Chapter 41: Betrayal

Airelina Frembell

The room surrounding me feels cavernous, amplifying the deafening silence that now engulfs my existence. Any semblance of liveliness that could permeate this space is stifled by an unexplainable lethargy that has settled within me. Amphere's absence weighs heavily on my heart. He did not return to our inn last night, leaving behind an eerie emptiness that serves as a constant reminder of his absence. Perhaps he sought refuge in the Chevalier Unit Office, but the longing for his presence renders the room all the more desolate. Attempts to reach Reina and Richard have proven futile, leading me to believe that they too have become privy to the truth and will inevitably choose their allegiances accordingly.

As the Crimson Dragonfly, I stand as the embodiment of hatred in the eyes of the world. It is highly likely that every faction—be it human or dragonoid—has marked me as their primary target. The notion of safety becomes a fleeting illusion, attainable only in the presence of Estoff and Duchess Carousel. While the temptation to seek refuge under their protective wings and cower in fear may arise, the present circumstances demand otherwise.

My utmost priority lies in locating Amphere, but with a sinister twist—I intend to end his life.

Amphere possesses a comprehensive understanding of Arcadia's inner workings. He holds knowledge of our intelligence networks, hidden locations, and even the identities of our spies. As a potential whistleblower, he wields the power to divulge these secrets, triggering a cascade of events that would spell the swift destruction of Arcadia in a matter of days. The thought of witnessing the years of toil and sacrifice crumble to naught before my own eyes is unbearable. Time is of the essence—I must act swiftly.

In the midst of my mounting anxiety, a sudden phone call shattered the silence. Hope surged through me as I eagerly reached for the receiver, only to be met with crushing disappointment.

"…Airelina…can you hear me?" It was Estoff's voice. There's a lot of static and random noises that it makes it hard to comprehend. "-got compromised… Listen to me…-base in the Ruined Cathedral is under attack…-Rudolf Azregon. Don't worry about us…-escaped using a hijacked airship. Don't…-"

As I picked up the receiver, a jumble of static and disconnected voices filled the line before abruptly cutting off. The chaotic nature of the call hinted at a dire situation, and the truth soon unraveled before me. Rudolf Azregon, the bearer of chaos, had raided the Guardian's Haven base. My suspicions appeared to be confirmed—it was either Richard or Reina who had betrayed us. The notion of Amphere being the perpetrator seemed unfathomable, but I remained open to all possibilities. However, in this moment, finding Amphere took precedence.

As if summoned by my thoughts, Amphere materialized at the door, waving at me as though his initial anger had dissipated. The conflicting emotions that surged within me—happiness, love, doubt, and fear—threatened to overwhelm my senses.

"Airi..." Amphere's voice broke the silence, carrying a tone of seriousness.

"Amphy... Amphere..." I struggled to find the right words amidst the whirlwind of emotions that engulfed me.

"We need to talk. You have to come with me," Amphere stated, his expression unwavering.

Without a moment's hesitation, I joined him at his side, nodding in agreement. This would be our only opportunity for true dialogue, our final encounter. Because, deep down, I knew that by the end of this day, I would have to silence his voice forever. I would have to kill him.

On this particular day, classes were suspended as the entire city rejoiced in the celebration commemorating the end of the First Dragonoid War, a conflict that had transpired a century ago. The streets were filled with merriment, as the troubles of the world seemed momentarily set aside. However, within the depths of my being, I remained embroiled in turmoil. I wished for Amphere to be unburdened by the same troubles that plagued me.

Love, a truth that I could not deny, coursed through my veins. The prospect of fulfilling my duty to kill him now seemed inconceivable. I tried to calm myself, reminding my wavering resolve that I had taken countless lives before. Amphere was just one more. I can do it... I must do it.

To my surprise, we found ourselves at a quaint café, as if both of us sought solace and relaxation. It was a departure from our usual dynamic, where I would often pester Amphere to treat me to a chocolate almond frappe. Yet, now it was he who led me to this place, indicating a shift in our roles.

"You know," I began, tilting my head and furrowing my brows, "Estoff and the others are on the run, right?"

"What?" Amphere's reaction was genuine, devoid of any pretense or deceit. However, he quickly composed himself, crossing his arms and delving into deep contemplation. "I believe Reina may have revealed our plans to General Leviticus. Rudolf and I had no involvement in their betrayal. I promise you that."

His words resonated within me, stirring a mix of emotions—doubt, confusion, and a glimmer of hope. Perhaps, amidst this treacherous web of betrayal, Amphere stood innocent.

Amphere's firm grip on my hand propelled us into the refuge of the café. His urgency suggested that prying ears lurked nearby, listening intently to our every word. Although I struggled to comprehend the logical intricacies of Amphere's mind in that moment, I could sense that he was driven by a purpose. His racing heartbeat, linked to mine through the Vesryn Pulse, resonated with a fervent energy.

Inside the café, only a handful of tables were occupied, creating an atmosphere of relative safety where we could discuss matters of terrorism and escape plans without fear of being overheard. As we waited for our orders, Amphere seemed lost in silent contemplation, his gaze fixated upon the world outside the window. Meanwhile, hidden within the sleeve of my garment, a knife lay concealed—a weapon capable of ending his life swiftly and discreetly. Amphere stood defenseless, lacking the proficiency to handle surprise attacks. The opportunity to extinguish his existence presented itself before me.

Yet, I recognized the prudence in withholding my hand. It was wise to grant him the opportunity to speak, to unveil his intentions, and to discern the truth that lay concealed within his words.

Amphere's words hung in the air, leaving me perplexed and slightly embarrassed by my lack of understanding. I absentmindedly scratched my head, attempting to grasp the meaning behind his cryptic statements. However, before I could gather my thoughts, his next revelation struck me like a lightning bolt.

"Listen, Airi," Amphere spoke with a determined tone. "Rudolf is right...about everything. We will forge our own path from now on, together as best friends. With our unity, nothing and no one in Arcadia can stand in our way."

A surge of anger coursed through my veins, reaching the boiling point within my mind. So, it was true. Amphere intended to switch sides. He had come here under the guise of bidding me a final farewell. My suspicions had not been unfounded. Without a second thought, fueled by a combination of rage and betrayal, I swiftly withdrew the concealed knife and pressed it against his chest.

"You...you deceitful bastard!" My voice trembled with a mixture of anger and hurt, unleashed in that single accusatory phrase.

There was a small bloodstain now visible on his pristine white shirt, contrasting sharply against the fabric. The knife had only grazed his skin and nicked a few veins, requiring minimal effort for the blade to reach his heart. Despite the severity of the wound, he showed no signs of being affected, his maroon eyes piercing into the depths of my soul with a fearless intensity.

"You can't kill me, Airi... Because I know... You love me," he calmly stated, his words resonating through the air.

Unbeknownst to me, tears began streaming down my pitiful crimson eyes. My heart ached with an intensity I had never experienced before. Slowly, I withdrew the bloodied knife from my trembling hand, letting it slip from my grasp and clatter to the cold, unforgiving floor. Then, with a quivering hand, I reached behind my head, untying the dark scarlet ribbon that had been a cherished ornament adorning my hair.

"Amphere... Do you remember me?" I presented the ribbon to him, a glimmer of hope flickering within me. "You gave this to me."

"I'm sorry... I don't remember you, nor that ribbon you're wearing," he sighed, his tone heavy with regret.

"I-I don't care if you don't remember me," I stammered, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and desperation. Tears continued to flow, intertwining with my words. "All I know is that I love you. And I have to kill you. But I can't. It's absurd for a murderer like me to wield a knife without bringing my target to his end... Because I love you more than the very reason I've been living for..."

Amphere closed his mouth, resembling the same familiar Amphy I had come to know: unremarkable, quiet, and uninspiring. It was the very person who had captured my heart, not once or twice, but repeatedly. Every day, I would implore him to acknowledge my feelings, even though I always received a hollow response. But I refused to give up... Not entirely.

Summoning my resolve, I stood up and extended my trembling hand toward him, releasing all the raw emotions that had been bottled up inside me. It was the first time I bared my heart, mind, and soul to him, my tears flowing ceaselessly as I carefully crafted my words.

"Amphere... Take my hand... Let's escape together. I'm ready to leave behind Arcadia, along with all my principles and sins. We can embark on a new life in a distant village or even another nation. We can build a modest house, a humble bungalow would suffice. Let's create a family... perhaps two or three children. With your business background and exceptional education, finding a new job won't be a challenge. As for me, I'll be content taking care of you until our children grow up and find their own paths. And together, we'll remain inseparable until our final breaths," I pleaded, pouring my heart out.

"No," Amphere bowed his head. "I can't do that. It's not what you truly desire. It's not your wish."

"But, Amphere...!"

In an instant, Amphere's actions interrupted my train of thought as he surged toward me, enfolding me in a tight, koala-like embrace. This unprecedented display of affection overwhelmed me, making me feel cherished despite the rejection of my heartfelt confession. The warmth emanating from his heart reassured me that our bond remained intact, even amidst the turmoil within our minds.

"Airi, trust me," he whispered softly into my ear, his voice filled with conviction. "You will receive the justice you deserve."

Abruptly, the tranquility of the moment shattered as the sound of shattering glass reverberated through the air. Several figures clad in gas masks and donning standard soldier armor burst into the room. Their presence was unmistakable—the Black Ops, a formidable military force led by none other than General Kyle Leviticus.

Amphere reluctantly released me from his grasp and propelled me towards the most repugnant man in existence—General Kyle Leviticus himself.

I fought against the urge to resist and deliver a swift strike to the lunatic's throat, but before I could act, the cruel touch of the taser gun sent an electric shock coursing through my spine. The sudden surge of energy left me paralyzed and utterly helpless, my body collapsing to the unforgiving ground.

"I'm sorry, Mistress Massacre," Kyle's voice resonated, dripping with a twisted sense of satisfaction. He mockingly applauded, his hands clapping slowly. "Airelina Frembell, or more appropriately... Crimson Dragonfly... You are under arrest."

Without hesitation, two soldiers hoisted me up, their grip unyielding as they forcibly dragged me towards the café's exit. It was there that my gaze met my dragon knight, Amphere, watching helplessly as I vanished from his sight.

"What... What are you doing, Amphere?" I mustered all the strength I had left, shouting with desperation. But my words fell on deaf ears, failing to penetrate his consciousness. All he offered me was a genuine smile, accompanied by a fierce determination that blazed in his eyes.

Overwhelmed by this surreal turn of events, my breath grew shallow, and my vision blurred until everything faded into darkness.

Amphere...

Please, shed light on this bewildering situation...