56. Everything For You
57. Slow Down
58. Heartfelt Apology
59. Challenged
60. Exhaustion
"Will you sacrifice everything?" Kain asked, as Rosa packed her bag. "Is… it really worth it?"
"Is Cecil worth it, you mean?" Rosa corrected him. "And yes. I'd give everything for him." She paused. "There used to be a time where'd you give everything, too. What happened?"
Kain said nothing, having no answer.
"Come with me to Kaipo to find Cecil," Rosa implored.
"No," Kain said. "The new Lord Captain has plans for me."
"Aren't I worth it?" Rosa asked quietly. "I'd give everything for you, too, if you'd let me."
Kain looked aside, unable to meet her earnest eyes.
"Slow down!" the old man warned as Rosa stumbled through Kaipo's entrance.
"Slow down!" Cecil shouted, laughing, as Rosa splashed ahead, determined to cross the river first.
"Are you all right, miss?" the man asked, now sounding concerned, seeing the high color in Rosa's cheeks.
"Slow down..." Cecil murmured against Rosa's open mouth. Inexperience and youthful impatience made her hands fumble as she showed him where to touch her.
Something burned blazingly hot. It was love; no, it was the sun, overhead; no, it was a raging heat within, overwhelmingly present.
"Cecil..." Rosa moaned, collapsing, praying Cecil might catch her.
After casting Fire at the entrance to Mount Hobbs, Rydia had been unusually quiet. Normally, she'd chatter to everyone, an endless commentary on everything they saw, but now there was a tense air around the young summoner.
"I'm sorry I pushed you so hard," Rosa said to Rydia, as they set up camp. "It's unfair to ask so much of you and put you in danger."
"But you ask anyway," Rydia countered, seriously.
Rosa winced. "And for that, I am truly sorry. Soon, we'll find a safe place."
"Together?" Rydia asked, finally perking up.
"Together," Rosa agreed, smiling. "After Fabul."
Rosa had always taken pride in her combat prowess, but she'd never felt truly challenged until Mount Hobbs. Between firing Holy arrows at the undead and healing wounds, Rosa never stopped.
As they reached the summit and found the Fabulian monk, outnumbered but still fighting, Rosa had a briefly had a selfish thought –why us?
Why mustCecil right all of Baron's wrongdoings? How far into danger was he leading her? Should she still follow?
Even before Cecil drew his black sword and charged, Rosa knew the right answer. Inhaling deeply, she took careful aim, then fired; she didn't miss.
In Fabul's infirmary, Rosa felt exhaustion creeping in, threatening to halt the endless flow of healing magic. The wounded seemed infinite; as one soldier or civilian was treated, more poured in, cradling their injuries,begging for relief.
Beside her, Rydia's energy seemed boundless, and Rosa wondered when she'd lost her own youthful vigor, feeling much older than her years after the nonstop journey to Fabul.
A ringing bell interrupted Rosa's thoughts.
"The throne room has been breached," a Fabulian white mage announced, soberly.
Ignoring her fatigue, Rosa ran for the door; Rydia followed, and Rosa was too tired to argue.