Imminent Death (3)

[LILIATH]

Weakness, fatigue.

All sorts of negative ailments stacked upon my body.

I never thought diseases would be this dreadful.

It started with a cough. Then a persistent pain in the throat, followed by a sluggish body. Then a fever.

Before I could make sense of it all, I fell into anguish.

With a tube inside my nose and the occasional beeps in the distance, I looked up at the unfamiliar ceiling.

It was dark, an orange lamp illuminated this unusual space. The 'hospital'?

I tried to get up, failing to do so due to my current, weak constitution.

How could this happen?

Why this pain?

Demon lords possess incredible recovery, don't they? So why?

Why?

"You're awake, Morning Liliath, how are you feeling?" feeling the tears slide down my cheek, I heard Diana-sama's voice.

"Better," I gasped.

This was a disease, not a curse, yet… for it to progress to this sort of stage..

With all my might, I desperately turned my body towards the direction of the couch.

There, I saw Noel sleeping in an uncomfortable position. I hope he won't acquire back pains once he awakens from his sleep.

"You'll be alright Liliath, the doctor is here to treat you." Diana-sama consoled, caressing my hair and forehead. Through the warmth of her touch, I realized that her words were meant to console herself also.

I nodded with what little energy I had left in my body.

As I was about to close my eyes and fall back into slumber, I heard a ring, then appeared in front of me the status window for the 'Special Quest'.

It seems a week had passed.

*

Special Quest:

[LAST RITE] Confess your honest feelings to Noel. 150P

RULES: Noel cannot find out about the specifics of the task. If found out, the quest will be terminated. Special Quests cannot be removed and will be refreshed weekly. Special Quests completed before the week ends will only be refreshed the following week.

WARNING: IMMINENT DEATH.

Complete quests before the time runs out: 1D 05H 32M

*

"Liliath?"

"Imminent death.." I whispered, asserting a tone of remorse. My voice grew weaker by the second, consciousness fading.

It was apparent.

I was going to die.

*

In a space that was like a vast expanse of a red void, somewhere in the distance I made out two silhouettes.

Loosening an ephemeral sigh, I approached the two.

Liliath, the part of myself that was weak, but caring and gentle, was bound to a black throne. The other Liliath, horns growing from her head, eye posing a domineering glint, was my cunning but strong self.

"Cut it out," I admonished.

Demon lord Liliath stopped and turned to me with a slack expression. Meek Liliath, likewise, looked at me, trembling.

"Say~ what do you want, me?" demon lord Liliath queried.

"You already know the answer to it don't you?"

"How deplorable," she sneered, "Do you truly think there's anything we can do about it?"

"Don't want to.. I don't want to die.." meek Liliath cried out softly.

"I myself cannot be so sure of it, however, I presume it's best to have a contingency plan.. to put it in other words, I suggest a meeting."

"Sweety, that would be quite a boring meeting don't you say? I want to spend the rest of my limited time playing with my sweetheart here~" demon lord Liliath drawled in a sweet tone.

Meek Liliath cried out in fear.

"What is your opinion, regarding the matter, me? If.. it was true that death is upon us?"

"My opinion, you say? I suppose— I'm grateful. We had a moment of bliss before death. It's a rather good deal considering the fact that we should've died back in our own world."

"How about you?" I asked the other Liliath.

"I-I don't want to die.. why must we d-die.. why can't we just live peacefully— hiikhh?!"

"Stop that."

"Oh sweetheart, don't be scared, I'll always be here with you— even after death," whispering the last few words, demon lord Liliath clung to the meek Liliath, caressing her skin.

Pondering the matter while observing their frolic— If death is the only outcome then, I can only ask the heavens to give me a quick and painless one.

But was that truly the outcome? It was too abrupt of a judgement.

I swept my hands forward, both Liliath were pulled away, forced to sit in chairs separated by a long gloss black triangular table.

"What now—" the Liliath with four horns groaned, annoyed that she had been separated from her prey.

I sat down on the last, unoccupied chair, bent forward and placed my chin above my palm.

"Next question. What do you think about Noel?

"Noel? Isn't he my vessel? What more is there you need to ask about him?"

"D-don't kill hiiim.. Noel shouldn't die.."

Shaking my head in resignation, I realized that both Liliaths had varying opinions. As the demon lord Liliath said, Noel, is a vessel, a catalyst required to achieve our goal. At the same time, I cannot deny the other Liliath's plea to protect his life.

I should've known that I've grown emotionally attached to him somewhat. I should take note of this.

"How about you? Your opinion about Noel? A confession of truth, we can't consider Noel our beloved just yet can we now?" demon lord Liliath said with a slack voice as she sipped on a wine glass filled with blood.

"It's hard to put into words.. My intuition is telling me that it's too soon to confess something like love. Then, what does the task require me to do in the first place?"

Meek Liliath raised her hands at my remark.

"Yes? Speak."

"B-be honest..? T-true feelings d-don't necessarily have to be a love confession," she said.

"True, true," I nodded to myself.

No matter how I think about this, I have been indebted to them. There was nothing I could do to repay their kindness. I lack knowledge, skills and information to properly contribute to anything in their life.

Perhaps.. just perhaps. All I want— is to contribute just a little, the last contribution I make to this life of mine before it ends.

"You got your answer sweety? Your expression cleared up for us to see?" demon lord Liliath asked.

"I suppose I have found my answer," standing up, I put two hands on the table while bending forward.

"Great, now, grant me the permission to play with my dear sweetheart?" as she spoke, meek Liliath started shedding tears, shaking her head in retort, "Time is limited, now—"

"Permission denied, from hereon, I will end the meeting."

This may very well be the last time I get this opportunity to work out my emotions. This stifling feeling in my heart— I understand wherever fate brings is inevitable— it just won't go away..

*

I raised my eyelids, realizing that the room was now lit in white. I turned to the first person that greeted me— Noel.

"Morning," he spoke with a fake smile. "How are you feeling?"

I was surprised that I could feel myself— surprised that I could move.

This is, I suppose, the calm before the storm. It will lighten up at one point, bringing enlightenment for a few brief moments before plunging back into the abyss— I thought somehow.

"A bit better?" I said in a not-too-sure tone. I managed to get myself up into a sitting position.

"Hopefully," Noel muttered in a pained voice.

I tilted my head.

Does he know? Seeing his reaction, it would be so. Perhaps his Special Quest, like mine, mentions of the limited time I have left.

"It's alright Noel. Everything will be alright," I smiled, clasping his hands between mine.

"Liliath.. why.. no.. I will definitely find a way.. there has to be a way.." Noel said, looking down at my hand. He placed his other hand atop mine and squeezed it.

There has to be a way..

"Noel, you ought to be resolved to face the inevitable," I giggled.

"Why.. hey Liliath.. how can you be so calm," his hands were shivering, his eyes hinting dismay.

Just as I was about to continue, a person wearing a white uniform came in with a tray of food.

"How are you feeling Liliath?" she asked with a smile.

"Slightly better," returning a smile of my own.

"Now, I don't mean to interrupt your intimate moment but do you mind if I ask you two separate for a bit?" to her request, I had come to realize that her smile was a thirsty, cunning one. Like a maiden starved of love.

Though.. I suppose that isn't the main issue as I continued to stare at her befuddle before turning to Noel who was desperately trying to tear his hand away from my grasp in a flustered state.

Ah..

Feeling heat rush to my head, I released his hand and rolled into a hugging position, burying my head into my knees— but I was prevented from doing so.

"Now, please take these medication, do them one by one alright?"

She presented me with what seemed to be an assortment of multicolour pills, most of them white, with a smile. I felt a chill down my spine.

Obediently, I swallowed the pill with water— the proper way.

"Remember to eat alright? Even if you don't feel like eating, so as to prevent your stomach from hurting," she advised before rushing out of the room.

Recollecting my thoughts, the food presented in front of me was placed on top of a board supported by the side rails of the bed. Congee with some additional dishes to the side. It included a drink in a packaging that looked like milk?

Noel was still sitting close to my bed, though, his gaze was still affixed to the door. No, affixed to his status window.

"Where are the rest of your family, Noel?"

"My family? Ah, right, about that, they went out for breakfast."

"Breakfast? How about you?"

"I decided to stay back.." his voice trailed off into silence. "Hey Liliath, is there anything you wish for?"

"???"

His question came as a surprise. I looked away to ponder— towards the window— the view of the blocky city through the city in the morning light—

I turned back to him and in a serious voice, I asked him, "Feed me."

"Wuah?"

"Feed.. me. That's what I wish for."

That was the best idea could come up with in this situation. Noel might not be able to handle the guilt of my passing when the time comes.. if I said nothing. This much should help ease the emotional pain, albeit a little.

"S-seriously?" he said with a crooked smile.

"It's alright if you don't want to," I pouted.

"Alright, alright my princess," he laughed.

And to his words, I felt the tear in my heavy heart widen a little more.

Do I really have to die?

Will I actually die?

Do I want to die?

"Liliath? Liliath? Earth to Liliath, hello?"

"S-sorry!"

Realizing I had fallen into a trance with Noel calling out to me, a spoon in his hand, I responded in haste.

"Here, o-open your mouth," he held the food up to my mouth.

Smiling, I gladly accepted his feeding.

"Thak, U."

"Sheesh, really now.. what should I do," Noel said half-sighing, digging into the congee before bringing another spoon to my mouth.

This repeated several times over.

Nothing spoken, merely the moment of his hand and my mouth.

"Noel."

"Yes?"

"My turn."

"Hm?"

"Let me feed you," snatching the spoon from his hand, I scooped the congee and brought it up to his mouth.

Nononononono.. there's no way I could possibly allow Noel to do all this without giving back. I've already incurred a debt that could never be repaid.

Moreover, Noel hadn't eaten breakfast?

"No.. Liliath.. seriously?! I-I can't!"

I pouted, resolved to complete my task.

"Fine," he relented.

Presenting his open mouth, I shoved the congee into his mouth.

"How is it?"

"It's good… It's.."

He wiped his tears with the sleeve of his shirt.

"Noel."

"W-what is it.."

"Thank you. I understand that I'm in no position to say this as I could never repay your family and your kindness.. that said... Thank you. Thank you for everything."

My confession. The true feelings that reside in my heart.

"What are you s-saying.."

Ding.

'Liliath's Special Quest Completed.'

Noel lifted his hands away from his face, staring at me in disbelief.

"There. My last contribution. It's not much, but I hope you spend it properly," I said, tears having formed in my eyes.

"Say that again?" Noel blinked at me.

"My last contribution," quickly wiping away the tears.

"No, not that, the latter half."

I tilted my head, "Spend it properly?"

For a moment I saw his face brighten up before turning ghastly pale.

"T-That's it.. why am I so dumb. Why in the fuck did I not think of that sooner!" he pulled on his hair.

"N-Noel? Stop it, stop it, you'll hurt yourself."

Confused by his statement, I tried to calm him down, but it was taken aback by the look in his eyes.

"I-I got it.."

Something about it lit a flame of hope within me.