"No offence, man, but you look horrible." That was the first thing Chung said when Raven plopped himself across the table.
"Good morning to you too." Raven greeted sluggishly. Amos mutely propped his breakfast beside Raven's and hopped into his seat.
It's been a couple weeks since the Hope Bridge invasion. During this time Eve did everything she could to avoid us. She used Amos to assure us she was only keeping her distance to keep us away from the captains' radar (she's been put under heavy surveillance after she bit the bullet for me) thus we could continue to plan for the revived mission. Chung and I both agreed our next destination would be Hamel as it was the most recent place to be attacked. We informed Raven of our plan the moment he was discharged. The only downside was the absence of letters. Up until now those mysterious messages have been pointing me down the right path. I almost feel lost without their aid.
Elsword and Speka made an extra effort to avoid us during this time period, but we couldn't afford to waste any more time to persuade them into helping us. We needed to take action fast.
"Give him a break, Chung." I slapped him on the arm. "You'd be tired too if you had to spend hours in the library."
"I had fun reading books," Amos chirped. I wouldn't be surprised if Amos spent his time reading about alchemy while Raven was left alone to do all the work.
"I didn't," Raven groaned, rubbing his baggy eyes.
"So did you find anything?" I asked in a more serious tone.
Raven darted his eyes around the Mess Hall. Once sure we were safe from unwanted ears he answered," I found a few books depicting the castle's old layout, but I can't find anything that would give us a clue of the Shard's whereabouts."
Chung suspected the Shard was hidden somewhere in the castle, perhaps in an old, unused room. It was unlikely for a Captain to carry it around, especially when they must always be prepared to run out into the battlefield—the risk of losing it would be too high. Raven proposed to research the castle's old layouts in hopes of finding a hidden space where the El Shard could held. He'd pretend to find a nighttime story for Amos to draw away any suspicions.
"We could leave without the El Shard." Chung proposed.
"It's too big of a risk." Raven answered before I got a chance to. "It'll only be a matter of time before the demons launch a massive attack on the castle for the Shard."
"I'd rather let the demons know we have the Shard than keeping it here." I added.
"Geez, it was only a suggestion." Chung muttered, absentmindedly stirring his small serving of apple slices.
"I'll keep researching." Raven groaned. "But you guys will have to take care of other factors like our escape route, food and supplies."
"I know how to navigate through the ocean well so heading to Hamel won't be a problem." Chung stated proudly.
"Except we don't have a boat." I pointed out bluntly.
"I-I'm sure Velder has a few boats lying here and there." Chung chuckled with unease. "R-right?"
"Even if we manage to get ourselves a boat, how will we get food? There's no way we're catching fish and eating them raw." Raven continued to list out our ever-growing problems.
"I don't see a problem with that." Chung whispered under his breath.
"We could steal food from the kitchen." I suggested reluctantly.
"But stealing is bad." Amos scowled; as if I wasn't feeling guilty enough with that idea.
Raven rubbed his chin," I wouldn't normally appeal to thievery, but it's not like we have a lot of options."
"I thought we were the good guys." Amos' reply made Raven shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"Amos, we don't have a choice. Unless you want to continuously eat raw fish, that is if we can even catch enough for everyone to eat, then be my guest." Amos snapped his mouth shut at Raven's reply and pouted. Fortunately he didn't try to comment any further.
"So we're gonna steal a bunch of food along with a boat." Chung summarized. "I'll be damned if we manage to pull that off."
I pressed my fingers against my temples. I never would've thought so many factors played into the revival of or mission. I was so wrapped up with the idea of getting the next Shard I failed to realize all the important elements to our survival.
"Wow, the whole team is here!" A familiar voice chimed into our ears.
I knew it was Elesis' voice, but I didn't want to look up. I was afraid I'd break down into tears if I saw her, knowing she'd never be able to get up and walk.
"Elesis," Chung greeted in a forced cheerful tone.
I bit the inside of my cheeks and reluctantly turned my eyes toward her. She was, as expected, sitting in an old wheelchair with Lento pushing her toward us. Her brother walked beside her, his empty red eyes plagued with dark bags.
"It's so nice to see everyone together again." Elesis smiled; an empty smile.
"How are you feeling?" Raven asked, genuinely clueless about Elesis' condition.
"I'm feeling great," Elesis beamed as Lento picked her up and sat her beside me. "I still feel a bit weak s-so that's why I'm still using this wheelchair."
"That's good to hear." Raven grinned.
"Hey, Elsword, stop being such a loser and join your friends at the table." Elesis ordered her brother.
"O-okay." Elsword grinned tightly back at his sister and sat next to her.
I exchanged glances with Chung. Even without an exchange of words we both understood what the other was thinking. Elsword knows.
"Do you want something to eat?" Asked Lento.
"Of course, I'm starving!" She rubbed her belly. "Get my little bro' something too."
"I can get it myself, Sis." Elsword muttered, his words dead like his eyes, as Lento left to get their meals. "You don't have to trouble Lento."
"You'd just ditch this table if I let you go by yourself." Elesis wrapped her arm around Elsword. "I'd be a bad sister if I willingly let my brother run away from his friends."
"I-I wouldn't run away." Some emotion reignited in his voice.
"Of course you would," Elesis laughed forcefully. "You'd run away 'cause you're scared of seeing them after being such a jerk."
That's how the remainder of breakfast played out. Elesis continued to tease Elsword like there was no tomorrow, her efforts eventually sparked some life back into her brother's eyes. Chung, Amos and Raven smoothly integrated themselves their conversation, even Lento joined them, but I couldn't bring myself to act happy around Elesis. It felt wrong to pretend I was clueless about her condition, to act like everything was fine.
"Wow, time flies when you're having fun." Elesis said once her plate was empty of food.
Elsword's expression fell at Elesis' comment, even Chung and Raven grew more solemn at her leaving.
"I should get going. I gotta prepare for the day's work." She motioned Lento to help her into the wheelchair.
I wish she could stay longer. At least then Elsword wouldn't have to look and feel so sad.
"Elsword, you should talk with your friends some more before leaving for patrol or whatever your captain's got planned." Elesis added while Lento lifted her up from the bench and into her wheelchair. "I'll beat you up if I find out you left without saying any more to these guys."
"Fine," he huffed with annoyance. "Whatever keeps me from getting beat to death by my loving sister."
Elesis collided her fist into her brother's back before Lento wheeled her out. Elsword, instead of complaining about the punch, smiled at her. Elsword dropped his grin the instant his sister was out of sight. He cursed under his breath and buried his face in his hands. No one at the table made a peep. No one knew what to say to him.
Raven opened his mouth to speak up but Chung kicked his legs before he could manage a sound. Raven shot Chung a quizzical look but took the hint and kept himself quiet.
"I hate it when she acts like that." Elsword dropped his hands from his face, his eyes now damp with tears. I bit my lower lip. "She forces herself to be happy, she always does that."
"Elsword," Raven spoke up reluctantly. This time neither Chung nor I bothered to try and stop him. "Why do you say that?"
"My sister she's--" he choked up. I was about to reach out and comfort him but I decided against it. I wasn't the best person to be confiding him, at least not right now. "E-Elesis is...she's paralyzed from the waist down."
Raven didn't reply. I can't blame him; how can you respond after hearing that for the first time? Not even I, who knew about this news days ago, had anything to say to Elsword.
"Y'know, I accidentally walked in on her crying the other day." Elsword raked his hand through his hair. "She was crying to Lowe about her...friend. The elf you guys fought on the bridge."
Chloe. The elf she tried to save from a dangerous lifestyle. The friend who took her mobility away forever.
"It's weird," Elsword went on, forgetting he's consoling in the people he once claimed to despise. "Seeing someone, who's normally strong, bawl. Hell, she's the same person who was making cripple jokes when she first told me about her paralysis."
"Sorry, man." Chung said softly. "I...I don't know what to say."
"Whatever, there's nothing you can do to help her anyways." Elsword shrugged. "I wanna know something—"he turned his eyes on me"—those letters you told me 'bout before, did you get any more of them?"
"I-I...uh...no." I stammered, completely taken aback by his question. "I haven't gotten one in a long time actually."
"I see," he pinned his eyes down on the table again. "And you say they've been accurate? Y'know, with the warnings and such."
"Yes," I answered in a heartbeat.
"And you guys are going on this mission again be--"
"That's not why we're helping her resume the mission, if that's where you're trying to get." Chung piped in before Elsword could finish. Elsword showed no signs of aggravation at the interruption, Chung took that as a sign to go on. "We're doing this because we don't want the demons to collect the remaining Shards. The elf blurted their plan to us during the fight."
"The actions we took on Hope Bridge were idiotic. It is our fault that Elesis ended up this way." Raven added. "But if we hadn't charged in and confronted the elf we may not be alive right now, and we certainly wouldn't have confirmed the enemies' plans."
"What about the new search party?" Elsword pressed on angrily. "They could've handled the mission and letters responsibly. Why do you guys have to play the damn heroes all the time?"
"It's not like we want to be the damn heroes." The frustration I was so desperately trying to hold back began to seep out. "We're doing this because the person in charge of the new search party refuses to do anything. Chung and I heard it with our own ears."
"She's right." Chung quickly backed me up.
"We all heard the plan from the enemy elf, and we all know the devastation that the Shards can cause. The other knights don't. We don't have a choice, Elsword, we have to finish the job."
Elsword shook his head, chuckling humorlessly," you guys are crazy. Each and every one of you." He rubbed his eyes. "How did I end up with lunatics like you for friends?"
I flared my nose," yeah, we're crazy. So what? At least we're putting in the effort to stop this war." I growled. Chung rested his hand on my shoulder and whispered for me to give up, but I shrugged him off and pressed on. "We're doing this because we know the consequences if the demons get all the Shards. We're fighting for the friends we lost, and we're doing it with or without you."
Elsword looked as if he wanted to sock me in the face. A part of me wanted to bow and beg for his forgiveness at my rude response, but I refused to give in. It doesn't matter what he decides, I'm going to stop Scarlet from getting the last Shards either way.
"If Elesis wasn't paralyzed I would've reported you ages ago." Elsword scratched his head irritatingly, his face flushed from anger. "I'll help, but not because I wanna aid you. I just wanna give my sister a peaceful and happy future."
*****
You are doing much better with training today, Ara. Eun praised as I dissipated the energy from my spear.
I dropped to my knees, sweat drenching my body," I'm just in a good mood." I panted. "I didn't think Elsword would be willing to join us on the mission."
Neither did I, Child. I was very proud when you stood firm to your belief. If you had wavered in confidence I doubt Elsword would have been convinced to help.
"Aww, Eun, you don't have to flatter me." My cheeks warmed. "I think I've had enough of an ego boost for one day."
Eun chuckled, I only speak the truth, Ara.
I was in the garden again, training with Eun to master the techniques needed to execute the ultimate attack. Unlike my first day of training I managed to make more progress. That alone was enough to boost my already elevated mood to the stars.
"All we have to worry about now is locating the Shard and our escape plan." I clumsily helped myself up on my trembling legs and proceeded toward the castle. "It should be easier now that we have an extra pair of hands to help us out."
I am concerned about the time wasted here in this castle. Eun admitted.
"Yeah, me too." I replied, pushing open the castle doors. "I'm afraid Scarlet will steal the El Shard before we even manage to reach Hamel."
I scanned over the castle corridors, hoping I'd bump into Chung again. I frowned as the only people present was a group of knights, I briefly made out their concerns about the knights by the old harbour. With a huff of annoyance I proceeded down to my room before heading for the Mess Hall.
Perhaps we should sneak out at night and search the castle for the Shard.
"That's not a bad idea," I admitted under my breath. "But we can't take the risk of getting caught."
I understand, but you have an advantage. Your heightened senses can help you avoid patrolling guards.
"I know," I said softly. "But it's not a risk I want to take."
We do not have much of a choice, Ara. Time is precious.
I was about to respond when I noticed a purple-haired mage slumped under a window. Speka was curled into a fetal position, shoulder trembling. I instinctively slowed my walking pace, eyes glued on the distressed Dark Mage.
What should I do? I haven't spoken to her after I told her about the letters, even then she refused to speak with me and walked away when she finally regained her composure.
Speka perked her head up as if sensing my presence. Her puffy lavender eyes narrowed into slits at me, my legs abruptly froze under her gaze. Her hands curled into quivering fists, I was afraid she'd spring up and begin attacking me.
Instead of attacking, like I feared she would, Speka sighed of defeat and rested her head down.
I shouldn't be here, a voice screamed in my head. I should leave before I make things worse.
I didn't think twice before snapping my eyes away from her and proceeding onwards, however, Eun forced my legs to freeze before I could make my clean escape.
What are you doing? Eun chided. Your team is still incomplete.
'Eun, I promised Speka I wouldn't bother her anymore.' I attempted to fight off Eun's control, but its strength proved superior over mine. 'It wouldn't matter if I talked to Speka. She wouldn't help me even if I was the last person on Earth..'
You thought the same thing with the others, now look where you are.
'It's not the same. Speka lost her twin, her family, that's on a whole new level compared to Elsword and the others.' I forced my legs to move once more, Eun's control wavered but it wasn't enough to completely free myself from it.
"Why are you still here?" Speka challenged with her head still down.
I cursed under my breath as Eun gave me control over my legs again," I-I...uh...." I didn't need a mirror to know my cheeks were cherry red.
"Are you enjoying yourself? Watching me suffer over what you've done to Aisha?" She lifted her head up, eyes hardened with hate.
"Speka, I-I'm really sorry about what happened to Aisha." I glanced away from her. It killed me to have to look at her, to see the pain I inflicted on her.
"Why? Why did you just stand there when that demon attacked you?!" Speka's voice sliced through my ears like a dagger. "S-she would still be alive if you moved."
"I-I didn't mean to stay still. It's just I--" I stopped myself mid-sentence. How could I tell her that my brother was part of the demon army? This was a fact I still have trouble accepting.
"You what?" Speka pressed on. "Tell me, you coward!"
Yes, I was and still am a coward. I couldn't bring myself to hurt my brother, that cost the life of my irreplaceable friend; even now I doubt I can bring myself to fight Aren. How could I call myself a knight when I couldn't even bring myself to hurt the enemy? I wish I was like Elesis, someone who's strong enough to separate her emotions from the fight.
"It doesn't matter now," I whispered, eyes flooded with hot tears. "I-I can't bring her back a-and I can't change what I did."
Speka's jaw dropped. She let out a humourless laugh, shaking her head in disbelief. "You're horrible," Speka spat. "I-I don't understand how Eve, Raven and Chung could support you. At least Elsword is smart enough to keep away from you."
"Elsword actually agreed to join us today." I told her gently.
She cursed," to think I actually had some respect for that idiot."
"Speka," I forced myself to face her. "Almost everyone who's helping me isn't doing it for my sake," I sat down in front of her and proceeded to tell her the same thing I did with Elsword, though I made sure to speak softly.
"So," I said once I explained my point. "What will you do? Will you help us search for the remaining Shard or will you stay here?"
Speka bowed her head and dug her fingers into her scalp," I-I don't know." She whimpered. "W-why are you pressuring me into taking a side?"
I'm not--"
"Shut up!" She shrieked. I feverishly turned my head side to side, fearing a Red Knight Captain will come running toward her loud response. "F-first you let my sister die, n-now you're forcing me to choose a side. A-Ara, you're an awful person."
I allowed my shoulders to relax once sure no one was coming to investigate the noise," I know I am." I found myself chuckling at the blunt response. "But that won't stop me from protecting the remaining lives from destruction."
"A-Aisha would think this is crazy." Speka began mumbling to herself. I was about to say something in response but decided to let her continue. "S-She's a goody-two-shoes a-and she would never go through with this plan. S-she'd think of a different way to handle this situation, a-a way that wouldn't get us in trouble. Y-yeah, I-I'll do that too. L-like her I'll s-stay here and b-behave. I-I'll f-follow orders without fail a-and--"
"Stop," I hesitantly placed my hand on her arm. She tensed at the contact but didn't attempt to push me away. "I'm not asking what Aisha wants to do—"I gave her arm a tight squeeze"—I'm asking what you want to do."
"I-I already told you. I-I'm doing what Aisha--"
"Speka, just because you're her twin doesn't mean you have to act like her clone." I told her firmly. "What do you really want to do?"
"Me?" That single word rolled out slowly from her tongue. "I...I want to kill demons. I want them to suffer for what they did to my sister."
That's not exactly what I had in mind.
"That's...uh...understandable." I struggled to find the right words.
"I'm not as sweet as Aisha." Speka went on flatly. "I'm certainly not as forgiving as her."
I lifted my hand off her, suddenly feeling uncomfortable in her presence.
"Sure, if I go with you I'll get to kill more demons than I can here." Speka dropped her hands to her side and tilted her head up. A sly smile painted across her face. "And if you try to stab me in the back again I'll make sure to rip you apart, demon."
She began to laugh, despite the tears cascading from her dead eyes. Strangely, I felt my discomfort around her fade, that feeling of dread was replaced with pity. At that moment I realized Speka would take the longest, out of everyone, to heal from her internal wounds.
"Well, I shouldn't sit here and sulk." Speka giggled, helping herself up. "If you need help eliminating a few obstacles, give me a call will ya'? Until then I'll be waiting for your plan to get out of this miserable hole."
I pity her. Eun sighed as she began stumbling down the corridor. Her grief has driven her down dark path.
"I wish I hadn't talked to her." I admitted grimly. "I think I only made things worse."
Perhaps, but I would rather have her snap now than later, it will lessen the damage for her. Eun added as I sprung up to my feet and examined the mute halls once more. I think your words have gotten to her in some way. Why else would she agree to help us?
"She wants to kill more demons," I reminded Eun with a shutter. "I don't know about you, but I felt really uncomfortable with that conversation."
I am not very concerned about her sanity. At least now she will be able to heal in the presence of your team. I feel that will be the best condition for her.
"I highly doubt my team will be able to help her," I said, resuming my journey back to my bedroom. "We can barely get along."
You and your friends are doing much better than before. Eun replied in an upbeat tone. It was a flattering yet futile attempt to cheer me up. Our situation should only get better as time passes.
"You're awfully optimistic tonight." I arched my brow.
One of us has to stay positive.
I chuckled lightly. Eun has been unusually sanguine as of late. Ever since the day I nearly got myself killed, Eun has been acting more hopeful and supportive. Maybe it's trying to help keep my spirits up during bleak times or maybe Eun's still shaken up by my near-death experience. Whatever the reason may be I'll need to pay Eun back for all its aid.
I creaked open my bedroom door, expecting to simply enter for a mere second to discard my weapon, when I felt my heart leap up to my throat.
Standing directly in front of my nightstand was a figure cloaked in a long black. The stranger gasped, swinging themselves around to face me. Their baggy hood concealed majority of their face making it nearly impossible to see who they were. A salty odour clung onto them like a leech.
I pointed my spear at them," w-who are you?"
The figure cursed, I quickly noted their feminine voice, and sprung onto my nightstand, stepping on a new pile of paper beneath them. I felt my jaw dropping," w-wait. I won't hurt you. I just--"
The stranger sprung out of my open window before I got a chance to finish. I sprinted after them and poked my head out the window, frowning as I saw them leap over and behind the castle wall.