Something Only She Can Do

Altair Brightlight, also called Star, is someone who had known Duram even before he founded Emblem. And if there's anyone who knows what exactly is going on inside his head, that would be him. Altair knows that the man's heart is in the right place, but that doesn't mean that he has to agree with him all the time.

"I still don't feel it's right to do it like this." 

Star and Duram were waiting for their food for a late dinner in the common room. There were still a few members left, but they were basically by themselves. 

Earlier that evening, Star heard some members talking about how Avyzhia would participate in the upcoming guild war. He was already aware about it, but hearing it from others makes it more real and still feels very wrong. 

Star can't help but be worried about the consequences. 

"I understand, Star. But this is the only way we can go about it." Duram sighed. This isn't the first time that Star has tried to talk to him about this plan of his. "If we want to do it without attracting his attention this early, only Avyzhia can do it."

"I know- I know that. But can't we at least tell her?"

Duram shook his head. "At this point, the less people who knows about our goals, the better." 

"..."

"I'm thankful that the others are willing to follow my requests without asking anything, but I don't think that'll apply to Avyzhia. At least to the other Avyzhia. From what I understand, she's someone who does whatever she wants. Even Teiran can't control her." 

Duram knows the lengths that Teiran had to go through just to keep his sister safe, and he respects that. And that's also why he firmly believes that this mission is something that only she can do. 

Star sighed. He's already full of worry with his apprentice going on a long mission under Duram's request. It also took a long time to get his consent for it.

Jeila's master glared at Duram. He just doesn't understand why these requests had to be given to their female members when Emblem is full of grown men, who are obviously more capable and suited for it.

"I really hate you."

"Ouch! Do you know that you only say that to me?" Duram feigned hurt as he rested his hand over his heart. "Everyone thinks you're just not capable of hating anyone or anything."

"Don't be ridiculous. As if someone like that really exists."

"Well, that's not a bad thing. You're the guild's light, after all." Duram reached for Star's hand and brought it to his lips. "And also my only light."

Star blushed at the gesture, although he didn't take his hand back either. 

"A-Again with this nonsense… "

"Oh, come on. It's not like everyone doesn't know that we do it from time to time."

"Duram Thunderbolt!" Turning beet red with mortification, even though it was just the two of them, Star took back his hand this time and glared at the guildmaster.

"It's not like I'm the one who makes the most noise." Duram snickered. "How about we revisit that idea on getting a house so we can be as loud as we want."

"Don't be ridiculous!" Star sulked. "Besides, things are just going to get dangerous from now on. There's no point in becoming easy targets for living outside the guild's safety." 

Duram had no comeback for that and instead just suddenly turned silent, which was so unlike him.

"What's wrong with you now?"

"I'm… putting everyone in danger, am I?"

"You just realized that now?" Star raised a brow at him. Duram is lucky no one's ever died yet.

"You're right. Sorry." 

The wry smile the guildmaster had pricked Star's conscience. After all, it's not like Duram is doing this just for the heck of it.

"Hey… I'm not blaming you. Not really." This time, it was Star to reached out for Duram's hand and gave it a firm squeeze. "You're doing this for someone you considered your father, and I truly admire that. Master Rougue is a good man. I too don't think that we should just let his disciples go astray, especially when they think they're doing it for his sake…" 

Duram could only give him a sad smile. "Thank you."

"Okay! The drama's over. Here's your dinner." Their moment was suddenly interrupted by Merideth as she served their dinner. "I don't mean to rush you, but I do. Anyways, just enjoy your meal and get all mushy-mushy when you're back at your rooms."

"How come she does whatever Teiran asks her to do, and yet she's only mean to me." Duram pouted at the retreating Merideth, who've had enough of his nonsense. 

~}×××@×××{~

Although it had been a while since Avyzhia had entered Emblem, Star still had yet to get a chance to meet her and get to know her. Mostly because he's trying to spare his apprentice's feelings, who would often get into arguments with Nero because of how much he looks after Avyzhia. 

Just by looking at Zhia's victims, however, he now understands that Nero had every reason to worry, not about Avyzhia per se, but for the people around her. 

Zhia is really much more of a handful than they had imagined and they might really have underestimated what she's capable of. She's just like a wild, unpredictable beast that would cause unimaginable problems if left alone.

If he had to be honest, there are a lot of things he wants to know about her: Is she just the normal Avyzhia's alter ego, or is it the other way around? Why did she only show herself now? Is the normal Avyzhia really not aware of her existence? And most importantly, why is she so obsessed with cutting people down? 

But first, the most urgent for now…

"How do we stop her?" He asked Nero as the five of them ran as fast as they could to the frontlines.

"Songfroid Hymn is the best option we have." Nero responded immediately. The reason why everyone was so relieved when they saw Star earlier was because she's the only one in Emblem who has maxed out this skill. "It'll be more effective now since she's already under some debuff skills, but you still have to be more careful when you cast it."

After all, the only reason why the others managed to debuff her was because she let them. She'll be more vigilant for a Songfroid Hymn.

Star nodded.

"I'm sure she also knows that you're probably the only one who can use that skill, but she still doesn't know that you're with us. Hopefully, that'll work to our advantage."

Star swore that once this is all over, he's going to make all the priest class members of Emblem learn 'Songfroid Hymn', even if just to be able to stop Zhia if she goes out of control again.

"After this is all over, I hope you can tell us things about her." Star solemnly asked Nero. Teiran would probably find it too bothersome, after all. 

"Huh? Why?" Nero asked sceptically.

"What do you mean why? How are we supposed to handle her rampage next time if we don't know anything about her?"

"Next time?" 

There would be a next time? The Demon Blade was taken aback. Usually, people would just kick her out of the guild.

"That's right. She's really scary, to be honest… but I think she's also pretty cool."

"Definitely. Are we weird for thinking that?"

Mertyla and Rosette were the ones who suffered most under Zhia earlier, not to mention all those unfortunate victims. But instead of an abomination, they felt like they had just met a new scary sister.

"Everyone in Emblem is weird to begin with." Dhyeniz shook her head. Zhia is just another type of weird with a bit of crazy in the mix. Or is it the other way around?

"You… don't want her to leave the guild after this?" 

"Huh? Why would we want that?"

"Did you really think we'll just kick her out after this?"

"I… Well, that's always been the case in the past."

"Not this time, Nero. If we're going to kick out every member for being crazy, then this guild won't have any left." Star smiled wryly. Even he had his crazy moments, and he's considered one of the most normal people in the guild. 

"Plus, she's not as unreasonable as you say. Didn't she listen to your request and also went easy on us?" Mertyla has wanted to point this out since earlier.

"But.. a lot of people have grudges against her… they might retaliate on you." It has already happened before. And although Zhia didn't seem like it, Nero knew she felt bad.

"So what? We're pretty strong too. Let them come." 

For someone who had been openly hostile to Avyzhia for being the other woman, Rosette seemed to have a change of heart.

"Besides, if we survive this, I'm sure none of us will die from them."

Nero couldn't help the smile on his face despite the situation. 

It was the first time anyone wanted to keep Zhia after she showed herself. There were times when the guild master would have the crazy idea to try and control her, but it was no use in the end.

He doesn't want to admit it, but the prick was right… this is the perfect guild for Avyzhia.