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Rating:
Teen And Up Audiences
Archive Warnings:
Graphic Depictions Of ViolenceMajor Character Death
Categories:
F/MMulti
Fandoms:
転生したらスライムだった件 - 伏瀬 | Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken | That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime - FuseThe Beginning After the End - TurtleMe
Relationships:
Manas: Ciel/Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest/VelzardManas: Ciel & Rimuru TempestRimuru Tempest & Velzard
Characters:
Rimuru TempestManas: Ciel (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Velzard (Tensei Shitara Slime Datta Ken)Arthur LeywinJasmine FlamesworthTessia EralithCaera DenoirSeris (The Beginning After the End)Agrona VritraSylvia IndrathSylvie (The Beginning After the End)Varay Aurae
Additional Tags:
MagicAetherRomanceDramaPsychological TraumaTraumaThrillerIsekai and TransmigrationTime TravelTime ShenanigansReality BendingDeveloping RelationshipCharacter DeathCharacter DevelopmentAngstFluff and AngstCrossoverCrossovers & Fandom FusionsFate & DestinyFateAngst and TragedyTragedyFanfictionCross-Posted on WattpadBlood and ViolenceOriginal Character(s)
Language:
English
Stats:
Published:2024-12-19Updated:2025-03-18Words:107,665Chapters:20/?Comments:10Kudos:24Bookmarks:10Hits:2,552
A New Life [TbatexTensura]
Asuryii
Chapter 13: Elation, Excitement, Expectant
Chapter Text
Chapter 13: Elation, Excitement, Expectant
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Rimuru POV:
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My eyes stood locked with the dragon, her piercing yet wary and conflicted gaze meeting mine confidently.
Finally, I was before a dragon, an Asura. I could start the cleansing, I could avenge my people. I could finally give them revenge and send the Asura's down a path of repentance and thrust them into a crisis all the same. I never was the 'Most' vengeful person. Certainly many of my actions now and before in the Cardinal World qualify as 'Vengeful'. Some may appear unjust and unacceptable, but that is how all life is in the end.
The only things one can justify are the things they want to justify. The idea of laws, rules, reason, and common sense exist solely since those before dictated they did– none deciding to challenge such concepts~ accepting them, and moving forward anew. Humanity and all life worked to preserve itself and propagate its existence and betterment. It's in our DNA, our biological nature. A primal concept intertwined with every person's very existence.
Yet now, here in this moment. Finally as I am met with 1 of my enemies, I hesitate. I'm questioning everything, I want to know answers more than I want to kill her. I can't help but hate and love myself at the same time for this conflict. It's human. To be conflicted, to not be clearcut and certain of your every move. A god is certain, unquestioning and resolute– humanity asks questions and has curiosities.
I wasn't wrong though. I couldn't be, the Asura were unforgivable. It doesn't matter to consider she tried to kill me and Arthur. The Asura before this were even unforgivable. Adding another sin doesn't make a difference. The time for reason was ages, eons ago– An ancient and forgotten time– now is the time for actions…For clarity.
'What is she doing to me? Why am I hesitating? Why now?' Panic filled my mind, had I fallen into her trap. Was I about to fail before I even started? My mind was muddled and riddled with uncertainties and questions. I couldn't, but I had to. She WAS the enemy. She IS the enemy.
Although my gaze remained locked with hers, my unblinking eyes practically staring into her soul could see it. The mana, it was- it was so plentiful. It was overwhelming practically. The purity, the feel, the way the fire and wind particles danced in delicate harmony. Rising and falling as if tides of energy were filling the air constantly. The energy being supercharged, being invigorated. And amidst it all, a realization that horrified me.
Aether floated around her elegantly, tenderly caressing her face as if a mother giving its child a gentle embrace. The violet light that filled our cavern, the light that gave it life. The light that gave us life. It, it was shepherding the enemy. The aether around her, it spoke to me. Not literally but it felt like it. A gentle plea, a humble request to its better. A child asking of it's parent. The voice ethereal and broken, yet the message and request; clearer than day.
'GiVe hEr A ChANcE PLeaSe.' I was stumped.
My will, my mission, my promise. My everything. It was all being shattered before me, my world was falling apart. The one companion I've had since the tragedy, the aether. It, it wished for something against me– a request wholly opposed to my desires. Yet, it wasn't forceful. I was being asked a favor, an honest plea. I could refuse. I could attack this woman, I could challenge her in all her vulnerability and flare that festering wound till it killed her. Yet it was like a child stood before me, my own kin. Their cries clear to me. The small figure of a girl, four to five years of age appeared in my mind. The world shifted around me, my body's gaze despite being locked on the woman saw something different in my mind.
I was back in Tempest, in the living room of our small minka. The girl's small fists slamming into my stomach in all their pleaful fury. The little girl's head was seeded with luscious white locks and a pair of black horns. Her violet tinged golden eyes looked up at me. Tears formed at the corners of her eyes.
An aching feeling filled my heart, I didn't know the girl yet I felt like I should. In my mind it was clear this was how I perceived the aether surrounding the woman yet this girl. She felt like she was more, more than just the aether surrounding her. Even as the moats of purple foreign to the Central World danced around her body in an elegant waltz she felt different.
It was as if
'Daddy, please. Please don't! Don't hurt her!'
Her cries pierced my ears, my heart shattering as I saw tears flowing from her eyes in droves. Small waterfalls practically flooded from her tear ducts. Instinctively my hand reached out to her head as she pulled on my shirt begging.
'She's my friend please..'
Her cries calmed as she pressed her forehead into my stomach. I couldn't stop my body from acting as I pulled her into an embrace, her silent sobbing face pressed into my shoulder. I opened my mouth but the words wouldn't come out.
'Im sorry.'
It was all I had to say, certainly she'd understand. She would know but– I couldn't. The words wouldn't escape my lips, my lips quivered and my vision blurred as I doubted myself. I doubted my resolve. Yet a pair of voices overlapped in my mind, the two voices saying words I knew they'd never said. Now thought, it felt as if they did. As if they were the voice of the same person.
"Can't be disappointing my granddaughter now can we? Don't worry, they will understand." A soft hand touched onto my head slightly ruffling my hair as another patted my back. It was Azuray and Jasmine speaking to me. The woman who gave birth to me, saving my life even at the risk of her own despite knowing– I was the reincarnation of an unfathomable entity by this world's standard. And Jasmine, the woman who'd adopted me, the woman whose shown me the world and slowly chipped at the shell surrounding my heart.
I bit my lip, the taste of iron filling my mouth. Blood slowly trickled down my chin. Drip, drip, drip. The sound of the small droplets of blood hitting the tatami mat floor sounded deafening in the sickening silence of my conflicted mind.
I let out a sigh as I pulled myself from the little girl. Her eyes met mine, sniffling as she tried to look at me confidently. It was quite adorable, and admirable in my eyes– the action brought a smile to my face. I pressed my forehead to hers. Those sparkling gems shined– glistening– brightly as they looked into my eyes curiously- hopefully.
I let my heart speak, the words that escaped my lips were the ones that felt right. Not the ones that felt logical or correct but just right. "Don't worry sweet, daddy understands. I won't hurt her, we'll talk."
The little girl blinked rapidly for a moment as she processed the words I said slowly. Relishing in the words I spoke, the silent promise I gave her. Excitedly she jumped as her arms wrapped tightly around my neck, her little feet pattering rapidly with appreciation and excitement.
'Thank you daddy, thank you!'
"You're welcome, anything for you." I relished in the moment as it felt natural before my vision was turned back towards reality. I mentally sighed as I took a deep breath.
"I'm not a monster. I won't kill you, especially not your child. You've done nothing wrong to me, besides I can't shoot a dead dog– not when I have responsibilities." Arthur slept peacefully on my back as the woman looked at me shocked.
"I didn't take you for a reasonable person."
"I didn't take you for a mother."
"Anyone can be a mom."
"I disagree, while anyone CAN be a mom, doesn't mean they should."
"Are you implying I fall into the latter portion of that statement?"
"All Asura do, and that would mean you by proxy."
"Quite prejudiced don't you think?"
"Quite reasonable considering what your people did to mine. Don't you think so too?"
"Touche"
"..."
"..."
An awkward silence ensued as the dialogue hit a wall, I had more I could say but not that I wanted to say. In the case of the woman before me she likely had much to say but couldn't find the words.
"I suppose introductions would be in order. Though your reaction tells me you know who I am. Wouldn't that be right, Indrath?" I left my words to hang in the air before I continued, "I am the Uncrowned Lord of the Fallen Race known as the Djinn. Rimuru Niscience. Later on I adopted several names, becoming Rimuru Moira Niscience Flamesworth, but I just go by Rimuru Flamesworth. Feel free to refer to me comfortably."
A small soft chuckle escaped from the woman's lips as she brought her hand to cover her mouth feeling impolite. I knew why she was laughing but I ignored it despite the small annoyance it was. She laughed for a long moment before apologizing for her rudeness, "Apologies it's just, I can't imagine having a name that long. It must be quite rough signing your name."
I facepalmed as a sigh escaped from me while the woman chuckled again at my expense. 'Ignore it, Rimuru. Ignore it.' I couldn't help but agree in part though with what she said. My name was quite long, if I was a character in a book or story I as a reader would likely assume the author was lazy and couldn't decide on the characters name. Or gave too much meaning to the name of said character.
Clearing her throat once again slightly embarrassed by the improper manners she showed the woman spoke, "Sorry for that, I indeed was aware to a degree who you were. Your shroud broke for a moment showing me your true form. It's a pleasure to meet you Rimuru, I am Sylvia.." The woman hesitated to speak the words stuck to her tongue, "Sylvia Indrath, the daughter of Kezzess Indrath the King of the Asuras, and the sole princess of the Indrath Clan. Along with the runaway fiance of Agrona Vritra, the head of the Vritra clan."
Despite all her elegance and her graceful appearance she was a simple girl. It was easy to see from how she clenched her fists in her lap a small bit in frustration and embarrassment. She was being vulnerable, open, and honest. As I bared my whole being– or well most of it– she too did the same, likely making her uncomfortable to a degree. The discomfort speaks volumes to her relationship and experiences with the two men. Her father Kezzess, my greatest enemy and her fiance whom she ran away from Agrona.
"Family problems?" A rhetorical question. But one she still answered with or without intending too. "Well for now. Talk." My voice enhanced with aether came out ethereal and heavy, the air shifting about like a tidal shift. The plentiful aether in the room hastily ran to me and jumped about gleefully as I exerted my authority over its will.
I still intended to not hurt her, but I wanted answers. If I was going to sit in the same room as Sylvia any longer– I wanted answers.
"What brought the gumption for you to attempt at taking my life?" A sickening silence enveloped the room as my words hung heavily on Sylvia. Her figure tainted with a look of shame and regret. Yet deep down she was also just in her actions and knew it.
Being a mother means making hard decisions sometimes. I would accept it if she said such.
"I was anxious. A world I saw before my eyes was shattering, so. I weighed my options, do I take a risk and possibly endanger my unhatched child or do I kill you who made that reality shatter." Sylvia spoke in a contemplative manner, even now she was asking if the decision she made was the correct one. Could she have been wrong? The thought ate away at her. "I was already on edge, I'm not in the greatest or most trusting point in my life. Before I knew who you were the idea of you being an Asura sent by my father sat in my mind-"
She still had more to say but I heard enough so I intruded, "Offended I would be perceived as an Asura but I accept your answer. It's one that can be simplified down to. 'It was my child or you, one would be in danger or die. So I chose you to die.'" Her answer was satisfying even if it clearly wasn't the full story. Her hesitations and anxieties made it clear that she wasn't ready to be fully transparent and honest.
Sylvia looked hurt as she heard my words, but she couldn't deny the perspective I put forward. It was in the end the reality of the situation. "I can't deny your summarization but I can't accept it. The notion paints me in an overtly bad picture." Sylvia leaned onto her arm perched atop the arm of her throne-like chair. Her expression showed contemplation and questioning.
"You can't paint this situation in a good color no matter how you put it. You either look at it as a selfless mother who would do everything for their child, even commit war crimes, or you look at it as someone who values the future she saw over the fate of someone innocent trying to live their life."
"You can't be called innocent, you threatened me. In that case you could see me as taking defensive measures."
"You deserved it for spying and being an Asura and a dragon of the Indrath clan."
"So simply my existence is an issue based on that notion you speak?"
"Effectively, you are the princess of the Indrath clan. You may have not been born yet but your father is the proponent of the Djinn Massacre. All for what? Knowledge? Power? Maybe insight?" I scoffed at the notion, "A pathetic pursuit, you know aether is conscious and cannot be molded or controlled directly yet the idiotic idea of the equivalent of an ethnic cleansing was the best option. Yea your people deserve my prejudiced outlook."
"So your prejudice, or better put racism is justified?"
"Absolutely it is. Why wouldn't it be? Care to enlighten me?"
"A matter of perspective. Racism is never justifiable. You shouldn't let grudges guide your actions and define you. Revenge is emp-" I clicked my tongue derailing Sylvia's words, I couldn't believe the nonsense she was speaking. Even if her words held some truth, the logic was idiotic and void of emotional reason.
"Revenge is empty? What a logical fallacy. Nothing about revenge is empty, the only emptiness is the ending. The moment you learn you cannot act once more, that you have succeeded."
"See, your words agree with mine."
"Your words imply I live only for revenge, I don't. It's a major reason and motivator for my future actions but not the sole reason." Sylvia crooked her eyebrows in response, confusion riddled on her face. I knew from the beginning. Something was off about this woman, now I knew what it was.
Her words seemed too deliberate, too planned and throughout- though predictable to an insane degree. It was like she was reading a book rather than interacting. Her reactions– the only real piece of this conversation.
I had theories. One being that she couldn't interact without reading into the future, a constant aetheric art activated but her surprise proved this wrong. She was surprised to a degree that didn't fit with someone astonished that the future was actually as they saw. So I pondered more on the possibilities.
Maybe she had learned part of me from the future she saw with Arthur, but then that was proved wrong by her actions to kill me. She wouldn't have tried that if she knew more of me, or of this future– she would've requested a meeting or acted in a more suitable way.
I was stumped for a time, confused and uncertain.
The possibilities were numerous and finite but somehow endless. I could guess and check the possibilities, each idea inching my answer and result closer, but that was inefficient and illogical. So I waited and bided time, reading her- reading Sylvia's micromovements.
Then I saw it- a flash of purple in her eyes, an all-seeing and prying eye aimed into my mind. She was reading my mind- trying too at least, but she couldn't see beyond my current thoughts.
My life before with Ciel and I sharing a mind and thoughts in a way made me learn inherently how to seal memories and thoughts– how to hide my consciousness and mental images.
Sylvia, she only knew what my fake mental expressions showed.
She had no clue of Velz, of Ciel, the Central World or my previous life. I was and always was Rimuru Niscience to her knowledge. That meant she only saw the pains and thoughts of him, not of Rimuru Tempest.
She didn't see the love I held for my people, the special love and affections I held for my wives, and my sorrows from the unpreventable loss of someone I was supposed to protect- my student.
Sylvia, she knew then by this logic and understanding– she knew the truth of Arthur, and the lies of Rimuru.
A lovely and quite welcome realization.
Taking advantage of Sylvia's mental reading, of her prying into my mind I conjured a false memory– a false reality.
"I told you– I don't live for just revenge." A solemn expression filled Sylvia's eyes but soon it was replaced by uncertainty and a tinge of anxiety.
"You– you..Rimuru what are you?"As those words escaped Sylvia's lips, a weight as if the world itself was pushing down on me began to weigh heavily on my shoulders, on my heart, and on my very soul. Yet my soul was incomprehensible to this world. The force she exerted could only be part of its true strength– the soul crushing and constraining force she radiated meant nothing to me.
It was as if only gravity had grown stronger– a mere joke. "You'll have to try harder than that if you want answers. Maybe try reading my mind again, or looking into my memories." A smirk slowly painted itself across my face as I stepped towards Sylvia as if the pressure she exerted was nothing but a lie, "Go ahead. Try it, Indrath, look at what you find. See if you learn something you didn't want to know."
The pressure dissipated as Sylvia and I remained still, our eyes locked. A sickening silence filled the room. She was stuck in contemplation, I was on the offensive but I couldn't act hastily. This may have only been a verbal dialogue but giving up and submitting your stance to the other would mean defeat.
I doubted she would see the meaning behind my actions, or ever agree with me. Yet I didn't care, I wasn't acting as I was for approval. I was acting opposed to my general nature and persona but it didn't matter. In this moment, I knew– I was right, my stance was correct. I had no reason to back off, and her attempts at prying into my mind for answers only showed a desperation in her.
She knew. She knew for a fact that I was right and just in my feelings, but that my actions were not proper. Despite that, she can't fight back. She's an intelligent woman, I can tell this inherently from the interactions we've had so far, but she isn't vengeful.
She doesn't understand vengeance– revenge is foreign to her personally. Even if in life she's seen it, and made her perspective clear as day watching the effects of it. She has yet to be a person seeking revenge, she is opposed to the idea.
The room stayed quiet, Sylvia and I giving no leeway in our stances– our perspectives resolute but the understanding of the other party clear and respectable. Yet I knew- I was wrong with my treatment of her. I admit it, but I can't give up my stance.
Mentally I sighed, I couldn't hate this woman. Even if I tried, even if I forced it. She was innocent. She was scared and made a hasty judgment. She was a mother.
I felt as if a voice entered my ears, one so nostalgic as I admitted my wrong in my mind. Her words of praise and urging me forward.
I- I was better than this. I was just unstable as things were.
I took a deep breath- a sense of relief washed over me, it was stressful acting opposed to yourself– even if the beliefs are true, I shouldn't disparage another unfairly.
I opened my mouth to speak and it seemed Sylvia did the same as we spoke on top of each other. "Sylvia I-" "Rimuru I-" But before we could even take a moment to share our thoughts after a moment of contemplation. Sleeping beauty roused awake. A small laugh escaped my lips as Arthur looked up from my shoulder, a line of drool falling from the corner of his mouth.
"Where- OH MY GOD!", uncharacteristically Arthur shouted in shock as he looked towards Sylvia. Her disguise likely shocked him, she did appear to be about 10 feet tall(3m-ish) wearing a suit of armor as black as the night sky, with a pair of massive curling horns, and striking red eyes that seemed to tear your heart into pieces.
Yet I saw through it, and was able to see the simple yet ethereal white haired beauty. Her purple eyes expressed untold wisdom and experience, now expressing a tinge of surprise and relief.
"Relax child, I mean you no harm. Ask your brother, he and I have been chatting for about 20 or so minutes. I am Sylvia." A calm and reassuring voice escaped from Sylvia as she tried to mend the situation and calm the shocked Arthur.
Arthur sat on the back unmoving for a moment, his mouth agape, wide open. Words and thoughts he expressed– nonexistent. "Bugs will fly in your mouth if you keep it wide open like that." Sylvia spoke trying to break the atmosphere once again yet–I knew she didn't need to worry though, as the momentary shock passed immediately and Arthur was now filled with curiosity and likely analyzing Sylvia.
Arthur being Arthur proceeded to kick me in the back like a little shit. He wanted me to put him down. "Little shit-" He wanted to be put down, fine. Bringing my hands to the knot I tied with the cloth I used to carry Arthur I quickly broke the knot and left Arthur to freefall. "Want to be down? Just had to ask."
Arthur looked up at me in annoyance as a smirk crossed my face. His annoyance pleased me somewhat. Yet it quickly faded as he dusted himself off and looked towards Sylvia.
"Where are we? Why am I wet? Rimuru, did you get taller? Why are you alone? Where did you get that massive wound? And Fuck you Rimuru!" I couldn't help but burst into a fit of laughter as Arthur destroyed the once tense atmosphere in an instant and proceeded to swear at me. He clearly was too comfortable now, oddly enough.
Sylvia and I shared a knowing glance, a slight nod of understanding before she spoke. "From what your brother told me you were such a polite and mannered child. I apologize for the shock coming from waking up and seeing my appearance."
Not wasting a breath Arthur responded apologetically, "No, it was my fault. I apologize for the improper display and the rudeness I showed you. May I ask where we are?" Showing his sincerity Arthur bowed slightly, a small smile crossed Sylvia's face at the action.
"It's alright child, it will take quite some time for me to open the dimensional rift that will transport you home. For the time being you are both free to stay with me. The special roots growing in this cave will suffice as sustenance while you stay." She paused for a moment, her words hanging in the air, "As for your question we are in a narrow zone between the Beast Glades and the Forest of Elshire. You and your brother are the first to enter here due to my actions warding off unwelcome visitors."
"I told you he had manners, please excuse his surprise. He is yet to experience the world enough to be mentally prepared for surprises beyond his expectations as of yet."
"He indeed does have great manners. Worry not child, I am not doing this for a favor nor am I expecting your gratitude. I am merely acting in accordance with my own amusement. Please make yourself comfortable. Come! Sit by me and keep me company for a short while. It's been long since I was blessed with people to talk to." Sylvia spoke in a gentle tone. Arthur's face showed relief, it was like he was an actual child with a trusted adult after getting lost.
Without wasting a moment Arthur jumped at the opportunity, his innate curiosity taking over as he went to Sylvia's side.
"Elder Sylvia, may I ask the questions I had abruptly asked before again?"
"Of course dear. Please ask away. I will answer the ones I can." Arthur's head first turned towards me. He wanted my answers first since I was awake before him.
"Why am I wet? Rimuru, did you get taller?" As soon as he spoke his questions for me, he eagerly and excitedly turned towards Sylvia, "Why are you alone? Where did you get that massive wound? Where did you come from? Why are you helping us?"
It was odd, even after the debate we had. The heavy weight filling the room and the air that stifled words. It was nice seeing Arthur act so uncaring, so….innocent.
"I dropped you in water to clean the blood off of you on the way here, and I finally had a growth spurt– no other way to express it." Arthur looked displeased by my answers but accepted them nonetheless. Done with me now Arthur's attention was fully trained on Sylvia.
Sylvia began addressing Arthur's questions one at a time after I answered, her tone was soft, calm, and welcoming. It was her true nature showing. It wasn't her being forced to act in a debate- I was too hasty with her, even after that image played in my mind.
"Well young child. To answer the first question, I am alone simply because I have no one left to be with-" She continued speaking but the rest of her words; her answer to Arthur's question fell on deaf ears. I hadn't thought about Sylvia's situation in all of this. Instead I harshly confronted and persistently harassed her effectively. Ciel would have my head if she saw this. Velz likely too.
I had made actions hastily without considering the life and situation of the other party. I was older in mind, body, and soul than Arthur and yet, here I was being shown the error of my ways.
Once again I am reminded– Sylvia is innocent.
Here in this moment as I watch Arthur and Sylvia interact, my body practically slinking into the shadows I am shown fully and clearly that I- I was wrong. I was no better than the people who are the objects of my ire.
Sylvia, she wasn't alive during that time. I know the age of my body inherently now, a piece of knowledge I didn't have before. It's been over 3000 years since the Djinn were massacred, yet Sylvia. She couldn't be more than 7 or 800 years old. She wasn't even a baby, let alone a thought conceived.
I fell to the ground hard leaning against the wall. I simply stared at the ceiling, uncertain and regretful. Were my people all massacred that day? Was I wrong in wanting revenge for the massacre that day? Was that the only cavern my people inhabited? Questions I asked myself never searching for an answer began to plague my mind. The way she acts is as if she was alive when the massacre happened but she couldn't have been.
A thought filled my head, was that the only massacre of my people? My resolve began to quake and shatter as I thought about the logistics.
How, I knew how long It'd been from the age my body expressed. A piece of information that was burned into my mind after I gained the Reconstitution Breathe rune.
What even are runes in the first place? Was my knowledge of my powers right? What if I wasn't erasing myself and reappearing in a new space but instead transporting myself to a world in which I was in that space. I was trapped in that sphere for eons, but was I in the same world?
Could this be the same world I was born into?
Questions began to fill my head, my thoughts scattered and turbulent. My emotions began to run rampant in my head, uncertainties and anxieties filling my mind.
Every question came with a thousand others, each new question adding to the overflowing pot of bubbling uncertainties and incomprehensible emotions.
I sat in a constant state of uncertainty and questioning for hours, maybe days. I couldn't tell but once I knew Arthur wasn't awake I asked.
"Sylvia…" Her expression was horrified as she looked at me, I couldn't see myself but I could imagine the wreck I was. "How old are you? When was the Djinn Massacre? When-When did I die?"
"Rimuru! Breathe, you need to calm down. As rude as it is to ask a lady her age I will entertain your questions. I can tell from your state. You're not okay." Taking her advice I took a deep breath, trying to ground myself. It worked somewhat but I was still a wreck emotionally and I knew it. After a moment Sylvia nodded and answered my questions.
"Rimuru I am about 800 years old. The Djinn massacre and your 'Death' were around 600 years ago. Does this answer your questions?"
"You- you're lying to me! You can't be serious!? It couldn't have been only 600 years. I know it wasn't- I- I" I began to hyperventilate, her next words falling on deaf ears. I couldn't believe her words, I wouldn't. I couldn't. It wasn't possible.
3rd Person POV:
—----------------------------------------------------------
Rimuru fell to the floor, his eyes that once stared into Sylvia's grasping onto his last semblance of hope now dazed staring far off. His hands reached towards his head as he grasped onto his hair desperately as if he was hanging on a ledge with which would lead to a fall for certain death. But Rimuru at this moment, wasn't grasping onto the ledge.
He had fallen.
On the ground he desperately pulled at his hair tearing out chunks of flesh and hair as his body couldn't contain the force he was exerting. His mental limiters unblocked, his body's unregulated strength tearing into his own being. Blood began to spill from the wounds he created as his untamed strength and turbulent mental state made him tear into his own body.
Rimuru walked the fine lines of sanity and insanity- he teetered on the edge of that fine, fine line. Some days he would lean more towards being sane, a step in the right direction but right now– right here in this moment.
The mana surrounding Rimuru began to alter its shape as a spell was formed around him. A simple sound barrier, one that wouldn't fully work. Desperately Sylvia conjured a sound barrier around Rimuru as she recognized his expression through all the hyperventilation and unintentional self harm.
Rimuru had fallen from the tightrope, he no longer stood teetering on the fine line. He now in the deepest pits of despair was blind to the world around him. In his blindness his true feelings, the truest version of himself were expressed.
A violet howl escaped from him, one that escaped from the deepest pits of his soul and reverberated throughout the entire world and beyond. Dimensions and planes of existence beyond the physical realm quaked as his howl pierced through the fabric of space and time. A single word escaping his mouth, the howl; a call. A promise spoken with a single word. The ancient ire ingrained into his very flesh and being was expressed with this single word.
The soul entity who Rimuru would blame and train his hatred towards more than any other. "KEZZESS!"
His howl, his scream, his hatred was heard. A slew of reactions filling the world and beyond. The call seemed to last for hours undisturbed. Rimuru's face turned red with a deep and unadulterated rage burned inside of Rimuru, the fire raging beyond reasonable proportions. Even as tears burned down his face, staining his skin with streaks from his pain and grief– the hatred he felt burned ever brighter.
The howl lasted for untold hours uninterrupted. Only 1 person in the world left none the wiser and clueless to the howl. A small boy with auburn hair laying asleep nearby peacefully dreaming- blissfully unaware- a last second sound barrier preventing his sleep being disturbed.
Blood trickled from the corners of Rimuru's eyes as the blood vessels in his eyes popped, his scream causing his eyes to bulge, slowly popping out of his eye sockets. Similarly blood escaped from his ears as he burst his own eardrums with his scream, the sound forever echoing in his ears a constant reminder as he screamed of his pain.
Hours passed before his scream climaxed, reaching its end. A small sniffling sound escaping from the boy, now destroyed mentally and physically. His body's tattered and destroyed state following his scream a window to his mind and soul.
His throat was in shambles and forever tainted with the stain of his grief. Blood leaked from his mouth like a waterfall as he sat unmoving aside from the small sniffling.
'My mom, is she even real in this world? Am I even acting in her honor? Is this even my world, the one I was born in? Did I abandon Jasmine, Arthur, the Leywins, and the Horns when I used that rune?' Questions began to plague his mind again but only differently this time, the violence in his thoughts and the chaotic mess that destroyed him wasn't here.
In its place was left an immense emptiness and a feeling of failure and alienation, he didn't think he belonged anymore.
'Ciel. Velz….no- I' A thought Rimuru couldn't even dare to finish came to his mind. The possibility of Ciel and Velzard dying or not existing due to his actions began to haunt him. He knew that they would be fine inherently but at this moment it didn't matter. The life they were going to live– the thought of himself ruining it unknowingly and by proxy leaving them alone scared him.
What if his actions lead to them existing a world alone– searching for him incessantly only to find nothing. Only 1 timeline could exist at a time, this remained a constant but Rimuru couldn't think of this notion as he wasn't certain of anything he knew anymore. Did the logic he once applied to everything even work here? Was there only 1 timeline here? Did his actions actually erase them from this world and leave him alone?
So many possibilities existed, so many ideas and different answers could come to mind.
His eyes burned as he cried, but by now his tears had run out. All he could do was cry blood and sniffle, an immense feeling of helplessness enveloping his body.
In this moment he just wanted to be told it will all be alright, and that not everything is as he saw it or thinks. He wants to be told that everything is still as it was. He wants— reassurance.
But at this moment, the only one who can reassure him. Is himself or– Sylvia. A person he would never expect to reassure him.
His words, his actions, his manners, and the way he treated her before. All this made him believe. She would never reassure him, and he didn't expect her to. Normally he wouldn't want her to either due to her being an asura, but after everything and in this moment alone.
It didn't matter who. He merely wanted a single brief moment of reassurance, even if it was a lie.
Sometimes a single lie is a fruit sweeter than any taste you'd ever experienced. A lie sweater than anything, a promise of the best and reassurance. Baseless and unreasonable words– with no proof of logic behind them. Solely sweet words whispered into your ears as if they were meant to mold you intentionally. The best truths are in the end the sweetest of lies.
The tears of blood slowly feel from Rimuru's face and onto his clothes- a red stain slowly building on the fabric.
Rimuru wanted to stand up, to dust himself off and say everything will be fine- that it's all in his head. This is all nothing but a nightmare, but his legs wouldn't move. He wouldn't move. His heart chained him to the floor.
He could think, but he couldn't move.
He could question, but not answer.
He was trapped, yet he was free.
He was aware of everything, yet he was a slave to his own thoughts
Rimuru was lost. He didn't know where to start, or what even was the start. He has so much that he carried immensely for, or thought deeply on but never once did he rank them in priority.
He loved his family as much as he loved his wives, his world, his people, his nation, and his experiences. Even in the darkest pits of despair a glimmer of light forever existed– the Djinn Massacre's light was the reawakening in a new era. The loss of his student was the realization that he wouldn't forget them.
Torment and Torture were two sides to a single coin. Only one lasted eternally, it left a mark and the experience was burned into your very soul– the other was a fleeting hell, it left a mark but soon it would disappear.
In this moment, Rimuru wasn't being tortured by his mind and his own awareness, by his conscience. He was being tormented, he was being played with and laughed at.
His body wouldn't listen to him at all, even the desire to slap himself across the cheek was possible. His body remained frozen in a stasis, unmoving.
Slowly as Rimuru wallowed in his sorrows, as the grief and pain consumed every piece of his being the aether surrounding him and in his body slowly began to repair his injuries.
His blurred and stained vision cleared as the connective tissue and blood vessels in his eyes regrew– a new depth of clarity filling his vision. A subtle buzzing sound began to fill his ears as his burst eardrums and the stereocilia began to regrow, his healed ears coming with an enhanced more sensitive sense of hearing. The tears and strains on his throat and vocal cords began to weave themselves back together.
After several minutes Rimuru sat motionless still but in as perfect condition as one could be.
Any semblance of injury and exhaustion had been erased from his body, he looked as if he had been reborn anew– his body a fresh vessel.
Yet his mind remained conflicted and trapped in a vicious cycle of realization and questioning, anxiety and unfinished conclusions. "What do I do?"
From the moment his mind changed from a raging wildfire and a tumultuous hurricane into a constantly rippling lake of still water tried to ask himself many questions. His injured throat and vocal cords prevented his voice from coming out until now.
"Where do I go from here?" Rimuru hoped that by asking himself out loud he would find some answer- some clue or hint to the truths that seemed impossible to find and navigate but he didn't. All hearing his voice now did; was left an aching sensation and empty feeling.
He could only think of how- he may never hear their voices again. Of how his voice may never reach their ears, and of how he was alone in this moment. Truly alone.
A stream of watery tears escaped from Rimuru's eyes as he stared at the ground, and, his own hands~ the watery droplets falling into his palms. "Ciel, Velz. Azuray. Jasmine. Please someone tell me-" No response came, a shroud slowly forming over his eyes as any inklings of hope he had slowly began to fade away.
Like a hungering beast ready to strike an unsuspecting prey Rimuru's hope slowly was being preyed upon by an indescribable void and an inexplicable incomprehensible darkness.
A lifeless and meaningless feeling.
Rimuru in this moment had 1 singular wish.
He wished to die, he wished for the sweet release of death. To make this whole life a terrible and realistic nightmare, but he simply couldn't bring himself to end his own life.
Yet unexpectedly and contrary to any and all logical thoughts Rimuru had. Someone did come to him, someone did wrap their arms around him and comfort him.
Sylvia pulled Rimuru into her arms, a soft embrace shared between them, her fingers running through his messy hair gently patting it.
She didn't say much if anything for the first few moments as she pressed Rimuru's face into her shoulder gently and rhythmically patting his head. Slowly but surely Rimuru's heart started to beat– truly beat, not just push blood. An ounce of life began to take form inside of Rimuru. A will to live, or at least move began to form in him.
Rimuru didn't fight her embrace and rather sunk into it, a gentle calming feeling washing over him. One different from the feelings he has when being embraced by Ciel and Velzard. Yet somewhat similar to what he feels when he shares and embraces Jasmine, albeit in a more unique and different way.
A unique comfort, one of understanding; one of recognition; one of respect; one of honest sympathy. "Everything will be ok. You are alive, you still have a chance. Live. Live Rimuru Tempest. Live Mikami Satoru. Live Rimuru Flamesworth. Live Rimuru Moira Niscience. Live and fight. Just live."
A shocked expression filled Rimuru's face before he meekly nodded and let himself accept the comfort of Sylvia's embrace. Rimuru in this moment when all his walls had shattered was left bare to Sylvia. Normally she wouldn't pry incessantly into someone's mind and life for their secrets, but in this moment Rimuru to her was an open book.
A book so open she couldn't help but become a part of it. Even despite being partly unsure of what to say in this moment Sylvia trusted that a simple show of understanding and speaking meaningless nothings would help him.
She was right. In the end all he needed was a single genuine hug.
"Thank you, thank you Sylvia."
.
.
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Chapter 13 End~ 7288 words
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