The Sprint

-----Alice's POV

Apparently, according to the lady at the guild, travel to Azalea is still blocked. But that's for any "regular" people. With Iris with me, we can go there right now, which is what I plan to do. There's still the possibility that Ellen isn't there, but it feels like the most logical place after talking with that adventurer back in the guild.

Iris: "How fast could you get us to Azalea?"

Driver: "For you, milady. I'll get there before the next morning."

We're currently in Iris' carriage, making our way to the west gate. Carriages are lighter than caravans, making the trip a lot faster.

Iris: "Thank you."

Driver: "No need to thank me, milady. Let us find lady Ellen."

We manage to pass through the gate without any stops from the guards. Most likely because of the carriage being well known, with a crest of the Leinhart family on the side.

Alice: "Actually, is this your first time coming out here?"

Growing up, Iris was born in the city, same with me. And as far as I know, she's never really left.

Iris: "Just to Maemont. But that was just before I had Ellen."

Alice: "Well stick close to me. I don't want you getting lost, haha."

Iris: "Fufu~ Thank you for coming with me, Alice."

Alice: "Mmm. Likewise."

Normally, Iris' carriage would be escorted by our guards. But with an emergency like this, there's just no time to be waiting around like that. Plus, when I sparred with many of the soldiers when I first transferred to Iris' territory, I bested all of them. So I believe I'm more than qualified enough to be protecting her.

Now that we're on the road, departing for Azalea, I move over to sit next to Iris after seeing her fidgeting with her hands. I grab hold of one of her hands as she immediately squeezes on my hand as she begins to tremble. "Please be safe Ellen. I don't want Iris to break down."

Alice: "It's okay. We'll find her."

Iris: "But what if she really is out there. Fighting off against those monsters? That's not like a tournament, she could die..."

Alice: "Hey hey-"

I could see the tears start to pool up in her eyes before I immediately try and calm her down.

Alice: "Ellen is strong. I wouldn't be surprised if she can compete against me after seeing her in that tournament. I don't think there's any monster out there that can harm her."

Iris: "You think so?"

Alice: "Don't ask me. What does your heart tell you?"

She moves her free hand to her chest, closing her eyes like she's trying to read her heart directly.

Iris: "Yes. She's alive."

Alice: "See?"

Iris: "But she's not getting off lightly. Running off to Azalea without telling me..."

Alice: "Mmm. We'll scold her together, hehe."

Iris: "Thank you."

She leans on my shoulder, putting her weight on me as I remain where I am, supporting her as we continue our ride to Azalea.

-----Kaede's POV

Kaede: "You got everything?"

Lilith: "Yes."

Mai: "Everything's with me."

We were out the back of the guild where Silver's kennel is. It's secluded enough to be out of site from the soldiers that are still looking for her. I still don't know if this is the right choice. In all honesty, I don't want her to leave at all.

Kaede: "Mai..."

Mai: "Yes?"

Kaede: "Please protect her."

Mai: "Of course."

Kaede: "And keep in touch with me every day."

Mai: "I will."

Kaede: "And when you get there..."

Mai: "Yes. I'll let you know."

Lilith: "Selene-"

Kaede: "..."

She could probably tell how hard I'm trying to hold back the tears. But being called that name felt like a switch had been flipped inside me, causing my pent up tears to come flooding out. I can't help but remember the time when mom disappeared, finding myself in a dark place with complete strangers. It was scary... And seeing her doing the same right now is only making those fears come back all at once.

I couldn't tell with how blurry my vision was, but I could feel someone wrapping their arms around me, squeezing me tightly. But the scent of the person was all I needed to know who it is.

Kaede: "M...Mom-"

Lilith: "Yes."

Hearing her voice, I wrap my arms around her as well, clinging onto her like a child as my tears begin to stain her shirt.

Kaede: "Don't go..."

I know how contradicting it is, but I just can't help it. I want to be selfish and have her to myself, being comforted by her. I know this is probably Selene's thinking, but in all honesty, I can't tell anymore. She's my mother. What child would be happy to be saying goodbye to their own mother?

Lilith: "You know I have to."

Kaede: "But!-"

Lilith: "No matter what happens, you'll always be my daughter."

Kaede: "...!"

I tighten my arms around her as she does the same. The tears showing no signs of stopping as I let them overflow. For the first time in a while, I couldn't even smell the scent of blood with how clogged my nose is, making me feel just a little bit human again as even more tears continue to pour out.

It was mom who let go of me first after what felt like 5 minutes of hugging, bringing me to let go as well as our faces meet. It was then that I could tell she was crying as well, albeit not to the extent that I was.

Lilith: "Hey~"

She wipes the tears off my face as I try to get control of myself. Sniffling up my runny nose to try and breathe normally again.

Lilith: "This isn't goodbye. I promise I'll see you again. Okay?"

Kaede: "M-Mmm."

I thought I got some control of my body, but I find myself hugging her one last time.

Kaede: "I love you, mom."

Lilith: "Mama loves you too."

I manage to fight back the tears as I pull her into a deeper embrace before letting go once more, letting out a long exhale as if to flush out the tears.

Yui: "It'll be okay."

It was Yui this time, wrapping her arms from behind me, giving me a sense of comfort as I watch mom move away back towards Mai.

Faye: "Good luck."

Lilith: "Mmm."

Fleur: "You better make it there in one piece. If you make my daughter cry any more than this, you'll wish you were back with the soldiers."

Lilith: "I know. Thank you again for helping me."

Fleur: "It's not a problem."

Mai: "She'll have me, so there's nothing to worry about."

In fact, I think I'll end up missing Mai as well. Sure I can talk to her with our minds, but it's not the same talking face to face like this. I feel Yui's arms tighten around me as I bring my arms up to hers, gripping onto them for some added comfort as I watch on.

Lilith: "I think we'll be off then."

Mai: "Yes."

She pulls a hood over her head as Mai places a hand on her shoulder.

Mai: "Let me know if anything happens."

It was Mai who began talking to me with her mind as her voice echoes in my head.

Kaede: "Mmm. You too."

We share a smile with one another before we all wave our goodbyes. A few moments later, both Lilith and Mai vanishes in front of our eyes. I could still smell her scent so I knew they didn't teleport. Most likely, they turned invisible. But after a few more moments, their scent slowly diminished as I wait there until I could no longer smell them any more. It was then that a single tear shed from my eyes, but I don't let any more come out.

We made our way back inside. With Lilith no longer with us, we are free to move around and eat properly downstairs with everyone else. I'm still upset that things had to happen this way, but I know I shouldn't get hung up on this for too long. Mai can teleport and bring others as well, just like when she brought Lilith here. So it's more than likely that once they arrive in Yarene, Mai could just teleport us there and I could see Lilith again. How long that will take though is the question.

Mell: "Mmm~"

I didn't realize it, but whilst we were eating dinner, Mell had fallen asleep on my lap, snuggling deeper into me, leaving her food partially eaten.

Lillian: "Yeah. She's your daughter alright."

Sicily: "Mhmm! She never cuddled up with us like that when you weren't here."

It made me happy hearing that, being able to be someone special to Mell. When I first met her, she probably saw me as someone to depend on, but I guess over time she started to grow fond of me. She may be asleep right now, but having her on my lap like this is quite calming after crying my eyes out earlier today.

Yui: "Actually. How did you guys meet anyways?"

Kaede: "Eh?"

Lillian: "Uhm~"

Sicily: "We were out in the woods. We were about to be attacked by some goblins when Kaede found us."

Yui: "Oooh!~ So Kaede being Kaede, haha."

Sicily: "Mhmm!"

Not really a lie, but she's definitely hiding a lot of the facts. Actually, now that I think about it, I wonder how those other girls are doing? I left them in Maemont if I remember correctly. I hope they managed to get back a peaceful life. Maybe one of these days I should go back there and see how they're doing.