[Narrator’s POV] Now, the vision is focused on the pair, where you can't hear anything but their endless arguments. The air crackled with tension as Blaze felt an overwhelming urge to push Jack back to the Dwarves' hidden base, as if erasing him from her world would solve everything. The intensity of their clashes was palpable, each word exchanged echoing in the strained atmosphere. "You know what? Your touch feels great!" Jack teased her. The male orphan had asked her for a massage just as they were about to reach the top of the mountain, where the Jotnar was currently waiting for them. Blaze rolled her eyes, a playful exasperation evident in her expression. Despite her annoyance, she consistently did what she was asked to do. With a gentle slap to his shoulder area, she transitioned seamlessly into deep strokes, resembling the practiced technique of an experienced massage therapist. "Satisfied?" she asked, her expression turning slightly serious, a hint of a frown on her face. J
[NARRATOR'S POV] The reason behind Blaze’s happiness is when Jack accidentally buried himself under the butt of the Jotnar after defeating it. Blaze watched the fight the whole time, and as usual, he teased the male defender about the incident, but that doesn’t annoy him. He felt mesmerized the moment he saw her smile. From that very moment, he knew that what he felt towards her was different, and the female defender was left unaware about it. “Jack, you should’ve learned how to properly address someone. Especially, we’re on a mission.” She responded, trying to keep a blank expression on her face. Even though it’s hard for her not to let out her laughter, she still manages to hold it back. “How about I call you Mr. Jack and you call me Ms. Blaze?” “Does that mean that we’re okay now?” He asked her. “I mean, I made you laugh. Not going to mention that, um, embarrassing moment." "Please, stop it." She told him after slapping his armor near his chest. He held her hand which made Blaz
[Narrator's POV] Helios suddenly felt a strange feeling while he and Cordelia were on their way to the Lake, as if his nose felt so damn itchy. His gaze went back to Cordelia and how the female defender carelessly swayed her weapon as she hopped on their path without even thinking that she might hurt someone. It almost hit him, but then due to his fast reflexes, he managed to capture its handle. "Hey kid. Mind watching your spear?" Helios asked her, and then he let it go after she stopped hopping. Cordelia calmly pulled her spear away from his direction and faced him, "Sorry." She apologized and bowed her head. The spearhead nearly cut the skin on his face the moment Cordelia bent almost half of her body down. "Okay. Okay. Just keep going." He breathed. Helios couldn't help but let out a deep sigh because it seems like this woman will never learn how to be a woman, and then he suddenly remembers about Nowo. They quite had a few moments to share, but still reminiscing those made hi
[Narrator's POV]Meanwhile, Luna and Maison became friends with each other. Maison finally learns about what he can do, but he's aware that he couldn't use his hidden strength to its full potential since he still has the same personality he had before. The monstrous creatures still make him feel terrified, like before. Luna also learned how to trust a man other than Moha. This helped her heal her hatred and jealousy, but not that fully erased. She just somehow forgets about them being paired for a period of time while she's Maison. But her owl keeps on reminding her about it. She wasn't sure about the motive of her guardian and kept on thinking why would a griffin who was supposed to help and guard her made her feel bad about every situation she faced. The female defender was just staring at her partner, who was walking ahead of her. She saw Maison run towards somewhere and crouch one meter away from the wilted three. "Luna! Look at this." She heard him calling her. She slowly walke
[Nowo's POV] The air between us seemed to have cleared, or so I thought. Despite his apparent reluctance to engage in conversation, I held no regret for my response to his unexpected confession. I acknowledge that I chose to follow the rational path my brain paved instead of the emotional one my heart urged me to take. After all, what's amiss about making decisions based on what one knows to be right? Beyond the complexities of our interaction lies my profound love for Moha. It transcends the boundaries of mere friendship, companionship, or journey partnership; it extends to a deeper connection, an affection for him as a man. My decision not to reciprocate his confession stems from my desire to avoid the potential confusion and puzzles that can arise in a romantic relationship. How could I give my all to him if I, myself, am I grappling with internal incompleteness? As Moha and Talaa advanced a few meters ahead of us, his Stoic demeanor caught my attention. He neither tilted his hea
[Moha's POV] "Aren't you being too rude, buddy?" Talaa questioned me. I stared at the male fairy currently flying beside me. "What makes you think that? Am I really being rude?" I wondered. Honestly, I am clueless at this moment. All that I am sure of is that she wanted me to stop loving her for now, like an unfinished book, unaware of when its reader will pick it up again. He nodded and explained, "I know you are aware that we heard your conversation before. From my understanding of what she told you, she was just asking for some time to think. She never told you to throw away your feelings for her, right?" I avoided his gaze and looked straight ahead. He sat on my left shoulder and took a deep breath. "You know what, bud? I think you have already changed." "I believe that I didn't. You just don't know me that well," I argued. "See? Even if you deny it a couple of times, I would still say and believe that you're different now," he insisted. "The buddy I know was a very understa
[Nowo's POV]A few minutes after the attack by the unknown creatures, I fell down and lost consciousness. I'm not even sure what kind of attack they executed that made me fall asleep. In addition to that, I am unaware if I was saved or not. Regarding Lane, I wonder if she was there with me back then. I can barely remember the moment we faced them and shouted for help, but when I fell down and roamed my eyes around to seek her, I failed to see her.The only thing I wish right before I completely shut both of my eyes is the safety of the rest of our team, including her, Talaa, and Moha."Nowo. Wake up." I heard another familiar voice echoing inside my mind, and when I finally opened my eyes, I saw nothing but the top view of the mountain and the land. My ears remained unable to hear any sounds from my surroundings."Am I flying?" I questioned myself.Maybe I wasn't fully recovered; that's why I wasn't able to hear any sounds. Then after a few seconds, I lost my consciousness again.Ther
[Nowo's POV]It's been a long time since I felt safe, and I knew it wasn't right for me to feel this, especially in the hands of our enemy. There's deep confusion building inside my brain, bothering me a lot, and now I am not sure where my heart really belongs.I know I am still in the process of knowing myself well, yet it feels like I'm not getting any further from where I came from. Like something is pulling me back to stop me from completing my identity.These thoughts made me ask myself, shall I remain broken? Shall I stay as a flower planted in the middle of darkness who doesn't even know the reason behind my existence?I tried to convince myself a couple of times that everything will change back to normal, but as far as I go and every hour I spend walking and finishing my mission, it seems like everything just keeps on being ruined.I'm now alone inside this big room, sitting on a chair in front of a table where foods are currently lying. Instead of grabbing some, I remained si
Like a tragic story, my path didn't end well. I fought in a way that I believed was my best, only to find out that nothing was sufficient. Even one's true self couldn't serve as a ticket to alter fate. The memories of that war are still vivid in my mind, from the moment we prioritized our duties as defenders over everything, including our hearts, to that specific instance when he finally did what he needed to do to save the land. The profound sorrow visible in his eyes remains unforgettable and painful. Although we never had a chance to bid a proper goodbye, at least we knew we did our best for what is right.After that, my messy but joyful life seemed to come to an end. It feels like everything happened just yesterday, yet I know it's been a long time since the terrifying war with the dark realm. I can now feel my entire body lying on a soft bed, which I guess is made of swan feathers. The sweet floral scent in the air suggests daffodils. My hands grip the smooth texture of their ste
[Nowo's POV]"I didn't know you had that kind of courage to betray us," Algea told me.She became mad at me because of what I did to the dark lord. With the use of the queen's soul, I tried to harness her power to cleanse the evilness inside my father's heart. I wasn't even finished when she suddenly entered my father's chamber and pulled my hair.The dark lord woke up, seeing her pointing a knife at my throat."What do you think you are doing?" he asked her."Why? Is your heart getting soft now? This defender is a traitor!" she exclaimed."Kill me so that you won't be able to use that damn stone," I teased her.She pulled my hair tighter, and then she said, "Who are you to order me around?""I'm the daughter of the queen whom you were envious of and the dark lord whom you loved the most but cannot have," I teased her once again."Do you think you can take all the bad spirit inside your father's body?" she asked me. "Let me tell you something. No black witch has the kind of weak power
[Nowo's POV]After they took her for some treatment, me and Lane went to our room to finally take some rest. We only have a few hours to spend here before we go back to the dark realm, like what I have promised to my father. Algea let me drink a potion, which will soon take me back to that place, like a bubble that pops out from this base."I'm leaving everything to you, Lane," I told her."Can I just go with you?" She sadly asked me.I started to lower my gaze and took a deep sigh, "I won't let them have anyone that is precious to me ever again, and I don't want your life to be in danger," I told her."But, Nowo," I didn't let her finish her sentence."Here," I interrupted while handing her a bottle of potion. "Drink it, and you'll be free from your contract.""What do you mean?" She asked me, stammering."You have to take this potion so that you'll stay alive no matter what happens to me," I explained to her.Lane started crying, and that punched my heart so damn hard. My tears were
[NOWO's POV]Like the flower sprouted in a small amount of land placed at the center of the continuously flowing river, I have no other places to go to either. I'm stuck in a bad fate that isn't going to change. I sometimes ask myself, am I really going to do this? Am I ready to fulfill the mission I just found out from where I was destined to die?But far from before, I can clearly understand my purpose in this land now. Those questions are just a part of a normal Nowo who never ran out of complaints and questions in life.Now that I am facing him, not in a safe place but his dangerous place, I know I should never think about going back to our base."What brings you here, my daughter?" He asked me. Everything about the dark lord is kind of weird for me. I also wonder why he always has that evil witch beside him. It's like that woman didn't want to leave him alone."I am here for Fraise," I uttered. I was so determined to get her out of here that I didn't even have time to change my e
[Nowo’s POV]It was a complete, deafening silence the moment they all left the training ground. I thought I was the only one inside at that moment, but then a glowing creature flew towards my direction."Hiya," she greeted me. One of her hands was placed on her back, and the other one continuously waved at me while she was also lowering her gaze.She almost bumped into me, but then I stopped her tiny body with my index finger. "Oops, sorry, dear," she uttered."It's okay. Will you please raise your head up?" I told her while smiling.She pouted, and then she asked me, "Are you still mad at me?"I shook my head from left to right and sat her on my left palm. "I wasn't mad at you.""But you didn't talk to me for days," she responded.I took a deep sigh and then I told her, "Well, I'm kind of disappointed because of what I have figured out recently.""But you can always talk to me about anything. It just doesn't feel right to be ignored, especially by you, my dear," she responded. I coul
[Nowo’s POV]That was the first time I spent almost the whole gloomy day reading only one book. It might not be for me, but the thing is, it captured my attention. What was written inside, as well as the kind of helpful information it provides, makes me want to put my time into it. It's pretty hard to admit, but I find myself really weird these past few days. I've been so busy thinking about everyone’s betrayal towards me, and I knew at that moment that my decision to just end the darkness is at its final level. I know it is kind of unusual for me to confess it, but I don’t feel like ending someone’s life anymore, even if it’s the dark lord. Given the fact that he is my father, won’t change anything. It’s just that I want nothing but peace, and killing will never be a part of it.“Lane, have you...” I was right about to talk to her and paused until I realized that she’s not here with me, and this is the first time I felt completely alone.No Moha, no Lane, no one that I can possibly
[Narrator's POV]Meanwhile, Helios noticed the unusually quiet person beside him. He creased his forehead and started questioning her, "Cordelia, are you alright?"Not only that she's unbelievably silent, but she was also lowering her head to the point that her chin almost reached her chest. Helios is unable to take a peek at her face because it is hidden, and the dark lord's chamber is too dark as well."Hey, kid," Helios uttered after tapping the female defender's shoulder lightly.Helios found it more strange when her body suddenly shakes, as if she was either crying or laughing. A few seconds after that, Cordelia raises her head and stares at him while flashing a wide smile on her face."Am I being weird if I say that I'm completely thrilled and fired up right now, Helios?" She responded. Her voice was too loud for the rest of the defenders to hear her."Are you being serious right now?" Jack asked her.Instead of answering him, she just stared at him still wearing that kind of cr
[Narrator's POV]Life is indeed full of surprises and uncanny events that will leave you dumbstruck for the whole moment. It is quite hard for them to catch their emotions the moment they all figured out that their female comrade is still alive. They didn't know whether to celebrate the happiness they are currently feeling right now or to put their attention to the growing fear and sadness, seeing her in a very unwell condition.The dark lord went somewhere behind Fraise. He clasped his hands on the female defender's shoulders, and then he his near the side of her face. "Wake up and take a look at those wonderful despair painted on your comrades' faces."Raiden was completely annoyed about what the dark lord did. "Don't touch her or even come near her."Pricus quickly lifted his hands away from Fraise's shoulders, "Oh my, I'm scared." He said, and then he started chuckling. A few seconds after that, he began to flash a smirk on his face and touches Fraise's hair gently, and then he su
[Narrator's POV]"Why did you come with us?" Luna asked Lane. "Aren't you supposed to stay beside Nowo?" she added.Lane couldn't blame her for wondering about it because she also knew that it is completely odd for her to accompany them instead of staying beside her dearest person."She doesn't need me. I feel like I'm being abandoned for no clear reasons," the female fairy uttered while lowering her gaze."Hey, don't say that," Luna responded to her. She started tapping her back lightly with her index finger and then she continued, "Nowo will never abandon such a sweet guardian like you."Lane stared at her and asked, "If that's the case, then how come she keeps on hiding? Like she doesn't even want to talk to me anymore.""As far as I know, dear, Nowo didn't speak to anyone for days. Maybe she wasn't in a good mood these days or something really bad came up, and she ended up losing her will to interact or to do anything," she explained.It is clear that she was trying to make the fe