(Flashback)
"Something bothering you today?"
In the little park where several kids played about, two friends sat on swings beside each other. One gazed at the view before her while the other was blankly kicking at the dirt.
"Huh?" The kicking paused. "N-Nothing!" Chuckling awkwardly, Viola turned to the other and was met with flowing silver hair. "W-What makes you think that?"
She looked at her, and Viola was met with a piercing gaze. A brown eye with shimmering little dots that resembled stars, while an eyepatch concealed the other.
Viola flinched and lowered her gaze. "Was it…that obvious?"
"And quite the surprise," she spoke coldly, "coming from you."
"I…helped someone again today." Viola sighed deeply. The glares, the grimaces, and the word 'freak' replayed in her head. "Delora…didn't I do the right thing? We're gifted…and we should use them to help others."
"It's only you who continues preaching that." Delora watched as a kid joyfully opened a gift box in front of his parents. "Do you know what a gift is? It's something you look forward to, something that puts a smile on your face, something that makes your days better."
She got off her swing and stood in front of Viola, noticing a tear or two drop to the ground.
"Not a burden that brings you tears."
"You seem to know more than I do." She chuckled softly.
"Of course." Delora lifted her hand to cup Viola's cheek, brushing off a tear. "After all, I've received the greatest gift."
"I promise." Viola gave a determined look. "Someday, I will prove it to you that we're gifted!"
Delora flinched a little, then sighed softly.
"Start by believing it yourself."
(Present)
Viola blinked, and the image of the silver-haired girl before her was replaced by Pandora, who immediately pulled back and clutched her own hand that wiped her tear.
Why am I…remembering this now?
"I suppose," Pandora muttered under her breath, "it's too late for that—"
Pandora leapt far away as the glass shattered on the windows beside them. Eliana stood before her, guarding Viola, having already cut the strings that manipulated Phoebe and the corpses.
"E-Eliana…?" Viola gazed up, almost relieved upon seeing her.
"I'm sorry it took so long," she said. "But I'm here, Viola."
Eliana flashed her a smile before frowning and pointing her blade at the Crimson.
"And this time, I will gladly be the one to protect you!"
"Yet another naïve one joins the play," Pandora spoke up, wiping off the droplet of blood dribbling down her cheek from a wound that had already healed. "You're a little late. The Lily has already seen most of it."
"Stop calling her that!" Eliana raised her voice. "Of all the names you could've chosen…of all the people you decided to mess with…you disgust me!"
"I pity you," Pandora said, folding her hands neatly below her waist. "You were just like the rest of them. Powerless. Helpless." Several string puppets manifested behind her. "And now that you're no longer weak, you've chosen to oppose the very person that's giving them a chance."
The puppets marched forward as Eliana thought to herself.
Too many, and likely stronger now that she's directly controlling them. I won't be able to protect Viola while dealing with them. In that case…
"Viola," she called out without glancing behind, "I'll hold her off. Please, go and save whoever's left. I've dealt with most of the creepers on my way here, but there could be more above."
Her fingers trembled. She did not move.
"The ground floor isn't safe anymore," Eliana added. "Secure them in a room and just wait for my return." Her voice was calm, steady, and certain. Something Viola envied.
"Is there…" Viola muttered under her breath, "…even a point?"
"The problem isn't that you didn't take action, Viola. It's that you did…and never made a difference."
Pandora continued to haunt her mind even as she gingerly reached for her weapon on the floor, while Eliana fought off two puppets.
"That's not the role of a hero you play. That's the villain."
"What is even my role?"
She clutched the hilt of her sword, but it felt heavier than before. Eliana cut down the two puppets, and a third lurched forward.
"Curses aren't gifts, they never will be."
"I promised her…something I couldn't even promise myself…"
"I promise…I'll be strong enough to protect you myself. And then we'll live together without fear of losing each other."
"I promised them…something I was never certain of myself…"
"I will not let everyone's efforts on me go to waste. I have to be strong for them."
"And yet…here I am."
Blood and corpses surrounded her. People she was meant to save. People she failed to save.
"Bonn…and all those I thought I protected…I was only delaying the inevitable—"
"Refined Art—Windy Claws!"
With one swing of her glowing blade, Eliana summoned gusts of wind that tore through every puppet and pushed Pandora away. Clouds of dust briefly put a pause to their conflict.
"Void Hunter, Viola Caulfield," she stated sternly, turning around, "get back up."
Viola gasped and looked up to her.
"I don't know what she told you, or what happened here," she continued, "but we still have a mission to do. And I can't do this alone." She held out her hand. "Please, I need your help."
Slowly and hesitantly, Viola reached for her hand and grabbed it loosely. Eliana had to pull her up.
"We can't save everyone. We're not heroes. We're Void Hunters. To save as many as we can while facing threats the rest can't deal with, that is who we are, that is our role."
Viola's eyes widened as Eliana turned around to the enemy again.
"Now go…fulfil yours."
"Start by believing it yourself."
She took a deep breath, gripped her sword, then turned the other way. "Be careful…" she'd tell Eliana, before running off to the upper floors.
"You too," Eliana said back, frowning at the enemy presenting herself again once the dust settled. "And I'll teach this one a lesson in your stead!"
"You're naive," Pandora spoke up, weaving several strings between her hands into a ball. "But competent. Therefore…I shall take you a bit more…seriously."
Pointing her blade at the enemy, Eliana took her stance, closely examining the object. It looked like a shell.
"Void Manifestation: His Puppet."
Pandora reached out with the hand holding the ball, facing it downward.
"Come Forth: Illusia."
Dropping the shell, it exploded the moment it touched ground, instantly weaving itself into yet another puppet. However, this one appeared far more human, sculpted perfectly, unlike the others. The faceless version of Pandora without the blindfold moved closer, weaving itself a large scythe.
"I shall watch your performance eagerly," Pandora said, assuming her maidenly pose. "Do not worry, I won't interfere. Keep your eyes on Illusia, and Illusia only."
Eliana gulped, slightly shivering at the aura this puppet alone emanated. She thought back on the letter.
"Please do not engage her on your own."
Composing herself, she stepped forward with her glowing blade. "I don't have a choice," she muttered under her breath, "do I?"
"But if you must, hold on for as long as you can."
"Then I just need to keep her away from Viola!"
…
There's no end to these!
Charging ahead, she sliced off two more hand tentacles lashing at her. Sensing something behind her, she turned around and cut through the entirety of a large snake creeper as it ran into her blade.
Where are they even coming from?!
Panting rapidly, she examined the hallway for any other sign of danger. And when she found none, she looked back at the staircase and called out, "We're safe, come up!"
Several students slowly walked up the stairs and stood behind her. She found most of them hiding in corners and under the tables, and two of them were in her old classroom holding a knife each. Luckily, they agreed to throw them away and follow her lead, and even appeared happier seeing her.
Eliana told me to secure them in a room. We're on the top floor now, and I'm not hearing anyone else. Would the roof be safer—
"Quick!" she whispered at them. "Hide in this room, now!" They wasted no time in following her order and swiftly headed inside the room she pointed at. "Lock it and don't let anyone enter, understood?" The last one to enter nodded at her and locked the doors as Viola turned to the distant footsteps. She could also hear a familiar voice.
"This was my territory!" the boy spoke to himself in the distance, unknowingly walking to where Viola was. "Who does she think she is, barging into my territory and ordering me around? Just because she's a Crimson?!"
I know that voice all too well…and it's the last person I want to see at this moment!
Turning a corner, the boy finally came into view, but so did she. His frown turned into a wide grin the moment those scarlet-red eyes fell upon her.
"Didn't think we'd meet again so quickly!" Gideon said, closing the distance. "Did you come prepared?"
"You bet."
I must keep him away from them.
"To the roof, then. It's too cramped here." He walked up the stairs, but stopped halfway to add, "If you value their lives, that is~"
Gasping softly, she clenched her fist and reluctantly followed behind. Going up the last set of stairs and entering through the open door, she was greeted again by the cold wind. The Scarlet stood on the opposite end, where Rosaline once was.
"After you." He grinned. Several knives hovered above him. She took her stance, pointing her weapon at him. It didn't glow, nor did her eyes.
I truly wish I were prepared!
And thus, the second battle between Viola and her first Scarlet began. She tried to be offensive, but struggled to close the distance. Being constantly bombarded with void knives, she had no choice but to remain back and protect herself.
A Void Hunter…that was the role given to me.
"Come on!" Gideon laughed, standing in a single spot like an immovable rock. "I thought you were prepared!"
And yet, I am incapable of fulfilling that, too.
"This is too boring. How about we spice things up?" he said, before lifting his hand to face the sky. Viola looked up cautiously to witness, at least, a hundred knives loosely covering the entire space above her.
"Void Manifestation: His Terror!"
She prepared herself for what was to come.
"Hell's rain!"
The knives shot down at her one by one at bullet speeds. Using her katana, she was barely able to deflect some, but the rest would chip away at her body, causing several cuts. Fortunately, none were fatal.
I am gifted. I am not cursed.
"And let's level up the playing field!"
The knives stopped and instead began combining right above her into one massive blade the size of a creeper. Before she could run away, the blade fell straight down at her.
"Executioner's Lance!"
Luckily, Viola wasn't hit, but the ground below her fell apart, and she dropped to the floor below. Coughing up dust particles, once the smoke cleared, she could see the giant blade vanishing into nothing, and Gideon jumping down. Looking around, they were inside an empty classroom. Gideon stood near the open doors to the hallway, while Viola was on the opposite end, close to the windows. Summoning more knives, he pushed off the several desks and chairs between them.
"Don't falter yet, keep up with me!"
I am gifted. I am not cursed.
"Relentless Darts!"
The projectiles were shot in every direction. However, instead of rooting themselves to any surface they'd hit, they bounced off of them. Unending and unpredictable, Viola was focused on deflecting as many as she could. Which wasn't enough, as she took more cuts than she avoided.
We are gifted. We are not cursed.
"And now for my favourite!"
While she was being bombarded by his previous technique, Viola did not notice him converging another group of knives in a circle in front of him, all of which faced her direction. A trick she was familiar with.
"Death Parade!"
The entire group of projectiles were thrown towards her at the same time. Viola would only see it coming at the final moment. She blocked as much as she could with her sword. But it wouldn't be enough.
It's what I tried to believe, kept trying to believe.
"Ouch…that's gotta hurt."
I continue trying to prove it. To her…and to myself.
She was stabbed in many different locations by the knives, all of which stuck to her. Throwing up blood, she could barely even move without hurting herself at every slight motion. Luckily, most of the blades were half in, and none had pierced any fatal spot.
But how can I believe in something I never wanted?
"If only you were a true Scarlet," Gideon spoke with fake worry in his voice, "you'd heal those in an instant and even gain immortality! Those under the Void get all the time in the world to do anything desired!"
Viola remembered what Aurelia said.
"You will not win."
Viola took heavy breaths, contemplating her grave situation. Cuts all over her body, stabbed in several spots with the knives still piercing her flesh at every little motion, dizziness from the blood loss, agonising pain constantly coursing through every nerve, and a metallic taste dominating her mouth.
Despite it all, she remained firmly on her feet.
"I admire your will to keep going." He started clapping his hands. "But do you think emotions alone can get you out of this one?"
Darkened violet gaze found a spark of silver below.
Delora…are you trying to tell me something?
The half-heart pendant remained intact underneath her neck, and a glimmer of hope awakened in her sunken heart.
"You must be pondering what to do next." Gideon crossed his arms and snickered. "Take your time, I'm in no rush!"
Earlier…why did I remember that specific memory?
"Though in that state," he added, "I doubt you can do much!"
Viola closed her eyes as she pictured the scene at the park. Delora stood before her, wiping a tear off her face.
"Start by believing it yourself."
I'm trying—
"Or stop lying to yourself!"
She opened her eyes.
"There's no changing who we are. We are born with a curse, and Fate looks down on us. It doesn't pity us. It hungers for chaos even at the cost of someone's joy. And it definitely…had no intention of gifting us."
She lifted her hand to stare at the serene, silver blade. And the symbol representing the part of her she despised.
"Why are you trying to change what you are rather than accepting yourself?"
Her vision blurred as a tear fell on that symbol.
"Acknowledge it for what it is. Embrace it. There's no reason to hold back. Stop pretending to be someone you can't be."
She looked ahead. One blink and her vision cleared.
"There's no need to play the hero."
Frowning with determination, she pointed her glowing blade at the enemy again, remembering what Eliana taught her about the blade techniques both she and Yukari used.
"These weapons are enchanted with Aurelia's Golden Magic. Did you know? Golden Magic splits up into the various elemental magic that everyone else possesses. We can't use them since we weren't chosen. So we awaken the magic within our weapons and use their magic as our own!"
"You think you have me cornered here?" she growled. "Did you forget that I'm not a simple human?"
"What has that really done for you?" He laughed. "And what can you even do in that state—"
"A lot."
"Try it. It's not that hard! And I heard that it's way less taxing than using proper magic!"
"Violet Style: Fusion Art."
Gritting through the pain, she lifted her sword high, pointing it to the sky. The blade glowed brighter and brighter until it began to burn.
"Blaze Style: Crescent Flames."
She swung down, and the violet flames converged into a large crescent-shaped blade that flew vertically towards Gideon, who barely managed to step aside it. Caught off guard, a part of his side was burnt. The flames continued through the walls, only fading away upon reaching outside.
"How are you still able to move that much?!"
"Don't worry about me." She glared death daggers at him. "I can keep going."
She continued swinging her burning blade at different angles, sending several more crescent-shaped flames in his direction, all the while standing in a single spot. Gideon was forced to back away and dodge with no breathing space. Thoughts ran through his mind.
Impossible! This is the same girl who passed out after using a single technique yesterday! How is she able to continuously output an even higher amount of magical energy despite all the injuries?!
"Enough!" he shouted. "Let's see how you deal with this!"
When she stopped to take a breather, Gideon began forming several knives in front of him, aimed at her, all of which formed a circle. Viola recognised this technique and knew she couldn't take it a second time.
"Death Parade!"
As the projectiles flew towards her, she bravely stood in place. The flames on her blade disappeared and were replaced by sparks of violet electricity, discharging not only from the weapon, but also from her whole body.
"Bolt Style: Sparkling Afterglow."
In one second, she would slash a hundred times to destroy and deflect every single knife, thanks to the surge of electricity within her boosting her speed immensly. She even left slight afterimages, only visible to Gideon for a second each.
"You're kidding—"
"Catch."
Sparks of lightning flew right past him, followed by a thundering roar that caused the whole place to rumble, after Viola threw her sword spinning at high speeds toward him. He had attempted to step away, but his whole right arm was cut off. The katana continued until it broke through the windows behind him and flew off the building.
"Foolish move!" He laughed as his arm took several seconds to fully regrow. "You threw away your only weapon!"
"Wrong."
His smirk was replaced by an annoyed grimace when Viola summoned four of her own knives in each hand and threw them to either side. But instead of falling to the floor, they remained floating in the air, glowing in bright violet.
"Air Style: Darting Bullets."
In bullet speed, the knives were shot in every direction, bouncing off whichever surface they touched, leaving behind a trail of violet. They looked like comets, unpredictable in their movements and making their enemy struggle, slashing and cutting his skin at every mistake.
Ridiculous! Why are these cuts taking longer to heal?! No other magic type is capable of doing this! And how is she able to keep going without her body crumbling apart?!
"Do you know why I called you 'wrong' earlier?" she questioned in a cold voice after Gideon slashed away the last of Viola's knives using his own. "It's not that you thought I had no other weapon."
Raising her hand toward him, a thundering roar echoed behind him.
"But because you thought I threw it away."
He blinked once, and the silver katana reappeared on her hand, discharging the last bit of violet electricity. Along with a loud crash and the realisation that his arm was gone yet again.
This time, I'll finish this!
With a flash of violet lightning, Viola immediately closed the distance, finally moving from her spot. She brought her weapon low to the ground, charging the blade with violet flames before swinging diagonally upwards at the Scarlet.
"Blaze Style: Raging Dragon!"
The blade barely grazed his skin as Gideon stepped back. But what he didn't expect was a second hit by flames that had come to life, following the trail of her weapon and taking the shape of a serpent-like dragon that bit off almost half of his body, along with his head.
I missed the heart! But it's okay, I'll go for another—
But before she could strike again, the flames on her sword disappeared along with all its glow. It had reverted to its original look, refusing to light up again despite her hands retaining the hue.
Figured! The only reason I could use Violet magic for this long without losing myself was channelling a tiny bit of energy to awaken the magic within this weapon. But it looks like it was limited, and it's run out! It's just a normal sword now, and without the magic enchantment, it won't even hurt a creeper!
While Gideon focused on healing, Viola let go of the weapon and reinforced her one fist with all the magic she could draw off of herself, resulting in the brightest glow she had ever seen.
I will give it my all! I will end it here!
"Then let me tell you where you went wrong."
Before Viola could land the hit, the knives that were stuck to her body the entire time began piercing further through, making her lose her focus and the glow.
"You should've taken them out!"
All the knives went through her body and came out the other end. With so much blood gushing out and the numbing pain attacking every nerve in her body, the world spun around, and she began stumbling backwards.
She remembered yet another memory of Delora.
"Tell me, Viola. What were you named after?"
Gideon regrew his head and one of his arms. He dashed forward and grabbed her by the throat, before chucking her behind into the hallway.
"The colour…or the flower?"
She crashed hard enough on the wall to form a crater before sliding to the floor. With the relentless use of magic, the injuries, and all the blood loss, Viola could no longer feel her body, let alone command it.
"Find yourself the answer, and only then will you find your role."
"You've annoyed me enough now!" He clenched his fist, forming several more knives, all floating above him and pointed at her. "I don't care if I'm supposed to keep you alive, you're going to die here! Along with your—"
"VIOLA!"
Gideon was interjected by a blue-haired girl kneeling before Viola, sobbing as her expression widened in horror.
"E…Em…Emi…" she breathed out, looking relieved.
"Stop talking!" Emily said, reaching out with shivering hands, only to find red. "I-I'll figure something out, okay? J-Just stay with me!"
"You all keep coming one after another!" Gideon shouted. "Fine then! More entertainment for me—"
"SHUT UP!"
All the tears converged into a tiny orb on the tip of Emily's finger before shaping her hand into a gun and shot the orb behind her at Gideon. Before he could even register it, the orb exploded right in front of him, sending him flying through the walls and reducing him to dust as the water violently burst out of the room and poured to the ground below, breaking every glass underneath and near it.
"H…Hel…"
"I-I'm trying to help!" Emily's focus shifted back to Viola. "I'll take you back to Aure—"
"E…Elia…hel…help…her…"
Weakly, she pointed to her left and slightly below, toward where she thought Eliana to be.
"But you're the one in need of help! I can't just leave—"
"P…Plea…lease…"
Viola reached out and cupped the side of Emily's face, brushing a tear off with her thumb. She would smile softly.
Emily's heart sank further as she pulled her into a gentle embrace. "F-Fine," she whispered, before parting. "I'll go help Eliana…" Reluctantly, she got up and turned away. "I-I'll come back for you!" She'd hopelessly promise as she ran off sobbing the whole way through.
Viola watched her leave till she disappeared in the darkness. She then turned to the large gaping hole in the classroom before her, gazing at the dark, cloudy sky outside, where she once saw beautiful sunsets. It wouldn't be long before she began to lose consciousness.
A silver light flashed before her eyes the moment they closed, and regret piled up deep within her.
Mom, Dad…I'm sorry...I cannot return.
December 5th, 2002.
Delora…I wish I could've seen you one last time...
Void Hunter, Viola Caulfield, fell against the Void.