The Inner Odyssey

Celeste watched as Alden and the terrifying Dark Elf clashed, her heart restless and chest heavy.

She hated how her precious love always put himself in danger.

Did he have no self-regard for his own life?

'That big dummy.'

Celeste thought worriedly. Ignia sat on her shoulder, as restless as she was.

The little phoenix radiated an alarming amount of anxiety.

…Just like her.

Celeste shook her head and focused on the ongoing duel. She gazed at the result of Alden's first confrontation with his corrupted opponent and immediately winced.

A small gasp instinctively escaped her lips.

The young lady watched the love of her life tank a devastating punch to the gut. She saw his back arch, and shortly after, Alden flew through the air, landing in an uncontrolled heap. Celeste's heart hurt for him. It was as if she was also experiencing his pain.

She gritted her teeth, desperately wishing for Alden to prevail. Unfortunately, the gap between the two combatants was just too large.

It was already miraculous that he hadn't died from that one blow.

Celeste prayed for Alden's victory with all her might. While she was busy doing that, her childhood friend slowly, torturously got up and dashed for the Dark Elf again. For the briefest moment, she thought Alden could harm his opponent after using the dark tentacles roiling around his figure.

Unfortunately, much to her dismay, a repeat of the previous round occurred. Alden was completely overwhelmed within seconds, unable to even retaliate.

A palm, barbed elbow and roundhouse kick later he was travelling through the air, his visage a sorry sight.

Celeste's desperation peaked.

She couldn't just sit around and do nothing!

Lifting her bow, she hurriedly let an arrow loose. It streaked through the air, straight for the Dark Elf.

However, the creature remained non-plussed. It didn't even bother to dodge or look at her.

The corrupted being merely raised a hand and caught the arrow. It swiftly froze.

A second later, the frozen projectile shattered into a small rain of shards.

Celeste's expression hardened.

Her attacks were akin to that of a weak child in the face of the Dark Elf's overwhelming might.

She gritted her teeth harder.

Suddenly, the corrupted Elf waved its hand almost lazily. A small frozen lance immediately materialised, shooting off in her direction.

Celeste hurriedly dashed out of the way with the help of [Haste], barely escaping the ice spear's reach.

She launched another arrow and watched as it also froze.

Then, she dodged another ice spear.

Through her Mana Sense, Celeste noticed Alden's approaching form. He staggered forward, seemingly unable to put one foot in front of the other. His expression was contorted into a pained grimace. A stormy fury simmered underneath.

She spied a thin line of blood trickling from the corner of his lips.

Her heart fell to her stomach.

Those two blows must have dealt considerable damage to Alden's insides.

Celeste bit her lips in worry.

She didn't know how Alden could remain standing while in such poor condition.

Perhaps it was due to sheer willpower…

But that didn't change the fact that he was exerting himself while his body was in a terrible state.

The young lady clenched her teeth, ignoring how her jaw ached from doing it so much.

Alden's plight was more important.

Instinctively, Celeste let off another arrow, imbuing it with more mana. Conversely, the projectile gained more speed and sharpness.

Nonetheless…

The Dark Elf still blocked it very easily. The creature appeared lackadaisical to where it seemed it was extremely confident she couldn't pose any harm.

Which, sadly… was true.

Celeste's expression fell.

She couldn't deny that fact.

She had no way to take down this formidable Dark Elf.

…The most formidable enemy she had faced in her life.

At most, her being here only served to distract from Alden's presence.

And while Celeste was fine with that - the alternative was for Alden to die and she wanted to avoid that at all costs -, she also wished that she had a way to deal significant damage to the Dark Elf.

That way she could be helpful.

More useful…

She sighed.

Just then, the Dark Elf finally turned to face her. Gone was the relaxed air that surrounded its figure.

It was as if they were finally done playing.

…As if they had become bored by her weakness.

She gritted her teeth as an ominous premonition flooded Celeste's mind.

The strange markings on the corrupted being's skin shone imperceptibly. In the next moment, a large frozen lance slowly formed above the Dark Elf's palm.

A shiver crawled down her spine.

'Not good.'

Alarm bells went off in Celeste's mind, her instincts warning her of the upcoming danger.

The amount of ice energy the gelid lance gave off frightened her.

Was this the true might of an Expert?

She despaired.

She had no hope of dodging a serious attack from such a powerful individual.

At least it was aimed at her rather than Alden. Celeste found solace in that. As long as he was fine, she didn't mind dying.

Although she preferred to live, death was a much better alternative than watching Alden bite the dust in front of her very own eyes.

Her heart wouldn't be able to bear that.

Suddenly, a bitter chuckle escaped Celeste's lips. It seemed even until the very end… she couldn't stop being selfish.

She didn't even pause to think about how her demise would affect Alden.

Celeste's eyes welled with tears.

'I'm sorry, Al. Please forgive me. May we meet on the other side and continue where we left off.'

She sensed the gelid lance tear through the air and barrel towards her.

As a last-ditch effort to show Alden that she wasn't going to die willingly, Celeste erected as many [Shields] as she could. Her mana drained at an alarming pace. The magical barriers settled in place just as the frozen spear slammed into them.

The first shield broke into an innumerable rain of shards. The second followed, and the third and the fourth.

Celeste pushed her palms out and hurriedly tried to replace the [Shields] she had lost.

She poured her mana into the magical barriers, willing them to hold.

Unfortunately…

The gelid lance was just too fearsome, disposing of her blockade with ease.

'I guess this is it.'

'Goodbye Alden.'

Celeste braced herself for death.

She closed her eyes.

Darkness occupied her vision.

Vaguely, she felt something brush past her. A second later, she felt the temperature in her surroundings rise.

Was this a sign that she had died? Was she now in hell?

Celeste frowned, confident that she hadn't done anything to deserve a place there.

She tried to peek an eye open and found that it had opened way too easily for someone who was supposed to be dead.

Her frown deepened.

Celeste saw a wave of pitch-black fire resisting an oppressive iciness. The flame was slowly being pushed back, on the brink of being devoured.

The young lady blinked.

'Ignia!'

The realisation crashed into Celeste like a wave.

'What is she doing!?'

The little phoenix continued to spew pitch-black flame from her mouth. It seemed she was determined to protect her. A surge of guilt and shame washed over Celeste. She should be the one protecting, not the other way around.

As the tip of the lance inched closer, the flames flickering on Ignia's plumage dimmed.

Celeste realised the little phoenix was exhausting her flame essence. Her heart broke even further for the little bird. A few moments later, the wave of fire came to a spluttering stop. The baby phoenix wobbled in the air, losing strength in its wings.

"Ignia!"

Celeste screamed.

She reached for the little fire creature.

However, she was one step too late.

…Somebody had beat her to it.

They cradled Ignia gently with one arm while the other stopped the spear in its tracks.

Celeste's eyes widened.

There was only one person who would jump into danger to save her and the phoenix.

'Al!'

In the next second, she noticed a stronger and more substantial aura swirling around her love.

Her eyes widened for a second time.

…Alden had broken through.