Chapter Text
Everything was fine.
It just felt like a dream, nothing more. Just a simple daydream I had and drove too deep. More like I swam too deep into the ocean and the waves took me out farther, just sweeping me away. It felt like years being stuck underwater, nothing but water in my lungs. But it wasn't water, more like tears, it tasted so salty, so sad. I could feel the sadness of these tears that filled my body. Even to know why they were tears, I understood that this feeling of loss, and cold. I understood even before I fell into this slumber, that Father still grieved over Mother. Grieving over her death, grieving over her absence in this world, knowing she can’t return. And like the ocean I was trapped in, Father was in the same place as me. Slumbering away in the ocean but not fighting to reach the surface like me. Just sinking deeper into the bottom of the endless waters. I tried to take him out but Father just sank, no matter how hard I tried. At one point, I gave up on reaching the surface. Just out of my reach, just a few more feet, inches, centimeters away.
But I heard a tone, a small tune that came outside of the ocean. The bright sun on the other side of the water shined so bright it seemed like it came closer to pull me out of the water. My sunshine is coming to save me, with the soft smooth voice encouraging me to keep going. The sun invited me more into the surface to feel its warmth, its welcoming arms. Being alive. I heard the voice from time to time, but it was more like I was with someone else. Not in this prison ocean, but where I lay outside the ocean. Someone waiting for my return, my brother. The humming became louder, only making me run my arms through the tearing ocean. Slowly I get the surface, just so close. Just a hair away from reaching the outer world, fresh air to feel than sadness I’ve slept in for more than I can tell. Yet, I started to sink back down to the void, giving up again. I didn’t understand why I kept giving up whenever I was just a hair away.
Then all those times before, I was pushed up quickly to the surface. I felt warm hands other than cold water push my back. I turn to see my Father smile, not a single word, just pushing me up to the surface. His horns went outwards, as his huge black night wings spread to gain more speed to push me up. I cried out to come with me, mumbling and yelling through the water. I dug my nails into his forearms, pulling him with me. But Father just smiled and drew me into the surface. I saw my shadow placed upon Father’s body as he sunk back down to the bottom. I reached out, but thought gravity was going to pull me down back into the ocean. It took me to the sun, the warmth overcame the cold tears going down my face. The silences overcame my screams for my Father who I watched fall back into his slumber. For a moment I felt someone hug me, a familiar hug that was too short. Before I awoke in a dark room, I coughed like I had water going down the wrong pile of my throat. Tears went down my face as I cried out, but silences ran more than a cry for help. I was panting, like I ran for hours, more like swam for hours…I swam for years.
I grabbed on my chest, just feeling my heart run out of me, like it was trying to escape. I fell back into the bed, facing up at the roof of my bed. The structure built around it, the light gray with the contrast of the dark maroon red. I got up again, my hair knotted up because I have actually moved over millions of years. From both of my sides the windows let the moonlight intrude my privacy. Just the bright shine that reflected off the floor to my bed. Surely, all my lights were off, so it made it very bright for it to just be the moon. I turned to my side, seeing something off, the other end of the bed’s blanket was lumped like someone laid right next to me. More like sliding off the bed in a hurry, I crawled to that part of the bed, it was still warm. My breathing slowly calmed down, as I inhaled I could smell the cologne of my brother. That smooth burn of firewood you would sit in front with your family, friends or alone to just feel warmth. Also, with a hint of sweet cinnamon that was sitting in a tea set. I gripped on the blanket, taking in the smell, the scent of his warmth with me. Yet, the moment I closed my eyes, I felt his memory go through me. Just little moments when we walked through the castle, or running away when Father didn’t wish to see us.
“Sister, one day I’ll become king like Father! I’ll be someone better than Father! And you will be my loyal guard!” Diavolo’s child image in my mind made me laugh quickly. Seeing his bright smile as he pointed out to the town. It was like if the moment just happened, I just cried out, I felt guilt, pain, sadness. I yelled into the bed, just crying out, not caring about my awakening. I shook the room with my roar, shaking the mirrors, the bed, the ground. At the moment I didn’t feel like I was alive, I couldn’t even tell if I was truly awake, or just trapped in another ocean prison like before. I screamed more and more, it was like when you take candy from a baby. Just sadness, wanting back that sweet that brought you happiness. I punched the bed, unknowing that I put my strength into the bed, hitting it so hard. It broke from the bottom, up to the sides, even the mattress broke somehow.
I pleaded out, begged, “P-Pleases…I’m sorry Father? Br-brother?” I cough up my tears and mucus, just throwing the pillows to the wall.
The door swung open, I didn’t pay any attention, no even knowing what was happening around me. The shadow slowly walked towards me, it was not like any of those ghosts that you would encounter at the graveyard. It sat a few feet away from me, not trying to confront nor let itself help. I yelled, just crying out my pain and frustration. I knew the shadow was there, it didn’t feel like nothing.
“No need to cry my dear…” The smooth woman's voice came out, I stopped my hitting the poor broken bed, that was already broken enough. I turn to the shadow, tears down my face. My eyes widen to see her…Mother. Her golden soft eyes laying on my ruin hurt brown ones. She reached her hand to my cheek, creaking it, wiping away my tears. She moved my messy curly hair out of my face, like how she would with hers right after. She just smiled at me, moving a little closer and bringing me for a hug. Not so tight, yet not so loose.
“You got this, don’t give up now my dear.” She pulled back and held my face with both of her hands. They were cold, but warm even for a ghost, or an illusion I was having. I just dropped my body forward to the floor, trying to grab her but just reaching out to an empty presence.
A loud bang and glass smashed, I turned quickly to the sudden noise. I felt again hurting in guilt that fell upon my eyes. Barbatos’ eyes fell upon me, he dropped the tea set on the silver tray. He didn’t know if it was true or not. I sure didn’t, I was more confused than what was going on. Not a moment wasted he ran to me, Barbatos looked at me, just eyes wide open, his hand creeping my cheek. Wiping away the river of tears I let out, with another hand moving my brown curly hair out of my face. He smiled, just holding my face. I just looked all over, his appearances, his hair, his human-like form. Not another moment spared he pulled me in for a tight hug, I felt his emotions go unloose as he cried into my shoulder. I slowly wrapped my arms around him. Feeling his presence, a real beating heart, hearing his cries of joy. I sure was taken away, still as we go on, I didn’t believe one thing that was happening. I knew this was real, if Barbatos had the chance to get Father or me out of that slumber. He would have done it in a heartbeat, faster than a demon or an angel. I gripped his back, feeling him just hold me so close. If he were to hug a human like he is right now to me. Poor humans would have snapped.
“My Highness?! You have awoken!” Barbatos just held me, nothing like a tight hug, right? I inhale, smelling his scent. His lemon tea, with a hint of honey-hell bees. Then on the side, a small cake of devil flower strawberry, I laugh to myself. Barbatos pulled back, looking at me, smiling at him, returning a small smile that brought him back to his senses. He stood up and brushed himself off, he reached his hand out as he looked upon my poor body. For a moment, I didn’t want to reach out, I wanted to stay where I was. Like I wasn’t allowed to leave my spot, along with the guilt that brought me down. I grew fear of what was next, Barbatos felt it quickly as I brought it up. He kneed back down to me, now just keeping to himself.
“No need to feel this guilt, my highness. Lord Diavolo will be glad to have you return. He and I have much to show you.” I looked at Barbatos, his smile as he tilted his head to the side. I shook my head, and stood up, Barbatos followed my moments. I leaned against the only pillar left from my broken bed, trying to move forward. I moved towards the door, the lights from the hallway invading the moonlight. I creeped towards the door, Barbatos on my side just helping my walk, since I’ve not moved in so long. Once at the door, I felt Barbatos’ hand get a hold on my shoulder. I looked over to him, he brought his hand to his mouth, trying not to sound rude.
“Forgive me for my demand…but may you come out of your demon form, my highness?” He looked away for a moment before meeting my eyes again. I felt weirded out, I looked down upon my body, thinking I was fine. I sure wasn’t. I was as large as the door itself, maybe evening taller. My lower body was from my normal light creamy brown skin color to a dark black void. My legs turned into a monstrous form with my toe nails scratching off the carpet off the floor. My tail swayed side to side, the end of my tail having a sword like knife at the end. Something I use mostly for defenses or attack, mostly both at the same time. Then to my hands, same like my legs, but my fingers turned into huge black claws. Sharp enough to cut anything in the way, I moved my hands out to the hallways light. Then from the tray that Barbatos dropped, which was already being picked up by Little D’s. Who stopped and bowed to me.
“Highness! Highness! You have returned!” All of them jumped on me, others cried for my return. I picked up the silver mirror tray, seeing my ruined reflection. My face being blacked out, just my white eyes being the only thing that stands out. Horns going outward like Father’s, just more of a red maroon color than black. I turned to Barbatos, looking at his appearances, I just sighed to myself.
Barbatos cleared his throat knowing his mistake, “You don’t have too Highness, I kn-” I raised my hand up to silence him. Giving the silver tray back to the Little D’s, I held my hands together. I concentrated hard, breathing in and out.
“In…and out…” I spoke quickly, feeling my demon form slowly disappear into small black smoke. My body turned in my human form, feeling a little lighter, and a little smaller. I looked up to Barbatos, obviously being smaller, way smaller. The little D’s cheered, just jumping around and smiling. I laugh a little at the cuteness I face, I’ve always enjoyed my time with little D’s. Barbatos bowed and walked along with me, I followed him down the hallway. Other demons and creatures in the hallways stopped their traces and bowed, others whispered confused. Barbatos just gave them a stare, within seconds they bowed down towards me. We passed along large windows and other citizens that took care in the castle. Barbatos didn’t speak, just kept walking. I looked down at his left hand, seeing a ring, it was like the color of his hair. Transparent colors from black to light blue, I didn’t understand but Barbatos filled in that curiosity.
“I’m married. As well for Lord Diavolo.” I almost choked on thin air when I heard that, I began to cough the statement enough to start laughing in confusion. I leaned against one of the large windows that was along the hallway. Barbatos looked at me in confusion, I just waved my hand at him, trying not to be rude.
“I’m sorry Barbatos, Just I know I’ve been asleep enough for a new timeline to be created but? You…Married?” I smiled at him, I waved my hand to him. I felt his long white glove on my open bare hand. I looked at the ring, hesitant to touch it but returned Barbatos his hand. I just stared at the ring, it gave me a feeling.
“Does it feel different? I sense something other than it just being a “normal” wedding ring.” I scratch my head, trying to take my knot out of my hair. Barbatos smiled and nodded, along with summoning a brush.
“For being awake for a few minutes, I can see the Highness isn’t sure of this?” Handing me the black brush, I shook my head, combing my knot hair as we continued walking.
“I’m not judging just…I feel the person you are “married” too isn’t from here? Not saying I disapprove because I know how I'm not so opened minded. Always thinking more than three steps ahead from anyone.” Barbatos let out a small chuckle, I just chuckled along. But I felt more nervous knowing my brother got married. More than that…to who? I just combed out my hair, walking down the quiet hallway that can be endless to anyone. Out the window, it was different, all the colored lights, with the new appearance before I left. Things have changed, enough to make me forget who I was for a moment. To forget why I was here, or why I existed. Those thoughts were cut short when Barbatos stopped on a large dark brown door. Designed with demons around the sides, with some symbols to allow the door to not be opened unless it was Barbatos or someone like me. I stopped at the door, I could hear the writing inside just the ruffles of paper being moved around. The low recorder player playing my brother's favorite curse songs. I could sense the presence in the room, there were about five people inside. Three large energies and two smaller ones, I couldn’t tell if the smaller ones were little D’s. My arms dropped to my sides, I felt my inside tighten so hard. I could hear small children's laughter, with a woman's voice along with it. Barbatos just smiled at me, he knew that I knew who was behind these large double doors.
Then the writing stopped, I heard the rustle of the moving papers stop. Then the music stopped, along with the children. I could hear the voices inside speaking on the new actions happening. I began to tear up, Barbatos just rubbed my shoulder.
“He’s been waiting for you.” I broke once I heard those words, and with not another moment wasted. The double doors swing open, to a bright room, I stood at the entrances to the five people I’ve sensed. To my left, two children sat on the couch. One of the children had golden eyes, as the other had ruby red like a jewel. Both seem to look like Diavolo. The golden eyes had light brown wavy hair with their ends being red. As the ruby eyes’ had all red hair, and straightened out. But both seem to look alike in appearance, both had a mixture of gold and ruby color. Across of them sat a handsome demon, he had black straight hair, with one right in the middle of his brows. His glare just shot through me like I was an annoying ghost to him. He wore a neat suit with his cape resting on his lap, next to him was a woman. The one I hear laughing along with the children.
Her round bright brown eyes laid on me, I left like I was staring at a goddess. I left something within her, something that calmed me. I grunt back to it, not feeling good with it but her appearance was so soft. A human to me, something so small, fragile and breakable. But my attention was taken to the large body that took no chance to care what or who was in the room. Diavolo ran past his desk, some papers falling onto the floor. I saw his smile, his tears, his eyes as they fell on me. I smiled, yet felt unwanted, unease. Barbatos just pushed my back into Diavolo as he wrapped his huge arms around me. Taking me into his body, his body felt warm like the sun I stared at when I was stuck in the ocean. He held me close, like I was a wild animal on the loose. His scent killed me, the scent of old paper with ink. He had the smell of coffee, the same one that Barbatos accidentally dropped when he found me. I moved my hands to hug him. Feeling so scared, feeling out of place. Outside, I was crying along with Diavolo, but inside I wanted to leave, return back to the prison of slumber.
“You’re home…Sister!” Diavolo cried out into my shoulder. I left my heart cracked even more…