8 The Dream That Ended Before It Began

"I'll find out don't you worry Xan chan"

"Elder please wait! This insect is clearly trying to trick you!"

"Oh Xan chan.. The more you try to stop me, the more my curiosity reaches its peak you know~"

After he said those words, Xanrou screamed and his body became listless.

"Ohohohoho"

"First elder, what did you see"

Not even a minute passed by and he already finished.

If my memories recall correctly, didn't Leiya's brother take nearly four hours?

Don't tell me.. that guy! He was so immersed in my memories that he took four hours watching it!

Ah.. I know this isn't the appropriate time but I can't help but feel flustered.

"I saw an interesting scene~"

He lowered his eyes and a mysterious smile appeared before him.

"He stole the greater soul chamber seal from the sixth elder and used it on Tifa chan just so that he could satisfy his lust"

"Hoho.. I wonder what her majesty will do when she finds out"

"For now, Kai chan, take him away"

One of the five men in this place nodded and took the unconscious Xanrou away.

"Now then"

The one who's been talking this whole time turned his attention towards me.

"What should we do with you.."

"First elder, should we take him back first?"

He smiled and walked towards me.

Damn it..

If they weren't holding me so tightly, I would have escaped long ago..

"He might be innocent but the fact that he's a human doesn't change. Not only that, he also killed several of our people"

"Just tell me the orders and I'll end his life right now"

"Now now Kin chan, I still have some questions for him"

He sat down and looked straight at me.

"Do you understand your situation right now?"

I stay quiet while looking him dead in the eye.

"Scary scary. Do you know why we can't let you live?"

"How would I know?! All you've done is chase me around and hunt me down!"

"Putting the fact that you're holding the princess hostage, let me tell you an interesting story. Not too long ago, a human snuck it's way in the outer gates. Tifa chan found this person and even gave shelter to her knowing the fact that humans can't be trusted. She took care of her and even led her to a squadron of our people. Right when they got there, the woman exploded and killed nearly everyone. If it wasn't for the fact that she's chosen by the tree of life, she would have died as well"

…

"How do we know that it won't happen again? Hey tell me. Why should we trust you for the second time? Why should we endanger our people once again?"

…

Leiya..

"I…"

I don't know..

The words in my mouth couldn't come out. If that truly happened, then I understand why they couldn't trust me.

"Do you truly think that you're helping her? Have you ever asked yourself.. How could she ever live with the fact that a second event could happen again because she decided to help you? The idea that a second massacre would happen, do you think she would be able to live with it? She's been burdened for so long. If you care about her, then end yourself. Don't burden her with more troubles"

I..

"If only you were a shadow elf instead of a human.. then maybe.. just maybe we could have come to terms with it"

Leiya once told me that she made a mistake.. Every now and then, she would recall something and tears would stream down her face.

Have i been a burden this whole time?

Maybe he's right..

Maybe I should just..

"No!"

Behind me, Leiya appeared with ragged breath.

"Leiya! Why did you come here!"

"Haaa.. haaa.. Haruto.. I'm sorry I'm late"

"How did you know?!"

"Haaa.. she told me.. that you were in trouble.. so I came as quickly as possible"

You idiot!

With the seal still in your body, you should be in so much pain right now!

Yet you still..

Maybe this is for the better..

"First elder, i'd like for you to take that back"

"Hohoo.. and why should I?"

"My eldest brother read his mind and already cleared all suspicions! Not only that, I've been with him this whole time and he could have betrayed me but didn't! Even though he's only human.. Even when I was sealed and couldn't move.. He didn't leave me.. instead, he went through so much pain and so much ordeal just to save me.. Even now, he's still trying to protect me.. Haruto is an important person in my life!"

Leiya..

I'm sorry..

I'm sorry for ever doubting you..

"Haaa.. What to do.."

The man in front of me sighed with a troubled look.

"He killed our people. Can you still say that he wouldn't harm us?"

Suddenly, a cold glare flashed through his eyes.

"Then tell me. When my brother told you what happened, did you listen to him? When he said that he's innocent and had done nothing, did you stop Xanrou from toying with us? You did this.. you pushed him so hard that he had to make this choice.. Why.. Why couldn't you just accept the fact that not all humans are evil! Just because we're at war with them doesn't mean that they're all the same! I've been with Haruto from the beginning.. he told me about his life.. his compassion.. his troubles.. someone as peaceful as him.. How could he have turned into someone who would hurt a soul unless you pushed him this far?! If it wasn't for Xanrou.. this could have all been prevented.. but instead.. you let him loose and did this to us!!!"

He sighed once more and spoke.

"I'll admit. Listening to Xanrou was a mistake. It still doesn't change the fact that he's human. You're not aware of this but humans weren't supposed to be in here. They don't belong here.. no matter what you say, we can't coexist with them. Not after all that they've done.. all they've murdered.."

"First elder!"

"I'll make a compromise"

Leiya sighed in relief.

"I'll use the three formation soul seal just to make sure that he doesn't pose a threat to us"

"Wait! If you do that, he would just simply be a lifeless doll!"

"It can't be helped. If you want him to live, then this is the only way the others could feel safe and accept it"

The old man in front of me weaved his hands and afterwards, a dark, purple essence floated around his body.

"No! Please! Don't do it!"

Leiya cried out with her voice nearly gone.

BANG!

The man vanished and forced his palm to my chest.

GUO-

Blood splatters everywhere.

Wha-

I.. I can't breath..

I can't speak nor can I move my body. It feels as if my entire existence is slowly being erased. Like I'm being dragged down to the deepest parts of hell.

"How dare you.. how dare you hurt Haruto.."

"Princess please calm down"

"How dare you.. how dare you!!"

I look towards Leiya and see her grab the necklace on her neck.

No!!!

Don't do it!!!

I beg of you Leiya please don't do it!!!

Crack!

Her body shone brightly and flew to the air.

Suddenly, the ground cracked and vines and roots appeared one by one.

Whoosh

It trapped all four of them in one go. They tried everything they could to get out of it but it was pointless.

They couldn't move a single inch even if they wanted too.

Leiya.. Why..

"How dare you use such a repulsive method on my Haruto! Just so that you could make sure he wouldn't do anything.. you actually dare to use the forbidden arcana that my sister banned!"

"Princess.. you've finally accepted it.."

"Silence!"

Splurge

She weaved her hand and a large root pierced his stomach.

"Even with all that I said, you still wouldn't believe me.. without consulting my sister first, you dare not listen to me! If my sister was here right now, she would behead all of you unloyal dogs!"

None of them could speak.

"I'll tell my sister about what just happened today"

She loosened her expression and looked at me with saddened eyes.

Leiya..

Ugh..

I tried to speak but I couldn't move a single muscle.

Damn it!

"I'm sorry.. Im sorry Haruto.. because of me.. because you met me.. I put you through so much"

Please don't say that.. without you, my life is meaningless so please don't say it.

"If you never met me.. this would have never happened.."

Stop..

Please don't say that..

My heart feels like it has sunk to the deepest ocean. An abyss that I could never escape from. I never wanted to hear those words but she said it just now.

"Because of me.. you were injured, robbed of your freedom because of my selfishness and you even went through so much just so you could save me.. thank you.. Haruto.. for being with me.. for saving me.. for everything.."

Stop it..

How could you ever say you were selfish when you decided to place the shackle on yourself just so that you could save me!

"Its ok now.. everything will be over.."

She held me in her arms.

"Hey Haruto.. Do you remember all the stories that you've told me?"

Yes! I remember! We made a promise right! That I would take you to my place!

You protected me.. you stayed true to your promise. Now it's my turn to return it!

"It's a wonderful dream.. I truly wish that I could go there"

I'll take you there! No matter how hard it is.. I'll take you there!

"Hey Haruto, can we make another promise?"

If it's for you, I'll do anything.

"Ufufu, I can't hear you speak but I already know what you're thinking.

With teary eyes, she looked at me endearingly.

"Three promises. I only have three promises. Can you please promise me them?"

I'll do it.. I'll do it!

"Ufufu ok then. The first promise, that no matter how long it takes, we will forever be together and that you shall take me to that wonderful dream"

I promise. No matter how long it takes, I'll do it.

"Ok! Now for the second promise, don't get hurt ok? Whenever you hurt yourself, I feel the pain as well.. So promise me that you won't get hurt ok?"

You promised that you would protect me right? It's fine! As long as I'm with you then I know that I won't get hurt! You're very strong after all. Hehehe.. now that you've gained even more powers, I know that no one could ever defeat you!

"Make those promises ok?"

Tears flowed down from her face and she kisses me gently.

A warm feeling entered my body. It feels like I'm floating in the air, looking at the magnificent world. My body glowed and soon, a pink carnation appeared on my left hand. The attack that the old man did to me left a giant crack on my body but it was soon closed after this warm sensation entered my body.

"Princess! What have you done! How could you take the eternal vow with a human nonetheless!"

"Silence!"

I can feel it..

My body! I can feel my body again!

"Leiya.. Leiya!!"

I hold her tightly in my embrace.

"Mou.. You still haven't made the third promise~"

"I'll promise you anything!"

"Ufufu.. that's more like it"

Finally..

We can finally live our lives in peace.

"Then.."

A stream of tears started falling down her face.

With an incredibly solemn expression, she stepped back and spoke the words I never ever wanted to hear.

"Please forget about me"

Leiya.. that..

"What.. Do you mean.."

"Our dream.. it wasn't meant to be. The promises that we made, we couldn't make it after all.. I can no longer protect you and I won't ever be able to see your world.."

"Please don't joke around.. we just made a vow didn't we..? I'll take you to my world and show you the true meaning of existing in this world. We live our lives happily and stay together until the end of time.. we promised right?"

Huh..?

Tears started falling down my face.

Why..?

I should be happy right? Everything is alright now right so why are you telling me to forget about you.

"After today, I will be forever bound to the tree of life.. If I could protect you, I would but I can no longer do that.. that freedom.. it's been long gone.. If you stay here, only sadness will fill your heart. I wouldn't be able to stand that. Please don't turn into something else.. please retain that smile of yours.. live a happy life and forget about me.."

What are you talking about?!

What?!

I can't speak again!

Light surrounds me and my voice could no longer reach hers.

"Forgive me Haruto.. us.. we should have never met.. please forget about me and live a happy life. I'll send you far far away from this place. Hehe I'm awesome right.. with me accepting the powers of the tree of life, I can do things such as this"

The light lifted me off the ground and my vision started to blur.

"Even though with the strength I acquired, I can only undo the parts of the seal.. I know it will be tough with a ruptured arcana vein and a broken gate of inner flames but I'm sure you'll get through it"

No!

We made a promise didn't we!

"It might be difficult but it should be enough to defend yourself"

Stop it!

Why won't my voice reach you!!!

"Haruto.. thank you.. for being with me this whole time.."

No.. stop it!

Just before my eyes closed, I saw her figure. Weakly, she muttered her last words.

"Haruto.. don't go.. please don't go!"

She sunk to the floor and a flood of tears erupted from her beautiful eyes.

That was the last thing I saw before my consciousness faded away.