Chapter 4: "Broken Pieces"
Numbness… that is the only thing I felt. Thankfully whatever caused it was short-lived seeing as a few seconds later I was able to move my fingers. As more and more feeling came back I could feel the wind fluttering around my face and the somewhat sleek texture of grass behind me.
I slowly opened my eyes and was greeted with the clear blue sky and the sounds of birds chirping. A rather relaxing sight if I do say so myself, I could just lie down and look at it for hours. But I could not, I was restless and the feeling of not understanding where I was or why I was here kept my guard up. As I slowly stood up I took even more stock of the lush green lands around me. After a few minutes of looking around I breathed a sigh of relief seeing as there were nobody around. I sat down near a tree as started to regain my bearings.
"What the hell happened?" I desperately tried to remember but the memories just didn't come to me. Again and again I racked my brain for explanations towards my current situation and I could not for the life of me succeed.
"Curses...stuck in a place with no memories as to how I got here and no idea on where to go...just my luck." I said in exasperation.
...
..
.
"Maybe eating all that food actually got to your head and prevented you from remembering?"
My eyes widened as another voice answered from behind me. Surprise and fear fueled me as I sprung quickly away from my position. As I turned around I saw a short figure hidden in the shadow of the tree I rested on. As the figure slowly walked forward my mind started to register who it was. I slowly relaxed as it was my one and only partner.
"Luka..."
He gave me a smile that always melted my heart, not that I would admit it, and replied "Alice..."
"Where are we?" I asked as I surveyed our surroundings once more.
"Very funny Alice but I think the joke has overstayed its welcome."
"I'm not kidding."
"Really? I was just joking when I said your gluttony led to your loss of memories. I'll be sure to remember this in the future."
"Luka..." If it were anyone else, I would have clobbered them for messing with me.
"Sorry, sorry, we are a few miles away from Iliasburg or The Grand City as they call it now. I know, I know it sounds unoriginal but they've been struggling to find a proper name ever since we saved the world from Ilias. Anyways, you picked this place because its holding a special once in a year festival that you wanted to..." Whatever explanation he had for me was drowned out as I focused on particular word.
"Ilias..."
I could not help but growl at the mere mention of that accursed Goddess' name. I don't know why but I felt so much rage that I...I...I couldn't even explain why? I mean she is the reason why monster's were ostracized as well as throwing the whole world into chaos with that war of hers. But why? Why do I feel so damn angry!?
...
"My existence is over, no one believes in me, no one cares for me anymore..."
Serves you right...
"But… at least I have you…Luka..."
No...he was never yours to begin with...
"You will still be with me…forever…that's all I ever wanted…"
You will not have him...he is mine...forever mine...ALL MI-
"Alice!"
"Huh?"
...
What was I? I mean...what the hell was that? Memories? Or perhaps an illusion?
"Alice, is everything alright?" He asked as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. The look of concern on his handsome face was enough to dispel whatever worries I had.
"I am now that your here~"
"What?"
The closeness of our faces was surprisingly making me blush but my natural monster instincts took hold as my desire to ravage him grew, my eyes focusing particularly on his tasty looking lips. He was just a few centimeters away from mine, it would only take one small movement to take them.
"Alice?"
I usually have some modicum of control when it comes these type of situations but for some reason...I didn't have any.
"Ali-Mmph!?"
My beloved partner's eyes widened in surprise as I closed the distance and took what was rightfully mine.
"Hooah! Alic-ic...Mmmph...sto-" I didn't let him speak as my tongue explored everything his mouth had to offer. The moans that I longed to hear every night, the lust slowly building in his eyes...every piece of his flesh...Everything about him added to the pleasure. This simple kiss was somehow more enjoyable than all our previous sexual activities in the past.
"Alice! MMMPHH!" I didn't listen as I slowly coiled around him, trapping him so I could do what I pleased.
Luka...my beloved Luka...
I wanted to keep going, the passion within me spurring me on as my tongue extended even further. I wante-needed this...I needed to taste all of him...I-
(!)
"Huh!?" I felt him separate from me as he managed to ironically slither out of my embrace. The cold breeze coupled with the loss of his warmth irritated me and only served to increase my desire.
"Phuah! Haa...Haa...We...we just did it a few hours ago Alice. You need to calm down...seriously. Sheesh I know we just got married but doesn't mean we don't have any limits." He said as he tried to regain his breath.
"..."
Wha-wha-wha-what!
"Ma-ma-rria-ge!?" I wanted to make another pass at him but this revelation stopped me dead in my tracks.
"Yeah, half a year ago after I past Tamamo's test. Wait don't tell me you forgot about that to!?" I would have cooed at his cute reaction if I wasn't so overwhelmed with happiness.
Luka and I...are husband and wife...
I could not help but smile with glee at that. It got even better when I noticed a simple silver ring on my right ring finger. One small amethyst shining brightly under glow of the midsummer sun. Purple...Luka's...or rather my husband's favorite color...
"This is just perfect..." I could not help but say.
"(Sigh) Seeing as you genuinely seem to not remember then I can tell you that there's more to be happy about." He added.
"I find that hard to believe." This is what I wanted ever since I was just a kid. To be married to someone I loved was a dream that I apparently fulfilled. What could possibly make me any happier than I am right now?
He kept silent as he just approached me before proceeding to take my hand and placed it on my stomach.
"What are yo-"
"Shhh...just feel it..." He answered as he closed his eyes.
I followed his example as I sharpened my senses and tried to find whatever he was talking about.
...
...
...
(Thud)
...
...
No...no way...
(Thud)
...
...
I slowly opened my eyes trying to jump or shout as I was in cloud nine. This entire experience was something I could not even begin to describe.
"You okay?" My beloved hero inquired.
"Is it...really...I am..." I needed him to confirm for me that what I was feeling inside was real.
"Twins...you are carrying twins. One boy and one girl don't worry, Tamamo had Erubetie check." My heart soared as this...this wonderful thing was not fake. I would have made love to him for one month straight if he lied to me. Just so I could make sure that this became a reality.
But it is now and I was so overcome by emotion that I could not help but...
(Drip) (Drip)
"We both reacted the same way when we first found out. I would have enjoyed dreaming of the possibilities if you hadn't decided we have a night time celebration."
"Luka..."
"Hmm?"
"(Sniffle) Hold me..."
"Of course." He said as he gave me a hug while I gently coiled my tail around us.
...
...
...
"If this is a dream (Hiccup) then I don't want to ever wake up from it."
"There, there...This is as real as it comes. I dunno why you would think this was a dream?" My beloved asked as he gently wiped my tears away.
"I don't know either? Its just that I have everything I wanted. I do not want any of this to disappear...not you...not the kids and certainly not the future we have."
"Alice..."
I would kill anyone who would prevent me from having this. Whether they be monsters or gods, I do not care.
"This really is perfect."
"I bet your mood will rise even higher once we get to the Grand City for the festival. So what do you say we resume our journey?"
"Can we stay like this for a couple more days?"
"Alice, we need to start moving if want to reach the festival on time. I wouldn't want you to miss out o-"
"Just a few more hours?"
"(Sigh)...Alright, anything for you dear..."
Dear, huh...I could get used to that...
...
...
...
...
...
"Luka..." Alice murmured as she slept on queen sized bed in her room.
"How is she?" Her mother asked as she gently caressed her daughter's silver hair.
"She is stable for now, Granberia and Alma Elma had to hold her down before we could cast Deep Sleep. We had no choice she was going to massacre the remnants of the angels." I still shiver when I recall her screams of rage. I had half a mind to join her but more death and destruction would not have helped anyone.
"I see..." She replied as she looked like she was contemplating something.
"Your Highness?"
"Just Ms. Fateburn would be fine Tamamo, like in the old days when you were taking care of Alice." She requested with small smile.
"You don't plan on retaking the throne?"
"No, it is hers now..."
"But we need a central figure to help calm things down on our side! The leaders of humanity and angels would also want a representative for the gathering they have planned." It would go a long way to help stabilize the chaos that was happening in this changed world.
"From what your fellow Heavenly Knights have been telling me, you have been playing that role for a long time after I was...well...defeated."
"But what about..."
"I can tend to her, I have experience in dealing with what she is going through right now. You on the other hand should focus on restoring order in this new world."
"..."
"Tamamo?"
"Sorry, its just that I can't help but feel a little bittersweet." I could not help but bite my bottom lip in frustration.
"Tamamo...thank you..."
Damn you to hell, Ilias...
...
"You are talking about that boy?"
"Luka...his name is Luka..." I unconsciously let out, I do not know why but it just irked me when she called him boy.
"My apologies, I meant no disrespect..."
"...It...it is fine...you did not know him..."
"I understand that you are distraught right now Tamamo, I share in your grief."
"Ms. Fateburn..."
"It is regretful that I would never get the chance to get to know my future son-in-law." No one will...
"We were so close...if we had just..."
"There is no telling what could have happened. There was a chance that Luka's shield could not have withstood Ilias' explosion and we would all be dead right now. Its also possible that we managed to save him and stop that thrice damned goddess. We can speculate as much as we want but in the end that would only be a wasted of time.
"But..."
"All we can do is lick our wounds and make sure that the coexistence that he and my child created remains."
"..."
"Do you understand, Tamamo?" She asked, her firm tone reminding me of the old days when she used to command our armies.
"...I...of course Ms. Fateburn."
"Get some rest, staying up for a whole week is bound to have negative effects on you."
"Thank you..."
"Oh one last thing."
"Yes?"
"If you ever get a chance to meet Marcellus and Lucifina do give them my condolences." Oh gods...I hope those two are alright...
"I'm assuming you would want to extend an invitation to the castle?"
"Yes, it the least I could do for all the things their child did to make all of this possible."
"Understood."
"Thank you Tamamo...for everything."
"..." I only nodded before exiting Alice's room.
...
"Haa...What a mess..."
"How is she?" A velvety voice asked.
"You're still here Alma Elma?" The succubus looked terrible. Her whole body was filled with bruises, her right arm was in a cast and her eyes were swollen red.
"I had the least problems to deal with so I decided to wait. Anyways how is Alice?" She asked as she leaned on the nearby wall.
"She's fine for now."
"Thank Goodness."
"Her High- I mean Ms. Fateburn has decided to take of her by herself."
"That's good I'm sure our boss is in very capable hands. Still can't believe the previous monster lord is alive right now. Heck, there are so many new people that came back that my head is still spinning."
"Do you mean the Angels?"
"Not just them! We have a few ancients that came back and the humans have a group of heroes to count on now." That complicates things...
"I see, sorry I've been a little out of the loop. Has there been any skirmishes or riots?"
"No, I asked Heinrich and Micaela to help out and they have been doing a great job keeping the peace." There's some good news at least.
"A Heavenly Knight working with a hero and a former Seraph, the world certainly has changed."
"Yeah...I just wished he came with us." She said with a forlorn expression.
I do too Alma...I do too...
"LUKA!"
"What was that?" The Queen of all succubi shouted as she took a combat stance.
"Alice...it looks like her mother is starting to heal her."
"STOP!"
"I thought you said she was fine!?" I can understand the accusing look she gave me. I would have done the same if I was not aware of Ms. Fateburn's powers.
"Physically speaking, she is."
"I don't like it when you choose to give me half an answer."
"I'm sorry, I didn't want to cause you more stress. Rest assured this is all part of the healing process. "
"Where are you!? Please! Please don't leave me!"
"What the hell kind of healing is that!? She is screaming her lungs out!" She looked ready to kicked the door open.
"Her mind cannot cope with the fact that Luka is gone. You saw how she went berserk after all of us got blown out of Heaven."
"Then what is her mother doing?"
"She is destroying whatever illusion or dream Alice created on herself. The process will be slow because if it is done immediately, there's a high chance that she will lose all cognition."
"LUKA!"
"Tch! Are there no other alternatives?"
"This is the only way..." I answered, absolutely hating that mere phrase.
"I'm so sick of hearing that..."
"I know but what choice do we have other than hope that she will pull through."
"Its alright my little Alice, mommy is here. Mommy is here to help you." Ms. Fateburn cooed.
"...I feel so damn powerless..."
"You're not the only one..."
...
...
"Haa...I'm going to get some sleep. All this stress is going to take decades of life from me." She half-heatedly joked to try and lighten the mood.
"That would be for the best."
"Goodnight Tamamo, hope things start to look up tomorrow."
"Goodnight..."
...
...
I hope so too...
A/N: Its been a long time...three and half years I think. I wasn't sure if I was going to update this story but seeing a few people still read and review this story convinced me. I would like to give my respect and my sincerest apologies to those old-timers who were waiting for an update. My life was little too chaotic for me to handle at that time.
But now I got my shit together and I can start updating regularly. I can at least promise to update once a month due to the fact that I have three other stories. I'm still toying with my new schedule because I have to deal with work now so once a month is all I can do for now. If I ever get more free time then expect to see more and more updates per month.
In regards to this chapter in particular, I will be adding more stuff to it as time goes on before I go on to the next chapter. I posted it now just to show you guys that I am still alive.
One last thing before I leave, I edited the other chapters as well. Some substantial addition and some minor fixes, it will take some time before I can convert this whole story to First person POV which is now my preferred style of writing.
Anyways that's all for now and thanks again to those who stuck with my first ever story. You guys are awesome!