~Primrose's POV~

Yusufa... Why ?... Why do you have to die for me ?...

I couldn't believe I lost my friend today...

I couldn't believe Yusufa died in such an atrocious way... Her life didn't deserve to end like this...

I looked at Travis: he was completely devastated.

He couldn't stop sobbing while staring at her, kneeling on the sand. Indeed, the poor boy was so traumatized that he was frozen in place, without saying anything. Despair could be easily read on his face.

He too... he liked her... In reality, I even thought he was more friendly and with her than I should have been...

Seeing her like this... must be a horrible spectacle for a 6 years old child like him...

No. In reality... seeing someone we cared for dying through our eyes would always be a horrible spectacle for anyone...

Travis was also feeling bad for not being able to fo anything for Yusufa. He was totally powerless hopeless while he was on his knees on the sand...

I heard a rough voice complaining annoyingly.

"Is it finally over ?"

I looked up to see Helgenish, who looked disgusted by the scene.

He was still standing there on that cliff alongside with his guards.

He replied.

"I must say, at least her last performance had some life. If she'd shown that sort of potential earlier, I might have kept her on longer..."

"...! ...Enough.", I said coldly.

I felt such a wave of hatred anger in me, and my homicidal tendencies bigger than before.

"What was that... ?", he asked again.

I looked first at Travis: he was completely traumatized, it's like he has lost any will to react. I don't think I should annoy him now.

So, I slowly stood up and stared menacingly at Helgenish, before telling him what I wanted to tell him for years.

"I have danced enough for you. This was the last day that I belonged to you."

"Oh, was it now ? So some wheels do turn in that pretty little head of yours... Here I thought it a waste as empty as the desert.", he grinned badly.

"I saw you for the foul swine you are the first time I laid eyes on you.", I retorted.

"...!!!"

I could see how much he didn't enjoy my reply, as I felt his anger getting worse.

The fat man grumbled before he yelled at me.

"You would take that tone with me ?! You're nothing but a stupid whore ! You would have died on the streets if not for me !"

His fists clenched while watching down at me with the most menacing glare he never gave me.

But nothing from that swine was frightening me anymore.

"You have given me nothing. I have always danced on my own two feet. I have always chosen where I step."

"Who do you think you're speaking to, whore ?!", he yelled loudly, his voice echoing in the whole place.

"..."

Finally, that's it.

I'll tell that jerk the real truth he has to know. And if I do that now, I wouldn't be able to go backward anymore.

It was time, for me, to get out of my cage and to pursue my destiny, on my honor of my House.

I watched seriously at this brute.

"All these years... The jeers, the beatings, the dishonor... I endured it all... All for this day. The day that man appeared before me. I need your stage no longer, I dance for myself now."

Helgenish slightly flinched of surprise.

I could hear the wind of the desert blowing stronger as there was such a tension between us.

The aristocrat watched down at me.

"Primrose... You forget yourself, little kitten. But I understand... this is just your little show, yes ? You wanted to see your master frown.", he smirked and grinned slightly. "Fine ! Very well. You've had your fun."

He clapped with his big hands while his men just stayed still like faithful guards.

"....."

Come on. Haven't he listened to any words which I just said ?

Once again, this guy would really believe he would forgive me for everything simply because I was his "favorite".

He then continued cockily.

"That naughty mouth of yours belongs to me. Put it where it belongs, and if you please me to my satisfaction... I will overlook your impertinence."

"..... Master... go pleasure yourself."

FWHIIIIIIIIIII !!!!

While the tension was rising, silence was cut by the terrifying blow of the wind which wiped out the countless sand's grains covering this damn desert.

This time, that wasn't another of my acting talents: it wasn't the dancing girl of the tavern who was talking, neither the innocent kitten who would do anything for her beloved master and make all single men falling in love...

This time, this despicable man will start to know this woman for real, this woman who fights for freedom, after all the dishonor she had known in this bloody city, and who is just under his nasty eyes.

Indeed, I've never forgotten all the cruelty he was showing to us, his "strays", and many other people in this city.

After my father was murdered, I always thought there must be people as wicked as the 3 men with the mark of the crow... until I met this damn asshole.

Now I wasn't working for him anymore, it was time for me and him to have a serious discussion.

For now, I'll forget the left-hand man for a while and deal with that bastard instead...

I looked up to Helgenish who gave me a deadly glare as he answered me coldly.

"Heh, wrong answer, kitten."

He looked outraged when he turned to his men.

"You know what I do with cats that bite, don't you ? I put them down, just like that one.", he pointed his dagger covered of blood at me.

The guards all nodded by taking their saber out of their sheath.

Then, they jumped out of the cliff and landed around me.

"......"

I was surrounded by exactly 4 guards, but I stayed calm.

So... this is how you want to deal with me, Helgenish ? Ordering your guards to kill me instead of going down by yourself...

As I stayed focused while Travis was still in grief, I saw Helgenish cleaning with a tissue his dagger.

"It's a shame, Primrose. You were always my favorite... What a waste. Yes, a terrible shame..."

"The only shame... Is that I could not do this sooner, "Master" !"

The guards surrounding me all charged ahead of me at, their weapon in hand.

"YAAAHHH !!!"

SLASH !!

"AARGH !"

I took out my dagger at an incredible and sliced the closest one, before avoiding a saber blow of another.

SBAM !

"NGH !"

I kicked away the second one while the two others attacked me at the same time.

After jumping to avoid a blow, I landed and twirled quickly and

SLAAAAASH !

"AAARGHH !"

I sliced both of them while spinning, killing them instantly as they fell on the sand.

"HAAAAAA !"

The guard I kicked came back with his saber and tried to stab me in the back, but I dodged the blow at the last moment and

SLAAASH !

"AAAAARRRGH !"

He screamed as I stabbed him on the arm, breaking his helmet and making him drop his weapon as he felt on his back.

"Ngh !"

He frowned at the pain, blood starting to come out from his wound. He was in a bad state, but he was still breathing. His slightly broken helmet revealed a part of his face: this guard looked younger than the others and more frightened.

I approached him closely, my dagger in hand, as I watched at him menacingly.

"No !... Have mercy PLEASE !", he begged to me.

He was terrified of me, I could see on the look of his face that he was terrified by the idea of dying. Indeed, he was the only one whom I haven't killed yet, and he was asking me to spare his life.

Maybe this man didn't have the choice to work for him. Maybe he was also one of his many victims in which the life has been destroyed by Helgenish's influence.

My hand still shook in anger while holding my dagger as I hesitated.

Should I really spare this man ? Should I spare the life one of those who has beaten up Yusufa without mercy ?

WOOOOOSH !

SLAAASH !

"...!!!"

The guard's eyes widened as something suddenly hit his back.

As he couldn't support the pain, he fell on his face, agonizing, as he died.

I noticed a weapon that pierced his back.

A sickle !...

It was a golden one ! I heard that despite that weapon was reputed to be very rare, we tell stories about some killers in the Sunlands would use that blade to slice the heads of their victims !

I looked a little further for the culprit when I saw a group of strange persons... wearing a mask.

"...!!!"

There were 3 men which the panoply looked similar to the one worn by the Sundlands's killers: they wore a grey tunic, a pair of red boots, and a hoodie, but the black mask hiding their face mostly caught my attention, especially with the red symbol which looked like... a flame.

Their outfit was also covered with red lines almost everywhere.

These masks... they are the people Travis told me about !

Those who were "supposed" to look for the crystal !

But what are they doing here ?!

"...!!!"

Another one !

I saw a second sickle flying in direction of Travis.

TCHAAK !

I ran and countered the projectile with my dagger in time before it reached the boy, who was still too shocked to react.

"...!!!"

We were surrounded by more red masked people.

They were gathered at the left, at the right, on the other side of the canyon, and even a front of the catacombs exit ! They were about twenty, all standing menacingly while staring at me.

They looked so discreet... I haven't even seen them coming ! Were they hiding there since the beginning.

"Ha ha ha !"

I heard Helgenish smirked, as I looked up at the cliff where he was standing.

"Too bad my own men weren't able to touch one of your beautiful hair, Primrose. In any case, they were too weak and coward to assure my security.", he explained. "The man whom you wanted to follow was nice enough to provide me some of these... Elementmen."

Elementmen ?

So, that must be how they are called...

The bald man replied.

"I guess the one who named them wasn't really creative, he he ! I might not know a lot about these guys, but the man from earlier guaranteed me they were powerful enough to destroy an army. He also wanted me to use them against my foes as a "test"."

As a "test" ?

He smirked again.

"After all, he insisted I would need them to make sure no one disturbs me while I use this.", he showed me the red orb which was still glowing with the 2 crystals inside when he continued. "He told me that he was like too busy to plant it by himself, so he trusted me to plant it at his place. He didn't want to tell me all the details, but he promised that it would make a better world in that damn realm and that I would be safe. When we look closely, we could say these crystals must have such a powerful unstable power that it could provoke an explosion if we badly enchant them with magic."

"So... You wanna blow of the city of Sunshade ?!", I asked.

He smirked as a nod before replying.

"What a shame... It was such a beautiful city, but I could still find another one and continue my business here. Indeed, I would have hoped that you, Primrose, would follow me there and so I'll offer you more jewels for your delicate skin... but looks like the naughty kitty you have already made the bad choice...", he then yelled. "DO YOUR JOB AND KILL HER !"

The red Elementmen rushed towards me with their deadly sickles at such a speed, as I stayed focused.

WOOOSH !

The closest one tried to slice me, but I avoided the blow when two others attacked me.

KLAASH ! KLAAASH !

"...!!!!"

I quickly countered their blows, but I was surprised by their strength and their vivacity.

KLANG ! SBAM !

I kicked one of them and repelled the two others with my skills.

Seriously, these killers were tough, even tougher than the lizardmen I fought earlier !

They guys were forcing me to be cautious and to improve my reflexes. They must have been very trained to fight and kill their foes. But who were they, really ?!

KLASH ! KLASH !

I continued to fight the three masked men while avoiding and countering their weapon when I finally got an opening.

SLAAASH !

I spun with my dagger, hurting my 3 foes at the same time on their vital points like the neck or the torso, as they flinched with the pain.

But while looking at my foes, I noticed something strange on my dagger.

!!!... There is no blood !

I also noticed there was no blood either on the spots where my dagger has sliced these masked men ! What does that mean ?!

Fshhh...

Instead, I saw on each of the wounds a sort of blue substance that was acting like smoke.

FSSSHHHHH !!!!

Suddenly, the 3 men turned into dark blue smoke before disappearing !

They were gone !

What is that blue smoke ?!

Were these killers really... humans ?!

CRAAAACCCKLLE !

I dodged a fireball coming from my right all of sudden, as I saw more fireball coming towards me.

CRAAAACCCKLE !

CRAAACKLE !

CRAAAACKLE !

I avoided them easily, as I observed they were thrown by a few masked men from the cliff.

I saw one of them extending his left palm towards me which became redder until a flame appeared, ready to be fired.

Fire magic users !

The symbol on their mask now made a sense: these guys weren't only well-skilled, but they also know how to create fireballs spells !

Gees, these guys were more surprising than I thought ! I have to slay all of them as quickly as possible !

As I dashed in direction of the ones standing at the cliff, more masked men attacked me from the side and I countered with them.

CLAASH !

CLAASH !

"... !!!"

You don't leave me the choice !

While avoiding, I spun around on the sand while holding my dagger, and practiced a dance.

WHIIIIIIIFFFF !!!

A dark area of magic appeared around me and my attackers, slowing down most of them.

SLAAASH !

I managed to kill one, as he turned into blue smoke before disappearing.

FSSSSHHHH !!!

However, these guys were already so agile that there weren't really slowed down. Indeed, some of them would jump while attacking me, and my magic would hinder only those who are on the ground, and this was the main weakness of my technique.

Though, I didn't give up yet and continued to fight them.

"HAAAAA !"

CLASH ! CLASH ! CLASH !

I fought them with ferocity, trying to slaughter them in each of my blow despite they were so many.

I never thought before that I would fight so many foes today, but I have never fought so seriously and ferociously until now.

Lucky was I to have trained myself so much in hand-to-hand combat !

I continued to attack my enemies while dodging or countering their blows, sometimes making a stunt to avoid being surrounded by too many of them.

While running, a masked man suddenly appeared a front of me, ready to strike me with his sickle.

WOOOSH !

I avoided and counter attacked.

SLASH !

He tried to dodge, but my dagger managed to slice the side of his arm.

However, this one didn't turn in blue smoke yet.

WHIIIIFFFF !

I summoned another dark area with my dancing skills before I keep exchanging blows with the Elementmen, dealing with both those who fought me with their weapon and those who kept throwing fireballs at me from afar.

One of them tried to throw me his sickle like a boomerang while I fought the others hand-to-hand, but I dodged and grabbed it in midair.

Then, I used my dark powers to wrap the sickle, which was now surrounded by a purplish smoke pretty unstable, when two masked men tried to slice me.

WOOOSH !

I avoided quickly and

SLAAASH !

I sliced them back on their eyes with the sickle, wrapped by my magic, which was now powerful enough to broke their mask.

But as I expected to see their face, blue smoke started to cover the wound, hiding their eyes before they disappeared.

FSSSHHH !

I continued to fight while I was still concerned by these details.

What is that kind of... magic ?!

WOOOOSH !

WOOOOSH !

CLASH !

I avoided narrowly a sickle's blow from behind, which cut a single hair of my brown ponytail.

I must admit it: these Elementmen of fire were the most mysterious foes I have never thought if I exclude the crows. When they receive a mortal blow, they directly turn into that kind of blue smoke, but a simple cut or hit wasn't enough to do so.

That blue smoke might look like my dark magic.... but it was much stranger than mine.

Indeed, I was sure this was some form of magic, just like each of these masked men weren't made of skin, blood, and bones... but of this weird substance.

Where these Elementmen... real ?

While fighting, I heard that bald bastard yelling from the cliff while stomping his foot.

"WHAT ARE YOU WAITING TO KILL HER ?! THE SUNSET, MAYBE ?!"

I felt pretty angry.

He's still up there ?!

Suddenly, a few Elementmen jumped out from the other side of the cliff, prepared their fire spell and aimed me.

CRAAAACKLE !

I jumped to avoid the explosion of fire in time, which was powerful enough to provoke a small sandstorm, only to be surrounded by 4 others.

Despite the lack of vision due to the sand, I stayed focused and defended myself.

CLASH !

CLASH !

WHIIIIIIIIIF !

SLASH !

SLAASH !

I danced again to slow them down the most possible, and killed a few ones, as they seem to become tougher since Helgenish's complain.

"HAAAAA !!!"

I tried to stab one a front of me, but he jumped behind to avoid.

Looks like they weren't only wearing these mask to look pretty, it also helped to not get their vision blurred by the sand, such as they could see my movements clearly.

WOOOSH !

Then, two others appeared put of surprise from the sides and were close to slice me.

Damn it !

I jumped the highest I could and stomped on their head to take altitude and to try getting out of that sand mist.

3 masked men jumped from nowhere, preparing their burning fireball spells when I wrapped my dagger of darkness.

"...!!!"

SLASH ! SLASH ! SLASH !

I killed them almost instantly, as they turned into blue smoke.

No matter how many you are... And how powerful you look.

If I can't get rid of foes like you, I would never be able to face the ones who took my father !

I landed on the sand and finally escaped the sand mist, while there was still a lot of Elementmen remaining, as I reminded something.

Helgenish !

I spotted him on the cliff, trying to get away from the other side with the red orb in hand.

You won't get away !

I dashed in direction of the cliff the fastest I could when more masked men appeared in my way.

"HAAAAH !"

CLASH ! CLASH ! SLAAASH !

I repelled without mercy while running, determined to slay that fat bastard, as I made sure to avoid the fireballs and the flying sickles.

CRAAACKLE !

CRAAAACKLE !

CRAAAAACKLE !

The explosion was powerful enough to turn that canyon on a big battlefield.

More and more masked men tried to corner me, but I either pushed them violently or killed them with anger and ferocity, without stopping.

I didn't have time to deal with all these guys, else Helgenish will manage to get away from the blade of my dagger.

And if he really thinks he will manage to escape me and start his little life quietly while sipping his wine, he could still dream, and I swear is that he will have nightmares instead.

I almost reached the cliff when I saw even more of them greeting me with their "charming" sickle.

WOOSH !

CLASH !

CLASH !

I avoided a quick blow from a masked man and struck back by stabbing him in his neck.

FSSSSHHHH !!!

The 3 others went through their fellow's blue smoke as I countered their blade.

CLASH !

But suddenly.

SBUNK !

"AAH !"

I got received a kick from the side and was repelled, but I quickly managed to get up.

The 3 red killers stayed cautious a front of me, determined to prevent me from climbing and reaching Helgenish, while the rest of their fellows were surrounding me again, as their first glowed to prepare a fireball.

I glared menacingly at them, holding tight my dagger which wasn't sullied by a single stain of blood.

I have to find a way...

These guys weren't only tough foes, they were all looking fearless and faithful to their master. Indeed, they wouldn't stop as long as their prey is alive.

NOW !

I rushed towards the cliff, as the 3 masked men were ready to slice me and the others behind were ready to throw me their fireballs.

WOOOSH !

WOOSH !

I zigzagged to avoid the flying sickles from the side and when the 3 men jumped to stab me...

I sliced their hands, making them dropping their blade, before jumping and stomping on their shoulders.

"HA !"

I jumped so high and grabbed the edge of the cliff with difficulty, and climbed it quickly.

CRAAAAACCCCKLLE !

A big explosion of fire shook slightly the ground, as I avoided the flying sickle while dashing fast in direction of that bald bastard.

"HEY !"

I saw him trying to escape from the other side of the cliff.

"AAH !"

He slipped on a rock and fell on the ground, as he looked helpless when he noticed me ready to slay him.

"Ah... Primrose..."

"Don't even try to play that little game with me.", I said menacingly while walking towards him.

He was trying to crawl away from me while holding the red orb.

"...!!!"

Suddenly, more red masked men appeared, blocking my way towards this bastard.

"Rah... RIP THAT WOMAN IN LITTLE PIECES !!", he ordered.

CLASH ! CLASH !

I started to fight 3 of them, as 4 others surrounded us as well.

Rahh !... These guys are so annoying !

WOOSH !

CLASH ! CLASH !

I fought all of them with ferocity and anger just like it was the battle of my life.

I crossed blades with all these fearless and emotionless killers ready to kill me the quickest possible.

"RAAAAHHH !!"

SLAASH !

FSSSSHHHH !!

I sliced one of them and took his sickle.

CLASH CLASH CLASH CLASH CLASH !

I continued to fight all the enemies surrounding me with both my dagger and the sickle I stole, avoiding many times their blades and making sure to not leave any opening. I wrapped my blades of darkness while they also did the same with their magic fire.

CRAAAACKLE !

It was like a fight between the darkness and the light !

SLASH ! SLASH !

FSHHHHHHH !!!

I kept fighting in such a ferocious manner, unlike how I did before. But these guys too looked so tough and fast in their movements that I couldn't dance properly and prepare a dark area to slow them down.

However, in a way or another... I was still dancing in the middle of a battle. I was dancing in the middle of a storm of blades and sand, only thinking of killing my enemies, fighting for my life, for my ambitions, and to respect the honor and the tradition of my family.

I swore I will give what this fat bastard deserved the most !

I won't let anyone... standing in my way !

CLASH ! CLASH ! SLASH !

While I was busy with 3 masked men, I saw Helgenish standing up, holding the red orb-like he was preparing something.

I saw his palm getting wrapped of dark magic before approaching it to the orb, which reacted weirdly.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRR !!!!

The orb shined as I was still fighting.

"... !!!"

Helgenish's hand was now filled with dark magic and red light before he raised it and smirked.

"HAAAAAA !!!"

!!!

SBROOOOAAAAAAMMM !!!

I quickly jumped behind.

"AAAAHH !"

I yelled while receiving the force of the blast, making me flying a few meters.

"Ngh !"

I dropped my dagger in pain.

What an explosion...

The shock was so powerful that it made the ground shaking a little. A little more and the cliff would have collapsed...

What is again that new power ?...

I knew Helgenish also mastered dark magic, but I never knew he would know how to use the magic stuck inside that red orb... Was that the power kept inside those crystals ?

"Ngh !!!..."

I tried to get up, but I felt pain and wounds all over my body. Indeed, I started to become exhausted due to having fought for so long despite my determination and my efforts.

However, I managed to get up on my knees with difficulty.

"Ha...ha..."

I was breathing hard, while still having my dagger in hand and glaring menacingly at Helgenish with sharp but tired eyes.

I watched behind me a group of red Elementmen who reached the cliff, all gathered in a group of 20 and ready to fight again with not a single trace of fatigue in their posture.

... There are still many of them !

"Heh heh heh !..."

Helgenish smirked while staring at me, as he looked pleased.

"Even monkeys fall from trees... Like even an amazing dancer like you can trip in the middle of the scene... Looks like this is the end of the show for you, my dear Primrose !"

He grinned as the red masked men took their weapon, ready to strike again.

"..."

I raise on my feet again, and even though my body was close to collapse, I was still determined to fight.

I pointed my dagger towards that bastard, staring at him with the deadliest glare I ever gave him, holding my weapon on the side where I could read the words of my house.

Even when the blade is held at your heart... faith shall be your shield.

No matter how many were my foes, no matter how strong they were, and they could hurt me as much as they wanted... I swear I'll make sure to make these words concrete.

GRUUUUMMMBLE !!

" !!!"

The ground suddenly started to shake stronger than earlier, as I and Helgenish were surprised.

I can feel... such an enormous power !

I turned back only to see the red Elementmen who turned back as well, looking for the source of the shaking as they were very concerned.

I heard Helgenish yelling at them.

"HEY ! WHAT ARE YOU FREAKIN' DOING ?! THIS IS JUST A..."

BROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMM !

A big black thunder suddenly came out of the ground with such violence that it immediately wiped out a pair of Elementmen in an instant !

FSHHHHH !!!

"AAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!"

Helgenish screamed of surprise as we were repelled by the blast of the power.

I gritted my teeth while trying to resist.

WHAT IS THAT BLACK LIGHTING ?!

BROOOOAAAAAAAAAMMMMM !!!!!

This black lightning was so powerful that it continued to gush from the canyon and even reached the sky. It made a very rumbling sound which echoed through the desert, much noisier, but also more sinister than a simple thunderstorm. Indeed, this thunder looked so sinister as well.

All the guards rushed towards the thunder with their sickle, bypassing it to avoid getting hit and reaching the edge of the cliff but

BROOOOAAAAAAMMMM !!!!

Two others bolts of lightning appeared from each side and wiped out the closest ones, turning them into a blue mist.

FSHHHHHHH !!!

GRUUUUMMMBLE !!!

The canyon continued to shake with such violence than all the edge of the cliff started to collapse !

What a power !

While shielding my eyes from flying rubbles, I observed the lightning hitting the ground and forming cracks in the rocks wherever it went.

BROOOAAAAMM !!!

CRAAAAACK

Suddenly, something came out of the ground while making flying a lot of sand around it.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHH !! "

A high-pitched but sinister screech echoed through the place, like a scream of a person which could make people spine-chilling.

...!!!

Then, I saw a strange silhouette inside the sand mist.

"W-WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING ?!!", shouted Helgenish, his voice mumbling due to the fear he felt.

I held tighter my dagger and was now focused on the strange creature.

I don't know if it was an enemy, if that thing was going after me, Helgenish, or both of us. However, I could feel an unthinkable power, which seemed more powerful than all the red Elementmen brought together...

BROOOAAAMMM !!!

We could see the thunders appearing out of the mist and destroying everything on their ways. They were much more powerful than regular ones: I could see all that darkness impregnated inside these bolts of lightning which, honestly, didn't look natural at all.

I immediately recognized that darkness as magic, a powerful one...

No.

It was the most powerful magic I've ever seen !

BROAAAAAMMMMM !!!

"EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH !!!"

But who could be powerful enough to summon such power like this one ?!

Wait... It couldn't be !!...

"GO KILL THAT THING RIGHT AWAY !", yelled Helgenish worryingly at his guards.

The guards, still fearless despite the situation, all rushed towards the mysterious creature with their sickles in hand.

Two guards were close to attacking it when suddenly

"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHH !!!"

Something with a humanoid form jumped towards them and scratched their heads in a flash.

SCRAAAATCH !

BROOOAAAAAMMM !!!

FSHHHHH !!!

The other masked men stopped in their tracks by pure precaution, as they watched their comrades turning into mist while the "creature" was still screeching.

"EEEEEEEHHHHH !!!"

The humanoid silhouette was standing on his four limbs, like a beast. There was such an amount of black unstable electricity covering his body that its skin looked black. His face was darkened as well, and only his white round eye's pupils could be seen. His hair seemed to fly with the force of the unleashed power, and his hands were covered with electricity, forming sharp inhuman claws on his fingers. What a frightening look !

BROOAAAAMMM !!!

Thunder continued to come out of his body while hitting the ground and reaching the sky with such violence that it could be impossible to approach the creature.

But to tell the truth, it wasn't a creature... it was human.

It was a small figure, with the size of a child, to be exact.

" !!!..."

I gasped of surprise.

I... I can't believe it !...

Travis ?!!

"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH !!!!!"

BROOOAAAAAAAAMMMM !!!

No, it wasn't my imagination at all: that demon-like creature was well Travis !

I recognized him with his hair, his silhouette, and through all these black menacing bolts of lightning covering his body like armor, I could notice his clothes which started to be slightly damaged by the strength of that dark power.

But... How did he get so powerful ?!

Right now, I didn't understand what was happening to Travis, but I was pretty worried about him. I have no idea of what was happening to him and how did he manage to use so much power alone.

Indeed, I thought he was too shocked and traumatized by Yusufa's death, down there, that he couldn't even flinch...

No... On the contrary !

BROAAAAMMM !!!

I could see on the look on his face: he went into a rage like he wasn't master of himself anymore. His eyes were full of hatred, and his powers also weren't the same anymore: they were way more powerful and dangerous than before, such as the bolts of lightning were able for breaking rock.

BROOOOOAAAAAAMMMM !!!

I could really feel how much he was furious with the force unleashed by his magic like he wasn't ready to stop them like he wasn't ready to calm his rage.

That's right... It wasn't Travis who was using these powers... It was his emotions who controlled them instead.

"EEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH !!!!"

GRUUUUMBLLLL !!!

CRAAAAAACKKK !!!

BRAAAAOOOOOMMM ! BRAAAAAOOOOM !!

!!!

The wind of the blast was so powerful that it was so hard to move on the canyon, even for the masked men who were doing their best to keep their distance from him.

CRAAACKLE !!! CRAACKLE !

Some of them started to shoot at him fireballs, but his lightning destroyed them.

"YAAAAAAHHHH !!!!"

3 others charged towards him at full speed when suddenly

GZZZZ !!!

In an instant, Travis jumped towards the closest assailant at a much faster speed and screeched.

"REEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH !!!

SCRAAAAAATCH !!!

He glomped onto his chest and electrocuted with black sparks but with so many powers that they immediately destroyed him.

BROOOOAAAMMM !!!

A bolt of black lightning appeared from the Elementmen who got hit and pierced the 2 others in a split second through their chest.

FSSSSSSHHHHHH !!!

GRUUUUMMMBLE !!!

"!!!..."

INCREDIBLE !

I was very surprised by the scene !

He just killed them at an astonishing speed but in also an atrocious way...

More masked men charged towards him, while others stayed distant.

"EEEEEEEHHHHH !!"

SCRAAAATCH !!

SCRAAAATCH !

BROOOAAAMMM !

Travis became such a monstrously powerful living thing: he continued to slay each of them with an incredible facility, one by one. If these guys were humans, there would be a festival of blood in the middle fo all these bolts of lightning. No matter how many were surrounding him, no matter how skillful these killers were... there was no way to stop him.

WOOOOSH ! WOOOOSH ! WOOOSH ! WOOOOSH !

More Elementmen jumped above him and tried to strike his head.

"EEEEEEEHHHHH !!!"

BRAAAOOOOMMMM !!!

SCRAATCH ! SCRAATCH !

He scratched them all with lightning in a flash, without letting them have the time to avoid.

"!!!..."

I couldn't believe what was happening to that boy. Honestly, this power he was unleashing against his will... it was frightening me.

BROOOOAAAMM !!!

Each time I see him using these powers, each time I see him killing these guys by rage, it was like the thunder was violently striking everything in its path.

No, seriously... This boy was embodying the thunder itself.

Travis...

"EEEEHHHH !!!"

I had the feeling that Travis, who was unleashing these damn black sparkles, was suffering.

I could feel it in his screams, and it was hard for me to watch him in that state.

GRRRUUUUMBLE !!!

The ground continued to shake as I saw some distant killers who were shooting fireballs at him.

CRAAAACKLE ! CRAAAACKLE !

CRAAACKLEE !

SLAAAASH ! SLAAASH !

Finally, I decided to react and killed 2 of the fireballs shooters.

FSSSSHHH !!!

I won't let them hurt him more while he was out of his mind !

WOOOSH ! WOOSH !

I exchanged blows with some of the masked men, dagger against sickles, ready at everything to defend that boy.

"HAAAAAA !!!"

SLAAASH !

I stabbed one of them and continued to fight the others with ferocity.

BRRROOOOAAAMM !!!

"EEEEEEHHHH !!!"

The rest of Helgenish's men were too busy with Travis, who kept wiping them out with the strength of a beast.

FSSSSHHH !!!

"JUST HURRY UP AND KILL THESE TWO !!", screaming Helgenish while stepping back.

CLAAASH ! CLAAASH ! SLAAASH !

Tss !... If you think that I have forgotten you !...

I watched him trying to go, but there were still more of his men standing in my way. Despite the menace Travis was showing to them, they haven't forgotten their first objective yet.

I have to hurry !

FWHHHIII !!

I danced on place, trying to not lose my balance with the earthquake provoked by Travis, and created a dark area to slow them down.

I also covered my dagger of dark magic and started to fight them.

CLAAASH ! CLAAASH !

BROOOOAAAAMM !!

It was such a fierce battle. Between this fat boar who wanted to run away with the red orb and Travis who became insane while he turned in a sort of monster, I have never fought in a death battle with so many issues.

SLASH ! SLASH !

FFFFFSHHHHH !!!!

I managed to kill 2 more while I continued to fight the others, each of my blows where my blade would protect me or aim for their neck or their heart.

"EEEEHHHHHHH !!!"

BROOOOAAAAMMM !!!

I watched at Travis, still blinded by his terrifying powers, who was suddenly surrounded by more foes, who were keeping their distance to avoid getting hit by the black bolts of lightning.

CRRAAAACKLE !! CRAAACKLE !!

They kept throwing him fireballs to hinder his moves.

"EEEEEHHHH !!!"

He got hit a few times by the spells, as he screamed in pain.

TRAVIS !!!

I wanted to help him, but I was still busy with my foes.

CLASH ! CLASH !

Indeed, it would be too risky to approach him, else I would get hit by his thunders. The only thing I could do is to prevent the other masked men to not attack him from a distance.

So, while my two opponents were about to slice me, I stayed focused and twirled in place.

Then, I gracefully threw my dagger above me in the air.

WOOOSH ! WOOOSH !

I avoided their blows with grace which both occurred at the same time, as they were now close to me when I caught back my dagger in the airs and

SLAAAASH !!

I caught them out of surprise and sliced their neck in a single blow, killing them !

FSSSSSSHHHH !!

I was now free to help him, but suddenly, even more Elementmen appeared to attack me.

But how many are these guys ?!!

I looked back to see Travis being surrounded by the others who were about to attack him while others keep throwing them fireballs.

No ! If they continue to swarm him, they will manage to find an opening !

"EEEEEEEEEEHHHHH !!!"

BROOOAAAAAAMMM !!!

Suddenly I saw all of Travis's attackers jumping quickly towards him, ready to strike the creature he became and to give him the final blow... when he screeched. Much louder than before.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!"

BROOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMM !!!

SCRAAAAAATCHHH !!!!

GRUUUUUUUMMMBLEEE !!

A gigantic black thunder suddenly appeared above him and decimated the whole group attacking him !

"AAAAAHHH !!"

The thunder was so powerful that it made a powerful wind that repelled me and my foes away from him violently.

"Ngh !"

I landed on the ground, while still holding tight my dagger but still feeling the pain covering my bare skin.

Then, I saw Travis, surrounded by a dark blue mist mixed with sand, and he stared at me.

BROOOAAAAMMM !!!

"Ha... ha..."

I was taking my breath, slowly getting up...

"eeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHH !!!"

He jumped at high speed towards me, ready to attack !

"!!!!"

I gasped as he surprised me all of a sudden !

He wasn't himself anymore... Will he attack me blindly ?!

"EEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh !!!"

He... HE JUMPED ABOVE MY HEAD ! He missed me in his charge !

Wait !... Wasn't I the one he tried to aim ?!

"!!!"

I quickly turned back and saw him charging in the direction of Helgenish !

This bastard was lying on the ground, as he was wounded probably due to the blast provoked by Travis's powers.

He tried to get up only to be surprised by the monster-like charging towards him, his claw full of black electricity, ready to kill him !

I finally got it: Travis was after this asshole after what he did to Yusufa ! He might not be completely mindless !

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!"

Helgenish screamed with terror as death approached him at lightning speed when he shielded his face with the red orb and

CRAAAAAAASSSHHH !!

Travis broke the red orb instead in his rage !

My sharp eyes instantly saw a red-orange light shining inside it...

!!!!

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMM !!!!

A red shock wave exploded from the red orb, creating a powerful explosion repelling everything around it !

GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMNBLLLLLLEEE !!!

The ground started to violently shake when it suddenly shifted beneath my feet !

"Ahh !!!"

Then, I felt I was going down, as the ground formed a slope of sand.

I lost my balance and slipped on the sand, unable to go up because I was like... carried away by the sand.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSHHHHH !!!

I protected my eyes from the flying sand when they widened after what I was able to see.

I was inside a giant sand tourbillon in the ground where the sand was powerfully swirling around at an impressive speed, but the sand mist prevented me to see clearly.

I was attracted by the movement of the swirling sand, but I managed to stay on my knees and I made sure to stay away from the bottom of the tourbillon, else I'll be sucked.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHH !!!!

Come on !

Despite my wounds, I manage to regain my balance and to "surf" on the sand with difficulty.

There were some debris being carried by the tourbillon, and some of them were carried by the wind.

!!!

I thankfully dodged a flying rock that was heading towards me.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHHH !!!

By the way, I couldn't believe the red orb would provoke such an explosion and create a powerful tourbillon like this one.

There must have been so much energy inside the jewels which were used to provoke another pillar of light, but due to Travis's blow, everything didn't go as planned.

TRAVIS !!! Where is he ?!!

WOOOOOOOOOSSSSSSHHHH !!!

I was trying to look for him through the tourbillon of sand, but I couldn't see black thunders anymore. I haven't spotted any Elementmen as well, but I guess they must have been wiped out by the explosion.

WOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSH !

!!!... Down there !

On the other side of the tourbillon, I spotted the figure of someone being carried out by the sand... Travis !

Strangely, he wasn't surrounded by his black lightning anymore, but he was completely unconscious !

So, I waited until his body was close enough and I jumped.

"HA !"

I landed next to his body and grabbed his arm before his entire body was about to be sucked by the center of the tourbillon.

Now, I was hardly doing anything to prevent us from being sucked, holding his body with one arm while the other was helping me to keep my balance on the swirling sand.

WOOOOOOOOOOSSSHHHH !!

I needed to protect him while he has passed out: he must have been completely exhausted by all the monstrous power unleashed by his magic, and the explosion might have knocked him out as well.

While I was surfing, I spotted movement in the tourbillon...

"RAAAAAAAAAHHHH !!!"

"!!!"

WOOOSH !

I dodged the dagger in time while still holding Travis, as I turned to see Helgenish in the tourbillon with us.

He noticed us, as he looked very angry when he yelled.

"DAMN WHORE ! IF YOU THINK YOU'LL GET AWAY WITH THIS !!!"

He was carrying his dagger while some of his clothes were now in tatters as well, and he looked completely hurt as well.

This time, he became completely insane.

WOOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHH !!!

We were all still being carried by the swirling sand, as I stayed vigilant while protecting Travis with my dagger in hand.

If you now want to fight me, you will !

I tried to look for him through the sand mist when he jumped out of nowhere.

"RAAAAAAHHHH !!!"

CLASH !

I countered his knife with mine and moved away to get away from him, as we distanced ourselves from each other due to the tourbillon.

There was no way I could fight him properly in that area while taking care of Travis, so I had to be careful with that guy.

"RAAAAAAAHHHHH !!!"

He tried to stab us again, but I backed away in time.

"PRRRIIIIIIMMRROOOOOSE !!!"

He was definitely after us now, especially after what Travis has done to him when he destroyed the red orb.

"RRRAAAAAAHHH !!"

WOOOSH !

He aimed for my neck but he missed me again, cutting a few of my hair instead.

"HAAAAA !"

I decided to react and tried to slice him back, as he avoided, making him fall on his back.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!"

He screamed angrily before he charged towards us, climbing up the swirling tourbillon by making collapsing a few grains of sand in each of his steps, determined to kill us.

So, I put down Travis and charged towards him as well.

"AAAAAAHHHHHH !!!"

CLASHH !

SLAAAASH !

I bypassed him at a quick speed, dirtying my dagger of blood after slicing him in the stomach.

"ARGH !!"

He spat blood, before rolling over at the bottom of the tourbillon, which slowly started to calm down.

WOOOOOOSSSHHHH...

The swirling sand's speed was decreasing while I joined Travis and pulled him out of the sand.

"Ngh !"

I dragged his body while trying to climb back at the surface and finally reached it.

"Ah !"

I fell on my knees, completely exhausted with all the battle.

"Ha... ha..."

FWHIIIIIIIIII !!!!!

I was hurt, tired, shocked and upset at the same time. It was truly hard to recover after everything which I've been through...

I was kneeling on the hot sand, finding myself in the desert at the other side of the canyon, as I observed how much it has been destroyed during the fight.

I watched Travis, lying on the soft sand while he was still unconscious.

How could a kid like him... can have such a destructive power ?...

Not far from him, I spotted what remained of the red orb lying on the sand, which has been accidentally broken by Travis when he was in his rage.

It was still glowing an orange-red light despite it was supposed to have exploded earlier. As I thought it should be down there in the tourbillon's bottom, it might have been carried here by the wind.

So... this is the power used to do that kind of... natural phenomenon ? Like these famous pillars of light from the famous rumors I've heard?

"Hahhh..."

I heard Helgenish's voice whimpering when I saw him crawling to reach the surface.

Still alive, this one ?

However, he looked completely hurt and was losing blood, as he covered his wound.

So, I slowly got up with my knife, and I looked down at him coldly.

But I didn't try to attack him... I was just staring at him.

He was breathing with difficulty, as he knew he was definitely screwed when he spoke to me.

"Primrose... You always were... different from the rest... The fire in your eyes... It turned brighter than any other's. I have seen many a girl in my years... but no... quite like you... You fascinated me... from the start...", he then crawled with his remaining strength towards me, flinching in pain, before extending his hand to me. "Come, Primrose... Won't you dance... one last dance for me ?"

"..."

I turned my back on him and crossed my arms.

Despite all the problems I gave to him, going against him by going as far as no other dancing girls have ever been, Helgenish looked to still admire me...

Or this is what he wanted me to believe.

"...!!!"

He rushed to me, his dagger in hand, and

!!!

SLAAAAASH !!!

...

This time... he made the mistake to believe I haven't seen it coming... So, I made sure to not miss his throat.

As I was still holding coldly my weapon covered of blood, my move has been so quick that it made Helgenish twirling on his feet.

"Urrrrkk !"

He finally fell on his back, his arms extended on the ground while he was now agonizing on the hot sand.

"Ugh... nguh... !"

He didn't have the force to do a single move anymore, his eyes full of dread, as he was now lying in a puddle of his own blood which was progressively spreading on the sand and over his white clothes. That wasn't a pretty sight at all.

I finally got this bastard, after all. His manner of dying also made me slightly amused.

"Quite the dancer yourself in the end."

Honestly, after witnessing all the horrible crimes this guy has done throughout the years, killing him made me... pretty satisfied. Especially as I never expected that I would be the one who would manage to cut his throat.

Thankfully, I might have brutally killed him, but Travis hasn't witnessed it. It would be too much for him to see him in that state.

Anyway, I was very exhausted by my wounds, as I was still trying to endure the pain, without forgetting the wind which was blowing sand on my skin, stinging me slightly.

"Ah !..."

"KOF ! KOF ! KOF !"

I then heard a small voice coughing when I saw Travis who finally wake up.

"Wha... what happened ?...", he asked in a weak tone.

My attention was focused on the awaken boy when I heard another noise of agony.

"Urrrrrrk......."

"!!!"

I noticed Helgenish was still moving !

In his last breath, he was extending his right arm above what remained of the red orb, clenching his fist as he was about to... !!!

Our eyes widened as I tried to stop him.

"NO !"

CRAAASHH !!!

SFFFLLLAAAAAAASSSSHHHH !!!!

A red blast of light exploded right a front of us, making me falling backward while shielding my eyes, as I couldn't hear anything anymore.

I was about to be hit by Helgenish's last trick, to be wiped out by the same red light which killed all the red Elementmen at a simple contact...

...

However, I didn't feel anything hurting me.

While I was recovering my hearing, I managed to observe what was happening a front of me.

There was still a red light which was dangerously emitting a front of me, but I didn't know why... it's like something prevented it to propagate.

Indeed, the blast of light was emitting constantly in a limited radius and was behaving weirdly, like it was... controlled.

!!!...what the...

Someone was there.

There was the silhouette of a person right behind the red radius of light although I believed we were really alone !

And strangely, the light was being like... attracted by this man. It seems the explosion has been stopped and that something prevented it to spread.

But what was going on ?!

Then, I observed with concern, the light's radius becoming smaller and smaller, as I finally managed to see the man who was using another orb, a blue one, to swallow the light with effort.

Who... who's that ?

It was a strange person wearing a black coat and a sort of yellow mask with black marks which covered his whole head... or a helmet... with a design different from the ones worn by regular soldiers.

SHWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH !!!

He continued to use his orb to aspire the entirety of the red light which still looked to keep an incredible force, and it became smaller, smaller and smaller.

SHWOOOOOOOOOoooooo... !!!

All the light has been imprisoned inside that strange orb, held by the man's black-gloved hand, as he looked to have used some effort by doing that.

I was pretty confused and shocked.

Who is that ?!... Is that another of these Elementmen ?!

...No... He looks way too... different.

Indeed, he just saved our lives, but why ?!

"... !!!"

I watched at Travis.

He looked surprised, very surprised, for an unknown reason... Just at the sight of the mysterious man, it's like he was pretty frightened... like he already knew who he was.

After stowing the orb in his coat, I stayed cautious about what he will try to do.

Was he really on our side ? Or was he an enemy ?

However, the man with the yellow helmet just stared at us... but in reality, he was especially staring... at me.

"...W-who..."

I didn't finish my sentence, as he sighed.

After a small moment of silence, he finally spoke to me.

"I just wanted to see you... one last time."

"?!..."

His voice looked worried...

I was completely surprised: he was speaking to me like he already knew me.

But this man... he didn't seem to look familiar at all.

And why did he say that he wanted to see me "one last time" ?

But before I could ask, I saw a purple smoke which started to cover his body when he told me in a sad tone.

"Farewell..."

"WAIT !"

Travis yelled, reaching his hand towards the man while he disappeared alongside the purple mist.

"!!!..."

He's gone !

But not like the Elementmen killed during the fight and turned into blue smoke... This man just disappeared of his own free will.

"..."

FWHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII !!

The wind of the desert continued to blow calmly while we were too astonished about what we just witnessed.

~A few minutes later~

Too many things just happened today, and both of us were still deeply shocked by the events which just occurred in that place.

First, Yusufa has been killed... without I had the time to do anything to save her...

Then, we have been attacked from all sides by these mysterious killers who didn't lose any drop of blood when the steel blade had contact with their skin, without forgetting that Travis has lost his mind, and turned in a sort of creature with black lightning who destroyed everything in its path.

And after so many peripeties... I finally killed that asshole named Helgenish...

Or I believed I did... but I think his corpse must have been completely wiped out as he was just so close to the explosion he created earlier, but that doesn't really matter anymore.

Indeed, he didn't have the time to do what he was about to prepare with the red orb which the crow gave him, now it has been destroyed by Travis...

That means that at least, we were able to save innocent lives by preventing the summoning of that pillar of light, as this light looked so unstable and dangerously powerful that it could blow up an entire city...

Anyway, we managed to stop in time another of Helgenish's big crime, and he will finally go to hell for all the other crimes he made.

And now, "master"... I believe my debt is paid...

By the way, I finally managed to take him the piece of paper when I slew him, the one which the left-hand man gave to him.

I checked it one more time.

I guess he won't be needing this anymore...

It was a rough map of Orsterra which was showing a specific location.

The village of Stillsnow...

So, if I believe these instructions, that must be the place where the man with the mark of the crow on his left arm has established himself. Maybe the rest of the band could be here, but there was only one way to find out.

I'll need to pack some warmer clothes before leaving that damn place after so many years. And soon, I will finally have my revenge...

But before I leave, I needed to do something else.

"...Yusufa."

I was standing, looking upset, a front of her tomb which I covered of sand and put a rock with one of her favorite bracelet wrapped around it.

I felt so sorry for her... She didn't deserve to have her life being taken away like that, all of this because she wanted to help me...

She was like a sister to me...

I was still morning for her death when I heard some small steps walking on the sand.

Travis just stood a front of her tomb at my right, and he didn't say anything.

He must have finally recovered from his exhaustion after using his powers again. One wonders if his recovering abilities were really human...

He too was saddened by her loss, as he spoke in a calm and depressed tone.

"Why'd she had to die... Yusufa ?..."

His tears were still leaving his eyes as he felt responsible as well.

I just stayed silent, while the wind was still blowing throughout the canyon.

FWHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIII !!!

After a moment, I decided to leave and go back in the direction of Sunshade.

"W-where're you going ?!", asked me Travis worryingly.

"Where do you want me to go instead ? I'm gonna find that crow and kill him for good.", I answered him coldly.

I felt still hatred towards that crow with the left-hand mark, who was the source of everything which happened today.

If I hurry, I can still manage to catch him back before he...

"!!!"

Suddenly, I felt my leg being gripped, stopping me in my tracks.

"Wait, stop !"

I saw Travis, who wrapped his arms tightly around my leg to prevent me to move.

"What'you doing ?! Let go of my leg !"

"No way ! You can't go while you're hurt !"

"I said let go of my leg !"

He disobeyed and gripped me tighter.

"But don't you think you're going too far again ?! Do you want to risk your life for pursuing that man ?! Do you really think... it will help you cover Yusufa's loss ?!"

"Don't get in my way ! If I give up now, all her efforts will be useless and she would be dead for nothing !"

"SHE WOULD NEVER HAVE DONE THESE EFFORTS FOR YOU COULD GET KILLED FOR NOTHING !"

"ENOUGH !"

I pushed him, as he finally let go of my leg and fell on the back.

His eyes widened of fear as I watched at him coldly.

"Primrose !... Look how you're behaving !"

He looked pretty worried.

I stayed silent as he got up and spoke to him seriously.

"You... you knew it was him... huh ?..."

"!!!..."

"The man you have spied on before... You have well seen the mark of the crow on his arm... Am I wrong ?"

Right now, I felt contraried inside, and I needed to have a word with this boy.

He flinched of surprise as I finally understood what he was hiding from me, but he didn't even try to deny it by shame.

I added in a serious tone.

"How I could have been so stupid at this point ?!"

"Primrose, let me explain..."

"SHUT UP !", I shouted to him, before adding. "If you told me sooner that you have seen one of the crows instead of keeping it from me... I should have been able to catch him back quicker... I would have already killed him like how it was supposed to happen... and Yusufa... SHE WOULDN'T HAVE TO BE KILLED BY YOUR FAULT !"

"!!!..."

I was really mad at Travis.

I saw him frowning with guilt, and looked unhappy when he answered.

"I... I'm sorry !... But I didn't mean to that !..."

"WELL, THAT'S A SUCCESS ! WE CAN'T REALLY COUNT ON YOU AT ALL !"

"LISTEN, I COULN'T TELL YOU BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PUT YOU MORE IN DANGER ! I DIDN'T WANT YOU TO GET CHARGING AHEAD TO HIM WHILE YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED !"

"I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING !!! I KNEW THESE GUYS FOR MUCH LONGER THAN YOU, AND I WAS READY FOR YEARS TO TRACK DOWN ALL OF THEM AND MAKING THEY PAY FOR WHAT THEY DID TO MY FATHER !!"

"ALWAYS YOUR FATHER !!! DO YOU REALLY HAVE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT IS WRITTEN ON YOUR KNIFE WORD BY WORD ?!"

I gave him a deadly glare.

"Be careful of what you say, young man..."

He stared back at me as he looked upset as well.

"I finally figured out something, now... If you are really blinded at this point... IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MY ROLE TO DEAL WITH THAT MAN, AND NO ONE ELSE ! AND JUST THE FACT THAT YOUR FAMILY'S WORDS PUSH YOU TO AVENGE YOUR FATHER, THAT'S TOTALLY NONSENSE !!!"

SLAP !

I slapped him.

"!!!..."

He stepped back as his cheek became red, shocked by my gesture.

I couldn't bear what he told me, and now, I had such a will to let go of everything.

"How dare you getting involved in my own business like it was yours... HOW DARE YOU PRETEND THAT YOU WILL HANDLE ALL OF MY PROBLEMS BETTER THAN I COULD ?!!... DO YOU REALLY THINK I CARE FOR ALL OF YOUR ADVICES WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO "HELP" ME ?!"

"!!!..."

His eyes were full of despair as I continued.

"YOU'RE STILL TOO YOUNG TO UNDERSTAND ALL THESE ISSUES !!... YOU THINK YOU COULD HELP OTHERS WITH YOUR THUNDERS ALTHOUGH YOU'RE NOT EVEN ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF !!... ME, I HAD TO FIGHT FOR 10 YEARS TO SURVIVE IN THAT COMPLICATED WORLD, TO ENDURE EVERY PAIN TO GET TO THIS POINT, AND YOU, YOU JUST POP UP IN MY LIFE WITHOUT I EVEN ASKED YOUR HELP !!... YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH I'VE SUFFERED FOR YEARS TO NOT PUT MY FEELINGS ASIDE !!"

Tears started to leave my eyes when Travis yelled.

"BECAUSE YOU THINK YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE TO HAVE KNOWN A TRAGIC PAST ?!!"

" !!!..."

He became very angry as he shouted.

"EACH TIME YOU SAW ME WANDERING OUTSIDE IN THE TOWN, IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO HAD A "NORMAL LIFE", DIDN'T YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT FOR ME, WHILE YOU WERE DANCING IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL THESE JERKS ?!!"

He stared at me with hate when he told me.

"The truth is that... you didn't care at all, right ?"

"Listen, I..."

"NO !! YOU, LISTEN TO ME !!... THE PROBLEM, WITH YOU, IS THAT YOU DON'T ONLY HAVE REVENGE IN MIND, BUT YOU ALSO KEEP IGNORING ALL THE HELP WE WANTED TO PROVIDE YOU LIKE IT DIDN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO YOU !!... IT'S CLEARLY YOU THE REAL ONE WHO BELIEVE TO BE ABLE TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM BY HERSELF BECAUSE OF THAT STUPID AND POINTLESS REVENGE !!... AND ME, I FIND THAT REALLY SELFISH FROM YOU !!... IT'S LIKE YOU'RE NOT EVEN LIVING IN THE SAME WORLD THAN EVERYONE ELSE !!..."

He slowly calmed down, with angered but teary eyes, as he finally said calmly.

"In any case... I... I didn't even come from this one, to tell the truth..."

Travis watched at me seriously, his fist clenched tightly, as he wanted to tell me something important.

I was pretty confused.

"Wait... What do you mean by that ?!"

GZZZ !!! GZZZ !!!

Strangely, blue sparks started to cover his body while he wanted to tell me.

"To tell you the truth, I came from a world where..."

SCRAAAATCHH !!

He didn't have the time to finish while blue electricity covered him and a blue light shined around him.

"!!!..."

FLASH !

He disappeared all of a sudden in front of my eyes, leaving me completely shocked.

FWHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII !!!!

I was now completely alone in the middle of these winds carrying the shifting sand of these sunlands.

Travis was just gone like this yellow helmet man earlier...

As I looked around, I felt a pain in my foot.

"Ha !"

I checked my sandal and picked up the tissue I used to cover the wound.

This tissue... Yusufa gave it to me...

I fell on my knees, as I was completely overwhelmed by the events.

What... what did it take me ?!

I started to sob, alone, full of shame, and really exhausted...

As I said before, it was so hard for me to put my feelings aside.

Yusufa missed me a lot... And I felt so betrayed because of my behavior...

I swore... It's like I wasn't myself anymore...

I watched again the white tissue, still stained of my blood.

Yusufa... We are free at last... my friend.

"Sob !..."

At least, she wouldn't have to suffer in that hellish city anymore...

We both have finally found back our freedom from that Helgenish, even though we managed to get it in different ways...

For now, I just wanted to be alone for a while...

Before I could pursue my quest for vengeance against the three foul crows...

But I have no idea where this dance will lead me if ever I continue to follow my destiny...

Non can say...

~

A/N:...

...

What do you want me to say ?...

Anger is a human feeling, and this is what I wanted to give to Primrose. Although she has always revenge in mind like in the game, I wanted to give more humanity to Primrose in that story, especially towards Yusufa. In my opinion, her death is such the most tragic moment in the game, and this is what made Primrose's story unique compared to the other protagonists.

By the way, there were a lot of fights and twists in that chapter as well, and I used a lot of onomatopeias, so I hope it wasn't too hard for you to put yourself in the story.

Also, my book finally reached the 100 votes and I would like to thank you all for permitting me to reach that record.