Dear Diary,
I never thought I needed a diary. I always thought it was a girly thing. But I have something in my chest.
Today, my father told me I will be the child of prophecy. I was first excited. I always wanted to do good for others. In my little corner of the world, where my life was ordinary and simple, I would sometimes gaze at the sky, and when I saw a star, I would make a wish.
I... am scared, however. But it should be fine. What's a hero without thought, huh?
***
"Okay, open your eyes."
Ernest did so. His left eye was okay like before, but his other was still swollen.
Jade: Seems it still needs healing.
Jade's hands found their way to a vial with antibacterial mousse and a cotton swab.
Ernest: So, will I ever see again?
Jade: Ha, of course. Lucky for you, only the side of your eye was badly damaged—should take a week. If it was any closer to your eye socket, however...
Jade then dipped the swab in the mousse and started cleansing the wound.
Jade: Now tell me, I hear you were being reckless again.
Ernest: Yes... I'm sorry.
Jade: You should be saying sorry to them.
Jade finished and wrapped a clean bandage over his head, covering only his eye.
Jade: Apologize to the people you almost burnt to a crisp.
Ernest: I... did. They were given early compensation and asked to halt their pursuit on her.
Jade sighed as she looked outside the window. The sun was out, and the sounds of chirping could be heard clearly.
Jade: How unfortunate that event was. Still can't believe she would...
Ernest tensed his jaw.
Ernest: "Still can't believe," you say?
Jade realized her blunder and apologized.
Jade: You see, I meant it was a surprise to us all.
Ernest nodded and got to his feet. He walked over to the window and gazed below. Up in the palace that he called home, the entire residence below felt so distant, so small. Yet despite his vision, he could see sorrow swallow the world below. The once-cheery people now dragged their feet to work. He looked at the sky—despite its clearness, there was a quiet grief to it.
Ernest: Doctor, when is the funeral being held?
Jade: In two weeks' time.
Ernest shifted his weight from side to side.
Ernest: On the day, we shall pass the crown.
Jade nodded. In the Rience Kingdom, there are four major families: Air Bewail, Flame Mourn, Terra Rue, and Tidal Lament. Every season—spring, summer, autumn, winter—when their family sigils are strongest, they send the crown to the next family. Since summer is close, Terra Rue will hold the crown, with its full authority over the Rience Kingdom.
Jade stood near Ernest, her long ebony hair in tow.
Jade: Do you hate the Rues?
Ernest: That's not the issue. The people are now preparing for the funeral, and on the day we pass the crown, we won't be able to send people to hunt her.
Jade: Why the apathy? The Rues too lost people that day.
Ernest turned his face away from Jade.
Ernest: I know...
Then he began to walk to the door.
Jade: Where are you going?
Ernest: Visiting the Bewails. The witch has a wind sigil—surely they can provide clues as to her next move.
Jade didn't just hear what Ernest said, but also what he didn't say:
"Could the Air Bewails be supporting her?"
***
Erica: Ouch, what could I have expected from a Flame Mourn?
Erica was cooped up the whole day in a little cave she calls home. She knows she needs to move because, despite the royals needing to prepare for the funeral, she won't hold her breath thinking they won't send scouts and hunting parties.
Just outside the cave was a waterfall, blessed with fish and frogs enjoying their time there. The smell of the flowers surrounding the waterfall smelled like heaven to her. She plucked some and made a mixture, then pressed it against her wounds, biting a towel to muffle her screams.
Erica: This better heal soon.
She grabbed a few more for later use and started planning her next move. She knelt on the cool cave floor and took out Neil's diary. Its enchantments dazzled strange sigils that reflected the sunlight seeping in. She made a few hand gestures, and the enchantment broke.
Her breathing became heavy. Days before the wedding, Neil told her he didn't want any secrets between them and thus gave her the key to his diary.
Erica: Yet you still held things from me.
She slightly tugged at the cover, feeling a hint of shame reading something so personal, then slowly began reading his notes.
It was messy. Like, really messy. His handwriting was unruly, with words overflowing the margins and lines below. Occasionally, amateurish drawings occupied the white spaces. There were also constant tears and folded pages adding to the madness. It was chaotic, uneven—yet so him.
Erica smiled through the burn mark that now occupied the side of her neck. As she skimmed, she realized a pattern. Near the encounter with her father, Neil seemed to be in grave distress. The distress continued past the Demon Lord's defeat. There was a little bit of celebration, but it was quickly overshadowed by "unexplained anguish."
What she also picked up was that the more he wrote, the more twisted and unrecognizable the handwriting became. Soon, there were pages filled with ink scratches and illegible drawings. Then, on the last page, he simply wrote:
"Erica, if you are seeing this. Meet me where it all began."