Tales of the Immortal Star [Aria's Tales]

Arc 3: Chapter 0

I laid there on the cold rough ground.

The dagger I gave to Aileen on her 16th birthday is now wedged close to my heart.

At this moment, grandmother's teachings resonated in my head.

"You are dead."

"Your muscles are no longer yours, your eyes are frozen in place, and your chest should no longer move." 

Then to test us, she would kick us hard.

"Remember death is not your enemy, it is a tool."

I relaxed my muscles despite the pain, and my eyes froze as I stopped my chest from moving.

This was my only chance.

And I wasn't planning on wasting it.

Click—

Clang—

Rattles...

Ten seconds later, they finally opened the cage.

"Move!"

A rough voice yelled, likely directed at Aileen who had been staring at me the entire time.

Then, black steel-toed boots covered my vision, and as the person who owned them crouched down to look at me closely, I clocked the holstered Deagle on the right side of his hip.

"Ooh shit~ She ded boss! She really killed her sister!"

The man turned to his left, placing his right knee to the ground.

Grandmother was right, death is my tool.

I shot up, snatched the gun from the surprised thug, and aimed it at the man who killed my love.

BANG!

There was no reason to hesitate.

I only needed 1 shot.

BA—

Instantly, my vision went black.

I'm glad I was at least able to see Aleksandr's brain splattered on the wall like the piece of shit that he is.

I hope Aileen is okay.

I wasn't sure if this was really the plan.

We only had one second to look at each other and guess what the other was thinking.

Seriously, what was Aleksandr thinking?

He killed the grandmother, killed his youngest brother, and now he's kidnapped the eldest brother.

Was he really trying to become the head of the family or become its enemy?

By the way, am I still alive?

I tried to look around but I wasn't even sure if I had a body.

I tried to speak but nothing came out.

Suddenly, in the middle of the darkness, a silhouette started to form.

It looked like a small girl.

When I noticed the silhouette coming towards me, I wanted to bolt.

Is that a ghost?!

I wasn't particularly fond of them.

But I couldn't move.

She got closer and closer until her image became clearer.

She was a cute young girl with white hair and red eyes wearing a simple white dress.

"Hi~! It's amazing that you found me first. Have we met before?"

She tilted her head, rather cutely.

I tried to speak again, but still, nothing came out.

"It's okay, I can hear your thoughts!"

'...Hello?'

"Hi hehe!"

'Um...Whaaaat?'

I felt my nonexistent brain shutting down as I was clearly talking to a ghost right now.

"Oh but I'm not a ghost! I'm Lily~ My master and I make wishes come true~"

'Wishes? Ha, that sounds like utter bullshit.'

"It does doesn't it! But its true~ As long as you agree to our condition of course~"

'Let me guess, you want my soul?'

The little girl looked at me blankly, and then she chuckled.

"No no no, we don't need your soul we just need your body! If you give us your body, we will fulfill three of your wishes!"

'Huh.'

'Okay, then.'

'Bring me back to life!'

She immediately had a troubled face.

"You mean you want to live again in the world that you died?"

'Yeah! I mean, yes?'

"Unfortunately, your world isn't compatible with resurrection. We can do other wishes though!"

*sigh* 'I knew it, you're just a hoax. It was worth a try I guess.'

...

'Why do you want my body?'

The girl, Lily, suddenly blushed.

"Ahem! The main reason is to assimilate with the world so that we can fulfill your wishes!"

'So there are other reasons?'

Rather than answering me, she just shyly laughed.

'Hmm, fine. You just want my body right?'

"Yup!"

'Alright, you can have it.'

'If I'm dead dead, then I don't need it.'