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"It's Elysia!"
"Elysia is to blame for the thirteen's ruination!"
"She even killed her allies!"
"This girl brought destruction to the Flame-Chaser Order of Knight. How scary."
"Monster! This monster will bring destruction to our kingdom if we don't finish her off!"
"It's best that we kill her!"
". . ."
Words are like knives that can pierce through a human's heart easily. The victim will not suffer physically but mentally. Nevertheless, Elysia seems just fine confronting these killer words. It's not because she can't hear those words but she pretends not to. She doesn't want to hear those dirty words from the mouth of those who know little to nothing about her battle. She too didn't wish for her friends to sacrifice themselves but for the sake of the kingdom, sacrifices were unavoidable. Sometimes, Elysia even wondered why she was the sole survivor of it all. Why not her comrades? Even so, the past is the past and once it had happened, it cannot be changed. In fairytales, heroes are often praised, admired, and rewarded for their good deeds but here Elysia stands, in the middle of the execution chamber with thousands of people screaming, yelling, and eagerly waiting for her execution. They bear no gratitude towards the hero. Wait... is she ever considered a hero at all? Judging by the crowd's responses, properly not. Do they even know that if not for all the blood that was shed in battles and all the sacrifices that were made, this kingdom would have never been able to live 'til this day? These people care about nothing but wealth and money. So why did Elysia and the Flame-Chasers even bother to help them? Why is Elysia being treated like a killer, a murderer? Why is she even being criticized for the sacrifice of her dear comrades in an attempt to save this kingdom? Is this what she gets for pursuing righteousness? Is it wrong to want to be heroes? All these questions are welling up in Elysia's mind. But then her train of thought is suddenly broken by a loud voice.
"Quiet down everyone!"
All the talkings are no more. The execution chamber falls into complete silence.
"Thank you. As we all know, this woman here had committed a felonious crime. She took advantage of the fight against the Herrscher of Corruption to assassinate her comrades, to assassinate all those who carry the title Flame-Chaser!"
'Assassinate...? What a way to call it.'
Fight for all that is beautiful in the world. That is the desire of 13 people, the purpose of the Flame-Chaser Order of Knight (FOK). The Thirteen have fought hard for this kingdom but what they wished to accomplish is far more different from this. They wish for this kingdom to be even more beautiful. But... can she really call this beautiful? If not, then what have they been fighting for? Were they just fighting blindly without knowing their goal? That doesn't seem to be the case. They all know too well what their goal is. Perhaps... they have chosen the wrong path? That might have been the case. But Elysia doesn't want to doubt their decision. Afterall, this decision was made by all 13 Flame-Chasers. Shaking her head, Elysia tries to clear her mind of all the negative thoughts. Then one thing comes to her mind.
What if someone betrayed us...?
Even if they did, it is now too late to apprehend them. But one thing for sure is that the person is not one of the Thirteen. Maybe it is someone of great influence. Only those of higher status can arrest the second in command of the FOK for such a crime.
"Well then, the second commander of the Flame-Chaser Order of Knight, Elysia, what do you have to say? Or... should I ask, what are your last words?"
His voice is grating and plummy. Hearing it only makes Elysia wants to punch him in the face. Not only that but he's also looking down on the FOK, which further irritates Elysia. At times like this, Elysia is relieved knowing that none of her comrades have to go through this humiliation. If she were to perish now, the only thing she will regret is not being able to make a name for the FOK as heroes and keep her promise to her beloved Eden. Right, she made a promise with Eden to keep smiling, to stay Elysia, and to live her life to the fullest even after the battle. But how can she smile, how can she remain who she was and how can she live happily knowing that all her comrades, all those who she holds dear are no longer in this world? At least, she can soon reunite with them. Although she is in such a situation, her voice is as gentle and silvery as ever.
"The ending of the Flame-Chasers must be grand and spectacular! Don't you think so? They've lived with pride and sung a beautiful ode to civilization with their lives."
Elysia smiles gently and closes her eyes, awaiting what is about to come. The blade from the guillotine machine drops, ending Elysia's life right there and then. She didn't feel, or hear anything nor did she lose her consciousness. Elysia opens her eyes and the first thing she sees is a deep blue sky with hundreds, no, thousands of sparkling stars. Under the magnificent sky are the Thirteen Flame-Chasers: Eden, Kevin, Sakura, Hua, Aponia, Kalpas, Pardofelis, Mobius, Su, Vill-V, Kosma, and Griseo. Despite having just lost her life, Elysia can't help but form a smile. Seeing each of her friends along with her beloved has filled Elysia with joy. She runs towards the crimson-haired girl and hugs the singer the tightest she can.
"Ellie, you're not supposed to meet with us this soon." Eden's voice is gentle, her tone as honeyed as always.
"But Eden~ I miss you so much!"
"I miss you too, Ellie."
Eden can't help but grow a smile. To Elysia, her smile is radiant, it shines bright like the sun. Elysia feels warm just by look at that smile. She feels at peace whenever Eden wears that smile. Eden is beautiful. Very beautiful. With a face so heavenly that nothing can capture its divinity and eyes glow an amber color, richer than any sunset she has ever seen before, Elysia cannot help but get lost in her beauty. Then, their lips meet. It is soft and warm. It is a feeling, a taste that Elysia has been missing for days. The only thing she wants now is for time to stop so that she can cherish this moment with her beloved. The kiss lasts for short while and Eden is the first to pull away. The kiss was short. Shorter than their usual ones. Elysia wants more. She wants to feel the taste of Eden's lips a little while longer. But they seems to be running out of time.
Elysia seems to forgot that they are not alone when a voice breaks through.
"Yeah, yeah. Everyone knows how much you guys love each other. You don't have to show us that the moment you come here."
"Mobius~ I think you're just jealous of our relationship~"
Mobius sighs but smiles nonetheless.
"You're as teasing as always. But, welcome back, Elysia."
In everyone's eyes, Mobius and Elysia don't seem to get on so well with one another but to Elysia, she considered Mobius one of her many great friends. Welcome back. Is what shows on everyone's face. This might be the first but also the last time all 13 Flame-Chasers talk and laugh with each other as happy and carefree as this. Their time seems to be up. 13 people say their last goodbyes then one by one, begins to fade away. Elysia and Eden are the last ones to go. Before fading away, her smile is still on her face but tears are coming out like river.
"Don't cry, my dear Ellie." are Eden's last words to her.
"Seeds bear new life when flowers dare to fade
Petals linger about
Awaiting one last dance
Shaking off all the dust from the past
New stories have yet to start."
This is the story of the people called Flame-Chasers.
It's about the unfinished journey of the Thirteen.