Free Web NovelChapter 214: Memories of the Hero Elban
Victor watched Rosalyne’s face change. Her eyes, once filled with disbelief, were now filled with a deep and ancient emotion.
Elban’s sword, glowing with an almost mystical light, seemed to connect with her soul, as if every fiber of her being was attuned to that weapon.
The room around them seemed to breathe with the moment, the silence filled with memories and emotions that transcended time. Victor took a step back, allowing Rosalyne her moment of introspection. He knew the sword meant much more to her than a simple weapon; it was a symbol of love, sacrifice, and perhaps a remnant of guilt.
Still standing, Rosalyne reached out a trembling hand for the blade, hesitating for a brief second before finally touching it. As she did so, a sigh escaped her lips and she fell to her knees, tears flowing freely.
"Elban..." she whispered, feeling his presence envelop her like a gentle breeze.
Victor watched the scene with a mixture of respect and sadness. He knew what that sword meant to Rosalyne and was aware of the depth of the emotional scars the loss of Elban had left on her. Despite the years that had passed, the pain was still palpable, almost as if time had stopped for her in that moment of loss.
Rosalyne clutched the sword to her chest and closed her eyes as she let the tears flow. "I missed you so much," she murmured, as if speaking directly to Elban. "I failed you... I couldn’t protect you..."
Victor felt a pang of sympathy. He, too, had lost loved ones, but nothing compared to what Rosalyne was feeling now. He slowly approached her, wanting to comfort her in some way, but not knowing exactly how.
"Rosalyne," he said softly, breaking the silence, "Elban knew the risks. He chose to sacrifice himself to protect all of us."
She looked up at Victor, her red eyes shining with a mixture of pain and gratitude. "I know," she said, her voice breaking. "But it doesn’t make it any easier. I’ve always wondered if I could have done something different, something to prevent his death." frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
Victor nodded, understanding. "His sacrifice gave us the chance to fight, to go on. And now, by returning the sword, you honor his memory and the strength he gave us."
Rosalyne took a deep breath and tried to control her emotions. She slowly stood up, still holding the sword, and looked at Victor with renewed determination. "Thank you, Victor. Not only for returning the sword, but for reminding me of what really matters."
Victor bowed his head in a sign of respect. "It was the least I could do, Rosalyne. Elban was a hero, and so are you for continuing your mission."
Rosalyne placed the sword on the table with reverent care, then turned to Victor. "Now tell me how you managed to break the seal. How did you manage to face Gravisk and emerge victorious? I thought..."
"I know. You thought I wasn’t strong enough to be alive in this barbaric world, let alone kill a demon." Victor sighed and prepared to revisit the recent memories that were still fresh in his mind. "It was a difficult journey. When I arrived in Agocester, I knew immediately that something was wrong. The city was shrouded in an oppressive darkness, and the people lived in constant fear. It took me some time to find the exact spot where Elban had sealed Gravisk.
Rosalyne listened intently, her hands clenching slightly as he spoke.
"The sword was embedded deep in a cave, radiating an energy that kept the seal intact. But I knew that to defeat Gravisk, I would have to remove the sword and face the demon directly."
"You... you did it alone?" Rosalyne asked almost in disbelief.
Victor nodded. "No, I wasn’t all alone. Some hunters who were passing by helped me. When I drew the sword, the darkness began to dissipate, but it also released Gravisk. The fight was intense and long. Gravisk used powerful spells and tried to break my will, but we stayed focused. Elban’s sword gave me the strength I needed to resist.
Rosalyne was silent for a moment, absorbing every word. "And you defeated him."
"Yes," Victor confirmed.
She looked at him in amazement. "You are truly a hero, Victor, like the rest of us. Elban would have been proud of you."
Victor smiled, though his smile was tinged with sadness. "I only did what was necessary."
"What was necessary made Elban peaceful, thanks to you."
She approached Victor and placed a hand gently on his shoulder. "Thank you, truly. Your courage not only brought back the sword, but also some peace to my heart."
Victor felt a comforting warmth at her gesture. "I’m glad I could help."
They sat in silence for a few moments, allowing a sense of relief and gratitude to wash over them. The unexpected, emotionally charged reunion had brought a new light to both of them. And despite the battles that lay ahead, they knew that together they could face anything.
"Victor," Rosalyne finally said, breaking the silence, "let’s sit down and talk some more. I want to hear about everything that’s happened to you over the years. And I also want to tell you about what’s going on here and with the other heroes."
Victor agreed and sat down in one of the nearby chairs. "Sure, why not?"
Time seemed to fly while Rosalyne and Victor talked. The room, with its detailed tapestries and scattered writing implements, became a stage for their stories. Rosalyne told Victor of the struggles she had faced after Elban’s death, of the alliances she had formed and the battles she had fought to protect his legacy. Each word carried the weight of years of devotion and sacrifice.
"You’ve really done a lot, Rosalyne," Victor said in admiration. "Elban would be proud of you."
Rosalyne smiled, though there was still a deep melancholy in her eyes. "I just did what needed to be done. But there’s something I have to show you, Victor."
She stood and walked over to a bookshelf in the corner of the room. Carefully, she took out a small wooden chest and returned to the table. "In here are some of Elban’s last writings. He wrote these letters in the days before his last battle."
Victor looked at the contents of the chest with awe. "May I...?"
"Of course," Rosalyne said, pushing the chest toward him. "These words are yours as much as mine. Elban wanted them to be read by those he loved."
Victor picked up one of the letters, feeling the texture of the aged paper under his fingers. As he opened the letter, he recognized Elban’s familiar handwriting, each line written with care and purpose.
"My dear Rosalyne," the letter began, "if you are reading this, it means that I have not returned. I’m sorry for that, but know that I fought with everything I had to protect our world. I know that you will continue the fight in my place, and that gives me peace. The sword I left behind is a symbol of our bond, and I hope you find strength in it, as I have found strength in you.
Victor paused for a moment, absorbing the impact of the words. He looked at Rosalyne, who was visibly moved, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
"Elban was always a man of great wisdom," Victor said quietly, continuing to read. "I know he wrote this not only as a farewell, but as a beacon of hope for us. He wanted us to know that even in his absence, his spirit would continue to guide us."
He turned the page and found more words of encouragement and love. "Remember, Rosalyne, that true strength comes not only from the sword we wield, but from the heart that beats within us. Use my sword not only as a weapon, but as a reminder of the love and devotion we share."
Rosalyne wiped a lone tear from her cheek. "Elban always knew how to touch our hearts," she murmured, her voice cracking slightly. "He never stopped believing in us, even in the darkest moments."
Victor closed the letter carefully and put it back in the trunk. "He believed in us because he knew what we were capable of," he said, placing a comforting hand on Rosalyne’s. "And now it’s up to us to honor him. "And now it’s up to us to honor his memory and continue to fight for what he believed in."
Rosalyne nodded, her resolve renewed. "You’re right, Victor. We must keep fighting. There is still so much work to be done."
She looked around the room as if seeing it all for the first time. "You know, Victor, when Elban died, I thought the whole world had lost its color. But now, looking at you, I realize that in a way, he’s still with us. His presence, his legacy, lives on in each of us."
Victor smiled, feeling a comforting warmth in his chest. "And that’s what gives us the strength to go on. Let’s honor Elban, not only with our words, but with our deeds."
