VERSE IV
His stark cold gaze, she could feel it. Her fingers trembled, an evidence of her reinforced fear.
She was scared and the sudden revelation of the matters, presented before her.
Her countenance, broken and betrayed.
Yet, she could not justify herself.
For she knew, she had committed a grave at against her master.
Her sullen expression, a testimony to the grief in her heart.
Yet questions once again arose in her own soul?.
Just who is the person, of whom her master, Kato, keeps pronouncing her gender.
Who is she, that have the right to intervene in the cosmic rules of existence? And what is her relationship with him, her master?.
Her head fell back to the floor, the sudden strike upon the wooden floor, and it broke open.
Her skin was torn from her cranium, and she bled.
She was far from clean, and the saliva that masked her face was proof of her filth.
" I guess the occasion has been taken care of," she heard the innkeeper say.
" It took care of itself." A chill ran down her spine.
She kept gasping, as if short on air.
Humiliation! Humiliation had defiled her.
She forcefully gulped, and her throat throbbed as a consequence.
She had never faced such humiliation, not once at all.
Took care of itself? So, they knew?.
" Yes, we did. " Kato reached his hands towards her chin, lifting it up but Seraphina opened not her eyes.
He wiped the saliva upon her face, and stroke her hair.
Coming of the table, he knelt upon the floor with her chin still in his hands.
" You seem to forget, divinity is not your status anymore?"
The words of her master struck her so dearly.
Words that made her reminisce her past, a life of ease and peace.
A life where she was of high status.
Yet all, are meaningless before him.
" I am sorry, Lord." She expressed her faith, tears still in her eyes.
" Mercy upon me, grant me mercy." She poured out her heart, leaving it blank.
She could not afford to think anything anymore, her safest space where she thought she could express herself, was gone. Forever.
She had now succumbed fully to her master, it's the only way to live and keep living.
Silence enveloped the atmosphere, and their presence where eerie.
For long, only the howls of the wind gave a bit of warmth to Seraphina.
" O, how the mighty has fallen." A clasp, high pitched tone rang through her ears.
Yet she did not open her eyes, her chin still held by her master.
Light footsteps cut the silence that had engulfed them.
" Alot of bodies, seems like someone had a bit of —" the voice was much more lady like.
Stopping right before her, Seraphina senses the mortal beside her.
"Get out from my sight." Kato pronounced his disdain.
" Come on sir, You had fun without me?." Her voice was enchanting, and for a brief moment, harmonious.
" Get out, Now." She heard her master say once more.
But the lady chuckled, her perfume oozed out. Infiltrating the nostrils of Seraphina, of whom began to choke.
" I would not repeat myself again." He stated.
A light scoff, and Seraphina heard her footsteps start, which climbed up the stairs, got more distant till she heard it no more.
Who was she? A succubus?
" Correct, but a low ranking one." Her master replied her thoughts yet in telepathy.
Why was her master using telepathy?
" You are still quite new here, that low ranking filth can kill you and eat the power you hold."
The power she holds? Is it profanity which was bestowed from her master?
" Yes, it is. You are very, very weak.
Your only strength is to condemn mortals in accordance with their sins but what about immortals of whom had lived in sin all their lives? You have nothing against them as they cannot even die and are all workers of Iniquity.
Be careful, stare up not any trouble and live peacefully." Kato's voice rang through her head as he ended the telepathy.
" Open you eyes, and follow me." He stood up, wiping his nose with his middle finger.
She did so, wiped her face with her cloth and followed him.
***
He has to teach her something. Something she can live by.
He started up the stairs, the wood creaked to life.
" We would discuss the pending matters, Innkeeper.
I believe a room is prepared?." He asked. Kato was tired.
Exhaustion was his bane right now, he needs to rest.
Plan and think of what to do next. The divine sword alone is an issue to hide, and his broken core and repulsive state was one that could not be fixed.
But his sister's well-being aches him so. Such pressing matter, yet he can do nothing about it.
For now at least, there was nothing he could do.
Dammit!. He has already lost alot, even now.
" Yes sir, room 19 sir." The innkeeper tone remained firm.
Kato tilted his head up the stairs.
" I'll be resting—" he shifted his gaze towards Seraphina, of whom was overwhelmed with sullenness.
Her head held low, as she could not even look forwards but at her feet.
It's still new to her, and honestly he won't even blame her.
Yet, he must teach her something as well as a little bit of information.
A servant must know her master as well.
" She would come later, as my representative."
Seraphina suddenly raised her head. Her grieving gaze upon him, with swollen eyes.
" Tell her what happened here, and why the sudden ejection of devils, and of course do fix that issue." His tone was endearing yet cool.
His body had grown weary, and it was quite exhausting to take another step.
" And ofcourse Seraphina, —" he peered into her eyes.
The emotions he felt from her, made his heart bleed.
He is not a harsh guy, right?.
" You would tell me what you knew about the haven of Devils and it's sudden release."
He started upon the stairs once more, finally reaching the top.
The top floor was highly furnished with good materials.
The walls, constructed with grey bricks, engraved with some particular writings and prayers of the priests of the church, in gold.
The ceiling, smooth oak wood with ornamented lamp holders, all golden.
The doors of each room, possessed a golden lionhead of which held brass knockers.
The room numbers crested in golden italics atop the heavy oakwood door.
Kato admired the aesthetics, ofcourse the innkeeper have a peculiar taste.
A beautiful mix of colour and material usage, quite elegant.
" You there—" Kato said into space.
He felt Seraphina's gaze fixated into the space he called out too.
From thin air, a blonde haired man materialized.
His skin evenly toned yet he was covered in a golden robe.
His hands and arms were his only visible skin.
A robe so ornamented yet simple, exhuming an overwhelming presence.
" Let no sound be heard."
The man simply smiled.
There were more, even more spiritual presence in the room.
" Tell them to leave, I have nothing to do with them." He tilted his head towards the door.
The man smiled once again and disappeared.
So did the spirits in the room.
The brass door knob stole his attention. The letter 'L' crested upon it.
He turned the knob till it clicked, and stepped into the room.
Immediately, an inviting air filled his nose.
The room lot dimly, with large window streaming in the silver light from the moon.
The bed was made, a velvet bedsheet spread across neatly.
The desk beside the bed was made from oakwood.
His eyes caught something, the wardrobe dressed in ornate grey with large brass handles.
He walked towards the wardrobe, gripping it firmly, it opened unto him.
It was filled with clothes, both genders alike.
He could not help but smile.
The innkeeper always surprises him, always.
" You have been too mute." He voiced his concerns.
Seraphina had uttered not a word, by her mouth nor her heart or mind.
He tied his hair into a knot as it fell upon his face too often.
***
He stood by the window, the moonlight beaming upon him.
The edges of his skin and arms glistening in the gentle glow.
He opened not the windows, not all of it anyway.
His menial form, a child.
Yet her heart was softened by the form of the child.
" I'm sorry, if it bothered you sir." She expressed her true feelings, being totally honest.
He paused, and turned away from her.
She heard his lips escaped a soft sigh.
She kept her gaze fixed upon him. The door shut behind them.
They both stunk, and their odour didn't hesitate to fill the room.
Suddenly, the window flew open.
The cool of the night filled the atmosphere, the piercing stench of death and blood was erased.
" Are you scared?." She heard him ask, now his tone was quiet with the evidence of his weariness.
She let out a sigh, bowing her head.
" It's alot sir. Yes—" she raised her head once more. " Yes, I am sir."
His sudden turn startled her a little. She looked upon his feet to his face but again, she was taken aback.
Now, with her right eye, she could see her master's soul— in chains.
The vision was overwhelming, it caused her to ache.
Staggering backwards, she held her own with the support of the bed.
In thick hefty chains, the soul of whom she could decipher no age was bound.
In a black mist, his soul knelt upon the bodies of the dead.
Connected to weights so heavy, she could not even guess, where the chains that bound him;piercing into his bones and bare flesh.
The soul wailing, like it has been. Never ceasing, never stopping.
The chains of the divine, yet it was a greater feat that could not be done by the gods she knew of.
Her eyes bled, as she began coughing profusely.
" Did you see it?." He asked gently. She nodded.
He walked towards her and held her head.
She was relieved of her present ill state instantly.
" Questions reside within you." He said calmly.
Holding her hand, he helped her up.
Tapping the bed beside him, he gestured her to sit as he did.
He sighed once more.
" Ask away." He gave her permission, yet looked not into her eyes.
She paused, as she knew not which to ask nor what would be best no to cause him to fall to anger.
" Ask away." He repeated his statement again.
She nodded.
" Sir, how do you know of all this?. How are you—this? I was not able to see all these memories when I was divine. You looked like a clean fresh slate, probably to the gods too.
How did you manage to decieve them and me?." She asked in a quiet voice, her toke cool and collected.
She had questions, but she knows not if he would answer any.
" Ignorance." He replied, as he gazed into her eyes.
"Ignorance was key. It took a lot, as I had to endure everything. Even when, Amaterasu had sent her servant Yonikaharu, I had to endure all that and be ignorant. Even though, it is the main reason that would cause my sibling to fall, I still acted ignorant."
"Why?" She asked once more.
He stared down at his fingers, like a child whom they had caught stealing.
" I— I can't say the main reason. Not now. You are not ready to know." He stated.
Seraphina cast a glance to the table beside them. She just noticed it hd a lamp and a two chairs.
" But I'll tell you this..." Seraphina shifts her gaze back to her master.
" It was for the greater good and I really just want to live peacefully." He said, now his face held no expression anymore.
Silence fell between them, and no one uttered a word.
The gentle howl of the wind and the chirps o insects gave life to still atmosphere between them.
" You were aware that the greater good would cause the fall of your only sibling, yet you did it...." Seraphina tilted he head towards her master.
Her master began removing his shirt.
His facial scar had reached his ears. It was visible now, as he had tied his long hair to a knot.
His left arm has a tidal tattoo, as well as his sister's name in ink.
She only saw the tattoo now, as he had removed the bloody shirt upon him.
His eyes met hers.
"Why Lord?." She finished her question.
He averted his gaze, looking outside the window. The moon, he seemed to find solace in it.
" It was both for her and the greater good. In accordance with 'she' of whom I have talked with, it is the only way."
" Master, who is—"
He turned towards her suddenly.
" Sorry Lord, I mean.. Sir. Who is this 'she'?."
" You need not know." He squeezed the shorts he had worn. " Do not ask, personal questions anymore."
A hint of sadness was etched upon his face, and caught a glimpse of it.
She gave him time, time to reaffirm his vigor and confidence but his weariness protruded forth.
" Is she aware, and are you aware— Of the prophecy of the Anti Saviour?. " She closed her eyes. It's a persona question, but this one won't hurt.
All the questions she's asked so far are personal.
" Are you he?." She asked, her voice more of a whisper yet firm.
For long minutes, he sat still.
No movement, no breathing, nothing.
" Yes, I am. Yes,' she' is." He replied.
" A deeply personal question was asked, there is a penance to be paid." He turned towards Seraphina.
His crimson eyes had lost their life and glow.
It was dead, no cover up words could be used.
The eyes are the mirror of the soul.
He was dead inside. Why?. Does he not want it?. Is the prophecy forced upon him?
No?.
" Yes and No!." He stated. A proof that he could still read her mind.
" Why was your supernatural core destroyed, sir?.." she gazed upon his abdominal scar, endowed with dim purple runes. " Your body possesses the core of an ungifted."
He heaved heavily and eased out.
She could tell why he sighed, but not account for how long.
" You know the first answer to that, but I'll say it anyway.
The gods know who I am. Even if I do know nothing, they won't let me obtain an ability impervious to the supernatural.
It's their scheme to keep me under their control.
Secondly, I won't need it anyway, for my good ofcourse. "
Seraphina looked away from her master.
" So, the gods that ordered the destruction of your core .. .there are two perspectives in this .
They do not want you to get stronger, so you can be defeated.
Also, they do not want you to get stronger so you can be manipulated and be used by them for their greater good."
She turned towards her master. He nodded, giving her an affirmation.
" Sir,— you are aware of the prophecy. You shall be deceived. Yet why do you still do this?."
Kato shook his head.
" I never asked to be birthed into existence like this. You are right. Since I'll fall into deceit, I need not trust anymore.
But I need to do this, as 'she' said it's the only way. For my sibling, and for the greater good." He gulped, perhaps a way to express his emotions.
" Why do you tell me all this?. For the greater good again? But you would destroy our existence, so why is it for the greater good?." Her voice was much more tense, yet she yearned to know.
" I'm trying to change it. Ok?. I need not live like this anymore. Prophecies can be changed. It's the only to change it. This is it.
That's why I'm doing this, that's why I sacrificed a lot to make sure my elder sister does not fall to Iniquity." His voice suddenly ruptured, becoming coarse.
"I, I am a servant of Iniquity. Second in command, you would not wish to know the ages I have been doing this, no choice—how long I have suffered , repeating, doing the same vain actions as a rule breaker , being so simple-minded? Right from when my soul could not speak , I have been doing it... doing this?.
Do you think I did not feel pain, when my sister was sent to the nether. That my heart bled not?
Do you think I love being a dog for the gods?. Do you think?—"
The air was suddenly tense. Their hairs standing on its tips. The divine sword appeared in his palms.
At once, Seraphina was forced to kneel. Her master could speak no more nor see know more.
The cackles of divine energy, dazzling yet overpowering.
" — I wish to keep living like this?.To keep being the anti Saviour?. I stepped on that path and could not take it. Do you know what it entails?." She received his telepathic message.
The sword vanished from their presence.
At once, the weight was removed and Seraphina collapsed to wooden floor.
" I tell you these things not because I fully trust you, but you serve me now. The closest servant I have ever had. I do not want you to suffer humiliation. I intend to keep your high ranking status, at least.
A close servant is worthy enough to know the details of his master, is it not so?." His tone was suddenly soft.
" Prophecies can be changed, just as yours was and you know it." He gazed at the ceiling, heaving a sigh.
Yes. She knows of her prophecy. Quite prestigious was it, yet here she lay.
Clad in clothes drenched with blood, stripped of divinity and fallen to the realm of mortals.
" Your penance must be paid." His sudden statement jolted her.
She immediately stood up.
" I am sorry, Lord." She hung her head low.
He suddenly faced the window as the cool of the night blasted against his face.
" You penance — leave me be. Leave this room now, and talk with the innkeeper."
***
He had done what he had to, he felt better yet still bitter.
" Yes sir." He heard her say. She left the room, closing the door behind her.
A chair sat beside the window. He left the bed, and seated himself upon it.
Looking at the moon...
He did not dare remove his face from the moonlight, it was the only way to pay for what he had done. To her....
His betrayal of their bond and trust.
The only way he could feel, he could communicate to her, his only sibling.
As he had been banned from there, he wishes she understands.
Now, he cared not no more.
He could finally break down after holding it in fo a long time.
He wishes she does not break down.
Even if she does, and hates him... Let her keep living and live right, even in a realm where it all screams wrong.
" I'm sorry, ".... Kato gasped. The wind howled strangely yet gentle.
He began to cry, for the first time in years. Tears kept flowing from his eyes, and he did not let it stop nor end.
" I'm sorry, Yuki. I'm sorry." He kept wailing...and repeating those words...over and over again.
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Outside the door, Seraphina heard the tears of her master.
Taking one last glance at the door, she left.