Crystal watched as the small burning wisps of fire approached.
"Goodbye, Crystal. I'm sorry, but I have to go. The forces of Fate and Destiny will find us if we remain together. I'm sorry for being selfish. You reminded me of a love that I once lost. But this was Phatom's plan. The remnant curses that Fate and Destiny sent would chase after me, and a small portion was carried over in this incarnation of my life. And that manifested in me meeting you the moment I woke up."
"Adam! Where are you?!"
But the voice spoke as if it didn't hear her cries.
"I took pity on you and protected you when the mountains collapsed because you showed me love. I, the great Dragon Emperor, the First and Most Beautiful of the Stars, felt the unnecessary and illogical emotion of caring for you. And now I truly do care for you. But this is why I have to leave."
"ADAM!" Crystal began to shout desperately.
Even without the frost, her heart felt a heart-wrenching pain.
"Don't leave me!" She shouted again.
"I knew that you would live a terrifying and sorrowful life. So I told myself I should protect you and help you grow. But… in my selfishness, and though I tried to resist it, my heart could not hide what I felt towards you. I am sorry. I was selfish, and though I knew I would still leave, I…" Adam's voice trailed off in hesitation.
"I'm sorry that I even gave you hope."
"You…! You… bastard! I curse you! I spit on you…! Why?! How could you?!" Crystal fell to her knees.
"I trained you and taught you to wield the fire, hoping it will help you fight. I left the Twin Swords of Many for this purpose as well. It has been purged and bound in your soul. Use it to channel your fire and ice as it grows."
"No! Come back! You can't just… leave me like this!"
"I'm sorry. I am not strong enough to protect you. The battle ahead is too horrifying. And though your embrace welcomes me, and your lips are as sweet as Ambrosia, I cannot love you. Our paths will never cross. For if it does, you will be the death of me. And I have sacrificed far too much and experienced far greater pain that could sway me from this. Perhaps you are the last tribulation that I must face. I leave you, though you are not at fault. But you did things far crueler to me in your former life. Indeed, my love for you... is only held bay by the hatred that I have for your soul. Though you are not her... you still bear her qualities. So you will always be my lover, and you will always be… the death of me. Goodbye, Sorrowful Maiden."
The flames died out, and the voice was gone.
Crystal's constant tears began to flow as the pain in her heart grew.
She could understand it. The voice of Adam seeped into her soul, and she remembered it all, word for word. Even though she was in great distress, the soul of Adam within spoke and transferred even Adam's emotions.
Crystal sensed it. The great sorrow of Adam. And the great satisfaction. The anger of Adam towards her had overpowered the grief and pain.
The complex emotions of Adam, who wanted to save her and slay her, were there.
The heavy mixture of emotions caused Crystal to cry and cry out.
But in her cries, the dragonic pride and vengeance were resonating.
"You… Bastard!" Crystal shouted, and one of the two swords nearby began to tremble.
VOOSH!
The flames of the sword ignited as it resonated with Crystal's emotion.
But in a great distance… on top of another mountain, Adam watched as she stood up and grew enraged. He could not help but smile.
"At least… your anger and the pride of my soul will keep you alive. Rise up, Crystal. If not to fight Fate and Destiny, live to be victorious and repay those who have harmed you. I'm truly sorry, Crystal. But I can never be strong enough to love you. Perhaps we can meet in another life, and I will accompany you all your mortal days."
At once, Adam departed as he suddenly transformed into a whelp-winged dragon and flew off away from Crystal's view.
Crystal's rage continued as she even found herself wielding the two blades and attacking everything nearby.
The trees and the branches began to suffer attacks from her rage.
But Crystal would then stumble and weep again. Memories of what had transpired in the past days would return.
She had tasted what she deemed as perfect. But now, she was destined and fated to never feel it again.
Her rage then turned towards Phatom. She recalled all the pain in her life and how unfair it was for her to be hated by the world.
But unlike before, something within her was now urging her to stand.
Facing the pains of her past, she would respond in shame, grief, guilt, and sorrow. She would ask the world so many questions as to why her life was full of pain.
But now, the pride and anger of a dragon were the dominant energy that raged within her. And her thoughts leaned towards a stance of dignity.
"I won't be a Sorrowful Maiden! I will be a Conquering Queen!" She vowed.
Crystal could feel the pride and anger that she refused to see herself kneel down.
She got up, and though her heart weighed heavy and tears kept falling, Crystal began to walk.
"I have to go home…" Crystal decided and began to make her march.
Her thoughts turned to her home. But most of her memories were of pain, bitterness, and anger.
Her heart grew agitated. She was angry at her parents. She became angry at those men who turned her into an object of mockery. But most of all, she hated her actions and reactions.
"I'm such an idiot!" She cursed at herself.
At once, the faces of the men and numerous women came to mind. Those who hated her, who were envious of her, and those who looked down on her.
The pain of Adam's departure now only had anger, and she was passing on the rage to these people.
"Over there! Someone's there!" A voice cried out.
Crystal turned around and could see a platoon of mercenaries.
Crystal was awakened from her confusion. The first thing she did was take her weapon and channel it.
Somehow, she knew how to draw it into her soul. The two swords vanished.
"Hmm? Isn't that Crystal Diante?" One of the mercenaries recognized her.