Taman Tengah Elysvarre
Three nights after the Pax Arcanum Council
Rumors began to circulate among the people.
"Fitran Fate once loved another woman."
"Sheena is merely a replacement."
"Queen Iris and Rinoa may be calling him back."
No one knew where the rumors originated. No one knew who whispered them. Yet the tone of the whispers felt too deliberate to be mere coincidence.
Sheena heard the news from a pale-faced palace servant as she went to meet Fitran on the grand balcony.
"They... are using your past."
On that magnificent balcony, the Elysvarre flowers, fragrant with memories of their past, bloomed beautifully; yet at that moment, their scent not only reminded Sheena of their shared joys but also deepened the pain enveloping her heart, urging her to recall every beautiful yet hurtful moment they had experienced together. The soft night breeze whispered, carrying with it the painful rumors and adding weight to the atmosphere. Sheena felt as though the dark shadows of the past overshadowed the clarity of the present. She could see Fitran, once so full of life and vitality, now surrounded by a fog of doubt and sorrow.
Fitran stood silently, his eyes seemingly holding an ocean of emotions. He reminisced about the beautiful moments when his feelings were fulfilled, yet now all of it felt like it was fading into shadows. His heart raced—not only from the pain of hearing the gossip, but more than anything, he feared losing Sheena. Pressured by hopes and fears, he felt an increasing weight of responsibility to protect them from the trials ahead.
Unexpectedly, the tranquil night atmosphere did little to soothe Sheena's heart. She looked at Fitran, feeling a wave of emotions stirring within her soul. With a trembling voice filled with uncertainty, she added, "Do they want you back, Fitran? Or do you yourself want to return?" Her words were not only a reflection of concern; they encapsulated the rising uncertainty enveloping their relationship, creating fractures in a space that should have been filled with comfort and affection, highlighting the profound dilemma they both faced in this tense and fragile moment.
Fitran grasped her shoulders. "I know. This isn't just gossip. This is their first step. Emotional cracks." Around them, the air felt heavy with tension, and the scent of an impending rain added to the oppressive atmosphere. Sheena could feel her heart racing; fear crawled across her skin like the chill of the night. In the soothing darkness, shadows of the past flickered through her mind, bringing forth new worries that ran far deeper.
Sheena bit her lip. "I'm not afraid of your love. I'm afraid... our people will start to believe." The depth of Sheena's voice reverberated in the silence, carrying a disturbing sense of anxiety. The distant sound of evening bells reopened old wounds; each toll, each echo seemed to remind them of the struggles they must face.
In the distance, the tolling of evening bells rang out. Each chime resonated between the grand castle walls, as if warning of the lurking dangers. Fitran clenched his fists, cold sweat trickling down his temples, and he spoke with a burning, determined voice, "Enough." His voice sounded firmer, filled with unwavering resolve, as he took his first step toward a long-awaited destiny, affirming that his commitment to Sheena and their people would not waver, even as the challenges ahead felt increasingly daunting.
That night, Fitran wore a dark cloak. Without insignia. Without marks of honor. He stepped through the shadows of the castle, almost merging with the darkness that enveloped him. The wind whispered through the cracks of the streets, carrying vague messages from the outside world. He inhaled deeply, trying to capture the essence of what was to come. At his waist, Excalibur hung. Not for ceremony. For war. As if every drop of metal bore both hope and threat simultaneously.
Quietly, he slipped through the castle's underground passages toward the eastern district of Elysvarre, where the strongest rumors circulated. Moonlight filtered through the cracks of the hall, casting moving shadows around his feet. Tension filled the atmosphere as he contemplated what lay ahead. A deepening sense of solitude accompanied each echo of his footsteps against the cold walls. The place where the Purifiers hide. Accompanied only by his thoughts, he sank deeper into his own fears.
In the ruins of an ancient monastery, blue glyphs flickered faintly like stars trapped in darkness, emanating an elusive aura of mystery and ancient wisdom. Each glyph radiated vibrations of energy that influenced the soul, urging Fitran to proceed with caution. Within these ruins, three of the Purifiers stood tall, their faces concealed by plain white masks, resembling ghostly figures from legends who appeared only when the world was in dire need. Behind them, the secret agents of Atlantis and Gaia stood in a silent alliance, waiting with a mix of patience and hostility, their eyes fixed on a predator drawing near.
One of the Purifiers spoke with a voice layered in enchantments. "Fitran Fate. We did not invite you." His voice was thick, almost merging with the distant rumble that echoed from afar. The words carried an aura of threat, simultaneously revealing a calm that seemed to mask the fear within. Fitran felt every pulse of energy surging around him, heightening his senses and emboldening him to step forward.
Fitran walked in without fear. His voice was low but sharp. "I wasn't invited. I came because you touched something that should never have been touched." His courage radiated a defiant aura, demanding attention. Each word became a sharp weapon, clashing with the uncertainty surrounding him and reminding everyone of a past filled with betrayal. He drew Excalibur, the blade emitting a pure white light. The light of free will. It symbolized hope and uncertainty, representing the struggle between truth and lies.
"You spread lies to tear me and Sheena apart. You manipulate the people who have chosen freedom over oppression. You use Rinoa's name... as a weapon against us."
He raised his sword, the light emanating from Excalibur casting dramatic shadows on the walls around them, heightening the tension in the air thick with magic. Thorns of disappointment and anger flowed through Fitran's mind, recalling how Sheena always fought against oppression, making the truth shine brighter than the light of his sword.
"I will not remain silent, for this is about more than just ourselves; it is about the people who rely on us and the future they deserve.
One of the Enforcers attempted to calm the situation, their voice trembling despite the apparent strength behind their assertion. This strength was veiled in doubt, perhaps aware that confronting Fitran was no simple task.
"We are not attacking you. We are merely correcting the misguided will."
Fitran shot a piercing glance. "You are not fixing anything. You are simply afraid." His voice thundered, breaking the heavy silence of the night, causing the leaves outside the magical nest they occupied to rustle.
"And your fear I will match with my will."
The Enforcer recited an ancient Willcraft incantation, their voice growing more assertive as the magical energy around them intensified. The silence shattered with the resonant vibrations of the chant, as if echoing the souls of their lost kin.
"Scriptura Reversionis: Pactum Correction."
(The Reversal Script: Correction of Will, an ancient incantation known to bind the will of even the most determined souls)
A blue light formed conceptual chains that surged toward Fitran, attempting to bind his will directly—not his body. The tension intensified, the air feeling heavier, as if presenting them a choice between surrendering their power or warding off the binding influence.
But Excalibur moved faster. There was a magnetism in its motion, captivating Fitran's attention just like when Sheena stood by his side, igniting his spirit for battle.
With a single slash, the chains were severed. The blue light transformed into magical dust, dancing like stars shattered in the dark of night. It was as if the magic responded to Fitran's courage, reminding all who witnessed that free will is an unbreakable force capable of defying fate.
"You cannot bind a will that has been tested by love and choice."
Fitran advanced. Each of his steps shook the stone floor, as if the ground beneath him sought to support this inescapable journey. Each thud added strength within him, where Sheena's shadow appeared before him, instilling in him the motivation to press on.
"Eos Severantia."
(Dawn Breaker)
The strike of Excalibur created a white wave that was not merely a physical force—it was a rejection of the concept of bondage. With every flick of Fitran's hand, new hope flowed; a promise for all that had been lost, including Sheena, who was ever-present in his thoughts and soul.
The first Enhancer was thrown back. Its mask shattered, revealing a face filled with pure fear. That expression reflected Fitran, who realized he was fighting not just for himself, but for everyone who yearned to live in truth.
The second Enhancer began to recite another incantation.
"Consensus Obedientia."
A blue aura attempted to force Fitran to submit to the ancient Pactum of lifelessness. However, Excalibur shone even brighter, as if the light from the sword infused new vigor into the entire space thick with tension, casting shadows on the walls that illustrated the strength of his determination.
"I do not submit to the consensus that seeks to undermine our freedom. I choose to stand firm in my beliefs."
Taking two steps forward, Fitran unsheathed his sword and slashed at the glyph at their feet. The entire spell shattered. The sound of the cracks echoed, intensifying the tense atmosphere in the room, while the fine dust from the broken glyph floated in the air, glimmering in the light of his sword.
One by one, the Enhancers fell to their knees. Not dead, but their magical will was shattered. Fitran felt the battle thirst flowing through him, while at the same time, doubt crept in. He knew that even though they would not move any further, the threat would always remain.
Fitran stood in the center of the room, his breath heavy and labored. He felt a burning tension in his chest, like a flame that would not extinguish, determined to uphold the fragile peace that now existed. Every drop of sweat on his brow reflected the immense burden he carried in facing all these challenges and the necessity of being a role model to inspire others to keep fighting.
He pointed at them with the tip of his sword. The movement was firm, demonstrating that he was not merely a leader, but also a protector of the weak, of those who stood with him.
"I will not kill you. For my will is not one of cruelty."
"But if you touch Sheena or my people again..."
"I will break not only your magic. I will break your will."
When Fitran returned to the balcony where Sheena was waiting for him, his face was full of exhaustion, but his eyes were resolute, radiating an unquenchable spirit. Despite appearing tired, there was a glimmer in his eyes that revealed his unwavering determination. He felt it, the strong bond with Sheena, which made him unafraid even as challenges came crashing down; a courage that transformed into a bridge toward a better future.
Sheena looked at him with concern. Shadows darkened her face as worry pressed heavily on her chest. She longed for the warmth that Fitran usually radiated, and her sense of relief diminished as she noticed the wounds beginning to show on Fitran's hands.
"Them?"
Fitran grasped her hand. His grip was firm, as if attempting to transfer all his strength to Sheena, affirming their belief that they would endure this together.
He gazed into Sheena's eyes, noticing the tension reflected on her face, and sought a way to soothe their hearts. "They will not dare to touch our will again... for now," he said firmly, carrying a strong sense of hope even though his heart was cloaked in a fog of invisible doubt as he tried to create a calm atmosphere amidst this emotional storm.
Sheena lowered her head, tears hanging on the brink of falling like fragile glass ornaments. "I'm afraid this war will extinguish the light in your eyes." She struggled to hold back her tears, creating a profound silence between them; she knew that no matter how hard the struggle, their feelings would endure as a light that could never be extinguished.
Fitran shook his head. "As long as I'm with you, I will not lose who I am." His words flowed softly, and he felt strength in their connection, as if love were a weapon in this invisible battle, a shield that would protect them from the threats lurking outside.
Behind them, the night sky that once brought fear now stood witness that the will of love had prevailed, if only for a fleeting moment, offering new hope in trying times. The stars shone brighter, as if supporting those who fought for love and hope in these challenging years, illustrating that even in darkness, there is always light to be found, waiting to be discovered.
But the war is not over yet, and the chilling challenges make Sheena shiver, as if responding to the weight of that statement. She gazes at Fitran with deep concern; her usually bright eyes are now filled with the reflection of rising tension. Around them, the air is thick with the smell of damp earth and the fresh aroma of plants that seem to be struggling to survive amidst encroaching darkness. The atmosphere surrounding them stands in stark contrast to the anxiety in their hearts; the moonlight reflecting off the lake's surface creates an illusion of deceptive tranquility.
"Are you sure we can face everything?" Sheena asked, her voice barely a whisper yet heartfelt, trembling with hope and uncertainty. Fitran pulled his cloak tighter around him, shielding himself from the cold without taking his gaze away from the dark sky. "With our strength and trust in each other, nothing is impossible," he replied, his voice steady despite the fear that burned within him. He sensed the energy of Willcraft flowing and vibrating around them—a power ready to be harnessed, yet fraught with both promise and peril.
They both knew that time was not on their side; the shadows of their enemies were closing in, and in the suffocating silence, Fitran grasped Sheena's hand. The contact of their skin met the cold air, bridging the warmth they both feared would soon fade away. "We will fight together," he said, reaffirming his promise, while the light from the stars flickered, as if to support their decision to confront the impending darkness.