Timeless Hero Without a Goal

39th Tick: Empty Town 5

Rose walked past more of the statues, not making a noise other than her footsteps and the clacking noise of the stick against the ground. Episode walked in front, leading the way past other paths and rooms. The castle seemed old and dusty, it was not well kept and gave Rose shivers. She continued following him, wondering when she would be able to stop walking. Eventually, they entered a larger room. It had a high ceiling, and in it was something like a living room. There were two couches facing each other, a table in between them. Nearby was a desk, a chair and a pot of flowers on it. The lights turned on, illuminating everything with a slight orange. Behind the desk and seat was a large window with a nice view of the city. Rose admired the painting hung on the walls, all paintings of demons. To be exact, there were twelve frames hung on the wall, but all of them were torn, leaving a picture of Episode.

“Human, sit down and I will get something.” Episode told her.

Rose sat on the couch, looking at the ripped paintings. Episode saw her line of sight and looked at the pointing s himself. He explained, “Those were paintings of the demon generals.”

“I thought there were only ten?” Rose asked.

“It does include the late Astel and his right hand man Amon.” Episode said, gently putting Thomas in Rose’s hands. “The extra painting seems to be the same person but painted twice.”

Rose nodded, thinking it was quite funny to have two paintings of the same persons. She held Thomas in her arms before realising how much her arms were aching. She had difficulty with even lifting her arms, much less participate in a fight.

“Human, do your have a preference for beverages?” Episode asked, nowhere in sight.

“Water.” Rose replied.

Episode walked out of the corner, holding a glass of water and a cup of what Rose presumed was tea. He sat down across from her and sipped his tea. Rose tried her hardest not to drop the glass, bringing the glass to her lips and drinking from it. She placed it back down, her arms quivering. Episode simply looked at her before taking another sip of tea.

“I want to know, how is your human family?” Episode asked.

“Oh...” Rose sucked in her breath. “They were taken away by demons and killed...”

“My apologies for bringing that up.” Episode said, not looking one bit apologetic. “I should have known my brethren would do these foolish acts.”

Rose looked at his face. “Do you not smile?”

“Why is there a need to smile?” He asked. “Not once in my life have I needed to smile, not in front of a human, not in front of a demon, not in front of the Devil.”

Rose tensed up at the mention of the Devil. He was the main cause of all that happened. Her parents had died because of him, but she somehow did not feel hatred. After meeting demons like the ones in Amon’s town and Episode, she felt like there was another reason for the invasion, and for the merging of both worlds.

“Human, do you like this world?” Episode asked.

Rose paused, unsure of how to answer his question. “Well... I used to hate it. But after experiencing another world, I think I like this the best.”

“In what way? Humans are the ones suffering, are they not?”

“I just think the world is so interesting, you know.” She replied, laughing slightly. “Demons or not, it is an interesting and beautiful place. I just want to know more about the world I live in. There’s the demon realm, Heaven, and who knows how many more towns out there.”

Episode shook his head. “I do not understand you human.”

“I just do what I want.” Rose summarised.

“Doing what you want to do...” Episode muttered, looking to the side.

He sighed and stood up, walking to the window. He told Rose, “I am merging the demon realm with the human world, and I do not believe you are capable of stopping me.”

Rose stopped herself from saying anything. Episode had just reminded her not to get too close to him. He was still, in a sense, her enemy, and he was right, she had no way of stopping him. From what she saw on the island, she doubted Thomas could do much himself.

Episode looked out the window. Somehow, the scene of a demon at the window made Rose feel something. Despite his age, he still looked young, he looked almost frail. The demon, unlike the other demons, unlike Amon, seemed vulnerable. There was something about the demon, some loneliness, or rather, isolation. An air of confusion hung around him, and he was unaware of it. Rose concentrated, curious as to what he was thinking.

However, before her magic could work, he turned around, looking her in the eyes. He warned her, “Human, do not try that.”

She managed to read one word off his mind.

‘Who’

The demon vanished from her line of sight, reappearing behind her couch. He said, “I respected your privacy, human, and I would appreciate that you respect mine.”

His eyes were the same as ever, but the aura around him had changed. He paced around and sat down again.

“Sorry.” Rose said.

“There is no need for apologies. I can understand your curiosity. After all, I am ever so curious about humans.” Episode responded.

Outside, came the sound of water pattering on the windows. Episode looked out of the window. Rose looked at the sleeping Thomas who still held his pocket watch.

“So what made you want to become a demon general?” Rose asked him.

“Me? I just became one because the Devil invited me. No one in the demon realm approached me, but the Devil had a certain charm to him.”

“Really?”

Episode nodded and looked at his cup of tea. It was without warning, almost like a sudden switch. He cup split into two, and before the tea could even spill, a blade of darkness was stabbed in Rose’s direction. Rose was unable to react in time since it held no ill intent.

She appeared some distance away, confused. In front of her, stood a figure she had been waiting for. Thomas faced Episode and asked, “What was that for?”