The King's Beloved

[Music Recommendation: "Bound by Fate" by Yasunori Mitsuda (Chrono Cross OST) - available in Spotify or Youtube]

Elliot's body continued to tremble. He couldn't believe he let himself be controlled and hurt Rania of all people. Biting his lips until they bled, he blamed himself for being so weak and foolish.

"I could have killed her… with my own hands."

That thought alone shook his heart wildly. Guilt swallowed him whole. His weakness slowly crept in once more. Like an obsessive disease that wouldn't let him go or a thief that patiently waited for the right moment to attack, it all came back rushing.

He started blaming himself once again for the death of his parents… for the deaths of so many Magi… and Rania's almost untimely death.

"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," his trembling lips muttered over and over.

Noticing his inner demons coming back to haunt him, Rania went to his side and grabbed his shoulders to face her.

"Elliot! Stop this at once!"

She reprimanded him in a firm tone and a burning gaze.

"Until when will you let this weakness get a hold of you? You won over it before. Don't let it overpower you again. Whatever you're thinking of or blaming yourself for again, they're all lies! Get over it!"

This time, she wasn't gentle in dealing with him. He needed to learn to pick himself up once he fell down. Not all the time, there would be people to light his way. Sometimes, he needs to help himself and fight.

'He shouldn't be dependent on me. I wouldn't be there for him forever. If only I would, then maybe it's fine—but no.'

Such were Rania's thoughts. Deep inside, she felt frustrated and helpless. Seeing him like this… she couldn't help but get shaken as well.

'I have to fulfill my calling… but how am I to leave you like this?'

And at the start of the crumbling resolve, she ended up thinking something she thought was absurd.

'Should I just stay with him? C-Can I even stay? Is there a way to—maybe the Supreme will take pity and use another… No! Rania, that's wrong! So wrong!'

In the end, she, too, would feel guilty for even thinking such things.

When duty and feelings collide, which should hold more importance?

Alas, tears fell from her eyes as her trembling hands clenched his shoulders.

"Please, Elliot, don't be like this."

Seeing her pained expression, Elliot snapped out of his craziness and immediately consoled her.

Like a raging wave that suddenly came crashing in, Rania's emotions broke out into a deafening wail. All the emotions she tried to keep at bay, all the things she avoided to think and feel, for some reason, flooded her heart, consuming her entirely.

"WAAAAAHU-HU-HU-HU..."

Luna and Bruma, who had just regained their consciousness, felt the immense emotions she let out. They lowered their eyes and clenched their hands. The same thing happened to the other Guardians who just came witnessing the scene.

With just that loud cry, they all felt her great pain.

After all, Rania was human. She had hopes and dreams, too. Things she wanted to do, people she wanted to be with… but she had to exchange all those to protect everyone. Because it was her calling—the exact thing she was called and purposed to do.

"Here I am. Send me."

Those few words… how great and heavy of a burden it carried.

Yet, she wanted to do it… because she loves them.

She loved them deeply that she was willing to sacrifice everything and surrender.

It wasn't easy, yes… but it was worth it.

It would all be worth it in the end.

Time passed as Rania cried in Elliot's arms. By the time her emotions finally calmed down, her eyes and nose turned red. 

The Guardians gathered around her and buried her in their warm embrace.

There was no need for words. They understood each other completely.

Elliot noticed how immature he was. Rania had been very strong, enduring everything on her own all this time. She never complained. She was always positive. Unconsciously, he relied on her… and maybe, a little too much. 

He was the man. It should have been the other way around. Indeed, there was still a lot for him to learn and understand. Then maybe someday, he could be the one extending his hands for her.

Soon enough, the depressing atmosphere was lightened up by a simple smile. And that smile turned into laughter until they were all back to normal.

Rania created a clone once more to fix the fissures, and Elliot strengthened the barrier of the shrine. The other Guardians prepared their meal and camp for resting.

That night, Rania dreamed during her sleep.

She was lying on a beautiful spring meadow. The smell of flowers filled the air.

Then, a gentle hand caressed her face.

She didn't see who it was, for her eyes were closed, but her spirit knew.

"My child, my dearly beloved child," His soothing voice said. "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged."

Tears immediately came rolling down her eyes as soon as she heard Him speak.

"I will be with you every step of the way. You need only to be still."

Rania's lips curved into a sweet smile. With all her heart, she nodded and answered Him with a renewed and strengthened resolve.

"Yes… Father."

While Elliot's team started their rest, Clavis' team was already heading towards their next destination. They headed south once more towards the continent of Bronte. With their luck, they were welcomed by a massive storm and thunderclouds as soon as they crossed the border. Due to this, it became harder to travel, so Ducis flew higher in the sky to avoid the storm. 

Though they successfully avoided getting toast by lightning, lots of flying monsters blocked their path instead.

"Ugh. There's no end to these monsters," Selena's eyes rolled as she stared at them from afar. "Can't we just turn invisible so they don't see us and reserve our energy?"

Everyone looked at her unique suggestion.

"For a human, you're quite smart," Ducis complimented her. "Being invisible would make us undetectable to weaker monsters. Only those who are sensitive to magical traces would be left to attack us. That should lessen our burden."

"You're right!" Clavis exclaimed. "Why didn't I think of something so simple?"

Selena laughed. "Ah, the mystery of the mind. Don't worry. I thought of it just now as well."

And so, they continued under Ducis' invisibility magic around them.

"This is crazy. We should have thought of this sooner."

"It's okay. We still need to clear the monsters around the world so let's just say our efforts weren't that much in vain."

"Ha-ha-ha. Alright.. I'll settle on that thought."

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