The End of Illusion

As I walked down that endless spiraling staircase, the only sounds I could hear were my footsteps on the damp brick stairs and the occasional dripping sound in the distance. It was perhaps a leakage in the ceiling but I was safe from whatever it was and all I focused on was not to get dizzy and tumble down. As I walked on, the candles lit up to light my way but when I looked back, there was nothing but darkness.

Naturally, I did consider that all of this could be a trap but knowing that whatever was leading me down there was way stronger than me, there was no way I'd resist against the inevitable. At the end, regardless of the outcome, I would have to fight and I was okay with that. Felix was fighting too, though I wasn't concerned about him anymore.

When I finally reached the end of that seemingly ceaseless stairway, feeling like I had been treading down the whole night, I found myself in a dark damp place filled with nothing but the scent of death in the air. I walked ahead carefully, unsure but on guard. I noticed there was a small window on a side wall through which the bright full moon began peaking in and I saw something near the opposite wall.

It wasn't something small to go unnoticed anyway and I realized that thing was the source of the dripping sound. It was a huge wooden cross with a pool of blood at its base, constantly being supplied with more, drop by drop. I walked closer to it, facing it with a painful look on my face.

"Seraph", she spoke in a broken voice, "You've made so far...Ah, its a shame that you had to see me like this. But...I was hoping I wouldn't be lonely...Seraph".

I pursed my lips.

"I didn't want to...be alone. It seems that...despite everything, that's all it comes down to. I've even brought you into all this mess. You know it already, don't you?"

Her head was bleeding, painting half of her silver hair crimson. She was crucified with iron spikes piercing through both her hands and feet with a rope running around her neck. There were clear signs of resistance, injuring most of her neck.

"Seraph, I lost. And if you fight, you'll die. But...", her voice died down and she struggled to bring it out, "You can't get away anymore. There is no way out..."

"Sorry, Deli. I've no intention of getting away. If I die, so be it. I won't be able to look Lady in the eye if I just ran away. And I'd really hate that..."

It took all I had in me to say that much. Deli said nothing but I think she smiled.

"My sons...please find them, Seraph. They are here. I don't wish to lose them again. Maybe then...there would be some...just a little rectification for all my...sins. In another world, maybe I'll...get to see them again".

I lowered my eyes as watching her wasn't something I could bear just then. She was breaking apart. This wasn't the Deli that I knew and I didn't want to see her like this. But I could say nothing to her. It wasn't as simple as freeing her and running away. I knew it wouldn't be so easy.

Before I knew it, the wall opposite to her was smashed into pieces and I knew it was time for me to go.

"Deli, I'll see you...in a moment".