Name Meanings.
Loerchik-Pain (Raven's horse)
Brengulch-Despair (The Titan)
Oupol-lust (Dark Elf)
Cirau-kind (Rena's horse)
Tiichi-Honor (Elsword's horse)
Chapter Ten: Laid Bare
The Harmony Festival continued through the peaceful night, the world seeming to forget its struggles. Eve and Sana sat together under the night sky, Sana captivated by the colors that painted the sky ever so briefly before the black consumed it. Behind them in the bedroom, Elesis was sleeping soundly under the watchful eye of Oberon. Sana was now staring past the fireworks, and staring straight at the black sky. Eve felt a question birthed by curiosity rising to the occasion as Sana turned to look at her.
"Mom, why is the sky black at night?" Eve smiled, expecting this question.
"I assume you know about colors." Sana nodded, "First, the three main colors are red, blue, and yellow. With those three, you can make all the colors in the rainbow."
"But why is the sky black?" Sana pressed her question.
"That's a special case." Eve motioned with both her hands, "White, and black. White is a blend of colors, while black is the absence of color. Now color needs light, so that is why the sky is black at night. The sun is not giving us light to see the colors of the sky, turning it black while in reality the sky is actually black and not blue."
"It's not?" Sana was confused.
"Our planet, Elrios, is in what we call Space. Space is void of all color, and is home to many other stars." Eve pointed to the sky, "See all those bright dots in the sky? Those are stars, and our sun is also a star."
"Cool." Sana smiled at Eve, "You're so smart mom!" Eve blushed at Sana's unending praise. Eve looked down at the garden, and saw Ara and Elsword sleeping beneath a tree. They deserve it. Eve looked back to Elesis. They're all so young, why must they be forced through this torture? Eve sighed, drawing Sana's attention, "Mom? Are you sad?"
"Slightly. It has been very difficult for me lately. All these people who I hold dear going out into danger, it keeps me awake at night." Sana hopped over to her.
"I know uncle Raven will always come home! He's super strong." Eve smiled, and patted the child's head.
"Yes...yes he is." Eve suddenly jolted upright, noticing Oberon at the door. Now that she was listening, she could hear a well memorized sound. Elesis was groaning and sobbing in pain, near agony.
"M-Mom?" Eve silently picked Sana up, and gave her to Oberon.
"Take her to Delilah, and send some maids up here and Ophelia. Now!" Oberon rushed off, Sana dreadfully confused and scared. Eve looked back to Elsword's location, "Please don't be concerned, it will be alright."
"Eve..." Eve rushed to Elesis's side at her name, "It hurts..."
"Shh...don't talk Elesis." Eve knew the soon to be mother was on the verge of screaming, and Eve was not going to be able to deal with Elsword if she did. Elesis was crying as Ophelia and a few maids burst into the room. Eve quickly gave out instructions, as she had delivered children before during her long stay at this castle.
In the main hall, the party was going well. Chung and Rena were socializing with the guests, and Delilah was currently aware of the developing situation above when Oberon left Sana in her care. Delilah was constantly soothing the timid child, assuring her that Elesis would be alright. As the front doors opened, everyone quickly turned and then returned to their business as they saw Raven enter the hall. He looked over the crowd, and made his way to Rena and Chung.
"Oh Raven, where were you?" Chung asked as Raven reached them.
"What's with the bag?" Rena asked.
"You'll never believe this." Raven said, panting slightly as he had ran back to the castle, "Brengulch left a tail for us in an alleyway." He held up the bag to a pair of shocked eyes.
"You're kidding." Raven shook his head.
"He left a note and everything." Rena was dumbstruck.
"Maybe he really isn't bad." Rena breathed.
"Something up?" The three turned as Elsword, along with Ara and Aisha, approached them.
"Brengulch left us a present." Raven said, opening the bag slightly for the others to look inside. Elsword just smiled, not trusting Brengulch for a minute.
"Another tail, good." Ara looked at him from her chair.
"Hopefully it will let me feel my legs again." Elsword held her shoulders.
"Yeah. I want so bad to be able to dance with you right now. I'll just have to wait."
"Anyone seen Elesis?" Aisha asked, she had not seen her since Eve had taken her with Sana to the queen's room.
"I saw her with Eve and Sana on the balcony of the queen's room." Elsword said, and then a sound soared through the room that stopped the festivities on a dime.
"AAAH!" Elsword jumped as his sister's agonized screamed echoed from the tower. Without a second thought, he turned and plowed through the crowd, shoving nobles aside as he ran for the royal quarters. Aisha was in hot pursuit, while the others remained to keep the party in order. As Elsword and Aisha ran up the stairs, they could hear Delilah explaining the situation to the guests.
"Why now?!" Aisha asked herself, on the verge of tears. They reached the top of the spiraling stairwell, and saw Oberon standing in front of the door.
"Out of the way!" Elsword demanded, but Oberon remained still. Eve could be heard within, yelling orders to the maids.
"Get more towels! Damn it; get her something to bite down on!" A maid ran out the door, and Oberon grabbed Elsword as he tried to get inside.
"Let me go Oberon or I'll tear your head off!" Elsword growled, and Eve stormed out the door.
"Oberon, get him downstairs now! Aisha, inside!" Elsword was dragged off kicking and yelling in protest as Aisha was allowed inside. Eve returned to her spot between Elesis's raised legs, and Aisha sat down next to her love. Instinctively, she held Elesis's hand tightly, and whispered in her ear.
"Come on baby, you can do this." She encouraged softly, and felt that Elesis was about to scream again. If Elsword heard his sister in agony again, he'd easily manage to break free from Oberon. Having no choice, Aisha placed her arm in Elesis's mouth, and winced as she bit down to quell the scream.
"Stop wasting time and hurry!" Eve shrieked at the maids, one finally bringing Elesis a towel to bite down on. Aisha didn't care for the pain in her arm as she watched Elesis's pain distorted face. Eve spoke softer now, "Come on Elesis, you're doing so well. Push!" With a great effort, Elesis tried once more to force her child into this world, and her muffled shrieks filled the room as she felt like her insides were being ripped apart.
Meanwhile, Raven helped Oberon keep Elsword at bay in the garden surrounding the royal quarters. Chung and Rena were there as well, looking up with hopeful gazes. Delilah was inside with Ara and Sana, keeping the party going as best they could.
"Let me go damn it! I have to be with her!" Elsword yelled, trying to throw the two restraining him to the floor as best he could. Raven was stoic, and Oberon was like a solid hunk of steel.
"Elsword, calm down!" Raven tightened his grip on Elsword's shoulder, his claw barely digging into the skin. Elsword continued to resist. Rena and Chung looked at one another.
"Hear anything?" He asked the elf, whose gift of hearing was far superior.
"Nothing loud. Eve has stopped yelling, and Elesis isn't screaming anymore." Rena looked to Elsword hoping the news would calm him, but it appeared he interpreted it as a turn for the worse as he continued to struggle. Raven was just about to knock Elsword out when a maid walked out of the tower. She saw Elsword and grew timid in an instant, speaking in a hushed tone.
"T-T-The p-procedure is d-done...m-mi'lords." Raven saw Oberon let Elsword go, and did the same. The crimson warrior didn't look back as he barreled into the tower and bolted up the stairs in a frenzy, maids dodging to the side as he shot past. He reached the top of the stairs, and was halted by a firm slap in the face as Eve was waiting for him.
"Calm down you idiot." She hissed, then smiled gently as Elsword glared at her, "Your niece is strong and healthy." Elsword stared at her, and slowly got to his feet.
"M-My...niece?" Eve nodded.
"Come, and be quite. Elesis is sleeping, and I will not be kind if you wake her." Eve and Elsword entered the room, and Elesis was peacefully asleep on the bed. He saw Aisha on the balcony, appearing to be holding something. Eve stayed with Elesis as Elsword walked up to his soon to be declared sister-in-law, as Elesis and Aisha planned to be wed once Ara's tails were returned. Aisha looked over her shoulder, smiled, and looked down at her arms.
"Look Mari, it's your uncle." Aisha turned to Elsword, and his gaze fell upon the child in her arms, wrapped in a pink towel. The infant stared at him, her eyes a reflection of his own. Without a word, Aisha gently handed Mari to Elsword, who was speechless. He was an uncle, something he had never expected in his life. He smiled as Mari extended her hands to his face, and took grasp of his finger as he went to hold her tiny hands.
"Hey there little girl." He said, sitting down on the chair, Aisha beside him. Mari held his finger tightly, not letting go.
"I get the feeling she's going to really take after you two." Aisha said, "She seems determined to not let go." Elsword ignored Aisha, lost in his own world. He looked up to the moon, and closed his eyes. Eve snuck onto the balcony, and pulled Aisha out of the room.
"Elsword?" Elsword's eyes snapped open as he heard his sister's voice. He got up and entered the room.
"Hey sis..." He said as he sat down next to the bed, "How you doing?" Elesis stared at the bundle of pink in Elsword's arm. Elsword smiled, and looked at his niece, "Time to let go baby, you should be with your mom." Elesis blushed slightly at Elsword's words, and weakly held her child as Elsword handed Mari to her. She stared at her child, struck with disbelief that something so joyful could have been created with the scum that was involved. Elesis and Elsword looked at each other, and nodded. Their gaze said one thing.
"She will not know who her true father was."
As the party continued, everyone aside from the Siegharts met in the throne room. Everyone was happy, Elesis had given birth with no complications, and Mari was healthy. Aisha couldn't suppress her happiness, and was nearly jumping with excitement. Sana was with Eve, Eve explaining what had happened and apologizing for scaring her. Raven however, was serious.
"I propose..." He began, getting everyone's attention, "That we figure out which one of us has the trial, that way we can begin first thing tomorrow." Everyone nodded, knowing it would be best to do so. Delilah took hold of the tail first, and took Sana with her out of the room when it did not react. If something were to happen, it would be best for Sana not to be present. Raven knew it wasn't him, as he had found it in the first place. Chung, nothing. Aisha, it remained pale. Rena could not usher forth a glow. Eve took hold of it, and then it suddenly burst into rays of light. Everyone was confused; Eve had not clenched the tail to begin a trial. The light sunk into Eve, yet she did not fall. Everyone began to see a bright light, and then saw themselves in the air above the castle courtyard. Below them, they saw Eve with Chung tending to a patch of roses.
"Aisha, what is this?" Raven asked, and everyone realized they could hear one another. Aisha figured out what it was.
"If the emotion is so strong, those present shall see the trial unfold. No one can see us, not even Eve. However, if this is the way I think it is, Eve does not have much time to realize her trial and succeed or fail. And...doesn't this day seem familiar?" Everyone realized it there. It was several years ago, and Hamel had just secured a peace treaty with Altera. The group moved down, and began to observe in silence.
Eve hummed a silent tune to herself as she watered the roses, Chung helping where he could. Eve seemed so happy, but the group could feel something was weighing on her mind. Chung turned to look at her.
"Hey Eve, you seem down. Something wrong?" Chung asked. Eve halted.
"I'm concerned for Raven." Raven remembered then, he had left to take care of a clan of bandits that were ravaging the countryside. The past image of Chung held Eve's shoulder.
"Come on, he'll be fine. Raven's a tough guy, and Rena went with him remember?" Eve seemed to suddenly grow sad at this, causing the spiritual group to glance at one another.
"Yes. Yes she did." Eve sighed, "I wish to be alone." Eve said simply, and Chung just nodded and walked off. Eve set the watering can on the ground, and walked into the hedge maze. The tenders had already done their job, and it was empty. Eve walked aimlessly, and suddenly stopped and sat down on a bench before breaking into tears. Everyone was shocked, "Damn you Rena..." Eve wept, "Damn you..."
"Does Eve hold something against me?" Rena was stunned at the spectacle before them, but Raven took a step forward and sat on the bench next to Eve, listening intently. Eve continued her sorrow, surprising the group yet again.
"Rena...you always get to be with Raven...I can fight...I'm not weak, why can't I fight alongside him?" Eve sobbed, "Why can't I...help the one I love?" Everyone gasped, Raven stiffening.
"Eve...loves Raven?" Chung breathed in shock. Everyone stared as Raven thought things through. Over the years, the way she had spoken to him was different than the others. When he left for a mission, she seemed so concerned for him alone in particular. During parties, she tried to stay by his side and make him enjoy himself when he insisted on remaining on constant guard. Raven looked at his claw; the attention Eve gave it knew no bounds. He had been such a fool. Without thinking, he draped his claw around Eve's shoulder, and everyone was surprised as Eve suddenly stopped crying.
"R-Raven?" Eve got up in a daze, somehow managing to sense Raven's spiritual presence. Raven got up, and stood in front of her.
"Eve. I'm sorry." Raven said with lowered head, "I'm so sorry for being so foolish. Please, do not blame Rena." Eve seemed to hear the words Raven said, "Blame me, for I am the one who did not heed your feelings. No more, I won't let your feelings go to waste anymore." Raven got on one knee, claw on his chest, and made an oath, "I swear, from this point forth, to dedicate my life to you. Forever."
"For...ever?" Eve breathed, and everyone's vision of the garden grew hazy, until they were enveloped by white. The next thing they knew, they were once again in the throne room, and Eve was collapsed on the floor. Raven rushed over to her.
"Eve!" Raven held her tightly, praying she was alright. Everyone sighed with relief as Eve groaned, and slowly opened her eyes.
"R-Raven?" Raven smiled.
"Eve. I'm so sorry. I won't turn a blind eye to you anymore." Raven held her hand tightly in his, her skin smooth and warm to the touch, "Can you forgive me?" Eve seemed amazed.
"That voice...was it really you?"
"Yes. I'm so sorry." Eve began to tear up, sniffling and sobbing into Raven's chest.
"Raven...I'm so...I just...Rena." Eve turned to look at the dear friend she had hated secretly for so long. Rena just smiled.
"I don't hold anything against you Eve. You were jealous, I understand."
"Come on." Everyone turned to see Ara on her feet. Everyone smiled at the hastened recovery, "Let's all enjoy ourselves." Chung quickly caught Ara as she suddenly lost balance, she smiled, "Sorry, haven't stood up for some time now." Everyone laughed heartily, and Eve and Raven stared into each other's eyes. As he helped Eve to her feet, the throne room doors opened and Delilah walked in with Sana riding on Lanee's back. Sana got off Lanee and ran up to them.
"Mom!" Sana jumped at Eve, who caught her.
"Sana, I have some news for you." Sana waited in anticipation, "We have a father for you."
"Really?!" Eve smiled, and looked at Raven. Sana's face lit up, and everyone sighed as she exclaimed her joy.
"Dad!" Sana reached for Raven, who took her in his arms. No one else saw, but Ara caught a glimpse of a single tear rolling down Raven's cheek. She smiled, things were on the rise, and she prayed they would remain as such.