Seth ran as the cold autumn night enveloped the world. He was just moments away from ending his day when a loud and desperate knocking rocked his front door. Annoyed, Seth ignored the loud clamoring outside when a familiar voice called out his name.

To his utter bewilderment and surprise, one of the sisters from the orphanage was gasping desperately for air. Wasn't her name Ivy? Seth thought for a moment when he saw those eyes. A dark premonition invaded Seth as the nun's eyes stared back in distress. Before he could even ask what was going on, tears escaped the nun's eyes as she stuttered.

"S-sir Seth! T-thank the heavens above you are a-awake!" The nun cried out.

"Peace sister! Please, calm down before we-"

"T-there is no time! L-Lucy! S-sister Lucy is- there is no time! No time at all!" Seth felt his blood run cold as Ivy hurriedly pointed back, towards the orphanage. "Run! To the estate, you go! Hurry!" The nun said as Seth blinked.

His mind was still trying to comprehend what was going on, but his body was already moving long before he made up his mind. He did not don his favored shoes, nor did he even change from his sleeping garments. Barefooted and cold, Seth simply ran.

"Vekra..." He muttered beneath his breath as he relegated a portion of his reserves to his legs. Alacrity envelops Seth as his eyes bleed into gold, dodging and weaving through alleyways for a shortcut. Not even a short while later, Seth was already beginning to feel tired.

The young man never considered himself as fit as a knight. Firing volley after volley was one thing, running barefoot without stopping was another thing entirely. His lungs burned as the soles of his feet began to bleed from the sharp rocks that were embedded in the earth. The wet mud that caked his feet further worsened his feet. Seth felt dirty, but he continued to run.

His heart beats in a chaotic rhythm as worry and fear intermingled. The young man could not recall when it all happened. It was curiosity at first, finding someone of his age who had such a haunting gaze had piqued his interest.

The innate desire to learn the story of the defiled and the scarred were goldmines to Seth. Stories and tales no one had given a glance had provided Seth with secrets no one else held. The more he learned from them, the more he saw the need to take care of them.

And none needed that help more than anyone else than Lucy. It startled Seth to the core when he first saw her. After speaking with the hardened veterans for years, Seth gained a natural eye for spotting someone in distress. There is an air, a certain aura that surrounds them.

Like dark clouds gathering to form a storm, Seth could instinctively tell something was wrong. It was not perfect of course, he more than often failed to distinguish the void from person to person, but it was enough to see through the first layer.

He could sense, could see a few dark clouds here and there, but Lucy was entirely different. It was screaming at him. Seth did not need to realize something was wrong when even the normal ones could sense her distraught.

She was broken on the verge of no return. Never in his entire life had he met someone as ruined as her yet oddly enough, her eyes were not completely dark. Broken, but not beyond repair. Like a shackled prisoner eyeing the skies for freedom, Lucy clings on to life.

It would require extensive repair, careful management, and recovery to even begin something new, but it was possible. It will be his greatest undertaking but could also be his greatest achievement. Seth could not help but reach out his hand, even if it was for his own interest. He had to help her even if it was selfish.

At first, it was impossible to even scratch the surface. Like an injured and traumatized animal, gaining her trust was next to impossible. It would require a miracle to even begin such an arduous task. Luckily for him, he was given such a chance. Though it was not the circumstances he wished for, it was a chance, nevertheless.

As days soon turned into weeks, Seth had learned more about Lucy than he ever did with his previous clients. She rarely gave a direct answer as almost every word she spoke of was encrypted, nevertheless, it had opened his eyes to a world he once thought to know so well.

Disgust, shame, and pity, all invaded Seth as Lucy slowly opened up more and more to him. It was unfair. It was so unfair that one could not help but curse. Seth had been dealt with the cards he never wanted to deal with, but at least he had a chance.

Lucy never had one. She had to sacrifice a part of herself that he could only guess that should never have happened. The injustices of it all were too bitter even for him. Interest morphed into sympathy that then morphed into banter.

And before he knew it, the desire suddenly came to life. He had to protect her, not from the fire and steel of conflict, but from this nightmare. Lucy did not need someone to protect her from monsters, he had already seen what happened with a weapon in her hand.

No, what she needed was someone to protect her from this darkness. This crippling and cold loneliness. The disease that plagued her mind even in the presence of others. He caught her slipping time and time again and had to pull her back.

The words that day were an accident, at least he thought it was, he just wanted to pull her back when he saw the darkness corroding her mind. A shock to jolt her from its pull. He was just unlucky that his words came out before it was filtered.

At first, it was innocent enough. A friend, a companion, but the more he spent time with her, the more the desire grew. She was so much more than a patient than a friend. It ran rampant until it finally reached a point he had never dared to imagine. It was an accident honestly.

He never planned to confess the desire that shackled him the moment it came to life, but a pivotal moment came. When Lucy fell silent and began to eye herself with such vitriol disgust, Seth could not bear it. He could not bear to see her like that.

Even if it came at the cost of his honor and reputation, Seth never wanted to see her like that again. If he could, he would gladly switch places for her. It was so much easier, so much simpler to be the one in pain.

No matter the degree or kind of injury, a measure of control could still be sensed within. You could still manage how much it would hurt you, but the pain of the others was different. No matter how much you wanted to help, to ease their suffering, you could never truly reach them.

Watching their smiles disappear from their tormented screams, their withering body fails as they desperately try to hold on, the pain coming from that is entirely different. In some ways, it can even be more painful for others than the one being tortured. Seth cannot stand it, he just can't.

And as if the Gods and Goddesses smiled down upon him, a reply came he never thought to be possible. It was not a direct answer of course, it was just like her, but Seth was over the moon. The mere thought he had a chance to something he never believed he could have, lit a fire in his heart.

He was so happy that he rolled across the floor the moment he returned home. And now the very same person he held dear was in danger. Seth spared no effort as he ran through the night shoeless and cold for her sake.

There! Seth thought when he saw the light coming out of the estate. As he grew closer, his face visibly paled as Lucy's scream became clearer and clearer. His stomach began to twist and churn as that horrible scream assaulted his ears once more.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Seth burst into the front door before freezing in place. To his shock and horror, Lucy was being restrained in place by 7 or so sisters as she kept flailing like a fish out of water. And the noise, that damnable terrible noise.

"Stop! Please sister Lucy please stop!" Emma tearfully begged as Lucy kept flailing violently while screaming.

"Damn it! Hold her down tighter!" Rose cursed out as she was kicked in the chest.

"I-I can't sister Rose! S-she's too strong!" A sister cried out in dismay as Lucy continued to scream.

"Kalva be damn!" A barrage of colorful words escaped Rose's lips as she grimaced.

Out of the 7, she was the one who was struggling the most as the remaining sisters barely helped her. Even with 7 of them pinning down each of her limbs, Lucy still managed to move as she kept scratching her ears over and over again.

The scars slowly deepened as the liquid of life spilled out from her ears. "OUT! OOUUUTTT!" Seth did not know why she was screaming or how it happened. He only knew he had to help her.

"Lucy!" Seth shouted as he hurriedly ran towards them.

"S-sir Seth you're here!" Much to the relief and desperate tone of the sisters, Seth had arrived faster than they had anticipated as they looked eagerly for guidance.

"Give her some space! Let me talk to her!" Hesitation and anxiety filled the group much to Seth's frustration.

"Please trust in me! I need to talk to her!" After much deliberation and consideration, the sisters slowly backed off. As soon as the grip lessened, Lucy immediately lunged towards the wall, but Seth proved faster. He caught her just as she was about to collide headfirst.

"Lucy! Lucy it's me, it's me!" Seth said but Lucy did not seem to hear him as she continued to scratch furiously on her ears and cries.

"GET OUT! GET OOOUUUTTT!" She cried as Seth grabbed firmly onto her hands but not too tight that might cause her pain.

Lucy, however, was not in a stable mind as she violently tried to shake free from Seth's grasp. Seth manages to hold on as he whispers.

"Shh, it's me. Lucy it's me Seth. Don't you recognize me?" Lucy seemed to grow weaker for a moment before violently thrashing once more.

֍

"...Damn it all, how could this happen?" Rose bitterly chewed her lips as she watched Seth desperately try to bring Lucy back. "I thought she was doing well. I thought she was finally... damn it all." Rose hid her face as she feared the mask might break. Emma did not blame her. The other sisters shared the bitter sentiment as they watched helplessly.

"GET OUT! GET OUUUTTT!" Lucy cried as Emma slowly grew helpless. She did not know what to do, they did not know what to do. No matter how many prayers they offered, how many they tried to comfort her, Lucy was just seemingly out of reach.

She was so close, just mere inches away, but at the same time, she was so far away. They could touch her, talk to her, learn from her with every blessed day that passes, and yet they still could not reach her. Kalva be damn they still could not reach her!

Seth was now desperately trying to hold her back, sacrificing his hands to keep her from hurting herself. Watching her so miserable like this breaks their hearts. It would have been fine if it was a wound or any kind of injury as they were confident to nurse anyone back to health.

But the sickness, the pain from within was something they could never reach. Helpless and powerless, they could only watch Seth try to whisper comfort in her ears. It was as if a massive translucent wall were placed before them.

They could see her suffer, they could see her in pain, but they could not reach her. No matter how hard they tried, they just couldn't reach her. And it was this sheer helplessness that made the others weep. Blessed by the power of the Gods and Goddess, but not enough to reach her.

Emma felt so worthless, so helpless as she watched her cry. Her heart ached as if someone was forcibly driving needles on them. Her throat felt dry and painful as she desperately tried to hold the tears to no avail. Emma bitterly bites her lips as she prays.

Why her? It was the only thing Emma had in mind as she felt so betrayed by the Gods and Goddesses she worshiped. They were supposed to be merciful, equal, and kind beyond compassion yet why was Lucy suffering?

She never did anything wrong to them. Never spoke back up, never neglected her chores, always helping and was kind to everyone around her, and even going as far as throwing her life for them. It was the most selfless and virtuous act one could do, yet here she was crying in pain.

Please tell me. Emma prayed that sounded almost begging. Why her? Just what she had done to deserve such a thing? She is just an innocent young girl, but why must you do this to her? Emma prayed that her prayers would reach the ears of the beings above, but none replied.

Emma felt so abandoned and betrayed by her faith as all she ever wanted to do was help her. All she ever asked was the ability to ease her pain yet even this small selfless request was denied to her. Just why does it have to be her?

A tear traces down across her cheek. There are so many wicked men and women across the land who deserves to be punished, but why does it have to be her? Everything feels so hopeless, so- "L-look!" One of the sisters whispered as Emma gazed back sharply.

֍

Please hear me! Seth thought in dismay as Lucy continued to squirm. Her strength slowly overpowering him as her hands came closer and closer to her ears. "Come on Lucy, don't you recognize me? It's me Seth! Seth!" "GET OUT!!!"

Seth could feel his chest tightening as his voice could no longer reach her. He watched as her once polished sapphire eyes turned into dull iron as the color lost its life. He could see the misery on her face as tears raced down her marred cheek.

Is there nothing else I could do? Seth held in his tears as he watched her scream. I will do anything. Anything at all so please! Tell me what to do! I cannot reach you like this, I do not know how I can help you like this! Kalva be damn just what do I need to do!

Out of options and in sheer desperation, Seth covered Lucy's ears with his. The young lady panicked even further as she began scratching Seth's hands violently. He grimaced from the constant nail scraping greedily to his skin, but he endured it. He has to endure it.

"It's me. Come on Lucy, can't you tell it's me?" Seth whispered in bitterness as Lucy screamed. "I want to help you. I want to help you feel better. I just want to stop you from crying, but I do not know what to do." Seth whispered as he could feel the tears leaking.

"You are in pain. You are in so much pain." Seth's voice slowly breaks as he sharply breathes in. "I can see that. I can see all of that, but I am powerless like this. I can't reach you like this. So please, tell me, what do I have to do to relieve you of your pain?"

His skin was burning now. He could feel the crimson liquid escaping from his hands as sharp shovel-like nails relentlessly claw through his skin, and yet Seth did not break. The pain was barely noticeable now as only her and her miserable face mattered in his world.

So much pain... Seth could not bear to see her face for even a second anymore as he brought her head closer. He gently touched her forehead with his as he continued to whisper. "I am here for you. We are here for you, so please, answer us..." Seth trembled as he held her.

Let me take it. Seth's closed his eyes as he silently prayed. Please just let me take it. Her burdens, her pain, give it to me. I can bear whatever torture you may curse upon me. I will endure a millennia of torment if I must, but this is something I cannot bear.

I am strong, but I am only a man. Seth admitted as he slowly opened his eyes. Please beings from above, just let me shoulder her burden, even if it's just a second! I will gladly take it even if it's just for a second so please, have mercy on-

Seth's eyes widened when he opened it to meet hers. Her dull eyes stared listlessly across the vast expanse as if he wasn't there. It was so dull and lifeless, but she was slowing down now. Her screams had lost their strength, the scratches slowly ceased as Seth spoke frantically.

"L-Lucy?? Lucy it's me! It's me Seth!" Seth stumbled to his words for a while as Lucy slowly opened her lips.

"S...Seth?" She whispered in a desolate tone, but it did not discourage Seth even in the slightest.

"Y-yes! Yes, it's Seth the merchant, remember?" Seth quickly added in.

Lucy blinked lazily for a moment as if she was trying to reach out from the depths of her memory for such a name. "I used to come here almost every day remember? Bringing sweets and treats to the kids, even though you wanted them to eat your vegetables??"

Lucy blinked over and over again as if she was trying to piece together the information Seth had overloaded her with, she could recall remnants of her memory but not the whole picture. "Y-you even keep calling me gobs! Don't you remember that?? It's me gobs! Seth gobs!"

It was then a spark ignited from within those eyes. "Gobs..." Lucy mumbled as sanity slowly regained dominance. "Gobs... gobs?"

"Pft hahaha! Even now you are so mean!" Seth let out a low laugh as Lucy kept repeating the word.

"Gobs...gobs...gobs...gobs... Seth... gobs?"

"That's me! That is me!" Seth laughed as well as crying as Lucy slowly began to tear up.

"...Seth?" Lucy whispered for the first time in clarity as Seth simply nodded back and smiled.

"That's me." Seth chuckled as Lucy stared blankly in confusion.

"W-why... why are you here? W-what-"

"Shh, it's ok, it's ok. Everything will be alright. I am here... we are here for you." Seth whispered as Lucy finally blacked out from exhaustion. The world let out a sigh of relief, quietly grateful to the one who finally gave their little sister the peace she needed.