Guilt. Self Loathing. Chiding herself. So many things Lefiya wanted to do to herself, all discarded without a second thought. She steeled her heart and her mind from her own sloppiness, her mistake that cause the captain of the Hestia Familia to be taken out of the battlefield. She already messed up.
There was no need to ruin the situation any more than it already was. Thus, she looked over the battlefield, even as she casted a new spell, to replace the one she kept back but had to use on Solaris. The instruments and noise created by Hans disappeared in an instant. For the first time, Lefiya and the others were capable of actually hearing their own thoughts. Not only that, she underestimated the effect that music had on their minds, because she felt as light as ever. With a new mind free of migraines, she witnessed Hans proving himself as one of the 'Seven', the irregularities that appeared in the world and affected it beyond belief. No longer having to focus on countering the musician, his pen soared across the pages, even as he grimaced intensely, sweating profusely at the effort.
Then, once more, the fairy tales emerged into life, not as fake players of instruments, but as warriors, mages, defenders, against the Violas, taking over the role of Solaris. To face an army after all, one needed an army. While the vine monsters aimed for sources of magical power…well, Hans created only magical constructs. Thus, the monsters went all over the place, going after the small floating soldiers, clashing with their blades, getting hit by fireballs. As always, the man known as Mimir, as much as he claimed to dislike fighting, was akin to a painter as he drew a beautiful story of otherworldly beings protecting mortals from the maws of the beasts. It would've been an inspiring sight…if the author wasn't gasping like a fish on land, with his totally-not-daughter emptying another vial of a mind potion down his throat. And yet, she couldn't help but feel awe that despite his sorry sight…his pen never stopped moving.
Still, even with the plant monsters being dealt with, with the Takemikazuchi Familia and Welf Crozzo holding the lines, that still left Filvis. Her heart burned at the sight, of her emotionless eyes, of her lack of reaction towards Lefiya. She knew that her best friend was being controlled, that she was not herself…and yet, a little voice in her head whispered. Whispered that Filvis never thought much of her anyway. That Lefiya was just a thorn. She growled, saving up the protection magic and moving on to the next, picking out Lady Riveria's infernal magic. It might be overkill…but she had faith in Filvis.
Faith she could take it, that it would require at least that to get through to her. Still, that was the plan at least. It didn't mean that Lefiya could follow up on it without any issues. Not as long as their frontline didn't exist, having disappeared with Salieri. However. Bell Cranel left behind his belief, his faith and hope in them.
"Haaaaah!"
The individual dashed out of the defense lines, rushing straight at Filvis. The Creature twitched ever so slightly. Lefiya reacted immediately, casting her saved up spell. A light shimmered, slowing down the beam of black light just enough for the individual to dodge, moving her head to the side. With the same momentum, she performed a cartwheel, her right leg lightening up with green ghostly fire. The limb brushed past Filvis' chin, just enough to turn her head a bit. The blow itself did not damage, nor did the chin strike shake up her brain too much. Yet her eyes flickered with a moment of light, a groan escaping her, as the flames danced across her skin before disappearing. With an exhale, the fighter created some distance, before moving her limbs swiftly, as if they were rivers, before holding still in a combat stance, eyes narrowed, nervous but with determination as she muttered under her breath.
Thus, Sakamoto Haruhime entered the fray as the vanguard, desiring to live up to that trust. To be honest, Lefiya had her doubts about the girl's capabilities to face Filvis head on like that. If it weren't for her shield magic, Filvis would've killed her on the spot. Her heart fell even as she kept her focus on finishing her spell, before putting it into her slot, as Haruhime rushed back in.
Yet instead of seeing the maiming or even death of the Renard…she saw something else entirely.
"Kokonoe!"
Her skin turned crimson, as her heartrate increased rapidly, as her eyes turned into slits while her Renard features became more pronounced. This time, only two phantom tails emerged from her back, each extending outward to the left and the right respectively. Lefiya wondered why she limited her number like that, when she realized the green ghost fire covering those tails. The next moment, Filvis shot out her arm like a claw, only for Haruhime to move her left tail and her left arm at the same time, pushing against it from the side with a roar. Once again, Filvis grimaced, her mind being affected by the flames. Then, the Renard leapt to the air, smashing her right foot into her face. Reflexively, the Creature tried to grab onto it, intending to crush the leg in her grasp, only for the right tail to wrap around it. Immediately, Haruhime pulled herself at the arm, moving out of the danger as she swung herself away.
Her usage of the two tails was relatively sloppy compared to how her arms and legs moved. But they still granted extra options, extra fallbacks as she engaged Filvis in close range over and over again, never creating any more distance than a step away. Lefiya tried her best not to gape in utter shock, instead slamming her staff down, creating an inferno of pillars around them. At that very same moment, Haruhime flung Filvis over her shoulder, with the help of her tails, straight into one of the burning structures. Lefiya held back a scream of panic, which was done easy by the fact that Filvis healed from all the damage, her singed body already fixing itself. Nevertheless, the magical attack disoriented her, enough for the Renard to rapidly shake the Creature's brain, smacking her chin left and right, all while the tails pressed themselves against her stomach.
All while the ghost fire did its work to drain Filvis off her mind…and her mind control, Lefiya realized. This was the plan that Haruhime cooked up. Whatever the Night Queen was using…it had to be based on magical means. It was stable enough not to be disrupted by Welf's Will o' Wisp, or perhaps it was just not considered a 'spell in the midst of casting'. However, the ghost fire was an entirely different means, burning away at the magical energy and the mind itself. Lefiya would've claimed that those flames, those disruptions and distractions, were the only reason that the Renard was capable of matching Filvis. But that was insulting to the girl's efforts and skills.
Indeed. Compared to the rest of her Familia…she wasn't as good of a fighter as they were. She didn't have their raw talent, their instinct, their insights in battle. Instead…Haruhime was the type of fighter who became better through observation. A leftover trait from being a mere witness, of looking upon her betters and feeling nothing but envy in her heart. While protecting Lefiya, she watched, how Bell fought, how Kojiro fought, how Filvis fought. And through that, she had formed a plan in her mind, if she had to step in. And that plan worked wonders at the moment.
She didn't know if it would even work. To break the mind control through her ghost fire. But it was the only thing she could do. So, with the untrained art of two tails added to the Divine Art of Lord Hachiman, she focused less on dealing damage…and more on landing hits, to let her racial trait do its magic. She exhaled, her middle knuckle extending outwards as her imaginary, magical tails twitched. Then, she proceeded to inject her flames over and over again.
Nose of the bridge. Temple. Chin. Solar plexus. Kidneys. Thigh. Inner knee. Achilles' Heel. Her legs flowed and flickered like flames, while her limbs were flexible as water and swift as the wind. She didn't bother using kicks in this engagement, instead focusing on her footwork, to dance around her opponent while her arms and tails peppered her enemy with hits. She breathed heavily, sweated profusely, her heart burned, her blood boiled, her eyes dilating from the sheer strain of it all…but she grit her teeth and kept moving, muttering under her breath, brushing past each certain death that was Filvis' every 'casual' move.
All while the others assisted when they could, for Haruhime was not alone in this. It was difficult, to find an opportunity to take a proper shot without actually hitting the Renard. Unlike Bell, she didn't have the mindboggling, disappearing speed of his. Nevertheless…Lefiya failed once already, causing a teammate to disappear.
She just needed to focus better, to take her shots.
"Dio Thyrsus!"
With Filvis being unable to cast magic due to Haruhime's constant suppression, Lefiya's magic flew true, smashing into her friend's head with ease. The others took their shots too when they could, as the Violas finally reached the single digits, moving carefully, thus leaving them free to swing their magic swords. It was hard, to not hit Haruhime, but they managed, as the girl even used Filvis as an actual shield, forcing her into place for a moment to take the brunt of the attacks.
It was hard to imagine. Not a single one of them at level five or above…yet pushing someone that was equivalent to a level seven. Legends wrote about such stories. With Haruhime of all people in the middle of it, pushing herself beyond her own limits to break Filvis free from the chains on her mind. Lefiya couldn't help but smile, as she saw the cloudiness of her friend's eyes becoming thinner and thinner.
They could do-
"COVER THE FOX, NOW!"
Lefiya reacted before she could even process the words of Hans, his scream echoing across the dungeon.
"Canon! Dio Grail!"
The golden shield flickered into existence, just as Haruhime raised her left arm in a guard, her body visibly relaxing. In that very same moment, an arm reared back with all its might…before smashing into the shield.
"Leave me alone!"
Dio Grail broke. Haruhime's arm bent and snapped. It served as a buffer for the rest of Haruhime's body to move with the blow, sending her spinning across the battlefield, before her legs hit the ground several times, slowing her down before she could smash against the wall. Lefiya gasped, as did everyone else as they realized what they saw.
Breathing heavily, with twitching eyes, the Creature growled, with proper emotions. Yet her eyes were still clouded, if ever so slightly. It was in that moment that Lefiya knew what happened.
Filvis was on the border, between control and freedom. From the various hits against her very mind, from the ghost fire of Haruhime, her state managed to reach a 'sweet spot'. Just free enough to gain more efficiency with her movements…but not free enough to realize who she was up against.
An enemy that evolved, nay, returned to peak form, in the middle of the fight. With more efficiency came more strength, more power, used to leap at the reeling Haruhime. The Renard's eyes widened, before they narrowed with determination.
Her broken arm was used like a whip, covered in the ghost fire, to force Filvis to dodge to the side. Her magical tail smacked into her right cheek at that moment, but the Creature just snarled in annoyance, pushing her face against it with ease. Yet the tail served as a cover, as it moved away, to make place for her roundhouse kick from the right. It wasn't meant to push Filvis away, to cause damage, but to get herself away, using Filvis as a platform. But before she could get away, Filvis grabbed onto her heel. Haruhime hissed, twisting herself on her own leg, feeling her skin peeled off from the grip, before ramming her left heel into the grasp. The fingers of Filvis twitched involuntarily before they could properly turn Haruhime's legs into a crushed paste.
The next instance, one of Hans' little soldiers tackled Haruhime in mid air, getting her outside Filvis' reach…and out of the magic's reach, as someone formed her palms above each other, a black flickering orb forming, at the same time as the magic circle came into existence over Filvis.
"Futsunomitama!"
Gravity itself increased, pushing down on the Creature. She growled, straining against the force…before letting out a furious scream, smashing the magic to bits. It didn't last more than a few seconds at best, the recoil sending Mikoto on her back with a pained gasp. Yet the fact it kept her down at all spoke volumes of the spell's potency.
Not only that, it gave others more than enough time.
"Nichirin no Kaze!"
"Arc's Ray!"
Carried by the green burning wind, the laser soared through the air and struck true…alas, a blackened Dio Grail got into its way, with Filvis hissing as it cracked and then broke…leaving her unharmed however, in the smoke. Casting the spell itself caused more damage, as she swayed for a moment, a headache blooming through the mental control, the chains more akin to a thin thread holding it all together. Yet something caused her eye to twitch before snapping her head back.
Just in time to see Haruhime, devoid of any extra trails, rushing right at her. Her eyes were half lidded, unfocused, but her body still moved even if her mind was exhausted. Her Possessing Spirit already ran out.
Thus, it was only natural…that she was too slow. The claw shot out before anyone could process it. The nails pushed forward, without limit, and time slowed down, as Haruhime's left eye deformed…before being popped like a balloon, as it was gouged out. The Renard's head and upper body bent backwards, as the blood freely flowed from the hole that was filled with Filvis' claw.
"Haruhime!"
The pain should have been paralyzing. She should've recoiled, created distance, clutch the spot of her missing eye in agony.
Sakamoto Haruhime did none of that. Instead, she pushed forward, into the thumb claw, making it tear out parts of her flesh even more as she turned her head ever so slightly, in order to slip past.
"Take my flesh…!"
Filvis raised her other arm, but at that point, Haruhime's arm moved first, descending from above.
"SO I CAN TAKE YOUR BONE!"
Covered in the last vestiges of her ghost fire, the right chop struck true, straight into the neck of Filvis. The string was severed. The cloudiness disappeared…before the eyes of Filvis rolled up into her skull.
/
The first time she had met Lefiya…Filvis had nothing but envy in her heart. Envy at the innocence she displayed, looking at the world around her in wonder. At the purity she showed, untainted by any tragedies, any misfortune. At her freedom, to do whatever she wanted. At first, Filvis wanted nothing to do with her, and tried to keep her distance, same with everyone else.
And yet…Lefiya had talent. Talent to reach her heart, no matter what. The admiration she showed towards something so disgusting as herself, the nervousness to ask for tips…the warmth coupled with shame that came with her compliments, her open respect despite the rumors, rumors that were true…Was it any surprise, that Filvis would come to care for Lefiya? To treat her as an idol to be protected?
So…even if she was stained in darkness…even if she was tainted…she would always protect Lefiya, her dear friend.
Even if it was from Filvis herself.
That was the last conscious thought she could remember…before the palm extended forward, pressing against her face. Before the fog and darkness claimed her mind. Before she was stuck in this dreamworld, of better times, where she didn't have to think. Where she was but a weapon, aimed at the enemies. She was faintly aware of some vague shapes, of people, but she didn't care. She just moved according to the will of others.
Before a sharp pain flared up at her neck, bringing the farce to an end, sending her into the realms of proper dreams at last, to dream of better times with Lefiya.
Before this…weird piano music brought her back into the light. She gasped, shooting up, blinking widely as she looked around.
"Wha-?!"
The piano music wasn't imagined, she could actually hear it. Not only that…the pain she felt. The immobilit that came from an exertion of her healing factor. She truly was fighting someone after all. Several of them at fact. And that meant…
"And the sleeping beauty awakes. I was about to kick your face, y'know?"
She blinked at the all too familiar scathing voice. She turned her head, staring straight into Hans' half conscious face, who was lying flat on his back. The man that took away Lord Dionysus from her, that freed her and enslaved her alike. A man worthy of gratitude and contempt.
A man that wasn't alone.
"Is now really the time?" Liliruca asked, moving sluggishly as she pulled out more potions to share. The author scoffed, before hissing in pain, rubbing his own temples.
"It would be, if I could move."
She took in her surroundings. The blacksmith, Crozzo, drowning himself in potions. The Far Eastern contingent, fussing over the Renard…binding a bandage over her left side of her skull, covering her eye specifically. Filvis' gaze snapped down at her hand…seeing the blood and flesh bits on her nails. She shivered, paling as she realized what she had done.
Last but not least…she turned her gaze towards the fool who must have pulled the strings for this operation.
Lefiya was leaning against a wall, breathing heavily. It was a surprise she didn't collapse herself. And yet…despite all the pain, all the exhaustion…the silly girl smiled at her, ever so softly.
Why, why whywhywhywhy-
Why did she take such a stupid risk? Why was she glad to see an abominable thing like her? She knew why, in her heart, but refused to accept it. Refused to taint Lefiya's light with her own being. She couldn't run away, her body too tired from healing itself. Thus…she had to use words. Words to force Lefiya away.
No matter how much it hurt. Her face was an emotionless mask as she looked at the Thousand Elf.
"Why did you even bother coming here, Lefiya?"
"Because you're my friend," she responded without hesitation. As it it were simple fact. Ah, how loveable could someone be? Still…just as before, Filvis had to hurt her to save her. With a scoff, she looked away.
"I pretended to be," she said in a cold tone, spitting to the side. "I hated every minute of it."
The first time they held hands, without feeling any discomfort, giggling at their own antics.
"To be a prisoner."
Behind steel bars, reading books to pass the time, looking forward to the next time they could meet.
"To be pretending."
The pride of seeing Lefiya improve. The joy to fight back to back, against evil and monsters alike.
Even as the memories flowed, her face was able to fake a sneer, looking down at Lefiya without hesitation.
"You were under control just now! Do not deny it!" Mikoto yelled, outraged that the one they came to save acted like this. Filvis pitied them, for being pulled into this, to waste their time and be hurt for this. Alas, she could not change the past, she could only try to be better.
"And I found freedom in it. No more doubts. No more suffering. I could be the tool I was destined to be." She looked back at Lefiya, letting out a tired sigh. "I never liked you, Lefiya. You were annoying, weak, bothersome. If you still hold onto those delusions of yours, do me a favor…and end it already, instead of this pathetic playing around."
Hidden was her prayer. To die. To be released…to pay for her sins. If it were at the hands of her dear friend…that would just be right. The proper way to end things. Someone of the light to purify the shadows. She closed her eyes in acceptance, making sure her face was blank as ever.
"...You are a bad liar, Filvis."
It took everything out of her not to react. To just calmly open her eyes with an impassive expression.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your right ear twitches when you lie," Lefiya stated, smirking just a bit. Filvis reached for her ear, eyes wide with shock. Since when did she have that quirk?! And why didn't anyone ever tell her that?!
"Wha-?!"
"Actually, that was a lie from me. Sorry."
Filvis couldn't help but gape openly, as Lefiya had the gall to actually giggle. Since when was she so deviant? Influence from the Loki Familia? Or was it Bell Cranel? It had to be Bell Cranel, tainting her beloved Lefiya. He was going to the top of her hit list then, that bastard. That aside, she knew she screwed up, her farce being seen through now. And Lefiya showed no mercy to hammer in the nail she managed to land.
"I know you. I may be foolish, to believe in you, someone who must have committed many evils…" Her eyes glistened with tears as her breath shivered. "But the Filvis I know…is my best friend. Someone I look up to, someone that taught me so much…!" She sobbed before shaking her head with heat in her voice. "So I refuse! I refuse to kill you! I refuse to lose you!"
Nononononono. Lefiya would be ruined, being associated with her, pulling her back to the surface. She had to cut ties here, no matter how much it hurt, no matter how much Filvis yearned to be with her. She pointed at herself, before flexing her claws with a snarl.
"Look at me, Lefiya! I'm nothing more than an abomination! I cannot be forgiven! If you truly care about me, then just ki-"
Before she could finish her sentence, something hit her. She looked down, noticing the pebble. She blinked, at the weird action, before looking up, to see where it came from. To her shock, it was the one whose eye she took. With shaking legs, her right arm fell down, yet the Renard refused to fall down.
"You dare?" She asked in a deadly quiet voice, sending a shiver down Filvis' spine.
"Oi, Haru, you gotta relax!"
Yet Haruhime ignored the worry of her friends. Instead, she shook her head slowly, looking at the creature with pure contempt.
"You…you dare presume you have any say about what we decide to do with you?! To make demands?!"
"My crimes cannot be for-"
"Shut up!" Filvis closed her mouth, shocked by this shy girl acting with such venom. Haruhime growled, as she forced her arm back up, to point at the creature. "You don't get the easy way out! Not after all we've been through, to keep you alive! You think you get to die after our efforts?!" She pointed at the bandage wrapped around her head. "I didn't lose my eye just for you to make it all in vain!"
Guilt filled Filvis' heart. Objectively, the Renard was correct. To pay for her crimes, she had to be alive to do it. And yet…she bit her lip, averting her eyes.
"I…"
"You are tired. I get it. Tired of your life, tired of the shadows crawling up your back. But so what?"
Filvis snapped her head up, feeling rage build up in her heart.
"S-So what?! I…I don't know what to do! What am I supposed to do with this freedom, huh?! How can I just…just live a nice life, with all the acts I committed?!" She started to hyperventilate, as she clutched her head. The image of all the death and pain she caused, of the atrocities she witnessed and just stood by. "No, no, I can't-I don't deserve-"
"Figure it out!"
"Wha-?"
Haruhime's skin turned scarlet, as the color of her sclera changed as well. Blood flowed through her bandage, yet she didn't care as her emotions boiled over.
"Living is hard?! You regret your actions?! Yes, what else is new?! So instead of wallowing in self pity, instead of hurting others all the time, listening to some deranged god, instead of wanting to be a damn martyr, how about you think for yourself?! Figure out how to redeem yourself properly instead of telling your best friend that you want to die?! That you want to take the easy way out?!" Her hand twitched, unsure what to do with it before she jabbed her finger at Filvis. "You-you-you fucking dumbass!"
She breathed heavily, her Possessing Spirit turning off once more. Silence reigned between them, shocked to no belief, as they processed her words. With the rage dissipating, Haruhime realized what she had done…and began to blush. Hans proceeded to clap his hands slowly at the sight of it.
"Wow."
"Err-I mean-"
"Haha…"
They all turned towards Filvis. But she didn't pay any attention to it. This wasn't funny. Not at all. And yet…it was laughable.
Laughable what a coward Filvis truly was. This Renard barely knew her…and yet, she told her exactly what she needed to do.
Death was easy. It was something she yearned for all these years, her regeneration preventing any attempt of suicide. No, living, she knew, was difficult. And that was exactly why it would be the only punishment fit for her. Not only that…
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Tears flowed, as she realized…that she indeed wanted to live. Live in order to be Lefiya's friends. That selfishness that prevailed despite all the self loathing.
"I am pathetic, aren't I…?" She looked at her dearest friend, smling weakly. "...You really are a fool, Lefiya. But…it is exactly that…that light you have…that made me attracted to you. That made me put you on a pedestal." She lowered her head. "I never treated you like an equal. Instead…I acted like you were a trophy, something to be protected…"
Lefiya shook her head immediately, frowning deeply.
"That's wrong. Maybe you think so, but…" She put a hand against her chest. "I never thought you looked down on me. I felt like you were one of the few that appreciated me and my skills. Whenever I was in a pinch, you were there, physically or in my mind. So…please…" With a sorrowful expression, Lefiya choked back a sob. "Never say you want to die…I…I can't bear losing you…"
"I…I'm truly sorry. For everything." Filvis lowered her head, not only at Lefiya, but everyone else. Then, she raised her head, clearing her throat awkwardly. "Nevertheless…I lied to you. So…I…I want to make a fresh start."
She slowly stood up, mobility returning ever so slightly to her body. With slow steps, she moved forward…and offered Lefiya her hand.
"My name is Filvis Challia. Survivor of the Dionysus Familia and former member of Evilus. A creature born from the dungeon after my first death." Filvis blushed, but forced herself to maintain eye contact. "And…I like to be your friend."
"Of course!" Lefiya said with delight, with no hesitation whatsoever, before she pulled herself up and wrapped her arms around Filvis, both having tears in their eyes. At the sight, the witnesses couldn't help but smile just a bit.
"You were being oddly quiet, Mimir," Welf teased his fellow comrade. The author scoffed, pushing himself up the wall before stretching his back with a groan.
"What, only because I'm famous for my sharp tongue, doesn't mean I have to use it all the time." He pointed at the Renard. "'sides, Haruhime had it well in hand."
"Awawawawa…"
"You sit down, young lady! Your wound reopened!"
Filvis and Lefiya separated at last. Lefiya looked positively giddy as she put her hands on her hips.
"Well, now we just have to rest up before returning-"
"No."
Everyone froze at Filvis' words. Lefiya's eyes were wide as she stared at her friend, smiling ever so gently.
"N-no?"
"I feel nothing but gratitude for you. I wish I could come back up with you, and live my days out until the bitter end at your side." She glanced back, down the dungeon, her smile falling, replaced by a deep frown. "But we still have enemies in the darkness. A darkness I can infiltrate."
Infiltrate. A double agent. Lefiya immediately grabbed onto Filvis' shoulders when she realized what her friend was planning.
"That's too dangerous!"
Yet Filvis shook her head, her eyes filled with determination.
"It's the least I can do. As long as I play my cards right, the Night Queen won't try to mess with my mind again." Her features softened. "Please."
Please let me redeem myself, went unsaid. It was a risk. Anyone with common sense wouldn't put any faith in her words, her promise. There was the risk she would just turn into a puppet once more.
And yet, Lefiya, despite the conflict written across her face…nodded with a sigh.
"I trust you."
"You shouldn't. But…that's just like you, isn't it?"
"What is just like her?"
They all snapped their heads to the direction of the young man who uttered those words. Leaning onto each other, Kojiro and Bell entered the area, tired smiles on their faces. The blood and wounds on their bodies were worrying…but none that seemed life threatening. Kojiro chuckled as he nodded at Hans before regarding everyone else.
"Praise to the heavens, you are all fine."
Bell chuckled himself…before he spotted Haruhime's injury. With wide eyes, he almost stumbled forward, hissing in pain, but ignoring it in order to reach his friend.
"Haruhime!"
The Renard giggled, as her friend cupped her face, staring at the bandage in horror. Holding onto his warm hands, she leaned into his touch, a serene smile on her face.
"It's just one eye. I'm fine, Bell. It's worth it."
He bit his lip, wanting to say more. But the peace she radiated…the satisfaction…he forced down his outrage, his horror, and grasped the pride that bloomed within.
"I knew I could count on you."
"Hm!"
"How did you manage to give Salieri his marbles back? Relatively, anyway," Hans asked, making piano motions with his hands. Kojiro shrugged before pointing at Bell.
"Bell."
"Of course it's him…" Lefiya muttered under her breath, yet her hand was unable to hide the small smile accompanied with a blush from Filvis.
Filvis felt her eyebrow twitch. She definitely needed to have a talk with Bell Cranel when she had the opportunity. Welf barked out a laugh, clapping his hands before wiping a tear mirthfully.
"Good ol' Bell!" He stretched his neck before slowly pushing himself up as well. "Well, mission accomplished I'd say. Now just to grab my sis-"
Before he could finish the sentence, they could all feel it.
The overwhelming, unnatural heat. The sound of a monstrous scream…followed by silence. They stared at the direction the light came from.
The direction Lobo went with Solaris.
They all pushed their own exhaustion aside. Ignored the limits they have long passed. Filvis grabbed onto Lefiya, grabbed onto Hans and Liliruca, grabbed onto anyone she could. Bell moved at the forefront already, stumbling forward and pushing against the burning of his own legs.
They would not get there fast. But they still tried, before it was too late.