“Cecil, we have no time for this. Theodore is in danger.” Reid steps ahead, trying to ease the tension surrounding the girl. Just like what he said, she can even see the painful expression from this distance. Yet, the iron blade is not even flinching. She has lost everything in those wicked minds. The same mistake can’t happen twice. “I don’t want to be your enemy, Reid.” Cecil fixes the sight on Alderic. “But let him in? Step over my body first.” Every respect and the little friendship they had, at this moment, are ashes. For his presence fueled the fire of hatred on that destinated day. For his presence has taken away everything she cherished. Pouring all her determination, she was ready to defend, ignoring every one of Camille’s words behind, ignoring the broken shattered in Reid’s eyes.
Putting Theodore down carefully, Alderic gently wipes away the sparkling sweat falling on his forehead. In his reluctant smile, Alderic steals another look at Theodore before taking the sword. Just a little more, and I will be quick. “If that’s what you need to save him,” Alderic swung the silver blade. “Then so be it.” Frightened, Evelyn clung to Alderic’s blouse, harshly trying to hold him back. “Brother, don’t do this. There must be another way!” Will there be any other way? From merely a few weeks ago, they were still laughing under the same roof and sharing the same joy. And now, they are enemies. Just like what it should be from the beginning. Before Evelyn can do anything, Alderic walks over to Cecil, preparing for combat.
Songs of blades once again, surge with their dreary melodies. Though she has mentally prepared to be on the weak side, Cecil never thought she could take the lead against such an experienced fighter as Alderic. Each of her attacks was blocked by his reckless defense. Too many weak spots reveal before her as if he tries to die in the quickest way. “You think this is a joke?” Cecil furiously strikes at Alderic. “Pick your sword and fight like a real soldier!” Yet, he responds to the question with a weak defense, causing him to tremble in his steps. “Stop Cecil! Theodore will never want this to happen.” Reid calls out hopelessly. Summoning all his concentration on their actions, he is ready to jump at any moment. “Shut up, Reid!” Cecil pointed her sword at Reid while the sharp eyes were still attached to the man ahead as if, at some point, she wished she could burn him with this hateful gaze. “You even dare to mention Theodore when clearly you have forgotten what happened on that day? Has he manipulated you into a bright, promised future?” she yells. “Look around you. This is the future he promised.” Against such harsh reasoning, Reid is surely no competitor. All the grief, the self-blame, the hateful burning in her every cell. “You weren’t even there when he died. Why can’t you leave us alone?”
In the blurry vision, she strikes for the final move. The final note in this melancholy symphony. Contrary to expectations, Alderic calmly let go of the sword. Closing his eyes, he stretches his arms, willing to accept his end.
“Please, stop!” A strong blade launched Cecil away from Alderic just in time. The enormous force when the blades collide sends a swirl of dust. Axl, the culprit behind the block, swung his sword back into the sheath. Following him, Evelyn quickly blocks between them. “I know there is nothing to chase away the grief and fury haunting your heart. But please hear me.” She groans. “This is not the one you need to fight against.” The urge for revenge burned in her cell. How could she trust them again? “Please.” Evelyn doesn’t give up. “Be our ally and take down the culprit together!” she reaches her hand out to Cecil.
Though only sincerity shines in those golden eyes, none of her offers are able to reach Cecil. “You will never understand what I have been through,” Cecil said, looking down at Alderic. “He has to pay the debt.” Before Evelyn can say anything more, a hand is placed on her shoulder.
Perhaps the only choice left to end this cycle of karma is blood. To their surprise, Alderic swiftly pulls his silver blade while grabbing the razor-sharp. A quick slice is all it takes for a warm stream of crimson to trace along the glistering blade, before landing on the ground. “There is nothing I could do to undo the past,” Alderic said solemnly, reaching out his bloody hand at Cecil. “But I can still change the present.” Each of the crimson drops fell before everyone’s astonishment. None of them could speculate on this sudden action of his. He has chosen the most sacred vow of all. “With my blood, I seek your forgiveness upon my chaste. With my blood, we united as allies.” Using the most ancient and holy oath, he risked everything he had to gain back the lost trust. The pain from the hand harmonized with countless other injuries, yearning to defeat each of his faint consciousnesses. But he still stands still, awaiting an answer from the girl.
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Cecil was surely surprised. She wants to make him pay, to extinguish the flame inside. The same smoldering fire started on that rainy day and now goes beyond her control because of the disappearance of Sheriche. Then she realized. Will killing Alderic, the traitor, here solve anything? Luke’s hourglass soon has drained out its last pit of sand, but Theodore and Sheritre… There is still hope. The fate of everyone, everything now lies in her hands. What will she reply?
Raising her head, she meets the hopeful gaze of everyone. The sight of Theodore gasping in pain eventually caught her attention.
“It seems I have become the villain.” Cecil sighed while putting away the blade. “I won’t forgive you next time.” A clear sign of relief filled the air. Only needing that, Alderic quickly held Theodore into the shack with the speed of an arrow. Ignoring the newly opened wound still bleeding on his hand. Putting the doctor on the bed, he was immediately welcomed by familiar faces. In just a mere second, he notices they are the children of the mansion… Even though most of them have gone.
“Cecil, he-” Cecil’s hand motioned for Reid to stop before he could explain the condition. Alderic backs down, giving Cecil some room to speculate. Quickly, Cecil scanned through Theodore’s body. A ray of concern runs across her face. “His forehead is blazing hot!” These are the words from Amber, while Cecil rushes to grab the medications. A voice from the back loudly speaks, “Give him some water, please.” In dedicated touch is Alderic’s hand, taking a spoonful close to the trembling Theodore, who now lies lifelessly on the wooden bed. Only when Cecil returns will she find him even worse... Minutes, then hours, flew by, yet nothing could be done further. His breath, was shallow, while his beating heart, with all its might, yearned to survive. His face pales like paper, hinting at cold sweat. Alderic crouches, defeated, by the bedside. Wrapping Theodore’s hand in his, the cold lips trembled in worry. Had he ever thought, he can faintly feel every pain Theodore has been through. If only he could share some of his pain.
The children are frightened as they see Theodore's condition. Not just them, although being outsiders, Evelyn and Axl seem to hold their breath in utter tension. Minutes go by, yet the man on the bed shows no sign of improvement. The small room filled with his agonizing gasping. Finally, Cecil let go of her hands, defeated. “There is nothing I can do.” she clenches her fist. Alderic was the first to deny, “No, you are his best student. There must be another way.” his eyes wide open in disbelief. “Please, I will do whatever it takes. Please, try again!” Respond to him back with only the silence Cecil. Not keen on giving up, Alderic’s gaze staggers around the room, looking for any ally to be disappointed with their deadly silence. Not just him, they all know Cecil is the only one capable. With her defeat, the string of hope has vanished.
"No,” Alderic growled in disbelief. “Please, I’m begging you. Save him.” Can’t bear to look into those broken eyes, Cecil turns away bitterly. Hiding away her tears, she let go of Theodore. Losing all the strength left, Alderic falls to his knees. Each of the wounds, each of his images, was cutting him to pieces.
Softly, the children lock their hands together. Taking everyone’s hands, they sing a tender song. Gentle as a spring breeze, innocent as the first sunlight, the melodies filled the small room. The same song they heard from him whenever the frightening night came. A little girl took Axl and Evelyn’s hands with a reassuring smile, and together they surrounded Theodore. Intertwining Alderic’s hand with hers, Evelyn whispered softly, “There will always be hope. You have taught me that.” As if a halo of light covered all of them. Together they spread their strength to him, together they call for his return.