"DELICIAE… HOW DARE YOU…!" a woman screamed among the bodies of her children lying motionless. "You… you will face the consequences… You killed your own siblings… You… YOU DEVIL!"
The staff trembled in her hand.
Her mother's tears fell one by one.
"Deliciae… don't…"
But another voice inside her whispered louder.
"Burn."
The house exploded under Deliciae's magic. All that remained were ruins and the shadows of a life that had vanished.
The village was destroyed, fires raging everywhere, bodies scattered with blood still flowing.
Before she left, she accidentally stepped on her father's locket, which had fallen off. Deliciae picked it up and put it on.
A spirit was pulled out of her body, and she felt unbearable pain. She regained awareness—but it was too late.
She looked around, trying to understand what had happened.
"This… my village…?"
Deliciae realized she had done something unforgivable.
"My home… MOTHER?!"
"Deliciae…?"
Someone called her name, a voice gentle yet filled with sorrow and anger.
It was the moon god, Mensvie Deliciae's father.
"Father… It wasn't me!!"
"You disobeyed my command!! I told you never to remove that locket from your neck!" Mensvie's gentle voice turned into wrath. He grabbed Deliciae by the collar, though he did not lift her.
Mensvie collapsed to his knees and embraced her. He knew only Deliciae remained the youngest child he loved most and tried so hard to protect from the spirit. His voice was no longer firm. He wept, not knowing what to do.
At last, he made a decision one that would break his heart, yet save Deliciae's life.
"Deliciae Fern… You will not remember me as your father. Live with restrained emotions, smile only when necessary. And if we meet again, regard me only as a god."
Mensvie slowly released her and placed a new locket around her neck.
Deliciae tried to reach for him, to embrace him but her vision blurred, and she lost consciousness.
"Until we meet again, Deliciae…"
"Fern? Wake up. Didn't you say you wanted to play in the river?" a gentle male voice roused her from sleep.
"Hey, Sanfthe… Stop calling me Fern. My name is Deliciae."
"Whatever it is, come on! Let's play in the water, Fern!"
Sanfthe pulled her hand toward the river.
Two others were already there Yarmel and Heinrich fishing together.
"Seriously? A fighter only caught two fish? How pitiful…" Yarmel mocked sarcastically.
"Shut your mouth, cave-dwelling insect-eater," Heinrich snapped.
"Fern, roll your pants up to your knees. Let's play in the water while fishing. Tomorrow we're returning to the kingdom of Silbermondreich."
Sanfthe extended his hand, inviting Deliciae into the calm, shallow river.
She stepped in and walked toward where the current was slightly stronger. She lay down there, letting her hair spread and flow with the water.
Sanfthe smiled and lay beside her, not caring if his clothes became wet. He gazed into her eyes sincerely.
For humans, fifty years is a lifetime.
For Deliciae, it was merely one blink that lasted too long.
Memories, oh memories.
Take me back.
Hero Sanfthe Veichel.
The generous smile.
A mighty man.
A successful man.
A gentle man.
God, bring him back.
Deliciae watched as the earth slowly closed the grave. Beside her stood Yarmel and Heinrich, now aged sixty to seventy.
"I know human life is like a sheet of paper. I know he secretly loved me…"
Deliciae wiped her tears with the back of her hand.
Yarmel, seeing her, gave a faint smile and gently patted her head, trying to comfort both her and himself.
"I know my life is long… but his was so short compared to mine. Why didn't I accept him…"
"Deliciae, at least you made him happy for five full years during our journey fifty years ago. You gave him happiness in his final days. He always called your name when his illness worsened."
Deliciae broke down. After more than 780 years of living, she finally cried.
"Sanfthe… forgive me…"
Summer leaves fell.
The river that was once warm froze.
And one day, without her realizing, spring no longer came for Sanfthe.
Nine years after Hero Sanfthe Veichel died of old age.
Deliciae often traveled the world alone, sometimes stopping by Yarmel's house in the forest whenever she had spare time or simply passed through.
She knocked on the door, and Dandeli answered a young girl often tasked with delivering medicine, spellbooks, and staffs.
"Is Mr. Yarmel home?"
"Mr. Yarmel has been sick for three days… his body is very weak… but he can still stand."
"Take me to his room."
Dandeli led her to Yarmel's room near the entrance.
"Yarmel…"
Hearing her voice, Yarmel opened his eyes and smiled warmly. "It's been six months, Fern…"
"My name is Deliciae, old man."
"You're older than me, Deliciae."
"…True."
"Come, let's talk in the dining room."
Yarmel rose from his bed and walked to the modest dining room. A wooden table and chairs stood there, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air two loaves.
"Yarmel… you baked bread? For whom?"
"For you and Dandeli, of course."
"You knew I'd come? Even at your age, your instincts are sharp."
Yarmel chuckled softly. "Of course… I'm seventy-eight. Still perceptive and instinctive… unlike someone who was blind to someone's feelings for ten years until he died."
Deliciae felt struck. She swallowed hard, keeping her expression steady.
"My body is weak now, Deliciae… Please take care of this child. Travel the world with her as you did before, and teach her magic so she may grow strong like you and Hero Sanfthe."
"You'll stay here alone? Is that what you mean?"
"Yes…" Yarmel sipped the tea Dandeli prepared. "But before that…"
He gently took Deliciae's hand, placing a gemstone locket and a worn letter in it, then closed her fingers around them.
"It's from Hero Sanfthe. He asked me to give this to you so you'd remember he's always with you even after death, blooming like a flower in spring. I never took it out of my pocket since he passed. But now is the right time exactly nine years after his death."
"Huh…?"
Deliciae opened the letter.
A photograph fell
Like a leaf drifting down.
It was a picture of Sanfthe sixty years ago, three years into his guild life, already the strongest fighter there. He smiled softly, holding a replica calla lily the flower from his hometown, now lost and rare.
Hey, Fern…
How are you? Well? Still traveling across every kingdom in this land? Cool.
It's been a long time. Do you remember when we lay in the river together?
Our time together?
Our antics?
Our laughter?
Fern… Until we meet againif we ever do.
-Signed, Hero Sanfthe Veichel
City of Herzinne, Kingdom of Silbermondreich
9 ---------,????"
Deliciae smiled faintly and placed the letter and photo into her suitcase. Wearing the locket felt comforting
warm and calm.
"Come tomorrow. Pick up Dandeli at --:30."
"Alright."
Before leaving, Deliciae gently stroked Dandeli's head and waved at Yarmel.
Like a blink, one day was only a minute to Deliciae.
She returned the next day. When she opened the door, she found only Dandeli wearing a scarf, holding her staff, her hair neatly braided.
"Where is Mr. Yarmel?"
"I don't know… He disappeared yesterday afternoon."
"Alright. My question is:are you ready, Dandeli?"
"Yes!" Dandeli answered enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling as she gripped her staff tightly.
"Very well. Let's go."
Deliciae took Dandeli's hand, and together they walked away from the house.
—Arc: Hope Again, begins—