The Price of Vengeance (V)

Back in the city the first thing we did was to recount the whole situation at the SDOF headquarters. We did our best to be brief and then headed to my house to rest after this long night. It was not a surprise to see that we slept for a full day, I guess it is the minimum we needed to recover energies after everything that happened, not only in my combat, but for the exchange of information we had.

The days passed and there was no change in our home. The attacks of the creatures remained at a minimum, the routine continued as usual. It was as if the encounter with that strange man had been nothing more than a dream.

Today is our day off, so we had no hurry to wake up early. Once we were up and had finished eating, I sat down on a sofa in the living room to think.

"What is it?" asked Maria sitting next to me.

"It's about what Lavos told us the other day"

"That mister? What's wrong with him?"

"Do you remember what he explained? About those... I don't know what elementals?"

"You mean about the elemental spirits?"

"That's right. I've been thinking about it ever since, and I've come to the conclusion that they may be the key to all of this"

"What do you mean by that Asriel? Are you saying they may be the ones who caused this thing of the day of the Apocalypse?" she asked in surprise.

"I doubt it, supposedly they are also inhabitants of this world, representations of the elements that rule this planet. If that's true, it doesn't make any sense that they're the ones who brought a bunch of beasts to destroy the balance of nature, does it?"

Although... there's still a possibility that if they are, maybe they generated a disaster to wipe the human race off the face of the Earth. We have always thought of ourselves as the owners and masters of the rest of the animals, and we do whatever without taking the environment into consideration, but in that case it would be a rather exaggerated punishment in my humble opinion.

On the other hand, I find it hard to believe that such superior and protective beings would resort to such extreme measures. These invaders have damaged the flora and fauna just as much or worse than we have, they don't sound like proper executioners.

"Mmm we only know what we know because that mister said so. Can we really believe him?"

"In his eyes there was no doubt about it. I can't explain it clearly, yet I know he wasn't lying. He may be in deep darkness, but that doesn't detract from the credibility of his words"

"Well, if you say so I believe you"

Finishing that thoughts I rested my head in my hands to take a big breath. What I'm about to say next is nonsensical.

"Taking all that into account... the other part of his story must also be true. Those elemental spirits posses knowledge beyond our imagination. If they have existed since the birth of this planet, then they must know about what happened on the day of the Apocalypse"

"Ohhhh~ I see. And if those beasts are invaders enemies of the beings of this world, it's very likely that they'll lend us a hand"

"That's what I'd like to think. With that in mind..." I said relaxing and leaning my back on the sofa. After a deep sigh I turned my body slightly towards her looking directly into her eyes. "I think the best thing to do would be to try to contact them for help. As you say it's very possible that they have some idea of what to do next"

"I think so too. If someone needs help, they will only get it if they ask for it. What we need to do now is to find someone to ask"

"Exactly. Although that means one thing, we'll have to go out and look for them"

"That's right"

"That means leaving this town, this house"

"Yep"

"We'll go back to the road out there, where all kinds of savages roam. Who knows what other dangers exist, we don't know if there are people like the one Lavos is chasing. We may run into Seekers looking to take my Object. Perhaps a man like Victor who wants to take advantage of your powers-"

"Asriel" said taking my hand and stopping my words. "There's something on your mind, isn't it? Go ahead, you know you can tell me anything"

"... I'm afraid of putting you in danger, if something were to happen to you I wouldn't know what to do"

"But you'll protect me. You promised, didn't you?"

"Of course I will, no matter what happens I'll be there to take care of you"

"And I promised you too, I will always be by your side to help you in any way I can. I know I'm just a burden to you, though I'll do my best to stay out of your way"

"What are you saying Maria? It's not like that"

"You don't have to lie to me, in the last fight I realized it. I'm just annoying you, because you have to cover for me you overdemand yourself and end up getting seriously hurt because of me. I don't want that! I want to change, I promise I will become stronger Asriel. Strong enough to be able to protect you!"

"Maria..."

I took her hands, they are so small and fragile. They were trembling a little, probably at the thought that I might leave her alone. I've seen how she's been working hard lately in training, she really wants to improve.

"I'm sorry... I just..."

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything else. You're the reason I can keep going. Not only because of your healing, having you by my side gives me strength to continue. As I said before, the two of us will go on this adventure together. Whatever happens we will both face it"

"Asriel..."

She hugged me tightly and I hugged her back in the same way. Her pretty eyes were shedding tears that got imprinted on my clothes.

I will keep this beautiful moment in my mind forever. A precious memory that will be the force that will guide me into the future.