Chapter 13: Meeting the reaper

That's rich coming for someone who said that they can be both good and bad. Nevertheless Lumiere replied promptly.

"When you are doing good then at that time I am your friend. But when you are doing bad,then at that time I'm your enemy. I could be a flower who could accompany you till withered,but I could also be a flower who would poison you till your beatless heart shatter." Said Lumiere.

Kurayami's lips curved up.

"Amusing..." He murmured. "Very well..." Kurayami added.

Kurayami then pulled Lumiere's sleeve and drags him towards the end of the terrace.

Lumiere was taken aback from it. His brows narrowed and looked at Kurayami.

"What are you doing?!"He said.

"Leaving." Kurayami's wordings were too short. He pulls Lumiere again closer.

Lumiere was still confused, but then, he finally gets it. Kurayami was a demon, so of course, as he said earlier, it was hard for him to stay on a sacred shrine. Kurayami wants to get out from the place, but jumping?! Anyone will of course be taken aback.

"Ah... Kurayami-" before Lumiere could finish his words, Kurayami interrupted it.

"Afraid?" Kurayami's tone was serious yet have some hint of demeanor.

Lumiere might be afraid of jumping off such a high tower but he still was quite competitive. Despite of his matured thinking, he was quite childish.

"Hah! Why would I be afraid? Jumping off a tower won't kill you" before Lumiere could even say the word" tower", Kurayami jumped off while holding Lumiere's hand.

Lumiere's heart felt like it fell. His heart won't stop Beating so fast. His face keeps turning white to black over and over.

Lumiere is strong , but no matter how strong you are, if you are unprepared and suddenly dragged to fall onidk shrine, your body will surely break into pieces, like a glass of wine fell from the high.

Idk shrine was located at the very high peak of blood moon's mountain. If you fall from it, there are possible two grounds that you'll fall to. It's either the water or the earth. Below the idk shrine, the sacred waterfall was located. but either of two, you'll end up the same way. Perished bones and bloody body.

Lumiere looked down and saw the endless flowing water. Lumiere couldn't help but to think if the demon in front of him have some loose screws. Why would he jump off the shrine and even chose the side with sacred water?! Is he having a death wish?! Even if you are a demon and won't die just because of falling from high, no one was able to withstand staying at the sacred fall. Not even the demon king managed to stay there.

Kurayami let go of Lumiere's hand.

Seeing that, Lumiere's face turned even paler. His body was starting to shake and his hand became cold as ice. All the memories in Lumiere's entire life flashed before his eyes. He thought that this might be his end.

When suddenly, he felt a hand grabbing his waist. Kurayami pulled him closer to him. Both of their body were so close to each other.

"Afraid?" Kurayami said again.

Kurayami's word seemed to be some insult ,but you now can't find a single demeanor in his tone. His voice was also cold yet soothing at the same time. Rather than be provoked from Kurayami's word,Lumiere seemed to even calmed down.

Lumiere's eyes was closed. He was so nervous that can't even look down. Kurayami lifted up Lumiere's legs and carried him like a bride. Lumiere was startled from that.

As he opened his eyes, his surprised and afraid face changed into an awestruck one.

He saw Kurayami's eyes shining amethyst even though it's originally blue. Lumiere was mesmerized by it as if he was looking at a beautiful star.

Despite of the scary situation they're in, the view from below was really jaw dropping. Two person falling beneath the moon with thousands of lanterns flying above towards the perfect circle moon. The numbers of lanterns and the dark night made it looked like they're stars flying above. With the water reflecting the scene, illuminating amethyst hyacinth petals were suddenly summoned out of nowhere.

Kurayami stepped into nothing to jump. As he stepped, petals of illuminating hyacinth fall after his feet. Kurayami landed perfectly on the ground.

Lumiere's heart was still beating so fast. His eyes were still closed while burying his face in Kurayami's chest. He was overwhelmed from what happened.

He was snapped back to reality when A cold yet soothing voice spoked up.

"Open your eyes. We're now on the ground."

Hearing that, Lumiere immediately opened his eyes and get off from Kurayami.

He bowed down and said,

"I... I'm sorry!" His vice was agitated.

"It's okay." Said Kurayami. "I should be the one who should be apologizing for dragging you." He added.

"Ahh..."

Both of them were silent for a while. What would they do now? Come back to the festival? If they do, trouble may stir up. Lumiere also doesn't know if Kurayami was a friend or foe. If Kurayami stay, it'll be hard for him since it's a sacred place.

As Lumiere was thinking about things Kurayami spoked up.

"Let's go back." He said.

"Eh?" Lumiere was dumbfounded.

Does he really want to die? Is he perhaps a masochist?! Staying there is like burning yourself! Or perhaps he really have malice?

"Are you afraid that I will hurt anyone there? If I will, I should've done it earlier. Why would I even wait till someone found out my identity?" Kurayami said.

He indeed has a point.

"Ah... That's not it... But isn't it painful? Staying at sacred place? "Said Lumiere.

Kurayami looked at him for a second in silence and then spoked up.

"I'm okay. As long as I'm with you, I'm fine."Kurayami said.

Hearing that, Lumiere's heart skipped a beat.

"Ah... What do you mean? I didn't allow you to be my companion..." Said Lumiere as he slowly look away.

If you will stick with me, I'll be in trouble. But... If you stick with me, I could know your intention and protect the innocent in case that you're a foe...

"Ahh... Just kidding..." Lumiere said.

Before Lumiere could say the word "just kidding", a hand grabbed his waist. Kurayami pulled him closer to himself.

Lumiere was startled from that. His heart beat so fast. He was confused on why Kurayami did that but then, just a few millisecond, a fireworks strike towards his last position.

Turns out that the fireworks went missed and flew towards Lumiere's earlier position.

The fireworks hit a tree. Kurayami immediately turned to cover Lumiere. The fireworks explodes along with the tree.

Lumiere was just speechless. He looked at Kurayami and realized that Kurayami was taller than him.

Before the fire spread, it was extinguished by purple hyacinth petals. The hyacinth was illuminating and have a good fragrance.

Lumiere could see the petals and tree from his angle.

After a few seconds, Kurayami lets go Lumiere.

"Th... Thank you... I owe you again." Said Lumiere.

Kurayami turned towards the tree and gestured his hand into a fist. As he clenched his hand, the number of hyacinth petals increased. He did another gesture again and the burning wisteria tree stopped burning and was repaired. No, I think repaired is not right, rather it bloomed. It became more beautiful than earlier.

Lumiere was just speechless.

"Let's go." Kurayami said As he drags Lumiere

"The Eh?" Lumiere was dumbfounded.

" Festival. It's near midnight." Kurayami said succinctly. His words was still short as ever and his voice is cold as ice yet it was soothing.

Is he serious? Thought Lumiere.

They then proceeds to walk back to the shrine. The moon was set near to midnight already. The wind was getting colder as they get closer to the festival.

Finally, they managed to arrived at the entrance. Many stalls that sells different stuffs welcomed them.

Lumiere suddenly went running ahead towards the entrance. He succesfully entered and Kurayami was left alobne at the entrance.

Kurayami was dumbfounded.

"Did...he... Left me?" Kurayami said.

Before Kurayami managed to say the word "left", Lumiere immidiately came back with an elegant folding fan that is made up with paper. It has some painted literature design on it. It looked like a peak of mountain that is reaching clouds.

Kurayami inclined his head as he looks at lumiere with dumbfounded expression.

Seeing that, Lumiere chuckled. He opens his fan and lifted up his mask.

Foxy eyes,long eyelashes,perfect curved lips like a bow of cupid that is crimson as ruby. The exquisite make up was still there and not removed. Lumiere's hair was tied single and still dress up like a mikoto.

Kurayami was frozen for a while. Seeing that, Lumiere grabs Kurayami's hand and so they enter the fest.

People were busy with their own doing, but as soon as they passed by, people couldn't help but to look at them.

Tall man and elegant kimono, with a peerless beauty mikoto. Everyone's eyes of course couldn't help but to be drawn by this sight.

"Look at them, they're so tall. They look good together."

"Yeah, the mikoto looks so beautiful. For sure the man is also handsome! I envy them! People in blood moon empire really are beauty!" An elf murmured.

" Do you think they're lovers? "

" Of course! Look at them. They have paired mask. "

The people were whispering, but with Lumiere's incredible senses, it was audible and clear as drop of water in a calm Ocean.

Lumiere just ignored them. Suddenly the bell has rang. It indicates that it's already midnight. Lumiere looked up to the sky and saw the perfect moon set high.

Since it's midnight, people begins to gather at the statue of the elf Goddess. They have come to the next part of the God feast.

Lumiere was also about to head there but suddenly, Kurayami held his hand.

When Lumiere turned to Kurayami, his eyes shifted. The man before him was kneeling down and offering his hand to him.

Seeing that, Lumiere was dumbfounded. Is he asking me to dance?

Of course he is. Lumiere doesn't know what to do. It is the first time that a man has asked him to does. He was hesitant to accept Kurayami's hand because it's weird for two men to dance.

Perhaps in demon realm, it's their way of showing friendship. But they're not in demon realm.

Kurayami just remained his asking to dance like position. Lumiere couldn't possibly leave the man's hand hanging in there. He must respond as soon as possible. If so not he'll be so rude.

Ahhh!! What should I do?!!! I can't let him wait!!!

Finally Lumiere managed to spout out some word, but every syllables were fuzzy. " I... guess it should be... fine."

"Well then, shall we?" Kurayami said with a soft and soothing voice.

Lumiere were still hesitating to hold the young man's hand.

his pride must have been aggrieved, because never did he thought that he would asking by a man to dance and accept it like a young maiden like what he's doing with other maidens in different empires. Well he didn't have a choice. He also doesn't want to be rude to a new friend.

Finally he held Kurayami's hand. As soon as he held it, He was astonished from what he have seen before his eyes.

He was brought into like a new world. Lots of Luminous amethyst flowers surrounds them.

The sweet yet bitter and spicy scent of purple hyacinth were spreading around them, but the strongest fragrance was in front of Lumiere; it was Kurayami.

The fragrance coming from the young man is so strong it's as if he was emmiting them himself.

Lumiere couldn't help but to be dazed.

Suddenly, he felt a hand around his waist and another one holding his right hand gently. He was a bit startled from that.

The moment he came back to his senses they were both dancing together holding each other's arms. The young man Kurayami paused. He asked him.

"What's the matter?"

"Ah... Nothing." Lumiere replied nonchalantly.

Of course it's not nothing! Just what the h*** is happening! What in the world I am doing dancing with another man!? And where the f*** is this?!

"Really?"

"Yeah"

they then again continue to dance. Behind their kitsune masks, gazes were locked on each other. Their body subtly lean on one another creating a subtle tension. Every moves were delicate and graceful. Every waves, sways, dips and turns were perfect and beautiful. Their harmony were perfectly synchronized. Dancing together were inches only separating them, Lumiere's heart couldn't help but to beat wildly. Meeting Kurayami's gaze continuously even made it worst that his face slowly turning red like a tomato. Usually when he's dancing with a person, his heart doesn't beat crazy like that and so his face was. Perhaps it's because he's dancing with a man so he felt rather nervous.

Despite of them synchronizing perfectly, Atmosphere between them were pretty awkward. Both were in dead silence, not saying a single word. The young man Kurayami was just mesmerized at Lumiere. While Lumiere on the other side is bewildered .

Finally silence was broke.

Kurayami stepped forward then Lumiere backwards. He twirls Lumiere away from his hand then pull him again. Kurayami spoke up with warm and soft voice.

"The dance is about to end. I want to be with you till the very last."

Lumiere was a bit confused but then he just replied to him without thinking.

"You can be with me till we finish this dance."

Kurayami chuckled.

"Really?"

Why is he laughing? Is he making fun of me? Anyway..."Mm." Lumiere replied.

As they were about to finish the dance, The young man started to fade slowly . An amethyst petals of hyacinth started to scatter on his back. It is slowly spreading through his body till he totally vanish. Seeing what's happening to him, Lumiere went panicked.

"What's happening?!" Lumiere looks so worried about the young man. His face turned white. He stopped from dancing and tried to cast some spell,but the young man inisisted.

Is he... Is he disappearing?! D... Don't tell me he really can't stay in the shrine?! Did he used too many mana? Lumiere yelled on his thoughts.

He's on dilemma he doesn't know what to do.

"Don't stop. Let's continue." Kurayami said. The mask of young man started to vanish. Kurayami's ocean eyes were revealed. It was really suitable with his silver hair. it made him looked like an angel. No trace of aprehension on the young man's eyes. Looking on it, Lumiere felt restrained. They continued to dance again. Kurayami started to vanish rapidly. Promptly Lumiere lets go of the young man's hand.

The young man removed his mask. But Lumiere couldn't take a good look of his face because of the petals.

"Happy 17th birthday Lumi." He said.

Lumiere was surprised, because no one not even his own family remembered his birthday. And never did they celebrate it not even once. So for the first time in his life someone greets him. Lumiere doesn't know whether he'll feel joyed or grief. he was just overwhelmed by the man's greeting.

His face turned yellow then green and red. Mixed feelings stirred inside him. "Don't go!" He tried to grasp him, but as soon as he grasp the young man, his body scatterred. Only Luminous amethyst petals were left and so the entire place were starting to fade.

The young man totally vanished. What left was only scattered petals of hyacinth in the street. Lumiere was brought back to the festival. His mask fell off. Lumiere let a deep sigh. his mind was full of thoughts and questions.

Who's that man? Why does he know my birthday ? putting all these things aside, there is a bigger thing that is bothering Lumiere. It is the fact that the hourglass he set twelve years ago was about to run out.

Lumiere wrench opened his hand, then an hourglass showed up.

'' I only have half year left. Damn Reaper... just why do you have to let me see the future and made me suffer like this? haa..."

Twelve years ago midnight at the forest of idk, Lumiere met a reaper. That night Lumiere was soaking wet and being chased by spirit wolves. He was so scared and doesn't know where to go. Lots of thoughts are running through his head, because he doesn't remember how'd he get there or why is he there, and why is he soaking wet even though it didn't rain. Well perhaps it's because he fell into the river?

Running away from them, Lumiere finally reach a dead end. He was surrounded by the pacts of spirit wolves no where to run. At that time he thought it was his end,but when the spirit wolves attacked him, he was protected by a barrier and the wolves suddenly shredded into pieces. That's when he noticed that he's wearing an amulet.That certain amulet was indeed the one who saved his life.

"what is this? Where did it came from?"Lumiere was so puzzled.

"Ah how lovely, a gift from your future murderer."

A pitch black smoke with a figure of woman showed up. Lumiere felt cold down on his spine. The black smoke approached him closely. Lumiere tried to step back , but he was already in the corner of a big tree and leaves him nowhere to go. The woman, no the smoke lifts Lumiere's jaw slowly. Lumiere just stayed still and maintained his calm expression. The pitch black smoke was intrigued by Lumiere's audacity.

"Kid why don't you talk and ask me questions? I'll answer anything you ask. wait...Or maybe... Perhaps did you cut off your tongue?" The smoke said with a sinister tone.

Lumiere then replied without any trace of apprehension. "Then... Who are you? What are you? What do you mean by 'gift from my future murderer?' "

"Too many questions at one time. I'll answer your first question first. I'm a reaper, my name doesn't matter, and yes that lovely amulet was a gift from your future murderer." the pitch smoke said.

"What do you want? why are you saying this to me? " Lumiere asked.

The pitch black smoke moved backwards and paced back and forth.

"what I want? hmm... nothing. My reason? nothing. I was just passing by in this forest after collecting some rare souls, then I saw a gem candle that is very rare! Rarer than the souls I just collected!" the pitch black smoke said with excited tone. She then again came closer to him. She slammed the tree with both of her hand and Lumiere between them. Lumiere didn't react at all. He was maintaining his calm expression to not let his guard down. Even at a young age, Lumiere was already trained to maintain his perfect posture to not act childish in front of others due to his royal conduct thing. So no matter what is this pitch black smoke or whatever do, Lumiere's inner child mustn't nor wouldn't act up first.

"Kid... Shouldn't you scream or cry?!" the pitch black smoke was annoyed .

Lumiere replied. "Why? You don't seem to be so scary at all. And I heard that reapers should be scary,but seeing this now I guess they are all just rumors."

Lumiere meant that as a compliment. He was trying to be friendly by saying that reapers ain't scary and monsterous type that they can be beautiful, but The pitch black smoke found his response Contemptuous. I mean who wouldn't right? As a reaper calling you scary or terrifying is a compliment and calling you the opposite was indeed mockery! So what just Lumiere said hurt The pitch black smoke's pride. Ah... This kid is digging up his own grave. Now the reaper was incensed. She swayed her hands and all of the trees were hit by strong wind and made them dancing. Lumiere's reaction was just again apathetic, And that made the smoke even more furious.

"You damn brat!" The pitch black smoke was more incensed to the point that blood will burst out from her eyes- I mean she's just a smoke...so I guess I should say that blood will burst out from her smoke figure face. She take a deep breath then Change her voice into soft and calm.

"Ah... Since I am in a good mood and very generous, I kinda pity such a rare gem lamb like you. Sigh well it can't be help, but it's so pitiful to think that a lamb like you was about to ran out it's candle at a young age."

Lumiere was confused. "What do you mean?"

"Oh what do I mean?" The reaper sneered.

"I mean that your candle is running out so fast. Come on take a look. "