“EVERYONE! WE’RE UNDER ATTACK FROM THE CHURCH KNIGHTS!”

  The sound of the town’s bells and the message accompanying it has never been easy to hear. I hate to admit that I paralyzed in fear when I heard it, my heart stopped and I felt like my muscles were turned to stone.

  I couldn’t even buy proper equipment and before I knew it, there were knight’s razing through the streets. All I could do is hide behind a stall and pray to not be found.

  It’s frightening! The sound of the people running around, and the gut wrenching screams from the poor people unable to flee.

  I should do something! I’m! I’m meant to be heritor of the demon’s lord bloodline! A princess who’s job is to protect her people, and yet body won’t move an inch, all I can do is hold my tail in fear and curl while trying to cover my ears.

  Next thing I remembered was being on the floor with an overwhelming headache, I tried to get up from where I was apparently sent flying. I see one of those humanoid monsters the church uses, did he destroy the stall I was hiding in?

  Everything looks blurry and all I can hear is a buzzing noise in my ears.

  This is no good, a knight is approaching me with his bde, I don’t think I’ll be able to run away. I picked my shield and deflected the bde, but what was one knight turned into several, as well as the monster from before.

  “AGGH!!”

  I tried to stop his punch but I felt like my arm was gonna break off! Next thing I remember was one of the knights, and an incredible pain in my torso.

  I fell to the ground, and it almost felt like time stopped...

  ...

  ...

  “Evelyn! Ceryse! Were you two the ones that tossed dirt to the neighbors house!?”

  “No! We didn’t mom!”

  “Ceryse, you little rascal! Come here!”

  This?...

  This sure brings back memories. Mom chasing Ceryse across the house, for a little prank that she tended to pull every now and then. It always ended up the same, Mom holding Ceryse by her ear and dragging her to the living room to talk, and then-

  “Evelyn, did you girls do it?”

  “Y-yes...”

  “Evelyn!”

  Mom always gave a loud tired sigh, and then looked at both of us with a warm smile.

  “Why did you do it baby?”

  “Because Frank is stupid!”

  “Ceryse! Mind your tongue! Why would you call poor Frank like that?”

  “H-He called me weird and Ceryse got into a fight with him...”

  “Is that true?”

  “U-Un...”

  The other kids tended to pick on me constantly, especially the boy living next door, and Ceryse always came to help me out, she always came to my rescue...

  “Still that’s not a way to do things, let’s go together to apologize ok?”

  “O-Ok...”

  “I don’t wanna!”

  “Ceryse!...”

  Mom could be scary when she was serious.

  ...

  ...

  “You girls should learn to behave, this is unbecoming of our lineage you know, this is no way for princesses to act!”

  “S-Sorry...”

  “It’s also their fault! Have they bowed their heads to us as they should! We wouldn’t have started a fight!”

  “Ceryse, you can’t force people to prostate! When have you heard the demon lord throwing a tantrum?”

  “When have people disrespected the royal family!”

  “You’re thinking this wrong baby, the people do not own us respect and praise, on the contrary it should be us that help other people out, that is our responsibility as royalty”

  “Buu!”

  Heh, our lineage was the only noteworthy thing in our lives, our home was average, so was our food, clothing and everything else really, Mom always did work hard for us to have a good life and we just gave her more troubles.

  Day in and day out my sister and I would go out of the house and end up tangled in one problem or another. If I could, I wish I could say sorry to mom for all the troubles we’ve caused, at least she will always live in my heart...

  ...

  ...

  “*sniffle* Ceryse...”

  “It’s ok Evelyn, we... we’re gonna be ok!”

  Ah, how sad that day was, mom died after an attack from the empire, and we were currently at her funeral, we weren’t as young back then, so we understood perfectly what happened, it didn’t make things any easier however, losing mom when we were only 12, I couldn’t stop crying and yet, my sister never let out a tear.

  I remember her face vividly to this day, her face was the complete opposite of her words.

  “T-this is just part of life, we're gonna be just fine!”

  She continued repeating the same phrases over and over again, all the while holding me in a hug, everytime I looked at her face, I could see her watery and gssy eyes, on the verge of crying, but never actually doing so.

  Ceryse was always so strong, and despite everything, she always stood strong for my sake, and I’m forever grateful to her for it.

  ...

  ...

  “I’m hungry...”

  “Me too Evelyn, let me just... prepare us something ok?”

  “Un...”

  Things started to look rough for us, and we rationed as much food as we could, but we were running out of things to eat in our home.

  “L-let me help you...”

  “It’s ok, you’re a liability in the kitchen!”

  “Laiabileeti? What’s that?”

  I don’t know why, but the word was funny in my mind at the moment, Ceryse spent her time reading all the books that mom left us, so when she used a word I didn’t recognize, I thought she was being silly.

  “Do-”

  “Hmm?”

  “D-Do you umm... not n-p-perceive the linguistic notion of the umm... sophisticated sentence?”

  I couldn’t help but crack a smile, Ceryse was talking so funny, and she continued saying nonsense for a while, and all I could do was ugh at her.

  “Why are you speaking so funny!”

  “Because I... boast an extensive proficiency in diction...”

  It was at that time when Ceryse started using that fancy way of talking, I know she was trying to simply make me ugh for a moment, it’s something I understood at the time, and yet I feel like she got a bit obsessed with it, even when I told her to stop, she continued doing those eborated sentences.

  We started working in a farm that was somewhat close to our home, and while we weren’t doing as good as when mom was still around, at least we were never hungry again, the work was exhausting however, but we couldn’t exactly compin.

  “I’m sickened of this work as a peasant! I think I will try my luck at a different assortment of tasks!”

  “W-What are you gonna do Ceryse?”

  “I heard that those working in the cult earn a proper remuneration for their efforts! Surely we could achieve a simir outcome!”

  “But isn’t it dangerous? Some are drafted as soldiers and I... I don’t want you to get hurt!”

  “I can take care of myself my beloved sister, you need not worry about my wellbeing or safety!”

  “You dummy, if you’re gonna try, at least let me tag along! It would be safer that way”

  “Evelyn... it might be dangerous, are you prepared for such perils?”

  “N-no... but wherever you go, I’ll go! Promise me you won’t leave me behind!”

  “Ah, my grieving sister, I would never be able to part from your side, that’s a vow I will uphold until my st breath!”

  “Thanks... still, it’s better to not do anything dangerous!”

  We were rejected however, so we worked as adventurers instead...

  ...

  ...

  ...

  ...

  “She’s still breathing”

  “She’ll bleed out soon enough, but just to be safe”

  Ah... it’s so cold...

  “C-Ceryse...”

  ...

  ...

  ...

  ...

  “E..........”

  “Hmm...”

  “Evelyn! Are you listening to what I’m saying?”

  “Ah, n-no... sorry mommy...”

  “Ah, what am I gonna do with you, my silly little girl~”

  “Hehe”

  “Now let’s go, and hold my hand tightly sweetie”

  “Where are we going?...”

  “Home of course, I prepared your favorite things for dinner”

  “And Ceryse?...”

  “She’s out pying with her friends”

  “Then she is not coming with us?...”

  “Let her have some fun, she will join us once she tires of being outside”

  “O-ok...”

  “Hmm, why don’t we bake some sweets when we get back home, so you two can eat some when she comes back”

  “Un! I love you mommy!”

  “And I love you too my sweetheart!”

  ...

  ...

  ...

  …

  —————————————————————————————————————————

  ***Ceryse’s POV***

  “MOVE ASIDE!”

  These knights keep appearing left and right! Do they not tire!? Dammit all, where is Evelyn, I can’t break through to look for her at all!

  “GRAAAAAHH!!”

  “What the hell are you!?”

  It’s those monsters the people of the empire send from time to time, but I’ve never fought one! It doesn’t matter how much I cut him, he seems to regenerate at absurd rates!

  “Just! Fall already!”

  I can somehow manage, even if between him and the knights manage to grace me with their attacks every now and then. At least it’s manageable, never more than 3 opponents at the same time, plus the only one that’s causing me trouble is the big guy!

  Where the hell is Marisa when you need her!? I shouldn’t think like that, if anything I should be grateful that she managed to flee before all this trouble...

  But this is bad, I need a way to get them off, or I won’t st forever!

  “Ceryse!”

  That voice!?

  I turned around for a moment and saw Marisa, wearing one of those cult hoods, but her bright red hair peeking from it was unmistakable.

  Her cloak was covered in blood, I worried for a second, but I seriously doubt it was hers, she’s plowing through the knights like they were made of paper, her bde is even slicing through the bde of her foes.

  It took her a minute, but she pierced the monster’s torso, and then after pulling a glowing orb from its body, the monster fell dead to the ground.

  She then proceeded to heal my wounds, and then fall ft on my arms.

  “M-Marisa! Marisa!?”

  I’m shaking her around, but she’s not responding, at least for a second. She came to her senses rather quickly, but looking at her face through the hood, she’s ghostly pale, more so than what she already was!

  “Are you ok!? Marisa!?”

  “Ah sorry, I bcked out for a second! And Evelyn!?”

  I feel bad for Marisa, she’s clearly pushed herself just as much as we have, but there’s strength in numbers, for now we both dashed to look for Evelyn, and eventually, there she was, ying on the floor!

  “Evelyn!”

  I tried to get to her side as fast as possible! S-She’s not breathing!Evelyn, don’t do this to me! Please answer me!!S-She looks very hurt, it’s probably that! I screamed towards Marisa, but she told me it was already too te...

  T-That can’t be true! Evelyn’s not dead yet! She’s... She’s not!

  C’mon wake up Evelyn! You can’t do this! You can’t leave me alone!

  Y-You’re gonna be ok Evelyn, I-I promised! I promised mom that I will take care of you, so please get up! I’m begging you Evelyn!

  Evelyn... please! Please we promised! We promised to be together!

  Evelyn! Evelyn!...

  ...

  ...

  First mom, and now Evelyn, what else do you want from me? What more can the empire even take from me!

  They’re at fault! The world will be better off without them!

  I’m sorry Evelyn, I’m gonna take your shield for a moment, but I will give it back, I promise, it’s just...

  I have something to do.

  “Where are you going Ceryse?”

  “To kill emperor Oliver with my own hands”

  It’s the only way for this nightmare to be over, I don’t know why Marisa is getting in my way, but if she wishes to fight me, I have nothing else to lose!

  Maybe I can’t defeat her or the emperor but... but I’ll die trying!

  Or so was my thought, Marisa tossed her bde and opened her arms, letting me give her a clean slice through her chest!

  W-Why did you not dodge or attack back!? What are you thinking, are you stupid!?

  “How would Evelyn feel if you joined her so quickly?”

  Guh... why are you speaking on her name, how dare you say that! you didn’t even know her that much!

  YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING! I...

  I couldn’t help but cry, I wonder why it felt so painful. I never cried, not in front of anyone, not even in front of my own sister when mom died, then why!?

  Why must I cry now!? I have to be strong, strong for Evelyn, how can she smile if I’m sad! I...

  “DAMMIT!!”

  I clenched my fist in anger.

  “It’s ok Ceryse, let it all out”

  I looked at Marisa’s face, she’s pale and her eyes are tearing up as well...

  Was this how Evelyn felt when she looked at me?

  ...Marisa is trying to be strong for me as well, she’s so small, smaller than me and yet, I feel like she’s towering over me at the moment for some reason...

  ...

  ...

  “If only I had accompanied her, this wouldn’t have happened...”

  “Or both of you would be dead, don’t bme yourself over this Ceryse, in this situation, there wasn’t much that could be done”

  “T-That’s easy for you to say! Were you still here, none of this would’ve happened!”

  “I! I’m sorry...”

  My tears won’t stop, no matter what I try, I...

  ...

  ...

  “Come, let’s not leave Evelyn down on the floor, and give her proper burial”

  “I...”

  I can’t even look at Evelyn, I feel like my heart is shattering into a million pieces, I-

  “I know it hurts Ceryse, take your time”

  “I...”

  I don’t think holding a funeral would be possible, there’s so many dead people on the floor, not only Evelyn, I know this as a fact but!

  “I! I can’t!!”

  I can’t do it, I simply can’t! Evelyn can’t be dead! I-

  “Do it for her, if it’s that difficult, then if you allow me, I will give her a proper burial”

  “Marisa...”

  ...

  ...

  It pains me to see this but, Marisa simply picked Evelyn up, tangling her tail across her body so she could lift her, and solemnly walked forward.

  “Marisa, I... follow me...”

  I guided her to the graveyard, it pains me to see it like this, not even the gravestones were respected by the invasors, how much destruction do they leave in their wake!

  “This graveyard?”

  “This... *sniff* This is my mother’s grave, or what’s left of it...”

  “What awful people those knights are”

  Fortunately the space next to my mother’s grave was empty, Marisa simply raised her chin, and a block of earth started levitating, leaving the dug square open. And gently getting Evelyn down on it.

  “I’m so sorry for rushing you Ceryse, but bid your farewells to Evelyn”

  “I... yes...”

  I’m... I don’t know what to say, I have a knot in my throat...

  I... I don’t know if I can do this, and yet, I have to be strong, strong for my sister as I have always been!

  “Evelyn, my beloved sister... I!”

  I swallowed my own spit...

  “I bid you farewell my sister. I a-apoligze for! *sniff* for everything, I! I will be ok Evelyn, so please, get some rest finally”

  I’m sorry I couldn’t be strong enough!

  ...

  Marisa covered the hole of earth, burying my sister next to where mom is resting...

  “Allow me to fix the grave, it’s the least I can do”

  Next thing I saw was Marisa disappearing, and coming back with a pair of carved stone ptes, simir to what used to be in my mother’s grave. She pieced the remains of her previous gravestone, and carved with magic what was written before it was broken, and then she looked me in the eyes.

  “Is there something you want written in Evelyn’s grave?”

  Why are you being so mean? How can you just ask this!?

  “Nothing, please just put her name like with mother’s”

  “Alright, and tell me, what were Evelyn’s favorite flowers?”

  “Flowers?... Those don’t grow here...”

  “I see, well... now they do”

  Marisa cast another spell, she buckled to the ground and the moment after, a bunch of pnts started growing on top of Evelyn and mom’s grave.

  These are flowers? I have never seen one in my life, they’re so pretty...

  “Now they’ll be the source of flowers for the town, I’ll pnt more across the forests, so they can be forever remembered, whenever someone sees a flower, they’ll know that Evelyn and Maria lived”

  “I... see, thanks Marisa...”

  She then tumbled around and sat down on a gravestone of someone else...

  “I might not be capable of it at the moment, but I will come back and make it so the flowers never stop to bloom here, it’s the least that a pair of princesses deserve”

  “Marisa... thank you, but...”

  “Hmm?”

  “It’s all a lie, we’re not really part of any royal family or anything of the sorts!”

  “I know, so what?”

  “Eh!?”

  “What does it matter if your family wasn’t part of history, that doesn’t mean you, your mother or Evelyn weren’t special”

  “Marisa...”

  I simply gave a wry sigh, She’s right, Evelyn was special, with or without any ancestry!

  “You know, my mom used to tell us that lie, because she wanted us to have something to be proud of...”

  I remember finding out about it, when I dug through the old books that she left behind, including her diary, I never had the guts to tell Evelyn the truth, but...

  “I guess she knew it was a lie as well...”

  “Evelyn?”

  “Yeah, she was the smartest of the two after all...”

  “Well, if it’s any consotion, I can tell when people lie, and Evelyn truly believed that she was, I think she simply never doubted it, because she trusted her family”

  “Evelyn...”

  You can be so naive sometimes...

  ...

  ...

  “What’s next Ceryse?”

  “I don’t know, I really don’t know what to do without Evelyn... I want to kill the emperor with my own two hands but... What would Evelyn do now?”

  “I doubt vengeance would be in her mind”

  “...Maybe you’re right, and yet I can’t shake this feeling of anger in my heart!”

  I looked around, now that things have calmed down in town, I see many people mourning as much as I have, children crying on the corpses of their parents, and even people I considered friends, all lifeless on the ground...

  “I want to stop them, so things like this don't happen again...”

  “That’s the right approach, how about coming with me, the empire is also in my sight, and after today, I can’t shy away from conflict, still, the goril emperor is just a man, getting rid of him won’t solve the problem”

  “Then?”

  “I don’t know yet, I will have to think of something”

  “Heh, well it’s better than anything. Maybe you’re right, I want to grow, as an adventurer and as a person, so that Evelyn doesn’t have to worry about me”

  “Then let’s do that, and whenever you see Evelyn again, you can make her feel proud of the person you’ve become!”

  “Un! I’d like that! I...”

  Evelyn, if there’s something I’ll always remember you for is how much you loved my stupid way of talking, even if it was a gag to make you smile, I want it to be a way for me to remember you.

  “I will bask in the glory of my prowess! And return to my homestead with the yield of my bor!”

  “That’s the Ceryse I know!”

  You say that, yet my tears simply won’t stop.

  Evelyn, my beloved twin, I don’t know if you can see or hear me from somewhere but, watch! I will make the name of our family proud! You might not be here with me anymore, but I want you to know that I will be ok, so rest in peace dear sister of mine, you earned it with your hard work after all!

  Joanne_carper