V - The Story of Love: The News
Weeks passed by.
And Alvieha enjoyed her stay in the Vanishing Tower. Although, in reality, she was only there for several days.
Alqueivious did warn her.
When the tower reappeared, it popped up in the Common Region. This time, it was distant from any town. Alvieha later comprehended the importance of the fog, so she let Alqueivious shroud the place as long as no livelihood would be affected.
Before Alvieha departed, she gazed at the elf friend, smiling and promising to return whenever she can. A grin was returned at her. Using a special stone Alqueivious handed her, she managed herself out of the dense surrounding easily, not colliding with any tree, boulder, or stray deer or bears. It also directed her away from a nearby cliff.
And when she finally stepped out of the bizarre environment, the gift she received shattered into pieces, as what Alqueivious warned her about.
After pocketing the remnants beneath her brown cloak, she began to walk. To the city closest. Nairn.
I can't believe that guy.
How can a guy like him have such prettier hair than I do?
And that face...
No matter where I looked, he really looks like a woman.
Then again. If I had problems then, why not have them now?
The journey to the city was leisure for the woman. She didn't bother using magic; she let her two feet do the work for her. When a carriage filled with apples passed, she asked to buy a piece or two.
It has been half an hour since then, and three pieces already left her paper bag. Her hands were already fishing out the fourth one when a sudden communication made her drop the bag on the ground.
"Alvieha! Where have you been!?"
The instant ringing on her head caused the apples to crash on dirt. Hopefully, not damaged.
"C-Cirxen?!" Alvieha was still disoriented. "What was that for?"
"When you told me you'd be gone for days, you didn't say five weeks! Where the heck were you? Even I couldn't detect your signal."
The woman wished to apologise. "Pardon me, dear, but time walked by so fast for me. I've been reading books here and there."
"Which one? The latest issue of Clover Kingdom's Top 10 Men to Date or that new booklet I've been hearing about? What was it... uhm... How to Undress Your Men in Five Seconds?"
"W-Wha? No. Not then, anyway. I was in the Vanishing Library."
Cirxen kept silent for a while. "Ah, alright. How was he?"
"As what you'd expect with the hair; it's prettier than mine," Alvieha bent to lift the bag and resumed walking. "Did something happen?"
"Fuegoleon was attacked."
Alvieha ceased moving. "Get outta here."
"If you want me to fool around, I can throw myself off a cliff and in between portals.Of course, I may get nausea, and, I may instantly vomit on your face once you stop me. But, I digress. I'm serious. Some terrorists sacked the capital, left Fuegoleon unconscious and one limb detached, and went away withthe magic stone he had in his person."
At that moment on, the lady's mind began to go blank.
To her, Fuegoleon Vermillion is one person, aside from obvious choices, that she truly admired – and the one captain she'd willingly spend one night or two with. The masculinity, the pride, the attitude, and that body. The man's presence alone was ecstasy for the young belle.
To hear her beloved get involved in an attack, disfigured, and left in a coma. She needed time to swallow everything.
"I-If I was..."
"If I was able to get a hold of you, you could've done something for sure. The fog could've arrived at a better timing."
"N-Not exactly..." Her voice was caving in. "It's actually my fault. I stayed inside the tower all this time. If I left earlier..."
"Well, there's nothing we can do at this point. It's been more than 24 hours since his comatose. Even if you rush here now, we couldn't wake him up."
"I-I suppose."
"Perhaps, it was meant for us to notjoin the party, so stop being sorry for yourself, okay? It'll affect me and her, too. Just continue the survey over there and come back here from time to time."
Alvieha's voice was still broken. Though tears weren't flowing out, the distress in her tone was enough to convey despair. She tried to take a deep breath in before collecting herself.
"P-Perhaps, I'll do that. I'll visit Nairn first, and then, I'd return to the capital."
"Are you near there right now?"
"Not really visible from here, but, Nairn is the closest city to where I am at the moment."
"That's good. Perhaps, visiting the town's church can help you ease your pain. I know you're not religious, but, thinking howthe financially incapablecould even afford stained glass can, maybe, take your mind off things. See you when you get here."
And with a few more goodbyes, Cirxen cut the line.
Meanwhile, while standing beside a dirt road with arms carrying fruits, Alvieha was still in a daze.
Fuegoleon Vermillion is a disciplined, talented, young man. He is one of those fire mages she knew that could take care of themselves quite well, so how did it even happen?
Cirxen may be something, but he couldn't possibly lie to her. So, something must have happened that caused Fuegoleon to not raise a finger amidst the assault.
To add more pain, Cirxen was right. If she was at the capital, she and Cirxen could've patched the Crimson Lion captain within minutes and even get him back the set of fingers he lost. But, the operation could only be done within 12 hours after the incident. Apprently, she was out in the library for weeks.
Forget making Fuegoleon whole again, she couldn't even wake him up now. No matter how perky the negligee she'd wear would make her appear.
Temporarily suspending her paper bag in mid-air, Alvieha quickly slapped her cheeks with her palms.
Cirxen had a point. This may have happened for a reason. There's no point being depressed. I'm sure Fuegoleon won't die like that. We still haven't had our moments.
Anyway, I better hurry if I want to reach Nairn before nightfall.
Determined and red on the cheeks, Alvieha hastened her pace to the city. Her feet didn't leave the ground.
It was a tiring trip. With the paper bag now emptied and pocketed, Alvieha wished she brought water with her. Lucky for her, she was getting closer.
After hours of lonesome, the moon had already reigned the dark, starry night. And because of the apples she bought, she failed to feel hunger. Only thirst. The winds combing her hair was soothing, so her pain was alleviated a bit.
Birds were already slumbering. Crickets were now serenading. But, it didn't matter to Alvieha. After a few more steps, she finally saw the great church of Nairn. At least, she hoped it was, considering the darkness.
But, before moving any further, a question began boggling her mind.
White powder was being blown her way. And it was summertime.
I...Is this snow?