When his eyes fell on us, I expected to see his tender smile again. However, he just avoided our eyes and turned the other way, leaving us confused.
"Dermis?" Kyoko called out.
He still didn't respond, nor did he meet our eyes. I was concerned, why?
Tremious took a long breath and got up from his seat, and proceeded to leave the room. Kyoko followed likewise, leaving me and him alone.
I stared at his back for a while and searched the right words to speak. What should I say? Should I thank him for saving me? Or should I say nothing.
[He's blaming himself]
(??? Why?)
[He's blames himself for dragging everyone and letting them get hurt]
My eyes softened after I got to know the reason. He always promised not to let anyone get hurt. Perhaps that is why he shielded me from the wave. He took all the responsibilities on himself and did everything that we asked him for.
I sat down on the chair near the bed and spoke calmly.
"Dermis.....thank you for dragging me to this journey,"
His eyes grew a little, and he slowly got up from his position. He still didn't have the courage to face me and just buried his face in his hands. The guilt bended his shoulders down. The courageous and brave man wasn't in front of me right now.
My chest tightened watching him. He again reminded me of the kids back home. When guilty, they would remain silent and hide somewhere.
I spoke again, this time almost in a whisper.
"I'm not joking, I'm extremely thankful to you for making me join your party,"
His eyes flickered towards me, and he searched proof in my words desperately like a child. He finally took a peep at me, like a mouse. I offered him a faint smile. This time, I wanted to be the one to reassure him.
"If it weren't for you, I would go back home and just be alone again," I said with a gloomy voice.
"Being lonely is more painful than what we had to deal a week ago," a giggled left my mouth in an attempt to lift up the tension.
His frown didn't leave his face, a guilt frown. He breathed out a sum of air and started muttering under his breath.
"You....wanted to know the reason for this journey," I waited patiently for him to continue.
He struggled his right hand up with all those stitches and grabbed the end of his left hand. He pulled his long sleeves up to reveal something.
"!!!!????"
My eyes went round with shock. His arm was covered with demon energy.
"Why?" I tried to remain calm, but the grip on my tigh was abnormal.
"Long story," he put his sleeve back on.
"I'll listen,"
"Maybe later....." He finished and went back to bed again, facing away from me.
"Okay, I'll be waiting,"
With that, I left his room, giving him some time alone.
***
"And the prince and princess lived happily ever after, the end,"
"Wow!! Amazing! Again, please." his cute eyes twinkled
"Sorry, can't do. Bedtime."
"Awww,"
"Now go to sleep," I pronounced lovingly whilst tucking Ororon to sleep.
"Yes...Aniel?"
"Hmm?"
"Will Dermis be okay?" He said with concern, and he pouted with almost tears incoming.
"Yes! He will be okay! Don't worry, he is almost cured. "
"Okay....." I could still sense some uneasiness in him. Who knows what is going on his little brain.
I left his room and went out for a stroll in the pond nearby. It was pretty late. There were no lights. The little souces of lights were the moon and the fireflies. I grabbed a fire lamp with me and sat near the pond, admiring the reflection of the moon on the pond.
The beautiful scenery put a stop to the endless thoughts in my head. Suddenly, a noise came from the bushes nearby. I quickly got hold of [Starlight's tomb] and took a stance.
"Relax....it's me."
A familiar face came towards me. He was barely able to walk, and half of his face was covered with a white cloak. The moon's light also reflected on his green hair, making it look radient. His complexion had become mucg paler than before.
"Why are you up so late?" I asked
"Could ask you the same thing,"
"I'm not a patient anymore," I said, being annoyed.
"Did Tremious tell you that?"
I stumbled a little since I was flustered. There it was, that smug face I hated at the beginning. Yet now, I was craving to see that face.
He finally gave me the pleasant look, and I could finally take a breath of relief.
"I came to continue my story," he exclaimed while sitting down.
I sat beside him, still keeping a reasonable distance between us.
"I didn't think you would take such a short time."
"Well, of course, it isn't something that special," he proclaimed mischievously.
I scoffed at him.
"You got cursed by the demon king, and it isn't a big deal?!"
He giggled and took a deep breath before reminiscing about his past.
***
I gazed at her curious eyes again, waiting for me to start. If I told her everything, it would relive all weight on my shoulders.
"Dermis? I'm waiting."
"Ah... yes," I said after coming back to reality.
***
5939 years ago, Dermis was still in his mother's womb. The demons uproar were new and fresh, and no one knew how to handle them.
They killed every life on sight, engulfing land after land.
Amongst the victims, Dermis's parents also fell.
"Honey, are you alright. Do you need a rest?" A blonde haired man spoke nervously, looking at his beloved wife.
"I'm fine....we are close to the village. Let's rest after going there, " a beautiful green haired woman softly replied.
They got to a village which was on ruins.
"Honey? What happened here?" She spoke with fear while looking at the devastating sight up front.
"I don't know...they all are injured so bad."
"Sir!!! Please! Help us!! My family!!" A man came running towards them begging for their help. He was full of skin and bones, all of them were.
The couple decided to stay in the village and help the villagers out.
Unexpectedly, one night, demons attacked the village again. This time, kidnapping the couple for their high mana.
Both of them separated, and Dermis's mom was locked up in a cage with other creatures.
"Ughmmmmm," she grunted and moaned out of pain.
"Miss, is it already time! Quick! Bring the ladies present here!!"
They had nothing of their own in the cell, but they still offered to help her. She gave birth to a green haired boy in the demon relam.
"Tinaaaa!!!!"
'Booooom'
A loud noise came. The person guilty for it was Erich, Dermis's father. He was skilled in magic. With his power, the couple and the other creatures managed to break out and escape.
When the previous demon king heard such an unpleasant news, he implanted a curse on the little boy. A curse that would eat the soul alive. Unfortunately, even with his parent's desperate attempts, they couldn't remove his curse.
***
My pupils grew thicker, and my mouth was left open and dry. To think that such a thing happened.
"You.....are you okay?"
"It's fine for now.....but not for long." he's gazed, dropped, burdened by despair.
"Can't Felicia purify it?"
"No, I showed it to her. She couldn't do anything."
The air filled with silence, and I opened my mouth again.
"So the purpose of this journey is?"
His gaze now shifted towards me, and he spoke out with a serious tone.
"To lift this curse."
That is why he felt guilty. He thought that because of his needs, we had to suffer. My complexion softened, and I questioned again.
"Is that why Tremious joined?"
"I told him the reason at the beginning itself before going to fight the yellow dragon. Why did you think he would join us without a reason?" He frowned deeply, and his lips curved.
I laughed at his ridiculousness.
"That is enough."
"???"
"That is enough of a reason for me to continue on this journey with you,"
I let out, and his eyes seem to have twinkled with what I said. Nevertheless, we sat together and enjoyed each other's company.