The Great Demon System

*Gurg*

He fell down from his seat and crashed towards the ground, his mouth gaping open as though he was ready to barf. Yet nothing escaped his mouth but a puff of air.

"Ahhhh…"

"Please!! Mister Kai! Calm yourself! It's okay! It's really okay!" Hikari hurried to aid her hurting comrade with all her heart, pulling his frantic, senseless body back onto his bed while Elizabeth simply stood and watched.

"Ahhhh! Now that's the reaction I was expecting!" She snickered.

"Elizabeth! Please help me! Do you know any healing for this? He's getting even worse!"

"Well, I suppose I can try," She waved her hand, and a green light enveloped Rupert, and his frantic nature slowly reverted into hyperventilated deep breaths.

"Now, Kai, if you've calmed down now... We have a few questions for you. Do you remember exactly how you lost? None of us could really see it at the end there." Elizabeth asked her question, yet she received no response beyond a slight glance and continuous breaths with his hands clenching his vitals.

"I don't know… I don't know… I really don't… I don't know how I lost… Where… Where is lord!? Arggghhh…"

"Calm down Kai! All's gonna be okay! Please!" Hikari held his hands tightly. "He's not mad at you! He even commended and congratulated you on the fight! He said you did a good job!"

"Don't patronize me... And... Even… Even if that is the case… I failed in something so simple!! I can never be trusted!"

"Oh shut up!" Elizabeth snorted. "You're acting like a child! If you really messed up I'm sure he wouldn't be sugar-coating it! He's a pretty direct guy! Trust me, he's not mad or disappointed! He's still certain of victory… He made sure to tell us that..."

"B-but how!? It's impossible!! IF I COULDN'T BEAT HIM HOW COU—"

"Are you really questioning him now?! I thought you were the biggest advocate of never questioning his wishes even when we try to give suggestions! What happened now huh!? Are you really so shallow! What happened to your pride! Broken so easily!! How would he think of you now in such a pathetic state!"

"Elizabeth!! Please! You're being too harsh!" Hikari wept, tears falling down her face.

"N— No Hikari… She's right…" Rupert sighed extensively, the wind slowly whistling out his mouth.

He shook his head and stretched his back before looking back up with a stable yet unsteady gaze.

"So… I've been asleep for hours now, right? A few rounds passed… What exactly happened at that time?"

Elizabeth widened her eyes at his sudden shift in attitude, but once she got past the initial shock she went back to normal.

"In short, I got out in the first match of the top sixteens against Artorias, pretty easily might I add. And Hikari made it one round farther only to lose to Moby. We're the only two out, that's why we're here."

"I… I see… So what round is it now? Where are the others?"

"Moby has already got past the quarter-finals and has entered the top four. And now it's the final round of the top eight quarter-finals."

"Final round?" He muttered. "Who's fighting who? Is it…"

"Yes, I think you could already guess… It's Artorias facing Regrit… Speaking of which, that match is starting in two minutes so I'll be on my way." She turned around and strode towards the door. "Hikari, you coming?"

"I can't leave now!" She immediately responded, only for her too to be cut off.

"It's okay Hikari, you can leave me be and go watch the match…" Rupert smiled.

"B-but!"

"No buts! Now, you go off and watch the fight… I'm sure Artorias and especially Regrit would appreciate your support… I'll be fine. Plus, I think I need time for myself too…"

"O— … … Okay…" She mumbled, stepping away slowly from his side with a sniffle.

"Hey! Hikari! I'm leaving! You gonna join me or what!"

"Coming!" She hurried through the door after Elizabeth, but before she exited the room she turned a quick peek back towards Rupert with clear concern towards his state, but that look slowly turned into a gentle smile as she nodded and left the room, gently closing the door behind her.

Rupert was all alone once again… The room bore a hallow empty feeling, and the cold muted colours did not help in that aspect.

He shook his head, leaning back on his pillow and stared towards the empty ceiling of white…

…

But that was when just like before, a sound intruded upon his seclusion.

"Hello… May I please enter?"

Once again, it was the sound of a female knocking at his door. A voice familiar yet one he could not connect a face to. He did know for how long he had been aimlessly staring at the ceiling. For all he knew, the tournament had already been over…

He knew not what to think… And think he did not as he answered that unknown voice.

"Yes… You may enter…"

As so, the door slowly swung open, and his eyes were led by the sound to its source.

Indeed, it was a woman that had entered, and despite his disoriented vision, he immediately recognized her.

How could he not after she and her brilliant red dress made such a big impression on him. As for why she had suddenly decided to visit him of all people and such a time began to perplex him, and the gears of his brain once again began to turn.

Yet, his mouth did not open as they both blankly stared upon one another for what felt like an eternity.

Until finally, it was she that gradually inched towards him and began the conversation.

"Uh-Ummm… Hi… Kai Fatebringer... I'm not sure if I'm intruding or if it'ss the right time… I don't think we know each other… We haven't met other than today and I believe a few rare family gatherings when we were kids... But... I just wanted to talk and ask you a few questions… Is… Is that okay with you?"