Memories

-----Kaede's POV

It was tough dismissing Yui and the others like that, but I just really needed to know where this women knew that name; Selene. Looking at her face, she didn't look like anyone I knew before. I could tell from the look of her black hair that she's worn out, as her hair's completely rugged, making her appear older than I thought. Her face still had it's youth, reminding me of around the same age as Yui's mom in this world. But what caught my eye the most, was the scar running down the side of her face, barely missing her left eye.

Lady: "I'm sorry again for what happened earlier. Your daughter, Mell told me that your name's Kaede. So I'm sorry for startling you back there."

Kaede: "No no, it's fine. Actually, that's the reason why I wanted to talk with you."

Lady: "So you DO know Selene. I knew the way you reacted was weird, running off like that."

Kaede: "No, that was for a different matter. My friends who were just here got overwhelmed by a devil that suddenly appeared. I had to leave back then to help."

Lady: "A devil?"

Kaede: "Yes, but that's not important right now."

I really didn't come here to talk about that, what I really wanted to know right now was this person's relation to Selene. I know I'm Kaede right now, but I would like to know more about the person before me, before the incident in that carriage.

Kaede: "...How do you know that name? Selene"

...

Lady: "Selene is- or was, my daughter."

This time it was me being silent, trying to process those simple words she just said.

Lady: "I knew it was wishful thinking that she survived..."

From what Mai had told me, Selene did in fact die. I was just brought into this world to bring life back into her. But instead, I took over her body as my own. I struggle to come up with a lie for the first time in a decade. For some reason, I can't find it in me to make something up for- What was her name again? Wanting to break this awkward silence, I ask the only question in my head.

Kaede: "What's your name?"

Lady: "Lilith. Sorry I didn't introduce myself before."

Kaede: "It's fine!

...

What is this awkward atmosphere? Now I wish that I hadn't sent the others away, they surely would've asked more questions.

Lilith: "...May I ask how you know of Selene?"

Kaede: "She's-"

I was about to lie until my throat started tightening up, almost as if my body was incapable of lying to her. If she really is Selene's mother, then I shouldn't be lying about this anyways.

Kaede: "Can I ask you something before I answer?"

Lilith: "Go ahead."

Kaede: "Do you know about Selene's... condition?"

From what I knew from Mai, Selene only interacted with her mother, only being found out on the day before Lilith sent her away on a carriage. She did have the scar on her face that Mai described but I wanted to make sure.

Lilith: "Yes. I've already been punished enough as is from hiding the fact that she was a vampire."

Kaede: "Punished?"

Lilith: "Tortured, imprisoned. I only just got released a few years ago under a strict verdict that I have to follow any orders the kingdom gives me."

Kaede: "And is that why you're out here?"

Lilith: "Yes."

Why doesn't she just run away right now? Then again, I don't really know about the other kingdoms or countries, let alone how far they are.

Lilith: "Now. How do you know about Selene? You're too young to be the ones who were after me, so how."

I'm scared on how she'll take this, but fuck it. I believe she's not lying, so here goes nothing~

Kaede: "Well actually... You weren't wrong in saying that I'm Selene."

Lilith: "What? Then-"

Kaede: "But!-"

I cut her off the moment I saw her eyes widen, wanting to correct her before she misunderstands.

Kaede: "Selene did die in that carriage you sent her in. I actually came from some place else, a different world. When I died in my old world, I found myself in Selene's body. I don't remember any of her memories so, I'm sorry"

I bow my head out of respect for her as I give her the bad news. I was waiting for a response from her, but what I didn't expect was to feel my hair being caressed. Keeping my head down, I look up at her only to see that she was smiling, but I know that smile isn't out of happiness, her eyes said something completely different.

Kaede: "Uhm-"

Lilith: "Sorry. It's just..."

She suddenly stops, giving me a chance to stand straight.

Lilith: "I'm sorry."

Kaede: "It's okay. I didn't mind it."

Lilith: "Then-"

She open her arm wide towards me.

Lilith: "Can I please have this."

Sure she was a stranger to me, but in her eyes, I'm Selene. I can't just turn down her own mother. Not saying anything, I approach her slowly before her arms gently pull me into an embrace, with my arms finding it's spot around her waist.

-

(Lilith: "It's okay, it's okay. Mama's got you.")

-

Suddenly, my mind flashes with distant memories of being alone, hungry, only for mom to come back to ease my pain. Is this, one of Selene's memories?

Lilith: "Thank you, Kaede..."

I can feel her loosen her grasp on me, letting me free, but I find myself remaining where I am, clinging onto her. With her this close, I can properly smell her scent as it gives me a wave of nostalgia... What's gotten into me?

Lilith: "Uhm. Are you, okay?"

Kaede: "Oh! Yes! Sorry."

I quickly pull away from her, not wanting to make things awkward.

Lilith: "Are you sure?"

Kaede: "Yes. I just got a little carried away, I didn't know how long of a hug you wanted, haha."

Lilith: "But, you're crying."

What? Immediately at her words, I reach up to my face as I feel my cheeks were soaking wet. Moving up to the corners of my eyes, I could feel more tears forming as they slide down onto my hand. I don't recall crying at all so what-

Lilith: "...I'm sorry for having you do that for me-"

Kaede: "No! I... Liked it."

Just a few moments ago, I just saw this person as a stranger, but now I can't help but wish for that hug to have lasted longer.

Lilith: "Here-"

It was her this time, pulling me into another embrace as I immediately accept it, wrapping my arms around her once more. This time however, I could feel my tears pour out and glide down my cheek as I cling onto her as more memories begin to flood inside me.

-----Yui's POV

We just entered the tent, but what we were greeted by were a couple people crowding one individual who laid on the ground. They seemed to be treating that person as I stand there holding onto Mell's hand.

Medic Guy: "Oh? Are you guys here to help?"

Yui: "No, but if you'd like our help, we can."

Medic Girl: "We just finished patching this guy up. If you want to help then the other tent nearby could use some assistance."

Sicily: "Our friend there is busy taking care of it, so we felt like we could wait here for her."

Medic Guy: "Would that be, Kaede?"

We all nod to his question in unison.

Medic Guy: "Yeah that girl. She saved someone who we thought was just going to die."

Medic Girl: "If you're with her then you can wait in here if you like."

Yui: "Thank y-"

Suddenly, a sharp searing pain erupted from my stomach, causing me to let go of Mell's hand before clenching my shirt around my stomach.

Olivia: "My Lady!"

Lillian: "What happened?"

Yui: "I'm-"

All of a sudden, the pain was gone just as quickly as it arrived.

Medic Guy: "Hey. Are you alright?"

Yui: "I'm fine. I think I'm just hungry. I don't think I've eaten anything all day."

I rummage through the bag Kaede gave me to look for the sandwiches Olivia had made, taking one out before taking a bite a moment later. The crunchiness of the lettuce combined with the juiciness of the fruit made for a good addition to the soft pieces of meat along with it.

Yui: "Mmm! These are good Olivia."

Olivia: "Thank you my-"

I take another one out to offer it to her, but the pain came back once more. The pain was a lot worse than before as I found myself on the ground. This pain, it reminds me of the time when I had been stabbed, only this time there was no knife stuck inside of me, only this burning, excruciating pain, causing me to roll up into a ball on my side, trying to suppress the pain in any way that I can.

Mell: "Y-Yui!?"

Medic Guy: "Get her over here right now!"

There's no way in hell I can move like this... No way. I hold onto my stomach for dear life as Olivia and Sicily both picked me up, brining me over to him. The pain is showing no signs of going away as sweat pours out of me.

Olivia: "What's wrong with her?!"

Medic Girl: "I uhm-"

Medic Guy: "Yui, was it? I need you to move your arms away for me."

Like hell I can do that. It feels like if I let go of my stomach, it'll all just come spilling out. I could feel his hand grabbing hold of my arm, gently tugging at it. I know he's trying to help me, but I can't loosen up at all. This only made me put more force into it until eventually, he brought me to my back, pulling my arm away in the process. I couldn't tell if the pain got worse or not, but even still, my eyes remained tightly shut, trying to shut away the pain like this instead. I could feel the hem of my shirt being pulled up, but right now, all I'm concentrating is trying to drown out this pain. Even if I wanted to scream in pain, I don't think I have the energy for that.

Medic Girl: "She's not bleeding anywhere."

Sicily: "Fuck this-"

Opening my eyes ever so slightly, I could see Sicily storming off outside the tent before shutting my eyes shut once more.