"...What?" Zaos asked in shock.
"When I felt my mana being drained, I did so research in the secret section of our library," Aria said. "There, I discovered that the demon god has the power to drain the mana of his enemies. Once I discovered that I knew that my child would be the one the demon god would try to use."
Zaos didn't want to believe that the newborn girl sleeping on the cradle nearby would soday beco the demon god. She looked like Aria, after all. Blonde hair, blue eyes… Still, Zaos realized that Aria didn't say that the child was the demon god.
"The demon god died, so he can't return to this world using normal ans, so he spread his magical powers, and once enough of his people died over the years, his powers would reunite on the body of soone who can wield his powers," Aria said. "While dead, the demon power can't resurrect himself, but if soone who has his powers try that… he will return. Once the tis, the demon god will start to convince Milliendra to revive him. That is why I wanted you two to work together and raise her to be stronger in our place."
"I can't do that… you shouldn't give so soon either, Aria," Zaos said. "You are stronger than that."
"Thank you, Zaos. Hearing that from you really ans a lot…" Aria smiled. "But I can tell, my mana isn't recovering anymore, and my body only grows weak, and I can't count on anyone else to raise her."
"Why not?" Zaos asked.
"Millie will have the powers of the demon god, and his powers will bring fear and hatred. Only those who have his gifts or those who are descendants of the magic race are unable to feel that," Aria said. "People like you and Aleni are exceptions to that rule… I can't trust my family or Drannor on raising Millie."
Zaos couldn't tell why Aleni wasn't affected by that effect, but that wasn't important. Regardless, Zaos didn't want to leave without trying to save Aria. He had plenty of focus amulets, so they might help.
"You never give up, Zaos… that is why I am counting on you," Aria said. "Raise Millie to be like that as well… you should hurry, I send Drannor away on a fake mission before the delivery, but he should be arriving soon."
"This might be a little gross, but you might get better if you eat the bluestones of the amulets," Zaos said.
"Listen to Zaos, geez…" Aria smiled and then sighed. "You are the smartest person that I know when it cos to magic, so try to free Millie from this curse. I want her to have a happy life."
"... Okay, I will do my best," Zaos said. "Rest assured, I won't let her be hated by anyone, and one day, she will return to your ho."
"Thank you… Zaos, I am sorry, but I have one last favor," Aria said.
"No problem," Zaos said.
"I am really sorry for asking you this. This isn't a burden you shouldn't carry, but…" Aria said with tears in her eyes.
"Hey, you can count on ," Zaos said, and then he held Aria's hands with his.
"... I want you to kill ," Aria said.
"... What?" Zaos asked in shock.
"I am sure that the demon god will use many things to ss with Millie's head, so I can't die like this. She will eventually discover that I died for lack of mana in my body, and she will bla herself," Aria explained. "Zaos… I know that this is very unfair, but… I don't want her to bla herself for this."
Zaos' bit his lips in anger… how Aria could ask him sothing like that… Zaos could never do that. Wouldn't it be easier to ask Aleni to do that? Why Zaos? He knew her for longer, so… suddenly, Zaos recalled that despite the fact that she was an assassin, the knights she fought weren't dead as he had imagined. Maybe it was because of that… she didn't want to be what she was trained to be, and Aria couldn't force her to do it.
"... I understand," Zaos said and then grabbed one of his throwing knives. "I am sorry for not being with you when you needed, Aria."
"You were with , when you could when it was necessary…" Aria smiled and then smiled while she let tears fall from her face. "I wish that those days when the three of us were together could return… I will always cherish those days, Zaos."
Zaos nodded and then bit his lips once again. He let so blood fall from his mouth, but he didn't let out tears. Zaos couldn't let Aria see him suffering… in the end, Zaos cut her wrists so fast that she didn't even sense it.
"I guess this is goodbye, I wish you two good luck, and I apologize once again for burdening you like this," Aria said and then smiled. "Aleni, I am certain that you will find your happiness, don't give up, okay?"
Aleni nodded, and Zaos saw her trembling from head to toe. It seed that Aria freed her from her job…
"Millie, I am sure that you will overco all the obstacles you will find on your path. Please, be happy," Aria said and then looked at Zaos once more. "Please… protect her."
After saying that, Aria finally closed her eyes and her presence disappeared. Those words echoed in Zaos's mind while he trembled from head to toe as well and let the tears flow. Zaos' mission in that world was to protect Milliendra, and he was determined not to fail. In fact, he was confident that he would succeed because he knew who his real enemy was… the demon god. Sohow, Zaos always knew that their paths would cross at so point, he just didn't know how. Still, he couldn't say that he was happy for it, but he finally found a target to unleash all his fury....
Reviews
All reviews (0)