Chapter 36:

  Regrets of a Regressor

  (Elizabeth's POV)

  Her gaze lingered upon the picture of Lucas that Maya sent to her. He had fallen asleep nuzzling Azure in his arms. Both of them completely out of it. She sighed, wishing she could be there with them right now, but unfortunately, Lucas was right. She had responsibilities.

  Until a time when the world was ready to defend itself, Elizabeth had no choice. In order to make the world safe for Lucas, she had to fight, and that meant being away from him. She hated it, but what choice did she have? Allow the world to fall once more? Repeat the cycle?

  "No." she thought to herself, taking a deep breath.

  That wasn't an option. As strong as she was, there were some things she just couldn't do. When Lucas died the st time, his injuries couldn't be healed, and gods did she try. She tore the Hellhounds apart to get to him. Used every single healing item and skill she had...to no avail.

  As she held him in her arms, that fool smiled. Why did he always smile? "It's unfair..." she mented with amusement, touching her hand to her face. She could still feel his touch upon her cheek. She had arrived too te.

  Every life there was always some variable that changed. In the st one, Hannah, Maya's sister, had been assassinated. The Saint. One of the only people who could have saved Lucas...murdered. Maya, distraught at the outcome, vowed revenge and went on a rampage.

  In the end, Elizabeth allowed the Hellhounds to devour her. It never got easy. She couldn't be in several pces at once, not really. In all of her lifetimes, she was never able to find a way to do so. She always searched, looking for hints of items or spells that might be able to copy her. The closest she ever got was the skill [Mirage], but that, unfortunately, had a limited range.

  ---

  >Skill – [Mirage]

  >Duration – Until Dismissed or Destroyed.

  >Effect – You've mastered your Infernal Fmes and are able to create copies of yourself within them. They are semi-corporeal and act of their own free will unless instructed otherwise. They have a fragment of your essence, mimicking you in all things. They disappear if more than a mile away from you. In addition, you may switch pces with your copies at any time.

  >Rank – Unique (Growth Type) – Mastered (Max Rank)

  ---

  It was a rather useful skill, and at first gnce the range seemed pretty decent, but in a world such as this, a single mile wasn't all that far. She had to remain pretty close to Lucas in order for it to matter, and if she was going to be that close to him...she was going to be by his side. So, using [Mirage] to keep an eye on him was difficult. Especially when her job kept her moving all over not only the city, but the world itself.

  Truth be told, [Mirage], like most of her skills, had been inspired by Lucas. When he was still a Pyer, he had a spell known as [Double] which created two copies of himself in a shimmering, semi-real form. He used this to distract his foes. Within a few dozen feet of him, he could switch pces with them.

  Over her life, she tried to mimic this in order to never be far from him. It had an annoying short range at first, and through constant use did she raise it to the heights it was at now. Unfortunately, it was still cking. First, they were only semi-corporeal. Far from being proper copies of herself. They only held a fraction of her power.

  Though, to their benefit, a fraction of her power was still substantial. Second was the range. A mile was far from the few dozen feet that Lucas had been capable of, but it was far from ideal for Elizabeth's purposes. Since her job often took her many miles from him, and in some cases, across the world...this was unacceptable.

  It frustrated her to no end that this was the extent of the ability. It always felt like she was missing something, and so she continued to search for ways to evolve it or perhaps find something better. Yet, whether because some of her lives were cut short, or she was fighting for her life in others...it had been agonizingly slow.

  The Angel's Teardrops, without the side effects and enhanced by the materials in the Sun's Pace, might help to evolve the ability, but she was never able to truly test it. After learning about it, she failed to protect Lucas long enough for her to try. So, it never mattered. This time, however, she wasn't going to fail.

  There were a few times that Elizabeth tried to fight on after Lucas's death, but it was the most excruciating experience out of everything. Without him, her world was colorless. Pale in comparison to the light that he brought to her life. Even when she kept her distance, fearing that she was the reason he always died. At the very least, he was still alive.

  Sometimes, she would push on, searching for new ways and new things she could use in her next life, but when it came to the Sun's Pace...it was always too painful to wait. The few times Lucas made it to its arrival, he either died shortly after in a cataclysm or she was doing everything she could to protect him, and thus couldn't investigate the Sun's Pace properly.

  She had to make a sacrifice, and that's how she eventually learned about the material within the Sun's Pace. It had been the most painful choice she had ever had to make. Lucas's life in exchange for the chance to be prepared in their next life, and that damned fool...he paid the price as he always did with a smile on his face.

  You see, in that life, Elizabeth was married to him. Just as she had been in several of her lives. He had always been suspicious about her being a regressor, but very rarely questioned it. When Elizabeth made it to the Sun's Pace, Lucas had been back home where she believed it was safe. She had left him in the care of Zero Squad, going to Sun's Pace alone.

  ----

  (Fshback)

  On the way, she received an alert. City W was under attack. The Wild Zone had broken free of the containment wall. Several massive breaks were happening and it was being overrun by monsters. She immediately began to call the retreat when Lucas called her.

  "Hey, hun, I take it you heard the news?" his words were surprisingly calm for the horrific sounds happening in the background.

  "I'm on my way back, just-" she began to say, her heart in a vice grip.

  "No," he had said firmly and unfairly warm, "You won't make it in time. I'll do my best here, but you...The Sun's Pace. You said there's something there, right?"

  "...Yeah," Elizabeth barely got the words out, choking back her tears, "That doesn't matter. I can make it back, just...please. Stay safe until I'm back, I'll-"

  "Ellie..." Lucas's words were gentle, causing her to colpse on the snow-covered ground, for she heard the truth and didn't want to admit it, "Put it on video."

  She wiped her tears free and tried to make herself presentable. She turned her phone to face her and projected the screen into the air. A holographic dispy popped up and revealed Lucas's handsome face. He was in an office at Aegis Headquarters. The silver streak taking up only three-fourths of the strands of his chestnut hair.

  "Lucas..." Elizabeth practically pleaded, "I can make it back. I can. If I leave now, I'll be there within the hour."

  "You'd just exhaust yourself," his words were all too gentle.

  Shaking his head, there was acknowledgement in his eyes. It was unfair how peaceful he looked. He had already accepted the outcome. She could see outside the window of the office that the city was already in fmes. Pyers were fighting for their lives. Spells were going off everywhere.

  A second ter, one of the rger skyscrapers colpsed as a Titan crashed into it. The entire building that Lucas was in rumbled, but he never took his eyes from her. He was solely focused on her. It was unfair. Why? Why did it always have to happen? She had been too unprepared.

  "I should have never left..." Elizabeth spoke with regret, "I should have-"

  "Shh. Shh," he soothed her, "If you were here, what of the Sun's Pace?"

  "It would still be here..." Elizabeth attempted to rationalize, "It's not going anywhere."

  "Maybe, but would we be here?" he asked such an unfair question, "I'm sure you could make it here, but again, you'd be exhausted. You're no good to anyone like that. I keep telling you. Take care of yourself."

  "Lucas..." Elizabeth's tears were streaming now, "I should be there, I can't-"

  "Ellie," he softly cut through her words, "Look outside. Even you can't fight this. Not while protecting me."

  "I could try," she responded defiantly, "You underestimate me."

  "No, my love..." he shook his head with a loving smile, "I think you're the strongest in the world. I just know you. Even you get tired. You save me, and then what? We live in a ruined world?"

  "...It's already ruined," she stated bitterly, "This world means nothing without you."

  "And it means nothing without you," he retorted pyfully, causing her to blush despite the circumstances, "The Sun's Pace is important. You said it yourself. So-"

  An explosion sounded behind him as the wall to the office he was in broke. Spilling into it from the outside was a small wyvern-like creature. A lizard with wings for arms that rolled into the room after crashing into it. Pushing itself up, it shook its head and locked onto Lucas almost immediately.

  "Lucas!" Elizabeth screamed, horror washing over her.

  Was she about to watch him die...again? "No, no, no..." her thoughts were a mess as she could only watch, frozen to the spot. Lucas whipped his head around, gring at the thing as if it was more of a nuisance than a threat. In that moment, Elizabeth's heart raced from how fetching he looked, despite the obvious danger.

  "You son of a bitch!" Lucas excimed as he reached under the desk and pulled a pistol from it, "I'm talking to my fucking wife!"

  Several shots rang out as the bullets, made from special metals found in dungeons, tore into its flesh. A viscous green blood sprayed from its wounds as it roared in anger and pain. Elizabeth's heart froze, her blood becoming ice. Lucas emptied the entire clip, but it wasn't enough. Just as it went to unch itself at him, an arrow of light tore it in half as Richard appeared in the room.

  "Hey, boss, you alright?" Richard asked Lucas as he went to check the corpse.

  "Yeah, I'm fine," Lucas answered, popping out the used clip and repcing it with another he pulled from a drawer in the desk, "Motherfucker interrupted me talking to Ellie. Bitch ass fuck."

  Elizabeth stifled a ugh behind her hand, holding back tears. He only ever swore like that when he was really annoyed. It was both amusing and terrifying, knowing that he was in danger and yet still concerned himself with her. Part of her had never been so attracted to him than in that moment, and yet it was tempered by her fear of losing him.

  "Hey, love, sorry about that..." Lucas turned his attention back to her, "Fucking Wyvern...at least these bullets kinda work."

  "You should hurry up," Richard instructed as he stepped up to the opening in the wall, firing several shots into the creatures beginning to flock around, "We need to get you somewhere safe."

  "Yeah..." Lucas took a deep breath, his eyes clear as he locked eyes with Elizabeth, "Love...I'll do my best here, but you need to do what you went to do."

  "I can't..." Elizabeth shook her head, "Not while you're in danger."

  "You can," he insisted, those eyes of his were unfair, looking at her with utter confidence, "You need that knowledge, at the very least. What if you don't get another chance?"

  "Lucas, what do you-" she tried to brush it off, but he saw through her.

  "You know I've had my suspicions," he chuckled, her heart wrenching itself, "If I'm wrong, then this is very cruel of me...but if I'm not, promise me one thing."

  "...What is it?" her voice broke as she held back her tears, attempting to appear strong for him, but it was him who was being strong for her, "Anything. Just say the world."

  "Make it count," he ordered, fire in his eyes, "Don't waste it."

  "Luke, we gotta go, now!" Richard yelled as he loosed a massive bolt of lightning from his bow, "There's a cloud of 'em coming. Aaliyah's holding the retreat, but she won't st. If we're going, we're going now."

  Lucas looked out of the window and Elizabeth caught a glimpse of a rge flock of Wyverns bearing down on the building. It was called a cloud for it cast shade wherever it flew. Elizabeth's heart sunk. He was right...she would have been too te, even if she had left right away.

  Lucas took a deep breath and nodded towards Richard. They shared an understanding look as Richard moved towards the door of the room. Lucas picked up his phone and gave the most brilliant, loving, and tender smile he could.

  "You damn fool..." Elizabeth's heart broke, "Don't you dare smile."

  "How could I not when I've loved a woman like you?" he responded, never once losing that light in his eyes, "I love you, Ellie. Always and forever. Now, are you going to have this be the st thing I see?"

  "I hate you..." Elizabeth swore, but she meant none of it.

  "No you don't," he smirked infuriatingly.

  "Lucas..." Richard warned and Elizabeth quickly composed herself as Lucas motioned for Richard to give them a second.

  "Come on, Ellie..." he coaxed in that stubborn way of his, "I'm not moving until you say it."

  "Bastard..." she swore again, ughing this time, "You know full damn well how much I love you. Always and forever."

  "See you in the next life, my love," he blew a kiss that she caught and held close to her heart, "Well, if I'm correct, anyways..."

  He couldn't leave it off without joking. It was his way of trying to lighten the mood. His smile was the st thing she saw before the feed was suddenly cut.

  "You have no idea how right you are..." Elizabeth muttered, forcing herself to stand as her body felt like lead, "I'll make it count. I swear it..."

  She turned then, heading towards the Sun's Pace. None stood in her way. She found the material she needed, and with a heavy heart, knowing what she would find, made her way back to City W. It was in ruins. Everything was destroyed, and there amongst the rubble...she found him.

  Gun in hand and the entirety of Zero Squad surrounding him, including Maya, who in this life had joined them openly. He had a stupid smile on his face, knowing that she would find him. She knelt before him, closing his eyes which stared empty up at the sky.

  It had taken several days to find him, and in that time...the report had come.

  "Miss Falcrest," the young technician cleared their throat nervously, "You told me to tell you immediately, but I can come back if-"

  "Tell me," she ordered, softly brushing Lucas's hair.

  "R-Right..." they cleared their throat once more and proceeded, "According to our analysis, the materials you brought back from the Sun's Pace, what we're calling Heaven's Fire has proven to have cleansing properties. We did as instructed, testing it on a healing potion. It's efficiency was doubled, but we-"

  "Angel's Teardrops," Elizabeth interrupted, "Has it been tested yet?"

  "Ah, right..." they shifted nervously, scrolling through their notes, "We've only done preliminary rounds, as it's only been a couple days, but...the addictive properties were nullified. We administered it to several addicts, all of whom almost immediately recovered. Give us a few weeks and we'll have a definitive answer for you. We already have a name for it."

  A few weeks...Elizabeth couldn't wait that long. Not while Lucas remained dead. It was enough to know that the rumors she heard were true. Heaven's Fire, a crystallized fme, that she had heard about in a previous life. It was said to increase the efficiency of elixirs and cleanse them of all negative side effects. The fact it doubled a healing potion's effects and cleansed addicts of their addiction...it was a good indicator that it would work.

  "So...what's the name?" Elizabeth asked half-heartedly, forcing herself to go through the motions.

  "We're calling it...Ambrosia," the technician sounded proud of the name.

  "Ambrosia, huh?" Elizabeth mused, tenderly stroking Lucas's cold face, "Elixir of the Gods. If it works out like we think...it's an appropriate name. You would have liked it, my love..."

  The technician shifted once more, nervous in Elizabeth's presence. Gncing slightly over her shoulder, she looked upon the young man with cold eyes.

  "You may go now," she ordered, "Inform recmation that we found Zero Squad. If their families are alive...see that they're returned. All honors afforded. No limit."

  "Yes, Ma'am," they saluted and turned to leave.

  As they did, Elizabeth lifted Lucas into her arms as the tears began to flow. That day, she walked away from the city with him, never to be seen again. She buried him with his parents in a safe location, who had also died during the outbreak. Grief-stricken, she didn't stay around to see the effects of this "Ambrosia". It could be done in another life. One where Lucas was still alive.

  And so, she delved deep into the most poputed and dangerous of Wild Zones. Fighting until exhaustion took her, and continued even after that. She hated this world. Taking what was precious to her. It was the start of a very depressive few lives, but soon she resolved herself again.

  (End of Fshback)

  ---

  (Back to the Present, Elizabeth's POV)

  That had been a rough time, but because of it, she had learned about Ambrosia. Unfortunately, all the other lives after that never gave her a chance to test it properly. The closest she ever got was when she learned [Visceral Ssh: Exodus]. The Ambrosia had given her insight into the skill, unlocking her mind to the next level. It was...effective.

  Like all her lives, they ended when Lucas died, and shortly after this revetion for [Visceral Ssh], a Critical Dungeon opened and swallowed him. She delved into it, only to find his corpse...half-rotten and hungry for flesh. She embraced him, unable to bring him back, but if she was to die, at the very least it would be by his hand. It had been rather bittersweet, but strangely...she had been happy.

  At least in that life, she was with him in the end.

  "Ma'am, we're almost there," an older gentleman with greying hair and golden eyes informed her, "The Association's already locked down the area."

  He sat in the back of a rge truck with her wearing a suit of heavy armor. It was well taken care of and polished to perfection. He was Reginald from the Adamant Guild, sent by Dimitry as a representative.

  "Have the other guilds answered?" she inquired, and he nodded.

  "Ellen from Haven is already there," he expined, gncing out of the truck at the passing scenery, "Pennsylvania sure has changed..."

  "That's an understatement..." Elizabeth muttered, looking out over the passing wastend.

  Pennsylvania, like many of the states, were radically changed when the gates opened. In the case of Pennsylvania, most of its forests were destroyed or assimited for rebuilding efforts after the first outbreak. There were repnting efforts, and through the combined efforts of the Pyers Association and Wildlife Foundation, it was progressing as well as it could.

  Pyers with nature reted skills could be seen walking the nd even now as they drove by. They summoned water to nurture the nd, helped to irrigate and till the nd for pnting, and helped encourage increased growth via magic. Whole swathes of their forests were already showing progress, but there was still a long way to go, especially with how poisoned the nd had become.

  They had been attacked by giant ants with poisonous blood. It seeped into the nd and destroyed most of the soil, killing much of the ecosystem. No matter how much pnning and preparation Elizabeth did, she couldn't prevent everything. The best they could do sometimes was help with the rebuilding effort.

  "They're calling the gate Orion's Folly," Reginald briefed, looking at the tablet in his hand, "The few who have entered it cim that it's an illusion, but I've never heard of illusions hurting before."

  He then passed it over to the other passenger in the truck with them. Richard, who had come along from Zero Squad.

  "Apparently, the purpose of it is to find the real boss," Richard chimed in as he took the tablet and began looking it over, "It's a hunting trial. Since Orion was a hunter, and made several mistakes...the name kind of stuck."

  There was something here that he needed, and Elizabeth had a theory she wished to test. If she was right, perhaps she might be one step closer to finding the answer to evolving [Mirage] or perhaps finding a simir skill. What intrigued her about Orion's Folly is that the boss duplicated itself. Only one of them was real, but each one was just as strong as the boss itself.

  She tried looking into it before, but with no results. It always felt like she was missing something. The only reason why she was here now and not with Lucas, besides the fact he pushed her out of the door, is because there might be a chance she'd discover something. Even with all her knowledge, there was always something new to learn.

  "Do we know the type of Dungeon?" Elizabeth asked, though already knew.

  "We believe it's a Growth Type," Richard answered, looking at the same documents as Reginald, "Though...hmm."

  Elizabeth caught the intrigue in his voice. He had discovered something.

  "What is it?" she inquired, curious about his findings.

  "Well...unless I'm wrong..." he gnced up at her briefly, a little hesitant, "It feels like...perhaps it's not a Growth Type."

  Now this was new. Elizabeth knew for a fact that it was a Growth Type. The boss of the Dungeon was a Minotaur named "Bracus", and the longer you took to clear the dungeon, the stronger they became. It was how she discovered the item and skill which would be incredibly useful for Richard, but...this was the first time its legitimacy of being a Growth Dungeon was called into question.

  Richard's blue eyes shimmered with a golden light. [Hawk's Sight]. A skill that allowed him to analyze several details at once, and currently...he was using it on the documents that Reginald had provided. Elizabeth grew intrigued, and in fact...excited. Being a regressor didn't make you omniscient. No matter how many lives that Elizabeth had lived, there was always something new to learn.

  The difference, however, became in how you used the new information.

  "What do you see?" Elizabeth asked quietly, "If it's not a Growth Type, then what is it?"

  He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes lost their golden sheen. Blinking as if to clear his mind, he leaned back and handed the tablet back to Reginald.

  "I want to be clear," he said, holding up a hand, "It is a Growth type. What I meant is that I don't think it's only a Growth Type. I believe it...adapts."

  "Adaption?" Reginald sounded surprised, "Are you sure?"

  "I don't want to say for sure, but..." Richard motioned towards the tablet, "What you showed me...the reports from those who already attempted the Dungeon...the pattern fits."

  "Damn it..." Reginald muttered, a little frustrated.

  Elizabeth grew silent as she slowly leaned back, now lost in thought. The pieces of a puzzle she had long since been trying to figure out beginning to fit together. Adaption. A type of modifier to a Dungeon, though more specifically the creatures within. It learns from those who challenge it.

  "What a folly indeed..." Elizabeth thought to herself, memories of the past flooding her mind.

  It was shameful to admit, but in one of her earlier regressions, she had died to Bracus while trying to improve [Double] before it had become [Mirage] in her ter lives. Ever since, she had been cautious until she was sure she could defeat Bracus easily. This, along with how different each regression was, had caused her to miss one crucial detail. The fact this dungeon was an Adaptive Growth Type. An incredibly rare type of dungeon that retained information from previous attempts.

  With a heavy heart, she now knew what she had to do. Opening up [Message] she informed Maya of the news.

  "I'll be te" – Elizabeth Falcrest

  "How long?" – Maya Rosengard

  "A couple days at most" – Elizabeth Falcrest

  "Lucas won't like it" – Maya Rosengard

  "...I know. I don't like it either" – Elizabeth Falcrest

  "I'll let him know" – Maya Rosengard

  "Thank you, and...Sorry" – Elizabeth Falcrest

  "I'm not the one you should apologize to" – Maya Rosengard

  "He misses you. A lot" – Maya Rosengard

  Elizabeth's heart broke, knowing what Maya said was the truth. She wanted to rush back home in that moment, but she steeled herself, remembering Lucas's own words that had always helped keep her focused. "Make it count."

  "...So unfair," Elizabeth muttered with a soft sigh.

  "Hmm? What's up?" Richard asked, not quite hearing her, but she lifted her hand dismissively.

  "It's nothing, focus on your task," she ordered with a bit more bite than intended.

  He nodded, going back to discussing things with Reginald as they pulled up to the perimeter around the gate. It was located in a small rural town that had long been abandoned. The gate crackled with prismatic energy from within an empty park, or at least it was empty. Now, there were several people monitoring it with high tech equipment set up around it.

  The logo of the Pyers Association beled everything, including the uniform of most of the people milling around. Several makeshift buildings had been erected. They appeared like trailers and Elizabeth could see the Haven, Adamant, and Aegis Guild symbols upon them. One for each guild.

  As the truck finally came to a stop, Elizabeth hopped out immediate, followed by Richard and Reginald, the tter of which bowed his head to her before moving to reconvene with his guild. Only Richard and her remained. He looked at her closely, hesitantly speaking.

  "...You have the look in your eye, Ma'am," he stated quietly, "We won't be here for just a day, will we?"

  "You won't," Elizabeth replied, straightening herself as a frigid air washed over her, "I have to test something, so you'll be first."

  Richard's expression grew sympathetic, hearing the despondent tone that permeated her words. She gave him a warning gre, but he simply held his hands up like he didn't want any trouble. Sighing, she motioned for him to follow.

  "Say it already," Elizabeth growled, knowing that he wouldn't stop giving her that look.

  "You're worried about him, aren't you?" he spoke in an annoyingly understanding tone, "I shouldn't have said anything. What does it matter if this is an Adaptive Growth Type?"

  His keen senses were often grating, knowing exactly why her mood suddenly shifted.

  "...Everything, Richard, everything," Elizabeth pushed open the door to the Aegis Guild quarters that were set up before they arrived, "However, if you hadn't said anything..."

  She stopped where she was, turning an icy gaze upon him. She visibly saw him shiver and shrink back slightly in the small hallway of trailer.

  "I'd have never forgiven you," her words were not a threat, but a certainty, and after they had sunk in.

  She rexed and continued to the back of the trailer where her office, and room for the next several days, would be. She stopped before the door and turned towards Richard once more, her demeanor less hostile, but no less commanding.

  "I believed this dungeon would help you," she informed him, "However, it may also be of benefit to me. Your insight was much appreciated, even if it deyed my return. I have to do this."

  Richard didn't question her. He simply nodded. They had been working together long enough that he knew she had her reasons. Every single one of Zero Squad stood with her. Something she'd never forget.

  "Max out the time," she ordered, "Kill them all with one attack."

  "O-One!?" Richard grew incredulous, "How the hell...I mean, I'm good, but from the reports there are at least twenty of them. To get them all lined up and-"

  His words trailed off as he saw the look on Elizabeth's face. It was the look of a woman who wasn't going to change her mind, and failure meant that perhaps he was in need of extra hellish training. Something he was loathe to be subject to.

  "Damn it..." he muttered with a heavy, resigned sigh, "Fine, but just so you know, I don't like it!"

  Elizabeth smiled, though it was a little devilish.

  "You'll be fine," she assured him, "Now go."

  Richard turned to leave; his head hung low. Elizabeth turned to enter her room, and once the door closed behind her, she slid back against it, falling to the floor in despair. She didn't want to be gone from Lucas for too long, and now...she had no idea when she would return. Like Titania's Lair, Orion's Folly closed after it was cleared and respawned after a set period of time.

  In the case of Orion's Folly, she knew that it respawned every day after it was cleared. She didn't know how long she needed, and could only hope that it wouldn't be too long. Pulling the picture of Lucas out that Maya had sent again, she fondly gazed upon it with longing in her eyes.

  "What a lucky Drake..." Elizabeth mused at Azure, seeing them cuddled with Lucas, "I'll return as soon as I can, my love. I promise..."

  She brought a tender finger to the picture, caressing it over Lucas's face. If this went according to pn, she'd not have to worry about being far from him ever again. For that reason alone, she would weather the empty void that filled her heart. When she returned, however...she wasn't sure she'd be able to hold herself back any longer. She needed him.

  -----

  (Lucas's POV)

  A shiver ran up my spine as I id in bed, feeling the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. It was like I sensed danger, and yet as I looked around the room, I could see nothing. "Yeah...nothing..." I grew mencholic as the void left in my heart from Elizabeth's absence threatened to devour me.

  Maya had informed me when I awoke from my nap that Elizabeth may be home ter than she had intended. I wasn't angry with her. Things happen. She was a Pyer and she had responsibilities. I just...missed her.

  I had everything pnned for when she returned, but now...I had to wait again. Maybe I was getting impatient, but I felt angry that things kept getting in the way. I felt the box in my hand, running my thumb over it. Lifting it up, I opened it and gazed at the ring within.

  A slow, soft smile crept across my face, wondering how it would look upon her hand. Would she say yes? Of course she would, right? I mean...she did propose first, technically.

  "Ugh..." I flipped over, continuing to look at the ring, "I'm overthinking this."

  I knew I was. I just felt like the world was trying to screw me over right now. How frustrating it must have been for Elizabeth. "Over a thousand lives..." I thought in awe and sorrow, "You've waited so long...and lost so much. This time, for sure, my love..." I smiled deeply then, gratitude filling my heart. I believed in her.

  Elizabeth wasn't the only one who wanted a long life together. I had never been so sure of something in all of my life. The other night, I had a dream about her, but...I was pretty sure it was another memory that was leaking through.

  We were on a beach somewhere. A cool breeze passed over us as we ate at some fancy restaurant. Her smile was as beautiful as always. We clinked gsses together. Happy as can be.

  Unfortunately...I held a hand over my chest where I could still feel the impact. A rift had opened up above the sea. Elizabeth's face turned to horror as monsters spilled forth. Krakens, fishmen, lizardfolk, and many more creatures of amphibian nature spilled onto the beach. She fought them off as best she could, but...I wasn't so lucky.

  A tendril pierced my chest, the st thing I remembered was Elizabeth running towards me with such pain in her eyes and on her face. I swallowed hard, feeling my head begin to ache. Clenching the box with the ring in my hand, I closed my eyes and reaffirmed my decision.

  "I'll make you smile properly, Ellie..." I whispered, "This time, at least..."

  Just then, the door to my room open, causing me to jump up in surprise. The box closed in my hand as I hid it protectively behind me. It was a silly notion, but I had been so lost in thought that I was caught off-guard.

  "I apologize," Maya's gentle voice calmed me, "I did not mean to startle you, Sir."

  "Ah, Maya, it's you..." I looked a little sheepish, taking the box from behind my back, "I thought you were an intruder."

  She raised an eyebrow in what looked almost like amusement, a dangerous glint fshing across her eyes.

  "Anyone foolish enough to intrude has a death wish," she stated calmly, "I assure you, Sir, you're safe. Though, I had an alert and came to check on you."

  "An...alert?" I asked curiously before remembering the protections Elizabeth and her had pced upon me, "Oh! Right, I almost forgot about those..."

  I touched the earring I wore, forgetting about one of the hidden effects of the [Finding] enchantment. Not only could they locate me if needed, but it also alerted whoever was closest between Maya and Elizabeth whenever I was in distress, and both of them when I was in danger. Wincing, I realized that my head was killing me, and my heart had quickened its pace. A distress indicator.

  Maya immediately saw the signs and produced some pills and fresh water for me to drink.

  "Thank you..." I said bashfully, taking them and downing the pills immediately, "Sorry to worry you. I've just been thinking, and st night..."

  I sighed and began to expin to Maya the dream that I had. She listened intently until I was done. Though, by now, the pills were taking effect, and everything was beginning to grow distant. My head was feeling much better.

  "You should get some fresh air," Maya insisted, "Clear your mind."

  "Yeah, I'd like that," I stood up and stretched, feeling the tension in my body, "Again, I'm sorry for worrying you."

  "Don't be," Maya dismissed, "Your safety is my priority."

  I noticed she didn't say that it was her job, which made me smile inwardly. I felt a little better, pocketing the box with Elizabeth's ring in it, and made my way from the room with Maya in tow. Azure met us outside, happily cooing and nuzzling my face.

  It wasn't enough to fill the void left by Elizabeth, but it was more than I needed in that moment. I would wait patiently for her return, and when she did...I'd finally propose.

  -----

  Nikushimi