Michael immediately sprung from the ground. "What—what are you doing here?!"
"I'm lost," Stefan said. "But now I'm even more lost."
Evelyn rubbed her elbow. "Great, now he knows."
Stefan furrowed his eyes. "Is that who I think it is?"
"We don't have any time," Michael suddenly jumped between them. "Falden soldiers are here, they're attacking our parties!"
Stefan looked around. "That explains why everyone's gone. Alright, where's the fight?"
Michael frantically pointed in the direction Mave rode.
Stefan drew his sword, ready to head into battle. "You coming?"
Michael glanced at Evelyn.
"Kid, we got a lot to talk about when this is over."
Michael watched Stefan run away, far enough so he wouldn't have to hear or stumble on them again. It felt like someone had ripped a piece of his heart out but he couldn't manage to convey that emotion.
Stefan saw Evelyn in the flesh, he saw how she looked, how she sounded, and was now forever burned into his memory. Evelyn wasn't a secret anymore like Michael swore to keep safe.
Was Stefan going to tell everyone else? Did he know about ego swords?
Out of everyone in the party, Stefan was the only person that Michael couldn't know about Evelyn. This was single-handedly the worst day of his life. He didn't even know what to think anymore, frozen in the middle of the road in this empty town. Wasn't this totally preventable? Was it his fault that he started to lash out at Evelyn? Was it—
"Michael," Evelyn bumped his leg. "Are you okay?"
Michael thought her voice was soft again. He dropped next to her, burying his face in his knees and groaned loudly.
"Are you still thinking about going back there?"
He shook his head.
"Why not?"
"Stefan can help them," he muttered. "He's way stronger than me."
"I'm not trying to call you weak, Michael, it's just—"
"No, it's fine," he lifted his head. "You were right, I'm nowhere near the level to stand against something like that. If I went back, then I would just be getting in everyone's way."
Evelyn frowned.
"I didn't mean to yell at you, Evelyn, I'm sorry. I just…wanted to feel like I was doing something good."
She poked his cheek. "You are doing something good."
"What?"
"Look around," she gestured. "We're outside, aren't we? Remember you wanted to take me through town in my body?"
He looked around at the empty road. "But, nobody's here."
"I'm here," she bumped him again. "I'm here with you, aren't I?"
Michael smiled to himself. That didn't even make sense but it was good to hear that she wasn't crying anymore. It's true that he wanted to take her around Almore, away from the space of his small bedroom and give her more freedom as a human. He would never imagine that would only happen when the entire town had to evacuate due to an attack from Falden.
He was still frustrated having to sit away from the fight that everyone was waiting weeks for. But Michael wasn't that strong at all even if he had the gift of a magical sword. Without her, he was nothing more than a lucky slave that's been barely clinging onto threads of life. He's moderately trained at best, yet any average adventurer could beat him in a fight.
Michael is admittedly quick and has good eyes though that could only take him so far. He's basically gambling his life every time he decides to put his skills to the test.
Evelyn leaned against him. "How long do you think we're going to wait?"
"I don't know."
"You look mad."
He faced her. "I look mad?"
She poked his face again. "At least tell me what you're thinking about."
"It…it just feels wrong for me to sit here while everybody else is fighting. After all I've done, I don't even get to help in the end."
"Michael, you would've died if you stayed in that fight."
He stared off. "Do you really think that?"
"Are you saying that you actually stand a chance against those people? You're only immune to spells, if you get cut then my magic can't help you."
He looked away.
"I'm not making fun of you, Michael, believe me. But I can't bear to watch you lose, especially when you're fighting with your life on the line."
He thought his chest was feeling heavy again.
"Michael, look at me."
He averted his eyes again.
"Michael…"
"If I can't win any fight, then how am I supposed to protect you?"
"I'm a sword, Michael—"
"No, you're not!" he snapped. "How could you say that about yourself?"
"You can't turn into a sword like me, you're a human. You could die, don't you get it? You're not like me."
"That's—" he groaned as he stood. "I don't get it, Evelyn, I really don't."
She looked conflicted.
Michael kneeled down and cupped her face. "You're human. I don't care about what you say, you're a human to me. You feel like one, you smell like one, and you talk just like one. So, please, stop calling yourself a sword."
She pressed her face in his hands. "Cute."
"What?"
"Your eyebrows get all scrunched together when you're worried. It's cute."
He sighed, feeling his frustration wash away.
"I get it, Michael," she pulled his hands away. "But sometimes, you play around with your life too much. Get stronger and protect Evelyn, is there anything else that you think about?"
"I just want to protect you."
"Even if it meant for you to die?"
"Yes."
Her eyes softened. "At least think about it…"
"Sorry."
She hugged him tight. He caught the smell of her hair and how hard she was pressing onto his neck. It was like she was trying to squeeze him to death.
Michael held her. "Evelyn?"
"You're so obsessed with me," she muttered in his ear. "I don't know what I'm gonna do with you."
He thought his heartbeat was slowing down.
She leaned back to his face. "I love you, Michael Velo, but I would kill you myself if you're going to die for me."
He thought her golden eyes were more beautiful than before.
She kissed him. Even on this empty and silent road, it felt like the world was spinning around even faster the longer she held on his lips. He could have sworn the imaginary lights around them shined brighter.
She pulled away, letting out a small laugh as she looked into his drowsy eyes.
Michael felt like it was his first time breathing again.
"Live for me, Michael," she deeply smiled. "That's all I could ever ask for."
Michael looked into her eyes again. He had never felt so hopeless in his life. She deserved more than this rugged adventuring life, she deserved more than to be stuck behind his back as a sword, and she deserved more than what Michael offered.
She was this precious gem that he didn't want to shatter but the tighter he held it, the cracks began to appear. He had trapped himself in this dilemma because he loved her.
She poked his cheek. "No answer?"
He held her hand. "Could you turn back into a sword?"
"If you say the magic word."
"Please?"
She shook her head with a smug.
"Umm, I love you?"
Michael watched her smile fade within the flash as her body encircled around into the golden magical sword. He lifted up his head, following the floating hands trying to hold his face.
Her spirit form couldn't even manage to capture how beautiful she was.
"I'm going to put you away now," he said. "We're going to wait until they come back."
She floated beside him, smiling with some content. It was like she was happy with his decision.
Michael sheathed his blade onto his back. Then he sat alone in the middle of the road, waiting for Mave or anybody to pick him up. The silence was loud, he was starting to miss Evelyn by his side again.
Staring off into the empty road, he wanted to disagree with everything that she said to him. Michael needed to lose, he needed to get beat, and he needed to have all sorts of experience in fighting. That was how he could have the strength to protect Evelyn. He wasn't going to get anywhere by avoiding problems and staying weak like he already was.
This world demanded much more than that and it also wanted everything to do with his magical blade.
He was a liar. If there was a challenge for him to tackle death, then he wouldn't even hesitate to step up for the fight. He would do anything for the means of keeping her safe.