38 Chapter 38: Dream For Eternity

From within the shackles that bind me, I am consumed by darkness, never ending and without hope.

An illusory dagger pierced my back, embedded at the hands of those whom I considered closest.

It wouldn't be false to say my life ended that day, detaching me from what was and what used to be.

Desolate, I hung with an unwilling heart, my soul slowly eroding.

Everything had come to an end.

The one who carried the burden of an entire nation.

The girl who'd given her all for the sake of her people.

Aletia…had died.

A solemn truth that cared not for my belief. 

Eclipsing the radiant light of hope was cold, endless solitude that sapped at my will to live.

A tomb filled with regrets and despair encased me, mind and body.

A stone coffin, a place where I'd live on as nothing more than a corpse, was my burial ground.

Time weathered away both joy and sorrow, leaving naught but an empty husk.

Until dust overrode my skin, blood, and bones, forever I was doomed to be alone.

Fate was most certainly cruel, rendering my existence obsolete.

Life, and whatever meaning it possessed, ceased to matter.

Perhaps I was destined to suffer, to never escape the cruelty of this world.

If that were truly the case, then it was better to erase all hope, for my conclusion was already forgone.

But… For whatever reason, by some miracle, there was light.

A light that carried with it the long forgotten hopes and dreams, it shone unto my rotting heart, filling the core of my being with an indescribable warmth. 

Did such things exist in this place, a place where only the damned resides?

Was it alright for me to believe once more? That my story hadn't yet ended?

And there I saw, standing in my narrow field of vision, was 'him'.

A single man, young in appearance, seemingly untouched by the surrounding darkness.

Wreathed in a dazzling halo of light, my…my savior, my beloved, my god, finally came to me.

The salvation I'd longed for all these years, and the man who held my heart captive, came to me all the same.

It…it truly wasn't the end of my story, no, it was the beginning of our everlasting journey.

I knew not how to express the chaos bubbling up in my soul, but one thing was certain—

Even if there was a next life, I'd want to be with you forever.

In this short period of time that felt like eternity, you'd shown me a world I'd never even dreamed of.

I care nothing for all that isn't you. 

Greedy though I may be, I couldn't help it.

I couldn't help but desire all of you.

Every inch of you.

And if it wasn't too much to dream, I hoped you'd hold me close, close enough to melt into your heart.

To become one with you and only you, I longed for it.

Your intoxicating heat, your sturdy arms that embrace me, your soothing voice that resonates with every cell in my body—I want you.

Words I dared not say aloud.

Feelings I wanted to convey but was too afraid.

Aziel…

Although better unspoken, I want you to realize that…I love you.

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*

That's why, I won't ever allow you to be taken away from me.

No one else but me can have you, especially not that white haired vixen.

Your words, your voice, your jokes, they were a privilege only I had the right to enjoy.

A luxury that existed solely for me alone.

So why exactly was she basking in what we had?

Something that belonged to me, why was she allowed to delight in it? 

I watched on from a close distance, pondering over the same questions each day.

That white haired girl, did she think this was alright?

Did she believe that nothing would come of her actions?

There was never a chance I'd accept this.

My Aziel—

MY Aziel, couldn't be stolen from me.

'She' had become an obstacle, one that needed to be eliminated for the sake of my desires.

So—

"Nothing personal. You have to die."

The girl's character, her appearance, personality, I was concerned with none of it, not anymore.

There existed a dangerous line that shouldn't be crossed, and I had reached my limit quite some time ago.

I won't apologize, girl, but I must eradicate you.

After all, no one can take away what I cherish, not now, not ever.

"Hoh~ So what now…? Vampire-chan wants to kill me?"

The white haired girl stood before me, her eyes narrowed dangerously as a gust of wind kicked up, whipping around her figure.

A burning wrath, it simmered in my chest like an active volcano preparing to erupt.

If this was what it took, then of course, her life was but a small price to pay to achieve happiness. 

She was worthless to me, and as such, I would see her eradicated.

"I do. And…?"

I bit back, triggering a silent stare off between the both of us.

Mana circulated throughout my body, abiding by my will as it readied itself to manifest into reality.

A palpable killing intent filled the entire passage, turning the air thick, the surrounding atmosphere bleak and oppressive.

We were fully prepared to kill one another.

Aziel, I'll apologize in advance, but this girl you've become so familiar with over these past few weeks will perish today.

It'll be alright, though, because you still have me.

You will always have me and I will always have you, even if you don't want me anymore, I just can't let you leave.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, but I'm a coward before you, Aziel.

So…I'll risk my life to ensure that you and I never part ways—ever.

"Ridiculous…"

However, he suddenly spoke.

As his voice reached my ears, I felt my body stiffen, not for any reason of my own, but because I truly wasn't capable of moving anymore.

I was paralyzed.

Seeing as the white haired girl wore a similar expression, I could deduce that the same had happened to her as well.

We both weren't capable of so much as twitching a muscle.

Looking around, I couldn't help but notice the nearly transparent particles of 'dust' floating about the area, scattered in all directions without aim.

Although not many of his skills and abilities had been shown throughout our travels, I was aware that this could only be his doing.

At this moment, he walked up from behind the white haired girl, his footsteps silent as usual.

With a single hand in his pocket, he casually strode toward me, disregarding the confused and somewhat irritated look he was receiving from the other girl.

"That's enough for today. I don't feel like watching a deathmatch either, so we'll put a stop to this."

Arriving in front of me, he looked down, my gaze meeting his. 

I could feel my heart begin to pound within my chest, his presence alone was enough to make me burn up from head to toe.

"...You're hopeless."

He sighed, one corner of his lips twisting up wryly.

Though he seemed to have noticed something, it completely eluded me.

I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by that.

Wasn't I perfectly normal?

Still, I didn't have much time to ponder over his words as he suddenly picked me up and lifted me onto his shoulder.

"Stay here for a bit. I won't be long."

Briefly turning toward the still paralyzed white haired girl, he left behind a few words before walking in the opposite direction.

Both of us were wholly bewildered by the sudden turn of events, but I wasn't through just yet.

We didn't get the opportunity to fight and I wasn't afforded the chance to kill that girl.

No matter what, that had been my intention from the start.

As long as she existed, she would inevitably get in my way.

I didn't need that, I needed her out of the picture entirely.

After all, a good competitor was a dead competitor.

Even so, I remained silent during our walk, as did he.

I could never gauge his true thoughts, and his expression hardly ever changed to anything substantial.

If only…if only I could understand.

Eventually, Aziel turned toward the wall on the right hand side, pressing his free hand against it.

The wall immediately opened up under his manipulation, a sight I'd seen countless times by now.

We moved deeper, tunneling through as he opened up enough space within to fit at least a dozen people.

Then, he carefully sat me down on the ground, my body now completely free of paralysis.

"Calm down yet…?"

He spoke, tilting his head as if he didn't know what I was feeling.

I said nothing, and nothing needed to be said.

There was only one thing on my mind, something I'd been grappling with all this while.

Just as he opened his mouth to speak once more, I cut him off.

"Why…"

"...."

Merely staring down at me, he no doubt understood what was implied but gave no answer.

I clenched my fists, eyes watering.

"Do you really like her that much?"

"I told you already—"

"Then why…?"

"....."

Swallowing my spit, anxiety slowly crept into my heart at his silence.

You were always so confident, but why are you quiet?

Why aren't you answering me?

Why?

Why?

Why?

None of my questions would receive answers, and I quickly realized he didn't intend to respond either.

"Me… Then what about me? What do you think of me?"

Despite my attempts at steadying my voice, it still cracked with barely concealed distress.

"...That's a vague question. Mind dumbing it down for me?"

"Aziel…!"

I gazed at him seriously, my demeanor solemn.

We'd already been through this before, but this time, at this moment, it was far more consequential.

There wasn't any room for an evasive answer, for I wouldn't accept it.

Aziel wasn't a coward, I knew that much, he just never took anything seriously.

His words, his bearing, his tone, he was always relaxed, never earnest.

But…that wasn't enough for me, I was at my limits.

Something had to change, or else…I wasn't sure what I'd do.

"You… how about we take a raincheck on this one…"

"No."

He sighed and attempted to put off the situation for later, however, I still wasn't willing.

Frowning, he gazed into my eyes, most likely seeing through every thought.

I could never hide anything from him even if I tried.

What I wanted to say, what I wanted to convey at this moment, he understood completely, and he also didn't seem to like it.

Aziel stood up from the lump of rock in which he sat, steadily walking toward me.

Butterflies danced in my stomach as he neared, my emotions spiraling out of control.

I could see it clearly, he wasn't joking around anymore.

"You want me to stop playing, right?"

He asked, standing above me, my face to his chest.

"Please…"

I squeaked out quietly, almost whispering.

Taking my chin in between his fingers, he lifted my head up to meet his gaze, causing my breath to hitch.

"You sure…?"

My heart trembled under the intensity of his stare, and I dared not look away, not even for a moment.

"...Positive."

It was all I desired.

The warmth of his breath tickled my skin as his face drew near.

It was all I hoped for.

And it seems, it was alright for me to dream of it.

His lips, soft to the touch, caressed my own, sending a shiver down my spine.

I melted into him, my arms wrapping around his neck.

Jolts of electricity shot throughout my abdomen, trailing up until it reached my brain.

I felt myself enter his embrace, my body pressing against his.

After a few seconds, he finally pulled back, leaving me in a daze.

I could only stare at his face, enchanted

"You asked me what I think of you. Did you like the answer?"

A pleasant heat spread across my face, rising all the way up to the tips of my ears.

I felt as if my soul would leave my body and ascend to heaven.

"Mn…"

I couldn't look him in the eyes, but I still responded nonetheless.

However—

"Ah…"

He suddenly placed his hands at the sides of my face, bringing his own closer, close enough that even our noses touched.

His usually bright, pale golden eyes had lost their luster, becoming dull and dreary.

With a half opened, languid gaze, his appearance was haunting.

He didn't even seem human anymore.

My heart skipped a beat, unsure of what had happened exactly.

But at this moment, a monotone voice reached my ears.

"I gave you what you wanted, so… I hope you don't think you can back out now. You wanted all of me, I'll show it to you. You wanted to know me, I tell you. But you best be prepared for it, I won't let you go."

"Of cour—"

His hand slid up from underneath, pressing an index finger against my lips as he interrupted me.

"Good. Now, don't stray from my side, Yue."

I nodded, barely containing the sheer ecstasy blossoming within my heart.

Showing me something like this, did he expect me to be intimidated?

There was a reason I desired every part of him in its entirety.

Whatever he had to offer, I would accept.

Whatever he had to show me, I would give my full attention.

He rarely ever showed his truest emotions, and at the times he did, it was a miniscule display at best.

And yet… Buried beneath that tranquil outer shell, were emotions that could only be described as—Heavy.

*

*

*

Suzu stood outside the opening, silent and unmoving.

She stared down at the ground, her hands positioned behind her back as she leaned up against the wall. 

Slowly opening her mouth, only two words spilled from her lips, her voice utterly emotionless.

"...I see."

______________________

Everyone has cheated on me.

I can't believe it...*Sniff*

Anyways, dig your hands into my pockets and leave a few power stones there.

But... if you didn't like it, feel free to throw them at the author.

C'mon, give it a try.

It'll be fun.

Do it.