Nikushimi

  Chapter 69:

  Sweet Release

  (Elizabeth POV; Fshback/Dream)

  The wind blew harsh against the world, buffeting her body as she pressed forward. An arid nd of desotion and death. This was her...hundredth? No, two-hundredth? Damn, she couldn't really recall what regression this was, but she had failed again.

  In her arms was the broken body of Lucas. She clung to him tightly, her tears long since dried as her body continued to grow even more dehydrated. She searched for days, months...years for an answer. So many regressions, and yet it wasn't enough. It was never enough.

  Where were the days of hearing his ughter? Where were the days of feeling his gentle touch? Gone. All of it. His bright eyes now lifeless behind his eyelids.

  She didn't know where she was, nor did she care. The world was gone. There was no one left. What was the point if every life ended the same?

  Her feet made tracks in the cracked, red earth as she continued to carry his body...somewhere. Somewhere other than here. Maybe she could bring him back, maybe...no. She knew that there was only one way to bring him back, but...was it even worth it? He would just die again.

  Eventually, her legs gave out as dehydration took her. She covered his body with her own so that he did not fall first. Her tongue no longer contained any moisture as she tried futilely to lick her cracked lips. Her vision was beginning to blur.

  "What...is the point?" her thoughts were weak, dark, and grim.

  She saw no reason to continue this life, but also had no interest in starting another. There was no point. He had given her such a wonderful gift, and she squandered it. She...

  "Damn it..." her words were weak, croaking and cracking from the dryness in her throat.

  She dug her fingers into the dirt as she chastised herself. Was it truly not worth it? The image of his smiling face, the kindness in his heart...it fshed before her and filled her with renewed resolve. She couldn't just give up. Not yet, not now...but, she didn't have the strength for this life.

  Using the st of her strength, she pushed herself up and cradled his body to her. She brushed his hair aside, leaning down to pce a gentle kiss made rough by her cracked lips. It was in this position that she finally took her st breath, entering the sea of an abyss.

  A darkness that felt so familiar by now. A cold, comforting embrace that carried her into the next life. As she opened her eyes, it was like she hadn't just been holding Lucas's broken body in her arms. As if she hadn't been dehydrated and weak. She was back, but not strong enough.

  Looking around at the world renewed, she resolved herself to focus on figuring this out. It hurt her. It tore at her heart to make this decision because it meant that she would have to stay away. To keep away from Lucas and focus on what she had to do. A part of her believed that, perhaps, she was the problem. That if she kept her distance...he might just survive.

  She had no idea at the time just how wrong she was. Life after life. Death after death. She learned the hard way that Lucas...he was the center of it all. He had but one destiny.

  To die for her.

  The gift he had given had been his everything. Something that she could never repay. She had, at one point, began to curse him for his gift. She screamed to the skies how cruel he was. She would rage at him as he id dead in her arms. Asking him why he would put her through so much grief...so much pain and misery.

  That if he loved her...he would just let her die and stay dead.

  It was around this point, somewhere within her four-hundredth regression, that she began to avoid him. To condemn him. It was a dark time for her. A time that she had wanted the world to simply burn...him included.

  This didn't st long, for despite everything...he was still the Lucas she had fallen in love with so many lifetimes ago. Kind and selfless, but above all...a damned fool.

  He had, like so many other times before, sacrificed himself for her. He had so very little power left after so many regressions, but still fought with a ferocity that inspired her. At great risk to himself, he saved many people at the cost of grave injuries. One of those people...had been her.

  The city was decimated. Monsters had overrun it. What remained of a resistance were scattered or fighting for their lives, herself included. She was exhausted, barely at thirty percent of her strength even after all this time. Overwhelmed by several S-Rank Automatons, humanoid mechanical creatures, she was ready to embrace death when he appeared.

  He was missing an arm and part of his face was scarred beyond recognition...but she knew. He was just as handsome, just as cute as he had always been. There was no way she wouldn't recognize him. It was like a spear through the heart. As if the curtains were drawn back as light was brought back into her life.

  He yelled out, throwing his only hand out as a fsh of light filled the area. It was the only thing he could still do...but it was enough. She felt it. Heard it. The warmth of blood as it fell upon her. The sickening squelch of metal tearing into flesh.

  As her eyes adjusted, she screamed out from deep within her very soul. A pained scream that echoed around her. Her fmes shed out in one, final burst of energy. All Automatons became nothing but melted scrap, but that was all she could do as Lucas fell into her...the sword-like arm of the Automaton meant for her, not buried in his chest.

  "H-Heh..." he tried to ugh, but only blood fell from his lips.

  "What the hell were you thinking!?" she excimed, holding him as best she could.

  "I..." he coughed, more blood pouring from his mouth, "Had to...help."

  "I was fine!" she lied, for she knew that she was going to die, and he had just saved her.

  "No..." he shook his head, seeing through her bravado, "Now you are..."

  Tears welled in her eyes as she saw it. That damn, damned smile as the light left his eyes. How could she have ever hated him?

  "H-Hey...come on," she shook him, pleading that he'd say something more.

  She didn't realize just how much she had missed his voice. How much she had missed his touch. She clung to him, begging that he'd just say something, but no sound came.

  "Damn you..." she sniffled, clinging his body to her, "You don't get to do this...Damn it..."

  She cursed herself for having hated him. For having avoided him. As the tears stung her eyes and warmed her cheeks, the fire within her was reignited once more.

  "I'll fix it..." she vowed, "All of it. I understand now..."

  She looked around at the destruction. She saw the world burning. This time it had been an army of Automatons. Previously, it had been Dragons. Before that, Golems. It wasn't always the same, but...that's because she was learning with each life. A lesson, however, that she had failed to learn was the reason why he had given her such a gift...or perhaps, she had simply forgotten.

  He loved her. Why would he torment her? What a foolish thought she had had. It was embarrassing that she had ever doubted him.

  He had given his life so that she might live and they could be together, but for that to happen, the threat they faced had to be taken care of. In a world that was under threat, there was no happy ending until the threat was gone. They had to forge that ending themselves, and she would do whatever it took to see it done.

  Not only was it his heartfelt wish that she be born again, but that he trusted her with what needed to be done. He had been but a struggling Mage, beloved by Magic, but not blessed with a lot of it. She had the power, the ability, to set things right. From that moment on, though she may stumble, she would never stray from that path again.

  This didn't lessen the pain of losing him every time, nor did it make it any easier when she failed, but she continued to push on. She struggled to find answers. To find a way to undo the inevitability of his death and stop the threats to her own happily ever after.

  -----

  (Elizabeth POV)

  She awoke with a start, sweat drenching her clothes and the bed. She felt a familiar, comforting hand upon her shoulder as she looked to find Lucas watching her with concern.

  "What's wrong, my love?" he asked sweetly.

  Her heart was beating rapidly, feeling it pounding in her chest like a freight train. She took a deep breath and smiled.

  "Nothing now that you're here," she told him, brushing some hair out of his face, "Just...bad dreams."

  He pressed his face against her hand adorably, her heart racing for a whole other reason now. He was just too cute. Too sweet.

  She had come home for a couple of days because she had missed him and a lot of her work was done. All she could do now was wait, and after hearing from Maya about him colpsing, she was worried about him.

  "Want to tell me about them?" he asked, sitting up in bed and wrapping her arms around her, not caring that she was drenched in sweat.

  "No, it's fine," she assured him, kissing him on the forehead, "Just a reminder. Memories. I'll be okay."

  "Really?" he looked up at her doubtfully with those puppy dog eyes of his, her heart seizing in her chest.

  Under his scrutinizing gaze she couldn't help but feel a little nervous.

  "Okay, I'm not, but..." she shifted herself in his embrace so that she was facing him, "I know how I could be better."

  "Oh?" he wondered, a little bashful, "How's that?"

  She smiled devilishly, much to his chagrin as she freed herself from his embrace. His eyes followed her as she stood, taking her in hungrily. She savored every second of it as she turned her back on him.

  "I need a shower..." she told him, beginning to walk off towards the bathroom.

  She could feel him continue to watch her, most likely with a slightly puzzled expression as she hadn't answered his question, and so she gave him a bit of a show as she swayed her hips. Not too much, but just enough to entice him.

  As she got to the bathroom door, she leaned against its frame as the door slid open. Gncing over her shoulder coyly at him, she reached up behind her back. With a simply motion, she undid her bra and slid it off. Dangling it for a minute in her hand, she tossed it aside.

  "Well, are you coming?" she inquired suggestively, and walked into the bathroom.

  She heard him scrambling from the bed, quickly making his way towards her. She couldn't help but smile to herself, amused by him. He was just too adorable.

  -----

  (Elizabeth POV, Spicy/Smut)

  Pushing Lucas against the wall of the shower, Elizabeth's lips found every sensitive spot upon his neck. She savored his moans as the warm water ran down along their bodies. He clung to her, his fingers digging greedily into ass, the feeling of his hard member flush against her stomach.

  She smirked, running a hand down along his body, gripping him firmly. The warmth of him was enough to send her into a frenzy, but she paced herself. She didn't know when the next chance would be to enjoy him like this. To be one with him. She wanted to make it st.

  Arching his pelvis, he pushed himself against her touch, begging for more silently. She smiled into his neck, her kisses sending shivers down his body. Her hand worked him carefully, teasing the head of his member with practiced precision. He quivered, his breathing ragged.

  Her heart quickened, wanting to devour him as the warmth of his seed covered her hand. She looked down at his mess, pleased with herself, as he slumped back against the wall. Bringing her hand to her lips, she made sure he watched as her tongue left not a single drop of it go to waste.

  His face was flush, eyes narrowing at her with greedy intent.

  "You..." he growled, suddenly spinning her around and pinning her to the wall.

  She looked down at him with a devilishly seductive, taunting gaze. He met it with an unwavering determination that set her body igniting with passion.

  "Me...what?" she asked teasingly.

  His expression grew devious, lips suddenly pressing against her neck. A gasp escaped her lips as she pressed herself against him. His hands running the length of her body, feeling every inch of her. She lost herself to that touch, another gasp escaping her lips as one of his hands found their way between her legs, his fingers pushing themselves into her.

  The way he found all the right spots brought her entire body to the point of pure ecstasy. Her fingers dug into his back as she lost herself to that feeling. She had been starved of him for too long, and now she couldn't get enough. His lips found their way to her chest, teasing her nipple with his teeth and gentle kisses.

  It wasn't long before her entire body shook with pleasure. A feeling of electricity shooting through her body. He smiled into her breast, slowly pulling his fingers free. Gncing down at him, she saw the glint of mischief and pride in his eyes, and she knew he was far from done.

  She took a moment to catch her breath as his kisses upon her body grew lower until his head repced his fingers. Putting one leg over his shoulder, he held onto her tightly, his fingers like a vice keeping her in pce. That's when her moans came unabated. His tongue worked magic upon the folds of her hole.

  Even though she had already just finished, that didn't stop her from wanting more...needing more. She was even more sensitive as his tongue passed teasingly over her clit, sending a tingling wave of pleasure shuddering throughout her body. He was hungry, and she made sure he ate well.

  Running her fingers through his hair, she clung to his head, pushing firmly against her. He smiled, but never stopped. He was greedy, his tongue feeling everything inside of her. The wet warmth of his tongue was overwhelming. Her mind went bnk as the strong, purposeful motions sent her into rapture once more.

  Her hold on him tightened in that moment, clinging to him as his touch upon her grew gentle. His fingers caressing her thighs, and as she finally allowed him to breath, he gasped with satisfaction, smiling up at her smugly.

  "Enjoying yourself?" she inquired, her mind like mush.

  He licked his lips, smirking.

  "Very much," he replied breathily, "Delicious~."

  She was pleased to see he was enjoying himself. Passing her eyes over him, something caught her eye that amused her. He was fully invigorated once more, and she was far from being satisfied.

  "My turn~," she whispered seductively, pushing him to the floor of their shower.

  "E-Ellie?" he excimed in surprise, but didn't fight her.

  Producing some waterproof cushioning for his head, she knew that he didn't like ying completely ft on his back. This was supposed to be comfortable for the both of them, and so she also made sure that the water didn't drown him, yet still fell over their bodies.

  Straddling him, she gazed longingly into his eyes. Unable to contain herself, she leaned down and kissed him. The taste of herself was upon her lips, but she didn't care. The sweetness of his breath mixed with the softness of his lips. Greedily, she took her share of him, holding his head in her hands lovingly.

  She lost herself to that kiss for what seemed an eternity. Reluctantly pulling away, she saw his face was completely red, breathing heavily as his head had turned to mush. It was enough to send her into a frenzy.

  "I'll handle it from here, my love~," she told him, tracing a hand down along his chest.

  He could only watch in a daze as she reached for his manhood, hard as steel wrapped in velvet. It felt hot to the touch, yet not unpleasantly so. Positioning herself, she teased the head of his cock against the folds of her warmth. Running his hands along her body, they came to settle upon her hips as he gripped her firmly.

  He didn't fight her, but she could feel it. She saw it in his eyes. The way he looked at her pleadingly. He wanted her...badly.

  Smiling devilishly, and in one motion, she pushed down onto him, his entire length filling her up. A whimper of pleasure escape her lips as a barely contained moan escaped his. His fingers tightened, holding her there for a moment. Pressing her hands against his chest, she sensually caressed him, feeling every inch of him inside of her.

  With a heavy passion, she began to ride him. Moving her hips in practiced motion, knowing just how to make him moan the loudest. She reveled in his cries of pleasure, every thrust hitting the perfect spot inside of her. Faster and harder, slower and more passionate. She didn't relent, and he wasn't stopping her.

  His hands guided her in the way he wanted her to move, and she followed. Pressing down upon him, she took everything inside as she moved against him. She could feel it. He was almost to the point of breaking.

  Knowing this excited her, causing her to go faster, harder. The rising sensation of pleasure filled her, as did his hot seed. She was drunk on the sensation, she wanted to savor it. As he released inside of her, she didn't stop moving her hips, riding the waves of ecstasy until they overtook her.

  A shockwave ran through her body as she climaxed, colpsing upon him with ragged breaths. He embraced her, running gentle, affectionate hands along her back. She smiled into his neck as they let the water run over them.

  She was finally satisfied...for now.

  (End of Spicy/Smut)

  -----

  (Elizabeth POV, Cont.)

  She hated leaving him, as she always did. It wasn't enough that she spent a couple of days with him, partaking as much as she could with the taste of him still fresh upon her lips. It was never enough, but if she wanted to enjoy him every day without worry...she had to put an end to this. The constant cycle of death.

  So, she kissed him goodbye, savoring it as best as she could before entrusting him once again into the care of Maya. She knew he was in good hands, but still she longed for those hands to be hers whenever she desired. That's why she left. To make that a reality one day.

  "You have news?" Elizabeth inquired of Bine over the phone.

  "Yes, Ma'am," Bine replied, his voice as calm and semi-jovial as always, "I thought you'd be pleased to know that I've heard news from our friends in Sweden."

  Elizabeth's ears perked up. It was a little early, but with recent events, she wasn't surprised. In fact, she saw this as her luck perhaps changing for the better. Still, she did her best to temper herself.

  "And what do our friends have to say?" Elizabeth asked, leaning back into her seat.

  She was currently traveling via car towards Aegis headquarters to check in on everything.

  "It appears that the wetnds there have taken on a strange quality," Bine expined, "Apparently, the water has turned red."

  Elizabeth's had to calm her heart for fear of it leaping from her chest. She felt a grip on her stomach, tight like iron. Could this really be luck? She knew that it appeared in Sweden, but...was it really one of the first Critical Dungeons after Gorgon's Maze?

  "Bring the details and meet me at the office," she ordered.

  "Of course," Bine acknowledged, and she could feel his head bow in near reverence through the phone, "Oh, and Ma'am..."

  "Yes?" Elizabeth replied as she motioned the driver to hurry.

  "Mister Fairfax has made progress," he informed her, "As you requested, he's looked into ways to refining the process on the Angel's Teardrops. More I will expin in person."

  "You always were cautious..." Elizabeth mused, "Very well, thank you, Bine."

  "Even saying the name is risky," Bine responded with a light chuckle, "I simply do what I can. Thank you for your confidence."

  With that, he hung up and Elizabeth rushed over as best she could to her office. Her mind was racing with the implications of this news. She had been waiting, keeping an ear to the ground so to speak, for any news on changes to the world.

  Even the smallest of things could indicate the opening of a Critical Dungeon, or even a Gate Break that might prove detrimental to her pns. However, in this particur instance...if the information was right, and the water really did turn red over in the Sweden Wetnds, then...The Moor of the Damned was opened, and she wasn't about to miss this opportunity.

  Vitaer's Blood was within reach.

  -----

  Nikushimi