THAT DAY I BECAME A STAR

"A Diz'Kar?" Wait… Diz'kar ? Ah, yes, Excafol said it is the iollian name given to those who reach the same state as the heroes: half-god. And this girl thinks…

"You have become one, haven't you? Ah, to see a half-god… I never thought I would-"

"I haven't reached anything. Don't go and make your own conclusions." Me? a half-god? Don't make me laugh! I wasn't even able to do something as simple as protecting those who I loved and cared about.

"I-I see. Well, I am sorry if I have angered you."

"You haven't."

"But your face…"

"No, I was thinking about other things. Anyway, I am not a Diz'kar or whatever so please don't talk about what you saw to anybody.."

"Of course."

It is not like I am afraid of anything happening if she goes around talking about that but we never know.

***

In the afternoon after the Longinus's attack, I went back with Anriette and K'nor to collect the crystals from the Longinus we defeated.

"Wow. I-I had never seen how much destruction those things can bring."

The part of the forest where we fought is like a ghost forest now. the ground is grey, the trees that are still standing have no leaves and are all withered. And there is an achy smell in the air.

"And to think you managed to defeat them all alone. Incredible."

"I can feel your gaze, you know?"

"I can't help it. I have never seen somebody so strong in my life. I don't even think the HAMMER HANDS can defeat you."

"The Hammer Hands?"

"yes, the most famous named warrior of Titanium. You never heard of him?"

"No, I haven't."

"Ah?!! Really?!!"

"Yeah. And stop screaming please." I am constantly using Angas with my ears so your screaming from such a short distance is kinda annoying.

"I am sorry. But he is really famous. Thanks to him, Titanium is on the verge of recovering its freedom. He stood up to Syldavie royal family after he became a noble thanks to the Floras royal family and-"

"Then it is a trap."

"What?"

"It is either a trap because he is naïve or because he is their collaborator."

"I-I am not sure I follow. What is a trap?"

"Titanium's freedom. It is a trap. And that guy is manipulated by the Floras. If there is one thing I can assure you, it would be that those from the Floras family are scum. No matter what kind of benevolent actions they do, the scheme behind it is evil."

"B-but…"

"My eyes, no, my body can testify that."

The way Anriette looks at the scar on my eye…why do you look so sad.

"So, there was no hope for us after all? Why? What did we do?"

"You didn't do anything. That's why. If you wanted freedom, you should fight for it, together, as a compact and solid block. You should fight like a united sword striking with precision."

"T-then, Are you saying…"

"No, I can't be that hero for you. I am not one hero. I told you before."

"I...I am sorry."

Anriette's eyes become wet. Tears start flowing down her now red cheeks. Well, sorry to burst your bubble. We continue peeking up the crystals and soon enough, the afternoon comes.

***

"We are eating gragoras again?!!!" In the early evening, I bring out the meat that we will be eating today.

I used the last bit of seasoning we had yesterday so, from today onwards, it will be salty braised gragoras and potatoes.

"Yes. We are." I don't find the strength to argue with Anriette. She is surprisingly stubborn when she wants.

"Just eat and sleep. We have to move early tomorrow." I don't think the Longinus will attack again but I should go away from this place as fast as I can.

After the meal, Anriette cuddles K'nor and starts sleeping. I think it is time to talk with Cissa. There is a lot of things she has to explain.

When I go to the inner soul, the place has completely changed. There is now a stream not far from the glade where Cissa is sitting, birds are flying around as well and singing. The fire also seems more intense, brighter.

"What happened to this place?"

"As you will absorb more draconic energy, your soul will develop and expand. I believe I explained that much to you before."

Cissa has that condescending tone like I am nothing in front of her. It is quite frustrating when I think we are the same soul.

"Yes, sorry that I forgot."

"There is no need to apologize."

"Then can we speak about everything that happened so far? I am a bit confused about-"

"Of course."

"Good."