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4 years ago // 2015
[Alex]
"Hijo, what is it ?" my mother yelled into her phone.
"Ma. You left your wallet, and your computer-"
"It's fine, I don't need it-"
"Ma. You left your lunch. And your keys. And your coffee. Do you want me to bring it to you ?"
"Hijo, it's fine. ! You need to take care of Sofia. Plus, you know I love to exercise !"
"Alright, Ma. Be safe, I love you."
"I love you too." My mother cooed.
30 minutes later...
"Woah !"
"Watch where you are going, kid !"
"What the-"
"Young man, get back here !"
I didn't stop running until I reached my mother's ward in the hospital.
No, no no no no.
No. No, no no.
This isn't real.
It can't be real.
I desperately clawed at the doctors's hands, trying to break free of their grasp.
"No ! Let go of me !"
"What are you doing here, young man ? You are not authorised to be here !" A nurse said sternly.
"Fuck that ! That's my mom ! I need to-"
"That's enough." She cut me off.
"Let's go."
"NO ! Y-you can't- LET GO OF ME ! I need to see my mother ! Ma ! No, Ma, please- !"
Present // In Hell...
"How are you doing, sir ?" Abbadon snickered.
"You again ? Can't I just die without seeing your face ? Is that too much to ask for ?" Robert snarled, blood seeping out from his wound. His white shirt is almost scarlet, dyed by his blood.
"Your father wants to see you." Abbadon stated.
"My father should know I don't want to see him again. Why does he need me, anyways ? You and I both know he despises me."
"He has some... interesting ways to find Kana."
"Leave her out of this." Robert growled, straining against the chains on his wrists.
"Wow. I never knew the Prince had a heart there ! Magnificent !" Abbadon clapped.
"You're the one to talk, Destroyer."
"Guards." Abbadon snapped his fingers and two devils appeared. "Take him to Master. Right away."
"Come on, Prince." the two devils, mocked.
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[Alex]
Mm. The cupcake looks good.
Why do I feel like someone wants to kill me ?
I turned and saw Phyu fuming, her eyes targeted on the cupcake.
No. My cupcake.
"Aw, come on, Phyu !" I draped my hand on her shoulders.
"I know you are a nice little nature spirit who gives me cupcakes !"
"Alex." Phyu groaned. "Personal. Space !"
"You two mind if I sit here ?" Jackson asked tiredly, walking into the kitchen.
"Nope. Go for i-" Phyu started.
"Yes ! I mind !" I yelled.
"What the hell have I ever done to you ?" Jackson sighed.
"You always punch me when I try to take her cupcake ! Or trick me into turning away so she takes the-"
"PHYU ! What ? WHAT ?" Phyu was devouring my cupcake.
MY. CUPCAKE.
"Thanks, Jackson." Phyu grinned.
"No problem. Enjoy your cupcake, Phyu." Jackson turned away.
"Wait ! I didn't check on her earlier because her father was in her room..." Phyu said worriedly.
"Is Koroshi... still..."
"Yeah." Jackson uttered.
"I've got to go. I'll see you later, Phyu." he snapped his fingers and disappeared.
"He's been so quiet since-" Phyu murmured.
"Alex ?"
Imgonnakillhimimgonnakill-
A light slap on my face distracted me from my thoughts.
"I thought you were non-violent !" I yelled.
"That wasn't violence. I was merely patting my friends cheek." Phyu shrugged.
"Phyu !" Damian smirked, walking past us.
"Oh god. Damian. What do you want ?" Phyu uttered coldly at him, who was practically staring at her boobs.
"You." He grinned.
"Dude, stop making her so uncomfortable." I glared at him.
He dares to steal my girl I'll chop his manhood off and feed it to himself.
"It nauseates me that I'm breathing the same air as him." Phyu gagged.
"I'm going for a walk." She pushed herself up from the chair.
"Damian, stop creeping around and fucking leave. She's not interested." I stated.
"It's your fault she left ! I know she wants me !" Damian protested.
"Come with me." I beckoned him to follow me.
"Damian." I gripped his shoulders when I confirmed we were alone.
"The next time you make Phyu uncomfortable... Hell, next time you even look at her..."
A fire ball erupted from my fingertips, scorching his hair.
"I'll burn you to a crisp, got it ?"
'I- I..."
"Scram." I growled.
I wonder where Phyu went.
[Jackson]
I walked into the library to find a quiet spot to read, but my phone kept ringing.
I checked the caller ID and it was Ava.
"For the love of God..." I muttered and pressed the receive button.
"You have reached Jackson, who doesn't pick up when a cheating bitch calls. Please, don't try again."
"Wait ! Please !" Ava begged.
"What."
"Jackson, please, listen ! I'm sorry ! I... I really want us to try again. I... I know you don't want to, though, and that's fine ! I just... I really need to talk to you. Please ?"
"...Fine. I'll meet you in 5." I rolled my eyes.
I teleported myself in front of Ava's room, lingering whether I should go in.
What am I even doing here ?
All she's going to do is cause me more pain...
So why am I here ?
Do I miss her ? Do I... Do I still...
I exhaled and opened her door, only to see Ava and my ex best friend Matt kissing.
I was wrong.
I thought she changed.
I thought she was genuine about wanting to start over.
I thought I was ready to forgive her.
Why did that thought even cross my mind ?
It was clear to me that she was just another lying, cheating skank.
I expected to feel my chest ache with pain, like last time.
To feel like my chest was slowly tearing apart.
To feel like my lungs were breathing molten, jagged rocks.
But I felt none of that.
Only disappointment.
And anger.
It surprised me.
Maybe... Maybe I have moved on.
[Phyu]
"HUEASNDNAKSD." I muttered.
I vomitted into the grass, disgusted that Damian tried to flirt with me.
I heard a loud crash in the distance.
Something, or someone was trying to break in.
I teleported myself to the garden where the borders were.
What the-
How are they here ?
Two demons were standing in front of the borders, trying to break it.
A demon hurled a fireball towards the border but it bounced back to her, making her crash into the bushes.
"I told you so." the other demon sighed.
"Shut the fuck up, Azazel !" She groaned. "I don't understand. Abbadon told us the borders were getting weaker ! How did he get in ?"
"Abbadon had the spy. She invited him in. He didn't need to force anything." the other demon explained.
"So, maybe we should ask Abbadon if he can ask her ?"
"We can't remember ? The fox knows about her. Abbadon said we shouldn't risk uncovering her little secret. We can't do that to A- We've got company." They stared at me.
"Oooooh, she's pretty ! Hey girlie, did you land on your face ? Cause-"
"Naamah, stop. She's a nature spirit." The other demon snorted.
"What kind ?"
"Obviously plant."
"Ugh, non-violent. So boring." Naamah scoffed. "But, I love killing them ! They get reincarnated to a flower or tree when they die. Kinda satisfying to watch. Can we kill you ?"
"Pretty pleeeeeaaasssssseeeeee ?" she begged.
Yup. Definitely demons.
They remind me of Koroshi's demon form.
If I leave them, they'll continue to damage the borders-
And it'll eventually break.
Nice weather today.
I walked towards them cautiously.
"Hot girl has a death wish !" Naamah cheered.
"Hell yes !" Azazel hooted.
I stepped outside the border, facing them.
"Actually, I don't. But I think you two do."
They roared in laughter.
"Look at the nature spirit issuing threats ! I'm sooooooooo scared !"
I clenched my fists tightly, my orbs turning green.
I closed my eyes as energy flowed through my hands and arms, turning my veins a dark shade of green.
"Oh no ! What are you gonna do ? Throw petals at us ?" Azazel mocked.
"AHAHAHAHAHA" they laughed.
A tree hit Azarel making him faint.
"Or a tree." I shrugged.
"You bitch !" Naamah shouted.
The ground began to tremble and quake under her feet, and bouquets of devilish rose through the surface and tangled the demon's legs.
"You wanna tell me what you meant by 'spy' ?" I asked calmly. "And who it is ?"
"You seem to have a few tricks up your sleeve. But if you think we're gonna be beaten by a bunch of stupid plants-"
I snapped my fingers, the demonic vines tangling her lower body and dragging her towards me.
"What the- Azazel, get your pathetic ass over here-" Naamah shouted for help.
"He's unconscious. He can't here you." I stood beside her.
"You're supposed to be non-violent creatures ! Who the hell-"
"I'm asking the questions, Naamah." I tightened the vines's grip on her. "You might want to shut your trap, just for a bit, alright ?"
She looked at me scornfully but did not say a word.
"Good ! You wanna tell me now ?"
Please don't piss me off. I will loose control.
"I will not abandon my Master for a weak little plant spirit like you- Aw, you poor thing !"
"What ?" I titled my head, confused.
"You have so much pain in there... but you don't even know why ! You don't know anything about yourself... You don't even know about your past ! You don't even know why you have no memories !"
"H-how do you... How did you-"
"Must be so sad... Not even knowing who your family is. Not even knowing if they're alive. Not even knowing who you are. Asking yourself, 'It's so easy to heal other... so why can't I heal myself' everyday. And only for a little demon to know everything about you just a glimpse ! I wonder... I wonder how frustrated that makes you !"
How did she know ?
The memories I've been searching for... for more than three years...
How did she know, with just a peek from my mind ?
She doesn't get to do that.
She doesn't get to mention the mind numbing pain I'm going through with an easy smile, as if it is nothing.
I've never felt like this.
Never have I felt such rage towards someone.
My vision turns a sickly shade of green as I see the way she nonchalantly talks about my suffering.
My jaw clenched.
I see her smirk growing wider.
My fists tightened, as if they were about to break.
I see her eyes dancing with cruel excitement.
And that's enough for me.
"You want to see ? You want to see my frustration ? My anger ?" I uttered coldly.
"You'll get what you wished for." I smiled sinisterly, the vines tightening around Naamah's neck.
"W-what- What are you-" she choked.
"Hope this was worth it."
"No, no no ! You can't... You can't-!"
I stared at the demon, pleading desperately for my mercy.
"No, no ! Please, don-"
I closed my fists.
I heard a loud cracking sound.
And she became as limp as a rag doll.
No one messes with me and gets out of it alive.
OH MY GOD !
W-what...
What have I done ?
I-i'm a healer ! And I just-
I just-
"Phyu...?" Alex called.
"A-alex..."
'Wha..."
I rushed towards him and buried my head into his chest, my tears flowing uncontrollably.
"Uh... Hey... Phyu ? Are... You okay ?"
"I... I killed her, Alex. I... I killed her." I whispered.
"I'm supposed to be someone who heals... Someone who saves lives... And... i just... I just..."
"Hey, hey, hey... Don't cry. Everythin's fine-"
"No ! Things aren't fine ! I... I-"
"Phyu. It wasn't your fault. You did what you had to do." Alex soothing voice calmed me down.
"They were attacking the borders. If you didn't do anything, imagine how many of our lives they would've taken. You did what Angelica would want you to do. Trust me, Phyu. You had no choice."
"Except it wasn't for this haven."
It wasn't for the protection of the beings within the borders...
I let my emotions take over. It was for myself.
I wanted to see that smug look disappear from her face.
I wanted to see her fear as the vines wrapped around her throat.
I wanted to see the light fade from her eyes...
I wanted to kill her.
And I did.
But the most horrifying part...
The tears running down my face weren't feelings of remorse.
I felt no guilt.
I felt nothing.
Only satisfaction.
And fear.
Fear for what it might mean.
Was I truly a healer ?
Who was I before ?
"We'll tell Angelica what happened. And kindly wake the other demon and ask him to leave with his... dead friend. Then we can eat a bowl of ramen together ! And cupcakes and boba for dessert. I promise I won't take any."
"You... you always know how to cheer me up." I sniffled. "And thanks, Alex. For being such a good friend. And not being terrified of me."
"Are you kidding ? Of course not." Alex snorted. "It wasn't your fault. You did it for our safety."
Right...
For our safety...
"Sorry for surprising you there, Alex. I'm gonna let go now, okay ?" I jumped off Alex.
"Phyu."
"Yeah ?"
"If you ever need to talk... I'll be here, okay ?" Alex blushed and rubbed his neck.
"Thank you." I smiled, my face turning red.
"Oh my God, you guys ! Just make out already !" Jackson suddenly appeared and yelled into my ear.
"Oh, it's already time, Jack-" I stopped and stared at his face.
"What."
"Jackson... What happened ? Are you okay ?"
"I feel splendid ! Fantastic ! Great ! Amazing- Oh my God, is that a dead demon ? Holy shit it was you ? I knew you had some violence in that little heart of yours ! Yay !" Jackson blurted out.
"Don't. Change. The. Subject !" I said sternly.
"I have no idea what you are talking about. I'm feeling fine." He waved his arms and cut me off.
"Jackson, just tell me what happened."
"I-" Jackson started.
"Jackson ?" Ava called in the distant.
Jackson laughed hysterically, his eyes turning black.
What the-
Black ?
I've never seen his eyes turn black before...
"What the hell does she want ?"
"Why didn't you come ?" Ava screeched, her face scrunched up in an ugly scowl. "I was waiting alone for you !"
"Fuck off, Ava." Alex muttered.
"Alone, huh ?" Jackson laughed bitterly. He teleported himself in front of Ava. "Maybe I should've made this more clear before..."
He laughed again, his face creased into that familiar crazy smile.
But his eyes aren't smiling at all.
It actually scares me that how angry Jackson is, because he was the one who usually keeps his cool.
"Sorry, sorry..." He said between laughters. "The fact that I even considered this is just hilarious !" He stopped and chortled in laughter again.
"Yeah... Stay away from me."
Ava glared at him, smoke basically coming from her ears.
"Why do you look so surprised, doll ? You called me... to talk. And what do you do ? You start making out with Matt. For the second time ! Messed up, now, isn't it ? Don't even try winning me back, Ava. Desperate women aren't a turn on for me. Bye now."
"Let's go, Phyu." Jackson linked his arms around mine.
"Are you kidding me ?" I growled at Ava. "How messed up are you ? You are really tempting me to feed you to Alex's bulldog."
"My bulldog will literally eat anything." Alex shrugged.
I rolled my eyes and tugged at Jackson's arm. "Come on, Jackson."
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[Jackson]
"Hey, you okay ?" Phyu looked at me worriedly.
"Just... really exhausted." I mumbled.
"Is it okay if I asked what happened ?"
"She called me. Said she wanted to try again." I closed my eyes.
Breath, Jackson.
Breath.
"And... And I thought that maybe it was time to forgive her. She seemed genuinely sorry all these months... I... I thought it would be better to just... to let go of all that bottled up anger. I thought... that maybe, this sickening presence inside me would subside. Just a little. But when I opened the door to her room, she was-"
"With Matt ?"
"Yeah." I sighed. "I had to fight the urge to... To kill them."
"Well that's kind of a good sign, don't you think ?" Phyu patted my hand. "I'm sure the reason why you're so exhausted right now... Is because you resisted your father's presence, Jackson. At leastv you're making progress, right ?"
"I guess." I replied tiredly.
"Also, I'm going to kill that-" Phyu snarled, her tiny fists clenched tightly.
"I am liking this violent side of yours." I smirked.
"Don't get used to it. Alright, shirt off, please."
"What ?" I grimaced and stepped back. "Woah there, Phyu. Why do you do this every week ?"
"Shirt. Off."
"Fine, fine."
"Jackson... you need to learn how to de-stress more." Phyu stared at my skin. "It's twice as worse. The purple area is spreading."
"I honestly dunno how to relax anymore. Working out helped me a lot... But Ava and that jackass always seems to find a way to piss me off."
"Jackson. If you don't learn soon, it'll eventually take over. It's slow, and painful. It's like cancer. Please take this seriously-"
"Sorry." Phyu took a deep breath and calmed herself down. "I'm just... I'm worried, Jackson. You're one of my closest friends."
"I know." I said softly.
"Just... Stand still, okay ? I know it makes you feel restless."
[Phyu]
Every time I do this...
Why is it I hear gunshots ?
"Phyu."
"Yeah ?" I asked, not noticing my orbs are flashing green.
"Stop." Jackson commanded. "This is only draining your energy. You're hurting yourself."
"I'm fine, Jackson." I forced a smile on my face. "Let me-"
"The disease of mine is bringing out your worst memories. It's sapping your life force. I feel it fade every time you do this. I don't want you to be affected by this. Stop."
I ignored him and placed my left hand on his chest.
"Phyu, please." he practically begged.
I exhaled silently, forcing myself to concentrate my powers on my left palm.
"Heal." I chanted, sucking the purple area out of Jackson's chest.
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"What a waste to leave her precious dagger here." Ava snarled while picking up the dagger in the stadium that Voice left behind. "Maybe I should return it to her... Point first."
She disappeared in a flash of red light.
"Shit !" Alex muttered, who was trailing behind her.
"Shit, shit, shit ! Why can't I teleport like those idiots ?" He started running towards Koroshi's room.
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[Kana]
"God fucking damn it, Voice ! Let me out ! VOICE !!!!!!!" I screamed. "P-please... Just let me out... Please..."
As my body faded away into nothing, it felt like an eternity had passed as I lost all feeling in my body.
All I could feel was a dull, buzzing hum traveling through my bones.
Somehow, this was worse than feeling actual pain.
Walls of inky darkness surrounded me, and this was when I realised...
I was truly alone.
No one could help me.
What was the point fighting right now ?
I was going to fade away, anyways.
Voice has always been stronger than me.
I should've known I would never win against her.
If I give up...
Would I just... die ?
The thought made me smile.
That would mean no more Voice.
No more flashbacks.
No more of my mother's ghost haunting me.
"Hello, Kana." Someone called.
Ugh Voice. Why can't she just leave me alone ?
"Lemme guess, Voice. You set the whole world on fire, and killed everyone on Earth. And you're here to tell me you tap danced on dead corpses."
"Actually, I think you have the wrong person."
Son of a bitch.
That voice...
"You." I spatted.
Meanwhile...
"It must suck to be in such a vulnerable situation, huh ?" Ava laughed.
She slid the tip of the blade across Kana's right eye, leaving a bloody gash.
Blood dripped from her skin to her neck, blood splattering onto the bed sheet.
"No one messes with me and gets away with it."
"And now, for something more permanent... AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA..." Ava laughed wickedly.
She positioned the dagger over Kana's heart.
"Death is pretty permanent... isn't it ?"
[Alex]
"Phyu ! Jackson ! Where-" I ran into the house panting, only to see them arguing.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT, LOPEZ ?" they screamed at me.
"Where is Koroshi ?" I asked frantically. "Ava's gonna kill her !"
"What ?" Phyu gasped, her face turning white.
"***AHHHHHHHHHH !***" we heard a chilling scream coming from upstairs.