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Prince ⦽f Madness

 Chapter_11://Hysteria

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“Crow gifted you a weapon!?” Elyan stared at me in absolute awe when I told him. I nodded and stared at the ground thinking about what had happened back in Prism and it is still surreal to me. “Oh, Josiah! This is marvellous!” My boyfriend spun around excitedly and grabbed both my hands. “How does it work?! What does it look like!?” I honestly haven’t seen him this excited before so it really unnerved me. “It’s a hammer… And I have no clue how it works…”

“What is it called?” He sat with me on the bed, barely containing his curiosity. “I think it is called First Law…” I answered.

“. . . An object at rest remains at rest, or if in motion, remains in motion at a constant velocity unless acted on by external forces. . . What an interesting name for a weapon,” Elyan said, laying back on the mattress piecing together what it looked like. “Why are you so excited I got such a brutal weapon?”

“Whatever do you mean, my love? he laid sideways, holding his head over his propped elbow. “Any weapon is brutal if it is intended to kill,” he is absolutely correct, but it doesn’t mean it is less intimidating. “I guess you are right…” I laid back with him, gazing up at the dirty ceiling remembering what happened to me. Every time I thought about it, my body ached and the pain was unbearable, specifically my back.

“I guess this is all a big leap for me, for both of us,” I spoke up. “I never dreamed about leaving Prism, let alone destroy the base.”

“I am more than impress you did such a thing. Not that I never had faith in you, I just didn’t think that would be a possibility. I can say I am proud my heart chose you.”

“Do you prefer males or females?” I had to ask him. “I am into women, however my heart chose you,” he explained with a fond smile and leaned in to kiss my cheek. What I love is your life; I fall deeper in love every time you sing to me.”

“Have you slept with women before?”

“I had sex with many women, yes.” It is really surprising to hear him say that. “I have had orgies before, So I am more than experienced in that dance.” I know Elyan is an image of the ideal beauty women want in a male but it is hard to believe he had fucked women. I am far from feminine and I have a dick.

“What about males?” I asked. If we ever reach that point then I needed to know in advanced what he felt about it, and something about me asking him changed his body language negatively. He avoided my gaze and chuckled anxiously.

“Yes, I had sex with men. Not as many, but I did. It was messy. I must confess sleeping with men has its disadvantages.”

“H-huh?”

“Penetration is a dirty task or even the lack of an erect penis was also an issue. Most of the time, when I had intimacy with someone, I never really felt anything. Most of the time the pain was unbearable, and even the scent and taste was ghastly.”

“You mean they fucked you while you weren't in the mood?”

“I guess that is one way to phrase it. It is hard to have this dance when you really didn’t like it,” he said nonchalantly.

“Then, you rather not have sex with males?”

“Correct. But I will, however, make love to you, Florehm. Spectusan Limb yhna…” he sang as he pressed many kisses on my neck and chest.

“Wait, a minute!” I shouted, and he stopped. “What is the difference between me and other men?”

“I love you, Josiah. That is the reason why I am willing try new things with you. It makes this life a lot more exciting.”

“All because you love me?”

“Of course, it is the same with you, right…?” he asked with a flush covering his face and neck. “You did a sacred ritual; you gave your everything as an offering to me…” He gripped my ringed hand and pressed a kiss on it. “No one has done that for me…”

“Wait a second, you mean the ritual to bring you back--?”

“Yes, it is a ritual where a virgin spouse is offered to a ruling god, it is sort of wedding.”

“Are you saying--”

“Correct. We are wedded.” I was mind blown, and I didn’t see it till he points it out. The virgin, the ring, sibling blessings, the priest and the vows. I scowled so hard my left eye twitches uncontrollably. “You weren’t really dead, you butt hole?!”

“I-I… I was. I just… left my body and ascended into the sky.” Something about how he said that made me uneasy. Then again the whole arrangement was weird.

“Did you planned your final moments…?”

“I wouldn't necessarily say I planned it all… I did wanted to make soup, but the stars were not on my side.”

“Then why do you refuse to use the pod…?”

“... Because I was afraid I would wonder in my own nightmare forever. Thankfully… I was already in the sky when you put me in.” 

"What's it like...? Being dead, I mean."

"Hell; Despite how light as air and weightless you are, none of your worries lift. You are at a constant struggle and eternal regret. . ."

“... Did you ever think about me…?” I asked. 

“Every single second, my eternal regret was leaving you behind...”

“That’s… that romantic and all but I still have a question…”

“By all means, my love. Go for it.” Elyan pulled me close and kissed the back of my head. “There is nothing I enjoy more than our endless conversations…” I lean back to his touch and bask in his warmth. “You said back then you believe in male pregnancies...” I asked.

“I do, and I am always open to have a child of our own…” His hands slowly creeped down and reached inside my shirt making skin on skin contact. I tried bonding with him without the use of chemical reactions. As much as I wanted to smoke one at the moment I needed to do this more naturally even if I was sort of uncomfortable at the time.

“To be honest…” I sighed. “I have thought about it, but there are some things I need to figure out. Like starting an appropriate life in Oregon like we initially planned. I barely understand the hammer, I doubt I am anywhere near for children.”

“Then let’s figure it out together,” Elyan suggested. “Just in time.” He pushed me aside and walked over the window. “I hear a monster.” Outside stood a man slowly transforming into a monster. It was pretty frightening to consider it was once human, and that Elyan was able to hear it. “So… this is my target practice…?” I asked.

“Yes.” Elyan sat down on the window sill with his ring in the ready. “You better work fast, my love, these hunters tend to grow as they eat.”

“You are not going to help me?” I looked at the little asshole, and with that shit-eating grin, he said, “welcome to my league.”

I jumped out the window, drawing the monster’s attention to me. I reached over my back but a new problem arose, I didn’t exactly know how to summon my weapon. “E-Elyan?” I stepped away from the monster. Elyan just unwrapped a lollipop, ignoring me. “Elyan! For fucks sakes! I need help!” I turned back to see he wasn't sitting on the window sill anymore. I was steaming.

“Elyan! I swear to god if you keep ignoring me I will beat you up personally!” His head popped through the side of the window with a playful smirk. “I’d like to see you try…” He sucked on the pop and left again. My back and teeth ached as my anger boiled through my core. I reached for my back and felt the handle again and swong it violently forward almost falling face first with the force. I turned again towards the monster but it was gone. “Where the hell did it go?”

“Be careful, my love.” I looked up towards Elyan sitting on the roof of the motel with his legs crossed. “He sounds really hungry…” he adviced with a tone full of mockery.

“Why you little--!” I was tackled down by the monster and it tried to bite me. I struggled to get it off me and what pissed me off was that my boyfriend was laughing at me. “Do you really have to be an asshole while I am possibly eaten by a monster?!” I was holding its slimy jaws with my diamond hard hands. Its breath was terrible, it was like smelling a dead skunk. It whispered to me, “He is a monster, Josiah…” I was mildly confused, I know what I heard, and it didn’t sit right with me.

“God Fucking DAMMIT!” I kicked it off me and I rolled back to get my hammer. “Sorry, pal, but I got worlds to crush.” With a mighty grip and heavy swing I crushed the head of the monster. I have to be honest, the splatter it made was satisfying. I felt a rush through my veins. I let go of the hammer and took several steps away from it. “What the hell was that…?”

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“A soul is grateful of your mercy. Did you feel it course though your body as it ascended to heaven?” Elyan said as he stared up at the sky with a serene smile. “What the hell— Elyan,” I begged for an explanation. He gazed down at me and spoke, “you are a like me, Josiah.” The light wind carried his locks of fire as the Sun bounced from his pearly whites. “Now, we both share a responsibility, a mutual one.”

Elyan, this is too frightening to be a godlike power… I have to be angry to trigger my weapon.”

“It is your best weapon, my love.”

“Let me guess… With great power comes great responsibility?” I remarked.

“Not at all. With great power you may overcome the odyssey.” Elyan offered me a smile and landed beside me.

“Welcome to our league, Josiah.” At that moment I understood what the definition of God was— power of judgement among the miniscule and broken. When I lost a few marbles in Prism I didn’t feel remorse of what I did but at that moment I was afraid of how far I could take this hammer in the name of “justice”.

“...Wait Elyan, it spoked to me..."

"It did? I didn't hear it, what did it say?"

"It said, "he is a monster, Josiah." Do you think Prism is still alive?” I asked Elyan. He seemed troubled enough to think about the possibilities. “Maybe…” he answered. "But I doubt they are that persistent after the genocide..." he added. It was rather confusing and creepy that Elyan couldn't hear it. After that ordeal, I became paranoid.

I would stare at people for long periods till I could no longer see them. I thought it was just me being precautious, but it was ominous. I wanted to kill people because I was afraid of being inside Prism again. Anyone could be a soldier or an agent of Prism. Anyone...

That night, Elyan was sound asleep, and I was up watching a mess of static for god knows how long. From that, I heard voices: “Where is he, Josiah…?” My stomach sunk to the center of the Earth. I grabbed my hammer and smashed the television set till it was electric dust.

“J-Josiah!” Elyan shouted and held my shoulders to calm me down. “Josiah!” he shouted again to draw my attention. I was delusional and scared beyond death. “Josiah, what happened?” he asked me. I look at the pulverized television and loosened my grip on my hammer. “They are coming for us…” I answered with a shivering breath.

Elyan’s mighty grip and sweet voice grounded me. “I won’t allow that, Josiah. I promise it will never happen again.” He dragged me back to bed and laid me between his legs and swung for me.

Then, our neighbors burst into the room next to ours. They were very loud and aggressive, it was a man beating a woman. Her body hitting a solid surface was gruesomely loud and her screams were unnerving. Elyan and I stared at the wall. “Wait here…” he said to me quietly, but I grabbed his wrist and held my finger against my chapped lips. “Stay still…” I mouthed.

I slowly guided him to the bathroom and closed the door in a stealthy motion and sat there quietly waiting. The door to our room burst open, it sounded like the savage from earlier ransacking the room screaming nonsense. "Where is he, Josiah! Where is he?!” He fired several rounds. I was reckless. “Josiah! No!” I bashed his brain with my hammer till it was gone. “I won’t let anyone touch you…” I uttered.

“J-Josiah…!” Elyan’s wide green eyes watched my clean hammer sink into my tense skin somewhat fearful. He didn’t know what to do then except skip the next motel.

A week later, he took me out to eat at a diner. The waitress was watching me too closely. Everyone in the diner was staring. I felt judged, each and everyone of them had something to tell me when I made eye contact. “He will eat you alive.”

“There is no such thing as a god, only the devil.”

“Your hands are covered in blood.”

“You are lost…”

“We can save you, just let us help you…”

“One big paella and the biggest malt you got,” Elyan giggled. Now, it sounds appetizing, but then I wasn’t particularly hungry. I had heartburn and constipation topping over my sleep deprivation. “Josiah, we need to talk--” he began after an awkward silence, but I interrupted him “... Sinclair.” That was my name at the time, I was too anxious to use our real names in public or even in the privacy of our motel.

I glanced to my left when I heard screaming, a woman was raped violently over the counter. The man next to her poured maple syrup and at her raw.

“I need to know what happened the other night. You are clearly not well,” when he spoke, the hallucination vanished.

“I did what I had to…” I explained as a shiver went down my spinal implant.

“Sinclair, breaking our bed was an act of paranoia, if this continues we will run out of money,” he said sternly. “What are you talking about?” I asked defensively.

“You haven’t been yourself. Can you talk to me and tell me what is troubling you?” Elyan placed a warm hand over my cold and jittery ones gripping them tightly.

“You and I both know we were assaulted that night…” I explained.

“N-No,” Elyan muttered nervously. “You are clearly seeing and hearing things that do not exist.” I couldn’t believe what I heard. He was talking, but the walls were closing in on me. I couldn’t hear him well because of the overwhelming heat. “I need to use the restroom,” and left the table.

He was right, I wasn’t well and it was eating me. I was very nauseous and suffered an acute migraine. I almost passed out on the toilet bowl filled with my bile if not for Elyan supporting me with gentle gestures.

“My love,” he called to me. “It’s going to be okay…” he assured me and nuzzled his face on my back.

I wasn’t comfortable anywhere I stood, and because my anxiety was slowly destroying my health, we had no choice but to stay there. Since it pissed me off, my hammer was causing acute contraptions.

I kept hearing voices and numbers growing louder as the hours of the night slipped by. Nothing was working, not even Elyan’s voice could cast away my nightmares. I could always hear the voices the loudest from radios or televisions.

I stood up and turned the television away from the bed. Turning over to lay back down, I saw Marcello and nearly shat myself. He was just a miserable as he was in Prism. “You gave up everything for a monster…” I heard Ice speak. I could see her through the mirror. “You became one the moment you gave your soul to him. Look at what you did to all of us…” Inside that mirror was a scene of blood and gore straight from the horror genre. “I am not a monster! And neither is he!” I argued.

“You destroyed us, Josiah. Live with the consequences…” I punched the mirror. I never wanted to see her again. She literally invaded my mind with her agenda. I needed to prove her wrong, Elyan was a great person.

That’s when I realized Elyan wasn’t in the motel with me. I freaked out. I ran all over the room looking for him, then I sprint all over the street looking for someone I thought was taken by public enemy number one. I hyperventilated and cut the base of my feet with the jagged textures of the disgusting street.

I was wrong. Elyan was sitting in the same diner, speaking with another man. And they way they spoke to each other caused my blood to boil, and my vertebrate to vibrated.

I honestly thought he was two-timing me. Even their body language looked the part. The stranger had a flirtatious attitude and Elyan’s face matched his red hair. God, it pissed me off to no end. The other man gave Elyan a few things from his coat pockets: a jar of clear liquid, a bag of herbs, sugar packets and a piece of paper. Elyan stored them in his pocket.

The man looked up at me as I stood in front of the table with anything but a happy grin. “He escaped the pod,” he commented. Elyan turned his head to me shocked. “J- S-Sinclair--”

“Cut the bull shit…” I growled at him. “Who the fuck are you talking to?” I was very aggressive with Elyan when I clearly walked in on them out of context.

“My love--” I cut him off again. “You left the motel. Are you out of your mind?”

“Please, listen--” He stood up from the table which I smashed with First Law. “Josiah!” Elyan was outraged, so was everyone in the diner. “You go anywhere near him again and you will lose all of your teeth,” I threatened the stranger.

His composure hadn’t cracked since I walked in. “Josiah, he is a bloodthirsty monster,” he said cooly with a mocking grin.

I grit my teeth and swing my hammer at him, and again, and again, and again, but he was much faster than I’ll ever be.

“Josiah!” Elyan kept shouting but I refuse to listen. “He will eat you alive when you least expect it…” the stranger sneered.

“He isn't a monster!” I shouted. The stranger looked at me morbidly confused. “I will rip you apart if you touch him again!!--”

“Josiah! Stop it!!” That scream Elyan produced hurt my ears badly enough to give me mild headache and nausea. As I recovered from the soundwave, I watched the stranger and his multiples become one again. A gust of wind blew his back his black wavy hair revealing a lunar birthmark on his forehead. I dropped my hammer and breathed, “Subject M1…”

“Excuse me?” M1 said with a confused look.

“Josiah Farnsworth!” Elyan was seriously pissed. “Have you completely lost your fucking mind?!” My jaw went slant and my eyes blew wide. Elyan NEVER insulted anyone. Not even me and half the time I actually deserve it. “How can you be so destructive?! You are disrespecting your weapon and responsibility!!” He took a breath and continued. “I am very disappointed in you, Josiah!” As Elyan schold me, I could hear M1 holding back a fit of laughter behind his manicured hands.

“E-Elyan…” I was at a loss for words. I panicked to make it better and apologized. “I’m sorry…”

“Your temper is out of control, Josiah. You are not what I hoped to be in the slightest.” He said that so sternly and so out of character, the little bolts I had left in my head broke and exploded. In that moment I blacked out.

“Josiah…” Elyan called to me, breaking through my comatose. “My love, are you in pain?” He looked down at me concerned. I could smell a toxic level of marijuana, I was too high to figure out my predicament.

I couldn’t speak at all. I just breathed and it felt really nice. I felt numb and vulnerable, like a weight lifted from my shoulders.

“W-why doesn’t he speak…?” Elyan questioned.

“With the amount of orange water and weed I put in him I am surprised he isn't still asleep,” answered another voice. I wasn’t sure where it came from but I wasn’t afraid of it.

“Will he be okay?” Elyan asked looking towards the door, assumingly where the other man was standing.

“Yeah. He is hysterical.” Correct. Everything that happened to me led up to this. My reprogramming was flawed from the word go and it just added to my fucking life.

“Is it not the condition they diagnosed to women...?” Elyan of course was confused.

“And men can have it too. Josiah fits this description of Hysteria. It is uncommon for men because women tend to be more emotional. However, having someone repressed so hard could take a toll on him.”

“W-will he be alright…?” he looked down at me apologetically as he asked.

“There are many ways to treat him. In my non professional opinion, he can live a prolonged life as long as he medicates and finds healthy ways to express his building Hysteria. You told me he has experience with the herb?”

“Yes. He had anxiety and depression which he treated with cannabis,” after this mental break down, I can safely trust Elyan to speak for me in any medical emergency or anything.

“Great. I recommend he takes one or two puffs a day. I gave you a month supply and other stuff he can try so he can have alternatives of healing.”

“Alright. Thank you so much for taking care of Josiah. I feel horrible as a spouse for not trying hard enough…” It shattered my heart to see him so down and anxious. “I feel so guilty… I feel like this is entirely my fault for being so careless of him.”

“You didn’t cause this, Elyan. I am sure he agrees with me.” He is correct. I lifted my gelatine-like body and tucked my head underneath his chin. Elyan was flustered at my advances and didn’t reciprocate the hug I tried to give him. “J-Josiah….!” He squirmed, but I held him firmly. “W-we have a guest present!” he giggled nervously.

“Had, I have to go for now. Remember what I told you.” The stranger left us to our privacy. That man is really odd, but he is also merciful and kind despite how stupid I acted. both Elyan and I are forever grateful of what he did for us.

“Thank you… for staying with me,” I breathed softly against his neck. Taking in the nebula aura he was born with. “There is no need to thank me, my prince of madness,” he chuckled softly and laid us both on the bed. “It is my pleasure to serve my world, Florehm, Sadvme iulmah.” I wormed myself off his grip and tangled myself between his legs. Look, man, some people spoon each other, I just really like to melt on his soft and thick legs. He didn’t mind it, and if he did, we were going to have problems.