Conflicts of the Past

Despair filled the room, raging as brilliantly as the flames. Alise shot a gaze of malice at the old smiling elf. He stared back, waiting patiently for her to speak up.

''You old BASTARD! You took my family's kindness and BETRAYED us! And now you dare show your face here?'' Alise's enraged words betrayed her pristine exterior. Her clenched hands shook as they reached for the blade strapped to her waist.

Arthur's hand darted forward, catching a flying dagger targeted at Alise. With a swift motion, the dagger flew back to where it came from. A muffled scream from the back spread the smile of the elf even further.

Alise stared in disbelief. Her thoughts were that she had been needed alive, but the attempt at her life sobered her up from that illusion. She unsheathed her sword and readied for the inevitable battle.

''Alise, I don't know what has happened between you and that elf, but we will lend you aid in exchange for your help later.'' For someone who bore the mark of wrath, she seemed quite calm. Her eyes were waiting for Alise's response.

''Very well, take care of the brutes and I will settle everything with that old prune.'' Her sword, as unwavering as her will, leaped towards the elf's neck. Alise's blade danced through the air as all of her strikes were getting parried by Fenric's magic.

Vines whipped at her armour, ripping it like pieces of paper. She could afford the damage because of her unique sword style. It used the force of the enemy to amplify the power of her attack. All the spinning Alise did was to build up kinetic energy for the next attack she lands.

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'' Arthur? Do you think I could sit this one out? I mean, it would only be fair since I just fought an army.'' A lazy side of Emilia emerged and attempted to pass the fight on to Arthur. He seemed peeved by her behaviour but just responded with an exasperated 'sure' and jumped at a group of brutes with his dagger.

His movements were fluid, striking at the opponents' weak spots and then moving on to another target. No wasted motions were visible as he kept the group at bay. Almost like a rogue-like assassin.

Synthers started putting out fires and helping the injured, while Emilia assisted him. A lot of the victims had passed out from the shock, which made it easier for the two to apply healing magic several grades higher than normal rookies would be able to.

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''Emilia, am I allowed to use 'greed' for just a bit? These guys are at least A-rank!'' Despite his skills, he seemed to be tiring himself out rather quickly along with the brutes. Cuts littered their whole bodies but even that wouldn't put knock them down.

Emilia looked over at the focused Synthers, who were still healing the victims. She hesitantly nodded at Arthur, wondering whether releasing the seal was a smart idea. Without a second to spare, a green wave crawled down his arms and spread to his daggers, changing their design into something completely different. Their straight bodies curved into meandering short blades. Green vine-like lines spread across the surface of the blade.

A mask in the shape of a rabbit stretched across his face as the seal of greed was released. As silly as he looked, his movements were untraceable by the enemies. Cuts spread along the brutes' clothing and skin from the serrated dagger.

His eyes were replaced by shining emeralds, and his skin cracked all over, glowing green. A smile spread across face as he taunted the men twice his size. His unmatched speed, along with his magical daggers, would make any assassin get cold-feet when in a stand-off with Arthur.

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But while his relentless attacks seemed to never stop coming, Alise grew more and more tired as the battle went on against Fenric. In terms of skill and physicality, she could beat most A-ranks. But in the realm of magic, the wise old elf stood echelons above her in battle prowess.

Green panels met all of Alise's attacks, creating a shell-like defence. His smile never wavering as he streamed insults directly at the young Alise. Her movements grew encumbered by the weight of his words, her conviction wavering under the despair of her futile strikes.

''You are only a child and yet you expect to beat me? You will meet the same fate as your parents!'' She buckled under the pain of his fire bolt as it pierced her calf. Her blade blocked the second bolt with a struggle. The steel blade slowly melted like wax from the heat of the bolt.

''You Idiot! You fled the Elven Monarchy when you were what kept it together! It was your fault it all crumbled.'' His smile disappeared as he delivered his finishing blow.

''N-No. That's not possible…you betrayed US! How could I be the one at fault?'' The brilliant sparkle in her eye had faded into the darkness of the pupils. She stared blankly as her lips trembled into a weak smirk.

''Y-you are lying! I-it can't be like that. Yeah, you..you betrayed us. Ha. Haha…HAHAHA.'' Her smile spread further as she dived into a state of hysteria. Alise's laugh filled the broken hall. Eyes gathered on her figure as she shook with laughter.

Fenric stared in disbelief at the elf he once used to know. Her crazed, empty eyes stared down the throat of the old elf as she grabbed a blade from the ground. Supporting herself with it, she climbed to her feet as her calf bled.

A swing parried by a green panel. Another strike parried once more. The slow predictable strikes lacked the power to do harm. And yet Alise kept swinging at Fenric, who simply stood and watched.

Emilia stared from a distance, shaking her head at the lunatic behaviour. The masked Arthur joined Emilia after slaying his foes and glared with disgust. Synthers was the only one still tending to the wounds of the fallen, too focused to pay mind to Alise.

''Alise. I came here to end you, but seeing you like this hurts me. Where did the pretty girl I once knew go? Do you remember when we used to leave the palace to run to the market?'' His character took a vast change as he tried to talk to the deranged Alise.

''Stop TALKING you traitor!'' Her scream reverberated as she continued striking at Fenric. Alise threw all reason out of the window as her emotions took over.

A green flash struck Alise's neck from behind, robbing her of her consciousness. Arthur held her limp body in his arms as he moved back to Emilia's side. She stared at the old man, clicking her tongue as she approached him.

Her gaze was fixated on Fenric's hands as they moved around preparing a spell. ''You annoy me, old man. Your men are dead and it's time to reap what you sow.'' The staff which was leaning against the frame of the door flew into her grasp. The blackened blade of the growing scythe cracked open from the exterior of the staff.

This time, only the staff turned into a nightmarish colour. Her transformation hadn't fully gone through, only enabling 'wrath' on her weapon. Eyes popped out from the blunt part of the scythe, which stared directly at Fenric.

''Listen here, Miss. I could let you leave now before you get harmed. I'll tell you what. I won't even tell anyone that you slaughtered all of that town earlier.'' His face was serious as his spell neared its completion. His actions spoke more than his fleeting statement.

''So. You were the one tailing us earlier? That makes things easier. If you die, then there would be no witnesses, right?'' A dark miasma surrounded the two, creating a darkened chamber.

Fenric couldn't believe his eyes as he watched the smoke create a domain. Dark cords whipped at his arms, dispelling his attack mid incantation and holding him still. A bead of sweat rolled down his face as Emilia approached the restricted Fenric.

''H-hey now listen, I-I'm sorry for the trouble I caused. Please, just let me go-'' A swift red blur severed the head of the pleading elf. Blood gushing in a frantic stream towards the darkened scythe.

Green panels appeared and faded out periodically around the head. Blood dribbled from the corner of the severed head's mouth. His pale face turned to an ashy grey as his eyes stopped darting around.

The dark clouding cleared, revealing the now normal looking Arthur starring at Emilia. ''Things really haven't changed with you. Who knows, I might fall for your violent tendencies again!'' Arthur giggled to himself as he set Alise down on a somewhat unbroken table.

Emilia's face burned red from his fleeting statement, like a schoolgirl. While Arthur paid no mind to the flustered Emilia, he approached Synthers, who seemed to finish up treating the wounded. His affinity towards healing magic was impressive in and of itself, but when you think about his mastery towards most forms of magic, you can't help but feel a little jealous.

''Need any help Syn?'' Arthur asked as he rolled up the sleeves of his tunic. His hands resting slightly above the wound, a small green orb encompassed the wound slowly healed. Slashes stitched themselves back together.

The red-faced Emilia strolled over to the limp Alise. Her chest slowly rose and fell and long soft breaths escaped her lips. Emilia raised her hand and placed it on Alise's head gently 'Awake'. Her eyes shot open as the emerald colour regained its sparkle. Alise shot up straight as she looked from corner to corner of the hall.

''Where is he?! Fenric! Where is that bastard?'' Alise jumped to her feet, wincing in pain from the wound on her calf. She gripped a piece of broken wood as she frantically looked around the room.

It didn't take long before she locked eyes with the severed head. The wooden stick hit the floor as she stared at Fenric's limp corpse. ''How?'' Her voice trembled as she turned toward Emilia. ''How did you k-kill him? He is one of the strongest mages in the monarchy!'' A mix of confusion and fear overwhelmed her. Alise's thoughts raced by trying to piece the situation together.

''We can explain everything to you later. For now, you have to trust us and come with us to the inn.'' Arthur stepped forward, followed by Synthers, who finished tending to the wounded. As charming as ever, Arthur took her shaking hand and guided us back to the inn.

''Make yourself at home. Well, please just don't take up all the space.'' Emilia let out in a welcoming tone to the blushed Alise. Seems like Arthur is gaining popularity with the ladies after just being resurrected.

Alise cleared her throat. ''So, what exactly are you people?''