60 | harmony; an ongoing banquet

He snapped his eyes over to Wren's furrowed brow, and her concerned eyes, all too aware of the circumstance. After all, with their signed bond, she could see what he could. Although his thoughts were still locked within his mind, unknown to anybody.

Dryness clogged his throat as he urged himself to a calm breathing state, feeling the vivid chill of metal against his neck. A blade that he'd held to those slender necks.

The harsh sensation of death that was both welcoming and terrifying.

One who desired the relief of death, and the other who desperately clawed for survival. The siblings had survived death's grasp once, but they could not escape it a second time.

Lucas' eyes blurred, tears trickling down his impassive face as Wren's expression twisted further.

"Haven't I warned you of the consequences?"

"...this is only the second—third time."

Wren shook her head, sighing as she fell back into a crossed-leg position, scowling. "If you can kill once, you can do it thrice, and a fourth or fifth time. Humans are creatures that can adapt quickly—you will become numb to the feeling."

"You're wrong." rasped Lucas, raising a blood-stained hand to his sore throat as he pushed himself up. "I won't forget for a moment what it means to kill."

"Then, can you say you won't forget yourself?" snapped Wren, pushing the stray hairs out of her frustrated face. "I won't stop you, whatever you want to do. That's none of my business. But this is a warning."

"I won't—"

"You're experiencing the last thoughts of the dead, and the feeling of dying over and over again. You're holding all their regrets and mourning, mixed into your memory as if it were your own. At some point, it may become difficult to discern which death was yours, and which is another's."

Lucas dismissed her warning calmly, glancing around. "Where are the children?"

"They're safe. I can sense if any of them stray, but I doubted you'd want them to see you in this state."

Lucas nodded in understanding, a silent thank you in his pale gaze. She scoffed, wanting to lie down and call it quits. What a ridiculous character he was. Look at how he dismissed her precious care, how dare he?

She shook her head to herself, deciding she'd not utter a single word more to warn that fool.

"Lucas, you're underestimating death."

The man looked her over, scrutinizing, as if reading her thoughts written across her fine features. It made her uncomfortable. Finally, softly, he spoke.

"When I die, one of three things will happen."

"Yeah?" She raised an eyebrow at the subject change. "And what are those?"

He leaned back, calm as he always was, with a crudeness to his posture, built through years of delinquency. "One, somebody will watch me die. Two, somebody will find my body. And three, nobody will find my body."

"...that's a morbid thought, isn't it?" said Wren with a frown. "Hey, which of the three would you prefer?"

She had a feeling she knew the answer.

Expectedly, Lucas answered, "Three, nobody will find my body."

"Why?"

"For those who want me alive. At least then, they can continue to hope. Wren, I'm aware and acknowledge the possibility of death—but I won't shy away from it. But I'm not seeking it out, either. You underestimate me."

The woman's frown deepened in annoyance. So, in the end, that fool understood that he was loved. But that wasn't enough to stop him from diving into the abyss.

He lifted his chin with that arrogant allure, indifferent to anything else.

Wren resisted the urge to give him a good beating, a proper teaching for him to be more cautious with his ability. To teach caution to somebody unaware of the consequences of power was one thing, but to teach those who already knew was another.

Lucas eyed her curiously. "If you want to try, you can swing a punch at me."

"And will you take it obediently?"

"Why the hell would I do that? I'm not mad."

"....." Then don't offer in the first place, Wren wanted to seethe at his nonsense. She resisted the urge to fight her bond—he would only dodge or block her strike.

Instead, she kicked open the door with her feet, the numerous children pooling inside with matching expressions of fear. It wasn't the same room Lucas had been originally, but back in their assigned bedroom.

"Hey brats. He's all yours."

Berry immediately flung himself at Lucas, making the man's mind spin dizzily from the impact as he held the clingy child. After he barely managed to pry the boy away, Rome curled up at his side, nervously peering up at Lucas.

"Mister... you're not severely injured are you?" Rome attempted to remain as calm as possible, though his knees shook and worry made his eyes limp and scared.

Lucas blinked slowly, a languid air around the man. The children, bright and lively, that were a striking contrast to the ones who had died in his memory.

"I'm not injured."

"Are you sure? Nowhere, not at all?"

"Yes."

A little girl hobbled over, anxiously peering over Lucas' body as she shyly looked at her feet, and then peeked back up at the man. Lucas fell silent. "......"

Berry cried out, rolling over noisily, "Don't die, don't die... hic...!"

Lucas held the moving child steady. "I'm not dying."

The quiet little girl blinked her large eyes carefully, stepping a little closer as she asked eagerly, "Really, really? Alive?"

"...do I look dead to you?"

Seeing Berry cease his mournful sobbing and think about it seriously, Lucas fell silent again. He didn't look that dead, did he? He was a little pale from not going outside often, or at all most days, and at times, lacked sleep.

But it wasn't to the extent of looking like a corpse?

Lucas cast a pointed look over to Wren, who shrugged slyly, offering a grin. "Hey, I didn't say anything. I just carried you out like a princess when you passed out."

She tilted her head. "Well, I said nothing when they asked if you were dead, either? I didn't confirm it either, though."

Lucas squinted at the woman, debating if it was too late to cancel their contract. It was, evidently. However, he could understand the worries of the children—she'd no doubt stirred up their fears to have them latch to him like glue.

As more children gathered the courage to pack themselves on top of him as if trying to make a human mountain on his legs, Lucas resigned himself to his fate.

He fell backwards, blinking sluggishly at the dim ceiling, and the dull glow that encased them like a prison.

He spent a good portion of his time comforting and easing the building worries of the small children, ruffling their heads and reminding them he was, in fact, quite alive and not even close to dying.

They were all at edge after losing several friends, pricking at their anxiety to the maximum. Who would be next to disappear—who else would fade from their lives?

Lucas sighed softly, a glaze passing over his eyes as they steeled with understanding. He watched the children bicker and comfort each other through silly words, their clumsy hands patting another's back childishly.

He would not be able to save all of them.

Wren's cheeky grin from watching faded into a frown, noticing the subtle change in his mood. Even she was aware of that fact, that there was no such thing as a deathless Story.

"Does that mean you're calling it quits, my undear bond?"

"Am I not dear?"

"That wasn't the question I asked, was it? But no, you're quite undear compared to everybody else that's waiting for us."

Lucas raised his eyes at her words, slowly sitting back up and peeling the sticky children off him, comforting them once more. "I don't know how to quit."

"Huh, I would've taken you for the sort that gives up if things become too difficult." muttered Wren.

"Giving up is a strategy, and therefore, I'm not really giving up. I'm choosing the best method for success."

"I don't think that's how it works."

"We'll complete this Story." said Lucas suddenly, his voice low and resolute, as the woman widened her eyes slightly in surprise before matching his expression. "At whatever cost."

"Haha... aren't you arrogant? Well, I don't dislike that sort of mindset."

She grinned, before a series of familiar knocks pounded on the door and everybody went pale, knowing what awaited. This cycle of death—when would it end?

Lucas took the initiative, prying Berry's hand away from his, as he pulled the door open and stared at the butler coldly, through the haze of his pale eyes which burned in their depths with rippling fury.

He raised his head slightly. "Lead the way."

The corpse-like butler bowed slightly, stepping into the hallway that darkened significantly, turning the gloom into something more sinister, which the orange flames burned away into seething white.

Stains embedded into the wallpaper, and he wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but the dark red stains continued to spread further out compared to the previous night.

He listened to the rustling on the ground, to the shadows creeping at their feet.

Berry hurried to grab the swinging and reliable hand, feeling a burst of relief when Lucas didn't resist his hold. The child's face bloomed into a half-joyous and half-terrified smile as he pressed his small body against the tall legs.

Rome trailed behind, licking his lips nervously. Will cast his gloomy gaze over, the dark shadows under his eyes more prominent.

"...It will be... okay." reassured Will in his hoarse voice.

Rome's stare flickered over and he nodded. "Mn. I trust in that mister."

Will felt a little curious, as a sharp stab of sadness splintered his mind, thinking back to the room, and the two corpses that had been toyed with, even after death. Thinking about that adult's resolute appearance, his decisive actions.

The man had killed in order to save.

And Will would forever be grateful for that, burning the scene into his mind. Even if adults weren't reliable, even if he couldn't trust them—he trusted that man.

Will tilted his head, swaying slightly. "Are... you scared...?"

"I'm super scared." said the smaller boy with an odd calmness, his gaze unwavering. He recalled a dark closet and the painful abuse of the past and swallowed. "But it doesn't matter."

"...it... doesn't?"

"No, because even if I'm scared, I'll do whatever I have to do."

Just like back then, when Rome cowered in small spaces to gain a moment of solitude, a second to rest his bony body from the horrors of his home, fear did nothing but make him shake and tremble.

Even if his body cried out in pain, or if he passed out bleeding on the floor, it didn't matter. And when his abuser had been killed—

The child never regretted a thing.

Will shivered at the layer of cold over the youth's down-turned eyes, making it seem sharper and more dangerous. Clearly, those outsiders that Kane had invited inside weren't normal.

He didn't think that was necessarily a bad thing.

The butler stopped by the door as he did the previous night, and the double oaken doors swung wide to welcome them inside as a chilling gust of wind blew past them.

In the dim room, a pair of striking green eyes peered at them as the flames flickered to life on the candle, and her painted smile remained still and unwavering. She watched unblinkingly as the group shuffled into their respective seats.

Once seated, they could no longer leave until the end of the dinner.

"Remember, do not eat until I do." reminded Lucas sternly, eying a few children who eagerly stared at the wide spread of food.

They'd been running around futility for the whole day without food or water, waiting for this meal. While their small bodies were exhausted, and their stomachs protested against their restraint, they remained obedient.

Lucas leaned back in his seat lazily, a blight in the fearsome atmosphere with his indifferent attitude. "Well, hurry up. I'm hungry."

As he spoke, his stomach rumbled to affirm his words. He stared at the woman shamelessly, relishing in the slight twitch of her eyebrow as she moved mechanically.

Unlike the previous night, there was no odd nightmare scene.

The woman took a bite, chewed it painstakingly slow as her fork and knife scrapped harshly against the fine plate, and swallowed. Without waiting, she dug deeply at the meat on her plate and took another bite, revealing the emptiness inside.

There were no tricks this time; she continued to eat wordlessly, blood-stained lips still stretched into a gruesome smile.

Lucas frowned in suspicion, beginning the designed food train again as he passed dishes down the line. Seeing as his fingers weren't sliced off, and nothing happened after he took a quick bite, he nodded to allow the children to eat.

Berry beamed at Lucas. "Thank you!"

The other children glanced at each other and chorused, "Thank you, mister!"

Lucas almost dropped his fork from the many pairs of glittering, admiring and large eyes that fixated on him, while he had his mouth open and was ready to chew.

He cleared his throat uncomfortably. "Eat up. Eat enough that you're satisfied, but don't overeat. A stomachache at night could be deadly."

All small heads bobbed in understanding.

"....."

Thankfully, the children were all starving, and soon turned their short attention span to the food after receiving permission. Wren snickered across the table, ignoring the glare cast by her bond.

However, despite the harmonious atmosphere, Lucas felt queasy. His pale gaze trailed over to the Teller who chewed silently as she twisted her neck and turned her painted expression to him.

The smile seemed almost mocking, aware of things he didn't know.

Berry blinked, placing some food on Lucas' plate as he smiled widely. "For you, mister! Eat lots, and lots!"

Distracted, Lucas looked down and smiled faintly. "Thank you."

The boy's smile grew more brilliant and proud.

Rome pursed his lips, feeling a little jealous. But he was too far away to pass food over to Lucas, and could only sulk back silently in his seat. Will, watching carefully of the overall scene, coughed lightly.

The boy turned to look at him through his soft gaze, tilting his head in question. Will gestured, raising a pale and bony finger. "Please... pass me the food... in front of you."

"Okay." Rome obediently scooped up a pile of various roasted vegetables, placing a good portion onto the sickly teenager's plate. "Is this enough?"

"Yes... thank you..."

Rome blinked, then his eyes curved into a cheerful smile.

On the opposite side of the table, the little girl from the previous night who had resisted eating, slowly ate her food. She only picked at vegetables, uncomfortable with the taste of meat.

However, there weren't many plain vegetable dishes, but instead dishes mixed with both meat and vegetables.

A girl with braided pigtails next to her giggled, scooping a large portion of the mixed foods. She picked out the meat precisely, keeping a few pieces of carrots for herself before grabbing the other girl's plate.

"Here, Mira, can you eat my veges? I don't like them!"

Mira looked at her friend in surprise, shyly nodding. "Yes... Lottie, thank you."

"Thank you! I love meat, hehe!"

Lucas' expression softened under the dim candlelights and the small conversations surrounding the dining table. It was a rare glimpse of warmth on the impassive features.

Unknowingly, the rigid lines of his shoulders relaxed slightly as he continued to eat the food, feeling his stomach fill.

Tap.

Something touched his leg.

Lucas paused, first thinking that it was one of the children's swinging legs that had kicked him, but it wouldn't be right from that angle.

Tap, tap, tap.

The floorboards under the table creaked quietly.

A young girl with messy brown hair burst out into tears, shivering as all eyes turned to face her. "T-there... there's something touching me!"

"...!"

A boy's eyes widened in disgust and horror. "Ew, it's slimy?!"

"Ah! What was that?!"

Time seemed to slow, morphing the peaceful atmosphere into something more insistent and cruel. Maleficent's bloody smile continued to stretch with glee.

Panic coursed through the seated children, several about to lower their shocked stares to underneath the table, and several on the edge of their seat, ready to run.

Lucas hurried to yell, "Do not look under the table! Do not move from your spot! The banquet..."

He gritted his teeth. "...has not ended yet."