Austin's Pity

'This is the life!' Austin, inwardly exclaimed, basking in the joy of his new …life or was this the afterlife?

For a moment, Austin pondered about his new circumstance; however, eventually, he merely shrugged it off. No matter whether he was in Heaven or reincarnated, it was better than the dark place he was imprisoned in.

'What it's called doesn't matter.'

Meanwhile, the old man continued to calmly sit in his chair, waiting for the young man's composure to return.

However, Luna observed the young man.

Although she was not overly curious as her father in regards to the young man; however, she would not mind having a better understanding of why that insatiable Being, Qliphoth chose him. He was the only person who could potentially reunite their family that had been torn apart from each other. She had never once agreed with Qliphoth's method; however, arguing with it would be pointless. Luna was well aware of the vast difference between their strengths. The gulf was a Heaven and Earth difference, akin to the difference in strength between the young man and her, if not greater.

Her silver pupils momentarily turned golden and then she delved into the young man's memories. His memories further puzzled her. Like her father, she too could not find anything in particular that was special about the young man. Even his Soul was ordinary, no different from a newborn's. The memories, instead of giving her insight into the confusing decision made by Qliphoth, only saddened her. 

Unbeknownst to Austin, his entire twelve years of existence had been seen within seconds as he continued to survey his surroundings.

'I guess I'm moving up in the world… literally. HAHAHA, better than being stuck below.' Austin joked.

*Cough*

He internally coughed to remove the Heaven and Hell jokes from his mind… though recently he had been quite fascinated with dark humor… for some odd reason…

As Austin was lost in his thoughts, amused by his sense of newfound humor, his amusement was cut short by an elderly man's voice. 

"Young man, are you done looking at your temporary room?" Ulric inquired impatiently, yet a tinge of amusement was present in his voice, which went unnoticed by Austin, though Luna clearly heard it.

Austin's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.

'T-t…TEMPORARY!?' He stammered as realization crashed down on him.

*Crack Crack*

Like the shattering of a mirror, Austin's dream shattered. The realization that the emperor-size bed, the dressing room, and the personal bathroom were not his, was too much.

'It is only temporary!' He repeated while his body swayed.

He felt as though he went from Heaven to Hell.

Like a puppet whose strings were cut, he fell backward onto the bed, his mind continuing to repeat the old man's words.

Meanwhile, Luna turned to her father with puppy dog eyes.

"Father." She implored.

Sensing what his daughter wanted, Ulric turned his face and started whistling - a special move he learned from the young man's memory.

But Luna's gaze intensified and her voice, which was always melodic, became even sweeter.

"Father~."

Ulric felt a shiver down his spine. Whenever his daughter's voice became even sweeter than usual, he knew he was in for an earful later.

'Crap… Why didn't it work? It always worked in Austin's memory.' Ulric thought dismayed, while his hand scratched his head before it dawned on him. His daughter's silver pupils had previously turned golden.

'Luna saw Austin's memory.'

*Sigh*

Ulric sighed and succumbed to the misery he would suffer in the future. She was the apple of his eye. Rarely, if ever, would he argue against his daughter, so he wisely remained quiet. Against his daughter he had no choice but to acquiesce.

Meanwhile, Luna had already turned her gaze back to the young man laying on the bed, whose brows were locked together.

"Austin, please don't mind my father's words. …Although his words are correct, if you so wish, you can stay as long as you want." She gently explained, hoping to cheer up the young man. After seeing his memories she felt quite a bit of pity. She knew all too well what it was like not having a family. …At least, she had her father, but the young man had no one.

A moment of silence passed before she added in a voice containing indecipherable sadness, "This room and many others in our home are always empty." 

Ulric sighed, he distinctly heard the sadness from his daughter's words. 

However, Austin was none the wiser.

Austin's brows unfurrowed.

"Really? Can I really stay?" Austin asked the beautiful woman, disbelievingly. He wanted to believe her, but at the same time, he instinctively knew he shouldn't have any delusions of grandeur like he did when he thought the room was his.

Luna smiled, enjoying the conversation with the young man. Despite her inner sadness, she felt light and refreshed speaking with someone who held no ulterior motives. Dealing with simple, readable people was always better than the two-faced schemers she had to deal with on occasion.

Ulric, on the other hand, hesitated when he heard his daughter's words. Allowing the young man to stay even a day longer would not be wise. 

His mouth opened and then closed, which Luna noticed, so she asked curiously, "Father, what is the matter?"

Austin turned his head to the old man's direction with furrowed brows, wondering what was wrong.

Now that Austin was down from his excited mood, his mind had cleared.

The old man, whom the beautiful woman called 'father' had quite a hunchback on him. He had a wrinkly face, black eyes, with short, messy white hair.

Compared to the woman, the old man looked completely normal. It was surprising he was responsible for the birth of such a divine person.

'Maybe she got all of her genes from her mother?' He pondered before shaking his head as he realized there was only reason why the beautiful woman was completely different from the old man.

Austin's eyes changed to pity as he gazed at the old man.

'Poor guy, he was duped. He doesn't even know that his wife cheated on him.'

Luna smiled with a hand on her lips attempting to stifle her laughter.

"Pfft." However, she failed.

".." On the other hand, Ulric momentarily froze before he gritted his teeth as veins began to bulge on his head. His daughter's stifled laughter didn't help his state of mind either. In fact, her laughter only caused his mood to worsen.

With a forced smile, he said:

"Brat, I agree my wife is the most beautiful woman in the entire multiverse." He paused and then continued "… I also agree that currently, I might not be the most handsome, but in my youth, I was quite the playboy. As for my daughter, I assure you that she is my blood-related daughter."

'Huh? What is he talking about?' Austin thought, confused, and then replayed the words the old man said in his mind.

A few seconds later, the old man's words registered in Austin's mind. His eyes, which were previously filled with pity, widened in disbelief, and his mouth fell open in shock.