53. Nima

In a grass field, among deer and butterflies, two kids—Yumino and Nima—ran around one another, splashing each other with water from the small puddles around, laughing, and having the time of their lives.

After a good, friendly fight, both of them fell into the tall grass, sun warming their skin as the girl elf turned towards the boy with a smile, grabbing his hand and caressing it.

"You've done well, my hero," she said in a soft voice.

"Hero?" Yumino asked confused.

To this, Nima laughed.

"Sorry, my avenger... It's about time..."

In vain did Yumino stretch his arm to reach her; the girl disappeared the next second, and Yumino's surroundings turned into the open sky, an image of the past playing out below him. Next to him, Nima spoke with an unbreaking serene smile and a caressing voice.

"This is the moment Lucien came to me while you were on the rescue mission. It was then that he told me about his plan, trying to recruit me ever since then."

The next image that played was of the vampire and elf training.

"I knew he was scared of you; I just didn't know how scared until I saw the look on his face when I almost took him out with my dagger kick. It reminded me of how he used to look at you. After that move, he started prying more and more into our life together. I could do nothing but tell him about it bit by bit while thinking about a plan to get rid of the mad vampire."

Fast forward yet again to the moment Yumino and Nima fought in their duel.

"This is a bit awkward, but I was really mad at that moment. Of course you were at fault, but I was madder at Lucien. He took from me the one thing I cared about most! How could I ever side with him? He kept telling me that Death was at fault. I agree, but Death wasn't the one to make us go extinct; he was."

Yumino tried to get a word in, but in classic Nima fashion, the girl didn't let him.

"We're short on time, so save the questions for later!" she said, switching the scenery in Yumino's mind yet again.

It was around the time leaves started rusting. The two of them were on a casual stroll in the city.

"Ever since then I've been pondering. He kept visiting pretty often, asking me to join willingly. At first I actually thought he would let us go regardless, but he became more and more insistent. I think he had a hunch of what would happen if he let me and especially you live."

It was finally time for the clock to turn to that night. Seeing themselves from the upper floor of the tavern broke Yumino's heart, as he knew such moments would only remain in his memory.

"You know, I really thought—no, I really hoped you would make a move here. I mean, you've done plenty in our dance, but maybe not the one I hoped for. You just brushed me off with your 'patience…' I can't blame you. In your position, I would have done the same. How can someone love another living being when his time is filled with talking to the dead?"

It was then that Nima's voice cracked for the first time. Even as a spirit, it seemed such things could happen.

"But... But I had already made my decision. I knew time was not on our side, so I... I just... I just hoped it would be then that you sealed the deal. For all the feistiness, I was too scared to do it myself."

"Nima..." the elf called, but the story continued. It was now winter, and Nima's final moment was close.

"I had made my decision. Lucien was getting really insistent, and I knew I didn't have long left. If I were to go, I would make sure you could get away and keep the elves alive. No... Forget the elves! I hoped you would keep on living..."

Some days later in the snowy fields, Nima found herself surrounded by angry vampires.

"Lucien didn't even dare face me that day. He just sent his minions to take care of me. Out of fear, I did fight back for a bit, but I knew there was no hope. With your image imprinted in my mind, I laid down my weapons and let them finish their mission. I admit that a part of me hoped that we could at least be together as vampires, but can you blame me for it?"

"No! How could I!"

Yumino watched as a vampire called Nimera came back home, staring over his bed, a single tear dropping on the blanket that was covering the elf.

"If it were fully me there, I would have known you were faking it. Luckily, that wasn't the case."

The next moment shown to Yumino was him visiting Lucien. The fight that burned his chest followed.

"By now, I was already in your head as part of the curse, but I didn't dare face you. I didn't know what to say. On top of this, I had one more mission that I couldn't ignore—a mission I discussed with Gauntmere after my death."

Finally, a green light shone on Yumino, illuminating the final fight against the vampires.

"Velmira wasn't actually part of our plan. We got lucky with her. Our plan was for me alone to regain my body for a bit. Gauntmere knew that I was too important to lose, hmph!"

After her boastful session, Nima continued in her usual soft voice.

"I was to regain my body and motivate you. She believed that as long as I was next to you, you could find the chance to pierce the heart of that murderer. No, I'm also sure you could have done it."

Now, back in the house the two had spent half a year in, Nima and Yumino stood face-to-face for the last time.

"So, any questions?" the girl asked, but Yumino shook his head.

"No," he said. "There is nothing answers could solve now. Instead, please grant me one selfish wish."

Nima nodded approvingly. It didn't matter what his request was; she would accept anything.

With no hesitation, the elf jumped into the arms of the spirit, approaching his face to hers, their lips touching for a long second before he spoke again.

"The last one didn't count. I wanted one that felt real."

Nima was shocked at the elf finally taking the initiative. No, even in his dreams, Yumino shouldn't have been able to touch her fading spirit. Only if...

The lady smiled. She considered this the reward for her brave sacrifice. In the end, maybe that witch isn't so bad she thought.

I just hope she isn't actually watching.

Yumino had acted strong for her, but his fragile heart could only take so much, so in an unbecoming manner, he laid his chin on the girl's shoulder, hugging her tight as he let out the ugliest cry the continent had seen.

"Nima! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! If only I would have seen it sooner! Why did it have to be you?"

"Hey, hey... What's with that question? You know it could have only been me! As twisted as it is, riding the circle of revenge was our best option to break it..."

"It's all my fault! If only I didn't get to Veston! If only I didn't meet you... If only... If only I wasn't... I wish I could have stayed de—"

"Stop!" Nima's voice resounded in the room, making Yumino lift his head to look at her. What he saw was probably the second worst cry on the continent. Yet, the face who wore it was as beautiful as ever.

"Don't you dare think like that! Avenger or not, you deserve this life! If anything, it could only be you! I know myself! I or any other elf would have drowned in sorrow at the memories of our old lives! It's because of you being who you are that you deserve to be an elf! You are the only one who could live on as the last of us!"

Yumino was left speechless at Nima's words. She said all there was to say, so all the elf could do was nod.

"Only..." Nima said as she sniffed. "You do remember that promise, right?"

"I do."

"As selfish as it is. I hope you can keep it!"

"Yes! I will! I promise!" Yumino screamed, looking helplessly as the girl in front of him started to fade.

"That's good!" Nima said with a smile. "Oh, and one last thing, Yumino..."

With her voice fading away, Nima tried to leave behind some parting words that the elf would never forget, but time was running short, so she settled for the most obvious thing to say.

"I lo—"

As she spoke her last, the girl faded into nothingness. All Yumino could do was try and grasp at the air, unable to hear her out until the end.