The last rays of the sun shimmered in the distance, and the ground rumbled in return, creatures all throughout rushing to their hiding spots — the Dark Sea would be approaching after all.
As the final flicker of light disappeared from the land, Nephis found herself standing in the alley, the shock of what had just happened still there, still persistent. Her mind was a mess, countless thoughts rushing throughout her, debating left and right whether she was right, whether she had made the correct decision.
Her heart… there was no need to say anything—it ached. Deep inside, a pain she never knew thumped throughout. There was regret, resentment and frustration, but… also a sense of acceptance and melancholy, then there was… that something she did not know, the one thing she couldn't seem to understand.
Regret was for the truth, for saying the necessary truth. There wasn't much she could say—Nephis would have made this choice, over and over again—telling him herself was the only decision she could have made, him finding out would have been worse!
Resentment was reserved for him, for the fact that he didn't accept it, didn't understand—at the end of the day, weren't they stuck together at the same coin? Her method was just the better one! The only one in this dark, miserable world.
Frustration? Now that was on her, perhaps a bit on him. Why didn't she insist on having him by her side? Why didn't she clear things up more? Why hadn't she made him understand! Didn't he know? His choice was foolish! Fate bound them together—they would meet again, one way or another.
Her heart screamed in this collision of feelings she would have never known, if not for him. And yet, within that hazy, messy battlescape, her soul was still, calm, eternal.
Deep in the crevices of herself, Nephis could see the end — finality, acceptance…
And she held those near her, embraced them.
Acceptance of the choice he had made, the path he had chosen, and the wrongs she will have to commit. Acceptance of their relationship being teared by her own hand, of the fact that maybe… maybe she shouldn't have thought of herself that much.
Finality for the fate he and she had chosen, and the rivers of blood that will flow. Finality that Cassia was right once again, and… a confirmation that this was who she was.
She'll destroy it, the world, the Spell, the gods… Anything, anyone who dared stand in her way. Even him.
But why? Why was her heart clawing at her, desperately shouting that she couldn't, that she shouldn't cut him off.
Why was the idea of someone standing next to her, someone opposing her will, so… so delightful?
Why couldn't she forget the way his onyx eyes stared deep into her soul, a flame of defiance burning so intensely that she couldn't help to be captivated, and—and—and—
The way his face had contorted in pain, in betrayal, as she told him the wish she held.
Why did it ignite something within her?
Oh.
Her breath hitched as recognition dawned.
…She treasured him.
Almost instantly, a hot, intense heat bloomed from deep within, and her cheeks flushed red.
Was that shame?
It must be!
It couldn't mean anything else!
Flustered, Nephis quickly willed the heat away, but it only grew stronger, warmer. There was something wrong with her, she decided. And… that needed to be fixed. Quickly.
With hurried steps, Nephis hurried back to the slums, gradually cooling down with the breeze the night had brought. Though previous thoughts were gone, muddled, the ache on her heart was still there—burning with the same kind of intensity as he left her, an eternal reminder to this unforgettable day.
She'll have to consult with Cassie for this, now that… he is gone.
Pushing open the door to the cabin, her eyes met with Cassie's own. The blind seer must have already foresaw this—she was sitting on a chair, her head facing ever forward. Waiting, for her.
"Welcome back, Nephis,"—was everything alright—"Where's… Sunny?"
"He's gone," Because of her.
Cassie slowly nodded, her eyes forever that calm, empty stare.
Shouldn't she ask about him? Where he had gone?
And yet, she only said this:
"I see, it's truly regrettable."—it was emotionless, so unlike the Cassie she knew—"I'm sorry."
She was sorry.
And yet, and yet, and yet… why did it seem like Cassia knew? Already saw such an ending?
Why did it seem like she had made the wrong choice?
Nephis simply sighed, ignoring the thoughts running rampant within her. She can address it later, like always.
"We'll meet again. Our fates are tied — it isn't by chance that I ended up with you, with him."
Cassie nodded, her mouth opening as if about to speak, but then she closed it.
Finally, after a while, she seemed to have found the right words:
"You have to survive, Neph."
It was a wish, a request, for her. And yet, Cassie's very words were cold, bizzare—like it were the last request of a lost soul.
Yes. She'll agree to this. After all, they depended on her, trusted her.. She had to… she had to destroy it, the Nightmare Spell.
This was a burden that she must bear. Alone.
"Good night." And with that, Cassie stood up, her hands reaching towards the nearest wall, to guide her to her path.
Looking closely, Cassia's hands were small, delicate— they were hands that shouldn't be carrying the weight of the future.
She looked up, silently tracing the contours of the burning flame above her, eyes lost in thought.
Tonight, the sky seemed all the more dark, all the more empty.
But soon, the sun will rise, and it will be another day.
—-
"Hey princess!"—Nephis never imagined it would be like this—"Where did Doofus go now?"
She… she couldn't answer that. He was gone.
But, remind Nephis again on why Effie was here?
"He's gone." She mumbled, stuffing some cooked monster meat into her mouth. She didn't want to talk with Effie — her mind was already in a mess. The huntress would only make it worse.
And indeed was she correct.
For in the next second, a wild, nasty grin bloomed upon her lips, and Nephis knew there was no escape.
"So… is it a quarrel? A lover's quarrel? Huh?" Effie said, her smile bigger than ever.
Nephis frowned.
"What's that?" She asked, "It wasn't a quarrel. He simply chose to leave us."
Effie stood there silent, "You… you don't know what a lover's quarrel is?"
"Yes."
Effie sighed, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Whatever you say, princess… Whatever you say."
Yes that's right, it was fine, everything was alright! Effie was the same as usual, breakfast was the same, roasted monster meat. Sure it was a bit strange today, but…
She could bite through it with ease! It was still giving off that same charcoal feel!
However, something was wrong with her. Her stomach rejected the meat, as if there was no need for her to eat and she could still survive and—
No.
Nutrition was necesssry—how else would they battle against the Nightmare Creatures? How else would they get the food they needed to survive? She forced herself to swallow, ignoring the bitter taste it left on her mouth.
This was nothing. Everything was alright.
Then— why did everything just seem wrong today? Why was everything so amiss now that… he's gone?
—
Walking through the slums with her cohort, Nephis silently watched as the countless faces of the inhabitants lit up, their eyes staring at the bag behind them — food from the hunt.
They whispered, conversing about the meal they'll have today, about the weather, and… about the whereabouts of the short, pale boy that would have usually been with her.
Some told of false tales–of how she left him, as he couldn't prove his usefulness.
Some sang of the horrors hidden within the ruined walls of the city–of how a member of Changing Star's cohort could die in a moment's notice.
Some whispered about her, of how she will carve a road of salvation for them–the boy was simply too weak to gain the mercy of salvation. They weren't.
Why.
Why say such things.
Why aren't their eyes open to the truth in front of them.
Didn't Sunny help them?
No matter how small he contributed, he had still put his life on the line — All to fill the bellies of the ones who were now whispering behind his back.
Unconsciously, Nephis clenched her fists.
What right do they have to judge him? What right do they have to belittle him?
They were the ones who weren't doing anything!
What right do they have to…
Forget it Nephis! He's gone now!
He… he won't come back anytime soon!
But was he even alive?
No! She had to believe in him, he'll survive, that cockroach definitely will. He'll crawl back from the depths of hell and he'll realize that he was wrong and she was right and there'll be a scout in their team again!
Yes.
She was right.
It was her will, for him to come back, so… who dares stop her?
No matter how harsh the road in front of her was…
No matter how much he tries to defy his fate…
They'll meet again. At the top of the crimson spire.
Nephis… Nephis will believe in this. The one thing that was still true in this world.
Her will.
And she wanted him back.
So he'll return.
In the meantime, she'll keep on running forward, even if everything in the world was against her.
For she can not falter; for she can not stop; for the world was waiting for her—
Her heart thumped in her chest.
See you soon. Sunny.