Just The Way You Are

Golem: My Queen, your friends are here.

C:...

H: Cornelia. Open this door now immediately. If you don't, I will kick it down.

C: It's open.

Hannah sat down beside my bed.

H: Corni. It's been months. You have to get up. Get some fresh air. Or eat something.

C: I don't need to eat. Or breath.

H: Can't stay here forever. He wouldn't want you to be here sulking all day.

C:...

H: Look. The three of us are going to the same karaoke bar we went to many years ago. Join us. Isis will be there also.

She was right. He wouldn't want me to stay here in darkness. I need to keep moving.

H: Come on. Just this one night. You can come back here to vegetate after that.

C: I'll...-I'll get dressed.

H: That's the spirit. But you won't get rid of me this easy. I will choose your dress.

C: Fine. Pick whatever you want.

H: Hehehe.

One hour later, we were at the bar waiting for the others. I regret letting Hanna decide what I will be wearing. She is now forty-seven years old but she dressed me up like all those years ago. Black revealing slutty garments.

H: Finally, you guys are here.

A: Sorry for the wait.

Isis: We got to drop Lucas's nanny at home.

R: It's ok.

C: You guys stayed together and now have a kid?

A: Yes. My boy Lucas. He is nine years old.

C: Wow. I missed a lot. But that means...

Isis: He is a demigod, yes.

A: How about Corni? You still look like the day we met. Is anyone new in your life?

C: No. Not ever since.

R: Whatever the case, we will be here for you. Until we can.

C: Thank you. Now, start ordering. I want to drink until I can get drunk.

H: But you said you can't.

C: I can still try while we catch up.

We talked about what happened in the past twenty-four years. And a lot has happened.

C: So your kid's names are Camilla and Kyle. Good to know.

H: How do you know we have kids?

C: You think I didn't watch over you all these years?

R: So when Kyle said an angel from the sky gave her money to buy candy, he didn't lie.

C: Yeah...

A: What about us?

C: I had my eyes on you, but from what I can tell, Isis kept everything hidden well.

...

Isis: Wait. So the two Old gods were inside you this whole time?

C: Yup.

Isis: And now their power is yours.

C: Yup.

Isis: Serves them right. I hated that war anyway.

...

R: A new ruler of hell?

C: Urzgal and I didn't want to be queen of hell, so we found someone to rule temporarily until we were ready to take over again.

R: I'm sorry, who is Urzgal?

C: My other half, in a matter of speaking. The demon that lives in me.

H: Can we talk to her? What does she look like?

C: Like me. The only thing that changes when I transform is my eyes turn red, and my wings turn full black.

H: No horns?

C: No. But she likes you, by the way.

H: You can talk to her?

C: Of course. She is part of me.

R: Did she like Keitaro?

C: No. Not at the beginning. But it all changed on the night of the Yellow Moon.

H: You never told us what happened that night.

C: Well, if you want me to-

H: YES!

C: It was about a month before his birthday. I told you guys not to come, but he did anyway. But it's better if I show you. Hold my hand. Tayarkihdla takarahsum.

They all closed their eyes as the memory flooded their mind.

K: Cornelia, are you here? Cornelia, where are you?

C: What are you doing here? I told you to leave me tonight. Run before it's too late.

K: I won't run.

C: Then hide. I can't hold back anymore.

K: Hold what back?

C: The demon in me.

Slowly, my eyes red. I was no longer in control. I could only watch.

K: Cornelia?

???: Cornelia left. Please leave a message.

K: Who are you?

U: I'm the part Cornelia didn't want you to see. I'm Urzgal Falsedawn.

K: You're the demon part of her. She told me about that.

U: Clever boy. So, ready to meet your end?

K: You won't kill me.

U: Ah-hahaha. And why wouldn't I? It's been some time since I tasted fresh blood.

K: You are part of her. Just as she is part of you.

U: A part that hates you. Dispises you. Just like she hates me, so what do now?

K: What I always do. And what she always does.

Keitaro walked up without fear and kissed me without hesitation.

K: I love you. Just the way you are. And I always will.

He deepened the kiss even further. I didn't notice I was in control again. Or rather, we were. One eye red, the other gray.

U&C: You never cease to amaze me.

K: Umhhh...

U&C: Don't worry. We both love you. Now and forever.

As the memory faded away, they all looked a bit confused.

H: What just happned there?

C: Urgol learned how to love someone. And we both wanted to protect him. We set aside our differences and became one. I still drive this body, but she has as much control now as I do.

Isis: Two souls in one body. Demon and Divine are working together.

C: Yes, ever since that day.

H: What happened after that?

C: Umhhh...

H: You made a promise that you would always tell.

C: Let's just say he had to satisfy me and a demon at the same time.

H: And...?

C: He did. Six times.

H: I need to know more.

R: Hannah!

H: Fine. Later, when we are alone.

We were back at the same bar after all this time. The only thing that changed is that they all looked older. They were all in their mid-forties, after all. But despite that, they all remained my friends... And we both like them and will fight for them till the end.