Midnight Confession

“Ayayayayaya!!!”

Aya and the others burst from the earth in an explosion of dirt and rocks.

With a scream, she hit the ground and rolled onto her back. Taking a moment to recover from the tremor, she looked around. It was already nighttime, but at last, they made it out. A massive crater had opened from where their magic spells had torn them free. It was a relief that they ended up in a woodland away from town.

She barely had time to catch her breath before she saw the children from Anonas.

“Eunice! Irvin!” she called, and they turned, their expressions instantly lighting up.

“Oh, there you are, big ‘sis! You helped us a ton back there!”

‘Big ‘sis?’ She faltered. ‘But we're the same age, and we even had the Primer Beacon together.’

“T-Thank you so much for saving us, big sister!”

“Hang on. Why do you know our names?”

They didn't remember, apparently. Of course, they wouldn't. She'd been invisible her whole life in Anonas.

She sighed, then raised her hands and balled them into fists. One foot slid forward. Both shoulders hunched. She took on the same boxing stance at the bonfire that night.

Their eyes bulged.

“That pose…!”

Aya smirked smugly at Irvin. “Yes, it is I-”

“...MUSTARD SEED GIRL?!”

“What did you just call me?!”

“You're the brat with a mustard seed as her dedication, right?!”

“And you're the punk who made fun of others’ dedications!”

Eunice gasped, “I-It is you!”

“Hey!”

Drystan rushed in and grabbed Aya's shoulders. Surprise rippled through the group. She blinked up at him. He pulled her a step back.

“Why are you picking fights out of nowhere? Really, stop that.”

She lowered her hands. “I wasn't. It's my way of saying hello.”

“...Did you ever learn how to greet people in etiquette class?”

“U-Um!” Eunice stepped towards her, fidgeting nervously. “Sorry… Y-You lived in the bookshop in town, right? There’s something you need to know. I-It's important, so… It happened the day after-”

A hand suddenly clamped over her mouth.

Everyone froze. A figure had appeared beside Eunice without them noticing.

It was Calixtus.

His half-lidded eyes glinted in the moon's cold, silvery glow. Aya tried, but he was avoiding meeting her gaze. For some reason, he seemed afraid. Her stomach sank as memories from earlier came to mind.

“Is it about my stepfather?”

His expression became grim. Still, he kept quiet. Her heartbeat quickened.

“You’ve gone missing because you got too involved. Am I correct?” Finally, he looked back at her. “A-All along, you've been keeping secrets from me.”

From the side, Drystan and Irvin appeared to be at a loss. Eunice stared helplessly at her. Calixtus slowly loosened his grip. At that moment, Aya wondered if whatever they had left behind underground was truly the worst thing yet to happen.

“If you want to know that much, you shouldn't have searched for me and put yourself in danger like that.” His voice cracked like a whip, making her flinch. “It’s not worth risking your own safety.”

“What are you talking about?” She felt anger rising in her chest. “I- No, we came to help you! It's got nothing to do with what you're hiding! And you are worth it! We can’t just wait around while you’re in trouble!”

“I told you before, Aya. Your lives are more important than mine. You’re successors to the throne, and I’m only-”

“I also told you all lives are important! Where is this coming from? Quit putting yourself down like that, Calix.”

His eyes closed briefly in frustration. “You don’t understand. If something happened to you because of me, I… I would have failed everyone in the worst way possible.”

“None of this is because of you. It is them—him. You didn’t fail anyone, and you never would.”

“...Never?” He sounded incredulous.

“Well, I guess I might get disappointed in you sometimes, but no, that doesn't mean you failed me or anything.”

“Come on, Calix. Is that how you should be thanking your saviors?” Drystan huffed, his arms crossed and chin held up.

“...”

“Oh, I see! It’s always the other way around, isn't it?”

“...”

“You rescue others all the time, so you don’t know what it’s like.”

“That's not…”

“Oh? So, then…!” In a completely unexpected turn of events, the Divine Vessels of Darkness and Earth joined forces. “...How does the knight in shining armor feel being the damsel in distress~?”

"Shy?"

"Bashful?"

"Flattered?"

For the very first time, Aya saw Calix blush. His entire face burned red in embarrassment. Right now, he looked like any other normal boy. He noticed her staring and turned away at once. It’s endearing, and she couldn't help but be amused. 

“It's true that I'm hiding many things,” he confessed. “You must be upset.”

She shook her head. “I’m not upset, just…worried.”

“I am more than capable of taking care of myself.” A small pout tugged at his lips.

She smiled despite herself. “That doesn't mean others can't be worried.”

“...I’ll keep that in mind.”

‘I think I finally understand,’ she thought wistfully. ‘Aiden once said he despised people who depended on others. Is it because of their past? Calix gave up his chance for the sake of helping him. He must’ve loathed himself ever since.’

The trees rustled around them.

Out of nowhere, a feral growl pierced through the evening air. All went silent, disconcerted. Their heads snapped in one specific direction. From a distance, the wild beast came charging in, its jaws wide open.

“Kyaaa!”

“GET DOWN!”

Aiden appeared, then a thunderous blast of wind launched across the clearing and hurled the creature back against the trees.

Footsteps echoed seconds later. Slowly, robed figures emerged from the woods, their faces still hidden beneath their hoods. Breaths caught in a collective still. The Pureblood Covenant had been in pursuit.

The beast crawled from the wreckage behind the hooded figures, snarling.

“This is quite the conundrum. By the gods, how did you end up in such a place? It is rather late. Children should be in bed already,” their leader said before addressing the rest of the group. “Capture every one of them.”

Their assailants advanced.

Their boots crushed the ferns underneath, their robes brushing against the shrubbery. There were more of them now. Despite this, Drystan pushed forward and stood in between. His face was pale, but his eyes held a quiet determination.

“Stay back.”

Then, he chanted, and the earth shuddered.

Roots erupted from beneath the soil. Vines thickened and twisted upward. The hooded figures scrambled in panicked shock as branches lashed together into an enormous wall spanning several meters high. Thorns gleamed beneath the moonlight like tiny blades.

Everyone gaped.

“Y-You..!” Aya could hardly believe what she was seeing.

“Oh, it's not weeds anymore. “Prince of Thorns,” was it?” Aiden blurted out.

Drystan flushed. “W-Why did you have to hear that, too?!”

“A fortress of thorns! How wonderful!”

Somehow, that made him redder.

A roar shook the clearing. The beast lunged again.

Aiden thrust both hands outward. Wind shot through, catching it mid-leap. Leaves spiraled around him as he struggled to hold it back. Vengeful, the creature clawed at the air current ferociously.

“We need to get away from here!”

“Hooonnnkkk!!!”

As if in response, a horn blew through the open area, followed by galloping hooves. Aya turned towards the sounds, hope swelling in her chest. It seemed the palace had been searching for them. That was good news, at least now. For sure, it would be troublesome later.

Their pursuers also heard it.

“Finish this quickly,” the leader commanded.

They had to send a signal to the search party. 

She could use her magic. However, only a faint spark flickered between her fingers. Her mana was almost gone. Even then, she raised her hands and signed towards the sky.

Aya gritted her teeth. “Come on.”

Light took the form of wings, a beak, and a long, elegant tail. Calixtus looked at her, thrown off guard. Soon, a majestic bird of crimson fire appeared above them, its feathers a shimmering gold. Eyes widened at the sight, and there was silence for a heartbeat.

“Go!”

The firebird screeched and flew up.

Its blazing body soared above the treetops, illuminating the forest like a shooting star before crackling into a brilliant flare. That had to be enough. Aya dropped to her knees. Calixtus caught her.

“Are you alright?!”

“Just…out of mana...” She managed a weak smile. “Also…sleepy…”

“It’s okay. I got you.”

The horns grew louder.

Knights riding on horses hurtled through. To their surprise, Lorenz and Iorwerth were present, weapons already drawn. It must’ve been because they’re the predecessors of two of the missing Divine Vessels. Behind them, a woman wearing a hood followed closely. Onslaughts of attacks ensued between the groups.

“Come with me!” Calixtus was fast enough to move Aya and the others out of the barrage.

The men sent one opponent after another sprawling into the mud. At some point, the beast broke through Aiden's wind barrier. Its vindictive howl traveled across the clamor. As it pounced, Aya saw the woman cast a darkness spell. She brought it down with one swift, decisive strike.

"Woah..."

The stranger turned towards them, then locked gazes with her. For some reason, that made her heart beat faster. She had enchanting gray eyes that shone like diamonds—a familiar color. She had no idea who this person was, but she had a strange feeling that she was about to find out.

“Oh, she's back,” Aya heard Calixtus say. “Rah Morverelith."