I walked around the house to see if there was anything I could use to fix Zee’s wounds. Luckily I found some needle and thread as I then went back over to him. His breathing was almost nonexistent. Dammit, I don’t have enough time. I have to fix up his wound and fast. I then put the thread through the needle, tied it on both ends, held it in my mouth as I removed the bandages, then started to stitch his major wound up. I ignored his pain as I soon finished stitching him up, breaking the thread with my teeth. I then started to stitch up the stab wound he had on his arm since the sword went right through it. Though, the wound on his arm isn’t life threatening this’ll prevent it from being so and also prevent it from getting infected, as well as prevent it from having it get cut off.

  Once I finished treating Zee’s wounds, I got up and grabbed the umbrella I brought back with me from the nation of torment. I looked back to see if Zee’s breathing became normal, once it did I opened the umbrella and walked out into the green grass. This nation is way more lively than the other one. Though all the residents of this nation moved to torment (thanks to their God) there were no people running around. Even though that was the way it is, it's still very lively with the wild life. Deer, boars, birds, rabbits, squirrels, fish, etc. This place had no people in it but it was already so lively. Vegetation and plants covered most of the city. You can't really tell that people or even harpies once lived here. It's hard to believe that this is going on when before the harpies were one of the most peaceful creatures in this world. Their God was just as gentle as they were. To be honest that's probably where they got it from.

  The stories within the mansion back on the little island said that this nation is the oldest nation. It was also the first nation ever created. However, though the goddess was a good 21 billion years old, she hadn’t become the god of freedom until the beast posed a great threat to the harpies. That was a good 5,000 years ago and then the goddess went insane a good 900 years after that. The years between those gaps she created the goddess of torment. Still trying to figure out how to be a god, the goddess of torment ended up housing the harpies from the nation of freedom because the goddess went insane and was trying to kill every last one of her subjects. In conclusion, the goddess was and is acting like the beast she slayed so long ago.

  I soon stepped into the city, and this was the only place where plants haven’t completely taken over. I then found a place that was covered by shade and I took a seat, closing my umbrella. I sat there remembering the faces and the people of the nation of torment. They are tormented by their loss they experienced, or that they did themselves. The loss of a loved one…. I know that feeling all too well. I started to softly sing softly as I sat there on the bench closing my eyes.

  “I can’t find the way out of this pain, I’m lost in the dark, trapped in the rain, The world’s gone cold, the stars have fallen, I’m screaming but nobody’s calling.” I stood up, and looked to my side.

  My little sister appeared beside me. She smiled at me and called me big brother as she did so. I then reached out to her ignoring the burning pain on my skin, and when I tried to touch her she disappeared. Then suddenly I was in my house from my own world, with my sister's dead body in front of me. At that moment I couldn’t help but fall to my knees. When I tried going over to her something kept me in place. I looked down and saw that chains restrained my arm and leg. When I realized it was nothing more than a hallucination I got up and broke the chains. I grabbed my umbrella and headed over to the castle still singing.

  “And all I can do is stare at the sky, Wondering why I’m still alive. When you’re gone, when you’re gone, And I’m stuck here trying to survive.” I kept my voice low as I then left the city.

  As I walked, the chains that were around my arm and leg didn’t go away. Instead they stayed as if they were now permanently part of my body. Though it was uncomfortable at first, I started to get used to it the more I walked. When they finally left my leg and arm felt naked without them but at the same time they felt free. The statue of the freedom goddess looked like a stone angel. Just like the one within the nation of torment this statue has no pillar. It is just a big statue of the goddess doing a pose for what I can assume is from her time taming the beast. Her head was down, as a light smile was on her face. The beast's decapitated head was supposed to serve as her joy for finally obtaining the thing.

  I then stepped closer to the statue to get a better look at it. Once I did that it was clear what outfit she was wearing. Though it was revealing, the outfit was that of an assassin. The heels weren’t too high to make it impossible to run, the pants/leggings stopped at her hips, her top was short which nearly exposed her top half, she wears some type of band around her waist with some cloth connected to it hiding her crotch, shoulder pads where well on her shoulders, gloves that went up her arms, and lastly her mask was resting on the back of her head. The wings on her back seem to resemble that of the harpies. Since it seems like she wasn’t born a harpy, she changed her physical appearance a bit so she had wings just like her people.

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  After admiring the statue for a bit longer I turned around to head back to the house where Zee was just barely clinging to life. The chains then appeared on my arm and leg once more, right when I was just getting used to them being gone again. Then not too long after they appeared something felt off. I quickly turned around and saw the statue trying to grab me. I quickly dodged but ended up dropping my umbrella which made my skin feel like it was on fire due to the sun. When the thing realized she didn’t catch me, she then dropped the severed head and pulled out the two daggers she possessed. Wait a damn minute, that giant statue is able to do that? As I was trying to figure out as to how the statue did that without it hurting itself, it suddenly appeared in front of me.

  I gritted my teeth in shock and jumped back. Realizing I wasn’t gonna land face first I then caught myself with my hand, and pushed myself up making me sit up straight and land on my feet. As soon as I landed properly the damn thing was already trying to attack me from behind. Luckily, I was able to block it with my arm that was imbued with the chains. Dammit I’m not prepared for this fight. Not to mention I also don’t have time for it. Soon after I thought that I suddenly heard a bang coming from behind me. The bullet grazed past me cutting my cheek and hitting the statue in the arm causing a piece of it to chip off. I then looked back and I was shocked.

  “Sir Lumiere, you are starting to develop a dangerous habit…. To think the reason why you haven’t come back yet was because of some sharpened rock…” Zee was breathing heavily and it was clear that he was weak.

  He was holding onto his chest like he was trying his best to prevent his wound opening back up. You know no matter how many times I see it, I won't be able to get over the fact that this kid is strong as hell. Especially physically. I'm not gonna lie he might give me a run for my money with my actual body. Wait, that's not important right now! Whats important is this fucking rock and as to why the fuck Zee is out of bed.

  “Zee, why are you out of bed? Your wound hasn't healed yet.” I glared over at him.

  “I'm fine, sir Lumiere. I'll pull through it.” He said as he stood up straight.

  “You'll die if you reopen your wound.” I said to him as I dodged the statue again he shot it once more.

  “Being immortal has its perks, my lord.” He said as he leaned against a tree which made me grit my teeth.

  “Immortal or not, you have lost too much blood Zaraki!” I shouted as I blocked the statues attack once more.

  Dammit he isn’t making this fight any better than it already was. I was already on the receiving end of these attacks, that shot he fired just made things even worse. Due to me only being able to use long ranged attacks right now I can’t afford to get close to the thing. Therefore, I have to keep dodging it like I am running away from my greatest fear. As of right now I have no way to attack because this thing isn’t leaving any openings for me to do so. If this is just a statue of the goddess in charge of this place then I would really hate it if I went up against the real thing.

  “My lord, I’m glad that you are concerned about me…. However, as someone who was created by the Elemental King himself, only he is the one that will be able to kill me ....” As soon as Zee said the words elemental king the statue stopped attacking and froze in place.

  I didn’t think it was possible but it stopped moving all together. What shocked me the most was the fact that the thing was trembling in fear. Without the chance to look back at Zee and ask him what he did to make the statue stop in its tracks he shot it. Both shoulders and legs which caused the big statue to fall to its knees. Then suddenly an extremely cold hand grabbed mine with the chains and pointed it to the statue. Not too long after the cold barrel of the gun was pointed to my side. The light, deep, gentle voice that Zee once had was completely gone. A voice so deep and dark it’s almost demonic, and the strength was almost enough to kill me right then and there. I then heard the gun click against my side as I felt Zee smirk against my ear.

  “If you don’t wanna die my lord, then I suggest you focus. Let’s play a different version of Russian roulette. If you pull the memory walker off you get to live. If you don’t you die, both here and in your own world.” Zaraki had a hint of insane laughter mixed in his voice.

  Usually I’m the one who inflicts fear onto others. So why? Why am I scared of a kid who has a gun to my side? Is it because the Zee I knew this whole time was just a fake? Is it because if I fail at my task I’ll die? I’m scared…. For the first time in my life…. I’m actually scared of something. Dearest younger sister…. If I don’t pull this off I’m afraid we won't ever meet again…. Your older brother…. Is going to hell…. I’m sorry everyone… I might not make another song ever again…. I then felt something wet sliding down my face.

  “You're crying? Oh wow you just made this even more fun for me.” Zee said as he licked my face.

  Is that what that wetness is? It’s…. My tears? I’m actually crying? To think the first tears I shed is over myself and not for the people I care about the most.