Promises

Sitting down heavily on the edge of the fountain, I wait for Hannah to remove the sword from her waist and take a seat next to me.

"You all ready to head off?" Holding the sword out in front of her, she rests it on her lap and looks at me.

"Yeah. As ready as I can be. Elias told me what happened yesterday. You still can't use it, can you?"

Sighing, I wave my hand, and Throne appears in my grasp.

"I can summon the weapons and gear, but I still can't use any skills or magic without saying the words. It's like every time I try; the magic gets all tangled, and it either doesn't come out right or it just doesn't work at all." Laughing, she draws the sword from its sheath and with barely any movement, flames ignite on the blade, running down the length of it as if they were teasing me.

"Now that's just adding insult to injury. My weapons are old school. Just like my skill use."

"More like you're both just old. And stubborn to boot."

"Hey. I'm not old; I'm experienced." Laughing, the flames wink out on the sword, and she pushes it back into its sheath softly.

"So, the King has a sister. I heard about the demon attack when the king was discussing things with Abigail. I didn't even know he had a sister."

"Neither did I. There's definitely a story or two there. That's for damn sure."

"It's getting real, isn't it?" Looking over at the forlorn look on her face, I reach over and place my hand on top of hers.

"It is. And that's terrifying. For me at least. How do you feel about it all? There's been so much happening lately, I haven't even had the chance to stop and see how you're doing." Placing her hand on top of mine, she leans against me. Not the chosen hero, just my daughter. My baby. Now and forever, no matter how old she gets.

"I'm okay, Dad. I am. This place is amazing. Sometimes I miss home, but this place is exciting. Being the Hero destined to defeat the Demon King scares me. I still see Maplefall when I close my eyes. How do you deal with that kind of death and destruction? How do I stand up against that?" Smiling a sad smile above her head, a slow tear rolls down my cheek and falls into her hair.

"With friends and family. Allies who can help you out. That's how you defeat an evil like that."

"You realize that eventually you are going to have to let me face him?"

"I'll let you face him, but not alone. Never that."

"You may not get a choice."

"For as long as I draw breath, I promise you, Hannah, I won't stop fighting to keep you safe. It may be your destiny to defeat Saetaen, but I don't have to let you face it on your own." Getting up to her feet, the sword clatters to the ground, and she rounds on me, tears spilling down her cheeks.

"That's the part that worries me. These abilities that you use, Dad, I've seen it. They take such a toll on you, what happens if one of them goes too far? For crying out loud, I had to knit the bones in your arm back together after the recoil from your gun snapped them into splinters. How can you tell me everything is going to be fine? What happens if you…" Getting to my feet as she burst into tears, I wrap my arms around her.

"Oh, baby. I'm sorry. I'm going to be round for a long while yet. Don't you worry."

"How can I not? How can you be so calm about all of this?"

"Because I have faith. And do you know why?" Shaking her head, tears still splash down her cheeks. Wiping them off her face, I smile.

"Because despite everything I've said, you're a lot stronger than you give yourself credit for. You've grown so much in such a short time. There is no doubt in my mind that you will defeat the Demon King. But I'm not dead yet. So, while I'm around, I want you to promise me something. Can you do that?"

"What do you want me to promise?"

"Promise me you won't fight the Demon King on your own. No matter what happens. There's no telling what will happen when we reach the Hall of the Damned."

"Dad, you just said that I can handle it."

"And I mean that, but just because you can handle it doesn't mean you should. That's not what I'm debating, Hannah. I'm asking you to trust me and not fight him on your own. Wait for me, and together we can end this madness. Can you promise me that?" Looking at me with a stubborn look across her face, she taps her toe impatiently.

"Dad… But…"

"No buts, Hannah. Not this time. Call it an old cop's intuition or a father's or whatever. Promise me you won't do it."

"But…"

"Promise me!" With a sigh, she gives up, and her shoulders sag.

"I promise."

"Thank you. I swear, that was like trying to get blood from a stone."

"Like you're one to talk. I still remember that time with my junior high school gym teacher."

"He was an idiot."

"That's not the point. You got banned from the school."

"Only for a semester."

"Still. Who's the stubborn one?" Laughing, I grab her in a big hug and give her a kiss on the forehead.

"God, I love you, kid. Now, you had best be off. Go get some rest. We're leaving at the crack of dawn tomorrow to head to the Hall of the Damned."

"What about you?"

"I'll be alright. I've got a few things to sort before I head back up."

"Alright. I'll see you later." Picking up her sword, she places it on her hip and walks off into the castle. Sighing, I take a seat back down on the edge of the fountain and rub the ache forming on the side of my head.

"That was sweet." Jumping up as a female voice comes from behind, Throne appears in my hand as I turn, finding Ella standing against a pillar.

"How long were you standing there?" Letting the gun disappear, I relax a little.

"Not long. But long enough." Coming over, she takes my hand and pulls me back down onto the fountain, holding my hand in both of hers.

"She has a point though, Oscar. Even you must see that. She's hardly a child. I know in your world she is, but here…" watching my hand to stop her, I take a deep breath.

"I know Ella. I've known for a while. Even before we came here. She's more grown-up than other girls her age, and honestly in recent years, I'm not sure who took better care of whom. But I still don't want her running headlong at your father. I've fought the man. Never at full power for either of us, but he honestly scares me a little. And I'm not easily scared. If I can pave the way for her to vanquish him, I'll do it."

"Even if it costs you your life?"

"As selfish as it might be, Ella, yes. Don't you think it's worth it?" With a sigh, she leans into me and starts tracing a line down my arm.

"There was a time when I thought so. But now, I do not want to lose you. So no, I don't think it is worth it. There are ways to kill my father that do not have to revolve around us sacrificing one another or resorting to means that make us no better than he is." As her words run off, we sit there in silence, letting the sound of the fading day surround us. Sitting up straight, she slides off the edge of the fountain and, leaning on my knees, looks up into my face.

"I'm sorry. It's how I feel, Oscar. I would be filled with regret if I didn't tell you that. And if something were to happen in the upcoming battle, I could never live with myself." Looking into her eyes, the warmth in my chest grows warmer, and I lean down to give her a kiss.

"I love you, Ella, I do."

"I know. Promise me one thing, Oscar. Please?"

"What?"

"That no matter what happens in the coming days, you won't use overdrive." At the mention of the skill, a shudder runs through.

"I won't. I promise." An easy promise to make, if there was anything I never wanted to do, it was use that skill.

"Thank you. Now." Getting to her feet, she holds out her hand to me.

"Shall we head back?" Smiling, I take her hand and head into the castle. Daunting the days to come.