Chapter 104 - His Heart

Blackish monsters started to appear when they got closer to the border. They were so powerful that Elodiaren took some time to eradicate a few of them. Beads of sweat appeared on his face as he hacked one down while Yao Yun did his best to defend himself against one monster.

Elodiaren clicked his tongue as he flicked off the blood on his sword.

"Why can't you kill one?"

"Can't you see I am weaker than you?!" Yao Yun yelled in a huff.

"True."

Yao Yun g.r.o.a.n.e.d in protest. He almost spat out curses after curses at this man as he held his anger in. He calmed himself down and focused on what was more important than hurling curses at Elodiaren. He stood guard when Elodiaren lured one into his side then tightened his abdominal muscles, legs and arms. He exhaled and calmed his loudly beating heart. He gathered mana in his hands as he clenched them into tight fists.

The ape-like monster ran wobbly at him as it gathered dark energy into its body. Its muscles tensed as the surrounding became heavy.

Elodiaren yelled as he channeled mana into his sword then hurled it towards the monster that was gathering its fallen comrades' dark energy. However, the monster already perceived this and knocked the sword's trajectory down. It snickered then roared loudly that shook the earth. They could also hear different roars that came from different directions. It seemed to be calling for more comrades. The monster's eyes settled on Yao Yun, the weakest of its opponents, and ran while it readied its fist.

Yao Yun exhaled a misty breath despite the temperature being warm. He readied himself to use the monster's momentum against it.

"Hah!"

He ducked down as he evaded fluidly. His arms grabbed the monster's arm as he swiped on its legs then threw him with great strength, clenching his teeth. The monster howled then twisted its body to land squarely on the ground. Yao Yun clicked his tongue then guarded himself for another bout. He ran this time then struck while the monster blocked his attacks easily. The monster seemed to be toying around him as it stood guard against Elodiaren who was fighting off with the rest of his comrades.

Yao Yun's eyes darted everywhere as sweat poured down on his body and his clothes started to stick on his skin. His hands were trembling as he parried its attacks.

Suddenly, the monsters' eyes became red and their expression turned crazed. Yao Yun felt the extreme pressure that came out of these monsters as they fought everything moving in their blurry sights.

Elodiaren merely changed their directions to fight against themselves as he approached Yao Yun despite the chaotic atmosphere. He carried the fainted Yao Yun on his shoulder and evaded the crowd of crazed monsters. His thoughts went to the woman who went ahead of them alone. When he finally escaped the encirclement, he ran towards where he could feel the dark energies of the dead monsters flown. After arriving where the dark energy was thick, he could see Emersyn crouching down with her hands on her head.

Sensing the bad foreboding, he threw Yao Yun on the ground and immediately brought Emersyn into his embrace. He could feel her flinch and tremble then pushed him with all her strength.

However, he held on tightly.

"No!"

He shouted.

Incoherent speech came out of Emersyn's lips.

"I shouldn't have left you alone…! I'm here now. I'm here now."

But it seemed to fall on deaf ears as Emersyn still struggled against him. He tightened his embrace until he could feel Emersyn's cold figure against his clothed body. Then, suddenly, Emersyn screeched so loud that it made his ears go numb, then limped and passed out. Elodiaren loosened his hold then gently c.a.r.e.s.sed her head. He didn't stop until Yao Yun woke up.

Unaware that he was thrown, Yao Yun stretched his aching body.

"Yun, right?"

"Yes."

"Can you watch Emersyn for now? Don't let her be alone even for a second."

"Where are you going?" Yao Yun asked as he alternatively looked at where Emersyn comfortably laid down and at Elodiaren.

"...."

"?"

"I'm…," Elodiaren scratched his cheek. "I am not confident at cooking…."

"... have you ever held a knife?"

"I've held swords all my life," Elodiaren bluntly said.

"... true, but what I mean is a kitchen knife."

"Aren't swords and knives both blades?"

Yao Yun sighed loudly.

"Once again, true. How about any kitchen utensils?"

"What are those?"

"Have you even cooked?!" Yao Yun asked impatiently.

"No."

"Then why are you trying to cook?"

"I want Emersyn to know how I care about her."

"....."

"She's going through a hard time right now, so I want to help her and be there for her. That's the only thing I know though."

"I'll do the cooking. The problem is… we don't have any kitchen utensils and equipment."

"What are those?"

"... those things that they use to cook food."

"Well, I know, but I want to know more."

"Ask Emersyn once she wakes up then."

Suddenly, they heard a rustle behind them. They turned around abruptly and saw Emersyn sitting down on the ground. She waved her hand at the two men with a blank expression as she stood up.

"Great job eradicating the monsters," she said, her voice monotonous.

"Emersyn…," Elodiaren muttered as he slowly approached.

"I'm fine. You guys need some food, right? I have leftovers," she said then quickly materialised the steaming pot of soup and a few grilled ribs. She retrieved bowls and spoons then poured the steaming potato soup and handed them over to the two men. Elodiaren and Yao Yun looked at each other then accepted the bowls and spoons from Emersyn. They quietly ate as they stole glances at Emersyn who was mechanically dismantling monsters after monsters.

She only stopped when her eyes regained focus.

Her bloodied hands reminded her of those days that she was covered with her own blood and the blood of others. It wasn't that uncommon, so she easily shrugged it off. She looked skyward and sighed. She knew she shouldn't be like this. When she finished dismantling a monster for today with a light heart, she turned towards the wall of fire with new found determination. After all, Reagan wouldn't like it if she continued acting like this.

"I'm going to cancel the hellfire," she abruptly told them.

Elodiaren immediately stood up and approached her, gently settling his hands on her shoulders.

"Really? What if it's dangerous?"

Emersyn smirked.

"Who is more dangerous than I?"

Elodiaren's eyes softened then mumbled, "... true… but--"

"Don't worry, Aren. I am all fine now."

"Alright. As you wish."

Emersyn nodded then turned towards Yao Yun.

"Yun, you still have to pacify the people that came with you. I want you to clear your name before we prepare to head out. I still have some matters to solve."

"How about you? You're not going to clear your name?"

"What is there to clear?" Emersyn said as she tilted her head

"...."

"Let them see me as an evil woman. I don't mind at all. After all, I am one," she smiled.

"...."

Suddenly, Emersyn's ears perked up and heard a familiar roar outside. Her eyes went wide then immediately cancelled the energy supplying the hellfire as she ran towards the north. As she left without any words, Elodiaren and Yao Yun looked at each other.

"The group would be in there. Can you see them?"

"I can, but I am not going there with you. I have to follow Emersyn."

"Alright. I'll do my best to separate myself from the group after."

"Do you really think you can come with Emersyn?" Elodiaren suddenly voiced out.

Yao Yun raised one of his eyebrows.

"Why not?"

"Don't you have a family? Are you willing to let them live being hated by the people of this world? As far as I can see, you are quite pampered. You are loved. Do you want them to suffer with your decision?"

Yao Yun fell into contemplation.

"I… can take them too. I can take them with me!"

"Do you want your people to suffer too?"

"Eh?"

"You're from Central Marsh. Since you're here, the barrier must have crumbled down and your world disappeared. With a mistake of one of their people, colluding with someone that cared for the dragons that they hated with their whole being, what do you think will happen?"

"...."

Yao Yun couldn't answer. He realized the implications of his decisions as he was blinded by the one who he so cherished before him. He just wanted to be with her this time. He didn't want her to leave him again. However, he was in a bind. Would he follow his heart and abandon these people he was with for years? He shook his head. No, he had to decide now. He had far more precious people on his side for many years. He cared for them deeply. They cared for him and never left his side. Now, he was going to abandon those people just for that one person who left him to chase her aspirations. For that person he longed for and chased her back that kept on receding from his sight.

"I'm sorry," he suddenly blurted out as tears welled up from his eyes.