"You're not thinking straight, Isaura! We've struggled just to get here on our own. And now you want to go back in there and just give up your life like that?" Evelyn exclaimed incredulously. Xander may have been instrumental in saving them, but that didn't mean Isaura had to sacrifice herself, right?

"Isaura, what Evelyn said is true. We can come back here after seeking help from other fairies," Eliot agreed with Evelyn's words.

"No, Eliot. I promised to bring Xander back. Plus, we don't know the portal to Elvendria without him." Isaura insisted on going back in. Now her hope rested solely on Darius. She gazed at the long-haired elf with full of hope.

Seeing Isaura looking at him like that, Darius finally let out a heavy sigh. "If that's your final decision, then I'll go with you."

But the girl shook her head gently. "This is my promise to Xander, it doesn't have to involve you. Just safely take Vegas, I would be very grateful," Isaura explained.

"Why do you always act recklessly and behave as if you're the strongest? During the battle against Xander, you even did the same thing. And what did you get? Injuries. And I was the one who healed you. Can't you just listen to me and follow my advice for once? Don't be selfish, Isaura. Not everyone agrees with your decisions, so don't be stubborn and listen to me this time."

"But--"

"Evelyn, I entrust Vegas to you. Whatever happens, you must stay safe and take Vegas to a safer place." Darius looked at Evelyn, then handed Vegas to the fire girl. The elf cut off Isaura's sentence before the wizard could finish hers.

Evelyn stared at Darius puzzled, but eventually accepted the sword as well. "Darius, be careful. I can't stop you from leaving, but you must remember to always take care of yourself."

They communicated through eye contact for a moment before Darius broke the gaze and walked away, leaving Isaura behind.

Isaura looked uncomfortably at her two friends. Eliot, seeing this, then rubbed her shoulder trying to give her strength. "You'll make it. Remember to come back safely. Both of you must return alive."

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Slowly, the girl smiled faintly and nodded. She looked at Evelyn this time, making the fire girl sigh heavily. "If you think I've hated you all this time, then you're wrong. But now I will truly hate you if you and Darius don't come back safely."

This time it wasn't just a faint smile, but Isaura widened her smile. So far, she had always thought that Evelyn hated her, but behind her tough and seemingly cold demeanor, the fire fairy seemed so caring. "I promise, Evelyn. We will come back safely."

After the brief farewell, Isaura ran to catch up with Darius who was already in the middle of the long bridge.

Evelyn watched them from afar. But then an idea came to Eliot's mind. He looked at the fairy beside him. "What if we ask for Bruno's help?"

Evelyn's eyebrow raised at Eliot's words. "Bruno?"

Evelyn's question made the elf nod. "Xander is being held by the one who took Alonzo's body. Bruno and the other wolf clans will surely help their prince. Listen, Evelyn, we can't ask for help from the fairy clans because we don't know the way back. But we can find the wolf clans because they are still under the rule of Demonhold."

For a moment, the girl fell silent, trying to digest Eliot's plan. "I think it's worth trying your plan. At least we're trying to get out of here.

***

Isaura intertwined her hands down there. Occasionally she glanced up to look at Darius, but the elf completely ignored her.

The girl took a deep breath. It seemed like she had to end all of this soon. "Darius, are you angry?"

Silence for a moment. The man had no intention of answering Isaura's question. This made Isaura feel even more guilty. "If you don't want to help me, it's okay. I won't force you. You still have time to--"

"Are you done?" Before Isaura could finish her sentence, Darius cut her off quickly. His gaze still straight ahead. "Why do you always speculate on your own? Do you think you're the only one entitled to make decisions here?"

"No, I--"

"Stop talking. We're on an important mission right now."

This made Isaura sigh heavily again. "Darius, I'm a new student in Elvendria. I'm just afraid that my very young age makes you think that I can't do anything. That's why I always try to do everything alone. I just don't want you to see me as a burden and make things difficult for you. I'm afraid you'll think I'm not worthy of joining your formation."

"But have you ever once asked what we think? Have you ever felt that we burden you, Isaura?"

With her head bowed, the girl shook her head slowly. Darius took a breath again. "So why do you have such malicious thoughts? Do you know that your thoughts are better described as someone who has bad thoughts about others?"

"Sorry, Darius."

"How many times do you want to apologize for something that isn't your fault at all? Isaura, when you managed to join our formation, it means you're capable. Elder Carlos believes in all your abilities. But you can't even believe it yourself. You can't appreciate yourself by always thinking that we see you poorly. The fact is, when evil forces target you, you still can't do it alone. You need us, and we help you, Isaura. Is there any one of us who isn't helping you now? Even Evelyn, whom you consider an enemy, gave her favorite pouch just to help you. She even took Vegas to a safer place. After this, do you still think we have bad thoughts about you?"

This time Darius stopped his steps. Making Isaura, who was next to him, involuntarily stop too. Darius looked at Isaura, who was still bowing. "Listen to me, Isaura. No matter how strong someone is, or how long they train their powers, the most important thing is effort. You're only called a fighter when you manage to fight to the end. Regardless of who will win or lose. Without thinking that you yourself are a burden to others. Even when you lose when carrying out a mission or defending the truth, you can still be called a fighter. So from now on, I don't want you to always decide something that could harm yourself. Because as long as the path you choose is for the truth, I, Evelyn, and Eliot will always be ready to help you."