Words of Parting

There was once a girl, trapped in a bleak, dark world of lies and deceit.

Everywhere she went, shadows walked with her every step. Hiding in the crevices, under the table, behind a wall, in the bushes, the corners, the trees…they always watched her.

Whispered to her.

Mumbling terrible things to her. Pulling her.

Begging her…

Everywhere she looked...there was nothing else but monsters.

Monsters hidden in the bodies of humans.

The girl tried to make friends. She really did! Helping others, trying to make everyone happy in order to brighten the world, to change it for the better, she did really try.

Even then, the path leading to that hopeful world never seems possible.

Why? Because the people she tried to reach out to didn't reach out to her.

They didn't trust her.

Not one bit.

One must understand that in such a world, people were forcibly taught to be wary of each other, to not trust one another. To see a girl who looks so innocent, bright, and kind...who wouldn't be suspicious?

So in the end, they feared and shunned her.

To them, she was a bad omen, a curse.

Crows screech out wherever she walks, mud thrown wherever she's at…

The dream of a young girl, who wished for a world where everyone is happy, had never seemed to be so distant.

Now, it was nothing more than an ever distant dream.

Lies built on the foundation of a wishful hope; that was the world she was trapped in.

It was only later, much later that she met another girl, one who was just as lonely and wishful as her.

The girl thought she had finally found a friend.

Her first friend.

…

In the end, it was only brief. No one seemed to be watching over her. No one seemed to never show her favor.

Not even once.

...

In the forest where each plant and tree comes in a variety of blue and purple colors, where reality and dreams are in between, chaotic yet orderly...a girl safely stood far away from the battlefield.

Anna watched as the world around her trembled, as if announcing the birth of something grand.

'...Apostle...of the Seventh?' the girl thought. She turned to look at Islafae to see if she would explain, but Islafae didn't say anything else about it. So Ann was only left to contemplate on what that title is

'What is the Seventh?'

An Apostle is a term for missionaries of a religion, or direct chief disciples of a leader.

'Then when she says she's the "Apostle of the Seventh," she's a missionary of the Seventh?' Anna thought.

She had never heard of the Seventh amongst the religions she's heard about.

Abi, on the other hand, was befuddled, yet for another reason.

"If you are on the Seventh's side, then why fight me?"

"I fight you, because it does not benefit me in the long term. Furthermore, I do not intend to lose what I own."

"...!"

Abi's eyes widened, as did Anna's. A thought creeped into Anna's mind, and her drooped shoulders began rising back up.

'So 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae does care-!'

"Little girl with the butterfly," Islafae said without turning to look at the girl.

"Y-yes𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺?" Anna straightened her back.

"Truthfully I had never liked you. The both of you."

Anna felt her shoulders droop even further than before. She didn't think Islafae needed to add that addendum.

Abi only remained silent, watching the witch. The gray-haired woman didn't care and continued.

"For all intents and purposes, I have only seen you both as a means to an end. That's why, as a result, I have never given you my true name nor did I start calling you by your names. Of course, I won't tell you my true name now, nor start calling you by your names. You are not worthy of that."

Islafae made a sideway glance at Anna before looking back at Abi.

Even now, Abi didn't seem to care, but Anna only lowered her head. Familiar, yet unfamiliar feelings began being born inside of her. Not out of anger or sadness, but because...

'Her Majesty's name wasn't her real name this whole time?'

Her chest began to ache. However, compared to the hole that Abi made in her chest, it really was too little.

Literally and metaphorically.

Islafae turned to look back at downcast Anna.

"Do you want to know why I started teaching you? Putting time and effort into training you these past few days? It was because of the Seventh."

The gray-haired woman raised her head to the sky, and closed her eyes.

Then, the world began to slow down.

The wind became still. Drizzles of light raindrops became unnoticeable, both in feeling and in hearing. Under the dark gray sky, the world seemed to become even more dimmer. The grass drooped, and the flower withered. The trees, once bright blue and pink forest became darker, lifeless.

And 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae opened her eyes.

"Now then, girl-"

Abi glared at Islafae, who in response looked back at her impassively.

"-you said I am arrogant? Then what about you...a girl who willingly brought innocents into a world of-"

Abi's face distorted, and in that split second, a small tendril came out from the ground, and instantly pierced through Islafae's chest.

Anna only watched in dread as Islafae looked down at a dark tendril running through her chest. Then, she noticed that the gray-haired woman's face was still unmoving.

On the other side, Abi's face turned to one of delight as she saw her attack was successful, but immediately turned to one of wariness when Islafae looked inexpressive.

It truly was strange, as the woman didn't seem to be worried about the rather large hole that pierced through her chest.

Examining Islafae's wound, Abi saw that there were what seems to be…ripples? Yes, ripples. Ripples of blue and black, akin to a drop of water in a still pool, exuded around the 'wound.'

Then, as if a marionette broke, Abi suddenly jerked slightly forward. She looked down, and saw that her chest was seemingly pierced through by...a dark tendril.

The dark tendril that she sent forth,

'Abi!' Anna soundlessly screamed, banging her hands against the translucent blue barrier.

Islafae simply swung the axe part of her staff and cut through the tendril, and the tendril that remained 'sticking' through her chest dissipated to dust. As it dissipated, so too did the dark tendril that went through Abi.

Abi gasped for breath, staggering and holding her chest that seemed to be slowly and painfully regenerating.

In the midst of all this, the gray haired woman opened her mouth.

"The world where you tried to forge goodwill, yet was lost in a mass of despair. Innocents who never listened to you were absorbed into it. Your despair drowned them, and you gave them a fate worse than death," she said in a blank tone.

"You say I am arrogant, and yet look at you? You are also arrogant, are you not? Believing that you yourself, a young, innocent girl, can change the world...does this make you a hypocrite?"

For the first time, a lost expression appeared on Abi's face. Still, she darted towards Islafae in a mad rush. Just as she did so, all of a sudden, the girl abruptly darted towards the left and jumped to the right.

It didn't matter, as strings of blue light with black wisps emerged from the ground right underneath her. These blue strings quickly wrapped around her, like a snake quickly wrapping around its prey.

In just a few seconds, the several bands of string securely wrapped Abi, holding her still.

Abi began to struggle, but she was met with no success. Still she continued to struggle, trying to break free. As she was doing so Islafae started speaking.

"The moment I left the both of you, I had made the preparations for a spell capable of sealing a being that is just like you, girl. With my magical abilities and talents, I was able to quickly set up the formation around the forest in just around a day. Of course I had help, but that doesn't really matter now does it?" 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae said, shaking her head.

"Now, the spell would be much easier to activate if someone didn't move away from the center."

For some reason, even amidst such a crucial moment, Anna looked down bashfully. Even when she didn't mention her name, she still felt like she was strictly speaking about her. Even then, she had a feeling it was she herself who had done something wrong.

Islafae 's remained staring impassively at the still struggling girl in her bindings.

"That is enough talk. Now then, I shall say the words of parting for you, girl."

Hearing that, Abi's struggles intensified. At the same time, alarm ringing sounds roared in Anna's mind. She began banging on the barrier.

"Amor, let me out! Wait,𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺, 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, please…please! Let Abi-!"

"There shall be no mercy. Naive little girl, do you not understand what pain and torment that girl has been through? Can you not see with your own eyes? You do not need to look with the eyes of a fae to know," an empty voice said.

"..."

Anna looked back at Abi, who was struggling. With dark tendrils surrounding her, Abi's pale white skin, pale white eyes, eyes as dark as nothing...she doesn't look like her happy, joyful friend anymore.

Only someone that is in pain. Horrible, unimaginable pain.

"With this...she can be released," the gray-haired woman said, raising her staff. As she did so, it began shining blue as usual, but this time it glowed much brighter, blinding Anna's eyes.

"But…𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺..." Anna then groaned, covering her eyes. Still, she tried to speak up. And yet…

Yet…!

Every word she spoke became more and more silent. In her heart, Anna knows it's hopeless. If she herself can't do anything, how can she expect to save Abi? However, at least she can try again to save this friend of hers. This joyful, happy friend who loved waffles.

As if feeling what Anna was feeling, 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae glanced at her.

"Little girl with the butterfly, I will not change my mind. Still, at this moment, listen well, for the magic I will be performing will be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Remember and engrave it into your body, mind, and soul. I will show you something full of power. Something that is spectacular. Something that is truly 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭."

Clenching her hands and gulping, Anna looked at Islafae, and readied herself for what she would see. She can never disobey Islafae, or else something worse might happen to Abi...even if she knows that this magic will be terrible as well.

As the staff grew brighter, Anna felt an enormous amount of mana gathering. It was not just from Islafae, but from everywhere around her.

Then, a particle of blue light passed by her face, and just as she turned around everything darkened. Anna's eyes blinked, she rubbed her eyes. Nothing changed.

Then, she quickly waved her hand in front of her. She can't see anything. Anna then touched her face. She couldn't feel anything

Afterwards, she rubbed her eyes and blinked them repeatedly. No change whatsoever.

Anna's breathing became erratic and heavy. She yelled and screamed. It was soundless. She felt her heartbeat quicken more and more, each thump sounding louder and louder. Then…then…!

𝘛𝘪𝘯𝘨…

'...huh?' Anna thought. She then focused…

'...'

Nothing…

Anna had a feeling she didn't hear anything at all. However, she was desperate, so she strained her ears, trying to listen for even the tiniest of sounds…

…one second…two second…three second…

Then it came.

𝘛𝘪𝘯𝘨…

There!

There it was again!

It strangely sounded like a bell ringing, starting off as an echo-something forgettable. A sound that a person would notice only in the background. Just as Anna noticed it, it rang louder.

And louder. And louder.

And louder, and louder, and louder, and louder-

At that moment, something clicked in her head, and Anna remembered. Or rather, someone put something in her head, and she understood it for what it was.

It was the ringing of the midnight bell.

The midnight bell rings and tolls, announcing the death of someone. However, the question is…

For who?

Anna fell onto the ground. Well, she didn't know if she actually fell to the ground. All she knows is that she felt more pain inside her chest than she had recently in most of her life, for she knew who the bell rang for.

She didn't want to admit it.

She didn't want to see it.

So, she closed her eyes. Or at least she thinks so.

'Grandpa…help me…help Abi…please…I-I can't…do anything...'

Even now, Anna can't hear herself breathe or feel her heartbeat, She can't even feel anything anymore. So, she gave in.

…

…

And something blue lit the dark world.

…

Rubbing her eyes, Anna slowly opened her eyes and she came into view of a beautiful blue aurora appearing within the midnight sky past the blue barrier of butterflies. Growing, the aurora illuminated the area around her.

Of course, further back behind her it was pitch black, but here…it was bright.

If Anna had the time, she would stare at nature's gift, gushing over its beauty and majesty, trying to sketch it. Alas something else was of more importance, and it warrants her attention.

Even if she doesn't want to look.

But she had to know.

She needed to know.

So, Anna turned her eyes towards what is under the center of the blue aurora.

From her perspective, where a gray-haired woman was standing, something started rising from the ground. It looked like a throne of sorts, made from branches, marble, glass, and some other material Anna couldn't describe or identify.

As it appeared, Islafae slowly sat down on it. Rubbing the handle of her throne, she closed her eyes…and opened them.

|𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘦𝘯𝘥.|

Two ripple formed in the black sky, and spears-no, not spears, 𝘱𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘴.

Thin pillars with patterns, shaped like a spear, emerged. They were rather large, and as they emerged from the black sky, it immediately shot towards the ground.

The two pillars pierced the ground a few yards away from Islafae, landing on both sides of the front of Islafae and her throne.

|𝘓𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘴 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘦'𝘴 𝘢 𝘤𝘳𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨, 𝘢 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.|

Then, two more ripples were formed, and another two large pillars emerged. They also pierced towards the ground yards away from the first pair of pillars.

|𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘢𝘸 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦.|

Another two descended from the sky, and pierced towards the ground, landing yards away from the second pair of pillars.

|𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘯𝘰 𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.|

Then another two emerged, and landed onto the ground.

|𝘎𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵.|

And another two emerged, and like the previous two, landed onto the ground.

|𝘋𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘢𝘻𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘭, 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸.|

At last, the two final spears came down from the sky, emerging from the darkness, and landing yards away from the previous pair.

Six pairs of spear pillars formed two parallel lines, six pillars on each line. The blue patterned pillars themselves held the sky, supporting the dark night sky underneath the blue aurora. At the end of the path was Abi, still chained and struggling. At the beginning of the path, 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae sat there, imperiously gazing upon a victim of a power.

If one were to look at this from afar, like Anna, the scene looked like a dark throne room of a castle, with pillars supporting the roof. At the very end of the throne room exists a queen, who sat on her mighty and intimidating throne. The queen emotionlessly looked down on the floor, where a chained prisoner struggled, awaiting her punishment.

When Islafae started muttering these mesmerizing words, Abi repeatedly attempted to break free from the chains.

Over and over, she continued to struggle, but it was to no avail. Anna could only watch with trepidation and horror as Islafae closed her eyes...and breathed.

Islafae's breath echoed around the throne room, and the world fell silent.

One second…two seconds…three seconds.

𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺, the queen, then opened her eyes and looked upon Abi. The prisoner of fate had a face-not of terror, but out of sadness as just before she finished staring down Islafae, she turned to look at Anna, who was so, so far away.

Anna-oh Anna, oh poor, young Anna. The girl was so terribly frightened. During this whole ordeal, she did not know what to do.

All she could do was still inside the barrier Amor made that was protecting her.

'If only grandpa was here.'

Still, Anna still prayed. Not for her own well-being, but for another.

Gazing upon Abi, who had already stopped struggling, 𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 Islafae closed her eyes, and she whispered...

|𝘛𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘭...𝘊𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘰𝘵.|

Within the darkness, a burst of blue light abruptly came forth from the end of the twelve spear pillar path, similar to a geyser of water, with little black particles around it.

The beauty of the geyser of blue eclipsed the shrieking cries of a young girl.