Content Warning: This chapter contains themes of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Reader discretion is advised.
"Oh?" Corra crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly. "You seem to have a revelation. I'm intrigued~"
"It's not just the skeletal structure that is missing," Eliana explained, "but organs, too. Those bandages are holding together a body purely made of blood that's constantly flowing. At least, that's what I felt every time I cut her."
"But if she doesn't have any organs…" Viola's worry returned.
"No, there's still a heart," Eliana assured her. "Not even Draven can escape from that weakness. It's just that…the heart has turned to liquid and mixed with the blood. And it's constantly moving. It never stays in the same spot."
"Then how will we…find it?"
"We can't."
Viola gasped sharply.
"And that's why," Eliana continued, "I must cut every piece of her faster than she can regenerate. That is the only way to make sure the heart stays severed, and turn her to dust."
"But is that even possible?" Viola asked. "I-I've seen how quick she regenerates…it won't be an easy task. We aren't even s-sure if that'll work! A-And you're injured—"
"Viola." Eliana glanced back and smiled widely. "I only need one move. Trust me."
That smile…it used to be a rare sight…
Eliana turned to the enemy and stepped forward. Viola couldn't stop her, not after seeing that. She could only say, "Good luck…and please, be careful!"
"Clever deduction," Corra praised, clapping her hands. "But how will you pull it off in a single move?"
"You just need to tell me that I'm right!" Eliana smirked.
"Why would I spoil the surprise?" Corra chuckled darkly. "Now then, show me what you're capable of~"
Eliana took a deep breath, slightly wincing at the sharp pain travelling from the deep cut throughout her entire body. She had used magic reinforcement to prevent too much blood loss and left her determination to deal with the pain. She closed her eyes and thought to herself.
A Refined Art alone won't be enough. I must use the one move I am yet to conquer…
She reopened them, and sky blue shone bright in the darkness, while a grey glow covered her blade.
Sensei…I once told you that I had the easiest time channelling Wind Magic. And you showed me a move. A move I've practised more times than I can count.
Eliana disappeared from her spot and darted around the field like a powerful, invisible gust of wind. She scattered the snow, turning it into mist.
A move that I'm going to conquer…today!
Corra morphed her hands into curved blades again. She stood in the same spot, gazing everywhere to parry Eliana's attack. However, she could not follow her movements through the snowy mist. Corra thought to herself.
She's faster than before! She's planning something new, something I haven't seen yet. And she's drawing out every last bit of magic left in that sword!
"Eliana…" Viola watched the snow scattering, the mist covering every spot, and the lack of confidence in their enemy. It filled her heart with hope. "You've come so far."
Eliana appeared right behind Corra.
"Supreme Art—"
"Duality."
Half her arm flew off mid-swing. The sword stopped glowing and dropped on the snow. Her amputated hand still clung to it.
Huh?
She noticed the second Corra behind her a little too late, as the one she aimed for turned to dust.
"ELIANA!"
Viola forced every muscle in her body to rush into the action.
"You kept me entertained." Corra snickered, lifting her blade arm high up for the final strike. "I'll have you for dessert later~"
Eliana didn't turn around to stop her. A scene from the past flashed before her eyes.
A vivid memory, I can still picture it…that evening when I stepped onto the rooftop…
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Viola screamed as she quickly grabbed Eliana's fallen blade to parry Corra's, but the force pushed her into Eliana, and they both went tumbling to the cold floor.
…not to gaze at the view nor to spend some time alone…
"I'm surprised you can still move," Corra growled. "Clearly, I didn't break you enough!"
…but to end it all.
Corra sent a snake creeper towards her. Viola got up first and conjured up whatever magic she could to punch it off in a violet burst. She then flicked the air. The invisible force reached Corra and sent her stumbling backwards.
And that's when I saw her. A stranger gazing at the sunset, who smiled and waved at me, hoping I'd join her.
"Wasn't your magic exhausted?" Corra shouted. "How have you already recovered?!"
We leaned against that wall, side by side, basking in the view before us. She kept my attention on the horizon instead of below.
"Ah, so it's your emotions," Corra added. "I've given you a reason to fight. However…"
That day…I wanted to end it all.
"Even if you figure out my secret," Corra continued, "it's no use. You're too powerless to do anything about it~"
"I don't care!" Viola shouted back as fists clenched and tears fell to the floor. "I can't just stand by and watch! I can't let someone sacrifice themselves to protect me again!"
That day…I met the girl who saved me.
"When it's always I who protects them!"
And a burden…she unknowingly placed upon me.
Viola turned to Eliana, who remained on her knees, staring at the dirt. She tore off a piece from her sleeve and tied it around Eliana's amputated arm to stop the bleeding as much as possible.
"E-Eliana!" she whispered in a quivering tone. "W-We can still run a-away! I can…I can carry you on m-my back…then I-I'll use magic to—"
"Why me?" Eliana whispered back.
"Huh?"
"It's a question…I've always pondered. Of all the people you could've gone to…of all the paths you could've taken…why did you come to me?"
Eliana finally lifted her head to look straight at her.
"Weren't there more…deserving people?"
"What are you talking about?!"
"I still haven't changed, have I?" She chuckled lightly, turning away. "It was naive of me to think that I could repay the favour. That I could work hard enough to feel…deserving of what you gave me."
"Eliana?"
"But here I am, still indebted to you, still needing you to protect me. I couldn't protect anyone, couldn't save anyone, couldn't even do the one thing that would make me feel like I deserve to still keep breathing. I'm worthless. Incompetent."
"Eliana—"
"Maybe back then…I was better off ending my—"
"Eliana!"
Viola's voice interjected like a slap to her face. Her breath hitched as she stared into violet again.
"What are you rambling about?" Viola frowned. "When did I become the person to decide who's deserving of what?! I only came to you because I couldn't look away. I reached out to take off your burden, not give you more!"
A flicker of light returned in those sky-blue eyes.
"I didn't save you because you deserved it. I'm not the decider of that."
She reached out and brushed off a tear with her thumb.
"I saved you because you needed it!"
Viola swiftly turned around to punch away a snake creeper. Her fists glowed faintly as she got up, taking a stance and glaring at Corra.
"And I will gladly do so again!"
Eliana's expression widened. She gazed up at Viola, who stood before her, protecting her, just like old times. She couldn't help but remember all of it, smiling softly.
"You haven't changed either."
(Eliana's POV, Flashback)
I watched, amazed, as the stranger smacked the bully on her face, breaking one of her teeth that dropped to the white tiled floor with a rather satisfying clink.
Who was this mysterious girl? And why had she come to my aid?
No one else ever did.
"Y-You broke my tooth!" The bully cried out in anger, though the fear was evident.
"I can break more if you're disappointed," the stranger said back coldly, which even gave me the shivers.
"You'll pay for this!" Tears slowly streamed down her face as she began to run away. Was the slap really that hard?
"And you!" She cocked her head sideways to glare at me just before she could run out the washroom door. "Don't think you're safe! I-I will deal with you later!"
"Oh, great!" The stranger put her hands together and grinned widely. "I will get to smack your face again! And if you keep coming back, you will lose your teeth quicker than most people do!" She giggled devilishly at the bully one last time before she fled.
The stranger turned around and walked over to my spot. I remained curled up in the corner, too afraid to make eye contact, while her figure towered over me.
Was she an ally? Was she really my saviour? Or was she just another bully who wanted me all to herself?
It was hard to trust anyone here.
"Are you okay?" She kneeled at my face level and spoke in a surprisingly soothing and gentle tone. "Did they hurt you too much?"
How am I supposed to respond to this?
"There's a bruise on your face! Let me help—"
"I-I'm good!" I got up and started walking away. "T-Thanks—"
"Wait…"
She grabbed hold of my hand, stopping me in place. I glanced at her to realise she had noticed something off. She lifted my sleeve a little, and several cut marks were present all over my arm. Her eyes widen in terror.
"W-What did they do to y—"
"Please don't interfere with my personal space!" I snapped at her, violently brushing my arm off her hold, before storming away. I regretted being rude to someone who showed me kindness. But I won't involve her in this.
I wanted to be left alone.
Years had passed since I came to this city and enrolled in this school. Yet, I made zero friends. Let alone find a companion, I barely even knew anyone's name. My three bullies were the most I interacted with.
I hated them. They would beat me down with words and fists every chance they got. They made sure no one interacted with or helped me by giving me a bad name. Not a day goes by without me crying buckets, sometimes to the point where I…couldn't shed any more tears.
They had made my life a living hell.
But more than them…I hated myself. I hated my life for forcing me into this situation. I hated my body for not being strong enough to protect myself. I hated my heart for being so easily breakable. I hated my soul for not having the will to stand against them.
I hated myself for existing.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back," my mother said, with barely any emotion behind her voice. But this was the usual, and I am used to it. I walked to my room in silence. It was my only escape from the cruel outside world.
I placed my bag on the floor and threw myself on the bed. I had no energy left to cry today. I glanced at my table and saw a bag. I had always kept it in the open, and no one questioned it. Because no one but me ever visited this room.
As usual, I walked up to this bag. It was a bag full of…small razor blades. No, I never bought them myself. It was a 'gift' from my bullies. The bag came with a note, which I never disposed of. The note says:
"Here's a head start to getting rid of yourself!"
And so I did…little by little…every single day.
No one would notice it. My strangers, my bullies, and even my parents, none of them.
No one cared about me.
"You…again!"
"Looks like someone is missing another tooth today." The stranger chuckled, fighting off my bullies yet again. "Oh, are your friends jealous of your new 'look'? No problem, I can fix that!" With more tears than yesterday, the bully and her two friends ran away.
Why do you care?
From then on, every day, she would protect me. No matter where I went, no matter how many times I ignored her and pushed her away, she kept coming back and followed me everywhere, making sure I was safe and sound.
Why are you so persistent?
I don't know who she was. I had never once properly seen her face. We weren't friends, and there was no bond between us. I didn't even know her name…
Should I accept her?
Was this okay? Was it okay to be protected? Was it okay to finally confide in someone? What if she betrayed me? What if she had been working with my bullies this entire time? Just to hurt me in the end?
Was I even allowed to be happy?
But what if her actions were genuine? What if she did truly care for me? Could I befriend her? Would I finally find a companion? One who didn't pretend to be my friend, only to destroy my world later?
"I don't even know a single thing about her…how can I trust her?"
"Then let's change that."
She approached me. And for once, I chose to stay.
"Let's be friends!"
She looked at me straight in the eye and smiled widely, just like she did on the first day. It was such a beautiful sight. And only now did I notice her violet hues.
"Your eyes…they're pretty..."
"So are yours!"
Such an alien feeling…
"I take it you accept my friendship!" She took my hand and began walking forward. "I don't know what friends do, but we'll figure it out!"
"I-I don't know either…"
"I'm sure we'll make a great duo then!" She laughed, and I couldn't help but chuckle—
Wait, what was that? It felt so…alien…
Viola. Such a pretty name, too.
I don't know why, but she really insisted on visiting my place. And so, later that day, I let her come home with me. I had never done this before, so I wondered what my parents would think—
As expected, my mother gave a half-hearted response. But, at least, she didn't reject the idea.
"T-This is my room," I spoke nervously, a bit hesitant to let someone else in my space. "It's nothing special—"
"Wow, it's beautiful!" She exclaimed with excitement, walking around and scanning the room. "And quite cosy too!" I was taken aback by her words. She didn't really mean it, did she?
It also seemed like she was looking a bit too closely. As if she was searching for somethin—
The bag! I hadn't used it in a while, so I forgot about it! No…she can't see it!
"What is this?"
Unfortunately, it was too late. She had already found it and seen its contents. She looked absolutely horrified.
"Eliana…why do you have this?"
I couldn't answer.
"Is that why…" she mumbled, seemingly recalling the day she saw all those cuts in my arm. And it didn't take her too long to connect the dots.
"I-I couldn't explain it…but…it gave me peace—"
"Therefore, this bag will go in the trash! And you will go out with me."
"W-What?"
"Life is precious, Eliana." She suddenly switched to a serious but concerned tone. "You probably won't think that way, since all they've done is show you cruelty. So let me show you all the beautiful things about it!"
A tear I didn't know existed trickled down my face.
"From today onwards, we will go out every day. We will explore this city and see all the pretty sights, visit all the cool places, and try all the delicious snacks. I have no idea where anything is in this city since I'm new, but we will figure it out!"
"B-But why…?"
"So you can find out what you like and see what this world has in store! Perhaps then, you will see your life differently, too. Maybe you can find a reason to stay, a purpose to wake up the next day, a sight to look forward to, a place that brings you comfort, a meal that gives you joy, a memory you can look back to, a person you'd want to see smile."
She reached out and brushed off the tear.
"And maybe a person who'd make you smile, too."
She smiled widely before wrapping me in an embrace. I felt a kind of warmth I never did my whole life. And I involuntarily hugged back. Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't hold them back. I let them flow freely. But they weren't a result of pain and suffering. For the first time, they were in joy.
"So, what do you say?" She pulled back and stretched out her hand, ushering me to take it.
"To a nicer tomorrow?"
Is this called being happy?
"Yes…" I smiled as I took her hand.
My first genuine smile.
"Also," she said, tearing the note from the bag and crushing it in her hand, clenching her fists as a smile concealed her frown, "how do you feel about bullying the bullies?"
I laughed a little.
My first genuine laugh.
(Author's POV, Present)
Viola, you saved me.
Steadying her breath, she pulled herself back together and stood beside Viola. Placing her hand on Viola's shoulder, she squeezed firmly, smiling at her before leaning down to pick up her katana with the same.
Whether or not I deserved it doesn't matter right now.
"My, you're quite lively!" Corra exclaimed in joy. "Then let us end this with one final move each. One final clash!"
I will protect you. I won't let anything happen to you!
Eliana's blade glowed a bright grey again, along with her eyes. She ignored every pain and focused on a single goal in her mind and heart.
"Eliana?" Viola spoke softly. "You don't have to do this…"
"I'm sorry that you had to see me in that state again," she said. "But I'm okay now, Viola. And I can still do this." She turned her head and flashed a wink.
"Besides, didn't I say that I wanted to show off for once?"
"I can't stop you, can I?" Viola sighed as she watched her best friend step forward. "Then do what you must. Give it your all and don't look back. Finish what you set out to do!"
Eliana took her stance, mimicking what Yukari showed her the best she could. Even after losing her dominant hand, she was unfazed. She glared as Corra formed another flesh ball twice her size, with several mouths all over it.
"Just…promise me one thing," Viola whispered. "When this ends…we'll walk back home together. I still owe you more cookies."
She chuckled softly, but didn't say a word in return. Closing her eyes, she recalled everything she was taught, everything she was given, and everything she wanted to give, picturing the life she spent with Viola, and the things she wanted to do once this was all over.
You're cruel, Viola.
Eliana smiled faintly, opening her eyes as she poured every emotion from her heart into the sword that glowed the brightest it ever had that evening.
Asking me of something so simple, so mundane…
"Devouring Maelstrom!"
"Supreme Art—A Thousand Claws!"
…and the one thing I cannot promise you.
She ran ahead like a whirlwind, scattering away the snow and grass and creating cracks wherever she stepped. The flesh ball grew a hundred hands that reached for her. Eliana didn't stop. She slashed through it all, each swing of her blade landing five cuts.
"I have more!"
Next came a hundred snake creepers. Eliana dashed to the side and held her ground, cutting away multiple snakes with every swing. Another hundred hands reached out from above. Eliana darted around the field to separate the tentacles before swinging in a full circle from the middle, sending a hundred wind blades that dispersed in every direction and turned each hand to dust.
"Ridiculous!" Corra shouted. "How are you performing better with your arm gone?!"
Eliana noticed that the flesh ball had become considerably smaller. This was her chance. A final wave, a mix of hands and mouths, ran straight at her. One blink and she was already behind Corra, cutting away every last tentacle.
"All that for a mere stab," Corra whispered at Eliana behind her, who drove the blade through her heart. "What will that do?"
"I'm not done," Eliana declared coldly. "I still have five hundred more."
"Huh?"
Before Corra could react, the blade summoned a tornado from within her body that constantly slashed away at her. The limbs, the bandages, and each droplet of blood constantly flowing underneath, none were spared. Eliana pulled off her sword and began cutting in tandem with the wind at parts that had regenerated.
Within a minute, she had unleashed a thousand cuts.
"I-Impossible!" Corra said as her partially regenerated head rolled on the dirt after her entire body crumbled away. "I can't believe this! There's no way I lose—"
"Buffet's closed."
Eliana stabbed the final piece and discharged the last bit of magic left in the sword, reducing the flesh to atoms. She stood there and panted heavily. The blade stopped glowing, losing everything that made it extraordinary.
Eliana…you did it…
Viola ran towards her best friend with a bright smile. The mist and dust clouds settled down slowly.
"When you meet her again, make sure to make the most of it."
"I can't believe you actually did it!" She slowed down upon getting closer.
"We puppets can never know when the act ends."
When the dust fully settled, and Eliana came into view, Viola's smile immediately turned to horror.
"Or if we'll even meet again in the next."
The entire left side of her waist was missing.
"ELIANA!"
She smiled back before falling forward. Viola quickly caught her and helped her sit on her knees. "I guess…I should've been more careful—" Eliana coughed up blood.
"N-No…we c-can still fix this!" Viola spoke in a shaky breath. "A-Aurelea…s-she can heal you! I-I can take you back—"
"Viola," she interjected, "Aurelia can only heal those chosen by her light…like Emily." Viola's heart sank. "Even if," Eliana continued, "we can use magic…we aren't chosen…this is it…for me…"
Then how did I live? Why me?!
"D-Didn't think it'll end so quickly…" She chuckled lightly before coughing up more blood. "Well…i-it was fun while it lasted…"
"No!" Viola pulled her close. "I'm not letting you go!"
Eliana let out a soft sigh, her body trembling in Viola's arms. "You're just as stubborn…"
"I'll be as stubborn as you'd like!" Viola held her tighter. "We're going back together! I-I still owe you cookies!"
"Right…the cookies…" Eliana let out a weak laugh. "I haven't tasted them in a while…that might be my one regret…"
"It doesn't have to be!" The tears finally spilt out. "I'll buy you all the cookies you want! Just stay…please…"
Eliana lifted her arm slowly and brushed Viola's hair. "I know I doubted it before…but I'm glad…it was you."
"Huh?"
"Thank you…for saving me…for being the only one who didn't look away…"
"W-Why are you talking like that?"
"You made me look at life differently…you made me give myself a second chance…"
Eliana's vision blurred and flickered. Her hand stopped moving, but rested on Viola's shoulder.
"You showed me all the beautiful things…about this world…"
"I can show you more—"
Viola felt a firm squeeze.
"So thank you…for being the most beautiful part…of my life—"
Her grip loosened. Then her hand slipped off and fell limp to the floor.
"Eliana?" Viola called softly. "E-Eliana? S-Say something!" Her gentle shaking of Eliana's body became more and more frantic. "Eliana!"
She could no longer hear her breathing or her heartbeat. Her body went cold.
"D-Don't leave me! Please!"
Eliana was no more.
"ELIANA!"
Viola's screams may reach the heavens, and her tears may fill a river, but none could fill the growing hollow in her heart.
"Why?" She sobbed bitterly. "Why didn't you run away earlier?"
This battle's outcome had already been decided from the moment it began.
"You didn't have to prove anything to me…why did you have to push yourself this far? Why did you…become a Hunter?"
Viola remained there, holding Eliana in her arms. The wind gently blew at her, and the snow felt like nothing. She could hear the sound of blades clashing in the distance, coming to an abrupt end. And she also heard footsteps closing in.
"So she's finally dead, huh?"
That dreadful muffled voice spoke to her. Viola looked up to see the bloody figure towering over her. The Crimson that took Eliana's life.
"Why are you," Viola growled, "still alive?!"
"The answer is quite simple," Corra said. "Your friend came to the wrong conclusion~"
"What?!"
"All she did was delay my supper." Corra snickered. "To give your life trying out the incorrect solution…must be pathetic!"
"Shut up!"
"Don't worry~" Her arm morphed into a blade, and she lifted it high up. "I'll send you to her!"
Viola closed her eyes and tightly held Eliana, shielding her corpse. She waited for the blade to come down on her and finish the job, but it never did.
"Enough."
Instead, she heard yet another familiar, but dreadful voice.
"We're withdrawing."
She opened her eyes to see Pandora standing right beside Corra, facing the other way, and holding the blade arm in place.
"Withdrawing?" Corra snapped. "And when I'm this close to my food?!"
"Haven't I given you enough time?" Pandora sighed. "You fooled around too much. This is your consequence."
"Then stop me if you can—"
Reality tore apart in the space far behind them, and Corra was pulled into the void opening.
"I wasn't asking," Pandora said. "Besides…a troublesome one is here."
Viola stared blankly as Pandora walked towards the portal. But just before she stepped in and disappeared, she glanced back and whispered one last sentence.
"We'll cross paths again, Viola. At least…I hope we do."
Emily arrived just in time to see the portal disappear and reality reattach itself. "V-Viola? You're still—" Her eyes fell on the other, and she paused. "Eliana…? W-What happened…?"
Viola didn't answer. She gazed at the flower garden in the distance, remembering the times she spent there with Eliana, and how brightly she always smiled when greeted by lilies.
"Viola…?" Emily stepped closer. "S-Say something…"
"She's gone."
Emily froze.
"She left me," Viola spoke in a soft whisper. "We were…supposed to return…together…"
The blue-haired opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She crumbled and fell to her knees. A heavy gust of wind brushed past them.
"You're late," Viola said to the figure standing before her, "again".
Silver clenched his fists and spoke in a low growl, "Who did this?"
"There were…two Crimsons."
"Two?" Emily gasped. "B-But we were told of only one…"
"There were two, Emily…and they took her away from me."
"Crimsons rarely ever work together," Silver said. "To face even one in your first mission…let alone two…what was Mother thinking?!"
Silence settled between them. Viola wouldn't let go of Eliana. Emily stared into the dirt, wondering if things could've ended differently had she been stronger.
"Emily," Silver called, breaking the silence, "take them back to the mansion. I will check for…whatever's left."
With that, he disappeared in a blur. Emily came closer and placed her hand on Viola's shoulder. "I-I'm sorry," she spoke as her fingers trembled. "If only I were stronger…"
"Don't be." Viola got up and carried Eliana in her arms. "The ones who should be…have long left."
The Void had taken from her yet again. And Fate laughed at her.
"This is the second time…"
But flames that should've remained frozen had ignited deep inside her.
"And I certainly hope…this will be the last."
December 5th, 2002, would be marked as the darkest day of her life.
"I'll make sure of it."
That was what she hoped, at least.