[76.6] A Light Amidst Darkness

[Author's note: This part of the chapter isn't from anyone's perspective.]

…A few hours prior…

Lovi walked through the crowd, her eyes darting back and forth in amazement.

Bale squeezed her hand, "It's nice, right?"

"It's amazing! And to think I almost demolished a town similar to this one."

His eyes widened, "You did?"

She smirked, "Yeah, but Master stopped me before I was killed by a Holy Priestess."

Bale sighed in admiration, "The Great Fairy truly is a benevolent person."

Lovi nodded quickly, "She's the best!"

He pulled on her, "Come on. Let's enjoy the market while she still allows us!"

Bale pulled her through, stopping at each stall to sample their snacks and drinks. After playing a few festival games, everyone gathered to decorate lanterns and release them.

Lovi glanced at them, "What are they writing on them?"

Bale purchased two and handed her one, "They write their dreams and set it into the sky for the Gods to make their wish come true."

Lovi took the lantern as she looked around, "There's a lot of couples."

Bale flushed, "Well it's become more for couples to wish for a lifetime of happiness with their partner."

Lovi averted her gaze shyly, "I-I see."

The two started writing in silence before Bale finished and glanced over curiously, "What did you write?"

She quickly hid it, "Nothing."

"Let me see~"

"No." She peered at his, "What did you write?"

"Guess."

"Hmmm." She smirked playfully, "To build a cottage near the ocean and become a fisherman?"

He pursed his lips, "No."

She laughed, "Then marriage."

His expression lit up, "That's right-"

"-With my oldest brother."

His face fell, "Please don't joke about that."

As she laughed teasingly at him, Bale froze when he noticed the curve of her eyes and lips.

"Lovi. I got you a gift."

Bale reached out and used a jade hair ornament to tie her hair back, revealing her full face. 

She anxiously wanted to hide her scarred face but hesitated when she saw the overwhelming affection in Bale's gaze. Even the couples around her were far too preoccupied with their partners to notice or care about the scars she had.

She forced her hands down as she stared directly into Bale's eyes.

He spoke in a hoarse whisper, "I couldn't find a proper ring yet, but I promise I will find the best one that you could never say no to."

She rolled her eyes with a chuckle, "I'm sure."

He smiled at her with a slight flush on his face, "Lovi. I was serious when I said I wanted to marry you. I don't care if you become wrinkly and old. To me, you'll always be my most beautiful love. You're the only one I will ever want to spend my life with."

Her eyes widened in disbelief before a slight blush appeared on her cheeks. She glanced away and whispered, "Then… You have to work hard to get Master's approval."

He grinned ear to ear, "Mmn! Don't worry! I won't stop until I do!"

She glanced at him before averting her gaze and clearing her throat, "Shall we release the lanterns now?"

"Mhm~"

They let go of their lanterns and watched as they slowly climbed into the sky.

Lovi's eyes were stuck on the night sky as she watched the lanterns drift off into darkness, still illuminating their path. While her eyes were stuck on the dazzling sight, Bale's eyes were stuck on her.

To him, she was far more entrancing than the floating lanterns adorning the sky.

In the air, the two lanterns twisted and weaved before finally facing each other to show the written message:

-Spend eternity with Lovi-

-Spend eternity with Bale-

When Lovi caught this message, she whispered, "Loviathan."

"Huh?"

She turned to smile at him, her eyes reflecting the shimmering lights, "That's my full name."

His eyes widened momentarily before he suddenly pulled her into his embrace, planting numerous kisses upon her.

"Loviathan is such a beautiful name."

Before she could laugh, an explosion shook the town.

*BOOOOOOOM*

Bale quickly held onto her, protecting her from the shockwaves, "What was that!?"

Lovi looked into the distance to see the smoke. Her expression paled, "It's Master."

They both exchanged a look before rushing to the center. Bale led the way, holding firmly onto her hand as they were pushed back by the surging crowd who was running and screaming in the opposite direction.

Lovi shouted in pain as her grip was ripped away from his and she was pushed down. Bale quickly jumped to the ground, using his own body to protect her from the stompede. As numerous feet stomped on his back, he clenched his jaw and winced. No matter how much it hurt, he made sure the pressure wouldn't affect Lovi.

After it finally died down, Lovi grabbed him in a panic, "Are you okay!?"

He coughed out a mouthful of blood and nodded with a grim expression, "I will heal soon."

"But-"

"-It's fine. Let's see what's going on with the Great Fairy first."

He pulled her up and forced himself to walk despite the pain. The closer they got, the more the destruction became evident.

A strange smoke traveled across the ground, swallowing up all life in its path.

Those who weren't able to escape fast enough fell to the ground, aging rapidly before they could utter a last phrase.

Lovi and Bale quickly turned around to run away, but the smoke was faster.

Bale embraced her quickly, his heart racing as he begged the God's for the love of his life to be spared.

"Lovi!"

"Bale!"

They shared a final kiss before the smoke wrapped around them and-

….Moved around them as if it didn't care for the two.

Lovi and Bale both stared at each other in confusion.

Bale asked, "You feel alright?"

She nodded, "I feel alright. You?"

"Yeah."

She pursed her lips, "Maybe it doesn't work on demons?"

He let her go and poked the smoke curiously, "Hmmm. Or maybe it's for another reason?"

"Whatever. We need to find Master and Koale!!!"

The two ran until they found the epicenter.

From a burning building, a body emerged carrying a weak Koale who could no longer walk and was struggling to stay conscious.

Lovi sucked in her breath as she saw the sight of char spreading all across the skin once covered in a blinding light.

A devastating sense of loss hit her and she felt as if she would lose the thing she loved most.

Tears poured out of her eyes as she cried, "Master! Master, please don't leave us!!!"

The footsteps of the charred body stopped as if hesitating.

She noticed this and shouted, "L-Lets go back to the mountain, okay? Don't waste your time with these people. Let's just leave… Okay?"

Blinding light shimmered through the cracks of charred skin before the char slowly retreated.

Her charred face was now covered in a blinding light, revealing no distinction.

A familiar sour voice that held a faint sense of affection spoke in a near whisper, "Let's go home then."

Bale went over to her to retrieve Koale who was whimpering, "I will carry him."

Koale grabbed onto Bale as he whimpered pitifully, "My body… Feels weird…"

Bale smiled forcefully as he realized the situation, "Koale… It'll feel better soon."

Lovi went to the woman who was standing silently as fire raged behind her, "...Master."

"Lovi." She reached out and Lovi closed her eyes as she felt the rough, charred hand rub her scarred cheek. The sour voice asked, "Did you have fun?"

She smiled back, "Mhm. It was a lot of fun."

"...That's good."

Lovi didn't dare ask any questions as her Master summoned an ice chunk and they all climbed up, leaving behind the destroyed town. As they flew into the distance, the lanterns grew more and more distance until disappearing as if they had never existed.

As the flames spread, a pair of lanterns ripped from the heat and fell to the ground to be consumed.

Their message never to be received by the Gods above.