𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕕 ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕖 {ʀᴀʏxᴍ!ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ}

40:Late to the party

Y/N

"Your Majesty." I bowed to her, a hand on my chest and head hung low. "We, the Ratri Clan, have investigated further into the Lambda Incident, and we believe that the children themselves escaped." 

"Huh." She scoffed, her chin propped on those long, prickly fingers of her. I suppressed the urge to grimace, before continuing. "Lend me half of your soldiers, and we can ensure the successful and live capture of 22194 and-" 

"Really?" She cut me off, standing up from her throne. "14394." My eyes widened at those numbers. 1...4...3...9..4? I lifted my head, only to freeze as she stood right in front of me, her singular red orb staring deep into my eyes. "I spared you, all because that Ratri said you'd be of use to us. He said you'd ensure the successful capture of 63194 and 81194. But what is stopping me from eating you right here?" 

I clenched my jaw, eyes narrowing. She chuckled softly, an amused giggle as she leaned back. "That look in your eyes, I like that." She stepped back, eyes trailing down my appearance. "You know... I was the one who suggested creating a human-demon hybrid, and since it was successful, maybe I, too, shall incorporate human DNA into my form." She smirked devilishly, her clawed hand coming up to point at me. "If it means I won't have to fear degeneration, while being able to feed, and feed, and feed. I'll be worshipped, I could even force that Ratri-"

"Your Majesty." My head stayed low, hiding my hatred behind my hair. I wanted to spring up, tear her into pieces and consume her. But not yet, not now. I wasn't strong enough to face her, and I had business left to settle. 

She paused, her hands falling as she stared down at me, her gaze filled with disdain. "2000 soldiers. That's all I'll lend you." She turned, walking back to her throne. "Fail. And I shall consume your intestines next. I'll use your DNA and create a new human from you, and consume you. Over and over."

Listening to the faint sounds of the children at the Paradise Hideout, I swore, I could hear a few familiar voices. My heart felt heavy as I remembered what I had to do. As the light grew bigger, I could hear voices question the identity of the person entering their hideout. Their safe space. "Emma?"

I glanced down at the children, my expression devoid of emotion. Those who remembered me had excited and relieved expressions as they ran up to me.  I could still remember that same expression every morning back at Gracefield. They would tug my clean, white clothes, getting me to play so early in the morning. "Y/N!" Thoma exclaimed, rushing up with tears brimming his eyes before he froze, gasping as he saw something behind me.

The base fell silent, and I raised a hand, sparing them neither a second glance. "I apologise, Thoma."

Demons stormed in, and screams filled the air. Children sprinted off, trying to hide, but it was no use for the demons' agility and strength. "Y/N! What are you-?!" "Y/N! Help us!" 

Listening to their cries of help, I could only turn away, bowing to Father. "They're yours, Father."

He smirked, patting my head gently before walking past me. "Well done, Y/N. You're becoming more and more like me." 

_____

RAY

I watched as Emma tucked the younger ones to sleep, and I couldn't help but stare, imagining Y/N there, telling random tales to them like he used to. Tales I'd tell him after he pestered me to.

"Thinking about him, huh?" Emma questioned, stepping over to stand beside me. "I still remember how he'd have trouble sleeping, and he'd try sneaking out of the room, only to get caught by Mama." She chuckled softly at the memory, and I smiled sadly. "Then, he'd groan when I woke him up, wanting 5 more minutes. Always 5."

Emma sighed, glancing up at me. "I... He's watching over us, Ray." She gently nudged my arm, and I could only chuckle dryly, shoving my hands into my pockets. "I hope so." 

As I stood there, watching Queen Legravalima disintegrate, I knew I was one step closer to seeing him. I wanted to show him that I was still alive, I was still going strong. We waved goodbye to Sonju and Mujika, before rushing off back to base. But... there was something I still didn't understand. Why did Norman lie? Why did he say Y/N was... dead?

"Norman." I called out softly, pausing in my tracks. I stared up at him, hands fisting the fabric of my cloak. "What exactly happened to Y/N?" 

Tension filled the air, and Norman froze in his footsteps. He slowly turned around, an almost dejected look plastered on his face. "We... we should continue. I'll explain just exactly what happened to him later." As we continued on our tracks, he spoke up, cutting through the silence. "But trust me, Ray. You're not going to like it."

We rushed through the forest, our attention turning towards Peter Ratri and his plan. "There you are!" We paused, turning around and seeing Oliver panting heavily and sweaty. "Oliver? Just wha..." Emma trailed off, Oliver approaching, expression filled with anxiety. "Something happened... everyone at the base disappeared!" 

My eyes widened, and I froze, feeling my blood run cold. They... they made it before us? How can that  be? Had they been plotting this way before we...

"After we parted..." Oliver started, but Gillian continued for him. "We went back to alert the rest, but we were too late. The base had already been attacked, by forces different from the main army." Oliver sighed, rubbing his face in frustration. "There were around 2000..."

"And where is everyone?!" Emma questioned, her breathing heavy, and I could tell she was starting to grow anxious. It was worse than before. When Emma got like this, it meant this shit... was hella fucking bad.

Nigel gritted his teeth, his fists clenched by his sides as he replied. "Taken away... even the look-outs..." "But we managed to force one of the demons waiting to ambush us to talk." Gillian continued, her expression glum. "They're being transferred to the closest, high-class security, top-class farm to be processed as food. To Gracefield house."

My heart dropped to its pits at the sound of that familiar name. A place I never ever wanted to return to, not in a million years.

"This is what I meant, Ray..." Norman stepped forward, hand on Emma and my shoulder. "What the hell are you talking about...?" I questioned, voice barely above a whisper as I faced him. His expression was grave as he responded. "Y/N... he's been... working for Peter Ratri."