~Chapter 80: An Eye For An Eye~
While Elsword, Aisha, and Chung were out in the heavy rain, Ara was starting to regain conscious after her sleep. She could feel something below her moving up and down. It was warm.
'Is it someone's chest...? So this is how a man's chest feels like.. It's different from Aren. Somehow, my face feels hot as this person's chest moves up and down. From what I can recall, Glaive was with me until I fell asleep as he promised. Is Glaive below me, sleeping soundly..? I didn't expect for him to stay and sleep with me.. If Aren knows about this, I'm bound to be lectured by him, but then.. When will Aren wake up?'
"What are you thinking?"
"Glaive..? You were awake?"
"I just woke up. You still haven't answered my are you thinking?"
"I'm just thinking of how warm it is. And probably when... Aren will wake up."
Strong arms held her tightly as she stayed silent. Glaive pressed his lips on her forehead before caressing her cheek. His hand grabbed the iron mask and quietly slipped it back on his face. Ara giggled softly before smiling.
"I guess you're leaving now?"
"Yeah. I have things to take care of. Also, I believe Aren will wake up eventually. By the way, since you enjoyed sleeping on my chest so much.. We'll sleep together again someday."
She blushed lightly at his words and turned her head to the right. She could feel the weight on the mattress being lifted off. A strong wave of air blew against her face, pushing her bangs back and the sound of a portal opening. Ara swung her legs off the bed and cautiously walked forward with her arms reaching out.
"Glaive...?"
Glaive turned back and pulled on Ara's arm, hugging her tightly. Silently returning the hug before they part. Glaive entered the portal without a word said as Ara smiled softly. She began to trace back in her memories, imagining her room. She cautiously took one step at a time, her hands blindly looking for the doorknob. It didn't take long for her to open it and entered the hallways.
'I should check on Aren.. After I have some breakfast. Or actually.. How do I eat and hold my utensils? For all I know, my current blindness will be an obstacle for daily routines and up-coming battles. I can't be a bother to the others. I'll make sure to enhance my 4 remaining senses to make up for my blindness.'
She nodded to herself, making up her mind. She slowly took each steps, one at a time and concentrated on her hearing and smell.
In another room, golden eyes fluttered open, looking around its surroundings. Aren pushed himself up, his head aching lightly. He shook his head slightly before looking at his arm. He reached out to the wires and tore them off. He silently crawled out of bed, however he staggered slightly. His eyesight somewhat blurry.
'Where...? Weren't we on Wally's airship? Weren't we fighting for our lives? Strange.. I don't remember anything. Elsa... Elsa? Where are you?'
Without hesitation, he walked towards the door while still barefooted. His legs felt weird due to not walking for a while. His vision was still blurry, but it slowly got clearer by the minute. He walked down the hallways, trying to find his way around.
Outside the palace, Elsword, Aisha, and Chung were returning with their bodies soaked from head to toe. Chung was still gloomy, however he managed to get himself to smile again. During their walk to the palace, Chung felt his skin warmer than he thought as they were in the cold rain. Elsword was glad to see Chung smiling again, but he could tell that it was still forced. Although, he couldn't help, but feel irritated when hearing Chung apologizing for his selfishness and lack of consideration.
"Enough already Chung. Apologize one more time, and you'll never be able to talk again."
"Try me."
"Both of you, shush. What are we going to do about Rena? We only got 2 of the herbs... The Thousand Years Ginseng is missing. There should be one in Altera, but that's the enemy's territory. It's like committing suicide if we go there."
"I've been to Altera a few times before, but that's because Eve led me..."
Chung trailed off silently with his eyes looking distant. Elsword sighed and ruffled his hair. He grinned at Chung as he knew what Elsword was trying saying through his actions. They came in the gates where the king greeted them along with the now blind Ara.
"-We were trying to get the herbs for Rena, so we had to enter the ruins without permission. I deeply apologize to you, and... Who just entered the gates?"
"Ara. Why are you out of bed right now?"
"Well, I can't stay inside my room forever. Plus, I need to get used to my blindness if I want to be useful in combat and be able to do my daily routines."
"Father.. I apologize for my rudeness from earlier."
"That's alright. I understand why. I hope.. You can truly smile again."
"Yeah.."
'But... How can I smile? I don't even know how to smile as usual anymore. It feels unnatural now, but I can't continue being selfish. I couldn't control my outburst earlier and could have seriously injured Elsword and Aisha.. I was being selfish and had a lack of consideration. And.. Why does it feel so hot around here?'
His eyes grew blurry and he staggered slightly. His breaths slowly grew heavier and heavier. His legs gave way as he dropped his Destroyer. Elsword caught him while Moby tried to put the Destroyer down as softly as possible and Aisha put her hand on his forehead. Her eyes widened as Elsword nodded his head.
"He has a fever right now. I'm sure he'll be fine after drinking some medicine and simply rest his body."
"A-Ara..?"
A familiar voice snapped Ara to the direction where it was sounded. This also grabbed Elsword and Aisha's attention. Their eyes widened at the pale person. The long ebony hair that reached to mid back and golden eyes similar to that of Ara's before they were blinded. Ara staggered as she cautiously walked towards Aren whose eyes narrowed at the clear white bandages around her eyes.
"A-Aren?! My brother.. My brother finally woke up! I'm so glad! Aren! Aren!"
Aren smiled before softening his eyes. He moved his legs towards her and let her bump into his chest before giving her a warm hug. AIsha smiled at the two siblings while Elsword and Moby silently carried Chung and his respective weapon to his room. Aren gave Aisha a look that says we-need-to-talk which Aisha nodded her head at.
"Ara.. I want to talk with Aisha, can you leave us alone for a bit? How about you take a shower? You reek of sweat anyway.."
"Mean.. I don't reek of sweat. Fine, enjoy your talk. I'll go take a shower. And don't worry about me. I know my way from memory. I just need to imagine the rooms and I'll be able to know where I'm going."
Alright.."
As Ara walked away cautiously, there were some maids who followed her just in case something happens. Aren stared at Aisha with his golden eyes piercing through her.
"I'll explain on the way to Chung's room."
They walked down the corridors to Chung's room as Aisha slowly explained from Rena's condition to their battle against Taranvash before receiving the herbs for Rena, the reason for Ara's blindness and Eve's sacrifice. Aren silently prayed for Eve and Aisha smiled sadly.
"Aisha.. Is it possible if you can make Ara feel no pain and make her lose conscious..?"
"Yeah.. With a potion, but why?"
"I want you to.. Give my eyes to her. Even without my sight, I can fight normally since I've been trained to do so."
Aisha stopped in her tracks and stared at Aren with wide eyes. She thought he was just joking with her, but the look in his eyes were telling her that he was serious. He want to trade eyes with Ara. She stayed silent as Aren took her silence as a no. He fell on his knees and bow down to her. Aisha forced him to stand up on his legs while he silently asked for her help.
'I'll give back Ara's vision.. I'll give her.. My eyes.'
~Author's Note~
Well, I planned for Aren to have this role a while ago... But don't worry. He'll be involved in the war, so he won't die yet. :P Alright, so.. This chapter was a bit boring and rushed, but bear with it until the action.. :x Or at least, the up-coming fluff. XP
Here are my replies to my awesome reviewers~
Guest: I'm glad that you love it! ^o^
The Cynical Asian: XD Of course. Well, I'll leave it to your imagination. XD I can't spoil anymore than this. "Kya"..? o-o *looks around for music* Music should be at the funeral.. Flowers are taken care of.. Hmm..
KiyoKu: XD Technically, it's not Apple. If it was, I could definitely say pink hair. XD Plus, Apple has Charon and Persephone already. XD And they don't know that.. Yet. :D
KoraDora: XD I wish, but my pride gets in the way. The only time I fought with one of my guildmates was when we were acting as the spectators. And he was doing random combos and hit me with it by accident, I went crazy and speared him. XD NW and WS are both strong.. :3 I'll probably go with NW though.. And passives are a good thing.
Ayaney: The chapter was depressing.. I guess.. :x
Kat Neko983: XP Calm.. Take a deep breath and take your anger out on... *looks at Ignotum* Him for now. XD
Helringo: *frees Glaive and lets him escape through a portal* Well, Hel and Grind sure are "nice".. :P *sends video tapes to Ara*
o0Nyu0o: XD Do not worry~ She won't come after you~ I hope. XP Well, fate is cruel. You'll find out eventually. XD Dead or Alive.. Shall we continue? XD
sOdAPopgrl133: XD Thank you. I had a bit of distraction going on though.. XP Can't blame him for being selfish. After all, his love is not by his side. XP She's not going to die~ :D Well, there are other reasons for being alive.. XD I'm sure Eve will reflect. :3
Slumbering Hades: :x Aye.. Poor PikaChung..
Spirify: OAO You can stop crying since... It'll be fine again~ Soon. :x
Tsurara-Oikawa Chan: I haven't heard of the song.. :x Well, it's alright. XD She's a tomboy in a way.. Aye, she's safe for now. XD She lives near me. I hope the fishie will not get eaten by sharks... If that does happen, the sharks will either eat my hat along with it or.. They take it with them. OAO It is legit. X3 And I think I did. Aye! Go Hyper Actives! :3
Konjiki No Yami: x3 Aye.. Cute. Eve can pretty much see it, but she can't get to him. XD I'm just surprised that the guys like Chizuru..
Sweet Trickster: Ah.. Good. *pats your head* Well, losing someone precious to him, I don't blame him for being selfish. Well, they were being good friends to him. Her reaction.. Hmm.. I need to get a firm grasp on how people usually reacts.. XD I wonder what I should make Ignotum do~ :D And I promise! It's the truth! :3 I will and no worries~
Ruby Crucifix: X3 At least they're safe. Well, I'll make sure to see you glad about their reunion, but I'm not so sure about Aren right now.. Aye! They deserve it and they'll get it! :D Soon.
SeouLee: XD Bad dog.. It should be "Bad Pikachu/PikaChung". XD Wait.. I was smiling earlier.. Does that mean I'll get killed by Dark Chung too?! OAO I'm scared! XD Angel was abducted and.. I remember she was being operated on.. OAO Iggy and Ara are both awesome. Alright. XD If you can't find it, then it's alright. XD
kazurug21: She's abducted. XD Tell me your imagination? XP Maybe I should put the Hyper Actives, but... Hmm.. Need to think. XD
BIAxDiA: Let's wait and see. XD If you think she's alive, then alright~ She can't get back to him.. Sadly. *wipes tears*
Thanks for reading!
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