Chapter 11: Soul Eater

Chopper led the way, opening the door and entering, barely cautious. I followed him keeping my guard up at all times.

There was barely anything intact inside the building. Upon entering, I noticed that the roof had caved in and we were bathing in the sun that was rather mild and cold today. Inside presented to us an image of an ancient sanctuary. It was revolutionary inside compared to the outside, in that it was filled with life. With vines covering most of the rubble and grass growing in corners and between tiles, I could tell it wasn't a natural growth yet somehow it didn't feel bad.

That peace was short lived though. Soon, we found ourselves standing in front of a tall, dark haired, noble looking man. Despite his impressive gracefulness, he still appeared conniving to some degree and even in all the charm he possessed, something about his disposition was utterly disgusting. I couldn't quite tell you what it was. Perhaps the fact that he stood on an elevated place, among the rubble or perhaps it was the look in his eyes.

"Are you Fennerick? Or do you prefer Azag?", Chopper seemed unfazed even by his oppressing aura.

"I knew a man such as yourself would figure it out. I knew a man sent by that witch would be a problem soon as you set foot in Halen. I've been watching, you see", his voice was very heavy.

"I'm sorry General, I barely have any interest in small talk. I'm on a tight schedule and I'd hate for the witch to interfere. Wouldn't you like it if we sped things up a little?"

"Oh sure but let me tell you a story before you start acting like a fool", Fennerick continued, "It was when I met a little witch. She looked like such an angel, it made my skin crawl. She dreamed of a strange world and it was intriguing to see her spit such huge words out of her small mouth. All the while, looking at me dead in the eye. I admit, I've not been that entertained in a long time. And so I offered her my services. You know what she did then? She destroyed my army."

"Bardock saved you back then. Do correct me if I'm wrong. It's funny how the three of you ended up. Perhaps you shouldn't have been saved back then. But I suppose if killing you meant the end, that witch would have hexed you a long time ago. She let a demon live. She's no less a devil herself."

I could understand what their exchange was about. I didn't want to interfere while Chopper was there but I didn't think I'll get a better chance.

"General Fennerick...", I spoke up, "If that's your name...do you know why Lady killed Bardock?"

Fennerick had a poker face on and for some billion centuries, he kept staring at my face.

"Why, you ask? Because that's what she promised him. That witch...she promised Bardock, she'd kill him one day. And so what? Do you think Bardock had any regrets about it? None! I bet he died with a smile on his face."

That sounded so absurd to me, I got lost for a minute. Chopper signaled me to get back. He unsheathed his strange looking blades. I got to take a closer look at them this time. One of them was a burning ebony, the other one a smoky silver. They were shaped like a fire, or perhaps a dragon, either way I couldn't tell what the intricate design was supposed to be.

"I'll give you 10 minutes, boy", Fennerick moved into a defensive stance before Chopper shot straight at him.

I had a hard time keeping up with him but Fennerick masterfully avoided every slashing attempt. I took several steps back, something bothered me, though I couldn't tell what it was.

"You and I are the same, boy!", Fennerick didn't even break a sweat despite Chopper's back to back attacks, "If I destroyed this town, then you destroyed Halen. It's the same for us!"

Chopper didn't say a thing. He neither stopped nor showed any signs of slowing down. I felt utterly useless and yet, I knew that was something I needed to live with, at least for now.

"Don't deny anything. You sold everything out, didn't you?"

I didn't know what Fennerick was on about now.

"You sold your people, your love, your home, everything. You even sold your brain! You are nothing but a pathetic coward. And now, you're trying to be a hero. Stop lying to yourself! You abandoned Ildia just like me!"

It was all the truth for it got Chopper riled up and reckless. I saw him breaking his limits, putting everything into a charge, a move so unlike him and then he clashed with Fennerick.

"Say, are you happy now?", Fennerick had a smug look on his face.

Chopper dropped on his knees. Fennerick stood on the mountain of rubble, mocking him. Chopper's stomach was split open and blood gushed out like a waterfall.

"Who...", Chopper broke the silence after a long pause, "who the hell said I was looking for happiness anymore?"

He looked up at Fennerick who at this moment noticed his missing arm and side, cut open.

"Oh...you mongrel!", he barely said that before his voice was overtaken by a shrill screech and his flesh turned inside out.

It hideously transformed him into something so disgusting to look at, I almost threw up.

"Ser...aph!", Chopper's voice brought me back in the now. I started towards him, hurrying through my way.

I didn't notice he'd been trying to stop me with the wave of his hand. I should have known he wanted me to get out of that place.

I had barely just reached him before my eyes were blinded by something warm and scarlet. That was my blood. I noticed it when it reached my mouth. Something...something had been piercing my skull. I realized, Azag the soul eater was feeding on my soul.