The Rune Necklace of Promise
By: Sairon
"It's been 9 years since the first time I met him. I thought that it might've been better if he's gone. And I always thought that's the right way of thinking."
-Aisha-
2 years already passed since our last battle to save the world from the demons.
"Aisha!"
Elsword, the Rune Slayer called my name.
I thought he got something important to tell me, so I'll just listen to him.
"What is it?"
My Void Princess' outfit is too revealing, but it's pretty convenient since it didn't hinder my movements and I'm feeling quite comfortable when fighting.
"Here."
He gave me a necklace made of flowers.
It's pretty, made of roses, orchids, lilies, etc.
"It's pretty, did you buy it from a shop?"
I took the necklace and wear it.
It would be weird if a girl hates flower made things.
"No, I made it myself."
Really?
I can't believe the brute guy like him can do something like this.
"You're lying."
"No, I'm not."
I'm sick of arguing with him so I'll just ignore it.
"So, what is this for?"
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
I sighed.
He always chased me this 6 years.
Even though I already told him I'm not interested with a boy younger than me.
We're already in our 20s. We're no longer a child like back then.
"I've told you many times Elsword, I'm in love with Raven."
A mature man like Raven, the Blade Master is the best.
Even though he's dating Rena the Grand Master my feeling still stay the same.
I don't mind waiting for him to break up.
"I know, but still I want to express my love for you."
He grinned.
What's so funny?
Stop that.
I ignored him and went back to my room.
"By the way, thanks for this."
I'm not that evil to not thanking someone for a gift.
He always give me gifts every 1 week.
I told him many times to just give up.
I'm really not thinking him as anyone.
He's just someone whom I coincidentally get into the same team with.
No more no less.
The next day, I'm strolling around the park.
After the last war finished the peace already returned to this land.
We don't have to fight anymore.
So I don't have to cast any magic anymore.
We're the heroes of history.
Many people desired our signature.
But after 1 year the boom subsided.
Looks like most of them are already satisfied.
"Look, mom! It's Aisha the black mage!"
"Yes, daughter. You must be as strong as her one day."
I smiled at the girl.
She's just like me back then when I want to be a mage master.
But too bad I ended up accepting Angkor's pact and be a black mage a.k.a Void Princess.
I don't hate this power, I can protect everyone with it.
I especially hate people who confessed to me just because of my face.
They didn't even know what kind of person I am but they kept on confessing.
I rejected all of them of course.
Right now I'm only waiting for Raven to notice me.
But he's in a very good relationship with Rena, I don't want to destroy their happiness.
So I decided to just accept it and face the reality.
"I think I will be a virgin forever."
I calmly stated.
"I don't think so."
"Kyaaa!?"
Elsword, this brat...
"Elsword! I already told you to stay away from me!"
"Don't wanna."
He stubbornly replied.
I felt like I want to tell his sister, Elesis to take him away from this village, but I don't know how to do so.
"I beg you, how many times should I tell you so that you will go away from my life?"
"If you're waiting for that, you're going to wait forever."
He grinned again.
He's younger than me yet he show no respect toward me!
What a disrespectful brat!
"I don't care about you anymore."
I turned my back to him and went away.
I feel like I want to calm myself in the jungle.
"Hey, wait! Jungle's not safe!"
Elsword followed me.
The jungle's been stated as a forbidden jungle but I don't see any reason to state it like that since the war's already over.
"Don't follow me!"
I summoned Angkor and flew to the deep forest.
"Aisha! Damn...!"
I can hear him cursing.
I just hope he's not coming.
I landed at the waterfall.
The waterfall is the best place to calm my wavering soul.
I need to calm myself so that I can forget about bad things that happened to me.
The sound of the waterfall's so soothing.
Without I knew it I fell asleep.
...
Who knows how many time had passed since I sleep, but the surrounding's already turned dark.
"I fell asleep... I need to get back..."
However my head's so dizzy, I can't cast spell properly.
*Crack*
My sense of danger is screaming.
I immediately look behind me.
*Growl*
Impossible.
He... Should've been killed by Elsword that time.
He's... Berthe.
However, he's not the same as he used to be.
He's giving a more menacing aura.
I who's not bringing my magic staff can't do much.
I can only summon Angkor to take me away from here, but Berthe will surely not letting me get away so easily.
"Aisha... I remember you... The one who keeps on disturbing me when I want to kill Elsword..."
Have I ever did that?
I don't remember, all I care is Raven, did I ever want to save him?
"I don't know what are you talking about! Why are you here!?"
That's what I want to know the most.
He's certainly dead back then.
"The souls of the fallen demons are giving me power to rise again. I'm stronger than before, you'd better prepare yourself, hehehe."
He sneered and focus his eyes on me.
This is bad, I will be killed.
"AISHA! LUNA BLADE!"
Berthe was stabbed by the gigantic blade and stopped moving.
I noticed that voice and that blue giant rune sword.
It's Elsword.
"W-What are you doing here!?"
However, he looked at me angrily.
"I already told you that the jungle's not safe why are you still coming here!?"
He grabbed my cloth.
I never seen him so angry before.
"I-I don't understand what do you mean!"
I clearly don't understand, why Berthe's here.
And why he knew I'm here.
"This jungle's the demon's graveyard, their vengeful souls are all around this place, they can manifested into anything and do harm to us, that's why this jungle is forbidden to enter!"
Don't tell me...
"You're the one who announced that this jungle is forbidden?"
He nodded.
I did remember that about 1 year ago a strange looking old man's announcing to the village to stay away from this jungle. So he's Elsword in disguise?
"Why would you disguise yourself back then? I thought that's just a prank!"
I can't afford to lose to him.
Not a chance!
"Because if I'm the one to tell them they will think I'm joking!"
Elsword's a very cheerful boy in this village, everyone are happy with him, he never gets serious so others will most likely treat his warning as something not so important.
I kept quiet.
"Let's go, we must leave at once."
He held my hand but I slapped his hand.
"Don't touch me!"
He looked surprised.
I'm starting to feel bad.
"Fine, suit yourself!"
He's angry.
But I'm fine with it. He will surely hate me after this.
Hurry up and go away from my life. Forever.
As if a nightmare came true.
A huge sword's flying toward me.
I'm dumbfounded at the sudden attack.
That huge sword...
looked just like a messenger from the hell itself.
"AISHA! WATCH OUT!"
All I can remember next is Elsword pushed me away and I fell to the ground head first.
I lost my consciousness there.
3 days later.
I woke up on a hospital bed.
How long have I fainted?
I looked around.
Elsword's not here.
Thank goodness.
I sighed.
But... Did he brought me here?
I'm already fine so I can walk around.
There I met Rena who's being a nurse in this hospital.
"Oh, Aisha! You're awake!"
She looked so happy.
"Rena, who brought me here?"
Suddenly, the happiness in her face vanished.
What's up Rena?
"You... Really don't remember anything?"
Rena look at me with tears in her eyes.
Behind her, Raven who's changing his job to a doctor appear before me.
"Aisha. You really need to meet Ignia."
He comforted Rena who's crying to his chest.
Ignia?
She's Elsword's little sister.
Actually they're not blood related but Elsword took her with him since she seemed to like Elsword a lot.
I go to Elsword's house.
What is this...
The house's so dark.
Is there no one inside?
*Knock* *Knock*
"Ignia? You're there?"
I wait for a while and the door opened.
"Big sis Aisha..."
Ignia timidly showed her face.
Her eyes are red.
Is she crying?
"What happened to Elsword?"
I actually not really care, he's someone who's not going to die even if you kill him.
"Big brother... HUWAAAAA!"
She suddenly cried out loud.
I have a really bad feeling about this.
"I-Ignia!?"
I quickly hugged her and enter the house.
Elsword's not around...
Please tell me I'm wrong...
I took her to the living room.
I used to come here so I know the house's rooms.
"Ignia, what happened to him?"
I prepared myself for the worst.
"Big brother's... Dead..."
I felt like my heart has stopped.
I never felt like this before.
"Y-You're kidding..."
I don't want to believe it.
That carefree Elsword. That shameless brat...
"Big sis entered the forbidden jungle... So big brother returned to home immediately to take his sword, he already knew... *sob* That the jungle's very dangerous... *sob*"
I knew that, what I want to know is not that...!
"After that... *sob* He returned, totally covered in blood... *sob* He received countless attacks... But still managed to took big sis back in his embrace... *sob sob* We from the village who noticed him hurriedly took both of you to Big bro Raven's hospital... *Hic* But... HUWAAAAAAA!"
She cried again, please...
Please finish your story...
"Big bro Raven... *Hic* Already did everything he could... He managed to save big sis... *Hic* But... Big brother's wound... *Hic* Are too severe... No medicine or spell can cure him...! *Hic* And... He left this message for big sis... HUWAAAAAA! BIG BROTHER!"
I'm stunned.
I don't know how should I feel.
My eyes are teary...
Not because I love him...
But...
But...
I slowly took out the paper inside the envelope that's covered in blood.
To: Aisha
From: Elsword
Hi, Aisha.
*Drip* *Drip*
My tears are slowly falling.
By the time you read this, I'm most likely already dead. Hahaha.
Idiot!
What's so funny!?
I'm already certain, that by the time I entered the forest to save you...
I'm most likely won't make it.
I've once entered the forest once and get injured severely.
Good thing I managed to get out alive thanks to Raven and Rena's help.
That's why I disguise myself, I don't want anyone to get worried at my injured look.
I must keep the carefree and cheerful Elsword's image, right? Hahaha.
S-Stop laughing...
I can hear your voice in my mind...
*Hic* Elsword...
You might be annoyed by my intense approaches.
But it's because I love you.
I never felt like this, but only you.
The only girl that I feel like I want to protect.
When you entered the forest...
I'm so afraid.
I'm so afraid you might be injured.
You know I don't like you... But why!?
I don't care of what happened to me.
Since I'm already dead...
I will tell you the truth...
Actually I blocked your memories when you sleep 5 years ago.
So that you will stop loving me.
My memories...?
My tears stopped.
I'm stunned.
Berthe did said...
"Aisha... I remember you... The one who keeps on disturbing me when I want to kill Elsword..."
Back then was... 5 years ago...
I continue to read his letter.
Berthe injured you severely.
You're on the verge of life and death.
There... I made a pact with Angkor.
He said, he will surely heal you, but in exchange...
You will forget everything about me and hate me forever.
Angkor... Did that?
When I woke up after that fight...
I only fascinated by Raven's look.
I'm very annoyed when I'm with Elsword.
Why...
In my room...
There's a necklace, a Holy Rune Necklace that we make together when we're still loving each other. Take it with you.
I will take my leave then.
Thank you Aisha, I will watch you from the other world.
I hurriedly ran toward his room.
I searched all over his room and found the pendant in his desk.
"So this is it..."
I touch the pendant and...
I very bright light shone.
"Kyaaa!?"
My surroundings are all white.
(Stop here and try turning on 'Butterfly piano version' by Wada Kouji on MP3 or media player and read this slowly, enjoy the music)
Memories are flying back to my mind.
'Elsword, I love you.'
'Aisha... Really?'
'Aisha, I did felt the same way.'
'Elsword...'
'Elsword, let's make a holy rune.'
'For what? I thought you're dark elemental?'
'I remember everything I read, let's do it!'
'If you're sure, let's do it.'
'Oh! We fail again...'
'It's too hard, Aisha...'
'No! Let's do it again!' 'Ouch!'
'Okay okay.'
'It's too hard, Aisha. Your Element's dark after all.'
'No! We can do it!'
'Fine..."
'We did it!'
'Woah! Aisha! You're awesome!'
'But, Aisha... What's this rune for?'
'This rune... Will let us remember each other, when one of us is gone.'
'Sounds like a very sad rune.'
'It's not! With this we won't be able to forget each other even when we're alone!'
'Well, if you say so.'
'Let's make it into a necklace!'
'Why necklace?'
'I love necklace!'
'It's done!'
'Both of us will take one or just this one is enough?'
'Just one is fine, since we're not going to die together, right?'
'Yes, even if I die, you must live on, Aisha.'
'I'm not going to let you die, Elsword. Promise me you will always stay by my side.'
'The same goes for me too. That's of course, I'm going to protect you. Even when you forget about me, I will stay with you.'
'That's not going to happen.'
'Who knows?'
'Elsword!'
'I'm saved! Thanks, Aisha!"
'Grr... Annoying little girl!'
'KYAAAAA!'
'AISHAAAAAAA!'
'Aisha! Wake up! Raven! Rena! Do something!'
'We-We can't! Her wound's too severe!'
'It's okay Elsword... I promised you... Right?'
'What promise!?'
'I'm... Going... To protect you... You're just a helpless... Brat no matter what...'
'AISHAAAAA!'
'-Angkor! You told me you can do something right!?'
'I-I can... But... Master will forget everything about you! She will not love you again!'
'I DON'T CARE! JUST SAVE AISHA FOR ME!'
'Elsword! You're serious!?'
'Don't do it, Elsword!'
'SHUT UP! DO IT, ANGKOR!'
'I-I UNDERSTAND!'
'Aisha! You're awake!?'
'... I'm fine, go away from me.'
'Raven... I love you.'
'... I'm sorry, Aisha.'
'I've told you many times, Elsword. I'm in love with Raven.'
'I know, but I still want to express my love for you.'
'I already told you the jungle's not safe why are you still coming here!?'
'I-I don't understand what do you mean!'
'AISHA! WATCH OUT!'
*Drip* *Drip*
I... Remember everything now.
Els...
Stupid... Why are you so dumb...
You endured being hated by me... For these 5 years...
You still cared for me... You never give up your hope...
Why...
Why are you so dumb...
You're just a hopeless brat...
Why did you never stop to make me worried...?
Why Els...?
*Drip* *Drip*
You protected me...
You always kept your promise...
That stupid promise...
There's no use to keep that promise...
You should've just forget about me...
I fell on my knees.
I can see his smile clearly in my mind.
"*Hic* *Hic*... Els... ELS!"
I cried all night.
I can't attend his funeral.
Because I'm unconscious.
The next day.
I visited his grave with Ignia.
"Els... Thank you."
I crouch down and kiss his grave gently.
I will surely treasure this life that he protect.
I will protect Ignia in your place.
You don't have to worry.
I caressed Ignia's hair.
We put a flower on his grave.
"Shall we go?"
"Umm."
Ignia nodded.
I will never forget you, Els.
I promise you. I will never fell in love with anyone anymore.
You're the best man, I ever met in my life.
-Sayonara-
"You may met many people that you can fall in love with, but there's only 1 person who will love you unconditionally and do anything for your happiness. Don't ever forget them."
-Aisha-
Leave your reviews here D: