back, “Y-You can’t be serious-or no- It can’t be that simple! Yeah Noell’s a little cold and kinda sociopathic at times, but that’s just-”

She puts a hand up to stop you, “I know you must be having a hard time accepting what you’ve just heard, but first we must get this out of the way.”

“What you’ve heard is true, your friend’s crimes cannot be denied, whether there is some missing context isn’t what matters.” She states.

“Isn’t what matters? Are you kidding me!? I need answers! I can’t decide anything without more answers!” You demand.

“But we do not have more answers, so I can only ask you this question in relevance to what we have heard, so I will ask again.” She states.

“In light of this despair, what do you think? Do you think Noell’s punishment is justified?” She asks.

“You want me to answer now? I...I…” You trail off.

In light of Noell’s crimes, you thought…

>That the punishment was justified, regardless of why, the pain he caused cannot go without proper recourse.

>It was not justified, without understanding why, Noell and 16 men have been sentenced to their worst possible fate, this can’t be right.

>That without more context, you can’t cast judgement, you won’t declare any answer without first hearing everything.

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>>4568235
>It was not justified, without understanding why, Noell and 16 men have been sentenced to their worst possible fate, this can’t be right.
There's some obvious fuckery going behind the scenes here. At the very least I don't think Noell would suddenly just go full school-shooter without a valid reason. Maybe it was something so grand in scale that revealing it would cause more damage than good, or something so super-natural and fantastical that no one would believe him.

>>4568235
>>It was not justified, without understanding why, Noell and 16 men have been sentenced to their worst possible fate, this can’t be right.

>>4568255
>>4568284

>Where is the justice here? for I see none of it.

>Continuing...

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You grit your teeth in anger, "Justified? The hell it was! This wasn't a court trial this was a glorified public execution! Nothing was explained! No defense was made! It was nothing but people condemning and putting people to death as they damn well please!"

She nods, "Indeed you are right, this can hardly be called a court trial, however at the same time, if one openly confesses to their crimes, does it matter if it's a public execution?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" You ask with an angry stare.

"Bear in mind I only say this to play devil's advocate, but from the crowd's perspective, it doesn't matter if procedure was followed or reasons were given. They saw a murderer who took the lives of over 30 people getting righteously punished, so who cares if there's any real justice or not?" She questions.

You sneer, "That's bullshit reasoning! If all people starting thinking that it's okay to punish and hurt people so long as the majority thought it was okay then we're no better than wild animals killing and destroying as we feel! we can't think that way!"

She giggles, "Your sense of justice is so strong, I just love that about you, but unfortunately, when tensions run high and emotions run even higher, people lose rationality and become no better than animals, so even if the people in this court heard you, they would never listen."

You look to the floor in frustration, "I know...I know and that's gets on my nerves...but what really pisses me off the most is...is that I don't get it..."

"You don't get it..." She says, posed as a question, thought she clearly knows the answer.

You hold out your hands in front of you and grip them tightly in frustration, "What is this Noell? Why did you do it? I know you, you couldn't have done this without a good reason...right?"

"...." Lucy watches you quietly, knowing you're not asking the question of her, but more to yourself.

She sighs, “Well regardless of your thoughts, that about does it for what we came here to see...oh wait, there is one more thing.”

You go squeamish, “There’s more? Jesus christ, don’t tell me next you’re gonna show me all those guys getting tortured right? I can do without the unnecessary gore…”

She crosses her arms, “You must take me for a heartless sadist if you think I would show you something so graphic.”

“You seem to get off on watching me squirm so I wouldn’t put it past you…” You comment.

She scoffs, “My dear, I need not corpses to make you squirm, a mere whisper to your ear and you’re like putty in my hands.”

“That’s only true cause your lovecraftian ass could probably melt my brains out my ears by whispering in them or something.” You point out.

“Come on now, such topics distract from the conversation, stop with your tangents.” She counters.

(She didn’t even deny it…) You note.

“I promised you a memory of despair and love did I not? I have shown you despair, so now one must question, where is the love?” She asks.

You look around the room, filled with enraged, indignant people on all sides, “Well you’re right there, if there’s one thing that you can’t find in this place, it’s love.”

“Then lets us be away from this contemptible place and more somewhere a little more suiting, shall we?” Then her hand goes up above her head and with a snap of her finger, the world becomes a blur.

“Whoa! What’s happening!?” You almost jump in shock as the world becomes a torrent of movement, time and space once again sandwiching in again.

“We’re changing time and location once more, we’re jumping ahead precisely 7 years from the day of Noell’s sentencing.” She explains.

“7 years? That’s a huge jump, what year are we in anyway?” You ask.

“The year 1992, our next destination will be December of 1999.” She answers.

“December of 1999? So only a month out from the hunter Exam...” You decipher.

“Indeed, meaning only a month from the day you two have your most courteous meeting on the airship.” She adds.

“How do you kn-Oh wait, right you’ve been in my head from before, I just never realized it until recently…” You come to understand.

She chortles a laugh before looking reminiscently into the ever-changing distance, “Yes and I still have vivid memory of how you so quickly accused the man of murder after only knowing him a grand total of 5 minutes, such a paranoid man you were in those days...”

You sigh, “You know you can act cute about it all you like, but it’s super creepy to think there’s been someone living in my head all this time watching my every move.”

She crosses her arms and pouts, “Creepy? How very rude of you, I’ll have you know I’m far too busy to watch your every dull evening, I only tune in when the more important episodes are showing.”

You sneer at her, “Don’t treat my life like it’s some funny daytime Tv show or some shit...What’s your endgame here?”

“Pardon? Endgame” She cranes her head at the question.

“Don’t play dumb, you and Genesis are playing around in my skull for some greater purpose right? Some unknowable plan? Feel like sharing yet?” You inquire.

She laughs, “I could tell you what we’re planning...but there’d be no point even if I did.”

You cast a fiery look, “Are you giving me the runaround again? The hell do you mean I wouldn’t understand?”

She shakes her head, “I mean what I said, even if I spilled my guts for you, you’d never comprehend their contents...and besides…”

“And besides?” you implore.

She puts a hand to her chin and a smile on her face, “Technically, you already know my plan, or have known for a very, very long time.”

“...?” you give her a deeply confused look.

She giggles, “My word, your confused face is irresistibly cute, I have half a mind to eat you right up, looking at me like that~”

You grit your teeth in anger, “Are you seriously fucking with me right now? When the hell am I gonna get a straight answer from the two of you!?”

She walks towards you,closing the distance between you both as she speaks, “I can’t speak for that uppity piece of scum Genesis, but I can say I’ve been nothing but forward with you.”

“I’ve answered your questions, taken you on this tour of memories, shown the memories I hid from you and I’m slaving away to retrieve ones you’ve lost…” She lists.

Stopping mere inches away from you, she dawns a seductive smile and looks up into your eyes.

“If that isn’t being straight with you, I don’t know what is, believe it or not, I’m trying my best to show that I’m on your side.” She declares.

You meet her eyes with a stare of rage, “Sure as hell doesn’t feel like it, if I’m being honest, it feels less like you’re trying to get on my good side and more like you’re trying to get me on yours.”

She returns a pained look, “It hurts me to hear you feel that way, what can I do to make you trust me? What must I give you before you understand I only wish to help you?”

What do you say?

>A little honesty would go a long way to helping me trust you.

>No matter what you do I’ll never trust you, not until I know what you and Genesis really are.

>I do trust you, I just don’t trust your intentions.

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>>4568346
>I do trust you, I just don’t trust your intentions.
I gotta be honest I'm getting weird Yubel vibes from her. We aren't gonna go full Supreme King right?r-right?

>>4568346
>>I do trust you, I just don’t trust your intentions.

>>4568366
>>4568382

>You've earned my trust, not my servitude.

>Continuing...

"The thing is, I do trust you actually, so don't get it twisted, I'm not saying this because I think you're going to suddenly stab me in the back or something." You clarify.

She smiles, "You have no idea how happy that makes me, I was afraid my less-than-human nature would make you disdainful of me-"

You cut her off and hold up a finger, "I trust you, but I can't trust your intentions."

Her smile fades, "I see...well yes, I can see why you would say that, I haven't been entirely clear with you after-all."

You nod, "I know that and I don't hold it against you, clearly you've got your own circumstances to deal with."

"but that doesn't change the fact that until I know exactly what it is you and Genesis want from me, I'm going to have to question you at every turn until I do." You profess.

"Understandable, were I in your position I would do the same." She nods, clearly not happy, but not particularly angry either.

"Sorry, did I come off as hostile?" you question at her displeasure.

She shakes her head, "Oh nothing of the sort, I'm annoyed that I cannot tell you everything, my memories and the circumstances make it so we cannot truly communicate...that's what upsets me."

"Hm..." Not entirely sure what she means, you hum as you watch her.

She giggles, “Even still, Talks with you never cease to amuse me, we really must find a time to have a lengthy discussion, so that we can better understand each other.”

“Well why not right now? it’s not like you're crazy busy or something right? If it can get me any closer to the truth, I’ll talk with you all you want.” You counter.

“A very tempting offer...one I may even take you up on later, for now, I believe we’ve arrived.” She announces.

SNAP! A crack of her fingers and the bending of time and closing of space come to a halt as swift as they began and with a blinding flash of light did the new scene of the movie we call Noell’s life come to life.

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CLACK! CLACK! CRACK-!

“Huh? Uh…” The flash of light left you blinking and blind, leaving your ears to comprehend the scenario before your eyes.

Wooden clacking and cracking, The sound of wood being hammered with the sounds of quickened breath and harsh grunting.

The light clears from your eyes and in your periphery the first thing you see is a man’s back, in his hands he wields a wooden sword, clothed in black garments, swinging his sword relentlessly into the training dummy before him.

“Noell…?” you realize as you notice his familiar raven black hair now drenched in sweat.

“Hah...hah…” He pants as he stares down his target of wood and bale, striking it with swift and practiced motions of the sword.

You stand before him, mesmerized by his skill and dedication, it’s clear from looking at his swings and the faint blisters you can see on the edges of his hands that he’s been training like this hours now.

“Where are we? Some kind of training hall?” you ask.

Lucy nods, “It as you deduce, this the training hall of a certain barracks, a place where many a military man can be found honing his skill and training his sword arm.”

A quick look around the room confirms what she says, the room you presently stand in is as wide as it is open, with more than enough room to house well over 50 men training at the same time.

Laid out are all sorts of useful equipment, a rack from which one can grab a number of practice swords of all shapes and sizes, a field of soft mat where the men can fight and practice among themselves and of course, a series of training dummies lining the walls.

One of which Noell has made plentiful use of, the number of tears, cuts and bruise marks all over the dummy he continues to strike tells a story of weeks upon months of regular use and replacement.

“This place is real impressive looking, but not very packed is it…” You notice.

Besides Noell, only two other men reside in the room, a pair of fresh faced youths, one swinging away a practice dummy much like Noell and the other sitting on a bench nearby with an annoyed look on his face.

“That’s only because we’re well into the evening, most of the usual crowd have finished their training and moved onto to other activities.” She points out.

“Ah, you’re right…” From the windows hanging high on the walls, a reddish-orange glow emits through the glass, casting a crimson shadow over the hall.

“At a time like this, most would’ve gone about their lives as usual. Only those with special reasons to be here linger until a time such as this.” She explains.

“Really? Then what’s Noell’s special reason for being here?” you ask.

“Take a moment and watch, the answer will become clear to you as the action begins now.” Lucy announces.

CLACK! CLACK! The youth strikes at his training dummy, while still somewhat amateurish in his movements, it’s clear that his form is solidifying and his swipes become more clean and accurate as he trains.

“Oi, isn’t that enough man?” That is, until his antsy friend stepped off from his bench and approached him, cutting his practice short.

“What? I was late to formal training this morning, I have to make up for the practice I missed or the major will kill me!” The youth explains.

“I know, but we’re splitting the fare for our ride back to our dorms aren’t we? I can’t leave without you and I...can’t stand it here anymore.” His friend shoots a quick glance towards Noell in the distance as he continues his training.

“Oh...so that’s what you’re getting at.” The youth realizes.

“You get me right? then let’s get hell out of here. I’ll help you explain to the major tomorrow.” His friend offers.

“And what excuse would we give him? The prince was bothering us so we decided to skip on training? He’ll roast our asses on a spit!” The youth counters.

His friend clicks his tongue and turns a spiteful gaze Noell’s way, “I’d rather that, than spend another minute in the same place as that bastard…And don’t call him the Prince, he lost his right to inheritance, remember?”

The youth sighs and looks Noell’s way as well, “Even if it isn’t official anymore, he’s still the son of the king, I can’t refer to him without his title, that’s spitting on the legacy of the king.”

His friend scoffs, “You call him his son, but from what I hear, the two of them aren’t even blood related, he’s basically a bastard child-”

The youth taps him, “Hey! Quiet, those are nothing but rumors and if the guards don’t appreciate you talking like that about royalty, just drop it alright?”

The friend clicks his tongue, “Okay, I’ll drop it, but I seriously just get more pissed the longer I have to see him, let’s just leave man!”

“I mean you can say that, but it’s not like he’s doing anything other than training, hell, I think all he’s done since he woke up was train.” The youth points out.

“What do you mean?” The friend inquiries.

“I was assigned to cleaning this place at around 6 in the morning and I got here on time, but by the time I got there, he was already there, swinging away at the dummy.” The youth explains.

The friend’s jaw nearly goes slack, “Since before 6 in the morning!? That means he had to have come around 5 or earlier...that means he’s been training for over 12 bloody hours…”

“That’s assuming he even left the training hall at all, my memory isn’t the clearest, but I’m pretty sure he was still training yesterday by the time I went to bed.” The youth notes.

“What the hell, what’s he doing all that training for?” The friend questions.

“I don’t know, but whatever it is must be really important for him...being honest, I think it’s kinda admirable.” The youth admits.

His friend turns to him astonished and disgusted, “Do you know what the hell you’re saying right now? You know what that shithead did right-”

“I know...everyone in the barracks knows...hell I’m sure everyone in the country knows...no one’s gonna forget a crime that terrible.” The youth states.

“Yeah washing the blood of over 30 lives off your hands ain’t easy after all.” His friend’s face crunches up in rage.

“But even so...even so maybe we’re all misunderstanding.” The youth states.

The friend looks to the youth, mystified, “Misunderstanding? Misunderstanding what?”

“I know nothing of the prince, I’ve never even talked to him or seen him outside the training hall, but the times I’ve seen him, he’s never bothered anyone, never hurt anyone...he’s only ever trained diligently, all by himself…” The youth states.

“Can someone like that really be as bad as everyone says he is?” The youth questions.

The friend shakes his head, “You know nothing but the facade he’s putting up, he’s never bothered anyone cause no wants to bother with him, he’s never hurt anyone cause no one in the barracks wants to train with a murderer.”

The youth clams up, “I mean...you could be right, but you don’t know anything about him either, what proof do you have that he’s even putting up a facade?”

“The blood of 36 innocent lives isn’t proof enough for you? Murderers don’t stop being murderers just because they don’t bother people anymore.” He asserts.

“That’s…” The youth cannot argue.

The friend then grabs the youth by the shoulder and leans in close as he speaks,“And what’s to say he’s still not up to his old tricks, maybe he’s just more...secretive about it now?”

“What do you mean…?” The youth asks.

“I heard that major general Robert turned up dead in his home the other day…” The friend whispers.

https://youtu.be/eCLyCXCfqkM

“Hm?” Despite being meters away and the friend’s voice being quiet as a church mouse, Noell’s keen ears still catches wind of that statement, bringing his swinging to a stop.

The youth nods, “I heard too...the same Major General who filed the report that was used in the prince’s trial right?”

“The very same, he was in terrible shape when they found him, he was cut apart in the night like a choice melon and his blood splashed on the wall like paint, by god I can’t imagine what his wife and kid felt when they found him come morning…” The friend explains.

“Are you implying that Prince Noell did that? But the police say that it was the work of the cracked mask killer, his MO was the same as all the other cases...” The youth counters.

“Yeah, but cracked only goes after corrupt politicians and murderers doesn’t he? What did the Major general do? He was never on the battlefield and one of the kindest men in the military, he never hurt anyone.” The friend claims.

“Well yeah...but so what, what’s your point?” The youth asks.

“My point is that, what if...it was the prince?” The friend answers.

“W-What? Do you have any proof that would make you think that way…?” The youth asks.

“Unfortunately no, just rumors and hearsay from the guys at the dorms.” the friend answers.

“But then why would it be the prince?” The youth questions.

“It makes sense if you think about it right? Prince Noell was originally part of the same squad as Robert during the Gleetjeet occupations, served right under him as an officer.” The friend starts.

“They interacted frequently and I heard that Robert even invited the prince over to his house for food and drinks, meaning he knew where he lived.” The friend continues.

“That alone doesn’t prove anything…” the youth counters.

“That’s not all, I heard the murder weapon was a military-issue broadsword, the prince still has his old one from the time he served and with his sword skills, I’m sure he could cut up the major without a fight.” The friend adds.

“I mean...yeah, but why would he do that?” The youth questions.

“I don’t bloody know, revenge for tattling on him in the trial, shutting him up cause he’s got dirt on him, hell, maybe he just felt like killing someone that day! I wouldn’t put it past the slimy shit.” The friend guesses.

“Are you crazy, no one just wakes up one morning and decides they just want to kill someone. Everyone, even the most crazed of us, does things for a reason...” The youth counters.

“If that’s true, then why did that fucker kill all those innocent men and women? What reason did all those people die for?” The friend question.

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“I...I don’t know, only the Prince would know that.” The youth states.

“And he won’t tell anyone why, even during his fucking trial, all he had to say for himself was You wouldn’t understand, he talked down to grieving mothers like they’re goddamn fools.” The friend points out.

“To someone with that much blood and hate on his hands...what’s a little more?” The friend questions.

“I...can’t say you’re wrong...” The youth admits.

“But even so, all of this is speculation, you can’t prove a word of it.” The youth counters.

“Even if I can’t prove it, the fact that everything I’m saying isn’t unrealistic goes to show how horrid and dangerous a man that Cadaver Prince is…” The friend asserts.

“Er…” Noell grunts upon hearing his cruel nickname.

The friend and the youth notice this and see that he’s staring at the two of them, they turn away and start walking towards the exit.

“W-Well we’re heading back to the Barracks! I hope your training bears fruit Prince Noell!” The youth wishes as he hurries away.

His friend gives him a quick jab, “Damn fool, don’t draw his attention on us and don’t call him Prince, as far as I’m concerned, he was stripped of that title 8 years ago…”

“...” With those painful parting words, Noell is left alone in the wide halls of the training grounds, the place taking on a numbing silence now that only he remains.

He turns back towards the beaten and battered training dummy, gripping his sword tight in his red, blister-covered hands.

CLACK! CLACK! CRACK!

And wordlessly, emotionlessly, robotically continues to strike at the dummy, however these strikes lack the beauty and skill his previous ones did, these strikes are slow and unfocused, less for practice and more to alleviate an unspeakable pain.

You turn a forlorn eye to Noell, “God...I never realized Noell was so hated…”

“He told you himself didn’t he? There’s nary a soul in all of Ochima that appreciates his presence.” Lucy reminds you.

“Yeah I remember him saying something like that...but I thought he was just exaggerating, I didn’t think he was so...alone.” You realize.

Lucy crosses her arms and approaches Noell’s striking form, “Alone...lonely...yes, if I were to describe the life of one Noell Cromwell, it would be a lonely, painful life, filled with memories more bitter than sweet.”

“hated by his country, abandoned by his father, unloved by the rest of his family and stripped of the only right to take the throne for the numerous sins he’s committed.” Lucy recites.

“No one will understand his pain, no one will try to alleviate his strife, no one he can turn to share the emotional burden of it all...if there is one in this world that truly understands what it means to be alone, it can only be him.” Lucy states.

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A deep frown takes your face, “Hey, didn’t you say this was supposed to be a memory of love or something, this just looks to me like more depressing shit.”

Lucy turns to you with a smile, “Oh? So is our lovely guest in the mood for some romance, you need only say so, for there is a fair maiden here more than ready to get romantic with you~”

You wave a dismissive hand at her, “Stop playing with me, I’m not in the mood for your bullshit…”

Lucy gives you an appreciative look, “You’re genuinely hurting over seeing him suffer aren’t you?”

“You say that like it’s strange, what kind of person wouldn’t be sad when they see their friend hurting?” You ask.

She giggles, “You’d be surprised how little the word friend means to some people, the fact that you can feel your friend’s pain as if it’s your own shows a level of kindness I truly admire.”

“I don’t know about that...but even if you’re right, it’s not as if me pitying his past self is going to make his life any less painful.” You state.

She raises a finger, “On the contrary, it’s the kindness you show now that may just save him his life in the near future.”

“And besides, I said that there’s no one to understand his pain, but I must correct that point, there is one such person...or rather, one such woman.” Lucy states.

Creak

And right on cue, the door to the training hall creaks open and through it steps Flourette, clothed in her maid uniform, looking upstanding and proper as ever.

The hem of her skirt flutters a little as she walks past you and towards Noell, “Wait, Flourette’s in this memory? But doesn’t that mean…”

Lucy puts a finger to her lips and shushs softly, “Please no spoilers, just allow the scene to play out would you?”

“...” Quietly you comply.

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A look of concern shadows Flourette’s face, “Young master, I mean no offense, but you’re in terrible shape…”

“Oh…” As if only just noticing, Noell takes note of the bruised and beaten hands, his dirt and grime covered clothes, his tired eyes circled by dark shadow and let there be no mention made to the amount of sweat that drenches his entire being and the smell it gives off.

“How long have you been training in this place, did you sleep last night? Did you even leave this room?” She asks.

“I did try and sleep, however my sleep was riddled with nightmares and I found it more pleasant to swing my sword than lie around suffering.” he answers.

A pained look reaches her eyes, “Nightmares is it...I know it must be painful for you to just do nothing, but if you don’t rest your health will be at risk you know?”

He sighs as he balances his wooden sword on the ground, “I’m aware, but even if I wasn’t struggling to sleep, this practice is necessary to ensure I pass the Hunter Exam, it’s only a month away yes?”

“Be that as it may, that doesn’t mean you should-”

Noell brings up a hand, silencing her, “Enough, you said you had important news for me?”

“...Yes I do.” A hint of annoyance creeps across her face as she speaks, “Actually it pertains to the Hunter Exam, the application you sent in was accepted.”

Noell gives her a side-long glance, “Is that all? That isn’t important news, I hear the committee accepts any and all applications, even those from felons, so that was inevitable.”

“Yes, but that’s not all, it seems your Mother and sister have caught wind of your plan to leave the country and attend the Exam…” She adds.

At the mention of his mother and sister, the grip on Noell’s sword visibly tightens, “Is that so? Did they oppose? Are they going to stop me?”

She shakes her head, “They did not oppose per say...But they did say that they would rather you reconsider.”

“Reconsider?” He questions.

“They say in a politically sensitive time like this, that it would be inappropriate for the prince to leave the country to go to a foreign nation-”

Noell scoffs, “Politically sensitive time? The country has been sensitive since the day my Father abandoned the throne and nearly a decade has passed since then.”

“What do they expect of me? To not live my life until all the chaos dies down? Surely they would know better than I that day is still years away.” He counters.

“Yes I see your point, but you must agree that you leaving the country at this time would be seen by many as the Prince abandoning his kingdom in it’s time of need.” She explains.

Noell chuckles quietly, “That’s the thing Flourette, as far the kingdom is concerned, I’m not the prince, I was stripped of that title...8 years ago…”

“Young master…” Flourette whispers in a pained breath.

“When it comes to appearances, you needn’t worry about me, my appearance has been caked black by blood and mud and I’m sure many would be happy to hear I’m leaving the country.” He explains.

“Young master, that’s not true...I can think of many who would hurt to hear of such a thing-”

“Should I take your rambling now to mean that besides their desire for me to reconsider, that my Mother and sister have no issues with my departure?” He questions.

The annoyance on her face becomes more palpable, “Other than the request, there was an order handed down to you, should you proceed with the trip anyway, specifically an order from your older sister.”

He sighs, “What? Does she want me to pick her up some souvenirs? If so, tell her she can shove it, I’m not her pack mule.”

Flourette shakes her head, “No, rather, she ordered that if you must travel, that you pick an escort.”

“Pick an escort? Does she think me so incompetent I can’t travel by my lonesome?” he asks.

“No, she said the order was out of concern for your safety, she fears the dangers of assassins or threats overseas may get the better of you, so she won’t permit you to leave without an escort.” She explains.

Noell clicks his tongue, “Out of concern for me, when has that harlot ever shown concern for me? I’m sure she just wants to assign one of her agents to me so she can spy on my movements.”

“Normally I might suspect the same thing, but she said you were free to pick your escort as you see fit.” She adds.

“Oh? It’s rare for her to let me make my own choices, I can pick whomever I want?” He asks.

“She restricted your choices to only those among the castle guard or the servant corps, but otherwise yes.” She answers.

“Figures she would add a condition that prevents me from just paying some lout to follow me to the airport before sending him back…Did she recommend anyone to me in particular?” Noell asks.

“She said she would feel assured if you traveled with Lawerance or she said that she would be willing to accompany you herself if necessary-”

Noell shakes his head, “As if I could ever burden Lawerance with such a task when he has enough work on his plate as is and the last thing I’d want for a travel partner is a vile woman like her.”

“Well then, who will accompany you to the Exam young master?” Flourette inquiries.

“Isn’t it obvious by this point? You are, you daft-headed fool.” He answers.

“You want me to accompany you, young master?” Flourette awaits confirmation.

“Are your ears as stuffed as your head? That’s what I just said, don’t make me repeat myself.” He confirms.

“Young master…!” Flourette looks deeply thrilled and joyous.

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Noell turns away, “Send word to Mother and Sister immediately and send in your application while the committee is still reviewing them, since we need as much resources as we’re going to get, it can’t help to earn two Hunter licenses.”

“I will, happily in-fact! But first…” Flourette moves a little closer to Noell.

“But first what? Did I not just give you an order?” Noell asks.

Then Flourette comes in from behind and pulls Noell into a deep hug, pressing his body into hers.

https://youtu.be/u-ukRDK7vuQ

“But first this, this hug is far more pressing than your order, young master.” She says in a gentle, soothing voice.

“You dare let your desire to grab me take precedence over my order? If I didn’t know better, I’d say this is insubordination.” He complains yet does nothing to stop her as she pulls him in close.

“It might just be insubordination, but would you let it slide this one time? And I believe it’s not me that desires this embrace, but you young master-no...Noell.” She explains.

“Woman, did you just refer to me by my name and not my title? My word I could have you punished for such disrespect-”

“Shhh…” Flourette puts a finger on Noell’s lips to quiet him.

“Please Noell, forget about our places, forget about our titles and jobs, let this be a talk between the man Noell Cromwell and his concerned friend, Flourette Rutland…” She asks.

“...Damn you, when you ask like that, how am I supposed to reject?” Noell concedes.

“Are you troubled? Are you hurting Noell? Please tell me, I want to know.” She asks.

“Why do you ask, do I look troubled or hurt?” He asks back.

“Don’t dodge the question with a question, but if you must ask, yes, you look hurt and deeply troubled.” She answers.

Noell chuckles, “It must be painted all over my face if even a fool like you can see it.”

“What’s troubling you? Who hurt you?” She asks.

“It’s not as if...anyone in particular really angered me-”

“Be. Honest.” She orders.

“...There were two men in here...before you arrived.” He admits.

“Oh? The two I passed on the way here, I noticed something seemed odd about their faces, they seemed distressed, what did they do to you?” She asks.

“You make it sound as if they beat and berated me, all they did was talk behind my back…” He answers.

“Sometimes, it is not the closed fist to the face that does the most damage, but the open mouth at your back that can hurt most. What did they say?” She asks.

“They said...They said I might have…” He can’t find the words to answer with.

“Don’t be afraid, no matter what they said about you, my feelings towards you won’t change.” She assures.

Noell heaves a deep breath before speaking, “...Did you hear, apparently Major General Roberts died.”

“Major Roberts? He passed away?” Flourette asks, slightly surprised.

“The other day apparently and not alone that, he was murdered, the police say it was the work of the Cracked mask killer…” He explains.

“I see...did hearing this news shock you? I know you and Robert have a very...complex relationship.” She states.

“Yes it did shock me...but what truly hurt to hear was that there’s a rumor circulating that I killed him.” He adds.

“...” Flourette says nothing, but the look on her face became a degree more serious.

“Flourette...I know I’m not the most well-liked man, I know I’ve acted cold to many and hurt...and killed many more...” Noell recollets.

In Noell’s once rock-solid grip, you can now see small shivers running down his blade as he speaks.

“I know that...based on what I’ve done, it’s only inevitable people see me that way...that they think of me that way, I don’t blame them, they are right to...but…” The small shivers turn to large tremors.

“But...even so...it hurts…”

Clatter! Clatter… And then the sword drops from Noell’s hand, clattering to the ground, along with it, a few drops of clear water.

“It hurts...to be called a heartless murderer...it pains me to remember the things I’ve done...Everyday I come to regret waking up, knowing that only more hatred and pain will come the moment I open my eyes…” He whispers through his sobbing voice.

Flourette nods and holds him tighter, “I know, I understand, for them to think that you would ever take another life so meaninglessly after what you’ve been through, it’s cruel of them...”

“I see them you know? I see them in my dreams...the faces of the people I killed that day, they haunt me, they curse me, they cry out and demand I face punishment, that I atone for what I did to them!” He shouts as he hunches over and grabs unto Flourette’s hugging arms to keep himself from falling over.

“Those are just dreams Noell...And if those people knew why you did what you did, they would understand, they would forgive you and know that it isn’t truly your fault…” She comforts.

“But it is my fault! Even if it wasn’t my intention for them to die, it doesn’t change the fact that it was my hands, my orders that killed them!” He shouts as he closes his eyes tight and breathes heavily.

“....” Flourette says nothing to that.

“Those men were right...When it comes right down to it, I’m a monster...for only a monster could do what I’ve done, they saw that, they saw the real me...the Cadaver Prince…” He says in a voice rife with pain.

“That’s not true, that’s not true at all Noell…” Flourette denies.

“How is it not true!? don’t you see my hands!? Don’t you see they’re soaked in blood!?” He grips unto Flourette’s sleeves tight, nearly crushing them in his hold.

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But Flourette remains unphased by the pain, she takes her right hand and pulls his left off of her and opens it up for her and him to see.

“I can see your hands...and I can see they’re aren't soaked in blood, but they are covered in some very nasty blisters.” She states.

“Oh yes, they are, aren’t they?” Noell says, only noticing now himself.

“These blisters, you got them training to pass the Exam yes? You got them training to make up for your mistakes didn’t you?” She asks.

“Of course, because I have to atone...I have to atone for what I’ve done…” He nods.

“Right? So you can see too, that the only blood your hands are soaked in is your own.” She explains.

“No...No it’s not that simple, even if the blood has faded from sight, I can still feel it there-”

She grabs his other hand and opens that before him, “I can see the abuse on your right hand is even worse than your left, they feel rough and a little grimy considering you haven’t bathed have you?”

“Must you mention that? Are you making fun of me?” he asks.

“No, I’m pointing out what I see before me.” She answers.

“What...do you mean?” He asks.

“You said those men could see the real you, the monster, the Cadaver Prince…” She starts.

“But that’s only because they don’t know you for who you truly are, they see what they want to see, rather than look at the reality before them.” She states.

“Cause before me isn’t a monster, or a walking corpse, but a drowsy young man, covered in bruises, drenched in sweat, training every single day to make right, all his wrongs.” She states.

“That’s…” Noell tries to find words of argument, something to say back.

But before he can think them up, Flourette releases him from the hug, still holding unto his hands, she twirls him around to face her and takes a firm but soft hold of both his hands as she looks into his eyes.

“I see the real you...Noell Cromwell ,a sweaty, stand-offish, reserved man who can never be honest with himself and acts as if he wants no love when in reality he wants love and friends like any other person in the world.” She explains.

He laughs a little, “Half of that description sounds like an insult...if my sweat offends you so, I’m not sure why you keep clinging to me, do I really smell that bad?”

Flourette sniffs the air, “Hmmmm...yes you do.”

He laughs harder this time, “My god, I allow you to be honest for a moment and you insult and bully me! What a joke! Well if I smell so bad, why don’t you back away?”

“Why don’t you guess why I’m not backing away?” She asks with a suggestive smile.

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Noell cranes his head at her, “...Because you’re trying to console me and it would ruin the moment if you backed away from disgust?”

“Good guess, that’s half the reason, what’s the other half?” She asks.

“...I wouldn’t know, I’m not a mind reader.” He answers.

“Then let me tell you-” Pulling Noell into another embrace, she lowers her head a little and bends Noell’s neck upward a little, leading to an inevitable meeting of their lips.

For a long moment, the two of them share a deep, breathless kiss before parting again.

“-It’s because I love your horrible smell, almost as much as I love you.” She answers.

He laughs, “You never miss a beat do you, even in my disgusting state you would do something so brazen and say something so perverse…”

“Do you hate perverted women?” She asks.

“If I did, I wouldn’t love you as much as I do you absolute fool.” He answers.

She smiles, “You’re at your most attractive when you're honest.”

He smiles back, “Flourette, I don’t know how I would’ve made it so far without you or your embrace, you're the best thing to happen to me in all these god-awful years…”

“The feeling is mutual Noell, without you, I would have no purpose in life, no direction, nowhere to go but down, you’re my everything.” She declares.

“And you're my reason to wake up in the morning.” He declares.

“Such kind words! Then if I’m so important, you wouldn’t mind granting me a reward would you?” She asks.

“For you, anything.” He allows.

“Another kiss please, but this time, you take my lips, I prefer it that way.” She requests.

“You are truly incorrigible…” He says before leaning in for another kiss.

Then, bathed in the evening light, the two lovers shared a private moment and once again the room was silent, but this silence wasn’t numbing, it wasn’t alone.

It was full, full of hope, of redemption and most of all, of love.

SNAP!

With a snap of her fingers, the loving moment is frozen in time, looking almost like a painting from where you stand.

“What a truly magical scene, yes? I promised you love and there you have it.” Lucy presents.

“Magical...is a way to describe it, yeah.” You nod.

“Well that isn’t the response I’m hoping for, where are the tears of happiness at Noell finding someone to share his pain with? The gasps of shock that Flourette was actually his lover all along! Or the admiration of the saucy atmosphere created by the meeting of two young lovers!?” She asks.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy to know Noell isn’t suffering alone, but I kinda guessed those two were more than friends by how much they hang around each other and I’m not 12, some kissing isn’t going to get me hot and bothered.” You answer.

“Oh...then what do you feel?” She asks.

“Confusion.” You answer.

“Confusion? Over what? This is one of the few things I have to show you that isn’t supposed to confuse you.” She asks.

“Thanks for telling me the rest of this shit is going to be confusing, but what I’m wondering is that those two are so clearly in love...and yet Noell treats her like trash...why?” you ask.

Lucy cranes her head at you, “Why...what do you mean...why?”

“I mean like, they said all that sweet and lovey-dovey stuff and yet everytime I see them interact, it’s nothing but Noell insulting her, hitting her and telling her to lick his boots or something, I don’t get it.” You point out.

“You...what do you mean you don’t get it? Don’t tell me you...haven’t figured it out yet?” She asks.

“Figured what out? That Noell’s an abusive boyfriend?” You ask.

“No, that’s not quite what’s happening…” She dismisses.

“You’re right, Noell’s an asshole but he isn’t that much of an asshole...is it a secret plot or something, they can’t reveal to the world they’re lovers so they act cold and hateful in public but nice and loving behind closed doors?” You ask.

“S-Secret plot…? I think you’re making this far more complex than necessary…” She points out.

“More complex than necessary? You make it sound like you know what’s going on between them.” You note.

“Well I don’t know the specifics, but I have a very good guess as to why they act the way they do…” She states.

“What? Don’t hold out on me, share with the rest of the class!” You demand.

“Are you sure you want to know?” She asks.

“...You ask that like it would be something I don’t wanna know…” You notice.

>tfw everyone, including Derrick completely forgot about best girl Rea long ago

“Well you seem to hold Flourette in a very respectable position in your mind and while you wouldn’t dare admit it, the same goes for Noell.” She points out.

“Oh yeah, he holds a high position in my mind, the place where I keep my world’s biggest asshole trophy.” You counter.

“Well whatever you say, if I answer your question now, I cannot guarantee you’ll be able to look at them the same way again…” She warns.

“What? Are they hiding some life-changing secret? Vital intel that will be useful for my journey?” you ask.

“No...honestly you could go your whole life without knowing this and I think you would be happier for it.” She answers.

“What the hell does that mean? Now I just want to ask even more!” You state.

“Well go ahead and ask then but I warn you, this knowledge is forbidden and cursed are the ears of those who hear it…” She threatens.

“Wait, for real?” you ask.

“No, I just like to make everything sound dramatic.” She answers.

“....” you say nothing, simply giving her a placid look.

“A-Anyway, are you asking or not?” she questions.

What will you do?

>Drop it and move on, it’s not even important.

>Satisfy your lust for forbidden knowledge.

>>4568471
>Satisfy your lust for forbidden knowledge.

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>>4568469
Oh no no no, don't worry anon, she'll come back, she'll come back quite soon.

Very soon.

Just be patient for now.

>>4568471
>>Satisfy your lust for forbidden knowledge.

>>4568475
>>4568481

>Who can dare resist, knowledge so forbidden?

>Continuing...

“Well you’ve gone and got me curious now, I can’t say no.” You answer.

She giggles, “Are you absolutely sure about that? Curiosity killed the cat you know.”

“Good thing I’m not a cat then and Don’t bait me with juicy info if you don't want me biting.” You confirm.

“A good point, now the real question...how do I even begin this explanation…?” She asks herself.

“You hyped up this knowledge and you aren’t even sure of how to explain it?” you comment.

“Oh I know how to explain, I just don’t know how to explain it to someone like you.” She explains.

“And what’s that supposed to mean?” you ask.

“Only that despite being such a charismatic man, you lack knowledge in the ways of romance and coitus.” She answers.

“Hey! I’ll have you know I’m famous for being a playboy, a real ladies man!” You counter.

“That’s only because of a misunderstanding that several of your friends seem hellbent on spreading is it not?” She asks.

“Well...yeah…” You admit.

“One you yourself have tried to dispel, to no avail, but in reality, not only are you single and have been your whole life, but you’re also a virgin aren’t you?” She points out.

You feel an spike as sharp as a spears tip pierce your heart at those words, you nearly fall to your knees from emotional damage.

“Y-Yeah, you got me there...But even if it’s just a misunderstanding, I’m at least good enough at romance to look like a playboy!” You counter.

She nods at that, “Oh is right? Perhaps you have a point...by the by, can you define coitus to me?”

“C-Coitius?” You blubber.

“Yes, surely a man of your most romantic persuasion knows what that means right?” She asks.

“O-Of course I know what it means! Who do you think I am!?” you bolster.

“Then define please.” She requests.

Your eye twitches a little, “W-Well, I mean, clearly, very clearly! Coitus means…”

“It means…?” She eggs on.

“Hold on now! I’m building hype, just give me a second!” You demand.

“Right…” She nods.

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(Oh Jesus fuck I have no idea, I’ve never heard that word in my life!) you admit mentally.

(Well even if I can’t draw from direct knowledge, I can still use context clues! We’re talking about romance...and Coitus kinda sounds like citrus…) You think through.

“Come on now, surely you’ve built enough hype, build any more hype and I may just drop dead from excitement.” She says with a bored expression.

“Uh...well…” You drag.

“Well?” She insists.

“It’s...an orange!” you declare.

She goes quiet for a moment, looks at you with a totally lost expression before craning her head at you.

“...An orange? You believe coitus...is an orange?” She asks.

Her knowing eyes see through your lies and burn shame into you as they stare you down, you have no choice but to look away as you blush from embarrassment.

“Y-Yeah...it’s an orange...a special orange!” You add.

“A...special orange? What precisely makes the orange special?” She asks, clearly seeing you’re just making shit up.

“It’s special...it’s special because…” Your brain runs on overdrive as it planks out an answer, any feasible answer that doesn’t make you seem like a total virgin.

“...” She looks at you with cold eyes.

“Because its orange...you only eat with your g-girlfriend…?” You stutter out.

“Huh…” Her cold expression shifts into one of surprise, a small gasp escapes her throat.

“What?” You look to her, surprised yourself she didn’t dismiss the answer.

She then holds her mouth with a shaky hand, bends her head down a little and begins to blush as she chuckles to herself and looks away.

“O-Oh my...That answer is...is…” She can barely speak through her shock.

“What? Did I actually get it right? Did I prove I’m not some hyper virgin!?” you smile.

“Oh no! That was totally wrong! You couldn't even tell coitus is a verb, not a noun! You have to be the biggest virgin I've ever met!” She answers.

“Oh…” And so your smile fades into a despairing frown, "But wait, if I'm totally wrong, why are you reacting like that?"

“Because despite that being the most virgin answer you could give, it was also the most cute and sweet! You're so irresistibly adorable right now I'm trying my hardest not to pounce you!" She explains.

"P-Pounce me? What does that mean?" you ask.

"Oh? Are you curious virgin boy? Are you curious what it means when an older woman pounces a younger man?" She gives you a very suggestive smile to say the least.

"Uh...Um..." You feel a wave of fear hit you, paired with a small tinge of excitement.

She giggles, "Keep giving cute reactions like that and you may just find out, but for now I must contain myself..." She says as she takes a deep breath and calms herself down.

"Y-Yeah we need to calm down, let's just calm down..." You beg, realizing your virginity might be in more danger than you previously realized.

"Indeed, we're getting sidetracked are we not?" She points out.

You nod rapidly, "Yeah! Massively sidetracked!"

“Well yes that was a tangent, but it did give me insight on how to explain the situation between those two to you.” She states.

“Oh really?” you ask.

“Oh yes, I can explain in a way only a virgin such as yourself understands!” She answers.

You feel a pang of rage, “I can tell you’re gonna get on my case a lot for that…”

“You know those lewd videos you look up on the internet?” She asks.

You look away, “L-Lewd videos? Whaddya mean lewd videos! I don’t look that stuff up!”

“Hmmm, really?” She asks.

“I don’t! I’m not that much of a virgin!” you counter.

“Tsubaki Shiri, Motozawa-zawa and Junia Joylove.” She says.

You look at her confused, “What? What are those? Names?”

“They’re the names of lead actresses of the 3 most recent adult films you watched.” She answers.

You freeze in on the spot in terror, “H-H-H-How do you know-”

“Did you forget I can directly access all the memories you have in your mind? I know all about your searches and your taste in women, namely, you seem to like girls that are more bottom-heavy-”

“I GET I GET IT! OKAY I WATCH LEWD STUFF! IS THAT A PROBLEM!?” you admit before she can go any further.

She giggles, “Of course not, it’s just that since you watch those kinds of videos, you should have at least a decent understanding of sexual play correct?”

You blush, “S-Sexual play? Well...yeah…”

“Okay, now do you know what the acronym S&M stands for?” She asks.

“S&M? Uhhhh...Sickos and Miscreants?” You guess.

“Close, but no, rather it stands for Sadism & Masochism.” She answers.

“Sadism? Masochism?” you question.

“They refer to dispositions in the bedroom. Namely, Sadists are people who enjoy being dominant and inflicting pain on people.” She answers.

“Oh then that must mean Noell’s a sadist.” You realize.

She nods, “Yes, obviously and masochists are the opposite, they enjoy submission and having pain inflicted on them.”

You give her a confused look, “They enjoy being hurt? Like getting punched and kicked and stuff? What the hell?”

“Well it’s not that simple, mere physical violence isn’t a turn on for them...most of the time anyway.” She explains.

“Okay...but what does that have to do with their relationship?” You ask.

“Well that’s because, just as Noell is a sadist, Flourette is…” She trails off and gestures to you.

“She is...normal?” You guess.

She shakes her head, “Oh no, far from it, she is…”

“She is...also a sadist?” You ask.

She starts laughing, “I can see you’re having a very hard time admitting the truth, no, she is most certainly not a sadist, which leaves…”

“Which leaves...Which...leaves…” It’s then the gears in your head start to turn, as a truth that’s been hidden to you so long reveals itself to you.

“Wait...no...no...no! It can’t be…” You realize, even though you shouldn’t, even though it’s outlandish you realize it.

“Oh? Has the truth finally reached you?” She asks.

https://youtu.be/vhSHXGM7kgE

“But wait, then at that time...and that time! And that other time! And the time after that! She was...She was…!” Memory after memory, misunderstanding after misunderstanding, all become clear and make sense to you know.

“So all the panting, the blushing, the screaming and weird moaning, it wasn’t that she was in pain, she was...Oh...My...GOD!” The truth of it all nearly floors you, almost breaks your spirit, you can barely stay standing.

Lucy laughs with an evil smile, “So now you have realized. You have learned the harsh truth and now that you know, you cannot un-learn it.”

You take a pained step back, “Y-You monster, this truth you’ve shown me, it’s too much! I shouldn’t have asked! I SHOULDN’T HAVE ASKED!” You cry out in despair.

“Curse me if you will but you cannot take it back now! You must accept the truth! Flourette is a-!”

“Masochist Pervert! I can’t believe I never noticed until now, I’m such a retard!” You realize.

“Yes, you’ve accepted, now how does it feel? Having forbidden knowledge?” She asks of you.

“My perfect image of her has been shattered, I’ll never look at her the same again, oh god…” You groan.

She laughs, “And so once again, curiosity kills the cat...or the virgin in this case.”

“CAN YOU PLEASE SHUT UP ABOUT MY VIRGINITY! I’M HAVING A MOMENT HERE!” You shout.

“Fine, fine, just talk to me when you’ve calmed down.” She nods.

>5 ungodly, minutes of sorting your thoughts out later….

“Okay...Okay, I’m calm now, I’ve come to peace with it.” You state.

“Are you sure, you said yourself you’ll never see her the same way again.” Lucy asks.

“Don’t worry, while I was thinking I realized that even if she’s a massive, horny pervert who enjoys being humiliated in public, she’s still the same kind, pure-hearted woman I’ve always known.” You explain.

“The words Horny pervert and pure-hearted are oxymoronic you know?” She points out.

“Shut up! I’ve come to my peace! Don’t ruin it!” You complain.

“More like you’ve just arrived at denial...but no matter, I’ve answered your question, now let us move on.” She sighs.

"Yes for the love of god let's move on, the longer we stay here the hornier it gets!" You scream.

She giggles, "You say that like it's a bad thing, but fine, let us move from this memory." She presents her hands to you once more.

"In my right hand, I once again hold a memory of joy and celebration but one also laced with many secrets." She shows you her right hand.

"But this time, in my left hand, I hold a memory of law, order and all the death and destruction that come with enforcing them.” She offers you her left hand.

You sigh and scratch your head, "Once again, your riddles tell me nothing of what I'm going to be seeing, but if I have to pick one..."

Which memory will you see now?

>Memory of happiness and secrets.

>Memory of law and destruction.

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With that I'm likely gonna call it a night and wait to call the vote tomorrow.

If we go at the same pace we did today, we should be done with this episode by Monday or Tuesday, efficient, considering the file I have on this episode is over 170 pages long.

How you guys like the session so far? Has the return of Hunter X Hunter quest been what you've hoped so far, it's not nearly as action heavy as usual, but I'm hoping the story focus will make for a better overall experience.

Give me your thoughts, or criticism, I'm always happy to receive either way, I'll see you all tomorrow!

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Oh yeah I should also mention that the thread continues same time tomorrow, but I may just be a little late if any errands come up and if not, then I'll probably be late because I'll be watching AOT Season 4.

I know I should put the quest over anime, but I'll be damned if I don't get to watch Eren go from Yes daddy to Your daughter calls me Mein Fuhrer too on those Marlyfags.

>>4568521
>Memory of happiness and secrets.

>>4568521
>>Memory of happiness and secrets.

>>4568530
Session's good so far, missed the humor of this quest a lot. Especially Lucy, found her trying (and failing) to using modern speak to compensate for being ancient very funny

All in all just glad to see you back

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>>4568521
>Memory of happiness and secrets.
>>4568552
Oh that's fine QM, I'll be doing the same anyway. Just as a warning though the Subs might take ages, it's what happened last week anyway.

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1 Hour before the thread begins, but that might change considering the new attack on titan episode still hasn't been subbed (at least not on my streaming or torrent sites)

I hope the above anon isn't right and I have to wait till like 3 in the afternoon to watch this episode...

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>5 minutes till start and still no signs of subs, only raws being posted.

Okay, okay, I'll give up and run, if I have to...

>Continuing...

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"Well, after seeing all that depressing shit, I think I need a little happiness and ice cream right now..." You reason as you reach for her right hand.

"A happiness Sundae with a spicy topping? Coming right up my dear~" She quips as she meets your hand half way, gripping it and activating that strange magic she used before as black flame engulfs you both.

Once more you are overtaken by the feeling of time and space bending, blending and burning, turning to mulch and becoming as one before separating once more.

In an instant you feel the meeting, marriage and divorce of the universe’s two most powerful concepts all in the span of a few seconds, the experience, needless to say, is as extreme and indescribable as the last time, but somehow even more harrowing the second time around.

SNAP

"Awaken." And once again, all it takes a single snap of Lucy's fingers before reality returns to some kind of stability and your eyes open to greet your new surroundings.

And when they open you notice you’ve moved from the moody lights of the training hall to some kind of back alley, where the sky once shone with the evening sun's rays, now overhead, the light of the moon hangs over with it's almost melancholy light.

"What the hell...?" You look around to see a dumpster close by from which you can hear the rustling of some starved creature looking for a quick snack and not too far from that you see some cardboard that is likely some poor soul’s bed for the night.

“Are you going to stand there and stare aimlessly forever dear? Weren’t you the one rushing me until now?” Lucy asks in a rare show of impatience.

You look back at her, she stands in the flickering porch light, in-front of what looks like the backdoor of a bar going by the empty beer cases you see laid near it.

“...Sorry, I was just stunned by the fact that we went from standing in some kind of castle to a shady back-alley in less than a minute, I wonder if this is how stock marketers felt after the recession.” You quip.

She giggles at that, “If you can still make such topical jokes, surely that means you’re fine.”

“Would there be any reason I wouldn’t be fine?” You ask.

She shakes her head, “Oh no dear, none whatsoever...well except for...oh no nevermind.”

You give her a worried glare, “Hey now, if you start hiding stuff from me now I’m never going to trust you to be straight with me later.”

She looks away, “Well...From time to time, when I use my powers on people directly, it has a chance to...melts their minds like butter and they become quivering madmen afterwards.”

Your eyes go wide in terror, “That’s horrifying! You couldn’t tell me there was such a risk before you warped me!? Twice at that!?”

“Well the fact that you can even ask that question shows your mind is made of tougher stuff than most men! Truly you are a man among men! Strong of body and unmeltable of mind! Two times you've traveled across time and twice you've come back fine!” She flirts.

“Don’t think you can get me to write off the fact that you could’ve killed just cause you sing my praises and flutter your pretty little eyes at me you minx!” you counter.

“You think my eyes are pretty? Why I’m flattered...” She blushes a little.

You hold your head in frustration, “Oh dealing with you is what’s going to melt my mind at...forget it! Where are we!? What are we doing here!?”

She gives you a curious look, “You’re telling me you don’t remember this place?”

You shake your head, “I don’t make a habit of wandering into shady alleyways, so no I can’t say I do.”

“I suppose you’re right, well then…” She walks up to the back-door behind her and presses a hand against it.

“Perhaps if you step inside here, the memories will start to come back to you.” She says with a smile.

You walk up and grab the door handle, “Through here…?”

Twisting the door handle, you open the door slowly and on the other side you see that your assumption proved true as you step inside the parlor and are greeted with that typical downtown bar smell of freshly cleaned barf and well-aged alcohol.

However, while your guess was on the money, you failed to realize precisely which bar you’ve arrived at but one quick look at the many patrons of the bar and in an instant everything becomes clear.

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https://youtu.be/GMltvl6Vz00

Inside, a menagerie of men and women make merry and delight in terrible alcohol shared amongst friends both new and old, one group in particular stands out near the middle of the bar.

In this group, you see many familiar faces, Flourette, Whu, Landon, Austin, Bradford and all the agents that helped you during the area 52 mission, you even see yourself among the crowd, albeit bandaged up and sitting out the festivities at the bar counter.

One of the more drunk agents, heated by the atmosphere and alcohol, hops up on a table and begins to shout, “Alright boys and girls! Shout with me and throw your hands up! Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray!”

“Hip-Hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip-Hooray!” The crowd shouts back and throws their hands up.

Someone else steps up, “Pump your fist and repeat after me! Oo-Rah! Oo-Rah! Oo-Rah!”

“Oo-Rah! Oo-Rah! Oo-Rah!” The crowd shouts back as they pump their fists.

Landon hops on the table and speaks, “Okay, now throw down your pants and repeat after me! Or-gy! Or-gy! Or-gy!” He shouts.

“Or-gy! Or-gy! Or-Wait!” The crowd quickly comes to their senses before removing their pants and shouts Landon down from the party table.

“Oh come on guys, I was just trying to spice things up! I swear you all are just so chaste!” Landon announces as he walks away.

“It’s not that we’re chaste! It’s just that you’re way too goddamn horny you animal!” One of the agents shouts.

“Why thank you for the compliment! And let it be known this animal is on the prowl for any willing ladies and lads, you know where to find me for a good time!” He exclaims.

“The wrong side of a prison shower!?” Someone jokes.

“Nope! The right side of your lover’s underwear!” He quips as grabs a drink and goes off to look for a likely participant in his one-man orgy.

You watch the party-goers with a sense of nostalgia and surrealness as you speak, “I remember now! This is Drowned Sorrow! This is the party we had after the mission in Area 52!”

Lucy giggles, “You see now what I meant by a memory of joy and celebration? Aren’t you glad you get to see this?”

You look at her, a little confused, “Well...yeah, this was an amazing night for everyone, but why are we here? What’s the point of this?”

She grips your hand and pulls you along, “The answer will reveal itself soon enough, for now follow me if you would.”

“Woah-! Hey!” You don’t get a choice in the matter as she drags you off towards the bar.

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After a moment of pulling, she manages to drag you over to a pair of nearby open stools, taking a seat herself, she beckons you to sit on the stool next to her, you, confused but compliant, take the seat and watch as Maxwell slides a beer to (Past) you at the bar.

“Here kid, drink up.” Maxwell demands.

(Past) you smirks and takes the drink, “And how much for this piss bottle Max? There’s no way it’s free right? It never is with you.”

“Normally you’d be right, but for once no, it’s on the house.” Maxwell corrects.

(Past) you looks at Maxwell dumbfounded, “The hell? Did something happen Max? Someone threatening you? Just name me the prick and I’ll make sure he can count his good teeth on one hand.”

Maxwell gives you a sour stare, “You think I’d let any goddamn punk threaten me? No dumbass, I’m trying to be nice! You come in here battered and beaten, looking like the saddest man in the city so I’m trying to cheer you up!”

(Past) you blinks at him for a moment, “Oh? Saddest guy in the city? Do I look that bad?”

“Damn right you do, you got this 100-yard stare on you...something happened?” Maxwell asks.

(Past) you sighs, “Yeah a lot actually...I’ll spare you the whining and just say tonight has given me a whole lot I need to think about…”

“Really? Penny for your thoughts?” Maxwell asks.

(Past) you laughs, “Penny? Man I work overtime for you and you don’t even pay me that much!”

“Hey now! That ain’t...well that is true actually...but I’m serving you free beer, that’s worth way more than a penny!” Maxwell counters.

(Past) you pushes the beer away, “And you’ll need to give me at least 10 more before I even feel like spilling my guts tonight! Sorry Max, but I ain’t saying a thing.”

Maxwell sighs as he grabs the beer, “Well fine then! Don’t take my beer! I got plenty of other customers who are more than happy to take it! I swear, I try to do something nice and this is the thanks I get…” He says as he wanders down the bar to attend to other customers.

(Past) you sighs and covers his mouth as he whispers, “As if I could lob this burden on you old man, you’ve got enough stress as is…”

(Past) you then goes into a moment of quiet contemplation as Lucy watches him with a face of interest.

“My dear, you and this Maxwell fellow have quite the intriguing relationship.” Lucy states.

“Intriguing? How?” you ask.

“Well it feels almost like that of Father and son...and yet it’s too distant to be truly parental...but also too close to be that of mere legal guardian and assigned ward, what are you two really?” She asks you.

You look over to Maxwell serving drinks in the distance as you speak, “...Hard to say, I’m not sure how I feel towards Max…”

“Oh?” She nods her head in interest.

You sigh, “On one hand I’m grateful to him for everything he’s done for me, If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t even be here right now, I’d be floating somewhere in York New bay.”

“That’s why you even decided to become a Hunter, yes? To pay back your debt to him.” Lucy deduces.

You nod, “Yeah….but at the same time, we don’t really know anything about each other. He’s never asked me why I was even out at the pier that day and I never asked him what he was doing just wandering out there randomly…”

“So you’re saying despite all the care you’ve given to each other, you still barely know each other?” She questions.

You nod once more, “Maxwell knows nothing of what I did 8 years ago and I’ve never once asked him anything about his life and that’s just kinda the way things have been with us.”

Lucy looks to (past) you, “That’s why, despite all that must’ve been on your mind that night, you chose to keep it to yourself, rather than share anything that might have made him worry, right?”

“...” You nod without a word.

She nods to herself, “I see, yes I see...but still that does drive to me a certain question.”

“What?” you ask.

“Are you not curious to learn more? Why is that you’ve abstained from questioning Maxwell about anything for 8 years? What are you reluctant about?” She asks.

“That’s...well…” You look away.

She giggles, “Okay, maybe I phrased the question wrong...it’s not that you’re reluctant, it’s that you’re afraid aren’t you?”

https://youtu.be/7ujzuP-y9-Y

“Gr…” You grit your teeth and growl a little.

She crosses her legs as she speaks, “You are grateful for what he’s done for you, but at the same time you’re suspicious, you can’t help but be suspicious of him.”

“After all, isn’t it all too convenient that on the same night you were being chased by the mafia, alone, battered and with no hope, that such a kind man would bring you into his home? No questions asked?” She points out.

“....” You say nothing.

“It’s odd, out of place, almost fictional-sounding when you just say it out loud...It’s so very odd and strange that despite being under his care for 8 years, despite putting your life on the line out of gratitude for him, never once have you shook this feeling that something doesn’t quite add up.” She analyzes.

“...” You say nothing.

She smiles and puts her hand on her chin, “You refrain from answering, but sometimes silence can say more than a 1000 words.”

She begins to laugh to herself, “Truly, how very dramatic, living 8 years in a house built such fragile trust...This relationship of yours feels almost like a-”

“Shut up.” You firmly state.

“...” Lucy comes to a stop.

You turn a stern, enraged glare her way, “You keep yapping on and on about shit you have no idea about, it’s starting to get on my nerves…”

“...” Lucy goes quiet.

“Everything you just said is nothing but conjecture, in the end, you don’t know a damn thing.” You point out.

“Nothing but...conjecture, is it?” She questions.

“Damn right, You don’t know a damn thing about Maxwell, and I won’t tolerate you or anyone else who talks like that about him.” You threaten.

She’s quiet for a moment before giggling, “...You’re right, I know nothing, then perhaps it is, that you can explain for me?”

“Excuse me?” you question.

“You’ve known the man far longer than I, so surely you would know better than I and my conjecture. Please tell me, who is Nubes Maxwell?” she asks.

What do you say?

>He’s a good man and my caretaker, nothing more, nothing less and that’s all that matters.

>He’s a man with many secrets...but that doesn’t make him any less trustworthy in my eyes.

>Why the hell should I tell you anything? Just tell me why you brought me here!

>>4569515
>He’s a man with many secrets...but that doesn’t make him any less trustworthy in my eyes.

>>4569515
>He’s a man with many secrets...but that doesn’t make him any less trustworthy in my eyes.

>>4569528
>>4569544

>Maxwell, man of mystery.

>Continuing...

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You turn to look at Maxwell and speak, "I will admit this, you're right, Maxwell is probably...no, definitely hiding things from me, just like I am with him, I can't deny that."

"So you agree that the circumstances of your recuse that night 8 years ago are suspect? That your relationship with him is a little too convenient?" She questions.

"I wouldn't go as far to say that he's suspect, but yes, I know...known for a long time that this relationship we have has been far too convenient to be truly real." You admit.

"If that's the case, why have you never said anything?" She asks.

You look away from Maxwell and down to the bar counter, rubbing a hand along it, you can still feel the familiar and pleasant texture of knock-off mahogany wood, bringing a smile to your face.

"Because even knowing that, it doesn't change the fact that he's taken care of me for 8 years now. he taught me, clothed me, cared for me and while he sure as hell wasn't or even legal about it, hired me and gave me a proper job." You explain.

"Even if there's something more to the reason Maxwell saved me that night, I wouldn't resent him for it, I wouldn't blame or curse him for it, I'd be sad as hell about it but I guess that's about it." You add.

Lucy looks at you as if you're not yourself, "For someone who is often suspicious of the intentions of others, for you to be so forgiving a man you know could be plotting something behind your back is...strange to say the least."

You laugh, "You mean seriously out of character? I know, it's just...I can't bring myself to think he would do me wrong, the very idea of it just seems impossible to me."

"Why are you so forgiving, so trusting of him?" She asks.

You hear the question but don't respond right away, thinking of the best way to respond, a clear answer reaches you making you laugh at yourself that the answer is so clear yet so strange.

"I'd never let him hear it out my mouth, but I think it's cause...he's like my Dad. The one I never had growing up, the one...I always wanted." You admit.

Lucy's eyes go wide for a moment before relaxing once again and look away, "I see...well I can't possibly argue against that."

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You look towards her, "That satisfy your curiosity?"

She smiles and nods, "Thoroughly, I think I have a firm grasp of the true nature of your relationship now."

"Whatever the hell that means, now remind me, what are we doing here?" you question.

“Patience my dear, patience~ There is more bar banter yet to enjoy, for example, look which pair now approach.” Lucy gestures to the side, drawing your eyes to the approaching figures of Bradford and Austin.

Austin closes in first, tapping (past) you on the shoulder, drawing your attention up towards the two of them.

“Hey chum, why so glum?” Austin questions.

(Past) you chuckles, “I don’t know pal, maybe this glum chum just wants to be left to his glumness for a bit.”

Bradford steps in, a number of beer bottles in hand, “Oh no no no Buddy! Thinking? At my party!? That’s a no-can-goddamn-do! You sound like you need some happy juice!”

With that, Bradford shoves a bottle in (Past) you’s hand as the two take the opposing seats to him.

(Past) you laughs, “Leave it to you two to find the one guy not drunk off his ass and drown him in alcohol, how are you guys gonna get home tonight if no one’s driving?”

“Ah, Flourette’s fine! No matter how much she drinks, she’ll never get wasted! She’ll just drive!” Bradford counters.

“She’s one woman! There are over 50 people here tonight, we’re going to need more than one driver-!”

Austin takes your beer bottle and forces it into your mouth, making you chug as he speaks, “If worst comes to worst we’ll just sleep here till the morning comes, won’t be the first time I crash at your place, so just drink your happy juice and be a happy boy.”

(Past) you forces the bottle out of his mouth, coughing a little but smiling all the same, “God almighty, you two couldn’t be more different yet you’re both the same flavour of unreasonable…”

(Present) you looks on the exchange with a knowing stare, “Oh yeah, right around now Austin and Bradford came to me to talk...wait what does that have to do with why we’re here!?”

“Shhhhh! Can’t you see this is the interesting part! Just watch!” Lucy quiets you.

“This woman I swear…” you shake your head as you listen to your past self.

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>(For the sake of convenience and my tired fingers, past Derrick will now be treated like regular Derrick until otherwise stated.)

Austin throws back his beer in a happy swig, “Man the alcohol in this place kicks harder than a Bear-donkey! Just how I like it.”

Maxwell, just finishing up serving someone else, approaches your little group, giving you a dry old chuckle as he draws near, “Glad to see at least one of your friends likes my supply.”

“Just cause it gives a good buzz doesn’t excuse the horrid taste, why does everything in this place taste like piss?” You ask.

“The hell it does! Austin my friend, you think my beer is amazing don’t you?” Maxwell fishes for compliments.

“It can taste like i’m downing the blood of a month-old dead rat but as long as it gets me buzzed, I don’t give a fuck.” he answers.

He looks back to you with a smug smile, “See? Your friend gets it.”

Your face dawns a placid stare, “I dunno know if you’re going senile already old man, but that wasn’t him complimenting you, Austin just doesn’t let anything bother him.”

“Fucking tell me about it, this bastard just gives no fucks! It’s almost like he’s-what’s you call it- Antapathetic? Ancapthic? Aparatheid?” Bradford who’s clearly had one too many asks.

“You mean apathetic.” You answer for him.

“Yeah that! That’s what I mean! I was close wasn’t I?” He asks.

“No, not even, your first 2 guesses aren’t even real words and the last one was an oppressive tactic used by dictators.” You state.

“Ah! Potato! Shmato! Same damn thing!” He counters.

The dumbfounded look on your face does nothing to cure the stupidity of Bradford’s words, so you turn to Maxwell instead.

“Maxwell, water-down this dumbass’s drinks alright? He’s lost enough brain cells as is.” you ask.

Austin chimes in, “The number of brain cells he has left aside, he’s wrong about me being apathetic, I care. I care about a lot of stuff, don’t you see how expressive I am?” He cracks his best fake smile.

You sneer at him, “Yeah...for once I have to say Bradford is actually right, it takes a lot to get you to react man. A grenade could roll under your feet and your best reaction would be Bro, that’s crazy!”

Austin laughs a little, “Man, I see all these years haven’t made you any less of a kidder Derrick.”

“C-Captain! Bad news!” One of Austin’s men rushes up to him in a panic.

Austin turns to him with a sigh, “What? Can’t you see I’m half-way through a pint with my buds?”

“I’m sorry Cap! But this is bad! I didn’t fit my grenade belt right and one of them rolled off while I wasn’t looking! I think it might have rolled under this bar!” He explains.

“Fucking what!?” Bradford shouts in a panic checking under his feet.

Austin gapes a little in surprise, “There's a grenade under the bar? Bro that’s crazy! You better find that quick man.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do Cap! So don’t mind me, I’m just going to crawl under your feet for a second!” He says as he drops to the floor and crawls under the bar.

“You better find that nade right damn quick, do you have any idea how much this bar cost to have installed!?” Maxwell slams the bar in rage.

“Gee, thanks Max, your concern for me shows how much you really care for me.” you berate.

“Ah! Don’t worry guys! I found it!” The agent springs up from under the bar, flashbang in hand.

“Jeez, make sure your equipment is in order, I know we take it laid-back in my unit but shit like this can be dangerous man.” Austin scolds.

The agent rubs the back of his head, “Sorry Cap! My bad! But even if it went off, just a flash-bag, worst it would’ve done is make your ears ring for a week or two.”

“That doesn’t make it any better, I catch you with a loose belt again and next time you come into work you’re coming in with no belt at all, or pants for that matter.” He promises.

“N-No pants?” The agent repeats.

Austin cracks a threatening grin, “I bet it will be real fun letting all the ladies at the office see you run around, pants off and head down, you’ll be the best joke the girls have seen since the last guy who pissed me off.”

“....” The agent looks terrified.

“I’m sure you don’t want all the girls laughing at what you’re working with down there...unless you’re into that kind of thing?” He asks.

“Not in the least sir! Please have mercy sir! It won’t happen again sir!” The agent straightens up and throws up the best salute he can in his inebriated state.

“So long as you repent, all is forgiven, now fuck off will you? I’m having fun here.” Austin shoos the agent away.

“R-Right sir! won’t happen again! Enjoy your drink!” He says as he runs off.

You give him a quick chuckle, “What’s this? Austin, since when did you learn to bust people’s balls? I thought you were the kind of guy to take everything in stride.”

He laughs, “Normally you’d be right, but I am the Captain of this unit you know? I don’t want to be a hardass, but without discipline, the whole unit will crumble to pieces.”

You give him a strange look, “You didn’t need to give me such a serious answer, you’re starting to sound like Rickard man.”

“Like Rickard huh…” Austin repeats quietly as he looks down at the bar counter, or perhaps, somewhere more far away.

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“Austin…?” You call him.

“Alright I’m stepping out to take a piss! See you two in a bit!” Bradford announces as he sits up from his stool and heads for the bathroom.

Maxwell puts a hand up to stop him, “Hey hold up! You can’t go in there!”

“Why the hell not? Look man, if this about that one toilet, I’m sorry, I promise I ain’t bringing Mary in with me again! It was an accident and I was super drunk!” Bradford counters.

Maxwell gives him a dirty look, “...I was going to say the bathroom is full at the moment so you’ll have to wait, but it was you who shotgunned my toilet?”

Bradford looks around in a panic, “O-Oh well why didn’t you say so earlier Gramps!? My bladder’s real fucking full so I’mma just find me a nice back-alley to piss in, see ya!!” He says as he half-runs out of the bar.

“Don’t you run! I’ll just put the toilet cost on your tab and I ain’t letting you leave till you pay it!” Maxwell shouts at him as he makes his escape.

“Go right ahead Gramps! I’m a hunter now! I can foot the bill for a toilet or two!” He says as he dashes out the front door.

“And you damn well better, that toilet almost cost me as much the finest bottle on my shelf you little goddamn…” Maxwell grumbles as he moves down the bar to serve the other agents drinks, leaving you and Austin alone.

“What kind of alcohol is this guy packing for it to be more expensive than a toilet bowl?” Austin asks.

You chuckle, “Not the very special kind. Being more expensive than a toilet bowl in this place just means the taste is just a little better than toilet water.”

Austin laughs, “Damn man, for the guy who helped save your life, you sure are harsh on him.”

“Only cause he’s just as harsh with me, but don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to him, that’s why I haven’t trashed the place despite all the times he’s pissed me off.” You state.

“You call that gratitude…? Well whatever, did he ever tell you why he saved you?” he asks.

“Why…? No not really, he just found me one day and helped me out.” you answer.

“And you never asked?” He asks.

“Why would I? Guy saves your ass, cleans you up and gives you a place to stay, I find it better to just pay him back for it than question why.” You answer.

“And you’ve never been curious? You never wanted to ask him…Why me? Why did you save me?” He asks.

“Again, not really...but if I had to guess...it’s probably because...he’s a meddler.” You answer.

“A meddler?” Austin questions.

“Yeah, he’s just the kind of guy who helps people because he can’t leave well enough alone, it’s not in his nature to ignore people in need, even when he’d be better off just staying out of it.” You answer.

File: Austin Yardley09.gif (1.73 MB, 540x300)

1.73 MB GIF

“He just can’t ignore a person in need? Sounds like a great guy, maybe you should start treating him better...” He stares at the wall of drinks in front of him as he quietly thinks on something.

“There it is again.” you point out.

https://youtu.be/DYv8tVd5sK8

He looks at you, “There’s what?”

“Whenever you’re worried about something, you stare off into the distance or focus on random stuff nearby. It’s a tick you’ve had ever since you were a kid.” You point out.

He blinks his eyes at you, “Really? I never noticed, you’re more observant than you look.”

“It’s also something you do when you have something you want to say but won’t just say it, be straight with me man, what’s eating you?” you ask.

“...” he goes quiet.

You put a hand to his shoulder, “Come on man, we’re friends...aren’t we?”

He looks at you, baffled in one moment and cracking up the next, “Friends...yeah, we’re friends...we’re...still friends aren’t we?”

“Austin…?” You look at him with a hint of worry.

He looks down, staring into his own reflection in the bottle as he speaks, "You know guys like Maxwell and Rickard used to really confuse me”

“Confuse you? Confuse you how?” you ask.

“The stoic attitude...the constant need to help people...how they always take everything seriously...how they always have some righteous banner to wave and a life lesson to teach…” He lists.

He squints his eyes, “I never got it, when I was kid, I always looked at guys like Rickard and thought to myself, Why are you trying so hard? Why is shit always so serious with you? Why can’t you just take it easy?”

You contemplate for a moment before speaking, “...Well I mean shit was serious back then, we were fighting the mafia community, it wasn’t really the kind of time to take things easy.”

He shakes his head, “You’re right, but I feel like...no I know that even if he wasn’t fighting the mafia, Rickard would be the same kind of guy, it wasn’t that the context changed him, it just suited him.”

“And when I was a kid, that sort of thing confused, I never really...cared for anything.” he admits.

“You didn’t care for anything? Man are you sure the alcohol isn’t screwing with your head? You put your life on the line to fight the mafia with us, didn’t you?” you ask him.

“Yeah...but it’s not like I was a front-line fighter like you or Rickard or Big sis or anything, I was mostly just the get-away driver.” he counters.

“Even so, you put your life on the line, you fought with us.” You give him a stern look as you speak.

“Are you saying you didn’t care for what you were fighting for? For your comrades who fought with you? You didn’t care for the life you risked protecting all of those things?” You ask him.

“Derrick...I…” He trails off, uncertain of what to say he looks off towards the other guests at the party behind him as he retreats into his thoughts.

But you don’t let him run away this time, grabbing his shoulder firmly, you pull his attention back to you.

“When we got locked down in the pit of despair, after Rickard was...you didn’t hesitate to offer yourself up as a sacrifice in my place.” you counter.

“Derrick…” he whispers your name with a sad, weary look in his eyes.

You pull him close and look into his eyes, “Are you saying you didn’t care for that sacrifice? Would someone who truly didn’t care put themselves through all that?”

He looks at you confounded and lost for a moment before smiling, “...You’re right, it was stupid of me to say I didn’t care.”

You smile back at him as you let him go, “As long as you understand, then it’s no problem.”

But the moment you let him go, his smile fades and his eyes once again stray away, “It wasn’t that I didn’t care, it was that I wanted to care, but couldn’t.”

You give him an angry glare, “Everything I just said and you’re still going off with that bullshit-!”

He puts a hand up, “Just let me speak for a moment, you’ll get what I mean.”

“...” you comply and go quiet.

He grabs the drink you took away, taking a sip before speaking, “As a kid, I was emotionally stunted, maybe it was all the loss of my Dad...or the abuse of my brother...or maybe I was just fucked in the head…”

He stares into his glass, “But no matter the reason, I can’t deny that in the beginning, when I joined Carpe-diem, I didn’t do it out of any noble cause or hope for the future, I was just...bored.”

“Bored?” you question.

He grips his drink a little, “Bored of always being the victim, bored of never being able to do anything about it...Carpe-diem gave us a chance to finally take some control back in our lives, that was my reason for joining the gang, I was bored and desperate for a take control.”

“But even as I finally took some control in my life for once, I still felt...empty, It wasn’t fun, it wasn’t fulfilling, whether I was the perpetrator or the victim made no difference, in the end nothing changed.” He realized.

“After a while I even just thought about quitting and getting myself out before shit got dicey...that is, until you joined.” He explains.

“You changed your mind because I joined?” you question.

He nods, “You were the total opposite of me, you were motivated, you had a noble cause and a reason to fight, you helped people out of the goodness of your heart alone…”

You chuckle at that, “Are you serious? Sure I had a reason to fight, but noble cause? I just wanted revenge, man.”

He shakes his head, “Even so, that was more than I had and I admired that...and I was envious of that.”

File: Austin Yardley11.png (337 KB, 600x772)

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“Envious?” you question.

“You were...whole. You were complete, you were fulfilled, you were...you weren’t empty.” he explains.

“...” you say nothing.

“I wanted to be like you...like Rickard, I wanted to feel whole, I wanted to have such a clear purpose but I just...just couldn’t find one.” he looks down into his glass with forlorn, dead eyes, ones you remember seeing back in the pit of despair.

“Austin...You’re…” You struggle to say what you feel.

“But then-” Austin cuts in, life returning to his once dead eyes.

“But then...I met him.” He explains.

“By him...you must mean Soren.” You realize.

He closes his eyes and nods, “He came to me, the worthless, useless me, robbed of his eyes to see and his ears to hear and he came to me and gave me them all back...and more.”

“And it was only after I’d been given eyes to see with, ears to hear with, that was ever truly aware of reality for what it really was.” He declares.

“Aware of reality...for what it really is?” You question.

He nods, “A cruel, horrible place...devoid of meaning, devoid of purpose, devoid of any real hope...that’s what reality is...but…”

“Even in a place...there are things worth fighting for...there are things worth dying for...the moment I met Soren and learned of his vision of the future, that’s what I realized.” He declares.

“...” All you could do was stare into them in silence, silence born of admiration and fear.

After a moment of silence, Austin closes his eyes again and laughs, “Man is it me or did the mood get way too damn serious all of a sudden? This is a party, so why are we talking about all this sad stuff?”

His switch in tone leaves you shell-shocked for a moment, making you late to respond, “Y-Yeah, let’s just leave this topic alone for now…” you nod.

“Yeah, instead of that depressing shit, let’s talk about all the hearts you’ve been breaking lately Mr.Holumns.” He bumps your shoulder with your elbow.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” you ask.

“I heard it from that chick with the eye-patch, Vanilla I think it was? Says you two-timed a girl during the exam and you’ve got at least 3 girls on rotation after you got your license!” he answers.

You feel a pang of rage, “Oh did she now? I was wondering who the hell was still spreading those goddamn rumors…!”

“You got to tell me how you did it man! I’m too busy to score any pussy on the job! so I need some pointers.” He asks.

“There are no pointers! Cause everything that cyclops told you was bullshit!” you counter.

“Oh so you ain’t gonna share your pussy-slaying techniques huh? Too powerful to share are they? I bet it’s the hair isn't it? Why are women always into the blonde ones! He’s more than a hair-due ladies!” Austin states.

“I’m not hiding anything! And even if I was, you’re no better than those women for shit-talking my hair!” You shout.

(Past) you and Austin banter back and forth like this as present you and Lucy watch on from the two stools next to them with quiet bemusement.

Lucy watches the two of you interact with an air of joy and amusement, “You and him really are such good friends aren’t you? Even after all these years, you still hit off like you used to.”

You watch closely “Yeah...personality-wise he hasn’t changed a bit.”

She gives you a curious stare, “Personality-wise...is it?”

“What is it?” you ask.

“You know, I found that whole exchange very amusing, but there was one part that caught my interest.” She states.

You give her a curious stare, “Oh yeah? What?”

“While Austin was going on about his new purpose in life, it seemed like you had something to say and yet...you didn’t say it.” she points out.

You look away from her, “...what do you mean?”

She giggles, “You know exactly what I mean...I’m sure you noticed as well, Austin, your dearest and oldest friend isn’t the same man as he was when you last saw him.”

“...” You go quiet.

“Don’t give me the cold shoulder now dear~ You said it yourself did you not? Personality-wise there’s been no major change...but otherwise…” She trails off with a smile.

“...Otherwise, yeah...he’s different...he’s very different.” You admit.

“And how is that? How is he different? Is it his morals? His physiology?” She asks you.

You shake your head, “It’s nothing so complex, it’s simple...so simple in fact that it’s hard to to even put in words.”

“Well don’t leave me in the dark now, try and phrase it the best you can for me.” She begs.

You crane your head and look to Austin, “Morally he’s the same, mentally he’s just as lazy and laid-back a bastard as he was back in the day...even physically, aside from all the cybernetics and losing all the hair dye, not too much has changed.”

You narrow your eyes at him, “if I had to say what it was...it’s something more fundamental...something like...his soul I guess?”

Lucy narrows her eyes at you, “His soul?”

“For lack of a better term yeah. A part of Austin that made him…Austin is different, It’s not as if anything has truly changed about him, it’s more like...his existence itself is different.” you explain.

“Different how?” She asks.

“...It’s really hard to put in words...but this much I can say.” You look into her eyes.

“For the Austin I knew 8 years ago, was not the kind of man who was willing to die for some noble cause...especially not someone else’s.” You point out.

She rests on those words for a moment before speaking, “...I see, how very interesting…And how do you feel about it?”

“How do I feel about it?” you ask back.

“Does the idea of Austin finding a reason so important to him he’d even be willing to die for it disturb you? Does it scare you? Are you happy for him?” She asks.

“How I feel...I…” You trail off.

How do you feel about the change in Austin?

>It does scare me...it feels like the Austin I knew is gone.

>I’m happy for him...He found a reason to live, a reason to fight.

>I don’t know...I just can’t tell how I feel yet.

>>4569620
>It does scare me...it feels like the Austin I knew is gone.

>>4569625

>Even if it looks the same, It can never truly be the same.

>Continuing...

File: Derrick Holums42.jpg (129 KB, 1280x720)

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"I...I want to say I'm happy for him, I want to say that despite it all, he's the same guy I spent my childhood with, I want to say there's nothing wrong..." You sigh and frown, if only the drinks before you were real, you'd happily take a sip right now.

"But I know...I know all to well it isn't the same, I can tell myself that there's nothing wrong, but I know it...Austin's a different man now and he will never be the person I once knew..." You admit.

Lucy gives you a deeply sympathetic look, "I can hear your sorrow, feel your sadness, I know how hard it is for you to admit you feel that way, but yes, I think it's clear that he's changed forever."

"However, is that truly a bad thing?" She asks.

"What do you mean by that?" you ask back.

"Well think about it, I know you and Soren are basically sworn enemies at this point, but without him, Austin would be a deaf, mute, shell of a man who would've likely taken his own life in time, Soren helped Austin, saved his life." She points out.

You scoff, "Well yeah, I'm sure his reasons for helping a random crippled person are pure and nice, he's totally doesn't have an ulterior motive."

She laughs, "Yes, yes, I'm sure he didn't save Austin out of the goodness of his heart, but even still, the fact that he saved him remains undeniable and because of that, you two can talk, you can be friends and, even if he's not the same person, it's not as if he's become a bad person...has he?"

"You're asking me, we only reunited like...4 days ago maybe? I can't really judge whether he's become better or worse..." You point out.

"Does he give off the impression of a bad person?" She asks.

"...No, not even slightly." You answer.

"Then what's the problem?" She asks.

"..." You go quiet.

"What's wrong? Feel you still can't say? Need more time perhaps?" She asks.

You shake your head, "No...no I just...I think I just don't want to admit it."

"Admit what?" She asks.

You look away, staring off into the distance, "That despite not being a bad person, that despite having perfectly good intentions, despite being my best friend since we were kids...that simply because of a difference in our beliefs...Austin and I will...that Austin will become my..."

"Don't say it." Lucy stops you.

"What?" You look back at her.

"I know what you're going to say, if you say it now, while you're still not certain, while you still haven't properly built your resolve, you will only hurt yourself." She explains.

"So, don't say it, I understand." She states.

You hold your head, lean down and stare holes into the counter, heaving a heavy sigh and leaving an even heavier silence in your wake.

"...Thanks." Before finally giving thanks to Lucy for sparing you from having to admit the cruel reality before you.

You shake your head, “Enough of this, why are we even here? Did you drag me to this place just to psychoanalyze me and my friends or something?”

She giggles, “No, no...that was just a fun side objective.”

“You little…!” You grumble.

“My real reason for bringing you back to this memory isn’t for you to see what you already know again, rather, it’s time to learn about what you don’t know.” She explains.

“What I don’t know? What do you mean? What don’t I know?” you ask.

She smiles as she speaks, “What if I told you...that one of your friends was hiding a secret from you?”

You huff at that, “Everyone’s got secrets to hide, I’ve got secrets to hide, doesn’t matter to me if all my friends are hiding a 1000 skeletons in their closet, so long as mine isn’t one of them.”

“I’d figure a stoic such as yourself would say as much, pry not where one has no need yes? But what if I told you that this secret did have something to do with you?” She asks.

“....” You go quiet.

“Well the next question comes to who would hide such a secret from you?” She begins to scan the bar, examining the various party-goers.

First her eyes go to Whu, who drinks quietly alongside Flourette in the corner of the bar as they discuss the previous mission’s details.

“Whu, the mysterious gun-slinger perhaps? Calling you friends is a bit of a stretch but I’m sure he’s hiding a number of things from everyone here.” She points out.

Her eyes then look to Flourette, “Or perhaps the straight-lace maid? Her nature is honest and straight-forward, but her history as an officer of the law has made her shrewd and sly when it comes to matters of secrecy.”

Her eyes then wander over to Landon who flirts with a pair of ladies at the other end of the bar.

“Could it be the exotic flirt Landon? Being forward and honest with one's desires and affections doesn’t mean honesty in other fields, in-fact, I’m sure he’s coaxed a number of secrets from the many men and women he’s bedded.” She reasons.

She then looks back you, “I do believe we’ve already gone over the matters regarding Maxwell and your estranged friend Austin, which does leave one other, but truly, could one such as him hold a secret, from you no one less-”

You sigh, “Get to the point already, your rambling is starting to grate on my ears.”

She frowns, “Well aren’t we impatient and rude? True or not, calling a lady's ramblings grating is bad form you know?”

“I think you shit-talking my friends is even worse form really. I have no time nor care for gossip, get to the meat and potatoes, what are you trying to tell me?” you demand.

“Hmph, truly you’re no fun.” She pouts for a moment before smiling again and snapping her fingers.

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SNAP!

https://youtu.be/0GAVBniyCLM

After the snap, the world slows to a halt, like a video that’s been paused, everything has been frozen in place.

All the background chatter comes to an end, all the dancing stops mid-movement and drinks being poured remain suspended in the air.

The only moving bodies within this now frozen world were you and Lucy, who get up from her stool and ushers you to your feet with an extended hand.

“Getting straight to the point, one of your friends is hiding something of great importance from you, a secret that could decide the course of your adventure in the near future.” She answers.

“Decide the course of my adventure? Who’s hiding this secret? Why are they hiding it?” you ask.

She shakes her head, “Those are all questions that will be answered once you see what I have to show you, however…”

“However?” you question.

“Next comes the question of...do you even want to learn of the secret in the first place?” She answers.

You give her a perplexed look, “First you’re chomping at the bit to show me this secret, next you question if I even want to see it? What is this?”

She shakes her head, “It’s bad form for a guide to show their attendees sights they do not wish to see, if you wish not to learn of the secret, then you should be free to ignore it.”

“Okay...and why would I not want to see it?” you ask.

She smiles and looks away, “Learning of this will make you far more prepared for what’s to come yes, that is true, you have no reason to not want to see it.”

Her smile falters, “But...there’s a chance seeing what I have to show you might have the opposite effect, it may deeply confuse you, hurt you, it might make you lost to what’s really happening around you.”

You crane your head at her, “...Just what kind of secret is this…?”

“Basically, I can’t guarantee you’ll understand even if I show it to you and even if you do, it might make you...hateful of those you hold dear in the coming days.” She explains.

“....” you go quiet as you try and understand her words.

“So with that risk in mind, I must give you the choice, do you wish to see what lies beyond the veil of trust? Or do you wish to stay blissful ignorant of what lies in the dark?” She presents her extended hand to you once more.

What will you do?

>Take her hand.

>Reject her offer and move on.

File: 1591901655020.png (10 KB, 180x178)

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>>4569694
>Take her hand.
I'm guessing this has to do with Landon, that'd be the most obvious thing.
WHAT.COULD.POSSIBLY.GO.WRONG?

>>4569699

>To witness a secret.

>Continuing...

File: Spoiler Image (66 KB, 712x400)

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“...Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s painless torture and let it be known-” You take her hand.

“I just hate getting tortured, so even with the risks in mind, I want to see what you have to show me.” You answer.

She smiles, “I just knew you’d see it my way, now then…” She closes her eyes and in the next second it begins.

The world, like a tape reel being reversed, turns back in time, people who left, return to their previous positions, drinks become undrunk, arguments become unheld and all events turn back to the start.

Lucy lets go of your hand and the world resumes as normal once more and the first voice you hear is Bradford’s.

“Alright I’m stepping out to take a piss! See you two in a bit!” Bradford repeats, ensuing the argument with Maxwell once more.

You crane your head at her, “This conversation, it happened about 30 minutes ago...you turned back the clock 30 minutes? What for?”

“We’re going to follow him, the holder of the secret in question.” She points behind you.

You follow that finger to see who she’s pointing at, “The holder of the secret…? Wait, you can’t mean-”

“Go right ahead Gramps! I’m a hunter now! I can foot the bill for a toilet or two!” He says as he dashes out the front door.

“Him…?” You look at the door Bradford just passed through, a little taken off balance.

“Yes, him, now hurry we must follow him.” She eggs on, pushing you towards the door and out of the bar.

“Follow him? He’s just going to take a piss isn’t he?” You ask as you’re pushed along.

“So he says, but we’re going to follow him on this journey of urination to see where he ends up.” She says as she steps past you, following in Bradford’s trail as he walks down the street.

“Follow him to see him take a piss? God that’s the last thing I wanna do, the secret you’re hyping up better not be whether Bradford is cut down there or not right?” You ask as you follow her.

She laughs, “Oh my no! I haven’t the slightest interest in whether he’s mutilated his own genitals.”

She casts a knowing look your way, “There’s only one man who's crotch I care for in this world and he’s standing right behind me, enjoying the view as I walk ahead.”

You blush at that, “I-I-I’m not staring! What gives you the idea I’m staring at your ass!?”

“If you’ve forgotten I can see everything you can see. But don’t worry, enjoy the view all you like, I don’t mind~” She flirts.

You walk on ahead, catching up to her, “Well I do! I don’t need you calling me some sex fiend that’s been consumed by butt-lust!”

She giggles, “I never went that far, was my derriere really that tempting in your eyes?”

You blush even harder, “Stop talking about ass and let’s focus on following the dumb one ahead of us!”

She giggles “As you wish dear~”

>5 minutes later…

“...” After the initial back and forth with you and Lucy, things got silent.

Walking down the concrete sidewalk, the only voice left to be heard was that of the city.

The sounds of cars rolling down the road, the sight of lights coming off for those who would work come tomorrow and on came the ones who had to work tonight.

From time to time, one could even hear the call of some street animal as it freed itself from the dumpster it dived in.

These random noises were enough to occupy your mind for a few minutes, but after a while you had realized the only dialogue that was being exchanged between you 3 now was the tit-tat of each other’s footsteps, which felt as lost as you are right now.

Perhaps it was that feeling of being lost that prompted your next words, “...Something’s wrong.” you state.

“Hm? Wrong? Whatever could be amiss?” Lucy asked, wearing that knowing smile she can’t seem to wipe off her face.

“It’s too quiet, way too quiet...this doesn’t feel natural.” You point out.

“What about this present situation feels unnatural? The man is quietly looking for a place to relieve himself, is he not?” Lucy questions.

“Yeah, it’s the quietly part that bothers me, Bradford is never quiet, not even when he’s alone, the man’s basically cursed to have to shout every 10 seconds or he’ll explode.” You counter.

She shakes her head, “Surely you exaggerate, Bradford is certainly a very loud and energetic man, but even he has times where he enjoys a bit of silence, surely you have more to go on then that?”

“Well there’s also the fact that he’s been searching for a place to piss for over 5 minutes, shouldn’t he have just dipped into an alley and let loose by now?” You ask.

“Perhaps he finds the idea of using an alleyway for a lavatory unpleasant, he might be looking for a restroom proper and just can’t find one, no?” She asserts.

You narrow your eyes, “Bradford doesn’t have the kind of class to care where he goes, one time when me and him went drinking, he got so hammered that he actually pissed on the bar counter thinking it was a urinal.”

Lucy looks astonished, “I Imagine you didn’t go drinking with him again after that?”

You laugh, “Yeah, not to that bar again anyway.”

“Well be that as it may, while fair to call the situation odd, an odd situation isn’t proof of a suspicious one...unless you have some other factor that bothers you that you aren’t mentioning.” She asserts.

“...” You go quiet.

She giggles, “Well no matter, you’ll get your answer soon enough.”

“...Hmph…” The truth was she was right, there was something you weren’t mentioning, you just didn’t want to give her the satisfaction of knowing how well she can read you.

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Lucy’s prophecy comes to fruition in a matter of minutes, as soon after the two of you ceased speaking, Bradford finally changes direction of his otherwise linear walk till now.

Sharply and suddenly, as if an assassin trying to stay out of sight, he turned off into a nearby alleyway, secluding himself in the darkness there-in.

https://youtu.be/kmgAk6CrKL0

“Now where in the world could he be in such a hurry to~? Could his bladder have finally hit it’s limit?” Lucy asks of you.

You grimace at her, “Don’t ask me questions you already know the answer to, if it was his bladder, he would’ve wet the walls 4 alleys ago. let’s follow him, double time now.”

On your order, the two of you chase after him down the alleyway, rounding the corner, you see Bradford once more, his white suit standing out even in the darkness of the alley.

With quiet but quick steps, Bradford makes his way to the backdoor of what appears to be a hotel building, as soon as he reaches the door, he takes a moment to look around, scanning both sides of the alleyway for any intruding individuals.

“Good...no tails.” After confirming no one else but him and the two imaginary time-travelers watching him are looking, he opens the door and heads inside the building, quickly closing the door behind him.

A wave of nervousness washes over you as you watch, “Bradford...what is this...when the hell did you become so sneaky? The last thing you’re good at is being quiet about things you dumbass...”

Lucy giggles, “The feeling of hidden truths right beneath one’s own nose is truly troubling isn’t it? Though your disturbance is natural, for one such as Bradford to prove so subtle and careful can be no less than uncanny.”

Your grimace grows heavier yet, “...Nothing’s set in stone yet, even if Bradford is hiding things from me, who knows, it might be because it’s something I’m better off not knowing, maybe he’s hiding it for my own good?”

Lucy shakes her head, “Derrick my dear, has there been a single time in all human history where one withholds information from another and it’s ever truly been for their own good?”

“....” You don’t dare answer.

She sighs, “Let’s head inside shall we?” She gestures to the door.

Nodding, you and her step through the door into the building after Bradford.

The moment you step inside, you’re surprised to find the interior of the building is a total disaster.

You stand at the foyer of the building, though it’s a little hard to tell through all the thick clouds of dust that would threaten to choke you were your throat not made from meta-phyiscal mind-juice.

Tables, cabinets and plant vases line the walls, most of which are cracked, crumbling or outright rotten and broken and haven’t been moved or touched in decades going by the amount of visible dust that covers them.

The stairway leading to the upper floors looks ready to cave-in under foot at any moment, in-fact a few of the steps already have, you can even see small flecks of blood leftover by the unfortunate souls who trusted the wooden deathtrap.

Put simply, the place is old and horrid.

Lucy finally drops her smile, almost turning up her nose at the sight of the place, “If what Bradford truly seeks is a place to relieve himself he has found it, this place is basically a several story outhouse.”

“Stop complaining, just lead the way, you know which way he went right?” You ask.

She nods, “But of course, He’s standing on the floor just above us, heading into a room at the end of the hall, would you like me to tell you the room number?”

You look down, below you notice a trail of faint impressions left by Bradford’s shoes in the dust that lead up the stairs.

You grimace as you follow the trail towards the stairs, “You can save me the fine details, I think I can figure out the rest of this puzzle on my own.”

Lucy smiles, “How very independent~ as you wish, I will say nothing more, but if you do not mind, a question.”

“What? If it’s another inquiry as to the state of my erection, save it, I’m not in the mood to play along with your jokes.” You explain.

She giggles, “How very rude! You think me so crass and lewd that I would just launch random inquiries regarding your crotch at a time like this!”

“I’m not hearing a no.” You point out.

“Well I will admit I was a little curious...but I promise I would’ve only asked after we were done confirming your friend’s betrayal!” She quips.

“....” You shoot her a silent glare.

“My you really aren’t in a joking mood are you?” she realizes.

“If you’re not going to take this seriously then you can keep sucking up dust here, I’m going on ahead.” You turn back to the stairs and walk on.

She puts out her hands in apology, “Wait, wait, my apologies for the attempt at comedy, I will admit it was...inopportune.”

You sigh and turn back, “To put it lightly, yeah. Very inopportune.”

“But I do have a genuine question for you. Tell me my dear-” She brings up her hand and snaps her finger, pausing time once more.

She then extends her hand to you and speaks, “Are you sure you don’t want to take this chance to move onto the next memory? We have much to see and this may be your final chance to turn back.”

You give her an annoyed and confused look, “Seriously what is with you on being bipolar on this issue? One moment you push and push to keep me going and the next you pull back like I’m the one who started all this.”

“I know I must seem flippant and flaky for doing things this way, but I only do so because I worry for you.“ She answers.

“Worry for me?” you question.

“I fear your heart will not be able to handle what lies ahead, the shock might drive you to...extreme action.” She explains.

You chuckle, “You tell me all that and seriously expect me to hear all that and just turn back and say Yeah I’ve seen enough, let’s go? You can’t be serious.”

“As ridiculous as it sounds, yes I suggest you do just that, it may be for the better.” She answers.

“This has to be a bad joke, it was you who told me about my friends hiding stuff from me and lead me here in the first place, if you thought I couldn’t handle it, why even give me the choice!?” You ask.

“Because even if it would break your heart you deserve at least a chance to know the truth, which is why I’m offering you a choice, keep going and see what lies ahead, or…” She presents her hand to you once more.

“Come back, take my hand now and save yourself the pain.” She offers.

You take a moment to look into her eyes, the concern in them is honest and pure, she isn’t joking or playing with you right now, if you were going to turn back, now would be your only chance.

You look away from those honest eyes, cast your gaze downward and curse under your breath, “What the hell...Only now you shelf the detached seductress act…!”

“Well my dear? What is your answer?” She asks of you.

Left at a crossroads between deception and ignorance, you chose to…

>Keep going forward, it’s far too late to turn back now, you must know what it is that Bradford has done.

>Take her hand and move on, no matter how great the secret, the distrust that would sown between the two of you would be too much to handle.

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>>4569726
This is gonna be rough, what's worse is that I really can't think of what this secret exactly is, or to put it more precisely why it would cause so much potential anquish that even Lucy would try to warn us twice. Time to open Pandora's box
>Keep going forward, it’s far too late to turn back now, you must know what it is that Bradford has done.

>>4569741

>There can be no looking away, no turning back.

>Continuing...

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https://youtu.be/GwoBpn9-ErE

You sigh and turn your back to her, “Your concern...is appreciated, however, I can’t turn back now.”

“Do you wish to doubt one of your closest friends so? Though I suppose in a situation like this, putting your trust in him would be-”

“That’s where you’re wrong” You cut her off.

“Hm?” She hums.

You look back at her, “I’m not heading up these stairs because I doubt Bradford, I’m doing it cause I trust him.”

She cranes her head at you, “Now you’re the one confounding me, whatever could you mean?”

You turn back to face her, “When we first met, I’m going to be honest, I didn’t like the dumbass.”

“He was brash, vulgar, loud and annoying as all hell, I had half a mind to beat his ass every time he provoked me and the only reason I didn’t was because I thought he wouldn’t be worth the effort.” You explain.

“Hell, the only reason I even chose to follow him down the forest path that day was cause I thought his worthless ass would shuffle right off the mortal coil in 5 minutes or less alone.” You explain.

You hold out a hand to her, “But after that...after that we bonded.”

And clench that hand tight, “We risked our lives together, fought to survive together, we nearly died together and we got through and lived anyway...together.”

“As annoying, stupid and stand-offish as that asshole is, it doesn’t change the fact he’s one of my best friends and I’d trust him with my life.” You declare.

She giggles, “You speak with such confidence, such conviction...you really mean this don’t you? You’ve known the man all of 3 months haven’t you?”

“Time isn’t a measure of friendship, action is. And though it’s only been 3 months, with how much shit we both go through, it might as well have been 3 years.” You assert.

“You speak the truth, but let it also be known that even a 100 acts of friendship can be destroyed by one of act of betrayal, is that not so?” She counters.

You cast your gaze away, “I...can’t deny that, but even...even if I’ve been betrayed...I’m going anyway...because I want to know why.”

“Why?” She inquiries.

You look back at her, confidence still shining in your eyes, “Bradford is the kind of man who would lay down his life if it meant saving his friends. If he was driven to betray me, he has a damn good reason, I know it.”

She looks surprised for a moment before closing her eyes and smiling, then with a snap of her fingers time resumes once more.

“I cannot argue against that...I retract my earlier statement, you are ready to see what lies ahead. Go.” She agrees.

You smile, “Thanks...you aren’t coming with?”

She shakes her head, “I’ve already seen what lies ahead, my presence there would only be a nuisance, this is between you and your best friend yes?”

“One of my best friends, don’t get it mixed up, I don’t like the guy that much.” You counter.

“You would go so far for a man you don’t even like that much...You truly are a man beyond compare my dear, you never fail to impress.” She admires.

You start climbing the stairs, “If you want to suck off my ego, save it for when I get back, I just want to get this over with.”

She laughs, “Oh my dear, I plan to suck off much more than your ego...”

You blush a little, “Man you just can’t help yourself can you?”

“Around you? No, I simply cannot. Now be off would you?” She shoos you away.

“Anything to be away from your sexual harassment…” You quickly climb up the steps, following the dusty footprints as you make your way up.

“He acts as if he doesn’t enjoy it, what a dishonest boy...Still…” Her mouth curves into a genuine, heartfelt smile.

“He truly loves his friends and is willing to go to any length to save them, that love will save him from much misfortune in the coming days...but…” The smile drops and curves into a small frown.

“It may just also be the thing that ruins you my dear...And I dread to see you ruined…” She whispers to herself, alone in the halls of the abandoned building.

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Trying to make up for lost time, you dash up the staircase and exit into a hallway along which rooms run the horizontal length of the building, the room numbers starting at 10 and ending in 20.

“...” Quietly, you follow the footsteps down the hall, leading you to the 2nd to last room, room number 19.

“Room 19...Jeez, of all the rooms you could pick, of course it had to be the 19th one...” You stop for a moment and crack a wry smile before placing a hand on the door aiming to push it open.

“-And that about does it for my report, that enough to satisfy you? Mr.Shadowman?” And no sooner than the door’s crack do you hear Bradford’s voice.

“Mr.Shadowman? He’s talking to someone…?” You wonder as you open the door and tread into the doorway.

“For now, yes, The ATU was it? Moon medicines are hiring private armies now? I had an inkling but it is nice to have confirmation.” A 2nd voice states, however the voice sounds garbled and inhuman in utterance, almost robotic.

“Who the hell is that? And what’s with his voice…? Ah….” An answer to your question comes in a matter of 3 steps, as you exit the doorway and enter the room true, you get a good look at the scene for what it is.

The rooms interior is a slightly cramped space with nothing but the bare essentials in it, that is one king sized bed that takes up half the room space, a single cabinet in which one can keep clothes and a window, which has been opened to let out some of the dust.

You imagine since the building was abandoned and should’ve been cleared out, that likely means someone else came in and brought these pieces of furniture into this room to use it for their own devices.

And for their own devices do they use it, for Bradford sits along the edge of the bed, at his side, his favourite shotgun leans on the edge of the bed kept at an arm's length with his accomplice, facing opposite to him on the cabinet in the form of a laptop.

On the laptop an audio-call has been started where on the screen you can see the name of one participant with no profile picture, sporting the the username shadowman.

“Yeah and their leader is a guy named Austin Yardley, tall, dark-haired guy with a funny looking scar on his cheek, couldn’t tell ya where he got it though.” Bradford describes.

“I see...and what do you make of this Austin fellow?” The man on the laptop asks.

(Is he using a voice changer? No wonder his voice sounded so weird, who is this guy…?) you wonder as you listen into the conversation.

Bradford holds his chin and cranes his head as he thinks, “I dunno...on the surface, seems like a real lazy asshole to me, doesn’t talk much and he isn’t very expressive either, damn near apathemic if you ask me.”

“You mean apathetic correct?” Shadowman questions.

“Yeah, that’s what I said isn’t it?” Bradford answers.

“No...are you sure you’re hearing yourself? I can’t exactly trust a report from you if you can barely string together sentences.” he counters.

“That was just one slip up man! Though I do admit I came here drunk off my ass so my thinking may not be the straightest.” He cracks up.

Shadowman sighs, “No matter, any other noteworthy traits about this Austin Yardley character?”

“Well, despite his outward laziness, the guy can be quick on his feet, sharp and real serious when you get on his nerves...He’s like those really cool characters in the kung-fu movies!” He exclaims.

“Characters in kung-fu movies?” the man questions.

“You know, like the drunken old master! On the outside he’s just a buzzed out washed up old man but when he gets into a fight he eats ass for breakfast!” he explains.

“Don’t you mean he kicks ass for breakfast?” The man asks.

“That’s what I said! What do people call them character types again...uh...Oh yeah! Crouching retard, hidden badass right!?” He guesses.

“You mean crouching tiger, hidden dragon...” The man sighs.

“Oh that’s what they call it...sounds lame, my name sounds way cooler, sticking with that!” He declares proudly.

You give Bradford a wry stare, “Good to see that even when you’re hiding secrets and going behind people’s backs, you’re still as sharp as a blunt pencil tip Bradford…”

“Nevermind who’s character troupe is more interesting, any other useful information about Austin?” The man questions.

“Anything else useful huh…? Oh, don’t know if it’s useful to you or not, but apparently he and Derrick used to be the best of friends back in the day.” he answers.

The man behind the screen hums in interest, “He and Derrick? They were friends in the past? That does interest me...are they not as friendly these days?”

Bradford scratches his head, “Kinda hard to tell, when they talk they seem real close, but like...how do I put it…it feels real surface level.”

“Surface level?” The man inquiries.

He nods, “Yeah, like if you looked at them from the distance, they’d look like real good buds, but if you really listened in, it feels a little...fake?”

You frown as you hear that, “I guess Lucy wasn’t the only one that noticed huh…”

“Interesting...I don’t precisely understand what you mean, so I’ll have to take your word for it...” Shadowman ponders for a moment.

“Is this kinda info useful to you? I’m just guessing based on what I’m seeing so it’s no better than gossip.” Bradford questions.

“Sometimes mere gossip can hold more water than it seems, while we’re on the topic, why don’t you tell me a little more about Derrick?” he asks.

Bradford perks up at the question, “Hold on a damn second, you want me to talk about Derrick? Didn’t we have an agreement that info like that’s confimentional?”

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“Agreement…?” you take note as you listen.

“You mean confidential and no, according to the deal we brokered, such details are privy to me so long as I decide they are to my interest. Or need I remind you the terms of our deal?” Shadowman counters.

Bradford shakes his head, “Might be the beer rotting my brain or I’m just real forgetful, but I don’t remember me selling out my best buddy’s info being part of the deal!”

You smile as you hear that, “I knew it, Bradford would never betray me...but then, what is this meeting? And what is this deal they’ve made?”

The man sighs, “Since you seem to be doubting my objective in asking you these questions, let me ask you, what are the terms we agreed on again?”

Bradford narrows his eyes at the screen, “...That I would feed you any info I dig up on the Hunter Association members you ask for and any information I found on the Association itself and report it back to you.”

“And in exchange?” The man questions.

Bradford looks down with a deep frown on his face, “And in exchange…” As the utterance leaves his mouth, so too do his fist clench in deep hatred and fury.

https://youtu.be/TS1o5USSnk4

He looks back up the screen with a burning glare, “And in exchange...You promised me you would help me find the vile motherfuckers who killed my wife and kid!”

Your eyes go wide as you hear this, “Bradford, you turned your back on the Hunter association!? And you did it for-”

“Revenge, yes, in exchange for being my informant, I promised you that vengeance would be yours.” Shadowman answers for you, almost as if he could hear you despite that being entirely impossible.

“....” Bradford stares at the screen, his mouth silent but his rage filled eyes shouting louder than his mouth ever could.

“You agreed to these terms and have continued to work for me, ever since we met a few days before you worked as a Hunter.” Shadowman points out.

“Yeah...and in all that time, I’ve only ever told you bits and pieces I pick up about the guys you told me to research, all these random, big-wig higher ups whose names I’d never even heard before.” He adds.

“Precisely and you did this without once questioning why I needed such information, which is why I wanted you to act as my agent.” he agrees.

“Gathering information on the secretive men I asked you to before without being noticed must’ve been a trail and a half and yet when I ask you about a man you would know better than most, you refrain, why?” Shadowman questions.

Bradford shakes his head, “I gathered info on those randos cause i didn’t give two fucks what you wanted to know about them for or what you’re going to do to them.”

“But Derrick? I owe that asshole my life, I would sooner bite the fucking bullet than give you shit on him for any reason!” Bradford protests.