Wisteria

Interlude - 1

They say there are five stages of grief.

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

Well, I'd like to add one more.

Revenge.

~ ~ ~

Rain drops pour heavily around the now broken rooftop of the TEN's tower. Two lone figures can be seen amidst the bodies of many.

Ciel: Why?- Why would you do this?!

Ciel, drenched in the blood of comrade and foe alike, stands against the other lone figure. Wounded from the many blows he took from the countless operators he had eradicated before. He begins to laugh.

???: Ciel... You've become the great warrior I've envisioned you to be. You have become the hope for my kind, and the very thing you've sword to destroy!

It laughs maniacally. Triggering Ciel to the point of no return.

Ciel: You bastard!-

Ciel wastes no time, he picks up the blade forged by his dear fallen friend and dashes. With one clean slice, he cuts down the maniacal ruler.

And with a thud...

Nothing.

He expected a feeling of relief. Its over isn't it? The being controlling all the suffering that he had gone through so far is no more.

So why..?

Why does it feel like nothing's changed..?

Ciel: I don't understand...

Ciel kneels to the rain soaked ground, as the last pieces of matter of his slain for dissipates into the air. Then he remembers.

Ciel: That's right, they're all gone now...

Once they had activated the signal for war, there was no turning back. He had expected casualties, he had expected goodbyes, he had expected death. He just hadn't expected this much.

Simon: What's wrong my boy? You've done it.

Ciel quickly turns to face the familiar voice. But only finds the burnt remains of a machine as the rain seemingly falls harder.

Lyn: Ciel! We did it!

Another, and yet again he finds nothing but a wilted flower resting on a pile of rubble.

Ferdinand: Haha! I always knew you had it in you!

He turns to a pile of bloody spikes.

Estella: This is it, you can rest now.

He clutches the locket tightly.

He can't help but scream.

And so he did, to the corpses, to the heavens or to himself?

Everything he knew had disappeared.

Again.

This time there was nobody left to help him back up. Ciel punches the ground, forming a crack and a bloodied knuckle.

He cries in anguish. He cries and cries. Yet nobody heard and nobody will come.

After a while, the rain slowly started to lessen. To the point of a drizzle. At the same time, Ciel's tears had begun to run out. When he had opened his eyes, he stood up and walked.

There was nothing left for him, he drops his sword with a clang that echoed for miles. All he wanted to do was go back to his friends. His family.

So he walked, then he ran, and then, he flew.

He could see them now, inviting him to join them. To eliminate his loneliness.

The price? He had to say goodbye too.

As the sun had begun to break through the heavy rain clouds, and the birds had started to fly overhead. The whole world wept that day for it had won and lost many.

Then Ciel woke up.

~ ~ ~

It was still dark, Ciel checked his watch.

3:46 AM

Ciel: Damn, what was that?

???: What was what?

Startled, Ciel quickly looked to the direction of the voice.

It was Ferdinand, with relief in his voice he replied.

Ciel: Oh, it was just a nightmare. Don't worry about it Ferd.

Ferdinand: I'll definitely worry, what do you mean? Daylight is still a few ways off anyways, why don't you tell me about it? But it keep on the down low, the ladies are still asleep.

He points to Estella and Lyn, slumbering comfortably in their bedrolls. More relief overcame Ciel.

Ciel: I suppose it wouldn't hurt to tell you.

(Ciel summarises the events of his nightmare)

Ferdinand: So, war broke out, we died and you died. Pretty vivid don't you think?

Ciel: I'm surprised you aren't fazed much.

Ferdinand: Oh please, it's just a dream bud. Like hell I'd die too haha.

Ciel: Right, still got me shaken up though.

Ferdinand: Hey lighten up, we've got each other's backs remember? It'll take a lot more than a puny war to end Seiros.

Ciel: I'm glad to hear that Ferd.

The two remain in silence for awhile. Then Ferd speaks up.

Ferdinand: Mind pouring me a cup?

Ciel: Oh sure.

Ciel summons Mizu, relieved, he pats the water blob's head. Then he motions to Ferd, holding a cup. Mizu understands, and starts dispensing clean water from his body. Once the cup is full, it goes back to Ciel's body.

Ferdinand: Thanks, now how far are we still to Runedell?

Ciel: By my estimate, just a few more clicks. I can already see the lights from the city from here.

Up in the sky, various light reflections can be made out, twinkling among the stars.

Ferdinand: Huh, you're right. Looks pretty as hell.