Chapter Text
Blood... Blood was dripping on Norton's body. Norton smiled as he accepted his faith. He's only regret was not hearing Emma's answer. He imagined a life with her, imagined a married life with her, having kids and grandkids. And he would join Emma's deathbed because he promised that they'll be together for eternity. Until the end of the world, until the end of time, he won't stop loving the woman who made him feel alive, who made him smile, who made him feel loved. He told himself that his heart only belongs to Emma and no one else. Norton was at peace until he opened his eyes. He was puzzled on why he's still alive. He examined his own body, he used his own hands to examine himself. He was shocked that he is still alive after Michiko did a death blow. He looked around to see Michiko laughing maniacally like there's no tomorrow. Why is she happy? is what he asked himself. He looked around more and saw the source of why Michiko is like that. His eyes widened, he couldn't move nor utter a word. All he could do at that moment was stare, just look and be in a state of shock.
"Idiot girl" Michiko said.
When Norton came into, he immediately rushed to get there. To get to where Emma's dying body. Trembling in fear of losing her, he puts her delicate body in his arms and lap. He uses his powers to heal her but it was no use, Emma is losing blood at a very fast rate. His voice shakes, trembles as he keeps calling out to her. Emma who could barely move manages to open her eyes. She looked at him and smiles. She softly smiles at him. She is happy that she protected him. She carcasses his cheeks.
"I'm glad..." She softly says as she tries to speak. "...You're alive" she continues.
"Why? Why did you came back? Why? I'm supposed to protect you" Norton said as he try to hold back his tears. He couldn't bear to see Emma like this. He promised her. He promised himself that he would protect her but instead, she was the one who protected him. "Why..?"
"That's because... I love you" Emma said as she loses consciousness. Her hand slowly fell down.
Norton couldn't even scream for grief, he couldn't utter a word. He just hold her in his arms, embracing her tightly. Tears fell down on his cheeks, sadness overcame him. He couldn't believe what just happened. If only he sensed her presence, he would've jumped in and save her. He already heard her answer but he wasn't happy at all. He wasn't happy that he has to hear her answer like this. If only he was born as a human and not a demon, things would've been different. She wouldn't have died, she wouldn't have jumped in just to gave her one life to make him live. Norton is the most powerful being in the world yet he couldn't even protect what was dear to him. He couldn't fully protect the one he loves. What's the meaning of being the most powerful being when you can't even protect those who's dear to you? Norton asked himself if his existence has any meaning at all. He asked himself why was he born as the demon lord. Just why? Why fate is cruel?
"Such an idiotic girl. She thinks her measly life can do anything" Michiko chuckled. "What a useless sacrifice. A futile one" She mocked Emma.
"Shut your tramp" Norton said quietly but with a tone of anger and resentment. Michiko looked at him and was about to say a word but got stopped at lightning speed when Norton dashed at her and used his hand to cover her mouth and smashing her down to the ground. Emma's body is safe as Norton created a barrier that can protect her. It was at this moment, Norton's power drastically increased more than Michiko's. The earth trembles as he transformed into his demonic form where he gained horns on his head, horned wings on his back and sharped claws that can cut anything. He looked at Michiko with his eyes glowing red, glowing with rage. He looked down at her and is ready to kill anything that stands in his path. He knows that he already broke his promise with Emma but he couldn't help it anymore. He thought he was naïve.
"I warned you before" Norton said calmly but with rage in his voice. "You're not getting out of this alive" he continued then he unleashed his power at Michiko. Michiko can barely protect herself, she's already in her prajna form yet she can't do anything to protect herself from his attacks. Norton kept hurling Michiko up and down the ground and the skies. His power keeps on increasing, he doesn't care what happens until he deals with her, until he kills her. A life for a life is what in his mind right now. Norton showing Michiko that they're not on equal footing, he's showing her why he's the demon lord and not her, he's showing her the power of the most powerful being in the world and teaching her not to mess with him. A grave grave mistake to make him mad, but at this point, Norton is beyond mad. No one can stop him from his goal, he's determined to put Michiko in her grave.
"Your Highness!" Michiko called out to him. "We can talk about this!" she panics as she tries to get away from him. She became the prey after being the hunter. Michiko keeps on proposing things to Norton but Norton refuses to hear her, he refuses to listen to her pleas because nothing can take back what had happened. "Your Highness!"
"This doesn't even measure to what you've done!" Norton screamed at her as he overpower her in strength, agility and power. Norton kept unleashing powerful blasts at Michiko. Michiko tries her best to avoid the blasts but one blast got her on the ground and tumbled down. She couldn't get up, she tried but Norton summons shadows that shaped like hands to tie her down on the ground. "Your pleas are useless, you can't give me the one I want" Norton looked down at her, his right hand on the air. He's preparing to give Michiko a deadly blow. Michiko is struggling to break free but she couldn't. She is really tied down and couldn't escape. "Know fear" These were the last words that Michiko heard from Norton before he sends her down to the earth's burning core where she burned and burned until her body dissolved into nothing. It turns out, she used a spell to command every demon to attack the humans and when she died every demon broke free from the spell. Norton used his telepathic powers to order every demon to go back home. The demons did what he ordered and quickly flee to the demon realm. Norton went back to Emma, he expected to be embraced by her but his expectations failed him. Norton carried Emma's body. He flew around and looked around and saw the casualties of this meaningless war.
The casualties, numerous humans and demons died. Mary died from protecting Emma, Naib died for vengeance, and the king, King Leo died from exhaustion. Norton regrets what had happened. As for Robbie, Robbie's safe because he went to a very safe place to hide from the war. Norton looked at Emma then he decided to bring her with him in his realm. Hoping for something. he created a tree in his throne room and he puts Emma's body in it. As it turns out, there was a faint of life within Emma and Norton's hoping that one day, Emma will wake up from her slumber.
The chances are small but Norton will wait for her. He'll wait for her to wake up, he'll wait for her to embrace her and to kiss her. He lets Robbie visit his realm just to check on Emma.
Years passed, Robbie became the king and he was successful on bringing back the kingdom in it's full glory. Robbie promised himself to be like King Leo and maybe surpassed him.
As for Norton, he still waits for the day Emma will wake up.
"Until the world ends, until time ends, I will continue to wait for you" Norton said as he looked at Emma who slumbers inside a tree.