Estacia

Chapter 10: Delmion's 'precious'

"Well. What do we have here? Is that a boy I see?" Hail asked with a bright smile.

"Cut the innocence. I know just how many centuries old you are and what act you were going to do just now." Delmion's furious gaze, although not directed at her, sent a chill down Estacia's spine. 

"D-Delmion? What is it? He was just... giving me the key." 

Estacia didn't intend to stammer but her words gave her out. She was quivering. During the amount of time she had spent with him, such an aggravated face was never seen by her. 

"The key? Do you even realize what you're saying? Only one person can retrieve the key to the Millainean flower! The power he was giving you can only be utilized by you and for your needs! The secrets that will be revealed to the retriever must never! Never be said to anyone else! So even if you found out what secret I wished to know, you won't be able to tell it to me!"

Delmion breathlessly said these words. He was gasping for breath. Sweat was evident all over his face.

Estacia stared wide-eyed at the marine haired boy. He looked exhausted, as if he was clinging to his only life source.

'Why is it so important to him anyways?' Estacia thought.

What is this precious thing that Delmion desires? To the point where he can even follow a stranger in hope to find it. 

Estacia never knew that there would ever be person who will go this far for something.

She herself pondered,

'Why did I help him? Why did I help Sherwind? Just why did I come this far...for someone I don't even know well...'

Her chain of thoughts shattered when she heard a clap.

Hail clapped his hands loudly, as if praising Delmion.

Delmion didn't hold back his glare and disgust.

"Wow! What a smart kid! But I must say, not everything you think is correct ,child." Hail said with an eerie look.

"The key isn't something that can be handled by anyone. The person must be chosen by me or at least be eligible enough to carry it. Especially not to a boy who recklessly shoots an arrow in between an important ritual." A smirk appeared on Hail's face who was currently in the form of a child.

"So in other words, you're nothing but a nobody." Hail's words entered Delmion's ears.

A hazy memory replayed inside his mind.

"My! How can such an insolent child ever wield the greatest power?" An unfamiliar voice said.

"I can't believe he's one of their descendants." Another laughed.

"He's just any ordinary human, useless."

"Of course, he can't even be compared to our powerful -"In other words.."

The cruel and heart wrenching  statements continued to flow in his head.

"He's nothing. Just a nobody!" Voices of different genders covered Delmion's ears. Tears threatened to fall.

A blurry scene of the young Delmion could be seen. He was crouching, shivering, tears flowed down his rosy cheeks. 

He was alone. All alone.

"Hey! Why are you crying? Are you okay?" 

Suddenly, a cute and melodious voice of a girl was heard. Delmion looked up. The bright light shone on the girl's face.