The best companion ever

After overcoming the challenging trials of the Forest of Ossau, Nicholas was deemed worthy to be among the elven people. They took him to the great tree, a natural wonder that grew from the remains of Goddess Harmonia, symbolizing her resting place. The colossal tree, sparking in a spectacle of pure energy, glows in emerald green with shades of midnight purple, confirming its divine origin.

“What you will face beyond this point will be way more difficult than our trials. Are you sure about this, Nicholas?” the mischievous elf woman asks, smirking. Despite her behavior, her voice bears a solemn tone.

Gilkrana, addressing him by name as a sign of respect, studies his eyes meticulously, as if reading his answer before he even speaks.

“It’s something I must do. One of my dearest friends lost her vision for using an ancient power, while another is bearing a torment beyond our understanding. They are what I cherish the most, and I owe them a lot. So, if it is my time to pay a price or receive a great burden for their sake, I’ll take it.”

His gaze is determined and honest. In Gilkrana’s eyes, he seems more than ready.

“So be it. I’ll delay you no longer. Take the girls and go.”

Nicholas, accompanied by Asai and Guava, goes forward. They step on a magical platform in the shape of a giant leaf that takes them to the heart of the tree. When their presence was acknowledged, the ethereal branches moved, creating a path deep inside the tree. They walk inside.

Darkness.

Guava trembles, holding back her tears.

Asai notices and smiles. She gently pushes her to Nicholas’ left side, leading her hand to hold his. Asai takes his right side, holding his hand as well.

Feeling their tension, he tightened his grip just a bit, and a soft voice broke the silence.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you two no matter what happens.”

The small elf wearing purple nods in agreement, knowing he speaks the truth. While the one in green looks at them with a confused expression.

“Asai…? You haven’t told him?”

Her voice, low and shaky, barely escaped her lips because of how afraid she was. It was enough for only the other girl to hear it. She was replied to with a gentle smile.

Finally, they come upon a feminine elven figure of unsettling appearance, her body a stark divide of opposing realities. One side is a vision of significant beauty: Enveloped in a glimmering light, with an eye reflecting the white of life and hope, long hair made of multi-colored petals, and smooth, clean skin. The other side, however, is a grotesque image of putrefaction, consumed by disease. Its eye shows the black of death and despair, and its hair burns with a dark, reaping flame. Her pretty half is dressed in the luxury of an expensive dress and a great amount of jewelry, while the ugly half is covered by tattered rags.

“You certainly took your time,” she declares in annoyance, her voice bearing a mix of vitality and decay.

“Are you Harmonia?”

“Not what you were expecting, Mortal? Yes, I am the Goddess of Balance. The embodiment of this world’s stability! Or at least, I was. Until a disgraceful deity decided the equilibrium of our reality was too boring, killing other divine beings just to put a wicked plan into action.”

“Sorry, I don't know what you are talking about. I only came here to revive you and ask for a favor in return. My friends are very sick and could use your help.”

“It doesn’t concern you, anyway. Very well, I can accept your bargain. The health of a few mortals is not enough to interfere with the world's balance, so I’ll grant your wish.”

“Thank you. What do I need to do?”

“Simple. Give the weapon you carry to one of my fragments that came with you, and they will do the rest.”

“Wait a moment. The girls are part of you? I thought they would only aid me in bringing you back,” he protests in a tone of worry.

“And they will. When I absorb them back to awaken anew.”

His knees fail him. He can’t believe what he is hearing.

“I didn’t know that! If I did, I…”

“I can understand your doubts, but you shouldn't feel bad for them. These creatures are not living beings. They are merely presences with the sole purpose of carrying my power and knowledge for this moment. The countermeasure I created to deceive death.”

“It can’t be! There has to be another way! I can’t sacrifice them!”

“Are you a fool? There will be no sacrifice. We are all a single being, a deity that will be finally complete again. Now, surrender the sword! Otherwise, your friends will rot and the equilibrium will remain turbulent!” She tries to keep her cool, but her patience is clearly coming to its limit.

Nicholas stares blankly at her, falling shattered. Is this really the only way? Asai and Guava will cease to exist? Just like that?

“Do it already, stubborn Mortal! Can’t you see we are wasting crucial time?!”

Guava takes a step forward, partially shielding him from the demanding Goddess.

"Don't listen to her, Nicholas. She hides the truth. You don't need her to save your friends, and surrendering your sword will put you in grave danger," her voice still bears fear and anxiety.

Asai does the same, but with more confidence.

"Dummy!"

"Have you lost your mind, Fragments?! How dare you defy your own creator and renegade on your purpose?! Don't tell me this is all part of that trickster's scheme?!"

"Asai told me everything during the trials," Guava explains. "The sword was forged with one of the parts of yourself you wanted to keep alive: your authority of balance. But its purpose was never to grant you a second life—it was to grow stronger by assimilating what's left of you."

As Guava explains the twist of events, Harmonia is slowly sucked into the sword.

"No! You must help me reverse this! As part of me, you can't allow it to happen!"

"Unfortunately, the moment we came inside the tree, the process of integrating you already started and couldn't be stopped. There was no hope for you to begin with, Lady Harmonia. I'm sorry."

"Giovanni! I know you're behind this! Curse you! Curse you and your sweet lies! I condemn you in the name of the entire elven race! For you wasted their lives and destroyed their future!"

With one final, enraged cry, she disappears, her whole being gone.

“I… I don’t understand… Does… Does that mean that I can heal them now…? That you two will not disappear anymore? So, did Gio... help us after all?”

Nicholas, still breathless from what happened before him, a genuine grin spreads across his face. He hugs both girls tight, letting out a sigh of relief and a nervous chuckle.

Guava hugs him back just as tight, gripping her tiny fingers on his shirt as if her life depended on it. She trembles more than before, holding her sobs as best as she can.

Asai hugs Nicholas by his neck, standing on tiptoe. Her embrace is more gentle, caring.

“If only things were so simple, Nico.”

She claims in a soft, kind tone, surprising both Nicholas and Guava.

“Asai, when did you-”

When they were about to break the hug, she pressed herself against them, holding them together.

“Don’t let go, any of you. Not yet…” her plea is sorrowful, desperate. “Please, there is no time. Listen to me carefully.”

“Don’t say that, Little One. I’m here. Everything will be fine now, no?” Nicholas' voice shakes.

“There is a great evil within you and the others. A dark, ancient magic that tries to consume your soul incessantly. The only thing that protects you from it—from having the same fate as Tobias or Suzuki—is the swords you possess. These weapons are your only hope of survival, your only hope of staying who you are…” as she continues, her voice stutters, trembling with the effort of holding on. “T-That’s why… There was no other way.”

Asai slowly fades, her existence being assimilated by the sword.

"Why are you the only one going away?! Why am I not fading too?!"

"Sorry. I took advantage of both of you by making Guava hold Nico’s hand when she was afraid. Without you noticing, I transferred your divinity to me. You are nothing more than a little girl now, so you can leave the village and have fun. Keep Nico company for me, okay?"

"So that's why you can talk now... Asai!" She can’t hold back her tears anymore.

"Little One…" Nicholas whispers, inconsolable.

"Nico, I had so much fun with you. When you saved me from the trap… when you gave me your warm cape, when you played with me and complimented me… Please, do the same for Guava."

"I promise…"

"Also, don’t try to be a big boy now. I like you the way you are, so cry as much as you need."

Nicholas holds back no longer and collapses in his emotions, letting out everything at once.

"I’ll miss you guys… Bye bye…"

A cape gently falls to the ground, its bearer forever gone.