Thus, the Orgia Saga, a tale of Enyo’s mayhem that would go untold, came to a close.
No matter how it was polished, no matter the lip service paid, countless people had been scarred by this battle.
Mortals and deities alike.
And also a certain girl.
✦ ✦ ✦
There was no sense of time.
After a never-ending stream of tears and a doleful song of grief, she quietly stood up.
Turning her back on the space where the circle of light was fading, she walked forward.
She did what needed to be done and followed through to the end. She reported everything she had seen to Riveria and Finn. A complete account of everything. She was grateful for their simple responses. “I see.” “Good work.” She was grateful for the lack of sympathy or compassion in their voice.
Though there were not many, she mourned for her comrades who had lost their lives.
And alone, she mourned the beautiful yet monstrous girl who most would never forgive—the girl who she considered a lifelong friend.
Surely, some would have scowled at having her buried in the First Graveyard, where so many adventurers lay in their final rest. She would probably not have wished it herself.
So she asked her patron goddess, Loki, and got permission to leave the city and go to the Alv Mountains, the sacred mountains of the elves. She carried with her a paltry amount of ashes, which were all she could find despite looking as hard as she could.
With a cool, clear sky above, she let the wind atop its peak carry away the remains of her dear friend.
She did not leave a gravestone.
Perhaps it was because she could not bring herself to make one.
She stood quietly on the silent mountain of her people.
The sun set, and the moon rose, and the sun rose again across the horizon.
The dazzling rays of dawn seared her eyes, making her realize finally that she had been standing there all night. Descending the mountain, she quickly returned to the city.
She felt bad about leaving her familia and not helping in the cleanup. But one of the older human familia members causally brushed it off, telling her not to worry about it. Her wonderful roommate clung to her, crying and saying how afraid she was that she wouldn’t come back. The girl she looked up to smiled gently and simply said, “Welcome back.”
✦ ✦ ✦
It felt like time was standing still.
But she never stopped moving her body, always trying to do what needed to be done.
She prepared a new set of magical gear.
This was her way of saying good-bye to her old self.
She had a new staff made.
Combining her rod with her wand.
She took up her sword.
Even if it was nothing more than a stubborn refusal to let go, she swore to carry on with her.
✦ ✦ ✦
And so.
At daybreak, before the sun had even cleared the horizon.
Alone in a dark room.
She put on her enchanted gear, secured her wand at her waist, and picked up the waiting sword.
Then she cut her long, bright blond hair.