Chapter 137: Life or death?

•Arius

Everything felt so cold. It was like I was walking through a snowstorm. The cold felt like it was piercing through my body.

I walked through pitch blackness unable to determine where I was, why was I here, I didn't even know why I was walking. It was as if my body was doing it on its own.

After walking for God knows how long I saw something shine in the distance. It had an orange-yellow glow.

I paused for a second then ran towards it.

As I got closer the view became clearer and as I made out the scene in front of me I slowed down.

There was a fire dancing on the firewood in the darkness, casting it's orange glow on the old man sitting on the log in front of it.

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Huang-fei?"

He turned his head towards me and smiled.

"We meet at an odd place."

Well, no doubt about that. The place is very odd… Something suddenly crossed my mind and I sat down on the log across Huang-fei's and looked at in horror.

"Am I dead?"

He snickered, "What do you think?"

I gave him a weak smile, "I thought that hell was hot."

He laughed, "That means you're not dead son."

I furrowed my brows, "I can't decide if I should be happy about it or not."

"Life is a gift child." He stared at the fire.

"Not really…" I looked at the orange flames dancing in front of me.

"It is." He glanced at me and I gave him a brief look, "It's up to you to decide whether you want to make it a beautiful one or terrible one."

"..." Do I even have the choice? I sighed and looked at the ground which was nothing more than pitch blackness.

"You will always have the choice young master." I looked at him in surprise when he answered the question I only thought about.

I didn't say anything in return and looked down again at the ground.

"Where are we?" I asked him.

"Perhaps somewhere between life and death."

"Why are you here Huang-fei? Don't tell me your soul got stuck here because you were too worried about me." I raised my head and looked at him. He wore a rather sad smile.

"I am already dead." He said soundly, "Where I sit, you can not come."

"What's that supposed to mean?" His words didn't make any sense, "Aren't we sitting at the same place?" I stood up to go to him but ended up bumping into something, "What the hell!" My eyes grew wide at the realization.

There was something in front of me. Something I could not see but it wouldn't let me go any further.

Like an invisible barrier.

"Young master." Huang-fei called me and I looked down at him, sitting calmly in the same position with a soft smile on his face, "You are not yet dead."

I stumbled back and sat down on the log, "Can I only come there when I'm dead." He nodded.

"Do you wish to die?"

"I don't know…" At the very least, I don't want you gone. Even though I know you already are.

I stared at the ground again.

After staring at it for a little while I furrowed my brows and stared at the ground more intensely.

A closer look showed that it was actually giving out a reflection.

I saw myself in it.

My face was filled with worry.

With fear.

With concern.

In that reflection was my answer.

I looked at Huang-fei and he gave me a nod.

My surroundings started getting warmer.

I did not choose death.

I had a lot to do with my life.

The dark scenes around us started getting lighter.

"I wish you a happy life young master." Huang-fei spoke with his fatherly smile as he too started to become lighter. As if he was going to fade away.

"Huang-fei?" I looked at him with sorrowful eyes.

"Yes?"

This was perhaps the first and last time I could tell him this in person but I wanted to.

"I love you." I smiled as I felt all my emotions swell up.

As everything around me almost faded I saw him close his eyes, "I love you too son." There was a satisfied smile on his face as he vanished into nothingness.

***

I opened my eyes lazily.

Everything was blurry. I had no idea where I was or where I was supposed to be.

My eyes weren't adjusting properly but I noticed that there was a lot of steam around me and I felt wet and maybe a bit weighed upon too.

I looked down at my naked skin that was being hugged by another person. Her arms were around me while her head rested on my chest.

My head throbbed but I still tried to makeout the person.

"Azalea…?" My voice was dry but she immediately shot her head up to look at me.

For some reason she was shocked but I couldn't keep myself to stay awake.

Even though it felt nice that there was someone with me in pain, I ended up falling back asleep.

***

I woke up and found myself in the hospital.

I looked around nervously and sat up.

How did I end up here?

I scratched the side of my head trying to remember stuff but my memory only took me as far as it could manage and the last thing I remember is Caesar coming to save me on the mountain.

I stood up from the bed and began walking out.

It was somewhat hard because I felt a bit sour but its nothing serious. It could be warded off with a little jog.

As I walked the corridor I realized I was no longer in Lorelai.

This was definitely not a small hospital.

I was back in the city.

I made my way to the counter and tapped the surface to get the attention of the nurse.

"Yes?" She raised her head to ask me.

"Can I check out?"

"Has the doctor allowed it?"

I nodded, "Yes." I lied.

"State your name please."

"Arius Alucard."

She began working on the process and I looked around, "How long was I asleep for?"

"Your report says two days."

My eyes went wide at the news.

"Two days?!"

"Yes." The nurse smiled and handed me the document, "Have a good day sir. Your bill has already been paid in advance."

I nodded and left the hospital in a trance.

I shook my head again and again to remember anything but nothing came to mind.

Was I unconscious from the time Caesar came to me?

Wow…

I took the cab to the mansion.

My men and the servants were delighted to see me.

I couldn't believe that some of them even cried.

But that didn't bother me.

I was bothered by only one thing.

The way Caesar and Azalea ignored me when I saw them.

I first saw Caesar in the lounge. He gave me a glance and then left the room ignoring my presence.

I called out to him but he didn't respond.

That was astonishing.

He never does that.

Then I saw Azalea walking in the corridor.

She too glanced at me then turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge my existence.

I stood there bewildered.

What the fuck is happening?!?!