*Aldan's Diary*
—Entry 1—
I almost could not believe it. Though I devoted my whole life to this cause, I never thought I would succeed. I've found it. The truth of this world, which none of us knew. The real reason summoned heroes have soul fragments, and what it means. I am one step closer to my ultimate goal.
Though I do not have the power to do anything, I must avenge our mother. At the same time, I must not be rash in my decision. My younger siblings' lives are at stake. For now, at least. To break out of this endless loop, I need to obtain power. Untouchable power, one unrivaled by anything else. Several theories have been said about it, but none are accurate.
This does not mean I shall take this new development as a failure. Not at all. In fact, due to this new information, I know how to move on from here. My path is chockfull of danger, this is how I know I am headed in the correct direction. After all, an empty house has no guards…
*11 years ago*
(36th Day of the 1st Month; Year 7787 of the Drystalle era.)
—Estelle—
"Ugh!" I groaned for umpteenth time, my hands furiously scribbling down all the information I knew. It did not help that the driver thought it necessary to make sharp turns. Just like the one he was currently making.
"Seriously, how did a stupid psycho like this even obtain a permit?!" Though the bus was almost empty, the few passengers on it were inclined to agree with me. Short-tempered I may be, but this was too much. They, however, did not voice their discontent.
I turned over all the information I had gathered from Aunt Melda. Surges of power in seven different locations. While it may have been something else, I was fairly certain three of them were Hlia, the revelations.
"Silence!" Said a man just out of my field of vision. I sighed exasperatedly. What I got in reply were several gasps of surprise. What? Never heard of a girl dissing an armed hijacker?
"Are you testing me, girl?!"
Huh?
"Stopping harassing a child." I ignored the armed men and started tracing the origin of the power surges. Pressing my hand on the screen projected a hologram of towns I suspected. Hovering my hand over the western side of Zyliane expanded the map, and I zoomed in on all the towns near Sorvia Forest. The closest town to the impassable forest barely had enough power, so it was nigh impossible to have a power surge in such a location.
"So, factoring in the distance and intensity, I'd say it is around the Tymal region. However…" I continued muttering to myself. It was entirely possible I was mistaken, and if I was, finding them would be a lot harder. "If it was around Tymal region, then that must mean…" My mind told me to focus on the men, but I had long since registered them as harmless. Why should I pay any heed to morons with fancy weapons? They posed no threat.
Though I had (mostly) ignored them, none of the men seemed willing to hurt a child. I therefore put all my attention on the map displayed in front of me. I was uncertain about all the other towns since they were more developed than Fidsa. "Ugh! This is more work than I realized! They should be grateful I am putting all this effort."
Their patience must have worn out. Maybe I should have paid more attention. Maybe the reason the left me alone was because of my school uniform. The rest of the passengers had been moved to the right corner of the bus.
They made a demand, but I did not process it. My busy mind finally snapped attention when a high-pitched scream tore through the air. I sighed tiredly and finally looked up. Several men wearing masks had their weapons pointed at one man. From what I could gather, not all of them were men. I spotted three women at the very back of the bus, all armed. What made me double take was the weapons they carried.
Sure, I had seen them when they boarded the bus, but that was it. A glance was it I had gotten before I lost interest. However, these wannabe gangsters had restricted weapons, the type even soldiers may never see in their lifetime. What the hell is going on?
"I'll ask one more time. Which of you is the Elyana royal?" All the passengers were frozen in fear, not even attempting to speak. The silence was understandable. Myrinia's lastborn daughter had been kept secret. None knew her, or if she even existed. This was one strange situation. Why were they so sure the noble was here?
One of them briefly glanced in my direction. A shiver racked my body, and I had to cover my mouth to stifle the yelp rising in my throat. The idiot grinned and struck a pose, as if he thought I was staring in awe. I wasn't even interested in him to begin with.
I am the hunter.
A presence I hadn't felt in a while invaded my mind. Too long. It has been too long since I heard that chilling voice. Yep. Warning signals went off my head. Better stay away from this situation. I turned back to my phone and tried to block out the sound.
These pathetic attempts are pitiful. I'll show you what happens when prey decide to hunt.
"I'll shoot! I swear upon my mother's grave, I'll shoot!" I closed my eyes, and even then, I could practically taste the fear in the air.
Ha-ha-ha! Why are you doing nothing? This fear calls to me!
I gritted my teeth. All this fear is making me lose control…! Why now?! I refuse to take responsibility on what happens next! I am innocent…!
I stood up. All eyes except the guy with a gun to his face snapped to me. "Sit down and stay quiet. We'll drop you off at the next station." I cocked my head to the side. "You will? How will I get home after that?"
They stared at me blankly. "I live in Utalo. How do you expect me to get home when I don't have money?" I could get home just fine, no matter where I was dropped off. I was stalling for time. Reason?
For some reason, the passengers were shaking like leaves. Yes. People with much more mana than these common thugs were terrified. How is that possible? Sure, the high-tech guns were terrifying, but I was willing to bet they could not even use them. So why? What could make this many mana blessed people cower? I spread out my senses, and froze.
My, my. It would seem you need me after all. Come on, just say it. We both know how this will end.
S-shut up!
In that moment, I regretted not paying attention. Among the excitement, I failed to noticed a highly mobile bomb slipping into the bus. Were they planning to detonate the bus? I tsked. It was a good plan, only if one was suicidal. Public buses were reinforced with Daelindite, which was the hardest substance in the planet. Almost nothing could dent it.
This bomb won't even scratch its surface. Of that I was certain. Seems a bit odd that only the vehicle will remain intact. How could I miss something with so much mana? Even she couldn't survive the blast. I distinctly remembered what they were demanding. A noble from the house of Elyana.
Me? Nah. I might be closely related to nobility, but that's it! Surely I was not the target in this situation, right?
Right?
I mean, my mother might be Queen's sister, but that doesn't mean anything.
Right? Right?! For some reason, they seemed to be leaving the residential area. Was this a kidnap attempt?
"Listen up! I will not ask again. Which of you belongs to goes by the name Elyana?"
...…
...
...…
"Are going to remain silent? We'll just kill everybody anyway." Despite myself, I could feel the mirth stirring within me. My vision was a bit blurry, but I had no choice. If she appears, it will be their own fault. It's times like these I curse my body. If I were just a little more developed, I would have taken these guys.
And no! I don't mean my chest! I don't!!
Curse this small body!!!
My mouth went dry. "I'm Estelle Elyana, third daughter of Myrinia Elyana. Your business is with me."
The moment I spoke, everybody froze. The passengers were looking dejected, probably wishing they could help me but thinking of their lives. The armed men, on the other hand, looked genuinely shocked. "A child? We were sent to kill a child?"
I lifted a brow. Reservations, eh? Aren't these people dumb? Was I really their target? Or was is one of my sisters? Why would they accept a job without even knowing the target? Granted, I've been living my life in incognito mode. It didn't bother me because I liked to keep to myself. Even in my school, none knew of my social status.
"I might be broke, but I have principles. Boss, I want out."
"I have kids too. I get the feeling killing this girl will just tempt fate."
"SHUT UP!" The leader glared at all his men. "If you have forgotten, we were promised a sum which would last one a lifetime. We were ordered to kill a noble, weren't we? Fate has nothing to do with this. This girl is the only noble here, therefore, prepare to do your job. You're willing to let this opportunity go just because of principles? Think of this girl as the final sacrifice to make your dreams a reality. Think of all the lives which will be saved once we leave this profession. If one measly life can make that happen, I won't hesitate."
Harsh. I would have done the same thing, however... This is my life you're talking about. At least show some remorse. Suddenly, I felt a chill run down my spine. The same man who had been threatening the passengers had silently pointed his weapon at me. "I'll give you the mercy of a quick death. Any last words?"
You're useless. Guess I'll take over.
Oh, well. I tried. I really tried to squash the burning sensation coursing the my very being. I tried to keep back the sweet, sweet sensation of power now filling my body. Even the voice sounded convincing when it promised to relieve me of my pain. I could feel control of my own body slipping through my fingers.
She, or rather, I let out a mocking laugh. "A quick death you say? I am the Goddess of death! How dare you, a pathetic mortal being threaten me?"
The atmosphere turned chilly as people eyed me warily. My body was a living conduit, thrumming with nothing but mana. No…
Yesss.
"Bwahahahaha! A mere mortal thinks he can kill me? Figures you would become cocky and arrogant a few years after I left. I would love to see where your confidence comes from. What are you waiting for? Come at me!" The man's hand started to tremble. "Oh? You recognize this feeling, don't you? This icy fear spreading through your system until you cannot think, cannot speak. This is death!"
I took slow steps toward the only person with a weapon pointed at me. Terror danced in his eyes, his finger trembling on the trigger. I took another step. And another. And another.
A thunderous blast echoed in the silent bus. Shock was clear on his face, though it was not because he had fired. No, it was because of the mana blast which had dissipated before it even touched me. Shocked did not even begin to explain it.
A playful smile played on my lips.
"Boy, you are centuries too young to earn the honor of killing me." I flicked her hand at two of his companions and they went down, hands on their throats. "I am death! Nothing in this mortal realm can harm me." Shadows danced on my hands.
"Insenra." Three more men fell down, dead. Of the remaining, I pointed at the leader. "What was it you said? 'Think of this girl as the final sacrifice,' was it? I'm exactly like you, one 'measly life' doesn't matter to me. Why should it? That said, you deserve a fate worse than death. Migena!" A hole opened up at his feet and swallowed him whole. I giggled joyously. Tapping my finger against my lips, I once again assessed the three remaining hijackers.
"What will I do with you lot?" The only woman remaining in their group sniffled, slow tears streaming down her face. "Please…" She begged while kneeling close to my feet. "Begging for mercy? You were about to kill an innocent girl for money."
"N-no! I was against this plan from the very beginning! I never wanted anyone to die!" I sighed tiredly. "Really? People like you disgust me. Ugh! This world is so wrong! Lamenting will get me nowhere. Oh, yeah! I guess I should have started with you then."
I raised my hand, however, before I could pass judgment, something cut through the air and collided with the bus with enough force to shake it violently. I lifted my eyes and stared dubiously. Someone was on top of a moving bus? I got my answer a few seconds later.
The topmost part of the bus caved and gave in to the lone person who casually dropped down. "Lia. Stand down."
I stiffened. I knew that voice. She knew that voice.
Don't listen to hi-
The voice stopped when I gazed into his cold green eyes. All the power left my body, and I collapsed on my knees, gasping for breath.
The hijackers, thinking they were saved, started thanking the silver haired elf. There was still one who was pissed that his friends had been killed so easily. His eyes were glazed as he looked at his gun sorrowfully. He raised it at me once more, his face twisting angrily.
"You'll pay! You'll pay for what you've done." I didn't have the strength left to even retort. I lifted my head to face him from my position on the floor, and the guy had a crazed look about him. The elf stared at him, as if daring him to make the first move. I was sure he would. He had lost his marbles after all. Suddenly, the elf was beside him, his glare piercing through his resolve. "Don't."
Though it was intimidating, the guy to ignore his base instincts. Or maybe he was already too far gone. He did not gaze into those green orbs and realize this was not an elf to be defied. The elf moved so fast, it even looked like a blur to me. One moment, he was holding up a gun. The next, blood sputtered as his hand was severed from his body. The poor man didn't even get to scream. The elf finished him off while still wearing an impassive face.
Such a grotesque scene that caused the part of me I hid away to squirm in delight.
"Commander?" It was the first time I had spoken to him since he came. His eyes softened for a fraction of a second as he stared down at me. He turned his steely gaze to the hijackers as he extended a hand to me. Their faces turned from relieved to petrified. They seemed even more scared of him than they were of her.
Huh…
Finally, the commander spoke up. "Who's next?"