Ellara(3)
There is only one month before my awakening ceremony, and there is nothing scheduled for this month.
My theoretical classes were done, and combat classes were cancelled by Malrick.
I was just practicing my swordsmanship when Ellara called me to the library, her voice carrying urgency.
So, here I am in front of the library.
"The library felt a bit different today," Alden said, his voice with a bit of unease.
He entered the library and looked at the counter to find Ellara, where she usually sat reading some books. But he couldn't find her there.
So he started wandering around the library to find her..... And he finally did find her.
She was near one of the bookshelves in the furthest corner from the entrance.
He looked at her with a smile and started walking towards her when he suddenly froze, his smile vanishing.
He looked at her standing there, but something was strange... her form... it was somewhat transparent as if she was going to vanish.
He ran towards her quickly. "Ellara?" His heart was thumping loudly in his chest...his breathing becoming faster and shallower. "What's happening to you?"
Ellara looked at him, her face without any mischief she usually carried...she had a fragile smile, not a happy one but filled with sadness...she looked vulnerable as if she would break with a slight touch.
"My time's up," she said quietly, voice barely above a whisper. "I can't hold on anymore, Alden."
"Even spirits have a lifespan, and after our lifespan ends, we simply vanish," she spoke as she shook her head. "My contract was complete. I can't stay in this world anymore."
Alden took a small step towards her, an unknown fear creeping in on him. "What does that mean, Ellara?" His voice was shaking.
"Are you going somewhere? When will you return?" He asked her with a forced smile. He was in a state of denial, denying the scene he saw, denying the words she said.
"This was something I wanted for a long time, Alden... I was trapped for more than my lifespan. I wanted to... die, but the Spirit Contract held me here," she spoke, her voice trembling.
"But then you appeared. I could've vanished immediately after you inherited the Codex, but... I was curious. I wanted to watch over you for just a little longer. So, I used what was left of my power to delay it, not knowing I would become so attached."Her voice slightly choking.
Alden clenched his hand , his eyes bloodshot. "Why the fuck did you give me false hope? That somebody in this world was there for me only to vanish... why... why... why..." His voice was filled with anger this time. "Why did you make me so attached to you? Why me?"? Answer me, Ellara."
He punched the wall nearby in a fit of rage. "What did I do to deserve this? Answer me, goddammit." He punched the wall again and again, his knuckle starting to bleed.
"Why did you have to vanish? Please don't go...." He said desperately as tears started streaming down his face.
Ellara came towards him and held his hand. His hand healed, she said, her voice choking with guilt and sadness..."I don't want to die anymore, Alden." She said quietly, her voice breaking ever so slightly. "I don't want to leave you like this, alone. But... my time was always meant to end."
She looked at him in his eyes and said
"I wanted to be here for you. To help you, especially when you're stuck in this cruel family... I wanted to watch over you for a bit more time. But my power is spent now... I can't keep holding on... I can't."
Alden's heart sank at her words. "But... I can't do this alone," he said, his voice barely audible. "Please, don't leave me. Not like this. Please, I will listen to everything you say... I will practice diligently... please just don't leave me alone." He was finding any reason to make her stay...
Her form was becoming more transparent.
as she gave him a bittersweet smile "I don't want to leave.... I never wanted you to face it alone, but..."
Listening to her, Alden felt helpless, overwhelmingly helpless... he felt powerless, 'If only I was powerful, I could have done something...' he started blaming himself, the depression taking over him.
Ellara softly touched Alden's head.
Alden felt a cool feeling wash over his head, his eyes becoming a bit clear. "This is my parting gift to you, Alden. These are spirit eyes, my soul ability." Ellara's voice was soft.
"They will remain dormant within you and will awaken only when you awaken your mana; they will guide you in my place," Ellara said, trying to smile a bit.
"This is my first gift to you, Alden, and you will get the second one after I vanish," Ellara said as her time was almost over.
She looked at him one last time, an overwhelming motherly sorrow in her heart... her eyes filled with tears.
She controlled her tears; she didn't want to leave Alden with a sad face....so she smiled, the brightest smile Alden had ever seen, as she hugged him one last time.
Her form shimmered, dissolving into golden particles that floated into the air.
Alden reached out, his hands grasping at nothing, as her light slipped through his fingers. 'I'll never forget you, Ellara,' he whispered, his voice breaking.
But the golden glow continued to fade, leaving only silence.
Alden slumped on the ground as Ellara vanished, no trace of her remaining...only silence remaining in the library filled with soft sobs of Alden.
When suddenly something began to appear in the air where Ellara had vanished.
Alden looked at it, seeing a small golden pearl appear where she had disappeared.
Alden's hand shot out, catching the pearl just before it touched the ground. He held it in his palms, staring at it as if it held the last piece of Ellara's presence.
As he caught the pearl, a voice resounded in his mind, a voice he was all too familiar with.
"This is my final gift to you, Alden. This is a spirit pearl. After a strong spirit's lifespan ends and they vanish, some of their essence will converge and create a spirit pearl. A new spirit will be born from the spirit pearl as long as you keep it with you. Live well, Alden. Be strong. And remember, you are never alone you'll always carry a part of me."
The voice vanished as quickly as it came as Alden held the spirit pearl tightly as he resolved himself to carry on Ellara's legacy.