Alioth was annoyed.
The boy had developed a growing interest in his apparent ability to grant mythological names to objects and people.
He wanted to keep investigating and experimenting with that phenomenon, but unfortunately, they kept interrupting him.
But, while he was annoyed, when they discovered Nora had disappeared, Alioth didn't hesitate to offer his help.
And while he didn't feel like it, he felt morally obligated to show some interest in the matter.
Fortunately, it didn't take long to find someone who knew something.
A very kind old lady who showed Alioth the way.
Upon hearing the place where Nora was heading, the white-haired boy couldn't help but feel slightly worried, so he decided to send Regulus and Lisbeth to look for help, while he went ahead on Aida's back.
Aida's true form was a giant flying serpent, with a rainbow-colored mane.
Very similar to an oriental dragon.
Thanks to her speed, it didn't take long to reach the cabin, where they found Nora.
Alioth couldn't help but feel annoyed when he saw it.
It was no longer about losing free time. It was about, once again, some thugs having beaten someone.
Of course, Alioth didn't particularly like Nora, but that was completely irrelevant at that instant.
It was already the second time he had found that group of thugs beating little girls.
What was their problem?
"Tch, more intruders? I hope my father doesn't arrive too soon. I wouldn't like to bother him with this shit," Aizel said with a quite annoyed air.
Then, the serpent hissed.
Alioth could see how the wind spirits twinkled, as if responding to her call.
Soon the air was illuminated by intense jade-colored glows, to finally expand in a growing wave that threw all those present through the air except for Nora, Alioth, and Aizel, who withstood the force of the wind.
The cabin was destroyed. The rubble flew hundreds of meters as Aida slid to the ground, coiling around Nora.
A multicolored light began to envelop Nora, who felt a warmth surround her. The pain disappeared from her body as her wounds healed.
Alioth let himself fall to one side while observing the situation.
His gaze crossed with Aizel's, who returned the look.
"And who are you? You know what, I don't care. I'll kill you quickly," he said, exasperated while spinning his spear.
Alioth made a symbol with his hand. From under his clothes began to escape a showy sky-blue liquid.
"Aida, take care of this one. He seems the strongest," the boy indicated with a firm voice.
He trusted Aida quite a bit. She was a Lwa created by his teacher. She wouldn't lose to just anyone.
The serpent nodded to subsequently launch herself against Aizel at a tremendous speed.
The redhead interposed his spear between him and the Lwa, but he didn't manage to stop the creature, who pushed Aizel at great speed to move him away from there.
"Well, Nora, we have to get out of here. Are you feeling better?" Alioth asked while observing the girl.
She had a long face but physically looked fine.
"No, we can't leave. They have Ruth," Nora said with a subdued voice.
She no longer gave off any golden light. She no longer felt the burning flame in her heart. There was no longer conviction in her eyes.
"Alright," Alioth said, letting out a sigh. "Where is she? We must take her quickly."
Nora shrugged. Her golden hair waved in the wind, while the dusk light reflected silver colors on it.
"I have no idea, but it doesn't matter. I'm sure you'll solve it," she said with a sad voice.
Her chest burned. She felt horrible at that moment.
Alioth had saved her, but that was another proof of her failure. Another proof that Alioth was better than her.
"What's wrong with you, Nora? Are you sure you're okay?" the boy insisted, showing genuine concern this time.
Nora just clenched her fists hard. She didn't want to admit it. She didn't want to admit she felt jealous of him.
"Nothing," Nora murmured. "It's not like you need my help, right? I'm useless after all."
Alioth let out a long sigh. It really was a complicated situation.
Normally he would simply ignore her behavior and move forward, but he really needed Nora's cooperation.
"No one thinks you're useless, Nora. Why do you think so?" he asked calmly.
But why didn't he understand? How could she make him understand?
She felt less because he overshadowed her.
Aren't heroes supposed to arrive at the critical moment to save the situation?
If Alioth was the hero, what was she? Her only purpose had been taken away.
"What do you think!? I didn't manage to save Ruth and they defeated me right away. I only managed to worry you and put you in danger!" she exclaimed with teary eyes.
Alioth shook his head, without losing his calm.
"But you were also the one who discovered where Ruth was, right? Without you, maybe we couldn't have saved her in time," the boy responded patiently, just like his mother did when a game went badly for him.
Maybe Nora and he weren't so different.
The girl kicked the ground listlessly.
"Pfft, and what good did it do? In the end you had to save me. Heroes don't need to be saved," she murmured with a subdued voice, while lowering her gaze.
Upon hearing those words, the pieces of that puzzle began to order themselves in his head.
"So that was it," he finally said. "Nora, a hero isn't the one who doesn't make mistakes, it's the one who learns from them and rectifies them."
The boy began to say, with a calm voice, catching Nora's attention.
"A hero isn't the one who is invincible, but the one who always gets back up."
Nora raised her gaze, looking at Alioth with astonishment, very attentive to what he was saying.
"And a hero isn't the one who isn't saved, it's the one who accepts others' help when they need it, to be able to grow alongside their companions," the boy finished.
Alioth looked attentively at Nora, wondering if that cheap philosophy that appeared in the stories of his world would serve to lift her spirits.
She was very quiet, and strangely serious.
"I understand now," she finally said. "You're very right, Alioth."
A smile drew on her lips, as power began to resurge in her.
She had understood. A hero isn't perfect, but the one who never gives up until being so.
The one who never gives up and never lets evil triumph.
A veil of golden light began to envelop her. Her aura had returned, along with her confidence.
"HAHAHA! I suppose you're right!" the girl exclaimed with a big smile and hands on hips. "You can count on me, Alu! We'll definitely save Ruth!"