"Meria…"
Rian turned around and was met with Meria, the Dark Elf who had healed Vita earlier that day.
Meria did not attend the Underground Party this time around, as she was excused after a series of events before.
Rian always felt grateful that Meria was excused from this cursed gathering, she felt utterly blessed when she was certain that no one was going to harm her.
Meria was already harmed enough the first time. No need for more.
Rian extended her hand and told Meria in a meek tone, "Meria, I hurt another Dark Elf today. I really tried to not, but I'm still so weak."
Meria sighed softly and took Rian's hand. She patted the back of her hand and assured her, "You are growing stronger, Rian. You are working hard on doing everything."
"Is it ever enough, though…?"
Rian sighed heavily and closed her eyes.
"I'm working my hardest, doing what I can and what I can't. I'm even involving some brats that had done nothing wrong in this. But is this really enough?"
Her plan was something so complicated, so taxing, and almost impossible.
She felt so bad that she was even trying to use Vita for her plans, without even knowing if it was going to work.
She played along with the Chief and the others, wanting to secure her own position. Without securing a position, all of her plans would be nothing but an illusion.
However, all of this had taken a huge toll on her, and eventually, she started to doubt whether she was going to succeed or if everything was going to drown her first.
Meria put her hand on top of Rian's forehead before activating her Darkness Element, surrounding the place around them by a violet layer of darkness.
"Calm down, Rian, you are on the right path."
While using her power in this scale, the illusion on Meria's eyes had faded, showing how her irises were now white.
White irises meant that the person had been blind.
Although she hid it well from the people around her, most people knew how Meria was the living example of what happens when someone disobeys the rules of hierarchy.
Meria softly hummed and sang a lullaby that echoed through the darkness surrounding her and Rian, eventually soothing Rian to sleep.
She heaved a heavy sigh and brushed Rian's hair while thinking, 'My sister, I have no heart to tell you that your plans are almost impossible. And to manipulate a little child for it…'
Meria closed her eyes and stayed silent, although she did not approve of what Rian was doing, she would not stop it.
After all, she knew that the main reason for Rian taking these plans was her and only her.
The night eventually came to an end, with each person having their own thoughts and trouble.
The next morning, as soon as the sun came out of its slumber, Vita opened her eyes and changed her clothes.
She wore a light dress shirt along with stretch-able shorts, she grabbed an apple and jumped outside.
"Butter!"
Vita called out to Butter, then followed her carefully while trying to hide herself from the prying eyes.
They ventured through the forest and Vita found herself amazed by how far they went.
"Me really went this long yesterday? Woah…"
No wonder they reached the Forbidden Area yesterday, they moved so deep into the forest.
Vita followed Butter, unaware that someone else had been following her as well.
When she reached the Forbidden Area's boundaries, she felt her chest tightening again, but due to her experiencing it yesterday, it was somehow easier on her.
She forced herself to go deeper behind Butter, preparing herself to spot each of her friends' bodies as she wanted to save them.
Truthfully speaking, Vita knew she was not desperate to save them.
'Me… Just desperate to save myself.'
From the guilt, the pain, and the suffocation feeling as she kept blaming herself.
It was like that because she was the reason why they went that deep after all. Her curiosity pushed them into the abyss.
And naturally, she could not accept that easily.
Vita may be naive about her surroundings, but she was highly aware of herself.
She shrugged these thoughts off and looked around, but was confused as she did not find anything. No bones, no ashes, no crumbles or anything.
"Butter, are you sure this is the right place…?"
Butter made a motion to say 'yes', making Vita even more confused.
"I don't get it. They were here yesterday…"
Butter looked around before seemingly feeling something and signaling Vita to follow her deeper, which the latter did, despite the dread that kept increasing whenever she went deeper.
After following Butter through the dead forest, Vita was gradually spent, she fell to her knees and held her chest tightly.
"W-Wait, Butter, me can't go anymore…"
Just as Butter was about to approach her, both of them felt a chilling breeze landing in front of them, making Butter instinctively escape a mile away.
In front of Vita, a shadow started to grow, taking the shape of a small boy. It was Mors, who had been dubbed as a 'god' by Vita.
"I thought I told you to leave? Did I forget to tell you that?"
Mors' white hair fluttered with the wind, his red irises gleamed slightly as he tried to suppress his power.
Vita trembled and shakingly answered, "You, you didn't…?"
"I did. I even sent that bug to you, so you won't mingle with me anymore." Mors answered casually while pointing at Butter who was shaking slightly.
He did not know why he decided to come here. He did not understand what he may do here. But he felt the need to come here.
His powers were out of control yesterday, and that caused the Forbidden Areas to be filled with deadly traps.
For an unknown reason, since meeting this frail girl in front of him, Mors did not want to be the reason behind any meaningless death anymore.
Maybe that was why he wanted to kick her out of here so she would not be hurt because of him.
"Just leave, there is nothing worth it here."
Vita shook her head and barely managed to mumble, "B-But, my other… Friends…?"
"I know nothing about them."
Mors expressionlessly answered before activating some of his powers, intending to push Vita away like the previous time.