Chapter Text
The rustling of the leaves as warm summer breeze made the forest he stroll through quite a lovely place for a picnic. Alas, he only had his travel gear with him. Maybe he could ask some friendly villager not far from here to borrow their picnic set, this place was a good spot to enjoy the scenery of wildflowers blooming and with the trees providing much needed shade should the sun ever decide to be a menace.
He found a wooden bridge just barely holding on for its dear life. It wasn't a big deal for the Ethereal though. One wave of his hand and tada! The bridge was as good as new. Testing it's sturdiness with a foot, then another, he leisurely strode. Taking as much time as he can to appreciate the beauty of the large river’s waters reflecting the sky.
But, despite all of this. He was upset that he didn't spent the new year with his family back in the Stardom. Too busy dealing with a lot of quests assigned by leaders of various towns and villages, just like the recent settlement he visited.
Originally, he wanted to rest and stock up for one day. Though once he found out the small village was being terrorised by some nobody bandits when he eavesdrop on the other table next to him, his heart immediately succumbed to instincts. Driving out every single bandit from every corner of the little settlement was no easy feat, especially with the dense woods around.
Regardless, his hard work didn't went unrewarded. The whole village treated him like a king for the last few weeks, and that distracted him from resuming his adventure. Until he asked what day it was yesterday.
“I hate getting sidetracked,” The Ethereal grumbled into his palms. Suddenly, several rounds of loud gunshots erupted behind the valley at the end of the bridge, birds scattered to the skies. He sprinted, worry drowning out every other thought he might have.
Once he reached the location where the gunfight — which had stopped just seconds prior — began, he slowed to cautious steps. Sword unsheathed and held low. It was stupid of him to use a sword when a potential enemy carried a firearm or more, but Vyruim was skilled in defensive spellcasting. He'll be able to evade their bullets. Assuming they'd be brave enough to fight an Ethereal.
His eyes widened at the gory sight whilst his brows furrowed: stood before him was an inhuman “Ethereal” with its back faced toward him, it carried a rifle in one hand and held the headless visceral corpse in the other. The Ethereal coughed, “Must've been a real tough fight here.” He didn't flinched when the near-perfect Ethereal imitation quickly aimed its gun at him, its many eyes sharp and terrifying before settling to wide and fearful.
• You- You're an Ethereal. • Its voice - pleasantly clear - passed his mind.
“Of course I am.” Vyruim half-heartedly shrugged. “Kinda cool to see one in the flesh, eh?” He grinned beneath his mask, enjoying its confused expression.
• You can hear me? • It hesitantly asked. Lowering the silver-marked firearm to the ground, its head wings folding slowly.
He hummed. “Why couldn't I? That's how Teufels speak, no?”
It squinted its eyes, turning its head to the dead body - probably a bounty if he had to make a guess. • I am… I don't belong with them. • He noticed it had a haunted look in its eyes before it hardened its gaze not a second later. • I vowed to become an Ethereal one day. •
Vyruim nodded solemnly, not knowing what he should say about a goal as noble as that. Neither said a word as they both fixated on themselves: the many-eyed person wrapping up its bounty while Vyruim inspected its form. A itching feeling crept from the back of his mind, he vaguely remembered he'd seen this person before. “...Hey, you're that famous Wandering Angel everybody's been yapping about,” He remarked. Mentally slapping himself for not recognising that sooner.
• Famous is a stretch, I simply do what needs to be done. Whether for better or worse. • It slung the wrapped body over its shoulder and passed by Vyruim. • Farewell, Ethereal. •
“Oh, nope.” Vyruim tailed behind. “This is an opportunity I can't miss! Could you imagine what we can do if we work together!?”
• I do not want companionship. Nor do I need it. •
He huffed. “Come on, man. It'll be fun. You and I, we'll get what we want,” He coerced.
The Wandering Angel bristled its wings as it walked up the steep road ahead. • You have yet to tell what your mission is- •
“We can slay a Teufel general together and become Ethereal heroes!” He proposed. The Wandering Angel halted to look him dead in the eyes. He'd nearly bump into it.
• …That is your mission? • It spoke incredulously. As if it had just heard one of the most stupidest thing ever uttered by someone. • How could I help you with such a dangerous mission as I am unable to enter Tartarus, and neither could you. •
Vyruim chuckled, waving dismissively, “We can just sneak into it. How hard can that be? Besides, it's a win-win for us: you get to be an Ethereal and also a hero. And, of course, I get to be an awesome hero, too.”
It shook its head. • I will assist you in this.. mission. But, I'm only doing it to become an Ethereal like you. •
“Sweet! By the way, what's your name? Mine’s Vyruim.”
• Names are only reserved for those who aren't beings like me… •
He pointed fingers gun at it. “Got’cha, your name's Angel. Simple and accurate to you.”
• You.. That is not my name. •
“It is now!”