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A dark figure was stepping carefully towards the door of the Venomania mansion. The grass cracked under their heels, as they approached the porch. The person barely acknowledged the cold nightly wind brushing their blonde hair, their face focused and unbothered. It could have been a friendly visit. If anyone was watching around, if anyone was even in the neighborhood, they could think this seemingly womanly figure was visiting the Duke's estate at a late hour.
Well, they would be wrong about two things.
That person wasn't here for a simple courtesy visit. And it wasn't a woman.
Karchess Crim, tightened his grip on his knife, hiding it inside his blue vest that covered the front of his dress. That dagger was his key to unlocking the mystery behind all those disparitions. The disparitions that all pointed to the owner of this mansion : Sateriasis Venomania.
One thing was sure in Karchess' mind. He wasn't about to leave this house without holding Yufina's hand, and knowing she was safe and sound. May blood splash on his hands, the count wouldn't bulge if it was for his lover's life.
The cold handle of the door lowered as the man pushed it open, in a long and tight creak that sent a chill down Karchess's spine.
He walked inside, the sounds of his heels resonating against the lavished wooden floors. The candles were lit, all throughout the walls and up to the massive staircase at the end of the hallway. The lack of noise made him frown. The house couldn't be empty, not with what he knew. Karchess tightened his grip on his dress as he stepped closer, ready to pounce on whoever tried to attack him.
Karchess immediately stopped moving as he heard a door open, at the top of the staircase.
… then a deep voice echoed in the hall.
"My… what a beautiful flower, what brings you here so late tonight? Are you lost?"
He felt his blood grow cold at the sound of the duke's disgustingly honeyed tone, and he had to fight back to not let the sheer repugnance show on his face. He swallowed.
"Lost, no. You are the exact person I have seeked, my Duke."
"Is that so?" That seemed to be enough to capture the man's interest, as he slowly walked down the stairs, towards Karchess. Hands behind his back, he smiled at his guest. "May I help you with anything then, my beautiful lady?"
"… I have heard a lot about you."
Sateriasis' eyebrows raised, whether it was because of the surprise or a hint of mistrust, Karchess didn't have time to tell.
"You have? Well, only good things, I would hope. Tell me… what is your name?"
The Count remained on his guard as he replied. "I am Elluka." Bowing slightly in front of Venomania, Karchess wondered if now was the time to stab him and make a run for Yufina, but he preferred to wait until he knew who… or what exactly was he attacking.
"Elluka… mh. I have heard about you as well." Sateriasis hummed, his eyes flickering to the side. He was cautious, not stepping closer yet, but careless enough to not keep his eyes on his guest at all time.
What a buffoon…, thought Karchess.
"What type of things?"
Venomania chuckled, grabbing a gold candlestick that rested on a wooden table. "A lot of them. You have quite a reputation. I have heard… that you are investigating on the various women disparitions."
"I did not come here to discuss that."
"Aha. Of course not." The man turned to Karchess, the smile of a confident man on his lips. "Why would you? I am perfectly unaware of any details."
That smug expression rubbed the Count in the wrong way, and he was free to scrunch his nose in disgust as Venomania turned back to the hallway and gestured in this direction.
"Thank you for receiving me."
"Of course, follow me. I must admit… I was about to nod off for the night, but I never refuse a lady's company, especially as gorgeous as you are." Karchess composed himself again as the other man's eyes laid back on him… or rather on his figure.
"You are a sweet talker, that much is obvious."
"One of my qualities, yes." The man nodded, before opening the door of the ballroom. "I am also a very good dancer, if you would like to see…"
Karchess swallowed, trying to fight the urge to stab the man here and now. He put his gloved hand in Venomania's. He first had to figure out where Yufina was, and what exactly happened here. Recolt as much information as necessary…
He was glad to have waltz practice, not only as a leader but as a follower. Yufina and him had spent many years in their childhood, practicing for official balls. Oh Yufina… Karchess hoped she was safe. He couldn't stand the thought of her being in danger anyhow. The sooner he will be by her side, the better he will feel.
After two dances, Venomania commented, with a smile. "You are quite elegant yourself. Tell me then, why did you step into my mansion on such a night? Were you troubled?"
"I was." The Count felt the other's hand rest on his "hair" as they danced, Karchess silently hoped he wouldn't figure out that it was a wig.
"Mh… Night can be a thought bringer. If you want… I know a thing or two to calm down the nerves…"
Karchess had to remember that he was on a mission to not kick him.
"Oh my."
"I can sense your interest." Sateriasis chuckled, as he looked into Karchess' eyes. The Count thought he had gone insane himself when a flicker of… something, appeared in those eyes. He didn't move, waiting for the Duke to keep on speaking before doing anything that could betray him. "Ah yes… you aren’t immune to it after all."
"…", Karchess still stayed silent as Venomania stopped his steps, and smiled.
"You were right to come here to investigate. Fate brought you to the right door, my flower. You will see… you will be relieved of every ounce of stress once we spend even one night together…"
It didn't take a genius to understand what exactly was happening now. Karchess' face was as tight as stone, staying focused to not let any of his wrath slip through. Sateriasis grabbed his hand like it belonged to him, and dragged him through the corridors. The Count didn't drop his guard. Now was the time. Venomania was going to bring him where Yufina, and probably all the other captives were being held hostage. He couldn't afford to get stopped now.
"I will introduce you to the others tomorrow. For now… let us relax together…" Venomania slurred, opening a door as he grabbed Karchess' waist.
Tomorrow… no. No he couldn't let that happen.
"The others?" The Count pressed. He was afraid his questioning would seem suspicious, but Sateriasis was way long in his mind and belief that he had "Elluka" under his charm and control.
"Mh… You will fit right in, no worries, my flower…"
Karchess frowned as the other got closer. "Where are they?" He needed the information now, so he knew where to run immediately.
"They all have their spot in the basement… You will have one too. We will decor it together, and it will feel like home soon enough…" It was everything Karchess needed. "…I will make it feel like home, my love will make it feel like you've always belonged he-ARGH!"
The Count didn't hesitate once more before taking out the knife he had hidden, and shoving it straight at Venomania's chest. He kept it there for a second to make sure it was taking effect, and he may have twisted it around in a pure rage instinct. Make him suffer like he made all those women suffer, like he made Yufina suffer.
Karchess didn't blink as the man fell onto his knees, in a puddle of corrupted blood.
"You—?! What… what is the meaning of this?"
Taking off his wig, and tossing it at the sinner's face, the Count scorned. "You imbecile. Pay for what you have done!"
With that, he knew he couldn't waste even more time. Leaving the pathetic man to die in his own shame, Karchess ran outside the room and sprinted towards the end of the corridor, belivieving it was the basement. He nearly slipped on his dress a few times but he didn't stop running. His dear Yufina… was somewhere here, locked and frightened. He couldn't let that happen any longer.
"Yufina! Yufina, dearest! I am here!"
Opening the door, Crim was met with cries and yells downstairs. The noise immediately went through his core and froze his blood. He thought of every women, hostage here… why hadn't no one came to worry before?! He ran, his chest hurting with choked breaths as he arrived in a huge basement. Some women pushed through him to get to the exit, Karchess stood there and called for Yufina again.
"Yufina! Yufina, it's me, Karchess! You are safe, let's run away!"
Panic started to rise as he couldn't find his beloved. Pure unbridled fright flood through Karchess' veins as he called for her again. No. No. No.. She was fine, she was safe, she was alive… please. Please, if the gods grant have one wish… it had to be this. May Yufina be safe. That was all he was asking for and he wasn't about to give up on her. Not now, not ever.
"Yufina!!! Please answer me, where are you? It is me, I have come to get you, please, tell me where you are-…"
"…Karchess…?"
The man's heart stopped beating for a millisecond as he heard the voice in the middle of the scramble. It didn't matter how loud the situation was now, his head snapped towards the source of this voice, this voice he had missed so much and he would recognize in any way.
"Yufina!! You are alive!!"
Like it was his last effort, Karchess ran and eventually stepped in front of the one he had been seeking for. The one he loved. She was reaching for him, her legs and hand shaking in sheer exhaustion and pain, yet her eyes locked on him in pure delight and relief. Yufina had known she was missing someone, her true love, during this entire time. She couldn't remember his name nor his face, but his memory in her mind had kept her alive and sane.
"Karchess, my love, you are here…"
And suddenly… as a flood, everything dawned upon Yufina.
Everything that happened under her will. Those frightening nights, and dazed horrific moments. She stopped in her steps, looking down at herself. She was… in such a state. She brought her extended hand back to her chest, as if to cover herself. Ashamed. She couldn't believe she was ashamed in front of Karchess, but in this situation and after everything that happened, she had no control over her emotions.
"I.. I- oh… oh.. no. Oh no.. I.. I am so sorry…" Yufina started, her single words relieving Karchess that she was sane, and yet breaking his heart as how frightened and hurt she sounded. "… I… I am deeply sorry, oh, Karchess…"
Her lover shook his head, still extending his own hand in a desperate attempt to hold her close to reassure her. "No… Yufina, dearest. Please…"
"I'm so sorry…"
"Please, everything is alright now… you are safe." Karchess carefully took her hand, she found herself melting in it, and brought her closer to embrace her.
She had been feeling cold, aching in all her bones for months now. But … being embraced by the one she trusted most in this moment? Yufina felt like she could breathe again.
And so she did.
Unfortunately, a breath lead her to hiccup, and soon enough, she started crying against Karchess' shoulder. He didn't move, didn't speak too loud, just whispered to her as he caressed her hair and she held onto him.
"I won't let go of you… not even for a second."
"I missed you so much…" Yufina hiccuped, she swore she heard Karchess' voice break as well, but he just held her tighter.
"I don't have any words to describe how much I missed you. Oh, you are safe and alive. Dear Yufina… I am so glad I found you…"
"I love you…"
"I love you too…" Karchess kissed her forehead, and looked back at her, his eyes aching with unshed tears. He had to focus, but he was so relieved to finally hold her. "Let us run away, here. Have my dress, you must be cold."
The fact that Karchess still looked at her as he helped her get dressed with his long blue dress, with the same love and affection in his eyes made Yufina's heart feel more at ease. She was safe now. She didn't even question why did he wear a dress in the first place, she just sighed at the soft and comforting smell of the fabric against her.
Karchess smiled at her. Yufina smiled back. The two lovers held hands as they ran back outside, all the other women having escaped as well.
The two just made their way as quickly as possible, both of them linked by their hands closely. They didn't know where they were going yet, but they were out and together, and it was all that mattered at the moment…