Chapter 51:- Irrational emotions
Disclaimer:- all the characters form the game belong to moonton and this is not a commercial story but just the work of a diehard fan.
Claimer:- the other characters which are not in game of mentioned are mine
Karina still asks herself, how was it that she had ended up in such a situation. Ever since she had been transformed into the cat-rabbit by Nana, the young cat-elf has refused to let go of her and the assassin had no idea how to react to this.
On the bright side, she was kinda glad because honestly, she didn't want to find out what the other Moon Elves would do if they ever found out about her true nature. However, she doubts being a personal toy in the hands of a child was any better.
Nana had practically adopted her and took her to the heart of her enemy's territory via a route that had been unknown even to her kind. The knowledge about the Hidden roads of the Magical Forest was undiscovered by the Night-Elves. That explained how the Elven forces had always been able to move around the forest with relative ease without the Night-elves noticing and frankly, Karina really felt ashamed that this fact had gone unnoticed by her kin till now.
All the while Nana never left her side, keeping her close and making sure she didn't make any attempt to escape. She did however keep very good care of her, saved her from the Moon-Elves and fed her well. Currently, she was before a bonfire in the middle of the city while Nana was gently brushing her purple fur. It was quite late at night and Karina wondered why Nana had not gone to sleep by now. However she didn't complain, not that she was in any position to complain anyways but still, the reason why Karina didn't mind her company was because how Nana was gently brushing her fur.
Humming to herself, Nana had been doing this for quite a while now, declaring how dirty she looked and desperately needed a good grooming. Beside the fact that how sinfully enjoyable it was, Karina also couldn't help but feel nostalgia swell up within her.
The Night-Elf assassin remembers long ago when her sister would brush her hair like so after every bath. It reminded her too much of her sister Selena and the pain that came with the reminder nearly overwhelmed her.
Karina took a deep breath and speaks all of a sudden, "Nana…" The little girl replied with a small hum and Karina continues, "You know that you cannot keep doing this right? Your magic will wear off eventually and when that happens, the Moon-Elves will arrest me."
"Don't worry, they will not." Nana says softly, making Karina to turn towards her to face the child. Nana looked tired, so very tired.
How would she not be, when all this while she had been concentrating her powers to keep Karina hidden without rest?
This revelation stunned Karina as she looked at Nana with wide eyes.
But it was clear that she had been straining. Nana looked worn and she was barely holding up, thus Karina couldn't help but ask, "Why? …... Why are you doing this?"
To this, Nana gave a small and tired smile, "I know you are a good person, Karina. And I don't want to see my friends get hurt."
Her words should have been considered that of a mad person. To think someone would consider their enemy to be a friend. It was utterly foolish and naïve, but still, Karina couldn't help but feel grateful.
Nana had told Karina of her life and she knows how Nana had been all by herself in the forest most of her life. Alone and without company, it was only until she met Miya one day when the priestess was still a child was when Nana had made her first friend.
But Cat-elves matured much slower than either of the moon elves and the Night-elves and when Miya was an adult, she became more and more engrossed in her own duties as a Priestess, unintentionally leaving Nana all alone once again.
So, could Karina really blame the child for seeking a friend? Abet in the wrong place?
Karina gently placed her paw upon Nana and said softly, "You're tired. Sleep."
The Child protested vigorously, "I can't. If I sleep, you will turn back!" Nana says but from the looks of her condition, she was nearing her limit. She was just too tired and was barely able to stay awake.
Giving her a gentle smile, Karina says reassuringly, "It will be fine, Nana. It will be fine."
Knowing the consequences of what would happen if Nana sleeps, the child hugged Karina one last time, shedding tears and muffled sobs knowing fully that this would probably be the last time she would ever see Karina.
The Transformed Night-elf in turn hugged Nana back the best she could with her tiny arms.
It didn't take long for the child to fall fast asleep. As soon as that happened, a pink smoke enveloped Karina and she was back in her original form and Nana lay sleeping peacefully on her lap and her heart swelled at this. Knowing that the guards would eventually come for her, she simply hugged Nana, deciding to enjoy the last few moments with her friend before the inevitable would happen.
-X-
To be honest, Saya whole heartedly knows that what she was doing was perhaps the worse decision she had made ever since she arrived on this planet and by now, she had already given up trying to reason or justify her actions, especially when it concerned a certain sliver haired demonic beauty whom she madly cared for.
That is the reason why we find the Sai'ore trying to break into the castle, more specifically, the dungeon where the guards had taken Alice. Sneaking had been something that Saya never really liked; she was a warrior who rather preferred to handle her problems head one. But that didn't mean she wasn't flexible enough to adapt to this more indirect and cowardly approach, especially when the situation called for it.
The Palace was huge and crawling with guards, so Saya knew that going through the Elves would most certainly not be the best course of action, especially when her flock was still residing under the Elven Empire's domain, thus she needed a more subtle approach.
The northern side of the Palace faced directly towards the Great Waterfalls and was left quite bare. This side of the palace was very steep and obviously was the worse place to infiltrate the palace because one mistake would mean falling to your death, but since this was the only place that had next to no patrol, Saya had little choice in the matter.
Utilizing various fissures, bricks and anything by which Saya could make a firm grip was used as handholds that help her climb all the way up the Palace's top where the dungeon was located.
Saya entered the Palace proper via a balcony. Here her heightened sense of hearing and vision came the most handy as she sneaked throughout the Palace hallways whilst avoiding conflict at all costs, something which wasn't that hard considering how she would hear the approaching guards far before they approached her.
It took her a good while to find the dungeon due to her lack of knowledge about the palace layout but she reached her destination nonetheless.
The Dungeons were a striking contrast from the rest of the castle, a downright opposite of the pleasant white and golden marble hallways which was replaced with dark, murky cobble stones. But the change of aesthetics didn't concern Saya because she still had to push on further if she was to find what she was looking for.
The main prison area was actually a very enormous chamber with several cells embedded within the wall. One such cage housed Alice and the condition she was in right now shocked Saya. She lay on the ground, weak and defeated while her body was covered in dirt and bruises, indicating that the guards had been very rough while handling her and seeing her in such a state made Saya's blood boil in anger.
-X-
To say that her plan went terrible would be a huge understatement. Alice had convinced herself that it would be a simple mission. Sneak into the city, find Saya, warn her of the incoming assault and convince her to flee the city then return back to the base. Simple as that and nothing else.
However what she didn't count for was that the city had its own set of magical alarm system that alerted them of any trespassers. She was instantly discovered and captured. The Elven mages had been through to suck out all of the mana from her body, rendering her virtually helpless as she could no longer summon her blood magic now.
The Elven guards had been glaring at her in spiteful disgust and anger, probably contemplating why they had not killed the abomination already, making Alice chuckle. Her short stay with Saya had made her completely forget what the world saw her as; an abomination to be shunned and hated, unworthy of being regarded with love and acceptance like her beloved Xeno would show her. This was a reminder for Alice. A reminder of truth about her true nature and also a reminder why was it so important for her to keep Saya safe. Her only heaven from all the hate the world had for her.
The guards gave way as their king now stood before her cell with a cold expression, very different form his normal serene expression.
Letting out a small but smug smile, Alice spoke, "Missed me?"
"Enough games, Alice…." He says in a 'No nonsense' tone, "Why have you come here? Do you have a death wish?"
"Perhaps yes, perhaps no. Wouldn't you like to know, Little King?" she says in a sing song voice, further angering Estes.
The King walks closer to the cell and grabs the metal bar of the cage. Narrowing his eyes, he hisses. "You are after the hidden Knowledge aren't you? That's what your unholy kind has been after for all these years!"
"So this is where it has been hiding all this time? Damn, had I known this sooner, we would have saved so much time. Scouring every town we decimated takes time, you see." Alice says nonchalantly, making all the elves in the area to instantly lose their temper.
Glaring at her intensely, Estes says lowly, "What makes you think that I will not kill you right now?"
At this, Alice smiles and states confidently, "Oh Please. You know why." Her words making everyone confused but King Estes just stood frozen for a while. Seeing how shocked their king was, the guards voiced their concerns, "My King?"
Upon hearing his name, the Elf King snapped out of his trench. Looking at Alice straight in the eye, he growls, "You no longer hold power over me, Demon." With that he turns around and walks away, "You will be executed publicly tomorrow. The world deserves to see your demise for all the sins you have committed."
With that he leaves the area, leaving the injured Alice in her cell all alone with two guards making sure she didn't try anything and a eavesdropper who was about to spring into action.
-X-
Alice huffed to herself. This sucked because now she would be executed for all her troubles and only this time, there was no one else who would come to her rescue.
The Two guards stood rigid and motionless, really taking their duty very seriously and didn't respond to Alice even when she tried to provoke any sort of response from them. She eventually gave up and lay down on the ground. Alice had at least hoped that she would get some entertainment before she died tomorrow, but looks like her luck said otherwise. She ponders whether she might be able to catch a glimpse of Saya within the crowd tomorrow. She wonders how her beloved would react,
Would she be shocked?
Angry?
Or even care at all?
Alice knew not, but she does knows that time will tell the answer very soon.
She refused to sleep as sleeping would mean her death would only be closer so she utilized this time to ponder on her life. Thinking how it could have been different, especially the part where she could have chosen to just take Saya's hand and never let go.
While she was engrossed in her thoughts, she failed to see what had really happened but all she heard was a few sounds and the two guards suddenly fell on the ground unconscious.
Her cell door was opened and in came a figure that Alice had least expected to see.
No being able to believe her eyes, Alice Stood gaping for a while before asking softly, "Saya?"…