“Rays of Understanding” Part 1 - Bud
(OOC: A two part Non-Canon story that I have thought about for awhile. What if Luze had a chance to meet Yuzuki? Not physically, but spiritually in a dream world that feels real?
It’s a funny case because I thought about if he had a familiar I made up for him. Diomedes came from Bayonetta and if you look that Demon up, it’s very suitable. But what if his familiar took up a form of a raven, as I keep mentioning throughout my stories, like how Sodom changes into a wolf from a Dragon? And he acts like a dreamcatcher to chase or drag the nightmares away? Nevermore Or yet, bring someone into his master’s mind to talk with him for a moment or two? I think I know who would have easy access using whatever she can.) - Feat. Yuzuki Giou - A screenshot directly taken from the anime itself - References to my previous stories
There are questions left unanswered. Some would want to find out the truth of things. Some others would walk away never to find those truths, yet live in a lie.
During Luze’s stay within the Twilight Mansion, he still has a lingering thought of how Yuki lived long enough with memories locked from his previous reincarnation of the “goddess” of light, Yuzuki Giou. But it’s sometimes better to leave things hushed and never stir wrong ideals. After sitting down and having dinner with the rest of the Zweilts and his brother, everyone left to retreat to their rooms to have a long rest after chatting the night away.
Luze is seen in his quarters as he pries open the window to let the breeze calm his nerves and make him rest. He clutches the charm that was given from Yuki and feels a warm sensation coming from it, feeling safe and at ease. Not only was his familiar, Diomedes, and the wind were able to calm him down, his charm comes into play as well. Luze then heads off to bed and drifts to sleep more easily but strangely before as his raven went to sleep by him as well. However, his raven remains awake and decides to peer into his master’s mind for unknown reasons. Suddenly, Luze’s charm begins to glow faintly.
A flash of red comes from Diomedes’s eyes as he sense that someone wanted to meet Luze and drags them into his psyche ...
A warm breeze swept through as I was sleeping. Leaves were suddenly rustling louder than I expected as if they were near or directly on top of me. Strange. It didn’t feel cold as the night would be. Did someone shut my window in the middle of the night? I had better not end up outside either considering how loud yet subtle the noises of nature are right now ...
I had even heard birds chirping clearly as well. It was far from the sounds of bats who would squeak occasionally within the blackened skies, hanging upside down from roofs greeting the night air through them. It can’t already be daylight. I had just drifted off to sleep mere seconds ago ...
My hand suddenly twitched slightly and something tickled against my nose. My eyes began to quiver and slowly open. I blinked hard as my vision took time to adjust to the bright burst of light.
🎵- (Music to read through this) The first thing I saw were blades of green grass directly in front of me, swaying as the calm wind brushed them against my face. “... Huh?” I said with my half exhausted voice and blinking with my half opened eyes. My body was laying flat as my back was getting hit from the sun’s rays. I moved my hands downward and gently pushed myself up slowly. My body was somehow heavily groggy as if I got hit by something hard and got knocked unconscious.
I looked towards the ground to be greeted with more greenery and for some reason ... My military hat was next to me. I reach towards it as I saw my arm and hands were covered with a sleeve and glove. My hair was suddenly tied up with my white tassel. Confused, I began to look around myself to see that I wasn’t hallucinating.
“... Why am I in my old uniform?” I asked as I was touching my clothing. This was truly strange as I took a second as my hands were placed on my chest for a few seconds, my eyes wandering at nothing and thinking. I swore I was just with my inner shirt. I shook my head trying to push away for a moment from whatever was going on and reluctantly reached for my military hat and wore it, adjusting it into place. I began to look up more from still kneeling and from looking at the greenery beneath me. My eyes grew wide from what I saw. I stood up straight, steadily getting up. “Where in seven hells am I?” I whispered.
The wind flew gently blowing my hair to the side. What I saw that was right in front of me was a pristine crystal lake. At a distance, ruins of an ancient building that once stood mighty before were laid to nothing but bricked walls and arches still holding onto their based structure. It seemed as though I was transported to an unknown forest where the trees stood taller and more gigantic than those that covered our mansion from prying eyes. How did I get here? I thought to myself. “This all can’t be a dream ...” Moments passed as I was mesmerized on the landscape. It looked surreal. I walked towards the lake’s direction slowly taking in my surroundings as I looked left and right. The birds flew by below the majestic gargantuan trees as the light emitted rays peeking from the leaves and entered the crystal lake creating a beautiful painted image. I eventually made my way and stood close to the lake’s edge. I looked down to meet my reflection. However, the reflection was not my own. It was rather someone else’s. My eyes tensed as I saw him. He had short hair. Silver piercing eyes looking at me from the lake’s mirror. This was definitely some kind of illusion that someone must have done to toy with my mind. Whoever it may be, I was not having any of it. Or worse, I was possibly losing my mind.
“Luka?” A soft voice rang. A female voice, fragile yet delicate. At first, I was slightly annoyed that someone would call me by my other half. But at the same time, the innocent chime that her voice gave out made me steady myself as I turned my head to my shoulder. I slowly turned around. My breath escaped me as I saw who stood at a distance.
Her long hair flowed gently within the breeze. It shone like the light that cascaded along the lake. Her eyes, golden just like the rest of the Hume Zweilts. She had her hand clasped on her chest as she was equally as shocked as I was. She wore a white dress that had a pink ribbon wrapped around her waist to act like a sash and a jewelled collar to match with it. She looked to be like one of those princesses you’d see from a distant kingdom. More like an angel, perhaps that descended from the Celestial realm. Rather ... More like Yuki.
“I’m ... Afraid that you’re mistaken ...” I said hesitantly and broke the silence. The female Hume blinked twice from confusion and thought for a second. She suddenly was taken aback as she waved her delicate hands in front of her. “Oh! I’m terribly sorry! I just thought ... I just thought you were Luka because you looked exactly like him!” I was confused at her unexpected reaction as I cocked an eyebrow with a bewildered face. I reached for my tied up hair and thought to myself how Humes could easily mistake me for Luka who has shorter hair. “I really am sorry! Forgive me!” She pleaded as she bowed to me with her hands clasped in front downward.
I took a step forward with my hands out barely to reach her, not knowing what to do in this very awkward situation. I never dealt with women in my life time, especially with one that appeared right behind me. How long was she standing there for, looking at me as if I was some kind of fool lost in this forest?
“... It’s alright.” I said awkwardly. “You also don’t need to be so formal around me. I do quite understand how you can easily mistaken me for my brother.”
She slowly fixed herself up straight as she brushed her bangs from her eyes. “Ah. You must be Luze, then? Luze Crosszeria, was it?” She held onto her dress as she gave a curtsy and stood up with her arms in front her. “We finally are able to meet each other. And it’s a great honor to see you in person.”
I was taken aback even though I have told her to not be so formal with me. What did she mean by, “finally meeting me”? Yet, I could not get mad or annoyed at her even if I wanted answers right away. There was just some kind of air flowing through her that made me ... At peace. Was it because she was God’s Light and is standing directly in front of me? “You must be Yuzuki Giou, then.” I said. She nodded. “My brother told me about you, only for just a moment in vague details.”
She giggled lightly as she brought a closed hand to her chin. “I see Luka was always the secretive type. And still is until this day.” Yuzuki held her hands behind her back as she slowly made her way towards me. Each step seems like a pondering child looking at the ground thinking. “However, he’s not so secretive whenever he brought you up in conversations because I would ask more about you.”
“He ... Told you things about me?” I kept my gaze at her as she finally reached the edge of the lake, standing right besides me. She looked at me with soft eyes and nodded. My eyes suddenly averted away the longer she stared. I turned around to face the lake with her. ”Luka told me who you were and what you were like once he accidentally spilled out that he had a twin.” She began. “Many small details about you as well, mind you. But it made me more curious to meet you one day. If ... you had accepted me of course, being a Hume and everything. I want to be able to talk to you in person but I never had the chance to. And so here I am, getting to meet his famous young twin of his. It was all thanks to the charm my recent reincarnation made for you along with your familiar.” ... Figures. I had a feeling that Diomedes was up to something. But also, my charm? I scurried through digging beneath my uniform and felt the leathered chain still around me. I dragged the chain outward and saw the charm. “This?” I pointed out as the charm laid on my palm. Yuzuki examined my charm as she got close. I recoiled slightly, trying not to see her from how close she was. “Wow ... It’s very beautiful! My current self made that for you?” She asked. “... It was given to me as a holiday present.” I said begrudgingly quiet. She was still not giving me space. “Yuki, your current reincarnation decided to make one for me as he has done to Luka, albeit his is a black crossed embedded with a ruby and a black chain. It helped us plenty of times during our great struggles. You can say it’s sort of like a protection charm.” “May I see it?” Yuzuki said as she tilted half of her body to face me. I still didn’t look at her as I was about to reach for my chain to take it off. Instead, the moment I put my cross down, she held onto it and took a closer look almost dragging me towards her ... Thankfully the chain was long enough. She smiled gently as she held it within her small hands. “I am glad he provided you both with this. I love it.”
I restrained myself from being annoyed. However, as soon as I saw her smile being carved in her visage, every concern I had seemed to disappear. She gently placed the charm as she slowly brought it back barely touching my chest and released it as it hung around my neck. I slightly looked at her. “So I take it that you made your way through my familiar and were able to send me to your desired location with this charm?” She pondered. “Hmm ... I supposed that’s how it works. Whatever it was, those two may be the source on how I managed to.” I scoffed softly. “Fair enough.”
She began to sit down on top of the soft bedded grass as I kept my gaze at her. Suddenly, an unknown flashback came into my head ... It stung my eyes as if lightning struck close right in front of me.
I gasped lightly and took a step backward. I winced and closed my eyes as I brought a hand and touched the temple of my head and held it for a few seconds. The headache throb calmed down immediately.
“Luze? Are you alright?” Yuzuki asked, worried. She leaned towards my direction as she held her position with one hand on the ground in front of her to keep balance. “Y-Yeah.” I blinked. “It was just a slight headache is all. There’s no need for concern.” She sighed in relief making her tensed body lighter again. My hand relaxed as I put it down and looked towards the scenery. “I take it that you and Luka had been here? What is this place, anyway?”
She nodded. “This was the place further but at a distance from my kingdom. Some say that these ruins have been here long before I was born. It’s just fascinating to know what was it before it was gone. Whatever it may be, the way it opens up like this seems to be like a portal to a different dimension. It makes me wonder what’s on the otherside of those archways, what the otherside would look like peering through those opened windows ... I would usually go here to reminisce about how beautiful it must be over there rather than here. Even though I always felt at ease no matter how lonely I was before he, your brother, came into my life. Yet, I also had a yearning for freedom considering--” She paused and looked down. Her expression grew solemn. “... You might have known about my circumstances.”
I turned to gaze at her as I was listening. My body moved on it’s own as I decided to sit down besides her. My legs were laid straight and crossed as my hand held my position from leaning backwards and placed the other on my lap. “... I had heard about your plight, recently.” Yuzuki looked at me. I gazed towards the lake with glazed eyes. “It must have been difficult to endure such a burden as that. As much as your abilities may be a blessing to others, you yourself find it as a curse.” I looked down. The silence grew for a moment.
Yuzuki pondered as she looked sideways. “I guess it really does feel like that, does it?”
I sighed. “Though I would have to admit back then, I barely knew anything about you. What was so special about God’s Light, I kept asking myself. What kind of power does she hold that made her be loved by so many? Even her enemies? No one ever tells me anything from my own circumstances. I was only used to clear the frontlines and that was it. I was put away until I could be used again for the same purposes over and over. Nothing else. I only just hear rumors here and there. I guess you can say that I too was locked away from my freedom like you with little to no knowledge on what goes on in my world. To others, I was a blessing for their own gain. But to me, I was cursed with such a fate as many who shunned us know ...”
A hand was placed gently on my shoulder. I quickly looked towards her as she traced her hand down to where my Crosszeria Crest hid and placed her palm on it. “That’s right ...” Yuzuki said softly. “Your family has been through so many hardships since the day The First Who Sinned brought ruin to you all. I had still wish there was more than what I could have done for you both. You didn’t deserve such a fate.”
I shook my head and gazed outward. I placed my hand on top of hers and gently pushed it down to reassure that she needn’t worry about it. “You know, now that we are talking about our faults, it’s ... Very strange how similar we are. I was always the person to judge before even thinking because of sudden orders that were given out to me. I- ... I was one of them who labeled you as an enemy.” I saw from the corner of my eyes that she seemed to look worried. “But when I saw you in front of me and how you turned out to be, I knew I was completely wrong to assume so. I should have known and never jump so far into conclusions. From that ... I am sorry.” Yuzuki smiled gently as she shook her head. “... It’s really understandable that you would think so. You’re a Duras after all. Most of them would despise me. At least you’re really honest just like your brother. That’s what I appreciate most about you two.” I looked at her for a few seconds then away staring blankly. I couldn’t believe she got me talking more than I should. “... I am surprised you don’t hate me.” Yuzuki fixed her sitting position as she risen slightly and back down suddenly. “Heavens, no! I would never! Even though I had just began to talk to you, but you’re actually someone I loved to have around!” My eyes gazed sideways at her as I blinked twice with slightly widened eyes.
“Don’t be so negative about yourself!” She subtly retorted. “You know you’re more worth than what your previous position was. I bet Luka feels the same way about you.” I cocked an eyebrow. “I doubt that.” For a moment I thought I saw her pout. I scoffed from her reaction. “You’re ... More interesting than I thought you would be as well.” Yuzuki was slightly shocked and her eyes looked towards the side. “You think so?” “Well, yes of course. It’s no wonder my brother loves you for one of those reasons that is.” I teased though one wouldn’t tell from my blank expression. She hid her face with her hands. “L-Luze, please!” I scoffed once more. She shook her head and sighed to calm herself then placed her hands on her lap.
I grew solemn as I hesitated. “You really love Luka that much, do you?” Yuzuki smiled gently at the thought. She brought her knees up to her and hid her arms underneath them rustling her dress. She nodded. “He’s been with me ever since we came across each other. It all started when the Duras came this close on gaining their victory. He was among them, strangely by himself away from his other ranks. No one and nothing followed behind him. Something must have disturbed him if he was fighting all alone. That was until ... Luka found me almost helpless. I also had no one beside me as the others fell before I could escape. I would have thought he would raise his blade to finish me off, but instead of his sword, it was his hand. As soon as I looked up, the moment I locked eyes with him, I ... I thought some kind of knight came to rescue me. I didn’t know if I suddenly fell in love. He ... Helped me escape.”
I gazed towards the lake. “... I see. I guess it really was fate that brought you two together.” It was hard not saying anything about how Luka left all of a sudden just to see the Hume he once longed for. Little did I know why he made such a rash decision when it was obviously unintentional. Whatever was on his mind during his battle, I suppose he was fortunate to find his way to her, away from our forsaken land of Infernus.
“It must have been difficult for losing those around you as well.” I said. “I know all too well how that must have been like.” Yuzuki looked at me. “You too?” I nodded. “Long story short, they all fell one by one right in front me ... They were my most trusted no matter what family lineage I came from. If only I was ready enough to save them all. I was a fool and some of my hubris got the best of me ...” She listened as she appeared solemn and concerned. She placed a hand on top of mine. I slightly looked towards her hand. “I would say the same thing ... We all can’t save many that we love. We’re just one person and sometimes that’s not even enough. I don’t know how your close friends were like, but I can guess just like those that fell before me, they were willing to give so much sacrifices for us to have a better life ... No matter how painful it must be to let them go. Both of us have to move on from what they left for us even if we feel like our lives aren’t worth living for. We should at least be thankful for what they done for us, right?” My eyes went to hers and I thought I saw her eyes begin to develop tears. She was trying her best to hold them back with her smile. How is it that she was able to hold onto something so painful to keep herself going? I nodded slowly.
“I know that from one of my reasons was that I wanted to keep going so long as Luka was alive.” She said as she let go of my hand. “I wanted him to be happy after all of the dangerous things he threw himself at for the sake of me. Yet ... I felt as if I had to keep up the act of wanting to be alive.” I slightly tilted my head. “Act ... ?” I asked. She nodded slowly looking away. “I know it’s strange and ironic when I was just talking about moving forward. I am sure you read something within my journal about that, have you Luze?” My eyes suddenly grew wide. “I ... Beg your pardon?” Shit. She looked towards me and suddenly teased slightly half heartedly. “You went into my room without my permission, have you?” “I--” I blinked at her. “H-How did you--??” She giggled out of nowhere from my baffled expression. “Yuzuki, it’s not what it looks like!” I said trying to retort as I almost leaned forward.
She began to laugh wholeheartedly. “Tch!” I closed my eyes and turned away. My face was beginning to feel hotter and hopefully the light was bright enough to blind anyone from seeing my face turn red. Yuzuki wiped away a tear. I glanced sideways with my head still hanging low and embarrassed. “... Have you had your fill, my lady?” “My apologies. I didn’t mean to startle you like that.” She said trying to calm herself. “Although you were really adorable!” I averted my gaze once again. “It’s alright, Luze. Really, you were bound to find out one way or another. That room can’t be hidden forever.”
She grew solemn once more. “Those words you read,” She began. I listened as I turned my head slowly. “Those were what I had felt throughout those times I kept my memories in different timelines. The more longer I was with Luka, the more I realized what was going on with me. It ... Started to accumulate whenever I was reincarnated over and over again. He always made me forget. I was blind with love that he managed to ‘save’ me from myself for just moments every single time we sat down like this. He didn’t seem like a Duras. But more like a guardian angel ...
The one main thing that kept reminding me of what I was used for were moments where I would have been held captive like a bird in a cage. Hence, that room that you discovered. My powers were that precious to keep from prying eyes ... I hated everything about my powers. I hated how I was treated. How ... isolated I turned out to be because of it.” Tears began to develop within her eyes. “ All I ever wanted after so many reincarnations in my lifetime, was to have a normal life. To live free as other girls I have seen. Running around in the open fields, laughing with their friends, getting together and talk about whatever outrageous topics that come into mind. And that made me realize ...” She brought her knees up and held them close to her. Her body began to shake as she tried her best to stifle her sobs. “The most painful thing that I kept having on the back of my mind was the thought of finally ending my life.”
“What ...?” No. I glared at her. She covered her face with her hands as she sobbed louder yet softly. I let her take her time as she was trying her utmost to speak. Tears fell delicately. “Luka was my only hope. He was the reason I kept fighting my own inner battles. He was the sole reason why I kept going with him. I loved him. I loved him so much ... I ... I never wanted to betray him if I suddenly just disappeared out of nowhere from his existance.” Stop. “But ... I just couldn’t bare it no more. I couldn’t bare the thought of being used as a tool to save other’s pain. I couldn’t bare the thought of everyone dying around because they gave up their lives to defend me ...” Enough. “I couldn’t- ... I couldn’t bare the thought of dragging Luka away from what he used to have. His position, his family, even you. And all I got in return from my existence was hatred all around me.
I should be the one to apologize for everything from the beginning. I always wanted to meet you, Luze. But ... I was reminded of him and why I didn’t want to return to Earth anymore. You probably hate me more than--” I immediately grabbed her arms tightly and shook her slightly. “YUZUKI, THAT’S ENOUGH!” She gasped. Her eyes opened wide as she looked up now face to face directly at me. Tears still fell down, but lightly this time. “Don’t. Say anymore ...” My voice wanted to shout, but it was trembling and gave out. “Just ... Please, no more.”
“L-... Luze?” She responded. My hands were shaking as I slowly released her. My eyes wandered aimlessly from the moment I realized what I just did. I looked back at her. “I-- ...” I suddenly got up and turned my back towards her. I wanted to walk away, but there was nowhere to even go. I told myself that I never wanted to hurt anyone anymore again. I came this close on doing so. The amount of shit I keep hearing from everyone just deprecating themselves into oblivion. There were just no reasons to.
I just stood there, waiting for what her response would be as I clenched my fists as I restrained my frustrations. My breath became unsteady as I closed my eyes to calm myself. Yuzuki began to stand up as I heard grass rustling with her dress. She placed a hand on her chest and kept her teary gaze at me. “... Never say anything about ending your life, Yuzuki.” I looked down. I suddenly grew very hesitant on what else to say. Everything that she dealt from her emotions and the days that past by that accumulated every inch of her despair. I knew of it from myself. “I know how that must be. But you had people looking over you. They all cared for you. Just ... not in a way that you wanted. Me?” I looked up. My eyes quivered as they opened. “I had nothing. No one. I was all by myself. Not even my mother, nor my twin. I ... I want to say that you are fortunate ... But-...” I shook my head as I tried to steady my breath. It was inevitable to try and find twists and turns to find words to describe that she was more of a better person than I was.
In reality, we were truly far from different. Would Luka feel the same way if she said these exact words to him ... ?
Suddenly, a hand was placed on my arm where my crest was once again. I slowly looked to my left and traced my eyes to her. “Thank you ... Luze.” Yuzuki’s soft gentle voice echoed. I turned fully around to meet her gaze. She was smiling softly and genuinely. “... For what?” I said quietly. Her hand slid down my arm towards my hand. She grasped it as she held it close to her as if she was giving out a prayer. My gaze grew wearily but steadily at her.
She closed her eyes for a few moments and opened them again. “Your words are enough. You and I have been through many similar yet different situations ... And I know that it must be really difficult for you to feel isolated, especially with your one and only mother. But know that your mother is more than proud of you despite from what you do. You and Luka made it this far and are still within her heart. She will absolutely never forget you both. Even your friends that fought with you. You still held onto their legacy and tread onward stronger with their strength combined. And Luka ... May not be the one from before in your eyes, but he still protects you even if you didn’t need it. He still looks out for his younger half no matter who you are. He will never fully let go of you.
Also ... It may be strange to say this. It’s actually astounding to know that I could relate my predicament with someone else’s. I know it must be hard to find the right words to say, and I understand that you are trying your best to keep me standing with no doubts. But talking to you alone like this, releasing so much that I held back is more than enough, Luze. I’m ... Sorry if I was very dramatic. That must be uncanny of me.” I shook my head. “Think nothing of it, Yuzuki. I was the same way ... We have our moments, I suppose.” “Don’t worry about it.” She whispered.
My eyes quivered as I looked down. Even if it means it’s just enough, it doesn’t sound as enough. However, she was able to smile through with that notion regardless. “... If only it was Luka standing in front of you right now.” I whispered. She let out a shaken breath as she continued to smile. “If only ... But I wouldn’t be able to represent myself to him after all that had happened. I’d figure you’re the most easiest since you had things around you that made me finally able to see you ... I just hope he doesn’t hate me if I do meet him one day.” I suddenly held her hand. I never quite realized how small her hands were compared to mine. “He would never. Yuzuki, I swear. Stop doubting yourself so much. I’ve dealt with many who have and I would rather not deal with it anymore longer than I would have to. You know that Luka cares for you deeply, more deeper than any bottom of the abyssal sea. He has proven to me multiple times that he would risk a limb to those he loves ... And that’s the both of us. Luka isn’t the one to give up so easily to those he cares for. If he sets his mind to those close to him, he would do his upmost to be the best guardian. I would hope you didn’t forget that about him.” Her eyes widened slightly as she forced a smile and closed her eyes from her leftover tears. “He’s still such a gentle Demon, is he?” I hesitated. “I suppose he is. Though I wouldn’t know if he would want to hear that outloud.” Yuzuki giggled at the thought. I slightly smiled wearily.
She sniffed a couple of times trying to steady her breath and closed her eyes. I grew worried as I rubbed the back of her hands with my thumbs and kept staring to reassure that I wasn’t going anywhere just yet. A few moments passed as she gazed at me and lowered both of our hands. She looked to be hesitant when her eyes looked towards the side. “Luze, I have a request. If you’ll take it.” I stared solemnly. “Of course. What is it?” Yuzuki sighed and looked up at me. Her body looked fragile when she let out her breath. “You know the direction to my room is within the mansion, do you? I- ... I want you to bring Luka to that place. Tell him ... Tell him everything that you heard from me. Tell him ... That I will never ever forget his love. That I said... ‘I love you’ as my final words.” I nodded. “... I will.”
“... And I also have one final request too, this time with you.” She suddenly said hesitantly once again. She seemed to act nervous for some reason. “My lady?” I asked bewilderly. “Can I-- ... Hug you for a second?” I had sworn her face flushed like a pink rose. My body became stiff and blinked twice at her uncanny request. “I ... Suppose you may.” Yuzuki’s face beamed gently as she slowly reached for me. However, she decided to place both of her hands on my cheeks and dragged me steadily closer as if she wanted to take a good look at my visage. It still amaze me how small Humes could be when standing in front of them. You can easily mistake Yuzuki as a flower.
I couldn’t tell if she felt relief and sadness as she tried to hold back the tears. I stared at her after knowing why she intended to do so. She definitely saw Luka within me.
I began to wrap my arms around her as she had done the same around my neck. She was small, fragile, like a flower, while mine, robust and tall compared to her. Her body began to tremble and I heard sobs near my ears. “... You feel like Luka.” She whispered softly. I closed my eyes and laid my chin on her shoulder.
I never mind how long she wanted to make this moment last for. So long as she was able to talk to anyone or “see” her lover once again. All the loneliness that she had were lifted the moment I arrived, it seemed. She was able to embrace someone once again for how long she has been waiting for. Her arms began to release me as I released my own.
Suddenly, a soft kiss was placed on my cheek. My eyes grew wide as I gazed at her. I unintentionally placed a hand to where she had pecked me. “... Yuzuki?” She giggled wholeheartedly. “I-If my brother were to see that right now-- ...” “My apologies!” She said as she tried to stifle her light laughter. “I couldn’t help it. I would have done the same to Luka, but he isn’t here. I just couldn’t resist. Don’t worry. Between you and me, this will be our little tiny secret. I will make sure he doesn’t scold you.” “That’s ... Reassuring, coming from you I suppose.” I smiled wryly. She possibly saw my face turn red again for the second time.
She smiled calmly as the light seem to be brighter behind her. “Luze, thank you so much for being here. It really means a lot to me that I was able to reach you. Even if you weren’t Luka, being present here is just enough. I am so glad that I get to see you in person, even if we may be just ‘spectrals’ in another realm. If by chance, there was a next time that we meet again, I want to be able to meet you and Luka at the same time. You have both been precious to me.” My mouth as slightly agape as she said those kind words. I smiled and nodded. “ ... I should be the one thanking you for inviting me here.” I began to kneel down and grasped her hands once again. Yuzuki was barely shocked at my sudden action as I held her hands together. “I suppose Luka would do this everytime he would give his pledge to you?” I teased.
She giggled. “I swear, you twins.” Yuzuki’s body began to glow. Particles of what looks like pyreflies from Infernus began to depart from her. I had a feeling that this would end sooner or later. I guess it was time. “Yuzuki. If there’s anything that need from me, anything at all. Words of advice, having small conversations, someone to vent your frustrations at, I will do my best to be there for you just like Luka has for the rest of your life line. You have to remember that we are not far from you and that you were never alone. So please, have faith just like you have always done with the rest of us. I will never leave your side.”
Yuzuki’s eyes narrowed gently as she smiled faintly. Tears streamed down once again. Her body became transparent as the pyreflies began to leave her. “For a second there, I thought you would say ‘you will never betray me’.” She jested from her final moments. “Thank you ... From the bottom of my heart, Luze.” Her hands disappeared from my grasp and the final wisps of light dissipated, leaving me to only see the pyreflies making their way up to the skies above the leaves. I stood up slowly still gazing at them. The breeze swept through me and the trees sang with their leaves dancing. Tears began to develop as I suddenly reached upward steadily to hold onto those lights. They kept fluttering further away from me ascending towards the heavenly skies. It made me wonder about my childhood when I first saw them. Were the pyreflies part of Yuzuki that made her ways through Infernus, guiding the lost to their destination? The landscape around me began to disappear into the white void. The rays of light blended all around as they shone brighter and merged together to end this world that Yuzuki loved dearly. The trees disappeared one by one. The grass beneath me turned white, but it wasn’t snow. The lake formed a white pond that extended leaving nothing. Everything grew quiet, until it was a deafening hush.
I began to close my eyes as if my vision also started to disappear with everything around me.
---
I gasped softly as everything around me was barely dark. I was laying flat on my back in bed instead of being face first on the patches of grass. My raven cawed one time as he hopped backward, surprised as I awoken. My eyes still wide as I felt real tears on the side of my face. I blinked twice. My right hand was left outstretched towards the ceiling of my quarters. I was back in the Twilight Mansion.
I suddenly got up and propped myself up with one arm. My head began to spin from getting up too fast which made me place a hand on my head to steady myself. I hesitated and closed my eyes. I began to rub my face making my way from my forehead to where I would cover my mouth, wiping away the excess of my tears. I slowly opened my eyes once more and pondered about everything that ensued. I was still wearing my white inner shirt and my hair was not tied up this time. I traced my leathered chain down to where my crossed charm was hiding inside my shirt and held it. “That was all real, was it?” I asked myself. Diomedes croaked softly and tilted his head. I looked towards him. He hopped to my side and flapped his wings to fix himself then proceeded to tilt his head twice.
I sighed heavily, averting my gaze away from my familiar for a minute then looked back at him. I scratched his chest as he fluffed up. “So it was really you who dragged me into that mess was it, my friend?” He croaked awkwardly as if he was saying “of course it was”. I scoffed subtly. “Then I guess it was indeed a good reason for that though ... and I thank you much for that, my friend.” I cocked an eyebrow and looked annoyed. “But give me a decent warning ahead of time. This was Yuzuki we were talking about.” He clamped his beak softly on three of my fingers.
I sighed and laid down once more as I loosely plopped back onto my pillow. My eyes were weary as I pondered staring at the ceiling. I had a lingering thought about what Yuzuki requested. I wondered if Luka knew about the room that she was captive in or how long she had to keep hiding the guilt she felt around him.
Did Luka ever truly understood how she really felt during her lives here on The Surface? There were just so many events that stirred within my mind. There was just no way I can keep up with any of it. I keep thinking that I am straying more and more from truths than I can ever imagine. This mansion, the Zweilts, Luka, and Yuki this time. They all have very hidden secrets that I myself can’t even find, even with my left eye. The irony to all of this was that I could sense truth and lies, but I can never sense the past nor future.
I had sometimes wish I can gain that much wisdom to see what truly goes on here or just about anyone on what happened to them. Everyone has their own story and I was able to pry into Yuzuki’s. Maybe Luka knew something about her inner turmoil yet he obviously wants to keep it a secret. Maybe those were the reasons that he didn’t want her back so that she doesn’t have to live through so much burdens anymore. If that were the case,
... How would I even tell my brother about what just happened? I wondered how he will even began to take all of this in again. He’s the one to try and forget then move on. I would hope he would believe me because all of this was coming straight from Yuzuki herself.
I sighed quietly wondering about numerous questions that formed within my head all the while looking towards my raven just in case he would make any strange moves again. He was sound fast asleep by me. I began to feel myself drift to sleep once more, closing my eyes. Everything was quiet once again but at least the noises of bats squeaked quietly at the moonlight and the cold breeze sang once more, taking me away like a soft lullaby.
Luka and Yuzuki deserve more than what I had imagined.
Part 2 - (To be continued)
