Adlet POV.
I felt a tug on my arm and looked up.
...Raina?
I blinked and rubbed my sleepy eyes awake, then stared at my best friend in confusion.
"What's wrong?" I asked him. Beside me, Shetra was sleeping peacefully.
"Shhh," he hushed me gently as he took my covers off.
"Go pack your things." He ordered with finality, making me even more confused of the situation.
"What are you saying?"
"Hurry up!" He anxiously whispered as he tried to shake my sister awake.
Doing as I was told, I packed all the important and valuable things we(Shetra and I) own into my backpack, and gave Raina a nod meaning I'm all done.
Shetra was also quite confused when she was woken up, but unlike me, she read the atmosphere and her expression grew serious.
Really, what's happening?
Shetra scouted closer to me and leaned her forehead against mine.
"Adlet, no matter what happens later on, don't worry. We'll get out of this, I promise."
"Shetra...?" Suddenly, all tireness escaped me as I stared into her red orbs.
"Shetra, there's no more time. We have to go now." Raina urged as he fastened his sword onto his waist- wait, where did get that sharp weapon.
"Huh?" I was hauled from my sitting position by my adoptive sister and they started running, me right behind them.
Startled shouts resounded around the village as they saw us running, and much to my astonishment, some held fire torches and started chasing after us!
I gulped as I motivated myself to run even faster.
"Hurry and go on first!" Raina announced as he paused in his tracks and turned around to face the maddened villages.
"Raina?!" Shetra shouted in worry, but she never stopped running, tugging me along.
"Hurry and run!" Raina exclaimed as he prepared his sword, looking very prepared to strike the villagers down.
My eyes widened as I saw him cut down the old uncle by our tent, who always offered us some of his crops to fill our stomach. Then the sister who would always pat on my head and forgive me for always bumping into her.
One after another, Raina was cutting the villagers down.
"Raina! What are you doing! Don't hurt them!" I shouted, tears running down my face as I recall the scene of how my best friend had killed the villagers.
I started to resist my sister's grip on my hand and tried to go back. Much to my surprise, and agony, Shetra only pulled harder.
"No, Adlet. They aren't the villagers you know anymore." I could see tears falling from her face while she ran with all her might.
Huh...?
"They are all being brainwashed by the Kyouma!" She shouted hastily, steps wavering as she catch her breath.
What...?
My expression contorted into one of grief as I tried to comprehend what she had just said.
Kyouma? Control?
"Then...the villagers?" I asked her hesitantly.
"They are all mindless puppets! You can't go back now, Raina sacrificed himself for us!" Shetra screamed in frustration as I started to struggle again.
No, no! Raina- I have to go back to Raina!
"Shetra! Let me go! I'm a saint! I can help Raina! Let. Me. Go!" My tears were overflowing by this point of time as I tried to shake my sister's grip off.
Please, please please please! Shetra let me go!
"You haven't even had a real battle! You just received your powers a few days ago, how can you know it won't backfire on you? We can't risk that!" Shetra gained speed as she struggled for breath.
But Raina! I need to save Raina! Without any saint's power, Raina will die! I need to go back and help him!
"Our piority now is to gst away from this village. We can't let them catch-" Shetra was facing me while she was talking, so she couldn't see what was in front of her.
I could though, and screamed.
The Kyouma from before stood terrifyingly in front of us, towering both of us as Shetra collasped to the ground.
"A-Adlet-" Shetra's struggled to say my name as she turned towards me with despaired filled eyes.
I imagine myself to be looking at her with the same kind of eyes.
"Good afternoon, ladies. It's a perfect night for a walk isn't it? I'm glad I had come back sooner than planned, or there would have been more escapees wouldn't there?" The Kyouma said calmly as Shetra tried to remember how to breath.
"N-No.. P-Please-" Shetra's face was tear-striken as she begged the Kyouma to let us live.
"Hmm, that is a problem...Where's the boy though?" He asked, avoiding to answer the crucial question.
Was it fun for him? Looking at two female quivering under him?
It had to be. Or he wouldn't be sounding so amused by this situation.
I hesitantly looked at my sister and saw that her trembling got worse with the mention of Raina.
Raina. Raina. Raina.
Why wasn't I allowed to help him? Was I that weak?
Would I had become a burden if I went?
"Ah, its quite rude to not answer a question that's directed at you." The Kyouma said to Shetra as she flinched.
I need to go to Raina's side. I can trust him to keep himself safe! He's too reckless!
"I-I-I H-He is-" Shetra tried to form words but to no avail.
"Hah... I had expected it to turn out like this. The boy had sacrified himself for you two didn't he?" His question sounded more like a statement than a question.
Raina...he sacrificed himself...for us? I can't let him do that! What are friends for if I can't even help him? He's my best friend!
Receiving no verbal answer, the Kyouma continued.
"Hmm...How about we play a game?" The Kyouma proposed
"If one of you answer the question correctly, I'd let the one who answered the question go. But if you answer it wrongly, your life would be forfeited. Okay?" His tone left no room for objection.
If I could go... will I be able to save Raina?
Silence meant concent in this situation for him it seems, when he started his question.
"The lady beside each of you, What is her name?" The Kyouma asked a ridiculous question.
The lady beside me. That would be Shetra.
As I tried to stop myself trembling and answer him properly, I prompty recalled that if I answer the question correctly, Sheta would lose her life.
No. I can't allow that to happen. But... what other way were there? I had go save Raina! But I can't sacrifice Shetra, she's my precious sister!
In the end, I opened my mouth and answered.
"Shetra Maia."