Lucy blinked. Hoping and praying for the fourth time that she was just seeing things. She had fought a champion after all, an experienced one at that. She shouldn’t be surprised if all those blows had made a concussion strong enough that it made her see it.
When she blinked for the fifth time, however, the smoke was still there. A void suddenly invaded her stomach as she quickly gave Iva to Sister Emma, much to their surprise. “S-stay here.” She could barely form a sentence as her body screamed for her to run.
“Lucy, wait!” Seth shouted after, but she was already running. Running as fast and hard as her power infused body could carry her. The cold wind whistled in their ears as they blurred through the night.
Weapons Lucy flinched at the cold yet neutral tone of Emma. After all she had done to provoke her, she was surprisingly cordial this time.
‘Your not going to stop me?’ Lucy asked, her hands double checking to the pair of daggers she had stolen from the corpses.
Do you want me to? Emma shot off an annoyed frown. Although she could not see it, Lucy could instinctively tell. It was their body, after all.
‘No, I… I thought you would want to run away.’ She softly replied as she vaulted over a fallen log.
Would you let me? Her voice was dripping with venom.
Lucy hesitated before replying once more. ‘T-then why are you helping me?’ There was a beat, a slight hesitance from the soldier before she replied.
…Can you kill him? Lucy’s eyes widened, her body trembling slightly as she tried to bury her fears, but Emma knew better. It has to happen eventually. If we wanted a shot in truly running away, we have to kill that mutt. There was no remorse in her voice, only the iron conviction to do what Lucy struggled to accept.
‘E-Elias-‘
He has to die. Lucy flinched, the glare from Emma redoubled. I do not care if you still cling on to hope for those bastards. I don’t. The steel within refuses to bend.
‘T-then what about the others? Are we-‘
If they get in the way, then yes.
There was a slight pause between the two before Lucy mournfully resigned. ‘I don’t want to do this.’ Lucy quietly wept. Emma flinched before turning cold once more.
And yet we need to.
‘I-I-‘
Do you want to lose everything again? Lucy could not reply. Her mouth refuses to move as she weakly shook her head. Then be a good girl and be quiet. I’ll do what needs to be done… as always. Lucy blinked before nodding her head slowly.
The two remained quiet for the rest of the journey. It would have stayed that way when a shout broke them out of their silence. “L-Lucy! Just wait a second damn it!” Lucy turned to see Seth running after her.
“S-Seth! What about sister Emma and Iva? Why did you leave-“
“I could say the same to you! And no, I did not just left them. I gave them a map towards one of my hideouts!” Seth shouted as he finally ran beside her. “Kalva be damn, slow down will you? You are burning reserves as it is.” The young man grimaced.
“B-but I need-“
“We’ll be useless if we arrive empty. Calm down you dolt, we’ll make it.” The edge of steel from his voice, while not as firm nor as assured as Emma, was reassuring, nonetheless. Lucy nodded as she gradually reduced her output to a manageable degree.
“But what if I don’t?” Revelation after revelation, Lucy’s already fragile mind was assaulted with the horrors of the past once more. “W-what if I’m too late? W-what would happen to the them??” The smell of fire, the taste of iron, and as always, the detestable crimson liquid staining her body. Then the screams… the scream-
“Your not alone.” Lucy blinked back to reality, their pace considerably slackened, but it was for the good as Lucy was having her nightmares once more. “I’m here, aren’t I? We will figure it out when we get there. I promise.” His warm yet firm tone made Lucy’s breathing slightly easier.
Before she could reply, however, Emma spoke out first. “Is he really that useful?” Seth blinked in surprise but quickly recovered as he let out a sigh.
“I have a relic bow lady Emma.” Seth said as he willed his bow back in his hands. A flash of golden light condensed before it died, revealing a gold and silver bow in Seth’s hands. “Surely you wouldn’t deny a champion watching your back right?” Seth said.
“You are hardly trustworthy.” Came Emma’s biting remark before a subtle change suddenly occurred. Seth was still new to it, but he could instinctively tell which one of the two was in control. For a lovesick young man, he was quick to adapt as Lucy replied.
“Emma please. Seth can be trusted.” It warms his heart to no end. “Besides, d-didn’t you always say, ‘take all we can get’?”
…I don’t trust him. Emma hissed from within.
“Then trust in me instead, please.” Came Lucy’s soft request.
…Your love will be the death of us all. Emma remarked but did not continued any further.
“Thank you…” Lucy softly replied. Seth did not quipped up a response. If his experience with disgruntled and traumatized veterans had told him one thing, it was to never take their trust, no matter how insignificant it may be, for granted. For it is all they can afford to give.
The two continued to run as Emma softly gave a small smile. “S-she’s willing to tolerate.” It was not the most reassuring word Seth had heard, but he would take whatever he could get. After all, if Emma and Lucy were the same… then surely she had stories to tell as well.
Seth smiled, but before he could reply, however, they heard it. The distinct shouts made their blood run cold. Several seconds later, they heard the clash of steel. “No no no.” Dread infected Lucy as she redoubled her pace. Seth followed right behind her.
They quickly made past the last of the woods with the aid of power. They stood on a small uphill clearing, providing a good view of the town and its insides. Whatever Seth was about to say on that day died forevermore on his lips as the sight of the orange glow strangled all hope.
How the two wish power had abandoned them then. For in its grace, they witness the nightmare unfold before their very eyes as if they were there.
The estate burns from the distance.
“I-It can’t be.” Lucy murmured before redoubling her speed. Seth was shouting something, but she could not hear it. Lucy quickly ran to the gate, ignoring the shouts of alarm from the guards, her breath growing ever more chaotic as the sound that haunted her in her sleep came back to life. Taunting her, tormenting her for her hopeful wish.
Dodging and weaving through the road and the civilians, Lucy took the quickest shortcut back to the estate. Her familiarity with the road, the sense of recognition from the surrounding buildings brings no comfort to her heart, only dread and terror as she finally turned to the last corner, revealing a sight that Lucy wanted nothing more but a lie.
The entire estate, those that made out of wood anyway, was a blazing bonfire. Some of the civilians were trying to put out the fire, but they were hold back by an encirclement of soldiers in blue and silver.
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Whatever excuse they had in mind fell on her deaf ears as Lucy’s gaze fell towards the group from within the perimeter. The children and the sisters. The children were crying in fear and confusion as they were separated from the sisters.
The nuns tried to reach them but were separated by a group of soldiers. Some were shouting and even striking back at the men and women in blue and white, trying to reach the children, but they were repulsed by the soldiers of the north. Yet for all the horrors that stared at Lucy, it was nothing but a pale shadow.
Her home was burning, her family was being torn apart, yet it felt… nothing. Everything felt so trivial, completely and utterly inconsequential compared to the two figures standing beneath the pale moon. Not even the blazing heat of the fire could distract her.
Standing just in the middle of the formation was Elias. With his disheveled ebony hair, Elias was exactly as Lucy remembered. Tall and regal, he was just as she remembered. Back when times were so simple.
Wearing the signature silver and cobalt armor her house was known for, it was not hard, especially for him, to stand out. Surprisingly, there were cuts marring on his face as his armor was battered considerably. As if he had just won a hard-fought battle.
In his hands was the relic blade her brother personally forged. Last Light was its name, a fitting name as it heralds the final light his foes would have in their eyes before it was extinguished.
And the accursed blade pierced through Rose’s abdomen.
She could not hear the world screaming throughout the night, nor could she see the horrified look of Elias as he quickly withdrew the blade, trying to heal the wound to no avail. Or even the burning inferno growing even hotter. No, all could Lucy see was Rose’s impaled figure.
The older sister glared at her murderer. Her eyes were growing weaker as they struggled to remain open. The older sister would have passed into oblivion with a mask of hatred when her gaze caught something at the corner of her eyes. It was wearing her clothes.
What… the…
She turned to find a Lucy staring back in mute despair. The shock within Rose’s eyes was as clear as crystal as it met hers. Her eyes blinked ever so slowly as if she could not believe her eyes. The confusion remained for a second longer.
O-oh… t-there you are… h-hehe that s-scared me good… j-just where did you run o-off to?
Though it did not last for long as a soft smile crept up on her lips. Her eyes twinkled in relief and joy as her left hand slowly, but surely reaches out towards Lucy. Her mouth weakly opened, mouthing off her last words. Surprisingly, Lucy heard it in perfect clarity.
It was the softest and warmest tone she had ever heard. Like an older sister finding her lost and terrified younger sister.
“Your safe. Thank Goodness.” Her smile reaches into her eyes. “Don’t scare me like that again, ok?” It was the last thing Lucy heard from the older sister as her eyes went cold. Her body went limp.
Sister Rose was gone.
Her older sister was dead.
Lucy blinked once. Then twice. Then it was for the fifth time, before she realized it was real. What she saw wasn’t just a nightmare. It was real. Lucy blinked for the tenth time.
And the world exploded in red.
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“No!” Elias shouted in a panic, trying to heal the wound as power courses through his hands. “I told you to drop it. Why didn’t you listen?!” Elias shouted in frustration and fear. He did not meant to do that. He only tried to disarm her of her sword. He never intended to kill the nun.
“M-Mender! I need a mender now!” Elias shouted at his men. He could already feel the wound bleeding too much, the power that he was pouring in told him so. It was too late. But Elias did not give up. Maybe he was wrong. He was not used to heal others after all, surely the menders would know better than him!
He tried to keep the wound from getting worse as he quickly laid her down, but it was to no avail. The nun’s breathing was already growing weaker. Thankfully, a mender did arrive. Two in fact! Maybe then they could save her?
When the two knelt down to help, they quickly poured power into the wound before stopping. “What are you doing? Save her!” Elias demanded but the mender weakly shook their heads.
“Master Elias, it is too late.” One of the menders said, an old man in cobalt robes. “There is nothing we can do.” Elias blinked once, then twice before shaking his head.
“No that can’t be right. Surely you can do better than me!” Elias demanded, pleaded to be proven wrong, but the heavy gazes soon confirmed his worst nightmare.
“I-I’m sorry sir, but there is nothing we can save.” The younger mender, a young lady, replied. “Your relic blade simply ruins any chance we had in saving her.”
So, it is my fault. Elias thought as he stared down at his bloodied blade. This wasn’t meant to happen. I only- oh kalva be damn! Elias quietly cursed as he watched the menders respectfully take care of the body. Why did that happened? Why-
“No! Sister Rose!” Elias snapped out of his daze when he heard the cries of the children and sisters alike echoing in shock and loss.
“S-sister R-Rose, p-please wake up!” The children begged as the soldiers held them back from swarming the fallen nun.
“W-we won’t b-be naughty anymore, s-so p-please wake up.” Their small voice hiccups and wept in desperation.
It was not long when the other sisters joined in. “You bastard! I’ll kill you!” A sister howled, trying to strike at Elias to no avail as she was held back by the soldiers and the other sisters.
“S-sister Ivy, please-“
“I’ll kill you! You hear me bastard?! I’ll fucking kill you!” Ivy roared as tears escaped her eyes. Her voice trembled as her shoulders sagged. “O-oh Rose… w-why did it have to be you?” Ivy wept as the other sisters joined in mourning, hugging one another as they wept for the nun’s passing.
Elias curled his hands into a fist as he bit down his lip. Don’t run away you coward. Face it. He quietly berated at himself as he gathered his words. “Give her a proper burial. Find them a shelter to hide to.” His men quickly nodded to follow through their task.
The heir of Larum tried to find what other orders he needed to see through when a memory flashed into his mind. A deep seething rage boiled beneath his skin as he quietly hissed. “And bring me that pig. I will get to the bottom of this-“
A baleful and sorrowful howl interrupted him. Elias and the soldiers quickly turned to face the new threat only to fall silent. Their eyes widened in shock and confusion as they watch a young nun running towards them with a pair of daggers.
That alone would have caused them to stiffen. No one at such a young age should have driven mad with grief like her. No one should have.
Elias would have thrown himself without a second hesitation, to stop further madness that already consumes the girl, but he could only stood still as he watch the young nun barreling towards them with reckless abandon. With a hair that he could not have mistaken, even if he wanted to.
“Emma?” Elias whispered in horror as Lucy’s cobalt hues burned into gold, ready to kill.
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With a wordless scream, Lucy ran. She did not care how the citizens and the soldiers jumped back in surprise, nor did she cared the sounds of alarm echoing throughout the night, nor did she cared the look of anticipation from the soldiers eyes morphing into shock and disbelief.
Nor the surprise within the sisters eyes or the wailings of terrified children. Not even the look of alarm twisting within Elias’s eyes into recognition made her hesitate. No, all Lucy could think in that moment was the complete and utter annihilation of the murderer of her older sister.
“L-lady Emma its us!” One of the soldiers stepped out of formation, dropping his spear to show his intention. “Its just us! There is no need to be-“
“DIE!”
It was the last thing the man could hear before a power enhanced strike cleanly cut off his head. Shock and confusion exploded within the rank as they watched the man’s headless body crumble to the ground, the liquid of life spluttering out of his now stumped head.
The men and women barely had a second to process their comrade’s death when Lucy slammed into their ranks. With the power of a champion and the rage to fuel her will, Lucy began butchering men and women alike.
It did not matter whether the soldier was young or old, single or had a family, if they were in her grasp, they die.
“L-lady Emma it’s us! Its-“ A dagger pierces through his skull.
“Stop this my lady! This is-“ Her throat was ripped off.
“S-stop! Don’t make us do this lady Emma! Don’t-“ His jaw shattered at the crushing grip.
Pleas for mercy and reason went unheard as Lucy continued butchering. “T-the lady has gone mad! Lady-“ Lucy silenced the man as she slammed his torso with a power of an enhanced kick. She left a hole in his chest.
The citizens who saw the carnage quickly fled in terror. The children could not understand why sister Lucy was tearing apart men and women like paper as they continued to cry. The sisters paled, horrified at the monster their youngest had become.
Yet the one who was the most affected was none other than Elias. The younger sister he was to find, the innocent child whom he swore to treat better the next time he saw her, was nothing more than an insane, grief-stricken and vengeful girl.
“S-stop! Emma stop! What are you-“
“ELIAS!” The young man barely raised his relic blade in time to block a power infused strike with the dagger Emma was holding.
“Emma wait! I can-“
“I’LL KILL YOU! EVEN IF IT IS THE LAST THING I’LL DO! I’LL FUCKING KILL YOU!” Lucy howled at the top of her lungs. With the rage she hadn’t felt since the monsters attack, she relentlessly pursues after her brother. Her chest burned; the very act of breathing was so painful that she thought she would suffocate.
But it was nothing compared to the loss she felt. The loss of her sister Rose. With the solemn promise she had made, Lucy raced towards her brother with a single, hateful and blind purpose. Her eyes watered with tears, burning in gold, ready to kill.