Bitter Salvation

warning: violence, implied character death, corruption, depression, discussions of death

AU: role-reversal

 

 

It is a cold, rainy night; in fact, it rained the whole time since yesterday. Yesterday was exceptionally heavy, with thunderstorm and howling winds. Heavy enough that he had to take a break from his daily duties. Thankfully, the day passed without any problems.

Looking up; the night sky is cloudy. The usually bright moon hides behind the thick clouds. The night air is some degrees colder than always thanks to the continuing rain, but at least today it's lighter, so he could resume his usual activities. Now, it’s only a drizzle.

"It rained today too.." Came Alva's voice cutting through the silence, somewhat pensive. It does. And it doesn't seem to be letting up anytime soon.

The cold rain made him feels rather melancholic. Perhaps it has something to do with recent situations. Though recent may be a bit of a stretch.

It's been roughly half a year since he was given the order by the Senate. He still trying to wrap his head around it.

(Or maybe he already did, just that some part of him is still locked in a debate with himself.)

 

"You are summoned by the Senate? Why?" Fusa asked him with open curiosity. It's not always one got summoned, especially when you're not directly under the senate. It could be trouble, or it could be something else entirely.

"I don't know." And he really didn't. Probably wouldn't even guessed what the actual business is. Toma silently look back and forth in between the two of them, similarly wondering.

 

The trip to the senate was both quiet and nerve wracking. Even Alva who's usually quite easygoing seemed held in that day. The winding path that cuts through to his destination did nothing to curb the bubbling anxiety.

It didn't truly dissipate at all afterward, even after the order was stated aloud. It simply transforms into something else.

 

 

Since a few years back there have been reports of sightings and encounter with a strange Horror. Not much is known about this one other than the fact that it is elusive, hard to track, and powerful. Several knights have been sent after this particular Horror but no one is yet successful in vanquishing it.

 

"We are sure you have known about a strange and yet to be identified Horror, roaming around this land." The Watch dog's voice echoes in the wide expanse of the hall.

"Yes." Well, who hasn't? At this point, it's already more or less an urban legend.

"Ever since the first reported encounter, no one has yet to be able to take it down. Either it escaped before they had the chance to, or they were simply defeated in the ensuing battle. The only clear thing is, it has proved to be too strong to be taken down." He waited in silence as the sentence come to a pause. "-Perhaps by anyone else but one." They took on a solemn expression at the end, looking away slightly.

Except one; the Golden Knight. The strongest knight. Or, was one.

He was still in training when the news came in and caught all of them in a storm.

The Golden Knight has fallen.

It was hard for them. It was hard for everyone.

It was a mission, one difficult and dangerous enough that it could only be handled by that man. It didn't even take that long, just a little over five days. Him, his longtime partner, and one other Makai Priest. There were questions on why didn't they sent another knight along if it was so dangerous. Turns out it was because the man wanted it that way. And as that turns out, he apparently had requested to go alone.

'It's okay, no one else would be harmed this way.' As was told by one of his students, the man's words at that time. Naturally it didn't go that way.

No one knows what actually happened. Some reported of seeing a bright flash of light from the direction they went off to, followed by a strong rumbling of the ground.

Out of the three involved, none returned.

The Senate sent several parties to investigate the site over the years, but it yielded only minimal results.

It was then thought that a massive Gate may have opened which resulted in an equally massive Horror coming through it. Then something happened that may have triggered the explosion told in the reports. They speculated that the man might have died sealing the Horror, but they were unable to locate the Garoken to this day. Either it was destroyed in the explosion, or perhaps even fallen into Makai.

To them, losing him was equivalent to losing a huge bulk of their forces. They lost their hope.

The days afterward had continued as it always does, though the effect still weighs on the hearts of the people, and probably never will disappear.

 

"Alas, it is never something we could let be. Countless knights had failed in their efforts, though miraculously none were killed." A miracle, it is. Though strange.

"Therefore, we have decided that you are to slay that Horror."

"..Me?" Coming this far he could’ve guessed that outcome, but somehow, the weight in those words felt different then what he would've expected.

"Yes. After years of evaluation, we have seen and concluded that currently you are the closest in terms of strength and abilities to how he was once. And thus, we see you fit to take upon this responsibility." A rather gigantic one, he'd say. Couldn't wipe off the feeling that he's being sacrificed somehow.

He accepted it anyways. Slaying Horror and protecting the people are his duties, so there's not much thing else to argue. Still, he couldn't have worded it any other way to Fusa and Toma to lessen their shock.

 

And it has been his personal mission ever since. Not that (apparently) being stronger than average makes it any easier.

He had run into the problematic Horror a few times, enough to make out it's rough form and specific aura.

(However possible is it for him to really see the thing since it's aura manifests in the form of bright, blinding light. But he could make out what looks like massive wings and jagged armor.)

The first time he came across the other in its human guise was a few months after the order came in.

A male, fairly young looking, wearing black leather suit. Black hair, light tanned skin, and glowing golden eyes.

He smiled, as if he had been waiting.

"-Looks like we meet again." And a strange feeling of maybe having heard the man's voice somewhere, though he can't really put his finger on it.

"Let's make it the last time. I'm taking you down."

"Can you? You'll just end up getting hurt." Oddly, his expression took a somewhat sad look. Mikage's frown grew deeper in response.

"Doesn't matter, it's my duty as a Knight." And the smile dropped entirely. He couldn't comprehend the reaction he's getting. Why?

 

And for once, they clashed.

 

*

 

"Then I will ask you one last time..,-"

"-Can you really cut me down,-

 

-the Golden Knight?"

 

*

 

Exhaling; his breath comes out in a cloud of white vapor. What has he gotten himself into?

"That's an oddly long sigh. Still thinking of him?" Alva's comment broke his train of thought.

When did he not think of that man?

"Can't help it. He's simply too much to process." A light chuckle from his companion follows.

"I guess so."

 

Both the first (proper) contact and the following report had been tough.

Reporting the news was in some way harder than the battle itself. It can’t be helped; the one that used to be their strongest ally is now their worst enemy. It’s just too cruel for everyone involved.

 

He really couldn't afford to hold back at all.

And yet..-

 

He lost. Of course, the other man wasn't called the strongest Knight for nothing. But why..?

"-Why don't you kill me?" The man remained standing, facing him with a slight frown. Then suddenly he broke the contact, looking away.

"..Do I have to?" A little above whisper, barely reached him between the wind blowing around them.

"-Eh?"

"I can tell by looking at you; you're much too big of an asset for them to lose. You still have a lot of space to grow. Killing you now would be a waste." A hint of frustration and..-

-Wistfulness?

"..Killing you would just make someone sad." The man’s voice grew quiet, more so than before.

"What are you--" The responding smile was painfully self-deprecating he thought it was impossible to hurt any more than he already is.

"-Strange, isn't it? For a Horror to be saying things like this." Then it became obvious.

His heart had remained human. A part of him denied, rejected what became of him. And he's stuck in perpetual despair; unable to die, yet couldn’t allow himself to live.

Distraught; he missed when the other slowly made way towards him. A blink and the other man is already right in front of him, dropping to sit on his haunches.

"I just don't want to lose anymore of myself than I already have..." The man's right hand reaches out to wipe the blood running down across his left eye.

"I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt anyone, and I did my best to hold back."

"..Then, what do you really wish for?" He asked, but he already know.

 

 

"To die."

 

 

It had never left his mind ever since, no matter how hard he tries.

They had run into each other every now and then. Sometimes they fight. Sometimes they just...stay in each other's company. For some reason they end up having a strange relationship with each other, and the man seems to keep coming up with distractions to avoid fighting.

 

"You look rather..pale." He said, partially circling around Mikage in concern. "Have you been resting well?"

"-I--I have!" His reply ends up stuttered, having been caught off guard with the random comment. The man however, was not convinced.

"..Really?" And now he's eyeing him in suspicion. "And you don't look like you eat well too.."

 

Every time, it somehow turned into a weird counselling session. And as far as Horror antics goes, the man really didn't do much beyond the occasional scuffles.

 

He rushed when the notification came; a Horror rampaging nearby.

"There, it's just around the corner." This close even he can feel its presence. And then suddenly, it's gone.

What's happening?

Rounding the corner, he was greeted with wreckage scattered around the place, and instead of the Horror, he found that man.

"What're you doing here?" He knows the reported one was not him. He can tell by the aura emitted.

"Oh you. I just happened to be nearby, nothing more."

"And the Horror?"

"I finished it. Or rather, I ate it, I guess."

"You eat Horror?" 

"Sometimes. It's better than eating humans. Though they don't taste any better."

 

The man (Ryuga, as the man made it a point for Mikage to call him that way) continues to boggle his mind.

And he subconsciously did follow Ryuga's little advices, no matter how utterly ridiculous it feels.

 

"You should rest more."

"No, do it like this."

"You keep doing that you'll just end up hurting yourself."

 

(Though, according to his students, he does feels somewhat like a mother.)

 

Things just happens, he guesses.

 

Tonight's Horror is a massive one size wise, but it wasn't anything he'd have any trouble with. Or maybe he would have, half a year ago. He's feeling much better lately too.

The smoke clears, and the man is there, sitting on the ledge of the roof of a nearby building, simply watching. At this point he’s not even perturbed anymore by the man’s sudden, unannounced presence.

"How long you've been there?"

"Not too long, just long enough to observe. You've gotten much better compared to before." His smile had a noticeably proud look to it. So, he has been low-key training me.

Hopping off, the man landed just in front of him. And before he could even say anything more, the man had closed in first.

"And you look better too." He had to avert his eyes from it, feeling some heat creeping up his face.

"I--guess.." The man's smile felt a tad too bright at the moment.

Silently, he tucked away a shred of regret that had grown in his heart.

"That's good."

He looked towards the now familiar form, and solemnly recount his promise to the man.

 

 

The wind was loud and he was preoccupied with how sad the man looked then he almost missed what was said. But even with the wind howling, the man's clear voice had cut through it as sure as his blade.

 

"Get stronger, then come back to kill me. I'll be waiting for you."