A/N: I just bought a Roxy figure I'm so happy I want to get an eris and sylphie one as well. Sorry I just didn't have anyone else to tell so i decided to tell the people reading this.
POV: ???
The void stretched infinitely, white and barren, a place with no boundaries, no walls, no end. Yet, within its expanse stood a single entity: a man composed entirely of white, shimmering as if he were sculpted from light itself. His presence was overwhelming, his eyes sharp with malice.
"You're here," the white man said, his voice cold and commanding. "I have a mission for you."
The figure before him knelt, their voice dripping with reverence. "Yes, Man-God. I'll do anything you ask."
The Man-God's grin widened, his expression darkening. He began to laugh, the sound echoing like thunder in the void.
"There is a boy. His name is Rudeus Greyrat. Dirty blonde hair, a mole under his right eye. He'll arrive in Ars in six days. When you see him, you have two choices: recruit him or kill him. The boy has immense potential, and I cannot afford to let him roam unchecked. The decision is yours."
The kneeling figure nodded, their voice growing distant and distorted, as if dissolving into the void itself. "Yes, Man-God. I will fulfill your request."
The Man-God's laughter continued, reverberating through the emptiness.
POV: Rudeus
"Ugh… what the…?" I groaned as I sat up, blinking against the sunlight filtering through the trees. "Did I fall asleep while training again? Why didn't anyone come get me?"
Brushing dirt and leaves off my clothes, I noticed a couple of bugs scurrying away. I grimaced, shaking off the gross feeling. "Great. Now I'm a bug motel."
I stood and looked around, but the forest all looked the same. The carriage was nowhere in sight.
"Yeah, this isn't working," I muttered after aimlessly wandering for a few minutes. "I really shouldn't have been practicing my sword strikes for that long."
Resigning to a better method, I activated my demon eye, channeling mana into it until the world became vibrant with threads of energy. I scanned the surroundings, extending my range, until I caught sight of a mana signature.
Stationary.
"Probably asleep," I thought, deactivating the eye. I headed toward the source, hoping it was Ghislaine.
As I got closer, I stopped.
"Eris?"
She was lying against a tree, her sword still clutched in her hand, dirt smudging her face and clothes. Her fiery red hair was tangled, and her breathing was steady but shallow.
She looked like she'd been through hell. Her knuckles were bleeding, her legs were bruised, and exhaustion was etched into every line of her face.
I rushed to her side, kneeling down. "What were you doing…?" I murmured, concern twisting in my chest.
Holding my hands over her, I cast healing magic, focusing on her wounds. The cuts and bruises began to fade, but she didn't stir.
"She must be completely drained…" I sighed, sitting back on my heels. Carrying her back was out of the question. I could already picture the punches if she woke up mid-trip.
After a moment's hesitation, I sat down beside her, stretching out my legs. Gently, I lifted her head and placed it on my lap.
"Sorry, Eris, but I can't leave you here alone."
Her fiery hair spilled over my knees, and I brushed a stray strand from her face. Despite the dirt and bruises, her features were striking. I found myself tracing the curve of her cheek with my eyes.
"You really are beautiful…" The words slipped out in a whisper. "It's just a shame you hate me."
I continued stroking her hair, my thoughts swirling. Eventually, sleep claimed me.
A sharp pain jolted me awake.
"Let me go!"
Disoriented, I blinked, realizing Eris was still on my lap. Her crimson eyes burned with fury as she glared at me. My arms were loosely wrapped around her head, but I quickly released her, holding my hands up in surrender.
Before I could get a word out, she tackled me to the ground.
"WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO TOUCH ME?!" she yelled, her fists hammering into my chest.
"I—wait, calm down! I only healed you and stayed to protect you!" I protested, trying to shield myself.
"PROTECT ME?!" Her voice cracked with emotion as she grabbed my collar, her knuckles white. "Rudeus, fight me!"
"What?" I stared at her, caught off guard by the challenge.
"Fight me!" She snatched up her sword, pointing it at me, her stance unyielding.
I hesitated, picking up my own blade with a frown. "Why are you doing this, Eris?"
Her only response was a fierce charge.
Her attacks came fast and relentless, her sword swinging with a precision I hadn't seen before. I parried the first strike, but the second nearly caught me off guard. She wasn't holding back her rage was palpable, each swing landing with more force than the last.
"Eris, stop!" I shouted, deflecting another blow. "What's wrong with you?"
She didn't answer. Her focus was unwavering, her strikes growing faster and more desperate. It wasn't just anger; it was frustration, pain, something deeper I couldn't quite grasp.
I tightened my grip, stepping back with each swing until I finally saw an opening. With a quick twist, I angled my sword and struck hers aside, disarming her with a loud clang.
Her weapon hit the ground, and she froze. Her eyes widened as I raised my blade.
Then, to my shock, she flinched.
I let my sword fall, the blade clattering uselessly to the dirt. Without thinking, I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her.
Eris stiffened, her body trembling in my hold. "What are you doing?" she whispered, her voice brittle.
"You've been holding this in, haven't you?" I said softly, my voice low enough to feel like a confession.
Her trembling grew more violent, and then I felt her hands clutch my shirt. Her head pressed into my chest, and her breath came in broken gasps.
"I'm useless," she choked out, the words muffled against me. "I can't protect myself—I always have to rely on you. I'm nothing but a burden…"
Her words pierced me, sharper than any blade.
"I'm weak compared to you and Sylphie," she continued, her voice shaking. "You're both so strong, and I… I can't do anything."
I froze, her confession hitting me harder than I expected. I hadn't realized how deeply this had been eating at her. She always carried herself so confidently, her fiery personality masking the insecurities beneath.
"Eris…" I whispered, but she interrupted, her voice rising.
"When you used that gravity spell and made everyone fall… you looked so strong," she admitted, her voice raw. "And I felt so small. So useless."
I tightened my hold, one hand moving to stroke her back. Her sobs wracked her body as she clung to me, letting all the feelings she'd buried come pouring out.
"You're not useless," I said firmly. "Eris, you're already amazing with the sword, and you're getting stronger every day. I've seen your potential it's higher than mine. I can promise you that. You just have to keep training."
"But—"
"Even the strongest start off weak," I continued. "Strength isn't something you're born with—it's something you work for. And you're one of the most dedicated people I know. So it's okay to feel like this, but don't give up. I know you'll surpass me someday."
Her sobs grew quieter as she listened, her breathing evening out.
"But right now," I said gently, "you don't have to carry everything alone. I'm here, and I'll keep protecting you. Not because you're weak, but because that's what friends do."
Her grip on my shirt tightened, and she buried her face deeper into my chest.
We stayed like that for a while, the weight of her emotions slowly easing. Eventually, her body went limp, her breathing softening into the steady rhythm of sleep.
I shifted slightly, cradling her in my arms as the quiet night enveloped us.
A/N: Happy Christmas to everyone watching this tomorrow I'll make 2 chapters as my Christmas present to yall and also for the people who celebrate Hanukkah. Thank you for supporting me and giving me power stones I'm very grateful I just want to make a good story you guys love thank you.