Another Fairy Tale /Ateez

Chapter 21 - The hairband

I'm scared by a lot of things
I'm angry with this figure of myself
The remaining memories are struggling and roaming for you
When do can i smile?

-Oneus x Onewe, Last Song

"So, uhm, what about the others?", Rory asked Xion curiously who lead her to the other side of the hall. Since they only had six magical weapons, three of them would have to fight with normal ones. 

"Don't worry, your weapons are strong enough for them as well. Plus, they seem like good swordfighters to me and I'm sure Yeosang can actually handle a bow and arrows." Xion stopped in the middle and pointed at the water bottle a few metres away from them. "If you get it within three tries, I'll get you some snacks from the kitchen." 

"And if not?" 

"Then you just try a few more times.", Xion said and sat down, expecting this to take some time. Indeed, he was right, Rory only managed to touch the bottle with the whip at her tenth try. Frustrated Rory held the whip tighter and tried again but missed completely this time. Desperate she looked at Xion. 

"What am I doing wrong?" 

Xion came over to her and grabbed the whip. With one try he got the water bottle and caught it easily in the air. "Practice. It took months for me to get this. But one thing I realized quite late." 

He handed Rory the weapon again. "In a battle, this whip is your best friend, a part of you. Work with it, not against it." 

Her left hand holding the whip a bit more relaxed, Rory tried to think of how the hell she was supposed to work with a weapon. Not once in her life she had held a weapon, only fake swords when they had performed Romeo and Juliet in school. But this was different. 

This was war. At least it felt like it. 

"I don't think I can hurt someone.", Rory spoke up, making Xion raise his head. She saw the sadness in his eyes and couldn't help but ask herself what he had gone through. 

With shaking fingers Xion played with his hair. At first he has had the same thought, the same values, but that all changed when they were attacked, when he watched his twin die in front of him. Xion remembered picking up a washing line which had fallen down and strangling the man who had done it. He could almost feel the blood dripping of his hands again but for some reason he wasn't scared of it anymore. 

At first he was. He had tried to wash it off in the sea but his shirt was drenched in blood. He had taken it off and thrown it into the sea but the waves had washed it back, making it impossible for him to get rid of it. 

The blood was on his hands. He was a killer. The only thought that kept Xion sane was the reminder he did this for justice. For his brother. 

Suddenly he got back to reality, remembering Rory's question. For a second he wanted to reassure her that she wouldn't have to kill or hurt anyone but he knew that would be a lie. The soldiers of the King were ruthless and would do anything for this wrong empire. Xion would be happy if they were dead, those who had killed his family, which disgusted him. 

But Rory wasn't doing this for revenge. She was doing this for her friends. Xion didn't want her to hurt someone, didn't want her to face something that cruel. No soul on earth deserved being put in a situation where killing was the only option. But he knew, she would have to at one point. 

With a solemn voice Xion answered. "These men have done cruel things. I know, it doesn't justify hurting someone, at least morally or in any religion. I can't lie to you and say you won't have to or that it's easier than it seems. Because it's not. It will hunt you in your dreams and even days."