Divinity

--- [Edward’s perspective]

Oh shit!

I messed up!

His sword passed right through mine…

The fire…

It’s so hot.

It’s just like that day…

---

I was just a kid, playing with a magnifying glass in the forest.

The sun shined brightly, almost too brightly…

It didn’t rain much there, so the ground, the trees, and the leaves were all very dry.

All it took was a tiny spark, and a fire was started.

It spread fast; mere moments was all it took for the entire forest to be engulfed in flames.

I was lucky I even got away in time…

It continued to spread until it reached the village.

The villagers immediately started doing everything they could to stop it, but it was already too late.

Farms, houses, cattle…

It was all consumed by the never-ending flames.

The only reason the village even survived was due to the river that divided it.

One side utterly destroyed, while the other was untouched…

Maybe it was karma, but I was one of the people living on the ‘wrong’ side of the river.

My house was turned to ash along with all my belongings.

Not that I had much in the first place…

The most devastating effects of the fire was all the people we lost.

Among those who passed were my parents…

It was early in the morning, so they might have been still sleeping.

I can’t imagine what they must have felt…

Well…

I guess I do now…

…

From that point onwards, I was an outcast.

Shunned by everyone else, I grew up alone.

It messed me up in more ways than I can count.

Life felt like it wasn’t worth living, I had no place in society.

Or at least that was how I felt until I met Arthur and Alice.

They were outcasts just like me; shunned by society and hated by everyone.

They accepted me…

No.

They loved me.

And I loved them.

Arthur, Alice…

This is the end for me, and I know it.

But…!

You will be the winners here; I just know it!

Even if I won’t be there to see it happen, I still believe in you with all my heart.

Arthur…

Save Alice, and live long, meaningful lives together.

Goodbye…

--- [Alex’s perspective]

“The darkness… it’s clearing out. Was Edward… defeated…?” – Arthur

“Of course he was, his opponent was Shin after all!” – Alex

The look on Arthur’s face took a sudden turn after he said that…

It’s like he’s finally realizing how serious the situation is and that he can’t mess around anymore.

Just as he’s about to approach me, a voice suddenly calls out for him.

“ARTHUR!” – Alice

Who is that?

“Alice…?” – Arthur

She takes a second to catch her breath, before continuing to berate him.

“I told you to stop so many times! Why won’t you listen to me?!” – Alice

“I’m sorry… This is for your own good.” – Arthur

He rushes towards me, faster than ever before.

“Arthur!” – Alice

He tries to touch me with both his hands, attacking from both sides.

With the void in my hands active, I cross my arms and stop his attack.

He doesn’t waste any time and continues his attack.

I stop them all, just in the nick of time.

He’s not giving me any room to counterattack.

If I slip up even once, my loss would be all but guaranteed…

He’s that dangerous…

“Arthur!! Listen to me for God’s sake!” – Alice

He continues to ignore her while relentlessly attacking me.

“Arthur!!! Stop it!” – Alice

“I can’t!” – Arthur

The desperation in his eyes…

I see it so clearly.

He’s going faster and faster, doing everything he can to touch me.

The rate at which he’s attacking is so fast that I can’t even comprehend the movements.

My body is just moving on its own.

I dodge what I can dodge, and I block what I can block.

“Oh my god… Is that…?” – Alice

As the barrage continues, my brain is slowly catching up.

He’s pushing me to the point where it feels like I’m evolving.

Slowly but surely, I’m starting to read his movements.

“… Edward…?” – Alice

I’m no longer acting on pure instincts.

If I want any hope of counterattacking, I need to be able to read him; I’m slowly getting there!

Wait…!

I see it!

An opening!

“Edward… He’s…” – Alice

I take the opportunity and throw a palm strike with all my might.

Suddenly, his movements change.

Shit!

He saw it coming…

It’s too late to pull back now, I’ve got to follow through!

…

His finger just barely touched the back of my hand as he hopped backwards to evade my attack, but…

He did it…

He touched me in a place where I couldn’t activate the void…

My life is in his hands now…

He lifts his hand up, and points right at me.

“This is the end, Alex. I wi-” – Arthur

Alice interrupts him by grabbing his arm.

“Arthur… Stop it…” – Alice

“I’ve done it, Alice! I touched him, he has no choice but to listen to me now. He’ll save yo-” – Arthur

“No!” – Alice

“Huh?” – Arthur

“Don’t you get it, Arthur?” – Alice

“What… Do you mean?” – Arthur

“Edward! He is dead because of you!” – Alice

“I…” – Arthur

“I told you to stop, so so so SO many times! But you didn’t listen… And look what happened. Our best friend… No… A family member died, all because of your stupid obsession! I’ve already accepted my fate long ago, why can’t you?!” – Alice

“Alice! I can’t just let you die!” – Arthur

“Do you think this is any easier for me to accept? Don’t you think I want to live? Of course I do! It’s just that… I… I want to live a life worth living…” – Alice

“Alice…” – Arthur

“If I have to sacrifice those dear to me… If I have to sacrifice innocent people… Then there’s no point.” – Alice

“…” – Arthur

“You tried so hard to save me, you all have… And I appreciate that, but… it ends now. You went too far. You kidnapped these people, these INNOCENT people! You hurt them, tortured them… Killed them?! They fought back, and for good reason. But what was the result of all that? Edward’s death… Well, no more. No more! I can’t let you continue, even if it means I’ll die…” – Alice

“I…” – Arthur

He takes a breath, and wipes away his tears…

“Ok… I’ll stop…” – Arthur

He takes a step back and looks me in the eye.

“I’m sorr… No… I don’t get to apologize and pretend everything is fine, because it’s not. Instead, I’ll leave you with this… Some final words before we part forever. Watch out…” – Arthur

Huh?

“There’s a group out there looking for you. Ever wondered how I knew about your ability? Well, I know because I’m a part of that group. I wasn’t supposed to make contact with you, or rather… I wasn’t allowed to. But once I heard about your ability from them, I couldn’t stop myself. I’ve tried everything, but there isn’t anyone in the world that can save Alice. Except for… maybe you…” – Arthur

Woah woah woah…

What is he saying?

‘A group’ is looking for me…?

“I had to get you to come to me, because they would never let me get close to you. So, we made up a mission that was designed specifically for you. It was also a good opportunity to see your ability in action. If you couldn’t absorb Edward’s darkness, then there wouldn’t be any point continuing, and we’d let you all go. But you did it, so we continued to follow the plan. We’ve tried asking nicely in the past, and it never works. Not for people like us… Outcasts… So, we did it the only way we knew how… With force.” – Arthur

“Listen… Edward killed one of my friends. I don’t care what your reason was, that is unforgivable. You can’t guilt me into helping you, or whatever the hell you’re trying to do.” – Alex

“No, that’s not it… I was just explaining… Whatever. You’re right, it doesn’t matter why. Anyways, let me at least tell you this. I don’t know why that group is after you, I’m not privy to those details. But you should watch out, I get the feeling they’ll come after you sooner rather than later. For all I know, they might have already found you…” – Arthur

“What kind of group is this?? Why are they after me?” – Alex

“Like I said, I don’t know why they’re after you. But if you want a name, you can have it… The END… It’s a group that-” – Arthur

Just as he was about to continue explaining, Alice suddenly coughs up a ton of blood.

“Alice! Are you okay?!” – Arthur

She wipes away the blood on her face with her sleeve.

“I’m fine… Alex, grab your friends and leave. You’re free now, so go.” – Alice

She continues coughing up blood.

Due to the shock of everything that just happened, I just stare at her.

“Go!” – Alice

“O-ok…” – Alex

I run over to Shin and check on him.

He’s fine, but he’s totally unconscious…

He must have used his fire sword, even though it takes a large toll on his body.

I continue thinking about everything he told me while I run through the halls, when I suddenly hear a voice…!

“Alex!” – Lett

It’s Lett!

And…

Illian too!?

“Wait, you’re both alive? Edward said he killed one of you…” – Alex

“I tricked him with my ability.” – Illian

“I see… I’m so happy you’re both fine…” – Alex

“What about Shin?” – Illian

“He’s fine, just unconscious. I think he used his fire sword.” – Alex

“I see… Well then, let’s get the hell out of here already!” – Illian

“Yes… A… Ah…” – Alex

“Alex? Are you okay?!” – Lett

“Achoo!!” – Alex

“…” – Lett

“Are you sick…?” – Illian

“No, it’s just that Arthur touched me so… You know what? Whatever. Sure.” – Alex