193 Unclear path (2/2)

Ellie then pondered about that for a while. She started to consider her options. Train in the ring of time for the remaining of their days in the forest? Try to reach for the core and face the real body of the forest, who by now is probably really, really pissed off at them? Or pack her things, go home, and start binge-watching Breaking Bad on Netflix while hoping that everything will just solve itself?

”Can I even handle the power of terminal energy?? Didn't that power almost tore my aunt apart when she used it? I don't have healing powers like her or Mia!! I can't keep fixing my body over and over again if the energy starts to destroy me!!” Ellie questioned.

”No... But you do have the same unbreakable skin as Marcus!” Detra reminded the girl, which made Ellie's eyes widen up, ”you don't have to worry about breaking apart if you can't break in the first place.”

”Oh!!”

”Exactly... The blessed energy of Marcus' holy metal, the magic energy of your aunt's diamonds, and the cursed energy of the core of the forest... If you can combine all three into one power, you will truly become the ultimate weapon!”

”But why did we need this forest in particular?? Why not just go after some random demon and have Ellie copy him instead?” Marcus wondered.

”... Mia has a freaking god inside of her, the strongest re-creation mage of all time, and is the descendent of Hana herself... You really think a random demon will produce a form of terminal energy strong enough to rival all that??”

”Ok, point taken...” Marcus quieted down.

”So... If I absorb the core... Will I finally be able to have enough power to defeat Mia?” Ellie asked.

”After we spend some time in the ring of time and finishing up polishing your skills? I would say it's the best choice we have right now...” Detra admitted.

Lilith seemed worried, ”I don't know... Letting a kid handle terminal energy on her own...? Are you absolutely sure it's safe?”

”No, not even close...” Detra shrugged, ”honestly there is a big chance that the power will make her blown up into a thousand pieces…”

”EXCUSE ME!!!???” Ellie shouted. Both Marcus and Lilith also acted like they were about to have a heart attack.

”Relax, I'm just kidding…” Detra explained while waving her hand. The three of them were mesmerized. They heard Detra making sarcastic comments before but she wasn't exactly known for joking.

Ellie once again was at a loss as to what she should do. Part of her was a bit curious about trying out the power of terminal energy herself, the same power that made her aunt strong enough to defeat the demon leader, Chuck, with the aid of Marcus and Sphinx.

Part of her was also a little scared since this was the same power that Mia used to defeat her without breaking a sweat. Mia was already scary before, but when she gained that power, she looked like she was untouchable. Ellie knew that this wasn't just another power, it was THE power, the strongest form of energy, able to harm anything and anyone.

Would she even be able to control it? She only now finally got the hang of her mirror magic, also known as baby level magic, how long would it take to get the hang the strongest form of energy?

But at the same time, part of her competitive side wanted to try it. A small voice in the back of her mind wanting to prove that if Mia could do it, so could she.

Her aunt used to tell her that one of the things that would often motivate the crossbow girl to not give up was that she always hated losing to people she disliked. And back then? She really disliked Marcus and really wanted to beat him for how horrible he had treated her and her friends during her quest to return home.

And now, Ellie was in the same position. The same way Marcus was like a rival for Evlin, Mia now was like a rival for Ellie. A rival that she really doesn't want to lose to.

”...I'll do it...” Ellie announced, which created a small uneasiness in the mood and made the rest of the group exchange unsure looks with each other.

Lilith searched for the girl's hand by following the sound of her voice and tried to hold it tightly, ”Ellie... Ellie, are you sure about this??”

At this moment, Ellie also noticed that if she wanted to succeed with this plan, she would need to clear all the doubt away from her group. When they worked together to fight the memory warriors they finally managed to obtain a perfect victory with no major losses, unlike before were they tried fighting individually, resulting in Lilith losing her vision.

If they were going after the real body of the forest, they needed to work together again.

”...Not really, to be honest... But I think I would feel much more at ease if someone could do a small favor for me...” Ellie admitted while looking straight at Lilith.

”What do you mean?”

Ellie then looked at Detra and walked towards her to grab her hand and bring the woman closer to Lilith.

”What are you doing...?” Detra asked.

”I want you to make peace with Lilith!” Ellie said while grinning.

”What!!??” x 3