Morgan, frowning and with a tight knot in his throat, moved as close as he could to Galahad to make sure she was all right. Only when he saw her calm breathing did he let out a long sigh and allow a relieved smile to form on his face.
-I'm glad… she's just asleep.
( Morgan said as he covered her with a blanket )
From the armchair, Luzbel watched in silence. Seeing the way Morgan cared for the human girl—so attentive, so gentle, so… filled with kindness—brought a tired smile to her lips. For a moment, it made her forget how terrible her day had been.
-What will happen to her?..
( Morgan asked, his voice tinged with melancholy )
The question fell like a blow. Luzbel's mood darkened instantly; she looked away, unable to answer. Morgan, unsettled, turned to her with sad but determined eyes.
-Please… tell me what will happen to her.
Luzbel lifted her gaze. Seeing such desperation in his expression tore at her. She bit her lower lip, helpless.
-…please.
( Morgan repeated, even sadder )
Luzbel closed her eyes. Seeing the boy's expression, she knew she could no longer stay silent. She answered him with a tense, trembling voice.
-In the best-case scenario… she will return to her majesty's side.
( Luzbel said with difficulty )
-And in the worst case?
( Morgan asked, worried )
Luzbel lowered her head, unable to say a single word. Satana, noticing her silence, stepped in with a sad and painfully honest tone.
-The princess will probably get rid of her… and here, if you're human and serve no one, there are only two fates: becoming a toy in some brothel… or becoming food for them.
( Satana said, lowering her head )
Morgan froze. His blood turned cold in his veins.
How can th—
( Morgan said, terrified )
He didn't finish. The memory of those stables in the forest crashed into his mind with brutal force: the screams, the smell, the bodies…
His stomach twisted violently, and he ran to a corner to vomit. Satana hurried toward him, knelt, and held his back.
-Morgan, Morgan! What's happening to you? What's wrong?
( Satana shouted, worried )
Luzbel rushed over as well, but he kept vomiting, shaking, his body contorting with nausea.
-Come on, Morgan… stop, please…
( Luzbel said, extremely worried )
Morgan finally straightened up, trembling. He raised his hands to reassure them.
-N-no… don't worry, I'm fine. I just… it's just that…
But before he could finish, his body collapsed. He fell like his strings had been cut. Luzbel caught him midair and touched his forehead, alarmed.
-What's wrong with you? What's happening?
( Luzbel said, desperate )
-No, no… it's nothing, haha… it's just… I didn't realize I've… gone quite a while without eating…
( Morgan said, mumbling )
-Help me put him on the sofa.
( Luzbel ordered, looking at Satana )
Together, they lifted him carefully and laid him on the couch.
-Stay here. I'm going to bring you something to eat.
( Luzbel said, nervous )
-I'll bring something too… and water.
( Satana added, nodding firmly )
-All right. You stay here… we'll bring you food and water. We won't be long.
Both girls left the room, leaving Morgan alone with the other girl. He put a hand to his forehead, covering his eyes as that damned question tore through his thoughts once again.
-What kind of world is this…?
( Morgan murmured, sad )
-You're still surprised?
( Someone said, mocking )
Morgan sat up abruptly. Someone had spoken. But… there were only him and Galahad in the room.
-Who said that?
( Morgan asked, tense )
-Oh, come on… don't tell me you don't recognize my voice.
( The mocking voice replied )
Morgan looked down. His shadow stretched unnaturally… and from it emerged a hairless dog with spectral blue eyes and skin painted with intertwined, beautiful patterns and shapes.
-Do you recognize me now?
( The dog said, his voice serious )
Morgan stepped back, startled. But those eyes… he knew exactly who it was. The being living inside him. He took a deep breath and sat down, facing the creature.
-What do you want?
( Morgan said, a bit harshly )
-Me? Nothing. I'm just watching.
( The dog replied coldly )
-Then why are you here? I thought you only lived in my mind.
( Morgan said, annoyed )
-Hmph… always so naive, boy. But I'll answer your naivety: ever since they bound me to you, I can manifest physically in this form.
( Xol said, serious )
-Then… why didn't you show yourself before?
( Morgan asked, irritated )
-Because I didn't feel like it. I enjoy watching how pathetic you are and listening to the nonsense you say. That simple.
( Xol mocked )
-But tell me… do you really think this is the right time to bother me with your stupid questions? Shouldn't you be thinking about what you're going to do about her?
( Xol said, glancing at Galahad )
Morgan stood tall, with a firmness he hadn't shown in a long time.
-Isn't it obvious? I'm going to save her.
Xol burst into loud laughter that echoed through the entire room, rolling on the floor.
-And how will you do that?
( Xol said, laughing )
Morgan searched desperately for an answer. He looked around, unable to find any words. Xol laughed again, louder.
-You don't know how, do you?
( Xol said coldly )
-That… that's not tru—
But Xol's laughter drowned him out.
-You don't know. You plan to "change the world," but you can't even figure out how to help a single girl. Pathetic. Everything you dream of… everything you believe… is nothing more than a sweet fantasy, boy. So be smart and give me the body.
( Xol said with a menacing laugh )
-Shut up.
( Morgan said quietly )
-What was that? I didn't hear you…
( Xol taunted )
-I said… shut your mouth.
( Morgan responded, furious )
-Ohhh… the boy is angry. I'm terrified.
( Xol mocked again )
Morgan stepped forward, standing right in front of the creature made of his own shadow. His expression was pure challenge.
-You say I can't save her? That my plans are a fantasy? Then shut the fuck up… and let me show you how I turn that fantasy into reality.
( Morgan said, threatening )
Xol smiled, proud, and finally stopped laughing. Outside, Luzbel and Satana's steps grew closer. The dog retreated into Morgan's shadow, slowly dissolving into it.
-I'll be watching.
( Xol said, cold but confident )
-I hope so.
( Morgan replied, defiant )
The door opened. Both girls walked in, catching him mid-sentence.
-Oh? Morgan, who were you talking to?
( Luzbel asked, looking around )
Morgan turned to her and gave a calm smile.
-With no one… I was just talking to myself.
End of chapter.
Next chapter: My First Day.