-Arc 1-

  Chapter 18

  “Seraphine”

  *?*?*?*

  Petra’s face didn't leave Eris’s chest, even when she finally began to speak coherently.

  Petra: “You came…”

  Eris: “I…”

  There were corpses on the ground. Corpses that Eris made. That was the only thing she could think of now. Even if they moved like puppets on strings, they were human. Even if Aíma said they were pure evil, they were human. Her sword held loosely in her limp hand, Eris looked down at Petra’s green hair which was just under her chin.

  Eris: “Umm… Mirra, are… you okay?”

  Turning her attention to the demon maid slowly, Mirra slowly nodded, her beautiful eyes shimmering under the crimson light.

  Petra: “Eris… you’re bleeding… Are you okay?”

  Petra finally looked up, noticing the blood trickling down Eris’s mouth. She licked her lips, which was quickly undone as more leaked out of her tongue.

  Eris: “Y-Yeah, I just bit my tongue… more importantly, they didn't hurt you either, right?”

  Petra: “I’m not sure how that’s any more important than you, but I’m fine…”

  Petra finally released Eris, and she was able to rise to her feet. She could only see now that her dress was stained and splattered with blood. Petra’s nightgown had become bloody as well from the contact.

  Eris: “Ah… that’s a relief.”

  Sighing out a large breath and raising her head to avoid eye-contact with the corpses on the ground, Eris looked at the two alive beings which watched her.

  Eris: “Mirra, are the robes… the Red Right Hand… Are they under violet magic control?”

  The robed soldiers did not show personality or self preservation. They didn't seem to feel pain or emotions. They simply tried to kill. If anything, they were more like beasts in human form.

  Mirra, still hugging her knees in the corner, stared at a bleeding corpse on the ground. A piece of violet hair coming loose and falling around her horns, she eventually shook her head.

  Mirra: “I don't think so… Not that I can tell… why?”

  Eris: “It’s just… they act… nevermind.”

  Turning towards the door to the stairs which was now wide open, Eris took a deep breath.

  Of course, the memories of this room had not disappeared. Even in this moment, her ears were ringing with the memory of Caelia’s angry shouting, her own screams, and Aqua’s horribly gentle voice.

  But for the sake of Petra and Mirra, she had to persevere. She would have to think straight, even just for a few moments, so she could be helpful to them. She was their only defense, their sword, so she would have to act like a warrior and ignore her heart.

  Eris: “I think… the best option would be for you two to come with me. I don't want them to come back and attack you guys again.”

  Petra: “Eris, wait…!”

  Eris: “Petra…?”

  Petra: “We can't go up there… We can’t fight, and—”

  Eris: “I’ll protect you!”

  Petra: “No! You shouldn't have to…”

  Eris: “Huh?”

  Petra’s face was frantic, desperate. Obviously, she did not want to be plunged into danger, but it was probably more dangerous to be left down here than up there.

  Eris: “I—”

  Mirra: “I-I can't go either! I don't want to…”

  Eris: “But—”

  Eris didn't understand what either of them were thinking. She didn't even understand how she herself was thinking. However, she knew that regardless of fear, a rational decision needed to be made. Petra and Mirra were safer when not alone, and Eris could not wait here with them when the others were out there fighting.

  Suddenly, a long shadow emerged on the bloody stone floor. From the staircase, a black silhouette. Petite, dressed in frills, features in darkness, hair in a bun crowned by horns backlit by dim crimson light.

  ???: “I detected bloodshed here. I did not expect to find you alive, Eris.”

  Eris: “Aíma…”

  Aíma: “Regardless, you did a good job. I’m sure Master Carlos will praise you.”

  The blood mage’s face was still completely dark, yet to step into the light. Aíma, aside from being ominous just by existing, had a talent for putting herself in ominous poses and positions. Eris wondered if it was on purpose or not.

  Eris: “Good job…?”

  Aíma: “When I arrived to support the others, Seraphine asked for your whereabouts.”

  Ignoring Eris’s bewilderment, Aíma swiftly moved on to her next topic.

  Aíma: “At the time, blood was yet to shed in this room, so I was not aware of your location. That girl ran off to look for you.”

  Eris: “Seraphine is…”

  Petra: “Is she okay?”

  Aíma: “That is unknown.”

  Eris planted her foot forwards. Again, she was thinking about rushing in blindly, recklessly, to save someone.

  Mirra: “Why…”

  Aíma: “Eris, I will trap this room. No harm shall befall—”

  Hearing the guarantee of Petra and Mirra's safety with the reliable Aíma, Eris’s planted foot was followed by her other. Her legs did not betray her this time. Despite being severed in this very room, they were reliable.

  Her shoes squelching in blood beneath her, Eris pushed past Aíma and raced up the stairs.

  Petra: “Eris! Don't— …Please, be careful!”

  —*—

  The trail of Seraphine wasn't that hard to find. Following the smell of smoke and burnt meat, she eventually found a hallway of blackened corpses. Ash floated like falling snow, and the temperature of the hall was significantly higher than others.

  Eris: “Seraphine…”

  When thinking of the red haired maid with cerulean eyes, withdrawn and unpredictable emotionally, the only image that came to Eris was her sobbing on her knees, begging ‘Eris’ to return.

  Seeing the destruction and violence she can cause— has caused, was jarring. The smell of burnt flesh was nauseating, but for Seraphine, Eris would push on.

  This was not the first hallway of burnt corpses Seraphine had left behind. Eris wasn't sure exactly how the orange rune worked, but she knew that when fighting the demon-beast, Seraphine became exhausted quickly. Using this much magic against the enemy, there was no doubt that Seraphine was already exhausted.

  These corpses had no windblade wounds, so their deaths were solely due to Seraphine. She could not imagine the pain of being burned alive. Their skin was black or red, sometimes even completely gone in places. Eyes melted into fried paste. Their insides were visible through burns, and some of them were still smoking.

  It was not a matter of simply being lit on fire. Rather, their very temperature had been brought to lethal amounts. Skin, insides, all boiling simultaneously. Of course, there had been some fire due to their flammable robes, but they were not extreme enough to spread to their nonflammable surroundings.

  Covering her mouth and averting her dangerously curious eyes, Eris navigated through the burned corpses.

  Eris: “Seraphine?!”

  Beginning to call out her name, Eris was not expecting a response. Eris had already thought it likely that Seraphine was dead, having expended all of her energy on magic and succumbing to—

  ???: “Eris?!”

  To her surprise, a muffled voice called back.

  Eris: “Seraphine?”

  The voice was no doubt one she knew. The withdrawn and volatile red haired maid.

  Picking up her pace into a run, Eris followed Seraphine’s voice, calling to each other like birds.

  Finally turning the corner and laying her eyes on Seraphine, Eris’s eyes widened.

  Her baggy nightgown was torn, splattered with blood, and even singed. Seraphine herself was panting and gasping for air, her cheeks flush with strain.

  Eris: “Seraphine…”

  Seraphine: “I looked— everywhere for you… Aíma, she said…”

  Her sentence broken up by deep breaths for air, Eris remained vigilant of her surroundings.

  Seraphine: “...she said that you left…”

  Eris: “I had to make sure Petra and Mirra were okay.”

  Seraphine: “Her, Aqua, Caelia… none of them would come… help me look for you…”

  Eris placed her hands on Seraphine’s shoulders, guiding her to the wall and instructing her to sit. Seraphine reluctantly obeyed.

  Eris: “You overused your magic, didn't you?”

  Seraphine: “You saw it…?”

  Eris thought of the charred corpses, slowly nodding. Now Seraphine was the one grabbing Eris's shoulders.

  Seraphine: “I didn't want to! I didn't want to kill them… but…”

  Eris: “I—”

  Seraphine: “They were trying to kill me, and I had to find you…”

  Eris: “I know, Seraphine… I…”

  Seraphine’s cerulean eyes lowered to Eris's sword, which had yet to be sheathed since being drawn in the Room of Records. It was smeared with blood, and Eris herself was stained with crimson.

  Seraphine: “It’s not murder… it’s not murder, right?”

  Eris: “——”

  In stories about war, killing was easy, especially when it was the enemy. It was never called ‘murder’ when in defense of oneself. But Eris and Seraphine were not soldiers. Perhaps for the ruthless Caelia, the protective Aqua, or the efficient Aíma, it wasn't an issue. But Eris and Seraphine, even if in self defense, could not find a justification which could satisfy them from the horror of killing.

  Eris: “It’s…”

  Seraphine: “It’s not murder, right?”

  The eyes under the emotionless mask were suddenly staring at Eris again, and she found herself shaking her head.

  Eris: “No… no, it’s not murder…”

  She wasn't sure why she lied about how she felt, but it felt smoother to lie than to say the truth here.

  Seraphine: “We had to…”

  Eris stared into Seraphine’s eyes, nodding slowly. Suddenly, with Seraphine’s hands still on her shoulder, Eris was shoved backwards.

  Eris: “Seraphine?!”

  Filled with surprise and confusion, Eris’s unformed question was answered as an axe flew across her vision. It hit the floor with a smash, shattering the marble tile.

  Snapping her gaze over to the perpetrator, a group of Red Right Hand. Three robes, three masks. The leading one, a large and muscular figure, had a collection of throwing axes in his arm, and was preparing to throw the next.

  Seraphine: “Eris, I—”

  Eris understood. Seraphine was too exhausted to use any more magic. Understanding that didn't help, though. Eris was far from being an expert in combat. The only reason she had succeeded in the Room of Records was because the enemy was equally unskilled and had no desire to protect themselves. She had no experience in dealing with a ranged enemy.

  Desperately rising to her feet, watching the axe-thrower with her peripherals, Eris took Seraphine's hand and pulled her into the nearest room.

  Seraphine: “If you want to rely on my magic, it’s okay, but…”

  Eris: “I’d prefer not to. I don't want to exhaust you. Besides, it seems kind of…”

  Seraphine frowned, but refrained from speaking and lowered her head.

  Hearing the rushing footsteps approach the door, Eris dragged the blade across her dress, wiping the blood off on her apron before bringing it into what she assumed was the ideal sword stance. She had never seen anyone fight with a sword, let alone be trained with it. The only thing she knew about them was what she had read. Basically, the edge was dangerous.

  Seraphine: “I can heat your sword, maybe…?”

  Even if it was an enticing offer, Eris could hear the strain still in Seraphine's voice. She had exhausted her mana, and Eris didn't want to further deplete her.

  Eris: “Don’t exhaust yourself. You won't use your magic, right?”

  Seraphine: “But—”

  The door was suddenly kicked open, and without hesitation, Eris abruptly swung the sword. With her inhuman strength, she had the ability to move the blade around quicker than any normal person, which gave her an advantage despite her lack of skill.

  Eris clenched her eyes shut as she felt the blade reach its target. Wet, hot fluid splattered across her face.

  Barely squinting through her eyelids, she saw that she had cleaved the blade directly through the first figure’s head, splitting down into the neck.

  Witnessing the destruction she had caused suddenly sent Eris into a panic. Filled with adrenaline and shock, she tried to rip the blade out of the corpse which was still standing, held up by the sword. But it was lodged in. Blood leaking down the blade until it was pooling over the hilt and her hands, Eris let out a shriek.

  Eris: “Let go! Let me go!”

  Finally, with a crack akin to the sound of splitting a watermelon, the blade came free. But the corpse didn't collapse.

  Eris: “Why…?”

  If somehow the robe was still alive, or worse, it reawoke to seek vengeance on its murderer, Eris would—

  The corpse began to move, floating like a spirit.

  Eris: “Huh~?”

  Raising her sword, covered in blood and flesh, her hands trembled with fear and confusion.

  Seraphine: “I’m going to use—”

  Eris: “No, Seraphine!”

  Desperate to save Seraphine's strength, Eris made a firm protest even in a situation like this. Because the corpse was not floating, fueled by a vengeful spirit at all. It was being held up by the large Red Right Hand soldier who emerged from the doorway. They held the corpse close, as if hugging it.

  No.

  Eris: “A shield?”

  It seemed that some of the robes had at least some intelligence left. It was the same one who was throwing axes, so maybe this one was high-ranking or special in some way. Did the Red Right Hand have ranks, or a structure at all?

  The other robe stepped in behind the larger one, armed with daggers in both hands.

  With a situation like this, Eris was not only outnumbered, but outclassed as well. Glancing back at Seraphine, Eris shook her head. Even now, she didn't want to force her to overwork herself any more than she already had.

  Eris knew that even using the corpse as a shield, she could plunge her sword through the body and into the second one. But she would probably be struck with an axe if she did so. Even if miraculously that didn't happen, her weapon would be stuck inside the enemy for at least a brief moment, and the second one with daggers would undoubtedly kill Eris.

  Unable to think of another option, Eris put her hands on the bookshelf, empty of books but weighty, and pulled it downwards. Swiftly jumping out of the way of both the falling shelf and an incoming attack, Eris watched it slam into the ground with a deafening crash.

  The smaller robe which had tried to attack her was instantly crushed, still writhing about under the heavy shelf. However, the large body of the corpse-shielded one, despite being crushed by the shelf, simply smashed through it instead of buckling under the weight.

  Eris: “——”

  At least, without the second one, it would be less risky to attack now. Eris tightened her grip on the sword as hard as she could, and ran directly towards the figure.

  Watching it raise a throwing axe, preparing to bring it down upon her, Eris wondered in what felt like slow motion. Could she avoid it? Would she have enough time, or was she going too fast to stop herself?

  Her question was answered when she tried to plant her feet to avoid the axe, but she instead tumbled downwards. Rolling across the wooden floor. The sword flew out of her hands. Crashing into a stop, Eris watched stars float around her vision. Amongst the stars, Eris saw the featureless face of the black mask directly above her. As the figure raised the throwing axe, Eris meekly shielded her face with her arms, as if that would stop the blade.

  Suddenly, something red flew across her vision.

  As soon as the red blur appeared, it was gone, taking with it the robe which was about to end her life. Turning her head, Eris took a moment to process her vision.

  Seraphine had tackled the large figure, and was now wrestling for the axe. It was not a fair fight. Seraphine did not possess Eris’s unnatural strength, and even considering human strength, she was below average. That was not the case for the Red Right Hand axe-thrower, who was of large build.

  Eris: “Seraphine!”

  Crawling over, eventually clambering to her knees, she watched as Seraphine was thrown aside by the large figure, an arc of crimson following her flight through the air.

  It was a silent endeavor until Seraphine hit the wall. That came with a thud, and suddenly, Seraphine was screaming.

  Eris: “Sera—phine!”

  Rapidly pushing herself up to her feet, Eris followed Seraphine's lead and tackled the Red Right Hand who was rising to their feet.

  With strength unbefitting her gentle appearance, Eris wrapped her hands around the robe. One around their wrist, the other around the neck. Her hand was not big enough to strangle their large throat, but even with the huge figure’s strength, it was nothing compared to Eris.

  Their wrist was crushed to powder with a sudden crack. They never made a sound of pain, not even reacting to it. They reached up their other hand, only to have it too brutally smashed by Eris’s grip.

  Their legs began to flail, but now, Eris had both of her hands around the figure’s neck, and soon it was crushed into a mangled crimson mush. Their legs continued to kick for a few seconds before finally succumbing to death’s embrace.

  Eris had locked eyes with the figure under the mask the entire time, barely registering the sight in front of her. Now that they were dead, Eris rolled off of the twitching corpse and scrambled to Seraphine's side.

  She was curled up against the wall, blood pooling under her.

  Eris: “Seraphine! Seraphine!”

  In her stomach, where blood poured profusely, was a throwing axe. The blade about the length of Eris’s hand.

  Seraphine: “Eris… Eris… Eris…”

  Her eyes had remained dry until this point, but seeing the white haired maid above her now, hot tears began to blur Seraphine’s vision.

  Eris: “Seraphine, I— I’m sorry!”

  After all, it was her fault. If she had not pathetically tumbled like that, Seraphine would not have thought she needed to save her. If Eris was competent, she could have killed the Red Right Hand before this could have happened.

  Seraphine: “S-Sorry…? Why are you sorry?”

  If she had told her it was okay to use her magic, Seraphine would not have felt the need to tackle them like that and get hurt.

  Eris was also crying now too. One moment, there were no tears, and now they were pouring out of her eyes.

  Eris: “If I had…”

  Seraphine: “Don't! Don't start that!”

  Mixed with tears on her pale face was desperation and anger, now. Eris stifled a gasp.

  Seraphine: “‘I could have done better, I should have prevented this,’ don't! Don't say any of it!”

  Despite the pain she was in, losing blood, Seraphine was shouting.

  Eris: “I—”

  Seraphine clasped a bloody hand over Eris’s mouth. Despite that, Eris spoke.

  Eris: “I'm going to get you to Aqua!”

  The thought of the red room did not even occur to Eris now.

  Seraphine: “Wait! But— the axe… take it out! It hurts!”

  Eris: “That’ll hurt more! Besides, If I do…”

  Seraphine: “Please, Eris!”

  Eris: “You’ll bleed more! I can't take it out!”

  Seraphine screamed in agony suddenly, clutching the axe inside of her. Eris had scooped her arms under her and slowly lifted.

  Seraphine: “Eris, what are you doing?!”

  Eris: “I’m going to take you to Aqua!”

  Seraphine: “Please! Please, put me down!”

  She was screaming at every step. Despite Eris's urgency and desperation, she could not bear to hear the agony in her voice. She had no choice but to lie her back down. They had only made it a few steps.

  Eris: “Okay, I’ll go get her! Please, stay here! Don't take it out, even if it hurts, okay?”

  Standing up to reach her goal, Eris’s bloodstained sleeve was snatched by a weak hand.

  Eris: “——”

  Seraphine: “Please, don't leave! Don't leave me behind! Don't leave!”

  Eris: “But, Seraphine… you’re…”

  Seraphine pulled Eris downwards. Falling to her knees before the bleeding maid, Eris’s tears began to fall again.

  Eris: “Aqua can heal you… I need to find her!”

  Seraphine: “Please, just stay with me!”

  —*—

  The rulers of Besarus, the Teinin family, were an unyielding order. Their values were absolute, and those who did not adhere to them were punished. Despite that, they were a respected authority, and those under their protection had no desire for revolt.

  If one respected their rules, then they would give fair treatment to them.

  The Teinin family believed they were blessed by the Gods, granting them domain over their city-state of Besarus. Their distinctive fiery-red hair and cold blue eyes were proof of this, as both were rare features for humans. Another cited proof was their black runes, which they claimed were a blessing from the Goddess of Magic.

  Being as strict as they were, if one born into the Teinin family did not share the same traits— red hair, blue eyes, and a black rune, they were exiled or executed. Claimed to be illegitimate, cursed, rejected by the gods, or a demon in disguise.

  Seraphine Teinin was born with red hair and blue eyes, and grew up in the Sacred Castle atop the mountain, overlooking the city-state of Besarus. Besarus was an extremely isolated nation, surrounded by enormous mountains and dense forests. In the winter, snow would pile so high that houses had to be dug out, and in the summer, rains would cause mudslides so destructive walls had to be built to protect against them.

  Seraphine was not in line to be Queen, but she was destined for an easy life of nobility and wealth. Despite that, unlike many of her siblings and cousins, she never grew conceited and ignorant. Though sometimes hotheaded, at a young age, it was seen as adorable and not rude.

  Her parents, cousins of the King, were young and loving. She got along with her siblings, two older brothers and a newborn sister, and was tutored alongside them. She learned politics at a young age, and was encouraged to read as much as she could. But where her true passion lied was in cooking. She would often sneak away to the kitchens, and prepare meals with the staff. At night, she would create her own recipes, perfecting them. Of course, this was not without reprocussions. Things like;

  Father: “A noble-lady has no need to cook. You should do some studying instead.”

  Mother: “What will I do with you? This is so unbefitting!”

  Seraphine would stick her tongue out at them, and dash away.

  Regardless, her parents loved their daughter, and never really put any effort in separating her and her passion.

  Seraphine was considered a late bloomer. Not in intelligence or age, but in magic. Black runes usually manifested around the age of four, but Seraphine only began to show signs of magic when she was six.

  Seraphine: “Huh? What is this…?”

  Gazing at the back of her hand, still groggy from waking up, Seraphine watched the strange symbol, pulsing in orange on her skin.

  She ran her hand over it, but felt nothing different than normal skin.

  The maid who was preparing her tea glanced over. Suddenly double taking, she let out a sharp gasp, the delicate cup shattered on the floor.

  Seraphine: “Huh? Auriette, are you alright?”

  The maid, looking pale and cupping her face over her mouth, suddenly bolted out the door.

  After a few minutes of Seraphine trying to wipe up the hot tea spilled on the floor, the door suddenly flew open.

  Father: “Seraphine, come here!”

  Obeying her father, Seraphine noticed the concern on his face and the urgency in his voice. Naturally, it unsettled Seraphine, seeing her father that way.

  Seraphine: “Father, what's wrong?”

  As soon as she was in arms reach of him, her hand was snatched into his. Her sleeve being rolled up, her father suddenly gasped.

  Father: “Seraphine, what is the meaning of this?!”

  Seraphine: “Huh? I-I don't know myself… It just was there today—”

  Father: “Why…”

  Falling to his knees, Seraphine’s hand was released.

  Seraphine: “Father…”

  Reaching out to place a comforting touch on his head, her hand was swatted away suddenly.

  Father: “Don't touch me, demon!”

  Seraphine: “Wh-what?! Father?”

  She was escorted by guards into a strange, dark room with bars she had never seen, and she spent a whole day inside.

  Of course, she cried the whole time, but nobody let her out. She assumed she had made some kind of mistake to be punished like this, but she didn't know what she did.

  When a woman came in with her gaze cast onto the floor, carrying a bowl of food, Seraphine clutched the bars.

  Seraphine: “Hey! Hey! What did I do wrong? Please, tell me! I’m sorry!”

  After dropping off the bowl, the woman made some kind of gasp— like she was crying, and bolted out of the room with her face covered.

  Seraphine: “Come back! Come back!”

  The woman didn't come back. In the bowl was porridge. It tasted like nothing from the stress and confusion, but that wasn't too different from normal porridge.

  The sun had only barely started to go down through the barred window, but Seraphine passed out on the straw bed regardless.

  The next day, she woke up to the metal door being opened. The faceless guards behind armor, like those who had protected her since she was born, entered the room.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  Seraphine: “H-hey… wait… can you please tell me what I did—”

  She was suddenly lifted up and dragged out. Seraphine didn't make a fuss, since she knew she would only be in more trouble if she did.

  In no time at all, she was put in a long hallway on a bright red rug, facing her cousin once removed— the king, on the throne.

  She had been in the throne room before, but never out of punishment.

  Seraphine: “Y-Your majesty… I don't know—”

  Leaning forwards on his throne, the king looked through Seraphine’s eyes with a cold glare.

  King: “As you know, those in the Teinin family are blessed by the gods with the black rune.”

  Seraphine: “H-Huh? I don't…”

  King: “Don't speak over me.”

  Seraphine: “——”

  The King was always strict and cold, but he also showed love in his own way. There was a distinction between rude and strict, and he was not rude. The way he was acting now was completely different than normal.

  King: “Seraphine, you have an orange rune on your wrist, do you not?”

  Looking down at her hand, she gazed at the pulsing colors. It was similar to the black symbols on her family's hands, though it was a different shape and color.

  Seraphine: “I… think so?”

  King: “From this day forward, you are no longer a member of the Teinen family.”

  Immediately replying with that direct statement, Seraphine shuddered at its harshness. She was yet to process the meaning, only the way it was said.

  No longer a member of the Teinen family.

  Seraphine: “Wha-wait, Your Majesty? What does that mean? What do you mean? What—”

  King: “Silence! You no longer bear the family name of Teinen. You are no longer royalty. You shall never show your face in this city again.”

  Even the young Seraphine could understand what those words meant. But she could not understand why.

  Seraphine: “I’m…”

  Again, she was lifted up by a guard and carried towards the door. In her bewilderment, she saw her father in the corner of the room, clutching her mother and holding her into his chest.

  If she could not return, regardless of the reason, she could not see them again.

  Seraphine: “Wait! Father! Mother! Please! Why? Why?”

  She began to writhe and try to free herself, but the powerful arms of the soldier barely flinched.

  Seraphine: “Don't leave me! Don't leave me!”

  It was not that she was being removed, but that she was being left behind.

  After being exiled from the castle, she tried to live in the city. Every face looked at her with disdain. Nobody spoke to her. She could not buy or trade for food. From the meager things she collected from the streets, every merchant turned the other way and refused to trade with them.

  Seraphine: “Why…”

  What had she done wrong? Why was she being punished? Why was everyone leaving her?

  After months of searching through garbage bins for scraps of food and stealing from wild dogs in alleys, a strange man with pale blue hair and crimson eyes appeared one day.

  ???: “My, girl, you’ve got a wild look in ‘ya eye!”

  He was a younger man, but his face showed age despite his years. Especially with the scar across his forehead that looked like a cracked window.

  He had a massive backpack, a faded green coat, and a hat with a brim wider than his shoulders. Despite his odd looks, he had an aura of warmth around him.

  Seraphine: “Ah… excuse me… was I bothering you?”

  ???: “Oy oy, botherin’ me? How’d that come up? ‘F anythang, I’d be botherin’ you, aha!”

  Seraphine: “H-Huh?”

  From the strange man’s perspective, he had approached a young, homeless girl who shared the features with the nobility of the city. The wild look in her eye was less of a real look, and more of a feeling in his chest.

  ???: “Ma name is Tanzique. But you can call me Tanzi.”

  Seraphine: “——”

  Tanzi: “Eh? Aren't ya ‘pposed to tell me your name now? Or is that just’a thang where I'm from?”

  Seraphine had her name ripped from her in the castle, where she was told she was no longer a Teinin. She hadn't gotten the opportunity to ponder this very thing, since nobody since had asked her name since. If she was not Teinin, was she Seraphine?

  Tanzi: “Well, whateva’. I don't think eatin’ stuff with mold on it is very healthy, y’know?”

  The bread in Seraphine's hand was thrown out by the bakers, and had been in the trash for some time. Still, she could not buy her own food, nor did she know how to hunt, so it was her only option. It stopped making her throw up after a few weeks of eating it.

  Looking up from the bread, she saw Tanzi’s callused hand extended to her.

  Tanzi: “This town’s kinda odd, but they got some great restaurants!”

  It wasn't easy to follow him at first. Trusting anyone in this city of hostile glances was difficult. But the promise of food was something she could not ignore.

  Tanzi fed Seraphine well, though coming off a moldy food diet did take some getting used to and a few more upset stomachs. Apparently, Tanzi was an adventurer. Unlike most adventurers, who go on quests given by the guilds, Tanzi preferred to make his own quests. Exploring where he wanted to go, meeting people he wanted to meet, and doing what he wanted to do.

  It wasn't long before Tanzi left the city of Besarus, and Seraphine followed. It was a mutually beneficial relationship. Seraphine could ignite kindling, keep them both warm, cook food, and boil water. Tanzi explained to her what a rune was, and Seraphine began to wonder if that's what her family was talking about that day.

  Tanzi: “Ooohh, treasure, huh?”

  Old Man: “That's what I heard, anyway. Near the peak of Mount Volcus. Not without its danger, though…”

  In a shady pub in a small town on the eastern steppes of Ane, Tanzi struck conversation with a worn-out old man. He said he was only seventy, but he looked twice that at least. Perhaps from adventuring his entire life, and that was also how he lost his eye?

  Tanzi: “I’ve never struck a fortune before… Well, not that I’m usually lookin’ for it! Haha!”

  Seraphine bit her lip. Tanzi had the tendency to chase after things like this, even at the expense of his own safety. But she didn't want to make a scene in this town full of rowdy men.

  Old Man: “You’re not looking for treasure? Kid, what are you out here for?”

  Tanzi: “Oy, not a bad question… Eh… I guess ‘m just tryna see everythin’, y'know?”

  Old Man: “Bwahahahaha! See everything! Now that’s a good one! This kid’s got some life in him still!”

  The entire tavern erupted into howling laughter, but Tanzi was not deterred.

  Tanzi: “Hahaha! Since me and ‘er are goin’ treasure huntin’, we’ll be rich soon enough! Drinks are on me!”

  As Tanzi pointed towards Seraphine with his bottle, Seraphine’s eyes widened.

  Seraphine: “We're actually going?!”

  Her voice was drowned out by the ruckus of people scrambling for free drinks.

  The next day, Tanzi led Seraphine along, and they began to make the trek up the Volcus mountain range to the tallest mountain on the continent, Mount Volcus.

  By evening of the first night, they had made it up a decent portion of the mountain range. Snow was swirling around, but neither of them were cold. Even at a young age, Seraphine could keep the two of them at a reasonable temperature with her magic, though not forever.

  While Tanzi was watching the fire flicker, listening to the wind and snow howl around them, Seraphine refused to look away from Tanzi, whose face had become familiar to her over the past two years.

  Tanzi: “Ahh, I can tell you're mad ‘bout somethin’, Spark. You’re glarin’ at me. Oy, now that I think ‘bout it, ya always get mad when we go ‘n do somethin’ like this. Do ya not like treasure?”

  Prodding the fire with a stick and watching the embers rise into the night, Tanzi raised his eyebrow at Seraphine.

  He called her ‘Spark’ because Seraphine never told him her real name. Even though she hated ‘Spark,’ it became more of her name than Seraphine by now. She didn't think Spark fit her, but Seraphine didn't fit her either, and Teinen especially didn't.

  Sometimes, she wondered if she should tell him. She couldn't quite figure out exactly why she never did. Perhaps it was spite for her parents, or perhaps it was because she hated her name, or perhaps she felt she did not belong in it. All of those were true, but they did not feel like a sufficient reason.

  Tanzi: “You’re still glarin’ at me! Oy, I messed up, huh?”

  Seraphine: “You keep doing dangerous things! How do you even know there is treasure?! They tell stories about that stuff all the time!”

  Tanzi looked thoughtful for a moment, before smirking.

  Tanzi: “Spark, I always said ya had spark. Or wait, nah, I said ya had spunk… Well, whateva. That survival instinct of yours is real amazin.’”

  Seraphine: “Huh?”

  Tanzi: “Ya got a wild look in ya eye… Or wait, na… It’s just that ya’re always lookin’ at me! Haha!”

  It was as if Tanzi didn't even hear what Seraphine said to him.

  Seraphine: “——”

  Tanzi: “Is it ‘cause ya still don't trust me? That survival instinct, I mean… Ya still haven't told me ya name, y’know? Or… Is it really Spark?”

  Seraphine: “It’s not!”

  Hugging her knees, Seraphine was still locking eyes with Tanzi.

  Tanzi: “It’s like you think I’ll vanish if ya look away! I ain't that adventurous. I’ll never leave ya behind, Spark!”

  Laughing, Tanzi prods at the fire then takes a huge swing of his bottle.

  Seraphine: “Never… leave me…behind?”

  Tanzi: “Huh? That’s not it? Guess I don't know ya at all, Spark.”

  Tanzi let out a hardy laugh, but Seraphine was still staring.

  Seraphine: “Seraphine.”

  Tanzi: “——”

  Now, Tanzi was staring at her. He raised an eyebrow, twisting the scar on his forehead, and leaned back.

  Tanzi: “Is that some slang? From ya homeland?”

  Seraphine: “It’s my name. My name is Seraphine.”

  Tanzi: “Seraphine, huh? Well, it weren't that hard to tell me, huh? Wonder why ya waited?”

  Seraphine wondered that herself. Her heart was racing for some reason.

  Tanzi: “Seraphine is too long, so I'm just gonna call ya Sera!”

  Seraphine: “Sera…?”

  Seraphine felt like a name she was not allowed to use anymore. She hated Spark. Sera, however…

  Tanzi: “Thanks for tellin’ me! It’ll get some takin’ used to, but I’ll manage. G’night, Sera!”

  Suddenly, Tanzi was wrapped up in his sleeping bag and snoring.

  Seraphine wasn't a master mage who had been training her entire life, so she couldn't continue to use her warming magic when she was sleeping.

  When she woke up the next morning, it was already bright out. Usually Tanzi woke up before the sun even kissed the horizon, so Seraphine began to shiver. Or maybe she shivered because of the cold. In the night, the fire had gone out and snow had piled up on her sleeping bag. She immediately reignited the kindling and raised her body temperature with magic.

  She looked about the camp, going to do the same for Tanzi. But he wasn't there.

  Seraphine: “Tanzi?”

  Suddenly shooting up, she looked around the camp, perched on a small cliff in the mountains. There was thick snow everywhere, but Seraphine had melted a small area of it so they could set up camp.

  Tanzi had put his sleeping bag near the edge on a small spot of snow.

  Tanzi: “Snow can insulate ya in your sleep, y'know? Actually, I dunno if it works like that, but I’ll try it!”

  That was what he had said.

  The small spot in the snow where his sleeping bag was— was now gone. Like it had been carved out specifically to remove Tanzi from the cliff.

  Seraphine: “Wha-...?”

  The snow suddenly began to pick up again, and now the wind erupted into a howl.

  Seraphine: “Tanzi! Tanzi!”

  She abandoned the camp, running as fast as she could through the thick snow. The wind blew at her face. Snow stung her skin. Even her limited magic was failing to keep her warm in this weather, and she was shivering.

  Seraphine: “Tanzi!”

  Shouting his name, she searched for a man with pale blue hair and crimson eyes among the blizzard. She waited for him to come up to her and say;

  Tanzi: “Oy, you got a wild look in ya eye!”

  She indeed had a wild look in her eye. Trudging through the snow, she made it to the spot under the cliff where they had slept. It was afternoon by then, but it had not gotten any warmer.

  Suddenly, she tripped in the snow. Falling face first into the freezing white powder, Seraphine groaned. Anger had swelled up in her. The weather, Tanzi, the old man who told him about the treasure, the mountain, herself, the world.

  Glancing behind her to see what she had tripped over, she saw a glimpse of green. A faded green made of fabric.

  Seraphine: “Tanzi…”

  Crawling over, she began to brush away the snow. She aggressively shook the green coat until the snow was coming off him.

  His hat was missing. He wasn't wearing his backpack. He was still wrapped in his sleeping bag.

  Seraphine: “Hey! Hey! Tanzi!”

  She shook him more aggressively now. Of course, Tanzi didn't wake up.

  Seraphine: “Tanzi…?”

  Seraphine was familiar with the concept of death. On her travels with him, they had passed through many villages affected by the wars. Corpses were not an alien sight for her. But she had never seen a corpse with the face of someone she knew before.

  Seraphine: “Wait, don't leave!”

  It was such a stupid thing to say. The dead couldn't hear, let alone come back to life.

  Seraphine: “Wake up! Wake up!”

  She abandoned shaking him and she was now slapping his cold, stiff cheeks.

  Seraphine: “Aren't you supposed to get used to my name? I’m Seraphine! Call me Sera! Call me Sera!”

  Tears were streaming down her face, and the ones that weren't blown away by the wind began to freeze.

  If she had tried harder to convince him to not search for the treasure. If she had not let him sleep on the edge. If she had woken up in time. If she had caught him when he fell. Catching him by the sleeve, he would not have left her behind.

  Seraphine: “You said you weren't going to leave! You told me you weren't going to leave me behind! You said it!”

  Seraphine: “You can't leave!”

  Seraphine: “Don't leave me, please!”

  Seraphine: “Please, just stay with me!”

  Eris: “I won't! I won't leave, Seraphine!”

  Seraphine: “H-Huh? E-Eris…?”

  She was gazing up from her blurred vision. She wasn't cold anymore. She wasn't on her knees, and Tanzi was gone.

  Eris: “Y-Yes, Seraphine… I’m here, I’m here. I won't leave.”

  Seraphine: “Don't… leave…”

  —*—

  Eris rested Seraphine’s head in her lap. Even if it restricted her movements if she had to quickly get up, Eris did not want Seraphine to be uncomfortable.

  Eris: “I’m sorry, Seraphine…”

  Seraphine: “I told you… don't say any of that…”

  Eris: “I’m sorry for losing ‘Eris.’ I’m sorry I forgot about you. I’m sorry for leaving you behind…”

  Seraphine wiped tears from her own face, moaning in pain as she did so. Blood smeared on her skin along with her tears.

  Seraphine: “But—”

  Eris: “I’m sorry I couldn't prevent this… now, you’re…”

  Eris’s crimson eyes laid on the axe still in Seraphine's stomach.

  Seraphine: “No… no.”

  Vigorously shaking her head, despite the blood loss and pain, Seraphine gripped Eris’s hand. Eris could feel how weak her grip had gotten.

  Seraphine: “Forget about ‘Eris!’ It’s my fault. It’s all my fault, anyway!”

  Eris: “What… do you mean?”

  Seraphine: “Before you… ‘Eris,’ lost her memories… I was there… But I ran! I didn't even try to stop it…”

  Eris: “——”

  Seraphine: “It’s all my fault, and I was so scared that I lost you… I took it out on you!”

  Eris: “Seraphine, what do you mean?”

  Eris asked, but she knew what Seraphine was referring to. On her first day, Seraphine pulled Eris on a tour to beg ‘Eris’ to come back. To yell at her for putting it all on herself.

  Seraphine: “It’s all my fault! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, Eris! I didn't mean any of it… You’re Eris, just as much as ‘Eris!’ Er, you- you know?”

  Eris: “No, don't apologize! It’s not your fault. You were just… missing her, right? Don't put the burden on yourself! It’s not your fault…”

  Seraphine: “You won't leave me, right?”

  Seraphine suddenly asked that, looking up at Eris desperately.

  Eris: “I… no, I won't. I won't leave.”

  Seraphine: “Eris… You— you’re my friend, right? A sister?”

  Eris: “But…”

  Seraphine: “Even if you forgot, we’re still like sisters, right?”

  Eris: “Y-Yes… we are.”

  —*—

  Seraphine spent weeks by the corpse of Tanzi, keeping the snow off his body, keeping him in his sleeping bag, and trying to make him comfortable. She didn't do anything like talk to his corpse. She had seen people do that to the bodies of their loved ones in ruined villages and questioned their sanity.

  Even if she wasn't speaking to him, she still questioned her sanity. She couldn't force herself to leave him here, but she couldn't get his body off the mountain either.

  She kept herself fed with the rations they had drunk melted snow. Of course, she boiled it first.

  When the supply of rations grew smaller and smaller, Seraphine grew panicked. She had spent her days on the mountain lying around in confusion, sadness, and anger. She couldn't bear to look at Tanzi, but she could not bear to look away.

  She could have done something. She should have stopped this.

  Seraphine: “Why did you leave me…?”

  On the final day of rations, as sunlight died and dusk was in full crimson, a group of men appeared at the camp.

  They dressed in armor over their massive coats. They were about Tanzi’s age, but looked more like soldiers. To Seraphine, they all looked identical to each other.

  First Man: “Huh? What's a girl like you doing out here?”

  Second Man: “Woah, your pops die or something?”

  Pointing out Tanzi’s frozen corpse, propped up against his backpack, the man asked in an almost humorous voice.

  Third Man: “She ain't dead, that’s what's surprising me!”

  The three laughed, invading her camp. Seraphine didn't say anything to them, nor make a move to stop them. There was nothing for them to take if they tried.

  Second Man: “Let me see your hand.”

  Kneeling down in front of Seraphine, the youngest of the group held out his own hand. Of course, Seraphine didn't give him her hand.

  He reached out and pulled her arm anyway, rolling up her sleeve.

  Second Man: “I knew it!”

  First Man: “What?”

  Second Man: “This girl has an orange rune.”

  As he said that, Seraphine suddenly yanked her hand back, holding it to her chest.

  Third Man: “So?”

  Second Man: “She hasn't died because she has fire magic, you idiot.”

  Looking thoughtful, the third man, who was both the tallest and oldest of the group, kneeled by the dying embers that was her campfire.

  The first man nudged the younger one aside, kneeling before Seraphine. Putting on a wide smile, he unzipped his coat to reveal his face. There was nothing remarkable about him, and Seraphine barely remembered what he looked like anyway.

  First Man: “I’m Travis. Can you tell me your name?”

  Seraphine: “——”

  Third Man: “Do you really think that's gonna work?”

  Travis: “I’m trying my best.”

  Second Man: “I’m Henry.”

  Pointing behind him, Henry introduced the oldest one as ‘Bernard.’

  Seraphine: “Sera…phine.”

  She thought for a moment at what to introduce herself as, if she was going to introduce herself at all. She felt these men did not deserve to call her Sera, so she gave them the name she hated.

  Travis: “Seraphine… Can I shorten it to Sera?”

  Travis asked this gently with a warm smile. Seraphine immediately shook her head.

  Seraphine: “N-No. Seraphine.”

  Travis widened his eyes and let out a small chuckle, his breath fogging in the cold.

  Travis: “Okay, okay. No Sera. Got it.”

  Henry: “Say, Seraphine. What are you doing up here? Is it like I said? Your pops die?”

  Seraphine: “He’s not my father. He’s my friend.”

  The men exchanged glances, and Travis shrugged.

  Henry: “Your friend, huh? Well, are you staying up here because you don't want to leave him?”

  She was not sure why she was up here herself. She could have gotten down the mountain. But then what? She would wander alone? She had no idea how to live without Tanzi. So, she just nodded in response.

  Henry: “Tell you what. If you come with us, we'll get your friend off the mountain and buried in a nice spot. How's that?”

  Seraphine avoided eye contact with the men, staring at Tanzi’s restful face instead.

  Bernard: “Hey? What do you think you’re saying? What about the treasure?”

  Henry: “What are the chances we even find it? Besides, the real treasure is right here.”

  Tanzi’s body was handed over to the undertaker in the village, and that was the last time Seraphine ever laid eyes on him.

  The three men apparently were mercenaries from the east. They claimed to be mercenaries, but Seraphine found that they were more like vagabonds. They paraded through the town for a while, doing random jobs that paid enough for their drinks, and wandered off.

  Seraphine followed them, and they made her start fires, cook their food, boil their water, and dry their clothes. It was exhausting, but she was pretty much ignored after winter began to thaw. As long as she boiled the water and cooked the food before they asked, she wouldn't have to interact with them.

  After a few weeks, the mercenaries surprised Seraphine by proving they actually were mercenaries. Apparently, they worked for a group called Insilver. They travelled in a large caravan, and men were in and out all the time. Travis, Henry and Bernard usually kept to themselves, and often left the caravan to the nearest town for jobs. They of course always brought Seraphine.

  Henry: “Oy, Seraphine… why ain’t you ever drink?”

  When he was drunk, Henry spoke in a way that reminded her of Tanzi.

  Seraphine: “I’m nine years old.”

  Henry: “Hic— So?”

  In the summer, the east became hot and dry. The caravan left the steppes months ago, and was now somewhere in the kingdom of Monsus. The war was picking up again, and from what Seraphine understood, Insilver was hired by the Monsite nobility to fight for them. Seraphine was not a member of Insilver, so she obviously did not fight on the frontlines. She was basically a servant.

  Despite that, Seraphine was brought out on patrol. It wasn't that rare for her to be brought on combat patrol, but this time, the men were acting differently.

  ???: “We aren't burning it ourselves!”

  ???: “Why not? I still don't get it.”

  ???: “If we use magical fire, we’ve got a scapegoat. It doesn't have to look like we did a thing!”

  They rarely spoke to Seraphine on patrol, aside from when camp was set up. Even then, it was only to give orders.

  Bernard: “Seraphine.”

  Bernard, the oldest man, gruff, irritable, and quiet, who Seraphine always thought kind of looked like a hound dog, suddenly sat beside Seraphine in front of the fire.

  Seraphine: “What?”

  Bernard: “I like that attitude. You’ve always got spunk.”

  The fact that he was speaking to her in the first place was surprising, but the contents of his words were out of character for him.

  Seraphine: “——”

  She of course thought of Tanzi, but instead of getting sad, she just looked away from him.

  Travis: “Don't bother her, she’s got a big role tomorrow.”

  Suddenly, Seraphine raised her head. Not excitedly. On the contrary, she was dreading it. It was the first time she had heard about this ‘big role,’ and since she had not been asked about it, it seemed she had little choice.

  Seraphine: “Big role? What do you mean?”

  Hugging her knees, she glanced around the camp. A few eyes were on her, especially the three men she knew.

  Henry: “Sorry, Seraphine. I didn't tell you, did I? Don't worry, it’s nothing to get worked up over. Just a bit of magic.”

  Seraphine rested her head on her knee, letting out a sigh. Of course, it was her magic. That was all they needed her for, anyway.

  Bernard: “Bah. Whatever.”

  Saying that, the old man stood up and stumbled into his sleeping bag.

  The next day, the patrol brought Seraphine to the edge of a forest. Apparently, they were behind enemy lines here, and from what Seraphine gathered from the conversations, the enemy nation relied on this forest for everything.

  Protection, money, food, shelter, resources, and culture.

  The summer was hot and dry, and Seraphine couldn't remember the last time she had seen rain. Probably before last winter, when she was still with Tanzi.

  Bernard pointed to a pile of dry leaves and sticks the men had hastily put together.

  Bernard: “Seraphine, burn it.”

  Seraphine’s eyes widened. Even though she was only a young girl, she understood what would happen if she lit that pile on fire. The whole forest would burn.

  Seraphine shook her head, eyes cast to the floor.

  Bernard: “Seraphine, do it!”

  Travis: “Enough, Bernie.”

  Henry stepped forwards, pushing back his sweaty hair, he lowered himself to his knees and put a hand on Seraphine’s shoulder.

  Henry: “Seraphine, can you do it for us?”

  Seraphine shook her head again.

  Henry: “We really need you, Seraphine.”

  Seraphine: “——”

  Henry: “You don't want to be left behind again? That's what you’re mad at your old man for, right?”

  Seraphine clenched her fist.

  Seraphine: “He’s not my dad.”

  Henry: “Right. He wasn't. But, if you do this for us, we won't have to leave you behind.”

  He wasn't trying to hide it. Even Seraphine could tell what he meant by that. He was implying that they would leave her behind if she didn't.

  Seraphine: “B-But… can't you just burn it yourselves?”

  Henry smiled, poking Seraphine in the chest.

  Henry: “It has to be your fire, Seraphine. Special fire.”

  Seraphine: “But…”

  Henry: “Can't you do it for us?”

  Feeling backed into a corner, with all eyes on her, Seraphine pushed Henry’s arm off her shoulder and made her way to the kindling. The wind had already scattered some of it, but there was no doubt the whole forest would burn. The plains around it would probably catch fire too with how dry it all was.

  Just by raising the temperature in the already hot air, the dry leaves burst into flames.

  In seconds, there was a wall of fire before Seraphine. The hot wind blew golden embers about, and black smoke filled the air and her lungs.

  Seraphine ran back to Henry, coughing from the smoke. The other mercenaries were already running the opposite direction, but Henry, bandana wrapped around his mouth, did not run.

  Seraphine felt herself smile seeing him standing there. She wasn't sure why. She didn't feel anything for him other than a bit of gratitude for the food he and his group provided, as long as she cooked it, and the fact that he convinced her off that mountain. But his existence annoyed her most of the time.

  Seraphine reached him, and Henry patted her head.

  Henry: “Good girl. Now, we have to wait here for a bit, okay?”

  Seraphine: “Huh? Wait?”

  The smoke was thick, swirling about in the wind. Her lungs ached, her throat raw, and her eyes burned. Her magic could keep her cool, but there was no way to prevent the smoke.

  Henry: “Trust me.”

  Seraphine: “Trust you?”

  The smoke made her eyes fill with tears. It was impossible to breathe, and she felt her consciousness fading. She fell to the ground.

  Henry: “Trust me.”

  Seraphine, through the thick black fog, could see Henry stand up.

  Seraphine: “Don't… leave…”

  When she woke up, she was surrounded by ash. Everything was covered in a gray blanket, almost like snow. The sky was dyed a deep crimson, and even the clouds were orange. There was smoke in the distance in every direction, the glow of fire on the horizon.

  She frantically looked around, but saw nobody. Especially, the lack of Henry began to fill her with anger. She began to claw at the ash on the ground, hoping to find his body under it. Then, she could forgive him.

  But unlike Tanzi, Henry did not leave her in a forgivable way. The mercenaries had left, and she was alone with the destruction she caused around her.

  Seraphine: “Why…”

  Collapsing on her knees, her lungs still aching, Seraphine began to chant that question.

  Seraphine: “Why?”

  Filled with desperation, fear, loneliness, she could only ask that question. Most of all, however, there was a white hot rage building inside of her.

  Seraphine: “Why?! Why did you leave?!”

  She kicked the charred debris on the ground, turning into gray dust among the lingering smoke.

  Seraphine: “I hate you! I hate you!”

  Seraphine kicked a tree which had burnt to black. Upon receiving the impact, the fire-weakened trunk crumpled into piles of charcoal.

  Seraphine: “Father. Mother. Tanzi. Henry. Travis. Bernard.”

  She muttered those names repeatedly as the orange rune on her wrist began to pulse brightly.

  She collapsed by the remnants of the destroyed tree. Seraphine curled up into a ball while reaching out her hand into the air. She wasn't reaching out for the gods or hoping for anyone to take it.

  From her hand, her pulsing rune, the hot, smokey air began to chill. There was no moisture on the ground to freeze, no snow to hide the damage, but winter began to descend in the burnt forest in the middle of summer.

  Seraphine’s rapid breath fogged. Even though she was the cause of the change in weather, she barely noticed it.

  Seraphine: “Father. Mother. Tanzi. Henry. Travis. Bernard.”

  It wasn't long before she had completely exhausted herself. But by then, the forest was frozen over. Snow began to fall gently, and before long, what was left of the forest was covered in a white blanket.

  Seraphine did not get up from her spot. Not even to eat, and she only drank the bit of snow that fell on her tongue.

  Feeling her own life fading, she was awoken from what the young Seraphine knew would be her last sleep by a man dressed entirely in black from head to toe. Looking up at his golden eyes, barely visible under the shadow of his hat, she could see his androgynous looking face.

  ???: “My…~ You have caused quite the commotion around these parts, you know~?”

  Seraphine: “——”

  ???: “I can tell you're not inclined to trust me now, but~.”

  The man lowered himself to his knees, and with a hand on her shoulder, the cold from her skin disappeared. She could not muster the strength to warm herself over the past few days lying here.

  ???: “If you never want to lose anybody again… let me use your magic when the time is right~, and you’ll have the world.”

  The Maids of

  Count Schwartzhardt's Manor

  Eris pulled her apron over her head, rolling it up and pressing it in around Seraphine’s wound. Seraphine barely made a sound, merely moaning a small sound of pain.

  Eris frantically brushed at Seraphine’s hair in an attempt to comfort her, but it only smeared crimson into scarlet strands.

  Eris: “Seraphine, I’m…”

  Seraphine: “You’re still with me, Eris…”

  Seraphine’s head squeezed Eris’s, but there was no strength in them. Eris could not save her, she understood that now. Both Seraphine and Eris knew that.

  Eris: “I won't leave you, Seraphine…”

  Seraphine: “Never?”

  Eris: “I…”

  She didn't know what Seraphine meant by ‘never.’ She couldn't stay by her forever. She would have to move on, even if she died. She had to protect the others. But Eris still nodded.

  She could not leave Seraphine even if she tried. After all, she could not forget her.

  Eris: “I will never leave you behind, Seraphine.”

  Seraphine let out a sigh, smiling as blood trickled from her pale lips.

  Seraphine: “Eris… can you… just call me Sera?”

  Eris: “Sera..? Sure… I can do that.”

  Eris gave her a smile, but Sera never smiled back. She stared with the same expression as when she finished the question.

  Eris: “Sera? Sera?”

  She gently rocked the red haired maid, but she did not reply. Her eyes did not blink. The slow rise and fall of her chest had stopped. Not even the blood continued to pour from her wound.

  Eris: “Sera…”

  Eris’s head fell forwards, resting against Sera’s. Blood smeared across her face as Eris continued to rock her. She put her ear to Sera’s mouth, but there was no breath or voice to hear.

  Eris: “Don’t…”

  The tears from her eyes briefly had stopped falling, but they were coming down again like rain. They dripped off her blood streaked face onto Sera’s stiff cheeks. Sera wasn't crying anymore, though.

  Her heart felt like it was going to physically be pulled apart. Her pulse was racing. Her face was hot, but was completely drained of blood regardless. Her hands, stained with Sera’s blood, were shaking violently. She scooped the fire mage into her arms, pressing her as close as possible, and Sera never groaned in pain.

  She could take her to Aqua, and Sera would not scream about the pain anymore.

  Eris’s hand squeezed into Sera’s gown, taking in a trembling breath as salty water dripped into her mouth. It was mixed with the taste of iron.

  Eris: “Don't leave me… Don't leave me…”

  She felt her head fog over. Her own consciousness was fighting against her. More examples of her mutinous body.

  Anxiety. Dread. Sadness. Guilt. Fear. Rage. Disgust. Agony. Helplessness. Confusion. Hatred. Betrayal. Doubt. Envy. Shame. Regret. Disgust. Desperation. Exhaustion. Despair. Isolation. Loss.

  Eris: “No!”

  Clenching her teeth, she tried to pry herself back into the moment. Squeezing Sera’s blood soaked body into herself, biting her bleeding tongue, letting out an inhuman groan to stay awake.

  She couldn't lose herself now. She couldn't give up and let her body take control.

  She had to be here. She could not forget this moment. She had to feel this pain. The pain for Sera. She was the only one to be here for Sera in her last moments, she would be the one to feel the most pain. She had to bear it. She could not leave Sera behind.

  Running out of breath, Eris suddenly gasped. Blood and saliva flew out of her mouth, tears still running from her eyes. The world was clear, and she did not feel the loop of spiraling emotions that threatened to consume her any longer.

  She let out another groan into Sera’s hair. Then, a scream.