A New Alliance

Kina was swamped by a flood of her memories. She was used to suppressing them, but seeing her mother reawakened them inside of her. Once Scarlet relinquished the monster, the chaos eventually vanished. Kina opened her eyes and saw Scarlet tending to her wounds. Scarlet ripped a small cloth from her dress sleeves and wrapped it tightly around Kina's head. She could feel the warmth of the cloth.

Kina was slightly touched by Scarlet’s caring actions. She then faced the wall, trying to hide her facial expression. She was still very prideful.

"You don't have to worry about me." Kina said.

Scarlet shook her head.

"Don't be stubborn, we're partners right now. And you're hurt."

Kina slowly averted her gaze.

“I’m surprised you’re helping me even though I have been treating you very poorly.”

Scarlet stared at Kina silently. She was worried the wrong words would slip out; she kept it to herself.

Anyways, even if I didn’t want to save her, it would still be wrong not to.

Kina continued, “That was a fear monster. It peers into your soul and mirrors your deepest fear. I…..I saw my mother, she spoke to me in the cruelest way. It reminded me of my painful memory."

"You're scared of your mother?" Scarlet asked as if that was unheard of.

I wish I could even talk to mine.

Kina frowned, " My mother’s been horrible to me ever since my sister died. My sister Hina was perfect at everything, exactly what my parents wished for and there was me, I could never do anything right."

Scarlet sympathized with Kina.
"Maybe you are misunderstanding them?"

Kina moved her eyes over to Scarlet, it was a sincere expression.
"Unfortunately, I'm not. My sister died because of me."

Kina started to reminisce the events in the past.

There was a young Kina with two buns in hair. Hina, her older sister, was supposed to be watching her. Kina started to play too close to the river and fell in the water.

"Hina! Mama!" Kina yelled on the top of her lungs. As her little arms were splashing in the water. Hina heard her screams and ran toward her sister. She jumped into the water with a keg in her arms. She floated by holding onto the keg, she adjusted herself to move over to the frantic Kina.

The close neighbor heard the screaming and dived into the water to help.

"Please take my little sister first." The neighbor pulled Kina to safety.

Hina could not hold onto the keg long enough, her hands slipped, and she slipped deeper into the water.

Kina who made it on land spit out the water from her lungs.

She yelled, “Somebody help my sister!”

Hina was pronounced dead.

"My parents were devastated. I on the other hand could not grasp death. I waited by the riverbank thinking she would come back."

Kina was sitting on the soft near the river with red puffy eyes from crying.

“Come back Hina.. I’m waiting…Come back.”

"My parents truly loved my sister. I wish they could give the same love to me as I had for them."

I didn't know she was going through that.
Scarlet thought to herself and said, "It's not your fault. I thought having both parents in your life would be different, but I guess it depends on who they are."

She smiled, "I was raised by my papa alone and I never met my mom. He rarely talks about her. After he died, I was sent to my aunt's home, and she never treated me as family. I was more like their maid."

Kina mentioned, "Tsk. You really should stop trying to please people. Stop letting them walk all over you."

Scarlet was a little surprised by what Kina’s response, it seemed like she was watching out for her.

"But I'm impressed with you for stepping in for me. "
"And for that, thanks." Kina said softly.

Scarlet smiled and extended her hand over to Kina.

"Think, you can stand?"

Kina took her hand.
Scarlet then pulled her up on her feet.

Kina was a little wobbly on her feet. She was rebalancing herself by stretching both of her arms out straight. A noticeable limp slowed her down.

Scarlet then placed arm behind Kina’s back so she can support her to help her move along the path.

"Lean on me. I'll try to take us both out."

Kina gave a heartfelt nod.

Scarlet found the fairy hiding behind a large rock. She gently lifted it up by the wings, "Show us the exit, please."

Pim was waiting patiently the whole time and squealed in excitement when he saw Scarlet come out.

Professor West called Nurse Alena over and together, they placed Kina on a stretcher.

Kina gave Scarlet a smirk.
"You beat me this time. Next time, I won't lose."

"You got a deal."

Nurse Alena started performing her healing spells on Kina.

“Hang on dear, I’ll fix you right up.” She was shooting her healing arrows at Kina, with each shot a vibrant light followed.

Scarlet sat down on the ground exhausted.

Flen eventually came out of the cave as well, carrying his partner on his shoulders.

He saw Scarlet sitting by herself.

“Hey Scarlet.”

She perked her head up, turning in his direction. “Hi Flen.”

She was always pleased to see Flen around.

“I see your partner is missing.”

“Yes, she got hurt and she is with the nurse right there.” She pointed to Nurse Alena.

The nurse noticed and gave them a small wave.

Flen nodded. “I see, same here actually.. my partner busted his kneecaps, so I was carrying him this whole time.”

“I’ll be right back.” Flen sat his partner down next to another nurse who was available to take care of him.

A beautiful sunset painted the sky brilliantly with hues of orange and red. It was a sight to behold and indulge in.

Flen felt mesmerized by the view.

“I wish the people in this town were more colorful… I guess you can’t change what people are used to. They’re afraid.”

Flen noticed she was nodding off sleepily.

“Hang on, you can lean on me if you want.”

For some reason, she felt more at ease with Flen more than ever before, especially as she began to truly see him. She rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes briefly.

“Thanks, Flen, this feels really nice.”

“No problem.” He smiled gently at her.

As time went on, all the students made it out of the cave and headed for home.

Scarlet fell asleep on Flen’s shoulder. Pim and Flen nudged her awake.

“Hey, it’s time to go home. I can walk with you if you’d like.”

“Sure.”

Flen and Scarlet walked side by side with Pim running happily behind them. His short legs tried to catch up to them. Scarlet noticed this and picked him up when he was falling behind.

She noticed Pim did not mind Flen as much either.

“I grew up with Pim. Since I was around Theo a lot. I know his likes and dislikes.” He playfully poked Pim’s cheek.

Pim was preparing to bite Flen’s finger.

“No, Pim. Don’t be mean.” Scarlet protested. Pim licked Flen’s fingers instead.

Flen laughed. "Hey, that tickles!"

Hearing Flen's laughter, Pim was eager to mischievously do it again.

"Quit that Pim." Flen was still laughing about it. His laughter was contagious that it made Scarlet crack a smile, too.

They then made it to the dorm building. It was quiet outside, it seemed like everyone was asleep.

He walked her to her dorm room. "I guess we're here."

"Yes, we are, it has been a long day. Thank you for walking with me." Scarlet yawned a little.

“It definitely has. No problem, I will see you, Miss Scarlet.”

“Bye Flen.” She watched as he disappeared.