A heart wishing for those simple days again, someone coming on a certain night. That individual with eyes bright like the sun, her resemblance to another. Her slightly haughty nature, her quirky behavior. Her wide heart, experiencing this bliss again.
Someone shining light onto her path, allowing her to see her hatred through to its end. From across the land, over the seas. Sundown in the Kingdom of Valice, Rona walking down a path away from the rest. Her meeting in a private area, a few in armor.
"Atlalune brought down Titan, but even more. She might have learned something from five years prior. If she did, she will be a very dangerous threat. She was after all, the most powerful guard of the late princess." The man folding his arms, his stern eyes.
"I am well aware, Atlalune was by far the best knight I trained." The commander's hand on her waist, slightly looking below.
"Why did you even train her either way?" another facing away.
"Heh, I saw myself in her. Either way, if she does kill me, I would be fine with it." Her sad eyes.
Taking the former knight under her wing, training her to be successful. Witnessing the maiden's great talent, suspecting a future problem. Not minding, wanting to give something more to another.
That small time with two, enjoying those days with them. Wishing for another way, having to perform her job. Feeling the gentle breeze, some dust blowing in the distance.
"This is no time for a teacher to be sentimental to their student." A third glancing back to her.
"I know, either way, we still have cards to play. We are still in the king's favor." Folding her arms, her faint smile.
"Then we best make haste. You know she will not stop, not until she brings meaning to Estelle's demise." The first facing the commander.
Days long ago, a knight and princess. Two venturing everywhere together, that maiden keeping her companion safe. A coming night, choosing to take on a job to save an individual to her heart. That commander setting the stage, springing her trap.
Choosing her path, severing her ties with those to her heart. Embracing the cruelty of conflict, casting aside everything towards her goal. Her awareness on Atlalune's resolve, someone not stopping until her success. Her willingness to endure pain, feverishly reaching for what is within.
Misery constantly plaguing this realm, countless forcing against the reason of others. Lands burning down, sorrow continuously protruding. Bliss never lasting, another sweeping away in the madness. The bleeding moon shining down this dusk, two underneath its gleam.
Distancing themselves from enemy territory, eventually finding a location to rest. Trees around them, smaller creatures running through the bushes, a barrier keeping them out. That former knight sitting by the fire, her fatigue from the battle. The noble-woman next to her, her hands to her chest.
"What will you do...?" Sol lowering her head.
"I will bring meaning to Estelle's death, even if I have to burn down that kingdom. This is all that matters to me." Pressing her hands against her legs.
"Everyone there has hopes and dreams, they have things they want, things they want to do and experience. Will you really destroy it all?" the noble-woman's sad eyes to her.
"What they want? What about what Estelle wanted? Her life was robbed from her, she was forced to live a life she could do nothing about. And I...as her friend, do you expect me to turn a blind eye?" Atlalune slightly scowling at the mage.
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"You know her better than anyone else, what do you think she would want?" Sol sadly gripping her arms, lowering her head.
Yearning for those happier times, easing the burden of her friend. Bringing her everywhere, protecting her against threats. Knowing her sorrow, someone unable to move past her life, playing in a role.
A way to decrease her suffering, that former knight taking on an assassination job. Everything falling apart, losing that precious individual. Carrying hatred for years, seeking out a certain god. Those words to her, shaking a bit, punching the ground in frustration.
"She wouldn't want that, or me to endanger myself." The maiden's painful eyes.
"Then is that not your answer?" the noble-woman looking to them, her hand to her chest.
"No, since it does not solve the issue of bringing meaning to her demise. If she hates me for what I might do, I will deserve it. Though, at least I can live or die with a clear conscience..." Atlalune's vision to the crimson moon.
Deciding on her path five years prior, her willingness to stain her soul. Combatting her enemies, withstanding her injuries. Rising stronger than before, reaching after one from the past.
Speaking what is within, the mage understanding her emotions. Her great rage, someone not quieting, yearning for a simple wish. Her willingness to damn herself, doing so to give meaning to the death of another. That former knight thinking back, a memory still with her.
Days long ago, the flowing breeze in the Kingdom of Valice. Many people about in the sun, some joy and anger.
Each proceeding with their schedule, fitting in time for the smallest things. A ship shortly docking, Rona holding up the maiden, guiding her down below.
Her weak body, overexerting herself. Defeating many foes, refusing to remain in silence. From below, the princess with some of her guards.
Her trembling eyes, seeing blood on Atlalune. The two shortly before Estelle, her hands worryingly to her chest. Her dark top, a grey dress wrapping below.
"Atlalune, you are something else. Though, know when to retreat." Rona sighing.
"Heh, if I did that now, our casualties would be worse. It all turned out fine in the end..." Her faint smile at them.
"I wouldn't say that now, you still have her to deal with." The commander shaking her head from left to right.
A horrific battle, those images still in her mind. Losing many, a trap putting them at a severe disadvantage. That knight charging into battle, crushing her foes.
Enduring the harshest magic, withstanding the traps. Guiding many to safety, her efforts leading to turning the situation. Atlalune looking to the princess, seeing their stern eyes.
"Why didn't you retreat? Just look at yourself." Her hands on her waist.
"If I had the power to do something, but did not. I would be no better than my enemies." Atlalune’s soft smile on Estelle.
"There is a difference between being dead and alive. Rona, bring her to the castle, I'll tend to her wounds." The princess turning, displeasure from her.
"Right away. Good luck, Atlalune." The commander patting her shoulder in pity.
"Ugh...maybe death would have been better..." The knight uneasily flinching.
That day still with the former knight, her concerning companion. Someone taking care of her wounds, scolding the maiden for her reckless behavior. That pure individual, a bright sun in the darkness.
An individual showing her much, giving her a way out of her despair. Missing those times, wanting them again. Desiring for another chance to protect the princess, yearning to make things right.
"How close were you and princess Estelle?" Sol's hands on her lap, her attention a bit away.
"We were practically joined at the hip when I was not on a mission. Those like myself are viewed as rats of the slum. Though, she saw more in me, and we eventually became friends. As time went on, we became inseparable..." Her distant voice.
Hearing more about the two, the noble-woman suspecting something more. Her reason for going this far, her willingness to damn her soul. Her great rage, these deep feelings. Carrying the weight of her failure for years, a night forever with the former knight.
Two underneath the bleeding light, that researcher listening to the mercenary, allowing her to let out her sorrow. The next morning, sounds of birds flying by. A soft voice to the maiden, visualizing one from her past.
"Estelle...?"
These sentiments within, her guiding emotions. Walking down her dark path, sinking below the surface. One long ago reaching out to her, pulling her above. That guiding light, brightly shining in the blackness.
Wanting their presence again, her steadily opening eyes. Seeing the one to heart, those eyes of the sun. Quickly sitting up, the person's changing image. Her vision on the noble-woman, this reality before her.
"Something wrong?" Sol worryingly tilting her head, her hand to her chest.
"No...we should hurry up and determine our next move." The maiden looking away, gripping her arm.