Chapter 9: Aftermath

Loki stood silent once more and slumped in a corner. He was sobbing lightly, making him completely different from the usually cheerful Loki. Crest left for their guild headquarters and Allazelle was still confined to his bed.

Slowly, the door knob turned and Melissa emerged from the hallway. The battle truly took its toll on all of them. No one had time to rest because many people, military and civilian, were injured by the surprise attack. Melissa was no different. Her usual glow was replaced with an aura of weariness. When she saw Allazelle, she smiled weakly and moved a bit closer to him. Somehow, her mood lightened.

"How do you feel?"

Her tone was somewhat jaded, affected by the recent events. Allazelle willed himself to stand even though the pain of his wounds made him wince every inch he moved. After a lot of perseverance on his part, he was able to sit up.

"I'm getting better. You should get some rest yourself. You're burning yourself out."

With a sigh, she took the bed next to his. Her body slumped itself involuntary into the soft mattress and slowly, she dozed into sleep. Allazelle laid down shortly after her. He stared at the ceiling, thinking about the past events. After an hour or so, he began to fall asleep as well.

Allazelle found himself in a grand cathedral. It was similar to the one in Prontera but this was larger. He decided to walk around when he heard someone behind him.

"Give in to the spell. You know that you could not resist it. Give in…"

Before Allazelle stood a priest clad in a black robe. He had an aura of evil enveloping him. Allazelle was about to ask who he was but the priest seemed to figure what he was about to say.

"I am the Dark Lord, Elseindir Crollix. I have come to offer you an alliance. Let Zalnard loose. It yearns for freedom. Have you not heard its call? Give in…"

Allazelle reached for his tsurugi only to find it missing. The Dark Lord laughed at his attempt and walked towards him. After touching Allazelle's forehead, he vanished into a puff of smoke.

"Master, I am here to serve you. Call me out as you have in the past. Speak my name and I shall come to your aid. I want to serve you again, master. Speak my name…"

"Zalna…"

Allazelle passed out.

Allazelle woke up and stood immediately. He was about to leave the room when Melissa asked him where he was going. He merely looked at her with demonic eyes and left. She was about to follow him when she heard Loki mumble.

"You can't stop him. The spell has him. There's no use in trying."

"If I would die trying to stop him, then I will accept death. It is better than leaving him to be a victim of the curse."

Melissa opened the sliding door and quickly chased after Allazelle. She saw him walk towards the forest and came after him. She called his name but he gave no reply. She called once more and Allazelle looked back to her.

"You have no permission to speak my master's name. Go or suffer death."

Melissa cringed at the devilish voice. She knew exactly what this being was. It was a sentient Ephemeral Fantasy. She knew she would not win the battle but she had to try. For the townspeople's sake and for Allazelle's.

"Very well. I shall give you the privilege of knowing who defeated you in battle. I am Zalnard Undrien Exelior."

Zalnard began to attack Melissa without any weapons. Melissa only had time to parry the flurry of attacks she was receiving. She was gradually losing ground but more importantly, the attacks were getting stronger and she could barely deflect a single blow. After another set of attacks, her katana broke to pieces leaving her defenseless.

Before another blow was struck, Eddga appeared before her. He took the brunt of the attack, sending his human body flying towards a nearby tree. He pushed against the tree and propelled himself towards Zalnard with katars in hand. Before the blades hit, Melissa hugged "Zalnard" in a protective embrace. Eddga avoided hitting Melissa by lodging the blades into the ground, causing him to change the direction of the thrust.

"Mel— issa…"

Allazelle collapsed into Melissa's arms.