TBATE - To fulfill a promise

1. Memories From Etharia

Tessia Eralith's POV:

"Try to keep yourself alive while I'm gone, okay?" Sylvie said.

Arthur placed his hand on my stomach. Seeing the wind particles move to his hand, I knew what was going to happen. A gust of wind punch lifted me by my legs as the distance between me and him grew. "Arthur," I screamed, knowing it would be useless as the weird substance that the portal was made of, engulfed me.

The area changed from a dark, moonless, blood-dried battlefield to a circular room with pillars supporting the ceilings. A warm ethereal light glowed brightly from the sconces that lined up along the walls, spaced out evenly every few feet while familiar but indecipherable runes were etched in between them.

Vines sprouted off the ground as they warped around two pillars right in front of me. With the momentum from Arthur's, I ricocheted from the vines like a slingshot towards the back where I came from.

Within the purple circle from the portal, I saw Arthur and Sylvie. The surface of the portal was comparable to the surface of water with each rippling becoming more unstable as the portal flickered, indicating that it wouldn't last long.

Pushing all emotion aside, I forced as much mana as I physically can through all my limbs. The sound of howling wind covered the small dialogue Arthur and his bond had but through my horror, I saw Sylvie breaking down. She pushed Arthur into the same portal where I was heading before turning into a fine purple dust.

But Arthur never arrived at the other side of the portal. The portal just vanished in thin air. I did not attempt to slow down or land as I let my tired, strained body collide with the ground. I couldn't feel any pain.

The adrenaline sank at each breath I took as the pain from unknown wounds I didn't even know I had burned throughout my body. Tears filled both of my eyes seeing Sylvie and potentially Arthur dying...

I hated Arthur and Sylvie for their sacrifice but more importantly.

My stomach lurched and my chest tightened as I held back another sob.

All of the losses and failures rushed through my head. I had been so caught up in trying to present myself as mature. I forced myself into this war despite my grandpa's warnings. I hated myself for that. I was the cause of all of this. If only I had listened to everyone in the sanctuary. Then I would still be with them.

I stared at the ceiling. Because of the tears that still lay in my eyes, everything was blurry. One simple wipe could've let my vision be normal, but my arms seemed unable to move.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

My eyes opened, hoping everything was just one big dream but the sight of the room shattered my hope. The dryness in my throat was unbearable and the nauseous feeling from not eating seemed to grow at every hour that passed. Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be any rations I had. Only a couple of clothing, a set of armor, a sword, some staves... and.... The leaf pendant.

"I like you too, idiot. But we're at war. We both have responsibilities and people that need us," I said in a solemn whisper.

Looking at the leaf pendant, only painful memories plagued my mind.

"I know. And I have things I want to tell you as well, so how about we make a promise?"

"What sort of promise?"

"A promise to stay alive... so that we can have a beautiful relationship and a family that our entire country can come together to celebrate."