Surrender

Despite her vulnerable state, there was nothing that exuded weakness about the woman. If anything, her appearance resembled strength. Those who looked upon her figure would recognize her as such an icon of such. Even now, amidst the unrequited teary embrace, she smiled brightly. 

There was an air of similarity to Machia, yet at the same time, it was distant, different. If Perses had not received any context clues, he would have mistaken her for a saint. However, an awkward glance away from the girl's face revealed a more ugly reality. The entire battlefield reeked of blood and havoc. With wide eyes, Perses laid his eyes across the disorienting arena of death. 

Most notably, four enormous red carcasses littered the grounds. After awakening, Perses had witnessed her engage the gigantic entities. Yet now they lay restfully strewn across the grassy plains. There was no blood, so they promoted a far more heroic image than the gory corpses of the giants. Perses had zero understanding of any of these creature's origins, yet it was enough for him to realize one thing. This woman was strong, terrifyingly so. 

Silently like a shadow, Machia watched their interaction. Uncertain as to why he had not yet intervened, Perses forced his head away from the girl's grasp to look upon his closest friend. What he found made him shiver. 

A bloodcurdling scowl warped Machia's gentle demeanour. Full of wretched hatred, he watched the two of them, speechless. Cautiously, the girl battled between her desire to embrace Perse's smaller body longer and oppose the frowning Machia. Finally, with a resolute smile, the girl rose to her feet, sword in hand, as she stepped protectively in front of Perses.

Machia spat, "Are you done? Because we need to decide what to do here." With a nervous glance, Machia assessed the carnage of the battlefield as he took deep, collected breaths. "You beat them all, and so quickly. I don't know if I should be impressed or furious. Regardless, you've gone and made my job a lot, lot harder, as always, Amelia."

Machia eyed the pair manically, particularly Amelia, with her steadfast, wary posture. A wave of uncertainty then crossed over Machia's face as he opened his mouth. But it was left empty, agape, and hollow whilst Amelia's face twitched with only dismay. 

"Why would we listen to you. I guess you really don't get it."

Amelia's direct, even tone only confused Machia more. He even looked to Perses for a gleam of insight. Fed up, he spat, "Get what?". 

"I'm taking my Brother. Together, we're leaving."

Machia stared with absolute indifference. Not even a flicker of thought crossed his features as he stood in abrupt silence. The atmosphere found solace in this standstill as each party gazed at the other. Perses was afraid to interrupt the tense stalemate, choosing instead to gaze at Machia's paralyzed state. 

Perses was too uncertain. He was torn between a sense of hope and disappointment grappling within him. He felt the gentle presence of the devil girl enter his mind, filling him with some relief. He could feel she was anxious about Machia's retaliation. Surely, she was aware of his own conflict, too.

"Amelia, what do you mean? You're really saying... you would leave the kingdom behind. What about, Teacher? What about revenge on the Emperor... What about, me."

Brazenly, Amelia raised her weapon with a light scoff.

"What about them? It's up to them what they want to do. I just want to escape the danger, to leave with my brother. There's nothing wrong with that. That's what matters to me, not the kingdom.

Machia's indifference had long since wiped away his resentment. Now, he stood still, feeble and quiet. Anxiously, he listened for Amelia's ensuing words. But his efforts were only rewarded with mere silence.

"...I've been waiting for you. All... this time, now you say, you want to leave?"

Machia took a moment to look down at his figure and raised a conceding bloody hand. "I know I might not look like it now, but I got strong, really strong, enough to protect even you. You can trust me."

"..."

"You remember the day Helena left, right? I care about Teacher, too. But those days, after she left, fighting side by side, they were so much fun, don't you think?" 

"..."

"The fiends, the ones we fought against, together. I got strong enough to face them alone... and because of you, I did it. I scouted and discovered the source of those creatures. Those nights just got more and more harrowing, but eventually, one night, I even drew its attention. I fought it, just recently, then I lost.

As Machia recounted what happened, he stiffened. Amelia tensed and raised her guard. For the first time, she stopped smiling. 

"Now they're, no its, on its way here. So you'll help me, won't you, Amelia. It will be just like old times-"

Machia's calm, pleading tone failed to waiver the girl's undaunting stance. Perses listened closely, but before he could involve himself, Amelia spoke. 

"You hurt Perses, didn't you? I saw it myself how you carelessly dangled him before me. Who knows what other cruelty you permitted? You treat my brother like a hostage, then ask for my help?"

Machia, with a nervous, bemused smile, raised his single hand. Still caked in dry blood, he shrugged off Amelia's words with a laugh.

"I won't deny that, but I didn't have much of a choice. Don't you see? His survival depends on your co-operation too. So, please, just surrender to me-"

With a determined tone, Machia stepped forward towards Amelia, causing her to only raise her guard further.

"You heard me back then, didn't you, on the day we met? That day, you should have remembered what I said. Never again will I put myself or someone I care for at the mercy of others. Being raised by people like you taught me that Machia, surrendering even once can mean the end."

Machia fell silent again. There was no quivering of the lips, no derangement of the eyes. Just a genuine surprise. In a strange twist, Machia was more like himself now, as he had been when Perses had first met him. 

"People like me, oh ha, it makes sense now. Hahaha, so you actually do intend to just leave me here, is that right?"

"That's right."

"Then, this whole time, the one you saw me as was Father, was it? Not me. Let me ask you, Amelia, do you remember what day it is?" 

With a distrusting scorn, Amelia shook her head. Machia however... 

"Now, that is surprising. Even amongst everything else, for that to have been forgotten... It's no wonder I lost. It seems I was never worthy of your time, Amelia. With all my planning and all my resolve, this outcome was the one thing I never considered.

As if a great burden had been released, Machia slouched. His upstanding posture crumpled with a resigned sigh and a smile. Despite the desperate standoff and harsh words shared between the two, Machia turned and showed his back. 

"Consider this my last act of kindness, Amelia. Goodbye."

The titanic clash between the two most powerful Blessed ended with an abrupt retreat. As Machia walked away, Perses stood up, prepared to yell something. Machia, of course, noticed this. He sent one last glance towards Perse's eyes. 

Perses didn't see a lingering regret, nor was there a burning animosity. Just a mournful despair. Perses found no words, for he had nothing to say.