NOVEL NEXT Chapter 97: Nia Date Two.
Chapter 97: Nia Date Two.
*Celia’s POV*
We silently walked towards the center of the graveyard. Nia looked at me with an unsure gaze, in reply, I just gave her a nod. She let go of my hand and walked a distance away. She then made her scythe appear, and then cut the air with it.
The world was then completely monochrome. Setting down her scythe, she seemingly began to pray, in a language that I couldn’t understand at all.
Nia: “One of my duties, includes ensuring that lost souls get to pass into the afterlife. This is a duty that I have neglected for a while, and I haven’t attempted to do something like this in this kingdom yet.” She explained.
Celia: “Your duty? That sounds like a somewhat heavy burden.” I reply.
Nia: “As a forever deathless being, it is just one of my responsibilities. It’s not like I will be harmed for not doing it, though.” She replied after she shook her head.
I was about to say something, but ghosts appeared out of nowhere. I tried to take out my sword, but Nia stopped me, and placed a black dagger onto my hand. She had one that looks like the same exact dagger, except, mine was inverted.
Nia: “There are no wraiths here, just helpless stuck souls.” She said.
Celia: “And this dagger?” I ask with a curious tone.
Nia: “It isn’t a normal weapon, but a manifestation of my soul. I can reap souls with my scythe, but this dagger will give them a painless trip to the afterlife.” She explained.
Celia: “Then… why give me one?” I ask with a confused tone.
I asked this because the dagger felt as if it didn’t want to leave my hand. As if being with me was its only true desire… Despite how easily she handed it to me, I could tell that it was special.
Nia: “Accepting this dagger, in other words, accepting part of my soul onto yours, is a form of marriage to Death God’s and Goddesses.” She explained with a nervous tone.
Celia: “Marriage? This sounds like something more special than that…” I reply with a nervous tone.
Nia: “You don’t have to accept just yet, but it would make me the happiest person in the world if you did.” She replied with an unsure tone.
Celia: “What do I have to do so that I can accept it?” I ask.
I already plan on marrying both Nia and Lia, so it wasn’t like I was going to back down from this. In a certain sense, it’s not a standard marriage anyway. On that day, it will be mine, Nia and Lia’s day. When it will happen, that isn’t something that I’ve planned out just yet…
Nia: “Kiss… Kiss me, and then the marriage will be finalized.” She answered.
Giving her a bright smile, I gave her a peck on her lips, before moving on to a far more intimate type of kiss. It was magical! No, really. I felt like Nia’s soul had merged into mine…
Oddly, it was the most intimate feeling thing that I have ever felt. Maybe I could do the same with Lia one day? Breaking apart our kiss, Nia had a very happy expression plastered onto her face.
Celia: “How was the kiss? I had my first one with Lia yesterday, so I am not confident in my technique.” I ask with an embarrassed tone.
Nia: “I wouldn’t say that it was the best kiss that you’re capable of, but it was very intimate, and I could feel your love from it. That is what matters.” She answered.
Celia: “Aw… you could have at least lied.” I reply with a pout.
Nia: “If I lied, then you wouldn’t have felt the need to improve. But do not get hasty, you have plenty of years to improve.” She replied with a giggle.
Celia: “Ha, you’re acting like you aren’t also a virgin.” I reply with a laugh.
Nia: “…Fair.” She replied with a shrug.
Celia: “Is the ritual over now?” I ask.
Nia: “For marriage? Yes. But the ritual usually entails the Death God’s or Goddesses spouse, to help them reap souls together.” She replied.
Celia: “Ah, so that’s why our marriage venue was a graveyard?” I ask.
Nia: “Yes… but that was a spiritual marriage. I am sure that both Lia and I will want to have an official wedding ceremony.” She answered.
Celia: “So how do I reap their souls? Do I have to say a prayer?” I ask.
All of the souls looked restless. I am pretty sure that some were even upset that we were kissing just now… Wow… a ghost, who looked to be in his twenties, approached me. What is your problem dude? Well, I mean, besides being dead…
Young Ghost: “Are you two going to help us get to the afterlife, are you just going to continue to flirt!?” He yelled.
As I was about to respond, and with a rude reply, a few other ghosts showed up, and started beating the dude up. I mean, it didn’t look like they could actually cause any damage, but it surely felt bad to have ten people hit you like this.
Old Woman Ghost: “Shush up you fool!” She yelled.
Old Man Ghost: “How dare you yell at her! She is a Death Goddesses wife! This was their wedding ceremony! Do you have no shame?” He yelled.
Child Ghost: “I died as a child, and even I know this! Idiot!” The child exclaimed.
Celia: “…”
Nia: “…Right. So you have to strike them with that dagger. I have already given the prayer, just help me tend to them.” She explained.
I am sure that Nia would very much appreciate my help. This graveyard was quite big, and there were well over a few hundred lost souls just hanging around, waiting to be able to make it to the afterlife. This… will take a while…
*Some Time Later.*
I do not know how long it took, but luckily, Nia told me that while we’re in this monochrome world, time will not progress at all. Regardless, all of the lost ghosts were reaped by Nia and me. It wasn’t easy…
Not the reaping them part. I can easily swing a knife. But them thanking you was hard to hear, but it wasn’t the worst part either. How can Nia even do such a thing?…
It’s heartbreaking… When you reap a soul, you see their life, their regrets, and how they died. It was just watching a fucked up movie in VR… As such, it goes without saying that I cried a lot during this. Nia cried as well.
Nia: “Celia… I’m sorry for not mentioning what happens when you reap a soul…” She said with a remorseful one.
Celia: “It’s fine. I’m just sorry that you had to do this all alone for so long.” I reply as I rub her head.
Nia: “Alone… I guess that I was alone…” She said.
Nia looked to be lost in thought. She was like that for a few minutes, before she shook her head, picked up her scythe, and cut the air once more. Color returned to the world, and the once creepy graveyard, felt creepy no more. It felt… peaceful. Like a graveyard should feel like. Just a place to visit your deceased loved ones, and not a place to feel depressed.
Celia: “Are you still up for dinner?” I ask before trying to hand back the dagger.
Nia: “Sure, and just think about that dagger disappearing. It’s part of your soul now, it isn’t something that can ever fully leave you.” She said with a giggle.
I did as she said, and the ornate dagger vanished. Does this mean that I am part Death Goddess now? Hm… I wonder if I will get some cool new evolutions from this?
While holding hands, we walked to the restaurant. Honestly, I feel like I already forgive her. She was alone for a long time, though it doesn’t make what she did alright, I can at least now understand why she would make such a mistake.
The rest of the night was spent with us enjoying our time together, while eating our food. As I was more “sober” this time, I could actually taste the food. Much to my chagrin, the food wasn’t as good as Amelie’s restaurant…
Either way, we still enjoyed the restaurant. Mainly due to each other’s presence. We walked home, and just like with Lia, I guided her to her room, gave her a kiss, and said goodnight to her.
This night for me wasn’t as restless as the previous night. Our kiss wasn’t the highlight of the day like it was with Lia. Instead, I fell asleep thinking about the future. I do wonder what the future will actually bring?…