The fall of the Halberd Hero

As I gently opened my eyes again, letting the gentle breeze coming from the window hush my senses awake.

My body was tearing at the seems, making even a single move seem incredibly harsh. Yet different to what I would have expected, I was alone.

Alone, lying on a crude futon. Was this a prison?

Getting bored and unable to sleep, I try to get my body used to the small movements, so that I could leave my bedridden state.

It started with clenching my fist and feet until the stretching sensation lessened. Then I eventually moved to lifting my legs under the sheets and wailing my arms.

Although it worked, I was left bewildered: It felt like my body itself was rebelling against its unreasonable owner… I guess thats me. I really shouldn't use the abilities so recklessly.

I hadn't even rested from fighting the monster in the forest, so using [Tempest] was probably just plain going too far. Though I don't remember any of the other halberd forms having any sort of draw-backs.

.

.

Now, finally standing up in this sore body, I hesitantly take a soft step on the carpeted ground, my toes being stabbed by its rough texture.

Then, I carefully slid open one of the openings, trying to find my way through the dark labyrinth of a house I found myself in.

Finally, I stumbled upon a damp light, coming from behind one of the many sliding doors.

*a faint sliding noise can be heard, as the door opens*

"Are you up?", the old man said, sat in front of a small shrine with several candles, casting a thousand shadows of the mans figure.

"Elder, are you grieving?", I asked cautiously, trying to figure out his identity through my clouded vision.

"I am. Say, child,… have you ever lost someone dear to you?", he answered hesitantly, yet his words ringed a sense of wisdom and venerability.

.

"Although I have been betrayed, people left me to fend for myself before, I can't say that I ever did."

Although the old man still hasn't turned to face me, I could see him patiently shake his head.

"If only,… No. Come and sit, young one.", he said, moving to make place for me to sit as well.

Although I wanted to clear up some more important questions, I couldn't help but humble the old mans hospitality. So I sat down.

He slowly poured from a large bottle, filling a small cup, finally handing it to me. The smell gave it away, it was sake. A smell I knew all too well.

Then, my gaze fell on the shrine we were sitting in front of: there was a small picture frame placed in the center. It showed an older woman, smiling brightly, encased behind the flimsy film.

"Is this your wife? She is beautiful."

"Indeed, though... She died during the wave.

The people in our city were notified too late, so we hadn't had much time to prepare. Then, when a horrifying monster appeared in the town square, a great disaster was unavoidable.

When we retrieved the corpses, all that was left of her was her lower body, with several bruises and broken bones… She must have suffered greatly.", the old man said bitterly, yet he remained unaffected. He had simply gone through too much in his long life.

"Now, we might as well start setting up a shrine for my son as well.", he continued, still unable to shed a single tear.

"Elder, I am sure that they would want you to continue with your head held high. Even your son. In the afterlife, he must have long learned to forgive you.

You were trying your best… It must have been hard."

Hearing my words, he froze his movements for a moment, before putting his cup down.

"What do you suggest I do? What can I do to hold on to life, when everything I had loved is now gone?", he asked.

"This might just be a suggestion, but… What do you think about joining me?"

"Me?! Your party must be lousy if you're seeking help from an old geezer like me.", he said, almost letting out a chuckle.

"You said you were a craftsman?-"

But before I could offer my proposal, the old man froze up for a second time, realising that this was a legitimate offer.

"I think… I need some time to think about it. Your companion is in the room to the left, if you're looking for her. I have taken enough of your time as is.", he said, taking a last sip of his cup.

Seeing my full cup, I brace myself and gulp it all in one sip while he wasn't watching.

'So this is alcohol? I can't see why people grow so attached to a bitter drink like this.'

I put it down and finally stand up, thanking the old man for his time.

'Ugh… it seems my weakness for elders still remains in this world. I just couldn't not offer help to him, when I saw how genuine and heartfelt he was.'

Then, as I enter the room in which Elisa was sleeping, I saw her lying lazily on her futon, her arms spread out to take up as much space as possible.

'But… what do I do now? Do I wake her up?', I thought, contemplating for much longer than I should.

In the end, I decided to just lie down as well, placing a futon next to hers. Although I couldn't sleep, I was satisfied just lying there, staring…

Although I couldn't see as well, I couldn't still easily make up her delicate features.

'I wonder how I would react if I were to lose her… Would I remain bitter like the old man?'

Stuck in thought, I easily keep up my daze until the sun finally rises.

And as soon as it did, almost instinctively, Elisa opens her eyes, meeting my gaze.

But before I could say anything, a frown appeared on her face and she moved closer to embrace me. She must have been worried about me, or was she? What am I to her?

Still hugging me tight, her head laid on top of mine, she finally says what was on her mind,

"What happened to you back there? Do you know how scared I was?!

W-Why did you attack the hero of the Spatha…"

Finally pushing me away from her, looking at me, she continues,

"Do you know how hard it was to convince them that you were innocent?", she said, her eyes quivering and her lips perched. She was pouting.

"I'm sorry, I swear I won't let it happen again.", I said, not able to contain my smile. Yes, it was truly amusing to see her like this.

Maybe we don't know each other that long, but I'm sure that if I were to lose her, I would miss moments like this the most.