The Marionette

Chapter 7: To Accept One's Destiny

The chilly air in the castle sent shivers down your spine as the sound of your footsteps echoed off of the walls, Trebol's hums of excitement in tune with it. Candles lined the walls, your shadows growing long as you approached each one and then vanishing as you passed. You held your chin up high, practicing your lines in your head, almost as if trying to predict what Doflamingo was going to say. You balled your hands up into fists, your fingernails digging into the palms of your hands once you entered the same office you've become so familiar with. The same sweet smell of red wine and floral scents immediately flooded your nose as you entered, your eyes darting to all of the family members in the room. He's gathered them all here, all for one purpose... you. You bit down hard on your tongue when you and Viola met eyes, her head slowly moving into a nod and then moving away to look towards the chair center of the room. You mimicked her movements and cast your eyes to the same chair, a large silhouette figure casually sat in it.

"There she is," Doflamingo said in almost a mocking tone, his trademark smile flashing your way. Over the years, his short spiked hair had grown a little longer, his face more chiseled and aged. He sat closer and rested his elbows on both of his knees, a shadow casting over the top half of his face. "Come, grab a seat," he flicked his wrist over to another chair, his smile never once faltering as he studied your movements.

"Of course, young master," you internally grimaced at the title, but remained neutral as you grabbed the chair and placed it in front of Doflamingo. The second you sat in the chair, the other family members stepped closer, standing around you with stern looks on their faces. You couldn't help but feel trapped, but part of you knew this was a ploy in case if something went awry.

Doflamingo let a low chuckle slip past his lips, his head tilting as he interlocked his fingers in front of his face. "I've molded you exactly into what I wanted," he laughed, "you've never once disobeyed me, I'm quite impressed," he added. "Even when I demanded those little brats down by the orphanage be eliminated, you didn't break," his smile turned into a grin, his tongue sticking out as he reveled in the thought, "you're the perfect assassin!"

Your eyes fell down to your hands which rested in your lap, the only thing you saw when you looked at them was blood. You were a monster, a cruel creature who tried so hard to be what he wanted you to be. It was true, everything he was saying however hard it was for you to accept, was all true. You closed your eyes and mentally laughed at yourself, you weren't a hero. What were you thinking, siding with Viola and plotting to kill Doflamingo? Hearing his cold words of endearment only brought a sudden hard truth to come crashing down on you. You tried your best to forget the things you've done, but truth be told, you always remembered. It only made your heart decay more, you're only a shell, nothing more. Viola spoke so highly about humanity, boasting about ones conviction, staying true to yourself. How ironic she was saying these things to you. Right from the beginning you hesitated to side with Viola, but caved in anyways and indulged in your human weaknesses. You're just not cut out for it, how could you seek common ground with someone when you two think so separately?

"I've got one last test for you," the words came out like glass, sharp and clear. You scrunched your brows together as you opened your eyes and looked up at the red tinted glasses on Doflamingo's face. He reached behind him and tossed a newspaper your way, Trebol and Diamante both growing tense beside you.

You reluctantly caught the newspaper and held it up to your face, the first thing your eyes seeing was it being an outdated headline from more than four years ago. You scanned the front page until you hit the first headliner, the words in big bold lines: "King Warren Massacres Entire Kingdom"
You immediately read the paragraphs underneath the headline, your heart racing as you consumed line after line of false information. There's no way your father would use his ranks of assassins to murder your entire kingdom. You continued to read until your eyes landed on his death, your breath hitching in your throat. You tossed the newspaper onto the ground, your head spinning as all you could do was stare blankly down at your feet. You didn't know what to think or what to feel. You felt overloaded to the point where you couldn't feel anything.

Thinking back on it now, did he know this was how it was going to end? Why he acted so vulnerable in front of you? You knew it was odd how emotional he was being, but you were too naive to realize that maybe that was his final farewell. Your hands began to tremble while you brought them to your face, covering your eyes with them as your stomach began to twist. It makes sense now, why Trebol had some men stationed within your kingdom, were they the ones responsible? You didn't know, you were so isolated from everything, you had no idea what really was going on. Your once calm breathing became erratic as you battled your inner thoughts. Your father told you to survive, that was your mission, but you were only doing that for him, for your kingdom. But now you're utterly alone, lost in the darkness just aimlessly drifting.

It felt like you were spiraling, everything inside being chaotic, yet when you removed your hands from your face and allowed the light to come flooding in you remained resigned. The darkness... that's right... something inside your mind clicked, the words which you used to utter to yourself suddenly made more sense. This is what you've been training for, this pivotal moment right here. Even now, everyone you've ever loved dead, you still had to fight for yourself. You felt numb, you didn't have the luxury of processing your emotions, especially not when you were being studied by everyone.

You looked back at Doflamingo, your brows lowering as you relaxed your face. You wanted nothing more than to murder him, to scream and weep like there's no tomorrow. You couldn't let your emotions get the better of you, so instead you put on a stoic facade and grit your teeth.

Doflamingo stirred in his chair, licking his lips in anticipation as you two locked eyes. "I see now," he boomed while resting his cheek in the palm of his hand, "just what I'd expect from you!" He threw his head back and laughed in amusement, the laughter so loud it nearly made you nauseous. "Not even a single flicker of emotion, that's what I like most about you," he said in between his fits of laughter.

Viola instantly walked over to you, but stopped herself when you peered over at her with hardened eyes. Her words played in your mind, "you're a good person, I can tell," but it couldn't be more wrong. There is no humanity left on these oceans, no hope, no moral compasses. You were a fool for believing in her words, a fool for thinking you could outwit Doflamingo. He had this planned from the start, he had you written out like the perfect book, and you were following each word to a T. You weren't exactly raised to be a good person anyways, perhaps it's for the best you gave up on your dreams.

"I am no one," you interrupted his laughter, "just merely a tool to be used," you said while glancing down at your father's face. He appeared heart wrenched, blood splattered on his face and tears streaming down his cheeks. You reiterated what he told you in your mind, you had to sever all bonds, sever all human ties you had with Viola. It was the only way you could ensure your survival. "I will kill Trafalgar Law, if that's your wish."

You didn't know why you clung so hard to surviving, your only reasoning you had was that was your father's last wish for you. You felt defeated, you were at the hands of your enemies. What a cruel destiny this was, but it was one you had to accept, no matter what. You'll wait in the darkness for as long as you needed to, you'll be the child of shadow.

Doflamingo stopped laughing, his grin dissolving into a smirk as he motioned for his family members to back away. "You've proven your usefulness time and time again," he chortled, "even now you remain loyal. I must beg the question, do you hate me?" He crossed one leg over the other, watching you with intent while raising both of his brows.

"No," you lied, "I cut my bonds with my father when I chose to serve you instead." You were seething inside, your chest burning in rage and soul aflame. You hated him with every ounce of your being, but you knew the harsh reality, you couldn't defeat him. You were left with only one option, stay by his side until you're met with deaths cold grip. Whether it be natural or by the hands of Doflamingo himself.

"Heh," he breathed out, his smirk reaching the corners of his eyes, "very well, you've earned my full trust." He stood up, easily towering over you as he walked over to where you were sat, "tonight we dine together as a family. Tomorrow you'll set sail, kill that damn brat and then return to me." He outstretched his large hand in anticipation, your much smaller one placing it in his as he gave it a firm shake, "welcome to the family."