Dream, die and wake up 2/2

After about an hour, Sister Clarissa arrived to take her to the orphanage's principal's office. Luciel accompanied her, noticing the stern look Clarissa was giving her, clearly wishing she could tie her up, such was the veiled hostility.

Upon entering the room, Luciel saw the six sisters who ran the orphanage: Sisters Uri, Clarissa, and Dulcinea on the right, and on the left, Angélica, a large, corpulent woman with fair skin and a passive personality; Johannes, a foreign redhead with an explosive temper; and finally, Mother Azula, the oldest and visibly the least friendly.

Azula pointed her finger at Luciel, who now felt surrounded, and demanded.

— What do you have to say in your defense, miss? You had better explain to us clearly why you acted so violently, for no reason at all!

— Your definition of 'without reason' seems a bit strange to me, Mother… — Luciel replied, with a tired tone of voice. However, noticing a discreet signal from Uri for him to behave, she adopted a more respectful air.

— What’s up, young lady? You break a fellow children’s arm and don’t show the slightest bit of guilt or respect?

She raised her hand, intending to cut it off.

— If you want an explanation, you better let me speak, because there are many things I have wanted to clarify for a long time! Starting with how Lugh and her gang have been persecuting me, and you do nothing about it! — Luciel's breathing began to accelerate, and indignation consumed her. — The only one who seems to treat me like a human being is Uri, and look at that! I only did to Lugh what I should have done a long time ago. And it wasn't even for free! She's the one who started all this, came to slap me with that filthy little hand, and you still want me to stand there, watching her treat me like trash, as always? — Luciel's voice grew louder with each word, echoing through the room.

— Earlier that same day, she came to me with that story about the burn on her hand! And then "someone" threw water on my bed for no apparent reason, and I'm the crazy one for hitting her in the face when the opportunity arose? — Luciel spoke now with an almost desperate intensity, her hands clenched into fists.

She began to gesticulate, her emotions exploding.

— Seriously, tell me, what would you do in my place? What would you do? And don't come with that "turn the other cheek" talk, because I know you wouldn't! I'm tired! Tired of being treated like an inferior being! As if I didn't have the right to defend myself! — With a strong blow, Luciel punched the mother’s tempered glass table, making a sharp noise that shattered the glass, but she didn't stop. She kept punching the metal frame until it distorted, desperation and anger guiding her.

The sisters were visibly terrified by the scene. The atmosphere was heavy, and the air vibrated with tension. Luciel was so immersed in her indignation that she didn't notice the frightened expressions around her. — What I don't understand is why I'm the one who has to swallow injustice, while you two just stand there and do nothing! — her voice trembled with anger and frustration. — What did I do so wrong? I just wanted to be treated like a person! Is it that hard?

She turned around, looking each of them in the eye.

— What do you see when you look at me? A freak? A lost cause? I’m a child like any other, but you treat me like I’m a monster!

Mother Azula, with her relentless gaze, tried to interrupt.

— Luciel, you broke a colleague's arm! What do you have to say in your defense? You don't seem to have any idea of what you did!

— The definition of "without reason" seems very strange, Mother! — Luciel said, her voice full of disdain. — If I had known that my only crime would be to defend myself, I would never have expected this! I am here, every day, enduring provocations and humiliations, and you think I should just sit idly by?

— Don't forget that you are in a place where you must learn to control your emotions and deal with conflicts in a civilized manner! — Clarissa intervened, the coldness in her voice almost palpable.

— Civilized? — Luciel laughed sarcastically, tears welling up in her eyes. — Civilized is what you weren’t with me! While I was everyone’s target, you remained silent. Now, when I finally react, am I the only one to blame? What do you want me to do, Mother? Take the punches and remain silent? Is that what you expect of me?

At that moment, she began to pound the table again, fury evident in every movement.

— What would you do if you were in my shoes? What would you do if, day after day, you were treated like trash? I’m not an animal, I’m a person! I deserve to be sheard!

The tension in the air was palpable, and Luciel was so consumed by adrenaline that she didn't realize the situation was about to spiral out of control. Just as she nearly lunged for Mother Azula's neck, Uri grabbed her and threw her to the ground, immobilizing her.

Luciel struggled, anger still bubbling inside her, but finally, when she calmed down, Uri hugged her tightly. she knew that Luciel needed that contact, that comfort, even if it was for a brief moment. And then, Luciel fell into a deep, inexplicable sleep, drained by the intensity of the situation.

A few days passed, and although Luciel had calmed down, the atmosphere around her was tense. her sisters avoided her, and the other residents of the orphanage looked at her with a mixture of fear and contempt. It was as if an invisible wall had been erected around her, separating her from the rest of the world. Nothing was normal; except for the fact that, at separate times, she was forced to perform her chores.

One day, going down to the superior's office, Luciel passed in front of the door and sheard voices. The words of some sisters stood out, echoing like sharp blades in her mind.

— How long are you going to let that freak hang around here? — Clarissa’s voice was sharp, each word a blow. — Do you have any doubt that she would be capable of killing someone? We should just send her away, and let her be grateful that we didn’t call some teen control agency or something.

— I agree with Clarissa — Johannes said, the contempt evident in her tone. — That girl is the devil himself, and we are feeding her under the Creator’s roof! Such a freak should never even be conceived!

Indignation rose like a wave in Luciel. She clenched her fists, feeling the rage pulsing through her. It was as if every word was an attempt to dehumanize her, to make her suffering invisible. What more did she have to do to be seen as someone?

Just as Sister Clarissa and Johannes spoke about “driving away the freak,” Uri’s voice emerged, powerful and firm, cutting through the air like a knife.

— If you don’t want to deal with the child, I don’t see any other way than to do it myself. We’ll be out of the orphanage’s confines by the end of the week. Don’t worry.

Uri's words had a weight that echoed in Luciel's mind. She knew she was not alone, that someone was defending her, but sadness and anger mixed together, leaving her in a state of internal conflict.

— You can’t just leave like that, Urith ! — Mother Azula’s voice rang out, tense and authoritative. — Don’t forget that you have responsibilities to the orphanage and to the Creator himself.

Luciel sheard Uri’s answer as if it were a whisper of hope. Could it be that she really had someone by her side? But what Uri was about to do could mean much more than just a change of scenery.

— Die Shaisse! — Uri shouted, and the words made her more determined. — If you are going to act like you and discriminate against one of the Creator's children, who really never did anything to deserve this, I want you and the Creator to go to shell!

Uri’s anger was palpable, and Luciel couldn’t help but feel a surge of gratitude mixed with admiration. As the sisters debated among themselves, Luciel stepped out of the shadow of the doorway, feeling that her place here was more than just a witness.

When Uri found her, Luciel was stunned, staring at her with a mixture of disbelief and hope. Without thinking, she threw herself into her sister's arms, holding her tightly, as if she were the anchor that kept her connected to humanity. The pain, fear and frustration seemed to dissipate a little in that gesture.

— Thank you… — Luciel murmured, her voice breaking as tears ran down her face. — Thank you for defending me.

Uri looked her in the eyes, her expression soft but determined.

— You are not alone, Luciel. You never were.

Luciel looked at Uri and spoke.

— I'm going to my room to pack my things... it's not much. I think I can get everything ready in less than an hour.

— Perfect. In the meantime, I’ll call an acquaintance who can help us. She’s a trustworthy person and can provide us with a temporary place until I find a permanent place for us… That’s not a problem for you, is it, Azula? — Uri’s voice was resolute, but Luciel could shear the tension beneath the surface.

— No. You can go ahead with that… — Mother Azula replied, but the way she bit her lower lip revealed that there was something else that worried her. There was a deep sadness in her eyes, as if she were saying goodbye to something very precious.

As soon as the last word left her lips, a feeling of uncertainty enveloped Luciel. She knew they were about to embark on a new journey, but what awaited them in the unfamiliar city?

That same night, they took a bus to Wood's Den, a small but nearby town. The ride was silent, except for the rumble of the wheels on the tracks and the occasional crackle of whispered conversation between the other passengers. Each of them seemed lost in their own thoughts, as was Luciel.

That same night, they took a bus to Wood's Den, a small but nearby town. The ride was silent, except for the rumble of the wheels on the tracks and the occasional crackle of whispered conversation between the other passengers. Each of them seemed lost in their own thoughts, as was Luciel.

As soon as they left the orphanage, Mother Azula made a call that Luciel knew would change everything. The way she spoke, the concern in her voice, made Luciel uneasy. What could be so important?

Uri and Luciel had moved to Wood’s Den six months ago, and now they were about to enter a new year. The town was small, and the faces were familiar on every corner. Luciel stared out the bus window, watching the lights flicker in the dark night, and a mixture of hope and fear began to settle in her.

After leaving the orphanage in Black Chapel, Uri abandoned the habit of worrying about appearances. Although neither of them worked, nothing seemed to be missing.

They lived in a modest house on the outskirts of town, an hour’s walk from the center. Whenever Uri went out, she would come back with enough money to cover her needs, but she never said where the money came from. This uncertainty was a shadow over their new lives, but for now, Luciel preferred not to think about it too much.

It was a night in the middle of January when Luciel returned from the city center and stopped in a square. A crowd of people caught her attention, and her curiosity led her to approach. What was happening there?

Luciel stood in the center of the square, surrounded by a mesmerized crowd. Their faces lit up in the moonlight as a man standing on the bandstand spoke with fiery passion. he gestured widely, as if channeling something divine.

— But the Lord said to him, ‘Therefore whoever kills Cain will be punished sevenfold.’ And the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him wouldn’t kill him. — His voice boomed like thunder, capturing everyone’s attention.

Luciel stood there, paralyzed, watching as she continued to preach. The tone of her voice was both seductive and terrifying.

— Behold, the word of the Lord is before you! — He cried, and the crowd leaned forward, eager for every syllable. — O humanity! Fear, for the unholy mark of the sinner is ingrained in our very core! Humanity is vile! Only through suffering and pain can we be purified and reborn from the flesh!

A shiver ran down Luciel’s spine. her words echoed like a lament, touching something deep within her. The man continued, his voice rising, imbued with religious fervor.

— We, as individuals, are nothing! Only under the watchful eye of the Creator can we aspire to salvation! If we do not act, if we do not surrender ourselves to her light, we will be consumed by darkness! — she pointed to the crowd, accusing them of their own apathy and sin. — Everyone here! You are bearers of unspeakable sins! But by bathing in the light of the Lord, you can be saved! Hallelujah!

The cries of exaltation reverberated in the square, and Luciel began to feel suffocated. The fervor was palpable, almost contagious, but something inside her screamed that this was all wrong.

Looking away, she began to slowly walk away, her heart racing with the growing sense of unease. However, a heavy hand landed on her shoulder, causing her to freeze.

— Are you Luciel? Luciel Legione? — A tall woman, dressed in a habit, looked directly into her eyes, a mixture of compassion and urgency.

— Yes, it’s me — Luciel replied, swallowing hard. — But who are you?

Before she could ask any more questions, the woman struck her with a brutal punch to the stomach, causing her to double over in pain. Luciel fell to the ground, darkness enveloping her world.

Luciel woke up in a dark, poorly lit room, strapped to a metal stretcher with a gag in her mouth. The cold of the room enveloped her like a heavy blanket, and the white—painted walls were oppressive. She was wearing a hospital gown, and the light in the room was off, but an intense light emanated from the other side of the metal door in front of her, as if the light source itself was watching her.

She sheard muffled voices outside, but she couldn’t make out what they were saying. her stomach, where she had been punched, throbbed, and her head was spinning from the force of the blow. The agonizing silence was broken when the door opened, revealing a young nurse.

Erilecia entered, tall and blonde, her green eyes shining with a disturbing intensity. her statuesque body exuded an aura of control and power. At the touch of a button, the stretcher rose, placing Luciel in an upright position. The nurse approached, and Luciel felt her heart race as the gag was removed.

— I am Erilecia — the nurse said, her voice soft but with an undeniable tone of authority. — You will address me as ‘ma’am,’ ‘Mrs. Erilecia,’ or ‘Miss Erilecia.’ Do you understand me?

Luciel glared at her, anger boiling in her gaze, but her courage soon dissipated in the face of her threatening presence.

— I asked if I MADE MYSELF UNDERSTAND? — Erilecia shouted, and before Luciel could react, a strong punch hit her in the face, making everything around her spin.

After a few seconds, Luciel spat out clotted blood and, even with difficulty, nodded.

— Can't you speak, you freak? — Erilecia teased her, with a burning contempt.

— I understand, — Luciel replied, her voice weak but still defiant.

— I understand…— Erilecia repeated, her eyes cold and devoid of empathy. The nurse leaned closer, a cruel smile appearing on her lips. — You don’t need to be afraid of me, Luciel. I’m here to help you. But for that, you need to be purified.

— Purified? — Luciel replied, confused and trying to remain firm. — Why would I need that?

Erilecia grabbed Luciel's face, digging her nails into the delicate skin, making her gasp in pain.

— What I want to know, freak, is where you came from and what kind of rotten blood runs through those filthy veins! You are a stain on divine creation!

— I came from Black Chapel, from the Divine Mercy Orphanage, and I have been living in Wood's Den for six months. One of you knocked me out and dragged me here. That's all the origin I can give you, LADY ERILECIA! — She emphasized, trying to appear stronger, but the tremendous pain weakened her.

Erilecia didn't hesitate and threw another punch, but this time she was careful to hit the other side.

— You have no respect at all, do you, you repulsive little thing? — She spoke in a controlled but threatening tone. — You'll understand soon enough. We'll rip everything out of you, and when you have nothing left to say, we'll get rid of you, you scum of the earth.

Luciel felt her mouth throb with pain, but she still dared to question, her bravery diminishing with each blow.

— Why so much hatred towards me? I don’t remember having done anything that deserved such treatment.

— Don’t you know? — Erilecia laughed, cruelty evident in her expression. — I don’t need reasons to hate the Creator’s scum. You are a walking sin that must be purged! Every word you utter is an offense to her glory. And we will not allow you to continue existing like this, contaminating the Earth!

Luciel’s heart raced. She began to understand the depth of Erilecia ’s fanaticism, and a sense of helplessness began to take hold of her.

Erilecia hit Luciel's face twice and took the gag back. The young woman wanted to scream, but the pain in her mouth made her hesitate.

— Bitch — she muttered through gritted teeth, anger turning to despair. — I’m going to tear you apart when I get out of here.

Erilecia smiled, a smile that mixed contempt and triumph.

— Oh, Luciel, you still don’t understand. It’s not up to you to decide that. Your pain is our salvation, and soon you’ll realize there’s no escape. We’re here to save you, even if you don’t want to!

She punched Luciel in the stomach, making her groan in pain. The sound of her scream echoed in the cold room, and with each blow she received, the hope of resistance faded. Luciel began to realize that the fight was not just against Erilecia, but against an ideology that dehumanized her, turning her into a target of an insane crusade.

Erilecia continued to attack, with each blow, the nurse revealed more of her blind fanaticism, and Luciel, although she tried to remain firm, felt the barriers of her resistance beginning to crumble.

— You will understand, Luciel. Purification is necessary, and pain is just a step on the path to true redemption. There is no room for sinners like you among the Creator's children!

She approached Luciel with a sadistic smile on her lips, her green eyes shining with a mixture of pleasure and contempt. She leaned in, almost as if she was sizing up her prey.

— Look at you, a freak crawling through this world — Erilecia said, her voice cold and sharp. — I thought maybe you had some value, but you’re just another waste of flesh. And I’m the only one who can show you your place.

Luciel just stared, a storm of emotions stirring inside her. She couldn't understand why this woman had so much hatred. Why did she feel this way towards her, a stranger? Confusion took over her mind, as Erilecia continued her show of cruelty.

— You are a walking sin, a reminder of the Creator’s weakness — Erilecia continued, taking a step back and preparing to strike another blow. — We, the daughters of truth, must rid ourselves of you, the scum who do not deserve to live.

Luciel, in an act of desperation, tried to free herself from the bonds, but it was in vain. Erilecia smiled as she watched her struggle, as if it were entertainment.

— Oh, you still have hope, don’t you? — She laughed, a bitter laugh. — Hope is an illusion that the weak create to comfort themselves. You’re not getting out of here, my dear. No one is coming to save you.

And with those words, she threw another punch. The impact was brutal, sending a wave of pain throughout Luciel's body.

— You know, I have to teach you a lesson. It’s a favor I’m doing you — Erilecia said, as Luciel tried to catch her breath. — Do you think you can live like a freak, ignoring God’s laws? You’re nothing but a reminder of what’s wrong in this world.

— What did I do to deserve this? — Luciel asked, her speech obstructed by the gag, pain and confusion evident in her voice. — I did nothing wrong!

Erilecia leaned closer, her eyes shining with a ferocity that made Luciel’s heart race. Erilecia’s expression, full of contempt and fanaticism, sent a chill down Luciel’s spine.

— Doing nothing is your greatest mistake, Luciel. You are a living testament to the failure of creation. Every day you breathe is an insult to all who seek purity. And I will make sure you pay for it.

With a swift movement, Erilecia struck again, each punch accompanied by sharp words that cut deeper than the physical pain. Luciel felt anger trying to emerge, but it was crushed by the wave of terror that enveloped her. What did this woman want from her? Why was she being targeted by such cruelty?

— Do you really believe this will change me? — Luciel asked, her voice shaking with pain and confusion, each word coming out as a choked whisper. — What do you hope to achieve with this?

— You don’t get it, do you? — Erilecia replied, her cruel smile widening, revealing insane satisfaction. — This isn’t about changing you. This is about cleansing. Every blow is a step toward salvation. Every tear you shed is a step toward your true purpose.

With each punch, Luciel felt a part of herself vanish, as if her very essence was being ripped away. Erilecia ’s twisted logic left her even more confused. How could someone believe so firmly that torture could be a form of redemption? her mind was spinning, a whirlwind of emotions that left her paralyzed with fear and pain.

— You’re a monster — Luciel managed to say, her voice hoarse and desperate, as if she were trying to protect herself with those words. — And you don’t know anything about me…

— Monster? — Erilecia laughed, a laugh that echoed like thunder in her mind. — I am the only one here who sees the truth. You are an illusion, an aberration that must be erased. And I will be the hand that eliminates you from this world.

The cruelty in Erilecia ’s eyes made Luciel’s stomach tighten, the feeling of helplessness crushing her spirit. Each punch that landed made her want to scream, but the pain was so intense that no words could come out. The sound of the blows became a deafening rhythm, and darkness began to close in, threatening to swallow her.

Luciel fought against the despair that was beginning to take over her, wondering how anyone could take such pleasure in the pain of others. What was it about her that provoked such contempt? The confusion grew deeper and deeper, and the last spark of resistance within her began to fade, leaving her lost in a sea of terror.

The days dragged on in a cycle of violence and humiliation. Erilecia appeared regularly, increasingly merciless, asking questions that Luciel answered as best she could. Erilecia's words, filled with contempt, became part of a ritual of pain.

— Where did you find your corruption? — Erilecia asked, as she knocked. — What did you do to become like this?

— I don't know! — Luciel replied, her patience running out. — I didn't do anything!

When Luciel finally lost her temper, Erilecia’s response was always a brutal attack, a demonstration of the control she sought to exert. But with each passing day, as Luciel struggled to maintain her dignity, the brutality of the situation terrified her more.

And so, the routine repeated itself: Erilecia arrived, Luciel tried to resist, but the answers always left her vulnerable. The pain became familiar, a constant shadow in her mind.

Until one fateful day, during yet another of these beating sessions, the buzzing that accompanied Luciel's mind simply stopped. The silence was deafening, as simple as breathing. At that moment, Luciel realized that the leather clamps that held her were loosening, as if the reality around her had changed.

Luciel’s heart was pounding in her throat, and her eyes were fixed on Erilecia’s throat, pulsing with life. Full of blood, she looked so vulnerable… so soft. The anger that had been boiling inside her took over, and a wave of clarity washed over her.

— You will pay for this! — Luciel shouted, and before she could think, she buried her hands in Erilecia's flesh, squeezing hard until she felt something break.

— What did you do? — Erilecia shouted, surprised.

She fell limp to the ground, a miserable heap of what had once been a living being. Luciel stared at the body for a few moments, a whirlwind of conflicting emotions flooding through her, before she began to punch it, screaming in an explosion of rage and pain.

— You are nothing! — Luciel shouted, punching hard. — You can't control me!

She punched until she injured her own hands, transforming that body into something unrecognizable, as if she wanted to erase all memory of her torment. And then, enveloped by darkness and exhaustion, Luciel punched until she passed out, her mind surrendering to emptiness.