When Lucian thought Ghost only traumatized people,he thought as in like adult people, people who do jobs or taxes, he didn't think that Ghost would be low enough to choose to mess with children as well!
But he should had expected this, Ghost seems like the person to make anything a living hell. Anything.
Lucian was too quick, lets go back a bit.
After Priest Arien and King Lotte manage to talk for a bit more, Lucian stared at a particular dusty spot on the floor, the king finally let them go. Or rather kicked them out, either way, the two of them were locked out the throne room for the time being. Well, especially for Lucian.
It was quiet, and extremely uncomfortable. They stood side to side, still standing there. Nobody made a move, nor did anyone speak. Especially when Arien only looked in front of him, clearly continuing showing off his perfect side profile when Lucian went back to glance at him.
"So,"
"So-"
The two shut their mouths, the audible snap of jaws echoed. The silence after became almost impossible to even breath in.
Lucian knew for a fact he would had gladly just run away, find a nice plot of empty land and force himself to burry his dead body if this silence continues even more. But Arien seem to have the ultimate skill of ignoring every thing around him, smiling and starting to speak.
"Ha, how funny! Do you mind if I say it first?" Arien spoke with such softness, it would had made the atmosphere nice. But honestly, Lucian presence just ruin it automatically by just being there.
Lucian nodded once in a manner that would had seen like he was trying to snap his head off. Arien, who still hasn't looked at him, seem to hear the cackling of his neck muscles being forced to function, began to speak softly,
"I will not lie to you, I do not trust you. But the King gave me this task, so I will tolerate you." Arien said, his eyes lowering for a second before rising, finally glancing at him, even if his eyes were closed. "But even so, I do not want to be rude either. I want your answer, would you listen to me?"
Okay, wow.
He kinda gets his sister now. This whole shounen otome thing gig.
Lucian would had whistled and cheered if the words weren't targeted at him. Isn't he a smart man! Lucian wouldn't trust himself either if he saw his face in the mirror.
…Gosh, he has to look at himself in the mirror later.
"Sure." Was all he could say, more like wheeze out. When Arien, looking away now, began to walk.
It was weird, but Lucian suddenly realized something. He seem to have a huge problem, his legs struggle on even walking properly, standing already had it shaking. He had to have his hand stretched out to the wall, in case his knees have out any second now. It's like Ghost didnt know how to walk, all his muscles felt stiff and weak and-
And…
He knew he was Ghost, but he wasn't an actual ghost, right? Ghost, the man, didn't hover or anything, right?
…right?
Lucian pinched his cheek, ignoring how thin and almost skeletal his fingers looked, feeling the faint pain on his cold but physical face.
Okay, so he did feel pain. He was physical and not transparent. Slightly better, he supposed.
"Then, I will thank you. To begin this agreement, I will like to ask you for some help." Arien continued to walk, his shoes echoed through the hallway even when he was walking like he was making gold on each step he took. While Lucian was leaving his actual ashes with every step, he could just hear the limb in his steps.
"Help?" Lucian almost mumbled, now that he realized how moving felt like he was born yesterday, moving his mouth was as hard as moving his legs. Actually, every movement just hurts.
Like, did Ghost just sit in a dark room all day and stare at a wall or something? What is wrong with his motor skills…
Actually don't answer that. Lucian really didn't want to know.
"Yes, help." Arien answered like Lucian was a child, even nodding faintly like it was a habit. "Ah! I mean, help to train and protect the group I am assigned to."
Assigned? Group? Like, an office work or something?
Although, Lucian wasn't sure he was ready to see a group of priest, he was sure they will exorcise him the second he entered the room. Just by his looks, he was honestly glad Arien didnt look at him, because he was sure he looked like death rising or just a very ugly baby giraffe trying to walk.
He wasn't quite sure why Arien wanted him do that, it was Arien's group, why would he need Lucian? But seeing that Arien's back suddenly grow stiff, Lucian had no idea.
"The group. Well, you see, they are quite…" Lucian could hear the hesitation. "…The handful. And, I am not the fittest to handle the- Ah, here we are!"
Arien's fumbling words were quick to be cut off, as he was glad they made it in front of the a door after passing by a million other similar doors in this endless halfway.
Arien reached for the handle, before pausing, "…Well, what I'm trying to say, they are wonderful people, believe me."
"…"
Lucian didn't even hear a smile on his voice.
The door opened and Arien stepped in, all upright and gracious. As if he didn't just bring a cold sweat down Lucian's back the second the door opened. It was strange. The room had a weird energy, he could imagine the dread and horror spilling out at the door crack.
Unfortunately, Lucian couldn't do anything else but follow behind Arien, to his death presumedly. And when he entered, Arien calmly shut the door behind him. Surprisingly.
It was a basic room, if basic was for royalties and nobles it seemed. It was equipped with a bed that could as well be clouds, the walls was a dark brown that was smoothly cut from the ancient trees it seemed. The floor straight out of marble and gold, and it was enough for Lucian to not looking anymore, especially when there was…
Uhh…
There was actual children in the room, like literal infants.
They were so small, even Lucian's weak body could squish them in one step. And even with their squishy small face, they were glaring at him, their big eyes tried to squint in their equally round faces.
"C..Children…?" Lucian couldn't help but blur out, looking at Arien as if he was his executor and he was in death row.
Which should be his normal look now.
Arien, even though he still had his perminant smile, seemed like he was in the same situation. Both of them in death row as his smile slightly twitched. "Oh, no. You shouldn't had said that…"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY!" "GET HIM!" "EW UGLY!"
The children became actual demons as they screamed at him, voices unnaturally high as they began to throw him things that looked suspiciously like beads and crosses.
As he felt a bead hit his arm, Lucian took a step back, closing his eyes he waited for more hits to come. But nothing. Actually, it was weirdly silent.
Opening his eyes, he was now looking at the hallway wall. Actually, he was facing the closed door.
…
Well.
It seemed like he had pass through the wall.
Looks like there was something close to Ghost's name. This must be his power, although, he could only activate it in a time of crisis..
But at least he figured out how to use Ghost's power, even if it was in a moments of fear.
So the nickname wasn't just a horrible reminder of his looks…
Good to know at least.
He knocked on the door after staring at the golden wall for a long and silent minute. Before the door handle shook slightly, a audible click,
"…Please, come in."