[https://i.imgur.com/1u4cDhZ.jpg]
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- T-To kill… you ?” asked Bubble.
- Yes.
- … R-Ridicule. Why—
- Please.
Kari hadn't moved a muscle since then.
- I don't want Vixen to die. So if anyone should lose their life, it's me.
Bubble felt the rage in him coming down as he saw the Kari's sacrifice: she was serious. She was really ready to die of his blade just to save Vixen, who was... a real monster…
- .... A-Aaaaa....
Bubble dropped his sword and took several steps back, noticing what was going on. He had become enraged, but…
Vixen had done nothing but follow the orders of his King.
He had even protected his dragon. Yes, he had tried to kill it, but it wasn't personal, it was…
- AAAAH!!!
Bubble held his head in both hands and shook it before he tripped on the carpet and fell to the floor, his eyes wide open and his whole body shaking.
He almost killed someone...?!
Sure, someone who had tried to kill him, who had pushed him to the limit, who had forced him to use his Power fully, letting Heaven's Nightmare come out of its shell... He was the one who had hurt him like that and who had been his opponent, but did he really deserve death? Certainly, it was a fight to the death. Certainly, Vixen had intended to kill him without scruples. Certainly…
But had Bubble wanted to kill him in the first place?
He had been kidnapped and sent here. He had been forced out of his cell to come and fight him, but Bubble had never wanted him dead. He had never wanted to kill anyone... He was in Lost Hell to help Mamou fight the Tide inside her, certainly not to kill anyone... Yes, he had had to fight with all his might to survive in that fight, but he had been enraged—
No, it wasn't rage. It was…
Him.
He had been... himself. After all, Bubble was a monster who had killed both his parents. He had killed his father to steal his Power and he had killed his mother to test his Power. This with a childish smile, with a little amused laugh. While he loved them, he had taken their lives with his own hands, and all for a selfish reason.
He was a real monster. A demon, even.
Bubble began to cry as he looked down at the ground, while Kari, Vixen and the King watched him without saying anything.
Bubble had deserved to be punished, though he still didn't understand how the King of Lost Hell knew about his sins. The past caught up with him even when he tried to run from it, but he never forgot it. Bubble had never wanted such a fight and would have preferred to keep his Power inside him rather than use it... He had not even used his Power to protect anyone, but to win ; no, to MURDER someone. He had been lucky not to kill Vixen earlier, and if Kari had not intervened, then he would have stuck his sword into his body, as well as that of the dragon who was Vixen's "partner. He who saw this man as a monster... Bubble noticed that he was the real monster in the story. He had gone too far and had taken a liking to the fight, while he—!!
- …
Kari had stood up, but she was still looking at the crying man. He had dropped his weapon and no longer had any intention of killing, but to finish this fight, he had to take Vixen's life; or here, Kari's. The King had accepted it, after all. She took a step closer to Bubble and as always, had her cold look on her face.
- Bubble.
- …
The man gently raised his face to the woman and she crouched down beside him.
- Ya’re a good man.
- ?!
She touched his shoulder.
- Ya were forced here when ya didn't ask for it. I don't know what ya're doing in Lost Hell and it doesn't matter to me, but it doesn't matter to any of us. The King asked us to bring ya here for his own reasons. Ya didn't want to fight Vixen and yet ya gave everything ya had to defeat him.
Unlike their walk through the corridors of the Cathedral of Hell, Kari was now speaking softly and in a much more... calm voice. More reassuring.
- Ya just wanted to get away from here and have the past stop haunting ya, didn't ya?
As if she were his older sister, she spoke to him without even holding her gun, without any sign of aggression in her.
- We all have a past that haunts us here. I'm no stranger to that either... After all, I betrayed my best friend to be here, ahah!
It's one of the few times she laughs. As she recalled the past, she let out a cute laugh that even Vixen found hard to believe. She who was always so cold and serious... Bubble blinked at her, her tears having stopped.
- But ya have to understand something, Bubble. No matter what we do, the past will never go away.
- …
- We can do our best to forget it, but it will always be a part of our lives. My own past haunts me again and again and sometimes I wonder what my life would be like if I hadn't done what I did. How would my best friend have fared if I hadn't left? Maybe she would have had a better life, but who knows, maybe she would have had a horrible life?
- ... I killed my parents, so... If I had... If I had never…
- …
Bubble dried his tears and sighed.
- I have never forgotten my past. I will never forget it so I will never make the mistake again... I never want to use my Power to... I don't want to kill anymore, I don't want to…
- The world is not as kind as ya think, Bubble.
This time it was the King who spoke. Everyone turned their gaze to the giant of more than 10 meters in height. His head resting on his fist, he observed the scene in front of him while listening to the discussion that was taking place.
- We are at war. Against the Longers. Against ourselves. The Kemonos are still fighting for their freedom in this world, while the humans still want them dead. The Morris fight every day to prove their innocence. The humans are fighting against humans, countries are in conflict and terror reigns over all of us.
The King gently moved his head.
- I may be the King of Lost Hell and like any other being born in this land, I cannot leave this red sky prison. But we too, here, are at war.
- …
- We fight against some Longers too. We fight against the other inhabitants of Lost Hell to survive, because we know better than anyone that the law of the strongest is not a legend. Fighting, physically and mentally, is not a choice: it is an obligation.
- ... I don't want to fight innocent people," Bubble said.
- And anyone who wants to is a scumbag.
The King smiled as he said these words, leaving Bubble somewhat perplexed.
- Yet you forced me to fight... against Vixen.
- And I even asked ya to kill him.
- ........
Kari turned her gaze back to Bubble.
- Here we all accept one thing: we all deserve hell.
- Hell…
Kari nodded.
- My betrayal of my past. Vixen and his pact with his dragon. Jianinna and her indirect murder.
- Jia... ninna?" asked Bubble, never having heard that name before.
- It doesn't matter who Jianinna is. That is not the topic of conversation.
Kari talked to Bubble while still crouching and Vixen sat more comfortably, feeling his energy slowly drain away. He touched his dragon's back and closed his eyes, letting himself heal little by little. It would never be enough, but this way he would not die. Despite this fight, he did not want to lose his life…
- Bubble. Like us, ya have an unchangeable past. Ya have a past that can never be resolved and it will surely haunt ya until the day ya die. We all deserve hell, even if ya're not from Lost Hell. We all have a monster — no, a demon — in us.
Kari touched her chest and squinted.
- But life is not about waiting out the storm, but about learning to dance in the rain.
Bubble opened his eyes wide at the woman's words. His white hair, which he had seen as threatening, but beautiful, changed to a white... of snow. A calm and restful white.
- Why do we have to run and run and run without any solution? Why remain attached to the past when we can smile at the future?
The King smiled.
- Do ya know what is the light in the night, Bubble?
- The light in the night?” he asked.
- We live in an era where the Longers attack every day. Some people can't even see their family or even their friends anymore because of this war. It is endless and despite the optimism of some, the Longers are more numerous, fierce, unpredictable. Nothing says that maybe tomorrow, Spital will be invaded by Longers and that the human race, the Kemonian race, the Kizonian race... That we will all die under the claws and sharp teeth of these monsters.
The King rubbed his beard.
- Even with hope in our hearts, it is not enough to illuminate the night that hides Arasol from us. The dark clouds, the darkness that surrounds us, the disappointments, the worries, the sadness... We live in a world where joy is to be cherished. Overnight, we can lose our ability to smile... or to breathe. Hope is beautiful and important, even vital, but it is not what lights up our nights.
Bubble stood up with difficulty and slowly squinted as he looked at the giant in front of him. Still sitting on his huge throne, surrounded by a magnificent room that had been destroyed moments before.
As if he was untouchable, as if he was... a God.
- Then what is it?!” shouted Bubble. Why does it have to do with me?! Why... why did you force me to fight him?!
He pointed to the man who was doing his best to stay conscious and Vixen smiled.
- I have a name, ya know…” he said.
- I didn't ask for anything!!! I just crossed the borders of Lost Hell to help Mamou!!! I didn't want to... I don't want to fight!
He grabbed the cardboard board that had reached his side and threw it to the ground, screaming.
- I DON'T WANT TO USE THIS POWER!!! Powerful or not, it ruins my life!!! It ruined my life and it will ruin my life!!! It is horrible, it is hateful!!! Why did you force me to use it?! Why force me to kill Vixen, even Kari, all so that... I would repent? To be forgiven for my past?
Bubble gritted his teeth and jerked his arm.
- YOU WANT TO WASH ME OF A SIN BY MAKING ME COMMIT ANOTHER ONE??!!!!
His scream echoed through the room, but no one moved. Kari looked at Bubble blankly, her neutral expression back on her face. The King was simply amused by Bubble's words, but even though it looked like he was laughing at him, it wasn't the truth; the King didn't feel any bad emotion towards Bubble.
- Life is three times, and it's always changing, Bubble.
- W-What?
- The past, the present, the future.
The King stopped touching his beard.
- With each passing second, the present advances with ya. The past ya leave behind can never be changed and the present is the moment, but the future is in your control.
- …
- Ya can never change what ya did. Ya killed yar parents. Ya committed two horrible murders and ya can never, and I mean it, change that. Even if ya could, ya can never change the fact that ya once did. That it was yar own actions that led to their deaths. That yar tragic past was caused by one person: ya.
- ... I know, that…
Bubble lowered his head at the King's words, his eyes sad.
- If ya know ya can't change it, then why do ya live in it?” asked the King.
Bubble blinked. He looked up and Kari touched his shoulder again. He turned his gaze to her.
- Hope. Love. Joy. The friends. Family. It can all disappear at some point. Even if ya fill yar heart with optimism, this dark night around us will never go away. We are doomed to live in darkness, but there is a light. No matter how dim it is, it allows us to rise.
It was the King who spoke. The three humans in the room looked at him, even though Vixen was about to faint. Bubble opened his eyes wide, not understanding what he was getting at. The King smiled.
- Ya live in yar past, Bubble. Ya say ya'll never let it haunt ya and yet ya don't want to fight because of what ya've done. Ya don't want to show or even use yar Power to others because it traumatizes ya. Because you let it haunt ya alone.
- Y-You are... You are wrong!
Bubble took a step forward, his Power still on the ground. The King chuckled.
- So why are ya afraid of yar own power?
- W-What?
- I forced ya to use yar Power with this fight and Vixen forced ya to use yar real abilities, what is hidden inside yar Power. Ya had fun in that fight, didn't ya? Ya almost killed Vixen several times and it was Kari who freed ya from the grip of yar own rage, but why were ya in such a state?
- Why?! Why?!!!! But because you forced me to do all this! Because you wanted me to kill him so you would let me out of here!!!
- And why did ya cry afterwards?
- !!
Bubble took a step back and Kari retrieved her weapon. She placed it in front of her, holding her sword in both hands.
- Our power is part of us, Bubble," Kari said. I don't know all of yar past, but even if ya killed yar father to steal his Power, and I don't know how, that doesn't change the fact that the Power that's there... is yours.
Bubble gritted his teeth, but before he could retort, Kari continued to speak.
- I use my Power to fight, to defend myself and to train. Because without it, I would have died long ago. It saved me, but it also committed monstrosities. It's not its fault, but mine. I am the one who controls this Power.
She turned her head towards him.
- But isn't it the same for our heart and our emotions?
- Huh...?
Kari turned her gaze back to the King, but spoke to Bubble.
- Ya let the past catch ya in its net and ya convince yarself that ya’re free. Ya think that ya’re walking quietly on the road of life, that ya have learned from yar mistakes and that the future is bright, but ya’re just wading through yar own past. Ya don't notice it yarself.
Kari closed her eyes.
- If ya really think ya've learned from yar mistakes, then answer me, Bubble!
She turned her face toward him and frowned.
- So why do ya continue to be afraid of yar own Power?!
That scream. The look in her eyes. The way she says it. Her expression.
Bubble couldn't help but take another step backwards and almost stepped on the cardboard board that was his Power, but it flew into the air and began to spin calmly around him.
- Kirekomi…
Kari turned her entire body towards him, her claymore in her hands.
- If ya think ya've left yar past behind, then why are ya still afraid to use yar Power?
- Because…
- Ya know it very well, as do I, as does my King. Ya’re afraid to use it because ya killed yar parents with it. Because ya made mistakes with it.
- …
- But if ya really learned from yar past, then ya should understand that ya won't make those mistakes anymore!!!
- Kari…
Vixen smiled as he heard her speak, but he let go and fell unconscious, his injuries too serious. He wasn't going to die, but he would have liked to listen to the whole conversation, to hear... what Bubble would say.
- ... I…
- Ya can't say anything. Ya have nothing to say: act!
- !
Kari played with her claymore and pointed the tip of the blade at Bubble's face.
- If ya have truly left yar past behind, then don't be ashamed of yar Power! Don't be ashamed of yar emotions! Or accept that ya’re still living in yar past!
Bubble didn't know what to say. Was she right... No, he knew she was right. He looked at the board and closed his mouth.
Kari was absolutely right.
Bubble didn't want to use his Power because he was afraid of doing the same stupid things he had done before. In fact, it had just happened: he had let Heaven's Nightmare become his weapon and his darker side had let itself go. He had played with life and death, the slightest mistake on his part could lead to his downfall. He had completely let go and had completely forgotten what he had promised himself: not to take another person's life. In any case—
- Ya can't live in this world without killing, Bubble.
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- !!!
The King spoke again and Bubble turned to him.
- I know what ya think. Ya don't want to kill anyone who doesn't deserve it. But there are living beings who deserve it. Ya can't live forever without killing Bubble.
- You are lying!
Bubble grabbed his Power and showed it to the King.
- I don't need to fight! Don't make me believe that everyone in Arcave is fighting! Don't make me believe that in other worlds, all the world needs to kill, to fight, to... to defeat enemies!
- Some fight against Men, some fight against emotions.
- What?
Bubble frowned, still puzzled. The King chuckled.
- Everyone is fighting one thing or another, Bubble. Everyone.
He pointed to the Power in the man's hands.
- Ya’re powerful. Ya’re scary, even. So ya’re needed in the fight against the Longers. Ya’re needed in the fight to protect the weak.
- ... But—
- I know. Ya don't want to fight... and ya don't have to.
- You say that, but-
- I know, I know. I forced ya to fight today. But our goal was not to see ya try to kill Vixen, but to make ya understand something.
- Understand what?" asked Bubble.
The King smiled.
- Set yourself free. For this is the light in our night: freedom.
As he said this, the room became brighter, as if Arasol was shining just for them. Bubble looked at the King silently, speechless, unable to utter a single word. Kari had put away her claymore and gone to find a healer to take care of Vixen, leaving the King and Bubble face to face.
- F-Freedom? How forcing me to fight... Freedom? Freedom…
Bubble had trouble understanding him. What did he mean ? How was he liberated now? Couldn't he live a life without fighting enemies?
- Ya’re not free, Bubble.
- ... Ah.
Bubble smiled after letting out a small laugh.
- I am not free because I am imprisoned by my own past, right?
The King answered nothing.
- I don't want to use my Power because I am afraid of making the same mistake as before and I don't trust myself not to become a murderer again.
Silence was the only response from the giant.
- I never wanted to show my Power to Mamou because I saw myself in her. Innocent, naive, but cute and optimistic. Mamou is like a reflection of me in my eyes and if I show her my Power, I'm afraid she'll... No. I'm not afraid she'll make the same mistake I did, I'm just afraid of myself.
Bubble gently grabbed the Power that was circling him and grinned even wider, a few tears falling from his eyes.
- I... I…
- Ya don't like yourself. Ya’re trapped under yar own past, under yar own sadness, under yar own self-hatred. All because of yar past and what ya may have done.
The King smiled.
- But haven't ya changed, Bubble?
- If I have... changed…
Bubble clenched his free fist.
- I almost killed... Vixen. I got carried away and... and…
- He was yar enemy. Yar opponent in a fight to the death. Why blame yarself?
- …
- If ya didn't kill him, he killed ya; ya firmly believed that, didn't ya?
- ......
- Honestly, that was the point. If Kari hadn't intervened, there was a good chance I would have let ya kill him. But even without her, would ya have killed him?
- Probably.
- So learn to control yarself.
Bubble blinked and looked up into the King's face. While he was as giant and imposing as he was, he looked friendly, currently.
- Nobody is perfect. I think that even the Gods are not, nor the Creator of our Universe. No one can be perfect, because that is the purpose of all of our lives.
Bubble opened his eyes wide again.
- Let's live in the process of becoming perfect... for ourselves.
The King's words fell on Bubble like multicolored glitter, reflecting the rays of Arasol in a beautiful scene. He stood still in the middle of the room, his Power in his hands, the red carpet under his feet. The room was illuminated with its own beauty, the fresco reigned the ceiling above his head as the King smiled.
- Become... perfect…
- To be free is to start by understanding that yar life is yars alone," the King said.
- …
- Don't let the past get ya down. If ya think ya still need to practice yar self control, then practice. If ya think ya're not ready to use yar Power to fight, then learn to use it to protect yarself and others. If ya think ya're not yet ready to leave yar past behind, then learn to turn yar head to the future, little by little.
- …
Bubble looked at his own Power. His tears had resumed, but he himself did not understand why he was crying like that.
- ... I became... a better person…
- Hm.
- I helped people. I did my best to be appreciated and I made people around me smile…
- But ya need to smile too.
- ...
Which Bubble did: he smiled and cuddled his Power.
- ... Maybe the past still clings to me... It's true…” he let go.
The King placed his head on his giant fist again.
- People change and ya’re no exception. Ya’re a better person than ya were before. Ya don't want to make that mistake again, so trust yarself. Love the person ya’re now.
- …
Bubble couldn't believe it: he had been attacked from behind, imprisoned and forced to fight a stranger, and now he was being comforted and helped by the King of Lost Hell, who was behind it all. Besides, he wasn't manipulated, so…
- Why... do you help me?
- Hmmm?
- Why are you telling me all this?! Why... why help me get better?
The giant that was the King of Lost Hell did not answer directly. Watching Bubble with his inconspicuous eyes, he said nothing. However, he finally gave another small smile and answered:
- Because I am the King of hell. I punish sinners by washing away their sins.
- .......
- It is always said that those who commit sins go to hell, and I think that is not necessarily wrong. However, we all do. There is not a single human who does not make mistakes. Even the sweetest, kindest person has hurt someone, either on purpose or unintentionally. We have all made our parents cry for one reason or another and just coming into life makes us imperfect.
Bubble let his Power disappear into his hands, a big smile on his face.
- But we become better people by understanding our mistakes.
- … It’s true.
Bubble agreed completely with what the King said. He couldn't contradict him, and if he wanted to be stubborn, he couldn't even do that: he just agreed wholeheartedly, from A to Z.
- It's true... I helped Mamou without having any bad intention in the back of my head. I am not a perfect person, but I do my best to approach this perfection…
- To reach the top of a mountain, ya have to climb little by little. Wanting to reach the top too quickly leads to a fall and exhaustion, so take it step by step, Bubble Keima.
The King gently bent down and placed something in front of him. Bubble blinked and went over to it without delay. He bent down and looked at what the King had given him.
- What's this...?" asked Bubble.
It was a grayish metal object, a bit old, but well maintained. There was a small mechanism on the side and it looked like he could open the shell, but he was afraid to touch anything.
- Vixen spoke of the 10 Higher Divinities during yar fight," said the King.
- That's right…” Bubble admitted.
The King told him to turn the little mechanism and Bubble hesitated at first, but sensing no trickery from the giant, he finally agreed. He turned it several times before the shell opened and a small metal woman was seen inside. She spun around, a small melody echoing from inside. This woman was…
- Yùhé, the Greater Deity of the Healing.
Bubble watched the woman spin around, a beautiful dress running down her body. She was so beautiful... The melody played was so relaxing, so... calm.
- Why offer me this?" asked Bubble.
- That way ya'll never forget what ya've learned here.
- …
Bubble didn't know what to say. Should he thank the King or should he continue to be suspicious because he was the reason he was here? He had had to fight and get badly injured fighting Vixen, but without that, would he have learned all that he had heard from the King and Kari so soon...? He smiled, but the wounds from his fight with Vixen reopened and pain shot through part of his body; he collapsed at the King's feet, but he did not let go of the gift he was given. The giant looked at him with a small smile... but it was the one that was friendly.
- You can—
- I know, my King.
As the giant was about to speak, a man came out of nowhere. This one put a piece of clothing on Bubble's body and got up immediately after. He looked at the man on the ground for a long time and sighed.
- I'll ask them to heal him and then take him to the Red Capital," the man said.
- Are ya sure ya don't want to talk to him? Ya're the one who made the request, after all.
The man had put his hands in his pockets and chewed some kind of gum. He didn't turn around, keeping his back to Bubble. He shook his head.
- Hey, thanks for making him realize that he doesn't have to think about the past.
The man chuckled.
- It's ironic, since it's because of that same past that still haunts me that I asked you this.
He turned his face toward the King, showing eyes very similar to Bubble's.
- I suppose what you told my brother concerns me too, my King?
The King smiled.
- Who knows?
Bubble's brother continued on his way, not even turning around to look at him. He had seen enough, with this fight. He had heard enough, with this conversation.
Now he could sleep soundly. He was happy that Bubble had finally decided to visit Lost Hell, even if it was to help the girl he had seen hanging around their land.
On Bubble's unconscious body, his brother had placed his famous hooded cape. That way, when he gets out of here... he can at least dress in a similar way as when he arrived.
It was the least I could do.
****************************************************************
Bubble woke up a few days later and found himself not far from the FIREFIGHTERS. It was Cerise, who was out on a mission, who found him lying by a bench. She quickly brought him back inside the buildings and had asked Porencha to check on him, but she quickly concluded that everything was fine. Cerise hit her desk and gritted her teeth.
- That damn Kari...!
- …
Bubble had told everything after he woke up, even though he hadn't told her everything about his conversation with the King. Bubble was reluctant to tell her how Kari felt about her past, since he assumed it had to do with Cerise, but not sure, he preferred to keep quiet about it. Porencha told him that she would be back soon and Bubble turned to the bunny-eared Kemono.
- How long have I been gone?" he asked.
- Huh? Like, five days? Even though I didn't really care, I have to admit that we were worried about ya.
She put a lollipop in her own mouth and sighed.
- Ya may be a customer, but I wasn't going to search all over Lost Hell to find ya. Ya're a boring one, after all.
- She says that, but she's looked everywhere!
- PORENCHA I'M GOING TO KILL YA!!!
Cerise jumped out of her chair and ran after the white-haired woman, who was laughing. Bubble blinked and finally chuckled. So it had been about five days... It was so long…
And while he was in his thoughts, a little girl came and took him in her arms.
- !
Bubble looked at Mamou. She was hiding her face in her chest and holding it tightly. Bubble smiled.
- I came home later than—
- Shut up!
Bubble kept quiet and closed his mouth, looking down at her. He hesitated to stroke her hair, but decided not to.
- … Sorry.
- I told... sniff... t-told you…
Mamou lifted her head a little and showed her eyes which had not gotten worse, tears flowing from them.
- You have bothered... Mamou... You have missed... Mamou…
Bubble laughed and Mamou hit him with his little fists.
- Not nice big brother Bubu!!! Not nice!!!
- Ahah, sorry, sorry! You're hurting me, ouch!
- You deserve!!! Why... why…
Mamou stopped in her little attacks and put her head back against Bubble's chest, the person she loved so much.
- ... I have many things to tell Bubu…
- Hey, I can't wait to hear all about it.
- ... Bubu the idiot.
- I know.
- Don't go.
- I'm not leaving anymore.
- Promise?
- I promise.
- Liar.
- Ah, I’m not lying!
- …
- Sorry, again.
- I just missed you…
Mamou closed her eyes and turned her head.
- Only this time! Mamou does not always forgive!
- Ahah, yes, okay. Sorry a thousand times.
- Mamou excuses Bubu a thousand times!
Mamou's remarks made Bubble laugh and she finally began to stroke his head, while Porencha and Cerise listened behind the door. Both smiled before Cerise squinted her eyes.
- Wasn't I supposed to kill ya?" asked Cerise.
- Do ya want to kill me in bed?" asked Porencha, winking.
Cerise took a long look at her before tilting her head to the right.
- I don't know if I hate ya or love ya, silly.
She hit her on the forehead with a finger and Porencha screamed in pain, startling Bubble and Mamou at the same time. Cerise walked away with her hands in her pockets, but she was smiling.
- ... I don't know where ya’re Kari, but when I find ya…
- ...ya're going to kill me, aren't ya, Cerise?
And from the brand new Cathedral, Kari looked up at the sky, hands behind her head.