The world is always lively... yet somehow can be quite... insignificant when it comes to... other people.
After all, everyone... has their own... secrets.
No matter what they are... from silly trifles... to painful memories rarely spoken aloud... they are always... on the tips of tongues... being held back out of fear... or just simple reticence.
Is it the best... to bring those secrets to... the grave? Or just use them as a... side dish to the burning flavor... of the alcohol... we drink?
In any cycle... booze never changes... in how delicious it is... no matter when you drink it... Sunny days or rainy days... busy days or lazy days... married days or lonely days...
What does always change... is the heart of the people who drink... thus changing the taste of the liquor... in the heart...
... though they always... want to peacefully savor a drink...
... But what truly intoxicates me is... *hiccup*...
Zzz... Zzz...
Ninth Ember:
A long sigh escaped his lips as he downed the liquor in his small cups. After the burning sensation in his throat died down, a heavenly taste like no other soon came and lifted his spirit up. However...
"This shit is heavy, mate." He raised his empty cup toward his drinking buddy, who just kept taking small sips with an impassive look. It has been quite a while since the last time he had a drink with the cheeky bastard and said bastard always surprised him with various kinds of booze.
"... I will take that as a compliment." The reply came in monotone voice as he refilled his cup. "However, this grub you offers as the side dish is still lame as always."
"Oi, I can't just easily whip up an opulent feast out of the blue, you wanker. Beside..." he picked up a weird looking bean in the dish and pop it in his mouth "... this thing is pretty good."
Granted, this kind of bean wasn't exactly something could be considered as 'food' on this cycle's standard but hey, it tasted good and that was what mattered.
His drinking buddy just raised his eyebrow slightly before continued drinking in a comfortable silence.
"But you know... we have known each other for... How many again?..." the light-head feeling was gently engulfing him "... 17?... 18?... "
"20 cycles and 3672 years, to be more precise." His drinking buddy inspected a bean before munching it "To think somewhere along the line, I became enamored with these funky beans' flavor..."
"Yeah yeah, glad to hear that." He waved his hand dismissively "Anyway, have you decided a name to use? Calling you 'The Outsider' or other colorful words all the time doesn't feel right, you know?"
"I have no need for a name." Came the snarky reply "And I don't need a maniac who has used too many names to remember give me an insulting name."
"Fine fine. Keep that stick up in your arse, you wanker." He downed the whole cup in one go. Hmm, Perhaps he should make a cocktail with this liquor on a later day "... Nevertheless, I will call you Tor from now on... "
"I'm so honor to be given a name now after so many cycles, you Mr. Don't of house Exist ."
Ignoring the sarcastic grumble as well as the plain jab regarding a fake name he had used, he just raised his cup in a rather jovial manner
"I know you will see my point of view, Tor. Now shut up and give me another round"
"Is this the right place, Akeno?"
"Hai, Sirzech-sama. If the address we got from his school profiles is right, then this is the right area. Now we just need to find his house... number 13 Zura street." Came the respectful reply from the black hair beauty as the redhead Satan looked around in quite a... restrained exciting manner. While he admitted it was somewhat annoying that the teleport magic circle couldn't transfer them straight to the address for some unknown reasons, it did help him to have a splendid excuse to dodge his nightmare of paperwork!
Take that you arc-nemesis of all leaders! You shall never archieve the 'absolute victory'! Bawahahahahahahaha!
"Please remember that your paperwork is still waiting to be done, Sirzechs-sama." The cold warning from Grayfia made him cringe as he mentally let out a frustrating weep. Why? Why?! Why would it keep having the last laugh in the end?! Sooo unfair!
"Then we must be quick! Who knows wha... what that person could have done to my daughter!" the worried voice of Lord Phenex gave him a hard kick to remind him the purpose of this... meeting with this mysterious Watarimono Keto. Sirzechs could understand Lord Phenex's anxiety as he himself was also worried, though it was on another matter.
Just who and what exactly were you, Watarimono Keto? And if what he and his cute little Ria-tan had dug up from your documents was true (which Sirzechs considered to be quite unlikely), how could someone possessing such power at such young age like you could stay under the radar for so long?
Flame was dancing on the floor, yet they didn't burn.
"Those who aren't ken to fire cannot paint a world."
The sound of the fire crackling mixed with the female voice, its owner was swinging her legs in a rather playful and carefree manner. The groaning sound of the old ladder became more and more clearly instead of falling in the background.
"Those absorbed by fire, must not paint a world."
The sound of the old ladder finally ended only to be replaced by the sound of footstep.
"Don't worry. I haven't forgotten, Mother..."
The flame still burned brightly, yet suddenly stop flickering, as if it was frozen just by the presence of the newcomer.
"Oh... Thou come back... with that... "
The painter's hand lingeringly took the offered Blood of the Dark Soul, her eyes held a look of wonder as she inspected it.
"My thanks. With this will I paint a world. Please tell me thy name, for I would name this painting after thee."
The newcomer just tilted his head slightly as he mulled over the question. After what felt like eternity, the reply came quietly like a small breeze of spring.
"My thank." Came a bow of genuine gratitude from the female painter, her eyes held a strange look that none could read "I will paint a world of that name. Twill be a cold, dark, and very gentle place..."
A hint of longing was evident in her voice
"... And one day, it will make someone a goodly home."
With a nod, the newcomer walked away but only to stop after taking a few steps.
"Huh... thou want to ask a favor?" the painter seemed bewildered by her guest's sudden turn around "Thou want me... to paint what?"
A nod of confirmation was the answer she received. It was such a strange request that the painter wasn't sure how she should react.
"... I see... Well then... will I make sure it will be a masterpiece like no other..."
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
... Urgh, what the hell... Had he drunk a little too much last night?... And that dream, too...
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
Oh for the sake of his head as well as his insanity, it was Sunday and it was only 8 a.m, too! Seriously, was it too much to ask for a bloody peaceful Sunday sleep after a drinking Saturday night with an old buddy?! Who he had given a new name no less?!
And speaking of said cheeky bastard who would be called as Tor from now, it seemed he had already left. That booze he had brought last night was really bloody heavy. He couldn't help but wonder which cycle had that kind of liquor.
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
Oh he swore to the Dark Soul, someone was eager to be tortured in the morning.
*RING!* *RING!* *RING!*
And who was he to refuse such a desperate request?
(End chapter)