Chapter 17:

Curse 17: Divided

Mors Regina

"Again. Why, again...?" I muttered as water was pouring out of the pipe.

I was inside the royal bathroom, and it seemed like a normal bathroom.

Then again, I picked the one that was the smallest from my point of view.

But at any rate, I had a huge problem at the moment.

"That flower was there. Why was the flower there?!" I whispered in anger. I clenched my fist. "Why?! Why did it have to show up now?!"

I just ran into two of them yesterday. YESTERDAY!

Can't a girl get a break already?!

Why? Why?!

"... Why? I had plans on heading to the library at night to take some notes. But now? I'm afraid of that dark cloak person to kill me again!" I held my head in frustration.

I need this painful life to end already!

But what could I do?!

I already acted scared near the prince since I had a feeling that he was the one who saved me back then! And if I simply ask them to borrow the library after putting a performance like that, it would look very wrong and stupid!

But... but...!

"Normal... I need to be normal!" I grit my teeth.

Splash!

I pushed my head into the cold water.

My eyes were shut tightly. I was trying to get those negative thoughts out of my head.

Steaming, steaming.

Boiling, boiling.

My sanity seemed to be unstable.

'Sleeping'. Seeing the darkness once more.

My life had been in hell ever since I saw that dark-cloaked person.

They needed to be taken care of.

The... Dark... Cloak...

Splash!

I took my face out of the water below me. I stared down at my reflection.

I forgot about the mirror being in here. I was so frightened and trying to fill the sink full of cold water that I ignored it.

"I'm not sure why... but I should probably look for the dark cloak once again..." I muttered.

It seemed like I was going to die regardless.

I couldn't even detect them from last time. So if I was going to die anyway, I'd better make them tell me more about that flower themselves!

But when I looked to the side, I realized that my brown bag was back in my room.

"Damn. I forgot my bag back in my room...!" I furrowed my eyes in anger.

"Need help again, my little dark flower~?" I heard a voice from behind.

I swiftly turned around and held on to the sink in fear.

... They're here. They're actually here...!

"Wow. Quite a pickle you're in. And this time, it's not from me." The dark cloak shrugged its shoulders.

"... Lies. You're here to kill me again!" I held on to my throat.

The dark cloak sighed and shook their head. "Yeah, no. Not this time. So far, you're going on the right path. There's no need to kill you again right now."

The dark cloak raised their hand and waved at me.

Ba-dump!

I gripped my chest from the intense pain I was feeling.

What's happening?!

Hot. My chest was feeling hot.

What was going on?! Why was she— ...huh? Did I just assume the dark cloak's gender—

Ba-dump!

I clung to my chest tighter.

Flashes of images of me and the dark cloak talking in the stadium's bathroom flowed into my brain.

What we were talking about, how both of us reacted, and how the conversation ended with her wiping my memory.

Once the last pieces of memory returned to me, I slowly lifted my body while still clinging to my chest.

"... I see. So you really are a monster if you can wipe people's memories." I commented, putting distance from the dark cloak.

"You're too kind, Tristis! That's why I love you so much!" The dark cloak announced, opening her arms as if she wanted a hug.

"Now how about a hug?!" She asked.

"..." I simply stared daggers at her in response.

The dark cloak lowered her arms in disappointment. "... Still acting that way. Fair enough."

The dark cloak put her hand behind her back. "But let me be frank, you will die even if I don't kill you."

"Thanks for the heads up..." I said sarcastically.

"I'm serious. It may not be today—well, it could be today—but the chain of you dying is certain. Even if I don't kill you, the path and choices you do might cause your death."

I laughed and shook my head.

"So what?! I should lie around and accept that I'll keep dying and dying until the end of my days?!"

"No. I'm saying to be aware of that whenever you're dying. That way, you'll keep your sanity stable." The dark cloak said in a serious tone.

"... Why do you care? Aren't I some pawn to your twisted plan of yours?" I scoffed and looked at the mirror. "Acting childish, playing tricks to gain something in the long run, and trying to lighten the mood for your victim? You're no human. You're a monster."

The dark cloak placed her black-gloved hand underneath what I could think of as her chin.

"You know, being a monster is far better than being a human. After all, humans are evil creatures if it'll benefit themselves in the long run. Actually... maybe being a monster and a human isn't so different."

"..." I lowered my sight on their shoulder.

"But you're right. This isn't how I planned to visit you again. I was trying to limit it to killing you whenever something goes wrong." The dark cloak folded her arms. "... Strange. Never in my life would I show myself that much during my plans and phases. Why is that...?"

The dark cloak clapped her hands together.

"Anyways, you wanted to ask me something?"

"..."

"... Is that a no? After coming all of this way just for you?" The dark cloak wiped away the fake tears from under her hoodie.

"... Alright then. Tell me, dark cloak, what will you do with me after I complete your master plan?"

"... Hmm? What do you mean?" The dark cloak scratched her dark hood.

"Will you kill me one last time? Burn me alive for your twisted ways?... Or are you going to eat me after you're done with me?" I asked in a deep voice.

"Whooooaaa!! Back up, Tristis! Even I wouldn't do those things if it doesn't benefit me!" The dark cloak answered while raising both of her hands.

"... I see. You'll toy with me like I'm—"

"Tristis! Tristie! Sweetie, I think you got the wrong image of me." The dark cloak turned around with her hands behind her back. "Let's get one thing clear, you dying by my hands is unavoidable. However, I would help you if you so desire."

The dark cloak turned back at me and turned sideways. "You see, I'm not killing you for kicks. Every time you die, you either unlock a new power or could be able to counter whatever killed you in the first place."

"..." I placed my hand under my chin.

"Think about it, Tristis! You dying isn't a bad thing! Sure, the pain will hurt like hell! You might even lose yourself along the way. However... what if I say the item you seek can prevent you from losing yourself?" The dark cloak gestured her hand at me.

"..." I looked at the ground and continued to think.

"Let me tell you the truth. I thought you would break after dying again after ten years later."

The dark cloak jumped back and clutched her dark coat.

"But to my surprise when you smiled again like when you were a child! What a shocking discovery!"

The dark cloak stroked her chin. "That's when I knew that you'll be perfect for my plan, Tristis...."

The dark cloak put her hands together in front. "For someone as soft-hearted as you to come back as if nothing happened. That's strange. Almost as if... you enjoy your 'sleep'. Makes you very interesting in my book." The dark cloak raised her index finger.

"... Who are you, really?" I whispered.

My curiosity had reached its peak. If I could figure her out, maybe I could find a way to kill her myself.

The dark cloak chuckled.

"For one to become one with death, one should accept it. Despite me killing you over and over again, you had a taste of vengeance for only me. For those around you, you decided to throw away your fear... and stay true to yourself."

The dark cloak chuckled. "That's a hint of who I really am. The items and I, we're connected."

I looked at the dark cloak in disgust. "... So basically... you got a kink for me when I'm in extreme pain, huh?"

The dark cloak's hoodie nearly fell, but she picked herself up and held on to her hood.

"W-w-w-what did I just—!"

The dark cloak placed her hands on her waist.

"You HAD been researching, right?! You HAD been looking up the origin of the dark flower, right?! The context of my identity is RIGHT THERE!"

"What are you going on about? The history about the dark flower isn't available anywhere within the kingdom." I scratched my neck.

"... Come again?" The dark cloak tilted her head.

"The cursed child is me. And what you're saying is that I was born with the magic. But since it was hinted as 'evil' to the public, why do you think it would happen in the context of such a thing?"

"..." The dark cloak grunted seriously.

She dug inside her cloak and scoffed in annoyance.

"... That king. He knows my connection to you."

The dark cloak took out a dark ball of energy and pinched it. Like dust, it drifted into the air and out of the bathroom.

"But that makes sense for your reaction about me. The king is a smart man..."

"What are you talking about—"

"Listen up, and listen good. Don't worry about me killing you right now. Just focus on looking up the first item. The library is a clue." The dark cloak turned around with her hands behind her back.

"H-huh? Wait, I got lots of questions about my next death—"

"Enough. I don't have time for this." The dark cloak said coldly to me. "That king is a pain. If I stay any longer, he might find me."

The dark cloak turned her hood slightly. "You're lucky I like you. Otherwise, I would've killed you to further my plan more smoothly."

The dark cloak revealed her mouth, which had purple lipstick. "I already provided another hint to find a particular book. However, you won't find it tonight."

"Huh?"

Leap!

Without missing a beat, the dark cloak disappeared in front of me.

"... Funny. She sounded... angry. Huh?" I held my head. "I could remember her gender!"

But why? Why would she do that?

Wasn't it better to have me suffer more instead of remembering important information that would strengthen my resolve?

I won't lie to myself and think that I was suddenly okay with me dying. And I won't forget the terrible things she had done to me and my life. And I am planning on striking her down myself for toying with me.

... But.

'For one to become one with death, one should accept it. Despite me killing you over and over again, you had a taste of vengeance for only me. For those around you, you decided to throw away your fear... and stay true to yourself.'

"Those dark flowers still give me the urge to vomit whenever I see them now. However, maybe I could use that to my advantage..." I whispered very softly.

I placed my hand under my chin.

Strange. Whenever I finish talking to her, my body and some of my fear go away. That never happened before with a stranger.

Who are you, dark cloak? And why are you trying so hard to keep my sanity in check?

I was going to 'sleep' regardless, huh?

I hated that. I don't want to see that darkness.

However.

If it's unavoidable with the dark cloak, there was no way I would let myself be killed without gathering information.

I looked at my hand.

Yup.

They were still shaking after the encounter with the dark cloak. But still, now I felt a bit better after that talk.

... Ugh. I hate that.

I would rather Peri—

"Oh, right! Peri!"

I ran to the door and opened it in a panic. "Peri! Peri—mm!"

My mouth got covered from behind. Shit! Did she come back to finish the job?!

Of course! She wanted me to let my guard down! She was clever, after all. Well then, I won't go down here for Peri to see my dead body!

I forced my body weight against the dark cloak and forced both of us to slam into a wall—

"Ow!" I heard a familiar voice from behind.

"Huh? A guy's voice?" I spoke since the hands were removed from my mouth. I looked back and saw Peri holding his back in pain. "What the hell?! I was just training to make you feel better!"

"... Peri?" I whispered.

"Who else, genius? ... O-ow! Now my back hurts."

I went on my knees and lifted up his shirt. "I'm sorry! Where does it hurt?!"

Peri pushed down his shirt and blushed. "Don't you think you've done enough to hurt my pride as a knight?"

"Oh, come on! I already know your human anatomy!" I pushed his shirt up and looked at his back. "Now stop being a baby and let me look!"

"Cut it out!" Peri's whole face was turning red.

I went to the side and started to pull on his shirt. "Come on! Don't make me use my full strength on you, little Peri!"

"Stop it!" Peri held on to my hands. "Look, I'm okay since you're okay now!"

"... Huh?" I blinked in shock.

Peri sighed and let go of my right hand. "Look, I'm okay now. I'm okay since you're not sad anymore."

Peri touched his back. "Sure, the pain I'm feeling is pretty bad. But seeing you shaking like a leaf is way worse. I know that prank just now would've launched me somewhere, but not the walls."

Peri looked at the ground. "I was so scared. I didn't know what to do since the doctor didn't really find anything wrong with you. But I've known you since we were kids, Tristis. I know... I know that you're hiding something from me."

"H-huh?" I panicked.

"I know you've been lying to me about you stopping the research. You're only using the knights' selection and your position to find some answers to make yourself normal. And that... really hurts me."

Peri...

So he was worried about me.

My mind was so focused about me dying that I didn't even consider Peri's feelings in all of it.

I slowly lifted my hand to his back. I touched it and felt chills run down my spine. He got that pain from me attacking him. And to make matters worse, he found out about my plan.

I felt his back and sat next to him.

"... Then how come you never called me out on it?" I asked.

"..." Peri sighed deeply and looked at the ceiling. "Because I'd be a burden to your research."

I let go of his back in fright.

Burden? Why would you think that?

"I would've slowed you down if I had asked you out and said it. So... I played the fool, just like you wanted." Peri whispered to me.

Those words hurt my very soul.

I forced a smile, feeling my eyes getting watery.

"I see! O-of course! So now that it's out, you hate me, right?"

I slowly got up and dusted myself. "Well, that's what I get! A stupid girl who couldn't even tell her best friend the truth doesn't deserve your trust!"

I turned around towards the bathroom.

"But don't worry! I know a way to fix this—"

I felt my hand getting grabbed.

"... Don't. Don't kill yourself." Peri whispered.

"... Don't be silly—"

"You wanted to kill yourself from guilt. You wanted to atone by abusing your powers somehow." Peri whispered.

He then pulled me by my arms.

"Don't worry. I'm over it." Peri smiled at me.

"Huh?" I felt my chest warming up.

"I won't tell anyone that it related to your powers. I won't say anything to the princes or the king."

"... Peri."

I grabbed hold of his strong and warm arms.