The Plan

We managed to make a plan as we walked to where Katelin and Aurelia were fighting... which was almost everywhere except the lake.

When we arrived, the rain and become even heavier.

The ground shook violently from the Lulator and the clash that Aurelia and Katelin were having.

I could feel intense heat and a bit of frostiness in the air.

Clang!

The two appeared in front of us; Katelin faced Aurelia with two hook swords wrapped around in light blue fire while Aurelia's rapier was wrapped around in a blinding light. The two had a burning fire in their eyes and I knew that they were serious.

They appeared in front of each other and they clashed. They were so fast; when they moved, they were nothing but a blur. When they stopped and move away from each other, I could see a dome of water droplets falling down where they had clashed.

When they clashed once more, I could feel a sharp noise in the air and I ducked. When I looked behind me, a tree was immediately cut down.

Only that close from dying. I can't let my guard down since I don't have a bracelet.

"Reckon we should stop them?" Marth who was standing next to me asked.

"Well, if you want to, you can go ahead. But I doubt you will be able to stop them."

"Hmm, if I had a bracelet, I could try."

"I wonder where your bracelet went."

"...sh-shut up..."

"Idiot."

A few minutes passed and they kept on fighting. We were waiting till they noticed us but maybe they were too into their fight.

"Alright, you stop Katelin and I stop Aurelia."

"Sure."

I dashed forward and went after Aurelia while Marth went after Katelin.

At the time, Katelin and Aurelia had separated from each other. When they were about to go at it again, we stepped in front of them.

"Alright, that's enough."

"S-Seiya."

She stopped right in front of me and gazed at my eyes.

"Whew... now that I have your attention, I need to talk to you."

"About what?"

"Well-"

I explained the whole thing and our plan to Aurelia. The plan was that Marth would distract the Lulator while I enter the Lulator and destroy it. At first, Marth wanted to be the one to kill the Lulator. His reason was he wanted it to be the first monster he's killed with his ancestor's sword. I said I wanted to and we kinda got into a small bout. Eventually, we settled it with a round of rock-paper-scissors. Of course, I won since I've never lost a game of rock-paper-scissors. Marth also explained the same to Katelin as well, and he got Katelin worried. Though he was let off easy. However, looks like we both have different outcomes.

Smack!

I received a sharp pain in my right cheek. I was expecting her to get angry and expected this as well.

"Why would you do that? Once you lose your memories, how will you get them back?"

I could sense fret in her voice. I'm going to have to calm her down or we're never going to initiate the plan. But I can tell why she is worried. If all of us were to disappear, only one of us would die since one of us is missing a bracelet, or should I say two. Marth has a higher chance of surviving against the Lulator but my chances are extremely slim. Once I enter the Lulator, I might lose my memories, amnesia if you'd say.

"It's only a chance, but I'll find a way if I ever do get amnesia. But don't worry, I'll be jus-"

"You won't be fine!" Aurelia immediately cut me off, "Are you blind? A Lulator will feed off your memories and you won't be able to get them back. I can't allow this."

I looked over at Marth. He closed his eyes for a second, then he eventually nodded. I looked over at Ordos and he nodded as well.

"Then please lend me your bracelet so I can at least be teleported back to camp if I were to die."

"Your bracelet, it was yours. But why would you even give it to me?"

"Because... I worry that you might be taken away from me. I just wanted to ensure your safety."

"Don't worry, I won't be taken out that easily."

"Of course, you are a strong one after all."

Aurelia looked away and blushed at my comment.

"Now, can I please have the bracelet, then I can promise I won't die."

Aurelia hesitated for a second, but eventually gave it to me.

"Thank you."

If she gave it to me, she probably doesn't know it will disappear soon. Just hope it stays that way or she'll be worried. As I turned around to head off, Aurelia grabbed onto my shoulder.

"Wait."

I turned around and she stroked my neck.

"How did you get this scar?"

Her hand was touching my scar. How should I explain this...?

I turned towards Ordos and he shook his head. So I answered:

"Just... a little something I got when I was young."

Obviously, that would be a lie if they were Ordos, but luckily only he and I are the only people who were reincarnated into this world.

"Oh... I see."

"Alright then, I'll see you later."

"Wait."

I turned around and Aurelia jumped at me, giving me a kiss on the cheek. I quickly stepped back with a shocked face. I could hear snickering coming from my left.

"Y-you didn't have to do that here," I stuttered as I touched the spot where she had kissed me.

"One more thing."

"Huh?"

Aurelia began reaching for her neck and a second later she was holding a small gold amulet.

"I want you to have this."

She took my hand and gave it to me. I inspected it; it was made of a slim gold chain, and the amulet itself had a white gem etched into it.

"It belonged to my grandmother when she passed away. I want you to think of me whenever you look at it. It might help when you lose your memories."

The way she was looking at me was too much. I can't believe she's this caring, even giving me her amulet.

"Are you sure though? I mean, being entrusted with something so valuable, are you sure?"

"If it's you, it's ok."

Then I guess that's it. Though it might not work. If I remember, amnesia can be cured in 3 ways. The first one being a concussion, but that only kind of works when you lose your memories by getting hit in the head. The second way is hypnotism, but I don't think anyone knows hypnotism in this world. And lastly, looking at familiar objects.

I'm going to have to carve the appearance of this amulet into my head.

Aurelia was giving me a worried expression. She was genuinely worried about me, huh? Damn it, I'm going to feel guilty for what I'm going to do next.

"Thank you, Aurelia. I will be fine from now on. But first-"

I reached in and kissed her forehead. Good thing the others weren't on both sides or someone would've noticed by now. The bracelet I held in my right hand, I slipped it back into her pocket.

After that, I stepped back and walked away. The only thing I remembered seeing was her cute, blushed face.

"I'll see you there, Marth."

I then flew off towards the direction of the Lulator.

***

When we appeared at the lake again, the Lulator was busy consuming trees. It should be lucky that I didn't destroy it when I was in Katharsis.

"So, shall we do it?"

"First, did you get Katelin's bracelet?"

"I gave it back. Good thing she didn't notice. That was smart, what you did back there. You're pretty lucky, going out with her highness."

"Shut up."

"Heh, someone embarrassed?"

"Let's not forget we are risking our lives just to continue our fight."

"Of course, the thing is whether you are going to survive or not. I should wish you best of luck, you'll need it."

"Whatever, let's get to it already."

"Sure."

With his werewolf legs, he leaped into the air and appeared in front of the Lulator, firing his blue energy bullets.

The Lulator swung its tentacles around, trying to hit Marth who was running around on the Lulator's shell.

I was waiting till it opened its mouth, then that is when I take the opening and enter.

Soon it opened its mouth and coming out of it was a wave of tentacles. No wait, those tentacles look weird.

At the tip, they were barbed. Please do not tell me those are what it uses to chew stuff.

Ignoring the barbed tentacles, I have my opening.

I got into a stance to launch myself. I'll have to get in before it closes its mouth.

But when I was about to go forward, I was interrupted by a voice.

"SEIYA NO!"

I tripped and fell in the lake. When I got up and turned around, Aurelia was running at me followed by the others.

Crap, what are they doing here?

"Seiya! What are you doing?!" Marth shouted, "You know I can't keep this up forever, hurry the hell up!"

Shit, I need to hurry. I'll have to abandon my feelings for now. As much as I want to apologize to Aurelia for tricking her, this is more important.

I flew up and soared towards the Lulator's mouth. But then I felt a hand on my left ankle.

"Huh?"

I turned around to see Aurelia holding me back.

"Let me go!"

"No! You can't! Not unless you take the bracelet!"

I stopped and Aurelia leveled herself with me.

"Please, you can't go without it. Even if it will dissolve, you still have time to leave."

I gave her that bracelet to protect her. I don't need it since it'll vanish as soon as I enter.

But every time I try to go, she would hug me tighter.

"No, please... "

She was sobbing now. I looked over at Ordos. If only he'd shut up then I would have entered by now. But now Aurelia is even more worried.

"I don't want you to leave me..."

I closed my eyes. I'll just have to convince her that I'll take the bracelet with me. After that...

I should just initiate the backup plan.

"Fine, I'll take it."

I turned around and Aurelia handed me the bracelet. Then he grabbed onto my shoulders.

"Please, if it starts to dissolve, promise me you will return back to the camp."

Her eyes were watery. They were either from the rain or she was actually weeping. I was guessing it was the second one because my heart couldn't take the guilt anymore. I looked away and let a tear fall down my cheek.

"I promise. I promise that I'll return alive."

"What?"

I took Aurelia's hands and quickly placed the bracelet in her hand, then I pushed her away.

"Seiya?!"

"I'm sorry," I said as I wore the brightest smile I can, knowing I might not be able to see her again.

"I love you."

Then I boosted myself towards the Lulator's mouth.

Two of the barbed tentacles headed for me and I immediately cut them down with my Katana.

The Lulator's mouth was like a dark abyss. I could hear the screams of its previous victims echoing out of the pit.

When I entered, I blasted the top of the Lulators lips and it immediately shut close.

The last I heard from the outside was Aurelia screaming, and guilt overwhelming me.

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