"It's…" Stagnant air fills his lungs when he takes a deep breath to calm down. "Convenient."
Leaf's smile falters slightly. All that pizazz for it to just be called convenient? You gotta be kidding!
"Convenient? Ughhhh you're so dull. No wonder you're called Undead." Complaining to herself, shooting a weak air blast at Undead's side.
"Huuuu, that's it. I've had enough of you. I'm stripping the name undead and instead you'll be called…" More cogs can be heard. This little fairy is surely using all her brain power for this.
"Grime! You shall be known as Grime from now on."
"…Grime?"
Looking down on Undead, well, Grime now. "Yes! Always treating me like an object, so you're now worse than an object!"
Letting out a short sigh, Unde—Grime makes his way to the cell, resting early to explore tomorrow.
——
"Fufu~, you silly undead. Not only have you lost your memories but also your name?"
A warm hand combs through his hair, twirling a strand in their fingers.
When he tries to look at them, a dainty, pale hand covers his eyes.
"Tsk tsk tsk, so impatient!" Their bell-like voice rings out into a giggle. The hand that is stroking his head now gently massaging his scalp.
Undead struggles, he wants to see who they are. He needs to see who they are. But he can't.
There's no response from his limbs, not even a single twitch of a finger.
Panic sets in, breathing now erratic. The only thing he can hear is the flickering of flames and… humming?
A tune from somewhere long forgotten fills the space. Starting off quiet, gradually getting louder.
Walking towards the tune… walking? Yes, surely he was walking, walking down this hall. Walking out into the forest. Yet the forest endlessly stretches, he can't move forward. So he runs.
Trees merge into one, forming a hall. A hall he's seen before? The hall from the start? Running faster and faster.
Halls endlessly repeat — pictures of Alice, Leaf, Goose, Jeanne — Alice, Leaf, Goose, Jeanne… Jeanne? Jeanne d'arc?
An overwhelming sense of disgust surges from him. Why would such a vile name come to mind?
Who is Jeanne? Why does he have such disgust towards a stranger?
Alice, Leaf, Goose — Alice, Leaf, Goose! Only three faces cover the wall. There were only three. Three…
Undead runs and runs, turning corner after corner, only to run into a wall. Yet there is no wall, only the start.
Melody is still incessant, drilling directly into his head. All he can do is cry out.
Tired, wanting to escape, the only way he can think of is death. Bashing his head against the wall, bracing for pain.
There was none? Head flying forward and smashing into the dirt, the wind off the forest mourns for Undead.
The halls are gone, yet the melody remains. Bouncing off each tree, piercing his mind, he listens with all his effort; he can sense the person humming such a tune — smile.
Although he can't see it, he knows it's such a brilliant smile that even wilting flowers would bloom at the sight.
Birds of green fly overhead, not chirping nor singing but screaming. Boom! Feathers rain down, each forming a green comet. Plunging into the ground, one that's a shade lighter than the rest, pierces through his left eye.
Drip… Drip… Drip…
Warm, thick liquid drips onto his face, tracing down his cheek and falling down below. The hand covering his eyes is just enough for him to barely see. There was a hand covering his eyes? But he could always see? He could see the halls… What did the halls look like? Were their portraits? No. No… there shouldn't be any.
The moon stares down at him, crying tears of blood. Each drop landed on his face with a steady rhythm.
When [——]'s eye meets his, the melody rampages through his mind. Blood dripped from all his orifices, a single word rang in his mind.
——
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
Undead's scream echoes through the dungeon. Tearing off his helmet, his metal-clad hands wrap around his neck. Tightening.
Eyes! Eyes everywhere! Everything is watching him. Nothing is safe!
"KYAAAA!!! UNDEAD WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" Leaf's shrill shriek mingles with his scream. Rushing over, barely managing to pry his hands off, does she (barely) calm down.
"YOU'RE ALREADY DEAD, WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO DIE AGAIN!?" She yells, anger mixed with fear filling her voice.
Undead stares at her, words going in through one ear and out the other. The one in front of him is no fairy. It's a slug with wings, a vile, scheming slug.
Silently, he stands, wrapping one hand around Leaf. Slowly squeezing so she can feel every bone, every muscle being crushed.
"Ugh" A pained groan escapes her lips, eyes trembling. "Undead! S-stop! If you kill me, who's going to take you to Fort Ivern?"
His grip slowly relaxes, yet he doesn't let go. Fort Ivern? Right… he needs to go there, for the Helkaiser. For… Alice?
Letting go of Leaf, he stares at his hand. There is no trail a slug normally leaves, eyes alternating between the two, he's sure, Leaf is a fairy, not a slug.
"…Sorry." The least he could do was apologise, he did cause this mess so of course he would take responsibility. "I… just had a strange dream."
"Tch, almost killing the most famed guide in Wonderland because of a dream?" She glares at Undead, pouting. "An apology won't cut it. You need to do something other than that for me to forgive you."
"Then whatever it is, three times, I shall obey your orders. No matter what it is." Leaving his fate in this mischievous fairy's hands, what could go wrong?
"Oh really?" A coy smile merges with her grin. "Deal! No take-backs!"
"Alright." Giving a short nod, he picks up his helmet and secures it back on, his hands brushed past his neck.
What an odd dream… What did I even dream about for it to be this bad?
"Leaf, let's head back to the ranch."
"Hmph, always barking orders you are."
With a click of her fingers, a vortex of wind and fire engulfs the two. Once it settles, they find themselves back at the campfire.
Looking around, no demon beasts in sight. Good. This campfire was probably the reason they weren't attacked as much as they were yesterday morning.
"Leaf, let's go." Walking ahead, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword just in case.
Sitting on his head, she sighs. "Not a moment's rest with you, this is not how you treat a lady."
Following the animal pens, it becomes harder and harder to avoid confrontation with demon beasts. The closer they go to the centre, the more cluttered the beasts are.
"Pwahhh, it stinks! The wind coming from those beasts!" Leaf murmurs into Undead's ear as they pass by a group.
Making an exaggerated fall, her body collides with his helm. A dull, bell-like ring sounding out.
"Oiiinnkkk." Three disgusting piggish grunts sound from behind them.
"Ah… You think they noticed us?" Leaf jests as she fires a blast of wind at them.
While she does that, Undead readies his sword, glaring at Leaf for a split second before submerging such feelings deep within his heart.
Undead's second battle since awakening starts now!