Vivi shook off the frost that had splattered on her face. The tent, caught in the blast, was half-gone, collapsed.
All the guards who had sworn to protect her drew their swords, showing murderous intent toward Viviall of them, even those she had ford close bonds with over a lifeti.
In this mont swallowed by despair, the last knight she had forgotten about leaped in.
Damian.
Was there ever such irony in fate? The disciple of the woman she so detested was now steadfastly protecting her, wielding nothing but a wooden sword.
Nielrin, standing back, lifted his sword, and smoke slowly began to rise from the blademanifesting sword energy.
Following the sword energy, vapor started to rise from the ground. If the sword energy was manifested, it could slice through the dense bones and carapaces of demonic beasts.
The wooden sword wouldnt stand a chance, likely to be cleaved in two as if it were butter.
The battle was hopeless. Damian alone against Nielrin and all these soldiers was an impossibility.
Vivi closed her eyes tightly. Was there ever such irony in fate? The person showing loyalty in her final monts was not soone she had known for decades but a boy she had t just a few days ago.
She suppressed the emotions boiling inside her.
Youll die if you fight this. Run away if you can.
Nielrin approached Damian, who didnt pretend to hear Vivi.
Nielrins sword, charged with sword energy, rushed toward Damian.
Vivi clenched her eyes shut.
Clang!
When the wooden sword clashed with the sword energy, it made a solid sound as if steel had t steel.
Vivi slowly opened her eyes. The unfolding scene was not as expected. The wooden sword had blocked Nielrins strike.
Sparks flew with each clash of swords.
Blocking Nielrins attack was impressive, but it was too much to ask for more.
They had no intention of observing a one-on-one duel. Overwheld in numbers, the guard discarded any sense of chivalry and began a concerted attack.
Magicians in the rear ranks started their chants.
Flas and spells were hurled at Damian, busy defending against Nielrin.
Damian agilely deflected the magical attacks, but Nielrin found an opening, slicing through the flesh near Damians left ribs. Blood lightly sprayed out.
Then, Nielrins deputy joined in. It was three against one, with magical attacks to boot. Damian activated three bombs and dropped them at his feet. It would have been akin to suicide if they explodedwhether by mistake or intention, it was unclear.
The bombs began to glow blue as magic condensed within them.
Dangerous!
Before Vivi could scream a warning, Damian rushed back, pulling her into his arms, shielding her with his body from the icy explosion.
A wintry gust swept through as if a chill breeze from the north had blown, and Damien, who should have been gravely injured, only ended up covered in white powder while the rest remained unscathed.
Nielrin and his deputies were thrown back by the explosion, covered in frost. Damian whispered in Vivis ear,
I didnt co here to die.
Damian grasped Vivis wrist and started running away.
***
Killing those who might have borne malice and planned betrayal against the Lady would have been justifiable under the control of the circulatory system, yet slaughtering them all wasnt the right choice.
For that reason, my battle beca even harder. Had I chosen to confront them there and then, perhaps the end could have been seen, but fleeing to seek another ans necessitated a more difficult path.
The guard promptly pursued us.
Their pursuit was relentless. The knights, now unrecognizable from the guard I knew, seed determined not to let us go.
I saw Vivis face; she was sobbing uncontrollably as we fled.
How could they how could they
The shock of her trusted confidants turning their blades against her was evidently great.
Its not betrayal. They are under the control of sothing else.
Never would I have imagined this dignified Lady would weep so bitterly.
Once the Lady of Ulyssia, she was now rely a raw human nad Vivi.
Suddenly, an ice spike flew from the right, a surprise from those who had flanked us.
I imdiately changed direction.
A fiery eagle dove at , aiming for my eyes. Swiping it away with my sword made it vanish.
Despite changing directions multiple tis, escaping the pursuit seed futile.
We climbed a hill, evading the encirclent. Looking back, the knights had already closed in.
It was as seen in a dream. So this is how it ends.
I deflected incoming magical attacks with my sword as we continued up the hill.
Vivis tears did not cease. She must have sensed the end.
Reaching the top, we faced a cliff with raging torrents below. The knights quickly ford ranks, cutting off any remaining escape routes.
I turned, facing the guard with my back to Vivi.
Then, Vivi spoke in a resigned tone,
Lets end this.
Ive been facing death long before now. It just arrived in an unexpectedly early manner. Co out. Fighting will only lead to a aningless death.
I remained silent, maintaining a standoff.
Theres no winning. They want . My life is enough to end this. If it saves the innocent guard and your life, its worth the exchange.
I refuse.
Vivi didnt take long to make her decision.
Then, I will Ill jump myself.
Vivi began running towards the cliff edge, intent on throwing herself off.
!
I imdiately turned and followed her.
She leapt off the cliff.
Without hesitation, I jumped into the air, catching Vivi and plunging into the rapids below.
***
Vivi coughed up water, tasting sand on her lips.
She was still alive. That cursed fate hadnt swiftly taken her life but left her on this hellish land.
She slowly crawled onto the bank.
Then, recalling sothing, she looked around.
Damian lay unconscious about ten steps away.
Vivi sighed in relief seeing him.
His wrist was entwined with strange tree roots.
At first, she thought she was seeing things, but the tree was slowly pulling Damian out of the water onto the bank at a snails pace.
Vivi hurriedly grabbed Damians other arm to pull him out of the water.
Once they were in a safe place, the tree transford back into the shape of a wooden sword.
She sat on him, pressing her ear against his chest. His heart was beating, but he wasnt breathing. In a panic, she slapped his cheeks.
When the sound of her slaps was drowned out by the rushing water, she hit him harder,
Wake up, wake up!
With no response, she mimicked life-saving techniques she vaguely rembered, pressing his diaphragm with her fists.
After several presses, Damian coughed up water and opened his eyes.
Startled by his awakening, Vivi jumped up, creating distance.
Damian assessed the situation, still lying down, and then spoke,
You did well.
If I had been left to die, perhaps the gods wrath might have subsided. Why did you risk your life to save ?
Damian continued,
Jumping into the water, opening my airway, all were the right choices.
Answer my question!
Before that, could you tell why this lands deity desires you?
Its likely because I interfered with a sacred ritual. And Ive been despised by the gods since birth. So, nothing strange there.
Damian got up, picked up the wooden sword, wrung out his hair, and checked for his belongings. His readiness to move on after nearly dying seed almost inhuman.
He still faced forward.
Like it or not, theres only one path left to us.
What path is left?
It was doubtful what hope remained. Standing against the guard was impossible, and re survival in this harsh environnt wasnt guaranteed.
Youve already resigned yourself to death. So, theres nothing to lose by gambling one more ti.
Damian picked up Vivis mud-covered hairpin and handed it to her.
I will fight the lord of this land.
His action broke down Vivis last psychological defenses. He firmly held onto her, who had given up on herself.
What was he thinking? Why was he so determined to save her, who had treated him so disdainfully?
She tried not to show it, but sothing surged within her, forcing her to close her eyes tightly.
Would he feel the sa upon seeing her curse? Was he truly willing to face the gods malevolence together? How would he react upon confronting this body cursed by the gods, knowing that even with all his protection, she might not survive ten years?
Vivi resolved herself and loosened her dress straps, then stripped down to her undergarnts, exposing her upper body completely.
At the brink of life, she had nothing left to hide or lose.
She turned around, exposing the stark reality of her curse to him.
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