Embarrassment

“Don't tell me you're going to offer to take them both out or something, knowing that's not possible,” Toki scoffed.

Elovia raised her voice. “I know we can't beat them, which is why we should end their game at least, so we can fight it out.”

But she hasn't been fighting; that's the issue here. If I could find out why

“Elovia, he knows that you're not attacking them, and he wants to know why,” Seraphine instantly asked.

Toki stood speechless. Is this goddess reading his mind and everything else? Was he the one who was in trouble here?

“Don't look at me so shocked; it's not hard to tell what you're thinking from what we gathered from Ayuri’s mind.” Seraphine patted his head before turning back to Elovia.

She just smiled. “I can't see or move yet. The world loved and cherished me, and now this other world I can cherish and give love through my power. I don't want to harm anyone, even if they wish to harm me.”

“So you just wear them down, wait for them to tire out, and they join your connection?” Toki asked.

“That's right, love is to connect with someone and form a bond that outlasts life, but I know my bonds are only temporary; it's only a cheap substitute for a real, pure love.”

Toki questioned, however, “You haven't added anyone to your connection. Is that because no one came to attack?”

“You're right.”

Elovia was still lying motionless. There was a question she wanted to ask him dearly, something that could only be told to him by her in person.

“You love her, don’t you?” She questioned

He didn't respond, just a slight embarrassment creeping up on him; discussing his love life with enemies wasn't something he was or is planning to do.

Elovia, sensing that she hit a spot, continues, “If you both love each other, then why don't you just confess? Reading her mind really shows that you two are made for each other.”

Seraphine let out her first smirk; her own follower playing cupid wasn’t something on her list, but she was definitely in full support.

“I'm not here to discuss this with you; it's not the time for this,” Toki insisted, his voice rising just a bit higher.

Elovia let out a small laugh. “You both had many incidents throughout these last couple of days. Her emotions spiral out of control next to you, but she tries hiding them like you as well. It's a pity.”

I do like her a lot, actually. But I know that it's not the time to be emotional and tell her my feelings when we're in a death game.

“Despite taking your own emotions away, you were still worried for her when she got hit with our string, having barely any emotions, yet such a strong protective nature tells us a lot.” Seraphine seemed to start poking him now as well. The two girls were definitely enjoying a bit of love during these grim times.

“I will confess one day, after Hiwo dies, and the fact that we were limited emotionally makes it the worst time for us to do anything like that. I'm keeping her safe; that's all that matters to me for now.” Toki's tone took on a bit of annoyance towards them; he was getting sick of this conversation.

Elovia changed to curiosity. “Would you be mad if I killed her?”

Toki, hearing the question, instantly points his spear towards her without a single bit of restraint around him. He was definitely about to kill her if she didn’t clarify.

“That reaction brings me joy; that's all I needed to know then.” Elovia let out a soft smile behind her frail face.

Seraphine stood up, looking down at her. “Is this what you wanted, Elovia? Is this how you wanted to end your journey and join me?”

“I'm satisfied; my connections, despite being made of my love for the world, could never match the pure love that he has for her and the pure love she has for him.”

Toki glances at both of them; their expressions have turned rather serious right now, while he is the only one shadowed with confusion; it is rather unsettling.

“Toki,” Elovia spoke up.

He looked towards her before answering, “What is it?”

“I want you to decide, will you kill me to save Ayuri?” she asked, filled with curiosity.

Toki let out a sigh. This went against his ideals that he had held to himself all this time, but would he hold them at the cost of Ayuri’s life? It was definitely a heavy price to pay if he decided not to kill her.

She’s defenceless. This is murder for someone else. Would she still accept me for this? Knowing I killed someone in her name, Ayuri, what should I do?

Footsteps approached the camp; they were light and slow, as if it took a while for this person to get here. Toki, turning back, sees that Ayuri is standing next to the entrance of the tent. Her eyes were still glazed over, and she was limping forward, proving that she was still being controlled.

“Please decide, will you let us become a part of your journey? I don't have much time left, so I'm deciding to make an impact before I depart, so don’t feel sorry for killing me.” Elovia sounded fulfilled. Seraphine gave out a soft smile, knowing that his decision would consider their legacy forever onwards.

After knowing that all mortals and gods betray one another, after accepting that no one is truly on my side other than Ayuri, why is it that now, in this moment, am I being treated like I'm on the same stage as them?

He looked towards Ayuri. There was a warm face coming from her; whatever she was thinking right now, it must be pleasant. The idea alone that Elovia decides not to put torment on her enemies but give them love that they haven't received in this world, and yet she is destined to die, is cruel.