The Ballad of Time and Moon ✓

Chapter 5: Twin moon casting glow on truth

Alexiel eyes widened, her steps halting as a knife just grazed by her side, a crimson line on her arm. She closed her eyes, as she saw another just a few inches away from her golden orbs. 

"Temporis Retrofluo," Kaito's voice was a soft incantation against the chaos. When Alexiel dared to open her eyes, time itself seemed to have obeyed his command. The knife hung suspended in mid-air, a mere breath away from her. Kaito stood with his eyes aglow, the silver in them swirling like the hands of a clock-turned sorcerer.

The knife as fast as it came, returned to its trajectory. Alexiel with her mouth parted looked toward Kaito, her mind reeling.

Time manipulation...? No, no, no, it can't be-- oh god please no, not after all this, that will mean that he-

Her panicked thoughts came to a halt, as a soft chuckle revibrated through the rooftop, the wind swishing. She turns around to see a girl, her brown locks gracefully cascading down her shoulders, her ruby eyes shining brightly just like the stone in her hand, and the white dress hugging her curves. It was none other than the girl, which Alexiel once despised, Yui. 

The brunette's gaze settled on the crimson stone in Alexiel's hand, before she looked toward her and Kaito, a sweet smile resting on her lips, "Ah, I see after all these lives you have found the cause," 

Alexiel clutched the stone tightly in her hand, her gaze confused and conflicted, not knowing what Yui was talking about, especially considering the sharp glare Kaito was giving the red eye beauty. "Alexiel, give the stone here," he said, his voice firm. 

With a nod, she handed over the stone, only to be startled by the slicing wind of another attack. Kaito's reflexes were swift, his hand outstretched, sending the dagger back on its path. "Yui, stop this," he demanded, his tone as cold as the steel he deflected.

"Aww, but why," Yui whined, "you should stop this, give that stone to me Kaito, don't you like to see her suffer too,"

Kaito's reply was interrupted by Alexiel as she looks toward Yui, "What... what do you mean by that?" she asked. 

"Oh, nothing much dear Lexi," Yui's eye shone brighter than Alexiel ever known at that time, "It's just your past eleven lives were very fun to see, your desperation and the way you resort to, it was like I was reading a novel," 

Alexiel at that moment couldn't form words, even in the clear night sky where the wind was blowing as freely as once, she lived, she felt suffocated. If she hadn't knew better, she would have been in denial but, the fact as how bitter it was, she accepted.

 "Why?" her voice just was hinted with restraint emotions. "Why? Why will you do that?!"

"Hmm... oh because it is fun, seeing you suffer you know," Yui replied, before looking toward her with doe eyes, "but I promise it was not the only reason, you see... I have this weird condition where I fall ill more times than I could count, and it also put an effect to my appearance. I have read about this hex stone since birth, the curse of putting its first holder after being enchanted into a loop, but it also provides the youth and health of the one who wore it to the one who wear it afterwards, I just wanted a good life and seeing you suffer was just a cherry on top," 

"Just because of some fun and health, you--" Alexiel voice was heavy with emotion.

"Alexiel, control yourself," Kaito said, his voice firm but kind, "this is not the time, we have to break the curse before the twin moon ends," 

As Yui moved to strike again, Alexiel acted, her grasp ironclad as she twisted Yui's arm. "So, you can materialize weapons. It fits, given your nature." Alexiel said, her voice calm as the wind that was blowing, her emotions raging as harsh as hurricanes. 

Kaito's eyes closed, and when they opened, the Hex Stone began to levitate. A golden mist, like the aura of a clock, enveloped it, and as the hands of time reversed, the stone dissipated into nothingness.

Alexiel took a step back, her hand slipping away from Yui, a sudden wave of dizziness washing over her. But before she could fall on the cold floor, she was caught by a firm grip on her waist, her blurry eyes meeting with his silver ones. "It's alright," he reassured, "it is just an effect of curse breaking," 

She could hear the rushed footsteps leaving the rooftop, before her consciousness slipped away. 

━─┉┈◈◉◈┈┉━

Opening her eyes, she found herself in unfamiliar surroundings, the room was of emerald shade with a hint of golden. "Finally, you are up," the familiar voice of Kaito come across, as he sat by her side on the bed helping her up. "Here, drink it, you will feel better," he said, before he started sorting out the items kept on the side table.

"Is this also enchanted with your spells like the stone, Kaito?" she asked, the bitterness in her voice veiled by a smile.

Kaito visibly stiffened, standing up, "No, it is not," he whispered, his eyes not meeting Her's, "see, I apol-"

A bitter chuckle escaped her lips before he could complete, as she kept the cup away, "Eleven times, eleven lives I have lived, each time choosing a different path, and still I was so naive, wasn't I?" she asked, her voice was not laced with anger as Kaito accepted, but just utter sadness and defeat. 

"Tell me Kaito, what did I did to you back in my first life, I didn't even know you, then why did you do that? And no, don't you dare try to say that you didn't did anything. The hex stone needed to be enchanted and as far as I can see, you are the only person who possess the ability to enchant a time related stone," the wry smile that tugged on her lips, try to hide the tears in the corner of her eyes. 

"Look at me, Kaito," she said, harshly grabbing his collar, so his gaze was meeting her teary one, "Do you know how it feels to just wish for nothing more than death, a final rest again and again. Do you know how it feels to put your dignity beneath feet of others in hope of having a peaceful final rest. Did you enjoy my suffering?"

She was interrupted as Kaito kept his palm on her mouth, his gaze now firm, "Alexiel, No, that was not the case," he said, "I apologize for what I did, and I know that it will do nothing to ease your anguish, but I am ready to apologize a thousand times, if you want to. But Alexi, I didn't want to do this, I swear," he said, his eyes misty, "Yui had my family under her, if I hadn't, she threatened to kill them, I am also going through the loop you are, for past eleven times, I just... I didn't want them to die," 

Alexiel's gaze wavered, torn between anger and the desire to believe. Kaito's hand found hers, his touch warm and pleading. "You've forgiven the prince time and again. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? For the sake of the help I've given, for the chance at a new beginning?"

"You have used your enchantment on me too, haven't you?" she whispered, her head resting on his shoulder in defeat, "I want to hate you more than anything, but my stupid heart can't bring itself too. I have suffered a lot due to this heart, Kaito. I don't want too again," 

"You will not," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, "Give me a chance to prove myself, please," 

"You better do that," she said, a tear trailing down her cheek.