Arcueid and Shiki return to their usual meetup place, that being at the park. The trip back was silent as she took occasional shots at Shiki. It didn't take much to notice that Shiki was exhausted and worn out. It made them feel somewhat guilty since she was the one that made him push himself a bit too much. All from a selfish desire to see him in action by making him fight those undead. Of course, it wasn't like she would leave Shiki to defend himself alone. She would've stepped in at any moment with just a single sight of Shiki being in danger, no matter what. But as expected, he came through. After all, they were just runts from Roa. Even these weak creatures would be no match to the likes of Shiki. Still, it appears she pushed him a bit too much because he used his eyes. But not just that. In an attempt to also showcase her 'regained' powers back, she practically destroyed an entire apartment complex to impress the young man. This got Shiki riled up in disbelief and scolded her for doing such a thing while dragging her away from the scene.
Shiki slumps against the bench as he leaves a heavy sigh in an attempt to recollect and relax himself from his fatigue. He was closing his eyes for a moment, but looking at Arcueid. His eyes didn't go unnoticed by the vampire, returning the look with a frown on her lips as she stood near the fountain.
"I'm sorry, Shiki… I should've not done such a reckless thing like that. Especially putting such strain on your body as well." Her eyes darted away, trying not to look at his 'disappointed expression'.
"No… It's fine." Surprisingly, Shiki's voice didn't sound as disappointed or mad as she was expecting. "We didn't get caught right? Besides, sorry for snapping back at you. I should've already expected you to be such an oddball already."
"R-Really? Y-You're… not mad at me?" The vampire's eyes widened.
"Well… Not to say you didn't take things too far, that's for certain. But next time, give me a warning before you pull a stunt like that again."
Arcueid felt so relieved at that moment. She's glad that Shiki wasn't upset at all with her. She couldn't help but beam happily towards her partner.
"Of course! We're the strongest team in the universe after all!" The vampire puffs out her chest in pride, proclaiming such a title.
Suddenly, Arcueid quickly noticed Shiki had a pained expression plastered. Uh Oh. Did she push Shiki too far?
"Shiki?" Now worried, she began walking towards him. As she approaches, Arcueid suddenly feels a sense coming from Shiki. It felt oddly familiar but quickly subsided. She leans down, now worried for him. Shiki, however, looks back up at Arcueid with an eased face with a hint of pain still slightly lingering behind it.
"Sorry… I had a headache that came over me. It's gone though, so don't worry."
"Hmm." She'll take his word for now. But Shiki would always hide any pain or discomfort behind that stoned poker face whenever he wanted to. Just in case… she should warn him about pushing himself past his limit using those eyes of his.
"Geez… just don't push yourself too hard, you hear? There are some serious consequences with them!" Slowly raising her voice to express its importance.
Shiki chuckled at her reply. "Ironic, coming from the woman who let me fight twenty-eight undead all by myself despite my condition."
"W-Wha-!?" Damn. He's not wrong. But she genuinely thought he could handle it. Besides why she should feel bad!? He's the one practically inviting the danger!
Realizing her hypocrisy made the vampire embarrassed. She doesn't want to hear anything about her mistakes. Otherwise, her pride would be wounded once again. She already gets constantly grilled by him half the time, she WILL not add this to another grilling session in her memories. Even if it were to get the point Shiki couldn't handle it, she'll always step up to help.
"T-That's… That's not important right now!" The vampire tries redirecting the attention back to him. "Shiki! Listen up! I've already told you many times-!"
As she explains about the usage of his eyes, halfway through his explanation, she notices Shiki appears to be not listening. Like trapped within his headspace, staring at the woman. However, there was a small smile on his face. For some reason it made the vampire… feel something. It made her feel… happy… like the satisfaction of being victorious from her battles.
What is making him smile like that? Was he thinking of someone? Was he thinking of me by chance? Those thoughts went through Arcueid's head. But… regardless of what Shiki was thinking…
His smile… made her smile a bit too… even oddly happy just seeing him in a positive mood. Ah! She's getting too carried away. Right now, she needs to snap Shiki's attention back to reality! She snaps her fingers in front of him, with slight frustration toward the young man.
"Hey! Shiki! Are you listening!?" Fortunately, this was enough to snap out of whatever state he was in and quickly noticed the now apparent frustrated look on Arcueid.
"Ah… sorry. But I know… don't use my eyes, I get it."
His passive reply didn't make her mood any better, only forming a pout at him.
"Then you should already know that you're in danger! You're not supposed to be smiling!" The vampire refutes which only fills Shiki with amusement.
"Since when did you get so high and mighty? I mean… I'd say you were also in danger when you fought Vlov at that hotel." Arcueid can only raise a brow at him. "Did that stop you from doing something stupidly dangerous? I didn't think so."
Shiki…! You dummy! Arcueid was now only further upset by such an attack on her character.
"The difference between me and you is that I'm a vampire! You can't take a hit without regenerating from a powerful being! You're human after all!"
"But you can also die as well, right? It's not like vampires are completely immortal if death can pose a threat, no matter what." Shiki retorted.
And who's fault is that? That is what Arcueid would've said back, but let that comment slide for now. She crossed her arms in disapproval. He's back at again, throwing out those sly-barrage remarks hurled at her like always. Yet this time she didn't mind as much as she used to. It would still get to her of course… but she found some comforting-amusement from these stupid things he'd say too. Perhaps she's gone masochistic, being 'degraded' like that by him. Ugh… she prays she hasn't.
"You're so mean Shiki… can't you say nice things about me once in a while? Would you like I'd be in pain right now to fill you with some sort of sick enjoyment?"
"In pain? Maybe. It would balance things out of how much of an airhead you are. You're like a ticking time bomb. Always about to explode that would dissolve into some crazy shenanigans that would cause nothing but trouble. Although…"
Shiki smiles once more. Those eyes looking at her were one with appreciation, even if Shiki didn't notice it himself. Arcueid even felt it too.
"You're always energetic. It suits you. It makes me happy seeing you like that."
Arcueid could only look at him with dumbstruck-awe. Something bubbles within her. Whatever it felt… It made her joyful. When things like these are said by Shiki… it makes me glee in joy. It's odd… it's only when Shiki says it. She doesn't think anyone, but him would make her feel such a thing.
It's… uncontrollable… she needs to show how much she appreciates him. With her emotions running wild and being so contagious, she rushes to open her arms and embraces Shiki, to show how much those words mean to her.
"Mmnnhhh!! I'm glad you feel that way, Shiki! It also makes me happy with you being at my side every day!"
"Ugh…! Alright-alright! Just get off of me you gorilla!" An embarrassed and surprised Shiki attempts to get the vampire off of him. Much to his dismay, it only makes Arcueid repositions her arms and holds him even more.
"But it's true! When you're gone, I only look forward to the time I'll get the chance to spend time with you!" Arcueid reaffirms her affection. To show this, she begins nudging her cheeks against his face.
"Ah-! Hey! Stop that! Seriously, you're-!"
...!?
Arcueid felt that sense again. She completely froze in place. This time… it isn't going away. She lets go of Shiki, to which now he begins to breathe heavily. He clutches his chest with his right hand. The pained expression on his returns. The senses began to slowly become clearer to her as she tried to hone in on what it was .
…no… impossible…
Suddenly flashes of a silhouette of a man appear in her mind.
There's no doubt about it.
As the details began to fill out of the man's appearance… it looked all too familiar.
…but there's no way…
Are you a fool? The answer is right in front of you.
The man's legs… torso… arms… chest… neck… all the details have been filled out. All that's left is their head and face.
… but if that were true… it would mean…
Proves what? Your theory? It checks out all the boxes
The man's face is halfway finished. But even then it doesn't matter at this point whether Arcueid knows the face is someone she knows. She has the answer already. The bite marks on the left side of his neck. That pale skin. Those fangs.
No! If it were true! Then… then… then…
Then the answer is obvious, right?
NO! YOU'RE WRONG!!
Am I? If you think so, then you're an idiot.
There's little info about the two children being both █████ █████ ! It can be fake for all we know!
God , you're pathetic. Then, how about we find out where that sense is coming from?
Arcueid takes a step back. She's completely in her mind, her surroundings have become nothing but a blur. She looks back at Shiki. He's saying something to her, but she can't understand what he's saying. Arcueid can only look at what's behind him- no… what's 'inside' of him.God , you're pathetic. Then, how about we find out where that sense is coming from?
Arcueid takes a step back. She's completely in her mind, her surroundings have become nothing but a blur. She looks back at Shiki. He's saying something to her, but she can't understand what he's saying. Arcueid can only look at what's behind him- no… what's 'inside' of him.
Without realizing it, the man's features have been completed. Arcueid wants to vomit. Not because of that bastard. But because he's in Shiki. Worming his little filth inside of him. If it was anybody else, she wouldn't give a damn. But why him? He couldn't have another century to wait like before?
It's him isn't it?
Yes.
…it's…
...It's…
..It's…
.It's.
It's
It's
It's
R
It's
O
It's
A
"Ar—… cueid?"
"...!"
Shiki…
Whatever thought or state Arcueid was in, she was quickly brought back by Shiki's voice. The vampire looks at him with a rational mind now. She brushed off whatever weird thing she said or acted while looking at that thing, with a smile.
"Yes?"
"Are… Are you alright?" The young man now had a worried look at her. "You looked…startled. To say the least."
Ah. I made Shiki s̶c̶a̶r̶e̶d̶ worried. I'm sorry Shiki.
"It's fine Shiki. I think we should head get going. It's midnight already." Arcueid turns her back to Shiki. Not wanting to see that other man with him any longer.
"I—I… I see." She hears Shiki get up from the bench, taking a few steps away from her before stopping. "…See you tomorrow?"
Arcueid turns to Shiki. Once again putting on that friendly smile she always had been doing.
"Of course. See you tomorrow."
Without Shiki able to say 'bye' again, Arcueid leaves without further notice. Leaving him alone in the park. He says nothing and quietly leaves the park, heading back to the mansion for the day.
Arcueid soars through the sky, jumping from rooftop to rooftop of each building with so much force that left damage behind her. She can hear the sound of the stone cracking beneath her feet each time. Somehow, to catch herself a break from jumping endlessly, she seemingly stopped in a familiar alleyway.
I recognize this place. This was where Shiki agreed to help me.
She walks toward the dead-end in the alleyway. This is where she cornered Shiki to confront him. He honestly thought she was going to kill him right there and then. She couldn't help but laugh a little, even if it was true. His face was priceless… It was so… cute.
Cute? Why would I think of that? Why on earth would she think of such a thing?
She makes her way to the wall of the dead-end. Touching it, I can almost feel his warmth still there after days have passed since then. For no apparent reason, she began creasing it like it was a living thing.
....What's happening to me?
Why did you do that?
Do what?
Why did you leave? He was right there. You could've killed him.
Kill… him?
Are you broken? He has your power within him. You should've gone back and finished him off while he was still weak.
But… Shiki… he's inside of Shiki.
So? Kill him. Now.
But… I can't.
Why? You know, you'd be doing him a favour . If you kill him right now, he won't have to suffer being slowly transformed into Roa as he loses his mind.
But even still…
But what? What's possibly holding you back?
It's… Shiki…
That man? He's just a human, just like the humans you've come across.
But he's different… he makes me smile.
So?
He makes me feel warm inside. When I talk to him, I feel like time goes by so fast with him. We even watched a movie yesterday a day after he defeated Vlov. We walked around the streets and did unnecessary pointless things the whole day. But those pointless things were fun. Shiki said there's nothing wrong with doing pointless things, so long as I found meaning in them. And I did. Those pointless things were the most wonderful moments that ever happened to me. All because I did them with Shiki .
But he's Roa's vessel.
That's fine. I'll find a way to save him.
Save him? Don't be naive, you know that there's no way around it. Don't lie to yourself.
But… there has to be a way…
No. There isn't. Once a vessel, always a Roa.
If that's the case… then what? I don't want to kill Shiki…
You have to. It's the only way.
Why? Why do I have to kill him? He's not Roa. He's Shiki. Tohno Shiki.
Don't make me repeat myself. He's Roa's Vessel.
But… I can't! I can't do that to him! He'll hate me forever!
Then what should you do?
I don't know. I don't know what to do.
Then what should you do?
I'll figure something out. As a True Ancestor, I WILL find something. I—… I have to…
Then what should you do?
I don't know, okay? I don't know.
Then what should you do?
…can you shut up ? I'm thinking of something!
There's no choice. Kill him.
… I've told you already, I can't…
There's no choice. Kill him.
Can you shut up!? I don't want to kill Shiki!
Arcueid began to close her palm, forming a fist with her hand.
There's no choice. Kill him.
I said I'm not killing Shiki!
There's no choice. Kill him.
I said NO! I'm not killing him.
Without realizing it, she began to punch the wall in front of her, slowly and repeatedly. It was the same wall she was creasing like a gentle flower that could die any minute by one wrong single movement.
There's no choice. Kill him.
Just shut up!
With each punch delivered, a crack is formed.
There's no choice. Kill him.
Shut up.
There's no choice. Kill him.
I said SHUT UP!
The punches began to have more force behind them, making the crack even more apparent and spreading itself wide.
There's no-
SHUT UP! SHUT UP! I'M NOT LISTENING TO YOU ANYMORE!
Just the thought of killing Shiki makes me want to hurl. I'd rather kill myself than do that! Why!? Why am I like this? Shiki, What did you do to me!? I can't stop thinking about you! You're always in my head! Your smile… your face… your body… your voice… I—I… I can't…
"Shiki. What is this feeling? Can you help me? Tell me, what is this…?"
"I want to spend more time with you. I want to be by your side. I want to hear your voice again. I want to smell your scent so I will never forget you. I want to kiss you. I want to hug you. I want you to touch me. I want you to defile me. I want you to love me forever. I don't want you to die. I'll never let you die. I will never leave your side. I will always be there for you…"
Arcueid's left hand is bloody. Without realizing it, a few more punches break down the entire wall and the building itself. The cracking sound becomes even louder. Somehow the building had an enormous dent on its side, deifying human comprehension of physics. Arcueid's voice begins to tremble. Her body becomes warm. A sudden rush of heat from head down to her toes begins to go crazy. She can't stop it. She starts breathing heavily. Now her entire body is warm. Her head feels like it's about to split open by all of her overwhelming emotions.
"Shiki… Shiki… Shiki…"
"…shiki. Shiki. Shiki. Shiki… Shiki…"
"Shiki. Shiki. Shiki. Shiki. Shiki. Shiki."
"SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKI SHIKIS̷̛̝͚̃͊͗̒̈́͐͊̔̓̚H̶͕̯̞̦͕̬̅̆İ̴̗̯̊͌͑̈́͌̂͒̆̊̂͐K̸̨̩͖͚̖̟̲̗̯̘͛I̵̢͓̖̠̳͖͊́̽͗͌̈́̍̈̒͛̌͌́̀͝S̸̡̨̡̠̮̱̘̣͇̦̈́͆̅́̉̍͊̈́͘͠Ĥ̸̢̜̖̱̭̼̳̲̳̯̩͒͂͒̊̽͊͒̉̚͘ͅI̶̛̳͖̓͐̈́̂͌̊K̸͙̮̫͉̩̙̞͆̀̒͐̐͠I̴̢̱͓͈̜̪̽͌̒͛̓͐̈́͊͒́̃͆͝S̶̨̧͉̠̗̮̗̤̹̗͎̘̞͑͆͋̐͛Ḥ̴͍͉̓̋͒I̷̯̼̯̤̱͕̰͈͍̤̘̠̓̀͌̀͐̎͗̃̿̕Ķ̷̡̭͖̤̩͇̿̈́̈́͜I̸̧̟̻̯̩͇̞̘̰̼̗̠͛̈́́̑̅̊͋̏̎̎̕̚̕̚S̶̗̣̬̱̮̟̗͎̳̗͒̿͐̈́͑̓͑̚H̸͚̠̐̅̀̈̆̇͊͐͑͋̈́̂̾͠Ĭ̷͎͔͂̔͐̒̆Ķ̸͉̳͍̗̝̼̤̦͚͔̫̈̒͒͛͗̂͑̚I̷̼̥̜̜̰̣͉̅̕͜͜͝ͅͅS̵̨̡̢̛̹̤͇͕̦͓̹̱͎̈́̊̈́̿H̴̨̼̲̠̟͙̺͈̫̯͋́͌͛̊̐̉̃͛͂̈͘̚̕I̵̛̤̰̹̙̜͉̤̱̩͎̬̻͐͐̔̽͛̎͂͂͛͑͌̈́͋K̸̨̛̘̱̑̀͗̒̿͌̉̽̕̕Ĩ̸͕̥̱̖̣͕̖̻̍̄͑͊̾̈́̀̈́̓̾̈̍͝Ṣ̵̢̖̬͍͖̮̹̙̖͒͐̇͐̕͘͘̚H̴̯̣̳̫̰̤̬̙̱̥͒̅͒͐̆̓̀͘I̷͍̘̟̥͖͖̻͉̣̔̈́͒̀͠͝ͅͅḲ̴͙͉̝̤̲͔̭͇͉̲̋̑̍̊̈́̄͋͋͐̆͌͐͝ͅĮ̸̜̳̺͎͚̹̝͈̹͕̎̓̏̉͠͝S̷̛̝͚̃͊͗̒̈́͐͊̔̓̚H̶͕̯̞̦͕̬̅̆İ̴̗̯̊͌͑̈́͌̂͒̆̊̂͐K̸̨̩͖͚̖̟̲̗̯̘͛I̵̢͓̖̠̳͖͊́̽͗͌̈́̍̈̒͛̌͌́̀͝S̸̡̨̡̠̮̱̘̣͇̦̈́͆̅́̉̍͊̈́͘͠Ĥ̸̢̜̖̱̭̼̳̲̳̯̩͒͂͒̊̽͊͒̉̚͘ͅI̶̛̳͖̓͐̈́̂͌̊K̸͙̮̫͉̩̙̞͆̀̒͐̐͠I̴̢̱͓͈̜̪̽͌̒͛̓͐̈́͊͒́̃͆͝S̶̨̧͉̠̗̮̗̤̹̗͎̘̞͑͆͋̐͛Ḥ̴͍͉̓̋͒I̷̯̼̯̤̱͕̰͈͍̤̘̠̓̀͌̀͐̎͗̃̿̕Ķ̷̡̭͖̤̩͇̿̈́̈́͜I̸̧̟̻̯̩͇̞̘̰̼̗̠͛̈́́̑̅̊͋̏̎̎̕̚̕̚S̶̗̣̬̱̮̟̗͎̳̗͒̿͐̈́͑̓͑̚H̸͚̠̐̅̀̈̆̇͊͐͑͋̈́̂̾͠Ĭ̷͎͔͂̔͐̒̆Ķ̸͉̳͍̗̝̼̤̦͚͔̫̈̒͒͛͗̂͑̚I̷̼̥̜̜̰̣͉̅̕͜͜͝ͅͅS̵̨̡̢̛̹̤͇͕̦͓̹̱͎̈́̊̈́̿H̴̨̼̲̠̟͙̺͈̫̯͋́͌͛̊̐̉̃͛͂̈͘̚̕I̵̛̤̰̹̙̜͉̤̱̩͎̬̻͐͐̔̽͛̎͂͂͛͑͌̈́͋K̸̨̛̘̱̑̀͗̒̿͌̉̽̕̕Ĩ̸͕̥̱̖̣͕̖̻̍̄͑͊̾̈́̀̈́̓̾̈̍͝Ṣ̵̢̖̬͍͖̮̹̙̖͒͐̇͐̕͘͘̚H̴̯̣̳̫̰̤̬̙̱̥͒̅͒͐̆̓̀͘I̷͍̘̟̥͖͖̻͉̣̔̈́͒̀͠͝ͅͅḲ̴͙͉̝̤̲͔̭͇͉̲̋̑̍̊̈́̄͋͋͐̆͌͐͝ͅĮ̸̜̳̺͎͚̹̝͈̹͕̎̓̏̉͠͝S̷̛̝͚̃͊͗̒̈́͐͊̔̓̚H̶͕̯̞̦͕̬̅̆İ̴̗̯̊͌͑̈́͌̂͒̆̊̂͐K̸̨̩͖͚̖̟̲̗̯̘͛I̵̢͓̖̠̳͖͊́̽͗͌̈́̍̈̒͛̌͌́̀͝S̸̡̨̡̠̮̱̘̣͇̦̈́͆̅́̉̍͊̈́͘͠Ĥ̸̢̜̖̱̭̼̳̲̳̯̩͒͂͒̊̽͊͒̉̚͘ͅI̶̛̳͖̓͐̈́̂͌̊K̸͙̮̫͉̩̙̞͆̀̒͐̐͠I̴̢̱͓͈̜̪̽͌̒͛̓͐̈́͊͒́̃͆͝S̶̨̧͉̠̗̮̗̤̹̗͎̘̞͑͆͋̐͛Ḥ̴͍͉̓̋͒I̷̯̼̯̤̱͕̰͈͍̤̘̠̓̀͌̀͐̎͗̃̿̕Ķ̷̡̭͖̤̩͇̿̈́̈́͜I̸̧̟̻̯̩͇̞̘̰̼̗̠͛̈́́̑̅̊͋̏̎̎̕̚̕̚S̶̗̣̬̱̮̟̗͎̳̗͒̿͐̈́͑̓͑̚H̸͚̠̐̅̀̈̆̇͊͐͑͋̈́̂̾͠Ĭ̷͎͔͂̔͐̒̆Ķ̸͉̳͍̗̝̼̤̦͚͔̫̈̒͒͛͗̂͑̚I̷̼̥̜̜̰̣͉̅̕͜͜͝ͅͅS̵̨̡̢̛̹̤͇͕̦͓̹̱͎̈́̊̈́̿H̴̨̼̲̠̟͙̺͈̫̯͋́͌͛̊̐̉̃͛͂̈͘̚̕I̵̛̤̰̹̙̜͉̤̱̩͎̬̻͐͐̔̽͛̎͂͂͛͑͌̈́͋K̸̨̛̘̱̑̀͗̒̿͌̉̽̕̕Ĩ̸͕̥̱̖̣͕̖̻̍̄͑͊̾̈́̀̈́̓̾̈̍͝Ṣ̵̢̖̬͍͖̮̹̙̖͒͐̇͐̕͘͘̚H̴̯̣̳̫̰̤̬̙̱̥͒̅͒͐̆̓̀͘I̷͍̘̟̥͖͖̻͉̣̔̈́͒̀͠͝ͅͅḲ̴͙͉̝̤̲͔̭͇͉̲̋̑̍̊̈́̄͋͋͐̆͌͐͝ͅĮ̸̜̳̺͎͚̹̝͈̹͕̎̓̏̉͠͝S̷̛̝͚̃͊͗̒̈́͐͊̔̓̚H̶͕̯̞̦͕̬̅̆İ̴̗̯̊͌͑̈́͌̂͒̆̊̂͐K̸̨̩͖͚̖̟̲̗̯̘͛I̵̢͓̖̠̳͖͊́̽͗͌̈́̍̈̒͛̌͌́̀͝S̸̡̨̡̠̮̱̘̣͇̦̈́͆̅́̉̍͊̈́͘͠Ĥ̸̢̜̖̱̭̼̳̲̳̯̩͒͂͒̊̽͊͒̉̚͘ͅI̶̛̳͖̓͐̈́̂͌̊K̸͙̮̫͉̩̙̞͆̀̒͐̐͠I̴̢̱͓͈̜̪̽͌̒͛̓͐̈́͊͒́̃͆͝S̶̨̧͉̠̗̮̗̤̹̗͎̘̞͑͆͋̐͛Ḥ̴͍͉̓̋͒I̷̯̼̯̤̱͕̰͈͍̤̘̠̓̀͌̀͐̎͗̃̿̕Ķ̷̡̭͖̤̩͇̿̈́̈́͜I̸̧̟̻̯̩͇̞̘̰̼̗̠͛̈́́̑̅̊͋̏̎̎̕̚̕̚S̶̗̣̬̱̮̟̗͎̳̗͒̿͐̈́͑̓͑̚H̸͚̠̐̅̀̈̆̇͊͐͑͋̈́̂̾͠Ĭ̷͎͔͂̔͐̒̆Ķ̸͉̳͍̗̝̼̤̦͚͔̫̈̒͒͛͗̂͑̚I̷̼̥̜̜̰̣͉̅̕͜͜͝ͅͅS̵̨̡̢̛̹̤͇͕̦͓̹̱͎̈́̊̈́̿H̴̨̼̲̠̟͙̺͈̫̯͋́͌͛̊̐̉̃͛͂̈͘̚̕I̵̛̤̰̹̙̜͉̤̱̩͎̬̻͐͐̔̽͛̎͂͂͛͑͌̈́͋K̸̨̛̘̱̑̀͗̒̿͌̉̽̕̕Ĩ̸͕̥̱̖̣͕̖̻̍̄͑͊̾̈́̀̈́̓̾̈̍͝Ṣ̵̢̖̬͍͖̮̹̙̖͒͐̇͐̕͘͘̚H̴̯̣̳̫̰̤̬̙̱̥͒̅͒͐̆̓̀͘I̷͍̘̟̥͖͖̻͉̣̔̈́͒̀͠͝ͅͅḲ̴͙͉̝̤̲͔̭͇͉̲̋̑̍̊̈́̄͋͋͐̆͌͐͝ͅĮ̸̜̳̺͎͚̹̝͈̹͕̎̓̏̉͠͝S̷̛̝͚̃͊͗̒̈́͐͊̔̓̚H̶͕̯̞̦͕̬̅̆İ̴̗̯̊͌͑̈́͌̂͒̆̊̂͐K̸̨̩͖͚̖̟̲̗̯̘͛I̵̢͓̖̠̳͖͊́̽͗͌̈́̍̈̒͛̌͌́̀͝S̸̡̨̡̠̮̱̘̣͇̦̈́͆̅́̉̍͊̈́͘͠Ĥ̸̢̜̖̱̭̼̳̲̳̯̩͒͂͒̊̽͊͒̉̚͘ͅI̶̛̳͖̓͐̈́̂͌̊K̸͙̮̫͉̩̙̞͆̀̒͐̐͠I̴̢̱͓͈̜̪̽͌̒͛̓͐̈́͊͒́̃͆͝S̶̨̧͉̠̗̮̗̤̹̗͎̘̞͑͆͋̐͛Ḥ̴͍͉̓̋͒I̷̯̼̯̤̱͕̰͈͍̤̘̠̓̀͌̀͐̎͗̃̿̕Ķ̷̡̭͖̤̩͇̿̈́̈́͜I̸̧̟̻̯̩͇̞̘̰̼̗̠͛̈́́̑̅̊͋̏̎̎̕̚̕̚S̶̗̣̬̱̮̟̗͎̳̗͒̿͐̈́͑̓͑̚H̸͚̠̐̅̀̈̆̇͊͐͑͋̈́̂̾͠Ĭ̷͎͔͂̔͐̒̆Ķ̸͉̳͍̗̝̼̤̦͚͔̫̈̒͒͛͗̂͑̚I̷̼̥̜̜̰̣͉̅̕͜͜͝ͅͅS̵̨̡̢̛̹̤͇͕̦͓̹̱͎̈́̊̈́̿H̴̨̼̲̠̟͙̺͈̫̯͋́͌͛̊̐̉̃͛͂̈͘̚̕I̵̛̤̰̹̙̜͉̤̱̩͎̬̻͐͐̔̽͛̎͂͂͛͑͌̈́͋K̸̨̛̘̱̑̀͗̒̿͌̉̽̕̕Ĩ̸͕̥̱̖̣͕̖̻̍̄͑͊̾̈́̀̈́̓̾̈̍͝Ṣ̵̢̖̬͍͖̮̹̙̖͒͐̇͐̕͘͘̚H̴̯̣̳̫̰̤̬̙̱̥͒̅͒͐̆̓̀͘I̷͍̘̟̥͖͖̻͉̣̔̈́͒̀͠͝ͅͅḲ̴͙͉̝̤̲͔̭͇͉̲̋̑̍̊̈́̄͋͋͐̆͌͐͝ͅĮ̸̜̳̺͎͚̹̝͈̹͕̎̓̏̉͠͝!!"
CRRRRAAAACCCK—!
The wall finally breaks, leaving the building to collapse down on itself. Creating a sound akin to an earthquake that echoes through the city. Of course, such a sound would wake up the city, as the sounds of civilians chatter slowly become louder by the second to check out the scene of the crime. Beneath the dust and rumble, it seems that Arcueid has left the scene already.
The front door swings open as Arcueid enters her apartment. Slamming the door behind them, the heat within her hasn't given up. Her mind was constantly screaming at her as she trembled still. Having a battle between her heart and mind. In an attempt to get to her bed, she tries to go for, it but stumbles and falls on the wooden floor. She curls up her body as the war wages on within. Her logical thinking is to kill Roa. She needs her powers back and shouldn't care about whoever's body he's inhabiting. On the other hand, her heart is saying that Roa is residing in Shiki's body. She won't-… no… she can't kill Shiki. It's all too painful to do so, even more so to lose him to Roa.
But what choice does she have? What possible choice could she have to save Shiki? Roa is a special case, he can reincarnate. How would it be possible to separate the two souls while only keeping one soul intact? What can she do? Her mind is running rampant, desperately trying to find a solution. She doesn't care how long it'll take, she just NEEDS to
Wait…
Arcueid suddenly realizes something.
Dead Apostles have underlings to do their bidding and such. They follow any command of the underlings, meaning they have complete control of the mind like the undead. But the undead are much like zombies. Brain dead to only follow one thing to do.
But what if Arcueid would have an underling ? Since she's a True Ancestor, she doesn't suffer the problem of leaving corpses behind if she was ██████ ██████ from humans, becoming nothing but mindless creatures. Under her power, she can suppress Roa. Hell, theoretically even have Roa give up entirely from Shiki and move to another potential. Even better, simply giving up and dying in the process.
How stupid of her. How did she not realize it soonerArcueid's ruby-eyes widened. Her body stops trembling.
It was so obvious. Of course , she said to Shiki that she's never ██████ ██████. But that is all a lie. Roa is proof of that lie. She'd never would've killed her Ancestors if it weren't for him.
A smile started to form naturally from what she was thinking. The truth was simply in front of this whole time. She wasn't sure what kind of smile it was. But she believes it's a 'good' smile. A smile of relief and hope.
It's quite simple. All she has to do…
The vampire woman sat up before standing up and looking at a mirror in front of her. Ah… look at that. A beautiful smile she sees. The heat within her was still acting up, but she didn't care. Nothing could bother her right now other than the exception of feeling joy, knowing salvation is in her hands to save Shiki.
All she has to do Is…
"All I have to do, Is to drink Shiki's blood."
Notes: