Chapter 4 - Past

 

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Sword Auras:

Each sword carries a unique aura that reflects the wielder's mana, symbolizing their strength and power.

Blue Aura: This aura represents immense strength, often used to defeat powerful creatures. However, when fully unleashed, it can drain the wielder's energy, leaving them exhausted for several days. For someone with low mana, this can be extremely dangerous. It's a force to be reckoned with but comes with significant consequences.

Black Aura: A mysterious and perilous aura, capable of overwhelming anything in its path. It is said that only those with royal blood can wield this aura without losing control. If not handled properly, it can affect the wielder's mind and surroundings. It is a power that demands respect and responsibility.

Green Aura: A protective aura, often chosen by those who wish to shield others. It creates a defensive barrier that absorbs damage, making it a preferred choice for those who seek to protect rather than harm.

White Aura: A balanced aura, commonly seen in knights and common folk. While it lacks the raw power of the black or blue aura, it is reliable and effective in both offense and defense. It's the most versatile and practical aura for many.

Selentia's Memories:

Flashback:

Swish!

The sound of a blade slicing through the air echoes in my mind, a memory I can never escape. It was that night, the one that changed everything.

"No! Mother! Father! Ah!" My voice trembled, filled with panic as I called out to them.

Our home was engulfed in flames, the heat overwhelming as smoke filled the air. I could feel the burn even now, a sensation of suffocation that I couldn't shake off. My heart pounded as I looked at my parents, lying motionless on the floor, their bodies scarred by the intrusion of strangers.

How could they have fallen so easily? They were among the strongest mages I knew. Why couldn't they defend themselves?

"Run, Elen! Aleah!" My mother's words cut through the chaos. She tried to protect us, but it was too late. We had no choice but to flee.

The attackers were relentless. I saw my father fall first, struck down by blades. Then, my mother, her face filled with disbelief as she too was taken from us.

"Father! Mother!" I screamed, my voice breaking. Aleah, my sister, clung to me, her small form shaking as we ran.

"Please don't hurt us!" I pleaded with the figures chasing us, but they showed no mercy. An arrow flew, striking Aleah. She collapsed with a cry.

"No! Sister Aleah!" I screamed, rushing to her side. She gasped for breath, clutching her chest, her eyes wide with pain.

She managed to whisper, "Run... Elen... Run..." before her body went still. A wave of grief washed over me as I realized she was gone.

But I couldn't run. I couldn't leave her like this.

The attackers closed in. "So, you're the one who survived," one of them remarked coldly. "You were never meant to live."

Before I could react, another arrow came for me, but just before it struck, Aleah—my brave sister—stepped in front of me. She shielded me with her own body, and the arrow pierced her heart. Her final act of protection.

"Run, Elen..." she whispered, and then she was gone.

I couldn't comprehend it. How could this happen? I felt helpless, my entire world crashing down.

As I stumbled, the attackers came closer. But before they could do anything more, the world around me blurred, and everything went black.

When I woke, I found myself in a dense forest, far from the remnants of my home. I couldn't remember how I got here, only that the memories of that night haunted me, like a shadow I couldn't escape.

The air was fresh and calm, and the sounds of distant birdsong filled my ears. I tried to sit up, but my body felt weak, drained of energy.

"Master, are you awake? We were so worried!" Zike's familiar voice broke through my haze.

I looked up to see him, his face filled with concern. Zike and his twin brother, Zeo, had always been by my side. They were my family, the only people I could truly rely on now.

I smiled faintly, though it felt like an effort. "I'm fine," I said softly. "Just... a little tired."

Zike knelt beside me, his worry evident. "Master, you've been unconscious for three weeks," he said, his voice laced with concern.

Three weeks? I couldn't believe it. I had no memory of the time that had passed.

"Three weeks?" I repeated, my voice trembling slightly. "I've been out for that long?" The weight of it all settled on me. So much time lost.

Zeo, always the more reserved of the two, stepped closer. "You were very weak. The priest used healing magic to keep you alive, but you needed rest. We didn't know if you would wake."

I tried to absorb what they were telling me, but it felt overwhelming. It seemed as though so much had happened while I was lost to the world. And I couldn't remember any of it.

"Are you okay, Selentia?" Zeo asked gently, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something softer, more concerned.

I nodded, though uncertainty lingered in my mind. "I'm... I think I'm okay," I murmured, though I wasn't sure.

Zeo's POV:

Seeing her like this, so fragile, so lost—it hurt. Selentia had always been our leader, our protector, the one who guided us through everything. But now, I saw a different side of her, one I didn't know how to help.

She had always been strong, unshakeable. But now, there was something in her eyes that told me she was struggling, holding onto something heavy inside her. I didn't know what it was, but I knew it was more than the physical wounds she had endured.

"Selentia," I said softly, trying to comfort her in whatever way I could, even if I didn't fully understand the pain she was carrying.

Zike's POV:

Zike felt the weight of the silence between them. He could see it in her eyes, that pain she was hiding. It pained him to see her like this. She had always been the one to protect them, to keep them safe. But now, she needed their support, and it was hard to see her so vulnerable.

"I'm here, Selentia," he said, offering her a gentle smile. "We're all here for you."

Dining Room:

The dining table felt empty, even though we were all gathered around it. My mind kept drifting back to that night, to the faces of the people who took everything from me. I couldn't let go of the memories, no matter how hard I tried.

"How long have I been out?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Zike responded quickly, his voice filled with concern. "Three weeks. We've been waiting for you to wake up."

The room fell quiet again. We ate in silence, each of us lost in our own thoughts. I couldn't help but think about the path ahead, the one that I needed to follow. But where did it lead? What was I supposed to do now?

Zeo's POV:

Zeo stayed quiet, watching her carefully. He could sense the weight she was carrying, but he didn't push her to talk. She needed time. They all did.

Zike's POV:

As he glanced at Selentia, Zike couldn't help but feel a mix of worry and hope. She was strong, stronger than she realized. She would find her way again, but for now, they had to be patient. They had to be there for her.

Flowell Servants:

The servants of Flowell watched from the doorway, their eyes filled with quiet concern. They had seen their master go through much, but this was different. There was something more to the silence, something they couldn't put into words.

They, too, were worried, but they knew that in time, things would settle. The storm inside her heart would calm.

As the evening passed, I found myself lost in thought, trying to make sense of everything that had happened. But no matter how much time passed, one thing was clear: I couldn't turn back. I had to move forward. For Aleah. For my parents. For everyone who had been taken from me.