(warning: no spoiler warning, I made a promise and I broke it, I'll explain everything on the very bottom part where the author's note should be so nothing's left out... I'm really drunk...ninety-six ninety-seven, ninety-eight... Three-thousand Words!)
Naoya Von Eisen... with a face of death, he can choose your fate upon meeting him in the eye, he's been training on tournaments all over the world and using that as a way to gather information, two birds with one stone... but what I'm scared about is that he might want me to alter his memory... his personality is still lacking but with Liliya, he tends to request me to forget everything that ever happened, which is the main reason as to why he's been training on tournaments, it's not that he hates her or anything, it's because he's afraid of deviating from a single mission, failure is not an option for him and he's been like this since his birth...
but... someday, he'll finally learn his lesson from it all, I've been putting his memories in a mana container since it can hold the cells of the person who used it, I can inject the mixture into him and remember everything he did in the past.
"Kirin... I"
"Forget everything today am I correct?"
Naoya became silent, feeling the room with only awkwardness
"Haahhh... you're a hopeless child... for five years, I won't allow you to forget even a single thing"
"Kirin! why!?"
"one, it's because you're abusing it too much, I know I said that personalities will lead to deviation and imperfections but that's a symbol of life, think of Shifts for example, you'll only become a weaker, carbon copy of him if you don't change your way of thinking"
"I-I see... then I won't ask for any more of this..."
his... he's just way too pure...
"why don't you enjoy the day with Yin for today, she might need someone to be with since she's alone"
"But she has Fenrir and Fenris with her, right?"
"Oh... right... then go enjoy the whole month with Liliya I guess... that girl needs some training and I couldn't find someone better than you"
"bu-"
"No buts, who you are is what you are, if you gain a personality then that's good, now run along now I have something to do right now"
with that, I somehow shoved Naoya to the door, that... his situation really is something I'm not comfortable with
"so? is he finally out of his shell?"
"Theia... yeah, but he's still just a newborn, well... newborn from having somewhat a personality"
"well that's good, wanna check up on him?"
"I want to but... I'm quite busy today"
"you're boring, well then, I'll be leaving"
------------------
that brother of mine is useless in monitoring on his own creations... Naoya's a proper soldier right now, if only he found out what his potential are...
"Lady Theia! happy for your visit but... why are you here?"
"nothing, I'm just going to watch you today, please just pretend that we're not here"
"I see then..."
with the awkward silence, I keep track and 'monitor' him, but in all seriousness, I'm just curious as to how much he has grown over the decades.
Naoya's not much of caretaker, his uptight and most of the time, silent, but when Liliya's with him, I can't help but think that they're just two couples, it kinda amuses me and I want to control the outcome a little but... I'm afraid I'll get a scolding from Kirin... I don't know why but sometimes he's just way too much.
"Firma, what do you think of them?"
"hmm? them who my lady?"
"Liliya and Naoya. I believe you had your trauma for the past year so I think a little joy in your heart could help you"
"haha... I'm sorry my Lady but... I'm afraid I can't answer your question"
"still troubling you huh... then I won't push you"
with a solemn face, she bows to me and continues to stand by my side, Tai died a year ago and she's been drowning herself since... best to ask Kirin about that now...
"Wait, my Lady... can we postpone my mental check-up for now?"
"? that's a bit surprising, Firma. why? I'm afraid I need a reason for your excuse"
"It's... no... nevermind"
she's... hesitant... no... something's not right
"I'll call Kirin tomorrow, why don't we head back to the mansion?"
"Yes... thank you, my Lady"
-------------
They both left...
"Naoya! focus!"
"Y-yes!"
can I still continue like this?...
--------------
some time before Tai's death.
"Kirin, I can do this alone!"
"No! that's inexcusable! Tai, head to where Naoya is right now this instant!"
The human race began to engage in the northern Village with their Heros even for Naoya, Kirin knows what'll happen if he's left alone with the makeshift soldiers he created
"Tai! I need you to charge into where Naoya is right now!"
"affirmative, I'll take care of this swiftly"
along with Tai Mei, Firma was also behind her, Theia's mansion is on the village up north and all of Theia's servants evacuated here, Theia has been sitting and walking in circles, panicked but Tai's composure helped her calm down, even if it's a little bit.
"Wait! Let me take me with you!"
"Firma, I can't let you handle a crowd, your specialty is assassinations and I can't hope that you'll live
if you charge in head first"
"a-... yes, my Lady..."
focused on his monitor, Kirin began to think of the best way to keep everyone safe but
[is this... really the only way?]
there was one problem
"Theia, let Firma go with her... it could help the chances"
"Are you joking Kirin!? you're the one best to decide in this kind of situation! and you're telling me to let Firma go in a suicide mission!?"
Ignoring her, Kirin immediately briefed the mission for both Firma and Tai
"Firma, you're going to follow Tai and don't leave her back, focus on supporting her as much as possible. Tai, you can handle the rest"
"Affirmative"
"Yes!"
"KIRIN!"
the two left as soon as they got their orders, Theia, on the other hand, was pissed
"Kirin! what do you think you're doing!? you're gonna let Firma die!?"
"Theia, who do you choose to die? Firma or Tai?"
surprised by the question, her butler calms her down and Theia began to cool down
"Haahh... I assume that this is unavoidable, am I correct?"
"Yes... I'm afraid we'll have one person as a sacrifice... death is unavoidable..."
"then why didn't you said this to them?"
"do you think Firma will follow her orders if she knows she or her friend is subjected to die? Tai has a strict personality, while Firma is caring and strong but-"
"no matter the case, Firma is not allowed to die!"
"I see then... Yin? your thoughts?"
with a hesitant look, she faces Kirin with a tone akin to losing her lover
"I... we can sacrifice Tai..."
Theia looked at her in shock. I could take a guess as to why her decision was that
"But Yin! she's your blood! you can't just dispose of her!"
"I know miss Theia but... it's my creator's decision and I can't really think of a reason as to why he'd sacrifice one of his children for no reason or hate"
"I see... you really trust him that much?... fine then... I approve of the decision"
"Thank you Theia, Yin, your choice won't be in vain, I can trust you two that"
with their decisions on stone, Kirin immediately heads back to managing the statuses of everybody. everybody in the room currently understood the conversation while there are also some people who were selfish about it
"Excuse me, master Kirin, can't the three of you fight?"
the servant Theia had spoken up a tabooed rule for the three, never speak of fighting for yourself or never talk about the rule
"Idiot! don't question the master!"
the servants were beginning to lose composure just because of one question, Yin was calm but there was a hint of anger on her that could've resulted in something worse
------------------
It's been a couple of days since this battle started... Naoya began to lose his composure, the intervals of his rest wasn't enough and the battle isn't going to end anytime soon.
"Naoya! we're here to help!"
Tai was alone killing the people in front of him. although Naoya saw her kill the enemies, he was still cautious.
"Tai! can you help the villagers on the west here?"
"Yes but take this from a friend, you need some rest, I'll take over on your stead"
Naoya sat down nearby still cautious. Naoya didn't believe her a single second since there was people who can change appearances and he still doesn't know if they're still alive or not.
soon after, Firma joined the battle only as a support, assassinating people from afar by using her bow, fall.
"Leader! a call from the southern side, I believe that they're finally coming as reinforcement"
"so the battle is finally proceeding... good work, support the others until reinforcements come"
the soldier saluted and headed back to his post.
a couple of minutes goes by and suddenly, a loud horn was heard from the distance. the entire opposing army was surprised, clearly, it wasn't their support but it begs the question-
"who called for reinforcements?"
and a few more of the human army shows up, Naoya began to stand up and hurriedly went back to the battlefield, his exhaustion was showing but this didn't stop him, the southern army was a ways away so the only way to win this battle was to prolong it as much as possible.
explosives covered the field leaving nothing at its mercy, friend or foe. Naoya was beginning to lose his composure, he knows that if he continues to fight then his life will end and yet-
"Leader! neutral opposing army has appeared! what're your orders!"
"he attacked us first... I'm afraid we'll have to retreat for now, call all of the mages and mechanics in the city! prepare them to launch a full volley!"
"Roger!"
he found a single ray of hope of surviving, along with the makeshift soldiers, Firma and Tai aren't fit for full war combat. if this goes longer any more than 30 minutes then the two will die, at best one of them and he wasn't taking all of it, their lives, the villagers' lives are at his hands, a single wrong move could end up in death.
the full force Naoya held was beginning to retreat, both Firma and Tai were providing a way to back them and also trying to gain information on the enemy, but then, another volley of explosives began to bomb the area again. under the last second, the three of them took cover in any way possible.
"Shit! this will be troublesome... Naoya! do you have any plans?!"
"no... just provide support for them e-"
suddenly, a huge static could be heard from their ears, it was Kirin, although his voice wasn't at all what they were expecting
"Kirin... is something the matter?"
"Naoya! Firma! Tai! this is an immediate order! abandon the city!"
all of them shook, surprised at the order the got. this wasn't Kirin, no... it was their master being considerate and giving them a choice. both Naoya and Tai understood what the meaning behind the order was but Firma wasn't taking it
"Kirin! you're telling me to leave all the villagers here!?"
"I'm sorry... it's the o-"
"TO HELL WITH THAT! I'm saving them no matter what!"
"FIRMA! LISTEN TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY!"
"SHUT UP!"
turning off the device Firma began to deviate to the order, charging in recklessly
"Damn it! Naoya, could you help me capture her?"
"then move already! we can't catch her if we just stand here!"
both of them were afraid on what could happen to Firma, killing dozens of enemies along the way, Firma was found fighting a battalion of enemies, Naoya began to support her in the back and Tai trying to subdue her
"Don't stand in my way, Tai!"
"You idiot! you can't just deviate even if your life depends on it!"
"I can and I will! wasn't you, of all people said that I have my choice!"
Tai wasn't in the right mood to fight with her so she used a sleeping spell to subdue her, but she was unsuccessful, the two of them, while fighting the whole army was arguing on who's right, meanwhile, Naoya was beginning to sway and flinch due to the exhaustion and somehow-
"Ghk!"
Naoya received a heavy blow in his chest where his heart should be, Tai and Firma snapped out from the arguing and tried to retreat back to the village but they were unable to, they were surrounded, with nowhere to run or hide
"This... is my fault"
"we'll talk about it after this, just wait until reinforcement comes"
both of them agreed and started to fight defensively, Naoya was still breathing even with a pierced heart but it was heavy. any more time and he'll soon die, they needed to get this done with as soon as possible but they have no choice but to protect him...
a few minutes pass and Liliya's group finally arrived,
"Are you all safe!?"
after finally what seemed like a long battle, Both Tai and Firma carried Naoya to where Liliya's group is, petals began to protrude the area giving way to Tai and Firma but as soon as they were halfway through, arrows began to shoot through the petals aiming both to Firma and Liliya, Tai noticed it sooner but both Firma and Liliya were inconspicuous of it. Liliya started to run to where they are, and Firma was on the back supporting Tai. Tai managed to block both the arrows aimed at Liliya and Firma but-
"Tai! watch out!"
Tai was shot, upon realizing, all of the arrows were directed at each other, an arrow that is invisible to the target's vision. coated with a strong poison, Tai collapsed on the ground unconscious.
"TAI!"
Immediately called on her army to cover the three of them but it was all pointless.
---------
the fight finally concluded, Liliya hurriedly brought the two back to the lab. Kirin looked over the both of them and came up with a solution but-
"Liliya... who do you wish to recover? I'm afraid that one will have to die for the other..."
"WHAT!? Creator! what's the meaning of this!"
he explained everything shortly-
"both of them are heavily poisoned, the spearhead on Naoya's and the arrowhead were coated in both magic and natural poison, Tai's in much less danger than Naoya..."
"no... that..."
giving someone to give a decision on who to save was something Liliya hoped would never come to her, along with the people behind her; Firma, Yin, and Theia.
Theia gave her opinion first
"I'm afraid... that I'll have to go with Naoya for this..."
Firma next
"NO! I choose for Tai to be recovered!"
nobody gave each other the reason, only an opinion, along with the two left to choose; Liliya and Yin.
"Y-... Yin... who would you choose?"
"... sorry... I choose Tai to live... losing a sister is something no one wants to happen... especially for me... but... I'm afraid that Naoya gave you the decision... not me..."
Liliya was silent, she knows she has no time to decide, let alone the courage to save someone and leave the other one to die
"Liliya!? but she'll choose Naoya! there's clearly a bias here Kirin! don't tell me you're going to kill off Tai!?"
"Liliya, this is your decision..."
"Kirin! why don't you decide for yourself!? will you ever hide in the coats of others when it comes to these things!"
Firma was the only one angry at the situation, all of them were silent, unable to voice their opinions... or is it that, they already know the answer.
"I-... I'm sorry... I choose... Naoya..."
"... decision has been decided, sorry Firma but you'll have to sleep for the remainder of the time. I do hope for you to learn your mistakes."
Shifts knocked Firma unconscious and carried her to a cell, meanwhile, Kirin started on the procedure to save Naoya, and preserved Tai in a cryotube.
----------------
"I'm afraid your burial will be kept in silent..."
after the decision, Firma was commanded to forget Tai has ever existed, she was pissed at everyone but... she couldn't deviate from orders, even she wanted for her to forget everything had ever happened.
"Crea-... Kirin... do you need me?" with a saddened face, Firma entered the room after the operation.
even with an optimized memory, what she experienced was something even her body would never forget.
"I see then... you're free to leave"
Firma left, she probably will never recover from the Trauma... I'll have Yin fix her... since it's hers anyway and I don't have the power to rehabilitate her...
"Oh!... morning miss Liliya, how're you today"
"... great! I have to meet Kirin in private, do you mind?"
"oh, sorry for interrupting you, I'll be going now"
. . .
. .
"Liliya... you need anything?"
"I'm sorry Kirin but... I've been checking on Naoya for quite a while and..."
"he's been out of it lately... I could even say that he's in a worse condition than Firma, I thought he's been using the Ethereal capsule and asking you to forget some things, why's he still like that?"
with a wry smile, I chuckle a bit, her death really isn't affecting him that much, he's really a perfect soldier you can count on when the time comes and if someone dies, he honors it with his life so it's unlikely that he's affected by it.
"haha... I think the reason is something different, want to check up on him? I could come with you"
"yeah... thanks"