[53.4] A Bloodied White Lily

[Disclaimer: This chapter contains mildly graphic material containing scenes of death and blood. Reader discretion is advised.]

I was no match for Zephyr's speed so I summoned my ice chunk and climbed abroad.

Suddenly my waist was latched onto by a parasite. I looked down to see the snotty face of Felix. He cried out anxiously, "Go! Quick!"

"Haah!?"

Hasn't this kid always avoided my ice chunk!?

Why is he so desperate to climb aboard?!

Whatever!

I shook my head and flew forward until I finally caught up to Zephyr. I soared behind him and shouted impatiently, "What is it!?"

"There!"

"Where!?"

"THERE!"

We all made it to the edge of the woods and stopped in our tracks. Hazel kneeled wearing a dress so pale, it nearly looked white. It shined in the faltering light, contrasting her expressionless face and emotionless eyes.

On her lap was a dark red stain and in her hands…

Was a decorated white knife.

But it wasn't the knife that startled us.

Moni appeared out of the shadows and screamed, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?"

Hazel flinched and spun her head around in surprise. It was only when she turned her torso did we see just where that knife had been.

Rose sat leaning against the tree, her face ashen.

Her eyes were half open revealing the dull look inside of them. The once intoxicating, pink eyes, were now so transparent it was as if it had never existed. Her brownish-red curly hair cascaded down, brushing against her chest.

And in her chest, right above her heart, was a deep wound created by a knife…

A holy knife.

However, it was no longer bleeding.

Seeing the situation as it was, Hazel was literally caught red-handed. She was a Holy Light magic user who had created a Holy weapon to kill a demon.

Hazel realized what it looked like and stood up in a panic. She shook her hands and rushed to speak in an attempt to defend herself, "W-Wait! It's not what it looks like!"

Zephyr collapsed to his knees, "R-Rose…"

Moni rushed to her side and clung to her tightly, "Rose! Rose… Open your eyes! Please! ROSE!"

His voice echoed through the trees, sharpening his cries.

His breathing turned ragged as he turned to glare at Felix, "FIX HER!"

Felix trembled uncontrollably, "I-I-I can't heal wounds from Holy magic…"

Zephyr wailed and I pulled him in closer to me, wrapping my arms around him almost protectively. I could even feel a sharp pain in my chest ripping me apart.

I desperately wanted to cry, but I forced myself not to.

I barely knew Rose…

But why do I feel like a part of me is dying?

Is it because of the pain I feel emanating from Zephyr?

Moni bit his lip, holding Rose close to him. His expression grew darker by the second as the shadows around us grew erratic.

Felix saw this look and rushed forward, "B-But I-I can t-try!"

Moni merely gave one shake of his head and stood up, still holding Rose in his arms. His rough voice croaked, "It's no use."

Hazel spoke quickly, "It wasn't me! Honestly, it wasn't! I'm being set up!"

Moni clung to her corpse tighter, "Alora… Shut up."

She bit her lip and looked over at me with imploring eyes, "You have to believe me! Please! I really didn't do this! I can explain-"

I glanced at her hands which were covered in blood, "How can you explain us finding a knife made from Holy magic in your hand?"

Tears slowly started to well up in her eyes as she collapsed to her knees. She clasped her hands together, "Please… Please believe me. You have to trust me… I beg you, just this once!"

She clung to my skirt, staring up at me desperately. However, I was at a loss for words and didn't know how to face her.

Her desperation and confidence about not committing the crime don't seem fake, but-

Zephyr tossed her off, "LIAR!"

He lunged for her, but Cyrus finally appeared and held him back. His expression was still taut as Zephyr clawed at her whilst sobbing pitifully, "You never change! You're a murderer! You'll always be a murderer!"

Hazel's mouth hung open as she gasped in pain. The tears she had held back poured down her face. She whispered inaudibly, "You're wrong… I'm not… I'm different now. I'm-"

"-All you know what to do is destroy! You ruin everything you touch!!" Zephyr collapsed, sobbing until his eyes grew swollen, "I hate you… I hate you so much…"

Hazel flinched.

Her eyes dulled and her hands collapsed to the ground. She slowly turned her face to face mine. Her pupils were so dark, they threatened to swallow me up.

I subconsciously took a step back.

Her voice croaked, "Do you hate me too?"

My stomach churned.

My mouth opened and then closed.

I…

I don't know.

It seems so obvious that she's the culprit.

But how come whenever I look at her, I can't help but question this!?

Seeing her on her knees like this, practically begging me to believe her, is giving me flashbacks to a time I'd rather not remember.

I glanced at the body in Moni's arms then at the holy knife.

My vision slowly moved back towards Hazel.

Hazel, who was on the dirty ground with no one around her.

Hazel, who was pleading and begging for help, only to receive scorn.

I pinched my lips together and whispered, "Hazel..."

Stop defending yourself so much.

You'll only alienate yourself more.

You'll only look like you're making it all up.

She whispered to me, "Reika… Please tell me you believe me…"

I…

Do I?

I feel like something is wrong…

But she had the knife in her hands.

Is my hesitance because I actually care about her?

Is it because I want to believe she's innocent?

Or is she actually innocent?

Seeing my hesitance, she bowed her head in defeat.

At the sight of her dejected expression, I immediately felt guilty.

I feel like…

I let her down.

I feel like I should have defended her just now.

As I battled with myself mentally, Moni silently carried Rose off and disappeared into the shadows with her.

Suddenly, Felix lurched forward and two streams of blood burst from his nose. Before he could collapse, a man appeared out of nowhere and caught him.

I was shaken from my thoughts and focused on him, "Felix! Are you alright!?"

Felix no longer smiled and weakly stuttered out, "T-Take me h-home, Tex."

The man nodded quickly, "I will."

In an instant, only Cyrus, Zephyr, Hazel, and I remained.

The group was fractured.

I couldn't face Hazel any longer due to my own shame and held out my arms to Zephyr, "Come on Zephyr."

He turned into a fox and hopped into my arms. He buried himself in my arms, still trembling as he cried silently. I rubbed his fur and cooed at him in an attempt to soothe him.

As I stared at the ground afraid to even look at Hazel, I noticed something had been clawed into the dirt where Rose was found. I bent down to see it better and tried to ignore the metallic smell.

On the ground was a single letter:

"V"

I glanced down at Zephyr and considered telling him. However, he was trembling so pitifully I figured now wasn't the time to investigate.

I need to focus on Zephyr right now.

I went back to the academy with Zephyr still in my arms. Cyrus followed me silently before glancing briefly over his shoulder to look at Hazel.

Hazel didn't move as she allowed the raindrops to pour on her relentlessly. In her life, she had survived many horrible things, yet her spirit had never taken a hit. She always had hope that she could change her future.

But on that day, her spirit was successfully crushed.

"Abadi…" She let out a silent whisper, "You made a mistake… There is no hope for my redemption…"

Cyrus let out a sigh and followed after me without giving her another look.

In the end, only Hazel remained behind.

All alone.

…With nothing except the blood on her hands.