Beneath the dim glow of a streetlamp, Elfea stood frozen in front of the inn's entrance. Her heart pounded wildly, as if it might leap out of her chest. Her trembling hands clutched Rey's battered body tightly, her breath caught at the sight of his horrific condition.
"Parcival... help me..." Elfea's voice cracked, barely more than a desperate whisper.
Parcival had just stepped outside when he stopped in his tracks, eyes widening at the sight of Rey unconscious in Elfea's arms. His body was covered in wounds, blood dripping and staining the ground—a stark contrast under the muted light.
"Gods... what happened to this boy?!" Parcival cried, his expression turning grim.
Without another word, he rushed forward and took Rey from Elfea's arms. His body was light, almost weightless, but cold—chillingly so.
Seeing Rey so weak, Elfea covered her mouth, holding back the sob that threatened to burst forth. Her eyes, usually sharp and composed, brimmed with panic and helplessness.
"I... I can't bear to see him like this, Parcival... Please... do something..." she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Parcival nodded quickly and disappeared into the inn with Rey in his arms, leaving Elfea standing stiffly at the doorway, her shoulders shaking softly, drowning in despair.
Inside, the inn was eerily silent, broken only by Parcival's hurried footsteps echoing through the night. He brought Rey to a spare room usually reserved for injured or ill guests.
Elfea followed close behind, her body still shaking, breaths short as though guilt was crushing her lungs.
Parcival laid Rey on the bed, immediately setting to work, removing the blood-soaked clothes from his body. The wounds were ghastly—deep enough that bones were almost visible. Parcival's face darkened.
"These... aren't normal wounds," he muttered grimly.
Back to the present.
Elfea's footsteps echoed once more... but this time, she didn't leave.
She stood before me, though her body trembled, though her eyes were filled with barely hidden fear.
"I... I won't leave you, Rey... even if you push me away a thousand times..."
Her voice broke, but beneath its quiver was a strength drawn from somewhere deeper.
I wanted to push her away again.
Wanted to shout at her.
But... I was too tired.
My body collapsed into her embrace.
Somehow, Elfea managed to support me, dragging my nearly unconscious form out of the arena now steeped in a chilling silence.
My breath came in ragged gasps, the world around me spinning like a never-ending nightmare.
Faintly... I heard her voice.
She was pleading with the guards—hoarse, desperate—but unyielding.
Then... I felt a mattress.
A bed?
I opened my eyes slowly.
Dim light, the scent of wood... soft footsteps approaching.
Elfea... sat by my bedside.
I was... back at the inn?
Parcival's inn. The place I'd left behind before joining that cursed tournament.
Elfea... she brought me back here?
She saved me... even when I didn't want to be saved.
Using her Sanare Lux magic, she healed my wounds.
But they were too deep. Not all could be mended.
Some left scars—permanent reminders of my failure.
Her tears fell, soaking my wounded skin.
"I know... you want me to go... but I'm staying, Rey..." she whispered.
"If you can't be the Rey you once were... then I'll be your reminder... until you can stand again, as yourself."
I turned my face away.
I... didn't deserve her.
But... for the first time since that third round ended...
I felt warmth.
A painful warmth... yet strangely comforting...
Reminding me... that I was still human.
The Elixiran Tournament was infamous throughout the Moniyan Kingdom for its brutality.
Parcival had forbidden anyone from joining such madness.
Too many lives lost... and for the royals watching, it was nothing more than a cruel spectacle to feed their hunger for blood.
"Elfea... let go... you're holding me too tightly... I... can't breathe..."
I gently tapped her back.
But she didn't move.
She wouldn't let go.
I knew... since the first round, she had been worried.
And now, seeing me like this... she couldn't bear to release me.
I sighed softly.
So be it... for now... I let her hold me.
Maybe... I really did need her.
Her embrace was still firm.
Her heartbeat echoed against my chest—fast... anxious... but real.
"Elfea," I whispered, barely audible. "Why... are you doing all this?"
She didn't answer right away.
Her arms only tightened, as if afraid I'd disappear the moment she let go.
"You know... I'm not worthy," I continued. My voice was hoarse. "I failed. I don't even know who I am anymore."
Slowly, Elfea lifted her face. Her eyes were red, wet. But a small, forced smile tugged at her lips.
A smile that made my chest ache.
"That's exactly why I'm still here," she said.
"Because you're Rey... broken, not perfect. And I'd rather stay with you in ruin than walk alone in victory."
I bowed my head. I wanted to argue, but... I had no strength left to lie.
No energy to pretend to be strong in front of her.
"You're strange, Elfea..." I murmured.
She let out a soft, trembling laugh.
"Maybe. But I want you to know something…"
Her hand brushed over a scar on my arm, touching it as if she could take away all the pain.
"When you fell in that arena... it felt like my world shattered. Maybe you hate me for staying. But... I'd hate myself more if I let you die alone."
Her words hit harder than any sword I'd faced.
Tears welled in her eyes again... but this time, I didn't look away.
"Elfea…" I whispered. "If I give up… if I can't be myself again… will you still stay?"
She looked at me. Deeply. Without hesitation.
"I'll stay, Rey… even if you have to crawl your way back. I'll be beside you—even if it means watching you fall over and over again."
I closed my eyes.
Her embrace remained.
The warmth lingered.
For the first time... I allowed myself to believe, just a little... that maybe, I wasn't completely alone.
That night... for the first time, I didn't push away the warmth Elfea offered.
Let it be...
Tonight, I surrendered... at least for now.
I was tired of fighting myself.
Elfea gently combed through my hair, her hands shaking... but she didn't stop, as if afraid I'd sink back into darkness if she did.
I could feel her trembling beside me... just as fragile as I was. And yet, she stayed.
In that silence... I heard her muffled sobs.
"Elfea… you can sleep... I'm okay now," I said weakly.
She shook her head, forcing a smile that only hurt more to see.
"I'm scared... that if I sleep... you'll disappear."
Strangely... it made sense. I used to want to be alone. But now... with her here... I feared she was right.
Maybe... I really would vanish if she turned away.
"I... I won't go anywhere," I murmured. "At least... not tonight."
Elfea smiled a little wider, though her eyes were still swollen.
"Then... let me stay by your side until morning."
I nodded.
Let it be.
That night, we held on to the broken pieces of ourselves.
No more words... only a shared warmth that told us—we were still here.
Still alive.
I closed my eyes, letting Elfea's broken, uneven breaths fill the hollow space in my cracked heart.
Maybe... tomorrow I'd still be the same failure.
Maybe... I'd still fall.
But tonight... I had one small reason to keep breathing.
Elfea.
She stayed... even when I gave up on myself.
And slowly... in that painful silence... I drifted to sleep in her arms.
Somehow... the nightmares that had haunted me night after night... were gone.
I don't know how long we stayed like that.
Her embrace felt strange at first. Rigid. But slowly, I felt my body surrender to her warmth.
As if... I finally realized how empty I'd been.
"Elfea... you know... I might never be able to return your feelings," I whispered, barely brave enough to say it.
Elfea took a deep breath, then shook her head gently.
"I don't need you to return them, Rey... I just want you to know you're not alone."
Her hand touched my cheek... softly... carefully... as if I were something easily shattered.
I closed my eyes... letting that touch linger just a bit longer.
"Elfea... you're too kind... for someone like me."
She smiled... bittersweet, but warm.
"Maybe... or maybe I'm just foolish."
I chuckled weakly. My voice was hoarse, rough... but at least, I laughed again.
A sound I thought had died with my pride in that arena.
She wiped my tears... and I let her.
"I don't care if you push me away a thousand more times, Rey... because I know... you're scared too."
I turned away... but she gently held my chin, making me face her.
Her eyes... soft. But with fire inside.
"If you can't walk now... then let me be your crutch... until you can stand on your own again."
I didn't respond.
But my hand... somehow... moved on its own, reaching out to hold hers.
A fragile grip... weak... but enough to make her smile.
Just for tonight... only tonight... I let myself lean on her.
And Elfea... she stayed.
She didn't leave.
She didn't give up.
She remained by my side... until, finally... I fell asleep in that comforting warmth I had unknowingly longed for.