Heroine

Ui’s barely opened eyes noticed Adari near her.

“Are you awake, Ui? It took you an hour this time. It’s getting longer after each song, you need to be more careful…”

“An… hour?” Ui asked as Adari nodded.

“That girl has been looking for you. She’s a big fan of yours, you know?” Adari smiled as she got up and started preparing a meal for Ui.

“The girl… What was her name?”

Adari laughed. “You’re so bad with names, Ui. Her name is Yula. You better remember, she might come live with us. Come on Ui, get up. Maybe you should start acting like the heroine you are.”

“Am I really that great?”

Adari’s cheerfulness faded for a few moments. “Only time will tell you the answer, Ui. The war might be over because of you, after all.”

“I see.” Ui smiled. “If that gets us to keep everyone’s home and families, then I’m happy, too.”

Ui and Adari shared a warm meal together, talking, and laughing. Adari had to leave the house due to her responsibilities, which left Ui alone.

Ui enjoyed taking walks to the cliffs whenever she was lonely. The sunsets looked beautiful on that side of the mountain, and the flowers always kept her company. The waves crashing on the side of the cliff broke up her worries, and she expressed her gratitude by singing back to them.

The waves would cease their endless crashing upon hearing her voice, and remained calm while she sang. That day, Yula finally found Ui’s hiding place.

“Uisempuli!” She ran up to her. Ui looked at the girl, confused.

“Hi… Yula?”

Yula nodded. “What song is that Uisempuli?”

“Song?” Ui looked at the sea, slowly crashing its waves onto the mountain once more. “You can listen to my songs?”

“Only a little bit.” Yula couldn’t contain her excitement. “Every great songmage has their own song. Is that yours?”

“I never really thought about it. The sea sounds sad and lonely… I thought I could give it some company.”

“What do you call it? It has to have a name!”

“I guess I will call it… the Song of the Seas.” Ui smiled at Yula and patted her head.

◆

Where am I?

Ui woke up, spotting Cro sitting next to her bed, reading.

How long has it been?

“It’s been three days, Ui.”

It’s getting longer… Did he read my mind?

The walls of the room, her bed, everything else was blurred out to Ui. She even struggled to understand Cro’s words.

“I can’t believe you… flying through an Udari cavern system? … to restart the war?” Cro seemed angry, but Ui couldn’t understand his words. “Such reckless… like this?” Cro was probably screaming, but she could barely process the words, let alone the emotions. “Answer me, Ui!”

“What happened… Cro?”

“Someone found you, and let us know.”

“And… the song?”

Cro sighed. “It worked, in some ways.” Those words were enough for Ui to close her eyes once again. “But are you really going to…”

He seems upset but… is he really? “Did they feel it? The memories…”

“They did. You were lucky you weren’t discovered, Ui.”

“What about now?”

“Everyone’s too absorbed in their own problems, but things seem different.”

Ui smiled. Cro kept scolding her for a long time until he himself was out of energy and they both remained quiet. She could barely stay awake.

Ui heard a loud crash outside, alarming Cro while Ui lay there exhausted, with her eyes half closed. Cro immediately headed to the window to find a cloaked Royal Mage girl knocking on Ui’s window.

Prishu? Why are you here? Prishu and Cro talked, argued, pointed at Ui, sighed, and went through a long conversation. Are they angry?

“Princess, we’re getting outta here. Your knight is here for you.” Prishu walked up to Ui, and wrapped her tightly with blankets.

Cro? Will you stop her?

Cro stood by with a resigned face. “Don’t take too long.”

Prishu scoffed. “Just who do you think I am?” Prishu turned to ask Cro. “Will she be fine in high-speed flight?”

Why are you asking Cro and not me?

“Please, you know how tough she is.”

Prishu smiled at Cro. “Alright. We’re going, Princess.” Prishu mounted Ui on her back while Cro tied her. Ui reached for her wig, but Prishu stopped her.

Right… Prishu has never seen me…

“You won’t need that where we’re going.” Prishu smiled while Cro kept securing her to her back.

“Hurry up. We’re needed in the capital.” Cro slipped the Duke’s letter into Ui’s arms. “Take care, sister.” Cro hugged her tightly. Ui closed her eyes to fully take in his embrace. Despite realizing Cro hadn’t forgiven her, she made sure to enjoy the closeness, even if it felt like it was crumbling away from her.

“I thought we had to hurry?” Prishu smiled smugly at Cro.

Both of them floated down towards the garden, with Ui strapped onto Prishu’s back.

Cro… don’t leave me…

“I’ll race you there, Cro.”

Cro laughed exactly once. “Don’t take too long.” He launched himself, likely towards the capital, quickly disappearing from Ui’s sight. She was unable to do anything about it.

“Are you ready, Ui?” Ui nodded onto Prishu’s shoulder, and used all the strength she could to hold on to her.

Prishu launched into the skies at a speed Ui had never experienced, with an almost nauseating ascent. Ui reached into her hair and tore a strand off, leaving a trail of her hair slowly raining onto the city of Nallient, which Prishu swiftly left behind.

Ui was drained of all energy, and could barely talk. “Prishu… you… knew?”

“Mhm.” Prishu spoke loudly to make sure Ui could hear while she cut through the wind in the skies.

Ui’s voice deflated, both her energy and mood were completely drained. “Does it… bother you?”

“Of course it does.” Ui’s heart sank when she heard Prishu’s disappointed tone. “My friend not trusting me for so long hurt me…” Prishu’s voice was just as strong as her body. “But I know you have your reasons.”

Once again, Ui had been a bad friend. “Where are we going, Prishu?”

“My hometown,” said Prishu. Ui noticed they were flying faster than they ever had. “Couldn’t you ask these things when we didn’t have to shout at each other in the middle of a flight?”

“The border city…” Ui, speaking into Prishu’s ears, didn’t have to speak as loudly. “Prishu…”

“What’s that Ui? I can’t hear you…”

Ui drew all the energy she had left. “Can flowers grow in such a cold place like the north?”

“Of course U-i!” Prishu spoke loudly and paused between each word. “Flowers can grow everywhere!”

They remained silent for a few moments as they roared through the skies, leaving trees, rivers, and mountains behind.

“Now be quiet, Princess.” Prishu turned her head slightly, enough for Ui to spot her grin. “We’re going max speed.”

Ui closed her eyes and held onto Prishu tightly.