[45.1] Alora's POV: The Snow Capped Mountains

[Author's note: This section takes place from Hazel's/Alora's point of view]

…Approximately 1000 years ago…

I kneeled on the ground at the foot of the snowy mountain.

Overwhelming emotions coursed through my body as I stared at the blizzard that was currently growing in intensity.

I stood up and went to charge up the mountain, but I hit a strange barrier and was sent flying back down the mountain.

I have to get back up there.

I stood up again and summoned a holy blade.

If I can't run up, I will just have to destroy that barrier.

I sent my Holy Blade forward, but it suddenly cracked and burst apart.

Not even magic could work.

I couldn't enter the once green and luscious mountain no matter what I tried.

…Devastation.

I think I finally understand that word now.

A single tear slid down my cheek, "I'm sorry… I… I didn't mean to…"

I whispered weakly, silenced by the deafening wintry wind. My eyes closed to stifle the irrepressible feelings and focus on the slashing pain of the wind.

But I…

I held back my attack…

I wasn't actually going to kill him…

I just wanted to hurt him a bit.

I broke down, unable to control myself. I smacked the ground in anguish, "WHY DID YOU JUMP IN THE WAY!?"

Tears rolled off my cheeks and hit the ground.

No.

Why did I lose control?

Why am I always like this?

Why can't I control my anger?

If only he hadn't…

I tightened my fists, digging them into the cold ground.

I have to find Zephyr…

I forced myself to stand up and rubbed away my tears. I summoned my Holy Blade and stood upon it. With great speed, I soared in the direction I saw the avalanche send him. When I arrived at the new location, I looked around in a panic. Frost and snow were now spreading with such ferocity, any footsteps he could have made were now gone.

There's only one place he could go.

The cave.

I rushed to the cave without wasting another second. Luckily, it didn't take me long to arrive. I jumped off of my blade and rushed inside, only to find it completely empty.

A voice came from behind me, "He's not here."

I spun around defensively to see a smug woman wearing a pure white cloak. Her blonde hair turned white in the sun and her blue eyes reflected my own.

A Holy Light priestess.

I summoned my blade with a growl, "What did you do?!"

She smiled proudly, "He's a demon. What do you think happened?! Obviously, I slaughtered him like the scum he was. If you don't believe me, I left part of his pelt over there. Unfortunately, that's all that remains of him. There's no body for you to bury."

I followed her finger and saw black fur matted with blood.

My eyes shrank back.

My vision darkened as my body exploded with rage.

I let out a shriek and charged at her.

However, she was already prepared and jumped on her own blade to soar away.

I followed her closely, but just as I had, two other priestesses jumped down from the trees and ambushed me. I parried their attacks and shouted, "YOU'RE GOING TO SUFFER FOR THAT!!"

One of the Priestesses laughed mockingly, "The only one who will suffer is you for betraying your species, Alora."

I let out a scream and charged forward. Soon, the four of us were in a life-or-death battle spanning many miles. I was far stronger than them, but together the three of them were formidable.

I heaved heavily as I stared at the three of them with blood covering my hands and face.

One shook her head, "How could you have fallen this far, Alora? Demons are murderous filth who only want to curse and manipulate. Or did you forget that the demons tricked the Great Fairy into killing an entire army of our sisters?!"

I clenched my teeth, "The only murderous ones are the followers of the Holy Light. If you hadn't killed all those innocents, they would never have had to protect themselves."

One of the priestesses spat out a mouthful of blood, "You stupid girl. How could you abandon the Holy Light for a mere demon? Humans and demons will always be enemies. YOU'RE their enemy!"

No.

I was never their enemy…

THESE people caused them to see me as the enemy.

If Moni hadn't thought I was plotting against them thanks to these bastards, then I wouldn't have had to become the thing he thought I was.

I was forced into this position.

If it wasn't for them…

I raised my head.

A dead, unfeeling emotion settled into my chest.

I snickered spitefully, "That's right. If they hadn't started this war, then none of them would be gone."

Zephyr would still be alive…

The Great Fairy wouldn't have died…

Pure white swords appeared around me, pulsating with rage.

The fury in my heart replaced my tear-stained cheeks with eyes full of cold indifference.

I laughed hysterically at the sky, "Don't worry. I will get revenge for you all."

After all, only I'm capable.

Unlike them, my hands were stained with blood.

I stared at the three Priestesses with a dead look in my eyes and sent the swords racing forward. The three didn't stand a chance, and even after they stopped moving, I continued to send more and more swords.

They didn't leave behind anything of Zephyr.

Why should they be left behind?

After I was satisfied with the condition of their bodies, I finally turned my back to the snowy mountains and walked to my first destination.

Each step I took only filled me with more rage.

If only they didn't exist.

If only they had left us alone.