The journey to the Elf Kingdom took them twenty long days. The road was filled with beautiful landscapes, the mountains giving way to lush forests and rivers that sparkled in the sunlight, but for Kuro, it felt like an eternity.
Throughout the trip, he watched Akari and Arnold, their camaraderie on full display. They joked, laughed, and occasionally flirted, much to Kuro's silent frustration. He kept his distance, a shadow in the background, trying to focus on the mission, but every smile Akari gave Arnold, every teasing remark between them, chipped away at him.
Kuro knew he had no right to feel this way. After all, he was the one who had helped Akari find a way out of him. He was the one who had always been there for her. But seeing her with Arnold, laughing so freely, made him feel like he was invisible. He had always been the one to bring a smile to her face, to make her laugh, but now, all that seemed to be replaced by Arnold. The thought of losing his place in her life, of seeing her choose Arnold over him, was unbearable.
As the days passed, the constant proximity to Akari and Arnold's growing connection made Kuro's thoughts spiral. What if I never found the spell that could allow her to be free from me? What if I never found a way to make her stay with me? The what-ifs gnawed at him, and with each passing day, they grew louder.
What if she was mine, and not Arnold's?
Kuro had tried to bury these feelings. He had tried to focus on their mission, to focus on the bigger picture. But it was so hard to ignore the jealousy that bubbled up in him whenever he saw Arnold lean in a little too close, or when Akari's laughter echoed a little too brightly in his ears. He knew Arnold had always cared for her, but seeing them so comfortable together, so familiar, hurt in ways Kuro hadn't expected.
It wasn't just jealousy. It was a deep, aching sorrow that twisted in his chest, a feeling that he couldn't shake no matter how hard he tried. He had been the one to support Akari when she was at her lowest. He had been her strength, her anchor in the storm. But now, seeing her so carefree and happy with Arnold, Kuro felt a pang of guilt. Did I hold her back? Was I the reason she couldn't be happy?
He couldn't stop thinking about it. What if he had made the wrong choice? What if he had kept her in the darkness of his soul for too long? What if, when she was ready to truly live her own life, it was too late?
His mind raced, thoughts colliding, until the exhaustion of the journey forced him to retreat into silence. He could no longer keep up the façade. He would hide his emotions, lock them away, but the pain in his chest remained. His thoughts were now a constant storm, filled with doubts and fears. What if he had let the only person who ever truly understood him slip away, all for a fleeting chance of happiness for himself?
As the days wore on, Kuro grew more withdrawn. His interactions with Akari and Arnold were minimal, and he spent more and more time alone, staring out at the passing scenery, lost in his thoughts. It wasn't just the mission anymore. It wasn't even about the Elf Kingdom. It was about her. About what he could never have.
By the time they arrived at the Elf Kingdom, Kuro had convinced himself that he had lost Akari for good. She had already moved on, and no matter what he did, no matter how hard he fought, he would never be the one to make her happy.
His thoughts were interrupted only by the sight of the Elf Kingdom on the horizon. But even then, the weight on his heart didn't lighten. It only grew heavier.
As they approached the grand city of the elves, Kuro felt the distant pain of someone who had been forgotten. And perhaps, deep down, he knew it was something he had brought upon himself. But the question that kept him up at night, that haunted him during the day, was simple: What if he had never been in her way?
As they entered the grand Elf Kingdom castle, the beauty of it struck them all. Tall towers reached toward the sky, with vines and flowers wrapping around them like nature itself was embracing the castle. The halls were adorned with gold and silver, and the air was fragrant with exotic flowers. The entire place was awe-inspiring, but for Akari, there was something strangely familiar about it. The layout, the design of the furniture, the colors and decorations... everything seemed like it was a piece of her forgotten past.
As they were led through the halls, Akari couldn't shake the feeling of déjà vu that gnawed at her. She had been here before, she was certain of it. But how? She couldn't recall the specifics, just the deep-rooted sensation that this place was tied to something important, something buried within her.
Kuro noticed her uneasy expression. He had been observing her closely since they arrived. Her eyes darted around the room, studying the tapestries, the hallways, the ornate mirrors—everything as if trying to connect the pieces of some forgotten puzzle.
"Hey, are you alright?" Kuro asked, his voice laced with concern.
Akari snapped out of her trance, blinking a few times before giving him a small, almost wistful smile. "So you decided to talk. I was getting worried you'd forget about me."
Kuro let out a small chuckle, though it didn't reach his eyes. He was trying to hide the sadness that had been creeping up on him ever since their journey started. But for now, he focused on Akari. "I'm not sure you could ever get rid of me. But... it's that feeling again, isn't it? You see something, but you can't remember why it feels so familiar? Confusing, right?"
Akari sighed and nodded. "Exactly. It's like I've lived here before, but I can't put it together. It's... frustrating."
Kuro studied her for a moment. He could see the uncertainty in her eyes, the same one he had noticed when they first started the journey. But what surprised him more was how much it seemed to affect her. He hadn't expected her to show such vulnerability, and yet, there it was. If only you could remember, Kuro thought. If only you knew how much this place means to you...
Akari smirked, breaking him from his thoughts. "You know me too well, don't you, bestie?"
Kuro's lips twitched into a sad smile. He didn't want to admit it, but it was true. He had always been the one to see through her, to understand her better than anyone else. And while that used to make him feel proud, it now only reminded him of what he couldn't have. What he had lost. "Yeah, too well," he said quietly.
Akari noticed the tone in his voice, but she didn't push him to elaborate. She had been too wrapped up in her own confusion to read him properly. Little did she know, though, Kuro's thoughts were filled with emotions he kept buried deep down. I know everything about you because you were my everything.
But all of that was slipping away. Arnold was the one who had her heart now. Kuro could feel it, even if she never said it aloud. She smiled and joked with Arnold, shared moments of happiness with him that Kuro could never be a part of. And that hurt more than he cared to admit.
As they were led deeper into the castle, Akari's mind raced with questions. She kept searching for something, a memory that would explain why everything about this place felt so right, yet so wrong. It felt as if her past was just out of reach, lingering at the edges of her consciousness, teasing her with fragments of forgotten truths.
But for now, she could only follow the group in silence, her heart heavy with the mystery she couldn't unravel.
And Kuro, walking beside her, kept his thoughts to himself, his mind clouded with his own feelings of loss.
As they entered the grand chamber of the Queen, they were greeted by an assortment of elegant elves, many of whom were her children. The room was filled with a warm, golden glow from the setting sun, casting long shadows on the polished stone floors. The children, all strikingly beautiful and graceful, stood at attention, their eyes glimmering with curiosity and respect.
Among them, two individuals caught Akari's attention almost immediately. They were unlike the others in the room, and something about them seemed deeply familiar. Akari couldn't quite explain it, but her eyes kept returning to them, studying their features with an intensity that didn't go unnoticed. Arnold, sensing her distraction, lightly nudged her with his elbow.
"Are you alright?" he whispered, raising an eyebrow in concern.
Akari blinked, snapping out of her trance. She quickly shook her head as if to clear the thoughts swirling in her mind. "Yes, your majesty," she replied, turning to face the Queen of the Elves. "This place is just giving me a strange feeling of déjà vu."
The Queen, ever serene and graceful, nodded knowingly. "I was informed that you are part elf, and with forgotten memories, it may be that you have lived here before."
Akari's heart skipped a beat. "Yes, your majesty, that may very well be the case."
Before the conversation could go further, the Queen suggested they discuss matters later. She smiled and dismissed them, telling them to go and rest, which they all agreed to.
After they were excused, the Queen called one of her daughters over, the very same elf girl Akari had been so drawn to. The girl was perhaps a year older than Akari and the others, but there was something in her eyes, a depth Akari couldn't quite place.
As the young elf girl walked toward them, Akari's gaze never left her. It was almost as if an invisible force was pulling her to this girl. The girl was strikingly beautiful, with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight and eyes that glowed faintly in the dim room. Her presence felt familiar to Akari, as though they shared a past.
"Asterin, is that you?" Akari asked suddenly, before she could stop herself, her voice shaking with uncertainty.
The girl stopped in her tracks, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. "Yes, that's my name. How do you know me?"
Akari paused, her mouth open as if to explain, but she couldn't find the words. She had no reason to know this elf girl, and yet, she felt as though she had known her for a lifetime. "I don't know, but I do," Akari murmured, more to herself than to Asterin.
Kuro, sensing the growing tension and Akari's confusion, stepped forward. "Don't worry. She's sometimes like this—she's still recovering from the memory loss," he said with a reassuring smile. Arnold, who stood beside Kuro, nodded in agreement, though he was just as confused by Akari's strange behavior.
Asterin tilted her head but smiled warmly, seemingly understanding. "It's alright," she said kindly, offering her hand to Akari. "Come, I'll show you around."
As Asterin began to lead them out of the chamber, Akari's eyes kept drifting back to the boy among the Queen's children. There was something about him, something she couldn't place. Every time she looked at him, a wave of recognition washed over her. Her heart beat a little faster, and she couldn't shake the feeling that she knew him, even though she had no memory of him at all.
She tried to pull her attention away, focusing on Asterin as she led them down the hall, but her gaze kept returning to the elf boy. As they were about to leave the chamber, Akari's eyes lingered on him one last time, a soft, almost imperceptible sadness settling in her chest.
She didn't understand why, but she felt as though she was on the brink of something important, something she couldn't remember, but needed to.
After a long journey, Akari, Arnold, and Kuro were escorted to a spacious and beautifully decorated room, designed with the elegance and charm typical of the Elven Kingdom. The room had tall, arched windows draped with sheer white curtains that fluttered gently in the breeze, offering a stunning view of the lush gardens below. The furniture was delicate but intricate, carved with graceful floral patterns, and everything exuded an air of sophistication and peace.
The attendants quickly brought in new clothes for them—elegant elven attire suitable for the ball that evening. Akari was given a flowing gown, its fabric shimmering in the light with hints of silver and soft green, while Arnold and Kuro were dressed in finely tailored tunics with embroidered detailing, each reflecting the grace and opulence of the Elven Kingdom. They were informed that the ball was held in their honor to celebrate the potential cooperation between their kingdoms.
Akari stared at the gown for a moment, trying to recall if she had worn anything similar before, but the memories continued to elude her. She sighed quietly, but when she looked at Arnold and Kuro, she couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth—of family, in a way. Despite all the confusion surrounding her, the bond she shared with them was undeniable.
The trio had a few hours to rest before the evening's event. They collapsed onto the soft, plush beds, completely drained from the journey and the emotional turbulence Akari had been experiencing. Akari was the first to fall asleep, her mind swirling with half-formed memories and fleeting thoughts. Arnold and Kuro, though more awake, chose to rest as well, each lost in their own thoughts.
When the sun began to set, the attendants returned to ensure they were ready for the ball. Akari awoke, feeling a mix of exhaustion and anticipation. The rest had given her a little energy back, but the sense of unfamiliarity with the surroundings, combined with the weight of everything that had happened, still lingered in the air.
She stood before a mirror to examine herself, surprised at how elegant the gown made her feel. It was a stark contrast to the warrior she had always been, but somehow, she felt... different, like she was playing a part in a life she didn't fully understand.
Arnold and Kuro were similarly getting ready, adjusting their attire and making small talk to ease the tension. Akari took a deep breath, trying to push away the unease.
"Ready for the ball?" Arnold asked, a playful grin on his face as he adjusted his tunic.
Akari met his eyes, offering a small, nervous smile. "I suppose so. I can't say I'm not curious about how an Elven ball looks."
Kuro, who had been silent up until now, gave a soft chuckle. "Just remember to have fun, Akari. There's no need to worry about the past right now."
Akari nodded, but in her heart, she wasn't sure how she would ever stop worrying. She was still searching for something she couldn't name. But for now, she would try to enjoy the night, if only for her companions.
Together, they left their rooms and headed to the grand hall, where the ball was being held. The sound of soft, melodic music floated through the corridors as they approached. The air was filled with a quiet excitement, and the lights of countless lanterns bathed the space in a golden glow.
The Elf Kingdom had prepared a grand welcome, and as Akari, Arnold, and Kuro entered the ballroom, they were met with the curious stares of the Elven nobles. The Queen and her children were already present, dressed in intricate gowns and robes, their beauty almost otherworldly in the soft lighting.
As Akari walked in, she couldn't shake the feeling that all eyes were on her, that she was the focal point of something far larger than herself. The weight of her past, the responsibilities she carried, and the unfamiliar faces around her seemed to converge in a moment of tension.
But, as Arnold's hand brushed against hers reassuringly, and Kuro stood beside her with his quiet, unspoken support, she drew in a steadying breath. Tonight, she would try to be present, to enjoy the rare moment of peace. Whatever came next could wait, for just a little while longer.
The ball was everything Akari had expected and more. The elegant décor of the ballroom, the soft melodies of the elven musicians, and the smooth, graceful movements of the nobles all added to the ethereal atmosphere. The air itself seemed to shimmer with a certain magic, as if the very walls were alive with ancient secrets.
As the dance began, Akari hesitated for only a moment before joining in. Her feet moved instinctively, and before long, she was gliding across the floor with an ease and grace that astonished everyone around her. She felt the rhythm in her bones, the ancient steps of the Elven dance coming naturally to her.
Her movements were so fluid, so effortless, that the onlookers couldn't help but stare in awe. To them, she seemed like a natural—like someone who had been raised among them. But Akari felt out of place. The smiles of admiration were sweet, but they only amplified the growing sense of unease in her chest. She danced, but her heart wasn't fully in it. She couldn't shake the feeling that, despite everything, she didn't truly belong here.
After a while, her energy began to wane. The music continued, but her body craved rest. She caught Arnold's eye, offering him a small smile, and then made her way toward the exit of the ballroom. Kuro, ever watchful, nodded as she left, but didn't follow. They both knew she needed a moment to herself.
The cool night air greeted her as she stepped into the garden. It was a peaceful, quiet place, the kind of solitude she'd come to appreciate over the years. The garden was vast, with high hedges that created a sense of privacy, and the scent of blooming flowers filled the air. Soft moonlight bathed the scene, casting long shadows on the ground. Akari wandered through the paths aimlessly, letting her mind wander as well.
She found a bench under a tall, ancient tree, its roots winding like tendrils into the earth. She sat there, her thoughts swirling as she stared up at the stars. The night felt infinite, and for a moment, she wished she could disappear into it—become one with the night, with the world that didn't know her as the soldier, the survivor, or the one who had been burdened by a past she couldn't fully remember.
Akari closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze wash over her. Her body relaxed, but her mind kept racing. Why does this place feel so familiar? she thought, Like I've been here before... But I don't remember it.
Her fingers traced the fabric of her gown absentmindedly. The soft green and silver felt like a foreign skin on her body, yet it seemed to mold to her form perfectly. She knew she was meant to be something more, something different, but she couldn't place exactly what.
For a brief moment, she allowed herself to forget the weight of her past, the secrets she kept buried deep inside, and simply breathed in the calm of the night. But the peace was fleeting. The images of her parents, of Lior, of everything she had sacrificed, flooded back into her thoughts.
She exhaled slowly, trying to push those memories aside. For now, she just needed to be Akari—the girl who had fought, who had survived, and who was still trying to find a place to belong. The girl who, for the first time in a long while, felt like she was on the verge of something she couldn't name.
Akari's voice flowed through the night air, soft yet powerful, as she sang a song she didn't fully understand. It was a song that seemed to resonate deep within her, its notes carrying the weight of pain, sorrow, and the quiet flicker of hope that followed in their wake. The melody was unlike anything she had ever heard, yet somehow it felt like it was always with her. The words were in the elegant language of the elves, a tongue that only she, Kuro, and Arnold understood, with the exception of the Queen, who spoke the language of angels, a language no one else had access to.
The song seemed to embody everything Akari felt—her struggles, her past, and her hopes for the future. She danced as she sang, moving fluidly through the garden, her body reflecting the song's sorrowful and hopeful undertones. The elf-style movements came so naturally that it almost felt as though they were etched into her very being.
But then, as the final notes of the song hung in the air, Akari felt a presence—someone watching her. She stopped, stilling her movements, and her heart skipped a beat when a voice broke the silence.
"How do you know this song?" a boy's voice asked, emerging from the bushes.
Akari's gaze lifted, her breath catching in her throat. It was the same boy she had noticed earlier, the one whose eyes seemed to have an unsettling familiarity. The one she had tried to push from her thoughts, but couldn't help but glance at throughout the day.
"I don't know," she murmured, her voice almost a whisper. "It exists in me."
The boy stepped forward into the moonlight, his expression a mixture of confusion and awe. His eyes narrowed as if trying to understand her, but he didn't seem to be able to make sense of it. He opened his mouth, as though to say something, but his words faltered as Akari's gaze locked onto him. Her eyes widened, and something inside her shifted, as if a forgotten memory was about to surface.
"Orpheus," she whispered softly, her voice trembling. "Orpheus... You are Orpheus. I know you, but I don't."
The boy's face went pale as he heard the name fall from her lips, his heart skipping a beat. The name held weight, like a key to something locked deep inside him.
Akari, feeling something stirring within her, stood frozen for a moment. Her emotions welled up inside, and her eyes filled with unshed tears. She couldn't explain why she was so affected, but the name seemed to connect the pieces of something lost in her heart.
Suddenly, a faint energy began to surge from her, like a flower slowly unfurling. It started at her fingertips, the subtle manifestation of her plant power. Though she rarely used it, it was part of her—something she had learned to control over the years. The vines and flowers that curled around her fingers seemed to respond to her emotions, to the confusion that swirled in her mind.
Orpheus took a cautious step forward, his eyes now filled with both wonder and uncertainty. "How do you know me?" he asked, his voice shaking with disbelief. "You even use the same power as me."
Akari's heart pounded in her chest. She didn't know how, but she could feel it—there was a connection between them, a shared history that was hidden just beyond her reach. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself at a loss for words, the emotions overwhelming her as her mind tried to reconcile the knowledge that had just been thrust upon her.
"I don't understand…" she began, her voice quiet but full of emotion. "How is this possible?"
The air between them crackled with a strange energy, both of them standing there, unsure of what was unfolding but feeling the pull of something ancient and powerful connecting them. Akari couldn't explain it, but the sensation was undeniable. Something was returning to her, something lost, and the boy—Orpheus—was the key.
And as the garden filled with the silent tension of their shared moment, Akari couldn't help but wonder: Who am I really?
Akari's breath hitched as the surge of power from her began to intensify, and an overwhelming panic gripped her chest. The energy within her, tied to both her plant power and the mysterious connection to Orpheus, was too much for her to handle. Her hands shook, and her vision blurred. The confusion and emotional storm inside her spiraled out of control, triggering the panic attack she had suffered from before, but this time, it was worse. The weight of everything—the forgotten memories, the revelation about Orpheus, the magic surging within her—seemed to push her to the brink.
Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, and she could feel the pressure building in her chest. The panic squeezed around her lungs, making it harder to breathe. I can't control it, she thought frantically. What is happening to me?
Her body trembled, and the vines and flowers that had begun to manifest around her spiraled wildly in the air, reacting to her distress. They became an extension of her turmoil, flailing and twisting as though they were connected to her spiraling emotions.
She felt the ground beneath her sway, and her knees buckled. Before she could process what was happening, a wave of dizziness overtook her, and the world seemed to tilt. Her vision faded to black, and she crumpled to the ground, her body unable to hold itself upright any longer.
Arnold and Kuro, having noticed her absence from the ball and worried by the surge of power, rushed into the garden. They saw her collapse to the ground, the energy around her still crackling with raw, uncontrollable force.
"Akari!" Arnold shouted, his voice laced with panic as he knelt beside her. His hand hovered over her, unsure whether to touch her for fear of the energy that was still thrumming through the air.
Kuro was right behind him, his expression dark and full of concern. "She's losing control," he said, his voice sharp and urgent. "We have to stop this."
Without a second thought, Arnold leaned down and placed a hand on Akari's forehead, his touch gentle but firm. He had seen her suffer from these attacks before, but this one felt far more intense. His own Noor surged, and he tried to ground her energy, to calm the storm inside her. But it was like trying to stop a raging river with bare hands.
Kuro moved quickly, focusing his own energy to help stabilize the magic around Akari. The vines and flowers that had emerged began to slow, but they didn't stop completely. Kuro's power intertwined with Arnold's, working in unison to keep her from being overwhelmed.
Still, the force of the panic was too much. Akari's body continued to shake, her breaths coming in ragged gasps as she fought to stay conscious.
"I can't hold her!" Arnold's voice cracked as he felt the strain on his own Noor, his body pushing beyond its limits to protect her.
The air around them seemed to crackle with tension, but no matter how hard they tried, the chaos within Akari wasn't something they could easily calm. She was a storm, and they were just two people trying to contain it.
With one final, desperate breath, Akari's body went limp in their arms. The power that had been surging through her disappeared in an instant, leaving only the heavy silence of the garden.
"She's fainted," Kuro said, his voice flat, though his worry was evident. "We need to get her back inside."
Arnold gently lifted her into his arms, his face filled with determination and fear. As he carried her, he glanced at Kuro, the weight of the situation settling on both of them.
"She's going through something more than we can understand," Arnold murmured, his voice filled with concern. "And I don't know if we're strong enough to help her."
Kuro looked at him for a moment, his expression distant. "We will be," he said softly. "We have to be."
And with that, they carried Akari back into the castle, unsure of what the future held but certain that they couldn't let her face this alone.