The moon slowly began to climb down, not a creature stirring in the forest below for the most part. Owls rested on branches with eyes closed, deer hunkered down, even coyotes laying bundled up with their packs. In the clearing lay several individuals in various positions and locations. All of Holly’s crew lay resting, many asleep. One alone sat in a branch above looking off into the moonlight.
She gulped, her fingers running across her lips with a bit of green slime wiping off, “There, that should be enough to keep me going,” she murmured.
Quickly she leaned to the side and dropped down, landing on both feet. Glancing off to Holly once, then back ahead walking off with a katana sheathed and a backpack to her, “I’m sorry Miss Holly, everyone, but I can’t let you guys suffer over something that is not your responsibility. This is a matter for Vulfax and Vulfax alone.”
“How will that solve anything Elise?” came a comment from behind.
Elise stopped in place, recognizing immediately. Her head tilted giving a glance back to see Sora standing with arms crossed, “Sora?”
“Why do you think you need to take this on yourself?”
“You heard what Holly said, to bombard the area just to wipe the possible enemy out. I can not allow that.”
“After everything Alto and you said that they did to you, you want to back them up yet? That’s idiotic. I heard you wanted them all to pay.”
“A change of heart. If this is a mistake then it is mine to make. No one else needs to die. If I can take down Azala I can save the clan and prevent the bloodshed.”
“You’re living in a dreamworld right now Elise, Drachen are bloodthirsty creatures. They won’t stand to reason.”
“So I have heard,” she murmured in response, looking to the sky, “And yet I can’t help but think back fondly on some of them and the moments I had. My false brother Britt, my friends, my superior Vulper. For better or worse, I grew up in that clan and it helped shape me. Stupid as it might be, I repeat, I will not turn my back on them even if those remaining have turned their backs on me.”
“So you forgive them for what they did? That’s childish Elise.”
“Oh I don’t forgive them but at the same time I can’t leave them to die. It’s difficult to explain how I feel Sora. My friends died for the clan, under bad orders or otherwise. Those who remain serve because they believe in the clan. I don’t want their memory to fade to ash.”
“That’s too bad then Elise,” Sora said standing ready as if he were waiting to dash ahead at her, “I can’t let you go out there. Britt and Vulper dug their graves by remaining with a bunch of vandals. If you go any further I will stop you myself, and if not I will wake the others to help.”
“Is that so?” she murmured slowly turning around, a breeze flowing through the air as the two looked to one another, Elise’s hands clenched into fists.381Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrahHbII4A0
