《R18+》Cigno Fanciulla | Scaramouche

□ Act III | Interlude 05

Cigno Fanciulla Act III: Armonia Entropica
《 Interlude - Ballad of Truth 》

"Where Scaramouche reveals his innermost thoughts that day; where emptiness lies behind, never to be said."

Cool mountain breeze passed through the window, and brushed against the already ice-cold body of the Kunikuzushi resting atop a soft cottony futon in a room at the Grand Narukami Shrine.

His senses awoke to the specks of electro energy buzzing off from the beautiful sakura blooms - being the very first thing he laid his eyes on aside from a plain wooden ceiling.

He recalled the events before passing out, and dread filled him from within. For although he was merely a puppet of flesh with the mind and likeness of the deceased Eiji Ahane, he was able to manifest his own feelings and emotions - something he always thought to have been someone else's.

Yet, the moment he came to understand them was exactly the moment he was overcome by a newfound sense of possessiveness and obsession for the Swan Maiden.

The Balladeer was reminded of the way she trembled, of how she was confused, and of how she had felt betrayed that day.

She was broken, despite wanting to calm down his fuse.

It was his fault for having her go through such pain.

He grew resentful of himself in the moment of realization, which led to a flurry of thoughts that occuppied his mind - ignoring his surroundings to the point he had not been aware that the Fox Maiden had already been there.

"Seeing how you've already realized the situation, I think you can finally understand my words." Her tone came out a bit playful, yet what she had said was alike to those of a mother scolding her child.

Scaramouche understood truthfully, although regretfully as he said, "I hurt her."

It was a simple straightforward sentence, but it was filled with every single grain of pain within the three words he uttered.

Yae Miko watched as he finally was in his clearest state of mind, which helped her to decide that now was the time to let him know the memories buried deep into the darkest part of his mind.

"Well, it is not the first time you did such thing - I hope you recall what remains of the Raiden Gokaden."

By her words, his mind flashed images he could now vividly recall: the blades whom lost its wielders, the blood of disciples that painted the grounds, and the parents he rid of by a passing whim out of disappointment.

He was the one behind the Raiden Gokaden when his body and mind sought out for the heart and soul of Eiji Ahane that was rebirthed into that of the eldest son of the Kamisato, but it just so happened that he had not attended his swordsmanship lessons that day.

Before he could even properly stomach what he had done, he recalled the memory of being enraged to a point he claimed the lives of Yukiko's parents.

The very things that caused her to ruin, as well as preventing her to fulfill her true calling - it was all his doing in the spur of emotions.

With all of this, he could only let out a bitter cry of realization, "I can't be with her, can't I?"

Yae Miko kept silent, yet her silence gave the very answer.

"I've sent a letter on your behalf. You should go meet her, and end things for her sake if you truly wish for her happiness." She advised, before leaving him alone to address her other responsibilities.

Although the Chief Priestess said nothing about the location, deep down, he knew where to find Yukiko. After all, that's the place where he finds himself whenever he has his outbursts - the only place that could handle his power.

Underneath the Grand Narukami Shrine, where even his first memory came to life.

When he saw her descend from above, he had already caught on the faint scent of another man. He had known who it was by the traces of the soul he could see with his eyes - the red thread connecting fated lovers.

Seeing the threads of life, and of love, was an ability he had.

When threads become corrupted, people are easier to bend and to manipulate with his will - the very reason he suggested a war within the land of Inazuma to further see the best of his abilities.

These threads also had the ability to burn themselves when one's life was about to reach the end - which he took advantage of when claiming the lives of others. All he needed to do was spark up a fire by having them dread in fear or be fuelled by desires birthed by anger and hatred.

For all he knew, he could touch and stabilize the knot he made with her string to keep her by his side like usual - but he didn't dare see her suffer anymore.

Instead, he took the liberty of time in order to explain why he asked for this conversation. He made sure to make her understand the important parts, and emphasized the reason behind why this has to be the end for their ill-fated relationship.

Yukiko would try to change the Balladeer's mind, but he was firm in his message even if it required him to look away from her teary eyes.

So, when he asked her to dance, he took the chance to cut off his attached string - burning its remains to set her free.

As a result, he could only bear to leave when a stinging sensation burned within his chest.

He has severed the threads of other people in the past, but it seems he has underestimated the repercussions if it were one he attached to himself - one that he had taken care of for years just to keep it alive.

But, he wants to make up for everything he's taken away from her.

It was his turn to make things right as means for relieving the resentment he bore against himself, which meant that this pain would just be the surface of what he has to bear on the path of forgiveness.

He laughed bitterly to himself in defeat, "I guess you'll no longer dance for this Balladeer."