Chapter 6 – A Love That Lingers

Ray leaned forward, arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto Lucy. "So, tell me—there are two main questions you need to answer. First, why is this photo here? And second, what exactly was your relationship with him?"

Lucy gripped the edges of her dress tightly. Her eyes darted to her parents, seeking silent reassurance, but all she found was their grim, expectant silence. She inhaled deeply and exhaled, steadying her voice.

"This photo… it's nothing but a mark of friendship," she said, her voice calm but forced.

Ray raised a skeptical brow. "Oh? So you two were just friends?"

"Yes."

"And your age back then?"

"Eleven."

Ray exhaled through his nose. "I see. Then let's take a little trip five years back, shall we?"

---

Five Years Ago

Despite their deep-rooted hatred for each other, Miravale and Eldermere were forced to coexist. The kingdom thrived on their unique strengths—Miravale was the heart of craftsmanship, research, and creation, while Eldermere supplied the muscle, its warriors protecting the kingdom's borders.

Trade flourished, an uneasy alliance built not on trust but necessity.

One day, a Miravale craftsman entered the Eldermere marketplace, his young son helping him carry the weapons he had forged. The man laid out his finely crafted swords before the wary Eldermere warriors.

A noble knight arrived, his six-year-old daughter in tow. His sharp eyes inspected a blade, lifting it with ease. With one smooth motion, he swung it through the air—the steel hummed with perfection.

"Excellent craftsmanship," the knight murmured, impressed. "How much?"

The craftsman hesitated. "Sir, this is no ordinary sword. It is—"

"Just name your price," the knight interrupted. "I'll pay whatever it takes."

As the men talked, the knight's daughter turned her bright gaze to the young boy. With an innocent grin, she skipped toward him.

"Hey there!" she chirped.

The boy looked up, startled. "Uh… hello. Can I help you with something?"

"Yes! Let's play!"

The boy blinked. "Sorry, but I can't. My father is a merchant, and I have to help him. I respect you as a customer, but I'm busy."

The girl puffed her cheeks in defiance. "Come on, just for a little while! Playing won't take that much time!"

She was persistent. Reluctantly, the boy sighed and set down the sword he was polishing.

---

By the Riverside

The river shimmered under the afternoon sun, its waters reflecting the sky. The two children sat on the grassy bank, watching the ripples dance in the breeze.

"This place is beautiful, isn't it?" the girl asked, hugging her knees.

"Yeah," the boy admitted, a small smile creeping onto his lips.

"What's your name?"

"Eldrin."

"And mine is Lucy!" She beamed.

That day, their friendship was sealed.

---

A year passed.

Every time Miravale traders visited Eldermere, Eldrin and Lucy would sneak away to play. Their bond deepened despite their worlds being set on opposite paths.

But fate was relentless.

Lucy's training as a knight intensified. Eldrin was forced to spend more time studying craftsmanship. Soon, their stolen moments together became rare.

"Lucy," Eldrin whispered one day as they sat by the river. "Promise me that no matter what, we'll always be friends. That we'll always find time for each other."

Lucy looked up at the sky, her voice soft. "I wish I had been born in Miravale."

Eldrin frowned. "Huh?"

"I love music," she admitted. "In Miravale, I wouldn't have to be a knight. I could just sing."

Eldrin smiled. "You have a great voice. You should sing more."

Lucy giggled. "Promise me, Eldrin—we'll always be friends."

"I promise," he said.

For four years, they kept their promise. But as they grew older, Eldrin's feelings changed.

And that was the problem.

At eleven, he was painfully aware that he loved her. He had no idea if she felt the same.

One evening, he went to meet her by the river. But when he arrived, he saw her laughing with another boy.

Something in him shattered.

He turned away and never went back.

---

The Tragedy

Not long after, disaster struck.

Both Miravale and Eldermere thrived under the protection of the Goddess of Fortune, her divine aura keeping the forest monsters at bay.

But one night, that aura weakened—just for a flicker of a moment.

That moment was all the monsters needed.

Chaos erupted.

Creatures swarmed the towns, tearing through homes, killing indiscriminately.

Lucy, her heart hammering, ran through the streets, searching for a way to Miravale.

"Eldrin… please be safe."

Then—a low hiss.

A monstrous snake lunged from the shadows, fangs bared.

Before she could react, an arrow flew past her, striking the creature's eye.

Lucy turned sharply, eyes wide.

A hooded figure stood there, bow in hand.

Then, the monster struck.

Its fangs sank into the boy's shoulder before it collapsed, dead.

The hood fell away.

Eldrin.

Lucy dropped to her knees, her breath catching. "Why… why didn't you contact me for days? And now you're here, dying?!"

Eldrin gave her a weak smile, blood seeping into the dirt.

"Sorry, Lucy. But… I love you."

Lucy's world stopped.

"I should have told you sooner," he murmured, his voice fading. "But I don't have much time left. I guess… I'll never get the chance now."

Tears streamed down her face. "You idiot! That boy—he's just a friend! A brother to me! I—I love you, Eldrin!"

Eldrin chuckled weakly. "Oh. Well… I guess I can die happy, then."

His eyes closed.

Something snapped inside Lucy.

A dark force pulled at her soul, dragging her into the abyss.

When she awoke, she was standing on that cursed street—a dead snake in her hands.

The corpse twisted.

Then—Eldrin stood before her.

But his eyes were empty.

His ghost raged, destroying everything in his path.

Only she was spared.

At sunrise, he vanished.

---

Present Day

Ray sighed. "So, mystery solved. Her parents were just trying to help her keep him close."

"Yeah," Emily muttered. "But it's not right. We know how to summon him now—by offering dead bodies."

Ray's expression darkened. "That's why I'm ending this. Tonight."

The Final Farewell

The night air was thick with tension as both towns gathered, their gazes locked on the summoning ritual. The ritual sigil glowed, pulsing with eerie energy.

The offering lay in the center—a dead animal, the necessary bait to lure Eldrin's ghost into this world.

A chill ran through the crowd. The wind stilled, as if the entire world was holding its breath.

Then—a hiss.

The air warped, bending unnaturally. A monstrous, spectral snake slithered into existence, its ghostly body flickering between corporeal and ethereal.

Its eyes, hollow and burning, locked onto Ray. Hatred. Pain. Confusion.

Ray exhaled. He stepped forward, rolling his shoulders.

"You've suffered enough," he muttered.

Then, his right hand ignited.

Black flames roared to life.

The crowd gasped, some recoiling. Even Emily took an instinctive step back—the flames weren't just fire.

They were cold.

A suffocating pressure filled the air, as if the very essence of the world was being drained by their existence.

Lucy screamed, trying to rush forward—but Emily grabbed her.

"Stop!" Lucy struggled. "You can't! You'll erase him forever!"

Emily's grip tightened. "No, Lucy, listen!"

Lucy turned, wild-eyed, but Emily's expression was calm.

"Ray's black flames don't destroy ghosts," she said firmly. "They burn their physical medium—the anchor that lets them enter this world."

Lucy froze, her mind racing.

"He's suffering," Emily continued, voice softer. "Right now, he's neither alive nor at peace. But these flames… they'll purge his pain."

The snake ghost lunged at Ray.

With a flick of his wrist, Ray swung his flaming hand downward—and the black fire engulfed the ghost's form.

A piercing wail echoed through the air.

But there was no agony—only release.

The flames consumed the snake's body, unraveling it thread by thread. Its violent form flickered… then softened.

Where once stood a vengeful ghost, now floated a spirit.

A boyish figure, glowing faintly, his features now serene.

Eldrin.

His eyes met Lucy's.

"Lucy," he whispered. His voice was no longer twisted with rage—it was gentle.

Tears spilled down Lucy's cheeks. "Eldrin…"

He smiled.

Then, his form began to rise, drifting toward the sky. Toward peace.

Lucy watched, trembling, hands clutched to her chest.

"Goodbye," she whispered.

With one final look, Eldrin's spirit dissolved into the night, fading into the moonlight.

It was over.

---

Aftermath

Silence fell over the town.

The people of Miravale and Eldermere stared at Ray—the Ghost Hunter.

A town elder stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Thank you. We are in great debt to you. Is there anything else we can do?"

Ray stretched his neck as if bored. "Yeah. Leave their family alone. Both of them."

The elder hesitated, then nodded. "As you wish."

With that, Ray and Emily turned to leave.

As they walked, Emily side-eyed him.

"Hmmm," she mused, smirking. "Acting like a cold, heartless ghost hunter, huh?"

Ray didn't respond.

"But," she continued, "I know the truth. You didn't destroy Eldrin. You just burned away his suffering."

Ray gave her a side glance, unreadable.

Emily grinned. "Because your black flames don't erase ghosts—they just cleanse them. You turned a tormented ghost into a peaceful spirit, right?"

Ray sighed. "I don't know what you're talking about."

She laughed. "Heeyaha!"

Then, she jumped onto his back.

"You brat, get off—ahhh!" Ray stumbled, nearly falling.

As Emily clung to him, she stole one last look at that once-haunted street.

A glowing spirit drifted upward, vanishing into the moonlit sky.

She smiled.

"Goodbye, Eldrin."