Tears streamed down my cheeks as I realized the bitter truth - I couldn't save the Lady Guardian. *Sob, sob,* my emotions overwhelmed me, and I could hardly believe that it was all just a dream. Yet, in the depths of my heart, I knew that there was more to it.
"Please, wipe your tears, dear Tatiana," the Lady Guardian spoke with kindness, reaching out to comfort me. Her gentle voice resonated in the vast chamber of the mind palace, a place of memories and emotions.
She began to share her story with me. She expressed no regrets for the life she had led, dedicated to protecting the forest from devastation. However, her voice trembled as she revealed that her body had lost control, causing the loss of innocent lives. Determined to prevent further harm, she mustered every ounce of her strength to create the Closed Space, trapping the beast and herself within it. She had even sacrificed one of her own wings, using it as a wooden seal to keep the beast confined and the forest protected.
My heart ached as I thought about Lamia, the Lady Guardian's daughter. I tried to persuade her to reunite with Lamia, but she seemed surprised that I had already met her. Fate had brought us together at this very moment, and I could sense the Lady Guardian's relief that her daughter was safe. Yet, she couldn't bear the thought of causing Lamia more pain and decided against reuniting with her.
"She missed you to come back," I confessed, wishing they could be together again.
The Lady Guardian's voice quivered, and tears filled her eyes as she spoke about Lamia. "Really, that girl... still not growing up, but I'm glad she's safe." It was evident that her motherly love still held a strong grip on her heart.
"You can be reunited with her if you choose to—" I tried to convince her, but she gently cut me off.
"I can't, Tatiana. I don't want to make it harder for you," she explained, her heart heavy with sorrow, yet resolute in her choice.
"...Even though I knew this was the outcome, I still wished to change it," I confessed, feeling helpless in the face of her fate.
"You are a very kind person, shedding tears for a stranger like me, especially since we've just met," she said, grateful for my compassion.
The Lady Guardian, with her wisdom, reminded me that there were others I could still save, like Lamia, the kobolds, the forest, and even my friends. She believed in me, entrusting me with the future and the potential to bring good to those in need.
I felt the weight of the responsibility on my shoulders. Could I truly help them all, considering my own weaknesses? Despite my doubts, I held on to hope, knowing that there might be a way for me to assist her and the others.
"Tatiana... I have a favor to ask of you," she looked at me intently, seeking my help.
With a heavy heart, I agreed to hear her final request, knowing that it could be something difficult or painful. She looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow, as if she was relieved to have found someone willing to help, yet burdened by the knowledge of what she was about to ask.
When she had finished expressing her last thoughts, I nodded solemnly, giving her my word that I would do everything in my power to make her wish a reality. The Lady Guardian smiled faintly, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and then, with a final gentle touch, she sent me back to the sanctuary.
*Shing*
I found myself back at the sanctuary, and as I opened my eyes, Lady Sakuya stood before me. The disbelief in her eyes was evident as she spoke, "Are you alright, Tatiana?" It seemed as though she couldn't believe her own eyes, almost as if she were seeing a ghost.
Blocking the beast's advance, Lady Sakuya had been waiting for my return. I assured her, "I'm back, Lady Sakuya."
Her silence spoke volumes, and I could sense the emotions welling up inside her, but she struggled to find the right words.
Our reunion was interrupted by the beast, still in control of the Lady Guardian's body. It attacked us with a powerful blast of wind magic.
Swoosh
In an instant, Lady Sakuya positioned herself between me and the beast. The magic harmlessly dissipated upon touching her, as if recognizing her power and authority.
Realization hit me like a lightning bolt – the Lady Guardian was truly gone, and this monstrous creature before us was just a shell devoid of a soul. We had to put an end to it before it could cause any more harm.
"Lady Sakuya! I ask of you, please destroy this beast," I implored, tears streaming down my cheeks.
"…As you wish, Tatiana," Lady Sakuya replied with a nod, her expression a mix of surprise and understanding.
With a call to her Akasha Arts, she summoned the Eclipse Edge, a dark and formidable sword that crackled with powerful energy. Gripping it firmly, she swung the sword with deadly precision, and a crescent of darkness cleaved through the air.
SHING! Cracked
"With that, I bid you farewell..." Lady Sakuya spoke softly, and the defeated monster disintegrated into the wind, merging with the Closed Space. The sky cleared, and sunlight bathed the sanctuary once more. The true nature of the sanctuary emerged, no longer plagued by the Closed Space.
As blue butterflies filled the air, I couldn't help but admire the beauty of it all. "Thank you, Tatiana, and you too, Sakuya," we heard the Lady Guardian's final words of gratitude.
"Goodbye," Lady Sakuya replied, paying her respects to the departed soul.
I bowed one last time, and Lady Sakuya closed her eyes as if acknowledging the Lady Guardian's gratitude.
I would never forget her, and it was the least I could do.
As we regained our composure, Mister Kobold woke up, seemingly unaware of what had transpired. With a grateful heart, I approached Lady Sakuya, glad that it was all over. Exhaustion began to take its toll on me, and I stumbled, losing my balance.
"Thank you," I mumbled, nearly falling again, but before I could hit the ground, Lady Sakuya caught me in her arms.
In that moment, I noticed a peculiar expression on Lady Sakuya's face that made me feel slightly embarrassed, though I couldn't quite pinpoint why.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the forest, Lady Sakuya turned to me with a hint of concern in her eyes. "Shall we go back?" she softly suggested. Her voice held a mixture of relief and worry, as if she couldn't quite believe that I was still standing here before her.
My heart fluttered with a mix of emotions. I knew it was time to return to town, but there was something I needed to do before we left. Summoning my courage, I spoke up, surprising even myself. "Yes, but can we do something before we go back?" I could sense Lady Sakuya's hesitation, her instincts urging her to whisk me away to safety. However, I had made a promise to the Lady Guardian, and I was determined to fulfill it.
Together, we made our way back to the Kobold's Lair, where the Kobold Elder awaited our return. The weight of the day's events hung heavy in the air, and I knew that the Elder was eager for news about the Lady Guardian.
"She said to give her farewell to me?" I asked, my voice catching in my throat. The Elder nodded solemnly, understanding the significance of this farewell. Although it wasn't what the Lady Guardian had initially asked for, I knew in my heart that it was the right thing to do.
"Can I ask you for a favor?" I requested, my gaze locked with the Elder's. "I want to clean up the sanctuary, to honor the Lady Guardian's memory properly." The Elder's eyes softened with relief and regret. He understood the importance of this task, both as a tribute to the Lady Guardian and to restore the sanctuary she had so fiercely protected.
As the Elder agreed to my request, he couldn't help but ask, "Does she happy in the end?" His words carried a yearning for closure and reassurance. "Very much," I replied with a quiver in my voice, tears welling up in my eyes at the memory of the Lady Guardian's final moments. Her sacrifice had brought peace to her restless soul, and she had found solace in protecting the forest she loved.
With our farewells said, we journeyed to Lamia's Lake, where Lamia awaited our return. The serene beauty of the lake mirrored the emotions swirling within me. Lamia greeted us with a knowing look, as if she had sensed the conclusion of our quest.
I presented her with the gemstone, the last remaining remnant of the Lady Guardian. As Lamia cradled it in her hands, I could see the mixture of surprise and grief in her eyes. She held the gemstone close to her heart, cherishing the connection it held to her mother.
"She said she was sorry that she couldn't fulfill her promise to you, a precious daughter to her," I relayed the Lady Guardian's final words. Lamia bowed with the gemstone pressed to her chest, acknowledging her mother's regret and the love that had always existed between them.
With a heavy heart, Lamia dived back into the lake, enveloped in her grief. I turned to Lady Sakuya, seeking comfort and understanding. "Was this the right choice for us to do?" I questioned, my voice wavering with doubt.
Lady Sakuya's response was gentle and wise, her words offering a glimmer of hope. "I don't know, but I'm sure with time, you will find your answer." Her reassurance brought a measure of comfort, reminding me that some questions could only be answered with the passage of time.
As night descended upon the forest, Kaze, the horse, stood beside me, a loyal companion in this journey. I reached out to him, and our heads touched, a silent exchange of gratitude passing between us. In the midst of loss and uncertainty, Kaze's presence provided a sense of stability.
"We should head back," Lady Sakuya suggested, breaking the silence. I nodded in agreement, knowing that it was time to return to town. With Lady Sakuya's assistance, we rode back through the forest, the hues of the sunset painting the world in warm shades of orange and gold.
"I want to thank you, Lady Sakuya," I spoke softly, grateful for her unwavering support throughout this arduous day. She placed me gently in front of her, and together, we continued our journey back to town. Fatigue finally caught up with me, and I began to doze off midway through the ride.
**Sakuya's Perspective**
Arriving back in town, I gently lifted Tatiana from Kaze's back, letting the horse return to his stable while cradling Tatiana in my arms. She slept peacefully, her innocence so apparent in her relaxed features. It stirred a soft smile on my face.
Lily, waiting by the entrance of the inn, greeted us warmly. "Welcome back, Lady Sakuya. We've been expecting you and Lady Tatiana. Her room is all prepared." Lily's helpfulness was a welcome sight after the arduous journey.
I glanced at Tatiana, her form still cradled in my arms, and then back at Lily. I hesitated for a moment, unsure of whether I should entrust Tatiana's care to someone else. But I knew she needed proper rest and attention, more than I could provide alone.
"Let me bring her to her room, and I'll need your assistance," I said to Lily, mustering the words with a mix of reluctance and trust.
Lily nodded, leading the way through the inn which was far more organized than before. Carefully, I laid Tatiana on the bed in her room, taking a moment to softly stroke her hair. She remained undisturbed in her slumber, oblivious to my concern for her.
Lily stood back, ready to assist further, and reassured me, "I will take care of her, Lady Sakuya. Let's get her into something more comfortable." Her confidence was infectious, and I found myself trusting her ability to care for Tatiana.
I thanked Lily, my gratitude sincere and clear. Lily's expression showed surprise but swiftly softened into a knowing smile. Leaving Tatiana in her care, I left the room and descended downstairs.
Blanc was in the main hall, nonchalantly sitting at a table, "Up late, are we?" she teased, without any formalities. Her relaxed posture and casual robe made her look more like a child than a respected figure.
Feeling thirsty, she offered me a drink, which I accepted gratefully. We sipped our drinks in silence, Blanc breaking it with a simple question, "Everything went well?"
The question caught me off-guard. I wasn't sure how to answer. Finally, I opted for honesty, "She may not be the same anymore."
Blanc looked at me, her expression changing from curiosity to understanding, "You mean Tatiana?"
I nodded, acknowledging her guess. Her intuition was sharp, it wasn't a surprise that she connected the dots. My concern for Tatiana had grown over time, reminding me of my own daughter, Tachiana. Blanc seemed to understand, her own sadness mirroring my own.
Interrupting our quiet conversation, Lily returned from upstairs, bringing good news. "Lady Tatiana is merely fatigued and has a slight fever. She is still sleeping."
I heaved a sigh of relief. I advised Lily to let Tatiana sleep for the next few days, to which she agreed wholeheartedly, promising to nurse Tatiana back to health.
And so, the night grew deep, and we each retired to our rooms, leaving the main hall silent and empty.
-Chapter 20 End-