After the last of the monsters was defeated, we moved towards a relatively open area surrounded by towering mushrooms, whose caps touched the sky, acting as natural umbrellas. The forest floor was a plush, spongy moss that would provide a comfortable cushion for our sleeping bags.
Our trusted gaiko obediently lowered itself to the ground, allowing us to access the crates strapped to its back. The creature, resembling an enormous gecko, sat patiently as we unloaded our equipment. Its luminous eyes watched us, its tongue flickering out occasionally, a habit of its species.
Lila and I retrieved our individual sleeping bags from the crate, each made from magic-imbued fabric that adjusted its temperature based on the environment and its occupant's needs. We rolled them out, setting up our resting spots for the night.
Sera and Kuroko produced a magical firestone from their respective packs. The stone, once activated by a simple enchantment, emitted a steady, warm light, its magic creating a campfire that required no fuel and produced no smoke. The firestone was placed in the center of our camp, illuminating the surrounding area with a warm, comforting glow.
For dinner, Aurelia pulled out a pack of pre-cooked meals from her bag, each pack enchanted to stay warm and fresh. The convenience of magic in such circumstances was immeasurable. The aroma of the food wafted through our campsite as we opened our packs, causing our mouths to water in anticipation.
After dinner, we settled into our sleeping bags, the magical firestone's warmth radiating against the cool atmosphere of the abyss. Although the abyss was a dangerous place, for now, we were safe in our well-prepared campsite, discussing our strategy for the coming day.
***
All the girls went to sleep, except for Sera. I found her quietly sobbing next to the firestones.
I watched as Sera quickly wiped away a stray tear, her usual fiery expression hidden under the mask of night. I took a cautious step towards her, making sure not to startle her.
"Are you crying?" I asked, my voice soft. In response, she hastily turned away, her face half hidden in the shadows.
"No, you dummy," she snapped back. Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her tough exterior. A typical Sera response, I thought to myself.
Silence settled between us, the only sound coming from the sporadic sounds of the abyssal forest. I stood next to her, looking out into the dark expanse, letting the silence stretch.
"You know," I finally broke the silence, "we can talk about it if you want."
Sera hesitated, her shoulders tensed. She didn't respond right away, but I could see her struggle with her emotions. It was rare to see this side of her, and it only made me more determined to help her, however I could.
After a minute of silence, Sera began to speak up, her usual fiery personality faded away, replaced by a vulnerability that felt raw and intimate.
"I... I don't usually talk about this, but..." she started, her voice shaky. "There was a human official... His name was Maroth. A vile, corrupt man. He... he coveted my mother... my younger sister... and me."
My eyes widened at her admission, but I kept my silence. This was her moment to speak, her time to share the painful past that had been gnawing at her.
"When my father refused to sell us to him, Maroth overcharged us in taxes," she continued, her voice getting quieter with each passing word. "And when we couldn't pay, they... they seized our family's shop."
She paused, taking a deep breath before carrying on, "He took my mother and sister as his servants to pay for the debt, and my father... My father was arrested for trying to fight back."
I saw a lone tear escape from her eyes, catching the faint glow of the firestone. "He was... he was killed in prison," she finished, her voice barely a whisper.
Again, Sera fell silent, the air around us growing heavy with her revealed pain. I found myself at a loss for words, my heart aching for her.
"And me... I ran away," she admitted, her voice full of self-loathing. "I left my family to Maroth. Later, I heard the news... My mother and sister... They... They didn't survive Maroth's tortures..."
Her last sentence hung in the air, as if the night itself mourned her loss.
"And now... Now I'm here, trying to become strong enough to take revenge. But, I just... I'm just not quite there yet."
The last of her words faded into the silence, leaving a poignant echo. I continued to stay silent, giving her the space she needed, while my mind reeled from the revelation. Her story was one of unimaginable pain and loss, yet here she was, still fighting, still pressing on. I couldn't help but feel a deep admiration for Sera's strength and determination.
In the quiet that lingered after her confession, I turned towards Sera, my gaze firm and sincere. "Sera," I began, my voice steady in the quiet night, "do you remember what I said when we first met?"
She glanced up at me, her usually bright eyes dimmed by tears and the memories of the past.
"I told you," I continued, "I wouldn't take revenge for you. It wasn't a denial of your pain, but an affirmation of your strength. I believed then, as I believe now, that you have the capacity to confront the shadows of your past on your own terms."
I saw her eyes flicker, perhaps with doubt or uncertainty, so I pressed on. "But I also made you another promise that day. I said I would help you become stronger. Not just to stand against Maroth, but to stand for yourself and your future."
I reached out and gently took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "That promise stands, Sera. You're stronger than you know, and you're getting stronger each day. And I have faith that when the time comes, you'll be able to take justice into your own hands."
In the dim, gentle light of the firestones, her question hung heavy in the air, like a whisper of fear. "What if my own power isn't enough?"
I turned to look at her, her figure fragile yet resilient, framed by the hauntingly beautiful bioluminescent backdrop of the abyss. "Sera," I said, my voice layered with unwavering conviction, "if you find that your strength wavers, if you find the path ahead too steep... in that case," I placed a reassuring hand on her trembling shoulder, "I will be your hero."
As if on cue, she turned towards me, her teary eyes mirroring the mystical glow of the mushroom forest around us. In an instant, she buried herself into my chest, the warmth of her presence comforting amidst the cool abyssal air.
Through muffled sobs, she managed to muster up a quip, her words soft yet undeniably laced with the fiery spirit I had come to admire. "You're still trying to play it cool, huh?" Her words echoed softly in the silence, "Unbelievable..."
Her sorrow was still evident, but a hint of her usual boldness was beginning to peek through, and I couldn't help but offer a quiet laugh, knowing that she was slowly but surely finding her strength again.
Q: What would you do when you hear a tragic story?