(Jisvo)
Red, blood mist rose into the air. Painting the bright pale moon a soft crimson. The forest grew as silent as it was once before, only the sounds of war outside being faintly heard.
The wooden drums disappeared, and the clouds rolled back.
Antoine's body plopped onto the floor. The upper half falls onto the lower half.
I whispered, very faintly. "I did it..."
I raised a shaky hand, staring and observing my bloody palm.
Again, this time, louder. With much ferocity.
"I did it!"
My arm shot up, and my fist balled tightly.
"I killed the man who made Isalda that way!"
With this [Thunder God], I feel stronger. Although I wasn't completely confident, now I am!
With this strength... I can finally-
Ack!
I could feel the strength in my grip loosening quickly.
An agonizing pain surged through every nook and cranny of my body. My knees buckled, and I collapsed onto the floor.
"The price... to pay for power..." I whispered through stifled groans.
This is the worst position to be in. Both literally, and strategically.
With the remaining strength that I could just barely muster, I threw my shoulders, rolling over onto my back.
The moon... is especially beautiful tonight. So opulent... such a luster. It reminds me of a fine pearl resting against a black dress. A black dress with white petticoats.
And the peculiar smell of... strawberries. A fierce scowl.
A cold breeze washed over me.
Goodness. I ended up thinking about her. Maybe it's because of the soft grass acting as a cushion, or the sound of war seeming almost pleasing to my ears. Maybe it's the bright moon that made me think of those creamy pearls in the first place.
The moon looks like the bedazzling gems that Isalda used to wear.
For a while, I've tried to stray away from such thoughts. But after such a pleasant victory, who can blame me?
I hate this war, for an especially stupid reason.
Not because of how much it has killed. Not because of the destruction it has brought. But because Isalda was affected by it.
I have to live. So I can save her.
Then, once I save her, we'll do everything.
Ride bikes around the capital, and take in that lovely spring air.
But it'll probably be summer by that time, won't it? The hot summer air, I'm not sure if I'll enjoy it too much. Isalda likes warm temperatures. It'll be fine for her, then.
We'll ride bikes in the warm summer rain.
Royal, gourmet food is all the same. Steamed duck ham, golden cabbage, they all have a kind of taste to them, that frankly, I'm tired of. We can roam the streets of the capital, and try out different foods.
We'll definitely look like tourists.
Haah... just thinking about it all is making me excited.
( - - - )
Antoine Unahar found himself in a field of clouds. Above those clouds were bright blue skies.
The field was vast. Stretching as far as the eye could see.
"So this is... the spirit world."
Antoine instantly came to such a conclusion. A booming, ever present voice responded.
"Indeed."
Antoine quickly turned his head, to find where the voice was coming from, as it sounded like it was coming from everywhere.
"A spirit's domain, to be exact."
Antoine named the spirit in front of him. "Benevolent one, Voqrut."
The wolf appeared in the sky, hovering.
Voqrut was a large wolf, the size of about four Antoine's. His fur was thick and fluffy. The type of fluffy that if you saw, you would feel compelled to touch it.
Within the thick fur, his bright blue eyes glimmered brightly.
As he descended to the ground to touch the floor, the land of clouds cleared out underneath him, revealing a reflective surface underneath the area that only he stood on.
He opened his mouth, his lips not moving to speak. Like a robot, almost.
"You have died, Antoine."
He looked up for a moment, wondering if that was the right thing to say. Again, he spoke.
"I've used the wrong words. My apologies. You are in the process of dying."
"I need your help, Voqrut."
"I'm listening."
I'm not conscious, so I can't use revitalization. Could I please just request such a simple thing?" Antoine pleaded. He placed a fist on his chest.
Voqrut hearkened silently as he spoke.
"You have failed to uphold a clause of our contract. Benevolence. The act of kindness. Because of your role, I lessened how kind you had to be. But hiring someone to murder, killing innocent civilians. Cowardly."
"And if I die... are you upholding benevolence yourself?"
Antoine's heart thumped, banging against his ribcage like a drum.
"..."
"If I can't revitalize... countless citizens and soldiers of Sar will die. And then I'll die too-"
"If you live, the boy you were fighting will die. And Anore citizens will die as well. Your argument is invalid. Who am I to choose one life over another?"
"It's a paradox, Voqrut. Upholding pure benevolence will create that, and you know that. So just for this moment, think logically."
"..."
Silence filled the spirit domain.
Voqrut sighed. His eyes glowed, speaking without blinking.
"The clauses to our contract have been adjusted. I will active [Spirit Cast: Revitalization] on your unconscious body."
Antoine had been holding his breath and finally let out a heavy sigh. Not being able to contain his relief, he yelled out.
"Great Wind Wolf of Benevolence, thank you!"
"You're a troublesome contractor, Antoine."
The Great Wolf closed his eyes tightly, lifting a paw up. He pointed it straight out. Immediately after doing this, Antoine felt his vision darken.
He became dizzy.
. .
.
[Spirit Cast: Revitalize]
A bright blue light emanated from the split corpse.
Jisvo's eyes widened.
With his newly attached body, Antoine slowly got up.
His armor had been completely shattered.
His shirt ripped at the part where he was split in half.
His eyes glimmered blue, an even deeper and lighter blue than before. His grey strands became white like they previously wore.