Chapter 170 The Ends and the Beginnings (1/2)
CHAPTER 170
THE ENDS AND THE BEGINNINGS
A torrential rain fell so freely it showed no signs of stopping, even after pouring for nearly a week straight. The streets of the city appeared barren of life, sucked into an entirely different reality than what they were used to. While everyone else wondered why it was raining in desert, Lino figured it had to do something with the ruins -- as they've most-likely collapsed entirely by now.
He currently stood atop a tall platform inside one of the towers within the city, overlooking not only the city itself but also the desert. His gaze veered onward toward the horizon, the latter blanketed by gray and black clouds and endless thunder and lightning.
Hearing the footsteps behind him he turned, his eyes glistening strangely. Valkyria stopped a few meters away from him and bowed lightly, causing him to sigh.
”I've decided to leave.” Lino said as he shifted his gaze off of her onto the sprawling, now wet, desert.
”... I see.” Valkyria said, trying to control her voice. ”Is there nothing I can do to change Your mind?”
”You could become my wife.” Lino chuckled.
”Very well.”
”... it was a joke.”
”Regardless.”
”There's no need for you to become a part of my world,” Lino glanced at her yet again and smiled freely. ”And even less of a one to drag your entire tribe into a conflict well beyond you.”
”It is the reason we exist in--”
”It's not,” Lino interrupted. ”Just like anyone and anything else, you've no reason for existing. You make one.”
”... it was made so.” Valkyria persisted.
”Perhaps... a long time ago,” Lino said. ”Not anymore. You have a new reason Val. One far more honorable than indulging my whims.”
”...”
”You've an entire Tribe to look after,” he added as he took a gulp of a rather sweet wine, a local product. ”You shouldn't betray their hopes of surviving and prospering in this world.”
”... why are you projecting?” Valkyria asked directly with a somewhat harsher voice.
”... because saying I don't want you to serve me sounds a bit harsh, doesn't it?” Lino chuckled oddly for a moment. ”Anyway, this isn't a place for me. It's time to let the old legend go, Val.”
”... your battles and wars will be endless.” she mumbled. ”They may cost you far more than what you're losing here.”
”... perhaps.” Lino said.
”No matter what you say, Lino, I haven't chosen to kneel before you because of my Ancestors.” Valkyria said. ”I've done it of my own heart and mind. It's painful... your rejection of both.”
”What would you have me do, then?”
”You made a correct choice,” Valkyria continued. ”To leave. Your growth would be stunned here. However, you told me you don't want to be another Empyrean, no?”
”...” Lino merely nodded.
”Then answer me this... when did the Empyrean come the closest to achieving their dreams?”
”...”
”When they had someone behind their back,” Valkyria said. ”And that's what I'll give you. Don't fight the world alone, Lino. It's a hopeless battle.”
”... here.” Lino flickered his sleeve and sent a couple of talismans flying in her direction. ”One's to contact me, the other is to locate me. If you truly made this decision of your own mind... I'll be expecting you.”
”Good luck on your journey.”
”... I'll visit.”
”... liar.”
Lucky and Felix were currently sitting on a porch, the latter indulged in reading an old-looking book while the former drank, seemingly bored with staring into the horizon. She glanced in short bursts at the tower rising above all others at the center of the city, sighing from time to time.
”What's the matter?” Felix asked.
”Nothing.” Lucky replied.
”... I've realized you're a lot like the Master.” Felix commented, grinning. ”Maybe that's why you seem to hate him so much?”
”... I hate him because he never makes the right choice,” Lucky said. ”Before I had the chance to do so.”
”... are you in love with him?” Felix questioned, looking at her oddly.
”...” Lucky glanced at him and suddenly laughed, startling him for a moment. ”What makes you think that?”
”I don't know. Just a guess.”
”... no. Not anymore at least.” she said.
”Anymore? You were?” Felix asked, seeming stunned.
”Hm,” Lucky nodded. ”It was while we were still young,” she continued. ”Well, I wouldn't exactly say I was in love with him. It was more of a case of the angry infatuation blinding one's judgment.”
”... I can sort of understand it.” Felix smiled. ”He can be... quite infuriating. When did you stop?”
”... when I saw his heart die.” Lucky replied. ”And realized I'd never be loved back.”
”...” Felix suddenly bit his lower lip as his eyes veered downwards. ”I... I'm sorry...”
”Eh, don't worry about it,” Lucky said. ”We were young and all. Those flames rarely ever survive. What about you hotshot? Any lucky lady waiting for you in the City of Sun?”
”Ha ha... no, no such thing. Well, I imagine my parents had already arranged someone and are simply waiting to inform me of it.”
”Eh, whoever she is, here's to her.” Lucky raised her gourd but, realizing Felix wasn't drinking, shot him a murderous gaze before emptying the contents of hers.
”Will... will you follow him?” Felix asked.
”Yeah.” Lucky replied without hesitation. ”What? You've made a decision as well?”
”... heh, it was never really even a dubious question. I've always known I'd go where he went.”