Estoff Wraith
"Elumina!" My shout reverberated through the surroundings, piercing the silence that engulfed us. I swiftly reached out, preventing her head from colliding with the unforgiving ground. But what met my touch were hands trembling with an icy chill, their life force waning. Her heart, once so vibrant, had ceased its rhythmic dance. Why? Could it be the toll of repeated encounters with the formidable Dracaryx?
"…Estoff…" Tears cascaded down her cheeks, mingling with the dry asphalt below. Yet, amidst the pain, she mustered a brave, joyous smile. "...I apologize... I am unable to fulfill the promise I made to you..."
"No...," my thoughts dissolved into a bewildering haze. How could I navigate this disheartening reality? How could I reignite the dormant embers of her heart? A flicker of understanding ignited within me—I would attempt to resuscitate her pulse.
Gently laying her down, I positioned my hands upon her chest. But before I could exert pressure, Elumina's delicate hands interlaced with mine. "...It's futile, Estoff... This is my journey's end..." Her breaths grew labored, akin to a desperate asthmatic gasping for air. "I-I'm grateful... that we once experienced the Vesryn Pulse... if only for a fleeting moment... It brought me immeasurable joy..."
A luminous smile blossomed upon Elumina's countenance, as if the morning sun had bestowed its radiance upon her visage, revealing her ethereal innocence. "...I love you... Estoff... I'll... be awaiting you... on the other side..."
Then, the life force of my beloved dissipated, leaving behind a tranquil stillness. Her eyes, closed in eternal slumber, held a luminescent smile, as if she had found solace and liberation in her final moments. Her suffering had at last come to an end. But I refuse to accept this fate! I vowed to grant her a life of freedom and happiness, and this is not the ending I had envisioned.
"ELUMINAAAAAAAAA!!!"
My voice echoed into silence, only to be silenced itself by the parched dryness in my throat. I pressed my lips against hers one last time—a kiss that stretched on for an eternity of five minutes. In that span, Amphere and Airelina arrived at the scene, their faces etched with sorrow. Airelina gently placed a hand on my shoulder and commanded me to keep my distance. Transforming her hands into a makeshift defibrillator, she desperately attempted to revive my love, shocking her lifeless form three times, five times, ten times, twenty times, fifty times. But it proved futile.
Suddenly, the piercing gaze of an empire soldier fell upon us. Swiftly, he reached for his radio, his words trailing off in the midst of his report. "Baseplate, this is Charlie Five. I have located Estoff Wraith. I require backup at my coordinates. He was accomp-"
I wouldn't allow him to complete his sentence. With a single shot from my Colt pistol, the soldier's life was abruptly extinguished. His words faded away, swallowed by the silence of death. Gripping my broadsword tightly, I aimed its point at Airelina's throat.
"Let us bring this to an end, Amphere," I uttered icily, my voice devoid of all warmth.
Amphere's face contorted in astonishment. "W-What on earth are you attempting to do!?"
"That soldier spotted us. If they discover our alliance, the consequences will be dire. Escaping is futile. We have no choice but to fight... to the death."
"What the hell are you saying!? You've lost your mind!" Amphere's voice reverberated with disbelief.
Yet, his gaze shifted towards the distant southeastern skies. His expression revealed a profound realization. Tiny as they appeared from this distance, those insect-like forms were none other than the dragon knights. They must have intercepted the coordinates shared by the meddling soldier.
"Time is running out. End me, Amphere Harrison!" I shouted, raising my sword, prepared to sever Airelina's life.
Harnessing his formidable reflexes, Amphere swiftly countered my attack, wielding his photon sword to intercept my blade. With a forceful kick, he sent me sprawling backward, creating a substantial gap between me and the scarlet-haired dragonoid. "I refuse to fight you, Estoff!" Amphere cried out, his voice tinged with anguish.
"I will make you!" I lunged forward, aiming for a piercing thrust, but Amphere deftly twirled his crystalline sword, parrying my attack with precision. My sword went soaring through the air, but I swiftly caught it with my free hand, preparing for a forceful strike. Yet again, Amphere skillfully blocked my blow with his sword, maintaining a steadfast defensive stance in this grim duel.
I had to find a way to convince him; otherwise, all our efforts would crumble to dust. "Amphere, you're no longer a child! Consider this: killing me before those knights will grant you honor and the charismatic reputation of a hero! It will greatly benefit the Dragonoid Rights Bill to have the support of the dragon knight who vanquished the revolutionary, Estoff Wraith!"
"I can't!" He cried out, his voice laced with anguish, as he blocked another lethal strike from me. "I won't do it! I refuse to kill a friend!"
"My life has reached its end, Amphere," I said with a bitter smile. "You're absolutely right. I constructed Arcadia solely to grant Elumina her freedom. Now that Elumina is gone, everything may crumble into oblivion!"
Time seemed to slow as I drew my pistol and aimed it at the bewildered Airelina. With this, my perfect plan would be secured. Amphere couldn't bear to see his dragonoid comrade harmed. His eyes turned crimson, his reflexes triggered, and he darted forward with the speed of sound, thrusting his glowing sword into my heart. Yet, I felt no pain, for the loss of my love earlier had already inflicted upon me the maximum agony possible.
Instead, a sense of renewal washed over my heart.
"No..." Amphere muttered, his voice trembling. "I... I don't want it to end like this..."
Blood gushed from my mouth, staining my lips. "Yes... This is how it was destined to be..."
Several dragon knights descended upon the scene, bearing witness to the blood-soaked knight impaling a notorious villain responsible for countless murders and acts of terrorism. Their eyes glimmered with awe as they beheld the birth of a hero on this desolate highway in Twilight City.
Clutching my chest, now numb and drenched in my own crimson blood, I mustered my strength. "I thank you, Amphere Harrison... You have been an exceptional student... and a friend. I am grateful that your dedication has taken you so far, allowing you a glimpse of my dream..."
Amphere closed his eyes, fighting back tears that threatened to escape. I could sense the tremor in his hands. "I-I'm sorry," he stammered. "If only I were stronger..."
"Don't apologize, you fool," I smiled, crimson droplets seeping from my lips. "Do not dare to place blame on anyone. That is not the mindset of a true dragon knight. Do not fault your own perceived weakness or the actions of your adversaries. Stand tall, find the strength within you, and strive to achieve greater honor."
With my blood-soaked left hand, I gently cupped Amphere's face, drawing him close as I wrapped my other arm around him. His countenance contorted in agonizing pain, resembling a devastated child whose cotton candy had been snatched away by a stranger.
"Free the dragonoids... Do what I could not... Be their hero," I whispered, my voice weak but filled with conviction.
As Amphere reluctantly withdrew his sword from my body, a bittersweet pain surged through my chest. My strength waned, and my hands hung limply while my legs lost their balance. By a twist of fate, I collapsed beside the lifeless form of my golden-haired dragonoid. With a feeble effort, I reached out to hold her hand. But gradually, even with my wide-open eyes, my vision faded, as if I were slipping into a profound slumber.
Amidst the encroaching darkness, a piercing cry resounded nearby. I knew it was Amphere. I could imagine his desolate face, obscured by his own tears.
As my consciousness ebbed away, I surrendered to a peaceful oblivion. And when I awakened, it was as though I had slipped into a realm of blinding light. Everything around me was pure white, as if I had found myself within the confines of nothingness.
Standing before me was a blonde woman, adorned in an immaculate white wedding dress. Her eyes exuded innocence and a timeless serenity, comforting me to my core. It felt as if she were the very embodiment of heavenly grace.
"Estoff... You've followed me once again. Are you truly confident that everything will be well in Alterra?" Elumina inquired, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
I scratched my head, a playful grin spreading across my face. "Amphere has it all under control. There will undoubtedly be countless trials and sacrifices in this war, but that bloke will see it through. He'll get things done, you can count on it."
"I understand," Elumina replied, gracefully lowering herself in a bow. After a brief pause, she extended her hand towards me. "Shall we depart, my love?"
Without a moment's hesitation, I reached out and clasped her hand firmly in mine.
And so, the two lovers embarked on their journey, destined to live a life of bliss and happiness for all eternity.
[Estoff Wraith – K.I.A]