House of Alphas Chapter 83: Who Am I Supposed To Be (Patreon)

Dandelions.

The fragrance alone flashed the very beta into your mind.

The one you thought was safe.

No…

Did he?

Did he do this?

You took a nervous gulp as you watched Yuta’s body fight back and forth. It would look like he was getting better, but if you paused he would slowly revert to his deathly state again.

It didn't take you long to realize Yuta didn't have any wounds, he was fighting a disease, curse, or poison. You wouldn't be able to heal him until he was cured completely. Something was zapping his health away. Using dispel and cure didn't work either. Whatever was going on with the alpha was on another level. What you learned from the game wasn't enough to aid you.

Though you could keep him alive, you weren't sure how long your mana would last…

You see drool dripping from the corner of your eye. Rika was watching closely, Getou still within her grasp.

Everything…

Scarily quiet…

Except for the shaky, heavy breathing of Rika. She sounded as though she were one second away from screaming again.

Her patience was waning.

You breathed deeply, keeping your voice as steady as possible. Deep down you were freaking out but if you let that be known it may cause the cursed spirit to follow suit.

Slowly, you looked toward the…omega.

Yes… omega…You try to look at her like a worried partner and not the terrifying monster holding your alpha hostage.

“Rika…” You began softly. You pause to steady your tremble, “…I was able to get him stable, but I think someone put a curse or something on him-”

“CuurRsSe?!” Rika screeched.

“Rika! I need you to focus so I can save him, okay? Did you meet someone with a black mark across his face? Was he a beta?”

“Ah-!” The omega floated up in anger, “Betaaaa! Betaaaaa lied! Liiiiiied! Hurt YUTAAAAA!"

Getou made a pained face and grunted as he was squeezed, “!-”

“Rika-!” you called with your voice cracking. “I need to…-I need to call someone, ok?” You point to your hand. “Do you know what a celloc is? G.Ma taught it to me.” You figured that using names she knew would make her think of her friends and home.

Happy people- happy places- happy thoughts.

You noticed that's what helped you calm her down in the first place.

The cursed cocked its head while twitching,”Cell…celloooc… Nanacooo…Mimikooo…G.Maaaa…wanna go...hooome…”

You offered the creature a sad smile as she floated downward with her shoulders sagging.

“Yes… back home to Shapuro…To the clock tower… it's very beautiful… I bet you miss Nobara~ Maki~ Todo~ Yoruzo-”

“HATE YORUZO-” Rika cried, shaking your alpha.

“Oh-Yeah, I hate Yoruzo too-right there with you girl! She’s so mean!”

“Call Rika uglyyyy!”

“How dare she!”

“Are you trying to get me killed-” Getou hissed under his breath.

“Sorry-ah what about panda?”

“PandaaaaAaaAa~!”

“Yes! Panda! They all miss you guys and are worried sick. They had asked us to bring you home…We aren’t the enemy, okay? Now… you have to let me use this spell, alright? I'm going to link with someone who can help Yuta. I will be right back, okay? And then I can save Yuta, and we can all go home. Do you understand? I want to help Yuta.”

“…Stand…understand…help…Yutaaa…”

Your heart had never beat so fast in your life. You had no idea how you hadn't passed out or gushed buckets of sweat from your armpits, but here you were.

You felt a sprinkle of relief as Rika calmed down, but she still refused to let Getou go.

“…Help Yutaaa…”

“Okay… okay…” You whisper shakily. Raising your hand, you stared at your palm.

You had to do something. You were fucked any which way you looked.

You had to do this.

You threw a glance at your other alphas, who were frozen like statues. They were motionless, barely breathing, and trying not to cause an ounce of distraction. But they also looked ready to swing into action if anything went south.

‘I’m sorry.’ you mouthed.

You could see mixed expressions on them, but then they nodded.

They were trusting you.

You got this… You can do this.

You had to do this.

“Ansho-”

~

~

Everything went black.

And you couldn't hear anything.

Then you felt this sensation... Like you were floating in water.

Your eyes open, but you can't see. However, you realize that was not the case exactly. When you looked down, you could see you-

“Oh-” you gasped, seeing your body look like a colorful ghost of you with no clothing. Perhaps an astral projection. As you moved your hand, it seemed to move in waves, you could see the aftermath of your movement.

It was truly trippy.

Ding ding ding~

Three soft chimes ring, as white light circles shoot out from where you were standing. You jump in surprise.

It rippled and disappeared like water.

After a pause, it did it again.

Ding ding ding

The circles would shoot out from under your feet, in tune with the chime.

It reminded you of the sound a phone makes when you are calling someone.

Yeah, you don't remember this shit from your first time.

You tried to walk forward, but it didn't feel like you were going anywhere. Just deeper into darkness. As you moved, the rings would chime and the circles would shoot out again. Always with you in the middle, no matter what.

All of a sudden-

Ding Ding-boop!

You were caught off guard as new rings appeared, and when they came in contact with yours, a different noise sounded. Next, the light rings burst together, and the ground and the world you were in turned into pretty colorful wavy streams. Like you were within the aurora lights themselves.

You didn't have time to truly be captivated by its beauty because the next thing you knew, the beta from before appeared right before your eyes, looking like a colorful ghost of himself.

He flashed you a smile, just as delighted to see you as before, “Raven… I’m so happy you had time to link with me…” He moved in for a hug, giving you a gentle embrace.

It took all your willpower not to flinch away from his touch. It was a bit unnerving to know that physical contact was very much the same.

He continued speaking, “I have a bit of time before my mana runs out again… how are you? Are you alright?” he questioned as he moved back to cup your cheek.

You gently grab his wrist, pulling it down so you can hold his hand with both of yours. “…I’m sorry…but…I don't remember you.”

“What…It’s me…” He put his other hand to his chest as he spoke his name slowly. “Choso…” His once sunny tone shifted into a sorrowful one. “I know it's been some time but... You don't recognize me?”

If that didn't show Raven was special to him, then you were blind, deaf, and ignorant.

Your heart felt as though something was squeezing it. You needed him to tell you- needed to use this connection with Raven against him. You had to manipulate him… and lie. A part of you felt sick at the idea, but you wouldn't feel that till later.

You have too much to lose right now.

“Choso…” You say his name gently with a little blink of your eyes, “I…don't remember… but I feel this sort of warmth when I see you and I have no idea why…I want to know… but the man who can help me…is dying right now. I need you to help me save him.”

Your words created an array of emotions within him.

“I…” he shook his head, “Where are you?”

“…Did you do something to the alpha witch?”

“…How do you know about him?”

“My- the alphas found him. They said he could help me gain what I have lost. But he doesn't have much time. My healing isn't enough. I need to know how to save him.”

Choso stepped back with his brows furrowed. “…No…you can’t save him… leave him to die. Don’t worry, though, I can find another way for you to get your memories. When I get back home, I’ll talk to Father; he should know.”

“Father?” You thought upon this character and his role in all of this...With his need to kill this alpha witch, it would appear he may be working with the villains. So you took a shot in the dark. “Is… your father someone who lives up north… in Kushoto?”

Choso seemed happy with your statement, “Yes, do you remember Kenjaku?”

Woah-

That was not what you expected.

Kenjaku?

Kenjaku- is his father?

And why would Raven know him?

You looked away from Choso, feeling a bit discombobulated. This just opened up so many more questions. This beta was the son of the main villain in the fucking game. Yet he was nowhere to be found. And Raven knows of him? And Kenjaku? What the fuck was Raven’s past before the omega house? What the fuck happened to this beta?

“Raven?” Choso rubbed your back gently.

“I…I’m sorry…” If Choso knew Kenjaku, then he had to know Mahito. “…but Mahito was the one who erased my memory…I remembered linking with him and… after that, I couldn’t really remember anything…my mind felt as though pieces were missing…Like you…”

“…That bastard- he erased me from your memory?!”

You were surprised by his anger, the beta taking on a deeper tone just like your alphas when they get angry. You were starting to realize his beta had alpha tendencies.

“Yes... Mahito did this to me... and I don't think Kenjaku will give it back either…From what I can remember… I felt scared when I saw them… not like how I feel with you. You make me feel safe, but… I think they want to hurt me…”

“No- I won’t allow it! Just let me talk to them, perhaps- this was another one of Mahito’s stupid games.”

You shook your head, frustration started to creep into you as your eyes watered. “…That won’t be possible…Rika has me trapped, and if I don't help her alpha…she will kill me…” You blink swiftly as your tears fall. They were in fact real- because what you said was in fact true.

Without helping Yuta, Rika would not let you and your alphas go so easily.

And if one of your alphas dies... well... you might as well die as well.

You loved them way too much.

You would do anything for them.

Even lie to this beta for your own gain.

The beta looked pissed, “What the hell are those idiot alphas doing? Why would they even bring you down here in the first place-”

“Choso…” You cut him off with urgency. “…I don’t have much time…Please…please help me…I don't want to die….”

The beta released a frustrated growl before finally conceding, “Ok…ok… I’ll tell you…well… I'll remind you…Do you remember how to make the Moonknight potion?”

You furrow your brows, “Yes, but isn't that a poison?”

“It is. But if you give him that, it will counter my blood…then you can heal him.”

You felt very skeptical of that news, but he didn't seem to be trying to pull a fast one on you.

“That’s all I need?” you question hesitantly.

“Yes. I wouldn't lie to you. I would never lie to you…”

You felt his words were from the heart. He truly wouldn't lie to Raven.

“What…what were you to me…?” You finally ask.

“We… grew up together…”

“I…I was from Kushoto?”

“No…Father took you in…after…” He shook his head, “…we can talk about this later…or maybe you will remember-.”

The beta couldn't finish as the world began to go wavy and dark before correcting itself.

“-uh, the candy is wearing off, I need to go.”

“Okay-but I want to talk to you again. How can I reconnect with you?”

“I can give you another link before I leave, it'll just be tough to do with your alphas.”

You give him a little nod, “Are you still in Eternal City?”

“Yes-”

“I'll find a way to get away from them. We will be coming back one more time.”

“Okay.” Choso nodded, “I’ll wait for y-"

The world went wavy again, and then the connection cut off with Choso disappearing, and you were plunged back into darkness.

You stared off into the darkness for a second, and then you lifted your hand to your head.

“Dispel.”

~

Your vision went black, and then you gasped awake, back within the catacombs. The change was a bit dizzying. Within your moment of disorientation, you could hear Rika heavily panting, flying around in distress.

Getou trying to calm her down.

“She will be back, just wait!” He yelled.

“Yes, look! She's waking up!” You heard one of your other alphas shout from a distance.

“Ah!” Rika gasped as you slowly sat up.

“I’m here, I'm here...” You spoke up as you became more grounded.

“Yutaaa! Help Yutaaa!”

“I know- I know the potion to heal him. Toji, I need the worm!”

Your alpha quickly pulled the worm from his mouth and then tossed it to you. But Rika caught it within a flash.

She growled at it as she sniffed the wiggling worm.

“Rika! I need that to get the potion for Yuta!” you call to her with your hand raised.

The cursed spirit released the worm to you with a bit of uncertainty.

“You can trust me, Rika, I want to save Yuta too.” Digging out the Moonknight flower- thank goodness you were a damn hoarder and collected everything you could- you used your magic to alter the flower down into a liquid form.

Rika didn't seem to know that the shit you just made was poison because she didn't make a peep as you gently raised the wooden bowl to Yuta’s lips. Or maybe she trusted you enough- you don't know, but you weren't going to complain.

Holding your breath, you sat back and used your healing. Praying to the holy dragons that this would work.

Some time passed before Yuta’s eyes scrunched up, and he groaned.

“What…” He breathed as his eyes cracked open.

“Oh-”

“YUTAAAA!” Rika screamed so loud you had to cover your ears, the spirit snatched the alpha and lifted him off the ground before he could even fully open his eyes.

“Ugh-” Getou landed next to you, having been dropped.  

Your other alphas finally moved in, gathering around you.

“You did it!” Gojo cheered.

“Holy shit that worked? I could have sworn you gave him poison.” Toji whispered.

“I did.” you whisper back.

“How did you get the beta to give you the antidote?” Sukuna questioned.

“…I’ll tell you later...” You speak gently as you begin to sway, your alphas catching you before you can fall.

“You alright?” Nanami questioned, as you used your last bit of energy to heal your team.

“Tired… I'm just tired…” You were emotionally and physically exhausted. You wanted to cry tears of- not joy- but relief.

You couldn't believe the wild shit-storm you just endured.

~

“Oooh, I see,” Yuta sipped some of the leftover soup your pack had. He wiped his mouth as he spoke, “...so then G.Ma sent you to look for us…”

“Correct.” Nanami nodded.

Gojo, Nanami, and Getou had just explained to Yuta what had occurred and why you all were there.

You lay upon Toji’s lap as you take the moment to relax and listen. The alpha gently caressed your back. You were feeling a bit overstimulated to have the chat with Yuta yourself, so you let your talkative people take the lead. You were trying desperately to stay up, but now that the adrenaline had left your body, you felt as though your body was ready to shut down.

Rika had all but disappeared after she hugged her alpha to death. She had become part of Yuta’s shadow. You could still see her wavy tentacle hair in the darkness.

From what you have been able to gather from the conversation, Yuta had ventured down here, led astray by Choso. The beta tricked him and took him by surprise. Yuta thought he scared Choso away, but then the poison set in. No amount of antidote could save him, and he had found himself collapsing, only waking up to you all.

So that solidified it.

Choso was the bad guy.

You don't know why, but a part of you hoped that it wasn't true or just a huge misunderstanding, but there was no way to gaslight yourself.

You felt your eyes slowly close, unable to understand how Raven was connected to the villain's son. Apparently, she had also grown up with them.

Perhaps that's why she does her best to get with the alphas. Maybe...she was afraid to go back home.

However, Choso said he wouldn't allow anyone to hurt her… so then what happened?

Why didn't he protect her in the game?

Where did he go?

“…I can’t believe they were attacked, all while I was down here…I shouldn't have left.” you hear Yuta's sad tone.

'No, don't say that...you couldn't have known.'

Getou pretty much voiced your same thoughts: “There’s no point in beating yourself up about something you didn't know would happen.”

'Good job, Getou.'

“Yes, but…this trip proved to do nothing good. I was tricked by that beta, believing that the way to cure my wife was somewhere within these catacombs…I almost died because of it. If it weren't for your pack... I'm afraid we would have lost everything.”

Yes, he would have died right here, and so would the other witches, but there's no point in looking at the what-ifs.

“Yeah, we are pretty awesome.” Gojo boasted.

You inwardly glare at Gojo - 'bad Gojo.'

“Well, we have an awesome omega.” Nanami added. "You have her to thank truly."

'Oh shit-'

That got everyone’s attention shifting to you. You felt a little caught off guard as you slowly blinked your eyes open.

Yuta put a hand to his chest, “I am forever in your debt. Whatever it is that you need, please don't be afraid to ask.”

“Uh, yeah. Thanks…” That was all you could manage to say.

Sukuna rubbed your legs, “She’s normally much more talkative and brattier than this.”

“She's been through a lot, we should probably set up camp here.” Toji commented.

“Hm…” you agreed.

You weren't even going to try to fight it.

~

You stared up at the roof of your tent.

You had fallen asleep as soon as your alpha tucked you in, but after waking... You found that you felt weird.

You didn't know how to explain this feeling.

Slipping out of your tent, you find no one within the campsite.

You walk around the broken angel statue to see Getou Yuta and Gojo standing at the front entrance of the catacombs, talking and smoking with each other.

They seemed to be having a lively talk, you loved that.

You will have to find some time to get to know Yuta, but at the moment, you find yourself just staring at the group. Watching from the broken statue.

Yuta seemed like such a sweet alpha who loved his wife dearly. How could Choso trick him? How could he kill him?

You needed to talk to him again. Needed to figure him out.

Also, he had said the candy was wearing off.

Could it be that he used a mana candy to contact you?

Perhaps the max candy, to give him a shit load of mana.

You would have to test the theory out.

That could be how he did it-

"What are you doing?"

"Hm?" You hum as you look behind you to see Sukuna standing before you.

He had a quizzical expression on his face. As if he were trying to figure you out. "Why are you standing here. You are usually the social one." He nodded toward the trio.

"Not...really in the mood for talking right now."

"Really? I expected you to be much happier."

"I am..." You say shifting to sit on the base of the statue. "...I just got a lot on my mind. I think the beta used a candy to give him mana. I want to try it out when we get there."

Sukuna was quiet as he nodded his head, but then he stepped closer to you, putting his hands on either side of your hips, "And what else did the beta say to you?"

"I don't know what you think happened, but..." You took a moment to think of where to even start. "...He told me...that Raven is from Kushoto... and that they grew up together. Apparently, he's Kenjaku's son."

"You told him you aren't Raven?"

You slowly shook your head, "No...I...I lied to him, Sukuna...I was pretending to be Raven...Told him I lost my memories and I was trying to get them back..."

"Smart."

"Yeah...it was the only way I could think of..."

"So what?"

"So what? What do you mean?"

"Why are you acting guilty about it?"

 "Guilty? I dunno...I dunno if that's the correct feeling? Maybe it is..." You sigh, knowing that Sukuna may be right. "...I think...I think he might love her, platonically or romantically, I don't know, but I just feel...awful."

"Why would you? He's the enemy, fuck him-"

"But don't actually"- Nanami cut it as he came toward the two of you.

"Nanami..." You began, but the blonde continued.

"You did what you needed to, to extract information. I see that you did nothing wrong."

You shrug lightly, "Yeah, but...Choso doesn't seem like a bad guy."

Sukuna scoffed as he stepped back, "You know his name now huh?"

You fix Sukuna with the sassy 'look', "Can we focus here? I'm trying to understand the importance of his character."

"Tch-" Sukuna rolled his eyes, "Doesn't seem that important. Why you so hung up over this fucker."

"Sukuna, please put your jealousy to rest. This is a big deal. He's the villain's son, and Raven is like his best friend or something...it just... what if...”

Nanami continued for you, "What if Raven is also the villain of the story...is that what you are getting at?"

You blinked in surprise, "...Yes...I think...I'm a villain-I mean Raven...what if that's why...why Mahito gave me the link...he knows me...they know...Raven. I'm one of them."

Nanami shook his head, "No, not you, you aren't one of them. You are our omega."

"Yeah so quit getting yourself stresed out its fucking annoying."

"I need to talk to that beta...I need to know more..."You whispered more to yourself than to your alphas.

"You aren't linking with him again, that was a one-time thing-"

"Oi~!"

Your conversation was interrupted as Yuta, Gojo, and Getou walked up the stairs.

"Hey guys." You force a smile at the three, your gaze going to Yuta. "How do you feel?" You noticed the alpha's eyes still looked a bit tired and sunken in, but perhaps that was just his natural look.

Just like a certain beta...

Your smile faltered for a second, but your poker face was molded well.

"I feel fine, how do you feel?" Yuta beamed.

"A lot better... but... I need you to do something for me."

"Yes, your memories. I heard from your alphas. Don't worry, when I get back I will talk to G.Ma."

"Yes, that would be great..." You say slowly. "...But...give me one sec...Toji, can you come out here, please!"

You call your other alpha, going to his tent, so you could tap on it.

There was a loud yawn as the alpha opened up, his messy hair in his eyes, "What's up, baby?"

"Come, come." You waved for him to come out, helping him up while you were at it.

"What's going on?" Yuta questioned.

Gojo leaned in close to the alpha, "I'm just as clueless tbh...that means to be honest if you didn't know."

"Ohhh okay okay."

"Now that everyone here..." You grin at your alphas, then clasped your hands, "As you all like for me to speak to you first, before I act...well... I have decided I want to capture the beta, any objections?" You smiled big as everyone looked surprised.

"Uh-"

"What the-"

"Fuck-?!"

"Ah~" Yuta chuckled, "There's the omega you guys were talking about."

"Yup, that's our sexy commander..."