Chaos, Truths, and the Path to Omeron

Koharu was surrounded by an intense blue aura.

The ground cracked beneath his feet, and sparks of energy danced in the air.

— (She's losing control…) — I thought, breathless.

Alisiya watched her from afar, her gaze cold and analytical.

Elfherinsei 's power won't let her. — he murmured .

Suddenly, Koharu shouted:

— AAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!

And he shot at Alisiya like an arrow.

— Come then, — he replied . Alisiya , smiling.

Koharu hit Alisiya in the face with a strong punch, but before she could retreat, Alisiya retaliated with a sharp knee to the stomach, sending Koharu flying.

— Aaaaahhhh !!! — she screamed, being thrown away.

Alisiya flew after her and struck again. Koharu clasped her hands together and, with a scream, brought both fists down on Alisiya 's head , sending her sister falling heavily to the ground.

But Alisiya just stood up and spread her arms.

—Hahahahahaha !!!​ — Alisiya laughed like crazy.

Shana narrowed her eyes.

Cassandra, Kairo and I were paralyzed.

"So this is the power of a guardian of God?" Cassandra asked nervously.

— No. Their power is much greater. The problem is that we are all being affected by Elfherinsei 's seal . — he replied Shana , seriously.

Alisiya raised her head, smiling upwards, where Koharu floated, enveloped in blue energy.

—Come, little angel. — he said . Alisiya with a smile.

— AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!! — he shouted Koharu , raising her right hand.

A sphere of energy began to form, growing larger by the second, illuminating the entire area.

“What is she doing?!” I asked , feeling the heat rise.

— I'll stop her. — he said. Shana , getting ready.

— Let me stop. — he said . Alisiya , smiling, with blood running from the corner of her mouth.

— (She's bleeding… and yet she's smiling?) — I thought , shivering.

Alisiya raised her arm and fired a small beam of energy towards Koharu 's hand .

The sphere disappeared instantly.

— AAAAAHHHH!!! — he shouted Koharu , losing her balance.

She sped down, trying to attack Alisiya again.

But Alisiya jumped, spun in the air and landed a devastating kick on Koharu 's back , who fell to the ground hard, unconscious.

Shana clenched her fists.

A red glow took over Shana 's body .

— Demonic Form.

Alisiya watched, curious.

— So this is how you get close to your original form… interesting. — he said Alisiya smiling.

— I'm going to kill you. — he growled. Shana .

— Try it. — he smiled. Alisiya .

The two collided with a deafening impact.

Shana punched Alisiya in the face and kicked her in the abdomen.

Alisiya tried to counterattack with energy blasts, but Shana dodged them with supernatural agility.

Kairo clenched his fists.

— At this rate, Shana will win! — he said Kairo .

"That's why she's the queen of demons!" Cassandra said , smiling.

But I stared at the floor, my heart racing.

“In Galadriel ’s message , she said that Alisiya had immense power… something isn’t right.”

Shana kicked Alisiya to the ground.

The young woman fell to her knees, supporting herself with her hands.

— This is your end. — he said . Shana , breathing heavily.

“No… it was too easy.”

I looked around and noticed four red dots glowing on the ground, very close to Shana 's feet .

— Shana , look at the ground and get out of there!!! — I shouted .

She looked down.

Alisiya looked at me, furious.

Four explosions erupted in sequence.

Shana narrowly managed to escape, deactivating her transformation.

"How did you notice, Fujimoto ?" she asked breathlessly.

"It wasn't the Observatory. I just thought: someone capable of defeating Elfherinsei wouldn't be defeated so easily," I replied .

—Wait… She can defeat Elfherinsei ?! — Shana's eyes widened.

Alisiya wiped the blood from her lips.

— The game is over. — he said. Alisiya .

She moved with absurd speed and appeared before me.

Before I could react, kicks and punches hit my body in succession.

— (It's too fast!) — I thought , feeling the blood run down.

She threw me to the ground, kicking me in the chest.

— I hate you, you bastard!!! — he shouted Alisiya , her eyes filled with fury.

“But… why?” I asked , spitting blood.

— Because you took something important from me! — he replied Alisiya with hatred.

— What?! — I asked.

- Shut up!!! — Alisiya shouted.

— What do you know about our mother?! — I shouted .

She landed another punch on me.

— Don't talk about that woman to me!!! — he shouted Alisiya again.

Alisiya knelt beside me and began punching me in the face over and over.

— Stop!!! — he shouted Kairo , trying to get closer.

She turned, her eyes glowing green.

Cassandra and Kairo backed away, terrified.

— (She looks like a monster…) — I thought.

But then… Alisiya stopped.

He stood up, taking a deep breath.

He smiled slightly.

— Sorry. I lost control. — he said . Alisiya .

— I hate seeing my brother's face... and I hate even more hearing someone talk about my mother... especially if it's to say good things. — he continued Alisiya with a psychopath smile.

Shana stepped forward.

— Get out of here. — he said . Shana .

— I will. But first, I need to deliver a message from Ros to Cassandra and Kairo . — he replied Alisiya .

The three of us were shocked.

— How do you know Ros ?! — I asked .

— I went looking for him to find out where you were. He asked me to deliver something — he replied Alisiya .

Kairo frowned.

— Ros wouldn't pass information to just anyone. — he said . Kairo suspicious.

— I said I was Fujimoto 's sister . — Alisiya said.

"Do you think I'm an idiot?! I know Ros well enough to know he would never talk about me or Cassandra without our permission," Kairo retorted.

Alisiya 's smile widened.

—Ros is dead. That's the truth. — he said . Alisiya laughing out loud.

I felt a chill down my spine.

Cassandra and Kairo were shocked.

— Damn… — Kairo growled .

“What message did he leave?” Cassandra asked , her voice trembling.

— Ros was Kairo 's uncle . And he said that the answers about your lives are in a city called Omeron . — he replied Alisiya .

— Omeron …? I've never been there… — Cassandra murmured.

—Then it's time to go. That's all I know. — he said Alisiya , turning around.

She disappeared in a flash of green.

Shana took a deep breath.

"I'll heal all the wounded. We need to get out of here immediately," he said . Shana .

Cassandra nodded.

— Yes. Let's go to Omeron . — said Cassandra.

— First, we need to buy equipment. Let's go to Haamagel first. — he said Kairo .

Shana , Cassandra and Kairo put me, Koharu and Max in the wagon.

Kairo took the reins.

Some time later, I woke up with my head throbbing.

—Where are we? — I asked .

— Going to Omeron . — he answered Kairo .

“My sister… is a riddle I still need to decipher.”

“ Koharu , still thinking about Sakamoto…”

“And Max… lost everything.”

“Each of us carries a different pain right now.”

— Ros was my uncle… — Kairo sighed.

Soon we arrived at Haamagel .

— We're here. — he said. Kairo .

Cassandra looked at him.

— You're going to ask for equipment for Edygil ? — asked Cassandra.

— Yes. — he answered. Kairo .

We went to the store. Kairo knocked on the door.

A strong man with a scowling expression opened the door and, seeing Kairo , smiled.

— Kairo ! Long time no see, boy! — he said . Edygil , hugging him.

— I missed your scoldings too, old man. — he said . Kairo .

Edygil looked at Cassandra and gave a mischievous smile.

—Still beautiful, Cassandra. — he said Edygil .

—Thank you, but I still refuse any invitation to sleep with you, — said Cassandra.

— What a shame. — he sighed .

Kairo laughed.

"You'll have to work a little for us," Kairo said with a smile.

Edygil looked at the group.

— A skinny man, a brute, a woman with large breasts, and an ironing board? Nice team, — he said . Edygil with irony.

— Who did you call a board?! — he shouted Koharu , furious.

—Come in, come in! Let's talk better. — Edygil laughed.

Inside the store.

— I have the materials to forge equipment, but I'm missing rare items... and they only exist on the mountain where the Ice Dragon Cave is located. — he explained . Edygil .

— Then let's go get them. — he said. Kairo .

— One part goes with me and the other stays to look after the store. — he proposed . Edygil .

Cassandra crossed her arms.

— I've already decided, — said Cassandra.

Everyone fell silent, surprised by the speed.

" Fujimoto , Shana, and Edygil will go with me to the mountain. Kairo , Koharu, and Max will take care of the shop," Cassandra said.

Koharu blushed.

"Don't worry. We'll be back soon," I said.

We set off towards the mountain.

Night fell on the path, and Edygil raised his hand.

— Let's camp here. — he said . Edygil .

— Sleep? — I asked .

—Yes. Going to the Ice Dragon Cave at night is suicide. — Edygil explained.

I sighed.

“Another day… another step towards chaos.”

The fire crackled, sending golden sparks dancing among the trees.

The cold mountain air mingled with the smell of burning wood.

Edygil , crouched by the fire, rubbed his hands contentedly.

“So? Are you used to sleeping in the forest?” he asked , looking at us.

— Yes. — they answered. Shana and Cassandra at the same time.

Edygil laughed and turned to face me .

— And you, boy?

I shook my head.

— No, it's my first time. — I replied.

— Then get ready for your debut! Hahahaha !!! — Edygil laughed out loud.

I tried to laugh along, but my expression must have been a little pale.

“Don’t worry, nothing bad will happen,” Cassandra said with a gentle smile .

— Okay… — I murmured, trying to believe it.

Edygil stood up and clapped his hands.

"Let's get the futons and pillows before it gets colder," he said . Edygil .

—That's better, indeed. — Cassandra agreed.

He distributed the material among us.

"Here, kid. A futon and two pillows, one of which is my welcome gift," Edygil said.

— Thank you. — I replied .

Shana also thanked.

"It could be a little softer," Cassandra complained softly as she received hers.

Edygil rolled his eyes.

— You love to complain, don't you? — he said Edygil .

Cassandra smiled.

"Maybe a little. Thanks anyway," Cassandra said sarcastically.

"Let's get some sleep. Tomorrow the journey to the ice dragon's cave will be long," he said . Edygil , yawning.

We lay down on the futons .

The sound of the forest was calm, and the stars seemed even more vivid in the sky.

I closed my eyes, but my mind would not rest.

“I wanted to meet Alisiya again… at least understand what made her hate me so much.”

I turned my face and noticed something strange:

Shana was lying on the same futon as me.

— What?! — I whispered , my eyes widening.

My heart raced.

“No! Now Edygil and Cassandra will wake up!”

But before I could move, Shana let out a little giggle.

— Relax. I gave them some medicine to help them sleep through the night. — he said. Shana with a smile.

I sighed, exasperated.

— This again, Shana ? — I asked.

"It's my method of ensuring privacy," she said , smiling mischievously.

— Okay… what do you want? — I asked , tired.

She just smiled.

Slowly, he began to remove some of his clothes, revealing a blue silk nightgown beneath his armor.

My face was on fire.

— Sh-Shana ?! — I said blushing.

She gave a small laugh.

— Calm down. I'm wearing a nightgown underneath. But if you want, I can take it off and show half of it, just to tease you. — he said Shana in an ironic tone.

I sighed deeply.

— Shana … you're sad because of Max, aren't you? Trying to forget what you did. — I asked.

She was silent for a moment, and then she smiled, but her eyes were shining with tears.

“So you noticed,” Shana replied.

— Yes. You have a very sad look in your eyes… and I'm good at recognizing that. — I replied softly.

“When Alisiya beat me, she had that look too. Sad. Full of hate and pain.”

— I'm sorry for everything, Fujimoto . — he murmured. Shana .

I smiled slightly.

"How about we talk for a bit? It might help clear your head. Then you can go back to your futon , okay?" I asked.

She took a deep breath and nodded.

"You're impossible... even after what I did, you still manage to be kind," Shana replied.

"We're friends, aren't we?" I asked.

— Yes… but… — Shana paused and looked me in the eyes.

"What if I told you I'm over Max? Would you agree to… be with me?" Shana asked.

My face caught fire.

— What?! — I was speechless.

“What do I say at a time like this? If I stutter, she’ll laugh at me…”

— Shana , you're beautiful and a great friend, but… I would refuse. — I answered her question.

Her eyes widened.

— Why? — Shana asked me.

— Because my father always taught me that, to get to that point, both people need to truly love each other, — I replied.

Shana was silent… and then suddenly burst out laughing.

— Hahaha ! You really are a rare case. — Shana said laughing.

“Did I say something stupid?” I asked, confused.

"On the contrary. It's rare to see someone with such a mature mindset," she replied , smiling.

I smiled, a little embarrassed.

—Thank you… I didn't expect to hear that from you. — I said.

"What about you, Fujimoto ? Do you like anyone?" she asked , with a curious glint.

— Huh ?! — I froze .

“Did she notice?”

"I bet you have feelings for Koharu ," she said , smiling.

— W-What?! — I was speechless with her words.

—Admit it. How do you feel about her? — Shana asked me.

—I… I don't really know. But when I'm around her, I feel… calmer. — I replied.

Shana watched him closely, then sighed.

"I see. So you really like her," Shana said.

Before I could say anything, Shana came over and kissed me.

His lips touched mine for a second that felt like an eternity.

When she pulled away, I was completely red.

— So I was the one who kissed you before Koharu ? — he teased .

I stuttered.

— Y-you were… the second person to kiss me. — I said.

She arched an eyebrow.

“Hm, twice without your permission, then?” Shana asked.

—Exactly. — I murmured .

She smiled mischievously.

"But did you like my kiss?" Shana asked with a smile on her face.

—I'd rather not comment, — I replied.

“How boring,” she said , chuckling softly.

I was silent for a moment and then asked:

" Shana , have you ever heard of a woman named Fedorova Karina… or Satoru Karina?" I asked her seriously.

— No… I’ve never heard that name. — she replied thoughtfully.

— I see. – I said.

She stood up slowly.

— I think I'll get dressed and go back to my futon . — I said Shana .

I nodded.

— Okay , — I said.

As I put on my clothes, Shana gave me a serious look.

—Fujimoto … when I regain my true form, if your sister continues to be our enemy… I will kill her. She is too dangerous. — he said Shana .

My chest tightened.

"I understand. But... I'll try to bring her back. Even if it costs me everything," I said.

"Don't make promises you can't keep," she replied , returning to the futon .

Before going to bed, he turned his face towards me.

"When you wake up, pretend to be asleep until Edygil gets up. I don't want them to notice I used medicine on them," he said . Shana .

— Understood. — I agreed.

— Good evening, Fujimoto . — Shana said.

— Good evening, Shana . — I said.

I closed my eyes.

“She’s impossible… but somehow, she still worries me.”