There was a slight breeze in the air, nothing that felt before. All my troubles were blown away like yesterday's news. It's been a long time since I've felt like this. I could feel my body relaxing under the stress it's been feeling fading away.

It's weird to feel like this. I never really thought about how peaceful living without the constant thoughts of the tower could be. Or any thoughts for that matter.

Though this is very familiar, I only remember feeling like this once before.

But from where?

"Who the hell are you?" I asked the wish fulfilment fantasy that was this woman. Seriously, those curves aren’t natural.

"Does it really matter?” This woman giggled. “I came here to offer you something.”

Already, she’s setting of red flags in my head. Reminds me of a certain person who tried to offer me something.

“Right, and what would that offer be?” I asked as she circled me. “I don’t really have much to give.”

“Clearly~” She drawled out, “You don’t have anything to give to me now but what about later, hmm?”

I rolled my eyes and scoffed “So you’re asking me to go into debt with you? If you’re what I think you are, then that’s not happening. It wouldn’t even happen if-”

“What if I offered you a way out?” She interrupted me, a small smirk appeared on her face. I felt my throat dry up as I was lost of words.

She couldn’t be serious.

"A-A way out?" I stuttered, my composure crumbling at the thought of going home.

“Yes, a way out.” She stopped behind me, placing her two hands on my shoulders and pulling my head into her large chest. “Just imagine your home for a second. You can see it can’t you.”

I can.

I can see it.

“The soft sheets as you sleep.”

I remember, they feel...much better than the stone floors of this place. “The nice warm home-made meals that you and your mother make.”

Much better than the stale bread and water they give us here. “The soft smiles of your mother as she laughed at your jokes.”

It’s like music to my ears, better than the sounds of crying as I try to sleep.

“Now imagine…” She starts slowly. I could feel her hot breath on my ear. “...The pain you felt when you lost your mother.”

The image of my time in the cell appeared before me. Me meeting Simon and figuring out I was a child. The shock and fear on my face as I looked upon my hand.

I didn’t feel pain. I felt shock.

I felt fear.

I felt anger.

I felt sadness.

I felt hysterical. I felt…

I felt pain.

“All that pain you felt, imagine what it would be like for your mother.” My mom? What are-

Another image appeared before me, it wasn’t one I’ve seen before but it looked so familiar. No way does anywhere in this place have a computer or a bed like that.

So where have I seen it and why does it look familiar?

“Look there, that was your old Goku figurine. It was the one that you had won.” Her hand appeared and I couldn’t help but follow her beautifully manicured fingertips.

This was my room.

My Fucking room.

How did I not notice this before? “You are correct, this is your room.” How did she know I thought that?

I wanted to move or shout or scream or anything...Anything at all. But nothing came out.

No words or sounds came from my mouth and my eyes were still locked onto that figurine.

“You think you feel pain from losing your mother?” She snapped. Her anger appearing from nowhere. My eyes snapped to her fingers as they raised themselves into the air. “Watch from her perspective.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

From her-

*Snap*

-=Where My Demons Lie=-

“Hey, . What the hell are you doing up there?” I called out to .

He’s usually up in the morning, not wanting to waste the day. I don’t understand him sometimes. You can sleep in if you want, , nobody is going to fault you for it.

However…

“Right, Young man. I’m coming up and you had better be awake.” This was unacceptable.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

“ , Open the door right now. Don’t make me get the crowbar.” I yelled out to him. “I did it before and I can do it again.”

I waited and waited yet there was not a peep from his door.

If that’s how he wants to play, then I guess I’ll just have to join in.

I grabbed the crowbar from the garage and stomped back up the stairs, if he couldn’t hear me now then he’s going to be in so much trouble.

I wedged the bar into the frame of the door, fitting perfectly into the indent that the door already had. I snickered at the thought of the last time he tried to keep the door locked but held that feeling down.

A few hard pushes were enough to open this door, it got easier to do this every time. I widened the gap the door gave me to see that had already gotten out of

bed...somewhat.

He looked like he just fell out of bed and decided to stay they for the day. It was funny to see him like this. He’s lost that goofiness that I adored as he grew up.

I grabbed him by the shoulders and jumped back at the feeling of his skin. He was pretty cold.

I ignored that feeling, it must be because he was only wearing boxers to bed with no covers and started to shake him. “ , Wake up.”

Not even a word or sound came from him. He must really be knocked out.

Right, if he’s going to stay up all night then it’s his fault it’s come to this. I came back into the room holding a large cup of water.

I’m sorry, not really to be honest.

I poured the water on to but there was no reaction. Nothing at all.

Is that the sleep paralysis I’ve heard about?

I thought they would at least have their eyes open.

He’s fine right. Right?

What am I saying? Of course, he is. His breathing is normal so he should… THERE’S NO BREATHING. NOT A SINGLE BREATH IS COMING FROM HIM. I placed my head on his heart and...nothing. Nothing at all.

My baby...he’s….I don’t even.

I need….need to call the hospital. Maybe he’ll be fine. Yeah...he’s fine.

He’ll get out of this.

If there’s one person that I know that wouldn’t...die...like this, it’s him. Please, my baby, stay here with me.

-=Where My Demons Lie=-

“See what I-”

I ignored what she said.

I can’t believe I felt like this.

I'm so selfish.

This whole time my mother has been dealing with this on her own. She was already dangerous to herself and others after dad died.

Unlike me, she doesn't think I'm alive.

I need to help her...that’s what I need to do.

"-You shouldn't be here." I barely caught the last part of that sentence as I came back to reality. I looked at her only to realise how much I’d been crying. I could barely make her out through the blurriness.

“Is that so?” I asked. "And what do you mean by that?"

As much as I wanted to go back home, I didn’t know what her endgame was. I could be putting Mom in danger and I didn’t want that.

“Oh nothing much…” With a snap of her fingers, we arrived back at the tower. I was standing next to Rob. He was still staring down at where I had been previously with his hand outstretched. I could see the faint spots where my tears had impacted the ground. "Let's just say, Each Sin plays their own game. You just have to find out what piece you represent."

"Are you suggesting that Pride is a part of this?" I asked.

She can manipulate time, appear from nowhere and implies that she knows Pride. Not only that but she suggests that Pride isn't the only sin. Granted that should have been obvious but he may have just been given that name.

Another snap and a scroll appeared in the air.

That only solidified who she is.

"I'll get you out of this place but in order to do so, I need something of equal value." She asked, handing me the scroll.

"What would that be? I'm not giving you my body, soul or anything in between." I stated, not daring to open the scroll.

"Nothing like that." She whispered into my ear. When did she-"Just open the scroll..." Her hands wrapped around my own, trying to entice me as he chest presses against my back, using them to open the scroll. "And read it."

I, _____, hereby give what I deem most precious to _____.

"Anything I find precious, I do not have with me. Also, what would this entail exactly?" I asked as she stepped back.

"Nothing much. Trust me, it'll be worth it in the long run." She replied.

That's assuming that'll I see you again after this. "Should I sign this, why would I see you again?"

The woman snorted, "We would be linked, whether you like it or not. I'll always be able to find you, though I doubt I'll be needing you again."

I stared her right in the eyes "And explain to me why I shouldn't tear this up? I dismissed Pride. why should I-Agh"

I fell back in shock and pain. My hands had brightened in colour at the stinging sensation they were now exhibiting. The scroll had exploded into a flurry of fire, the red flames slowly traveling my arms as they crumbled under the intense pressure.

I could hear the sounds of screaming but, with the pain filling my thoughts, I could barely make it out.

A column of fire erupted before me, flames licking my already worn clothes and skin. It twisted and turned as it seemed to scream out to me. The visages of multiple people screaming out at me appeared, flames acting as their arms trying to grab a hold of me, trying to pull me in. I could see the fiery pits that they were held within, their bodies broken down into lifeless husks.

They all slowly pulled back until one remained, "Do well to remember this." The gravely sounds of her voice grated my ears. "I do not take kindly to insults. I do not care for who you are and have no real use for you. If I want something, I will get it, with or without your consent."

I tried to nod at her words, but the flames kept me still. That feeling of relaxation being destroyed in a moment’s notice. The tears appearing again only to be instantly evaporated as the leave my eyes.

"You a mere bug to me, I have lived thousands of years and seen all that I could. If I wanted you dead, you wouldn't have noticed. Remember that well."

"I would rather die that bend over to a match on her period." I called out.

It started as a rumble.

A soft one, I couldn't tell what it was first.

It was only when the flames started to sway uncontrollably in the air that I was scared. Scared for my life and for my future.

They jumped and flickered with her voice, her annoying voice that was mocking me. She wasn't even looking at me.

She was Laughing at me.

"You're still indecisive, aren't you?" She started, her head slowly lowering towards my own as she talked, "Let me give you a taste."

Her lips smashed on my own. The stinging burning I could feel and the smell of my own burning flesh was offset by the pure euphoria I was feeling.

Even as she tried to pull away, I grabbed at the flames with my healed hands.

It was no use, however, the flames pushed me back.

"Please..." I need more of whatever that was.

"Now go, Jellal needs you."

-=Where My Demons Lie=-

I shot up suddenly, something was different. I could feel it. My magic was coursing through my body at speeds that I had never known was possible.

Though was something else, something more primal. I could a certain emptiness never filled throughout my stay.

Saliva dripped down my chin at the thought of filling it.

My Hunger.

"A-Akira, where are you going?" A weird influx of emotions came from Rob but I didn't care.

"Apparently, Jellal needs my help." I replied to him.

Though, with the amount of magic I have at my disposal, it wouldn't be too hard-

No, I’m thinking too small. Why help Jellal when I could help us all?

Granted I don’t give a shit about those who aren’t the four around me, however, they’ll most likely die against the slavers when they help us.

It’s not like they’ll be much help anyway.

With the small amounts of food, they give us, they’ll probably knell over and watch as I escape.

We escape, all of us. We haven’t met Wally, Sho or Millana but I don’t care. Why should I care about canon anyway? Its only use is to profit against it.

No, wait. Why would I do that? I have no desire to burn everyone who oppose me to the ground.

Am I secretly pyromaniac?

Nah, I never really liked fire.

Reminds me of Envy's fire, did she do something to me?

I can barely tell. It's so foggy. All of this in my head seems so real, it's like I really do want to watch as Rob burns, calling out for Makarov.

N-Now that isn't something that I would say.

If I was going to kill him, I would make it quick. He's done too much for us merely by healing me and being a pillar for everyone, even if I act like I don't need it.

However, I was-Jellal?

"This isn't like you." I simply stated.

Something inside me was calling out to stop him but I shot it back into the dark parts of my mind. The blood and brain matter that was squelching under my bare feet barely gave me any reaction other than minor discomfort.

I wanted to feel scared but there was nothing at all.

Contrary to what Envy said to me. He was okay. Nothing was noticeable. His skin and his eyes were unblemished. No heat from Envy whatsoever. His clothes were still in usual shape. The only thing I could see that was wrong with him was the blood that had trickled across his body but even then, he still had that spark in his eye.

"Are you ok, Jellal?"

Of all things I would have said, that wasn't what he was expecting. The surprise slowly left his body as I stood there waiting for him.

"You're smart." I said, he stood still for a second as I spoke. "So, answer my question, are you ok?"

"I-I.." This new heightened feeling indicated that something was leaving his body. Had it not been for that, I wouldn't have noticed it was there.

"Can you look me in the eyes and say to me that you are ok? That I don't have to worry about you?"

"W-What are you saying? You're the one acting different now, Akira." He cried out, the last of whatever latched onto him leaving.

"Please Jellal..." I begged "Just say it."

He struggled to reply. He was too awestruck to say whatever was going on in his mind.

"I-I'm ok. Please Akira-"

*Crack*

"Then please. Leave here."

-=Where My Demons Lie=-

Don't really know where I'm going with this story.

I have ideas but I don't have the dedication I used to have.

I'll how it goes for now.