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Tainted
iReii | Spirify

BGM No Game No Life OST Soundtrack Vol. 3 [No Colour] | Gerado Lara
Gerado Lara is the YouTuber that uploaded the video. Enjoy while reading :)

II.

"Goodbye."

In thoughts of never seeing the Empire Ara familiarized herself with, she whispered a farewell message as she looked up at the beautiful Empire glistening by the moonlight. The memory of her deceased mother cooking their daily meals and how Aren and Ara always fought for the bigger portion, the memory of welcome her father from another challenging mission as soldier, the memory of the first day of training to become the brave soldier Ara always desired of- they are left within the ashes of collapsed and burnt buildings. The only family she has is her brother, and Ara is determined to bring back the innocent brother he is and prove to the villagers he is not guilty, that he's not a demon.

Ara turned and walked away from the Empire, as her heart ached from leaving her hometown and everyone in it.

However, the terrifying glare Aren had given to Ara when he was in his demonic form gave Ara the determination to make a promise to the Empire, a promise in which she will not return until her brother has been found and cured.

Ara travelled on foot, horses, and carriages. After a month of continuous questions she desperately asked to strangers, all the answers she received were shaken heads. After months of travelling, she found a library inside a small village. She walked to the shelf where information regarding demons can be found, but she actually found a tiny girl reading a book there.

The girl glanced up from her book and glares sharply at the Sakra Devanam before asking, "What do you want?"

Ara was confused by her sudden rudeness. She gazed over the petite female in front of her, taking note of her violet hair that was tied into high twin tails with black ribbons. Her outfit consisted a skimpy crop that was covered with an amethyst colored jacket that reached to her wrist. The top revealed her bellybutton and she wore a skin-tight skirt that had several belts along with thigh high boots. She almost resembled a mage due to the symbols on her clothing.

'Maybe this is how the villagers are dressed like here?' Ara thought to herself silently before the girl asked again,

"I said, what do you want?"

There was annoyance laced within her tone. Ara quickly regained her senses and gulped her fear down her throat.

She asked bravely, "Uh- I was trying to find books about the Dark El and Demons regarding it."

The mage's eyes grew wide with surprisement.

"Dark El? What do you want to do with that?"

Ara could hear the curiosity grow within the tone of her voice. Ara hesitated- Should she explain the entire situation to a complete stranger? However, as hopeless she is currently, she decided any information could help her situation.

"My brother have been corrupted by demons' Dark El and I want to cure him!"

The girl's violet colored eyes grew wide again as she heard the nervousness yet braveness within Ara's commitment. "Oho-..." She murmured under her breath as she switched her glance to the shelf filled with information regarding Ara's needs. Suddenly, the girl changed her direction towards Ara, whom flinched due to surprisement. The girl walked closer to Ara and grabbed her by her arms. "Actually, I can help you!"

Ara was invited to the mysterious girl- who she goes by the name of Aisha's houses. Every corners of her house was filled with unknown dark elements- there was no sign of welcome in this mysterious house.

"I'm actually a Void Princess. You know those magicians that plays with dark elements and void and you know those things."

Ara had no clue what "those things" were, but she went with the flow as Aisha introduced herself.

"I-I'm Ara. I'm from the Northern Empire and I'm actually an Sakra Devanam- skilled with martial arts regarding the spear."

"And the Demons attacked that kind of area? That's strange."

Aisha murmured under her breath as she acknowledged Ara's experience and skills.

Sweat was tinkling down Ara's back as the nervousness overtook Ara's senses.

She wasn't sure whether to trust a complete stranger about her problem, but she quickly brushed away negative thoughts as it seems as Aisha knew a lot more about demonic powers than her.

"I can only tell you what Dark El do to a person, and how Demons are involved in it. I don't have information about cure... someone else may be able to help."

"Who is that someone? Please tell me!"

Ara cried to Aisha in despair. Aisha, whom seemed as if she expected such question filled with desperation, only shrugged as she answered,

"He's a scientist named Add. He lives in the Western part of Hamel."

"Add?"

Ara tilted her head in confusion as Aisha continued to talked about an unfamiliar man.

"I don't know much about him either. I just know he created various antidotes and curing demons doesn't sound like a problem to him."

For months, Ara resided in Aisha's residence as she taught Ara information regarding Dark El and how it contributed to the Demons. Aisha in the other hand, believes in Ara that she can cure this world from the overgrowing demonic powers, and hopes Fluone will be peaceful once again. As Ara was taught by Aisha, the first impression she judged of Aisha was quickly melted away, as the grumpy and annoyed girl was actually a sweetheart.

Ara realized just being near a Dark El itself is highly dangerous. The Dark El has the power to swallow the living soul out of your body; while your body remains physically human, the soul is eaten alive by the demons trapped within the Dark El.

Features such as change of hair color and skin color, black horns and tails being grown on body, claws replacing the nails, etc. are physically illustrated.

Demons have the will to eat a human in order to gain more power, but their primary goal is to kill them all.

The only way to actually kill a demon is to strike their heart. Unfortunately, there is no way to purify the demonic soul and return the humanistic soul back into the body.

However, Ara was dedicated to cure her brother. 'I will find out how'- She would murmur to herself everyday until it was time for her to leave Aisha- to meet the scientist named Add that can purify her brother.

"Remember, there will be a village on the West and all of the buildings are painted white. Ask people in the village about Add's location, and they'll answer in a heartbeat."

"Thanks, Aisha."

She hugged Aisha as a farewell action. The lessons and information Aisha has taught Ara will be a tremendous help with her journey.

A/N

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