Liar

In some place that was outside of time, two transcendent beings was having a conversation with one another.

The one that was shining brighter than the sun, this being called «Creator» spoke.

"To be alive, to have this rare and brief experience in an expanse of nothingness, is itself valuable. Without life, there is no possibility of happiness or suffering. And yet, it is for that very reason that the act of existence carries such tremendous meaning."

The «Creator» raised it's tentacle-like arms and caught a falling leaf, that slowly crumbles upon landing, before continuing, "In this cold, meaningless and dead universe, we as living beings have the privilege, and the power, to create our own values and our own meaning. As we live, we create the meaning of our lives with our own hands. This is what makes life so valuable."

"How tragic for someone like him go experience it's curse... No person should ever have to go through such pain."

The mood suddenly turns bleak and silent.

It didn't take a while for the being whose body was made out of pure darkness, the being that was called a «Destroyer», to speak up.

"...It is true that reality is often cruel, and that not everyone can find happiness in this life... But does their absence of happiness, do their tragedy, rob of them of the value of their very existence?"

"Does a diamond lose any of its inherent beauty and value simply because it came out flawed? Does it lose any of its shine? No... It is still a valuable object. And if we are all flawed... are we not even more special, for having lived?"

After a moment of silence, it continues, "We are a separate beings that was created to maintain the balance, however, that doesn't mean we can't be... what's that term again? Hmm... That's right! We can still be friends." The Being chuckles.

"Ha ha ha... Indeed."

"So... Do you want to make a friendly bet?" The «Destroyer» proposed.

"Oh ho... What kind of bet?" Interested, the «Creator» flew forward the «Tree Of Order» and wrapped it's tentacles to it's trunk, as it made a gesture for the Destroyer to follow.

"I heard that you sent a small part of your fragments down there, right?" The «Destroyer» flew towards the being as it let it's darkness cover the whole light, "Let's make a bet that your fragment will fight the 'Cursed One' in the future."

"Hmm... What's in for me?"

"If that fragments can survive and reach the «Epilogue of the Beginning», I'll let you order me anything you want. Even if it's to reincarnate myself with no memories, that's fine."

"That sounds like a good idea... I'll bet that my fragment will lose the first fight."

"Uh... Why are you betting that your fragment will lose instead of believing that he'll win?"

"The answer is already obvious."

"...I'm already on the losing side."

Chuckling, the «Creator» extended it's tentacles out as the «Destroyer» reached out for it. Then, the voice of the «Creator» suddenly changed from being robotic into feminine.

"That's your fault for proposing this bet... Idiot."

***

Foooooooooooosh-!

Clang-!

It has been about two minutes since before the fight had started. Though it hasn't been a while, many spectators was shocked from what they were seeing.

Something had changed.

This wasn't how the original Roche fight.

Roche was strong, however, he was not strong enough to be able to push Alicia back... Not until today, that is.

-Clang!

All of them knew about what happened between him and Athan.

Shiiiiek-!

Maybe it was because of him, Roche had changed.

"Huuuup!"

Dodging Roche's attack, Alicia leaned backwards before following up by a barrage of stabbing that was aimed at him with her spear.

However.

It was not only that his attack was enhanced after what happened, his senses were included.

Wind and metal. This was the two main elements Roche could use. After what happened between him and Athan, he experienced a tremendous grow. Not only his strength and senses, but also his two elements.

Before Alicia's ice spear could his face, Roche turned his whole arm into metal and blocked the attack before countering it with strong gust of wind using his Wind Magic.

[Blow]

The attacks worked almost similar to Arthur's [Impact], except that his magic was based on doubling his damage. Arthur can triple the strength of his attack, however, that'll immediately kill his opponent.

"Haaa!" Alicia forced her body to twist while she was in the air to dodge the attack, then followed up by grabbing the back of Roche's clothes before her feet could land, and using her momentum to lift him up with ease and slamming him on the ground.

Rumbles~!

"Ack -bluerg!" He unconsciously splurt out saliva from his mouth because of how strong the slam is, adding the fact that Alicia's flip increased the momentum and strength she pulled off.

"Did I w-!?"

Before she could finish, Alicia felt a strong intent behind her. She hurriedly hopped back to keep some distance and carefully observed what her opponent was about to do next.

Rubble~

Slowly, Roche stood up and patted the dust from his shoulder, looking unaffected from the attack.

-Did you see that?

-...

-How did he...?

-That doesn't matter. The fight is getting more and more exciting!

-Hooooooo!

The people suddenly raised their voice, sounded completely excited from what they were seeing. However, Alicia ignored their cheers as she began to focus her full attention towards her opponent.

"I should stop thinking about him for now..." She mumbles as her hair turned from platinum to black, sharp horn began to grow from her forehead.

"Never thought I'd use be using this in this fight."

.....

Somewhere, as the people cheered for the two at the center, Lumine asked Arthur a question about the fight.

"Who do you think will win?"

"I'm not sure..." He replies, "Right now, though the two are almost the identical with their own strength and how they utilize their magic, it just not the same because Alicia already had the upper hand in their battle..."

"Hm?"

"I'm saying that Alicia had the upper hand because she's more talented when it comes to how she use her magic." Arthur sighed deeply in contempt when he saw her looking confused.

"...What do you mean?"

"Do you know the real difference between talent and hard worker? The talent will be unbeatable the moment he or she started working hard."

The moment he said those words, a loud explosion happened in the center that gathers the attention of all people.

When the dust finally cleared up, they saw Alicia staring at Roche who clearly had fallen unconscious from what happened.

"Told ya."

Nothing can go wrong when it comes to her... Arthur firmly believes.

***

Seeing that Roche was finally unconscious, Alicia took a deep breath to calm her nerves down.

"Did he watch me...?"

Alicia tried to look for Athan, but there were no sign of him from the watchers. She was hopeful. Feeling complicated about what he might say about her match.

However.

"Ah... He didn't keep his promise..." She grit her teeth to prevent herself from letting her emotions out.

"I shouldn't cry... I shouldn't..." She repeatedly mumbled this under her breath to ensure and toughen herself.

Though she was saddened from this fact, Alicia managed to hold on and look to where her friends is.

"Haaa..."

Why did I have to fall for you?

"Hmm?"

It was then,

"Behind you!!!"

She noticed everyone screamed desperately in order for her to hear.

But...

Splurt-!

It was already too late.

She felt something big pierced through her heart as she saw a bloody hand come out from her view.

Triieek-!

When Roche pulled his hands out, he let Alicia fall on her knees before turning his head to look to where Arthur is.

"I must kill.... For him..."

While this was happening, the people inside the arena was in complete silence before arousing some chaos.

-He... he killed her!

-What will happen to the match now...?

As the people began whispering to each other, Arthur and the others stared at the scene, shocked.

The teachers and referee all tried to undo the barrier quickly.

"Hurry! The students might die if you waste more time!"

"I'm trying!"

While this was happening,

"Alicia!!!!"

Arthur raised his voice as he immediately took his sword out and hopped in the air, preparing to break through the barrier.

Foooooooooooosh-!

Creak!

As the barrier began to crack, the clashing sound of metal hitting another metal sent tremors to the place.

Soon enough, the thick layer barrier shattered like glass.

"I wish I could have seen him for the last time..."

As her vision turned blur, Alicia remembered the time when Athan promised her that he would help her fullfil her dream.

Chuckling to herself, she pictured Athan's face for the last time in her mind.

"Liar..."