The Turning Point [part 3]

The rain of the night intensified—each drop a testament to the intensity of our emotions—as I stood face-to-face with Ais, her determined gaze piercing through the pouring rain. She insisted on returning to the dungeon, despite the evident toll it had taken on her.

I stepped closer, my voice shaking with emotion. "Ais, please listen to me. You can't go back like this. I mean, look at yourself—exhausted, battered, pushing yourself beyond your limits. You've had enough."

Ais tightened her grip on her sword, her resolve unwavering. "I have to do this, Althea. I can't let my weakness hold me back. The dungeon is where I belong, where I find my purpose."

Tears mixed with raindrops streamed down my face as I pleaded with her. "But Ais, you don't have to prove anything to anyone. You're already amazing just the way you are. Your strength, your determination—they shine through even in your darkest moments."

"Enough!" Ais snapped, her voice filled with frustration and desperation. "I don't want you to get involved in this, Althea. So, please... Get out of my way!"

My heart pounded as Ais proceeded to charge toward me—sword in hand. Panic surged through me, and instinct took over. I raised my staff, chanting the incantation of a wind spell—Ventus Impetus.

My heart pounded as Ais charged toward me—sword in hand. Panic surged through me, and instinct took over. I raised my staff, chanting the incantation of a wind spell—Ventus Impetus.

"Reversal!" I shouted, channeling my magic and emotions. A powerful gust of wind erupted from my staff, colliding with Ais and pushing her back, causing her to stumble.

But she swiftly regained her footing, her determination unyielding. She lunged forward, slashing her sword with precision. I blocked her attack with my staff, sparks flying as metal clashed against wood.

Rain cascaded down around us, soaking us to the bone as our fight intensified. Each movement was fueled by emotions that burned within us—love, fear, and an unwavering bond that refused to be broken.

"Althea, stand aside!" Ais shouted, her voice filled with frustration and pain. "I have to prove myself in order to protect you."

I parried her strikes, my voice choked with tears. "Ais, this isn't the way. You're hurting yourself. I don't want you to sacrifice everything for me."

But she pressed on, relentless in her pursuit. We continued to clash, raindrops blending with the sounds of our weapons clashing—echoing through the deserted streets.

With each parry and strike, I desperately searched for the right words, hoping to break through to her. "Ais, you're already strong. You don't need to prove anything to anyone. We can face the challenges together."

Her sword whirled through the air, a blur of steel. "No, Althea! I have to do this alone. I need to become stronger, for your sake."

Realizing my attacks were ineffective, I mustered my final wind spell—Tenebris Halitus.

"Bind!" I cried out, sending swirling gusts of wind toward Ais, attempting to bind her and stop the fight. Yet she deftly evaded my magic, her determination shining through. Rain soaked her clothes and hair, accentuating her fierce resolve.

However, the Tenebris Halitus eventually caught up to her, tightly wrapping around her body—restricting her movements. Ais struggled against the winds—her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

Drawing closer, barely above a whisper, I pleaded, "Ais, please... listen to me. I'm not trying to hold you back. I'm doing this because I care about your well-being. It's time to stop."

The winds strained against her, the rain and wind intermingling in a fierce battle. Ais's breath came in ragged gasps as she fought against the elements and my pleas.

I could see the turmoil in her eyes—a mix of determination, doubt, and exhaustion. She stared at me as if conveying her feelings to me.

"I... I can't," Ais choked out, her voice filled with frustration and pain. "I need you to let me go. I need to prove myself... that I'm strong enough... to protect you."

"..."

The rain poured down, mirroring the tears streaming down our faces. Our struggle reflected the intensity of our emotions—love, fear, and an unwavering bond that refused to be broken.

In that moment, I made a choice—a choice born out of love and acceptance. With a heavy heart, I released my magic, allowing the winds to dissipate, and lowered my staff.

"Ais," I whispered, my voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and understanding. "If this is truly what you believe you must do, I won't stand in your way. But promise me this—promise me that you'll take care of yourself, and that you'll come back to me."

Her eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability shining through her determined facade. She nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination in her gaze.

"I promise," Ais whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "I will come back to you, Althea."

With a final glance, Ais turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me standing alone in the rain-soaked streets.

As the rain continued to pour in the night, I couldn't help but question whether I had made the right choice. The ache in my heart mingled with the raindrops, a bittersweet reminder of the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

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After a few minutes, the sound of footsteps reached my ears, drawing my attention from the rain-soaked streets. I lifted my head, my eyes meeting the concerned gaze of Riveria and the rest of the group as they approached me.

Their worried expressions mirrored the turmoil in my heart, and I found solace in their presence. Riveria's brow furrowed as she spoke, her voice filled with genuine concern.

"Althea, what happened? We heard the commotion and came as quickly as we could. Are you alright?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to compose myself. "Ais... she... she insisted on going back to the dungeon."

The sternness in Riveria's voice was palpable as she reprimanded me—her words laced with frustration. "And you let her? How could you allow her to go back in that state?"

I flinched at Riveria's strict tone, feeling the weight of my own guilt and helplessness. "I did try to stop her," I sniffled, my voice breaking. "But she was determined to prove herself—to show that she's strong enough to protect me."

Riveria's face twisted in anger, and she continued to reprimand me—her tone stern and demanding. "You should have been stricter with your own sister's well-being, Althea. It's your responsibility to prioritize her safety over your own feelings."

Tears streamed down my face as I felt the weight of my mistake. The guilt consumed me, and I struggled to find the right words to defend myself.

"Calm down, you damn elf," Gareth interjected—his voice filled with concern. "It's not entirely Althea's fault. Ais is rather strong-willed, and sometimes, we have to let people make their own choices—even if we don't agree with them."

Finn nodded in agreement—his voice calm yet firm. "He's right, Riveria. We can't control what others decide, no matter how much we care for them. All we can do is support them and be there when they need us."

Riveria's anger softened slightly, her features displaying a mix of frustration and concern. "I understand, but Althea, you must be prepared to face the consequences of Ais's decision. The dangers of the dungeon are not to be taken lightly."

Loki, who had remained quiet until now, placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. Her voice was filled with empathy and understanding. "Althy, we're all here for you. We'll support you in any way we can. Let's hope that Aisuu finds the strength she seeks and returns to us unharmed."

Her words offered a glimmer of hope—a lifeline in the darkness. With renewed determination, I wiped away my tears and squared my shoulders. The path ahead was uncertain, but with my Familia by my side, I knew I wouldn't have to face it alone.

"We won't give up on Ais," I declared, my voice resonating with determination. "We'll track her down, protect her, and bring her back home."

The journey ahead would be treacherous, but together, we would navigate the darkness and find the light that would lead us back to Ais.

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(Third POV)

Before Riveria and the others found Althea, her sister Ais sprinted through the relentless rain, her grip tight on her sword.

Unbeknownst to her, she was being closely watched. Inside a dimly lit building, concealed within the shadows, a sinister smile adorned the face of a god.

"Hey, Valletta—have you heard of the Doll Princess?" the god inquired, his voice dripping with intrigue.

Valletta, the god's loyal servant, pondered for a moment before responding, a hint of amusement in her tone. "Which one are you referring to, Thanatos? The sword-wielding one or the wielder of magic?"

"The sword-wielding one, Valletta," Thanatos clarified, his smile widening.

"Ah, yes. I know exactly who you're talking about," Valletta chuckled. "She's one of those young girls being raised by Finn and the others. Quite the cheeky rookie, I must say. And her growth rate is simply astonishing, just like her sister... She's truly an intriguing individual."

Unbeknownst to the city's inhabitants, the patron gods and leaders of the Evils lurked in the shadows, their machinations weaving a web of chaos and turmoil throughout the city.

The Thanatos Familia, along with several other factions and followers of the evil gods, operated covertly, furthering their sinister agendas.

"Why are you interested in her?" Valletta inquired—her curiosity piqued.

"You see, I happened to lay eyes on her once, and I've been intrigued ever since. Unlike her sister, that girl has something smoldering in her eyes—something like a black-colored flame," Thanatos explained, his voice filled with intrigue.

Underneath his tattered black hood, Thanatos's eyes followed Ais's movements, narrowing as he watched her run through the rain-soaked city.

"She carries the unmistakable scent of death with her, and it's potent. Strong enough that I can't simply ignore it. After all, I am the God of Death," Thanatos said, a debaucherous aura surrounding him as he grinned.

But then, something else caught the god's attention—the other sister, running alongside her Familia. Not only did her golden hair impress him, but her flame as well—it had an icy, cold hue.

"Hey, Valletta, what if we alter our plans for today?" Thanatos proposed.

Valletta tilted her head in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"I want us to shake things up a bit, create a spectacle. Let's make it so the Loki Familia—anyone who might get in our way—avoids the Dungeon. And as for the other doll princess—let her pass through."

The god of death stared at the two golden-haired girls' destination—the city's heart, Babel—as he made his proposition.

"You know I can't order around the gods of the other Familia. If you want to change the plan, then you'll have to talk to them—," Valletta argued, but her sentence was cut off when...

"It'll be an entertaining way to mess with the Loki Familia's Braver, though..."

Valletta fell silent at the mention of the Braver from the Loki Familia. Finally, as if grasping Thanatos's divine will, she broke into a twisted smile.

"You sly one. You're after those young brats, weren't you?" Valletta teased.

"You have misunderstood me, Valletta. There are no ulterior motives here, I assure you," Thanatos protested, his flustered voice failing to hide a hint of mischief.

And so, Valletta disseminated the revised orders to her subordinates while Thanatos continued to observe the two girls from the shadows, his lips twisting into a crescent smile.

"After all, it's a god's duty to assist lost children, isn't it?" Thanatos whispered to himself.