A Dangerous Inheritance

Chapter Four

The walk to the living room was slow, lonely and depressing. Slow because I haven't eaten in so long that the acid in my stomach is eating away, causing each step I take to temporarily increase the pain I'm feeling. Lonely because those who stop to give their condolences don't accompany me any further. Depressing because each person I see is a reminder of Cecelia's death, with their black outfits and sorrow filled face.

By the time I get close to the living room, my walking speed has slowed to a crawl and I find myself leaning against the wall for support. Not only that, but it also feels like the halls are echoing whenever my stomach gives a grumble.

As I stagger into the room, I'm surprised to see that it is devoid of any living creature.

Just where is everyone? Was I mistaken in assuming that this is where the others would be? Should I... no, hold on. There is a food platter and a few cups filled with a hot beverage at the table. That means that they, or someone, has been here recently. Did I...?

The sound of heavy footsteps distracts me from my thoughts momentarily before I’m tackled to the ground. While the suddenness of this is a bit surprising, what surprises me more is the fact that all of the strength in my body seems to drift away as soon as I land. Unable to do anything, I can feel the weight of the person on me compressing my ribs.

Fortunately for me, the person quickly lifts themselves up a little, allowing for me to breathe normally.

“You know, I’m getting sick and tired of you. How many times has it been that you have fought to the point that you pass out?”

“Miss you too, Lily.”

“Aw, shut it. So, how are you feeling?”

“Um… Lily? Could we get a bit more comfortable before you start asking me questions?”

“Yeah, sure.”

As Lily gets off me, I try to raise my torso up enough to let myself rest on my elbows, however, all I manage to do is raise myself up an inch or two before falling back down.

“Er… it looks like someone will have to carry or float me to a chair or couch. It seems that I no longer have the energy to move around.”

Lily lets loose an audible sigh and a few seconds pass before my body slowly rises from the ground. Trusting whoever is floating me upwards to not hit me against anything, I close my eyes to let my body relax.

Some time passes before I’m finally placed onto a couch. Opening my eyes, I look around to see where everyone and everything is. Even though I don’t have the energy to actually get up to get food, I should have enough energy in my other tank to float over a few pieces.

Twitching my finger, I manage to get one of the food items into my mouth. If I wasn’t so hungry, I may have taken the time to actually see what is there, but since I don’t care at the moment, I got the closest thing.

Unfortunately, due to my lack of not drinking anything beforehand, my mouth is really dry. Even worse, the thing that I got was a pastry.

After biting down on it, I’m delighted to find that the thing inside the pastry is a type of cream. Although the cream is a bit sour, it is delicious enough to make me continue eating.

It takes a few pastry items before I finally feel the tiniest bit of my strength return. Taking this chance, I sit up and grab whatever tickles my fancy.

Once done eating, I turn around to face Lily who is, and probably was, looking on with interest. “Well… evidently you are okay. Do you… actually, what’s the last thing you remember?” says Lily.

“I remember Cecilia falling onto one of those… things, weapon. There was also… anger. A lot of anger. Other than that? Nothing.”

“I thought so…”

“Why? Did something happen?  Did something happen to me?”

“Yes. You… entered a state. A state that I have only read about. This state is… dangerous. Those who have went into it have either went insane or they exhausted so much energy that they died. Of course, this state happens to those with immense bloodlust. Bloodlust created from the stronger form of anger, hatred.”

Hatred? Anger? This sounds just like… but no, it can’t be. Can it?

“There are many names for it. The Demon Spirit, Form of Destruction, and so on. A name that you would probably recognize however, well, according to…mom, is Be-.”

“Berserker.”

“Yes. Also, take this as your only warning. The next time you go into this state, you may actually die. So no matter what, don’t let your emotions control your magic.”

“And with the morbid, depressing discussion out of the way, onto an even more depressing topic. The funeral,” says Diana.

“Wait, what about the other matter?” says Laendel.

“Ah, right. Nearly forgot about that.”

“Quite understandable. Now, Brandon. The timing of this couldn’t be worse but Cecilia and I have spent some time talking this out and well, we agreed that the time is fast approaching. Well, no. We still have some time, but it’s definitely getting near. In fact, we may be cutting it close. What I’m try-.”

“What dad is trying to say is that we should get married,” says Eridel.

“What? Married? Bu-,” I say.

“We know about your circumstance, and frankly, I don’t think I, or Eridel, actually cares. With your permission, of course, I would like you to get engaged with Eridel. You won’t actually get married until you decide to stay here, if it happens of course. So, what do you say? How about you bring some joy into these dark times?” says Laendel.

Crap, I don’t know what to say. I mean, I do like Eridel and all, but on the other hand, there is still that issue. Would it be right for me to accept his proposal? If I do, I will bring some happiness back to these two families. More importantly, I would be married to the most amazing person that I would have had the pleasure knowing.

Wait… are the edges of my mouth curving upwards? Shit. Must. Resist. Urge.

“So, should I take your… reaction, to mean yes?” says Laendel.

It takes a few seconds for my mind to process what Laendel said, and when I do, it takes less than a second for my face to turn red.