Welcome to my second ElsAi story, Other pairings may or may not be involved, I actually plan on making a longer story out of this and keeping it quite on the hard side ( blood and swearing present). I'll keep the classes a secret :3, though the ones that spoke with me through pm will know at least the main ones. And it's not that hard to guess the rest.

I'd also want to thank Breathless Abyss for giving me input on Aisha's personality!

CHAPTER GET!

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On the southern gate, in the city of Velder, a fierce battle was happening between theThe battle against what they thought would be Chloe alone, turned into a mad dash across the walls of the city as the gang was chased by the Dark Nephilim, between having to use traps to slow the giant down, and dodging it's attacks the gang suffered severe injuries. By the time they were cornered and the Nephilim was closing in towards their position, only Elsword and Eve were standing in front of the massive demon, Aisha being previously slammed into the barricade stopping their way, and Raven suffering a direct blow from one of it's claws. With Rena trying to get them both back up to their feet the task of protecting the group came down to Elsword and Eve. The girl directed her drones to attack, as massive spears came to existence as Eve used them trying to impale the demon's skin her efforts were fruitless as his skin was harder than even her obsidian spears. The redhead dashed from behind her as he climbed the monster's arm trying to hit his head. Using his other claw, the monster hit Elsword directly knocking the boy straight into Eve, both of them tumbling away. Next, the demon tilted his head upwards as he let loose a massive howl towards the sky, two massive dark shards came crashing down on the remaining two members of the gang. As the shards came closer and closer, two massive explosions were heard, as two blue projectiles connected to the shards completely destroying them Shortly after another boom was heard as young blonde came crashing down wielding a massive cannon. The gang's eyes were all on him, who was the blonde in blue and white armor, who had possibly saved their lives just then? But the time wasn't right for introductions as the boy shot his cannon downwards and launched himself into the air as he avoided an attack from the demon. He landed a fair bit away as he positioned his cannon on a firing position over his shoulder, he let loose a barrage of missiles as he yelled towards the gang.

"GO! I'LL PROVIDE SUPPORT, GO!" His cerulean eyes determined to protect the ones that were willing to risk their lives over saving a city.

The demon let out a scream as he opened his mouth revealing an eye. That was all Rena needed as she took out her bow and loaded her sword, Earendil, into it. She took aim and fired hitting the demon straight in his eye. Another scream came forth from the demon, who was now beating a fast retreat.

"Oh no you don't!" Aisha yelled as she conjured a black hole where the monster was standing pinning it in place, the magic took a toll on her body, as she collapsed to her knees still managing to keep the spell up.

Raven fixated his black, obsidian, claw in the ground as he got up, eying the monster's weak point. He took a glance at Elsword who also got up, supporting himself with his sword. The two exchanged glances as they started dashing towards the monster's open mouth. By the way they were running it would've looked like they were about to crash one into the other, when suddenly Elsword extended his arm towards Raven who grabbed him with his Nasod arm. He then used his momentum to turn in a circle as he outright threw Elsword into the giant's mouth. As he flew towards the monster's weak point another sword materialized in the redhead's free hand, as he reached the demon's impaled eye he kicked the Earendil even deeper, and with a swift motion he used both of his swords to further impale the monster's eye. As blood came gushing out and splattering over him, the monster's mouth closed after letting out a excruciating scream. The Dark Nephilim was no more. The armored blonde offered his hand to the silverette helping her up. As Rena, Aisha and Raven ran towards the monster's body. As the three got closer, a low growl was heard from the demon, catching the three off-guard. The growl became louder and louder as the demon's mouth started opening, Rena and Aisha started stepping back as Raven took a defensive stance. As the demon's mouth opened more Elsword started stepping out of the carcass, red liquid covering his face, a heavy laugh escaping his throat. He soon started laughing even harder as he was now holding his sides and pointing his finger at Raven.

"T-THAT FACE! BAHAHAH" Was all the boy could muster, laughter getting the better of him at the expense of the dark haired man.

Moving a hand through the red patch on his head Raven came closer to him and as soon as he was about to give the red head a piece of his mind, the boy collapsed. The man caught him before he hit the ground, and supported his weight. He then moved towards the white and blue armored blonde.

"Thanks back there." As he turned and started walking towards the way off the walls .Aisha following him.

Rena remained behind talking with the blue eyed knight. "Hello, my name's Rena." She started introducing herself.

A calm voice was heard from the blonde "I'm Chung, Hamel's, well Prince I guess." Was his reply, accompanied by an awkward scratch of his head.

Eve's voice interrupted the two. " A prince you say?" the fact that she was surprised by this was uncharacteristic for her, what was even more uncharacteristic was the fact that she let it show. "I am Eve, the queen of the Nasod." the girl said as she looked straight into the boy's cerulean eyes.

The boy was captivated by her amber eyes, he had to shake his head to tear himself from staring at her. Rena continued introducing everyone, "The man with his hair in a pony-tail is Raven. The redhead is Elsword, and the purplenette is Aisha. Do excuse them for acting like this, but this was a rough day for us."

A small laugh escaped the young man. "Don't worry miss Rena, it takes more than this to offend me." Soon the elf's teasing voice could be heard "What if I take a stab at your oddly colored hair that looks just like two doggy ears?" The boy quickly covered his oddly colored hair as he lowered his head letting out a laugh. "I guess it does look like a couple of ears doesn't it?"

Walking next to them, Eve caught herself staring at the blonde,and briefly wondered what attracted her eyes to him. She started walking at a faster pace, trying to clear her mind, seeing as another peculiar thing occurred, his face kept popping up whenever she blinked. She decided once they'd reach an inn she'd run a couple of diagnosis programs on herself.

The three reached the wall's lower portion as they noticed Raven, Aisha and Elsword waiting for them. After Chung properly introduced himself both groups entered the the city's it being rather late, as soon as they reached the center of the town, the townsfolk started cheering for them as Vanessa's forces tried to keep the townspeople away from the injured gang.

Her strong voice inspired fear into the townsfolk as they stopped trying to break the lines her men were holding. Instead they were holding their positions as they cheered and thanked the group for saving their town.

The gang entered the inn they were staying at when the monsters started attacking the town, the blonde following them, he had tried getting his own room, but Rena managed to convince him to share with the rest of her friends, they had six beds in there after all. (AN: Don't ask me what kind of inn has six beds in a room) as he entered the room, he found Elsword's armor-less body being placed on the bed by Raven, Aisha standing on the bed in a sitting position, reading from what he could make out a dark arts book, what he didn't notice at the girl before, was the small weird fluffy bat that now rested on the mage's head. This caused boy to start staring at her from his bed, as luck would have it the girl noticed it.

She thought he was looking at the way she was dressed, as many have done in the past, before she made the contract with Angkor, her familiar, and had to wear this outfit. The strands of leather that covered her chest and the small skirt she wore weren't really her first choice in clothes. What annoyed her the most was the people's perception, no one minded her practicing dark magic when she saved their butts, yet they'd all turn their backs on her when the danger had passed. Everywhere she went the simple minded people were either afraid and were avoiding her or they were throwing malicious insults and hard glares her way. Some were approaching her, mistaking the mage for a prostitute, it wasn't her damn fault she thought,it was an unfair price she had to pay for wanting to help people. Yes she chose being a dark mage, but not anyone can do that, it takes an incredible amount of willpower not to succumb to the temptation and let the dark mana over-take your soul. But there was nothing she could do, she had to suck it up and move onwards keeping her head up. That's how society was made. If you don't follow its rules, you're antagonized and cast aside never mind you risking your life to save people. Needless to say, apart from the El-gang she didn't bother socializing too much, she was close to enough people to last her a life time, she thought, why would she bother knowing new people. And such when she spoke, her tone was way more sour than she intended it to be.

"Could you stop staring at me like I killed your dog or something?" Her purple bangs swayed as she spoke. The boy blinked out of his trance, and lowered his head. "I-I'm sorry, I was looking at your little puffy bat.." hearing this the bat started flapping his wings as he came closer to the boy, suddenly it started speaking, causing Chung to crawl away on the other side of the bed. "Who're you calling puffy? Kid?"

"Now, now kids play nice." Rena's voice was heard as she stiffed a giggle. "We should rest, tomorrow we can explore the city."

"This reminds me, " Chung stated, "Could I make you guys come to Hamel with me? Of course you don't have to but-" Rena interrupted him, "Of course we'll go, it was in our plan to get to Hamel eventually, we just have to refill our inventories in Velder. So the day after tomorrow we'll probably head towards Hamel." Saying that she laid herself on the bed and closed her eyes, despite her cheery tone the elf was exausted. She fell asleep almost instantly.

Looking around the room, Chung saw Eve, on the side of the bed directly across from his, typing away at a screen that seemed to be projected out of her arm. She caught the girl taking glances at his Destroyer and Armor that was neatly folded near the bed. "You want to see them closer?" He offered, startling the girl. Her answer took him by surprise "Yes, I'd like to take a closer look." As she rose from her bed and came closer to his Destroyer. The blonde got up too and started describing the mechanism of the weapon to her. They spent the next half an hour talking about the boy's armor, as Eve noticed Nasod technology was a part of it.

Next to the two, Raven was sleeping soundly and Aisha was throwing worried glances towards Elsword. After a few minutes, the mage deemed it was time to end her tiring day, as she covered herself with the blanket and tried to go to sleep, ignoring Eve and Chung's banter.

Later that night, Elsword's sleep was disturbed, the same dream that plagued his nights over the years returned even now. Images that caused constant pain to the redhead came flooding his mind. He remembered when his father brought him the news of his sister's disappearance, His sister's smiling face still fresh in his mind as she left to lead her final mission. He remembered when his family asked the Red Knights to send a search party countless times after their daughter, hoping to at least recover her body their request denied every single time. He remembered when his mother was killed by a group of robbers that entered the house while his father was away on a mission for the blasted Knights. Unconsciously tears started sliding down his cheeks. His nightmare was far from over, he the scene that he remembered next was when he found his father hanged in the middle of the room when he came back from training. His eyes snapped open, as he unconsciously wiped his tears away. The boy had a happy childhood, until those events happened. He wanted to become a Red Knight, he remembered how highly he regarded the Red Knights, as a child, and how badly they disappointed him. If the elder of Ruben hadn't felt pity towards the boy when he took him in his house, he dreaded the thought of what could have happened to him or where he'd be now.

With a look towards his sword, the moment when Conwell chose him, came to mind. He noticed trader caravan being robbed as he was training through the forest. At the time, he wore his hair in a pony-tail. He also had a red sleeveless shirt and armored pants. The traders were on their knees as a group of bandits threatened them with swords at their necks. What appeared to be the bandit leader approached a low growl he lashed out at him."Beat it kid, or I'll sink my sword into you after I'm done with them."

As the man turned his back to the boy, he unsheathed his sword and calmly said. "You know, you'd best leave as long as you're able to."

"Oh ,really?" Came the bandit's mocking response. With a gesture towards a bandit he turned to face Elsword. "You see, I was willing not to spill blood, but you've forced my hand." he motioned the boy to take a look at the prisoners, as one of his bandits pushed one of the traders forwards. In a swift motion his blade's steel cut into the poor man's throat. A woman's cry was heard above the bandit's laugh. "We don't play here, kid."

Elsword gritted his teeth, as he ran at the man in blind fury and swung his sword. The bandit evaded the attack, using Elsword's inexperience against him, he delivered a knee straight into his side causing the boy to collapse. With another motion, another bandit brought the crying woman forwards, waiting until the boy could see, the leader motioned towards the bandit, and in a flash, blood scattered across the ground as the woman met the same fate as her husband. The boy clenched his fists, he wanted so badly to save those people, to not have others face the same pain he did. Suddenly, a voice was heard in his head.

"Rise Elsword. My name is Conwell, and I have chosen you, because, despite on how others treated you, you still try to protect the weak. Feel my power and use me as you see fit, to protect the weak. Take the power of the Infinity Sword in your hands."

The boy rose to his feet, summoning the sword Conwell in his hand, he felt imbued with power as he dashed fast as lightning to the man's chest. He looked him straight in the eyes, his lips pursed in a thin line as he drove his sword through his heart. Afterward he used the same speed he showed as in a blink every bandit from behind the prisoners fell dead. He stood there, blood pooling at his feet. Looking at his new weapon, silently smiling to himself.

Elsword spent the rest of the night sleepless, as he was used to by now. One by one his friends got up. What intrigued the boy was how Rena left with Raven to presumably shop for potions and other things the group would need in their travels. He noticed how Raven's look would soften up when he'd look at the elf, and how the woman would take sideways glances at him or how she'd tease him on his red patch on his black hair. Soon after, Eve approached Chung on the topic of his weapon and armor.

Aisha quickly grew bored of reading from her book, as she picked the tome up and put it in a bag she previously bought. She got up from her bed and left, not saying a word to anyone, that's how she was, Elsword reasoned.

Some time passed, as Elsword found himself staring at the window, his hand caressing the sword shaped necklace hanging around his neck. The redhead decided he should visit the city as well, after all, the people cheered for them, he might as well see if he could strike a deal with one of the vendors for some cheaper wares. He absentmindedly grabbed his sword as he left the room, leaving Chung and Eve alone.

As she walked around the city, Aisha almost thought she misjudged the people she found here, after seeing how they cheered for them when they returned, she thought they'd be willing to look past her appearance and treat her normally. So when she neared a stand in a local market, deciding on a whim to buy an apple, she was instantly reminded of how the world is. The merchant bluntly said. "We have nothing to sell to you." She only replied with a small "tch" as she walked towards a tavern, at least wanting to eat something before she returned to the inn. As she walked inside all eyes turned to her, she walked towards the tavern-keeper and promptly asked for something to eat. The tavern-keeper's response was simple. "Look, I don't care how you're dressed, you helped save this city and I'm thankful for that, but others aren't willing to go past their fears. I'll bring you your food." As he left towards the kitchen the girl found a empty table where she sat at.

The girl thought it was only her anxiety when she noticed all the looks that the customers were giving her. Some were frightened, and some looked as if they were about to jump her the next second. While waiting for her food, she left her scepter leaned against her chair. As her food was brought to her, she started eating. The food was enjoyable, unfortunately three men decided they'd want to keep her company. The trio reeked of alcohol as they pulled the empty chairs at her table and sat down.

Aisha eyed the three carefully. Her hand leaving the table and trying to find her scepter. She patted the spot where she thought her weapon was, yet when her hand didn't feel anything except the chair, she snapped her head towards where she thought her weapon was.

One of the men started laughing, as the other lifted the mage's scepter up. "Looking for this?" he asked the girl. "GIVE. IT. BACK." The girl threatened, as Angkor summoned himself. The bat looked around, and upon seeing the one holding the scepter he quickly lashed at the man attempting to bite him. Aisha tried to channel her mana as the bat attacked, but the other two men grabbed her. Their free hands feeling her body. "LET. ME. GO!" She yelled as her eyes darted around the tavern, yet no one moved. Not even the tavern keeper. They were willing to watch as the three had their way with her?. She refused to ask for help as she started attempting to kick the men away from her. The one holding her scepter had an easy time against the bat, as without Aisha's magic imbuing him he was a little more useful than a stuffed animal. He closed in on the defenseless mage as the others were restraining her limbs.

"Say, You don't mind if we do this here, do you?" he said letting out a low chuckle.

On the streets of Hamel, the redhead heard various people talking about a weird girl who walked by, how weird she was dressed. Their comments made the redhead feel anger towards them. He approached a group talking about the girl and simply asked.

"This girl, was her hair purple and did she wear revealing clothes?" one of the women gossiping responded with a aggravated voice "Yes. She looked like a cheap whore." Hearing this angered him even more, but he remained composed, he often met frightened looks himself, but this amount of superficiality pissed him off completely. These gossipy bitches, as he called them in his mind, remembered him just how awful people were, yet he tried to protect them anyways, that's just how he was.

Attempting to keep his calm he asked the woman, "Do you know where she went?" One of the other women from the group butted in and responded. "Yes, I believe she entered that tavern." as she pointed towards a tavern at the end of the street. As the boy walked towards the tavern,on the rather empty and quiet street, he heard an all to familiar voice screaming. "GIVE. IT. BACK!" He instantly recognized the voice. "Aisha!" he quickly muttered under his breath as he ran towards the tavern. "LET. ME. GO!" another scream filled his ears, unconsciously a red aura formed around his body.

As he reached the tavern's front door he smashed it open, all the heads turned towards him, shock feeling the patrons' faces. His eyes darted across the room, as he spotted Aisha over in the far corner of the tavern, three men surrounding her and holding her down on the table. "YOU MOTHERFUCKERS!" the boy swore at all the people in the tavern, as he made his way towards the three men. He grabbed the one that was all over Aisha by the collar, and he turned him to face him. The boy's frown was the last thing the man saw, as Elsword's punch connected to his jaw knocking him down and making him lose consciousness. He then dodged a punch coming from one of the other men as the redhead grabbed the man's hair and smashed his head against the table. The last one let go of Aisha, and was trying to get away, but Elsword tackled him to the ground and started relentlessly punching him. Rage taking over.

It took Aisha several tries to get him to snap out of his anger. The boy got up from the man's now deformed face, as he turned he grabbed the girl's wrist and tried walking out. When he neared the front door, he turned towards the tavern-keeper. "You're lucky I don't burn this place down!"

He dragged the mage despite her protests back to the inn. The two entered the now empty room.

Aisha's voice broke the silence as she stood next to the door. "Thank you.." she muttered as she looked down. Elsword was facing away from her. "Don't. This, This whole thing made me regret risking my life for these... people." His fists were clenched, and his voice bore more anger than he to give out. The boy would constantly hide behind a "Happy-go-lucky" mask. Yet in times like this, he'd lose it. And so he did. He turned his head towards the mage, and he saw her wiping her tears. That view made him think, it was the first time he saw her cry. He figured her as a strong person, as one who would always tell what's on her mind, and not care about how the others see her. He started to think he was wrong. The redhead turned to face her, running a hand through the dark patch of his hair.

In the other side of the room, the girl was wiping her tears. Aisha felt stupid, she felt stupid for hoping someone would actually be grateful to her. She felt stupid for thinking someone would look past her clothes or the magic she uses, and see the real her.

Her head perked up as she heard Elsword talk. "I'll be there. For... for you." She shot her head upwards.

"I..Idiot!" she crossed her arms on her chest. Soon, she spoke again. "Thank you."

The rest of the day passed without any notable event's for the two, as they ordered food from the innkeeper and waited for their friends to return. The two shared the room in silence, one looking out the window while tugging at his sword necklace, the other reading from her dark tome, taking sneaky glances at the other.

A thought passed through the girl's mind "He might just see past this. Then again he probably always could."