"She's crazy strong. I don't think I've met anyone more powerful!"
My old comrades couldn't hold a candle to Karlia. It made me realize just how small I was, and how fortunate my life had been to have someone like her by my side.
Then, just as I was basking in silent victory, the tide of the battle completely changed.
Why?
It was because 'they' appeared.
The Demon Lords!
All six of them assembled, floating in the air as they stared down at Karlia.
As I watched their multiple colors in a blur, my body trembled. I was shaking violently, feeling their power from the distance I was in.
'No. Run, Karlia... RUN!'
I wanted to hurry back, but my actions would be completely useless.
As I was still contemplating this, I felt the gaze of one of them shift.
It was the one who was colored black--the Demon Lord of Noir.
He glanced in my direction, and for a moment, I felt my insides tingle. He saw through me in an instant.
At that moment, I knew it was over.
However--
>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!<
Just as the Demon Lord was about to lunge at me, Karlia intercepted him and took the brunt of his hit.
I saw her cough out in shock, but she still managed to push him away.
Quickly, she turned to me. Even with our distance, I knew she could see me.
Our eyes locked... and she spoke some words to me.
I didn't hear them, but I could read every single syllable loud and clear.
Those words made my heart ache--especially because I felt the same way.
"I... I love you too." My lips moved of their own Accord, and I silently wished she would be able to hear me.
Then, Karlia smiled. Her expression turned dark a moment after, and then she nodded in my direction.
"RUN"
Those were her next words.
She told me to run.
And so, I did.
I ran as fast as my legs could carry me.
Even when I felt the earth rumble.
Even when I heard mountains crumble.
Even when blinding sparks of light flew in the sky.
I didn't stop running.
My breath was heavy, but I made sure to keep moving.
It was hard.
My heart was heavy, and my lips were quivering.
I neared exhaustion several times over--especially due to the bag behind my back.
It contained the most valuable of my research. I couldn't abandon them after dedicating so much of my time working on them.
Besides, they were vessels that held the memories of the time I spent with Karlia.
They were the product of both our efforts. There was no way I would leave them behind.
>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!<
And so, with utter devastation occurring behind me, I successfully escaped the Demon Nation.
************************
What happened afterward was a blur.
I had kept running despite my consciousness being hazy.
It wasn't until I saw the clear skies and oddly familiar landscape of the Humans that I was able to peacefully pass out.
My strength was used up, and I was probably going to die from exhaustion eventually.
But, I didn't.
Thankfully, some patrolling members of the Alliance's Forces saw me. I was taken to the Battle Camp, along with my luggage.
That was how I was saved.
And also how I reunited with the ones I never thought I'd see again.
*************************
"U-urhhhh..."
Stirring on my bed, I opened my eyes and found myself in a different place than I last remembered.
The white ceiling was completely different from what I had been used to for two years. My surroundings felt strange.
The energy in the air--Mana, rather than Miasma--felt foreign.
'Hold on... I can feel it?!'
How was it possible that I could feel Mana? That thought was enough to rouse me from the bed.
"A-arhh!" I winced when I sharply rose.
My body was still exhausted, after all. Still, I fought to sit upright and collect my thoughts.
It took a while, since my mind was still hazy, but... I eventually realized what happened.
"It wasn't a dream... it wasn't..." I nearly broke down, remembering the last expression Karlia made before our farewell.
I shivered, overcome with emotion.
But, before I could fully delve into those feelings, the white fabric that served as the door to the tent was removed--and a group of people entered.
"Y-you guys...!!!" With widened eyes, I saw people I hadn't laid eyes on in two years--comrades I left so abruptly.
My close friends and members of the Hero Party.
And so, despite my sense of loss for Karlia, a new emotion formed as I stared at the unruly bunch who were all looking at me with various expressions.
Tears fell from my eyes a
"Lewis... you bastard."
"It's been a while."
"Where have you been, you dolt?"
"I actually thought you were dead..."
"You reek of Miasma. You actually went there?!"
"Idiot! idiot! I'm so glad you're back, you big idiot!"
Tears fell from my eyes as I watched them speak.
"You guys..."
My aching heart raced, and then, just as I was about to calm myself, one final person entered the tent.
"Is he awake already? Let me in!"
As the sound rang in my ears, a face I had long relegated popped into my head.
'N-no... no way...'
The tent door opened, and the last person I was expecting to see appeared.
"Lewis... you're awake. You're alive... you're here..."
The whimpering voice came from a white-haired Elf. Her ears shook and her face turned red.
Uncontrollable tears fell from her eyes as she stared at me.
"I... E-Emi..."
My lips couldn't utter her name.
Even though she was looking at me with such love, devotion, and utter relief, I couldn't call out to her.
Guilt.
Immense guilt came over me. Then regret. Then anger. Then loathing.
I hated myself.
I couldn't bring myself to look at her, or any one of my comrades.
Thanks to my foolish recklessness, I left everyone on a quest to be the savior. Yet, I had returned... after so long... an utterly broken man.
I was going to wallow in this abyss forever--or so I thought.
"LEWIS!"
My body jumped once I heard the loud voice of an Elf I loved.
"Look at me, Lewis!"
Her words were met with no resistance. Hesitantly, I raised my face.
'I don't deserve to look at you. It's all my fault. I betrayed you. I'm despicable. I'm horrible. I'm useless.' Those thoughts swirled around my heart as my weary eyes looked at her.
But!
The moment I stared at her completely clear face...
"Lewis..."
The very second my eyes gazed upon her...
"... I'm so glad..."
Every single one of my doubts and grief dissipated.
"... That you're back."
Her warmth encapsulated my horrid self, and I found myself deeply wrapped in Emilia's love.
Once again, the light within me bloomed once more.
"E-Emilia..." For the first time in years, her name came out of my lips.
More tears fell as I stared at her. My comrades smiled. Some cried.
"... It's good... so good to be back."
The emotions displayed in that tent were enough to last a lifetime for me.
