For You This World I'll Destroy

Travelers from Another World (4)

—4—

Water splashing like a discordant melody of a rusty violin. The thumping of the leaking wooden basin, the water reddish in blood, and also my two unceasing hands rubbed themselves into a discordant orchestra performer in the bathroom.

I tried to remove the bloodstains from my hands, but many times I saw my hands, they never disappeared. Until the soft rub turns into a finger claw…

Kekh…! A sharp pain enveloped my hand, but not as great as the hammer that kept hitting my head. Each time the water splashed my ears, as well as the voices in my head spinning continuously, like a broken phonograph.

“This child is my treasure, the Moon. I hope you feel the same way”

A woman's voice was ringing in my ear even though I had tried to cover it with the sound of water splashing and also pain in the hand. But free, the sound grew louder and louder until I tightly closed my ears and groaned as loud as possible.

“Month, if I go one day, do you want to keep Arthur?”

“Sorry, sorry-sorry me!! I'm sorry!” my yelling.

But that voice knows no mercy. He circled my head, crowding me so that I could not run. Memories from the past sprang up one by one, urging my sanity to the end of the horn. My eyes then opened and from the calm water in the basin, I could see my unflappable face slowly turning into the figure of a little boy looking at me with disappointment,

“Why does Auntie go?”

I kicked the basin straight away, until I slipped and hit my head on the wall. But the voice did not go away, as I had done before. My hands trembled through my pocket, taking out a paper wrap. In a hurry, I opened the paper, and inhaled the entire green crystal powder inside. Emerald Dust, his name, a weapon I created to hypnotize even the most accomplished liar into being stoned and truthful.

Slowly the sound disappeared, but so did my strength. I leaned against the bathroom wall, looking at the blue lanterns not far from me.

When will I live like this?

Tortured by the past, fearful of the future, and unrelated to the present... All this time my body was just floating in the dark river of life without direction, waiting for the final estuary that would engulf me.

I shook my head and patted my cheek hard. No, moon. You must not forget your purpose!

After my strength returned, I slowly rose to my feet. Stepping heavily, I dragged my body into the room. At the mouth of the door, I leaned back to watch the angel who was now lying unconscious in my bed. Luciel painstakingly applied the medicinal ointment and covered the man's body with a bandage.

“Waah, my little assistant is really painstaking huh. Should I write a letter of recommendation so you can go to medical school in Edinburgh? Mumpung I am the White Witch of Pei Jin,” I said sitting next to Luciel.

“Hih, Dame new. I woke up a midnight man, told me to save this man with makeshift equipment, rather than a letter of record, I need more of your apology,” Luciel answered ketus while dressing the man's wound.

U-Ugh, I guess, that little girl is in a bad mood. Luciel doesn't like me to disturb his sleep.

“Iya, yes, sorry, Luciel,” I said shuddering in horror.

I silently glanced at Arthur with relief, watching him make it through the critical period. Truly, Luciel will never know how much I thank him for saving this man.

What would he say if he knew I failed to protect his son?

Suddenly Luciel's words broke my daydream, “His beautiful jade eyes, her delicate golden white hair and her overbearing nose. Why is this guy so similar to Dame? Don't you think Dame has an illegitimate child that Luciel doesn't know?” continued.

Little laugh of me, “Ngawur.. I was confused why he could look like us,” I said who wanted to stroke the boy's hair but immediately I prevented the hand, “This boy is named Arthur Arpeggio Noctis, who was looking for a hair cut off from the child, courage to reach the night sky. She is the treasure of my twin sister.”

Surging in shock Luciel, “K-Twin? I-I just found out Dame has a twin brother. Is he as sweet as Dame who likes to leave work to his servants?”

“A-Araraa, I have nothing with my Brother,” I said scratching my neck awkwardly, “But.

Luciel paused for a moment and inhaled a deep breath, trying to digest my words. I didn't tell the boy much about myself, but Luciel tried to understand. Although curiosity must have troubled her heart, she maturely accepted that there was something I could not tell her.

“But Dame, why... You don't seem happy to see Arthur?” ask Luciel.

O-Oh, Luciel's eyes are sharp too. Indeed, a trader must have a sharp eye to assess prospective buyers or business partners—that I taught Luciel. But, the question is also true.

“I was like this from a long time ago Luciel. I have no warmth called love, and therefore, I cannot give that warmth to others,” I said glancing behind the window, bright Yggdrasil trees that grow towering in the middle of the city.

Luciel's hand stopped moving as he asked, “Is Dame honest with herself when she said that?”

I nodded, “Ya. Love, compassion, warmth, kindness, all have no meaning in my life. I can't feel it,” I answered honestly.

“Then, why does Dame stay alive?”

I laughed wryly, “Life? … Hmm, good question. If you are alone? What drives you to live each day, my Homunculus?”

Luciel ties his band, “If Luciel believes, we cannot give what we do not have. I couldn't help anyone if I didn't have the strength to do it, ” said, cutting the bandage and checking Artie's fingertips,

“Because of that, Luciel wants to be a stronger person every day. Hoping that one day this power could be used by Luciel to protect the person Luciel loves.”

Stunned me. It turns out that behind his whiny nature, Luciel has a very hard principle of life. True as well, even though he was a puppet of my creation, his ability to think and feel allowed Luciel to break away from his master. She has been a different girl from me, always hoping someone will free me from this life.

“Keep, who is that person?” my many.

“Reclaration.”

With anxiety I also ruffled my Homunculus hair, “Uwaaah, my homunculus this one is very mature. Have you been playing with secrets, gemeesss!”

“I-Iiih, what the hell? I think I'm a child,” said Luciel who blushed in embarrassment.

“Hihihi, indeed you are still seven years right? Yes, even though it was designed around the age of fifteen,” my candlestick which then patted the girl on the shoulder, she said,

“Bye, bobo there. Tomorrow will be a long day for you, because I have to go again,”.

“E-Eh? Where else is Dame?”

“Custom, business. At noon I've been home.”

Luciel squinted his eyes, “Ih, would want to run away from work again right? Basic girlybelin,” he said who then stood up and cleaned up his medical equipment, “Oh yes, by the way, this boy will we do what Dame?”

I stroked my chin, “Hmm, a guy would be very useful in this store. He can fix our leaky roof and do a variety of rough work,” I said.

“But we don't have room anymore,” Luciel scolds.

“Ah, for a temporary warehouse mah guy is enough,” I said.

Luciel laughed giggly, “Gosh, Dame, even though his own nephew, really,” he said who then lifted his medical bag, “Then, tomorrow Luciel will prepare a warehouse and a bed for him, he said,” continued the girl who then paid back to her room.

God, without Luciel what would be my life? He was so reliable, that I could be spoiled in front of him. Really, ever since I created Luciel my life has felt lighter.

I'm gonna lay my head down next to Arthur. Luciel's words rolled back into my mind.

What am I living for? I smile. That's a silly question for me. For the meaning of my life has disappeared as the rays of the Mentari depart from this world. All that remains is an obsession that guides the course of my feet.

“Power to protect..?” my murmurs smiled considering Luciel's innocence.

If I were as strong as Luciel was, would I be able to protect Mentari from her destiny?

Tiredness overpowered my eyes. My mind faded.

My eyes were heavy and I didn't notice…