บท 159: Fischl's Feelings
Fischl POV
"An adventure with Allen. I'm truly looking forward to it," I exclaimed eagerly, my excitement bubbling up after such a long time since our last one. Allen had been away from Mondstadt for a while caught up in his twin sister's affairs upon his return.
"I can understand his reasons, but I don't appreciate that he never shared anything about her with me. However, it doesn't matter now. We finally have a new commission, a fresh adventure, a very special one entrusted to us by the knights."
Although it involved dealing with the Abyss Order, the task seemed relatively straightforward, just following an injured mage. It shouldn't pose too much difficulty, especially for us who have faced more challenging adventures and vanquished formidable monsters. However, as we approached the Falcon Temple, an unfamiliar sensation coursed through my body.
'Stop' an indescribable feeling urging me to halt invaded me, an intuition that only grew stronger as we ventured further into the domain. Doubts began to cloud my mind.
'Would it be best to turn back and seek assistance?' I pondered, the uncertainty mounting within me. 'But then, the adventure would come to an end. When will Allen have more free time again?'
I am well aware that I am a little eccentric, as one would expect from a Prinzessin. It tends to cause people to keep their distance from me, unable to handle my regal presence. However, Allen is different. From the very first day we met, he never appeared intimidated by my persona. He always lends his assistance while maintaining proper etiquette. While others sought to exploit my skills as an explorer, Allen never cared for such matters. He willingly accompanies me without any ulterior motive.
Allen is the one whom I truly consider my first friend after Oz. Being in his company is purely enjoyable, and I yearn to spend more time with him. He helps me grow, not just as an adventurer but also as a Prinzessin. Thanks to him, the number of people approaching me with good intentions has increased, and I have gained more friends. However, Allen will always hold a special place in my heart as my first friend.
'Yes, it would be a shame to halt the commission here. I am confident that with Allen's and my strength, nothing grave will befall us,' I resolved in the end, choosing to disregard the nagging feeling to turn back. I trusted my own experience and, most importantly, desired to spend more time with Allen and complete the commission.
"Let's go then!" I declared confidently. 'Oz has already surveyed the area. There is only the injured mage left. Nothing is amiss. I was simply worrying over nothing,' I sighed in relief. However, little did I know that my perspective would swiftly change.
What appeared to be an injured adversary turned out to be a treacherous trap, ensnaring both Allen and me within a confined room teeming with adversaries, hilichurls, Abyss Mages, and even a formidable new foe adorned in armor.
Fear washed over me, causing my body to tremble as I surveyed the dire situation. However, in the face of that harrowing moment, Allen did not hesitate. He charged forward, bravely confronting the enemies, skillfully dispatching them one by one, despite the overwhelming odds.
"All is not lost yet," I whispered, gripping my bow tightly, preparing to provide support for Allen. But it quickly became apparent that my efforts were futile. The cramped quarters of the room and the close proximity of the enemies offered no respite or opportunity for accurate shots. Moreover, the Electro Abyss Mages relentlessly focused their attention on me, nullifying any attempt to unleash my Electro skills, as their shields absorbed the brunt of my attacks.
'I don't want to die...' Their grins and delight reflected in their eyes as they toyed with me, inflicting only minor injuries, reveling in the knowledge that victory was within their grasp. I could feel the desperation welling up within me as I witnessed Allen valiantly struggling against them.
"It's the end," I murmured, my voice choked with tears, sinking to my knees as I watched the Abyss Mages prepare their final devastating attacks. My entire body trembled, resigned to accepting my impending fate.
Yet, just as hope was slipping away, Allen suddenly appeared, slashing toward my formidable adversary, disrupting their onslaught. A flicker of hope ignited within me, but it was short-lived as Allen's strike was thwarted by the Herald, unable to find its mark.
The impossible situation grew even bleaker as a stronger enemy entered the fray. Allen was fully engrossed in his battle against the Herald, giving it his all.
'Why did we end up in this predicament?' I pondered, desperately trying to withstand the relentless assaults from the Abyss Mages, who, under the Herald's reprimand, unleashed even fiercer and deadlier attacks.
'Why did I ignore that feeling? If only we hadn't ventured into this domain,' I blamed myself, each lightning strike searing through my body.
'All I wanted was to spend more time with Allen,' I lamented. I could see Allen exerting every ounce of his strength, fighting valiantly even against a vastly superior opponent. However, no matter his skill and technique, he remained unable to breach the Herald's formidable Cryo Armor.
'Even though he knows the odds are against him, he never stops trying, refusing to abandon hope,' I marveled, witnessing Allen's unwavering determination, even in the face of the merciless onslaught from the Abyss Mages.
'If only I could be like him. If I possessed his strength, I could aid him. I could overcome that Herald,' I whispered, yearning to possess the same fortitude.
The battle seemed to reach its climax as the Herald unleashed their full elemental power, overpowering Allen with an intensified onslaught, culminating in a devastating rain of thorns.
'No!' Summoning my last ounce of strength, I called upon Oz to shield me, channeling my remaining elemental energy and unleashing it in a burst. I charged toward Allen, pushing him away from the impending attack, defying the barrage of Electro attacks from the Mages. I suffered injuries from both their assaults and the Herald's thorns, crashing to the ground alongside Allen.
'It's all my fault,' I muttered, my vision blurred with pain and regret. I witnessed Allen rise, positioning himself in front of me, shielding me as the enemies readied their next assault. 'No, don't protect me, Allen. It's all my fault. I will bear the consequences of my mistakes.'
'I will repay you,' I resolved, mustering my strength to stand despite my injured leg. 'Even if it's only once, a single opportunity. I will sacrifice myself to shield you this time,' I clenched my teeth, determination burning within me. 'Because that is my responsibility as a Prinzessin!'
Just as the attacks were about to reach us, they stopped mid-air. No, it wasn't the attacks, time itself seemed to have stopped. Then, the surroundings blurred with purple and blue smoke, quickly morphing and changing, finding myself alone in a completely new place.
The sky was pitch black with cracks all around making it seems about to break down. Around me, there were shelves full of books that formed a kind of maze leading further towards a staircase.
"What is this place? Where I am?" I wondered looking around, seeing books after books and a golden piece of-.
"Sacrifice?" A voice full of mock sounded "Your responsibility as a Prinzessin. Don't joke around!"
I turned over the voice, seeing at the top of the staircase a girl exactly like me. She had the same hair and face and the only differences were her dress which had a more royal style with a purple tiara over her head and her pupils were red instead of green with a white eyepatch.
"You are nothing! A poor little girl, unable to do anything!" The other me grinned "No? Little Amy?"
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