[FIC] The Spiritless Key, Chapter 2
Characters: Tsukomo Yuuma, Black Mist
Rating: PG-13...ish?
Warnings: Suicidal thoughts, Kattobinguless Yuuma, and tentacles.
Notes: ohgodIcan'tbelieveiwrotethisI'MSHAKING From Lethe's AU. This will likely happen once he goes home from the DR. Eventually.
When Yuuma made his desperate request, and heard the door creak open, he felt completely drained. All his pent up emotions were suddenly gone, released in that fitful request, and now his body didn’t feel as if it could respond to anything. He saw the door open, felt the burst of wind and power and energy rush past him.
He saw a glimpse of something blue, then a glimpse of many small things surrounding him and cutting off his vision-cards? Before he could confirm it, there was the loud sound of something shattered, and they all flew apart. One remained with him, settling in his hands, and as a dark black energy exploded from it, he passed out.
--
Waking up in his hammock, he felt a brief moment of surprise. He was still alive. What had the door taken from him, if not his life? Yuuma couldn’t help but let out a sigh as his clammy hands opened, revealing the golden key. Of course it didn’t take his life. It was too worthless to even consider as a price.
“So finally, you have awakened.”
Yuuma stiffened. What was that voice? It sounded malicious, and angry…he looked up, slowly, shaking even more than usual. What he saw left him speechless.
It was a black humanoid figure, intricate green marks scattered around its form along with blue gems. There was a few red marks on its face which served to make its predatory expression even more intimidating. Yuuma didn’t know what it was, nor did he have the courage to even inquire. Instead, he let out a strangled whimper and tried to back away, only finding that being curled up on a hammock left little he could do at the moment without summoning the strength he knew he didn’t have.
“Hmmph. Pathetic.” Even though he knew it was coming, Yuuma couldn’t help but wince. Of course even otherworldly things would find him worthless. “You’d be of much more use without that meager will of yours…” And before Yuuma could let out a cry, the thing let out several thick tentacles that emerged from its almost liquid-like body, aiming straight at him. He flinched and closed his eyes…
And opened them when a bright golden light emerged from the key, blocking the entity’s attack and causing it to snarl angrily. Yuuma only whimpered. He watched as the thing mused out loud, letting him hear whatever its intentions were.
“Of course the key would protect even a miserable wretch like you. This won’t be as easy as the Original, oh no. You actually have memories and a personality to boot…I suppose I’ll have to be…” and here the face twisted in an ugly snarl, making Yuuma flinch yet again. “…diplomatic.”
“W-who…” Yuuma gulped, surprised that a coherent word managed to escape him. But if this key was apparently keeping him safe, then… “Who…are you…?”
“I…?” The thing grinned, which somehow proved to even be even more terrifying than its snarl. “I am Number 96: Black Mist. And you, miserable wretch, have unlocked my power.”
“I…? How…?”
“By opening the path of the Original, of course.”
“O-original?”
“Oh, he’s nobody special. You might have gotten a glimpse of him before I got to him. But you see, the shock of breaking the seal shattered his memory, so he really is probably the only one worse off than you. Imagine, not knowing even your name or why you exist!”
And Yuuma only shook, eyes widening.
“A…are you saying…that…Orignal was…worthless?” Like him. No reason to exist. Black Mist only laughed.
“Essentially. You see, his memory shattered into us Numbers. I happen to be one of the most important.” The last word was heavily emphasized, the Number drawling out the last word with an almost sensual pleasure.
“I-Important…?” So what was it doing here, with him? “Why?” The Number looked delighted, as if it had been waiting for Yuuma to ask that question.
“You see…” It cackled, and Yuuma felt a chill run down his spine. “I remember why he was meant to come to this world in the first place. When he realized that I did, he immediately surrendered direction to me, as he knew nothing at all. So easy to lead around, like a small innocent child!” There was more laughter, high and mad, and Yuuma felt dizzy from hearing it all.
“So you’re important…” How was this meant to help Yuuma, however? The Gate had promised that Yuuma would have nothing to fear…but at this moment it looked like Yuuma would be fearful of this…thing that he had released into the world for the rest of his life.
“Indeed.” And the Number drew close, uncomfortably close even with the distance forced by the key’s protection. “And your role, now that you’ve opened that door…you are meant to aid me in my endeavors.”
“M-me?!” What could he do?! He was worthless and pathetic! It wasn’t like he could be of any use. “What…what could I even do?!”
“Oh, it’s simple, really. You work together with me to destroy this world.”
“W…what…?” The surprise in his voice was evident, even with his voice being reduced to a scared whisper. “H-how…why would I…how could I even…” Black Mist grinned, as if enjoying his mental distress.
“Oh, I know that’s not something you wanted, but you opened the door, you pay the price. Besides…” The Number’s tone was taking on that dangerously suave tone, drawling out his words again. “This world of yours is doomed to destruction eventually, just as all things are. Does it matter if you bring it about just a bit faster?”
Yuuma could only breathe heavily for a few moments. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine that anyone would come to him for help with anything, much less such a monumental task of destroying the world. But…destroying that world…wasn’t that a bad thing? Wouldn’t he be faced with disapproval if he even tried something like that?
Then again, nobody approved of him anyway. They all thought of him as worthless, all made fun of him, even when they spoke with kind words. If he did something like that, the disapproval and hatred of everyone…that was nothing new. The worst that could happen was that they’d lock him up to wallow in his own misery, or outright kill him, and he’d finally get the end he deserved either way. After all, what else could he do but fail? Even with these thoughts, it took him a long time to speak.
“I…I was supposed to die…a long time ago. If…If this is how I meet my end, being able to long enough to see the end of the world…that would be more than I expected. If…If destroying the world is the only way my life can end, after opening that door, then…” Yuuma gulped, not believing that he was actually saying these things. “I…I don’t think I’d mind that…”
Black Mist let loose that unsettling grin once more at those words.
“I see. So, will you help me?”
“I…I…” Yuuma flinched at Black Mist’s look of annoyance. “It’s…scary…” The words left his mouth before he could stop them. His response to everything. Why he couldn’t do anything. Because he knew he would fail everything. “I can’t do it…I know I can’t do it. Why…why would you ask someone like me?”
Black Mist sighed in impatience, biting out the next few words as if they were costing him a great deal of willpower to say.
“If I had my way, I’d just control your will the same way I did the Original’s. But the key protects you from me because you see me as a threat. But I need that key’s power. It opened that door and let me free. You have that key. You can open that door. That means you have some worth, at least. So instead of controlling you…” and here, Black Mist scowled, “I’ll have to work with you. Understood?”
“I…I understand, but…” Yuuma saw everyone in his mind. Their disapproving stares. They knew he couldn’t do anything. He knew it too. “I can’t do it! I’ll just fail! I always fail at everything! I’m just some pathetic, worthless loser!” He started panting heavily, that outburst of emotion having shocked him to his core. He hadn’t said anything out loud like that since he last talked to his father. And look at what that had gotten him. He couldn’t look up for what felt like forever, but when he did, he saw Black Mist looking strangely thoughtful.
“So, what you fear most is failure, is it?” Yuuma didn’t know what the Number was getting at, but eventually he nodded. “Then the solution is simple.”
“It…It is?” Was there really an easy answer for his dilemma?
“Of course.” Black Mist’s voice had taken that eerily smooth tone again. “You simply just have to let me decide what you do for you.”
Yuuma looked up at Black Mist with wonder. Never had someone been willing to simply guide him through. They only expected him to try things on his own and fail. Black Mist seemed to take this look as encouragement to keep talking.
“If you simply act as my eyes and ears, my way of interacting with this human world, then you won’t have to worry about failure. Anything that you fail at would be my failure instead, because I was the one deciding everything.” And then the Number got closer. It was closer than ever before, and Yuuma belatedly realized that the key wasn’t repelling Black Mist as strongly as it was before.
“You wouldn’t need to fear anything, if you let me think for you.”
Yuuma’s breath caught in his throat. That was what the door had promised him. He would have nothing to fear. He wouldn’t have to cower from everyone’s disapproving stares. He wouldn’t have to shy away from tasks that everyone else could do. He could salvage what little was left of his life…
“I…I don’t have to think? Or…or feel? I can just let you…decide?”
“Only if you are willing to let me in, boy.”
Black Mist had gotten closer again. Their faces were almost touching. Yuuma couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. This felt like it was too good to be true.
Slowly, hesitantly, Yuuma held his hand out to the Number.
“O…okay. I’ll help you.”
Black Mist seized his hand with its own, sharp nails digging into Yuuma’s skin as it gripped tightly. Tentacles again erupted from its hand, but this time they weren’t as aggressive as before, instead crawling slowly up his arm and feeling almost…soothing…with their gentle, steady movements.
“You agree to help me with the destruction of this planet?”
Yuuma watched with fascination as the tendrils continued snaking up his arm, before looking back up to Black Mist. Their eyes met.
“I…I do.”
“You agree to do whatever I say, unconditionally?”
The tendrils had reached his neck. They curled around it, but somehow, it didn’t feel wrong at all despite how constricting they were slowly becoming.
“I…do.”
“You agree that your will is my own, that your body is mine to do with as I see fit, and that we, from now on, are bound as partners in my endeavors?”
He had never been able to hold eye contact with anyone this long before.
“I do.”
There was a searing pain in his neck, and his body seized up momentarily before becoming limp, cradled gently by the tendrils that had grown down to his back and were supporting him, keeping him upright. The number 96 burned brightly from underneath his uniform’s shirt collar, before fading away.
“Then the vow is sealed.”
Black Mist let loose that vicious, predatory grin once more. But this time, Yuuma found, it didn’t scare him all that much.
It was actually almost comforting.
Rating: PG-13...ish?
Warnings: Suicidal thoughts, Kattobinguless Yuuma, and tentacles.
Notes: ohgodIcan'tbelieveiwrotethisI'MSHAKING From Lethe's AU. This will likely happen once he goes home from the DR. Eventually.
When Yuuma made his desperate request, and heard the door creak open, he felt completely drained. All his pent up emotions were suddenly gone, released in that fitful request, and now his body didn’t feel as if it could respond to anything. He saw the door open, felt the burst of wind and power and energy rush past him.
He saw a glimpse of something blue, then a glimpse of many small things surrounding him and cutting off his vision-cards? Before he could confirm it, there was the loud sound of something shattered, and they all flew apart. One remained with him, settling in his hands, and as a dark black energy exploded from it, he passed out.
--
Waking up in his hammock, he felt a brief moment of surprise. He was still alive. What had the door taken from him, if not his life? Yuuma couldn’t help but let out a sigh as his clammy hands opened, revealing the golden key. Of course it didn’t take his life. It was too worthless to even consider as a price.
“So finally, you have awakened.”
Yuuma stiffened. What was that voice? It sounded malicious, and angry…he looked up, slowly, shaking even more than usual. What he saw left him speechless.
It was a black humanoid figure, intricate green marks scattered around its form along with blue gems. There was a few red marks on its face which served to make its predatory expression even more intimidating. Yuuma didn’t know what it was, nor did he have the courage to even inquire. Instead, he let out a strangled whimper and tried to back away, only finding that being curled up on a hammock left little he could do at the moment without summoning the strength he knew he didn’t have.
“Hmmph. Pathetic.” Even though he knew it was coming, Yuuma couldn’t help but wince. Of course even otherworldly things would find him worthless. “You’d be of much more use without that meager will of yours…” And before Yuuma could let out a cry, the thing let out several thick tentacles that emerged from its almost liquid-like body, aiming straight at him. He flinched and closed his eyes…
And opened them when a bright golden light emerged from the key, blocking the entity’s attack and causing it to snarl angrily. Yuuma only whimpered. He watched as the thing mused out loud, letting him hear whatever its intentions were.
“Of course the key would protect even a miserable wretch like you. This won’t be as easy as the Original, oh no. You actually have memories and a personality to boot…I suppose I’ll have to be…” and here the face twisted in an ugly snarl, making Yuuma flinch yet again. “…diplomatic.”
“W-who…” Yuuma gulped, surprised that a coherent word managed to escape him. But if this key was apparently keeping him safe, then… “Who…are you…?”
“I…?” The thing grinned, which somehow proved to even be even more terrifying than its snarl. “I am Number 96: Black Mist. And you, miserable wretch, have unlocked my power.”
“I…? How…?”
“By opening the path of the Original, of course.”
“O-original?”
“Oh, he’s nobody special. You might have gotten a glimpse of him before I got to him. But you see, the shock of breaking the seal shattered his memory, so he really is probably the only one worse off than you. Imagine, not knowing even your name or why you exist!”
And Yuuma only shook, eyes widening.
“A…are you saying…that…Orignal was…worthless?” Like him. No reason to exist. Black Mist only laughed.
“Essentially. You see, his memory shattered into us Numbers. I happen to be one of the most important.” The last word was heavily emphasized, the Number drawling out the last word with an almost sensual pleasure.
“I-Important…?” So what was it doing here, with him? “Why?” The Number looked delighted, as if it had been waiting for Yuuma to ask that question.
“You see…” It cackled, and Yuuma felt a chill run down his spine. “I remember why he was meant to come to this world in the first place. When he realized that I did, he immediately surrendered direction to me, as he knew nothing at all. So easy to lead around, like a small innocent child!” There was more laughter, high and mad, and Yuuma felt dizzy from hearing it all.
“So you’re important…” How was this meant to help Yuuma, however? The Gate had promised that Yuuma would have nothing to fear…but at this moment it looked like Yuuma would be fearful of this…thing that he had released into the world for the rest of his life.
“Indeed.” And the Number drew close, uncomfortably close even with the distance forced by the key’s protection. “And your role, now that you’ve opened that door…you are meant to aid me in my endeavors.”
“M-me?!” What could he do?! He was worthless and pathetic! It wasn’t like he could be of any use. “What…what could I even do?!”
“Oh, it’s simple, really. You work together with me to destroy this world.”
“W…what…?” The surprise in his voice was evident, even with his voice being reduced to a scared whisper. “H-how…why would I…how could I even…” Black Mist grinned, as if enjoying his mental distress.
“Oh, I know that’s not something you wanted, but you opened the door, you pay the price. Besides…” The Number’s tone was taking on that dangerously suave tone, drawling out his words again. “This world of yours is doomed to destruction eventually, just as all things are. Does it matter if you bring it about just a bit faster?”
Yuuma could only breathe heavily for a few moments. Never in his wildest dreams could he imagine that anyone would come to him for help with anything, much less such a monumental task of destroying the world. But…destroying that world…wasn’t that a bad thing? Wouldn’t he be faced with disapproval if he even tried something like that?
Then again, nobody approved of him anyway. They all thought of him as worthless, all made fun of him, even when they spoke with kind words. If he did something like that, the disapproval and hatred of everyone…that was nothing new. The worst that could happen was that they’d lock him up to wallow in his own misery, or outright kill him, and he’d finally get the end he deserved either way. After all, what else could he do but fail? Even with these thoughts, it took him a long time to speak.
“I…I was supposed to die…a long time ago. If…If this is how I meet my end, being able to long enough to see the end of the world…that would be more than I expected. If…If destroying the world is the only way my life can end, after opening that door, then…” Yuuma gulped, not believing that he was actually saying these things. “I…I don’t think I’d mind that…”
Black Mist let loose that unsettling grin once more at those words.
“I see. So, will you help me?”
“I…I…” Yuuma flinched at Black Mist’s look of annoyance. “It’s…scary…” The words left his mouth before he could stop them. His response to everything. Why he couldn’t do anything. Because he knew he would fail everything. “I can’t do it…I know I can’t do it. Why…why would you ask someone like me?”
Black Mist sighed in impatience, biting out the next few words as if they were costing him a great deal of willpower to say.
“If I had my way, I’d just control your will the same way I did the Original’s. But the key protects you from me because you see me as a threat. But I need that key’s power. It opened that door and let me free. You have that key. You can open that door. That means you have some worth, at least. So instead of controlling you…” and here, Black Mist scowled, “I’ll have to work with you. Understood?”
“I…I understand, but…” Yuuma saw everyone in his mind. Their disapproving stares. They knew he couldn’t do anything. He knew it too. “I can’t do it! I’ll just fail! I always fail at everything! I’m just some pathetic, worthless loser!” He started panting heavily, that outburst of emotion having shocked him to his core. He hadn’t said anything out loud like that since he last talked to his father. And look at what that had gotten him. He couldn’t look up for what felt like forever, but when he did, he saw Black Mist looking strangely thoughtful.
“So, what you fear most is failure, is it?” Yuuma didn’t know what the Number was getting at, but eventually he nodded. “Then the solution is simple.”
“It…It is?” Was there really an easy answer for his dilemma?
“Of course.” Black Mist’s voice had taken that eerily smooth tone again. “You simply just have to let me decide what you do for you.”
Yuuma looked up at Black Mist with wonder. Never had someone been willing to simply guide him through. They only expected him to try things on his own and fail. Black Mist seemed to take this look as encouragement to keep talking.
“If you simply act as my eyes and ears, my way of interacting with this human world, then you won’t have to worry about failure. Anything that you fail at would be my failure instead, because I was the one deciding everything.” And then the Number got closer. It was closer than ever before, and Yuuma belatedly realized that the key wasn’t repelling Black Mist as strongly as it was before.
“You wouldn’t need to fear anything, if you let me think for you.”
Yuuma’s breath caught in his throat. That was what the door had promised him. He would have nothing to fear. He wouldn’t have to cower from everyone’s disapproving stares. He wouldn’t have to shy away from tasks that everyone else could do. He could salvage what little was left of his life…
“I…I don’t have to think? Or…or feel? I can just let you…decide?”
“Only if you are willing to let me in, boy.”
Black Mist had gotten closer again. Their faces were almost touching. Yuuma couldn’t think. He couldn’t breathe. This felt like it was too good to be true.
Slowly, hesitantly, Yuuma held his hand out to the Number.
“O…okay. I’ll help you.”
Black Mist seized his hand with its own, sharp nails digging into Yuuma’s skin as it gripped tightly. Tentacles again erupted from its hand, but this time they weren’t as aggressive as before, instead crawling slowly up his arm and feeling almost…soothing…with their gentle, steady movements.
“You agree to help me with the destruction of this planet?”
Yuuma watched with fascination as the tendrils continued snaking up his arm, before looking back up to Black Mist. Their eyes met.
“I…I do.”
“You agree to do whatever I say, unconditionally?”
The tendrils had reached his neck. They curled around it, but somehow, it didn’t feel wrong at all despite how constricting they were slowly becoming.
“I…do.”
“You agree that your will is my own, that your body is mine to do with as I see fit, and that we, from now on, are bound as partners in my endeavors?”
He had never been able to hold eye contact with anyone this long before.
“I do.”
There was a searing pain in his neck, and his body seized up momentarily before becoming limp, cradled gently by the tendrils that had grown down to his back and were supporting him, keeping him upright. The number 96 burned brightly from underneath his uniform’s shirt collar, before fading away.
“Then the vow is sealed.”
Black Mist let loose that vicious, predatory grin once more. But this time, Yuuma found, it didn’t scare him all that much.
It was actually almost comforting.