Eleven

Eloise, shocked and devastated by Alice's reaction, desperately tried to explain herself.

"No, Alice, I didn't do anything wrong. Please believe me," Eloise pleaded, her voice filled with anguish.

But Alice, consumed by her own pain, struggled to see beyond her hurt.

"Look at yourself first before saying that," Alice retorted, her voice quivering with a mix of anger and sadness.

Maria, seizing the opportunity to exit the room, made her departure, leaving behind the remnants of her actions.

"Why are you doing this, Eloise? Why are you playing with my feelings like this?" Alice sobbed, her voice choked with tears. "Just a moment ago, you wanted me to touch your abs, and as soon as I leave, you start kissing someone else. How am I supposed to feel about that?"

Eloise, overwhelmed by the situation, felt powerless to change Alice's perspective.

"But...," Eloise began, her voice laden with sorrow, unable to find the right words to convey her truth.

Alice, overcome with her own pain, continued to express her disillusionment.

"Tell me, is Maria your girlfriend?" Alice asked, her voice trembling with a mix of sadness and bitterness.

Eloise, taken aback by the question, mustered the strength to respond honestly.

"No, she's not my girlfriend," Eloise answered, her voice filled with sincerity.

Though the truth was laid bare, Alice found it difficult to believe. She urged Eloise to leave and declared that she no longer wanted to see her.

"But where will I sleep?" Eloise pleaded, her voice tinged with desperation.

"I don't know. Go sleep with your Maria," Alice declared, her voice heavy with pain and rejection.

Feeling heartbroken and lost, Eloise began to gather her belongings, her mind racing with thoughts of the shattered mission and the broken bond with Alice.

Alice, fueled by her emotions, seized Eloise's belongings and callously tossed them out of the room, symbolizing the finality of their connection.

As Eloise retrieved her scattered belongings, she couldn't help but feel a sense of desolation. With nowhere to turn, she set out in search of a place to sleep, the weight of the situation bearing down on her.

Lost in her thoughts and emotions, Eloise crossed paths with Jade, who happened to be taking a walk.

"What are you doing here? You shouldn't be outside; you should be in your room," Jade said, her voice carrying a hint of concern.

Eloise mustered a weak smile, her heart heavy with the recent events.

"How do I put it? Alice kicked me out," Eloise explained, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and sadness.

Jade, realizing the gravity of the situation, offered her support.

"But why?" Jade inquired, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Eloise, her voice filled with helplessness, struggled to find the right words.

"I didn't really understand why, but it doesn't matter. And what are you doing here?" Eloise responded, her voice tinged with vulnerability.

Jade, hoping to mend their strained relationship, suggested getting to know each other better.

"I like to take walks, so I wanted to take a walk before going to sleep. By the way, I think you and I got off on the wrong foot. What if we get to know each other?" Jade proposed, her voice carrying a genuine desire for connection.

Eloise, touched by Jade's offer, briefly shared her own story. She spoke of her family and her aspirations to become a captain, to protect everything she held dear. Jade, in turn, revealed her own humble background and her determination to provide a better life for her loved ones.

"I'll help you if you want, but you should go back to your room. It's getting late," Eloise suggested, her voice tinged with concern.

Jade reluctantly agreed, bidding Eloïse farewell.

"Alright, see you tomorrow," Jade said, her voice carrying a glimmer of hope.

Left alone once more, Eloise contemplated her circumstances, pondering the complex web of emotions that entangled her. And as Maria watched from the shadows, concealed by her hood and mask, a sinister plan took shape in her mind.

"My plan worked even better than I thought. Eloise, it's time for you to disappear," Maria silently plotted, her voice echoing with malicious intent.

Eloise stood by the riverside, the water flowing gently before her. Thoughts raced through her mind as she remembered the conversation she had with Orobarian, their mentor.

In a vivid flashback, Eloise and Orobarian were discussing a complex attack strategy involving underwater maneuvers.

"It's so complicated. I don't think I'll ever succeed," Eloise expressed her doubts.

Orobarian reassured her, "Don't worry. I'm sure you'll succeed."

With the memory fresh in her mind, Eloise realized the time. "Oh yes, it's true. I have to train, and it's already 8 p.m.," she mused.

Determined, Eloise shed her dress and began her rigorous training regimen, pushing herself to the limit.

Observing Eloise from a distance, Maria thought to herself, "She is training hard, but it's alright." She had conflicting feelings about Eloise, realizing that she seemed like a genuinely good person despite their previous encounter.

Meanwhile, Alice lay on her bed, contemplating the recent events involving Maria. "I hit her, but when she saw me in that state, I felt so embarrassed. Yet, there's something about her. I think she's a good person. I need to learn more about her," Alice pondered.

At the same time, Maria observed Eloise's intense training until exhaustion overcame her, and she fell asleep. Sensing the opportunity, Maria decided it was time to carry out her plan.

"I think she's asleep now. It's time," Maria whispered to herself. With calculated stealth, she approached Eloise's tent, brandishing a knife. However, as the blade drew close to Eloise's skin, an ethereal barrier of purple flames formed, protecting her from harm.

Maria attempted several more times to stab Eloise, but each time the flames shielded her. Frustrated, Maria realized her attempts were futile. "What the hell is this? It's impossible to kill her. Well, I'll probably get another chance, but for now, I'd better return to the house. Jade must be wondering where I am," Maria thought.

Before Maria could make her escape, Eloise woke up. Startled, Eloise confronted Maria, not recognizing her. "Who are you, and what are you doing in my tent?" she demanded, her eyes fixed on the knife in Maria's hand.