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Road to Valhalla Chapter 108: Between Death and Forgetfulness
The sound of hurried footsteps arose, even in the snow, signaling her rushed arrival. The owner put down the last of his utensils that he'd been cleaning since the morning and awaited her entry through the wooden door which would be any moment now. It didn't take long for her to come crashing through the door.She flung the door open with a bang and stood huffing and sweating like a mad boar, her eyes open wide."Old man!", she forced her voice out, struggling to take in oxygen, "Lubbock...where's Lubbock?""Lubbock? Well, he left earlier this morning...to find you two.""Old man! Seraph...he...he fell down!", she was still gasping for air, "He fell down the crevasse! You have to come!"The owner hurriedly wiped his hand on a cloth, mumbling something under his breath."Where?", he quickly put on a coat and followed her outside."We were coming up that way", she pointed in a direction, "It just happened so quickly."She hurried back, with the owner in tow. The two were exhausted by th
Road to Valhalla Chapter 109: The Two Young Boys
"He's up", the shocked voice of a boy was the first thing that greeted me, "He's up! Mills!"The boy ran over to the door and kept calling out to someone."Mills! He's up! Mills!"This boy was the single loudest being I ever knew. He was ridiculously loud, I'd have woken up earlier if he'd been shouting like this."Mills!", I am sure the entire house shook with that boy's voice. Whoever this Mills was had to be dead if he wasn't already responding. "Mills! Hurry up! He's up! Mills!"Oh Lord, I thought to myself, why does this kid not just leave and drag this Mills out of his grave if he is so desperately needed here. By all means, I needed no assistance getting up. But the boy went on and on. Talk about a rude awakening, I never slept in late while I stayed there. "I hear you, calm down!"As it turns out, this Mills was very much alive, and I'd say very much deaf too if he was only now responding."He's up!""I heard you. Stop shouting!", Mills himself wasn't exactly a grown man bu
Road to Valhalla Chapter 110: She Cried
I've always found people who can admit they are wrong, admirable. It isn't about a single apology, or admitting your defeat in an argument. This is about the knowledge that you hold to yourself, the knowing of being on the wrong side of things. They don't try to justify themselves because they cannot change themselves. They don't intend to, because they've tried and they've failed. Their failure is sad, I'd say. I believe they find it sad too. They have an ingrained inability to conform, to change, to exist in the right. And any efforts to escape that part of themselves is futile.Although I never believed in seeing things in two dull shades of black and white, it seemed to me that I always lingered on the horizon of just these two shades. Perhaps because this is what I was always taught. Morals and ethics, laws and conforming to society, they were drilled into me right from the start. My father was a man like that, a strict, upright, unbending man. I always believed that my own stric
Road to Valhalla Chapter 111: Mission Completed
Before I realized it, the group of villagers had escorted us to a tiny hut, which evidently led underground. I say hut, but it was just a door that opened up to stairs leading down into the darkness. The townspeople seemingly didn't intend to enter with us. "Go ahead", one of the frowning men nudged me to move. Lubbock had finally fallen silent, though he was still aloof, not caring about our current predicament. I looked from one villager to him to the stairs that led to the basement. Just then, I felt someone grab my hand in the crowd. I looked over my shoulder to find Mills, forcing his way toward me. He squeezed my hand, reassuring me that they'd be here when we came back up. Whoever this Doctor was, I thought, must be one frightening woman. Lubbock and I made our way downstairs to a dimly lit, damp corridor. It smelled of something that I couldn't quite put my finger on, something pungent, embittering. We walked on, as there didn't seem to be more than one path before us. At
Road to Valhalla Chapter 112: Stuck in Shamballa
"So what business brought you two here again?", Doctor Ema asked in her gentle voice.We hadn't said anything about our business. At this point, I didn't intend to."Well, it's a rather long story but...let's just say it doesn't have anything to do with Shamballa. You do understand that we have nothing to do with any disturbances in town, don't you? We only came here yesterday...to Agartha, I mean.""Of course, I understand. Don't get so worked up about it.""Yes, well, if we're okay here, we'd like to leave. We don't want to cause anyone any more trouble", I replied.Her face shifted a bit under the dim light of the single flickering bulb."That's...well...", she looked away to her side.I waited for her to give a response, a proper one. Her calm and composure were suddenly making me anxious."I did tell you that people here don't trust outsiders, didn't I?", she paused for a short while, shifting her gaze toward us."You can't leave just like that, I'm afraid.""And why not?!", I wa
Road to Valhalla Chapter 113: Mooncakes
When we left the stairs that lead downstairs to Doctor's domain, the brightness of the rising day caught us by surprise. I hadn't realized how bright Shamballa really was, even as a slight dull engulfed that beautiful town. Indeed, I hadn't felt that way earlier but now as we reappeared from beyond the dark basement, I found the place just a little ashen. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, perhaps it wasn't Shamballa that seemed dull. It was something that stood there to greet us.The villagers that escorted us there were all gone. I assumed Doctor had a way of communicating with them from her bunker. Mills sat on the side of the vacant stone road, while Neil kicked around a pebble, his hands stuffed in his pockets. Mills looked weary, but Neil still had his spirit about him when he saw us."They're back!", he let the entire town know."Quiet down!", Mills rose from his place upon seeing us and rushed to meet us."Are you guys alright? Was it...okay?"Somehow the villagers had gott
Road to Valhalla Chapter 114: Kindness of the Aloof
I'm not a fan of kindness. It sounds like a sad thing when I say this but people who go out of their way to be kind to me, always seem so far off. I think its better to be kind with a certain degree of aloofness. Perhaps you think, people like Chopper and Lady are just about the thing I'm talking about. But those people have a world of their own. They have no need for kindness, not for themselves and not for others. It seems to me that those of us that really live on the outside, the ones that aren't living at the edge, we are the ones that need something so paltry as kindness. My father was a kind man. Even though I was born without any magic, when the other kids made fun of me or left me behind in their games, he'd always come along to grab my hand. Even though I wasn't the youngest of my siblings, I was still the one that got piggy back rides from him. I'm sure he loved us all the same but I distinctly remember his adoration for me. My mother had little presence in our childhood.
Road to Valhalla Chapter 115: The Two Faces of Lubbock
"Hey, what were you two talking about?" When I looked up, Lubbock's head was popping in from the door. "Nothing", I was caught by surprise and didn't know how to answer. "Really?", he glared at me, wide-eyed. "What else could it be? But why are you asking Lubbock?" For a moment, silence persisted as he scrutinized me, without coming inside or opening the door any further. It was just his head, staring at me in dead silence. "Why are you putting up an offensive?", he asked bluntly. "Huh?" "Seraph, you idiot", his face lightened up all too suddenly and he swung the door open, walking in, "I was just messing with you. What are you getting so worked up about?" "What a stupid idea of joking around you have!" "Just can it and get up. We're heading out again", it seemed to me we barely stayed at home anymore. Serena just wanted us to loaf around all day and Lubbock, in particular, was all for it. "Again?!", I sighed, "Alright, I'll be right there." "Hurry up now, what a waste you
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- Road to Valhalla
Final Chapter: A World Where They Are No Longer
I would like to think to myself that this isn't the end. But seeing as her story went back to where it all started, I realized that my role wasn't saving her at all. I just made sure she'd continue to exist, eternally.In eternal suffering and forgetfulness and new encounters and the last times, in every world, she'll continue to exist.As for me, I couldn't bear to live in a world knowing she was somewhere out there, helpless and torn, just as she'd been when I first found her.When did I first find her?Who can say? I had always been talking about how I wished I'd met her sooner. In fact, I had always known her. Our existences were intertwined so much that I don't think either of us could just pull away and be happy all on our own without thinking of the other.After I'd returned Lady's power to her, I floated away in an empty space for an eternity. I was foolish enough to think that the sorrow would fade away one day. But no matter how long and far I floated away, the memory and th
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 211: The End is The Beginning
It was the coldest I'd felt in ages, and there was an aching heaviness in my head that I simply couldn't seem to shake off no matter how much I walked. I don't know when, how, or why I was walking through the snow towards the top of some hill I didn't even know.For that matter, I didn't remember who I was, how I'd gotten there, or where I was going.And just like that, before I knew it, I had collapsed in a den of wolves. Luckily, it looked abandoned, so I didn't get eaten off right away. I figured it'd be a long, slow death. I found the idea of such a gentle death appealing, despite the fact that I was walking mindlessly just seconds ago.I must have passed out, for when I came to, I was stiff as a rock. And yet, I wasn't that cold anymore. I lifted my head to find myself covered in a bear pelt. Someone had been so kind as to cover me up. And yet, the pelt was rather old and shoddy. Who cared as long as it could keep me warm?I stood up, looking around, getting accustomed to my surr
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 210: Promise
"I didn't imagine we'd ever come to a crossroads such as this", I let out a puff of smoke, standing opposite her."But, as a matter of fact, I always had a feeling we would", Lady answered with her signature smirk."Sure, you did", I said sarcastically.It was surprising at first. But things made sense soon enough. Lady had sent all of us away on a mission. She'd isolated herself at Valhalla. Chopper had left of his own accord. She'd sent Sight to look for him. Deli had gone to see her children. And she bid Lubbock and June farewell. She'd even given her fur coat to June. Grim was on a mission, too. And I was looking for Jean V. to deliver her letter.It was all exactly as it had been back then. When I'd return from meeting Jean V., Lady would already be beyond saving. Back then, all I knew was that the person who sent her that blank letter was the one who came to kill her. I never ventured to find out much else.It all made sense now as I stood be
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 209: No Bells Ring in Heaven
"Must you leave without fulfilling my wish, Seraph?"He had some guts to ask. I looked up at the red sky. There was nothing but barren, burnt land all around us."What else could you ask for?", I looked back at him."You look so old, Seraph", he chuckled, "What exactly did you give the others?"I looked behind me without answering his question. There was no one and nothing."What? It's a long story", I answered without looking at him."We've got time to kill", he grinned."I don't", I said, but went on to answer him anyway, "I gave everyone what they wanted.""Really?"I glared at him, "Yes, really, Grim. I took a fee, of course."He laughed."And what will you take from me?", he asked, grinning.I looked around and then rested my eyes on him."There's really nothing."He seemed to agree."So how'd you manage?""Well, Grim, you could almost call it travelling back through time. Though, it really isn't that. I split the worlds to create new ones. Time doesn't exist for me anymore. Ever
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 208: A Wonderful World
"I will take death in any way and form it comes to me, anywhere and anytime."That had to be the most brazen statement I'd heard. It took me a bit to take that statement in."You really have no special requests? If I can, I'd like to make it up to you", I sat down and stared at his bloodied face.He shook his head."Make up for what?", he asked.He didn't know me yet to call me "boy" but I suppose that's the way it had to be.I had become better at rewriting the reality. I could write quite far back in certain cases. For example, in Sight's case, I made it so he never met Lady and Chopper on the night he killed the prima donna, Czarna Dalia.Before meeting them he didn't know anything about what he'd been doing. He didn't know what an outcast was, even though he himself was an outcast. Ignorance is indeed the greatest of all blisses. And I thought for Sight, it had to be the biggest saving.Lady was right. People who see things differently are the most dangerous of all. Especially tho
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 207: A World You Deserve
"This isn't what I asked for, Seraph", she complained, fixing her glasses on her tiny nose."I don't get what the hell it is that you want exactly, June", I was beginning to get tired."You don't understand at all", she folded her arms."You're damn right, I don't. What kind of crazy a-""One thing.", she looked at me sternly, "One thing I'm asking for is a place to be happy. Not a mother, not a wife, not a hero, not any of the other things you're trying to come up with.""What'll make you happy, exactly?", I folded my arms and leaned against the wall of Valhalla.Everyone else was off to fend the red sky off. June had been left behind in a protective barrier.She fell silent."How about Lady? Isn't she your favorite?""I could care less about her", she answered, bluntly, "I hate her.""Huh?", I wasn't sure I'd her heard her right."She does everything on a whim. She claims to understand everything when rea
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 206: The Greatest Ordinary Man
"They are waiting for you, Monsieur Lubbock", a dark woman poked her head into the dressing room, "It's almost time for the show."The bajillion young ladies that were powdering his nose scattered away.His face was pink with heat and he wore a long fancy coat. It almost looked odd on his somewhat small figure."I'll be right there", he answered, gussying up in the mirror."Aww, you're leaving already, Monsieur?", some of the girls came up to him.He chuckled modestly."What can I say? The life of the greatest singer in the world isn't so relaxing, my dears.""You might be the greatest singer, but Monsieur is also the life of all women's hearts", one of the cheekier ones commented.Lubbock laughed. He didn't try to hide how much he loved being pampered like this."I'm sorry, girls. My audience awaits!"Saying so, he shot out of the room and hurried towards the stage. Backstage was always heated just before his shows. He was the one star that every theater wanted to have. But he was a
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 205: The Stars in Her Eyes Still Shine
"Do you blame me for mother's death, father?", she asked, placing the empty cup of tea on the little side table.Her father wasn't facing her. He was still locked up in his study, reclining on his chair and looking out of the window at some distance lands.She sat straight, with her back erect. The weight of her gown was enough to tire her but she was made up, as befitting of a noble. She had to look all the more perfect since she was visiting her home for the first time since her marriage."Blame you?", the lord of the house spoke in his grave voice after a while, "I simply don't think you were worth her death. Esme was a wise woman. A level headed, understanding, noble woman."Faye looked at her lap."You refuse to carry out the will of the house of Vlad. You'll go as far as to commit a heinous crime to that end. I'm disappointed beyond measure."Faye pursed her lips. No one but she herself had been hurt the most by what she'd done."Vlad was born to you twice. And yet, you ungratef
- Road to Valhalla
Chapter 204: A Nice Dream For Grey Eyes
"Tell you what, Seraph, this one time, I met a girl and she had these enormous scars all over her arms and legs. I couldn't help noticing her, of course. When she told me she did it herself, I couldn't help it. I killed her then and there", he chuckled to himself, "I didn't want to do it, of course. Something just came over me. It wasn't that she told me she did it herself. It was how she said it. She was smiling.""I'm sure she wasn't smiling because she was happy", I answered, with a solemn look on my face."I'm sure of that too. I was sure of it back then too. That's probably why I killed her. But do you know how many people I've saved?"He looked at my face. I stayed silent."I've saved more people than I've killed. I've been counting since the beginning. I know, for sure, that my atonement is over. At least, it ought to be. But does it look like I'm still repenting?", he asked, smiling vaguely, knowing my answer."You do.""That's because I am. No matter how many I save...the ato
