Is That My Alter Ego - Chapter 97
Chapter 97 – Farewell
“Cough…”
Drip—drip.
Blood began to overflow from the corners of Venice’s mouth and the wound where Kali’s hand had penetrated. The flowing blood stained Kali’s torn dress an even deeper crimson.
“…Huh?”
And in that moment, Kali’s mind froze. What on earth was happening?
Why… is my hand piercing through Venice? Why is he bleeding so much…?
…Ah. I hadn’t escaped that horrific nightmare yet. Yes. It must be so…
“Cough, cough…”
“………”
Yet, the reality before her was neither a dream nor a terrible nightmare. The horrific sensation of her hand piercing through flesh and muscle.
The searing warmth of blood. And his body, growing colder by the moment.
It’s not a dream… is it? Not a dream…
“Ah… aaah…!”
The moment Kali realized this dreadful scene was not a dream but reality, her eyes began to tremble wildly.
What… have I done? Why did I… attack Venice, the one I love more than my own life?
Another blood-stained hand reached for her hair. Gripping it tightly as if to tear it out, she shook her head in disbelief.
“Kali…”
“Ah… No… No…!”
The weak voice of Venice reached her ears. Once more, blood trickled from his lips.
What have I done? What am I supposed to do now? Why…!
When faced with a shock so profound, humans often lose their composure. At the same time, they cannot make sound judgments about the situation.
Are they desperately trying to turn away from a reality too horrific to accept, or are they squeezing every ounce of strength to find the best way forward?
—
No one can truly know. When faced with a situation so dire that one wishes to rid themselves of their own mind, even such judgments slip away like shadows at dusk.
“I… I didn’t mean to do this…! I wasn’t trying to attack Venice…!”
Tremble, tremble, tremble…
Kali’s body begins to shake uncontrollably. She has barely returned from the brink of beastly transformation, yet a new wave of turmoil stirs within her. It was the harbinger of the beast within.
“I… I couldn’t have attacked Venice…! I… I…!”
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“….Kali.”
“……….!”
The frantic tremors of her body fade like snow under the sun, soothed by the gentle timbre of his voice, which speaks with a soft smile.
As she gazes upon his wistful smile, Kali can only stare blankly, tears streaming down her cheeks.
And just like that, the turmoil that had been consuming her vanished in an instant, revealing no more of its sinister nature.
“….It’s alright. Kali…”
“Ve… Venice—!”
Only now does her mind return fully to her. Even as tears flow, Kali hurriedly examines Venice’s condition.
“Wh… what do I do… what do I do…!”
His body was a tapestry of wounds, twisted and broken, blood seeping from every gash.
Looking around, she sees crimson stains, likely his, staining the once pristine floor a deep red.
How many times had he fallen? How many times had he been struck down? How many times had he collapsed?
Gazing upon the river of blood that could never belong to a single soul, Kali feels a searing pain in her chest, as if it were being consumed by flames.
“It’s… because of me…”
Because of me. Venice was hurt, shattered. He sacrificed himself, burning his own flesh to awaken my mind.
Even now, my hand pierced through Venice’s chest, a grotesque reminder of my actions. What… what have I done…?
“….It’s not your fault… cough. Kali…”
“….But—!”
“…Even if it’s not your fault. Don’t blame yourself. This was my… choice.”
“……..!”
How can you embrace someone like me, who only brings harm and destruction upon themselves?
Even when everything is my fault… you can still say it’s not?
“I… I’m so sorry… I’m truly sorry…”
“Cough. Cough…”
“I’m sorry… ugh… I’m sorry… ahhh…”
—
Kali screamed. A fury and hatred directed at herself for having harmed the one she loved.
And an unfathomably deep guilt, mingled with the shame of still seeing him kind and gentle even in this state.
The strong and fierce Kali was no more. Only a fragile, delicate cat-human remained, collapsing and wailing like a child.
She repeatedly muttered apologies, her voice a broken whisper. Venice watched her quietly.
Thud—pat, pat.
And then, at that moment. Venice’s trembling hand, lifted with great effort, reached toward Kali’s head, beginning to stroke her hair slowly.
“……..!”
A smile more vibrant and warm than the petals of spring flowers. A touch and warmth gentler than the sun shining on a clear day.
It felt as if he was cradling her, assuring her it was not her fault. Kali, tears streaming down her face, gazed at Venice’s smile.
“…How much pain and hardship must this delicate child have endured?”
“Ugh… h-huh… waaah…”
“It’s okay… it’s okay…”
At the sound of that gentle, soothing voice, still soft despite its weakness, Kali wept, feeling the touch as if she were a child embraced in her parents’ arms.
All the toil and suffering of the past. The anguish and torment melted away in an instant. With his warm touch and a single word, all happiness surged forth.
“Cough, cough…”
“Ve…Venice..!”
Yet, he remained in a precarious state. His gaze, more beautiful and radiant than jewels, had faded with time.
Since the moment Kali opened her eyes, he had been bleeding continuously, and had even vomited blood.
She had to find a way to heal him, to save him, and quickly.
“Ve…Venice, just wait a moment…! I’ll find a way to heal you…!”
“….It’s okay. Kali…”
“….What do you mean…! It’s already too late. Just look at the blood you’ve lost…!”
The pools of congealed blood, enough to believe that dozens had bled out and died, the torn flesh, the splattered remnants, the trails of blood—she gazed upon them all.
His body, a wreck, bones exposed, with not a single unscathed part. She had to find a way, and fast…
A faint smile—
“…….!”
But Venice, despite Kali’s cries, wore a smile that was both cruel and kind, as if it were a part of him.
That smile was so bittersweet, so liberating. Like the final spark released at the end of life. An overwhelming sense of dread surged within her.
“Kali…”
“Ah… no—! Don’t say that, please…! I’ll find a way to save you, I swear…! Please… please, my lord…!”
“…Kali…ya…”
“No… no, no…! Please don’t say that…!!!”
“It’s already… too late. This isn’t your fault. The moment I was pierced by the spear, I was already a dead soul.”
The words that had slipped out, the very ones she had hoped would remain unspoken, echoed in the air.
“No…! Master… please don’t leave me… please…”
If only it were possible, she would give everything—her body, her heart, and if he wished, even her life.
So please… don’t leave me alone.
As Kali sank to the ground, Venice followed suit, collapsing beside her. Like a child pleading with their parents, Kali clutched at Venice, sobbing and wailing.
“…Kali. Will you… look at my face?”
“Ugh… h-huh… Master… please…”
“This is my… last request.”
“Uwaah….”
She tried not to meet his gaze, like a petulant child, but at the words ‘last request,’ her eyes were drawn to Venice.
His expression was endlessly gentle and warm, as if he were a parent gazing at their child, seemingly unbothered by Kali’s guilt.
Cough—cough.
After several fits of coughing, spitting blood and creating yet another pool of crimson where he sat, Venice took a deep breath and began to speak.
“…Kali. You have… the right to be happy. And I… wish for that too.”
“Ugh… h-huh… please… don’t leave me behind…”
Please… don’t abandon me. I have no one left… only you remain…
“Someone as kind and… good as you must find happiness.”
“Ugh… h-huh…”
But you. You are a person of such goodness and righteousness, far beyond someone like me. It is you who must find happiness…
You, who lived for others rather than yourself, have become this way… and yet you do not think of your own happiness?
“…Live happily… for me. That is my… last request.”
“How… how can I do that, leaving you behind….”
You saved my life, gave me a future to hope for.
If you, who were everything to me, were to vanish, how could I possibly live… and be happy? You are my life, my very essence…
“Fortunately… it seems it might be possible, just once.”
“…What do you mean… ah… ahh…!”
The spark that had always burned brightly in Venice’s eyes was now nearly extinguished, almost impossible to find.
However, at this moment, having reached the end, it begins to blaze once more.
“Don’t… please don’t… please, don’t do this…!”
“….I’m sorry, Kali…”
“Ah… no, don’t, don’t!!!!”
He seemed to be on the verge of some action. If not, his expression could not have been so sorrowful.
He intends to erase all the kindness and love he had bestowed upon me.
Because I had said… that I could not live without him. That he would sacrifice himself to let me live.
“I will become the chain that binds your life. So please…”
“I… I don’t want to lose you…! Please… please…!”
His trembling hand begins to reach closer. Kali tries to step back, but her frozen body refuses to obey.
Please… don’t do this. I don’t want to forget you… I can’t bear to think of a life without you…
Thwack-!
As his finger snaps, Kali’s eyes go blank. Yet still, the tears flow endlessly.
Her body has come to a standstill, and she can do nothing but weep.
But her mind remains alive. Kali gazes at Venice, who is willing to sacrifice himself until the very end.
Please don’t. I promise… I will find a way to save you… just give me one chance…
Time draws near. Venice, barely managing a deep breath and coughing up blood, reveals a bright smile that he has never shown before.
“…Forget me. Live happily, Kali.”
Bang-!
A blinding light erupts. Consciousness begins to fade. The Venice in my memories starts to vanish.
Our encounters, his actions and personality, every little moment we shared.
Like an old photo album burning away, the Venice that filled my heart disappears.
No… I don’t want to forget. Remember me. Don’t let it slip away…
My memories—
“….Goodbye.”
*
Flash.
“….What is this? Where am I…?”
A cat-like humanoid looks around in confusion. A vast clearing unfolds, echoing with the song of blood.
Countless corpses lie scattered, and the rain falls in a relentless drizzle.
I wonder… what was I trying to do? Why am I here?
“…..!”
And the cat-like figure, glancing around, finds itself staring at the corpse slumped right before it, head bowed low.
…Who is this person? Why is there a hole in their chest… and why are there so many wounds?
Drip.
“….Huh?”
A single tear begins to trickle down Kali’s cheek.
This… is strange. I haven’t cried in a long time…
“Ugh… Huh…”
Why is this happening? I’m just looking at this person. It feels as if my heart has been pierced, aching so deeply, so sorrowfully.
Tears pour down like a torrential rain, perhaps stronger and more fierce than the storm itself.
“….Huh. Why… am I… Haaah…”
In the face of this unprecedented experience, Kali felt bewildered. Yet the tears showed no sign of stopping.
Her body felt heavy, devoid of strength. It was as if she were paralyzed, unwilling to do anything.
Still, she managed to squeeze out just enough strength to rise from her place.
I should go to a hospital.
“Ugh… Huh…… Huh?”
As Kali dragged her weary body to stand, on the verge of turning away from the strangely comforting corpse, she felt something small in the pocket of the dress she wore.
Why… was I wearing this dress? Since when…?
I certainly wasn’t dressed in something that seemed fit for females. So why…?
Why does it hurt so much, this overwhelming sadness?
Her trembling hand reached for the torn and tattered pocket of the dress. What she grasped was something soft.
“Sniff. A… doll?”
The object revealed itself to be a small doll, soft and petite enough to fit in one hand, with black fur and red eyes.
This is yours, Kali.
“Ugh…! Who are you…!”
And at that moment, a voice echoed in her mind. It was a voice she had never heard before, yet it was so sweet, so alluring.
Kali hurriedly looked around, but there was no one in sight.
It’s just that you were looking at this doll.
A voice warmer than the spring breeze, more beautiful than the chirping of birds. In that moment, as I listened to that voice and gazed into the doll’s eyes.
Shuuu-!
The small doll’s crimson eyes began to shine, and an onslaught of unknown information surged in like a wild storm.
…Bodyguard?
Pfft… Hahaha…!
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…Your brother. I will save him.
From now on, this is our home.
…So beautiful.
All memories began to awaken. Scenes that had burned away and vanished returned once more.
Like shadows flitting past. Though it was but a brief time, moments more beautiful and joyful than any other flooded back.
“Ugh… aaah!!”
A pain like my head was shattering persisted. And in that moment, at last, all memories returned.
Master.
Venice. My one and only master, the one who saved me. The person to whom I must devote everything from now on.
“Master… Mastermastermaster…!”
Carly turned and ran back. To her one and only master.
Live happily.
Forget me… and live happily.
Memories that should have been forgotten returned. Even the words he had left behind.
“Ah… No… No…!!”
No, it can’t be. Master would never leave me behind. Please, don’t go. Please…
At last, Carly reached Venice. She approached him, who had his head bowed low, and knelt before him.
“Master…! Mastermastermastermaster…”
I have returned. A lowly slave who almost forgot your grace and all the blessings you bestowed.
So please…
“Don’t go…”
With trembling hands, Carly grasped Venice’s chin and gently lifted it.
As she looked into his face, she rationalized that a pure and beautiful smile would greet her, just as it always had.
“Ah… aaah…!”
But from his face, which had always been bright, there was no sign of life. The warmth that had been warmer than the sun on a spring day felt colder than the pouring rain and wind.
—
The crimson eyes, which had once gazed at Kali with a bewitching allure, now lost their light, staring blankly into the void.
If it were not the time to rage for me. The corners of the mouth that had never lost their smile now droop, drained of strength.
“Master… Master… Master…!”
Even as I shake Venice’s body, the corpse that has already departed does not stir. Kali wails, clutching tightly to the gaping hole that has formed in Venice’s body.
“Ah… Aah… aaah…!”
This cannot be. My master would never leave me behind…
Now, there is no one left for me. Only my master was everything to me…
“Uaaah-!!!!”
The dark clouds recede, and sunlight begins to pour down. A single beam of light illuminates Venice.
In the vast plains of the Ail mansion, where countless corpses and rivers of blood have emerged.
The one who has already departed—my benefactor, my savior, my light.
A single cat beastman, having sent away her one and only master, howled so that her cries echoed throughout the realm of Espilia.
In her hands, she clutched the body of her departed savior and a precious little doll, her anguish and sorrow resonating through the world. Endless, and endlessly…
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