"So, the people who were killing my mother... were like you?"
"Yeah. They didn't do that out of hate or anything. They were just informed that your mother was a threat to humankind."
"How do you know about my mother?"
"I've been alive for 223 years because of my mom's half-elf genes. I'm not even proper half-elf; I have a dark hair. Anyways, I saw the people who were going for your mother. Before your mother, they had killed thousands of elves and demolished Elf kingdom. According to our knowledge, you are the only elf known."
"I am the only one? Why? Why did you kill all elves?" Aeren started to walk inside the room. "Oh yeah, the one you talked about. Being informed. Who informed you that the elves are a threat?"
"I don't know. The last king was the one who received that information and he didn't reveal the sender to people."
"Last? Does that mean you don't have any king right now?"
"That's right. Humankind adopted a pack instinct after losing their respect and believe towards the king. All people live like ants right now. Do you know how ants' pack work?"
"I know. They work everything together without a proper communication and leader."
"People still use communication for planning and details, but leaderless work is exactly like that."
"I see." Suddenly, Aeren remembered the request. "About your request, even if I go with you, how am I supposed to defeat the Aradia with you. I'm not a killer and I've never been out of this place."
"Killing? I didn't say we would kill her. In my eyes, you don't seem much appreciate living. Say Aeren, why do you want to kill yourself?"
"..." Anyone in Aeren's shoes would answer like "how do you know I want to kill myself?". In Aeren's case though, it's completely different. Aeren had forgotten to question himself with the word "why". 2 centuries was a long time, but a man can forget word "why" in two days, or in two hours, or even in two minutes. All he need is to find a reason to hate himself, and it won't be "why" anymore. It will be "that's why".
"One day, the most narcissist man would kill himself, but one who carries a guiltiness will never find himself worthy of dying. Isn't that so, Aeren?" said the girl.
"I wouldn't like to talk about why I feel guilty. But you're right about my wish of death."
"We don't need to talk about it. Your soul will say it."
"My soul?" Aeren couldn't follow her words.
"Yes. Even if it's hard for you, I want to ask about the day of your mother's death. Do you remember what happened that day?"
"I remember everything clearly. From going to the other side of the river without my mom's permission to my first lonely night."
"Why did you go to the other side of the river?"
"To find a fine wood. I was going to make a wood cup to my mom's birthday."
"And how exactly did you find that wood?"
"..."
"You used that thing, right? Soul of Elves. The wish sword."
Thousands of years ago, in the time of war between all kinds of creatures, the high mage of Elf Kingdom made a sword with the existence of all elves' souls. This sword can turn into anything holder wishes from the bottom of his heart. After war ended, the kings of elves owned it all the time until the fall of the Elf kingdom. The previous owner of this sword was the mother of Aeren, Aerin.
"My mom always said to keep that sword's existence from all kinds of creatures except elves. I promised I'd do that." said Aeren, copying the face of the girl.
"And why are you breaking that promise?"
"I wonder why. Maybe it doesn't matter to me anymore. I've even forgotten where that sword is."
"This sword has always been with you, in here" the girl pointed to Aeren's chest. "This sword cannot be owned other than a true elf. When the owner of the wish sword dies, it passes to the worthiest elf for it. Your mother was the last owner of it, and it passed to you when she died. The wish sword is resting in your soul right now."
"I knew all about passing of this sword, but I didn't expect it to be inside me" surprised Aeren pressed his chest with his hand. "Now I see. That's how your mother found me, right? Trying to connect with the wish sword with her half-elf spirit."
"You're right. I didn't mention that sword for no reason. This sword is the only weapon that capable of defeating the evil witch, and you are the only elf that can hold this sword. My request is obvious at that point."
"Yeah. I'm the only option, huh?". After minutes of silence, Aeren continues to talk. "I will help you to bring down Aradia."
"I expected you would accept my request that quickly."
"Why did you except that?"
"Just a feeling. I thought you would be eager to lick your wounds."
Maybe that was the last thing Aeren wanted to hear when he was alive.
"And about your being the "only option" the girl continued. "You were never an only option, you are the 'last' option".
No. The previous words of girl was the second last thing that he wanted to hear when he was alive.