After the battle, when everyone was taking a break, the doctors were treating the wounds while the Witchaven's sorcerers cooperated with Aakhen's army to search for any monsters left, as well as rescued the survivors. Meanwhile, Citylord Vivian and her assistant, Woodrow started evaluated the city's damage. Thankfully, the city was not heavily suffered but a lot of people had lost their homes. Many structures and buildings became ruins.
Meanwhile, Yuna, Iseria and Karzan were bringing the speakers and placed around the temporary tents, where the doctors used them to treat the wounded. For Aakhen's people, they knew what it was and they wondered what they intended to do with them. Meanwhile, the speakers were something new to the Witchaven people. To them, they were simply strange black boxes.
Suddenly, they heard a voice of a young girl from the speakers, she greeted everyone before she started singing. At first, the Witchaven people were very surprised but the wonderful voice softened their doubtfulness. Not only that, but her singings also made them feel comfortable and eased their pains. It did not take Cerise and Pavel too long to realize whose voice was that. When they were looking for Al, they saw him coming with Tamarinne and they decided to let them have their time.
As for Tamarinne and Al, after setting everything up, Tamarinne started singing. At first, Al thought it would not be the right time to sing. However, he saw what she was trying to do and he fully supported her.
"Are you sure you want to sing, in this time?" Al asked before Tamarinne started.
"I'm not capable of fighting. In the battle, all I did was to let you protect me, so I think I should do something, and singing is what I can do," Tamarinne replied with her smile. She knew it would be weird but she was very determined.
Al knew she was exaggerating with her saying. If it was not for her, they would not be able to fight and won. Tamarinne played a big role that she did not even acknowledge it. But it was not a big deal, after all. All Al could do was to support her, not because he was her guardian, but because she was his love.
When Tamarinne was singing, Vivian was curious about the idol. She came to her tent and took a look at the couple. From the distance, seeing how they were happy with the other by their side, Vivian felt a small jealous of that young idol. She wished that Kawerik was still here. She really wanted to believe that he was still alive but when Yuna, Karzan, Iseria, and Ras confirmed her the Kawerik she saw was nothing but an illusion created by Tenebria. Not only that, she successfully tricked everyone to sacrifice many people to create dark stones and brought vicious monsters to Witchaven.
"So, at the end, it was just an illusion," Vivian commented with her sad eyes. "I'm such a fool."
"It is what makes Tenebria terrified. She can create illusions to manipulate people, and trick them into her personal purpose," Ras tried to comfort the city lord but he was not sure if it could make her feel better.
"Regardless, the damage is still under controlled. I think we can call it a huge victory," Vildred added. It looked like he could understand Vivian's pain. Losing someone very important was enough to traumatize a person until the end, Vildred understood it too well. And when he looked at Iseria and Mercedes, the three of them did not say anything. Vildred wanted to say sorry to them but he knew too well that they would never forgive him.
When Iseria and Mercedes walked away and took care of the wounded, Ras came to his closet friend and asked, "So, how could you still alive?"
"It's quite a long story," Vildred smiled and the two of them walked together. He started, "After Mercedes killed me, the next thing I knew that I was floating in a thick black space. I didn't know where I was being stranded. I thought I was imprisoned and I willed to accept it.". Then they sat down near a spring. Vildred needed sometimes to think of the sin he committed. He then continued, "I killed Queen Diene and it was enough for me to go to hell. And then, when I gave up, Goddess Diche came to me."
"Wait, really?" Ras was very surprised.
"Can't lie that I didn't have the same reaction at that time," Vildred smiled. He then said, "More surprisingly, the first thing she said that she wanted to apologize to me, for letting me burden for too long. I could feel the honesty and sincerity in her voice. She asked me for my forgiveness and I couldn't say anything anymore. I mean, how could I blame her? She wanted to protect Orbis that even fought against the other gods. When Orbis was destroyed, she used her power to restore it, again and again, even if it meant she was defying the law of the gods. And after the seventh time, she is very weak and if Orbis is destroyed again, she won't be able to restore it. Comparing to her, what have I done? I killed a great queen and sided with the Acolyte whose purpose is only to destroy Orbis."
"I see," Ras kept silent for a while. He said, "So I was right all along. The Goddess is weakening. But I never thought it can be this worse."
"As long as you're still in Orbis, you are our only hope," Vildred slapped Ras' back. They both laughed joyfully.
"It's good that you returned," Ras commented.
"Still, I have to say that I will leave soon," Vildred said.
"Why?" Ras asked. He did not want to hear him say that.
"As I said, the Goddess is weakening. Sooner or later, she won't be able to protect her. It is why I vowed that I will protect her even if it costs my life," Vildred answered with his seriousness and Ras could see his commitment. Did not want to worry his friend, Vildred smiled and said, "Don't worry, whenever you're in trouble, I promise to come for you."
"Hopefully one day, we will walk together again," Ras smiled and they both stood up.
Remembering something, Vildred said, "Maybe the next time we meet, I hope I will see you and Mercedes's child."
"What do you mean?" Ras asked with his innocent eyes.
"What do you mean by that?" Vildred was shocked. "I thought you two are a couple. I mean, both of you go through hell and hell for each other, and now you're telling me that you and Mercedes still have nothing?"
"Uhm, what does "couple" mean?"
Seeing Ras' strange reaction, Vildred could not help but sigh in disappointment. He commented, "Ras, you're clueless as always."
"I really appreciate it if you can help me studying that," Ras replied.
"Sorry, buddy, that's not something you can learn, but you have to feel it," Vildred smiled. "Well, if you're still struggling, maybe you should ask our new guardian and his Heir. You probably can learn something from it."
"You mean, Al and Tamarinne? I did ask Tamarinne but really, after her answer, I still had not understood what love is, yet," Ras replied. He did not fully understand what Vildred meant.
"Don't worry, you still have a lot of time to learn about it. Just make sure you don't make her wait for too long," Vildred kept his mysterious smile. Later, he swung his sword on the air, created a portal. They both said goodbye and Vildred disappeared afterward.
Back to Tamarinne and Al, when she was singing, she suddenly saw a spider next to her leg. She turned to Al and saw he was sleeping. After everything had happened, he must be very tired and Tamarinne did not want to wake him up but when she looked at the spider, something popped up in her mind.
"Kyaaaa!"
Al woke up when Tamarinne screamed, it was so loud that it went through the speaker and made everyone startled. Al then asked in worry, "What's wrong?"
Tamarinne cried with her crocodile tear and pointed at her leg, "It's… a spider. Get it off, please!"
"Okay, hold still!"
"Where are you touching?"
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"It's running up!"
"You have to stay still or I won't be able to get rid of it."
"Hey, watch your hand!"
"What the heck are they doing?" Outside the tent, Pavel wondered while everyone laughed joyfully.
Later, after the performance, leaning on each other and on a tree, Al and Tamarinne were enjoying their reunion. They did not need to do or say anything and stayed by each other side quietly was enough to fill their happiness. Although she heard it from the others, Tamarinne wanted to know more about Al true identity. She asked and he answered.
"My real name is Minos, and I'm the guardian of delusion, who can manipulate people's minds," he said.
"Like, you make people see what you want to see, just like Tenebria?" she asked.
"True, but I can be that delusion as well. Like, if a person has someone they trust, I can be that person and persuade them to do what I want them to. Or, I can create a whole fake situation and the target doesn't even realize it," he explained more.
Tamarinne nodded, then she asked, "So, how do a guardian choose his or her Heirs?"
"Most of the time, it is fate. When a new Heir is born, their guardian will feel their presence and come to them, waiting for the day they will reveal themselves to their Heir. But there are some exceptions, like Ras and Arkasus. Both of them have a strong connection since they have been fought together for a long time. And if a guardian develops a strong bond with a person, that person will become an Heir, too."
When Al explained and looked at her, Tamarinne understood why she became an Heir. She could not help but smile in happiness.
As they were discussing, Pavel and Cerise came to them. Obviously, both of them were surprised that Al was still alive and Al did not know what he should say to them. When the three of them looked at each other awkwardly, Tamarinne asked, "What's wrong?"
"How can you be still alive?" Pavel started, "And if you are, why don't you say anything to us?"
"Well, it's complicated," Al replied and he knew both of them wanted to know the answer. He then retold them the reason why he was alive. They thought he was killed in the battle with the gluttony beast, Gula, in Aakhen. Then Al told that he was a guardian and after he knew his true identity, he was not sure how to explain to them so he decided to leave Aakhen.
"So, that's it, huh?" Pavel seemed to be angry at Al.
"You could just tell us. Do you know how sad we were when we thought you died?" Cerise followed Pavel.
"Al, that's not okay at all," Tamarinne went with them.
Having nothing to defend himself, Al had to apologize to them, "I'm very sorry."
But it seemed the three of them did not want to take his apology so easily. Tamarinne then stood next to Cerise and said, "He's all yours."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!"
Before Al could say anything, Pavel released the green fire wolf from his gun, let it chase Al while shooting at him non-stop. As Al was running and dodging, Cerise was waiting for the perfect time, until she raised an ice wall behind Al. While dodging, Al did not notice Cerise's chanting and his head hit the ice wall, knocking him down instantly.
When Al opened his eyes, he saw an angry crowd in front of him. Including Pavel and Cerise, there were around 20 guys who were looking at him as if they wanted to roast him. He realized their face. They were the soldiers who admired him and used him as a symbol of hope. Additionally, they tied and covered Al in full rope, leaving only his foot, neck, and head. Not only that, but they were also hanging him upside down.
"Want to say something?" Pavel stared at his stupid friend.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," Al apologized but it seemed they would not accept it easily. Sighing, he said, "Ok, drinks on me tonight."
And that was the moment the crowd getting noise. The soldiers raised their hands in joy. They left afterward but Pavel and Cerise stayed behind.
"Still, I can never imagine that you are a divine being," Cerise looked at Al and commented.
"Not quite. Literally, I guess," Al replied. "I'm not immortal like other guardians. My lifespan is as much as yours."
"What makes your different between other guardians?" Pavel was curious.
"Well, it's a long story," Al responded and that time Tamarinne returned to him. Somehow, she really enjoyed looking at him being hang upside down. Then, he spoke, "It happened many years ago, hundreds of years, I would say. Maybe you don't know but Orbis has been destroyed and restored six times, and the Orbis we are living right now is the seventh world, and it is the Goddess Diche who created and has been protected Orbis from since. Back in the first world, I fell in love with a mortal woman. It was a forbidden action and I was punished for that. The other gods came and took away my immortal, and they killed her as well…"
Suddenly, Al looked very sad when he had to remember that time. The pain from his eyes was enough for them to trust him without a doubt. Pavel then asked, "I thought gods are supposed to protect lives, not to take it away."
"Well, not all gods are good. Most of the time, they act based on their rules. Anyone violates the rules will be punished and perished," Al replied.
"So… when the Goddess Diche created and restored Orbis many times, did she violate the rules?" Cerise asked.
"Of course. To create a new world, it must be discussed and allowed by other gods. When she did that, the other gods created Archdemon to destroy Orbis and it is us, Heirs and Guardians are chosen to lead all lives in Orbis and fight together to protect it," Al answered and he did not need to tell them more.
"It must have been tough for all of them, especially the guardians, when they have to see their Heirs die in every world, again and again," Cerise commented and looked at Al sadly. "You are the same as them, right?"
"Not quite. As I said, I have the same lifespan as yours. It was the Goddess that helped me. After the incident, I told the Goddess that I didn't want to fight anymore but later, I understood that I had to. Although the Goddess cannot make me immortal again, she can help me to keep my power whenever I reincarnated. But if I want to restore my memory, the other guardians have to awake me first."
"So…" Tamarinne thought of something and she asked, "Do you remember all of your previous lives, like… everyone you met and other Heirs?"
There was a hidden message in Tamarinne's question and she just wanted to make sure. When Tenebria said that every Heirs of Al was his lovers, Tamarinne could not help but feel a little jealous.
"No, I only remember the first Heir," Al answered.
"Why?" Tamarinne asked in surprise.
"It was her who taught me how to love and how to live as a human, well, more like, how to enjoy life the best, aside from missions and duties. To me, she was very important. She was the one that taught me that no matter what happened and if things went out of our expectation, we should move on instead of clinging on the past. She even said that one day if she died, I had to forget her and kept moving to the future. I know it would be not right with other Heirs but…," Al stopped and closed his eyes. He could still see her smile and what she taught him, and how she changed her life. However, through many lives, serving many Heirs, and fought in many battles, she was the only Heir he never wanted to forget. He then said, "I just could not do the same to her. I'm such an asshole, am I not?"
As Al struggled, the trio did not want to push him further. Although he said he was an asshole, they all understood his feelings. And they all kept silent.
"Alright, that's enough negative emotions for today," Tamarinne clapped her hand rapidly. She did not want to let them have any more sadness and she wanted Al to be happy, and she would do anything she could. She then reminded them, "You still have a drink tonight so why don't you two go ahead?"
"Oh, that's right," Pavel nodded. He then looked at Tamarinne and asked, "Do you join us?"
"Well…" Tamarinne put her hands and crossed her fingers behind her back, and embarrassingly replied, "… After the battle, I felt quite tired so I think I will come later. But don't worry about me, you all should have fun together.". Then, Tamarinne turned to Al and smiled mysteriously, "And make sure Al pay for what he did to you."
"Oh, we'll guarantee you that," Pavel commented and he seemed very excited while Al stared at him. Pavel then said to Tamarinne, "You don't have to join us if you're tired. It's really nice to hear you singing again."
"Thank you," Tamarinne replied.
"Sorry, but I won't join the party tonight. I have some paperwork to do with Iseria and city lord Vivian," Cerise replied and showed that she really wanted to participate in with them but she could not. She then looked at Pavel, smiling and reminded him, "Don't return late, okay?"
"I know. See you later," Pavel nodded and they both left.
"Wait, what about me?" Al looked at the three of them and tried to move his body but they tied him too tightly that he could not release him from the rope. Seeing Tamarinne was smiling joyfully, he asked, "Can you pretty please let me out?"
"No, you have to take your punishment for hiding them for too long," Tamarinne replied.
"But I did tell I'm sorry," he said.
"Well, it's not enough," she turned away.
"Come on, please let me down," Al shook his body stronger and Tamarinne could not hold her laugh.
Tamarinne then sat down and placed her chin on her palms, and said, "Be quiet, I've just discovered a new worm."
"Which one?" Al wondered
"Catworm," she smiled.
"What kind of…" Al replied and stopped in the middle of the sentence, and when he realized, he shook his body stronger from left to right and moved his upper body up and down, and pretentiously to be annoyed, "Come on, it's not funny. Please untie me."