Post by skylark on Jun 5, 2014 11:42:18 GMT -5
"When you see a person you care for change so completely, you begin to wonder what it was all for." - Caesar Catellena, commenting on the disappearance of Kalia Tsukoyamo.
--------
"This is insane."
Lark kept walking towards the main conference room, heedless of his wife's concerns.
"Cain!"
Coming to a halt, Lark whirled to face Schala, a tranquil fury in his eyes. It wasn't that Schala didn't understand, and he knew that. Finding Kalia's room empty was frightening enough. After a full day of searching, Reybrana's princess was nowhere in the palace or the city. By now, Kalia was probably off-world. Gone without a word, all that was left behind was the choker with the ebon jewel he had given her on her twelfth birthday.
'The past no longer has meaning. That life has come to an end.'
This was the unsaid message that discarded jewel represented, and it tore him apart. He wouldn't allow anyone to see him, not even Schala, for the past two days since. He could not let anyone see him break down.
Ouroboros... Anseria... Dante...
That's right. It all started with Dante. Reika had warned him that something needed to be done, and he didn't listen. He had simply let Dante be out of a sign of good faith, that nothing would happen to Kalia. That was a mistake he would never make again.
"So you're really doing this?"
"What the hell am I supposed to do, then? Just wait while that punk prances around doing gods know what in ignorance?! To hell with that!"
Lark turned back around and began walking again before Schala's words stopped him again.
"None of this is your fault."
"Yes it is!!" This time, he didn't bother to turn around. "I spent so much of her life trying to make her happy that I didn't... I didn't prepare her, Schala. About my heritage, about what it means to be the child of a godslayer. Nothing. Is it any small wonder she's been disillusioned?"
"Cain..."
"I promised Ninya that day thirteen years ago..." Lark could not stop his fist from shaking. "I made a vow that if anything happened to Kalia because of what he did, I would make damn sure there was nowhere he could hide. I intend to keep it."
Lark continued walking towards the conference room without looking back.
"It's the least I can do for her..."
-------------
"Hey Lenni, your sure you got this holovid on the right setting?"
Annette Lenard bristled at the unfortunate nickname her fellow lieutenant had long ago made up for her, typing dutifully at the holovid's keyboard.
"It's been some time since the last demon attack nearly wiped out our satellite signals. It's not about getting it 'on the right settings'. His Highness needs this operational for the next UGA conference, so would you quit screwing around, Flint?"
Flint Rhonus gave a shrug, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah yeah... By the way, it's too bad about you and that Onin chick. I thought you finally found someone who could handle you. What happened?"
"First of all, it's none of your business," Annette snapped, although she continued anyway due to the fact that Flint would not stop asking until he had an answer, "and second, who could think about such things given what happened to her charge."
"Ugh, don't remind me..."
Ouroboros...
It was inconceivable that such a horrid being had been sealed within their world, yet they had seen first-hand its power. Reika Onin had been an inconsolable wreck after what it had done to Kalia. Even after the crisis had been resolved she had remained distant. Rumor even had it that she had turned in a letter of resignation.
The last time Annette had seen her, there was a smoldering fury in her eyes. One that would only disappear if the one responsible for that fury was wiped from existence. As cool and collected as Annette was, the sight had chilled even her. Not because she didn't understand that fury, but because it was coming from Reika of all people. Given everything she knew about the bubbly, optimistic, if 'slightly' eccentric woman, it was... wrong.
"How's everything going?"
Annette and Flint immediately stood and saluted with their fist to their chest.
"Your Highness!"
Arriving in the chamber in suitably finer garb than what he'd worn weeks ago, Grey Tornan waved for the two to be at ease. Behind him was his Captain of the Royal Guard.
"The holovid is ready for use once again, and the infestations blocking our satellite signals have been dealt with," Anette replied dutifully, "but if I may ask, what is with the sudden rush? The UGA conference isn't until tomorrow."
Grey gave a small chuckle. "I was passing through the consumer district this morning, and I heard rumors that the king of Reybrana was going to make an interesting press conference." He did not miss the captain's subtle clearing of his throat.
"I don't see the point. The situation is now out of our hands."
"That's your bias talking again, Richter," Grey commented, aware of the grudge the other man still had of Tsukoyamo, "What happened is just as much our responsibility, if not more so..."
Summoning the holovid's keyboard, Grey switched on the device. Though there was still a little static, which was to be expected given how far Anseria was in Strength Sector and from much of civilized space for that matter, the image of the female newscaster was as clear as it was going to get.
"And now for intergalactic news; The Naldean offensive has taken a surprising turn as Galadinean forces from the 407th drove off a Naldean skirmish from the nearby Buljia space colony. One can only imagine how this cold war will escalate in the days to come. More on this later; For now, our Top Story. The world of Tira has been shaken by the reported disappearance of Reybrana's princess."
Grey could only lower his head. "I see... Was that what you had decided?"
Did Kalia really do this? Then again, the last time he had seen her, she had been an emotional wreck given everything that had happened. Cutting off all ties to her previous life in order to keep those around her safe in case... Ouroboros... decided to make another attempt on her psyche. She had sent him away for the same reason, despite everything they had been through together.
Grey had to resist the urge to reach out as the newscast superimposed a photograph of Kalia, dressed in a royal gown and uncorrupted by that Beast, a smile on her face that he feared he would never see again.
"Kalia Tsukoyamo had been reported missing three nights ago. Details are scarce, but just yesterday, King Cain Tsukoyamo had announced a press conference. We join you now live at Reybrana."
The image of the newscaster was replaced by Lark. Behind him, Grey could feel Richter's glare at the king. Grey could only smile sadly at the man who could have very well become his father-in-law.
"We are all saddened by my daughter's disappearance. Myself most of all. I will not divulge any details; However, I will say that this situation is related to an event that happened during the Zeirite conflict years ago."
"Telling them the truth without necessarily telling them the truth. How clever."
Grey could only nod at Annette's summation.
"Which is why I have called this conference. For years, I thought this incident to be minor, that events would work themselves out. I was mistaken. That is why..."
Grey could tell that Lark was trying to keep his anger in check. And he was losing.
"That is why I am offering a reward of ten million to anyone who can bring me Dante Atrades!"
--------------
"What the hell...?!"
Zero Catellena unconsciously dropped his drink as Lark's message reverberated throughout the square.
--------------
Techno could only massage his temples as he watched the announcement from Sanctum.
"Well, this is gonna get awkward."
--------------
The declaration had worried Nexus. During the last few years, any time Dante was brought up in conversation, Lark would end up becoming uncomfortable. He knew that Lark had been worried for Kalia's well being.
But to go this far...?
--------------
Vathos could feel Sae's eyes on him. She had told him of the bounty Lark had placed on Roas' son.
The fact that Lark had done this disturbed him, but that wasn't the worst of it. He had felt through the Rune of Death that something terrible, something evil, had been recently unleashed.
What worried Vathos the most was what could have possibly happened to Kalia to drive Lark to do such a thing in the first place...
---------------
"What the hell is he thinking?!"
Ninya could only watch Roas fume as she thought of thirteen years ago after they had defeated Daere. The sudden reawakening of Dante's future self had set off warning bells in Lark's mind. The conversation they had stuck in her memory, but none more so than the last exchange.
"If anything happens to my little girl because of what he did, I'm going to make sure there's nowhere he can hide."
She had wanted to hit him back then, but she could not judge him. She would have done the exact same for her children... and now the worst has apparently happened.
All she could do was hope everything could be salvaged at the end.
--------------
The announcement had shocked them. Flint was left slack-jawed. Annette's eyebrows were raised a fraction higher than usual. Even Richter's arms nearly dropped from crossing his chest.
The only one who was not surprised as much as the others was Grey. In far too many ways, he knew why Lark was willing to go to such an extreme. He had seen the hidden memories of Kalia's 'past life'. He had seen first-hand what they had done to her... and how Ouroboros exploited it.
"How can the son of such a great man be so damned irresponsible...?" Grey found himself muttering. He had never forgotten that day ages ago when Roas Atrades saved him in Hamnipas. The fact that the man's son was unwittingly partly responsible for the suffering of the woman he loved left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Shutting the holovid off, Grey moved to sit at his desk.
"Your Highness..."
Grey felt far too tired all of a sudden, as such, Annette's words didn't reach him. Absently, he fingered the pendant under his cloak, the 'sister' of the one he had given Kalia. He absently wondered if she had gotten rid of it after she sent him away.
He began to wonder what things would have been like had Ouroboros not been unsealed. Would Kalia have asked him to stay? Would he and Lark have drafted an arrangement for her hand?
"Your Highness!"
That one got his attention. "My apologies Annette. You were saying?"
He could tell that the usually collected Annette was struggling to get the words out. "As much as I regret addressing this given the circumstances... It would be prudent to begin looking into a bride." Unaware of it, Grey's eyes had narrowed at the suggestion. "Some of the noble houses are already clamoring to groom their daughters to be the next queen. If you continue to pine for Kalia like this, our people might start to think that you aren't taking their concerns to heart."
Of course the reality of things crashed down hard on him. Grey never understood the belief that a king who couldn't find a bride could not take care of his kingdom. Then again, with his parents and his uncle dead, he was that last living child of his bloodline. The people wanted an heir as quickly as was reasonable, if for nothing else than their peace of mind.
Such was the price of politics.
"Kalia has made her choice," Richter cut in, cold logic coming to the forefront, "and as king, you have to put our people first."
Flint again rubbed the back of his head. "That's pretty damn cold, man."
A part of Grey knew he was right, but still...
He wanted to believe there was still a chance. He swiveled his chair to face the windows behind his desk. Grasping at the pendant once more, he looked up towards the sky. Silently, he wondered where Kalia was now...
-------------
Somewhere on a far-off world, there was a vast plain of green that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Within this peaceful place, one would be shocked to see a person in a black cloak. Anyone passing by would certainly find such a sight out of place. In the mind of this black cloaked person however, it was merely par for the course.
For the past few days, all she felt she could do was stare into the shattered mirror. Hours upon hours looking at a distorted reflection. It seemed appropriate. It wasn't as if she was able to recognize herself anymore anyway.
Fastening the straps of her long gauntlets, Kalia Tsukoyamo looked upon her room what she assumed to be the last time. Another memory that needed to be discarded before...
Before that thing ruined it like it had ruined so many.
Donning the black cloak she had 'borrowed' from her father's room, she flipped up the hood before unconsciously grabbing a trinket on the desk. Lastly, she set the choker her father had given her on the bed.
And that was it. With this, the Kalia Tsukoyamo of old who knew nothing of the horrors of reality, who knew naught but her kingdom of clouds and castles of pillows, was no more. All that was left behind was a wretch tainted by a demon god, whose sanity was questionable at best, who knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped completely and destroyed everything she once loved.
Yes, it was better this way.
For the next fifteen minutes, time stopped in Raybrana as Kalia slipped past the frozen guards at the palace and passing right through the kingdom's gates with nobody being the wiser. As soon as she felt she was far enough away, she risked a glance back at the kingdom in the distance.
Unless her search brought her back here, she would never return. It was too painful.
"So this is how it ends, huh?"
Dammit. Of course he hadn't left yet.
"What do you want, Caesar?"
She didn't even bother to look at him. "You do realize that if you shut yourself out like this, you're letting that thing win?"
There was a small moment of silence between them.
"Are you done?" Kalia brushed past someone she had once called friend. "Then stop trying to bring back a false life."
Yes. It was better this way...
A false life. That's what she had said. There was really no other explanation. Why else would the world screw her over the way it had? She had lost the person she had thought she loved twice, both in her previous life and her current one. Said person had forced her past life onto her just so he could get what he wanted, then left her an emotional wreck. Her mind was destroying itself from the inside.
And just when she thought she had found someone new and could move on, she gets branded as a herald to a demon god. What had she ever done to deserve such bullshit?!
"Temper temper, little bird. You might upset the locals."
To top it all off, said demon god was now a constant whisper in her mind. It was difficult to tune Ouroboros out, especially when he decided to be really chatty, but on some days, it was possible.
Unfortunately, it seemed today would not be one of those days.
She knew he was trying to either break her or drive her completely insane. Either one would give him an opening to establish control again. Right now, she just wanted to smash something, throw something, anything distract her from that thing. Reaching into her pocket, she recalled that she had grabbed something she thought she could at least sell for money, though in her haste, she had not seen what it was.
She regretted that now as her eyes widened in fear at what she held.
"My name is Grey Tornan. I am on a mission from my native world of Anseria."
It was the pendant Grey had given her at the Oasis, when she had decided to make an effort to move on.
"Well, we know how that turned out, didn't it? A total waste of time!" it taunted her, finding its usual sadistic glee at her suffering, "You know damn well you can never go back."
Had Grey left it behind when she sent him away? That idiot! What was he thinking?! It was over! Everything was over!!
"This destruction... I didn't want this...! This wasn't supposed to happen!"
It would be so simple to just crush the damned thing and be done with it.
"Kalia, do you remember what you said to me that day? I never would have been able to move on if it wasn't for you. Thank you."
It would be so simple...
"Come on already. Why are you still thinking about this? It's not like he was able to save you from me."
So simple...
"Alright then. We'll stick through this to the very end, Kalia. Together."
Kalia let out a choked sob as she fell to her knees, clutching the pendant to her breast. She couldn't do it. Damn all the gods to the Nine Hells, she couldn't do it! Thus she continued to kneel there, crying.
Throughout her breakdown, her 'passenger' sighed in frustration. You're no fun. Oh well, it's not like it matters in the end anyway. You'll break eventually. I have all the time in eternity..."
For the first time since she had awoken, she felt Ouroboros' presence leave her...
"I can wait."
Kalia had no idea how long she had knelt there, crying. By the time she had stopped it had become night. Taking shaky breaths, she rose to her feet, staring at the pendant the entire time.
Maybe... just maybe... some memories couldn't be twisted, not even by Ouroboros.
No. Not yet. She couldn't face Grey yet. Not like this. Not when she didn't know why.
Dante. Why had he broken his promise from their past life? Why had he chosen Infiniti over her? What had she done wrong? Why did he run off and disappear instead of trying to explain himself? Why?!
Reika was right. Her motives had been wrong, but searching out Dante was the only way she could have any sort of piece of mind, no matter how fleeting it was.
Kalia stared at the pendant again. She had burned most of her bridges already, and yet...
Without even thinking about it, she fastened the pendant around her neck. Wiping her eyes, she looked up into the night sky. She wondered which of those stars in the sky was Anseria. She wondered if Grey was looking at the stars the same way, searching for her?
Maybe... there was some hope for her yet...
--------
"This is insane."
Lark kept walking towards the main conference room, heedless of his wife's concerns.
"Cain!"
Coming to a halt, Lark whirled to face Schala, a tranquil fury in his eyes. It wasn't that Schala didn't understand, and he knew that. Finding Kalia's room empty was frightening enough. After a full day of searching, Reybrana's princess was nowhere in the palace or the city. By now, Kalia was probably off-world. Gone without a word, all that was left behind was the choker with the ebon jewel he had given her on her twelfth birthday.
'The past no longer has meaning. That life has come to an end.'
This was the unsaid message that discarded jewel represented, and it tore him apart. He wouldn't allow anyone to see him, not even Schala, for the past two days since. He could not let anyone see him break down.
Ouroboros... Anseria... Dante...
That's right. It all started with Dante. Reika had warned him that something needed to be done, and he didn't listen. He had simply let Dante be out of a sign of good faith, that nothing would happen to Kalia. That was a mistake he would never make again.
"So you're really doing this?"
"What the hell am I supposed to do, then? Just wait while that punk prances around doing gods know what in ignorance?! To hell with that!"
Lark turned back around and began walking again before Schala's words stopped him again.
"None of this is your fault."
"Yes it is!!" This time, he didn't bother to turn around. "I spent so much of her life trying to make her happy that I didn't... I didn't prepare her, Schala. About my heritage, about what it means to be the child of a godslayer. Nothing. Is it any small wonder she's been disillusioned?"
"Cain..."
"I promised Ninya that day thirteen years ago..." Lark could not stop his fist from shaking. "I made a vow that if anything happened to Kalia because of what he did, I would make damn sure there was nowhere he could hide. I intend to keep it."
Lark continued walking towards the conference room without looking back.
"It's the least I can do for her..."
-------------
"Hey Lenni, your sure you got this holovid on the right setting?"
Annette Lenard bristled at the unfortunate nickname her fellow lieutenant had long ago made up for her, typing dutifully at the holovid's keyboard.
"It's been some time since the last demon attack nearly wiped out our satellite signals. It's not about getting it 'on the right settings'. His Highness needs this operational for the next UGA conference, so would you quit screwing around, Flint?"
Flint Rhonus gave a shrug, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah yeah... By the way, it's too bad about you and that Onin chick. I thought you finally found someone who could handle you. What happened?"
"First of all, it's none of your business," Annette snapped, although she continued anyway due to the fact that Flint would not stop asking until he had an answer, "and second, who could think about such things given what happened to her charge."
"Ugh, don't remind me..."
Ouroboros...
It was inconceivable that such a horrid being had been sealed within their world, yet they had seen first-hand its power. Reika Onin had been an inconsolable wreck after what it had done to Kalia. Even after the crisis had been resolved she had remained distant. Rumor even had it that she had turned in a letter of resignation.
The last time Annette had seen her, there was a smoldering fury in her eyes. One that would only disappear if the one responsible for that fury was wiped from existence. As cool and collected as Annette was, the sight had chilled even her. Not because she didn't understand that fury, but because it was coming from Reika of all people. Given everything she knew about the bubbly, optimistic, if 'slightly' eccentric woman, it was... wrong.
"How's everything going?"
Annette and Flint immediately stood and saluted with their fist to their chest.
"Your Highness!"
Arriving in the chamber in suitably finer garb than what he'd worn weeks ago, Grey Tornan waved for the two to be at ease. Behind him was his Captain of the Royal Guard.
"The holovid is ready for use once again, and the infestations blocking our satellite signals have been dealt with," Anette replied dutifully, "but if I may ask, what is with the sudden rush? The UGA conference isn't until tomorrow."
Grey gave a small chuckle. "I was passing through the consumer district this morning, and I heard rumors that the king of Reybrana was going to make an interesting press conference." He did not miss the captain's subtle clearing of his throat.
"I don't see the point. The situation is now out of our hands."
"That's your bias talking again, Richter," Grey commented, aware of the grudge the other man still had of Tsukoyamo, "What happened is just as much our responsibility, if not more so..."
Summoning the holovid's keyboard, Grey switched on the device. Though there was still a little static, which was to be expected given how far Anseria was in Strength Sector and from much of civilized space for that matter, the image of the female newscaster was as clear as it was going to get.
"And now for intergalactic news; The Naldean offensive has taken a surprising turn as Galadinean forces from the 407th drove off a Naldean skirmish from the nearby Buljia space colony. One can only imagine how this cold war will escalate in the days to come. More on this later; For now, our Top Story. The world of Tira has been shaken by the reported disappearance of Reybrana's princess."
Grey could only lower his head. "I see... Was that what you had decided?"
Did Kalia really do this? Then again, the last time he had seen her, she had been an emotional wreck given everything that had happened. Cutting off all ties to her previous life in order to keep those around her safe in case... Ouroboros... decided to make another attempt on her psyche. She had sent him away for the same reason, despite everything they had been through together.
Grey had to resist the urge to reach out as the newscast superimposed a photograph of Kalia, dressed in a royal gown and uncorrupted by that Beast, a smile on her face that he feared he would never see again.
"Kalia Tsukoyamo had been reported missing three nights ago. Details are scarce, but just yesterday, King Cain Tsukoyamo had announced a press conference. We join you now live at Reybrana."
The image of the newscaster was replaced by Lark. Behind him, Grey could feel Richter's glare at the king. Grey could only smile sadly at the man who could have very well become his father-in-law.
"We are all saddened by my daughter's disappearance. Myself most of all. I will not divulge any details; However, I will say that this situation is related to an event that happened during the Zeirite conflict years ago."
"Telling them the truth without necessarily telling them the truth. How clever."
Grey could only nod at Annette's summation.
"Which is why I have called this conference. For years, I thought this incident to be minor, that events would work themselves out. I was mistaken. That is why..."
Grey could tell that Lark was trying to keep his anger in check. And he was losing.
"That is why I am offering a reward of ten million to anyone who can bring me Dante Atrades!"
--------------
"What the hell...?!"
Zero Catellena unconsciously dropped his drink as Lark's message reverberated throughout the square.
--------------
Techno could only massage his temples as he watched the announcement from Sanctum.
"Well, this is gonna get awkward."
--------------
The declaration had worried Nexus. During the last few years, any time Dante was brought up in conversation, Lark would end up becoming uncomfortable. He knew that Lark had been worried for Kalia's well being.
But to go this far...?
--------------
Vathos could feel Sae's eyes on him. She had told him of the bounty Lark had placed on Roas' son.
The fact that Lark had done this disturbed him, but that wasn't the worst of it. He had felt through the Rune of Death that something terrible, something evil, had been recently unleashed.
What worried Vathos the most was what could have possibly happened to Kalia to drive Lark to do such a thing in the first place...
---------------
"What the hell is he thinking?!"
Ninya could only watch Roas fume as she thought of thirteen years ago after they had defeated Daere. The sudden reawakening of Dante's future self had set off warning bells in Lark's mind. The conversation they had stuck in her memory, but none more so than the last exchange.
"If anything happens to my little girl because of what he did, I'm going to make sure there's nowhere he can hide."
She had wanted to hit him back then, but she could not judge him. She would have done the exact same for her children... and now the worst has apparently happened.
All she could do was hope everything could be salvaged at the end.
--------------
The announcement had shocked them. Flint was left slack-jawed. Annette's eyebrows were raised a fraction higher than usual. Even Richter's arms nearly dropped from crossing his chest.
The only one who was not surprised as much as the others was Grey. In far too many ways, he knew why Lark was willing to go to such an extreme. He had seen the hidden memories of Kalia's 'past life'. He had seen first-hand what they had done to her... and how Ouroboros exploited it.
"How can the son of such a great man be so damned irresponsible...?" Grey found himself muttering. He had never forgotten that day ages ago when Roas Atrades saved him in Hamnipas. The fact that the man's son was unwittingly partly responsible for the suffering of the woman he loved left a bitter taste in his mouth.
Shutting the holovid off, Grey moved to sit at his desk.
"Your Highness..."
Grey felt far too tired all of a sudden, as such, Annette's words didn't reach him. Absently, he fingered the pendant under his cloak, the 'sister' of the one he had given Kalia. He absently wondered if she had gotten rid of it after she sent him away.
He began to wonder what things would have been like had Ouroboros not been unsealed. Would Kalia have asked him to stay? Would he and Lark have drafted an arrangement for her hand?
"Your Highness!"
That one got his attention. "My apologies Annette. You were saying?"
He could tell that the usually collected Annette was struggling to get the words out. "As much as I regret addressing this given the circumstances... It would be prudent to begin looking into a bride." Unaware of it, Grey's eyes had narrowed at the suggestion. "Some of the noble houses are already clamoring to groom their daughters to be the next queen. If you continue to pine for Kalia like this, our people might start to think that you aren't taking their concerns to heart."
Of course the reality of things crashed down hard on him. Grey never understood the belief that a king who couldn't find a bride could not take care of his kingdom. Then again, with his parents and his uncle dead, he was that last living child of his bloodline. The people wanted an heir as quickly as was reasonable, if for nothing else than their peace of mind.
Such was the price of politics.
"Kalia has made her choice," Richter cut in, cold logic coming to the forefront, "and as king, you have to put our people first."
Flint again rubbed the back of his head. "That's pretty damn cold, man."
A part of Grey knew he was right, but still...
He wanted to believe there was still a chance. He swiveled his chair to face the windows behind his desk. Grasping at the pendant once more, he looked up towards the sky. Silently, he wondered where Kalia was now...
-------------
Somewhere on a far-off world, there was a vast plain of green that stretched out as far as the eye could see. Within this peaceful place, one would be shocked to see a person in a black cloak. Anyone passing by would certainly find such a sight out of place. In the mind of this black cloaked person however, it was merely par for the course.
For the past few days, all she felt she could do was stare into the shattered mirror. Hours upon hours looking at a distorted reflection. It seemed appropriate. It wasn't as if she was able to recognize herself anymore anyway.
Fastening the straps of her long gauntlets, Kalia Tsukoyamo looked upon her room what she assumed to be the last time. Another memory that needed to be discarded before...
Before that thing ruined it like it had ruined so many.
Donning the black cloak she had 'borrowed' from her father's room, she flipped up the hood before unconsciously grabbing a trinket on the desk. Lastly, she set the choker her father had given her on the bed.
And that was it. With this, the Kalia Tsukoyamo of old who knew nothing of the horrors of reality, who knew naught but her kingdom of clouds and castles of pillows, was no more. All that was left behind was a wretch tainted by a demon god, whose sanity was questionable at best, who knew it was only a matter of time before she snapped completely and destroyed everything she once loved.
Yes, it was better this way.
For the next fifteen minutes, time stopped in Raybrana as Kalia slipped past the frozen guards at the palace and passing right through the kingdom's gates with nobody being the wiser. As soon as she felt she was far enough away, she risked a glance back at the kingdom in the distance.
Unless her search brought her back here, she would never return. It was too painful.
"So this is how it ends, huh?"
Dammit. Of course he hadn't left yet.
"What do you want, Caesar?"
She didn't even bother to look at him. "You do realize that if you shut yourself out like this, you're letting that thing win?"
There was a small moment of silence between them.
"Are you done?" Kalia brushed past someone she had once called friend. "Then stop trying to bring back a false life."
Yes. It was better this way...
A false life. That's what she had said. There was really no other explanation. Why else would the world screw her over the way it had? She had lost the person she had thought she loved twice, both in her previous life and her current one. Said person had forced her past life onto her just so he could get what he wanted, then left her an emotional wreck. Her mind was destroying itself from the inside.
And just when she thought she had found someone new and could move on, she gets branded as a herald to a demon god. What had she ever done to deserve such bullshit?!
"Temper temper, little bird. You might upset the locals."
To top it all off, said demon god was now a constant whisper in her mind. It was difficult to tune Ouroboros out, especially when he decided to be really chatty, but on some days, it was possible.
Unfortunately, it seemed today would not be one of those days.
She knew he was trying to either break her or drive her completely insane. Either one would give him an opening to establish control again. Right now, she just wanted to smash something, throw something, anything distract her from that thing. Reaching into her pocket, she recalled that she had grabbed something she thought she could at least sell for money, though in her haste, she had not seen what it was.
She regretted that now as her eyes widened in fear at what she held.
"My name is Grey Tornan. I am on a mission from my native world of Anseria."
It was the pendant Grey had given her at the Oasis, when she had decided to make an effort to move on.
"Well, we know how that turned out, didn't it? A total waste of time!" it taunted her, finding its usual sadistic glee at her suffering, "You know damn well you can never go back."
Had Grey left it behind when she sent him away? That idiot! What was he thinking?! It was over! Everything was over!!
"This destruction... I didn't want this...! This wasn't supposed to happen!"
It would be so simple to just crush the damned thing and be done with it.
"Kalia, do you remember what you said to me that day? I never would have been able to move on if it wasn't for you. Thank you."
It would be so simple...
"Come on already. Why are you still thinking about this? It's not like he was able to save you from me."
So simple...
"Alright then. We'll stick through this to the very end, Kalia. Together."
Kalia let out a choked sob as she fell to her knees, clutching the pendant to her breast. She couldn't do it. Damn all the gods to the Nine Hells, she couldn't do it! Thus she continued to kneel there, crying.
Throughout her breakdown, her 'passenger' sighed in frustration. You're no fun. Oh well, it's not like it matters in the end anyway. You'll break eventually. I have all the time in eternity..."
For the first time since she had awoken, she felt Ouroboros' presence leave her...
"I can wait."
Kalia had no idea how long she had knelt there, crying. By the time she had stopped it had become night. Taking shaky breaths, she rose to her feet, staring at the pendant the entire time.
Maybe... just maybe... some memories couldn't be twisted, not even by Ouroboros.
No. Not yet. She couldn't face Grey yet. Not like this. Not when she didn't know why.
Dante. Why had he broken his promise from their past life? Why had he chosen Infiniti over her? What had she done wrong? Why did he run off and disappear instead of trying to explain himself? Why?!
Reika was right. Her motives had been wrong, but searching out Dante was the only way she could have any sort of piece of mind, no matter how fleeting it was.
Kalia stared at the pendant again. She had burned most of her bridges already, and yet...
Without even thinking about it, she fastened the pendant around her neck. Wiping her eyes, she looked up into the night sky. She wondered which of those stars in the sky was Anseria. She wondered if Grey was looking at the stars the same way, searching for her?
Maybe... there was some hope for her yet...