Monique
Terra had brought Monique back to her room and gave her a glass of iced water.
Terra: You alright?
Monique: Far from it.
Monique had chugged the entire glass and coughed a bit as some went down the wrong tube.
Terra: Easy there.
Monique: I just…hate it.
Terra: Past ain't leaving you?
Monique: He’s still there, haunting my every corner.
Terra: Who is?
Monique: My ex, Ezekiel. That fucking asshole.
Terra gasped: My, my, never knew you could use such language.
Monique: Sorry.
Terra: No, no, I thought you were like not allowed to curse like a sailor.
Monique: I’m sure I’ve said a whole slew of curses at some point? I don’t know. I just…want to eviscerate him.
Terra: I am not sure if I can relate but you have my condolences about it and if I could, I would hold him down for you.
Monique giggled.
Monique: Can I ask why?
Terra smiled: You’re a cool person. You, like Karin, have an affinity to magic that I am in love with, and I feel like we can be best friends. You grew up in an evil organization and I grew up in a cult. I feel like we can vibe with that.
Monique: A…cult? They exist here?
Terra: Wherever there are followers of a faith or religion there are always cults who oppose or believe their way works. Here, on Eiridelium, there are maybe 7 or 8 gods and goddesses recognized and a whole slew of minor gods and goddesses that are attached to them. And there exists the devil’s and demons that haunt the corners of the world.
They both sat at Monique’s bed, Monique faced Terra with much more curiosity.
Monique: Are you like the local storyteller?
Terra laughed: Man, I wish! Most of the locals don’t like me. They all know me as the “Last Evergreen” and oh boy, are we the fucking worst.
Terra solemnly looked down at the floor. Some clothes were sprawled about.
Terra: Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a curator of knowledge. There’s just so much out there that needs to be explored and uncovered. But I was barred from all of that. It was my destiny to be sacrificed at the age of 10? Or was it 12?? So, my family can become demons. Though Ken would tell you they already became such…which honestly, I would have said the same cause only such creatures would sacrifice children for their disgusting cause.
Monique nodded in agreement. She too would note Twilight Baleful as such. But she had thought of Lee whose demon wasn’t necessarily one and grew sullen. Was Lee’s demon just as volatile as that?
Terra: Don’t get me wrong though. I have lived here…for maybe two years now? Lee and his inner demon just bicker. Like a lot. I don’t think for one whole minute that demon has ever been an actual demon. Not by nature anyways. And that’s still another mystery I would love to personally investigate. But Lee won’t let me! So…yeah…just dehumanize the entire Evergreen clan. It makes everything easier.
Monique: Where are they now if you don’t mind me asking.
Terra: The Nakai clan eliminated all but one. You’re looking at the last of the Evergreens.
Her eyes widened. She had remembered the name. Nakai…Nakai…KEN!!???
Monique: Y-you mean?
Terra nodded: Yup. Ken’s clan eliminated all but me. Ken was actually the lead of the team that had been after me. I think…Ken was just eleven going on twelve who had to do such a thing. But he left me alive. If you ask me why, I’m just as clueless as you.
Monique: B-but he’s so…
Terra: Lackadaisical? Goofy???
Monique: Laidback!
Terra: Right? Well, he kind of is now. He’s still in the race for becoming chief of the clan. He’s got all the tattoos and piercings to prove it.
Monique: That’s what those are for? I thought he was just really into sticking needles into himself.
Terra laughing: That too!! But no. I believe the piercings are for every battle fought and the tattoos are for every challenge accomplished. That regardless of the lives you have taken, your cause was just. The marks are for the status you uphold.
Monique: Wow. You’re really into all of that aren’t you?
Terra: Nah, I think it’s too gaudy. Somewhat tacky. But that’s my opinion. I’m just greatly interested in the history of everyone’s culture. Knowledge for knowledge’s sake yennoe?
Monique nodded in agreement: I understand the sentiment. I used to escape to libraries to learn just about everything. I never wanted to be taken advantage of again, but I guess it never worked out on itself.
Terra: Wait, wait, wait!! You too love libraries!?!?
Monique: Yes!
Terra: We should totally look at the library! But not today. Today you should celebrate!
Monique: Celebrate?
Terra: For obtaining a boyfriend AND a best friend.
She smiled as a plate of cookies hoovered itself from the kitchen to the room. Monique looked at it curiously as she had noticed some small beings with wings carrying it.
Terra: I asked the fairies to make some cookies since I’m really bad at baking.
Monique: F-fairies!? There’re fairies here!?!?
Terra nodded her head: Yes! A story for another time. We celebrate tonight!!
Although Terra moved on the conversation from what was at hand, Monique couldn’t quite help but stare at the fairies who bowed to her and flew away after delivering the plate of cookies. She had seen them in Barkamsted but never thought that they would be here in the castle. She had to bide her time and wait. Terra would tell her soon and Monique has now become interested in the stories Terra would tell. She decided that it was indeed a time to celebrate. She was happy to form bonds and relationships and what’s more, she was elated to know that she had a best friend. Something she never had before. And when the night daunted over, Terra had fallen asleep in the space beside Monique. She had never even had a sleepover where she wasn’t constantly looking over her shoulder. The days of Twilight Baleful felt so long ago that she peacefully let the sleep take over. She would feel the cozy blankets cover the two of them and didn’t bother to open her eyes to see what was covering her. Perhaps this is what safety meant, perhaps this is what home is.
Yet, her dreams would beg to differ. And her dreams would differ entirely. She would find herself on the same beach where she had three doors appear that peered into the memories Ezekiel had locked away. And there lied Ezekiel, in the prison Lilith had made for him. He glared at Monique as if she were his keeper.
Monique, sarcastically: Comfortable?
Ezekiel just continued to glare, as if waiting for something.
Monique: God, I wish you were this quiet when we were together.
Ezekiel: Oh, you loved my stories too. Just as much as you love that twats.
Monique: You should mind your mouth.
Ezekiel: Or what? You’re going to show me how?
Monique: If I knew how to get rid of you I would have already.
Ezekiel: Perhaps you can’t. Perhaps you miss what we had.
Monique: What we had was a dictatorship where you were the biggest dick and you wanted to show it off too!
Ezekiel: Language, my dear. Cursing doesn’t suit you.
Monique: Fuck off, I don’t care what you think of me.
Ezekiel: But you do care what those peons think of you. What will they think when they see those disgusting scars on your arms? Your back? Do you think they’ll pity you? Call you ugly? Shame you? Don’t you know?
Monique: That you’re the world’s most annoying bastard?
Ezekiel: Harsh words won’t cover the fact that you’re still just a scared little girl.
No matter how much she wanted to deny it, she knew he was right. She knew the only reason he was still here was because he still had some power over her. Power, she wished she could obtain.
: Now, now, now, you should know when to bite your tongue you scoundrel.
Her eyes widened as wide as his did. A voice? Here? Who else had taken this space? But who’s could it be? The voice that was emitted was but hoarse but stern. An authoritative power that seemed so distant. Soon, the cell where Ezekiel was had disappeared as her surroundings started peeling away bit by bit. She felt herself transported to a different era, a different time. The archway where Lee had given the flowers was all but new and crying could be heard.
: I am…so terribly sorry.
The voice that announced itself before was now very apologetic.
: Your memories are a bit harder than I had hoped to put together. Now that the little ingrate is gone, I had enough time to sort it all out…but your memories…they have unfortunately seeped into the others and lost within the small fragments that were left over. However, it is important that you know.
Monique: Know what?? Who are you?
: Your past is important to you, to me, to all of us, deary.
As she tried her hardest to find the source, she was at a loss. However, her search was not in vain as she had found a demon crying over the loss of his beloved. His lover was maimed, a smile that remained a ghastly image to her. The fairies that surrounded the demon cried out in agony as the demon had done what it needed to do. She looked at it in fear, in terror. She wanted to desperately turn away but couldn’t. The scene proved to much for her.
: Faustus…Faustus what are we to do?
Faustus: Nothing. There’s nothing we can do but mourn.
: But…Persi…
Faustus: She’s gone.
Faustus looked to the woman who was calling out to her. She was in the precipice of turning into a demon. A fate she could not undo herself. Faustus had called out a name, but Monique could hear nothing. Or at least, she thought she heard something, a garble mess? A word? A whisper? She couldn’t tell. All she knew was this sense of dread that was felt so long ago. So long and forgotten.
: I-I couldn’t save him.
Faustus: I’m sorry.
: I-I couldn’t save…any of them…
Her shivering and utterings of what were they going to do echoed all throughout Monique’s mind. The voices became louder and unbearable. Monique soon found herself collapsing in a fetal position. She didn’t know what was going on much less what she could do. She had just obtained freedom for herself and a life she didn’t think possible. How was she supposed to handle all this?
Monique: P-please make it stop. Make it stop.
She would cry out, but no one was there to listen. Before the morning sun could come, Terra had shaken her awake. Monique gasped for a breath of air as she tried reeling in from the nightmare she had.
Terra: You, okay?
Monique: I feel like that’s becoming the question of the month.
Terra: Well, you looked like you were having a bad dream, you were hyperventilating. Almost shook the house.
Monique: Oh…oh my I-I’m so sorry.
A knock came at the door. Terra had gotten up to check who it was. Lee had been behind it, with a cup of tea.
Terra: Chamomile?
Lee nodded; he was too out of it to talk. He just walked past Terra and carefully gave it to Monique. Once she took it off his hands, he found himself settling onto the floor, his head against the nightstand.
Monique: You don’t have to stay here. I’m s-
Lee held up a finger towards her and motioned her to drink. He had little to no energy on trying to communicate.
Terra: I think he just wants you to drink the tea. I’ll head to my room. I’ll see you after the sun rises, Monique.
Monique nodded as she drank the tea. Terra had left the room. It had hints of apple and tasted a lot sweeter than what she was used to. She slowly drank the entire cup till there was none left. She then set the mug down on the nightstand. She wearily tried reaching out to Lee, to check if he was sleeping. But he just grabbed her hand and laid it on his own head. Had he wanted a head pat? Or was it a comfort thing? She knew she couldn’t sleep like this, but she patted his head anyway. After seconds had passed, Lee rose up only to collapse onto her bed, taking her down with him as he laid in an awkward position.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Monique: Um?? L-Lee??
Lee was fast asleep once more. Her face flushed red as he repositioned himself to snuggle up against her. She had wanted to move him the way she did not too long ago, but she felt too calm, to relax or even try. Sleep took over once more and when it did this time, she wasn’t dreaming of an odd distant past where a demon had taken the life of his lover and mourned over it. She was instead dreaming of a happier time. A time where her smiles had seen more joy than destruction. A time where she felt at peace.
Lee
The morning sun shone on his face. It wasn’t that there was a lack of curtains in Monique’s room, but because the small little shake that occurred last night had caused the curtains to move just enough to let a sliver of sunshine in which would unfortunately protrude his sleeping eyes. He wasn’t one to snore throughout the night, he was a quiet sleeper. But he was one to notice odd things like, why was the pillow he normally held smell of strawberries? He found himself snuggling closer, questioning why would such a thing exist? Only one person in this house smelled like strawberries and he’s been near her enough to know that was what she gave off. When he opened his eyes, he found her in his arms snoozing away. His face fully went red as he had zero idea how he got here in the first place. He remembered getting the chamomile tea and giving it to her, but the rest of that night was a blank. He wanted to slide out and leave but he couldn’t imagine what would happen if he were to just wake her up. Last time he did so, she pushed him off the bed with the force of a thousand men. What would happen this time? A slap? Which, he knew would be valid but still. But soon he didn’t have to question because soon, someone else would-be victim.
Ken: GOOOOOOD MOOORRRNING LADIES AND GEEENTLEMEN.
The loud, obnoxious voice that managed to echo throughout Castle Faustus would cause Monique to angrily open her eyes. Ken would proceed to knock on the doors he knew contained someone living behind them. Though, this would be his downfall. As he banged away on Monique’s door, Monique shot awake, bolted for the door, grabbed Ken, and tossed him through a portal that led to the front yard. Lee’s entire face went pale as she came back in, slamming the door shut. She proceeded to go back to bed. Okay, note to self, don’t do that.
Monique, mumbling: Thank you.
Lee smiled softly at her, gently kissing her forehead, and then proceeded to exit the room. He went to the front yard and checked to see Ken, almost in tears.
Ken: The fuck did I do?
Lee: You woke her up.
Ken: It’s like 9am, I’ve been up for 3 hours! How is she not up yet?
Lee shrugged: Best to let her sleep in.
Ken sighed, he was hoping to prod Monique’s brain especially after last night’s events but had let it pass and went to the somewhat usable training room to practice sword fighting with Lee.
Monique
An hour or so had passed and Monique would wake up feeling a tad bit refreshed. She stretched out her limbs and let out a huge yawn. She would then find that she had no one sleeping right next to her. Perhaps Lee had already woken up and did his best to not wake her up, which she was glad for. She sauntered over to the kitchen after changing out of her clothes from last nights affairs. She had seen her closet was more stylized to what she normally likes to wear but she still had this attachment to the jacket Lee had lent her that day in Yosemite. Although it was washed away of all of his lingering scents, it was the warmth and comfort she sought. As she entered the kitchen the wonderful scents of eggs, the sizzling that could be heard from just inches away, and pancakes? Had she died and gone to heaven? She looked around and saw Ben cooking for the group.
Ben: Good morning sunshine.
Monique: Good morning.
Ben: Are you hungry? I made enough for everyo-
As soon as he said anything remotely signifying it was a feast for more than himself, Terra had excitedly gotten a plate full of food.
Terra: You’re the best, bestie!!
Ben: Damn girl! This isn’t just for you.
Monique laughed. The last time she had ever eaten anything with a group this lively, it wasn’t as pleasant as this. It was filled with much more threats and vile stares. She happily got herself a plate of pancakes, eggs, and sausages and proceeded to eat it. Ken and Lee appeared from the hallway. She was much more akin to hearing the footsteps that would go up and down these hallways more than anything else. She had recognized almost everyone’s but Ken’s. Before Monique could turn to look at the two of them, Ben covered her eyes.
Ben: Put on a shirt you two!! We have ladies in the house.
Ben’s hands couldn’t cover all of Monique’s eyes. She did not favor of being blind, so she removed his hands from her sight and saw the two shirtless. Ken was riddled in markings. The tattoos swirled all around. Some were like large black bands that surrounded his shoulders with mini triangles atop while others carried a more intriguing design that wasn’t covered off by the white towel that he used to wipe off his sweat. Lee on the other hand, who was an inch shorter than Ken, had a muscular build. He had well defined tones that she was quite surprised he was able to hide in the usual wear he had. He even had one of those well-defined V-lines. This caused Monique’s head to steam. Terra used magic to push the two of them back into the hallway.
Terra: You aren’t modeling for V*gue magazine go fucking put on a shirt you heathens.
The whining and complaints echoed throughout. Monique’s face just continued to flush red.
Ben: Honestly, zero respect for the women in this house.
Terra: Shut the fuck up you liked that too.
Ben: Why yes, but we want this living situation to be as comfortable as possible for little Momo here.
Monique’s ears perked up: Momo?
Ken, yelling down the hallway: DON’T YOU DARE TAKE THAT AWAY FROM ME! THAT WAS MY NICKNAME FOR HER FIRST!!
Ben, yelling back: YOU TRIED MONI FIRST AND IT WASN’T WORKING.
Monique blushed once more. She had heard from a gaggle of teens that had passed her by on the streets that nicknames were much more affectionate and a sign of deepening friendships. A smile formed on her face. She had felt all warm on the inside from the interaction. Terra had taken noticed and smiled as well.
Terra: Never had a nickname, huh?
Monique: Not as sweet as this one.
As Ben and Ken were bickering back and forth since Ken and Lee had put on their t-shirts, Lee had came up, sitting next to Monique and diagonal from Terra.
Lee: So, what are you girls going to be up to.
Terra: Wouldn’t you like to know; don’t you have work soon?
Lee: Yes. Unfortunately.
Ben: But it will be with me, bestie!!
Lee grimaced while Monique tilted her head in a curious way.
Ben: Unfortunately, it’s a meeting that just could have been an email and its utterly exhausting.
Ken: Ew.
Ben: Don’t you have somewhere to go, you goliath?
Ken: Yes, I do. Duty does call.
Ken took an entire pancake with eggs off of Ben’s plate and devoured it in one bite.
Ben: You whore.
Ken: Only for you.
Lee: Language, assholes.
Monique was very amused by the entire situation.
Monique: We’re going to the library inside the castle.
Lee: Ahh, one of the what? 4 that’s accessible?
Monique nodded: I can’t wait. Terra told me she was going to share more stories with me today.
Lee: Gasp, skipping classes today?
Terra: I’ll have you know the professor canceled so I’m free all day today, unlike you, loser.
Terra stuck her tongue out at Lee who sighed in return.
Ben: What!? Don’t leave out the good ones! We all know you’re the best at stories here!
Terra: Awh thanks!
Lee: Kiss ass.
Ben: Gasp! Language!!
Lee rolled his eyes. Ben got up and motioned for Lee that he was ready to depart. Lee hugged Monique for a brief moment then ran off to his job with Ben, whatever that entailed. This left the cleaning up to the girls to which Terra waved a palm of her hand and everything was just magically done. Monique stared in fascination as all the plates, pans, and pots would just magically go get a rinse off and end up in the dishwasher.
Monique: Whoa.
Terra: Who needs to do dishes when you have the power of sorcery? Now! Time to go to the library.
They wandered down the hallways that the two boys had gone down not too long ago and found their way down another hallway.
Monique, following Terra: Have you been to it before?
Terra: Been to it? I practically live there! The minute I found out I begged Lee to let me have the room closest to the library and he just gave his casual shrug. Which I took for as a “Sure go ahead.”
Monique looked at Terra curiously. She hadn’t had normal situations or social interactions, so she wasn’t quite sure to the nature of Terra’s relationship with Lee.
Terra, looking at Monique: What’s up?
Monique: Do you…like Lee?
Terra: Ew. No. He’s all yours I don’t do buff guys with parental issues.
Monique: Haaah, fair enough.
Terra: Besides, when I first met Lee, I thought he was mute.
Monique: What do you mean?
Terra: He didn’t talk to any of us, he was super recluse and always keeping to himself. Ken kept bothering him though. He was so relentless on wanting to be friends with Lee.
Monique: Why?
Terra shrugged: Just the kind of person Ken is.
As they walked along the hallways Monique had many questions but knew these were not the right moments to ask. Many fairies had zoomed passed them, ensuring everything was clean and in tip top shape. They attend the inner gardens, the outer ones, and made sure everything was clean. Sometimes they would miss an occasional spider web or two only because they knew how important spiders were to make sure there wasn’t any flies around. Once they reached one of the libraries, the teak door opened without either of them having to push onto the bronze handle. The floor had a black and white checker with wooden mahogany bookcases. The room seemed to stretch for miles. It had black rolling ladders that would help move from one area to the next and there were some comfortable seating in the back of the room. Enough to sit about eight people. But Terra had just laid on one of the couches.
Terra: Come!! Take a seat!!
The books would manage to leap themselves off of the bookshelves and onto a light wooden table that was near Terra. They stacked themselves into piles of fairy tales, mythologies, and children, stories.
Terra: So! What do you want to know?
Monique: I-I have so many questions. First things first, why are the fairies here?
A fairy had flown by. As if on command the fairy would light candles all around the room, setting a mood. As Monique sat down, the scene was set. The surrounding area had peeled away, but unlike the nightmare she had last night, she was shown something entirely different. It was like a play was put on
Once there was a fairy prince by the name of Sorei who was set to take the throne. He had wanted a change in the way the fairies of the forest ran things. Rather than force a gift from their unsuspecting neighbors and interactors, or even curse them for looking at their kind, he would rather try to forge relationships with passersby. He knew that other beings could be cunning, conniving, and cruel but he saw the good in everyone. However, this did not sit well with the council and his twin brother Ieros was not too pleased. His twin brother had instead conspired against him; thus, a sort of civil battle was played out. And when the Ieros came out on top, he left Sorei’s dying body on the front doorstep of non-other than the Demon Lord who was said to be cruel and unkind. However, what Ieros and the council did not count on was the fact that the cruel Demon Lord had been usurped and dethroned. And so, a new demon lord reigned over the castle, and his name was Faustus. Now, unlike any of the other demons, Faustus cared little for the beings that were outside, if it wasn’t a potted plant or a beautiful fairing goddess, he did not give care to any of the issues that surrounded his abode. So, when the ex-crown Prince Soeri was on his doorstep, Lord Faustus vehemently sighed and healed the poor fairy prince. He gave Soeri a gift and told him to be on his way. He had no use for anyone of the fae, but Sorei would beg him for sanctuary.
When Sorei wasn’t allowed back in, he flew around the castle to gather intel. He wanted to know what could give him access, what could give him sanctuary. He already owed Faustus his life and he had no need to go back to his home which had already turned against him. So, when Sorei found that the Lord was unable to find his precious goddess, the future Lady of the castle, Sorei set out to find her. But Sorei was sorely mistaken as when he located her, he told the wrong faction of her location thus endangering her life. The Demon Lord grew upset and casted Sorei outside, barring him from any entrance. And for some reason, Sorei would not take a no. He had grown an odd liking to the Demon Lord. He had known his likes for flowers, and no one could ever be cruel if they liked flowers. And when he heard that the demon king was looking for his sister, Sorei knew what must be done. He would not only find his sister but teleport them straight to the lord’s room. The only issue is that the fairy prince had no idea what his sister looked like, only a name. So, when he found who she was, she was about to be smote by a mighty warrior. Sorei not only stopped the warrior in time but managed to teleport the warrior, the demon lord’s sister, and another. They had landed at Faustus’ feet. Sorei smiled and asked, “Is this who you’re looking for good sir?” And Faustus could no longer bar Sorei from entering the castle, partly because of his actions and party because the Lady of the castle genuinely enjoyed the extra company.
But soon war would break loose and would befall the peaceful castle. The fairies of the forest who sided with Sorei came and assisted and in due time, that war would cost. As all wars did. And the cost bared its fangs at the Lady. And the demon king would be blamed. But Sorei and the fairies knew the truth. And Sorei would die with that truth. As did everyone else, leaving Faustus all by himself. The fairies took pity on the entirety of it all. They pitied the Lord who made friends with their prince, they pitied the Lord who lost his love. And they didn’t want him to live the rest of existence alone. So, they promised their eternal servitude to the castle. And only when time stopped ticking, and only when time stopped ticking, will they stop serving.
When Terra was done telling the story the only things that were left in the surroundings were paper mâché. They took a bow, as if acting a scene. Monique was found weeping. The fairies felt her sorrow and gave her some tissue paper.
Terra: Oh my god I’m so sorry!
Monique: No, no its okay! It’s just sad. The tale and all. Is that…is that what really happened?
Terra thought about it for a moment and sighed.
Terra: I want to say yes. The libraries here predate Kingdra’s time. And…can you keep a secret?
Monique nodded.
Terra: I think…I think something’s been off, fishy kind of. Like the way Professor Layla dismissed your views on why the castle is haunted. I mean yeah you haven’t lived here long enough but I’ve said that to her several times and she’s just been super dismissive. Kingdra can’t step foot in this castle, and no one knows why, so he’s disregarded any information that comes from here. But, that’s not here or now.
Monique looked curiously at Terra and Terra just shook her head.
Terra: Any other stories you want to hear? But none about Kingdra. I need more information on that.
Monique: Oh, okay. Yeah. Um…why did Ken have to kill your clan?
Terra: Oh boy. You’re in for a looong ride.