In the early hours of the morning, before the sun had even stirred from its slumber, Cleo looked at the towering castle gates. Her actions spoke of recklessness and madness, yet she carried no hint of regret. For the sake of her own happiness, she was prepared to leave everything behind: the opulent palace, her privileged status, the wealth that surrounded her, and even her own family.
"And for your happiness, you made Mother suffer like that?" challenged, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall.
My dear sister let out a long sigh, "Aren't you the same, Celli?"
I raised my eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Cleo shrugged, "Follow me, Celli. I'll show you."
Intrigued by Cleo's words, I pushed myself off the wall and followed her, curiosity burning in my veins. As we stepped out of the castle gate, a cool breeze greeted us. We walked side by side, Cleo leading the way with a determined stride. The streets were quiet, bathed in the pale glow of the moon. Cleo's footsteps echoed against the cobblestones, creating a rhythm that expressed anger and resolves.
We arrived at the old Cathedral, the sacred space where our parents had exchanged vows. I followed her to the garden behind, greeted by a field of white flowers with a mesmerizing glow. It was the fruit of my first experiment on infecting Anima into living beings, intertwining their DNA into a new species. Bunga Lentera, the glowing flower of the night, that Cleo secretly planted.
She glanced around the garden, a nostalgic smile playing on her lips. "This, Celli, is the life I always dreamed of. Simple, free, and filled with the joy of pursuing my passions."
I looked at her, puzzled. "But Cleo, you had everything within the palace. Luxury, influence, and a future that most would envy."
Cleo sighed softly, her eyes filled with a mixture of longing and contentment. "Yes, I had all of that, but I also had expectations, responsibilities, and a role to play. Everything I did was scrutinized. I couldn't say what I wanted, I couldn't be what I wanted, I couldn't be free just like the birds in the sky."
With a deep breath, she swung her magic wand and lit the garden with fire. "Pitiful life like that should just burn to ashes!"
As I listened to Cleo's words, a part of me began to understand her perspective.
Deemed useless by the Noctis family because of my Pale Moon, I was largely ignored in the palace. Everywhere I went, they would look at me with disdain, fearing I would infect them with my disease. With that, I was mostly alone in the palace, waiting anxiously for my fate when I turned 18.
However, Cleo was different. Everyone had high hopes for her, shoving her fate as the one who will become the next heir of the Noctis Family. Yet ironically, she was stripped of all her freedom, having no choice of what to eat, who to socialize with, and even what her future will be. She was always flocked with people, smiling happily, yet deep down I knew she wasn't happy. She was given all the best in the world, yet she didn't have the freedom to enjoy it.
"And based on that, is there any room for you to hurt Mama?" I crossed my arms, judging her seriously, "You betrayed her expectation, even lower yourself by bearing a child of a human. Now, you wished to abandon everything just for what? A flicker of happiness?" I continued.
As I confronted Cleo, her eyes flashed with a mixture of pain and defiance. "Celli, do you think this is merely a fleeting moment of happiness? Mother never truly loved me. I was nothing more than a pawn to her, a trophy she could use to assert her dominance over the realm. Her expectations suffocated me, her control clipped my wings. Is it so wrong to seek a life that brings me genuine joy?"
She took a step closer to me, trying to reach me with her hands. ""You, of all people, should understand, Celli. We have both suffered in our own ways because of her. We are the same!"
"No, we're not!" I shouted and clenched my chest, "Even if Mother hurt me, for all my life, I never would hurt my family!"
Cleo chuckled, "Celli... is always the good girl. That's why you're so naïve." her expression softened, and she gently touched my shoulder, "Celli, I knew you had a heart for helping others. I saw you assist our struggling classmate, offering your alchemical skills to improve a poor family's farm, and even aiding the army by crafting new and better armor..."
Cleo whispered to my ear, "You did every of that, yet don't you know who took the credit?"I pulled away from her touch, "N-No, it can't be... "
"Oh, Princess Cleo is so noble. She wanted to clean her evil sister's name by pretending to be her, helping others. Oh, how very sweet of her, she swapped her exam sheet with Celli, so her poor little sister could gain the spotlight on Mother's Day. What an ideal Princess, the true successor to Goddess of Justice... they said," Cleo jutted her hips defiantly,
"While the truth is I actually pretended to be you, causing troubles everywhere so everyone hates Celli. I used you to make people like me more, Celli!"
My eyes widened in disbelief. So that's why I had been unjustly accused, misunderstood by those around me. It was all... because of Cleo, my sister... the person I loved more than anyone in the world?!
"And do you know the best part?" Cleo's smirk was filled with cynicism. "Those were originally Mother's orders. But... the more I did it, the more I enjoyed it. It made me feel superior, superior to you and everyone else as if I were the hero in those popular novels."
Her words struck me like a physical blow, and the tears flowed freely down my cheeks. The sisterly bond I had cherished shattered before me. My chest clenched with sorrow, leaving an overwhelming emptiness inside me.
"But, I love you so much... Why...?" I asked.
Cleo's smile turned into disdain, "Because I hate you so much, Sister." She answered while pointing her magic wand at me, "You stole my life, forcing me to become evil like this. If only... if only you had been there beside me, nothing of this would happen!"
So, it all started back then, when I refused to fight with Mama ten years ago. Our bond had already broken with me driving away from my sister. But as I lost sight of Cleo, she too, couldn't see and reach me. We both got lost in this world without each other to cling to hope for a long time.
"...We were supposed to be there for each other, but I was the first one to leave you, Cleo" I murmured, my hands trembling as I confronted the painful truth. "...It was all my fault... I'm so sorry."
"Sorry? Is that all? Hahaha!" Cleo laughed, "Can't believe for all shit we made, you expected that measly one word could mean anything?" she asked me.
I was a fool, thinking that our promise alone could mend the vast chasm between us. But now, I understood that if our bond couldn't be repaired, there was only one way for us to truly be together.
Summoning my abyssal magic, I beckoned Artemisia forth from the depths of my shadow. The agony of wielding such power tore at my very being, yet it paled in comparison to the anguish within my heart. Raising the sword towards my sister, I spoke with a heavy weight in my words.
"Tie your fate in The Blood Rite, Sister."
The Blood Rite was an ancient ritual practiced by the Familia Order. Upon reaching adulthood at the age of fifteen, twin siblings within the family were compelled to fight each other. Only one would emerge alive, ascending as the true heir while the other would be disowned and banished. Now, it was used to bind two gods in a contest of life and death, where the victor could bend the will of the defeated.
"Blood rite? Heh, why should I?" Cleo responded, her shoulders shrugging dismissively.
"Then, you accept that you're just a stupid loser, who works really hard for nothing?" I taunted her with a smirk, " Well, that really fits you, a coward who blames her failure on others. All that whining with only one silver lining. You just can't accept that you're way below me, sucker."
Cleo clenched her fist, "Heh do you think a little taunt would work?"
"If you refuse, I'll let you live with that fake family you have. But for the rest of your life, with all of my power, I will make your life and your descendant as painful as I could. That I can promise you... and a Deus never betrays a promise."
Crackling thunder appeared around Cleo as she raised her voice, "Don't you dare hurt my child!" Cleo raised her wand to me.
"Then come to me, if you win, then I let you live happily. But if you lose, I will kill your dream," I summoned a searing flame to my blade,
"Prove your happiness to me, Sister."
The crisp air danced around the two sisters as they stood locked in a fierce duel, their swords clashing with a resounding echo. The scent of burning flowers mingled with their exertion, adding an ethereal fragrance to the scene. With each clash, their movements became an intricate dance, a symphony of skill and determination. Sparks of magic ignited in the air as their blades met, casting an otherworldly glow upon their faces. But amidst the intensity of their battle, a pang of sadness resonated in their hearts.
With a swift motion, I deflected Cleo's slashing strike, causing her ice sword to twirl through the air and land at a distance. Breathing heavily, I stepped forward, my gaze locked with hers."It's that all you got? Heh, you really are a loser!" I quickly advanced to thrust Cleo.
A fierce wind suddenly surged around Cleo, throwing me off balance. Before I could react, she conjured a sword of blazing flame, its searing heat intensifying the intensity of our clash."Ignis Mithra!" Cleo's voice resounded with power as she unleashed a devastating attack, combining her fiery slash with a pillar of flame hurtling toward me.
Shit, why, why, why can't she just lose?! I stomped the ground, my golden locks turned an ethereal shade of white, and my irises ablaze with a fiery red. I leaped away from the flame pillar and lunged for a counterstrike!
"And you just a cheater who used Divinity against me!!" Cleo shouted.
"Stop talking and show it to me, weakling!" I shouted back.
No, I won't lose, I won't let you go, even if I had to chain you with me! Even if you hurt so much, I couldn't imagine life without you, Cleo. Why couldn't you understand?! Please, just lose, Big Sis!
Suddenly, ice pillars materialized in my path, hindering my advance. Left with no choice but to retreat, I jumped back. But Cleo was relentless, leaping towards me with an ice spear in hand, her thrusts unyielding and fierce. Desperation clouded my mind as I parried her attacks. The strain took its toll, soon causing my blade to crack under pressure.
D-Dammit! The magic energy damaged the sword! I should have tested it before. why I was so careless? Dammit, why now? Why in this battle?!
TRING!!
With one swift thrust from Cleo, my sword shattered into pieces, bursting the Superadicals to the air. I couldn't bear the thought of Cleo being harmed, so I immediately sprang into action, willingly throwing myself in harm's way, allowing her spear to pierce through me just to protect her from the Poison. The Superadicals, driven by their ruthless nature, clawed at my flesh, tearing through every inch they reached.
[Abyssal DMG 3000. Fatal Strike. Celli HP 1/3650. Demonic Decree increased! Current DD 89%, classification [SATANIC] ]
[Forbidden Knowledge evolved to Paimonial Wrath. Reduce HP to 50% after using magic. Can control up to 72 Anima. Stole 1% stats for every enemy eaten by controlled Anima. 25% chance to steal enemy skills. Increase 89% alchemy effect]
The excruciating pain caused me to let out a piercing scream, surprising Cleo and momentarily causing her to hesitate. Yet, her heart remained void of pity. In a cold and calculated move, she delivered a forceful kick, knocking me to the ground, leaving me gasping for air and utterly drained. Breathless and weary, the Cleo stood tall, a triumphant gleam in her eyes as she aimed her lance at my throat,
"I win, Celli," Cleo declared, "The Blood Rite is fulfilled. Now, honor your promise and leave me and my family in peace."
... Why... Why must I lose now?
Tears welled up in my eyes as I said, "... Why? If this is the last time we'll see each other... I wanted it to be the last time I saw my sister, Stupid Cleo."
"Let us forget it all, Celli," Cleo said, her eyes distant and empty. "Our promise, our wounds... it is the only way we can truly let go.
That way... we can stop hurting each other."
As her words sank in, a profound sadness enveloped me. Cleo, my beloved sister... Now, I truly lose her. I wanted to reach her, but I couldn't move my body anymore. The only thing I could do was to scream, "Please... don't go, Big Sis! I-I can't live without you!"
Cleo hesitated a bit before turning away from me and said, "Good bye, Sister..."
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