Ch 69: Are you leaving father!!

As Hina woke up in the morning, the soft light of dawn filtered through her window, accompanied by the gentle breeze that carried the scent of blooming flowers. The castle's maid had already prepared her breakfast, and the aroma of freshly baked bread and brewed tea filled the room.

After eating, Hina walked down the grand hallway, her footsteps echoing softly against the stone floor. The sunlight streaming through the tall windows warmed her skin as she made her way to the garden. The garden was alive with the vibrant colors of spring flowers, their fragrance mingling with the earthy smell of the dew-covered grass.

As she entered the garden, Hina overheard her father, Carrion, talking to the hero's party. Benimaru's optimistic voice carried through the air, "Are you going to leave, Sir Goddess Carrion?"

Carrion replied with a calm authority, "Yes, it's time. But before that, there is something I need to attend to regarding my daughter, Hina."

Hina stepped closer and revealed herself, her heart pounding. "Are you really going to leave, Father?"

Carrion turned to her, his eyes filled with both resolve and tenderness. "Yes, indeed. There is something I need to do in the Celestial Heavens, the city full of angels. I am needed there at the moment. But before I leave, I must give you this amulet of protection. Wear it so it can protect you from demons' corruption, including that Demonlord bastard."

The amulet felt cool and reassuring in Hina's hand. She hugged her father tightly, feeling the warmth of his embrace and the strength in his arms. "Goodbye, Father," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

As the castle announced Carrion's departure, King Arthur and all the people of the castle gathered. The king bowed deeply to Carrion, the Goddess of the Five Elements, and the heroes followed suit. The air was thick with reverence and a hint of sorrow.

Carrion turned to Hina one last time. "Oh, by the way, you can come to the Celestial Heavens, Hina, my daughter. You can visit there if you like."

Hina's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Can I really come?"

Carrion smiled gently. "Sure, but not for now."

"Okay," Hina said, her voice filled with hope. She bid her father farewell, the goddess's blessing lingering in the air as she watched him leave.

The sounds of the castle slowly returned to normal, but the scent of the garden, the touch of the cool amulet against her skin, and the sight of her father's departing figure remained vivid in her senses.

As Hina walked back through the hallway, sadness weighed heavily on her. The echo of her footsteps seemed to match the hollow feeling in her chest. She could only see through the system that warned her of impending danger, a sense that this situation was about to grow more perilous.

Her face darkened with worry. "I know," she whispered to herself, her voice tinged with fear. "Especially since my divine power is almost non-existent. This is bad."

Though she tried to maintain her composure, a slight tremble betrayed her underlying fear. The weight of her father's departure and the looming threats pressed down on her, making each step feel heavier. She drew in a shaky breath, trying to steady herself. The faint scent of flowers from the garden still lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of moments of peace that now seemed so distant.

As she continued down the corridor, the cold stone walls and the flickering torchlight created an eerie atmosphere. The air felt heavier, almost stifling, and each shadow seemed to harbor unseen threats. Hina's heart raced, but she clenched her fist around the protective amulet her father had given her, its cool touch offering a slight comfort amidst her rising anxiety.

As Hina continued down the hallway, she encountered Lefa, King Arthur's daughter. Lefa's warm, concerned voice broke the heavy silence. "Oh, little sister, there you are. Are you okay?"

Hina tried to respond, but the words caught in her throat. She felt an impending disaster looming closer, a sense of dread tightening around her heart. Her lips parted, but no sound came out, her fear rendering her momentarily speechless.

Lefa stepped closer, her eyes filled with worry. She gently placed a hand on Hina's shoulder, the warmth of her touch contrasting sharply with the cold dread that filled Hina. "Hina, what's wrong?" Lefa asked softly, her voice full of sisterly concern.

Hina swallowed hard, trying to steady her racing thoughts. "I... I don't know," she finally managed to whisper, her voice trembling. "I just have this terrible feeling. Something bad is coming, and my divine power is almost gone."

Lefa's expression turned serious, her brow furrowing. "We'll face it together, whatever it is. You're not alone, Hina."

As Hina's fear began to choke her, she looked at Lefa with wide, desperate eyes. "No, you don't understand," she said, her voice shaking. "This time is more dangerous than when you almost died because your neck was slit. It was a miracle you survived that time."

Lefa's face darkened with the painful memory, her eyes welling up with tears. Without another word, she turned and ran past Hina, her sobs echoing down the stone corridor. The sight of Lefa's retreating form, her shoulders shaking with grief, tore at Hina's heart.

"Lefa, wait! I'm sorry I brought that up!" Hina called after her, her voice breaking.

But Lefa didn't stop. "Don't come to me, Hina," she cried, her voice filled with hurt.

Hina stood frozen, her outstretched hand falling to her side. The air felt colder now, and the hallway seemed to close in around her, the oppressive silence punctuated only by the distant sound of Lefa's footsteps and her own ragged breathing. The bitter taste of regret filled her mouth, and the faint scent of the garden flowers now seemed a cruel reminder of the fleeting peace she had felt earlier.

Tears blurred Hina's vision as she felt the cool, rough texture of the stone wall against her fingers, grounding her in this moment of sorrow. Her chest tightened with an ache that seemed to echo the pain she had inadvertently inflicted on her sister. The weight of the impending disaster pressed down even harder now, compounded by the pain of their strained relationship.

Alone in the dimly lit hallway, Hina's sadness deepened, each tear that fell adding to the heavy burden she carried.

Benimaru showed up, concern etched on his face. "Are you alright, Hina?" he asked gently.

Hina, unable to hold back her tears, sobbed, "Yes, I am fine."

Benimaru frowned, stepping closer. "No, you don't look fine. Is something wrong?"

Hina, her voice shaking, began to explain, "This is bad. My divine power is weakening, and I can't connect to Celestia anymore because of it. My dad left me here, and there's a chance the Demonlord will attack. This time, we are all going to die. Once Carrion dematerializes, he won't be able to return for ten days. We're sitting ducks, just waiting for destruction. And now, Princess Lefa hates me because I brought up that terrible event when she almost died. I didn't mean to hurt her."

Benimaru, the hero known for his strength, trembled with fear at her words. "Oh no, this is bad," he muttered, his voice barely audible. Despite his own fear, he reached out to comfort Hina, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Hey, Princess Goddess, I am here to protect you and the people in the castle. Don't worry," he said, trying to smile, though worry was clear in his eyes. Even though he knew their chances of survival were slim, he was determined to stand by her side.

Hina felt the warmth of his hand and the sincerity in his voice. The dimly lit hallway seemed a bit less cold with his presence. The sound of Benimaru's voice was a small comfort amidst her rising panic. The scent of his worn leather armor mixed with the lingering floral aroma from the garden, creating a grounding reminder of the reality they faced.

Tears continued to stream down Hina's face, the taste of salt on her lips a bitter confirmation of her despair. Yet, Benimaru's touch and his promise offered a glimmer of hope. She clung to his words, trying to draw strength from his unwavering resolve, even though they both knew the odds were against them. The weight of their predicament pressed heavily on them both, but in that moment, they found a fragile sense of solidarity amidst the encroaching darkness.

*To be continue *