Chapter Text
They walked hand-in-hand with the sun shining above. His dark hair, fluttering behind him. His face, aglow in the light. Out of nowhere, he stopped and turned to look at her. He smiled as he always did, making her fall in love all over again, and squeezed her hand.
“I love you,” he whispered before leaning in and kissing her. She readily kissed back but soon noticed a metallic taste on his lips. When she leaned away, there was blood on his lips. Still, he smiled as if nothing was wrong. “I love you, my dearest. So how could you let me die?”
“I didn’t. I tried to save you.” She wanted to shout but her voice only came out small.
It was silent for a moment. He pulled her close and embraced her. It felt warm, safe. Then, his lips brushed against her ear.
“I thought you loved me. Or was that all a lie?”
Josele woke with a start. She heard her heaving breaths. Felt the dampness of her pillow. Her whole body trembled. Slowly, she turned to lay on her back and stare at the ceiling of her room.
Again and again, the words would repeat in her mind. His words weren’t the only ones that would haunt her when she was alone.
“You haven’t been the same since…”
“What’re we gonna do now that we’re down a healer?”
“She’s making everyone around here miserable.”
“Can we kick her out already? She’s pretty much useless now.”
Josele closed her eyes and exhaled slowly, trying to release tension from her body. However, her body didn’t feel any lighter but heavier in fact.
They’re right. I’m useless. Maybe I always was. If I couldn’t do anything for Morgen then what good are my feelings to others?
She was only a commoner. She didn’t have an exceptional amount of mana; even Yami, who came from an ocean away, had power on par with nobility. Her magic attribute was fickle and it took years of refinement to gain the amount of control she had. Control which was beginning to falter. And there was only so much she could do with a sword. In short, she could do nothing.
I can’t do anything like this. My emotions are only harming others now. They’re harming me. Josele touched a hand to her chest, feeling her heartbeat. Contrasted against her feelings, her physical heart continued to beat strong and sure. I want to get rid of this pain. I don’t want to feel any of this anymore.
An idea struck Josele. Her eyes opened and locked onto her grimoire.
Her magic drew power from people’s emotions, connected them, soothed or amplified them. So wouldn’t it make sense if she could erase them too?
.....
William had happened to be passing by the courtyard when Yami and Josele were in the middle of a spar. Fast footwork, shining blades, the harsh ring of clashing steel. Even if he had no personal interest in swordsmanship, it was fascinating to watch the two of them go at it.
Especially Josele. After her period of sorrow, Josele seemed to be going back to her normal self. Almost. Their friendship had grown strained and their time together had grown smaller but William still tried to make time for Josele. And he still hadn’t seen her smile since the incident.
Better than nothing, I suppose.
William sighed and turned to continue on his way when he heard a shout of “shit!” followed by a clanging, clattering noise. He snapped his head in his squadmates’ direction. Yami stood close to Josele while pressing a hand to her shoulder. She remained still, weapon in hand. Meanwhile, Yami’s sword was on the ground. Right by a stain of red.
William dashed over, shoving through the decorative bushes to reach them quicker.
“Let me see the wound!” he exclaimed upon reaching Josele’s side. “Sit down, Josele.” He helped the young woman down so she wouldn’t risk collapsing from shock.
“Feather face? Were you watch—?”
“Just passing by. And it’s lucky I was,” William answered quickly. “World Tree Healing Magic: Branch of Yggdrasil.” A tree branch formed in his palm and crept up to the bleeding gash. As his spell worked its magic, William found himself subconsciously following the wound’s path with his eyes, down Josele’s shoulder to her chest where—
William felt himself stop breathing momentarily.
Thin, black lines like veins of poison peeked out from under Josele’s torn shirt. It wasn’t a normal wound or even the scar of one. It was far more grotesque than that. William folded the cut fabric back to find the blackness extended further down with the lines growing thicker and closer together. He pulled his hand back then touched his face, right beneath his mask.
“Jo… What is that?” Yami’s voice wavered as he asked. William only glanced over his shoulder momentarily but he made out the confusion and concern on the man’s face. “What happened?”
Josele turned her head in Yami’s direction but her eyes were glazed over, distant. Then, she answered, “It was an unintended side effect of my most recent spell.”
“And what…” William swallowed hard. “What spell was that?”
“Emotion Curse Magic: Locked Heart.”
The name of the spell alone sent a chill up William’s spine.
.....
It was an old tower, abandoned and worn down by natural growth and weather. No one even knew what the tower had been used for once upon a time. Its eerie atmosphere spoke to Nacht’s spirit, it drew him in. Of course, Nacht had to share it and brought Josele to the tower during a stormy night.
“This place is pretty creepy, huh?” Nacht asked while pushing the door open. “Think it’s haunted?”
“Unlikely,” Josele replied with a roll of her eyes. “I doubt ghosts even exist.” Despite her words, she clung to Nacht’s arm.
“What’s this? Ya’ scared?” Nacht pinched Josele’s cheek. “How about we stay the night and whoever runs out first is a scaredy cat?”
Josele groaned and buried her face in Nacht’s shoulder but continued to follow. The pair of youth started up the stairs. The rotted steps creaked. The low hum of rain and the moaning of the wind didn’t leave them in silence but they were quiet enough to be ignored. Josele and Nacht moved slowly, one step at a time. Out of nowhere, something slammed, far from the two of them, which made Josele immediately freeze where she stood.
“I want to go home now,” she whimpered.
“C’mon. Let’s check out the top at least,” he argued. When he felt Josele shake her head against him, he huffed. “Okay, fine. Wait for me at the bottom.”
“No, no, no, no! I’m not leaving you!” Tugging on his arm, Josele tried to pull Nacht back down.
“Quit being so clingy!” Nacht slipped from Josele’s grip by melding with the shadows. He remained there to continue his way up alone.
“Nacht!“ Josele’s voice grew distant. "This isn’t funny!”
What’s her deal anyway? Nacht wondered, his irritation already fading and leaving a hollow feeling in his chest. It’s not that scary.
Eventually, he reached the top. There were windows all along the wall, giving a good vantage point of the surrounding forest. Safe to assume it was an old watch tower of sorts. But there wasn’t much else, nothing more than a disappointment.
BOOM!
“KYAAAA!”
"Josele?!” Nacht snapped to attention and raced down the stairs, even stumbling when a step broke under his foot. “Where are you?” Frantically, he searched for her. “Shit! I was wrong for ditching you like that!” He reached the bottom of the tower. “Josele?”
Then, he heard it. A weak sniffling. Nacht followed it until he found Josele curled up beneath the base of the stairs.
“Hey, what’re you—?” Nacht was cut off by Josele tackling him with a hug. “Umph!”
“You came back…” She held him close like her life depended on it. “Don’t leave me again, Nacht. Please…”
Even though it annoyed him how he got knocked to the ground, he didn’t deny Josele what she needed at the moment. He put his arms around her and whispered, “Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say.”
Josele clung to Nacht and sobbed into his chest while he rubbed her back. It was cold and damp inside that tower. But in each other’s embrace, Josele and Nacht found a bit of warmth.
…..
Nacht stared at that same space under the stairs. Even in those halcyon days, Nacht hadn’t been as good of a friend to Josele as he should’ve been. He hadn’t been as good as Morgen.
And now everything he did wrong was coming back to bite him.
It made him sick. The world was unfair. Morgen, the brother who made the lives of others better, was taken away and he, the selfish and inferior brother, was left alive.
Nacht couldn’t abide by it. He couldn’t abide by himself, at least not the him he had been for too long.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered to the past. To the people he hurt the most. “I’ll make things right as best I can. I’ll be a better man. I promise.”
Nacht couldn’t be as good as Morgen or as spirited as Josele. All he could ever be was a shadow of a good person. Still, he would do whatever it took to pay for his sins.
For their sakes.
.....
At long last. It’s happening, Almatra thought when she felt herself get drawn out of the Underworld and into the human realm. I get to leave that dreary place behind.
Almatra found herself standing in a ritual circle. Immediately, she recognized that her power was being suppressed. It made sense. Weak, inferior humans would need to weaken devils if they wanted to be in a position to make deals. Not that it mattered. Almatra needed to avoid killing the human who summoned her and make a successful deal to get what she desired. As for the human in question, it was a young woman whose magic felt non-existent.
Of course a weakling would want to make a deal with a devil for power she doesn’t have.
“Blight devil Almatra, I shall defeat you,” the human stated flatly.
“You can certainly try.” But it won’t be a real victory. It shall be mine in time.
So Almatra threw the battle. She used her magic to weaken the human’s strength and sap her stamina quicker since she had opted for a sword instead of magic. It was tempting to use Malady or Wither to make it more difficult for the human, but Almatra couldn’t risk losing her chance. Despite the disadvantage, the human fought hard. Each time her body wavered from weakness, her next attack came with more force. If she stumbled from exhaustion, she got right back up. What made it all the more perplexing was the empty look in her eyes, her strength lacked spirit. It was impressive but also irritating to Almatra. She would have a worthy host it seemed.
The “battle” soon came to an end with the human “victorious.”
Now for my gamble. “Before you completely subjugate me, human, might I ask for a small concession?” Almatra asked, keeping her head bowed in mock submission.
“I shall allow it.”
“The Underworld is a desolate place and I’ve heard much about this world from devils who had dealt with humans in the past. I desire to experience what humans have to offer,” Almatra explained, careful not to sound too desperate nor too relaxed. “However, I cannot go about freely in my true form. Thus, I need a human host as a proxy.” It would be foolish to expect a human to give up bodily autonomy so easily. I must start small, innocuous. “In exchange for my powers, allow me the freedom to be channeled through your body to enjoy the human world. It need not be at all times, just however often you are comfortable.” Besides, it appears that a part of her is already missing.
The human closed her eyes before replying, “Once a month.” She put away her blade. “However, you cannot do whatever you like. Consumption of substances I don’t approve of, committing a crime, or partaking in fornication with my body is prohibited. Attempt any of those acts and I regain control immediately. Understood?”
Almatra hid her triumphant feeling under neutrality. “Understood.” This miserable human is exactly what I need. Whatever part of her is broken, I shall destroy completely.
.....
When Josele opened the door, she was reminded of the fact that Nacht and Morgen were in fact identical twins. Nacht had let his dark hair grow out. The dyed parts were cut off, giving him a similar look to the one he had in his youth. Still, the feeling of his mana was Nacht’s so Josele couldn’t have mistaken him.
She felt her chest grow tight and her throat go dry. The overall sensation was painfully familiar. Yet Josele couldn’t find the word to describe it.
“Nacht Faust. So you’re not dead.”
Perhaps it wasn’t the wisest thing to start the conversation with but it was the first thing that jumped to Josele’s mind. She heard too many people speculate that Nacht was dead and not simply missing. Seeing him in the flesh again gave Josele a sense of—
Again, the word was lost to her.
It was nothing more than confirmation that those rumormongers were wrong.
Josele let Nacht in; there was no reason to turn him away. They began to converse and it didn’t take long for Nacht to realize what Josele had done.
“You’re working with a devil?!” he shouted at her. “What the hell are you thinking?! Devils are dangerous and Forbidden Magic! Get rid of it! The devil! The curse! Don’t do this to yourself!”
“The choice I made was rational,” Josele stated clearly. “My latent magic was non-functional so I sought out another way to be of use. I don’t understand why you are so opposed.”
Nacht appeared to freeze in place, his face losing the tenseness it had only seconds prior.
“This isn’t right, though,” he said with a softer tone. He walked up to her and grasped her hands. His voice wavered as he whispered, “Please. Reconsider.”
Being so close to Nacht felt…
Her stomach twisted. She avoided looking him in the eyes. Nacht’s hands. The wall behind his shoulder. The floor. Anywhere but his eyes, her eyes wandered. Josele’s eyes found the trinkets on Nacht’s necklace. They gave off the same energy as the relic connected to Almatra.
“Why do you condemn my contract with a devil when you have made four?” inquired Josele. She took her hands back and stepped away from the man. “It is glaring hypocrisy, Nacht.”
At that, he inhaled sharply and looked away. “I— You’re right but—” He screwed his eyes shut while shaking his head. “It’s…”
Josele, dear, do you see what you’re doing to this man? Almatra whispered in the back of her mind. It’s pathetic how worried he is and yet you brush him off? Cruel.
This has nothing to do with you, Josele scolded the devil. Stay out of it.
Hm. As you command.
Josele balled her hands into fists to keep them from shaking. Why they had done so was unclear to her but she could ignore it. Right now, she had to address whatever issue Nacht had with her current situation.
“Nacht, what were you say—?”
“I’m sorry.” Nacht stated it clearly. His bangs hid his eyes so Josele couldn’t make out what expression he wore. Slowly, he approached her and, once close enough, held her by the shoulders. “I got sidetracked.” He bowed his head. “Josele, I came here to tell you… I’m sorry. Gods, I’m so sorry!” Up close, it was easy to notice the trembling of his shoulders. “I was so awful to you. I was scared… I wasn’t thinking…” He let out a choked sob. “But I never should’ve said those things. I shouldn’t have blamed you. You didn’t let Morgen die.” His hands moved down Josele’s arms to her hands and he fell to his knees at the same time. “His death wasn’t your fault. I knew that the whole time and yet I—”
Nacht got cut off by his own crying. The impact of his tears on the floor sounded louder than the fire in the hearth. Josele blinked and suddenly found her vision a blur from tears.
“I wish I could take it all back. That I’d never hurt you. Maybe you wouldn’t be in such a state… I don’t care if you never forgive me… All I want is for you to know how sorry I am.”
Hollow. Aching. Tight. Heavy. These sensations buried themselves in Josele’s chest.
Despite all that, something from the depths of her heart compelled Josele to move. She slid her hands from Nacht’s and hugged him while he knelt before her. With one hand, she stroked the back of his head, smoothing down his loose hair.
It wasn’t the reunion Josele had wanted or expected but at least Nacht was home. That was all she could have asked for.
.....
Thomas had many regrets in his life.
Not being a more careful hunter. Not marrying his sweet Gwen sooner and sharing their lives a little longer. Not telling his daughter to be a child for a bit longer. Not being able to properly comfort his daughter when she needed it. Perhaps one of his greatest regrets was not trusting Joey’s choices more.
Thomas coughed for a good while before hacking up a mouthful of blood into a towel. He felt it in his bones. He wouldn’t last much longer.
“Young man,” he called out to the best of his ability. “Nacht, I know you’re in the house.”
A moment later, the man in question stepped into Thomas’ room.
“Sir?” Nacht’s lips pressed together and his eyes averted.
“Come here, young man.” Thomas gestured to the chair positioned at his bed’s side. “This old man has some words for you.” Seeing Nacht cringe but still do as told, he let out a chuckle. “I ain’t gonna scold you, boy.”
When Nacht sat down, he asked, “What is it, sir?”
“First off, enough with that ‘sir’ bullcrap. I ain’t no lord or shit. Just ‘Thomas’ works.”
“Right… Thomas…” Nacht’s hands curled up on his knees. “What did you want to say?”
Thomas exhaled. His body grew heavier with each breath.
“You know… Morgen was such an easy boy to like. So gentle and always looking out for Joey when they were together. Morgen meant the world to her.”
“Si— Thomas, I’m not sure—”
“Meanwhile, your attitude really pissed me off and I was afraid for Joey when she was with you.” Thomas turned his head to look Nacht dead in the eyes. “But in the end, you mean the world to her too. I shouldn’t have been so hard on you. I shoulda been grateful to you for being her friend, actually.”
“How can you say that? I wasn’t even a good friend.” Nacht hung his head in shame. It was hard to believe that he used to be the rambunctious boy that brought Joey on misadventures. It was strange to see the young man look defeated. But he was still that same kid.
“Nonsense, boy. Tell me, Joey means something to you and you care for her, right?”
“Of course. Josele is one of the few good things in my rotten life.”
“Then that means you’re a good friend.” Thomas nodded, more to himself than Nacht. “With that said… Please, take care of her. I can’t think of anyone else to trust and I know you’ll do right by her.”
“Thomas, I…” Nacht took a deep breath. “You shouldn’t say that. You have every right to dislike me. I’ve never been a good person after all. I only recently realized how much trouble I’ve caused… everyone. And I know this can’t make up for my past crimes but I… I swear to break her curse.” When he raised his head, the look in his eyes was resolute. “Even if I can’t bring her happiness, I will make sure she can smile and be happy again.”
A smile grew on Thomas’ face. “Thank you, Nacht. You have my blessing…son…”
“Huh? Wait, I—”
Thomas hacked up more blood and ordered, “Bring Joey in. I need my last words with her.”
Nacht looked like he wanted to say something back but instead hurried out. As Thomas’ coughing fit died down, Joey stepped in and took the chair. Thomas reached out his hand and Joey held it.
“Joey, you know I love you, right?” he started. She answered with a nod. “You’re my only child. My pride and joy. When you were still in your mother’s belly, I was too excited for words. I didn’t care if you were a boy or girl. All I cared about was being able to hold you and raise you up the best I could. And I did, with your mother’s help of course. Couldn’t have done it without each other.”
“Where are you going with this?”
“Just hold on. You see, as much as I taught you, you were always much more like Gwen. You got everything from her. Well, except for that strong body, that’s thanks to me.” Thomas quickly cleared his throat and pride. “But really, everything else… Her eyes, her spirit, her magic. When I look at you, I think of her. I think of how much I want to see you live as happily as she did. I hope that you live a good, long life. I get reminded of how much I love her. But looking at you now… I know Gwen wouldn’t want to see you like this. She’d want you to face the world with a smile. I know losing Morgen is hard. It broke my heart to see your mother go.” He gripped Joey’s hand more firmly. “I know it hurts and you’re so scared to lose anything else, but I know you can overcome it all. Just remember what your mother said, you’ve got a strong heart. So don’t be afraid to open it up again.”
For a moment, Joey remained quiet. Then, “I apologize for not helping you live a little longer. I’ve disappointed you as a daughter.”
“I forgive you but you never needed to say sorry,” Thomas said with a shake of his head. “Really, I couldn’t be more proud of you.”
“… Thank you.”
He felt it, death closing in. With his final breath, he whispered, “You’ll be okay. You’ve always been a strong one.”
Thomas’ final regret was not seeing his daughter smile one last time.
.....
Nacht looked at what rested in his hand before closing his fingers around it. He took a deep breath. He had held off on it for a while, unsure of when to do it and what to say when he did. But he finally found the time and words.
He walked through the ruined halls of House Faust to where he knew Josele would be. As for the Canty household, it was abandoned. Josele was unable to bring herself to re-enter the house even without knowing the emotions that influenced her. Thus, the two of them settled in the shell of his own home.
Nacht stopped outside of Morgen’s former room then knocked.
“Come in.”
Josele sat on the bed, her knees drawn to her chest, and stared at the portrait on the nightstand as if in a trance.
“Is everything alright?” Nacht asked while walking closer.
“This portrait…”
“Should I put it away?”
“No. I want to keep it.”
Nacht sat beside Josele on the bed. “Turn away from me and close your eyes.”
“For what reason?”
“I have something for you. And I’d like for it to be a surprise.”
“I see.” Josele adjusted her position until her back faced Nacht. “My eyes are closed now.”
“Thank you.”
Nacht looked at the gift in his hand. Looped on a thin, silver chain were the engagement rings, one gold with a brown jewel and the other silver inlaid with blue gemstones. Nacht lifted the makeshift necklace over Josele’s head before gently fastening it around her neck.
“You can open your eyes now.”
Josele looked down at the rings then touched a hand to them. She turned to face Nacht.
“I thought they were buried.”
“Thank Yami for preventing that.” It felt wrong to say it but it was the truth.
“But they’re useless now. Why have rings for a broken engagement?”
“I know he’s no longer here and you can’t recognize it anymore, but I know you still love him.” Nacht took hold of Josele’s hands. “Hold onto those rings as something to remember Morgen by. To remind you of your love for him, the love you two shared.”
“Why does it matter?”
“Josele… When Morgen died, it wasn’t just his light that was lost. It was yours too.” Nacht rested his forehead against Josele’s just as she used to do with him. With Morgen. “Your kindness and laughter, everything that he loved is gone now. I understand how much pain you must be in but you shouldn’t let your sorrow hold you back. Morgen certainly wouldn’t want that for you. He’d want you to find happiness even without him.” Nacht raised his head and tucked back Josele’s bangs. “So try to look to the future and push through. If not for yourself, then for Morgen.”
“And what about you, Nacht?” She looked up at him blankly yet expectantly.
“I’ll be here with you. I know I don’t deserve it at all but…” Nacht felt himself cry and his lips pulled up in a tight smile. “I hope to see your smile again.”
Josele hesitantly reached up and caressed Nacht’s cheek, brushing her thumb along his skin. “Your smile… It's…” She didn’t say anything more but her eyes held a spark of recognition. A distant light of hope.