Dawn- An age of Darkness

There wasn't much light coming out of the window. I could see faint traces of lights far away. It was proof that we were still inside the city, and quite high up to be frank: but more importantly, there were people outside. It calmed my heart if only a little.

The room was lit by two burning lamps. Refina had lighted them before leaving. Will I really be able to get powerful enough to beat that monster? If I can't, I won't be able to return home and millions might die…. And who was that Zeline? His voice- My thoughts were all over the place. I couldn't really focus on anything.

Knock! After a solid knock, Refina entered the room along with the elf boy. She brought food in three plates. I wouldn't lie, my stomach was roaring and they looked too delicious.

It wasn't the usual bread and soup I was used to. Rather it was a full course meal. There was bread and soup but there was also rice, fried chicken ( it wasn't that good) and most importantly, lemon juice. The contents of each plate were different though.

I ate as both of them pleasantly stared. One by one I finished all three plates. I also downed all three glasses of lemon juice. Honestly, it was the best meal I had in this world. Wait, three people, three plates…. "Sorry guys. I forgot about you guys," I said while halfway through the last plate. I might have been a little too dense.

"It's okay, there's always more food in the kitchen. But I wished you'd told me earlier that you were this hungry." Refina looked a little sad.

After finishing and drinking all the water I could gulp down, I let out a burp and lied down. Not very gentlemanly, was it? But it was definitely the best meal I had in ages and that was for sure.

"Thank you." The elf boy bowed.

What is up with this world and bowing? At this point, it was just embarrassing. I smiled. "It's okay. There's no need."

"But-"

I changed the subject. "Anyway, how's Lianne?"

"She's too weak to walk around. I'm afraid she might…" He didn't finish. I could tell what he meant.

"Do you think there's anything we could do?"

"Not in this country. Maybe if we could get back to Alfeim-"

"I'd stop it there sir," Refina cut into the conversation.

I got the feeling something was up but I ignored it for the time being. "I'm glad you're alright. Once I'm up and running-"

"Thank you. But please worry about yourself first." The elf boy left hastily. I could see the pain in his eyes. I on the other hand didn't want to rush things. If Lianne was really in a bad state, rushing in my current state would have only complicated things.

"Sir, now that you've finished eating, please rest well," Refina said.

"I was planning on it."

Closing my eyes I tried to stop my thoughts but I couldn't. Refina blew out the lamps and left. The room was quiet and dark. There weren't any insect chirps: there weren't any sounds. I couldn't sleep even if I wanted to. There were just too many things in my head.

Why now of all time, Alicia? Did you come back to haunt me? How did that demon know about you anyway? But she's…. I still couldn't trust the words of the emperor. My sister died because of my fault and maybe that's why I was going through this. I didn't want to run away from the fact but maybe in the end, I really was the one who was running away instead of making up his mind and standing his ground. Even now, I still couldn't forgive myself. So how could my family forgive me if I couldn't?

Before I knew it, I nodded off and abruptly woke up. The sound of a single step echoed throughout the room. The window was open and the curtains, blowing. So it wasn't inconceivable to think that someone would come from the window.

As my eyes were closed all this time, I could see at least somewhat in the dark. Two oval blue eyes pierced the darkness and looked straight at me. I could make out a vague shadow.

"Elf boy?"

"Yes Daarc, it's me." He came closer.

How the hell do you know my name and I don't know yours? Is it me or is this happening a bit too much these days? It was kind of embarrassing when people called your name and you couldn't call them by theirs. But it probably felt infuriating to the other party. Maybe I'll ask his name when it's not awkward.

"What brings you at this hour?"

He maintained his distance and spoke softly. But as there wasn't much noise, I could hear him clearly. "We needed to talk."

"Alright go ahead." I expected this, at least to some extent.

"We need to head to Alfeim within two weeks. I don't think Lianne would last any longer than that," he pleaded.

I was glad he went straight to the point. So Lianne… even though you were that injured, you still reached out for me? Although it was tragic, I couldn't help but grin inside. I'd never seen anybody care for me that much. Of course I didn't let it show on my face. No matter how glad I was showing a grin would have meant great disrespect. "How long does it take to reach Alfeim?"

"One month on land."

My mind was boggling. Wait did he say on land? What about- I knew he'd suggest the sea but I still asked him anyway. "So there's another way to get there? The sea perhaps?"

"Thank the heavens you catch on quick. You see, we can easily get there within a week using mechanical ships but-"

Mechanical ships, huh? If the guy who built that cannon, could build a steam engine…. "They won't give it to you, because it's some sort of military asset?" It was a rough guess but I could picture something like that.

"Yes."

It was only normal. That's what any country would do. "What about normal boats?"

"It will take a little more than two weeks, if the weather remains favorable." His words weren't really that convincing.

"So that's a gamble as well."

"So that's why I'm here."

"What do you mean?" I suspected he'd want my help. It was only natural. But I acted dumb. I wanted to see his resolve. And besides, I was injured and couldn't move around. My bowels didn't grumble yet, but when they wanted to move, I'd be in a messy situation. So I had a lot of other things to worry about too.

"I beg of you, please help me save her…. Please," he bowed his head down to the ground. "You have already done so much for us. It pains me to ask more of you but, please. I will forever be your slave if you should desire. So please!"

I knew he was some sort of nobility. But this act of kindness was something out of the picture. The guy wanted to be my slave in return for my help. He's resolve was that strong? So, I could only meet him head on. "What are you doing? Get up!" I made him get up.

There were faint traces of tears in his cheeks. He must have gone through a lot in these last few days. "I was too rash. If only I was-"

"Don't blame yourself. If you think what you did was wrong then make sure you don't make the same mistake again. That's the only way to repent…." That's how the world worked. It wasn't a game where you could just hit the reset button. Real world had real consequences. Once something is done, you can never change it. You can only repent and hope for the best. I knew that first hand. No matter how much I cried, no matter how I tried, my sister, my Alicia won't come back from the grave. "And don't worry about the payment. I won't ask for something like slavery. I'd rather settle for some special training, so that I could get stronger." Besides, I already knew the elves were stronger than typical humans anyway. So maybe I could even end up learning magic.

"Thank you." He paused. "In that case once I'm home I'll arrange it for you. I will leave now. You need your rest." He swiped the droplets of tears from his eyes and sniffed. He almost sounded like someone high and mighty. I already suspected him to be nobility so it wasn't really surprising.

"You should get some rest too."

He went closer to the window and asked something which I didn't know the answer to. His voice stiffened up a little. "How did you do it?"

"Did what?"

"That spell."

"You were there, right? Can you tell me what happened?" I still didn't know much about the things about that night, let alone the spell and all that.

His voice was devoid of emotion. "You released a sphere of light and passed out. That sphere grew rapidly and covered the entire region wiping out all the undead. But just between you and me, I saw it talking to you: I couldn't understand anything though. In ancient texts, that spell was written as one of the sacred spells- a grand spell lost in time." The guy really knew his history. I got the feeling that I'd learn a lot from him if I became friends with him or something. So making him owe me wasn't such a bad idea after all.

"I see. Let's just call it a miracle and leave it at that for now."

"Very well," he said in a calm voice and jumped off. "I shall trust you," he murmured.

Elves must really have been great jumpers. But he'd given me a few answers. I could finally understand why Sisrael gave me that light. It was also probably her voice that I heard before passing out for good.

So it was you, Sisrael. I really hope you find your true peace. And thank you for everything….

With a long dream of my childhood, I woke up feeling grumpy.. But somehow, I felt better than before.

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