Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

"Ah...!" Fienne violently sat up. A bewildered, trembling breath. The shadow on her face not easily lifting. Such would be the appearance of someone chased by a terrible nightmare they couldn't overcome on their own. However, her eyes were gazing somewhere beyond anxiety and fear. While the shadow persistently tried to stain her eyes, a single point of light firmly held the center. The thing that had become a milestone in the nightmare darker than jet-black. Fienne had pushed through the darkness with it and arrived here now. No, she had returned. Beyond the darkness she had already reached- To reality. Before long. The darkness receded from Fienne's eyes. "Risir...!!!" As she regained her characteristic silver eyes and completely shook off the darkness, she called his name in an excited voice. The hand she reached out was so full of affection, as if it would pull the other person into an embrace at any moment. "Huh...?" However, that hand aimlessly wandered in the empty air. "I, right now-" Fienne was confused. She knew clearly. That the man who had guided her in the nightmare was not here. He was probably off somewhere else, being very 'Risir'. There was no reason to worry, nor any reason to suddenly miss him. But why? It felt as if that man was with her even at this very moment. Even if that same nightmare were to visit again, it felt like he would invariably protect her side. Always. In the same place. Forever. "Ah." Fienne caressed her own cheek. A single teardrop flowed down her cheek. "Why...?" To think that man would protect her by her side forever. Normally, she would have felt disgusted with herself for having such a creepy thought, and would have been filled with self-loathing for indulging in a shameful delusion she couldn't tell others about. "Just why...?" But what is this? These sudden tears. This sudden sobbing. This aching heart. "Ah-..." And so Fienne remembered. The last moment she shared with Risir in the nightmare. -Don't worry. The child of the back alleys, with no parents and nowhere to go, was afraid of parting with that kind man. Afraid that if he disappeared, the unfamiliar happiness would end, and the familiar misfortune would return. To that- Risir gently soothed the young Fienne and said. "I will always be by your side..." Fienne hugged herself with trembling arms. And then she felt it even more clearly. Risir. His presence, with her even at this moment. Now she felt she could vaguely understand. The meaning of her flowing tears. The identity of the overwhelming emotions. It was fulfillment. At the same time, it was a sense of loss. Those two emotions, which originally could not coexist, were coexisting. All of it stemmed from an instinctive intuition. That he- for her- Might have paid too great a price to protect everyone- An instinctive intuition. Fienne placed a hand on her chest and once again felt Risir's presence. It still felt clear. No, perhaps even more so. It was natural. Of course, because it was undeniably a part of him. The only thing that could drive out that terrible nightmare was Risir's presence. So, Risir shared a part of his existence with them. "No way, it can't be-" Fienne struggled to her feet and walked away as if fleeing. The destination was decided immediately. The same presence of Risir that she felt within herself was also being felt from another place. "Risir-... Huh? Fienne?" Rona, who had collapsed in the hallway, came to her senses and recognized Fienne. "What is it, Fienne. Don't tell me you also had that guy-" Rona spoke to Fienne with a very excited look. She seemed to have an intuition that the other person had gone through the same experience as her. "..." "...Fienne?" And a moment later. When that intuition turned into conviction- "...Huh?" A single teardrop flowed down Rona's cheek. She clutched her chest in confusion. "Uh, huh...? Why am I being like this...?" "Rona-" "Fienne- Fienne! What is this!? I feel strange... It's like that guy, that guy-...!" Rona's desperate cry could not continue. "..." "..." They looked at each other without a word. To be precise, they looked at each other, unable to speak. Gasp. Gasp. The anxiety that had crept up behind them cornered the two. Their breathing and steps gradually became more frantic. "Young Lady Fienne!" The two of them continued to chase after Risir's presence. "Perhaps you all too-" But Risir himself was nowhere to be seen. Encounters with others who held Risir's presence continued. As the series of events repeated, the common anxiety they felt grew in size. Should I call it a relief? Even that vicious cycle came to an end. The place where Fienne's group, which had now become a large crowd, arrived was the backyard of Gus's Mansion. The place where they had last parted with Risir. There, a Sacred Sword was waiting for them. -Everyone!!! You've gathered just in time!!! The True Sacred Sword, Jallak. He shouted in an urgent voice. -Entrust your power to me! I will guide you to where Risir is! Sacred Sword. And Risir's Sacred Sword at that. No one doubted his words. Fienne's group immediately gathered around Jallak and followed his instructions. An expanding light swallowed them. An endlessly unfolding world of pure white- There, Risir greeted Fienne's group. "Risir!? Are you okay!?" While lying on the floor with his eyes closed. "Wh-what!? He's not even pouring blood from his face!?" It was a direction of concern that could be called appropriate, despite being somewhat twisted. Someone's shout heightened the anxiety of Fienne's group. -I'll explain everything. Before them, a man appeared. -Everyone, listen to his story! He is the man who was praised as the First Hero, Lindal! The atmosphere of the place stirred greatly at Jallak's following words. Fienne's group belatedly confirmed the faces of those guarding Risir's vicinity. Seven Sacred Swords. One True Sacred Sword. Their creator. And, even a being claiming to be the First Hero. Fienne's group was thoroughly overwhelmed by their presence. Even a powerful Swordmaster and a great Tower Master seemed to be nothing more than mere mortals here. Fienne's group felt a huge, uncontrollable current washing over them. All they could do was just stand still and listen to their story. "What happened... to Risir?" Fienne said in a stiff voice. -... Lindal began the story with a deep sigh. -Risir. He is now, gradually disappearing. "...!" Fienne took a sharp breath. The others were the same. "D-disappearing- what, how, in what way is he disappearing...?" Fienne grabbed her uncontrollably trembling hand with her other hand. Nevertheless, the trembling could not be fully controlled. Lindal looked back and forth between her and Risir, then began to speak. He first asked about what Fienne's group had experienced. -...So that's what happened- Afterwards. He explained about the existence called the Void Will. He explained what situation Risir was in regarding it. Finally, he gathered the experiences of Fienne's group and drew a conclusion. -Risir chose to share a part of himself to protect you all. Something more fundamental than Magical Power and Aura, his very existence itself. Why? Lindal immediately added, voicing their question for them. And answered. -Because that is the only way to protect you from the Void Will. "I, I don't understand-" Master Meltas managed to spit out the words. "If it were Risir... if it were that friend, surely there must have been another way!? Other than sacrificing himself!" -No. Such a thing does not exist. Lindal firmly dismissed the Master's remark. -The nightmare you saw was not a simple nightmare. Lindal knelt on the spot and placed his hand over Risir's face. As if trying to fathom something. Then his expression was colored with deep anguish. -It is something more fundamental, clinging to the very essence that makes up your existence. Therefore, the method to save you from it is fixed. Either annihilate your essence itself, or overwrite it with something else. Risir instinctively felt that, so he chased after the Void Will and chose to share his existence with you. And- Squeeze. Lindal clenched his fist with all his might. -The Void Will also knew that, which is why it chose that method as a last resort. Now, various emotions coexisted on his face. Anger towards the Void Will. Guilt for Risir, who was branded in his place. And- -...That thing intends to perish along with Risir by using everything it has. As long as the Void Will is prepared to sacrifice even its own existence, there is no way for us to stop it. "Why!?" Fienne couldn't hold back and shouted. "Why does that man have to be sacrificed? What on earth did he do wrong for that Void Will thing to be so desperate to devour him!" -It knows too. Risir. Lindal said the name clearly, with force. -That as long as he exists, there is no place for the void in this world. "...!" For a moment, Fienne's group was able to escape the fear of pity and loss. The wonder Lindal felt for Risir's existence was transmitted to them as well. Silence flowed in the place for a while. A reverent yet uncomfortable silence. "In that case-" The one who broke the silence was Fienne. Her figure was filled with determination. "I'm okay." -You're okay? "I-" That determination immediately transformed into a sorrow she couldn't fully suppress. "What should I do...? Just as that man is trying to save me, if I want to save him- what should I do...?" -... "Like you just said, should I just annihilate my essence itself? If so, at least the matter of Risir disappearing in my place, that kind of thing-" "Fienne!" Rona grabbed both of Fienne's arms. Because it felt like if she left her alone, she would collapse. "This kind of thing, this kind of thing-...!" Fienne's silver eyes endlessly poured out tears. "This is too much... You, without a single word to me- to us-" Fienne pleaded. Towards Risir, who still had his eyes closed. "Please... you can't leave like this... Please, say something-" She pleaded and pleaded again. Did it finally reach him? "..." Risir's fingertips trembled slightly. *** "Hey! Duran!!! Are you really going to be like this!? I'm your owner! Not that person!" Risir flinched for a moment. 'No matter how many times I hear it, I can't get used to that name.' He lowered his head. Duran. A cat with that name was trying to sleep on his folded legs. "Duran...? I'd appreciate it if you got down soon, my legs are starting to cramp up, you know?" "..." Instead of answering, Duran flipped over and showed his belly. "Aah! Duran! That's too much! You've never shown me that kind of affection!" The Dark Elf lady grumbled. She directed a resentful gaze at Risir. "You, what on earth did you do!? Why does Duran follow you, a human, more than me!" "Uh... well, maybe because I healed him when he was dying?" "Ugh...!" Perhaps because it was a valid reason she couldn't deny, the Dark Elf lady couldn't say anything and just pouted. She looked back and forth between the cat Duran and the human Risir for a while, then spoke. "It's true, right?" "Yes?" "Really, if I diligently follow what you taught me- I can also heal injured animals, right?" The past few days. Risir had spent time with the Dark Elf, teaching her Healing Magic. Along with healing the cat, it was the only way to dilute her aversion to humans. Pamon. She was a young Dark Elf who had left the Dark Elf's Desert to learn Nature Magic and was training in the forest. The days she spent in the forest were stained with wounds received from humans. The humans from the nearby village not only branded her as a Witch, but also harmed every plant and animal she touched, claiming they were cursed- And in the end, they went so far as to harm her most cherished animal, the cat Duran. Even now, Pamon still thinks about it. What if- If this human hadn't appeared and healed Duran, what would she have done? "..." And- Why is this human treating her so kindly? "Excuse me. Can I ask you something? Why are you being so nice to a Dark El-... no, to me?" Curiosity and anxiety simultaneously appeared in the asking Dark Elf's eyes. "..." The human looked at the Dark Elf and muttered softly. "Cats." "Yes?" "Because among people who like cats, there are no bad people." "..." The Dark Elf's tense expression softened and formed a bright smile. "Well, that's true. Right, Duran~... Huh? What's with that expression?" "Ah, that look just now. It seems to resemble someone I know." "What did you say?" For a moment, dissatisfaction appeared on the Dark Elf's face. "...What kind of person?" She said with a hint of expectation. Risir answered without hesitation. "She is the person I respect the most, the benefactor of my life." "..." Blink, blink. The Dark Elf was momentarily flustered and looked around for no reason. And then- "Heehee~" She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a bright laugh. A moment later. She, full of excitement, said to Risir. "Class~ When does class start today? What are you going to teach me today~?" "Ah, today-" Risir, smiling contentedly. "Huh?" His gaze focused on one point for a moment. Flutter. A silver butterfly reminiscent of someone was hovering nearby. 'That's-' A smile appeared on Risir's lips. In a way, a very mischievous smile. "You said you wanted to learn Nature Magic, right?" "Huh!? No way, you know how to handle Nature Magic too!?" "That person over there will kindly teach Pamon." "Yes?" When Risir pointed to the silver butterfly and spoke, she looked back and forth between them in confusion. "Th-then what about you...?" "I- have some urgent business, so I think I have to go now." The Dark Elf's mouth fell wide open. And just as her bright eyes were about to distort. "Pamon." Risir grabbed her hand and said. "Let's meet again soon." "Soon... Then, can we meet again?" "Of course. When we meet then, I'll do it even more properly than now-... you know? Got it?" "..." Pamon looked at him and blinked. Because she couldn't understand the meaning of his words. However. She smiled. "You promised~ We'll meet again soon~!" The Dark Elf Pamon. Light dwelled in her eyes. With that, the last remaining piece of void lost its place- And the last piece of light found its place. *** "...Risir?" Pamon looked around with bewildered eyes. Drip. A single teardrop flowed down her cheek. *** "...Risir! Are you awake!?" "Fienne?" Risir, once again returned to reality. The first thing that entered his vision was the sight of Fienne looking down at him. Her face was already a mess of tears. "Fienne, why are you crying-" Risir raised his hand to wipe away Fienne's tears. In the process, he realizes. The reason why Fienne is crying. "Ah..." His hand was slowly becoming transparent. Purely, without equal. "I see..." Risir finally realized. His own status. His own future. Perhaps. With this incident, he would no longer be himself. -That is...! As if to prove it, Lindal was looking at Risir, unable to hide his astonishment. Lindal unknowingly knelt on the spot. And, he clasped his hands. -May you truly become great, O...- For a being praised as the Supreme God to be praying. It was a very strange sight. Risir thought that as he looked at Fienne. "Fienne." Then he looked at his precious connections. "Everyone. Please, don't make such faces. You know I'll always be by your side, right? Lastly-" He took a deep breath and then spoke. "I wanted to say this to all of you- huh, my Status went up." Risir's body, which had been gradually becoming transparent, regained its original color. He got up and scratched the back of his head. """...""" All sorts of gazes flew and landed on him.. *** [The Void Will is no longer watching you!] [The Void Will has been extinguished!] ... ... ... ▷Fate 0 : Another Story - Deactivated. Perks will be provided accordingly. ... ... ... ... ... [A new ending has been unlocked!] *** [Title: ??? Guys, what is this? Am I the only one seeing this?]