Strings

Chapter XXIV: Confusion

The golden sun began to fall to the horizon and yet there was no sign of the puppet’s brother.

Ruvel had asked the small puppet  who was named Latis to describe his brother’s appearance and in his soft, gentle voice, the puppet answered the question with detail which made it easier for Ruvel to use the process of elimination as humans would call it.

They went back to the city to double check every corner and every alley. No words were spoken between the amnesiac reaper and the innocent puppet. It began to get rather unnerving so Ruvel finally decided to face the puppet who was only an inch or two shorter than himself.

“Why did you call me Master?” asked the reaper so the easy part could get squared away.

The puppet turned back to him and tilted his head to the side. “You wanted us to call you that when we were born.” he said. “You also gave us our names. Mine being Latis and my brother’s being Diaval.”

“Really now?” said Ruvel before the puppet nodded. ‘Still.. it doesn't make any sense…’ he thought before glancing up at someone whose appearance stood out from the crowd and the almost empty expressions.

The man was glancing around at all the human. His stare was endless and the curiosity lit up in his eyes. He seemed to be looking for someone. ‘He must be it’ thought the reaper. ‘His features match Latis’s description. It has to be Diaval!’

When Latis and Ruvel approached the man, Diaval, he glanced over at them and a smile was on his face. “Latis!” he rushed quickly to the smaller puppet and lifted him up off the ground. As the two circled around in joy and laughter, Ruvel couldn't help but give a small smile. It was familiar to him which confused him to no end but.. At least the reaper could enjoy the moment for a little while.

Diaval placed Latis back onto the ground before looking over at Ruvel. Ruvel stared back at him and there was silence for only a few seconds.

“Dad!” Diaval shouted. Latis jumped slightly and hushed the now confused puppet. Latis pulled Diaval close to him and the strings that were attached to their necks tied themselves together as the smaller puppet began to explain what was going on.

As this was going on, the reaper had froze. The shout not only confused him more than he already was but it scared the living daylights out of him. He hoped that no other reaper heard that for the shout sounded like it shook the skies.

After Latis finished explaining to the taller puppet, their strings detached from each other and they both returned their attention to the reaper. “So we have to call you Ruvel now?” said Diaval.

“Yes.” Ruvel answered with a hint of regret. “And you are Diaval?”

“Mhm” answered the taller puppet. “Do you remember us?” his cherry red eyes lit up with hope.

“Remember.....” Ruvel muttered to himself before he shook his head. “No, I don’t remember a thing…”

The hope in the taller puppet’s eyes disappeared as soon as Ruvel gave his response. The reaper felt worse as Diaval looked at him with sorrow filled eyes. “Why…? You were awesome.. You showed us the world.. Please don’t disappear again like you did when they took you away…”

They..? The reaper thought as he sighed softly. “Please… I’m trying the best I can.” His non existent heart sank. “I really wish I could remember… Seeing you guys and feeling the emptiness in my mind..… It hurts…”

The two puppets eyes met each other before they gave the reaper a hug. “We can try to fix it then!” said Diaval. “We’ll still try and make you smile.”

“And you may never remember the times we spent together..” Latis almost choked on his words. He continued regardless. “But... It won't change a thing.. We’ll love you like we had loved you before..” He said.

Ruvel couldn't find the words to describe how he felt. Something familiar snapped inside of him and a smile made its way onto Ruvel’s face. “Thank you…”

“You’re welcome.” Said both of the puppets. The reaper hung around with the puppets a little longer and they all shared interesting conversations with each other until it was time to leave.

Night came when Ruvel returned to the Realm of the Dead and turned in all of his souls. He had lied to Hades and told him that he not seen those “abominations”. Hades believed him without even thinking that it would be another one of his lies.

'Huh.. Deja vu...'

Ruvel kept his puzzled expression on his face as he walked down the hallway. He hummed softly to himself until he heard a voice.

“Um… Hi..”

The young reaper turned around and saw Monika behind him. It had been months since he had last seen her… he thinks.. so seeing her again was actually nice for Ruvel.

His puzzled expression disappeared and his mind managed to clear up before he spoke. “Hey”

Monika’s fingers were in an endless dance with one another as she stared at him rather shyly. “... You alright?” She asked him in a soft voice which was abnormal, knowing her silly and sometimes hot headed nature.

“Yeah I’m fine.” The young reaper gave his answer. “What about you?”

“Um…” The female reaper looked at her feet before staring back at him. “Nothing I guess.”

“It doesn't sound like nothing.” Ruvel said with a slight bit of concern in his voice. “Is there something you want to talk about..?”

“No” Monika said, almost cutting him off mid sentence. “I’m fine okay. I… Need to go” and with that, Monika rushed down the hallway and into her room which made Ruvel felt even more puzzled.

'What was that about?' Ruvel thought as he continued to find his room. Along the way, he saw a familiar face. The young reaper stopped walking and stared at the unusually quiet, dirty blonde haired reaper. ‘It’s Reiner, perfect. Maybe he could help me..’ Ruvel approached him and tapped the reaper’s shoulder. “Reiner..?” Ruvel spoke up.

Reiner gave a small gasp as he turned around and faced Ruvel. The gasped was quickly accompanied by a sigh of relief. “Oh it’s you Ruve..” He said.

The nickname didn't bother Ruvel as much as his confusion. He quickly grabbed Reiner’s hands in a restless fashion. “Reiner, why can’t I remember anything from the past few months? Why does Hades want us to kill those... things? Do you know?” Calling the puppets “things” almost made Ruvel slap himself.

“I…” Reiner spoke but he paused quickly. His eyes surveyed the area around them before he looked back at Ruvel. He muttered, “This isn't a good place to talk about it..”

“Oh?” Ruvel blinked. A spark of curiosity formed in his eyes. “Why is that?”

“Um… She may hear us…” Reiner whispered again.

“She..?”

The sound of loud, clicking like footsteps welcomed itself into Ruvel’s ear….