Chapter 86: Interlude – A memory of an old past

This was a memory of an old past.

It was at the height of the light’s war. It was in the ridge located near the pale pass. Numerous tents were facing a landscape covered in mist. There were lightning crackling inside the clouds. The banners of the Knights of Talons, the Crusaders of Salt Passing, the Hegemony Scholars, the Wizard's Society, the Tian Islanders, the Sunspawn Knights, and the Sword-Maiden of Throes, the Royal Huntsmen of Zayas, the Adventurers Fraternity, and the Holy Knights of the Pontifex fluttered in pride. The Heroes that were the center core of the light’s army stood in front of the army with their gazing upon the scenery where the enemy was.

Inside a tent, there was a woman clad in armor. She had a partly burnt face and in front of her was a rugged man with graying hair. He has worn out look in his eyes. He wore a beard and his hair was unkempt. He has many scars and there was a gash across his ear. He held a worn-out sword and one could see the scribed prayers in his sword. The woman had many scars as well but despite her burnt face, she had a gentle look that made her look motherly like.

“You called for me, C?”

“Yes. I think you should know.”

“Ah!”

She was caressing her stomach. The man was happy for a brief moment before it became that of despair. His eyes shook and tears swelled down his cheeks.

“I will never forgive myself for this,” she said with gloom on her voice. “I cannot proceed to give birth if we were to continue to fight.”

“But!”

“We have no other choice, and even if I do try hard. It is really acceptable for me to bear this burden?”

“There must be another way! You have done a lot to serve this army! Maybe they’ll advance, C! They must understand that you are taking care of a child inside of you!”

“You know that won’t be acceptable.”

She turned her eyes towards the tents outside.

“Everyone is fighting for the sake of all. How many lives have been lost? They too lost things and have prepared to throw it away. They came here in order to fight the darkness that covers the land. They have sacrificed and if we can’t throw something away then would it be fair for them? Also, do you really think that we can raise such a child? Even if we do can you really say that we will be able to sustain our child with the world in this state? We are miles away from humanity’s land. I cannot possibly go into labor now we are here in the pale pass. We are going to face the old monster of the pale mountain and any weakness will be our downfall. Beyond this ridge lies an army greater than we have seen. Can you look them in the eyes?”

She held a bitter smile. She was trying to be calm but he could see through that veil. The tears that were running among her burnt cheeks were enough to go mad.

“Ciara, please run away with me. The four elemental heroes can do it! I believe that they can defeat the old monster of the pale mountain. Please, don’t do this, I-“

Before he could continue speaking he was punched right in the nose. He stumbled back with his eyes blurry from the punch. The gap between a soldier and a war maiden was heavens apart. He couldn’t even recover as blows kept coming from her. When she stopped he was able to get a good look at her face. The mask that she has been keeping on was broken.

“How could you say that? I didn’t accept a coward like you. The one that I loved wasn’t someone who would spout. How long have you chased after me with a stern face? How many times did you bleed for me? You of all people should know sacrifice! You had lost much that you should have just accepted and said yes! I want you to support me...but...seeing you like this...why do you hurt me so badly?”

“I-“

“I am so happy to have met you in this accursed life of mine. You have given me love and I did nothing but doubt it. Accepting you was the best choice of my life. My heart feels pains so badly. You aren’t the only one. Do you know how many times I have dreamt of this? To have a wonderful partner and to announce the coming of our child...I dreamt of it so many times and now I have to abandon that dream! I have to abandon it now for the sake of those who have sacrificed their lives to this damn war. I am telling you to be strong, love. I am telling to cease your heart for a second and think about the people we owe to reach this place. I want you to think of the future instead of your own happiness. I wanted that from you, but seeing you like this makes me falter. So please...be calm, and grab that single-minded grim determination with your focus, will, and commitment. Just...stay by my side until the potion arrives, okay?”

She held on to him tightly. She covered her eyes on his chest and did nothing but wept until a call was heard outside the tent. When the alchemist arrived inside the tent, he was asked how the potion works and was told to leave. Nolan then administered the potion himself and after that, brought his child to a ridge that has a flower patch on it. Bright yellow butterflies were flying on in droves in the certain ridge. It had a good view and he thought that it was the best place to bury his child. He dug a grave and created a makeshift cross to mark the grave.

The next day, Nolan Salvatore crafted another cross, and placed it next to the grave he dug yesterday. In that day, there was a loud wail that echoed across the ridge before the pale mountain.