《Pain Reaper》


 Prologue

    As I looked at the world from the highest place, everything below my feet is an open canvas. Each person, each place¨Cthey were all a vivid stroke of life''s brush, each with their own unique story to tell, and secrets laid bare for me to see.


    Humans.It is their duality that continues to pique my interest. Even as I, too, am bound by the constraints of a mortal body, I find myself intrigued by the way they present themselves to the world, donning masks and presenting a facade to hide their true selves. Only when they are alone, in the solitude of their own company, do they shed these disguises, ripping off the masks they had been wearing all the time.


    I wonder why people tend to hide their pain and pretend that everything is okay. Is it because they do not want to be pitied? Do they believe that no one will understand them? Do they truly think that out of the billions of living souls in the world, none have experienced similar problems as them? Would it not be easier for all if they simply spoke the truth rather than bottling it up inside?


    As I stood there lost in thought, a sudden movement caught my eye. From out of the darkness, my familiar, Raphael, emerged. Like a shadow given form, he materialized beside me, his presence a confirming gesture for my transaction today.


    "Our client has made a decision," he said, handing me the cellphone. "She will call us any time now."


    In cue, the phone rang and I accepted the call. The only sound that filled my ears was the deep, ragged breaths of the person on the other end of the line. Eventually, a voice broke through the static, trembling with emotion. "Pain Reaper," the caller sobbed, "p-please, I want to forget everything about him."


    Despite the caller''s distress, I am unable to feel any sense of empathy or compassion for her, for my nature is incapable of experiencing such ordinary emotions. Instead, I am left with a sense of detachment, observing but not fully understanding the complex and varied feelings of the human race.


    "Is that really what you want?" I inquired with a cold tone. After a moment of hesitation, the caller affirmed her desire to forget all memories of the person in question.


    "Yes," she says, her voice barely audible. "I want to forget him and everything about him."


    A smirk crossed my lips at her response, for I am well aware of the lengths to which people will go to escape their pain. It is all too easy to succumb to such desires.


    "Remember our agreement in exchange for your request," I stated as I ended the call. I sighed and handed the cellphone back to Raphael. My left hand was then enveloped by a warm light, forming into an enchanted flower.


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    "Bright red," I mumbled as I gazed into the manifestation of my victim''s pain. "Intense emotions swirling within. Such an adoring sight."


    Brushing my fingers over my left arm, where I held the delicate flower, my power awakened, causing the chains that held my grimoire - the book of magic and spells - to materialize and began to wrap my wrist. The earth beneath me seemed to sense the surge of energy, and it softened and yielded under my magic, enveloping me in red light. Closing my eyes, I let myself become lost in the flipping pages of the grimoire, letting the ancient words wash over me.


    "Roses are red," I said as I slowly opened my eyes.


    "Violets are blue," I continued, raising the flower in my hand.


    "Memories are dead." I plucked a petal from the rose and let it drift to the ground.


    "The soul is anew," I spoke the final words with conviction as the petal disappeared from sight.


    As the red light dissipated, the concrete ground beneath me returned to its normal state, and the grimoire that had been attached to my left wrist vanished.


    As I closed my eyes and allowed the memory of my victim to encompass me, I saw a young girl standing before me, her face filled with delight as a man presented her with a teddy bear. Her smile was so wide and genuine that it seemed to radiate warmth and joy. I could almost feel her excitement as she reached out to take the stuffed toy, clearly a much-coveted gift that had brought her bliss.


    The man hugged her tightly, resting her head on his shoulder as he whispered, "My child..."


    The bell sounded, signaling the students to gather in the quadrangle for the flag ceremony. I discreetly folded my hands to make the flower disappear, then placed them behind my back as I walked towards the assembly.


    As I arrived, I noticed a female student and a man locked in a heated argument, drawing the attention of those around them. The woman''s disbelief was palpable; her lips quivered in fear as she stared at the man in front of her. He, in turn, seemed equally incredulous, his eyebrows furrowed and lips pursed in frustration. Despite the tension between them, the man approached her, determined to make his point heard.


    "Isabelle, it''s me! Don''t you remember me anymore?" The man''s voice was filled with hurt. The woman he was talking to slightly retreated.


    That woman.


    She was the one who called me earlier; she requested that I forget everything she experienced at the hands of her father.


    I can''t control what kind of memories my clients give me. If Isabelle''s important memory is everything related to her father, which I think is also the reason why she is having a hard time remembering him, then it''s not impossible for her to forget it.


    "W-who are you?" the woman asked again.


    I just looked away and headed to the line of my classmates.


    People.


    What will change if they are forced to forget their past memories? Can''t they just accept everything that happened? Why do they have to make it hard for themselves just to forget the past?


    I lifted my gaze to the sky and sighed, taking in the breathtaking scene before me. The cerulean expanse was dotted with fluffy white clouds, seeming to dance playfully in the gentle breeze. It was as if the sun itself was hesitant to fully reveal itself, choosing instead to peek out from behind the clouds and bask the world in its warm glow.


    I am Aurora Blanco. I possess the power to silence the emotions and ease the suffering of mortals through the power of my enchanted flowers. In exchange for my gift, all they must offer is a precious memory, stored in the depths of their hearts.


    And I am better known by the name,


    Pain Reaper.

 Chapter 01: Belle of the Crowd

    As I delicately caressed the empty canvas with my hand, I focused on guiding my pencil to bring my artistic vision to life. In my mind''s eye, I saw a delicate flower, its petals as soft and smooth as the setting sun, its stem a vibrant green like the depths of the forest. Hidden among its stunning beauty were thorns, waiting to be discovered.


    Sometimes in life, we are only able to appreciate beauty from a distance, not realizing that it may hold secrets that can harm those around it. But like a flower, sometimes these hidden dangers are simply a means of self-protection from those who might do harm.


    I picked up my sketchpad and held my creation up to examine it from different angles. Satisfied with what I saw, I added a few final touches before allowing my thoughts to wander again.


    Ring! Ring!


    The bell signaling the end of class jolted me back to reality. Sighing, I gathered my things, mentally reminding myself that it was time to nourish this mortal vessel.


    As I was organizing my belongings under my desk, something small and lightweight hit me on the back of the head.


    "Darn, she''s so weird," one of my classmates commented. "She''s like air. You know she''s there, but it''s like she''s invisible. She doesn''t even make an effort to talk to anyone!"


    I ignored the comment and continued with my task, having learned early on in my time occupying this body to not let petty human behavior bother me.


    But then, my sketchpad caught my eye once again, and I found myself contemplating the same question I had been asking myself since taking on this mortal form.


    Art is the embodiment of one''s soul. In my thousand years of existence, I have even seen how art can be a means of survival and a reason for living. But this is perhaps the most mundane thing I have ever engaged in, aside from harvesting the pain of others.


    And so, I often wonder how I can create something of value when I feel that my own soul is damaged and unworthy.


    ***


    "Good morning, my dear," the woman behind the counter greeted me with a smile. I reached for my wallet, scanning the array of breakfast options before me.


    "Good morning to you as well, Aunt Susan," I replied, gesturing towards the sizzling bacon and eggs. She nodded in understanding and got to work on preparing my order. After paying, I spun and walked towards my table, only to see my familiar, Raphael, waving at me.


    "You took your time," he commented as I sat down across from him. I had chosen a small, two-seater table, since I am to dine alone in the eyes of the mortals. They cannot see him right now because he is in his real form. I turned to my meal.


    Even though I now exist in human form, I still require sustenance in the same way as mortals. After all, I have been living among them for several years now. And, as the body I currently inhabit is mortal, it is my duty to take care of it.


    "I had something to tell you. Yesterday, I found out that¨Cwait a sec," Raphael suddenly interjected, his gaze darkening. He was detecting something again. "That girl is about to experience something terrible, Rory."


    I followed his line of sight to a woman who had just entered the cafeteria. I didn''t know her name, but she was known as the Belle of the Crowd. She had a mass of curly hair, though not the type that resembled noodles. Her curls were large and bouncy, and her eyes matched the color of her tresses. There was not a trace of heavy makeup on her face. She almost looked like the Belle from Beauty and the Beast, if only she would pin up her locks. The friendly smile she gave to those she passed, a book clutched in her right hand, only added made her name more known.


    I averted my gaze, shrugging nonchalantly. She didn''t particularly catch my interest, seeming like one of those people who pretended that everything was alright in their world.


    "Hey, she''s coming this way," Raphael exclaimed, causing me to start in surprise. He chuckled heartily as he reached for the glass of water, not even bothering to pass it to me. I glared at him.


    You better be ready for me later, Raphael.


    "Excuse me, may I join you?"


    Raphael stood up immediately as the person we had been observing approached our table. I nodded, taking a sip of my water as she sat down in the seat across from me and placed her book on the table.


    My eyes landed on the title of the book: University of the Damned. I looked back at the woman and saw that she was watching me intently.


    She offered me a warm smile. "Well, my taste in literature may be a bit different from my appearance," she said, as if she could read my thoughts. She extended her hand towards me.


    "I am Tiffany Roxanne Enriquez," she announced with a warm smile, her lips spreading to reveal a set of straight white teeth. My eyebrows rose in surprise at the mention of my name, and I found myself staring at her outstretched hand. How did she know who I was?


    She chuckled, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she withdrew her hand. It was only then that I noticed the bandages wrapped around her arm and cheek. They didn''t seem to be self-inflicted, leading me to wonder about the cause of her injuries. Despite her seemingly innocent appearance, there appeared to be more to this young woman than met the eye.


    I was momentarily struck by something unsettling about her smile - it didn''t quite reach her eyes. Raphael must have been right.


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    "I-is there something in my face?" she asked, sensing my gaze upon her. I quickly withdrew my hand, feeling awkward.


    "What do you want?" I asked, my tone somewhat cold.


    Her eyes widened in surprise at my question. "Ah, I just thought that you were alone and I wanted to keep you company, or something," she stammered.


    "You''re right. I am alone, but I am not lonely," I replied, turning my attention back to my meal.


    As she realized that I was no longer interested in talking to her, she stood up and left, taking a seat at the table occupied by our class president and friends.


    "What''s up with that girl? You don''t get people approaching you that often," commented Raphael.


    I shrugged my shoulders and continued eating. "I don''t really care."


    ***


    As I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, I carefully ran the water and lathered up a bar of soap. The grease got in my hand while I was eating.


    But while I was washing my hands, I couldn''t help but be drawn to one of the cubicles at the far end of the bathroom. It sounded like someone was shouting, and I couldn''t help but wonder what was going on.


    "That''s her," said Raphael who was standing beside me. He''s looking in the mirror with his crimson red eyes and gesturing to the mentioned cubicle. "Tiffany must be in a lot of pain right now."


    I smirked and thought, "Someone''s in pain and I''ve got a chance to take advantage of it."


    I quickly finished washing my hands and dried them off before making my way over to the cubicle. As I approached, I could hear the situation more clearly.


    "Brent, please.You''re driving me insane! You''re really blaming me for breaking up with you? Are you kidding me?!" I heard her cry out, her voice shaking with anger. From the sound of things, she was on the phone with her boyfriend, and it seemed as though they were in the midst of a heated argument about their breakup.


    "You wanted everything to be perfect! But I''m not perfect, okay? I tried for you, but what did you do? You slept with someone in the theater room! You''re disgusting!" she added, her voice cracking. A flower materialized in my hand as I executed my plan.


    "Are you alright?" I called out as I knocked on the cubicle door.


    I heard the sound of the lock being unfastened and I quickly spoke up to stop her. "Wait," I said, crouching down to the ground. Reaching under the door, I held out a flower and said, "Only girls can understand the pain you''re experiencing right now. Take this flower."


    I heard a faint sob and then the flower was taken from my hand. I stood up and smiled at Raphael, who was grinning widely.


    "Who are you?" came the voice of Tiffany from inside the cubicle.


    "I am the Pain Reaper," I replied, my voice steady and sure. I heard her laugh, but it was tinged with sadness.


    "Stop joking around. You won''t get anything from me."


    "On the contrary," I replied, a smile on my lips. I grabbed hold of the door handle. "I can help you to ease your pain."


    I gave a nod to Raphael, who placed his hand on the lock of the cubicle door. With ease, he broke it open and the door swung wide. Tiffany and I locked eyes, and I saw the shock and fear in her gaze as she cowered in the corner.


    "This isn''t funny, Aurora," she said, her voice shaking.


    I sighed. "I''m not even playing games with you," I said and approached her. I moved slowly so as not to startle her. I took the flower in her hand and tightened my grip.


    I smiled. "Everything will be alright," I mumbled, bringing my lips close to her ear. "But I can make it happen faster if you just let me."


    She gasped and tried to push me away, but I stood firm. I hadn''t even been moved from my position earlier. She glared at me with hostility. "I''m not into girls."


    "Me too," I quickly replied, raising an eyebrow. "Don''t get me wrong, Tiffany. I''m just here to offer my service. You can get rid of the pain you''re feeling if you pluck a petal from the flower I gave you."


    She looked even more confused, "For what? Why are you doing this? If you want to comfort me¡ª"


    "In exchange," I cut her off and ignored her words. "...you need to give me your precious memories."


    She stopped and stared at me, as if searching for an answer in my eyes. My face remained blank and I returned her gaze.


    "You''re not joking," she sighed and flicked the flower in her hand. Tears streamed down her face again. "I accept it."


    I looked back at her and saw her reddened eyes. "Whether this is a trick or not, I don''t care anymore. If you can guarantee that I''ll feel better after this, I''m going to take it!"


    "Very well," I said with a smirk and gestured to the flower. Tiffany understood what I meant and plucked a petal from it.


    I immediately caressed my left arm and my grimoire appeared. I closed my eyes tightly and waited for the small book to stop on a page. The words I needed to say flowed into my mind.


    "Roses are red," I said as I felt the ground beneath us soften.


    "Violets are blue," I opened my eyes to see a petal slowly falling to the floor.


    "Memories are dead," Tiffany stared at me in shock.


    "The soul is anew," the petal disappeared into the ground and everything returned to normal. Energy flowed through my body and I leaned against the wall.


    A memory appeared before me, showing Tiffany and another woman in the gym, watching a game. Suddenly, a man with tanned skin and black hair approached them.


    "Tiffany, this is Brent. Brent, this is Tiffany," the woman introduced. The two people being introduced looked at each other and smiled.


    I opened my eyes and saw Raphael settling Tiffany on the toilet seat in such a way that she looked like she just passed out from crying too much.


    "How did you know she would accept your service? We didn''t even investigate her to make sure of her answer," Raphael asked.


    "Because she''s a human." I turned away and let him clean up after my business.


    In my lifetime, I witnessed how humans make sense of their suffering, and I couldn''t help but notice how their perception seemed to become distorted amidst it. They were no longer able to think clearly and make sound decisions, succumbing instead to the overwhelming emotions of pain and anger.


    It was as if their pain had clouded their judgment, causing them to lose sight of reason. The moment they saw a glimmer of hope, a way to rid themselves of the agony, they would not hesitate to seize it and grasp the opportunity of relief.


    And that is what I take advantage of as the Pain Reaper.


    As I walked out of the bathroom, I noticed something strange. Everyone in the corridor came to a halt, frozen in their position and with their faces etched with the expression they had on. I blinked for a second, and everything around me turned red.


    "The time..has stopped?" I whispered in the air, fear starting to surge inside me against the unknown.


    "I''ve been looking for you for a long time."


    My skin crawled in terror when I heard a stranger''s voice. My teeth clenched against each other, attempting to figure out what was going on. I needed to sharpen all my senses, because I could feel that the owner of that voice holds tremendous power for him to control time with his own will. He''s much stronger than I am.


    "What do you want from me?" I asked, swallowing my fear.


    I was frightened by his next words.


    "I''ve finally found you."


    I was startled when someone suddenly reached out and passed their hand in front of my face. I looked at them and saw Raphael, eyebrows furrowed as he gazed at me worriedly. "Are you alright? You''ve been unresponsive since you exited the bathroom."


    I looked around first to see if there were still people around and waited for them to pass me before responding to Raphael. I forced a smile and nodded. "I''m fine," I mumbled, shutting down the conversation.


    I had no intention to tell Raphael what transpired earlier, for I was still unsure what to make of them. However, I knew I had to be ready for what may come next, no matter who was behind this.

 Chapter 02: The Girl Next Door

    Upon arriving home, I immediately sank into the comfort of the sofa. I shed my black blazer, which was a part of my uniform, and hung it up. Leaning my head back on the cushions, I relaxed and loosened my green necktie. I stretched out my feet, clad in black knee-high socks, on the coffee table. Gazing up at the ceiling, I released a deep breath.


    "Am I cooking again, Rory?" Raphael''s voice startled me and I turned to see him donning a blue apron. I gave him a brief glance before nodding and gesturing for him to take a seat on the opposite sofa. "Sit here first. Let''s discuss what you acquired yesterday."


    He quickly removed the apron and seated himself across from me. Resting his arms on his lap, he interlaced his fingers. His black hair cascaded down his legs as he leaned slightly forward. Reaching under the table, he retrieved a few candles and arranged them in a circular formation on the table. As he lit them with his fingertips, the red flames sprang to life, dancing and converging in the center.


    "Look," he said, pointing to the shape that was forming in the center. I leaned closer to get a better look, gasping at the realization of what the flames had created.


    "An arrow."


    "Cupid is back in our town," Raphael began. "He''s doing rounds each month. He won''t stay long. You just need to be cautious, as you always have been."


    I couldn''t help but feel a sense of dread at this news. An angel like Cupid couldn''t coexist with me in the same place. He brought love, while I brought misery. We were too different.


    I gazed at Raphael once more. "When did he arrive in Sierraville?"


    "The day before yesterday." I paused at his words, recalling the sudden stop in time and the reddening of the surroundings. And the voice that had echoed during that moment.


    Could Cupid have been responsible for that? But I couldn''t fathom a reason for him to seek me out. We were both ethereal beings and it was in our best interest to avoid crossing paths.


    Raphael asked. "What are you thinking about?"


    "Raphael," I called out to him, still unable to catch his gaze. "Did you notice anything strange when we left the bathroom earlier?"


    Confusion flickered in his red eyes, but he still nodded.


    "I can''t quite put my finger on it, but..." Raphael trailed off, passing his hand over the candles. The flames immediately died out. "....I was alarmed when it seemed like you couldn''t hear me and you just kept staring blankly."


    I inhaled sharply, "So you didn''t know."


    "Know what?" he asked, finally lifting his eyes to meet mine. "Tell me what happened, Rory."


    "The time stopped," I revealed, locking eyes with him. "You were also a part of that stop in time and..." I looked down at my hands. "...only I was left moving."


    Raphael remained silent, attentively listening to my story. I continued, "I also heard a voice speaking. It said that it had been searching for me for a long time and now it had finally found me."


    Raphael stared at me for a few seconds after I told him what happened. I furrowed my brow, noticing his silence and the blank expression on his face, as if he was deep in thought.


    I raised an eyebrow at him. "What''s going on with you?"


    He sighed and then looked at me, annoyance etched on his face. But when our eyes met, it vanished like a bubble. "I think you should sit this one out and temporarily halt your services. Maybe it¡¯d be better if we transfer cities again and¨C¡±


    My forehead curled up. "What are you so careful about? Last time I checked, you¡¯re just a familiar I brought out from hell.¡±


    His reaction continued to baffle me as he persisted. "I am your servant. I''ll investigate and get to the bottom of this. I won''t let him get near you¨C"


    "You don''t need to do anything, Raphael," I interjected. "Your one job is to find my summoner, but I''ve been stuck in this world for how long now? A hundred years? And yet, you still haven''t found anything."


    He looked distressed. "I¨C"


    I leaned in close and whispered in his face. "So tell me, Raphael, how can I trust you with this?"


    ***


    As I tidied my bed, a faint thud echoed from the adjacent room. I disregarded it, but another loud noise prompted me to investigate for me to exit my bedroom. I found Raphael standing at the wall, his attention fixed on the source of the disturbance from the neighboring room,


    "Do you sense something?" I inquired, leaning against the wall. Raphael nodded in response.


    "I can feel it," Raphael said gravely. "She''s in a lot of pain right now, Aurora."


    "Well, then," I straightened myself. "What are we doing here? We should get going."


    "Rory, this isn''t a good idea," Raphael tried to dissuade me as I headed towards the door.


    I turned back to him. "You put up a barrier in this dormitory, right? Then it won''t be a problem."


    I walked a little further and listened for the loud footsteps again. It wasn¡¯t difficult since my soon to be victim made it clear that she was really having a hard time by those heavy, small steps. As I approached the staircase, the footsteps came to a halt.


    There, sitting on the steps, was the woman responsible for the noise. I couldn''t help but smirk at my good fortune. "Found you.¡±


    "Rory, didn''t you eat earlier? That''s enough. Let''s go back to the room," Raphael urged.


    I know he''s only concerned, but I need to grab this opportunity. I need to control myself during this month because of that stupid Angel of Love and I don''t want to starve.


    "Rory!" Raphael called out as I descended the stairs. I came upon a woman with sleek, black hair, dressed in the same uniform as us, but with a white jacket and black blouse - a sign of her junior level. She was muttering to herself in annoyance as I approached.


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    I moved closer to her slowly, and she looked surprised to see me. Her black eyes were filled with anger, but when our gazes met, she wiped away the tears on her cheeks.


    "What are you staring at?!" she snapped at me. I offered a warm smile and took hold of her hand. I silently celebrated when she did not even resist my touch.


    "Is something troubling you, Miss...?"


    She let out a deep sigh. "Edriane Dominique Gonzales. You can call me Nikki."


    I nodded a few times. "Okay, Nikki. There are only a few of us here in the dorm, so who else can we turn to?" I said softly as I gently squeezed her hand. "It''s just us."


    I won''t remember her name after this because once I get what I want, I''ll leave her here and she won''t remember anything. But I''ll keep her memory of me "helping" her for use in my next steps. The only thing I''ll erase is the moments I gave flowers to my victims and our agreement.


    "What''s the problem, Nikki?" I asked when she had calmed down a bit. She looked at the wall next to the stairs we were sitting on and seemed dazed.


    Meanwhile, I tried myself not to retaliate when I heard Raphael laughing beside us, just watching our drama.


    "You know, Rory, if you became an actor, you''d pass. Your kindness is convincing," he teased. I mentally rolled my eyes because of what he said.


    "I used to have a happy family.¡± I turned my full attention to Nikki when she started opening up. ¡°But I didn''t expect that in an instant, our happy family would crumble,¡± she said, sniffling. "My dad¡­he''s changed so much. It''s like I don''t even recognize him as my father anymore!"


    I quickly ran my hand down her back. I have a strong feeling that I''ll succeed again tonight.


    "And my mom, she''s an idiot. She knows that Dad doesn''t love her anymore, but no! She says that Dad is like this because he has a big problem, but I''m not an idiot like her to believe that kind of reason! What kind of a father will lash out and hurt the people he loves?"


    "It''s okay. It''s okay," I whispered to her as tears flowed down her face again.


    I hugged her so she would feel like she wasn''t alone. But soon, my forehead creased.


    After all this time on earth, my heart has become numb even if the person in front of me cries their heart out. But the story of this child brings a different feeling. I don''t feel good. It''s like anger is brewing in my heart.


    "One day, he hit my mom so I stopped him because even though I''m angry with them, I still love them and I don''t want them to fight. But the result, I was the one who bore their anger! I don''t want to anymore! I told Mom to leave Dad but she won''t. It''s tiring!" she continued.


    "Nikki, don''t lose hope. You will overcome this too," I said soothingly, offering her a reassuring smile as I gently wiped away her tears with the tip of my finger. "Everything will work out in the end."


    She sniffled and forced a smile. "I don''t know anymore. II just want to forget the pain. It''s exhausting," she said, and I couldn''t help but smile, not because I was sympathetic of her feelings, but because she¡¯s dancing right on my palm.


    Casually placing my hand behind my back, I instantly felt the warmth of Nikki¡¯s pain. "Here, take this," I said, presenting her with a bright yellow, fragrant flower. She was an optimist - her flowers always reflected her positive outlook on life, but also served as a way to deceive others into thinking she was okay.


    "What''s this for?" she asked, accepting the flower from me.


    I tilted my head. "Don''t you want to forget?"


    She forced a laugh. "What does this flower have to do with my silly wish?¡±


    "I am the Pain Reaper, Nikki," I said, my words causing her eyes to widen in shock.


    "Aurora, maybe you''re just tired. The Pain Reaper is just an urban legend, passed down through the generations. It''s not real!" She stood up and straightened her clothes. "Thank you again."


    But as she turned to leave, I grabbed her arm. She looked at me in surprise. "W-What?"


    "I''m not joking," I said, my tone serious. It was clear that my words had unnerved her, and she looked at me with confusion in her eyes. But I wasn''t going to let my time here be wasted. "You can forget all the pain, Nikki. Just ask, and I will make it happen."


    "But... the price of making a deal with you is supposed to be important memories, right?" she stuttered, unable to look away from me.


    "That''s correct," I replied quickly. "What''s more important to you now?"


    She was silenced by my question, deep in thought. She looked at me again and took a deep breath before speaking. "No one will see you," I promised, a reassuring smile spreading across my face.


    I watched as she nervously swallowed and gave a timid nod. She slowly lowered herself onto the seat next to me and picked up the flower again, running her fingers over its petals. "If I pluck one of these, the pain will go away," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.


    Tears welled up in her eyes as she looked at me, her voice trembling. "And I''ll be happy, won''t I?"


    I offered her a reassuring smile, but did not speak. I merely looked at her, allowing my gaze to speak for itself. She nodded, as if understanding my unspoken response, and returned her attention to the flower. Without hesitation, she plucked one of its petals. The air around us was immediately filled with a warm, golden light. I brushed my arm and my grimoire appeared, flipping through its pages until it came to rest on the ones I needed.


    "Roses are red," I said, and the light grew brighter.


    "Violets are blue," I closed my eyes, focusing on the task at hand.


    "Memories are dead," I felt the thing we were working on begin to dissipate.


    "The soul is anew," I said, opening my eyes. The petal had vanished, sinking into the ground and taking the light, grimoire, and flower with it.


    In Nikki''s memory, a younger version of her appeared, no more than five years old, lying in bed. Her face was filled with joy as she played with a woman and a man who were her parents. They were a family full of love and happiness, but little did they know that their world was about to be shattered.


    I stood, smoothening my clothes, and made my way back to my room. I even catched Raphael¡¯s gaze, but chose not to speak to him. As I settled onto my bed, I let out a sigh and covered my eyes with my arm. "People create their own rain and get upset when a hurricane starts to appear," I whispered to the empty air and started drifting off to sleep.


    ***


    "Aurora!"


    I turned to the side as someone called my name. My lips moved on their own, forcing a smile even though I didn''t feel like it. I placed a hand on my chest, feeling my heart race. It was as if I had been waiting for the person calling my name to approach me.


    "Aurora, are you ready?" the person asked as they got closer. I looked up, trying to see their face clearly, but it was blurry. Even so, the strange feeling in my stomach remained, especially when they placed their hand on my head. I felt my cheeks heat up and lowered my head to answer their earlier question.


    I felt them gently stroke my head, "That''s my girl."


    I catched my breath when my eyes fluttered open. My forehead was dripping with sweat as if I had just run a race with a hundred horses. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the remnants of that strange dream. "That''s my girl?" I shuddered at the thought.


    I glanced at the digital clock near my lamp and gasped as I saw the time. It was 2:59 AM. The devil''s hour.


    I shook my head in disbelief. These mortal tricks aren''t going to work on me. They just create their own fears.


    I was about to go back to sleep when I noticed the sky lighting up. I got out of bed and opened my wardrobe, pulling out a sweater and slipping it on before heading towards the lanai. No one was awake at this hour.


    I looked up at the sky and saw a shooting star. According to mortal folklore, wishes of those who see it are granted. Some even say that whatever the heart truly desires will come true. I placed my hand on my chest and immediately felt my heart beating. I''ve been human for so many years now, living in this body. In fact, I could have been male, but I don''t know why I chose a female vessel. My memories deteriorate the longer I stay in the mortal realm.


    I returned my gaze to the shooting star''s path again. From what I know, it symbolizes an angel falling and being separated from the Father due to what happened to our king, Lucifiel. I''m not sure, but that''s what I''ve heard in stories, especially from Raphael. He also told me that during meteor showers, those are the angels who fell from grace because they were judged before the Mighty High.


    "Ugh."


    I quickly hid behind the wall of the lanai railings when I heard someone speak from the neighboring apartment. The apartment next to mine also has a lanai. I peeked to see who it was and saw my conversation partner from earlier on the stairs. It was Nikki.


    Another shooting star had passed by, and I saw her close her eyes and smile, lips uttering her wishes. I watched her as she chuckled to herself before returning to her room.


    Nikki seemed different to me now. Her smile was no longer tinged with sadness. Once I was sure she wouldn''t come back, I returned to my room. I was impressed by her display of hope.


    One thing I admire about mortals is their ability to hold on, no matter how hard the circumstances.


    I laughed at my thoughts. Sometimes, I just can''t seem to understand how I feel about these mortals. They confuse me at times, but often, I find them entertaining to watch.


    "Time to go back to sleep.¡±

 Chapter 03: Unwanted

    Caring for children is a delicate mix of structure and play, a dance between order and chaos. A loving hand must lead children through life''s twists and turns, and a steady voice must quiet their anxieties and comfort their sorrows.


    This caring to the hearts and minds of the young is a work of love. A never-ending work that requires every ounce of energy and concentration while also filling the spirit with joy and purpose.


    That is how mortals express their affection for those innocent, young lambs. And although I am fortunate enough not to be mortal, I need to act like one, which includes participating in this charity work that our university has assigned to our class.


    "Wait a minute, just a moment!"


    "You should eat now."


    "Drink this and you¡¯ll be stronger."


    "Wow, that''s great. You''re so kind!"


    Exhausted and barely able to move, I collapsed onto a seat. The orphanage we visited in the neighboring town was brimming with mischievous children, and we spent the entire day running after them. Despite the added supervision of the teachers, I had to stay alert and avoid getting scolded, not wanting to waste any of my precious time.


    "Water?" Raphael asked, offering me a plastic bottle. I nodded, gratefully accepting it and gulping it down in one go. Even being helpful can be tiring.


    Raphael sat down next to me, sighing in frustration. "Our classmates said there would be games, but it turned out to be just for kids. How annoying!" he complained, taking a drink from his own bottle.


    I chuckled and couldn''t help but smile at the memory of Raphael stumbling while chasing after the kids. It was hard to stay angry at him, especially when I recalled how he was teased for his long hair, being called "sister".


    "I know it''s not your first time interacting with humans, but it''s been a while, right? You might be a bit behind on things. And just a reminder, you shouldn''t believe everything you hear."" I teased, the smile on his lips fading as he looked away and swallowed.


    Something seemed off, but before I could probe further, he stood up and declared, "Mass is about to start. Let''s go."


    I followed him obediently, not in the mood to come up with an excuse to leave if we were caught. Chasing after the kids had left me exhausted, so I let Raphael take the lead.


    "Hey, where are you guys going?" our classmate, Sapphire Tordecilla, asked as we left the orphanage. Although I didn''t know her well, we were in the same group for our charity work today.


    Raphael gestured towards the road in front of us, filled with food stalls, street food, tapsilogan, and many other things.


    "Just looking for something to eat," he replied.


    Sapphire nodded and advised us. ¡°You should probably head back soon. Mass is about to start."


    With a grin, I followed Raphael out of the orphanage, taking in the vast property with its own chapel and beautiful garden, with swings and an abundance of flowers.


    "Well, well, what should we do now?" Raphael asked, surveying the road in front of us.


    "Let''s just walk around and see if we can find something to eat¨C" I suggested, my words interrupted as I almost collided with a woman carrying a basket of vegetables. "I''m sorry, miss," I apologized, stepping back.


    "Rory," Raphael called out to me as we passed the woman.


    I nodded while still keeping my gaze on the woman, "I know. Let''s follow--"


    "Rory, don''t bother," Raphael interrupted as he firmly held onto my shoulder.


    "Just hold on for another month. You managed to do it before, you can do it again."


    I didn''t even spare Raphael a second glance as I brushed his hand off my shoulder and sprinted after the woman I had seen earlier. It was clear she wasn''t heading towards the church; rather, she seemed to be making a beeline for the east wing of the orphanage. The only thing out here was the sprawling garden, and then it hit me: the swing! That must be where she was headed.


    I raced towards the swing and, as it turned out, I was right on the mark. The woman who had collided with Raphael was there, seated on the swing and gently rocking back and forth, caressing her stomach as she closed her eyes and began to sing.


    I stopped in my tracks, mesmerized by the sight and the sound of her voice.


    "How can I long


    For someone I haven''t touched


    Somehow it reminds me


    Of the dreams I''ve lost."


    I walked closer to her, my heart heavy as our eyes met. I sat down next to her on the swing and looked up at the sky as she continued to sing, her voice as tranquil and beautiful as a grieving bird.


    "I had you for a short, precious time


    I feel your absence, my little child


    It''s breaking me, hurting me


    No, I cannot be free."


    When she noticed me approaching her, she stopped the swing''s movement and looked down at her feet, covered in dirt. She made no move to speak to me, her sadness palpable.


    I took a deep breath and asked her, "What''s your name?"


    "Petinah Alarcon," she replied, still not looking at me.


    I wrapped my hands around the chains of the swing and gently set it in motion. "Why did you abort it?"


    I couldn''t be sure if the child inside her was no longer there, but the pain in her eyes told me that something had been lost that could never be regained in this world. Her reaction confirmed my suspicions.


    "No! You''re wrong!" she yelled, standing up from the swing and turning to me, anger etched on her face. "You wouldn''t understand anything!"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Tears streamed down Petinah''s face as she struggled to keep her lips from trembling. I stood there, frozen, not knowing what to do. I longed to wipe away her tears and hold her close, offering her comfort, but I stopped myself. I couldn''t find a single good reason to do so. My purpose here was to exploit her pain, not share it with her.


    "I''m sorry," Petinah said softly, noticing my inaction. "I-I was just taken aback."


    "I can help you," I offered, hoping to make amends for my inaction.


    Petinah wiped the tears from her eyes before turning back to me. Her eyebrows were raised in a silent question. "Just having someone by my side right now means a lot. Thank you-"


    "That''s not what I meant," I snapped, my words causing Petinah to start in surprise. I leaned in closer, my voice low and serious. "Have you heard of the Pain Reaper?"


    Petinah clutched her stomach and looked down at the ground. "Yes," she replied. "I''ve tried calling that number on the page I found online several times, but..."


    "But?" I prompted.


    Petinah took a deep breath before continuing. "But I don''t know if I can really summon the courage to forget what I did to my child."


    I looked up at the sky and grasped the swing, my thoughts heavy. "Is it really worth it? Would you really choose to carry that pain with you when there''s an easier way to stop suffering?"


    Petinah''s voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Have you ever fallen in love?" she asked, ignoring my question. I stopped the swing''s movement, my thoughts turning inward. Demons don''t fall in love. We are not capable of loving or being loved. As long as there is even the slightest trace of evil in mortals, that''s enough for us to live on.


    I closed my eyes and clutched my head when my head began throbbing, then images just started rushing in.


    I see myself talking to someone. Like before, I know it''s a man, but I don''t know who he is in my life. I can''t see any of his features ¨C not the color of his hair, eyes, skin, or lips. Everything is blurry. But even so, I feel at peace with my head leaning against his shoulder. I''m worried that our time together might end, but the happiness of being with him at this moment overwhelms me.


    Who is he?


    "I wish," I said without realizing it, "...that this moment wouldn''t end."


    A smile spread across my lips as I felt the warmth of the man¡¯s hand on mine. I felt his gaze on me. "I''ll find a way,"he promised.


    "Are you okay?"


    Petinah¡¯s question pulled me out of my reverie.I leaned back and nodded, opening my eyes again and grounding myself to reality. "Y-yeah. I''m fine. What was your question again?"


    "It''s nothing. I think you just don''t want to answer," Petinah replied, a hint of sadness in her voice.


    "It''s just that..." Petinah turned to me, her voice shaking with emotion. "...I fell in love at the wrong time and with the wrong person," she added, her hand rubbing her stomach. Tears spilled down her face as she spoke. "And an innocent life was dragged into it, never getting the chance to see this world."


    "Back then, I used to believe in fairy tales," she began, trying to steady her voice. "Like any kid, I dreamed of having my own prince charming. I believed that one day I would find my true love and finally be happy. I would be treated like a princess and I would have my future king by my side." A smile played at the corners of her lips as she spoke, but it quickly faded. "But maybe, happiness isn''t meant to last. Everything comes to an end eventually."


    She took a deep breath before continuing. "It all started with Alex. I loved him..." Fresh tears flowed down her face. "...so much."


    I watched as she clenched her skirt tightly in her fists. "I gave him everything, even my body, to prove how much I loved him. But after he got what he wanted..." She struggled to catch her breath. "...he left me like I was nothing. Like nothing happened and we never existed."


    She bit her lower lip. "After all the shit that tore me apart, I stopped glorifying god. I can''t accept the fact that the very father of the child I''m carrying is the one who killed our child. I was never treated like a princess, but a slave. He hurt me, emotionally and physically. He knew about our two children, but he deliberately hit me until I bled. Until I lost my baby." She froze, tears streaming down her face again. She raised her hand and placed it on her stomach, "Until my baby was gone."


    Miscarriage.


    The loss of a child is a deep wound for a mother, especially for Petinah who experienced it at such a young age. The process of healing from it is already painful, but she will carry it with her until she returns to the dust. She might blame herself for it, thinking that she was careless and didn''t even defend herself.


    I should be happy in this moment. Petinah''s struggles weigh heavily on her, and I can help her greatly. I can take away her pain and consume every precious memory she has to offer with no extra effort.


    But why do I feel this way?


    Why do I understand what she''s going through?


    "That''s how love fools people," she said again. "It clouds your mind with delusions until there''s nothing left for you," she replied with forced laughter. "I tried to mend him, but in the end, I was the one who was broken."


    "Petinah..." I said as I placed my hand on my back. I immediately felt the heat flowing through it, a sign that a flower had already bloomed there.


    "No, it''s okay," she said, brushing a brave smile. "You don''t have to force yourself to feel sorry for me."


    "Petinah, I am the Pain Reaper," I said without hesitation. Her eyes widened at my words, but I did not allow her to speak further. "I can take away the pain. I can help you rid yourself of the burden that weighs heavy on your heart-"


    "But I don''t want to forget my¨C¡±


    "And still keep the memory of your child," I interjected, placing a gentle hand over hers and pressing the grey-colored flower into her palm. She looked at me with a mixture of sadness and hope in her eyes, so I continued. "I only reap the pain of my clients. In exchange, The memories that come to me in exchange are the most important memories to them."


    "Memories that brought them joy,¡± I finished.¡± Petinah looked into my eyes for a moment, wiping away her tears before looking away. She placed a hand on her stomach and clutched the flower tightly.


    She nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "I see. If that¡¯s the case, then..¡± She looked back at me, tears streaming down her face as she begged, "Please, help me."


    Without a word, I ran brushed my hand over my arm. My grimoire appeared, encircling us in a soft, grey light. Petinah watched me with a blank expression as tears continued to fall from her eyes. The pages of my book flipped and stopped at the incantation I needed to recite.


    "Roses are red," I began, and the ground beneath us softened.


    "Violets are blue," Petinah said, raising the flower in her hand.


    "Memories are dead..." She plucked a petal from the flower.


    "Thank you..." she mouthed.


    I closed my eyes, not wanting to see her cry while smiling as if her hope and salvation depended on me.


    "The soul is anew," I said, and the petal was swallowed by the soft ground.


    Petinah appeared before me, sitting in a crowded room. From what I could see, they were at a gig. A man played the guitar on stage, singing a song that was unfamiliar to me.


    "I''m asking you,


    Listen to the beating of my heart,


    You came into my life unexpectedly,


    I''d like to be,


    Right beside you every time."


    I looked at Petinah, who had her hands covering her mouth as the man, whom I assumed was named Alex, sang. The room was quiet, the only sound was the strumming of the guitar and the two of them singing. It was as if the world revolved around them at that moment.


    "You dazzled me


    With that weird smile and clever mind


    Your face is everything I ever knew


    Oh darling,


    Let me take care of you."


    This is the memory that fills Petinah''s mind. It is a common experience among young people when they gaze upon the one they love.


    "What are you waiting for?


    Take my hand


    Our hearts beat as one


    Oh let me, sing this with you."


    As the song came to an end, Alex stood up and placed his guitar to the side. He took a bouquet of flowers and descended from the stage. He approached Petinah.


    "Will you be my girlfriend?"


    Tears of joy streamed down Petinah''s face. She didn''t realize that more tears would eventually fall after she answered "Yes" to that question.


    I watched Petinah, who was now leaning against the metal swing, fast asleep. Her cheeks were still wet with tears, but her lips still wore a smile. What will become of her now that she has suddenly been relieved of the weight she carried? Will she make the same mistake again?


    "Rory..."


    I turned to Raphael as he appeared before me, concern etched on his crimson red eyes. He crouched slightly so that we were at the same level and looked directly into my eyes.


    "You shouldn''t have done that," he said, his voice laced with worry. I grimaced and was about to protest when he gently took hold of my face, wiping away the tears on my cheeks with his thumb.


    I was crying? How can that be?


    "Raphael..." I couldn''t find the words to say anything else. I was overwhelmed with emotions that I couldn''t begin to understand. He offered me a small smile before pulling me into a tight embrace.


    What he provided was company and silence, and I gladly received it.

 Chapter 04: Unrequited Love

    A thousand years have passed, and yet I find myself faced with a new emotion, one I have never before encountered. It coils within me, a foreign presence, unfamiliar and unsettling.


    I feel like I was standing at the crossroads, torn between the safety of the known and the allure of the unknown. The thought of embracing this new feeling fills me with a sense of dread, for I know not where it will lead.


    It shouldn''t be this way. My vessel may be a mortal, but my soul is not. It is impossible for me to render such emotions and be vulnerable to them.


    "Do you want to go out today? There''s a new park nearby. I was planning to go there later since we''re both free this Saturday," Raphael inquired, bringing me back to reality.


    I took a bite of the chicken sandwich he had prepared for me this breakfast before responding, "What do you propose we do?"


    He placed the envelope down and took a sip from the glass of water before him. "Nothing much. I just want to get some fresh air."


    I was struck with hesitation at his words. Is he attempting to alleviate my feelings, as he believes I am still not myself since yesterday...


    I closed my eyes firmly, banishing such thoughts from my mind. I chose to ignore his comment and said, "Raphael, you are in the Philippines," before taking a drink.


    His brow furrowed in confusion as he looked upon me.


    "And?" he asked.


    I raised my hand and faced him, signaling for him to wait there while I tidied up. "Pollution," I replied with an obvious tone.


    I could feel his gaze upon me, so I lifted my eyes once more. My brows furrowed in confusion. "Do you have something to say?"


    He hesitated, glancing at his meal before returning his gaze to me. He stared blankly for a few moments before speaking. "We have a client, Rory. She called earlier on the cellphone we use for transactions."


    "What did she say?"


    "She wishes to meet at the park," Raphael replied. My brows rose in surprise at his words. It is possible for us to make arrangements, even without physically seeing each other. What could be the reason for such a request?


    "Do you truly wish to go to the park?" I questioned.


    Raphael immediately shook his head. "N-not like that. I just want to hang out with you¡ª"


    "Okay, let''s go," I cut him off. "Keep an eye out later, okay? If you see anything weird, let me know."


    "But Rory, are you truly alright?" Raphael asked with concern. I simply stared at him and continued eating in silence, ignoring the sadness that appeared on Raphael''s face as a result of my cold demeanor until we finished our meal.


    I promptly retired to my room to dress. Leaning against the door after closing it, I closed my eyes tightly as Petinah''s reaction flooded my mind - the woman I saw singing on the swing yesterday.


    This is wrong. These feelings are wrong.


    I don''t understand what''s going on with me. Am I getting too involved with the mortals I come across? With my victims? Are their memories blending with my own?


    Why did I cry?


    And of all the people who saw me in such a vulnerable state, it had to be my familiar - Raphael. Perhaps he believes I am becoming too soft. This can cause a conflict between our master-servant relationship.


    I drew my tongue over my teeth and tucked my hair behind my ear, trying to push away the thoughts that kept creeping into my mind. It was better to forget about what had happened, at least for now. The longer I lingered on those memories, the harder it became to surface again.


    I headed to the wardrobe and opened it, searching for something to wear. The weather outside was overcast and cool, so I grabbed a red sweatshirt and grey pants. I would put on my black shoes before we left.


    After getting dressed, I stood in front of the mirror and ran a brush through my hair. My purple eyes stared back at me, framed by thin lips and long, coffee-colored hair. I straightened my bangs and, satisfied with my appearance, left the room.


    Raphael was already putting on his shoes when I emerged. He was dressed in a comfortable outfit and a dark blue sweatshirt that faded towards the bottom. He looked up as I walked past him, but I averted my gaze and went to retrieve my shoes from the rack.


    He finished first and stood up, a smile on his face. "Ready to go?"


    "Hold on," I said, tying my right shoe. My left one was already done, so this wouldn''t take long. Raphael stood and drew the curtains, revealing the gloomy sky outside. Dark clouds were gathering, promising rain.


    "Looks like it''s going to rain," he said, staring out the window. I put my foot down and wiped my hands on my pants. I stood up and went to the door, grabbing the two umbrellas leaning against it.


    "We have protection for weather like this," I said, holding up my umbrella. I glanced at him over my shoulder before heading out the door.


    The park was just a short walk away. There weren''t many people around, probably because the park was new and the threat of rain kept some away. I took a seat on a bench and looked around, taking in the sights and sounds of the place.


    Raphael sat down next to me. "It''s refreshing, don''t you think?" he commented. I didn''t respond, but I supposed he was right. The weather was cool and not muggy, making it pleasant to be outside.


    I couldn''t help but wonder why Raphael was making small talk with me.


    Instead of engaging with my companion, I chose to observe the people around us in the park. In the distance, I saw an elderly man with a cane and a small boy chatting while holding ice cream cones. It seemed that they were just passing through and the child had begged to stop for a while. The place was quite strange, especially for children, with food stalls that could ruin your teeth, vendors selling toys, playgrounds, and a large fountain with a statue of a mountain. It looked a bit weird, but the symbol fit the city''s name, Sierraville.


    I also noticed some couples wandering around, and Raphael seemed to have guessed what was running through my mind. "Are you feeling envious, Rory?" he asked.


    I huffed. Here we go again with his teasing. "Not now, Raphael."


    I heard him sigh and felt his arm pressing against mine. "It''s cold."


    "I blame you," I snapped, turning to look at him. "Keep your distance."


    "But your warmth..."


    "I don''t care. Stay away from me. One meter apart!"


    "Fine."


    I couldn''t help but smirk as Raphael finally gave in. He slunk away and followed my requested distance. He looked like the heavens were not in favor of him and brought him unfortunate luck. Well, he did fall from it, so it makes sense.


    I leaned back and shifted the conversation. "Get me a coffee," I said, pointing to the convenience store nearby. "Brewed coffee. 12 ounces. Green."


    Raphael tilted his head, causing his long black hair to fall over his hips. I raised an eyebrow, waiting for him to say something. After a few seconds of staring at each other, he looked away and stood up. "Got it," he grumbled before heading into the store. I just smiled and watched him go, finding his antics amusing.


    As I waited for Raphael to return, I chose to stand and explore my surroundings. Who was this client we were meeting today? I had forgotten to take Raphael''s cellphone to find out what issue they would be seeking my help with today. I hadn''t expected Raphael to offer me a job like this, especially when he insisted that must avoid finding victims just for this month. He really can be so confusing.


    I decided to observe the people here at the park instead and attempted to find out who among them was carrying a heavy burden. Most mortals are skilled at wearing masks, smiling even when they''re going through something difficult, and acting like everything is okay even when they''re about to lose hope.


    I sighed. That''s why it can be difficult for me to determine who to take advantage of. I don''t feel anything, even though I did feel somewhat affected before from Nikki and Petinah''s situations. I have to admit that I still don''t fully understand what goes on in the minds of mortals even though I have existed for so long, only to fail like this miserably.


    It''s a good thing that there is technology now and even the clients themselves approach me, anonymous or not. And Raphael is always by my side to help me manage my daily life.


    As I lost myself in thought, I didn''t notice a figure approaching me. I stepped back when we collided. I looked up and saw a woman with long black hair and somewhat tanned skin. She was wearing a shirt with a red and black checkered long-sleeved top wrapped around her waist and blue jeans. She also had a red and black beanie and black shoes.


    She panicked. "Oh, no.." she apologized while looking at my chest. I looked down and realized that my sweatshirt was slightly damp. The woman had accidentally splattered me with the ice cream she was holding.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Great. This was my favorite sweatshirt.


    "Come over here and let me fix it. Please, don''t be angry," she asked, pulling me towards a bench. We both sat down and she leaned closer to me. She fiddled with a handkerchief in her left hand and was about to wipe me off when I quickly stopped her with my palm. She quickly pulled back, realizing that some people just don''t want to be touched.


    I smiled thinly and took the handkerchief from her. "I''ll do it," I said, wiping my sweatshirt.


    "I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry. I''m so sorry," she repeated endlessly, watching me as I cleaned myself up. When I finished, I folded the handkerchief and placed it on my lap. I tucked the stained part inside and returned it to her.


    She accepted it immediately. "I''m really sorry, miss. Hmm..." she said, and seemed to be thinking. She looked like a child who had just had an idea and a light bulb went off in her head as she grinned and her eyes widened slightly.


    "I know!" she exclaimed. "Let''s eat some street foods! My treat!"


    I was just about to decline her offer when she grabbed my wrist and pulled me up. I didn''t know what was going through her mind, but as they say, you can''t decline a gift, so I just went along with it.


    ***


    "Will you be eating this?" my companion, a woman, inquired as she gestured towards the food on display at a street food stall. I simply nodded in response. She promptly procured a cup and stick, offering them to me.


    "Just choose what you''d like. I''ll take care of the payment," she said. I nodded once more and accepted the cup and stick. I surveyed my options: kikiam, fishballs, tokneneng, quail eggs, and squid balls, as well as French fries. I skewered five small quail eggs and ten fishballs. The container was large enough, so it was all good. I opened the sauces and mixed the sweet and spicy ones in my hand, licking my lips in anticipation. It was all fine for now; I had been filled with ice cream, which was free in exchange for the food. My mortal body also required sustenance.


    After paying, I realized I didn''t know her name yet. I had expected her to depart, but she didn''t. Instead, she followed me to the bench where I had been sitting earlier and sat down beside me.


    I took a bite of a fishball before I began to speak. "Thank you again for this..."


    "Coreen. Coreen Jeanne Eclipse is my name. And you are?" she continued.


    Eclipse? In my time in the mortal realm, I had only heard such a surname now. It was quite uncommon.


    "Aurora," I replied briefly.


    Her eyes seemed to sparkle as she heard my name. "So many Rs!"


    I simply shrugged and resumed eating. I didn''t speak to her any further after that. I had nothing to say and we were strangers.


    "They say it''s better to open up with strangers because their opinions are unbiased and honest," she suddenly said, gazing off into the distance.


    I turned to look at her as she spoke and saw that she was staring at me from afar. Was she speaking to me? Why had her demeanor changed so suddenly after simply eating street food? Was it poisoned?


    "I mean, their statements are free from judgment because they don''t know who you are," she added, turning her gaze back to me. A smile graced her lips. "What do you think?"


    I swallowed before responding, "You''re not wrong."


    If she was asking if she could open up to me, I was fine with that. In the back of my mind, I could also use her presence to eat today, in addition to the free food she had given me earlier.


    She finished her fries before talking to me again, "Do you see that woman over there in the restaurant with her friends?" she inquired, gesturing towards the restaurant situated across from the convenience store. I spared a glance at Raphael, who was stuck in a long line. It seemed that many people had also stopped by when I purchased coffee for him.


    I followed Coreen''s gaze when I noticed that I was getting distracted and looked for the woman she indicated. "The one in the pink off-shoulder top?"


    "What about her?" I asked. It took her a moment to respond, but she eventually did.


    "I slept with her."


    "And?" I pressed, turning my gaze back to her. Her eyes widened in surprise and her eyebrows shot up, as if she couldn''t believe what she just heard from me.


    I cocked my head in confusion. "Why?"


    "D-don''t you find it disgusting?" she asked, hesitancy creeping into her voice.


    I shrugged and resumed eating my food. "Why? Because you''re both women?"


    "Y-yeah," she stuttered, avoiding eye contact. She took a deep breath before continuing. "I hope everyone''s like you. You don''t even look at me with disgust."


    It''s because I''m devoid of emotions. I just don''t care.


    "We''re best friends with benefits," she began to tell her story. "It started when I confessed my affection towards her, but my feelings were not reciprocated."


    She kept her gaze fixed on her shoes, as if trying to keep the pain out of her voice. "Instead, I was taken for granted."


    She chuckled, but it held no mirth. "It sounds stupid, right? But yeah, even so, I was content with just being that way. At least, I get to be with her and make her happy," she said, swallowing hard. "E-even if it''s just for a moment."


    She lifted her head and looked upwards, trying to hold back her tears. "You know, sometimes I think I shouldn''t have confessed to her. Things might be better this way. It''s like I''d rather we just stayed good friends, nothing more, nothing less."


    I put down the food I was eating and faced her. "There are things better left unsaid," I said, allowing her a moment to compose herself. She bit her lower lip as she tried to hold back the tears that threatened to fall from her eyes. I waited patiently as she gathered her thoughts before continuing. "But as the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat..." She looked at me expectantly, waiting for my next words. "...but satisfaction brought it back to life."


    She offered a small smile, sniffling slightly. "That was deep, Aurora."


    I shrugged and picked up my cup of food. "Just saying."


    "Do you know..."


    "Not yet," I quickly replied. I heard her laugh, so I inhaled sharply. Look at this. She was crying just a moment ago and now she''s laughing.


    Mortals really are moody.


    "I called the Pain Reaper today," she said, halting my thoughts. "After talking to you today, all of my regrets about my past decisions have disappeared. But... I''m tired of hearing his promises, Aurora. I just want to forget everything so I can start over. I''m willing to risk my memories for it."


    I put down my food again and took her hand. I squeezed it gently. "Your wish will be granted."


    She furrowed her brow at my words, but her expression quickly turned to shock as a bright light emanated from our clasped hands, forming into a flower. I let go of her and allowed her to hold the object.


    "Rainbow," she marveled, gazing at it in awe. "I''ve never seen a rainbow-colored flower before!"


    "Pluck the petal and the pain will go away, and in return, your precious memories will be mine."


    She looked at the flower with a mix of wonder and fear. "This is crazy. Of all the people I could have bumped into today, it had to be you, the Pain Reaper."


    "What is your decision--"


    I was interrupted by a cold hand resting on my waist. The surroundings turned red as if blood had filled my eyes. The birds stopped flying in the sky and the rain froze in place. But unlike my previous experiences, my body was paralyzed and my tongue turned numb.


    "Stop this," a voice commanded.


    I was suddenly engulfed in a bright light and felt a force separating me from her. When I turned to face her, there was no one there.


    "Show yourself!" I shouted, anger and frustration coursing through me. There was no shadow, no sound, no trace of her presence.


    I took a deep breath and continued my incantation, determined to find the person who had summoned me here and return home safely. "I will do whatever it takes to stay in this realm of mortals until I find the one who called me here. Even if Cupid himself stands in my way and was responsible for stopping time today, I will do everything to return to my origin safely."


    To my surprise, the peculiar event suddenly came to a halt, and when I gazed upon Coreen once more, she had already plucked the petal from the flower, freeing me from the clutches of the enemy. I then made sure there were no further disturbances before continuing my task at hand. I retrieved my grimoire and allowed its pages to flip through. The ground beneath Coreen''s feet also effortlessly softened.


    "Roses are red," I spoke as I approached Coreen.


    "Violets are blue." I took the flower from her hand. Time ceased once more, but this time it was due to my magic.


    "Memories are dead." As expected, the flower vanished like a bubble.


    "The soul is anew." As I spoke these words, the flower fell and was swallowed by the ground. Everything returned to normal, and while the Coreen was not yet awake, I quickly left the scene.


    As I walked away, I noticed a woman with a pink off-shoulder top gazing at me from behind, as if she were headed in my direction. We passed each other, and I couldn''t help but take a look at her. She gently shook Coreen, and that''s when I realized she was the woman that Coreen had pointed out earlier in the restaurant.


    "Babe? Babe, wake up," she said. I leaned casually against the wall near them and watched. Relationships like theirs are not accepted in society. Some people say it''s because the Bible states that only men and women were created by God. Others say it''s disgusting. I thought that in the mortal world, love was the center of life. But why do they prevent it from flourishing? If love is the foundation of happiness and affection, why don''t they allow it to thrive?


    My thoughts were interrupted when I felt something warm pressing against my cheek. I looked to find Raphael who just got back from the convenience store I reached for the coffee he offered and took a sip, only to find that my tongue had been slightly burnt.


    "Take it easy," Raphael advised, looking down at my chest where ice cream had been earlier. He was about to ask a question when I quickly placed a finger to my lips, indicating that I had no time to listen to him.


    Turning my attention back to what had caught my eye before, I saw that Coreen and the woman were now sitting side by side. The woman held Coreen''s hand in hers.


    "I''m sorry for everything, Babe. I''ve already broken up with Ralph. I kept my promise," the woman said, her grip on Coreen''s hand growing tighter. But instead of being happy, Coreen simply stared blankly at her. The woman, noticing Coreen''s lack of response, wore a look of confusion on her face.


    "Coreen? Babe?" she asked.


    "I''m sorry, Janna, but... I don''t feel the same anymore. Let''s just be friends again," Coreen replied, pulling her hand away from the woman''s grasp.


    Janna looked at Coreen in confusion, but made no further attempt to pursue her.


    From bestfriends to bestfriends with benefits, and finally to only "friends".


    Coreen''s precious memory appeared before me.


    "Bes, Ralph and I locked eyes in the hallway! Kyaa!" exclaimed the woman with Coreen, both of them dressed in uniforms unfamiliar to me. They wore blue pencil skirts, a blue vest, and a necktie with a badge from their school.


    "Janna, there''s still hope for you, bes!" Coreen exclaimed excitedly, the two of them high-fiving and holding hands. Janna, overwhelmed with joy, hugged Coreen tightly. Coreen''s eyes widened and a strange smile graced her lips.


    "I love you, Bes."


    I turned away from them and took another sip of the coffee Raphael had bought for me. My familiar followed me as we walked towards the Ferris Wheel. Now that we were here, we decided to ride this giant attraction.


    "15 please," said the man guarding the entrance of the Ferris Wheel. Raphael promptly gave him 30 and we entered one of the cabins. There were two seats facing each other. The cabin was long enough for two people to sit side by side, but we sat opposite each other instead.


    I leaned back against my seat, feeling the gentle swaying as the Ferris Wheel began to move. The feeling of being at the top was indescribable. It stopped briefly, allowing me to take in the breathtaking view of Sierraville. The various houses seemed to shrink in size from this height. The name Sierra, meaning mountain, was fitting as I could see a distant beach separating the town from another city, its crystal clear blue waters glistening beneath it. It was a true work of art. I wanted to capture the image etched in my mind and bring it to life through my sketches when we returned home.


    As I looked down again, I saw that Janna and Coreen were together once more, but they weren''t speaking or even looking at each other. The distance between them was enough for them to appear as strangers.


    "Unrequited love, huh?" Raphael commented, also looking down. "One-sided love is like a Ferris Wheel without a man controlling its lever."


    I turned to Raphael, surprised by his sudden words. His red eyes were serious as he gazed at me intensely. "It''s unpredictable and lacks control. It can be scary, exciting, or even difficult to navigate feelings but at its core, it deeply yearns for someone to love it back, to guide it. And I will always choose that to be you, Aurora."


    I couldn''t immediately respond to his words. My chest felt tight and I placed my hand on it, feeling the rapid beating of my heart. It wasn''t normal. It was beating too fast and too heavily.


    Raphael''s concern became apparent when he noticed what was happening to me. I tried to open my mouth, but I couldn''t.


    My heartbeat became louder and louder until it was all I could hear. I couldn''t breathe. I couldn''t speak. It felt like something was sucking the strength out of me.


    "Rory!"


    That was the last thing I heard before darkness consumed me.

 Chapter 05: Angel of Death

    Gazing out at the endless blue expanse of the ocean, I am enveloped by the cool embrace of the wind, feeling an overwhelming sense of serenity wash over me. I am not sure how I came to be here, but I cannot bring myself to leave this place, this feeling of utter peace.


    "Don''t be afraid," a voice, one that is familiar yet whose owner I cannot place, speaks up beside me.


    Turning to see the man with the blurred face that I have encountered before, I am filled with a sense of unease as he takes my hand in his. "Rory, you know that no matter what happens, I will always be by your side, right?" he adds, trying to reassure me.


    Confused and unsure, I ask, "Who are you really?"


    "But you know my situation, don''t you?" I find myself saying, my lips moving of their own accord. My hand moves away from his and rests on my chest as I continue, "And you''re not a part of this."


    Though I cannot see his face, the tension in his hands betrays his reaction to my words. He laughs, a laugh that is familiar yet rare, and replies, "Rory, even if I turned my chest inside out, it would still be you." As he speaks, tears fall from his eyes, echoing the crashing of the waves against the shore.


    I do not understand.


    Why do these images flit through my mind?


    Why do I want to comfort this man, to tell him the words he wants to hear, even though I do not know him?


    But why can I not do so?


    As I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the dark skies exhibited by the windows. I lay there for a moment, trying to orient myself and get a sense of where I was. I could feel the soft sheets beneath me and the familiar contours of my pillow, but for a moment, everything felt hazy and unfamiliar. I noticed that my forehead was damp with a wet towel, and my whole body was shivering with cold. It wasn''t until I sat up and stretched that I remembered the dream I had been having - a vivid and surreal experience that left me bewildered and confused.


    With a sigh, I rubbed my eyes and tried to shake off the last vestiges of sleep, and there I saw Raphael sitting beside me. He leaned and tried to hold me down on my bed, placing the damp towel back on my forehead. "Rory, lie down for a while. You might get dizzy."


    Frowning, I protested. "Dizzy? Why are you talking like I am ill? That''s impossible."


    Brushing aside the cloth he placed on my forehead, I felt dizzy and gasped in surprise. "I used to be invincible to any kind of disease," I grumbled, resting my arm on my thigh and burying my head in my hands.


    "I''m not sure, Rory," said Raphael, his voice laced with concern. "I don''t want to think that your mortal vessel might be faltering."


    I ran my tongue over my dry lips and leaned my head back against the pillow, trying to clear the cobwebs from my mind. "It''s not that simple," I said, turning my gaze towards him. "Any leads?"


    He shook his head, a look of frustration crossing his face. "Not yet."


    I couldn''t help the feeling of despair that washed over me. "Why do I get the feeling that it''s impossible for us to find the one who summoned me hehre?"


    We''ve been in the mortal world for years now, but I still haven''t been able to find the one who called me from below. I can''t even remember their name or face, or why they called me; I don''t even remember how we were separated.


    "Aside from eating Coreen''s pain..." Raphael changed the subject, a hint of sadness in his voice. "...has anything else happened?"


    I was about to respond when something he had said to me yesterday came back to me.


    "One-sided love is like a ferris wheel without a man controlling its lever."


    "It''s unpredictable and lacks control. It can be scary, exciting, or even difficult to navigate feelings but at its core, it deeply yearns for someone to love it back, to guide it. And I will always choose that to be you, Aurora."


    "Raphael," I called him, stopping my voice to sound suspicious of him.. He didn''t look at me right away, busy cleaning up the supplies he had used to heal me. When I caught his attention, I asked the question that had been weighing on my mind. "Is there something you''re not telling me?"


    I saw him pause for a moment, not even looking at me. I noticed the movement of his Adam''s apple before he forced a laugh. "Why would you ask that?"


    I raised an eyebrow at him and waited for him to speak. I stayed like that for a minute, but I still didn''t get anything from him. I took a deep breath. "I think Cupid stopped time and told me to stop what I was doing."


    Raphael''s eyes widened in shock and he dropped the glass he was holding. It shattered on the floor, the sound echoing at the entire room. I sat up, trying to make sense of the situation, but I was frozen by the look of horror on Raphael''s face. "What did he say to you?"


    "N-nothing," I stammered, avoiding his gaze. What was I feeling? Why was I nervous under Raphael''s gaze?


    I looked away. "He just stopped time and told me to stop what I was doing."


    "Don''t listen to him," he said, his tone sounding like a threat.. "And be more careful from now on."


    "I don''t need you to tell me that," I snapped, feeling a sudden surge of defiance. "I can protect myself."


    "Y-yes," Raphael stuttered. "I just worry about you."


    "You don''t have to," I insisted and averted my gaze. I brought the quilt closer to my body until it covered my chest , trying to ward off the chills that were running through me. "Do yourself a favor and focus on finding the summoner who can help us return home."


    ***


    Art is a tapestry of connections - between vibrant hues and sweeping brushstrokes, between the artist and their muse, and between the finished piece and its audience. In the same way, the success of a school project depends on the connections and cooperation between the students involved.


    Each student brings their own unique skills and experiences to the project, much like how different brushstrokes or colors contribute to the overall composition of a painting. When students collaborate and draw on their many perspectives and backgrounds, they can produce creative solutions and fresh ideas, similar to how an artist pulls inspiration from various sources to create something genuinely unique.


    Unfortunately, no matter how this idea may sound noble and beautiful in theory, in practice, we seem to be doing the opposite, for reality does not always align with one''s ideals


    "I can''t believe you didn''t prepare your part for the roleplay!" James exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration. "We''ve been working on this for weeks and you still haven''t learned your lines!"


    "I''m sorry, I''ve just been really busy with other classes," replied Karen, her voice laced with guilt. "I''ll make sure to have everything memorized by the presentation."


    "That''s not good enough," James said sternly. "We all agreed to put equal effort into this project. Your lack of preparation is holding us back."


    "I know, I know," said Karen, bowing her head in shame. "I''ll do better, I promise."


    "Aurora?" My fellow group member approached me amidst the heated argument, a hint of concern in her voice. "Would you mind accompanying Jiana to purchase the props for our roleplay?" she inquired, her eyes pleading for my assistance. Without hesitation, I nodded my agreement. She gestured to the woman with long, flowing black hair and icy eyes, silently beckoning her to stand. Rising from her seat, Jiana followed me out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    As we made our way to the school supplies store, the silence between us stretched on, yet I had no desire to fill the emptiness with idle conversation. Instead, I focused on the task at hand, carefully selecting the materials we would need for our props. When our shopping was complete, we stood in line to pay, lost in our own worlds.


    Emerging from the store, I couldn''t help but notice Jolly Bee, the fast food restaurant across the street. A sudden pang of hunger hit me, and I turned to Jiana with the intention of inviting her to join me for a bite to eat. However, the expression on her face stopped me in my tracks. She seemed lost in thought, her gaze fixed on the restaurant as if deep in contemplation.


    Furrowing my brow, I wondered if she wanted to eat there.


    "Are you hungry?" I asked. She didn''t acknowledge me, instead turning on her heel and walking away. I called out to her, my voice taking on a pleading tone. "Please, let''s grab a bite at that Jolly Bee?"


    Pausing mid-step, she glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, studying me for a moment before slowly nodding her agreement. As we approached the entrance, I paused and handed her the bags containing our props.


    "Jiana, I''m just going to the bathroom. I''ll just be in the bathroom. Why don''t you order for us and find us a seat?" asked, my feet already moving towards the bathroom. Instead of heading to the bathroom like I had said, I lingered by the side, watching her unnoticed.


    If I had to describe her right now, she looks like a lost child. Directionless. Adrift in her own thoughts. I don''t know what she''s going through, but I need to claim the heavy feelings she''s carrying and make them mine.


    I waited for her to order and sit down before pulling out my cell phone. It was a good thing Raphael gave me the phone we use when we have clients. I''ve named it "Lovely."


    My gaze never left Jiana as I dialed her number, using the magical connection I had imbued in the device to reach her no matter the distance.


    "H-hello?" she answered timidly.


    I leaned in closer, the urgency in my voice palpable. "Do you not enjoy Jolly Bee?" I asked, my eyes fixed on her face as she paused at my question. A small smile touched her lips, and she chuckled, even though she knew I was just a voice on the other end of the line.


    "No," she replied, her gaze drifting towards a joyous family seated nearby. I nodded to myself, understanding dawning on me. Family troubles weighed heavily on her shoulders.


    "Doesn''t the line ''Jolly Bee brings joy'' resonate with you?" I joked, although my tone was anything but humorous.


    Jiana let out a sigh on the other end of the line. "It used to," she said, her voice heavy with sadness.


    Taking advantage of the relative solitude in the dimly-lit restaurant, I gestured with my hand, conjuring an ash-colored flower. Running my fingers over its delicate petals, I asked, "Have you ever thought that one day you''ll enter the food chain and all you''ll think about is eating and having fun?"


    Jiana stared off into the distance, lost in her past again. She bit her lower lip, clearly struggling to hold back tears. In that moment, she could have been the star of a Jolly Bee commercial, her pain and sadness so palpable. I wanted to laugh, but I knew I had to stay focused on my goal: getting what I want and reaping her pain.


    "Yes, but I think it will take a long time," she finally replied, her voice barely above a whisper.


    I smiled and prepared my hand. "Well, let''s speed things up," I said. "I''m the Pain Reaper. I can grant your wish."


    Jiana let out a sigh and a small laugh. "Is this a joke?" she asked, a note of hope in her voice.


    "No," I replied seriously. "I can remove all the pain in your heart, Jiana. But in exchange, you have to give me some of your important memories."


    Jiana looked down at her lower lip, which she had been biting nervously. "But I don''t know if you''ll get anything worthwhile from me. I buried them into my consciousness a long time ago.".


    "It doesn''t matter," I told her. "What matters is whether you''ll accept my deal or not."


    Jiana looked around, checking to see if anyone was close by. After taking a deep breath, she gazed out the window and gave me her answer. "Fulfill my wish, Pain Reaper."


    I wasted no time and gently caressed my arm. My grimoire automatically emerged and I was enveloped in ash-colored light. The ground beneath me began to soften and time came to a halt. I closed my eyes and allowed the grimoire to flip through its pages until the verse I needed to recite appeared in my mind. The words and letters flowed into my consciousness slowly.


    "Roses are red," I softly opened my eyes and gazed upon the flower in my hand.


    "Violets are blue," I held the flower to my chest.


    "Memories are dead," I spoke as I plucked a petal.


    "The soul is anew," I pronounced the final words, and the petal was consumed by the ground. The ash-colored light vanished and Jiana was now fast asleep at her table. The props remained with her, but I had faith that they would not be disturbed while I stood guard. I surmised that Jiana would only sleep for a little while to process what needed to be removed from her.


    I saw a joyful family eating at Jolly Bee in Jiana''s memory. Their laughter played on repeat in my ears, as if there was no end in sight. They were so full of cheer, as if nothing had been stolen from them in this time. However, when the man''s cellphone rang, they paused slightly. He quickly ended the call and resumed their happy bonding.


    Though I did not hear Jiana''s full story, I knew of her life''s narrative. She was a product of a broken family and, I suspected, even bore witness to her father''s infidelity and abandonment.


    Jiana was asleep when I left, so I wrote her a note, informing her that I had left ahead of her. My dorm was not far, so I could still walk there. A lot of things happened today, but thanks to Jiana''s pain, my energy is at the top again.


    I turned to take the shortcut for me to go home as soon as possible, but I quickly stopped on my track when I saw a butterfly. It flew right in front of my eyes, and it was glowing in a purple-blue hue, so I could not miss it.


    That wasn''t an ordinary butterfly. My muscles tensed up, warning every fiber of my being to anticipate any potential threats. Butterflies are known to represent life and death in some cultures in this world. I had enough with the person who could stop the flow of time and warn me, and I would not want an additional enemy on my list, who owns these enchanted butterflies and may want to harm me as well.


    "I''m Dabria, and let me tell you what I know about you." I quickly looked up when I heard a voice from above and my eyes widened from what I saw. It was a figure of a woman, sitting atop a building, with her black wings spread out like a dominating shadow amidst the rowdy city.


    Dabria? That''s her name? I''m not sure but it sounds familiar to me.


    "First, you find a way to get close to your victim. Your sensitive with emotions and you use that to your advantage." She jumped from her perch to stand in front of me, her movements as swift as the wind. "Second, when you finally know their weakness, you use it for your own gain, regardless of its effect on your poor victim."


    She lifted her head and retracted her wings, fixing her sharp gaze at me. This allowed me to get a clear view of her appearance. Her short, purple hair was disheveled and her bangs covered her forehead. Her eyes were a deep shade of yellow and it felt like it was penetrating the depths of my soul.


    She smirked and continued. " And third, using your enchanted flowers, you''ll turn your victims into a feeding ground, eat their pain, and acquire their precious memories. Do I get it all right?"


    Raphael!


    In my desperate search for help, Raphael''s name was the first to come to mind. But try as I might, I couldn''t move a muscle. All angels have this effect on me whenever they grace me with their presence. It''s not exactly new to me, but it was too late for me to recognize the creature in front of me. She''s dangerous.


    Dabria grabbed my chin and brought her face close to mine. "What kind of being are you, Aurora?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. I tried to speak, to get her to retreat, but my lips were trembling and my throat was as dry as a dessert. My knees were starting to give out beneath me, and I felt that her grip on my chin was the only thing holding me up.


    This ethereal being is stronger than me. Her mere presence weakens me and I needed to get away from her as soon as possible, or else, I''ll disintegrate in front of her eyes.


    "Oops. Wait," she said as her phone rang. She answered it immediately, still staring at me and holding my chin with one hand.


    "Oh? Jiana Aliana Hiroshima, right? Of course. I offer excellent service, don''t I? Your wish is my command!" She grinned as she spoke, her laughter quickly disappeared as she uttered the next words. "As long as I can eat your soul after your life comes to an end."


    I froze at her words.


    T-this can''t be...


    She ended the call and instantly pulverized a butterfly on her shoulder without blinking. I don''t want to think about it, but I strongly suspect that the butterfly she just turned into dust is no other than the soul of Jiana, my classmate and my recent victim, whose soul is now in hell.


    "Dabria..." I muttered her name through gritted teeth, my eyes narrowing in recognition. "How could I have forgotten one of the angels who fell with our King, who also betrayed him in the end?


    She''s Dabria, the angel of death.


    Her smile grew even wider. "Nice meeting you too, Aurora."


    "Likewise," I said, trying to match her tone. I couldn''t let her presence intimidate me now. Angels and demons have been clashing since the beginning of time, so it''s only natural for us to be each other''s nemesis and wrap our hands in each other''s necks.


    "Pain Reaper..." she said, scrutinizing my face. "How long can you keep this up, hmm?" she added, running her finger across my face. She even sniffed my hair, causing me to shiver at the gesture.


    "Now that you know what I do with my victims, are you going to kill me?" I asked with emphasis.


    Her gaze darkened. "Are you challenging me?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.


    I just smiled in response. If she wanted to play games, I would give her a good run for her time. Let''s see who backs down first.


    She closed her eyes and smirked, finally retreating her hands. She brushed her hair out of her face and looked at me again. "Don''t worry," she said. "I won''t do anything for now. But..."


    She leaned in closer to me, pulling me towards her by my waist. "The safest path you can take is with me."


    I pushed her away in an instant, resorting to a defensive stunt because of what she said, and that made her grin.


    "See you around, Aurora," she playfully said, winking before walking away and releasing a butterfly from her shoulder.


    I inhaled sharply as I was finally able to move my body again when she left. My knees lost their strength and I collapsed onto the ground, looking helpless and vulnerable. I held my chest and felt my heart pounding.


    Dabria almost had me if I wasn''t careful. Her presence was so strong that she was able to shake me, even though we are both different beings. I don''t know how I managed to face her earlier, but I''m glad she didn''t push me further.


    I leaned against the wall and thought about Dabria''s last words to me.


    "The safest path you can take is with me."

 Chapter 06: The Broken Cellist

    Music is an ethereal force that defies all limitations, as a master artist''s brush defies the boundaries of a canvas. It transcends time and space, creating a bridge between people and cultures, and establishes itself as a universal language. Its ability to evoke powerful emotions is a testament to its enduring power and magic, much like the art that speaks to the soul. It is a reminder of the boundless potential of the human spirit.


    The music somehow reminded me of the hobby that I had halted spending time with because of the recent events that occurred in my life. It reminded me of the sketches and drawings that once brought me solace and joy. Perhaps, one of these days,I shall once again take up my pencil and create art.


    As the melodies of the orchestra flowed through the air, enveloping me in their soothing sounds, I closed my eyes and surrendered myself to the music. Classical music has always held a special place in my heart, a source of solace in times of turmoil.


    "Are you enjoying it so far?" My companion Raphael''s voice interrupted my reverie, and I opened my eyes to see him gazing at me with a pensive expression. He handed me a bottle of wine and added, "I hope you don''t forget why we''re here."


    "Of course, I won''t forget that," I answered, returning my gaze to the stage. "We may have come here with a different agenda, but I wanted to enjoy their performance as much as I can." I met his crimson red eyes and smirked. "Besides, you worked hard to get us tickets after detecting the intense negative energy here, right?"


    "Rory, that''s not my intention upon bringing you here," Raphael reasoned out, frowning. "Although it is a fact that I did detect great negative energy and someone must be in a lot of pain now as we speak, haven''t I told you to lie low and wait for the right time to feed yourself? Aren''t you alarmed that the Angel of Death is after you now because you''re so reckless?"


    I raised an eyebrow in confusion. "If that''s the case, then what''s the real reason you brought me here? You''ve never been interested in artistic events like this before. And for your information, if that angel really wanted to harm me, she could have done so when we first met. But it''s been days since I saw her, and she hasn''t made an appearance again."


    ""Well, that''s...good," Raphael said, seemingly at a loss for words. He looked at me intently and reached for my hand, interlacing our fingers together and giving me a gentle smile. "Despite my lack of enthusiasm for artistic pursuits, I know how much you love art. It''s one of the few things in this world that has truly captured your attention, and I wanted to use that to distract you and give you a bit of joy. So please, Rory, can you just enjoy this moment with me?"


    "What the hell are you saying?" I scowled, pulling my hand from his grasp. I looked at him in the corner of my eyes and his soft expression only continued to baffle me. "Stop looking at me like that. I''m not really convinced at all. Yes, I will be enjoying this concert, but we''re still going to reap someone''s pain today.."


    "Fine, seems like there''s no changing your mind," he replied and took a sip in his wine as a form of surrender. A moment of silence has divided us from one another, setting boundaries from our conflicting views.


    I sighed and averted my gaze, focusing on the performance of the orchestra. Once again, I felt myself being drawn into their music, lost in the beautiful melodies of the orchestra, causing memories to suddenly flood my mind.


    I stood on the stage, feeling the weight of the violin in my hands. As I ran my fingers over the smooth wood and tightened the bow, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of connection of home and peace between me, my instrument, and the theater.


    The sea of faces in the audience seemed to stretch on forever, and I knew that each and every one of them was waiting eagerly for my performance to begin. Among them were Raven and Dabria, the talented soloist and conductor of the orchestra that had just performed. I gave them a quick smile, feeling a sense of camaraderie with my fellow musicians.


    Turning my gaze towards my accompanist, I saw a man with a blurred face sitting at the piano, ready to join me in the performance. I nodded at him, signaling that it was time for us to commence. I lifted the violin to my shoulder and began to play, letting the melodies of the violin fill the air. The music flowed from my heart, pouring out into the audience like a river of sound. Despite the weight of their stares, I was completely immersed in the music, consumed by the magic of creation. My fingers danced over the strings, completely absorbed in the moment and letting the music guide me.


    As the final notes of the piece faded away, I lowered the violin and took a bow. The audience erupted into applause, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment. I had done my best, and now it was up to the music to speak for itself.


    "Rory, are you okay?"


    I was brought back to reality when I heard someone call me. I looked beside me and saw Raphael checking up on me. "You''re acting weird. What happened?"


    "Did I..." I struggled to come up with the right words, contemplating if it was alright to tell Raphael what I saw in my memories. I pursed my lips and met his gaze. "Did I always know how to play the violin?"


    "What?" His crimson red eyes became puzzled. "Rory, you never played an instrument."


    Then, why? I still wanted to ask him that, but I stopped myself and remained silent. I could feel his stares over at me, but it wasn''t enough to bother me because of the thoughts scattered in my head.


    I was certain that the memory that I saw just now is mine, but why is Dabria there? Why is the man that I saw from my dreams with a blurred face also with me? And why did I have the chance to perform a violin recital when I didn''t even know how to play that instrument?


    That memory was definitely mine, but it doesn''t make sense. Is it from one of my victims from the past and I just happened to mix them altogether? But then, why do they know the angel of death and the man that I was seeing from my dreams? If the memory doesn''t truly belong to me, could it be a sign that the vessel I am in is deteriorating, like a thread stretched to the breaking point? Is it possible that my powers are on the verge of collapsing?


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    If that is the case, thenI should really feed and gain my energy back again.


    "Can you tell me who it is?" I asked Raphael, my voice barely above a whisper. ""Which member of the orchestra is carrying such a heavy burden of emotion?


    "And here I thought that you''ll just savor this wonderful moment." II felt him remove his stares at me, scoffing in disappointment. "It was the cellist with the chestnut-colored hair," he stated, pointing to the middle section of the stage. "Her name''s Airis Redel."


    As the last strains of music drifted off into the night, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. I then glanced over at Raphael, who was looking at me with concern. "What are you going to do?"


    "We''re VIPs, right?" I rose from my seat and packed up my things. "Make use of our privilege and help me get close to her," I said in a low voice. "Arrange a meeting with Airis."


    ***


    "Welcome, our dear guests," the attendant greeted us as we entered the backstage area. "You must be the ones who requested to see Ms. Airis. Please follow me."


    We followed the attendant down the hall and knocked on the door to Airis''s dressing room. "Ms. Airis? Our VIPs are here to see you," the attendant called out.


    The door swung open to reveal the tired and drained figure of the cellist. The attendant quickly guided us inside and bid us farewell before departing.


    "Can I help you?" Airis asked warily, eyeing us up and down.


    I stepped forward and offered her a warm smile. "Hi, I''m Aurora, and this is my boyfriend, Raphael. We''re both learning the cello, and your performance really captured our attention."


    Airis''s expression softened slightly, but I could still sense the pain emanating from her. "It''s nice to meet you," she said, forcing a smile. "I''m sorry, but I''m really tired right now. Maybe we can meet another time?"


    I shook my head firmly. "I''m sorry, but this can''t wait. I can sense that you''re in a lot of pain, and I want to help. I have the power to take away your suffering, if you''ll let me."


    "Blasphemies. I find it really funny for you to say those words in such a straight face." She quickly averted her gaze. "Don''t make me laugh. This pain is an abyss, and it has no end. You''re just wasting your time here. Go now before I ask the guards to take you away."


    "You''re wrong," I insisted, raising my hand. I showed her how it was enveloped in light, forming into one of my enchanted flowers.


    I looked at her again and saw her staring at me in awe. "I''m the Pain Reaper," I said, taking her hand and focusing on the wounds on her wrist, "Tell me your wish and I''ll grant it."


    I tightened my grip on her as I spoke. "I can remove all the pain in your heart if you pluck the petals of this flower. In exchange, you''ll have to give up your most precious memories."


    "I swear, you''ll regret taking my pain. You''ll go insane!" she yelled, grabbing the flower that I have given her. Tears flowed down her cheeks. "But that won''t be my problem anymore, right?" she said, plucking the petals. The floor beneath us then softened and the pages of my grimoire flipped on their own.


    "Roses are red." Time stopped for the beings surrounding us as I began to speak.


    "Violets are blue." Airis''s tears never stopped falling.


    "Memories are dead." The lids of her eyes became heavy.


    "The soul is anew," I said in the final word and the fallen petal was finally swallowed by the floor. The black light surrounding me slowly disappeared and the concrete floor I was standing on returned to normal. My grimoire, which was previously just hanging on my left wrist, has also disappeared.


    I didn''t hesitate to leave the room, worried someone might see us inside. But as soon as I stepped out the door, my knees weakened and I had to lean against the wall. The surroundings spun, and I couldn''t even bring myself to take a step forward.


    Suddenly, images appeared in my mind and it felt like my head was being split in two. I squeezed my eyes shut. What is happening to me?


    I saw Airis sitting on a couch with two older men, her face lit up with excitement as they played a video game together.


    "Thank you, Uncle Troy and Uncle Mike!" she yelled, throwing her arms around the two men in a grateful hug.


    But as I watched, the surroundings around me seemed to warp and shift, and I found myself transported to a different scene. I looked in horror when I saw Airis sitting alone on her bed, naked, silent tears falling from her eyes. Her lips were trembling and her body was wracked with shudders, as if she couldn''t stop quivering. There were also marks in her hair, evidence of some sort of trauma or abuse.


    "Uncle Troy, Uncle Mike...why?" she cried out, her voice laced with pain. "Why did you do this to me?"


    "Rory!"


    I was jolted awake when I heard someone calling out my name, and then there was Raphael, him standing in front of me, his eyebrows furrowed in worry as he held my cheeks. I tried to push him away, but my body wouldn''t cooperate, and all I could manage was a weak moan. My throat was dry, and no words came out of my mouth. I lowered my gaze and saw that my hands were shaking as I wiped them on my clothes. I also noticed that my vision was blurry, the tears that had gathered in my eyes blurring my surroundings.


    Why do I keep experiencing this? Why do I feel like I''m the one experiencing all the pain?


    "Rory, take a deep breath," Raphael said, his voice soothing. My body automatically followed his instruction, and I felt myself trembling even more. Raphael suddenly wrapped me in a comforting embrace, stroking my hair as he held me close.


    "R-raphael...what is happening to me?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. He smiled at me, his eyes filled with concern, and helped me stand up.


    "Maybe you''re just having a bad day," he said, trying to reassure me. "Let me take you to the dorm."


    Without waiting for a response, he scooped me up in his arms and started walking. I wanted to protest, but I felt like all my strength had been drained from my body, and I couldn''t do anything but let him carry me. The lids of my eyes were also becoming heavy, as if I couldn''t keep them open any longer.


    "Rory, I''m sorry," I heard Raphael whisper, his voice laced with guilt. Droplets of moisture fell upon my face, and the realization dawned on me - Raphael was crying. But before I can even reach out to him, darkness had already swallowed me whole.


    "Are you Aurora?"


    A voice echoed out inside the void, where I found myself stuck in an infinite loop of nothingness. My eyes strained to see the figure that spoke, but I couldn''t even catch a glimpse of their face.


    "Don''t try to find me, for you won''t be able to see me," they whispered, as if reading my thoughts. I couldn''t help the fear and confusion that gnawed at my mind. Who was this person? How did I end up here? What was happening?


    "I will punish you for the sin you have committed. Are you ready?" The voice was stern and unforgiving. My tongue felt heavy in my mouth, refusing to form words. What did they mean? We demons were the embodiment of evil and sin. Why was I being judged for something that was natural to our nature?


    "Yes. I am ready to face all of that," I heard myself say, my lips moving of their own accord. I wanted to clamp my mouth shut, to stop the words from spilling out, but my body seemed to have a mind of its own.


    "Then, I will begin the punishment," the voice declared.


    "No!" I shouted, my senses finally returning to me. I gasped for air, my chest heaving as if I had been running. Sweat coated my skin, making me feel sticky and uncomfortable.


    I glanced at the clock, the hands telling me that it was already six in the evening. I pressed my palm to my forehead, trying to rub away the headache that had formed there. "What is happening to me?" I muttered, feeling disoriented and lost. "I used to be indifferent to all my victim''s pain, but recently, it feels like I am starting to absorb all of it, and I seem to mix up all their memories with mine."


    I tried to find Raphael but he''s nowhere in sight. I heaved a sigh. His actions continued to bother me, and yet, I could not bring myself to ask him about it. These feelings that I have¨Cthey''re all foreign, and they felt wrong. The more I tried to navigate them, the more they didn''t make sense to me.


    How can an empty vessel anchor such emotions?

 Chapter 07: Psyche

    Through the ages, I have learned that the unexpected is a constant companion, always lurking in the shadows, ready to unveil itself in whatever form it may take, be it the sweet surprise of delight or the bitter despair of disappointment. It is a reminder that this mortal realm is an ephemeral canvas full of endless possibilities.


    However, one thing that I never could have prepared for is the scene that awaited me upon entering our classroom.


    There, seated at the front of the classroom with a smirk on her face, was a figure that I had thought had already left me alone - the angel of death, Dabria.


    My heart raced as I took in the sight of her, as if she had intentionally positioned herself there for me to see. I knew that Dabria and I were destined to face off against each other at some point, but I never could have imagined that it would be in this setting, in my own classroom. What was she planning?


    Trying to keep my nerves in check, I made my way to my seat, determined not to let Dabria see me sweat. But then, to my surprise, she turned to me and offered a friendly smile. "Hey Aurora, long time no see," she said.


    I was caught off guard by her greeting. I had expected hostility or mockery, not a friendly greeting. But I couldn''t let my guard down. I knew that, like other angels, Dabria was cunning and manipulative, and I couldn''t trust her.


    Forcing a smile, I replied, "Hey. Yeah, it''s been a while." I knew that I needed to be prepared for whatever Dabria had in store for me. I couldn''t let her gain the upper hand. I would have to be ready to fight, no matter what.


    Despite my unease, I tried to keep my demeanor friendly and composed, flashing a sweet smile as I asked, "Can we talk? Just the two of us?"


    ***


    "Your hands are so soft, Aurora."


    I was taken aback when Dabria suddenly reached out and grabbed hold of my hand, her fingers tight around my own as I tried to push her away from me. I struggled to break free, but she only tightened her grip further. "I want it to be like this until we get back to the classroom," she said.


    "I don''t want to," I retorted, attempting to wrench my hand away again. But she merely pulled me closer to her, her hands coming to rest on my waist. I was momentarily caught off guard, struggling to process what was happening.


    I was completely bewildered. What could this angel be thinking? It was only the second time we had met, and I never would have imagined that I had left such a lasting impression on her for her to behave so affectionately towards me. I tried to break free from her grasp, but she was too strong, her strength far greater than the bottle I was using as a weapon.


    "You''re..." She looked straight into my eyes, her gaze intense. "...empty."


    "Probably," I replied sarcastically, trying once more to push her away. She released me, but still held onto my hand as we made our way to an empty classroom. I quickly closed the door behind us, turning to face her as I crossed my arms over my chest.


    "Why are you here?" I finally confronted, but instead of answering, she suddenly appeared behind me, her hands resting on my body as if she was guiding me to dance.


    "Don''t you find it odd?" she ignored my question, her movements forcing me to follow along as she positioned my head on her shoulder. I couldn''t comprehend what this girl was trying to do. If anyone saw us like this, they would surely think that there was something going on between us. Was she trying to seduce me? Did she not realize that gestures of this type were seen by mortals as intimate?


    "I can read minds, including memories. Nothing gets past me, whether they be angels, demons, or any other creature. But you, from the first time I met you..." she said, turning to face me once more. She leaned her forehead against mine and closed her eyes. "...I can''t sense anything from you. I can''t read you at all."


    The thoughts from last night came rushing on me. Dabria may not be able to read my memories, but her words perfectly described the turmoil I had inside of me. If only things were different, her ability would be useful to help me find my summoner who had called me here. But it seems like it is impossible, even for her.


    I shrugged, trying to deflect the conversation. "Maybe it''s the vessel that I''m using. It''s already empty."


    She smiled, her fingers gently stroking my cheek. "I can feel the remnants of magic left in your mind," she said, turning me in a circle as we danced. "Someone removed your memories from you."


    My brow furrowed in confusion. "Nonsense."


    How could I be the one manipulating memories, only to become the victim myself?


    It was impossible.


    However, I suddenly remembered the vision that I had the other day during the orchestra performance. I looked directly in her eyes and held both of her shoulders. "Then, be honest with me, Angel of Death. Have we known each other for a long time?"


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    I noticed her body became stiff, her eyes fixating on me for a while. She looked like she had something more on her mind, as if she had something else she wanted to say. Even if the answer that she gave me is silence, it is enough for me to conclude that she really knows something about me.


    I was about to ask her one more time, but before I could even utter another word, the door to the classroom was suddenly thrown open with force.


    "Looks like someone is here to fetch you." I heard Dabria said, her smile replaced with a smirk.


    I followed her gaze and saw Raphael, his expression serious and concerned as he looked at Dabria with a fierce glare. "What did you do to her?" he asked, his voice laced with anger as he stepped forward and gently pulled me away from Dabria. "Leave her alone."


    Despite Raphael''s accusations, Dabria didn''t seem to be fazed. She gave me a sly grin, as if trying to downplay the situation. "Calm down," she said, her voice dripping with false sincerity. "I just wanted to see her again. I''m good company, right?"


    I didn''t respond, instead choosing to follow Raphael and left the empty classroom. But as we stepped out into the hallway, I couldn''t help but glance back at Dabria one last time before we were out of her sight. Her words from earlier echoed in my mind.


    "I can feel the remnants of magic left in your mind. Someone removed your memories from you."


    I lifted my gaze to Raphael, trying to gauge his reaction to everything that had just happened. His face was still filled with concern, and his body was tense, ready to spring into action at any moment. The way he held my wrist was tight, as if he had no intention of letting me go, and I couldn''t help myself but wince, doubts emerging once again and filling my head with more questions.


    "Wait," I mumbled, stopping both of us. Raphael looked back at me with his upset crimson red eyes. I pulled my hand from his grasp and turned my back against him. "I want to be alone."


    Raphael frowned. "What? But why¨C"


    "Do not follow me," I commanded, not even looking back as I began to move in the opposite direction.


    ***


    As I made my way home, someone suddenly stood before me, stopping me in my tracks. When I lifted my gaze, I saw a woman with long, brown hair that is styled in soft curls and falls past her shoulders, and big, brown eyes. There is no one on this campus who does not know her. It was Tiffany, the belle of the crowd. The first aspect that I noticed about her was her smile. It was warm and inviting, but something about it seemed a little off. It was as if she was hiding something behind it.


    My forehead curled up. The last time that we saw each other was when I had reaped her pain, and I do not see any logical reason for us to meet like this again, more importantly, for her to be this friendly with me.


    I was about to pass by her when she suddenly grabbed my arm. "Aurora," she called my name, walking closer. Her voice was soft, but there was an undercurrent of something else that I couldn''t quite place. "I''ve been meaning to talk to you about..." She leaned closer, making sure that I''m the only one who could hear words. "..how you comforted me during the worst time of my life with Brent."


    I hesitated, uneasy with the sudden turn of events. "It was nothing," I said, trying to extract my hands from her grasp.


    But Tiffany didn''t seem to notice my discomfort. Her eyes were bright and full of energy, and she was practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "As a token of gratitude," she continued, her voice low and pleading, "would you be interested in having a cup of coffee with me? Just for a little while?"


    "Tiffany..." I finally removed her grip on me, perplexed by her actions. "I''m tired. I''d like to rest first."


    I''m not even lying. I feel so overwhelmed with all the things that I had experienced recently and I just want to contemplate on my bed and meditate.


    Tiffany was persistent and she even looked at me with her puppy eyes. "Please?"


    As I was about to decline Tiffany''s offer, I became aware of the scrutinizing gazes of those around us. Tiffany''s esteemed reputation on campus was well-known, and I knew that my response to her would not go unnoticed. With a heavy sigh, I resigned myself to accepting her offer, trying my best to present a composed demeanor as I returned my attention to her.


    "All right, your treat then," I suggested, hopeful that a simple cup of coffee would be enough to appease her and allow us to go our separate ways.


    A bright smile spread across her face and she nodded. "Thank you, Aurora. That would be lovely."


    ***


    Tiffany and I had been walking for a while, strolling down the tree-lined street and chatting about nothing in particular. I couldn''t help but feel like we had been walking for much longer than the few minutes that had actually passed. Despite the inviting aroma of coffee from the nearby shop, the girl didn''t seem to notice that and continued walking, as if her plan wasn''t for us to have a cup of coffee. I couldn''t shake the feeling that something was amiss, and I found myself slowing to a stop, trying to discern the source of my mounting suspicion.


    "Tiffany..." I called out to her. "Is this the right way?"


    She stopped walking, but she did not bother to look at me. "Of course," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion.


    I did the first thing that I thought of and simply retreated. "Sorry, I changed my mind. I don''t think I can join you now. I really want to rest. Goodbye," I said, turning to leave, but I noticed a shift in her demeanor. She slowly turned her head to look at me and stared at me sharply with the corners of her eyes. There was a cold, calculating look in her gaze that sent shivers down my spine.


    Without warning, she dropped to one knee, her hands pressed against the ground. The earth around us seemed to quiver in response, as if it were alive and attuned to her touch. I took an instinctive step back, my mind racing to make sense of the impossible scene unfolding before me.


    I struggled to find my voice as fear washed over me. "W-what..." I managed to whisper, my heart pounding in my chest. Instinctively, I reached for my grimoire, the weight of its ancient pages a reassuring presence in my hands. I stood tall, ready to defend myself and those around me against whatever danger lurked ahead.


    She smiled coldly and stood up. "You don''t deserve to live, Aurora," she said, disappearing in thin air.


    I gasped when she suddenly appeared behind my back. My hands moved instinctively, preparing to cast a defense spell, but my strength instantly left me when I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my chest. I looked down and my eyes widened. A dagger was plunged into my skin, the cold metal biting into my flesh. Pain seared through my body, stealing my breath and blurring my vision. Despite my impaired sight, I could clearly make out the symbols etched into the blade.


    Body, life, soul.


    "Psyche..."


    She brushed her hair behind her ear and smiled sweetly, a cruel glint in her eyes. "The one and only."

 Chapter 08: Memoria Dispareo

    "Why?" I gasped, my body writhing as I coughed up blood. The pain in my chest was unbearable, feeling like it was filled with mud, a heavy weight that seemed to drag me down.


    Psyche let out a cold, cruel laugh, the sound sending shivers down my spine. ¡°I won''t allow you to take Cupid away from me again!¡± She pressed the knife harder against my chest, relishing in my suffering. I gritted my teeth and raised my grimoire, attempting another one of my spells, but before I could even have a chance to cast it, Psyche grabbed both of my arms.


    "A mere human..." she sneered, pulling the dagger out of my chest. I gasped as the pain intensified, my body convulsing uncontrollably. "...can never beat a goddess," she continued, her voice dripping with contempt.


    "Raphael..." I whimered as I collapsed on the floor, my thoughts turning to the only person who could possibly save me. But Psyche didn¡¯t even give me a chance to breathe and pulled my hair up. I had never felt so powerless and vulnerable, completely at the mercy of a being who saw me as nothing more than an inferior creature.


    "Please, stop..." I begged, my voice breaking. But the goddess only laughed harder, her dagger sinking deeper into my skin again. The pain was unbearable, and I couldn''t hold back the tears that streamed down my face. I begged for mercy, but it seemed like she couldn''t even hear me. The thought that this might be the end for me was too much to bear. I didn''t understand why she hated me so much, what I had done to deserve this treatment. Why was she doing this to me?


    In an instant, everything went black and I felt a sudden surge of power awaken within me. It was like a force I had never known I possessed, flowing through my veins and driving me forward.


    When I came to, I saw that I was choking Psyche, my hands wrapped tightly around her neck as I lifted her off the ground. She struggled and gasped for air, her eyes wide with confusion and fear. I couldn''t understand what was happening, or how I had gained this inner strength. All I knew was that I couldn''t stop myself, consumed by a burning anger and a desire for revenge. As I tightened my grip, cutting off her vessel¡¯s air supply and watching her face turn red, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me.


    "How...did you defeat me?" Psyche gasped, her voice ragged as she struggled in my grasp. I was momentarily stunned, unable to believe what I had just done. I released her immediately, my hands trembling as I looked at them in shock. To my surprise, they were unmarked, with no wounds or cuts. Even the wounds from the blade that had pierced me were gone, leaving behind only my torn uniform, almost exposing my naked body.


    "What happened to me?" I whispered, my mind racing as I looked at Psyche again, who had lost consciousness. I couldn''t understand how this was possible, or how I had managed to overpower Psyche. All I knew was that I was filled with confusion and fear, unsure of how to process the events that had just occurred.


    But then I remembered what Psyche had called me earlier.


    "A mere human can never beat a goddess."


    A human? I am not a human, but rather a demon trapped within a mortal form. It was hard for me to wrap my head about the reason why she came to that conclusion. Aside from that, her notion that I would try to steal Cupid away from her was absurd. Angels and demons are diametrically opposed, and can never love one another. It seemed implausible that I would be attracted to an angel whose beliefs were so fundamentally opposed to my own.


    As I stood there, lost in thought, the world around me was suddenly awash in a sea of red. I knew without a doubt that the being which had haunted my steps for the past few days had finally arrived.


    I have already had to confront Dabria and Psyche, and now I find myself facing yet another entity. How unfortunate I am to be plagued by such inconveniences.


    "Forgive me, Psyche," a rich, velvety voice echoed throughout the space.


    "Reveal yourself!" I called out, spinning around in a desperate attempt to catch a glimpse of the enigmatic creature that had filled me with such confusion. From the shadows of the alley, a figure emerged, stepping into the dim light.


    "It''s you..." I whispered, taking a step back as his form struck a chord of familiarity within me, though I could not place where I had seen him before. His head was crowned with a mass of curly pink hair, and he was dressed in a sleek tuxedo. The icy gaze of his pink eyes sent shivers down my spine, and as our eyes met, my heart raced with a strange, unfamiliar sensation. I clenched my fists, trying to steady myself against his strong, intimidating presence.


    But at the same time, an inexplicable desire stirred within me to draw near to him, to embrace him and feel the warmth of his body against my skin. It was a feeling that I had never known before, as if a slumbering part of myself had been awoken by his presence.


    I was confused by these unfamiliar emotions.


    "We meet again," he said as he summoned his glowing bow. The strange feelings receded and I braced myself for the coming confrontation.


    I could feel my heart thundering in my chest as I uttered his name. "Cupid."


    ***


    <h4 style="text-align: center">RAPHAEL


    </h4>


    I gasped for air as I ran, my eyes frantically searching the area for any sign of Rory and Tiffany. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn''t find them. Exhausted, I leaned against the wall, pressing my hand against my heaving chest as I tried to catch my breath.


    "Damn it," I muttered, turning my gaze in all directions. "Did Tiffany know that I was following them?" I balled my hands into fists, a feeling of unease settling in the pit of my stomach.


    I smacked myself on the forehead, berating myself for my own stupidity. "Damn, how did I let them get away?" I cursed under my breath.


    "Such a fool."


    I heard a voice and turned to see a woman with purple hair and glowing yellow eyes. She was surrounded by a cloud of butterflies and had black wings that were spread wide as she flew towards me.


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    "Dabria," I said her name as she landed gracefully in front of me. "What are you doing here?"


    She brushed one of the butterflies off her shoulder and placed it gently on her finger, a sly smile on her lips. "No matter how hard you try to keep Aurora locked up," she said, "fate will always keep the two of you apart."


    Without hesitation, I reached out to grab her collar, but she anticipated my move and pushed me against the wall with ease. Her strength was overwhelming, and she pinned me in place with her arm against the side of my head, her intimidating yellow eyes fixed on mine.


    "You know, Raphael," she said, dragging her finger down my cheek to my chin. "You''re no match for me in your current state," she whispered, her face inches from mine. I gritted my teeth, frustration coursing through my veins.


    I knew she was right. I didn''t have the power to defeat her yet. What was I thinking, trying to fight her?


    She stepped back, waving her hand dismissively and giving me a disgusted look. "I really don''t like touching guys," she said, her voice laced with contempt. "I''d rather touch your girlfriend than you."


    "Shut up," I snapped, anger and protectiveness for Rory welling up inside me. "Leave her alone."


    Dabria shrugged. "Okay, okay. Fine by me," she said, a fake smile on her lips. "I won''t tell you where she is then."


    My ears perked up at her words. ¡°What? Where is she?¡±


    Dabria tilted her head, a sly expression on her face. "Why should I tell you? What''s it to you?"


    I couldn''t believe her audacity. "Have you completely forgotten everything I''ve done for you in the past?" I retorted, my words causing her face to turn grim.


    "I remember it all too well," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "It''s also because of you that peace was jeopardized in heaven''s realm. If not for your actions, then¨C"


    "Then angels would have remained ignorant of the sensation of love," I interjected. "Do you really believe that you would have been granted the gift of love if you had only lived to serve the Mighty High? Do you truly think you can love Raven with an empty, soulless heart?"


    "Quiet," she growled, her voice deepening. "You have no right to speak of my late lover."


    "Then we''re on the same page," I said firmly. "Now tell me where Rory is."


    Her face contorted in anger as she raised her fingers, making a strange sound. Suddenly, the surroundings began to blur and distort. It seemed as if the air around us was becoming hazy and difficult to see through.


    As the illusion lifted, realization dawned on me and I turned my gaze back to her. "Are you the reason I can''t find her?" I asked, my voice laced with suspicion.


    Dabria looked at me with disbelief. "Are you joking?" she asked, her voice dripping with mirth. "Psyche and Aurora are hanging out right now."


    "Psyche?" I exclaimed, the name of the goddess slipping off my tongue. "Rory and Psyche have met?"


    "Well, you can just go and see for yourself," she said, waving her hand dismissively.


    I quickly made my way over to the unconscious form of Rory, taking in her open mouth and startled expression. I shook her shoulders gently, trying to rouse her from her trance-like state. My eyes fell upon her tattered clothing, as if she had just been through a fierce battle.


    ¡°Who did this to you?¡± i gritted my teeth and roamed my eyes around for the perpetrator.


    And there he was - the man with the curly, pink hair and icy eyes to match. He was the reason we had been forced to return to the beginning, and now he stood before us once again, intent on disrupting my plans.


    "Cupid..." I breathed, staring at him in disbelief.


    He looked back at me, his expression blank. "Demon," he spat out, his voice filled with venom. He raised the bow and arrow he held in his hand, aiming it directly at us. Without warning, he released the arrow and I reacted on instinct, pushing Rory out of harm''s way. She was still in a trance, and I knew this was my chance to manipulate her memories.


    I placed my hand on her forehead, and she slumped into my lap, unconscious. My hand began to glow with a soft, blue light as I placed it on the ground.


    "Stop this!" Cupid yelled, his voice filled with anger as he stormed towards us. "No matter what happens, what you want can''t be granted!"


    "Shut up!" I yelled back, unleashing a burst of magic towards him. "If love is the key to victory in this fight, then I will not let any obstacle that comes between Rory and me keep us apart," I declared with determination, my conviction growing stronger with every word.. "Because I am the only one - the only one worthy of taking the Mighty High¡¯s throne.¡±


    His eyes widened as he realized he was trapped, unable to avoid the attack. The magic struck him in the head, and he crumpled to the ground.


    Breathing heavily, I turned my attention back to Rory. I placed my hand on her forehead, a single tear rolling down my cheek. "Memoria Dispareo," I whispered, casting a high-ranking spell.


    ¡°I''ll do whatever it takes to ensure that you don''t remember him again. If it takes my entire lifetime, I''ll make sure that you can just stay with me, isolating ourselves from the world, and forgetting about everything else.I promised that I will do anything in my power to achieve what we desire.¡±


    I gently leaned Rory against the wall and helped her sit down. I wiped my eyes before checking on Tiffany, who lay unconscious before me. However, as soon as I touched her skin, she turned to ashes before my very eyes. With a sense of foreboding, I turned my attention back to Rory, knowing that the fate of Psyche''s vessel was intertwined with hers.


    The Divine Curse.


    "Do you really think everything will be okay if you continue to keep her away?"


    "You''ve been watching for a while.¡± I turned my gaze to the person who spoke. "This is what I think is best for her, Dabria. You''re not in a position to question me."


    I stood up again and was about to walk back to Rory when Dabria suddenly grabbed my shoulder and turned me towards her. Her yellow eyes narrowed. "This shit matters to me, Raphael," she said with a growl and pointed to Rory without breaking eye contact with me, "I was ordered to devour her soul! She''s not supposed to be here anymore! When will you wake up from your delusions?!"


    I averted my gaze and shifted my feet to turn away from her. I walked back towards Rory and stopped in front of it. I tilted my head towards my shoulder to glance at Dabria, who was still standing in the same spot as before, "Forget what happened, Dabria," I said firmly and picked up Rory and scooped her in my arms. I held her close to me as I carried her out of the room, leaving the unconscious Cupid behind. ¡°Don¡¯t get involved again,¡± I added before leaving her in that corner with the unconscious Cupid.


    I couldn''t give Dabria my memory-wiping spell, because like me, she had the ability to manipulate the memories of others. However, I trusted that she would choose to remain silent rather than get involved with us. She had her own problems to deal with and had a lot to lose if she became a hero now. She had almost jeopardized my plans by trying to make contact with Rory, but I wouldn''t let her get away with that easily.


    I looked down at the peacefully sleeping Rory in my arms. I noticed that her uniform was disheveled, so I used the spell Resetri to restore it to its previous appearance. Unlike Rory, I was able to use magic even without a grimoire. My power came from within me.


    I gently kissed her forehead. "Sleep well, my love. Once you wake up, everything will be restored to its rightful place. We''ll be able to return to the rhythm of our love, undisturbed."


    As I felt the warmth of my tears gathering once again in my eyes, I could not help but bite down on my lower lip and clutch at my chest in despair. Despite my efforts to hold back the flood of emotions that threatened to overcome me, they proved to be stubborn and only made my pain all the more excruciating.


    My knees buckled beneath me, and I found myself sinking to the floor in defeat. Wrapping my hands around my face, I sought to hide my grief from the world


    "I robbed your memories, but you stole my heart. Isn¡¯t that unfair, Aurora?"