Friday, September 18th, 2014. 4:17 pm. ? - ?

I opened my eyes. In front of me were many graves. I was in a cemetery. I looked around and saw that the area was completely void of life. It was as if everything was dying here.

It looks like Aisha's teleportation magic might need a little tweaking.

Yeah.

But I suppose that's what happens when you are teleporting to an unknown destination with unknown distance.

Should I try looking for everyone first?

I would say no. We do not know where any of them are, so it might take a while to get to them. More importantly, I think we should explore this land. We do not know much about this place and where it even is on the Elrios continent. We also do not know how many inhabitants there are here. Although, this is assuming that we are in the place we want to be.

Gotcha.

I started exploring the area. I ran in a random direction not sure of where to start. There was a thick dark fog encompassing where I ran so it was hard to tell whether I was actually getting anywhere or not. I kept on running in a straight direction. Fortunately, the fog started to clear up and it was getting more and more brighter. However... I stopped in my tracks to a sound that came from my right-side. I tumble forward and look behind to see an arrow fly straight across where I stood.

It seems that we have company, one that does not want to negotiate. Elsword, get a move on.

I ran with all of my might and tried to exit where I was. I had to dodge more arrows along the way. It seems there are a lot of people who are aware of us being here. They seem pretty crazy to kill a random person they don't. Soon, I finally found light.

Out into the open, I entered a large grassland. I looked behind to see a normal forest. Too normal... despite all the dark fog I saw earlier, it looked as if the entirety of the forest was clean and lacked the dark fog. I also notice that the arrows stopped coming.

What happened?

This might be an illusion.

An illusion?

Someone set this up as a trap. In which, we should run now to avoid them catching us when they come to check on their trap.

Alright.

I listened to Conwell and immediately ran through the grass in front of me. Along the way, I notice a strange pattern on the ground. I didn't really pay much mind to it. It looked like someone was just scribbling there. I needed to focus on finding Ara.

Friday, September 18th, 2014. 4:20 pm. ? - ?

Raven's POV

Where is everyone...

I found myself within a forest of some sort. There was almost nothing but trees in here. It was somehow clean, lacking mud and fallen leaves anywhere. I already walked in a straight direction for sometime, but it seems like and endless path.

I call out to everyone, but I did not get a response. But soon I heard soft footsteps coming from the side. I look over to figure out what it was. After some time, a figure rushed past me. I quickly followed after it. Following the sounds, I came to what seemed to finally be the end of the forest and into an open grassland. The figure was very distant so I could not see it. I decided to keep on following it, making sure it won't be a problem.

Friday, September 18th, 2014. 4:20 pm. ? - ?

Aisha's POV

"Aisha, wait up!" Chung was lagging behind me.

I messed up my teleportation spell a little and separated all of us. We could not find Elsword and the others, so we decided to try searching for Ara instead. This pretty much ensured a long walk. We ended up at the top of a mountain. We were able to see a few buildings and assumed that it was a village. Surprisingly, it was the only village we could see up the mountains. Chung decided to launch us off the mountain. It was pretty reckless... and we honestly almost died doing it.

"I'm really sorry Aisha! It seemed like a good idea at first." It would have been... if you weren't so clumsy.

"It's alright Chung. I mean, it would have taken us forever to get off that mountain honestly. We're pretty close to the village at least."

We were very close. In fact... I could see the village only a few meters in front of us. I ran towards it.

"Hey Chung, come on, ru-" My body felt numb all of a sudden. My vision dropped and I was looking on ground level. I look up at Chung who ran towards me, only to have a shadow appear behind him.

We were caught.

Friday, September 18th, 2014. 4:40 pm. ? - ?

Elsword's POV

It's been around 15 minutes running around this place. I was starting to get irritated.

Hey partner. What do you think about Ara?

Where did this question come from?

I was just wondering... what is she to you?

I...

I think Conwell was not asking me whether I had feelings for her. He probably meant what I think of her.

I think she's too nosy. She keeps butting in on other people's lives and is so eager to do many things. This is in spite of her clumsiness and oblivious innocence. I can't tell whether it's a blessing or a curse for her.

But that's not it... right?

She's also very bright... almost too bright. Somehow, it makes me feel a bit bad about myself. She always cares for other people. It's actually sad to watch her never care about herself.

I see... but is that so true now?

What do you mean?

Conwell didn't respond to me. I pondered on that thought. What would not be true about what I said?

"Who are you?" Dozing off, I look around to see I'm next to a shrine. It looked like a shrine priest found me.

"Oh. I'm..." I did not really know how to respond. I guess being honest is the best choice?

Conwell's lack of response told me it might be fine.

"I'm Elsword Sieghart."

"Sieghart?" The priest's face scrunched. It seems he was thinking hard about something.

"I see... What brings you here?" It seems he wasn't gonna be as hostile as I thought.

"I'm here to see Ara Han."

"Her?" Somehow, his way of addressing her was a bit unsettling. His face seemed to have disbelief.

"I see. Very well, I shall bring you to her." He slowly turned and walked into a building. I followed him.

Inside were many decorations that made the shrine seem very serene. In the middle of the room we had entered was a table and candles. The building had two stories, with a staircase in the back of the room connecting the two floors. There were many other priests who looked over at me.

"This is Elsword Sieghart." There was a strange emphasize on Sieghart.

"He wishes to meet our mistress Han." His tone changed as well. Yet, it felt very cynical.

All the other priests looked at each other, and eventually one of them walked to a room. Only a moment passed and immediately I see a familiar figure. Almost the same as when we had left her... or what I would have liked.

Ara was restrained by cuffs and stripped naked. Her eyes looked almost devoid of life. The way she was dressed, her expression, her movements. It was as if she died. I looked in horror at the sight before me.

Why... why is she like that. I thought Ara was supposed to be worshipped. I thought she was liked by these people. Aren't these people her family now? What the hell is happening.

Ara's eyes wandered around until they were set onto me. They gained a little life once more.

"Elsword?" She said it so weakly.

"Ara..." I did not know what to say or how to react.

"Ah... please do not look at me." Ara tried to hide her body, but one of the priests pulled her over.

"Did we give you permission to speak, you lamb?" One of the priests slapped her.

I felt my body twitch. I clenched my teeth.

"So. What did you need our mistress for?" One of the priests asked me.

Elsword, do not freak out.

He responded to the feelings rising inside me.

"I just wanted to ask her why she was not coming to school." I asked, trying to keep my composure.

"I see... well. Answer him, why are you not going to school?" The priest looked over at Ara whose head was hung over. She was covering her body with what she could with her arms and legs.

"I... I was a bad girl. So, I was punished appropriately for my sin." Ara was basically crying. Her voice kept breaking in between her words. It hurt my heart.

"I am sorry. I cannot go back to school until I have corrected my deeds." I could not see her face. She aimed it towards the ground.

"Is that it?" The priest sounded irritated. He kicked Ara.

"Why are you not asking for forgiveness? You have troubled Mr. Sieghart here. Should you not properly apologize?" Ara was shaking terribly.

Ara opened her mouth. For a second, I thought she would scream for help. The sounds she made were obviously cries from the pain. But she still slowly sat up and kneeled in front of me. She began to prostrate herself before me.

"P-Please... forgive me." Finally, Ara began to cry.

No... I should be the one to apologize. I never realized how much Ara cried. How hard she tried to call out for help. All those times she was with me smiling, talking with me and sharing her feelings, she was asking me for help. Only now can I see that. If only I had noticed earlier, maybe I could have helped her more. But... she's been suffering for so long now. Because...

Hmm. I guess you can use your brain every once in a while.

Well, even I can tell from her face what she's saying.

'You do not have to help me. I am fine. Please, forgive me, and do not come back here. Do not involve yourself anymore than you have now'

"No." I stared straight at Ara. She looked up, hurt.

"Why would I apologize to you." She now looked at me funny.

"What did you ever do wrong? All you did was ask for help, right?" Ara's cheeks was being washed by her tears. She started to cry even harder.

"I just do not wish to involve you any further now... please leave now." The priests all around were just staring at this point.

"Is that really what you want Ara?" I asked her firmly to reaffirm.

"Y-ye-"

Smack

I walked over and slapped Ara with all of my might because she could finish. Her face flew far, as if her body was just a doll. She slowly turned towards me, completely shocked.

"Why do I have to forgive you. What have you ever done wrong."

Her eyes widened.

"You never did anything wrong."

"Elsword... No."

"Always smiling, always so bright."

"Stop it."

"You always had fun..."

"Please, stop." Ara was a water work. She was desperately trying to shut me up.

"You're so strong. Far stronger than I am."

"No..."

"I had so much fun with you too. You taught me a lot of things as well."

"Ah..."

"I even began to open up to you. Even if you forced it out of me. You tried so hard to reach out to me. Even now I do not know why. But now I want to know. I need to know more about you."

"…" She stopped moving.

"That's why, I want to tell you more about me. And you tell me more about you. Because, you're my friend, and I will never let that change."

Ara's face froze. It felt like time had stopped just now, with just us two.

"Also... didn't we make a bet?" I smiled at her.

"I am still your lover. And for my lover, I will do anything." Ara tried to make words out, but it seems her voice failed her.

"So tell me, one more time. What is it that you want?" I could see the priests' faces all flaring up. I focused on Ara.

"I... I" Ara was struggling still, but.

"I want to be with you all. Everyone at El High. I want to be a part of your family." Ara was able to shout it out.

"Then, let's get out of here then." I put out my hand. She gripped onto it. She said nothing, but nodded with a smile.

I pulled her up and kissed the cheek I slapped.

"Sorry, did it hurt a lot?" She shook her head.

I could hear the priests' laughter all around me.

"What are you doing? Showing mercy to a mere sacrifice?" That word... so it was that way.

"A sacrifice for what exactly?" I questioned the priest.

"A sacrifice for our great fox deity! Eun, the Nine-Tailed Fox! The greatest war god in all of Elrios!" The greatest war god?

"We are the ones who will bring her back to our world and cast judgement upon the dirty humans who have tainted our great lands."

"Wait, what are you talking about?" This sounded like some kind of disillusioned cult.

No. They just want to use Eun for their own purposes. I think I see their game now. They intend to bind Eun so that she cannot fully use her powers freely, but have just enough to be able to cause a bit of havoc.

Seriously? Can they really do that?

Well, am I not in the same situation as well? I cannot break free from you since I do not have the necessary power it would take to.

That's a scary thought there.

I do not seek to do that, so rest assured. I will only do so if I find you unfit as a warrior.

That's a very scary thought there.

"This is why kids like you are such a bother. So oblivious to the world. You really do not know about all the crimes that are happening everywhere in Elrios?" The priest's face turned very grim. He looked infuriated.

Crimes?

Well. It is not like there can be total peace within the world. The darkness in people's hearts will eventually resurface or awaken in due time. It is just human nature. However, I do wonder about these said crimes that are supposedly happening everywhere that would subject them to make such a rash decision as to awakening Eun once more.

"What? You think you're some knight in shining armor who can swoop in and do whatever he wants?" Someone is a bit condescending.

"Well, let me tell you something. There is a simple concept called reality; the real world. There are things that you can do and cannot do. Things that happen without consent, whether we desire it or not. It seems that you're not the only one of your little group to arrive here as well."

He signaled at someone and soon I see Aisha and Chung both tied up. I clenched my teeth. They both woke up and looked over to us.

"Elsword! Ara!" Chung seemed a bit lively still. Aisha was a bit sluggish.

"Damn... we got caught in the end. Sorry." Aisha apologized.

"Nah... it's no problem." I grip onto Conwell's hilt and onto my other sword's hilt.

"I guess I just need to go all out for this." I draw them both out and got ready.

So, you at least sense their power.

Yeah... it's nothing to laugh at. They are all fairly high magic users. I can't be too lax.

Despite what I said, I barely notice a block of ice rushing towards me. I was able to dodge it in time. But while that happened, a black cloud appeared above me. I quickly stabbed both swords into the ground and leaped over away from the cloud's range of attack. A lightning cloud.

How lovely. It looks like they basically have every fundamental element by their side.

Well, I have the physical prowess by my side.

You have about fifteen minutes to use me. Do not mess up.

I can't make any promises.

I hear a scream from the side. I look over and see two figures.

"Hey... what the hell do you think you bastards are doing to my family." An enraged big sister came rolling in with blood sprayed on her outfit. Eve was next to her.

"H-Hey! It's the red knight Elesis!" The priests were intimidated... I guess I wasn't scary enough.

"Yeah! Get ready to have your stomachs ravaged by my blade!" She was genuinely pissed, just like before.

"Are you two alright?" Eve went over to Aisha and Chung.

"Stop right there!" One of the priests held his hands out and said an incantation. Soon, chains rose from the ground and sped towards Eve. However, they were stopped by two little orbs that appeared behind Eve. They tore the chains apart and started ramming into the priest guarding Aisha and Chung. Eve proceeded to run over to the two and free them.

"Those robots are really amazing!" Aisha praised Eve's robots.

As that was happening, Elesis was busy slashing through all the priests who stood in her way.

"All of you, go to hell!" She grabbed two priests and threw them into a small group of them.

Blazing Wing

She swung her sword and shot a fireball towards them. It was a homing fireball. As soon as it touched them, it revolved rapidly around all of them, burning them indefinitely.

"You monster!" A priest was behind her and called upon a large rock, most likely telekinesis. The rock was chunked at her.

Blood Cutter

She threw a spinning saw at it that cleanly cuts the rock in half and changes its trajectory. The saw slices through the priest. He was able to move slightly, so it only cut through a part of his shoulder. It still looked very painful.

As always, she is ruthless to the enemy. Luckily they are still alive, so we do not have to deal with their bodies per se.

Wouldn't they die from blood loss if we don't treat them?

No. Elesis is not that careless. I know her calm demeanor is still active during these times.

Is that from the time when Elesis wielded you?

Yes.

My my... this is quite the grim situation.

I hear a familiar womanly voice.

[Lots of familiar stuff...]

Elsword! Get back!

"Elsword, move away from her!"

Both Elesis and Conwell shout at me. I look at Ara whose eyes turned yellow and hair white. This time, it was completely white.

Simply being kicked by her, I was sent flying towards the wall.

"What is that?" Aisha questioned Ara's transformation.

"It can't be... Eun?" Chung was able to rationalize the possibilities.

"Ah... such a sappy love story we have here. Our young hero here comes into the enemy territory to save his damsel in distressed princess." Eun broke off the cuffs on Ara's body and stretched.

"Little did everyone know that such actions is just entering into the belly of the beast. A beast that will happily accept every offered sacrifice." Eun smiled maliciously.

She stood there with Ara's body. Her hair was completely white with white ears. She had strange marks on her face and her eyes were red with a tint of orange. Nine tails...

This is Eun, the Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit.

Conwell did not sound very good. The pressure that her aura had was tremendous

As a reminder, this is probably only 40% of Eun's full strength.

Only 40%?

Yeah... probably. I do not really sense the confidence she usually has.

Confidence?

Does that mean Eun feels uncertain about something? If she doesn't feel confidence even with all that power, maybe it is related to Ara being a sacrifice?

I try to examine Eun carefully. She looked completely confident. She was looking down on us.

"So boy, are you still going to interfere?" She's trying to intimidate.

"I said it before, I'm going to take Ara home. That includes you as well Eun." I say it with my full resolution.

Eun was baffled, and then started to laugh.

"I see... then prepare yourselves. I will not go easy." She summons a peculiar spear. On one end it had a blade for a spear, but another end had a black halberd type of blade. She also spawned an outfit similar to the one Ara wears, but more mature. I could feel pressure.

"Don't fuck with me." Elesis immediately stepped in and attacked Eun.

"Elesis wait! That's still Ara's body!" I warned her.

"Tch." Elesis held back on her attack. She slightly pushed Eun back.

"Hmm. Still worrying about her? She's just a sacrifice you know?" Eun shrugged her shoulders.

"What are you talking about Eun? I thought you two were friends." I shouted at her.

"Please. Are you still stuck in your wonder wonderland? How about you grow up little boy. The real world won't give a shit over one insignificant girl. She's my sacrifice, and nothing else. Sure, I spent a good amount of time making sure she was on the right path to becoming strong. But, that way, I will be able to get more stronger. I may be able to even return to my former glory, or even stronger. You hear that Conwell?"

Is she serious?

I wonder about that.

Conwell?

Do not worry about it now. Worry about saving Ara.

Ngh...

How can I do it though? Eun is possessing Ara. There doesn't seem to be a safe way of saving Ara or getting Eun to stop. I don't know about stalling either. What could I do at this point?

"Alright! Let's to waste all of her energy." And when I thought it was a bad plan, Chung shouted that out all of a sudden.

"Eh?" I replied in surprise.

"Well, that does seem to be the most logical thing to do at this point. There's nothing else to do honestly." Aisha shrugged and agreed with her.

"Y-you can't possibly be serious. Right?" Everyone nodded at me.

I hear a sigh.

"Well, I guess we can try that for now." Even Elesis agreed. I think I was going mad.

"Ho? You all think you can match my strength? I may not be at full power, but I am confident it is more than enough to take down all of you." Her smirk was annoying. It was looking down on us.

"We won't know until we try." I ready myself one more time.

"Hmph... suit yourself." Eun releases a wave of energy. It wasn't an attack, it was a demonstration of her power. It was overwhelming, but everyone did not seem to flinch at all.

Wait... Eve, Chung, Aisha, Elesis... Where is Raven?

That does not matter. Elsword, I told you, focus on the matter at hand.

Ngh... I know, I know.

Raven, I hope you're okay right now.

Friday, September 18th, 2014. 5:06 pm. ? - ?

? POV

"So... are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Yes. If it comes down to it, I will go ahead with what was planned. But if there is no need, then I do not have to. However, I may have to interfere."

"I see... are you anywhere close to being able to leave?"

"No... at this point, I do not believe I will ever be free."

"Then -"

"I do not wish to involve you all. It will only hurt me even more."

Sigh

"Alright then... I love you."

"… I love you too."

"In the same meaning?"

"…"

"Of course not... your heart cannot love at this point."

"I'm sorry."

"Yeah... you should be. We all should be."

...