Lunan cried.
Salty drops of water fell onto Alicia's face.
He cried because she was dead, and it was his fault. Had he not mentioned Alicia, it would've only been him that has to go.
Quite a bit of time had passed since Zion had left him there.
"I-I'm sorry.."
He sniffled.
Trying to hold back his tears, but he couldn't stop.
"Stop… stop. You're getting me all wet."
Her weak, frail voice startled him. Her eyes remained closed. As she spoke, Lunan did as she said, and stopped crying.
"Alicia."
"What?"
"You're alive!" he rejoiced, his face still stained with tears.
He lowered himself to hug her in her lying position.
"I didn't… expect this to be how you would hug me…"
"What are you— listen, Alicia. I have to get you out of here before Zion brings his whole cult to sacrifice me. If you pretend to be dead, you'll be fine. How are you feeling, anyway? I should've asked you that first, I'm sorry,"
He started talking and left no space to breathe.
"I'm fine. I feel fine. The head injury is throwing me off balance a bit, but the fall didn't hurt me too much."
She slowly opened her eyes.
Lunan cupped her face with his hand, slowly rubbing her head.
"How much does it hurt, from one to ten?" Lunan asked, worried.
"If I say ten, will I be able to stay in this position? I could almost fall asleep like this."
Lunan smiled faintly.
"So you're fine."
Lunan took Alicia's sword out of her hand.
"I'll fight them off."
"With what? That ignition cast you learned? You're way too weak, Lunan-"
"Shut up, Alicia. Even now, you want to say that?"
"… It's not that you're weak. But you can't beat Zion."
"You know me well, right, Alicia? Two years is enough to know a lot. You should know that I always have a plan."
"Two years is a lot of time…"
"For you."
"Why exactly did Zion drag us here, again?"
"He wanted to use me as a sacrifice. It's all my fault that you almost died, Alicia. So it'll be me to get us out of here."
"Don't blame yourself. Blame Zion. I would've come here anyway. Track you guys down."
Lunan chuckled quietly.
"Track me down, huh?"
"Yeah. Who do you guys think you are, going off to some adventure without me?"
"Wow. I link my identity to us as a trio so much, I just immediately think about bringing us all together. I feel pathetic-"
"What's wrong with that?"
"… Are you serious?"
"We're all social creatures. I don't think there's anything wrong with that."
"…"
"I see now. You're so focused on being strong, Lunan. Why is that?"
"… Everyone is focused on being strong. I'm just someone who shows it more."
"There's nothing special about being strong."
"That's something easy for you to say. You've never lived a life being weak."
"Well, I'd rather be smart than strong. Like you."
"…You're just saying that, Alicia."
"Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not."
Lunan stretched, trying to get the soreness out of his body.
"I'll get the two of us out of here. For now, just play dead. You can leave it all to— Keuk!"
Alicia slipped his arms around Lunan's collarbones, strangling him gently. Strangling him until he fell unconscious.
She noticed how his grip on her arms weakened, finally coming to a stop.
She released him, slowly lowering him to the ground. With precise cuts, she broke the chains that held the cell door closed.
"I'm sorry, Lunan. Thinking about me so bravely, without regard for yourself, knowing how weak you are. You're the only person I know who can stay strong like that."
She paused.
"Out of us three… You really are the strongest"
She quietly laughed to herself.
She raised her blade to the tips of her ears, closing her eyes tightly.
Swiftly, she sliced them off.
Mana accumulated around her body.
She contracted her knee, extending and clearing the long flight of stars with a single hop.
. .
The church scenery had changed, now that night fell. Candles were lit all around, though most attention was at the sanctuary.
There was no longer an altar there.
The empty space was replaced with a ritualistic circle, surrounded by five wax candles that burned red.
The door to the dungeon underneath the church swung open.
The seven cloaked men who surrounded the ritual stared at the door.
The injured Alicia's chest heaved.
Zion took off his cloak.
"You're alive? I wish I could say that's a pleasant surprise… but that really hinders everything."
Zion guffawed.
"I assume you aren't here to fight, since that would be stupid, and I know you aren't dumb."
"You don't know me at all, then."