บท 496: [89.6] My Heart Will Belong To You

****Disclaimer: This chapter contains mild mentions of disfigurement that some viewers may find uncomfortable.

[Author's note: This chapter is from Hazel's perspective]

I tried to make sense of her meaning, but a thunderous roar started echoing in my head. I was suddenly tossed back from this world, watching as Abadi waved to me with a kind smile. As I drifted back through the darkness, feeling as if I was covered in a cloud. Slowly, my body landed into an opening just like a piece of a puzzle.

When I opened my eyes, I saw the tearful gaze of a bloodied and bruised Zephyr.

He cried out, "HAZEL!"

I blinked slowly as I tried to get my bearings.

My body…

Feels strange.

My cheeks feel heavy and my gaze… It's sharper.

Did my vision get better?

I reached up to feel my head but paused when I saw the dainty porcelain hand.

This…

This can't be…

I sat up slowly, with Zephyr's help, and muttered in a hoarse voice. "...Who am I?"

A familiar voice spoke up, "You're Hazel."

Platinum blonde hair slid down my shoulder as I looked up to see Reika, or someone who resembled her.

She smiled at me proudly, "Appearances don't mean anything if you know who you are."

I furrowed my brow.

Know…

Know who I am?

I looked over at Zephyr whose mouth moved faster than the tears rushing down his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Hazel! You died and I couldn't lose you again! Not after everything! So I took Vira's heart and gave it to you! Now you're immortal and indestructible! You look just like you had as Alora and it's all my fault!"

I stared at him in a stupor, "...Alora huh?"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry I'm sorry!"

Ah, I forgot how cute he looks when he cries.

I gently placed my finger over his lips, "...I don't blame you."

Seeing the trembling of his red ruby eyes, I was overwhelmed by the affection I felt for him. I didn't care what situation we were in and leaned forward to kiss him gently.

Zephyr… I'm so glad you're alive.

I knew the Great Fairy would succeed…

I knew it…

When I pulled back, he was staring at me in confusion, "Y-You're really not mad?"

He's had… A hard day.

Even if I am dissatisfied with looking like Alora again, I could never tell him that.

"I could never be mad at you." I stood up slowly and walked over to Vira as I became accustomed to my body. I stared down at her with cold eyes, "Finally you are getting what you deserve."

She rolled on the ground, thrashing as she screamed, "B*TCH!"

I pursed my lips, "You removed both arms from me… I think you should lose both as well."

I pulled the other arm clean off, ignoring her screams as I did. The rip wasn't clean by any means and judging by its appearance, it probably hurt a lot. Feeling disgusted to have it in my hands, I tossed it aside. In the reflection of my eyes, she cried out in agony, her body no longer invulnerable to pain.

I wonder how many suffered in the same position that she's in now?

My hand slowly reached out for her throat.

"WAIT!" The Swordmaster jumped down from the sky and grabbed my arm to stop me, "Please don't kill her!"

I raised an eyebrow, "Why shouldn't I?"

The Swordmaster had on a troubled expression, "I… I don't know. I know she's done bad things and I don't understand why you want to kill her but-"

"-But you still love her."

The Swordmaster froze, "..."

"You and Abadi treated her like a daughter. You even made her a sword that best suited her." My eyes trailed to Vira who was rolling around like a rabid animal, "It's sad that she grew up to resent Abadi and even killed her with that same sword."

"She's just…" The Swordmaster pressed her lips together, "She's unwell."

A breeze drifted across the ruins, gently tossing my platinum blonde hair.

"...Maupin."

The Swordmaster jolted straight as her eyes were stuck on the ground.

I watched her reaction closely, "Abadi told me your name."

Maupin clicked her tongue, "Why would she share such a silly thing?"

"Do you want to know what else she told me?"

Just like a fish biting a worm on a hook, Maupin looked up at me with impatience, "What else?"

"She told me her story… How you lied about your identity and it wasn't until you died and resurrected that she saw you for who you really were."

"Ugh… That?" She slapped her forehead in shame, "I know she hated me-"

"-She never hated you… She only wished you had confided in her."

"Tsk. If I had done that, I wouldn't have had any chance with her. Abadi only likes men."

"Yes… But… Abadi also said one thing." I stared into her eyes and relayed it without guilt, "She wanted to apologize for how she treated you… But she never got the chance."

Maupin slumped to the ground, her eyes staring despondently ahead.

"...So I won't kill her as you wish." I bent down and cauterized her wound with my holy power, "It'll be more fun to watch her live as a mortal without arms who needs to rely on the kindness of others to keep herself alive."