[Book II Chapter 55] ROSE: Accepting Death

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A mass of coiling light funnels bloomed far above, forming in a small sun. This was the largest subterranean space Rose had seen. Shaped like a coin forty miles wide, she was on the outer edge, a green ring sandwiched between the bedrock of the Land of lightning and the dark surface of the new crust. One of the seven halos, the unique Twisted Lands under Garnen.

Rose glanced down at the sprawling ramparts of the Fortress Of Aegis, the subterranean headquarters of Zaer’s Chosen. After returning, she’d been given a high up room with a balcony. The view provided a good distraction from tumulus thoughts.

There was a knock, and Cindy Rollen came in. She joined Rose outside, and an awkward silence quickly settled over them.

“Forgive me for not checking in sooner.” Cindy began. “There was a lot to confer over.”

“How are the children?” Rose asked.

“Physically, they’re fine. Mentally, they’re scarred.” Cindy reported. “We haven’t quite settled what to do with them.”

Rose winced. “I’m sorry. I made a royal mess yesterday.”

Cindy let out a hollow laugh. “And here I came to apologize.”

“What for?” Rose exclaimed in disbelief.

“You’re sixteen, and I dragged you into a warzone. Then, when we got in trouble, I abandoned you to face an immortal alone.” Cindy shook her head. “I am grateful for your mentor Roxanne. Without her, I would’ve watched another die.”

“So what Quazon said really got to you.” Rose interpreted.

“His words stung because they were true.” Cindy agreed. “When they come of age, every Rollen inherits the sublime vagary ‘Save me’ which can summon the paragon anywhere. It’s the ultimately safety net, one with a cost so hefty it’s ended the aspirations of every generation of my family.”

Cindy paused. “I swore I would be one to end this curse.”

“What makes you certain you’ll succeed?” Rose asked.

“We have a good understanding of the ability now.” Cindy explained. “Activating it even once creates a staggering debt of exp which must be repaid back before more can be earned. It’s insurmountable hurdle. All those so far have given up, leaving their dreams to their children. Knowing this, you’d think the answer would be simple: never use it.”

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Cindy shock her head. “Most called out for Elliot not for themselves but to save their comrades. This is the insidious part. While the odds of single person surviving are small, the odds of an entire party reaching the wall are infinitely smaller.”

“To escape this fate, I resolved to not use my sublime vagary for anyone but myself, even if it meant others dying. Quazon was wrong about number. Three have perished because I refused to save them.”

Cindy gave her a pained smirk. “Selfish isn’t? Sacrificing others for immortality…”

“Is that why you change party members so often?”

Cindy nodded. “If spend to much time with them, I might form some attachment. I can’t allow that, not if I am to free Elliot.”

“What do you mean?” Rose jumped in. This goal didn’t mesh with Cindy’s standoffish attitude towards the immortal butler.

“Many have tried to end Elliot’s servitude, yet he rebuffed them all.” Cindy revealed. “We believe his self-imposed servitude will continue until one of us finally reaches the wall. So I will become the first and release him.”

Rose processed this information, gradually coming upon a suspicion. “Do you have feelings for him?”

Cindy froze, stammering. “I… Of course not…”

She took a deep breath, giving in. “It’s inevitable, isn’t it? Handsome, powerful, and perfect, he’s there fulfilling your every wish. A lot of Rollens have had crushes on him.”

Rose grinned at the defensiveness, causing Cindy to grow more red. “Look over there.” She pointed to where Roxanne had appeared on her own balcony. “You should go see her.” With that, she beat a hasty retreat.

Rose gazed over to where her mentor, who waved back. Time for the truth. She jumped over.

“Thank you for saving me.” She began.

“Your welcome, though Lucy deserves credit too.” Roxanne laughed. “If not for her panicked warning, I would never have made it in time.”

Nodding, Rose faced her squarely. “Were really prepared to lay down you life for me? Why?”

Roxanne paused, sighing softly. “You heard Quazon. I was captured by Nuzou, the dreaded avatar of fear. He regarded us necromancers as his backup entertainment, only turning to us once he’d exhausted his supply of mortals. Because of this, he was more deliberate in his sessions, trying to make us last…”

“Those diabolical claws…” Roxanne shivered, “plucked apart our flesh piece by piece. I held out longer than the others. I’ve always been stubborn. By the end, I was barely clinging to consciousness.

“One day, I awoke from my stupor to realize I hadn’t seen Nuzou in a while. WHen I noticed the magic holding me captive had weakened, I broke free and fled, escaping far enough for Nero to find me.”

“I have long since gone past the point of no return. A great tide weights down on me constantly, threatening to drag into the abyss. Only one burning passion keeps it back: I won’t accept a quiet end. All the suffering I endured can’t be for nothing. My death must have meaning.”

“When Nero brought me to you, I knew I’d found it, my way forward. Wise and you reminded me of Nero and my younger self. That connection was strong enough to ward off the weariness, at least temporarily.”

“I have one serious fight left in me, and, since you gave me the willpower to venture out forth, I have decided to use it for your sake. You will choose where I die.”

“What if I want you to live?” Rose objected strongly.

“I’ll respect that wish as much as I’m able, but…” Roxanne shook her head. “It’s a dark age. You’ll eventually face a crisis you can’t overcome. That will be my time to step in.”