Can't Be Taken Back

»𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐡«

HE HAD PAUSED FOR a moment, gulping down the dreaded feeling of fear. He chuckled angrily to himself, at how stupid this all was. What an irony. I find myself going back to the same place I was sent away from. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he felt that same intimidating presence again for the first time since five hundred years ago. 

❝Welcome back, Kunikuzushi.❞

  When he heard his real name being spoken from his creator's mouth, he couldn't help but flinch. Not even the Tsaritsa called him that. It was a while since he abandoned his real name and his true identity. Even as he flinched, some part of him was glad that he was called by that. And yet, some part of him felt outraged when he got called that, too.

❝Ei.❞ He deadpanned. ❝Why am I here? It's been centuries since I last heard from you.❞

❝Ah,❞ she sighed, disappointed. ❝ I see you still cling onto that. I remember when you were very forgiving.❞

❝It was the past, Ei.❞ He stated, matter-of-factly. He was desperately trying to keep his composure as he was growing closer and closer to snapping. ❝I see you still remember what went on five hundred years ago.❞

  ❝It was the biggest grievance of my life, Kunikuzushi. I simply cannot forget it even if I tried. This was why I wanted to pursue eternity. So that I can never lose the people I care for again.❞

  ❝I don't go by that name anymore.❞

 ❝Oh? If that's the case, what do you want to go by, then?❞ she asked, her tone casual. ❝It is considered rude of me not to know the name of my guest.❞

He completely ignored the question about his name. ❝I've gone by many names ever since you kicked me out. Besides, I realised I don't give a fuck about what you consider rude. The old Kunikuzushi you once knew has long perished. ❞

Ei seemed to ignore half of what he spoke. ❝But kicking you out is such a strong term to use, is it not?❞