The city of Nautilus fell. The parliament burned down as the sigils of destruction amplified the damage.
Joy grabbed Marlowlia by her hair and forced her eyes open. It was her own powers that were destroying the city she grew up in. Marlowlia's tears streamed down her cheeks as she saw her mansion, which was the trademark for order and democracy for Nautilus, burn.
Usually, in situations like this where people's lives are at risk. My mark of freedom would manifest in seconds, but as I watched on as people were massacred, there was no instinct to protect them. It was as if my soul were an undisturbed ocean of water.
"Vivshi, please help us… Save Nautilus…"
Marlowlia continued to cry out as her hair was being pulled. Her eyes were not wet with tears, for they had been forgotten by the rain. She continued to stare at the man she considered a friend. She knew that out of everyone there, he would be the one to save them all. He was the Aeon of Freedom after all. He would bring freedom for everyone here in Nautilus.
Aylin and Emovi clung onto my arms closely, waiting for my response. It was as if all the time I had spent with Marlowlia meant nothing to me.
I had already completed my mission, there was no reason for me to continue staying in Nautilus. I felt like there was a robot controlling my thoughts and telling me exactly what I had to do.
"Aylin, let's get out of here."
Marlowlia's glint of hope had been smashed into pieces, and the shine in her eyes dissipated as Allegrano let go of her hair with a smirk etched across his face. Her head slammed into the charred ground, and she just lay there without moving a single muscle.
Aylin's eyes nervously fluttered as she gave glances at Marlowlia before looking back at me.
Emovi tugged on my shirt and asked me, whilst shaking, if everyone here was going to be alright.
I nodded, giving Emovi headpats. Her anxiousness faded as I reassured her that everyone would be fine.
"Well, you are no fun. I thought you would come to defend your friend."
A spark of yellow appeared on my cheek as I told him that the strings that create his melody would be snipped by the one he so loathed. Joy looked at me with a repulsive look in his eyes.
I took Emovi's and Aylin's hands and walked away with them. Allegrano sauntered away cheerily as if he didn't just see that yellow spark on my face.
Marlowlia's light blue dress was now covered in tar, and her face had been replaced with an emptiness.
"VIVSHI!" A familiar voice called out.
I turned my head to see Fiviana standing there with both her fists curled up. Before I could take a good look at her face, she yelled out towards me.
She told me that she was indebted to me and could never pay back such a debt. That her life had gotten a second chance because of me.
"I know I'm being incredibly selfish, but please… Aeon of Freedom… Save Nautilus!"
She fell onto her knees and started to cry.
It felt like I was fighting two forces inside my body. One logical part disallowed such action to be done, another part acted almost compulsively, trying to save everything that needed to be free.
I don't feel like the Vivshi I once was. There was this weird feeling inside of me. As if there were more than one person inside my body telling me what to do.
For a brief moment, that feeling of generosity almost slipped. I almost stopped and thought about fighting Allegrano for the city, but that one part inside of my body refused. It kept telling me… "for the perfect world".
I clutched onto Aylin's hand even harder, trying to steel my resolve and act the way I really wanted. The spark of Dexterity appeared on my cheek once more as I continued to walk away from the city of Nautilus, leaving the two sisters in the city of cinders.