Beyond the Horizon (Part 1)
Disclaimer: this story has some angst and mentions some dark themes! Reader be aware!
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Slowly but surely, the cities, the mountains, the forests and the lakes were being replaced by the infinite wasteland. Hot, torturous and unbearable for non-demons, Jikan was getting reminded why Hell was called that way. He didn’t wish to be teleported right away to their destination, he asked to be transported the old fashion way. Since Nymir could fly thanks to her wings, she carried both him and Fyrona.
At first, it was just a huge and lonely desert. Then, they could hear the painful screams of the damned souls. Fyrona was worried for her best friend but Jikan was still determined to go through it. He wasn’t borned as a demon, he was made one. That unfortunately meant he wasn’t used to this side part of Hell. They didn’t have time to think more about it. They reached their destination and they were welcomed by the demon Xel. She was the one in charge for dealing with Jikan’s family. She had a big smirk that unsettled Jikan slightly. Nymir was the first to speak.
- You know why we are here, Xel. By the way, how is Archie? Still making your life difficult? (Nymir)
Xel’s smirk was supplanted by a deep sigh that somehow makes Fyrona and Nymir giggle.
- Don’t let me start about him. He has been practicing his guitar skills recently. Sometimes, I prefer to hear the screams of the tortured souls here. At least, he is improving…(Xel)
- Would never guess you could be a great…mother? Sister? (Nymir)
- Caretaker. (Xel)
- That kid deeply cares for you and loves you. He would have been lost or worse if it wasn’t for you. (Nymir)
- Yeah, yeah. Sure, whatever. (Xel)
She tried to hide it but the trio could see she was blushing and felt embarrassed. She then asked them to follow her. Jikan kept feeling uneasy by the situation…However, Fyrona held his hand and Nymir put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. After a couple of minutes, they arrived in front of some kind of…bubble? Cocoon? It was hard to describe.
- What is that? (Jikan)
- A time loop prison. They are imprisoned in a truly hurtful and painful cycle. (Xel)
- What kind of cycle? (Jikan)
- They are relieving constantly what they did to you but they are at your place instead. Time works differently inside. (Nymir)
- How many cycles did they go through already? (Jikan)
- It’s a cycle of six years. They have been going through…hundreds of cycles at this point. (Xel)
- What?! (Jikan)
Jikan touched the cocoon and suddenly his entire body reacted to the amount of pain flowing through his body. That was Hell. There wasn’t any other word to describe what’s going on. He quickly removed his hand and was upset. Xel stopped him from touching it more.
- What are you fucking doing?! (Xel)
- What’s the point of all of this? I mean why…(Jikan)
Nymir once again put her hand on his shoulder. She was clearly concerned and upset too.
- Some people are too stubborn and must pay for their actions. They have to deal with this punishment until their souls are cleaned from their sins. So, they can understand who they were, what they did and how it was meaningless or pointless. How it was…unnecessary monstruous. Once their souls are cleaned, they can go back to the Purgatory and be borned again to start over. (Nymir)
- It’s our job to make sure it happens. If you don’t like it…well it’s understandable and you can disagree. You already have changed many of our rules and punishments. Some must stay like this one but I realised these changes can be good for us, demons. (Xel)
While she finished her sentence, she had a small thought for Archie. That little brat really did make an impact on her…she wouldn’t tell him but she could give him a cake later on.
Jikan clenched his fists and cringed. He knew…he knew they were right. It was necessary. They are bad, awful and evil people out there. Kindness couldn’t always be enough.
- Are their souls cleaned? (Jikan)
- …They begin to be. Maybe in a few more cycles they will…(Xel)
- I’m going in. (Jikan)
- Wait what? Are you mad? What will you try to accomplish with that? (Xel)
He didn’t reply to her as he entered the cocoon. Xel and Nymir wanted to prevent him from doing so. However, Fyrona blocked them and had a serious expression…which was rare.
- I know what he is doing. I trust him. Let’s wait his return. Plus, he knows I will kick his butt if he doesn’t. (Fyrona)
Jikan felt like he was falling into a dark and profound pit or hole. It felt like hours. Suddenly the darkness transformed into an empty room…then some furniture…then more lights…then finally…a cage. All too familiar for Jikan as he shivered while looking around in silence. He was glad it was all behind him. He barely remembered from his…previous life. He opened some furniture and found old pics of him when he was a human child. The time loop illusion was definitely powerful. All of a sudden, he began to hear some sobs coming from the cage. He took a deep breathe, stayed as stoic as he could and came closer to the cage.
- Hello, Mother. (Jikan)
The woman kept sobbing and turned around to face the voice she heard. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Like it was another illusion or something. Jikan clearly decided to show off her demon form.
- S-Son? Is that you? (Jikan’s mother)
- My name is Jikan and I’m not your son. I never was. (Jikan)
- Jikan? That’s…a nice name. (Jikan’s mother)
The silence enveloped the room. They both stared at each other without saying another word. Neither none of them weren’t moving much from their stances.
- You would think I would lash out at you for everything you and the others had done to me. I won’t. I’m happy, I have great friends and a real family. Everything I desired, I have it now. You also don’t need to give your reasons. There is no excuse for what you all had done. I just wanted to see for myself how it went down. Goodbye. (Jikan)
He turned around and was ready to leave the prison to regroup with his family.
- You have become a gorgeous and handsome adult. Just…be happy with the life you have. I…Take care of yourself. Goodbye. (Jikan’s mother)
As he closed his eyes, the room disappeared while he was floating. When he opened his eyes, he was outside of the cocoon. He didn’t have time to react that Fyrona grabbed his chin.
- Next time you do something that reckless…fucking invite me! I hate missing all the fun! (Fyrona)
- Alright, alright! Release my chin! (Jikan)
As she did so, he rubbed his chin and sighed deeply. Nymir was again concerned while Xel was growing impatient.
- How did it go? (Nymir)
- I saw what I wanted. The past is the past. You can stop this punishment. (Jikan)
Xel was only half surprised. Barely a few years ago, she would be pissed and refused to do so. But nowadays, she saw things differently.
- Fine. I will evaluate their states of mind and their souls. Maybe they can be sent to the Purgatory. (Xel)
- Good. (Jikan)
- What now? (Fyrona)
- You still have to show me Earth. (Jikan)
He was finally smiling. They gave their goodbyes to Xel and teleported themselves out of the realm to go to Earth. Xel then looked at the cocoon.
- I think Archie likes a good old cheesecake. Let’s finish work so I can just chill. (Xel)
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Here you have a new story and the continuation of Reminiscences of the Past , beware this one has some angst and dark themes so don’t force yourself to read it! Take care of yourself and for those who you will read it, enjoy!
okaria et feria belongs to me and @milasartblog / @wildstarfan
Xel, Jikan, Archie, Fyrona and Nymir belong to me
