~Chapter 53: Alive or Dead~


"Echo!"

Elsword's hand reached out for the glowing particles that goes through his hands. Aren's vision blurred as Ara held onto her brother's hand tightly. Her tears fell on his face he struggled to face Ara.

"A-Ara... W-W-Where are y-you?"

"Right here! Aren! I'm here beside you! Don't worry about anything... Just sleep..."

Ara smiled softly, caressing her brother's cheeks before facing Elsword. She grabbed his shoulders and shook him viciously.

"What are you doing?! Aren't you going to try to save Aisha and Elsa?! They're going to die!"

"Ara... As you have heard... Only one can live.. It's either Aisha or Elsa. But... How are we going to make the choice?"

"That's..."

Elsword shook off Ara's hands as he silently though to himself. Eve stared at Elsa and Aisha's unconscious body. While that's happening...


"Again..."

Aisha sighed deeply as she was once again in the void of darkness. Of course, she wasn't alone. Elsa was also beside her and... The clone. Aisha tried to cast a spell, however, Elsa stopped her from doing so. Elsa walked forward towards the clone. The clone was shedding tears.

Aisha couldn't help, but wonder what the reasons are for those tears. Regret? Guilt? Happiness? The answers formed in her head as one of them could be the correct one to her question.

"Aisha.. Do you know what I regret?"

"Regret...?"

"Yeah. I regret for leaving Elsword alone.. I regret for making my brother worry about me continuously and even shed tears. Elsword.. I've always hated seeing him shed tears in front of me. I'd rather see his happy, idiotic smile."

"Why are you telling me this...?"

"Aisha... It's live or die situation.. We're connected by soul and life. Severing this connection would mean one of us dies.. We both die or one lives. And... I figured.. The one thing that can make the choice would be.. Something we have in common."

Aisha tilted her head in confusion as she didn't know what she have in common with Elsa.

'Brute strength... No... Wait, something we have in common.. That means.. Someone we love and cherish in our hearts. But who...? Is it... Elsword?'

Elsa smiled softly before facing the clone. Their hands connected together as both of them stared into each other's blazing eyes. In a moment, the clone merged with Elsa as Aisha's eyes widened.

"Same person..?"

"In a way.. We are the same. She's created from me. She holds my traits and regrets. The emotions are hidden deep down inside.."

"Aisha... Will you think that I'm selfish if I wish for you to die while I live so I can stay beside my brother and the person I'm in love with?"

Elsa smiled at Aisha softly yet her eyes are hiding words that couldn't be said nor it couldn't be heard. Aisha closed her eyes and thought of her past. A runaway slave with close friends who are one by one leaving her. In the end, this runaway slave will get her punishment for running away and betrayal. A sin is a sin.. Nothing could change that. Not even God.

"No. You're not being selfish. It's all decided from the start. I don't mind if I die instead of you. You have people waiting for you. I have nothing. Even if I do.. Eventually, they'll forget about me. Elsa... You make an impact on a person's life. It's best if you stay alive.."

"Wrong.. The one who should be alive... Is you, Aisha. Take care of Elsword."


"Elsword... The decision will be in your hands."

"Why me?"

"Because.. Both of them have one thing in common. Their love for this one special person. And that person is you, Elsword. Elsword of the Red Knights."

Raven pointed his blade at Elsword as the others nodded their heads. Elsword could feel the pressure on his shoulders weighing him down. He stared at Aisha and Elsa with confused eyes.

'... Love for me.. Just because they care for me, that doesn't mean I get to choose the decision! I... I don't want to lose my sister. My sister.. Elsa.. Someone who have gone missing for so long until I finally found her. I can't even give her happiness? Aisha... I've ignored her presence when she tries to come in contact with me. During the time I spent with her... I was pretty happy.. Both are important people in my life, yet they're telling me to choose.'

Eve scanned Elsa and Aisha's body for accurate results, however, nothing came out. Her fists tightened as she felt useless. Chung's hand gave a soft squeeze on hers, reassuring her. Eve took a deep breath, calming herself down before trying to find a way to sever the connection.

Elsword bit his lower lip until there was a stream of red liquid. He knelt on the ground next to Elsa and Aisha. His hand intertwined with the girls' hands tightly. He bowed his head onto the ground with force, creating a small crater below his head and the blood seeped out. Rena walked towards him, however was stopped by Raven.

"He's the only one who can choose."


Elsa hugged Aisha tightly and smiled at her. She pat Aisha's head, ruffling her hair before facing a blue crystal that is sealed with chains. She pressed her hand against the crystal and Aisha's eyes widened. She immediately knew that the crystal would spell trouble. She rushed to Elsa's side, grabbing her hand with tears falling down.

"Elsa! I'll take your place! Please! Live next to Elsword and take care of him! Aren is also waiting for you!"

"Aisha... It's too late. If Elsword can't decide, then I'll decide. You didn't know that.. The souls that are connected can also be the ones who sever the connection. That is also a choice. The choice of letting Elsword choose the decision or let us be the ones who chooses. And... Once it's decided, the soul that'll continue on living, returns back to their world while the dead will forever be sealed.."

Elsa grinned slightly as she pushed Aisha away harshly, entering the blue crystal. Once inside, Elsa's hair swirled around her as her eyes closed with a smile. Her last words echoed in both Elsword and Aisha's mind.

"Be sure to lead a happy life."


Eve detected a life above them. Chung, Raven, Rena, and Ara caught news of this and prepared themselves. Aisha's eyes slowly fluttered open as she stared at a certain red head with some parts dyed black. She caressed his cheek softky before letting the tears flow.

'Elsa... I'm sorry..'

"Carpet Bombing."

"Giga Drive!"

"Turbulent Wave!"

Chung fired a signal flare, releasing two waves of airstrikes that began to make cracks on the ground. Raven added the pressure as he leaped into the air before impaling his blade straight into the ground. Ara finished it out by plowing her spear forward, slashing it across. Finally, the ground let out as they fell down. Elsword and Aisha protected Elsa and Aren as they slightly panicked while the others remained calm as they know what they're doing.

In a moment, they landed on hard metal. Elsword looked around and found himself staring at various weapons and bombings. Soon, the metal began to move as it began to fly. They held on tight as they entered the clear sky as the engine is started.


~Author's Note~

I'm sorry... I got distracted. By National Geographical Wild... And I was mainly watching about the big cats.. I'm sorry. And then I got distracted by Big Bang, U-Kiss, and... TVXQ and also JYJ...

So... Hopefully, I won't be distracted by them anymore.. Also, on Wednesday, I'll be going to Knott's Berry Farm! :D I get to skip class for a performance in the amusement park~ :3 Random, but... I love cheetahs. :)

Here are my replies to meh reviewers~

Orithia WindBell: Really? O: I thought it was horrible. :x Echo's want for freedom. Toma wanting to fit in with actual humans. Choices made.. They're bound to be either. We'll never know until we go into the future. Elsword... Eh.. I'm not so sure... *looks away* Also... :) Would this little surprise be your story: "Beyond the Barrier"? By the way... Thank you for your review on my preview! :) Well.. Assassins.. XD It's going to be a little dark! Which scene? ;)

Konjiki No Yami: OAO Don't cry! In the future, they'll be back! But I have doubts that I'll be doing a sequel... Anyways, you can see Echo in the game! And Toma!

The Cynical Asian: Well, he's the cause for tragedies and troubles. While Ignotum is the mastermind. :x Unfortunately, one's going to die. *looks at Elsa and gives her flowers* Yes, my Eve. It's Lycieratia. What's yours? And no worries~ Thanks for your review on my preview! They might go after someone named... Alex. XD I need a new Ara class.. It's romantic, yet gory? XD Yes, it's going to be a big story of mine just like Eternal Soulmates. I don't know if it's going to be any better than Eternal Soulmates, but hopefully, there'll be people who are interested in reading it. :)

Yukiryuu Acchan: Yeah. XD You forgot? It was in chapter... 22 where Aisha was revealed to be a slave. I don't think I said she was Wally's slave, but I'm pretty sure I put Elder~ ;D Echo will forever be in our hearts. I tried yesterday, and I got killed. I didn't want to use my Resurrection Stones. XD No worries! It was a small, simple one. :D It was cured immediately!

Kat Neko983: QAQ Thank you, I got better. *snaps pictures* :) Thanks for your review on my preview. :)

Frozen Puff: Thank you buddy. And awesome name. XD

RubyCrusade: Echo was innocent, yet she has to leave this world. *cough cough* Yes.. Elsword and Aren made it out, but. That doesn't mean Aren's completely safe. This life link must be annoying you. XD No worries~ It's severed! And... Elsa went bye bye.. Q-Q Elsa and Aren... Torn apart. Romeo and Juliet. Q-Q Thanks for your review on my preview! I'm glad you think so. :) And... Assassins may come after you. XD

Sweet Trickster: Is it bad that my brother feels bad for Wally? XD Well, Echo is free now... Thank you and it was sneaky of them~ :3 I sort of thought everyone who read this story would be able to figure it out. XD Plot twists.. Apparently, they're my secret weapon. XD No worries! :D Your grammer will be saved..! Hopefully. Also, thanks for your review on my preview! Yes, that was my assassin story. XD Let's wait together, shall we? XD

Tsunderee: Ooh. We got a tsundere. XD I noticed it was the same person with the rhyming "Pork" and "Fork". XD And... I'll just stare at the mail. :D

Yumi-San Angel: Noooooo! *slaps gun out of your hand* No suicide! OAO And thanks for your review on my preview! Chung and Eve are already going further.. XD In a certain scene, they're doing something together. You can wait for it, hopefully. XD

Guest: Echo was treated much better than Aisha though.. *sighs* Fate is cruel. She's dead, yet she got her freedom..

Rosamanelle: Well... *pauses* You'll eventually figure it out. Wally will be all yours after he dies. :) Yes. XD Daily updates during the summer since I can't stand the heat and I'll just stay in the house with the AC on. CX The field update was... Eh, okay. XD Hunting Fields is awesome since I technically assaulted the monsters mercilessly. I had to change my skill slots around. I use only the spacebar. :D And it was difficult to tell the ammunition for Chung though...

Helringo: Thank you and it was awesome. XD OAO *goes in corner* Ara hates me... Q-Q It's the truth. Get a room! Q-Q *eats ramen*

Project. IA: Calm down. *meditate* Take a deep breath. The ending's not near yet.. Well.. Once they join the war, then that's near the ending. XP

NobelTJ99: Fishies.. XD Chung is someone you shouldn't piss off at any time. Yeah. I like the word thrice now. XD

An0n Author: In other words... He's going back to thinking... QAQ *throws shells around* Anon! I'm glad you like it, but stop thinking! OAO

BIAxDiA: Not everyone is dying... :D Yesh.. Echo got her freedom. Thanks for your review on my preview! :) Well... An assassin story should be a bit dark? XD Well, a father who doesn't take his responsibilities as one properly. :x

SeouLee: *bows down to you* Thank you for your wonderful, generous compliments. XD At least you read the Chung x Eve moments. :3 Chung x Eve forever! ;D It's getting epic... XP It's just the plot twists are my specialty. XD I like throwing in ideas that holds the presence of surprise. :D You're not being cheesy. XD You're normal. Hey, you're also doing an amazing job on your story, so... :3 Good work! And once again.. Thank you. *bows down* :D

Thanks for reading!

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