[Stormy Breeze of My Loneliness, Gather Forth-Gust]

[Flaming Ember of My Desire, Burst Forth-Burn]

I forget to use my body, even though it’s probably faster. In this moment of greatest need, it is magic, as always, that I turn to. Rage and helplessness, I hold one in each hand. A gout of fire shoots out of my left palm, towards Echo, while a tornado erupts from my right, pointed behind me to push me forwards. I am a human rocket, streaming flames out the side hoping to avenge and save at the same time. Echo dodges the jet of fire from my left palm with ease. Her cloak licked by flames, Echo disdainfully cocks her head at me. She hesitates, as if confused. A second later, she turns and bursts out a high window, sending shattered glass everywhere.

*KACHA*

I want to chase her down. But one look at Kisa, her hands still holding the handle of the dagger in her chest, and I can’t go. I still have hope even as my receptionist drops, her cat-ears trembling. She leaves a streak of blood on the wall as she goes. Down…down…down…she slides until she hits the floor. Kisa tries to lean back against the cell, only to cry out. The tip of the knife in her chest…it’s coming out the other side. Unable to rest against the wall, Kisa just sits there, panting. Stop! It’s going to be okay! If I use Elina’s spell...so long as you’re still breathing...I can save you!

“Come here!” I yell out. Kisa trembles, reaching out to me. She tries to lean forwards only to gasp out in pain. No…no she can’t move! I have to go to her! Gust propels me forwards and I slam into the black cell bars. It hurts. I barely even notice the pain. My hand pushes through a gap, trying to reach Kisa. I just need to touch you. A single strand of hair! My hand on yours! That’s all it takes! Please! I can almost touch her…but not quite. No…too far! You need to be closer! “Kisa! Come here! I...I can heal you! P-Please! Just grab my hand!”

...

...

“Grrr…” Kisa leans forwards, bending at the waist. A monumental effort. My fingers wiggle helplessly in the air, still too far away. Kisa’s right hand trembles on the ground. But it stays down. Come on…just hold up your hand! Her bruised face turns apologetic. Like she’s done some great wrong to disappoint me. But I’m the one that’s done wrong. I’m the worthless leader who told her to distribute the Icebombs. I gave the order. I put my stupid, idiotic receptionist in this position. And now...and now...Kisa’s whispering. The stupid girl’s agologizing...with a knife in her heart. No...no...you idiot! Stop talking and hold out your hand!

“I’m...sorry, Master.” She grins. Smiling, just like I taught her to do when she makes a mistake. The perfect employee. A proper maid. For a single, horrible moment, I think she’s given up, but then I realize she’s just apologizing for being late. Kisa growls, and I can see her whole body shaking. Then…her right hand comes up! She’s reaching for me-

Yes…YES! Just a little bit further!

Reach...REACH GODDAMIT!

“Grrr!” Kisa’s using everything she has to hold out her arm. I squish myself against the bars, trying…trying so hard to get to her. So close! And then she gasps, “I...I can’t...ahh!”

A horrid cough, more of a choke really, bursts from her lips as she tries to breathe.

No...no! You can make it!

“Come on, Kisa! Please! Try! I have a spell! I swear I can heal you! Just touch my hand-!” I gasp out, at the same time she does, pressed tight to the bars. My chest is being crushed, it hurts like I’ve been stabbed, but I don’t care. Just a little bit more! Kisa struggles, doing her best to find my hand, across the cell. Her slender body wobbles as she strains to reach forwards. I can see her determined eyes shaking, locked onto me. She snarls as blood dribbles from her lips. But bit by bit, Kisa leans forwards. Little gasps come out as the knife shifts in her chest. Her hand trembles, searching for mine. A little more! Come on! You can do it! The tip of her finger is so close. Our hands are almost touching. If I can just push through the bars a little more, if Kisa could just reach a bit further-

“Sorry, Master...”

“Don’t give up! Stop wasting air! You’re so close!” I scream at her. But she just smiles at me. W-Why are you looking at me like that? No! Don’t even think about it! STOP TALKING!

“I...wish I could have met...your real maid...” Kisa hacks as the dagger in her chest shifts. Blood punctuates every word. She sighs, her unblinking eyes never leaving mine, “Don’t let…Nya…be alone-”

*Slump*

Kisa’s hand drops.

“Nooo! We’re so close!”

She falls back slowly.

You’re going the wrong way!

There’s a soft thud.

Her back hits the wall.

The puddle of red on her chest keeps growing.

It spills out further and further.

Staining her scarlet.

Covering everything.

Seeping over my eyes.

Until all I see is red.

Huh…that’s a lot of blood.

“Kisa…? This isn’t funny.”

It’s like she’s sitting there.

Just out of reach.

“S-Stop acting like Meera. Kisa, this isn’t funny! I’m really scared!”

…

Kisa’s ears twitch one last time.

The perfect future I envisioned…

A new family for Natalia…

For me…

Our happy ending…

It all crumbles away.

Gone.

…

“Kisa, wake up now!”

My best employee is finally taking a break.

Kisa’s glazed eyes look up at me from against the wall.

That expression...why does it look so at peace?

It’s like she’s not even afraid to leave her sister behind.

Like she’s okay with dying.

“Get up!”

It’s unfair.

How she got the last word.

I didn’t even get to say goodbye.

My heartbeat is so loud.

Why am I…so angry?

The smile is slipping away from her lips.

But she’s still pretty.

I had it ready.

The spell to save her.

If her heart was still beating...just a tiny bit...I could have saved her.

But right now, the only heartbeat left in this room is mine.

Its thumping fills my ears-

[Badump]

...

[Badump]

...

[Badump]

[Badump]

[Badump]

You’re an idiot.

“YOU F*CKING IDIOT!” I roar as I try to get through the bars. I press against them like an angry beast! So hard that my collarbone shrieks in pain. But the enchanted bars hold firm. It’s too late now anyways. She’s dead. And not even Elina’s spell can change that. This can’t be right. I’m...I don’t...why can’t I...? “Just get up! F*cking get up and get over here! Is that so hard?! I’m ordering you as your Master! You useless freaking maid! Listen to me and get up!”

She doesn’t get up.

“GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP! GET UP!”

…

“WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO TELL NYA!”

…

“Have you thought about that? Huh?!”

…

“Kisa! A-Are you really going to start disobeying my orders now?”

…

“You know…you’re slacking on the j-o-b…”

…

“I’m really sorry I yelled at you…”

…

“You know you’re really my best employee right…?”

…

“Please...get up...”

….

I need you.

*Shuaaa*

Snow and chilly air blow in from the broken window.

A crisp, white flake lands on Kisa’s button nose.

I’d do anything to see it move.

To see her sneeze and say that she’s okay.

For her to tell me it’s just a prank and I can stop crying now.

But my most reliable employee doesn’t play jokes.

Kisa won’t wake up.

She tried her best.

Her stupid, stupid best.

And followed my orders.

And now...she’s like this.

I can hear voices outside.

The Omniscient Guard is coming.

I want to retrieve Kisa’s body before they arrive.

But these black bars...the runes inscribed onto them won’t let me through.

I could have saved her.

We were so close.

But you didn’t let me.

Echo.

Why wouldn’t you just wait?

I turn my back on Kisa. But I still see her staring at me. The weight of her last request settles on me. I memorize the words, her expression at the last moment. And say some pointless words back. She can’t hear them. Too late. Far too late to say such things.

“I’ll come back for you. I swear. Nya will be okay. I’ll...tell her myself...that you can’t make it. A trip right? You’re...going away for a vacation...how does that sound? No, you never take breaks, Nya won’t believe that. How about a secret mission then? Yea...a secret mission for my maid. You were the best maid, Kisa. You know that right? Even if I never said it. I mean it. You were always one of my maids. I’m sorry I was late. I’m sorry....really sorry...I can’t stay with you...until I return...just stay there? Okay...? I’ll be back soon. Just...rest-”

*Whoosh*

[Stormy Breeze of My Loneliness, Gather Forth-Gust]

I can’t handle it any longer. The tears in my eyes. Well on my cheeks. They blind me as they fall, ungrateful little things. I jump out the window with a Gust that sends me flying high above Merekeep. People probably see. The Omniscient Guard doubtless will catch up. But I don’t care. All that matters is finding Echo. And ending her. I’ll catch you. I won’t be late. Not this time.

Power…worthless power.

Strength…Romy why didn’t you warn me?

I have so much now.

But you knew didn’t you?

You too, Elina.

Those sad looks and tearful gazes.

Behind the mask-

Your haunted eyes always lingered on mine.

Is this what you were trying to tell me?

That no matter how hard I work.

Or how hard I train, I can’t change anything?

…

[Dreamer…Dreamer…Dreamer,

Truthseeker, I think you’re more of a Dreamer.

Bad dreams become nightmares…

And nightmares echo…

Down…down…down…

Dreaming forever-

Until you can’t see the light.

WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!

It’s almost too late!]