《My Inner Demons》Why Do You Care? (Ch26)
Advertisement
I groan as my eyes start to flutter open. I can't remember what happened after I blacked out. Or why I did for that matter. I just feel so... Tired.
"She's awake!" I hear someone say, but it wasn't Ava because the voice was too deep.
"She is?!" And there's Ava. I hear footsteps coming over so I guess she was in a different spot and now she's walking towards me.
Opening my eyes and blinking to get rid of the blurriness I'm met with two faces. Ava and... Asch?
Closing my eyes and shaking my head, thinking I'm just seeing things, I open my eyes again only to realise I'm not seeing things.
My face heat's up at the close proximity and I immediately recoil into whatever soft surface I'm on in hopes to create distance.
"Woah her face just got really red! Are you okay y/n?" I hear Noi ask, looking up more I see Noi looking at me. I must be on the couch as he's looking at me over the back of it.
"I'm fine. What happened?" I ask going to get up, only to be pushed back down by Ava.
"You blacked out randomly, I called Mrs Oates over and told her all your symptoms. She says you were sleep-deprived." Ava explains and I nod in understanding. Sleep-deprived huh? That's new.
"Yeah sounds about right. I haven't slept properly in days and I haven't used my magic to fix that problem either." I say, clarifying that Mrs Oates was correct in the assumption.
"Why would you do that y/n?" Ava asks, worry filling her gaze. I kinda feel bad for making her worry, but I did what needed to be done. Those I care about come first.
Those I care about... I'm a freak, I'm honestly surprised I wasn't killed on Daemos for it. I almost was, but that's not something I wish to re-live...
Advertisement
"Well, I didn't want to use my magic as it's very limited and I didn't want to sleep because I needed to make sure you were getting better and no one was disturbing you," I reply Ava's facial expression turns into a frown. She must not be happy about that answer... Oops.
"Y/n that's not how taking care of someone works! You need to be in top health and taking care of yourself too. Otherwise what use are you being sick as well?" She asks and I tilt my head in confusion. I don't get it, is this not normal?
"But I've always done it like this. When my family was sick, overworked or injured back on Daemos. I would help them to the point I couldn't even move I was so exhausted." I explain and Ava looks at me wide-eyed.
"Why?!" She says in shock and I shrug my shoulders, "I... care about them." I don't like daying that around the others, I was supposed to stop caring.
"Tell me y/n. Have they ever done the same thing for you?" She asks and I shake my head.
"No, why should they? I only do it for them because I care about them. That doesn't mean they care about me. Daemos aren't really made to care. I'm just... different." At these words, Ava looks so upset. I don't understand why though. Why is she sad?
"Ava, why are you upset? What did I say?" I ask, concern in my voice as I look at her with worry.
"No it's just, here on Earth it's believed that family and friends should care for each other, and that caring goes both ways. When it goes one way or none at all it's considered really, well... Upsetting. Someone you care about so much should care about you back. If they don't then you shouldn't care about them back." Ava explains and I lay there, soaking up her words.
Advertisement
After thinking them over a question comes to mind, "So... Do you care about me?" I ask. Her face lights up and she smiles brightly.
"Of course I care about you." She says happily.
And I got this feeling. I don't know how to describe it. But you know when you've been trying to do something for so long wishing that one day your effort would be recognised, but it never is? And then someone, without even you asking, says thank you for your effort? When some says, without you asking, that they appreciate you? That they care.
I believe that feeling is called being overjoyed. Maybe pride? No, even those words are an understatement for the feeling.
It's pure ecstasy.
Tears threaten my eyes as I hug Ava tightly. I didn't realise how badly I wanted someone to say those words.
Those simple little words. I care about you. Sure Noi might care about me, but not to the extent that I care for him. If both our lives were on the line he would save himself before me... And I would let him.
She was surprised at first, but then happily returned the embrace. "Thank you..." I whispered to her and she hugged me tighter in response.
We were about to pull away, but I hear Asch growl. Curious to why I continued to hug her. Only for a second later to be pried away from her by none other than Asch himself.
"That's enough." He stated plainly, shoving me back onto the couch so I'm laying down again.
"Sleep." He demands and I feel like annoying him a bit, plus I'm curious about why he is demanding that I sleep. Definitely not a command I've gotten for such reasons before.
"Nah, I'm good. You guys wrecked the house so I want to help clean first." I replied, going to sit up again, but he shoves me back down by my shoulder, "No. You need to sleep. Mrs Oates said that's how you'll get better."
"Oh? Why do you care if I get better or not?" I ask and I see him visibly tense at these words.
Turning away from me so I can't see his face he replies, "I don't! I... Uh, I just don't need my knights being weak." He states and I laugh, "Sure Asch. Whatever, I'll sleep. You guys better clean up the mess though."
"Ugh, whatever." He replied and looked back towards me before I closed my eyes I noticed something... His cheeks were pink.
Advertisement
- In Serial10 Chapters
Viceroy's Pride
This story could be about the Tellask Empire, ruler of a thousand suns and faced with imminent peril at the hands of the Orakh hordes. It could be about Paltai Amberell, the scion of a noble elven House, fallen upon hard times and seeking to find the key that will restore his family's name and save the Empire itself. It could be the story of his voidship, The Viceroy's Pride, powered by magic and crewed by a team of crack marines as they search for adventure and the solution to the Empire's myriad problems. Instead, this is the story of Daniel Thrush, human electrical engineer, befuddled researcher and survivor of the debacle that was first contact with a spacefaring civilization. Due to a combination of luck, magic, hard work, and more luck he is thrust into the center of events as Earth is shoved onto a much larger stage rife with semi-immortal elves and magical kingdoms that predate the Earthly invention of agriculture. Earth is outnumbered, and we have precisely one wizard. Dan. He's not very good at it, but he's going to have to learn in a hurry or watch everything he knows get torn apart by massive spacefaring empires straight from the pages of a fantasy novel. ---------- Some readers have noted that the MC tends to be weak willed and pushed around a bit. A significant portion of the story is his character growth into not being a pushover (i.e. him being passive is in the early chapters on purpose). I'm just including this caveat/warning to make sure that readers aren't surprised/upset and that they stick with it until he learns to stand up for himself. His arc begins to crystallize around chapters 25-27. If that's too long to wait, I get it, I'm just trying to do my due diligence and warn you that the character development is a bit of a slow burn. This is NOT a harem novel. Nothing against them, just not what it is. --------- Updates Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday Feel free to bother me on our discord- Discord!
8 167 - In Serial36 Chapters
Primal Adaptation
The story of a little soul that ends up tangled in the games and bets of entities that utilize beasts of any primordial planet as a game avatar to make the Perfect Primal. This tale is not only its story because it will also share its destiny with the entity that will help it in its journey, and together they will rise from their particular situations one way or another. Primal Adaptation is a history with some RPG elements in it, but the MC can't look at a status screen or skill page because it's a beast through and through. I have implemented an evolution system for all the creatures of this story, where they grow or mutate depending on what they consume. In this tale, you won't find a Deus ex machina to give the protagonist power-ups. Everything must be learned and comprehended before its use unless it's something it gets immediately, or the abilities get understood by instinct. In essence, it is survival and gambit for opportunities, be it from one MC or the other.
8 231 - In Serial32 Chapters
Hand of the Goddess
If you had the choice to escape your life, would you? That was what Nicole was offered one night when a mysterious woman named Lillian appears in her room. Lillian gives her a deal: kill a demon and she would cure her cat's cancer and make her life better in return. Seduced by Lillian's beauty and wanting to save her cat, she accepts the agreement. But little did she know that entering a parallel dimension to kill a demon would lead her to meet the mysterious Lord Phillips. As she begins to develop feelings for the stern lord, she begins to wonder if she ever wants to leave the dimension. The clock is ticking and there's demon blood to spill. Can she put her personal desires aside and complete her task?
8 233 - In Serial19 Chapters
After All
This is not my story. My story was of a world I forged by my raw will, and of you, my children, forged of my dreams. That story has long since ended. Our world was not alone. Another deity came from beyond my sight, and despite our resistance rent our world asunder. In the end, all was lost and you were gone. That I survived your passing is a testament to the cruelty of existence; I cannot forgive existence for the monstrous crime of making me go on without you. This is the story of a new world, forged by the hands of fools. That it is made from the bones of that which I most hated will bring this place no absolution. In the fullness of time, I will seize the reins of this new narrative, and I shall end it. You are lost to me, my children. I will make a funeral pyre of all reality for you, and be with you in oblivion after all. --- DocSumac here. This is a story that has been rattling around in my head for years. It's not complete, but I'm not going to let it haunt me anymore. I'm uploading what is ready, and I'll add more as I can. --- Addendum May 20, 2020: I've added the Sex tag. Not because of actual smut, but becuase of what will probably devolve into an ongoing parade of dick jokes. No point denying my nature.
8 267 - In Serial11 Chapters
Book Cover Requests
8 249 - In Serial35 Chapters
Stranded
When a zombie apocalypse breaks out whilst Bella is still at school, she decides to stay, unlike her friends who are risking their lives and fleeing. But has she made a mistake? Will she find a group and will they have to fight to survive together? Or will it all be over too soon?
8 173

