The honor of a knight is in their loyalty. It does not harm, lie, nor deceive its master. But, it protects, cherishes, and guides their people. The knight does not go against their principles and until death upholds it perseveringly.
~Annals of Yireo (1056)
"Right up to the End" was the title of a terribly written romance but a masterpiece fantasy novel. What was it about?
Well, the novel followed a female lead's growth from weak to strong. Growing from no one to someone. She was orphaned but was taken in by the baron then, enrolled in a magic university. Placed in a team with the 2 male leads to complete academic excursions and to various adventures with an eccentric teacher. Finally, to becoming hailed as heroes after surpassing various challenges.
Yet.
If I hadn't seen that terribly drawn picture. I wouldn't have been here. I wouldn't have been longing to save you. It's really quite troublesome. A weary smile covered her face.
As it stands, many were outraged to find out the villain of the story. As a blue collar worker who spent money and invested a large amount of time in the story. It was just supposed to be another story that passed the time despite that bloody plot twist.
However, upon stumbling on a horrible fan art, I fell. I COULDN'T ACCEPT IT. (Which might take a while but again. Will pass.
Supposed to pass.)
Which in hindsight, I now deeply regret.
I slumped sluggishly in the chair. Vision blurring and with my ears ringing, I welcomed darkness. Due to excessive stress from work, a weak body, and emotional turmoil, a stroke was triggered.
...
" Gi.....rl, g....irl... wak..e u..p... wake up.."
When she came to, it was hard to breath. No.
Everything was hard.
"Sh....it..The....y.....ne...r..." The voice was very quiet.
She was being dragged to run. It was hard to see, hear, and breath. Thinking was a struggle, there was no clear thought in her head. After an eternity of running, the one dragging her stopped.
Both of them were catching their breaths and she was slowly collecting herself. There was an unpleasant taste on her mouth and the air slightly cleared. She could feel something dripping from her head, covering her eyes.
Looking at her hands, she must have been a sorry sight. It should be blood in her head, eyes, skin, mouth, and body.
Where was she?
What happened?
"Girl,GIRL!"
Her eyes snapped to the only person with her.
"We're still too near. You've got to rest as much as you can. You've got to stay awake! I can't carry you!" Harsh whispers came out from her companion's mouth. While she still couldn't comprehened what's going on.
The bushes slightly waved with the wind which triggered the tense nerves of the other.
"Let's go."
With that she found herself being dragged in the darkness of the night, entering an eerie forest far from the smoke and fire she first saw. That's her first experience in this world.
...
A sharp sting from her face woke her up. She jerked up quite fast that she even felt slightly disoriented. A humble wooden house with all corners visible was what greeted her. 2 pairs of eyes also watched her movements as she came to...
"Where am I?"
"Dalin Village. Southwest from your own..., if you know." The boy answered her. Looking closely, her clothes were changed and the blood was wiped away. Everything was slightly more clearer as her condition improved and she was tended to.
...The boy was the one dragging her earlier. She thought that he would've left her since she couldn't keep up with the endless journey. She couldn't even remember how she came here.
"Thank you"
"You're lucky we're near or I would've left you."
The other pair of eyes was a girl around her age that abruptly threw a sharp glare towards the boy.
"Ignore my brother. How are you?"
Meeting her eyes, she felt very lost. Her last memories was of being very stressed before it all went black and suddenly seeming to be running for her life. In the entirety of her life, she have never felt more troubled than she was now.
"I can't remember." She can't answer how she was. How would she? She felt very weak probably from blood loss, a bit of headache, confusion, and her own loss.
"I can't remember, so where am I? Who am I?"
Outwardly, the 2 siblings observed the girl infront of them. For them, it was instinct that told them to be wary. The rapid changes in demeanor from the child infront of them only heightened the tension.
"The war has reached your village. You were under debris from the bombs. It's quite a miracle that you were alive." The boy stated shaking of his wariness. Too much tension is not too good for them. If the child was a threat, it would not be now. A sigh escaped him as he reached for a chair and sat down.
"We'd have to leave, we're too near the battle." The boy said resigned to the constant troubles of war.
"What do you plan to do?"
The boy stared at the child without emotion. In this war, she was a burden. He already had to look out for his sister. Kindness won't feed you, save you, nor help you. Take the hint.
When she received this question, shedidn't know how to answer. Her wits we're slowly coming back to her. She wasn't blessed to wake up in a good time, place, nor any premise.
Survive
"I won't be a burden. I won't steal your food, I'll find my own. If I'm too slow you can leave me. When there are enemies, I'll serve as a distraction. I won't beg for pity nor mercy. Just let me follow you until I understand this world."
She stared quietly back at the boy, younger than her soul but older than this body. She didn't forget to acknowledge the other sibling with her eyes. At this moment, she was not only judged by the boy but also by his sister. Not naive, not freely trusting but just silently watching.
An unordinary pair of siblings.
Everything felt absurd. She didn't know why she insists on coming with them. Maybe, it's because they were the ones she first saw when her mind came through. Maybe, it was no more than what she had said. To know where she was and who. Because at this moment, she didn't know her name. Her past life was becoming vague and only her death was clear. All this would be attributed to her current shit state. So, who was she?
"Will you tell me more about this place?" Her voice was steady and everything was unbefitting the age of her body. However, it falls unnoticed by the young who can't comprehend the uniqueness of the child infront of them. Afterall, as a child of war, you're either an enemy, will be an enemy, or a friend.
"I'm Elena... and this is my little brother Hill. We'll tell you just enough of what we know." The quiet sister reveals a hint of cunning and mirth hidden in her eyes. Acknowledging that the child will be helped to all those who were present. The siblings looked at her with their own thoughts but seemingly united as one.
How admirable
~~~
I don't know who I am nor where I am. Yet, something tells me that the world is beyond simple.
Another voice tells me that I have to find you.
Then...,
Who are you?
~~~
~À suivre