Chapter 286 At A Crossroads, Part II?

286 At A Crossroads, Part II?

"It's beating fast."

"Hmph!" Elisa immediately looked away. "Of course it would, when a Monster is this close."

"Yeah." Mark chuckled, his hand laying flat on her chest. Rested carefully so as not to graze the breasts veiled by her white robe.

She gulped, and he felt something poke his hip.

'Huh?' His hand slowly descended towards her hips, but it was stopped rather quickly.

"What are you doing?" Elisa asked sternly as she held his wrist.

The white-scaled Monster sighed and she let go.

Mark pulled his hand back and let his back rest on the ground once more.

"Always keeping them close, huh?"

"Well..." Elisa pressed her lips. "Yes. Even when sleeping." She answered as she revealed the Timeworn Elven Dagger hidden under her robe. "I'd feel... Naked without them, I guess."

"Mm. Well..." Mark bent his elbows, brought both his hands behind his head, and rested the back of his skull on them. "I quite like you naked."

"Feeling adventurous, huh? Now of all times? When I have a Weapon in hand?"

Mark simply chuckled.

Elisa sighed and stared at the moonlight reflected by her blade.

"Time to sleep."

"Yes, yes. The border tomorrow. You've said that already."

"Oh. I have?"

"You have-"

"Good night then." Mark interrupted as he closed his eyes.

Elisa stared at the slight grin on his face, before letting her body collapse on his. It wasn't totally unexpected, but still made him grunt.

"The border... Finally, huh?" She whispered as her right cheek lay on his chest.

"Yeah. Finally."

"Ever been?"

"To Lust? No."

"It's a horrible place apparently. Unlike how it has been for Sloth, we'll have to cut Lust through the middle."

"Yeah."

Elisa lay her hands flat, one over the other, before resting her chin on them.

"Not scared?" She asked, her face slightly tilted to the side as she looked at the white-scaled Monster's face.

"We'll be okay."

"Mm." She nodded. "Yes... We'll be okay." Elisa repeated as she lay the side of her face on her hands.

We-

It feels nice, thinking that way.

Thinking as a 'we'.

Both thought so.

A dozen silent seconds passed, and Mark peeked with a half-closed eye.

"You're not sleeping."

"No."

"Even though I'm acting as a bed?"

"Mmm... Even though you're acting as a bed."

Mark sighed and looked at the dark sky above.

"Need a story or something?"

"I'd like that."

"Huh, well... We talked about Dracula before. I could tell you about his story. What I know anyways. Or... About Heracles. Yeah, let's go with that. Apparently, he was-"

Elisa lay her chin on her hands once more.

"I want to hear that story."

"What story?"

"The one that you told us before."

"That one?"

"Mm." Elisa nodded. "About that boy. Did he get to run like he wanted?"

"Huh. You were listening more carefully than I thought."

"I was. So? Will you indulge me?"

"I'm afraid I can't."

"Why not?"

"I can't... Remember how the rest of the story goes, so... Heracles? We could even go for-"

"Then tell it again."

"Why? You seem to remember it fine."

"So? Stories are meant to be told again and again."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Plus, telling it might lead to you remembering how the rest of it goes."

"Ugh... Sure. Why not, I guess."

And so, Mark told the story as he stared at the dark sky above.

The story of the boy who loved running but couldn't.

With wide eyes, Elisa listened carefully.

So carefully that she noticed everything.

Certain details which had been given last time had, now, been forgotten. Or perhaps, omitted. Left out purposefully.

Some details were added.

Elisa noticed everything and listened very carefully.

Which is why she could tell that the story had changed.

The added and left-out details didn't really change much to the story.

No.

It was more the teller's tone. The points and events that he accentuated. Certain passages.

This, overall, painted the story in a completely different shade.

A brighter one, in a way. A more hopeful one.

But that's just how stories are.

They might be written and set in stone. But they, nevertheless, remain subject to the teller's whims.

Just like real-life events can be seen from different perspectives. Just like a dozen people can have a dozen different outlooks on the same event. Different takeaways.

Elisa knew that well.

She listened carefully, and closed her eyes.

A bit later, Mark arrived at the end of his story.

He peeked, and she seemed to be asleep.

Peaceful and beautiful.

His palm stopped halfway for a bit. But eventually, it lay on Elisa's head.

"What are you doing?" She asked suddenly.

Mark didn't answer. He closed his eyes as his hand stroke her hair.

"Huh. You're..." She yawned. "Actually good at this."

"Yeah, well..." Mark turned his head to the side. The smirking Moonlit Feline seemed proud. "I've had some practice."

"Is that..." Elisa yawned again. "So?"

"Time to sleep, Princess."

"If..." A third yawn. "If you insist... I guess..."

Elisa started falling asleep rather quickly.

'Who knew a Monster's touch...' She comfortably spread her hands and lay her left cheek on his chest. 'Could be so soothing...'

It took a bit longer for Mark to fall asleep.

His hand gently stroke her hair for a while as he thought.

Mark thought about many things. But mainly about,

'What to do...?'

What to do?

10:04

Go to the Elven Forest?

You've been invited.

It's your turn now. Your move, Mark

To accept, or decline the invitation?

What to do?

Go to the Elven Forest?

Stay with Elisa and Krista?

Why are you hesitant? Why haven't you decided yet?

Will you accept or reject the offer?

You care about them, don't you?

Why not stay with them? What else is there for you anyways? There's nothing else out there. You know that.

No?

Well, let's see. There are...

Commanders.

Commanders, Generals, and Demon Lords?

You'd give this up for Commanders and Generals?

Surely you wouldn't, would you?

Then choose, Mark.

Decide.

You like being with them.

You really do.

Choose.

Quickly.

Choose!

Choose before she gets irritated.

Before she forces your hand.

Before she decides for you.

Lady Fate.