Kingdom of Hallos, City of Beswind, Present day.
Anaria placed her hand on the injured man's chest. His beathing had slowed. She remained at his side while Rebecca and Roy spoke with Adulfus just outside the room.
Xeto avoided answering the man's questions and remained in the room.
Leaving Hansel was a decision that had brought her face-to-face with death more than she cared for. She smiled as her chest lightened. Had she not made the choice, she wouldn't have met Ren and Niolith, two lovely souls that she quickly longed to see again. The man before her would be dead, she had saved his life and the grief of those that would have mourned him. Her candle of content was threatened as she remembered the Lionslayer. Then it was swiftly snuffed out as the images of her old friend, Petra, filled her mind. She wasn't able to save her…only pray that the gods would allow her into their garden. I'm sorry.
"I'm glad you came with Roy," said Xeto, who had remained silent until now, sitting on a low cot across from her. He had removed Zuland chest plate but kept the red silk tunic beneath.
Anaria looked into his eyes only to have him shy away. She had only caught a glimpse, but it was enough, enough to see the fatigue in his stare.
"I'm grateful to have friends like you and Roy." He paused. "Saying it aloud sounds aloof. Other than Rebecca, I've been alone. You've all been by my side and it feels as if I don't share my gratitude enough for it. Choosing the right words from the ocean of options that sway in my mind is…difficult."
Anaria's took a seat on a nearby chair and leaned against her palm. There were moments when Xeto smiled and it felt almost hollow, as if he simply wore a mask of temporary happiness. But now, there was no such disguise.
He remained stiff. "This is more difficult when you remain silent and simply stare."
"Apologies," she said as she felt her cheeks grow warm. "I simply thought you wanted someone to listen."
He sighed. "Perhaps you're right."
"What else is irking you?" she kept her voice low.
"Everything." He ran his hand through his still damp hair before lightly rubbing his temple, doing whatever it took to avoid making eye contact. "Rebecca says that King Ered pardoned me for the lives I took in Hansel and Blaika. I disobeyed direct orders twice to come and find you—you and Roy, I mean. Not an ounce of doubt ran through my mind."
Anaria stood inched her chair forward, moving closer and placing her hand on his. Her face felt as if it could blister from the sudden flushing in her cheeks. Her heart raced as he flinched at her touch. But to her surprise, he didn't pull away, rather, he clutched her palm. The thumping in her chest reduced as she felt his warm skin on hers. "Why did you come?" She asked yet the answer had become clear.
He simply sighed again.
"It's because of Roxas."
He shut his eyes as he responded. "Yes." He lifted his head and for the first time his honey-colored eyes met hers. "Every other night I think about the lives I've saved as a demon hunter. Seeing them alive and well should bring me joy, but it simply reminds me of the ones I couldn't save."
Anaria's lips parted as his words struck similar notes on what she had felt just moments ago.
"I can't resist the thought that maybe I could have saved Roxas two years ago." His voice trembled lightly as his grip tightened. "Had I just acted faster I could have—"
Anaria squeezed his hand as she shook her head. You can't carry the blame for his death. Her thoughts hadn't reached her lips as she lost herself in his stare.
"So…I…I—" he stammered before his voice turned to a shaky whisper. "I care about you all." A single tear escaped his eye. "I can't bear the thought of losing any of you like I did with Roxas."
"You won't," she assured him, strengthening her claim with a smile. There was a moment of silence as they remained motionless. It felt as if an invisible force urged them closer. Before she took notice on what was had happened, they're faces were now inches apart. She felt his breath on the base of her lips, her eyes closing instinctively as his moist hand rested on her cheek.
"Your lieutenant took the liberty of explaining what had happened," Adulfus' voice broke the veil of silence.
Anaria blinked rapidly as she quickly leaned back into her seat.
Xeto blushed as he too pulled back, hiding half his face behind his palm.
Adulfus eyed the them before tilting his head to the side. "Did I interrupt something?"
Xeto cleared his throat. "No, nothing." His voice had returned to the usual stern tone.
Anaria room seemed to sway. She fought against the sudden light-headedness as her heart felt as it would burst from her chest. "I need some air." She made no attempt to look back at the pair as she rushed out of the room.
~0~
It took some time to find a tunnel out of the underground maze.
Anaria was now in a garden similar to the one they found Calanus. Though the area around her was nowhere as pristine as the district they had entered from.
The full moon illuminated the weathered garden. The surrounding buildings were infected with large unsettling cracks that were reminiscent of open wounds. Others were reduced to large piles of rubble with vegetation and flowers sprouting around them. It gave the small field an almost natural beauty.
What happened here? She stepped over a large pile of fractured stone as she craned her head around, taking in the scene further.
Old curtains hung on windows from the balconies overhead. The roots of potted plants escaped through the fractures in the clay and snaked into the ground.
Anaria breathed in the night air, cleansing some of the discomfort in her gut. They were fortunate that Adulfus had believed that they were no threat. So much so that he had instructed his men to aid them in any way they could.
"What was that?" she murmured to herself as the memory from mere minutes ago lodged itself in her mind. She and Xeto inches from—from. She attempted shaking the thought away, no luck. She walked over to a natural-formed pond and rested on her knees. Her head boiled with embarrassment as her reflection looked up at her. She dipped in her cupped hands wiped the refreshing water slowly down her face. "Xeto is simply a friend," she lied to her reflection. "He's—"
"If you're here, it best mean that Morion is well."
Anaria gasped louder than intended as shiver ran down her spine.
The mercenary, Keilerah, leaned against a nearby piece of rubble with her arms crossed.
How long had she been there? Did she hear me just now? Anaria swallowed her uncertainty as she waved. "Night's blessing. I didn't know you were here."
Keilerah kept her scowl. "Morion. Is he alive?" Her voice was cold.
"Yes, of course." She stood put out her hand. "Perhaps if I knew exactly what happened I could—"
"That's none of your concern, priestess." Her voice carried malice. "Once Morion wakes, you and yours can make trails."
Anaria's shoulders slumped. "We will." She eyed the mercenary directly. "It'll be over soon, all this conflict I mean."
"Is that so? How is that?"
"Did you not know? In two days, the leaders of each nation are going to resolve all of this. A meeting of peace. My companion, Rebecca claims a war is coming, but I can't entertain that idea. No man would truly wish for war, not with all the suffering it would bring."
Keilerah scoffed. "What a naïve little girl."
Anaria brushed off the statement. "But, look at us. We're not enemies. We avoided conflict and now we're sharing a night sky." She looked up at the beautiful pearl that was the moon. "Some men are foul, yes, but kings are wise and true…they would not risk the lives of their people, and like us…will avoid violence."
Keilerah let out a sardonic chuckle. "Little lamb, you live in a fantasy built on traits from children's storybooks." She pushed off the rubble and began towards her. "I'll give you a piece of insight. Keep faith in only yourself. Not in others, not in gods, not in effigies. If you don't build a tower of hope, then you can never from it." She walked past.
Anaria paused. Keilerah's words were reminiscent of Xeto's. She felt a sudden weight of guilt as she reached out. "You're just like him," she mumbled. "But you don't have be afraid." Her hand landed on the mercenary's tattooed shoulder.
Keilerah suddenly snapped back, landing a backhanded blow across Anaria's cheek. She retained her cold stare.
Anaria rubbed her throbbing cheek as the stinging pain traveled down her jaw. Her heart fell to her stomach as her lower lip quivered.
Keilerah stared her down. "I'm not afraid of anything. Oh—and a second piece of advice. Don't ever put your hands on me." Her footsteps faded as she vanished behind dilapidated pavilion.
Anaria's shaky legs brought her back to her knees. She sniffled and inhaled slowly. She wasn't wrong. Keilerah was just like Xeto, hidden behind a wall meant to keep others out. Her hostility only confirmed it further. Anaria's reflection looked back at her with somber eyes. This will be over soon. And when it is, people like the Lionslayer, Xeto, and Keilerah could finally rest. Anaria hugged her knees as she prayed to the gods above like she had done so many nights before. A shadow of doubt loomed over her as she repeated the thoughts in her mind. Peace will come.