Story Reader / Affection / Lamia: Lost Lullaby / Story
Lamia: Lost Lullaby VI
Aware of the importance of posture when entering the water from a significant height, you try your best to cradle the fragile body in your arms and maintain a vertical position, hoping to minimize the severity of injuries from the high fall.
Even with a perfect posture to enter the water, there are limits to the height that one can safely handle.
A violent shock surges through your body, originating from the soles, as if a heavy hammer relentlessly smashes against your fragile bones, piercing through the flesh.
Your organs are compressed upward, causing a turbulent rush of blood and air. The instinctive attempt to cough only brings forth suffocating pain.
The pain, though intense, is fleeting. Seawater surges into your trachea, and the shock extends to your skull as if a pinball is vigorously bouncing and colliding within your brain.
In an instant, your consciousness slips away.
After an indeterminate period of time, you feel something cold touching your cheek.
Despite the desire to roll to the side, the excruciating pain, tearing through every muscle, prevents you from moving even an inch.
The same pain, however, brings you back to your senses.
Um... You'd better not move around.
Slowly opening your eyes, your gaze is met by the sight of a giant fishtail shimmering with deep and light blue hues.
As you glance upward, your eyes fall upon a trident that emanates a cold light, resembling more of a regal scepter than a traditional weapon. The chilling sensation you felt earlier seems to come from it.
Finally, with a slight lift of your neck, you catch sight of a face that appears faintly familiar. Sea waves crash against the rocks behind her, shattering into sprays of white foam that envelop her like a delicate veil.
A guess begins to form in your mind, drawing upon your previous encounter with Alpha's transformation. The same idea may not be entirely impossible for another Ascendant to...
You recognized me?
You already have the answer, don't you?
After you hear her response, many pieces of the puzzle suddenly start to align.
The strange behavior of the child, the abrupt breakage of the pile driver, and the sudden appearance of the Punishing Virus.
As the human's voice takes on a cold and stern tone, Lamia tightens her grip on her weapon.
She has no intent to launch an attack. Instead, only holding something tightly can bring her some sense of ease.
Too many things have slipped through her fingers. The tighter she holds onto those tiny little joys, the more they crumble like seafoam.
I can't tell you...
Lamia lowers her eyes, no longer daring to look into the eyes of the person before her.
Even though the human is no stronger than a cat with broken bones, completely at her mercy.
But why can't she meet that gaze... Is it because of what happened in the past?
The human's gaze mirrors the resilience in the person's eyes in the fortress, and yet, there is something different... What is it?
Eh?
The sudden expression of gratitude leaves Lamia frozen in place, uncertain whether it is a genuine sentiment or a concealed plea for mercy.
She lacks Roland's ability to pry secrets out of people, nor does she possess Alpha's insight to see through hearts.
All she has is... an insignificant... yearning for love.
So even though it can be just a lie or mere temporary politeness, she is willing to believe it.
It's... it's okay?
Once stripped of the "Elene" guise, Lamia retreats into a withdrawn state.
As if harboring a fear of being hurt, she speaks cautiously, showing none of the demeanor expected of an Ascendant.
She is used to it, anyway.
If it's about the Ascendants...
Lamia's words are left unfinished, as she believes the person can understand her intent.
I... I can try to answer.
Suddenly, as if a memory of someone's teachings rushes back to her, Lamia adds some words in a fluster.
I... I have a question for you too, one each... or maybe you can have one more... but no more than that...
Her voice trails off, lost amid the sound of the waves.
No...
So you just believe that?
Um... It's my turn...
??
You... you're playing unfair.
Lamia lets out a soft protest, and despite being the one voicing her objection, she seems more restless. Her tail flutters nervously in the water, betraying her inner turmoil.
The human across from her responds with a quiet smile. Lamia then realizes that it might just be a lighthearted joke.
Then... then I'll continue... Why did you help me at first?
A straightforward, honest answer.
Then... if you knew I was an Ascendant from the start, would you still have treated me the same?
Her question comes hesitantly, accompanied by a noticeable tremble in her voice as she even forgets the rule of taking turns.
Even though she expects such an answer, the human's decisive attitude still sparks in Lamia a desire to run away.
But?
The person's tone takes a sudden turn, igniting a small flame within her. Lamia shifts her gaze back at the human lying on the ground.
Even though she was just a shell filled with lies?
I don't understand. Shouldn't kindness be given to those who are also kind?
Lies, deceit, and betrayal should be punished from the start.
I...
Lamia is a master of disguise, capable of adopting anyone's appearance.
However, her ability of disguise only extends to the surface level, as she neither dares nor desires to speculate or delve deeper into the thoughts of others.
Can you tell that?
The human shakes their head.
Unafraid of getting hurt... If you know you will get hurt, why still do it?
For things like this...
Lamia wants to say more but is interrupted by the sound reaching her ears—a cacophony of noises emanating from several Constructs descending the cliff.
I... I have to go.
Uh... Hurry up, then!
Because...
Commandant spotted with... an Ascendant!!
Several lasers instantly lock onto Lamia, and if not for the presence of the human commandant nearby, a tempest of bullets would have already fallen upon her.
I have to leave now... Let's save the questions for next time.
Lamia leaps back into the sea, leaving behind only a tiny splash.
She chases the reflection of the stars in the water, not resurfacing until the shore is nearly out of sight.
Gazing toward the shore, she observes the lively figures amidst the dazzling lights that shimmer like sunlight.
As she watches the distant interplay of light and shadow in silence, she slowly voices the answer she couldn't have the chance to give earlier.
Because... I want you to live.
She finally understands why she was avoiding that gaze all the while yearning for it.
Souls that have never been given any importance often yearn for a profound connection with the world—something that serves as proof of their existence, redemption from the suffocating depths of solitude.
Lamia suddenly recalls a poem she had read in the past, its meaning once elusive to her.
As the lights on the shore gradually fade away, Lamia remains fixated on the diminishing glow. Inwardly, she whispers to herself.
Be a guiding light, for you never know who might use it to escape from their endless night.
Let kindness bloom in your heart, for you never know who might use it to break free from despair.
Carry a beacon of faith in the haze, for you never know who might use it to walk through life's maze.
Believe in your own strength, for you never know who might start believing in themselves because of you...
Over time, the light dissipates, marking the end of this serendipitous encounter.
Probably, there won't be a next time.
Lamia casts one final glance toward the direction where the figure disappeared from her sight, and dives into the lightless depths of the sea.
