Light in the Darkness
"First of all," I interrupt, my gaze meeting the confusion in Luan's eyes. I'm about to reveal a little secret we've kept from him until now.
I feel my heart pounding in my chest, eager to share what I know.
A nervous tingle runs through my body, signaling that it's time for them to find out. I stop her with a gesture of my hand, aware of where she's headed.
"I'm going to tell everything, from how I met Marco to his past," I say, intertwining my fingers with a smile, but my voice trembles slightly with the emotion that overwhelms me as I remember how he appeared before me. "And don't apologize to me; that hit was a hea~~vy reminder of the reality that still resonates in me."
Almost as if it were meant to be, Marco has been a beacon since the moment he appeared.
I begin to tell them the story of the person who has conquered our hearts. First, I tell them how Marco came to this world.
"Marco was summoned, although we still don't know who it did," I say, glancing at the ground as I consider the possibilities. I feel a lump in my throat thinking about the difficulties he has faced, but now, that lump dissolves before the strength of my heart. "When I first saw him, after my emblem was stolen, I thought he was a thief, ha-ha."
My laughter escapes, and I can only remember his attitude, as if helping me was part of his plans. Everyone looks at me with a smile as I continue to tell them everything.
"He arrived, gave a gre~~at speech, and then went to my study room to scold me. 'I'm going to bet on you, on the potential inside you.' His words were clear; no matter the time, I will remember them for the eternity of my existence."
"About his past, I really haven't finished." I move my fingers, feeling the fear of getting lost, my heart pounding, my body trembling slightly.
I explain what Marco has told me; he was almost killed but somehow ended up in this world by magic. He didn't want to give more details, and I respected his silence, though my curiosity consumes me inside.
"I didn't want to push him further, so in part, it's my fault," I add, with a sigh that releases the guilt inside me.
I continue narrating his story, describing how his world is: a place without magic, but full of technology even more advanced than magic. A world where science reigns over magic.
"Then I saw a flying machine." I remember the first time I saw him travel by helicopter. I feel a slight tremor in my body, the excitement of experiencing something like that someday. "It could fit several people, and it traveled fast, very fast."
The astonished looks of my friends say it all, though Crusch already knew a good part of this. However, it's different. Marco explains it plainly, but for me, it's still so magical and beautiful that I feel I'm still short of words to describe it.
I continue explaining, telling what happened, the first time he witnessed the Lamicta crystals.
At the climax of our conversation, the night air softly drifts through the window, warm and comforting, as if trying to calm the agitated hearts in the room. The silver glow of the moon filters through the glass, creating mysterious glimmers that dance on my friends' faces, adding an atmosphere of solemnity to our discussion.
"Lamicta Crystals?" The surprise in Otto and Crusch's eyes can barely compete with the almost icy expression on Luan's face.
"I think I understand Marco's words." Luan reclines on the bed, staring at the ceiling. "Based on what you've told me, I think I can reach a conclusion."
We all turn our attention to Luan, who extends his hand. I too have reflected a lot, but what comes to mind is as unsettling as what Luan is about to express.
"Perhaps his trauma was so devastating that his mind erased the details and only retained the emotions." Luan places his hand on his chest, his gaze full of sorrow. "What I can't understand is why he's remembering now."
An idea occurs to me.
"Echidna, the Witch of Greed." I turn my gaze to the broken window, where gusts of wind enter. "It's possible she intervened somehow; I'm sure Marco saw her when he entered the tomb."
Until now, the existence of witches, aside from the monster that caused so much harm, is mentioned as a taboo, but there are people considered witches. They are individuals with immense power, but more than that. They are different.
"Marco introduced me to a concept." I look toward the window, the moonlight bathing the place. "The seven deadly sins."
A strand of pink hair gleams for a moment, but I ignore it and turn my attention back to my friends. I observe them all, seeking an answer. I start explaining, making sure they understand.
"So, there are more witches with powers similar to the archbishops?" Otto asks, but I shake my head.
"I don't know yet, but I think it's possible."
Without reaching a conclusion, I continue narrating.
"Then, he and Maria fell in love." A lump form in my throat as I remember what's about to happen.
What Marco felt, everything he transmitted to me. I will release it, release all his emotions without omitting a single detail. I will set them free so he can move forward with them when he needs to.
I take a deep breath.
"She wasn't his first love, but she was definitely the deepest." I look at my hands, wondering why fate has to be so relentless with someone like him.
Someone with so many hopes and dreams, someone full of happiness and innocence.
I tell them how they were betrayed and forced to flee. Everyone understands the gravity of the situation; only mana, an exceptional skill, could face their superior weapons like those. Nothing a Marco with nothing more than his fragile body could face.
Fear and despair are reflected on their faces as they listen attentively to my tale.
The death of Marco's parents.
"That's why..." Luan looks at his hands, a solitary tear sliding down his cheek. "He always treated me with such care and affection..."
I tell them how, despite everything, Marco kept going, being strong and holding back his tears. He tried to maintain a facade of strength.
"It's almost like it's natural for him," Otto states, showing great understanding. Marco was always like that, not as a result of trauma, but as a way to face emotions. Wrong, perhaps, but that's his way.
I continue with my story, while my tears flow incessantly. My hands tremble, but Crusch and Luan hold them. Both smile at me as I struggle to catch my breath.
It's okay, now I can cry, I can cry and be weak.
To have strength when I need it.
"And lastly, after the death of his best friend, came the death of the person he loved."
I explain to them how there was an eerie presence from the beginning, an unknown energy permeating the atmosphere.
"Echidna told me, it was miasma." My tears don't stop, but somehow, I feel like I'm not crying for myself.
It's as if these tears are his, the sensation of crying for him, like in that movie theater.
But this time I accept them; I accept these tears on his behalf.
I tell them how María started acting strange, all due to the deep shock of losing her parents, as well as the influence of the miasma.
I'm about to recount the ending, but the words get stuck in my throat.
"I can't say it." I lower my gaze to the ground, clutching both of their hands. "I don't want you to think badly of him. I don't want you to see Marco as a monster. It wasn't his fault; it wasn't something he could control. Marco, Marco was just a child. A child who was forced to grow up too soon."
"We won't, we promise." Otto looks into my eyes, and even though I'm lost, his words comfort me. "Whatever happened, we'll accept it."
The reaction of my friends is so understanding, but maybe because they didn't live it like I did. They didn't feel it as deeply as I did.
Once I tell them everything, I relive in my mind the image of Marco: how he killed María without showing any emotion. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, eager to share this burden I've been carrying. Then, the devastating revelation of his reaction upon realizing her pregnancy and ending the life of his own child. Every word I utter seems to form a knot in my throat, making it hard to breathe.
"I couldn't take it anymore at that point." My tears continue to flow uncontrollably, and I see reflected on my friends' faces a mixture of pain, understanding, and anger. The expressions on their faces tell me everything, even though I'm not an expert at interpreting emotions, the look in their eyes speaks of their compassion and empathy.
I just hope they can forgive Marco, that they can find the peace they so desperately need.
"It's... horrible, going through all that, trying so hard and then losing everything." Crusch squeezes my hands tightly, and I feel her support in every squeeze. The feeling of her comforting touch gives me the strength to keep going.
"I said terrible things to Marco before, maybe showing my own frustration for not being able to do anything." Crusch closes her eyes with regret, and I nod, understanding her anguish.
"You didn't know, and Marco wasn't going to tell you." I smile at Crusch, though my tears keep falling, like little drops trying to find their way in the dark.
She slowly opens her eyes, and without needing words, I perceive she's come to a revelation. Maybe this experience has opened our eyes to all of us, made us see beyond our own beliefs and prejudices.
I thought that by telling them the story, they would see it as I did. But instead, I see they have connected more with it, in their own way, they have transformed Marco's past. It seems they regret their past actions, that they understand things they didn't comprehend before.
Although they might not feel the same pain as I or Marco do, I know that what I've shared has affected them. They understand the suffering, even if their thoughts differ.
I think I've discovered something important. A strength I hadn't found before, a strength that drives me to keep going, to fight for what I believe is right.
"I'll take the trial again; I'll show Marco that his past can be overcome." Even if it's not easy for him, even if it's not easy for us. Overcoming it myself doesn't mean he will. But we're in this together, supporting each other on our journey to healing.
I shake my head, rejecting my own words with determination.
"No, I'll overcome his past to be able to accompany him, to be by his side until he's able to overcome it on his own," I proclaim with conviction. Everyone nods in agreement, their comforting smiles filling me with encouragement. I feel the strength conveyed in their gazes, united in our shared pain.
As we talk, my heart fills with a warm, comforting feeling. Even though I didn't receive direct support after telling his story, just sharing it with people I care about and seeing their reactions makes me feel accompanied.
For him.
For us.
We prepare a plan to face the adversities that lie ahead and head towards the tomb, ready to act. We all want to move forward, and together we will be both each other's strength and weakness, the support each of us needs.
I'm not alone, I think that, unlike before, this time it's clear to me. I never was, but now I don't feel alone.
'Betty, Puck... I'll bring you back, so you won't be alone either.'
As we move towards our destination, I clasp my hands with determination, seeking strength in my own touch. My eyes widen in surprise as I see an unexpected figure: a girl with pink hair, whose gaze filled with discomfort and annoyance surprises me. It seems someone has been listening in silence.
"Hehe." I cover my smile with my hand, just to see how she looks at us.
I try to contain my smile as she approaches, and with animated gestures, Otto tries to greet her, but she completely ignores him and heads towards me.
"I organized everything, why are you treating me like this?" Otto looks at Ram with teary eyes, the victim of her joke.
The tension eases a bit when everyone laughs at Otto's joke, except for Ram, whose gaze locks onto mine.
"Is something wrong, Ram?" I smile, determined not to let the tension get to me. I won't allow negative attitudes to spoil this moment.
Despite the cold expression I see on everyone else's faces, personally, I don't feel it. I know that with the arrival of winter, many things will change for both the sanctuary and Irlam. That's why it's crucial to go out and prepare for what's to come.
"When the little ant came to talk to me about joining to help Lord Roswaal, I thought it couldn't be anything concrete." Ram's gaze turns to the sky, her face illuminated by the moonlight. "Even I doubted the possibility of seeing any progress, but if one thing is certain, it's that I want to help Lord Roswaal.
My determination mixes with a slight fear I can barely hide.
I take Ram's hands, forcing her to look into my eyes. Despite her seemingly indifferent attitude, I know she cares. Not just about Roswaal, but also about Marco.
"I'll help Marco, I'm sure he knows how to do something with Roswaal," I say with conviction, and I see surprise in her eyes.
Ram quickly turns her head, maybe a little embarrassed. "That poison doesn't matter to me," she says with a hint of a smile, though she quickly erases it.
Even though she doesn't say it, I know Ram appreciates Marco a lot. Despite their arguments, they always end up getting along. Ram cares about him, even if it's hard for her to admit it.
"Hehe," a giggle escapes my lips. "I'll take care of it. I'm not very clear on what's going on with Roswaal, but if bringing Marco helps, then I'll do it."
I clench my hands, and Ram steps back a bit. The path is clear; now I just have to face it. Unlike before, I have everyone here now, ready to see me succeed.
As I walk towards the tomb, I see Otto still on the ground. The tomb is too big to be just for one person. Echidna must have plans besides what she did to Marco. I don't understand what they're both hiding, but Roswaal seems to be aware too.
"Show them who you are!" shouts Luan, making me turn in his direction. Despite his energy, I know I love him very much.
"Yes!" I reply, putting my hand on my waist and extending my arm towards the sky, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'Why did I do that?'
'Well, it just felt right.'
The tomb lights up, indicating that the trial is ready to be faced. My hands begin to tremble, but this time I don't feel bad about it.
"I'm scared, but I'm also ready to face it," I confess aloud. Fear won't change my mind; I have to accept it and use it to prepare myself.
Marco, your world is something I want to see, something I want to understand. But even if I can feel your emotions and see what you suffer, I know I'll never experience the same as you.
The world won't change me.
Closer to taking the trial, I tell myself:
"If I want to change the world, then I have to change myself," I say with determination. "If I want to help you, I have to be able to change, without ceasing to be who I am."
I sit down, and quickly my vision changes. I'm in a movie theater, with dim lights softening my view, and a blank screen in front of me. With a smile, I watch Echidna, visibly upset, arms crossed.
"Don't you think that smile you're wearing is awful?" Echidna provokes me, but her words full of hatred don't affect me. I know it's just her way of being, and I don't need to be liked by everyone.
"Well, I like it," I respond with an even brighter smile.
She tries another tactic, pointing at me and throwing a venom-laden question: "Isn't it time for you to give up, after coming out crying twice already?"
But this time, there are no words that can bring me down.
"Well, I'll cry this time too; I don't have to deny it," I state, standing in front of her and holding her gaze. "Since you made a bet with Marco, how about making one with me?"
Echidna changes her expression, a slight smile appearing as she shrugs. "What could I want from you?" she sighs, waiting for my response.
Although she seems to hate me, I know there's a way to change this.
"I'll give you my body. It will be resilient and live for a long time, so you can do whatever you want with it," I offer, placing my hand on my chest with confidence.
Her smile disappears, and for a moment, her eyes lock intensely onto mine. I can feel the weight of her gaze like a pressure on my chest, while her expression turns serious.
Then she bursts into laughter, a shrill sound that echoes in the room and in my mind. When she finally calms down, her laughter fades into the air.
"Your body isn't half as special as his," she says with a mocking smile, and I can sense the disdain in every word she speaks.
Her words hit like a punch to the stomach, and I feel a shiver run down my spine as I try to keep my composure.
'Marco's body is special?' Her words make me reflect. 'What secrets does Marco hide that even I don't know?' Maybe he doesn't even know...
"The candidate for sage, someone capable of harboring all kinds of powers in their body, someone whose mind can withstand great amounts of information. Just being a candidate makes you someone with unlimited potential," Echidna explains, with a challenging look that makes me shudder.
I can feel the intensity of her gaze like a burn on my skin, while her words resonate in my mind like an unsettling echo.
So, what happened that time... Everything makes sense.
The revelation hits me like a wave, leaving me confused, as I try to grasp the magnitude of what Echidna has just revealed.
"He can also possess and use all the authorities, the powers of the witch archbishops," Echidna continues, her voice resonating in the room with a tone of triumph.
I can feel the gravity of her words like a weight on my shoulders, while the reality of the situation sinks into my consciousness like a slab.
So, Marco has an extraordinary destiny. 'Is that why he wanted to hide it?' It hurts to think that he's carried that burden in silence, fearing to be seen as a monster, an enemy.
A knot forms in my throat, and I have to make a conscious effort to hold back the tears threatening to escape my eyes.
'Silly Marco,' I think fondly, though my heart tightens with pain. I wish I could hug him and comfort him, but I know now is not the time.
I smile again, extending my hand towards her. My hand trembles slightly, but I try to keep it steady, showing determination despite my fears and doubts.
"So, how about I give you information about the location of the seal door?" I propose with a wider smile, trying to hide my nervousness behind a facade of bravery. "And not only that, but I'll also help you open it."
If my suspicions are correct, maybe Echidna doesn't actually hate me. Maybe what she rejects is what I represent. A shiver runs down my back, but this time it's anticipation, not fear.
"Do you know what's behind that seal?" her question makes me tremble slightly, and I feel uncertainty take hold of me like a cold hand squeezing my heart.
It's as if my body instinctively reacts to danger, recalling past traumatic events.
The memory of what Pandora tried to do haunts my thoughts again, causing a sensation of anxiety deep within me. I know she has a motive for wanting that information, but her hatred towards me indicates it's not precisely because of who I am.
'Fear?'
Her eyes widen in surprise at my proposal, but she quickly adopts a neutral expression.
There's no emotion in her gaze, just a kind of thoughtful reflection. When she finally responds, she does so with apparent indifference, as if she were playing a game that bores her.
"I'll take the bet, but just for fun," she says, looking away for a moment before continuing. "If I hurt you, someone might end up hating me, so if you lose, you'll give me the information I want and help me with whatever I need. You'll be my..." Her smile widens, as if she enjoys the situation. "Slave."
I nod, accepting the deal with resignation. I extend my hand towards her, but she seems reluctant to touch it, as if fearing contamination from my presence.
I'm not interested in getting something from her, since this bet is just my determination. The proof of what I am.
"Sit down, let's start," she instructs with a gesture, and I obey.
I sit calmly, directing my gaze towards the screen. Slowly, the emptiness invades my heart again, but this time I know it's not my feeling. It's Marco's pain and despair, resonating deep within me.
But I am me, and no matter how much pain and suffering stand in my way, I know my heart full of warmth can overcome any abyss.
"Marco..." I whisper with determination. "I'll get you out of that place, I'll save you from yourself."