Our Story- Chapter 19- A Heartbroken Farewell

Later I find myself in the living room, looking through the sketches I must have drawn, all of so many different and fantastic things and creatures. I couldn’t stop smiling at them. After a little while longer, Ge’graz walks in and sits beside me on the couch. I smile over at him, though still fascinated by the sketches.
“Hey pup.” He pats my back. “Libra said you remembered my nickname for you!” I nod a little bit.
“Yup, I also remember another man that looks a lot like you...” Ge’graz raises an eyebrow at this.
“Oh yeah?”
“His left eye and ear are gone though and he's older.”
“HA! That WAS me!” I give him a very perplexed look. “I died, but YOU brought me back to life and made me younger. You had some powerful friends.”
“... Wow. Apparently...” I muttered, almost in disbelief. He smiles toothily down at me and I smile back. “Did you and Mercer have a good honeymoon?” I ask, assuming that’s where they were.
“OH, we did! I can't tell you everything because Libra would kill me if I did.” I laugh, knowing he must mean all the sexual things they did whilst on their honeymoon. “Though, what I can tell you is that I felt more alive then when I was actually alive the first time!”
“That's a good thing then!”
“Yes, it is! ... You are a friend to me, Emelie.” I smirk a bit at this.
“Thanks.” Ge’graz gets up and throws another log into the fireplace. I stare at the rising embers, and the dancing flames... They suddenly turned pink... I remember something suddenly. BB had made a love potion, for Sam because they weren’t together and she really liked him, but... Libra drank it. Libra drank it and... We went on a date... Our date suddenly flashed back into my mind. Bram, the Dullahan. How protective Libra was over me when the other patrons of the restaurant looked at me disapprovingly because I’m a human... The memory was suddenly very vivid. I smile at it, shaking my head lightly in disbelief that these were really my memories. It seemed too good to be true. “... A love potion.” It seemed cliché, but I like cliché.
“Oh God, I remember that little surprise.” Ge’graz said, fully bringing me back into reality.
“It was pretty cute, if I remember right.”
“I don't remember, I left before things got too crazy.” I laugh a bit at this. “Like I said, I do not deal with women much, and that is how I will keep it.”
“Except Mercer?”
“The only thing ladylike about her is her body. The rest of her is manly.” I resist the urge to ask if he is then attracted to masculinity, not knowing how he would retaliate.
“Ah... Speaking of Mercer she looked a bit sick earlier, is she all right?”
“Meh. Elves are not known to be very durable, but she was eating some seafood before we got on our flight, so that is probably it.”
“Ah, okay.”
“So, do you feel up to sparring later?”
“Sparring?” I think for a moment about this. Sparring a huge muscled oxen of a man that had all the potential in the world to kill me if he wished, or hurt me by accident with his sheer strength... “Sure.” I answer, with a smirk. He smiles and leave, and I return to my own room to put back my sketchbook. I see Rockdale and Shale in my room, both sleeping and snuggling with each other. I smile at their adorableness but since I do not want to disrupt them I return my sketchbook and instead go to the library. I walk around, looking at the various strange titles, and I come across one called “The Mediterranean Alliance”. I pick it randomly and open it.
(The Mediterranean Alliance was first formed in 148 BC, to fight off the oppression of The Elven Kingdom who for many years have ruled over them with a cruel hand. The members of The Alliance included, but was not limited to, the Cyclops, Centaurs, Satyr, Gorgons, Anubians, Harpy, and Serketi. A thousand of years before the alliance formed, these peoples fought and feuded for eons. The Elves promised peace and harmony for these war-tired peoples, and they accepted. The first hundred years where peaceful and brought food and safety for many ... but the next several hundred years where that of Oppression and ruin.)
(That’s horrible…) I think to myself.
(Many centuries after, the dictation of the Elves became too much for them, and they united for a common goal they knew they had a right to. Freedom. Whatever battles they fought against each other in the past was over. All that mattered was that they drive out the Elves from their homes. The first thing the alliance had to do was acquire the means to fund the war that would be coming. The first several centuries was a series of guerrilla raids on Elven caravans and military outposts. After these raids and assaults, the alliance secured the mining city of Oreseas, Israel, and became the Alliances first stronghold against the Elven Kingdom. With the cities rich mines and strong walls, it was an invaluable asset that ultimately led The Alliance to victory.) I internally cheer for their victory, and go on to read the other chapters which explain and describe the battles won and lost, the heroes of their forces, the Elves they fought, and what they did after they won. I think about the book for a minute after finishing it, and then I put it back.
“Emelie!” I hear Ge’graz calling my name, and so I go to find him. I find him standing outside of the library with two axes in his hand. I’m glad that I have my sais with me, since I wasn’t sure if we were sparring with weapons or not. “All right pup, come with me.” He walks away and I follow him. He leads me downstairs to a dojo like room with many weapons and platforms. I look around curiously as Ge’graz grabs a jar of water-like liquid and rubs it all over his ax blades. “Give me your kitchen knives.” I give him my sais, and he dips them in the water then hands them back to me. “All right, now we can spar.” He grunts lightly when he sees my confusion. “That water was hexed so that no weapon it touches can kill anything.”
“Ooh... Good.” He grunts again, and then suddenly he attacks, with both of his axes crashing down on me from above. I dodge them and I stab his arms, though when I do it feels like they are being thrust into a bag of wet cement. I retract them and jump back, getting in another fighting position. He rubs his arms where I stuck him, and then swings at me with both axes savagely and quickly. I dodge most of them, but one hits my chest and stings as though I had been cut for real. It sears, but there is no wound or blood of any kind. I attempt to jump back, but he hits my gut and I fall back onto my tailbone. I quickly get back up, running fast towards the man with my sais on offense. When I get close to him, he jabs the top part of his axes forward but I side step to the left and jab both of my sais into his hip and his side, but he doesn’t seem to feel them. I quickly retract and side step again, chancing a slash to the back but when I attempt it, he grabs my wrist and lifts me up, face to face with him. I close my other sai and punch him in the face with the blunt end, but it seems to only achieve in hurting my wrist. Ge’graz then upper cuts my stomach and throws me off the arena, leaving me to groan in pain. After a little bit, I slowly brush myself off and Ge’graz helps me up.
“We are done. You did good pup, but you are still no match for me.”
“Thanks.” I say, even though I doubted I’d be a match at all.
“This was also me trying to get your head working right again.”
“Ooh...” I think for a little bit. “I don't think I remember anything new... But it did clear my head.”
“Damn. Do you want me to smack you in the head?” I laugh a bit at this.
“You can if you want to, but I'm not sure that's how it works.”
“Hm... Nah, I won't.”
“All right.” I smile up at him. “Thanks for the sparring though.”
“It was no problem. You're spunky for a human.” I smirk at this compliment, and Ge’graz grabs his axes and walks off someplace. I decide to go see if BB was still sleeping in the kitchen, but when I get there I find that she is not. I begin to look for her when I hear Disney music upstairs and I assume it is her so I follow it. I find her in her room with Sam, they’re both in the bed together snuggling.
“HI Emi! Wanna jump in?” She offers.
“NO!” Sam changes to a snake and slithers away, and I nervously rub the back of my neck.
“... Sorry for interrupting... I was just wondering if you still planned to have the party.”
“OH YEAH!” She jumps out of the bed and I can see that she is... Wearing a dragon costume from the neck down. She runs excitedly to the kitchen and though I am confused about her attire, I follow her. When I find her again in the kitchen, she is still wearing the costume and giving out cake to everyone.
“... Hey BB, why are you wearing a dragon costume?”
“I’m cosplaying!”
“Ooh, cosplaying as who?”
“The scary Dracomancer in the movie about the girl who only sleeps after she cuts herself!”
“... I don't know that movie, but cool.”
“You mean Sleeping Beauty?” A random Neko man asked from the other room.
“Yeah! I'm her!” Now I understand.
“Ooh! Cool.” I say with a smile.
“Yeah!” BB clears her throat. “Listen well, ALL of you! KERPASH!” I’m a bit confused.
“... I was quoting the dragon lady from the movie!”
“OH! Nice!” I say with an encouraging smile.
“Thanks!” The grabs the other cakes and walks off with them. I get a grub for myself and I start heading back to my room, but as I am walking back I hear a loud crash and BB cries out in despair. “NO! THE CAKES! What is this world coming to?!” And then Mercer shouts,
“BB, BE QUIET!” I go to the living room out of curiosity and concern. I see BB on the floor with cake all over her as well as everything ten feet in front of her.
“... You okay, BB?”

“NO! THE CAKES ARE RUINED!”
“We can make more...?” I offer, but then Mercer shouts from the other side of the room angrily.
“NO! STOP FREAKING BAKING!” BB and everyone else in the room look at her frightened and I’m also a bit shocked at her outburst. “... WHAT!?” She takes one of the top cakes on the floor and eats it while walking away. I’m a bit concerned for Mercer.
“... I'm gonna go find Sammy and snuggle with him more...” BB says, and walks off.
“Okay, see you later.” Then suddenly small people with lion tails start to clean up the cake mess and even eat some of it. I’m a bit curious about them and they notice me, smiling shyly. I smile back at them and after they finish, which is surprisingly fast, they scurry off into the air vents. I watch them go, still curious, and then I go back to my room. I try to remember when I’m walking, and then suddenly I get a flash of something...
Something angry...
I arrive at my room and open the door, but I see a vase of black roses and cactus flowers sitting on my bed, disrupting my thoughts. I’m fairly surprised, but I think they are rather beautiful and I smile at them. I gently move it from my bed to my nightstand so I won’t accidentally knock it over when I sit down, and when I get closer I can see that the glass vase is actually made up of small crystals, in a pattern of small Libra and Pisces symbols that overlap together to make quite a gorgeous design. I blush, knowing this is from Libra. I find it extremely flattering, and I honestly get so much emotion from it that I don’t know what to do with it. I’ve never felt something this romantically invested. So I simply lay down on my bed and look up at the roses and the cactus flowers... And the vase.
I take a small half hour nap and then I get up and I look over at my very small shelf. On that shelf I see a book, and I know instantaneously that it is my journal. I must have started keeping one to keep track of all the things I learned here... I pick it up, and I start reading.

“Entry #1. It’s been about a week or so since I started living in Black-Moon Manor. It’s been so extraordinary and amazing, and just so awesome! I can’t even begin to put it in words. There are so many creatures here, and I sometimes forget that I’m the only human. BB is my best friend here, she’s a snake person, some sort of snake species. Sam, previously Slither, is the same kind of species because he drank some of her blood. Another friend of mine here is Mercer, she’s a Dark Elf, and she’s like a mother to Libra. She’s amazing and has this ability called Aeither that allows her to control fire. There’s also Ge’graz, he’s an Ürk. He’s extremely stubborn and like a grouchy old uncle to me, but I think he’s really sweet underneath it all. There’s Nekos too, and Fauns! Things I’ve only dreamed about! Goblins too! And... I like one. Of course I ended up liking a Goblin, it’s a bit cliche, even for me, but I’ve grown fond of Libra... Which I really shouldn’t because he’s out of my league, like... MILES from my league, but I always did have a never-dying hope of anything remotely romantic... Even if I know it’ll end in utter heartbreak. But yeah, that’s my first ramble in my first journal about this world! When there’s something significant enough to write down, which... Might be every day, or every other day, I’ll write it down. I don’t want to forget a thing!”

I find this last line sadly ironic and I continue reading of my adventures for quite some time. It surprisingly jogs my memory and... Wrath. It all comes back to me in a wave, King Arthur, Excalibur. Libra being held by the neck, Bram being torn in two... DIRGE... I growl low in my throat out of anger, but I calm myself down and I force myself to remember this is in the past. I pick up my journal and then I go to get some tea. I walk down the hall towards the kitchen, though as I do I already smell tea being made. I peak inside the kitchen and I’m not all that surprised to see that it is Libra. I smile at him a bit shyly, having not forgotten the flowers and vase he had given me.
“Hi Libra.” I go inside nonetheless.
“Hello, my dear. Would you like some tea?” He hands me a cup of steaming red liquid, and I take it gratefully.
“Yes, thank you.” I sit down at the table, placing my journal on the table so I can read it while I drink the sweet smelling tea. Libra gets himself a cup and he sits across from me, and I can feel his eyes on me adoringly. I blush at this though I smile softly. “... Thank you for the flowers too, they're beautiful.”
“You are most welcome. I thought you would like something a little more... Original then most others.” I smile and nod in agreement and I take a sip of my tea. “So, is there anything you want to talk about?” I think about this for a moment.
“Why did Wrath go after King Arthur? ... And do The 7 stay together or are they usually by themselves?”
“Ah... You remember. Now, The 7, as well as any other demonic force, can sense holy energy. Excalibur is a sword forged by angels so The 7 always knew where it was. The reason why they attack Arthur might have been because they where bitter about Kruldasing killing Gluttony.”
“Oh...” I think about this information. “So they’re not a threat anymore?”
“They are ALWAYS a threat, but they are not attacking anything for now. Hopefully they stay that way for a while.” I nod in full agreement and Libra looks at me with those loving eyes again. I smile shyly and I am about to ask another, more personal question, when a high pitch and elegant horn is heard throughout the manor that startles me.
“What was that?” Libra gets up and grabs his kukri.
“Nothing good...” He runs outside and I follow behind, worriedly looking out of the windows. Outside I see three units of Dark Elf spearmen and a High Elf riding on a deer, all approaching the manor. I remember the book I read on the Elves and this makes me extremely concerned. Ge’graz, Mercer, and the other manor’s residents go outside with weapons drawn.
“YOU stay inside! Got it?” Ge’graz orders me, and I nod quickly. As I continue to look outside, I see Kruldasing land beside Libra as well as a man with no head, a rusty suit of armor, and green flames to replace his head. I remember Bram vaguely from the date between Libra and me, then not long after that the Unseelie Court or at least what looks like it, arrive beside Libra, growling and snarling at the Elves. Then Mercer comes back inside and grabs me.
“Come with me, you are needed out here.” I follow her obediently out to the field next to Libra and we both face down the Elves.
“Duke Libra, I see that the human is still here.”
“Of course she is! Why would she not?” Libra asks, and I am also confused why I wouldn’t be.
“She has lost her memory, correct? With the loss of memory arises the threat of treachery! We will not allow this creature to live among us and we will go to war to drive this threat out!” I shake my head in disbelief. Why would they think I am a threat?
“I-I'm remembering.” I protest, though my voice sounds small.
“WE WILL NOT RISK IT!” The spearmen ready their weapons and the archers load their bows. I’m petrified. Then suddenly the trees behind the Elves split apart and I see a huge white stag step out of the arch in the trees. It approaches the Elves.
“My King! I am glad you could come, you must tell-” Libra starts, but is interrupted.
“Libra. Send her away.” The stag deity orders. My heart falls, but I remember the destruction the Elves did in the book I read and I can see the logic in it.
“WHAT?! WHY?”
“Because you know as much as I do that the Elves will continue their attack until they succeed. It is for the best.”
“NO! I WILL NOT-...” Libra pauses and then turns to me sadly. “... Very well. I will send her home tonight.”
“Good! For your smart deeds we will send you something nice when she leaves.” The High Elf says and then he rides away with the Dark Elves. I watch them leave.
“Will... Will I be able to come back? ... After I remember?”
“I will do everything in my power to bring you back, I swear! This will NOT last forever!” I smile gratefully at Libra’s words, they put me a bit at ease
“Thank you...”
“... While I am here, would it be best if I take her home now?” Kruldasing offers kindly.
“NO, I... Not yet.” My eyes soften at this, for I can see Libra is taking my departure rather hard, probably even harder than I am. All the others leave, all except Kruldasing, and I watch them go. Libra sits where he had been standing, and Mercer sits beside him, putting a comforting arm around him. I feel guilty about the sadness I’ve caused him, and I feel sad about the whole situation.
“Go to him, kid. He needs you.” I agree and I sit down across from him, with a hopefully comforting expression. He reaches out and holds my hand and I hold his in mine, though I am unfamiliar and a stranger to physical affection.
“I’m so sorry...”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.” He holds my hand tighter. After eight more hours the sun sets and it is time for me to go home. In those eight hours I made up my mind to regain all my memories and return, and before I leave I go up to everyone to say goodbye.
“I’ll,” BB sniffles. “miss you!”
“I’ll miss you too, BB.” I smile lightly and she hugs me tightly, crying a little bit into my shoulder. I hug her back tightly as well. Ge’graz and Mercer come up next to wish me goodbye.
“I'm... I'm sorry if I was kinda bitchy lately, I'm just kinda sick.” Mercer says.
“And I hope you continue your training.” Ge’graz adds.
“It's okay, and I will. We'll have a rematch when I come back.” I said lightheartedly.
“You’ll still lose, pup.” He ruffles up my hair and I smirk teasingly. I didn’t want our goodbyes to be so sad. Mercer smiles softly and hugs me tight, and I hug her back tightly as well. Pagan, Brucey, and Tucker all come over to me and hug me sadly. I hug Pagan tightly in my arms, though it had been a shock at first to have an adoptive child of my own... In the short time I had come to love her as one.
“I'll do what I can to bring you back!” She says with the determined voice only a child could have. Only a child as beautifully kind-hearted as her.
“Thank you, Pagan. I'll remember as much as I can!”
“And I will always love you mommy!”
“And I’ll always love you...” I sniffle lightly, being strong for her, and she eventually lets go of me and walks over to Mercer who she holds onto sadly. I sigh lightly and I turn to Kruldasing, seeing that Libra is on top of him and Kruldasing also looks saddened.
“I have decided to accompany you to your home.” Libra says, and I smile at this.
“Okay.” I climb on with Kruldasing’s help, and Libra wraps his arms around me. We fly on through the night like the flight Kruldasing and I had when I first came to the manor. Libra rests his head on my shoulder and I can hear him purring softly. I try not to be as shy as I was before, this being one of the most intimate contact I’ve had with anyone, even with my family, and I simply enjoy being with him. My stomach hurts with the pain of thinking that I might not see him again for a long time, though I’m half confused on why. I... I still do not know him... I doze off a little bit, and when I wake up I see that we are flying over the familiar desert of my home.
“I'm going to land in your backyard, all right?” Kruldasing asks, and I nod lightly.
“All right.” He circles around the house and I see my dad outside. He backs away a lot, fairly scared, but once he sees me and I wave he calms down a bit. Kruldasing lands, making a huge dust cloud, and walks a bit closer to my house and my dad.
“Ah... YOU must be miss Emelie's father. It is a pleasure to meet you in person.” Kruldasing says, and he holds out his claw for my dad to shake. He shakes it, though hesitantly and very lightly.
“Yeah... Um... Nice to meet you...”
“I am Kruldasing, a Guardian of The Fey. And if you have not yet figured it out yet, I am also a dragon.” He laughs jokingly and his sharp teeth gleams in the early break of dawn. My dad laughs as well, though most likely out of pure nervousness.
“Yeah...” He looks up at me. “Surprise visit?”
 “Well... I'm staying here for a while... I lost my memory, and the Elves think I'm a threat now, so until I've regained it I can't go back...” I explain, and my dad’s expression turns to one of worry.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I'm fine, I've already started remembering and stuff.”
“Oh, good.” He looks relieved and he smiles up at Libra. “Thanks man, for looking out for her out there.” Libra jumps off of Kruldasing and lands only a foot away from him.
“You are most welcome. It is my duty to protect those who live within my borders, especially those I care for.” My dad nods respectfully and protectively.
“Well, it's most appreciated by me and my wife.” I get off of Kruldasing with some help and I happily go to my dad, hugging him. Then I turn to Libra with a sad bittersweet expression. He removes his mask, revealing his face to my dad who is surprised but calms down quickly... But, all I can focus on is the heartbreak so clearly shown in his entrancing mismatched eyes. I go up to him and I hug him, burying my face in his shoulder.
“It's not forever... I'll be back before you know it, with all my memories this time...” I say, trying to comfort him in any way I can. I release him gently though his arms stay around me and he rests his forehead against mine to look into my eyes.
“I will do all that I can to see that happen, I swear to you, I will.” He releases me and turns to my dad. “Keep her safe for me.” My dad nods seriously, though he is eyeing our closeness.
“I will.”
“Thank you, sir.” Libra climbs back on Kruldasing and they take off back into the sky, but before they disappear, Kruldasing lets out one last roar into the crater of my home. It echoes off the surrounding hills and mountains for several minutes, that truthfully felt like hours, sounding like a god’s thunderous sorrowful fury. I watch where they had disappeared into the clouds until the sound slowly dies away and my pain becomes numbed acceptance. The sun breaks in the distance and I close my eyes, tears streaming down my face yet I hardly knew it. For it wasn’t my tears, it was those of the love that was trapped inside.
Along with my memories.