Chapter 86 - Where is help when you need it?

Note:

- Warning: Mentions of assault (both physical and sexual), self-harm and suicidal thoughts. As well as dark stuff like smuggling/trafficking rings. Please take care of yourself and don't read this chapter if you're not comfortable. It's not explicit details but still.

- I've kind of stopped writing so I honestly for real don't know when the next chapter will come out. It's temporarily like this though so please don't forget about me

---------------------------------------

POV: Third Person

"So... where to begin..."

Leo and Nero had both woken up around the same time and decided to migrate down to the living room with the fancy fireplace to talk about the one thing Nero had been trying to avoid talking about since forever. When Nero asked about his best friend, it turned out that both he and his boss had been knocked out after clearing our traces and moreover, they were peacefully napping in each other's embrace. The LeoNeo duo was snickering like a bunch of teenagers and made sure to snap at least one photo.

"Well, you can start from the beginning?" Leo unhelpfully responded.

Both men had a cup of coffee in their hands as they were huddled on each end of the leather sofa. The fancy fireplace proved to be useful (surprisingly) so both of them were cosy for the grim topic that was about to be discussed.

Nero rolled his eyes and responded sarcastically. "Geez, why didn't I think of that? You're ingenious."

"Thanks, I know." Leo beamed, making the other man rolled his eyes to the back of his head.

"Well," Nero sighed out, "as you know, I'm an orphan and I was brought up in an orphanage. Yeah that's it. That's my trauma."

Leo blinked. "Nero..." He then growled out and I quickly put my free hand up in surrender with a playful smirk.

"Just kidding~ Cut me some slack. I'm talking about nightmare of many years for the second time and that's already two too many. Anyway, the orphanage was fine. Unlike most movies, I actually had a great time there and I considered all the children and caretakers family. It was a large and dysfunctional family but it was family none the less. Furthermore, the orphanage was a special one. It was an orphanage specially designed and dedicated for Oddity children.

Now you'd be thinking that a lot of these kids might not bloom or haven't bloomed when taken in, so how would they know if they possess such power? The answer is, we don't. Some kids were actual ended up being normal kids but they weren't kicked out or anything. They were still accepted with open arms. It's just this orphanage has some sort of weird luck or curse where most of the kids ended up having some sort of power. Luckily, none of the kids bullied each other and accepted one another regardless. I guess being parentless and lonely tends to do that, huh?" Nero couldn't help but smile at the fond memories of painting the walls with glitter (and getting chased with a elephant sized shoe around the place for it) or sitting (or floating) in the big, old tree at back just talking about nonsense.

The smile didn't go unnoticed by Leo and he found himself smiling along. His smile dropped when Nero's smile also dropped into a frown abruptly.

"It was when I was fifteen- or was it fourteen? I don't know. It was around then when everything changed... and the fire nation attacked-"

"Wha-"

"Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred-"

"Nero."

Nero nervously glanced at the other man's disappointed (but slightly amused) face and chuckled. "Okay, okay. You gotta admit though. Pretty smooth, ay?"

This time Leo rolled his eyes but he grinned along anyway.

"As I was saying, fourteen/fifteen was when everything went to hell. I guess you could consider that the beginning. Long story short, the orphanage was raided and what was raided... were the children, which included me obviously. We were... forced to join a human trafficking ring. More specifically, a children smuggling ring. Even more specifically, an Oddity children only smuggling ring. And we were forced in as the smugglers..."

Leo had expected something terrible to cause his employee to be diagnosed with such severe PTSD. But he didn't think it was this bad. He couldn't help but gasp in shock and look at Nero with enlarged eyes, worry pooling within them. He immediately wanted to jump across and pull the smaller man into his arms but said man clearly looked like he wanted some distance as he told his story.

Nero couldn't meet his eyes anymore at the point and ignored the growing lump in his throat his continued his recount. "Anyone who didn't meet the criteria of children and Oddity... was shot point blank in the forehead. All... the caretakers and... children without powers... were killed. That night alone killed half my family." Tears pooled in Nero's eyes and he didn't bother wiping them away when they streamed down. They're just going to reappear again soon anyway. On the other hand, Leo was having a really difficult time smothering the man into his chest and whispering comforting words and providing comforting kisses.

"The trafficking ring wasn't a small one either. It was huge and very difficult to dismantle without extra help. I used to read random facts news so I knew of them but the other children didn't and so they were just confused crying the entire time. It broke me and I couldn't do anything about it because I knew we were screwed. That alone was enough to diagnose myself with PTSD. But it just... gets so much worse."

Nero's broken voice basically shattered Leo's heart and he found himself halfway across the couch before Nero raised his hand to motion him to stop.

"I... I need to finish this and if you come any closer, I will break down and will refuse to go any further."

Leo gulped and accepted the decision but he clenched his fists in frustration and helplessness.

"We were treated like trash. Some of the kids were assaulted, both physically and sexually by the smugglers or guards. I was the unlucky bunch that experienced both. They never went till the end but hell, they were close. They had to keep their packages pristine after all.

We were all pushed into small spaces and forced to spend our livelihood in windowless rooms with barely any oxygen.

We were degraded by our 'caretakers' and verbally abused in every way, shape and form. Everyone, me included, would self-harm or have constant suicidal thoughts. Some went through with it, with nothing to lose. Others were too scared. Another bunch were caught trying to do so and the smugglers gave them punishment that's equivalent to Hell, as if it wasn't already bad enough.

I was going to go through with it, you know? But then I saw how the younger ones didn't have anyone to look after them, so I played the parent role and tried to comfort them as much as I could with my manacles."

Nero zoned out and began recalling the flashbacks, spilling his heart out while immersing himself in the past. He doesn't notice Leo's anguished and vexed expression nor his trembling eyes.

"The smugglers took us to auctions throughout the world and sold us off the richest yet dirtiest. No one knew what their fate was once they were sold off, it being a case to case dependent." Nero snorted with no humour. "The lucky ones were the ones who were treated as lowly slaves. But they weren't common, I'll tell you that much."

Distressed Leo couldn't help but whisper his question as if he were afraid that his voice would scare off Nero. "Then how did you...?"

Nero finally zoned back and gave Leo a watery smile. "You mean how did I survive for so long? How did I not get sold off? How did I escape?"

Leo gulped and nodded.

Nero sighed out loud. "Turns out their buyers are the scum of all perverts. Young Oddity users were all the rave. They probably had some disgusting pleasure where they got off having power over the Oddity users, especially at a young age. Where they were... pure."

Nero felt bile coming up his throat and forcefully shoved it down. "Anyway, my age was considered to be old and hence, no one was really interested in me. I probably would've been killed off but my face was considered decent looking back, so they kept my around."

"You're still very beautiful," Leo quickly interrupted. The interruption caused delighted surprise within the other man, whose pale face was tinged with red and a small smile exposed.

"Regardless, keeping me around was probably their worst mistake or else their business would still be blooming."

"What do you mean?"

"One mistake on their part cost their entire business. During one of their auctions, a sudden fire erupted which caused chaos everywhere..."

Flashback

There was screaming everywhere as the engulfed the seats, stage and the rooms backstage. Children screaming in fear, children sitting in silence waiting for the inevitable, adults shouting in a multitude of languages, probably ordering to get their merchandise out safely.

They couldn't save everyone. They have no chance of saving everyone. The fire grew too large at this stage. They could only save us. They would only save the best, for their absolute demise in the future. I'm telling everyone to calm down and stop running around but no one is listening.

I can't let that happen. I need to save everyone. I need to get out.

But how? Sure they have the manacles off now but I can't use my powers. I haven't been able to use it ever. I only know it exists because I tested positive when they tested for it. I'm watching the kids getting grabbed dragged through the only unaffected exit.

I'm so weak, I can't save anyone. I'm going to die here. All the children are going to die here. It's useless. Someone, please save us. We did nothing wr-

"Well this is quite pitiful"

A voice rang throughout my voice and instantly, I jolted among the panic around me, terror filling me.

"Who... what..."

"Tch, you humans have the same boring expressions."

... "I don't know what you expected when a strange and random voice rings throughout your fucking mind."

... "Are you sassing me right now? In the middle of your predicament?"

"Can you just... look can you quickly explain what is going on before I'm burned into oblivion."

I snort comes out from the mysterious voice. "You're an odd one. You were just being all self-deprecating and depressing a second ago and now you're just being impatient for your death, while acting like this random voice in your head is just some annoying bird. I like it. I shall honour you with a quick explanation.

I am Raziel, the exiled underlord of what you humans call Hell. You have been chosen to be my new... partner after the last one passed away and I would be what you humans call Oddity. Except not really, since I'm just an entity that lives in you that lends you power rather than being pure power itself like water or fire."

Well, no fucking wonder I couldn't use it. I had a stingy bastard in me. Also, why was I stuck with the devious type? "So then why didn't you let me borrow your powers in the past? When I called for it?"

Raziel scoffed. "To use power like mine, you need to make a contract with me and then bam, it is all yours to utilise. I hate making contracts with humans since I hate your kind and haven't done so in decades. However, you have been intrigued with your will to live, even after all the excruciating circumstances. I can deeply respect that. So I'm here to form a contract with you and help you get out of here."

"... is there a catch to this deal?"

Raziel laughed out joyfully. "Smart boy. Indeed there is. Just for this time, I want to be able to possess your body, in human terms, and cause destruction myself. I've been stuck in people's minds for centuries and haven't been able to fully express myself. I just want this chance to do so. Of course, I'll get you out of here and let you return after everything is settled"

A risky deal considering this is literally the devil but... "I have some conditions myself. You don't harm any of the children and victims and you let them free."

Raziel snarled out, "Bold of you to set conditions for ex-satan himself..."

"It's that or you're staying at the back of my head forever."

"... fine."

"I have one more condition."

"What now kid? You're pushing it."

My eyes darken as I see the fire completely engulf the stage. "You kill everyone and everything involved with today's auction and smuggling ring. Absolutely no mercy. And make it brutal."

It was silent for a moment before there was booming laughter from the devil. "Oh, I really like you kid. You've got yourself a deal. Now repeat after me.

I am thou... Thou art I...

Thou hast acquired a new vow...

It shall become the wings of rebellion

That breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of Raziel's fire

I have obtained the winds of blessing that

shall lead to freedom and new power"

(A/N: did I just blatantly take this from persona 5? Yes, yes I did)

After repeating the words, darkness immediately took over...

"... after that, the contract was formed and Raziel possessed my body for the first time. He definitely didn't disappoint me. He listened to my conditions and really fucked shit up. All was left after I came back was the broken down body, the children huddled behind me and endless number of dead bodies scattered around. Since the commotion was huge, the police ended up coming and the sight was definitely something they hadn't expected. They realised that we were the missing children from the orphanage from afar and quickly settled the matter by sending the children to much nicer orphanages with therapy. The case got even messier since they couldn't find the cause of the deaths and a lot of the dead were important, rich individuals, causing the media to be all haywire for weeks.

I ended up getting sent to a foster home that wasn't really a foster home. Our 'mother' took the money from the government but didn't use it for us. Instead, she made us (there were four others) work for our food and clothing while just paying rent. It was much better than where I was before I had no complaints and I was quite closed off at that point anyway so I couldn't have said anything in the first place.

I finished off high school with flying colours, got into university and met Aiden, all while being closed off. Aiden tried to pry into my shell constantly and I had no idea why he was so adamant befriending me but looking back on it, he could probably tell we both had pretty shitty experiences. It wasn't until he caught me having a panic attack that I slowly started opening up to him and other people. He really did save me in a sense.

We both shared our experiences and decided to start up the side job that you see today. While I wanted to kill all of them, and rightfully so, Aiden would keep me sane and human. So yeah, there you go... quite dramatic isn't it."

Nero forced a smile but it didn't stay for long. Leo stared at me for a moment with a heartbroken expression before he dragged the smaller boy over and dumped him in his lap. He tightly held around Nero's waist and held his head into his neck. Nero was too shocked to move.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that," Leo said sorrowfully, "no one should experience that and I'm sorry I forced you to relive it. You're safe here now. I swear it on my life..."

With that, Leo kept whispering reassuring and comforting words as Nero sobbed into his shoulder, clutching at his boss's back.

♤♧♡♢

"Is your past as tragic as his?"

Aiden turned to look at the person next to him, who was looking at him with concern and a small frown. Aiden and Erwin woke up around the same time to find themselves entangled with each other. Both quickly pulled away with pink cheeks before Aiden suggested finding the other two.

They had reached the top of the stairs where they noticed Leo and Nero having a serious conversation on the lounge downstairs. Aiden could see Nero crying and was about to go down to comfort him before he partly heard the conversation that echoed throughout the house. Erwin also seemed to have heard as he asked whether he should go back to give them privacy and Aiden said it's fine. He trusted him enough to know he wouldn't use it against them or spread it.

Plus, he gets to know why they're both so messed up.

They both observed the two downstairs before they huddled together and Nero cried his heart out.

"To answer your question," Aiden looked back downstairs and responded, "compared to his past, mine is just a childish tantrum."

Erwin hummed as he studied Aiden's side profile. "But it was still pretty bad, right?"

Aiden smiled. "If getting neglected by your parents throughout childhood, constantly getting bullied by your own brothers and feeling you're not enough is considered pretty bad, then yeah, it was pretty bad."

"Neglected by both parents?"

"Left behind by one and the other one never looked me in the eye without disgust or disappointment. I could never meet their expectations. Well, what it really was, was that they didn't let me meet their expectations."

Erwin's frown deepened. "Severe bullying?"

"Physical, emotional and psychological. They all thought I was the cause for the rupture in their happy, perfect family. They don't realise that it's not my fucking fault their bastard of a dad cheated on his wife. In fact, I'm the product of their decision, not the cause. They needed a scape goat and I was their best bet."

"And you had no one else? From your mother's side maybe?"

"Apparently not, considering I had to stay by their side for as long as I did. I don't know. Maybe they're just douchey as that whore. Maybe dad's side forced them away. God knows why'd they do that though."

The silence between the two as Erwin digested Aiden's words, which he throughout carelessly but they both knew it caused a deep scar within.

"You probably didn't experience proper happiness until you left the house." The words were meant for Erwin's self but Aiden answered anyway.

"I mean, I had the butler's and maids who were my real parents if anything but yeah, in terms of genuine happiness without any tainting... it wasn't until much later."

Silence befell again, which started to suffocate Aiden so he quickly dispelled it by announcing, "Right! Well while those pine for each other like losers, I'm going to look for Leo's doggo and remove myself from the depressive environment, or else it'll be me next who starts crying."

Aiden forced out a laugh and heads for the stairs but the words he always wanted to hear as a kid stopped him in his path.

"You know you can cry without judgment, right? I'll always lend a shoulder and listen, like last time. It's ok."

Aiden's grip on the handrail tightened and he choked up. Without looking back, he informed, "Thank you... I'll keep that in mind... for next time."

With that, Aiden disappeared down the stairs, leaving behind a contemplative Erwin.