Salvation of the Scum Fifth Prince

There was no way to climb the stairs, realized Soren soon after he swam across the waves and dragged his body ashore. Missing gaps and holes riddled the pathway up, and as he pushed himself to climb, he realized there was no end.

He climbed and climbed, but the distance between the throne and him never changed.

“Asmodeus.”

A voice quickly replied. ‘Gabriel likely placed a trap here. He was prideful, and powerful. He wouldn’t want his sin to be found by anybody, for it’s a reminder of his crime.’

“It wasn’t a crime.” muttered the prince vaguely as he took another step. Each step was the height of his entire body, and he had to shove his foot into a crevice before pulling his heavy weight up. In the beginning, the steps had been a normal size, but unknowingly, the more he progressed, the more the steps grew.

‘He wouldn’ regret his actions. Gabriel doesn’t do things he’ll later regret. Even so, this was a blight in his record and a reminder of what had happened. His sin, and the sin committed by others.’

Soren groaned as he dragged himself up another towering stone step. Would they continue to increase in size? Until they became so tall that he wasn’t able to reach the top anymore?

Hopefully not.

Gabriel’s curse wouldn’t be worth that much of a struggle. And Soren was comfortable with giving up when things went wrong instead of wasting time.

Then, a comforting warmth flashed through his head and he remembered the reason he was even here to begin with. Soren paused, wiping his sweaty palms on his clothes calmly before deciding he could keep going for a while longer.

“Is there an end to the stairs?”

‘There should be no curse that is completely unreachable. If we could completely hide our curses away from prying hands, it wouldn’t be a punishment.’

“Why do you have to be punished?” A jutting out ledge pressed into his stomach and he scowled, furrowing his brows.

‘Because that is how our rules work.’

“For doing something that you wanted to do?”

‘It’s not that simple, prince. But I’ve been away from my world for a long time after being sent down here, and I’m not as familiar with the rules as I once was. Nothing is fair in life. Do you think Raphael’s deaths were fair? That his cycles were just?’

The prince flipped over on his back, heaving as his eyes narrowed at the midnight ceiling of rocks, shimmering in the reflection of the purple water far below.

“He was unfortunate from the moment he was born.”

Raphael had never been destined for happiness. But what even was destiny? Something fated to happen, or something that they could shape and mold? Right now they were trying to do the latter, but what if tragedy was the only end that could remain?

Soren closed his eyes, breathing steadily. After he obtained Gabriel’s curse, they’d only need to find one more for him to meet Lydia’s requirements of ‘power’. And if he didn’t follow her wishes and claim the Third Religion leader’s right to higher power, then the curses would be used in the final battle.

Killing the leader was an option as well. But that was easier said than done, and if it were simple, then they’d have done it already.

But even Celine’s mood turned sour after the idea was mentioned, claiming that he was a man that was unpredictable and dangerous. They could chase the beast and turn into prey instead.

‘...I spoke to the necromancer queen since I was trapped here. Soon, I’ll be able to leave. Uriel’s awoken from outside means, so they cannot punish anyone for it. In a way however, since she was able to be freed from her crime, even if they weren’t willing, it’s only fair that I am too.’

“Strange.”

‘Things often are. I listened to your conversation with Lydia.’

Soren raised a brow, slowly opening his eyes before he rolled over, pushing himself back to his feet as he stared at the towering walls. The throne was somewhere further up, and he didn’t know if he’d reach it.

Maybe it was impossible.

He started the climb once again.

“Why did Jones risk her life to save this world?”

‘Because for Gods, the only purpose they have is to create a world. Think of it in this way, prince. As a human, you have a natural instinct to create a family. For the sake of that family, wouldn’t you risk your life to save them?’

“Is it the same?”

‘It’s the same. The only thing that will be left of a God if they fade is the world, the story that they created. It’s their only family in the lonely wanderings of life.’

Soren frowned as he kicked aside the edge of a large stone, watching it fall over the edge and crash somewhere below. He rolled his shoulders that were tired and aching.

“I don’t get it.”

‘Then think of it like this instead. Is there a story you would die trying to save?’

He slipped and slammed against the ground, groaning loudly as little beads of red trickled under his clothes, staining the top. A story he’d die trying to save? Wasn’t there one, the one he was currently experiencing, changing and trying to fix?

Even in the beginning, he had helped Raphael. Maybe not to the extent of putting his life on the line, but while indifferent, he had still chosen to help the protagonist.

Why?

Because a part of him had wanted to see the happy ending of the protagonist.

‘Do you get it now?’

The man was silent for a few moments before he walked back to the wall. “I get it.”

Soren silently ruminated as he continued, ignoring the stabbing pain from cuts that filled his palms, or bruises that throbbed at his stomach.

For Raphael. He would continue to the end.

But why was he alive? For what reason had that wilting desire to die faded, replaced by a roaring passion of survival? For he, who had such a pathetic reason to survive that relied on a single person, did he have any right?

A thought vaguely crossed his mind. If Raphael died, how would his world flip over?

How would he crumble?

The pain from the memories of Raphael’s death in the first world echoed in his mind and he winced, shaking away the thought. Look at him. Desperately climbing these impossible steps, struggling over choices and thoughts.

Look at him. Trying to live, trying to survive.

Love could fade, and relationships drifted. What he was fighting for was a temporary time that could slip past his grip at any given time. He couldn’t just live for Raphael, because there was so much more to life.

Another step.

Soren thought he wouldn’t mind living for Brioc’s snarky and humorous remarks, annoying as they were. They were a little amusing at times.

Another.

And maybe for the careful interactions between Celine and Vendra that Raphael had pointed out to him once, and now he never missed the way they’d link hands as they walked or lean together while they slept.

Another.

The teenagers who were still young and had a whole lifetime in front of them, struggling in their own way with their own purpose. It wouldn’t be bad to live for them either.

Then, another.

But why would he live for himself? What reason was there? Because it was so easy to find reasons to stay alive for the sake of others, when in fact, the most important reason belonged to yourself.

So what was his reason? His purpose?

He had a lifetime to decide, yet he needed to know what kept him here, presently. He couldn’t rely on Raphael’s existence to keep his own alive. “Why… Do I keep living?”

He wanted to live to see the others find their happiness. He wanted to live because the world was still beautiful, and there was much he hadn’t seen that he wanted to explore.

He arrived at the top step, and as his body stretched out against the cool stone floor, there seemed to be ripples of light that danced across the ceiling in mystic glaze. It glittered like the clearest night, shining with thousands of stars.

Soren blinked, eyes wide, at the stone throne that was arrogantly placed before him, decorating in curling white vines and pale purple flowers that crowded at the edges and in the corners. A tree with hanging leaves bent over the throne, pulsing with a soft, glowing light.

He swallowed as he unsteadily rose to his feet, taking another step before placing his hand on the throne. A vine that had been embedded in the side quietly curled around his fingers.

It had been a long time since he arrived in this world. Yet only now he noticed that the skies weren’t muddy, and the streets weren’t decorated in the permanent stench of blood. The small, magical places existed only here.

He lived, because he, not for the sake of anybody else, wanted to see what awaited at the end of this journey.

The prince’s lips slowly curved and a bright light enveloped his body as the hanging tree bent lower, kissing the top of his head. A warmth trickled into him, and when he opened his eyes again, a delicate design of flowery vines curled around his fingers.

Asmodeus finally spoke again in a hushed whisper. ‘Gabriel, you soft-hearted moron.’

Soren tilted his head curiously with a frown and a sigh was heard in the depths of his mind.

‘Obtaining a curse isn’t easy, it’s painful. You know that. If Gabriel set it up this way, then that would mean the pain that was meant for you was received by him instead.’

“I see.” He lowered his eyes, stretching out his fingers before closing them. “Thank you, Gabriel.”

There was a faint, soothing voice that answered. ‘You’re welcome, dear soul.’

And no other words came. Asmodeus seemed to be surprised as he said, ‘Was that Gabriel? He never interacts with humans, so I assumed he’d remain silent. Although considering how easily he let you obtain his curse, I assume he has an interest in you.’

Soren was quiet, and Asmodeus continued. ‘Soren, Ren, whatever it is you want to go by. You’re quite lucky.

“You’re right. I am.”

 

— — — xxx — — —

 

“I need to go back.” muttered Raphael in a low, dangerous promise. They’d reached the end of the traps, now standing in a cave of dark purple crystals that ran along the wall, a soft pulse occasionally radiating from each gem.

The only thing that was missing was Soren, who’d disappeared before their eyes.

“Calm down, Raphael.” said Damien as he gently set Alvara down from her back, quickly double checking for any injuries before turning his head calmly to the protagonist. “Do you think Master would die so easily?”

“Of course not.”

“Then calm down.”

Raphael breathed, leaning against the wall unwillingly. He trusted Soren to be on his own and explore, but the issue was that he didn’t even know where the prince had fallen , or know where he’d gone. Soren’s current whereabouts were a complete mystery, and he felt unsettled knowing that.

Water trickled along the floor, down some areas of the wall in the silent cave and Alvara let out a deep exhale. “That was terrifying.”

Celine laughed loudly. “Downright exhilarating, that’s for sure.”

Brioc grinned, amusement tickling his violet eyes before they wandered over to a certain injured prince. Bruises ran along his tattered arms, slivers of fabric hanging loosely. The man’s golden hair was slightly damp from accidentally knocking into a wall that was soaked in water.

The magician strolled over with a smile. “It looks like you had a rough journey, Leny~”

Erlen snapped his eyes over, amber burning with irritation. He was tired, dripping and not in the mood for an argument. “Bother somebody else, Haze Prince.”

“I’m not bothering anybody.”

“I think the victim is the one who has the say in regards to that.”

“Oh?” Brioc bent down, lowering his chin. “Are you my victim then?”

Erlen waved him off as Atlas wrapped up the bruised arms with an apologetic smile. “Go, go. You’re bothersome.”

Sliding over, Vendra pulled out a vial of cream and offered it to the injured prince. “Oh dear. I like to bring it with me in the case of an emergency, so please, feel free to use it. It will soothe your wounds, your highness.”

There was no getting mad or refusing the woman, especially not when a pretty smile painted her lips and all that she radiated were the still lake waters. A grumble, and then a reluctant acceptance as Erlen nodded his thanks.

A low tap, so quiet and soft as the careful drumming against skin seemed louder in the caves. Raphael habitually tapped his sword, restless.

“Okay~ I’m off~” whistled Brioc suddenly as he waved and headed back in the direction of the traps.

Erlen frowned, staring up at him. “What? Where in the world are you going?”

“To save a damsel in distress~”

“A what— huh?”

The magician shoved his hands into his pockets and glanced back. “He probably fell down one of those very fun traps didn’t he? I’m too impatient to wait for a plan, so I’m going to save him, of course.”

His casual remarks seemed to snap the last strand of Raphael’s temper, and the protagonist slowly walked over as well, his footsteps splashing the trickles of water on the rocky grounds. “I’ll be going too.”

Erlen furrowed his brows before saying in a rough manner, “It’s irrational. We don’t know where he is, or even if it was a trap, we can’t say for certain where the trap was.”

He couldn’t be blamed for warning them, when years of experience in battle taught him to be cautious and weary. The man was a fighter, a warrior, and wouldn’t behave recklessly.

Raphael paused, and then chuckled. “You see, Prince Erlen, when the person you can’t live without goes missing before your eyes, you become a little irrational.”

Brioc mirrored his smile. “I’m not letting Renren wander off alone for too long, he attracts too much danger. I’ll swoop him and save him~”

Then, at their words, everybody followed suit.

Vincent was the first to walk over. “I do not want to keep watching Soren’s suffering from the sideline.”

“Come on then, let’s save our little brother.” smiled Deimos calmly as Atlas nodded in agreement.

Erlen hesitated only a moment longer, curling up his fists before jumping up. “Consequences be damned then.”

Celine and Vendra had already stepped closer without anybody knowing, discussing to themselves quietly before making their decision. It would be best for somebody to stay behind, but they didn’t want to just wait for Soren to be rescued.

He was pretty important to them too, after all.

Damien waited for Alvara. “Are you going?”

The traps were something that the girl, with little ability and lacking stamina, could hardly navigate through. Her face was still a shade paler from the stress, strands of raven hair sticking to her face in a mess.

She was scared. Of accidentally tripping and having those arrows go right through her, falling into a trap like Soren and never making it back up. Surviving on her own was something she was used to, sure, but if she fell down into some unknown trap, she wasn’t sure she’d survive.

And to live was her single, most important goal in her entire life.

Damien repeated, “Are you going?”

“I…”

Her saviour. The person that pulled her from that strange darkness, that gave her clothes and food and welcomed her into this family. He was lost down there, and she was hesitating.

She hated herself for hesitating.

The fox observed quietly before crouching down in front of her, opening out a flat palm as his gaze flicked up to meet hers. “Are you scared?”

“I am.”

The answer remained the same as last time.

“Then remain scared, and remember it well. Because that choking desire that makes you want to run is the very desire that’ll make you burn to survive. Alvara, don’t let your fear consume you. Consume fear, and find yourself more powerful than you were before.”

Damien’s tail rested on the ground patiently, and he stretched out his hand to grab hers when she didn’t take his. If she truly wanted to go and find the prince, then all she needed was a little push.

He stood up, pulling her with him and casually moving forward, eyes calm and steady as if nothing were wrong. Alvara widened her ruby eyes, before following him obediently.

Raphael raised a brow and grinned. “Everybody’s on board then? Let’s go rescue that fool.”