The Tyrant's Last Doll

The young Ridrian looked surprised, “What an amazing sword!”

He seemed to have realize how to stash the sword away, which he did. I’d witnessed it many times, but it hadn’t dawned on me that he’d learned it the moment he absorbed the demonic power.

M-main character indeed.

He shook his body here and there and examined the wound on his arm. His clothes were ripped, but his skin didn’t have any scars.

It disappeared.

Of course. It was a side effect of the divine and demonic powers swirling within him. Ridrian continued to frown.

“How long has it been? It seems the fire’s gone.”

There was no smoke coming in.

Can I really go back?

He picked something up from the corner. I almost didn’t recognize it. It was an old pouch with a letter and a small bottle in it.

That’s the bottle Ravis puts holy water in. If that’s here…

“It seems like he derogated as much as he can.”

As I wondered what could be on the letter, it dawned on me that my form was growing fainter.

Ah, am I waking up? Or returning to the present?

I couldn’t exactly tell if I was dreaming or having an out-of-body experience, or if I’d travelled through time and space, but it was certain that I was here to help him.

“Whew. I should go back.”

I cast a sad glance over my shoulder as he felt the room, feeling a bit bummed by the fact that I wouldn’t be able to see little Ridrian once I woke up. I thought of the smile of the Ridrian I knew and realized just how much I missed him.

Rian, I wait in the future.

I smiled at him, and for a moment, as the world turned white, it felt like his golden eyes were gazing back at me.

***

Suddenly, I was floating.

Where is this?

I’d figured I would be waking up for sure, but either I was still dreaming or something else was going on. I was floating in a strange space.

My head is blank.

[It’s because you use too much power too suddenly.]

That voice…Theres?

I recognized the soft voice. During the prayer festival, Theres had come down in the middle temple. It dawned on me that the voice ringing in my head was God’s voice.

***

[Yes. This is the first time I’ve met you while you were conscious. I held you for a brief moment as you crossed time.]

He was weirdly polite. A thought suddenly occurred to me. I’d called God’s name!

I—I’m sorry. For calling your name like that.

[It’s ok. Names don’t really mean much to me.]

There was so much I wanted to ask. Why did I have memories from previous lives? What was this world and what happened in the future? Before I could ask either of these questions, another blurted out.

Am I really crossing time?

[That’s not important. What’s important is that you had an impact on the past Ridrian.]

I nearly froze in surprise. You mean that wasn’t supposed to happen?

[What was supposed to happen was that Ridrian, while in pain, found holy water in that old pouch and drank it. And that would somehow stop the corrosion.]

Then…

I couldn’t hide my surprise. I couldn’t see Theres, but it felt like she was smiling at me. She couldn’t be seen in whatever space I was in, but I recognized her presence.

[That’s why he was able to take in your power now. Even though it came from me, he could only receive that power through you.]

I see.

Now I understood. How Ridrian had turned out okay despite having been hit by the light I’d unintentionally created on the sky terrace, and by the light I’d created to destroy the demons.

But why am I having such a dream now?

[Because he also has to know now.]

Pardon?

[The time is coming. Please take care…]

Theres’s voice began to fade, and so did my consciousness.

***

It was too loud this time.

“Iona! Iona!”

“Are you okay?”

Why did it feel like a déjà vu? My body felt very sensitive right now. It hurt all over, even when I moved only a little.

“Ah.”

I curled up like a worm that had been hit by salt. I must have dozed off for a bit because of the divine fever, but why did my body hurt so much?

The noise grew as I tried to piece everything together.

“Ravis!”

“No. This is a divine power’s toxic. If you try to heal her now, it’ll get worse.”

“Damn it! Iona, please wake up!”

“Please—wake up, Miss.” Ridrian, Ravis and Lina seemed to be speaking all at once.

I tried my best to talk, but no words came out. My throat felt constricted.

Everyone fell silent as I tried to speak.

“Too…loud.”

There was more silence, and I thought I sensed some relief.

Then Ridrian said, “Everyone, leave.”

“Your Majesty.”

“You’re useless too, so get out.”

I couldn’t see it, but I could tell they were trying not to talk too loudly. I lay still, my ears listening for every sound. The door swung shut, and soon only Ridrian’s husky voice filled the empty room.

“Iona,” he said.

I could feel my pain quickly subsiding. Slowly, I opened my eyes. My vision was blurry with tears, but I recognized his face immediately. Unlike the boy I’d seen in the dream, he looked adult, more mature.

I was glad to see those golden eyes. No, maybe I’d missed them. I carefully called him.

“Rian.”

“Ah, I’m here.”

Gently, like I was made of glass, he took my hand in his. I felt a tremble move through his body.

“Does it hurt that much?”

His voice sounded brittle. Dark circles surrounded his eyes, like he’d been unable to sleep properly while I was unconscious.

Slowly, I shook my head. “I’m okay now.”

“I’m glad you’re awake.”

It was weird how these people had been so intense a moment ago. I must have been asleep longer than I figured. Was it just me, or did the air feel a bit fresher?

“How long was I asleep?” I wanted to know.

“A month.”