*for those with weak hearts please do not read!!*
Trigger warnings: major character death, implied su!c!de
" I HATE YOU! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" "R- Raphtalia, please.... I-" "SHUT UP!" Raphtalia snapped at Naofumi, cutting him of. I don't even know why I looked up to you in the first place.... or why I fell in love with you...... you're not a hero at all..... they were right about you.. you really are the devil of the shield...
"AAAHH" Naofumi jolted awake, heart racing
from the nightmare that had just occurred.
Within a matter of seconds he was sobbing uncontrollably into his pillow. A few days ago, a terrible tragedy happened. Something that would change Naofumi forever...... Raphtalia had died.
He along with his comrades had to face the toughest battle they've ever been in. When things we're looking bad for them, Naofumi decided to use the shield of rage, a dark and ominous shield that had very dangerous powers. He was reluctant to use it at first, knowing that there was a great risk in using it's power, however, it seemed it was the only way to get out of the fight alive, so he had no choice. While using the shield he completely lost control.
The shield took his mind to an incredibly dark place. All of the rage and pain he had suffered consumed his mind, and all he could think if was to destroy anything and everything that had wronged him. That's all that he could think about. Raphtalia tried to comfort him, but to no avail. He continued to rage on, unaware that he was hurting Raphtalia, resulting in her death.
When Naofumi found out about what happened, he completely fell apart. All he had wanted was to protect Raphtalia, but in the end he failed. No one had blamed Raphtalia's death on Naofumi, knowing that the shield had dark and unknown powers. But even so, Naofumi blamed himself for had what happened. Since the loss of his partner, Naofumi has locked himself up in one of the rooms in the castle, refusing to talk to anyone. All he could do was cry, he was completely heartbroken and was barely managing to get by. Naofumi continued to sob in bed, his heart wrenching cries being heard throughout the castle. A few minutes later he received a knock on the door.
"Hey, kiddo."
Naofumi recognized this voice to be L'arc's but
he continued to cry, not wanting to open the
door.
"Kiddo, I know you're in there. I'm not leaving
until you let me in."
Naofumi let out an irritated sigh, knowing he
had no choice but to open the door. He slowly
got out of bed, opening up the door to be faced
with L'arc. He looked down and realized that
L'arc was carrying a small basket with a sheet
over it.
"I really hope this idiot doesn't think I'm going on a picnic with him. "
Naofumi thought to himself, knowing very well that is something L'arc would do in attempts to cheer him up, not that would work.
"What do you want?"
Naofumi asked, looking away from L'arc.
"To talk to you.." L'arc said in a worried tone. "Can I come in?" "Fine." Naofumi agreed, knowing he had no choice in the matter. He let L'arc into the room, closing the door behind them. He walked over his bed and sat down, L'arc joining him. The two sit in silence for a few moments before L'arc breaks it.
"You know... We're all worried about you... I
know you haven't been eating much the past
few days, so I brought you something..."
L'arc removes the sheet from the basket, revealing a sandwich. "You should eat something."
"I'm not hungry.."
Naofumi replies, resting his head in his knees.
"Listen, kiddo. I know you're going through a lot right now, but you can't just sit up here and
starve yourself.. can you please just eat a little?"
"Okay... fine..."
Naofumi picks up a half of the sandwich, he takes a bite of it, even though he didn't want it in the slightest. It tastes terrible, he doesn't want to swallow but forces himself to. After around ten minutes he finishes the
half, and looks over to L'arc.
"There, I ate something... happy?"
Naofumi said, clearly irritated before laying down once again. L'arc nods. The room becomes quiet for a few minutes, until L'arc speaks up.
"I'm here for you if you want to talk to me or anything.."
L'arc says awkwardly looking at Naofumi. He didn't think Naofumi would want to talk, but he figured he'd let him know that he was there for him anyways. To L'arc's surprise, Naofumi speaks to him about all of the things have been going on in his head.
"I- I just wanted to protect her... I-I-I never
wanted this to happen..."
Naofumi barely manages to speak.
"it-it's all my fault... the one I love more than anyone else is gone. Because of me.... I'm a monster.. I-I killed Raphtalia... my love, my everything... SHE'S DEAD AND IT'S ALL MY FAULT."
"Kiddo..."
L'arc gently hugs Naofumi, holding
him in his arms in attempts to calm him down.
"Listen to me, none if this is not your fault. I
know you were just doing what you thought
would keep her safe.."
"and I failed... I failed miserably... she's dead. because of me.. I-l don't know what to do.. I miss her so much!! I-I just want her back..."
Naofumi sobs uncontrollably into L'arc chest, completely breaking down. L'arc holds him, letting Naofumi cry for a while before trying to talk to him.
"Hey.. I know it's hard right now, but you have
to be strong. Do you think Raphtalia would
want you to be this torn apart because of her?"
"I- Raphtalia.... told me she hates me.. and that
everything was my fault.. I-I'm sure she'd be
glad that I'm suffering..."
Naofumi says trembling.
"You we're probably just imagining things."
L'arc tries to reassure Naofumi as he gently
pats him on the head.
"But... it-it felt so real.."
"your mind can be very powerful, but I assure you that you were just imagining things, okay?"
"A-alright..." Naofumi quietly responds, still
trembling.
L'arc let's Naofumi go as he gets off of the bed,
heading towards the door.
"I know you probably want some time to
yourself right now, so I'll leave you be. But,
please let me know if can do anything at all to
help you. I care about you very much, kiddo.. We all do. Please, try to get some rest."
Larc sadly smiles, closing the door behind him.
Naofumi sighs, laying down in bed once again.
While he still didn't feel anywhere near ok,
L'arc's company did lift his sprits up, even if it
was only slightly.
He decided to take his friends advice, and try to get some rest. After Raphtalia's passing, Naofumi has barely been able to sleep. The few
times he did fall asleep resulted in severe nightmares. But he was so exhausted from everything he had been through, he figured he miaht as well try. After a little while goes by, Naofumi finally passes out, but unfortunately he didn't get a good sleep as he had even more nightmares.
"I'll never forgive you, never."
Raphtalia said in a voice as cold as ice.
"Please, Raphtalia...isn't there anything I can do? I'll do whatever it takes, just please don't hate me anymore..."
Naofumi pleads as tears begin to fall from his
emerald eyes.
"Actually, there is one thing you could do."
"Please.... I'll do anything..."
Naofumi begged.
"'alright then... kill yourself..."
Raphtalia says with a serious and evil look plastered on her face. A side to Raphtalia that Naofumi never thought he would see.
"Y-you... you want me to... kill myself..?"
Naofumi begins trembling at Raphtalia's words.
"Yes. Then, maybe...just maybe... I'll forgive
you..."
