Year 66

  *The sound of birds whistling wakes Emma up, and she rolls over, knocking Lily onto the floor.*

  Lily: Mama, Hey!

  *Emma sits up slowly.*

  Emma: Sorry, Lily. You okay?

  Lily: Yeah. You’re normally more aware in the morning. What’s wrong?

  Emma: I haven’t been sleeping really well, and Giovanni has been making me give daily reports now so he can discuss things with me by the end of every day.

  Lily: Yeah, you mentioned that before. That’s why you’ve had me stay at home.

  Emma: So if I’m going to be home late, you can let Dad know.

  *Knock*Knock*Knock*

  Emma: Just a minute!

  Goren: You have a letter from David.

  *Emma pokes her arm out and grabs the letter from her Dad. As she opens it, tears drop to the floor. Lily jumps over to Emma’s feet.*

  Lily: What’s wrong?!

  Emma: It’s Ruddy and Falicia. They’re both sick and they don’t know if they will make it.

  Lily: It wasn’t the Seers, was it?!

  *Emma mumbles as she quickly reads through, then begins changing into her travel gear.*

  Emma: No, but I want to see them both before they pass.

  * Knock. Knock. Knock.*

  Emma: Not now, Dad!

  Ariella: It’s me. I just read my letter and ran over here.

  *Emma opens the door, and the two hold each other. Goren looks at them both, concerned.*

  Goren: What’s wrong?

  —------------------------------------------

  *Emma and Ariella agree to a training mission for new trainees that takes them to the Whispering Falls to deliver supplies. They reach the falls as the last of the spring showers pass through the area. After completing the delivery, the two give their troops the rest of the day off and then run to their friend's house. Levi answers the door, and they walk in to be greeted by David.*

  David: Thank you both for coming. I know it means a lot to them both.

  Emma: Of course.

  *Coughing comes from the other room. A sickly Ruddy calls out.*

  Ruddy: Is that Emma I hear?

  *Emma and Ariella walk into the room, and both Ruddy and Falicia lie in bed, their eyes sunken in, and their bodies look dehydrated. Ruddy and Falicia smile as they see their old companions enter the room. Their hair is now without color. *

  Falicia: *Breath* Told you they’d be here before. *Breath* The first heat wave.

  Ruddy: *Cough* You’re right.

  *Both Elves sit down across from the beds.*

  Emma: David said he couldn’t cure it, but it doesn’t seem to spread.

  *Levi stands in the doorway while David changes Ruddy’s headcloth. Ariella helps by changing Falicia’s.*

  Levi: That’s right. It’s a Human disease called Ending. A very rare disease that only affects the elderly.

  Emma: What about David? Does this mean he’ll get it as well?

  David: Unlikely.

  *David finishes helping his Father and stands up. He hands a paper with information about The Ending.*

  David: Since both my parents have it, the odds of my getting it are significantly lower.

  Ariella: Can you get checked for it early?

  Levi: Emma, come here.

  *Emma follows Levi outside to the field and out back.*

  Levi: I looked into it already.

  Emma: Into what?

  Levi: I saw that look in your eye. It was the same look I had when I realized it. And Yes. The Ending is from the Collision.

  Emma: I thought so… *Sigh* So once again. Elves are responsible for ruining something else.

  Levi: You know it’s not your fault, right?

  *Emma tells Levi everything she knows about the Devil. Afterward, Levi sits in silence, nodding his head in thought.*

  Emma: Please say something.

  Levi: You’re right. It kinda is your fault.

  *Emma looks down, depressed.*

  Levi: But you also didn’t have a choice in the matter. So it’s not like anyone is allowed to blame you for it. I’m sure no one in that house would think differently. If anything, it might be that “past you” is at fault before you.

  Emma: You might be right, But You’re probably the only person, besides Arie, I’m willing to tell.

  Levi: *Smiles* Well, I’m honored.

  Emma: It’s more of a curse to know sometimes. Arie started giving me a list of questions to ask the next time I see either of them.

  Levi: You’ve said how hard it is to get an answer from either of them.

  Emma thinking: Yeah, aside from moving her body, any form of words, whether written or spelled, seems to drain her.

  Emma: Not that they could help in this situation.

  *David steps outside.*

  David: Hey, Ariella said she was staying for Dinner, but what about you? Krystal should be here soon, and she’ll need to know who’s staying.

  Emma: Krystal is the nurse the church sent, correct?

  David: Yes, they said that had it been anyone of a lower rank, he would’ve been out of luck.

  Emma: I mean, they have both you and Levi for most of their care. And I don’t mind helping while we’re in town.

  David: We can talk more later, for now, I wanted to ask you for something specifically, Master.

  *Emma turns to David, his intense stare shows Emma how serious he is at the moment.*

  Emma: I’ll do what I can.

  David: I want to help with the assault. I’m fine acting as a shield or healer.

  *Emma stops David.*

  Emma: What do your parents think about it?

  Levi: They both think it’s suicide. They’ve both asked me to find David and me a safe passage out of the country when they pass.

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  Emma: They’re not wrong.

  *Emma pauses and looks at David. She stares into his eyes to see his determination glowing brightly.*

  Emma: *Sigh* Fine, I promised you, but that means you have to last ten minutes. Are you ready for that?

  *Levi grins as he crosses his arms and looks over to David.*

  David: Absolutely.

  *Levi’s jaw drops.*

  Levi: I know you’re a tough kid, but she’s an ‘S’ rank.

  David: I don’t care. I want to help protect the land I was raised in. So I can protect the land where my parents will be buried.

  Emma: Okay, I’m not leaving for a week. When you’re ready, come get me.

  *David nods before heading out the front, grabbing his sword on the way.*

  Emma: Don’t worry, He’ll either learn his lesson and I’ll help you to leave later, or he’ll amaze us both.

  Levi: He’s been planning on joining you since you two separated.

  Emma: I offered him this deal, but when Ruddy got hurt, he left before getting a chance. I feel like I owe him this now. And I think it’ll help him cope.

  *The next day, David arrives before Emma, being led by an elven guard.*

  Elf: Captain Silvashade! This Human claims he knows you?

  Emma: Yes, David. What’s wrong?

  David: I challenge you.

  Emma: David, take some time and train. I’m fine teaching you a lesson, but not if you won’t take this seriously.

  *Levi runs up behind, calling out.*

  Levi: David, you idiot! You’re as bad as your Father!

  *Emma laughs*

  Levi: Sorry, Emma, he spent all night training. After he woke up, all he said was he was ready and marched over here.

  Emma: Hmm. Fine. We can do it tonight before dinner.

  *David bows before leaving, Levi follows him, scolding him, but David seems to have made up his mind already.*

  Emma: And get some sleep!

  —-----------------------------------

  *As the smell of everyone cooking dinner fills the city, Emma and David stand before one another just on the outskirts, and Levi stands as referee away from the two. David takes a stance with his sword, he creates a barrier around himself with ease. Emma unleashes all her knives and begins spinning them around her.*

  Levi: First one to forfeit or run out of Magic loses. On my word, you two will begin. David, ready?! *David nods* Emma, ready?! *Emma nods* Begin.

  *David sprints toward Emma to close the gap. She sends a stream of her knives toward David, leaving some to protect herself. David blocks the knives, grabbing one and attempting to throw it back at her. Emma dodges the knife before stepping forward. In the blink of an eye, she kicks David in the stomach, knocking him back and cracking his barrier a little before repairing itself slowly. David gets his footing, and Emma strikes his sword forcefully. David struggles to hold his sword, dropping i,t and as Emma kicks at his head, he ducks and kicks out her other leg. As Emma hits the ground, and David smiles, until she turns to smoke.*

  Emma: All this time, and you still can’t tell the difference between me and my clones? David. Like Levi said, bring their ashes with you, that way you can bury them when it’s safe.

  David: *Angry* And what if that takes too long?! I’m not an Elf. Odds are, if I leave now, I’ll never have the chance to come back. You told me yourself. I’m the strongest Human you’ve ever met. *His voice softens.* If you’re worried about me getting hurt, let me at least help heal the wounded. I can help.

  Emma: And if you die in that battle. How will you visit your parents?

  David: I’d rather die protecting the chance to visit them than die knowing I couldn’t visit them again. If I take them with me, they may never get to reach the afterlife.

  *David’s eyes shine in the light, and the figure’s presence in Emma reaches out, distracting her. David grabs his sword and charges toward Emma again. Emma barely manages to dodge the attack, but drops to the ground. David points his blade at Emma. David holds back tears, and he breathes angrily. Emma smiles before reaching her hand out. Levi looks at the two, dumbfounded.*

  Levi: What just happened?

  Emma: She asked me to let him come. Apparently, he reminds her of someone.

  Levi: Is that a good thing?

  Emma: *Scoff* I don’t think that matters anymore. You’re not going to be able to stop him. I’ll let him help, but I’ll keep him out of the fight if I can help it.

  *After dinner, David quickly passes out on the table from exhaustion. Levi stays at the table to talk with Emma more. Ariella headed back early.*

  Levi: So, how’re you going to “Keep him out “ of the fight?

  Emma: He said he wants to heal, and I have an idea. Trust me.

  *Two nights pass..*

  *While Emma and Ariella are training the recruits, Levi runs over, two guards try to stop him, but he blasts them away with his Spirit hand.*

  Emma: Let him through!

  *Levi leans over, breathing heavily. Speaking between each breath.*

  Levi: You two need to get to the house.

  *The two elves look at one another and then toward the recruits.*

  Ariella: Pair up and have mock battles. The Winner is off kitchen duties.

  *As the three run to the house, Levi informs the two that Falicia has lost her vision, which is a sign she has less than six hours left. They enter the room to see Falicia’s eyes covered with a bandage. A young adult woman, Krystal, sits next to Falicia, helping feed her. *

  Emma: When did it happen?

  Krystal: She said she woke up this way, so we can’t be sure.

  *Everyone sits down around the room in silence. Falicia moves her hand to stop Krystal and speaks out, her voice extremely hoarse and weak.*

  Falicia: My ears still work. It’s my eyes that don’t. Please talk.

  *Emma stands up and walks toward Falicia.*

  Emma: I’m going to cast an Illusion spell to mess with your vision. It affects how your brain sees things, so I should be able to let you see us all as long as I’m touching you.

  *Falicia struggles to move her hand and lies back in her bed a bit more. After helping, Krystal steps out of the room, and Emma takes her seat. Emma jumps slightly as she holds her hand.*

  Emma thinking: She’s already so cold.

  *Emma squeezes Falicia’s hand softly.*

  Ariella: Have you done this before?

  Emma: Once to torture someone.

  *Falicia and Ruddy both smile.*

  Emma: Granted, I didn’t give them something as great as my face to see.

  *Falicia’s mouth opens as the room comes into view, letting her see all the people she holds dear sitting around her.*

  Falicia: Thank you. All of you…. …

  *Emma looks down.*

  David: Mom?

  *Tears pour from David's face. MOM!!*

  *Levi helps calm down David and removes him from the room. Emma sits next to Ruddy and holds his hand.*

  Emma: *Gasp* Ruddy.

  Ruddy: *Softly* Shhhh.

  *Ruddy opens his eyes with a smile, looking forward. Emma begins to cry as she feels Ruddy’s cold hand. His eyes have turned grey and colorless. Tears start to fall from his eyes as he talks, his voice too quiet for the others to hear. *

  Ruddy: I didn’t want to see her die in front of me. But I wanted to be able to hear her until the end. Emma, could you help me as well? I’d like to say something to David.

  Emma: David. Get over here.

  *Emma casts the spell, and as David looks at his father's eye’s he yells.*

  David: YOU STUBBORN JACKASS!!

  *Emma grabs David's arm, allowing David and Ruddy to talk with Telepathy*

  Emma: I’m not sure how long I can keep this spell going, so let’s get it going. David, shut it and listen.

  Ruddy: *Smiles* Thank you, Emma. *Looks at David* David, I want you to help Emma. I knew about your deal. Levi talks in his sleep, we all know that. I want you to value your life. And what is important to you? My only request if you make sure to have some kids before you die, or at least adopt. Now go out there and give Emma hell.

  Emma: Hey! Oh sorry.

  *After talking some more, Emma sits up, unable to keep the spell active any longer.*

  Ruddy: I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’m going to go to sleep… I’m not sure if I’ll wake up if I’m being honest. Just know I love all of you.

  *David stays by Ruddy’s side, holding his hand until his last breath. He leaves the room and turns to Krystal.*

  Emma: He hid it from her as well.

  David: I know. He got it much later than Mom, so it never even crossed my mind that I’d lose them on the same day.

  Krystal: It’s the lovers' curse. When you lose your true love, some say your body gets weaker until you die at an alarming rate.

  David: I know it’s just a kid's story, but that makes me feel better seeing it that way… Thank you, all of you.

  *The group all hugged one another, with David at the center.*

  Levi: Of course, you’re our nephew. We’ll always be here to help you.

  Emma: And now you have your father's approval to stay here.

  Ariella: When did? Telepathy?

  Emma: Yeah. I tried not to listen.

  David: It’s fine, I know he just wanted to make sure I heard it…*Separates from hug* I’m going for a walk.

  *David heads out alone.*

  Emma: And we have to head back tomorrow… At least we got to say goodbye.

  Levi: Emma, I’d like to come help as well. After all, my master was an elf as well.

  Ariella: Can I say something?

  *Everyone turns to Ariella.*

  Ariella: Even though I hated you at first, Levi, thank you for helping take care of Ruddy and Falicia… On behalf of Emma and myself. *Looks to Emma.* We would love to have you help us.

  Levi: *Smiles* At least this time we have an even party.

  *That night, they hold a burning funeral for Ruddy and Falicia. And the next day, David and Levi join the elves on their journey to protect their homeland. Emma and Ariella lead the party while the boys follow behind.*

  Ariella: Do you think he’ll be okay?

  Emma: Stop asking me. Ariella, remember how long it took for Father David’s death. Do you remember how long it took me to process that?

  Ariella: *Irritated* Yeah, I was mad at you because the next week you came into work with a joke.

  Emma: Like I said back then. You’ve just started losing people you care about. I started my life by losing my mother. I’ve had more time to learn how to heal faster. Just because I can smile the same day Ruddy passes doesn’t mean I’m heartless. It means his life impacted me enough to allow me to smile. I can smile because I still have all those memories, and now I can share them in stories so that they can live on forever.

  Ariella: Like a Legend.

  Emma: Exactly. I don’t want to be the hero. I’d much rather take low-rank quests and tell my current party past stories of my previous members who have passed on.

  *Emma Smiles*

  Ariella: I think I’d want to train new adventurers. That way, I could still travel, but I enjoy teaching.

  Emma: Soldiers and new adventurers are very different.

  Ariella: Yeah, but I would also be able to help with rank-up training.

  Emma: I’ve also thought about retiring until Kimmy passes…

  Ariella: I forgot she’s only half-elf.

  Emma: I forget I didn’t give birth to her sometimes. *Laughs*

  Ariella: I can’t wait to see her again. *Smiles*