Queen Of Adis

Pier's eyebrows furrowed when he realized how miserable Alfred's situation was and he felt guilty to receive help from him. He was supposed to help him, not the other way around, dammit!

"I-I... should get going now," he muttered and tried to stand up, only to slump back on the ground again and g.r.o.a.n.e.d like a wounded animal. He gripped the side of his upper torso as if his life depended on it. "Argh, bloody hell! Those bastards really did a number on me. I think I broke my ribcage!"

"Ah, young master, please don't make unnecessary movements. You'll just worsen your injuries." Alfred helped him to stand and leaned his massive weight on his side. He then pointed at the darkness up ahead. "M-my mother is just right across that pit. She will definitely heal you. Please endure just a bit more, young master."

With great difficulty, he continued to drag Pier's body to the edge of the pit. Then his voice echoed as he called out, "M-mother, Alfred is home!"

After a brief moment of silence, the temperature suddenly dropped, rendering their breaths to fog. Then, thick blond hair slowly crept on the ground. It was unbelievably long and it crossed over the enormous hole as though every strand had a mind of its own. As it reached a stalagmite next to Alfred, it sn.a.k.e.d around it and formed a knot.

Pier's eyes widened upon witnessing a bizarre phenomenon. A hidden path was suddenly revealed, and it's a f.u.c.k.i.n.g blond hair path?!

"Bloody hell! A-are you saying that we'll cross the pit by walking on... that?!" He felt the urge to laugh hysterically but his mouth didn't cooperate. "It will definitely split apart due to my weight, not to mention that I will die of *acrophobia!"

He struggled to be free from Alfred's hold while his complexion paled. But due to his injuries and poor condition, the strength of his struggles can be compared to a toddler. "Y-you don't have to treat my injuries anymore. A little rest will do wonders on my body."

However, Alfred refused to listen and started to drag him as he walked towards the unusual path. "You don't have to be shy, young master. Treating your wounds is the only thing I can do to help you."

'I ain't being shy, you moron! I will really die! Aahhh!' Pier could hear his mind scream. He closed his eyes and bit his tongue to prevent himself from wailing like a bitch.

"Oh, and please don't worry. My mother's hair is really flexible and sturdy. It's actually a deadly weapon to her enemies."

When they finally reached the other side of the pit, Pier leaned on the wall and asked the lanky man to stop as he was feeling nauseous. "W-wait, Alfred, let's rest for a second. I think I'm gonna puke-- blargh!"

Before he could even finish his words, he already hurled out everything he ate today.

Once he was done making a mess on the ground, he sat right next to the entryway. Despite the coldness inside the cavern, beads of sweat instantly formed on Pier's forehead from the mental torture. As he calmed his nerves, his eyes were discreetly scanning the shadowy view of the cavern. He wondered how a normal person could even live in this kind of dreary place.

"How?" he unconsciously asked in a hoarse voice.

Alfred tilted his head, "Hmm?"

He continued with great difficulty, "H-how come... a human like you is here in Umbra?"

"Oh, it's because I'm a half-blood, young master. My mother is a demoness and my father is human. I-I... assume your the same?"

"My father is one of those bloody bastards who resides in heaven and basks with luxuries. He went down to Lumine one day, deceived an innocent maiden's heart and left without a word after he's done with her, leaving another bastard in his wake. My mother threw me out to the gutter when she married some filthy rich old man, and the rest is history." He bitterly revealed his story to the stranger.

Alfred's eyes grew wide and lit up in amazement upon hearing his revelation. "Oh, so that explains your extraordinary strength and muscular built. It's because you are a demigod."

"Nah, there's no extraordinary in being a demigod," Pier shrugged his shoulders. "You are actually correct. We are just the same. Neither human nor god or demon, but we are meant to grow old, starve and suffer just like any normal human being."

Unexpectedly, his eyes shone brightly amidst the darkness they were in, offering different colors to Alfred's dull and bleak world. "Regardless of my origin, I am still grateful to be alive. At least I am given a chance to shape my own destiny. And I am determined to make a difference."

"I plan to be a royal knight and be faithful to my king and queen. Then earn some to build a small house, get married, have many children and live through my old days peacefully." He chuckled when he realized how silly was his dream. "I know it's far from reality but... I'm a man with a dream. And I will make it happen no matter how hard the work may be."

When he realized that he was yakking, he shook his head then ruffled Alfred's already unruly hair. "Hahaha, sorry for my stupid ramblings. We may be strangers, but I just want to say that... dream big, Alfred. Don't let this dark world take your dream away. As long as you will not give up, you'll have a chance to shape your own destiny, too."

Alfred's eyes suddenly watered, contemplating whether it's really not yet too late for him to get a second chance in life. If it's really true then... "You are really a good person, young master."

"Nah! I know a great hero who braved the war and carry the burdens of the masses so we can live free. And there is also a heroine who saved us from the relentless wrath of the ice goddess. I am nothing compared to what they did for our world. I'm talking about the King of Umbra and his future Queen. As a matter of fact, they are my inspiration; hence I decided to sign as a royal knight. I hope I'll be deployed here in Umbra. That way, I can serve and protect them with my life."

Their conversation was interrupted by a sudden eerie call from the lair, and the blond hair on the ground was being pulled back.

Alfred stood up and talked to the creature inside. "Mother, I brought someone with me. He saved my life but he got injured because of me. Will you please heal him, mother?"

Another inaudible sound reverberated through Pier's ears. It was the kind of sound that made the hair on the back of his nape stood up and he felt his head swell. He wouldn't be surprised if he would experience many nights of nightmare by what he just heard. Then, his body involuntarily jerked as he was startled by Alfred's sudden violent response.

"NO! I will not allow you to hurt him! He's the only person who treated me nice. For the first in my life, I-I... finally wanted a friend, mother. I have always been very obedient to you. C-can you please reward me just this one... by sparing his life?"

"..."

Pier's body stiffened and he felt his blood ran cold by Alfred's words. What did he get himself into this time?

Damn! He knew he should have just stayed out of trouble. Just three more days and the first part of his dream will finally come true -- his long-awaited knighthood! Is this really the end of his journey?

He held his breath and gulped the lump in his throat as he dreadfully waited for the judgment of the demoness inside.

A scratchy voice was then heard and finally dropped his sentence.

"Oh, Alfred, don't be a fool! Can't you see? He will be a perfect vessel to our lord of destruction."

With that, strong hair suddenly covered his mouth to prevent him from screaming. More strands wrapped around his neck and arms and roughly hauled him inside the demon's lair.

Total silence came next while Alfred was left standing in the darkness with tears streaming down from his eyes.

"Dear gods... what have I done?"