Common Sense (1)

I'm in a dream.. this must be a dream..

Sitting on his bed and leaning against his body, I savoured this wonderful warmth. His fingers brushing against my hair, his shoulders perfectly accommodating my head akin to a pillow.

With half-opened eyes I observed as Noel scrolled through a list of items on the status window.

The system update had been completed, and Noel, whilst completing a task, that is to caress my head for 10 minutes, was examining the changes to the system.

I, with my eyes closed, snuggled closer to him. Wrapping my arms around his chest, his scent puts me at ease.

"Liliath."

"Nn?"

"Can I ask you something?" His caresses had changed to two taps.

I looked at him with upturned eyes. His shiny black hair and angular face-- some cute features to his otherwise striking face-- a blackish-blue gleam to his tranquil eyes.

"You wanted this-- right?"

Tracing his fingers, I saw that he was pointing at the status window at-- the Philosopher's stone.

I flinched, adn froze on the spot.

Without saying anything, he continued to caress my head.

"How did you learn of my past?" I asked in a soft voice.

He told me himself that he learnt of my past, just to what extent-- I didn't know. Just that I would've not believed that he would've come to this conclusion so soon..

What should I do? ShouldI confess? What would he think of me if he knew?

"My TALENT.. I actually travelled to your past-- to put it in a sense," Noel said as he let out a sigh.

"My past..." Leaning my head on his shoulders, I attempted to calm myself.

"I don't mind waiting, but I want to hear in your own words as to what had happened.. and sorry that you had such a past," Noel's voice was strained. I couldn't help but bite my lips. "Because of me--"

"No, it's not your fault."

"Well. Maybe.."

Whose fault was it then?

"I also met another person.. rather a goddess."

"A goddess?"

It sounded like something heroes would encounter. Noel met a goddess?

"Yeah. Bleu. She was the one who guided me through your past."

"Is that so.."

What an unexpected development.

Nevertheless, I didn't really know what to think. What was Noel's relationship with the goddess? Why did they meet? At a guess, the most probable explanation to the time Noel learnt of my past was when he was left in a tranced state under my charm spell.

"Well, so do you want the Philosopher's stone? You do, right? I'm also wondering if I could become a true demon lord using this."

"No. It's..."

Before I could finish my words, Noel had already made the purchase. A sparkling red gemstone in the form of a necklace was presented to me. My eyes glued to the jewel. A container of nearly infinite mana could be felt emanating from within.

Noel let loose a chuckle.

"Want me to put it on?"

I didn't reply to his question. I stared at him.

What did Noel's action imply? Was he ready? But I still lack information? Does he know about Javiel's plan?

Knitting my brows, I've come to regret never paying attention to his sermons on how one should transplant a Philosopher's Stone into another body..

What should I do?

Noel had already brought the necklace around my neck.

"There."

Blinking my eyes at him before turning to hold the pendent up to my eyes. Various shades of gold bent weaved into the shape of a heart. The red gemstone in the centre, emblazoned by other small white gems. I stared at it meekly-- to realize tears had come to fall from my eyes.

"Beautiful.."

"Glad you like it-- Liliath?"

His voice made me look up at him once again but-- I realized he wasn't looking at me rather--

"Darlin' Noel, how are you, you must be tired."

It was me.. the other me.. In my room? O-Other me? How?

"Two Liliaths?" Noel wrapped his arm around me and retreated backwards. However, we were stumped by the bed backed against the wall.

"Oh, how cautious."

"D-don't.." I pleaded.

The other me in her bewitching black dress, velvet hair flowing down her back-- her eyes glowing in a deadly crimson shade. She took a step forward.

I must do something-- I have to protect Noel… T-teleport.

W-why isn't it working..

"T-teleport!"

"Oh sweety, seeing your desperate struggle is a wonderful sight indeed. Try as you might, that's not going to work here," Liliath said with a gentle smile, sending chills down my spine.

"What do you want.." Noel asked, pulling close to the point where I buried myself into his chest.

"Oh, I want you of course Noel darling. It's the first time we've met personally, right?"

"What are you getting at.. what do you mean? You're still Liliath right?"

"Of course I am-- right Liliath?"

To her question, I whimpered.

I couldn't do anything. Spells don't work, there's nothing I could do.. nothing.

But I have to protect Noel--

From his quickening heartbeat, it's obvious he's putting up a brave front when the truth is that he's scared-- yet he's trying his best to protect me…

What a coward I am-- I have to do something. Noel had already done so much for me already...

Liliath closed in the distance.

If magic isn't possible, there's another option. I could use my strength to hold her down temporarily to buy time for Noel's escape.

"Noel, r-run.."

"What?"

Pushing Noel away, I rush towards Liliath. With my bare fist I initiated a punch.

But it stopped short, I hit a barrier.

"Oh, my sweetheart LIliath grew up! She finally has the strength to stand up against me-- ah! this is the power of love isn't it?"

"RUN! NOEL!" Despite the despair I felt, I threw punch after punch after punch. Ripples spread across the barrier, each impact generated a deafening noise. The cracking of the barrier could be heard but every time it broke, another would fill it's place

"Sweety, I think it's time you take a break. You did well, I'm very proud of you."

Liliath stretched out her hands and a shockwave sent me flying across the room-- causing my back to slam against the wall.

I-it's unless..

"Lil--"

"Oh no you don't. Be a good boy and lie down on the bed like a dog for me dear. You'll have your turn after I give plenty of affection to my sweetheart Liliath--" She giggled, forcing Noel to sink into the bed with the effects of gravity magic-- Noel didn't take the chance I gave him in the end..

"Please.. stop.. don't hurt Noel," I pleaded. Kneeling, I brought my head to the floor to perform a seiza.

"Raise your head Liliath, you know very well I'm not here to hurt Noel."

Liliath raised my chin with her blender fingers. Tracing my jawline, she licked her lips seductively as she peered into my eyes.

"P-please.."

Snap.

Liliath tore the pendant away from my neck.

"A wonderful gemstone isn't it? A treasure brone from your love with Noel."

"Give it back!" I tried to swipe it back, but was tossed to the floor by her might.

"Now, I only want to help achieve our goal sweetheart, You need not be so worried. Noel will be fine~"

"NO! STOP! YOU DONT KNOW ANYTHING! HE'LL DIE!!"

"But nothing will work if you don't take risks? Isn't that right? Now be a good girl and watch."

A crushing pressure donned upon me, breathing became difficult as I found myself floating mid-air.

Liliath turned to Noel with a bewitching smile.

Please.. stop..

"I love you Noel~"

Holding the red gemstone in her claws, she slowly traced her other hand on his chest. She then drew close to his face.

"Be mine."

A soft enchanting whisper.

In the next moment, she brought her claws down to his chest and stabbed the philosopher's stone into his heart.

"NNOOOO!!!!"

I snapped up to a sitting position from my bed. Perspiration covered my forehead as my ragged breathing continued.

The diffused moonlight shining from the outside, shrouded by the misty black clouds. A contrast to the soft glow of the night lamp at the corner of my room.

"No.. I don't want this.."

Hugging the pillow that still had Noel's lingering scent on it, I brought my knees together and buried my head into it--

"I want.."

And cried.