Chapter 13: Choice and Chance

Blood flowed and coated the stone floor of the blooding fort. Clashing steal and wailing cries echo in the halls, with knights and elves fending off their goblin attackers. Nearly half the entire company was dead and injured, and the severity of the mission turned into a bloody struggle to survive.

With their backs against the wall, the remaining company regrouped with Vinbror and Finglo. His arrow quiver empty, Jushiro threw himself in front, hacking away at the goblins. A deep crimson coated his hands and blade as his light armor started to wear out from the intense combat. He could see the object he desperately required to return home. Suddenly a hand tapped his shoulder, and one knight pulled Jushiro back, where Silvir provided support.

The elven mage cast fire spells at the goblins to shake their ranks. Soon, Silvir cast an even larger fire spell, "Like a burning blade that cut a flaming swath through the little green foes. Like moths, they burned to a crisp from contact with the fire spell,"

"Quickly, this way, everyone!" Vinbror said, trying to rally the survivors.

Everyone dashed for the open doorway. Soon the company was close enough to the fancy chair that the mage Silvir cast another fire spell to clear a path for Jushiro to grab the stone. Silvir called out to him, "Go, Shiro! Take your chance!"

Jushiro realized she chose to assist him but hesitated due to their current situation. Then Lashida yelled out in impatience, "This is your chance. Go home! You can go home now! Don't worry about us, Shiro. We'll be fine!"

Vinbror spoke and assured Jushiro of all he's grateful for since their meeting.

A reluctant Jushiro thanked them and told Vinbror to apologize to everyone on his behalf. He turned his head toward the stone and bolted with haste. He thought about how much he'll miss everyone he's met from Archhill and the capital. Worst of all, he regrets breaking his promise to Lana Shea. Soon he brushed aside all thoughts as he approached the chair.

Everyone gathered at the exit, where Vinbror told the elves to flee. The aredain knight assured his knights to follow close behind and buy the elves time to escape the fort. The elven mage thanked him and ordered her kin to fall back. She looked at Jushiro one last time, wishing him luck as she left the room.

He pulled a dagger from his belt and pried the stone free. Before he could use the item, two goblins sprung out from behind. Both assailants dropped dead after arrows intercepted them. Jushiro waved thanks to the elves who had his back. Without hesitation, Jushiro sliced open his palm to allow the stone to absorb his blood. Then he closed his eyes and erased all thoughts in his mind. Using his mental imaging as a set destination, he pictured his apartment room until the stone started to glow. All was going as planned until a high scream reverberated through the room. Jushiro turned one last time to see princess Lashida in the clutches of an ogre.

Two knights lay dead on the floor beneath them, and the massive monster raised his arm, pointing his spear at the princess. Disarmed and pinned against a stone pillar, the princess struggled to break free from the ogre's grip. His hand tightened more, like a serpent's constriction, until he broke her left arm. Princess Lashida hollered in pain, and Jushiro watched from several feet away.

Vinbror rushed to save the princess, but more goblins entered the room and stalled their advance. He desperately called to her as the ogre readied to impale her with his spear. In that brief moment, Lashida reflected and regretted how things turned out. Deep down, she also remarked how she wished she could spend more time and to know him more before he left.

The stone glowed, and the shine engulfed the entire room, including the surrounding rooms. Following the flash was blood splattering after the ogre thrust his weapon. Lashida's eyes opened to see only Jushiro standing in front of her. Then she noticed the spear sticking out from his torso and him coughing blood. Her expression widened into shock when she muttered, "Shiro? W-Why would you..."

Jushiro didn't say anything as he grabbed a hatchet from his side belt. He chopped the iron tip from the spear and turned around to drive the end into the ogre's head. His swing was fast that the ogre couldn't react in time as Jushiro propelled the bladed tip deep into the side of its head. The monster tumbled as a tree, and Jushiro collapsed from the blood loss.

The goblins quivered after seeing their leader fall and fled in fright.

Jushiro lay on the blood-coated floor and struggled to breathe as the spear punctured his right lung. Blood filled his throat, and he coughed colossal amounts. Princess Lashida ran to his side. Seeing the wooden object in his chest, she pulled it out and reached into her pouch to get a potion. She felt nothing but the inside wet with broken glass. She panicked and begged anyone to help Jushiro.

She intensely worried until Jushiro's hand firmly touched her broken arm.

"It's okay, your highness. I'll be fine. I'll..."

Jushiro started coughing more blood, and princess Lashida asked, "But why? You threw away your life and the chance to return to your home. Your friends, students, and family! So why (whimpers) would you go so far and give up everything?"

At first, Jushiro didn't know what to say to satisfy her question. Then he remembered the night at the hospital when all he could was helplessly stand and watch as the one he loved died before his eyes.

"I-I guess... My body moved without giving me a chance to think. It was an impulse. Because I saw you were about to die. (cough) And I couldn't let that happen,"

Jushiro struggled to speak as he gasped for air and coughed more blood. As his life grew shorter, he explained that forsaking another life for his own would cause him great depression.

"If I willingly forsook another's life when I know I could've saved theirs... It would haunt me forever until I'd take my own life in guilt. No matter what, I..."

Jushiro's face turned pale, and his breathing lightened more. Everyone gathered to see the moribund outlander in Lashida's Arms. Seeing everyone one last time, Juhsiro grinned, feeling no regrets after saving a life. He inhaled as much air as a compressor to give his final words.

"It was a pleasure to meet you and your family. Yours as well, Vin. My time in this world made me remember and realize many things I've long forgotten. I'm the very sorry, big brother. I-I wish..."

"It's alright... Because there is nothing to feel sorry for, Shiro. (sobbing) You don't need to say anymore. Just close your eyes and be at peace, little brother," Vinbror said.

Jushiro felt relieved after hearing his words and closed his eyes for the final time. His breathing ceased, and his heart stopped cold. He passed away in Lashida's arms, and tears dripped onto his lifeless face. Lashida cried and wanted Jushiro to open his eyes again, but neither a sound nor movement of limbs answered her plea. Vinbror touched her shoulder and shook his head. Tears rolled down his face as the princess held Jushiro's lifeless body. She cried aloud while whimpering, "I'm sorry. It's all my fault..."

"No. It's not, your highness. These things happen. I'm sorry," Vinbror said.

The moment turned into heartwrenching grieving as the knights stood silent over their departed comrade. Though their time together was brief, they solemnly saluted. One knight, Hakbrand, approached to give his opinions.

"He was more than a fellow knight to be respected. A friend and brother-in-arms to be cherished. Rest in peace, sir Jushiro,"

Somewhere in a pitch-black room without the slightest glow of light, a pair of eyes open. There was soft breathing and a feeling of warmth within. Jushiro found himself lying flat in bed in a dark room. His gaze observed every corner until he found a lamp beside him. He slowly reached and touched the top, turning on the light. The shine revealed where Jushiro stood, realizing he was in his family's house.

"Am I home? N-No. It can't be. I left home more than a year ago. And I know I died..."

He walked around while carrying the lamp. He approached the front door and tried to open it. Unable to open, he next tried the back door, then the windows. Nothing happened as Jushiro remained trapped in the house. He looked through every room to find a way out until he reached his parent's room. He shined the light inside and noticed the silhouette head of a person sitting on one of the chairs and facing the opposite direction.

"Who's there?" Jushiro asked.

The individual gradually stood from the seat and walked into the lamp's light. Jushiro stood still in shock. His limbs trembled, and he dropped the lamp. His voice stuttered as he whimpered, trying to utter the person's name.

"H-Hinato? Is that you?"

"It has been a long time. Has it not, Shiro? I assume much had happened over the year?" The woman said.

His overwhelmed demeanor changed into nostalgic relief. Jushiro rushed to embrace the girl he tragically departed from after the incident. Tears dripped from his eyes like a leaky faucet. He cried, and Hinato petted his head, assuring him to let it all out.

Jushiro sobbed with a heavy heart, "Yeah, it has. I missed you so much, Hina,"

She lifted his chin after he calmed down, "Well, now. Now that we're both here, will you tell me your tale? Take all the time you need,"

"Yeah, but it's quite long. So I'll take my time. Hmm, where to begin, Hinato..."

The two sat on the couch where Jushiro unloaded about every event that led him to where he ended. Back in the bloody fort, The knights carried Jushiro's body outside, where the elves waited. The look in Silvir's eye was of heartache when she saw them with a dead Jushiro. She ran to his side and asked, "What happened..."

A guilty princess Lashida explained everything, and Silvir felt only sorrow. Finglo watched with regret as Silvir's tears formed in her eyes.

She touched his cold cheeks, brushing aside his bushy hair to reveal his pale face. Suddenly she felt something after touching his forehead.

"He's... not gone? Jushiro's not gone yet," Silvir said.

Her words draw everyone's attention. With confidence, Silvir explained how there was a chance to bring him back. The area went as silent as the empty rooms in the old fort.

"What do you mean, my lady? Jushiro is dead. How can he be brought back?" Vinbror asked.

"It was when I was still learning to be a mage in the academy. I discovered ancient and forbidden spells. One of them is Blessed Rebirth. I can use that spell to bring Jushiro back..."

"But like all forbidden magic spells, there's always a catch, lady Silvir," Finglo suspiciously said.

Silvir relented and explained the cost is the caster's life to bring back someone from the dead. Everyone professed shock and Finglo immediately protested.

"Wait, my lady! Don't tell me you'll willingly throw your life away for a mortal you've just met. I won't allow this..."

"Enough, Finglo..."

"No, you're far more important than him. You are a member of the mages council of Imlanor. You are also a sage and part of the Eradul Nine. To me, your life is too..."

"Please, Finglo. I'm 2,300 years old and immortal. I've lived and seen much more than most. Shiro is nearly 21 years old. This mortal never lived the life he should have. Please, let me have just this. Let this endless life of mine help grant this man a second chance in life,"

"But you shouldn't do it. Why would you give your life to a man you knew for less than three days? Why would you do that? Lashida asked.

Silvir knew of the kind person Jushiro was and sympathized with what he went through. More than that, she found someone to relate to and offer her something she desired more than her status.

"Because he called me sister. And he let me call him brother. A man from another world gave me what nobody in this one could. It made me truly happy. That is my reason,"

Finglo verbally tried to stop her decision, but Silvir remained unconvinced otherwise. Everyone cleared the area around Jushiro, and Silvir started chanting the blessed rebirth spell. Like listening to a song from a songstress, her soothing words in rhythm with the trance she chanted. Her eyes glowed pale gold as Jushiro's wounds closed. His face soon regained color, and Silvir's strength began to waver. Then she kissed his forehead after finishing the spell and uttered her final words to him. Finglo caught her as she collapsed and laid her next to Jushiro. He closed his eyes in grief and accepted her choice. The red-haired elf clenched his right hand and held it against his chest in salute.

Soon everyone stood silent in honor of Silvir. Soon all eyes were on Jushiro as his heart began to beat.

Sitting on the couch in his family household, Jushiro played catch-up on lost time with Hinato. After over a year, Jushiro felt happy like never before. He gladly opened up, telling Hinato how he truly felt, and said the words he wanted to say the night she died. A delighted Hinato heard the words she longed for, and both confessed their deep love for one another.

"Had I not died that day, I would've said yes. Thank you, Shiro. Nothing would make me happier than to be with you forever..."

Before she could say more, Jushiro's body started to glow, and his grip on Hinato faded. Both looked in shock. Jushiro's body shimmered from the feet to the waist, slowly pulled from death. Like paper burned by fire, Jushiro's glowing limbs shined brightly before breaking into ash-like particles in the dark room. As Jushiro assumed he breathed his final breath and left his mortal life, fate believed otherwise from an elf who wanted her sworn brother to live on for her.