"What? That bastard already started playing games?" Ethan kicked the grass, his face twisted in disgust.
"What now? They don't know our exact location, but I assume they'll find us soon." Oliver paced back and forth, restless.
Eero's image flashed through Livio's mind. A faint smile crept onto his lips as his hair covered part of his face. A breeze shifted his bangs, revealing his right eye gleaming under the sharp sunlight.
"Hey, Ethan, I think we've got our deal." Livio turned to them.
"Are you insane? We're not like them.....we're different." Ethan looked up at the sky, his voice laced with frustration.
"What are you two talking about? Someone explain it to me." Oliver's eyes flicked between them, unsettled by the emptiness in Livio's gaze.
For the first time, Oliver felt something truly cold from Livio.
"You know, Ethan, we're not innocent anymore," Livio said quietly before his voice rose. "We fought a war for that bastard Valens. We gave him a way to infiltrate the Elf Kingdom. Because of us, that place is now a slave factory. And you still want to call yourself innocent?"
Ethan clenched his fists. "Just because something is partially destroyed doesn't mean we have to finish it off. We still have our eyes.....we can see, we can hear. How can we do this? There's always a way to step back. That's not cowardice. That's wisdom." He sat on the ground, his fingers pulling at the grass.
Livio scoffed. "Hah….... You really are a coward, Ethan. I thought you were better than this."
"Watch your mouth, Livio. You're crossing the line." Ethan shot him a sharp glare.
"Oh, come on, guys." Oliver waved his hands between them, forcing a nervous smile. "We're already knee-deep in trouble. Fighting among ourselves isn't helping."
Livio ignored him, his gaze locked onto Ethan. "Tell me, Ethan.....if someone was about to kill me or Oliver without hesitation, what would you do? The only way to save us is to kill them first. You have the chance. Would you let them kill us because of your so-called morals, or would you cut them down to protect us?"
"What kind of question is that?" Oliver groaned. "I think you both..."
"I'd disarm them," Ethan interrupted, his voice firm. "I'd talk sense into them."
"No. The blade is already coming down. The only way to stop it is to take their head. Are you going to do it or not?" Livio's stare didn't waver.
"This is ridiculous. That kind of situation doesn't just happen. Who's to say they wouldn't stop with the right words? What if they were forced into it? What if it wasn't their fault?" Ethan's hands tore at the grass in frustration.
Livio's voice turned sharp. "And what about the Gravash you slaughtered in rage? They were manipulated, too. They had families, just like us. But you didn't hesitate when you saw your friends die."
Ethan's breath hitched. "That…... That was in the past, damn it! I've changed since then!"
"So you're just a coward...just like Eero." Livio stood up.
"You bastard..." Ethan lunged, pinning Livio to the ground by his neck.
Then, suddenly, Ethan froze.
Livio didn't react. He just stared up at him, his face blank, emotionless.
"What…...?" Ethan's grip loosened as he looked down at his own hands in shock.
"Enough." Oliver pulled Ethan off and helped Livio up. "Calm down, you idiots. We're already being tracked...I don't have time to babysit you two!"
Livio dusted himself off. "Tell me, why should we care about people we don't even know? Why should we spare our enemies? It doesn't matter if they're forced into it or doing it willingly...they're trying to kill us. We should return the favor. Isn't that what it means to be a fighter? In the end, Ethan, there is no battle between good and evil. It's always evil versus greater evil. You either sacrifice the unknown for your own survival or let yourself be sacrificed instead.
"I'm not stopping you. Do whatever you want. But I'm going. I consider you both my friends, but if you don't want to follow, that's your choice. God gave everyone free will—who am I to take that away?"
Livio turned and started walking toward the training ground.
"Wait, you bastard..." Oliver raised his hand, summoning a gust of wind to stop him.
But Shesha activated, canceling out Oliver's ability. Livio disappeared into the forest.
His words echoed inside Ethan's mind. "I consider you guys as friends. Your choice."
Ethan buried his face against his knees, lost in thought. Oliver grabbed his shoulders, shaking him.
"What should we do? Damn it, what should we do?! No matter how strong his ability is, he can't beat them alone. His level is still lower than ours...we have to move, now!" Oliver shouted desperately.
Ethan lifted his head, his eyes empty.
The wind rustled through the trees, stirring the grass beneath them.
"So? What are you thinking?" Oliver demanded.
Ethan exhaled slowly. "I don't know anymore. Maybe….... Maybe he's right. In the end, why should we care about people we don't even know? If they're coming after us, we have the right to defend ourselves." His gaze drifted back to the sky.
"Then what the hell are we waiting for?" Oliver snapped. "If you agree with Livio, then let's move! We don't have time to waste. If we hurry, we can catch up to him. Either sit here like an idiot and regret it later, or act now and regret nothing. Wishes don't come true unless we work for them." Without another word, Oliver leaped into the forest.
Ethan clenched his fists. "Hah…... Maybe you guys are right. I've been running from my sins. But in the end, I just want to survive. I came here with a purpose. How long will I keep running from responsibility? The only people I care about....… are the ones I know."
He stood up.
"I need to move quickly if I want to catch up."
With that, Ethan vanished into the forest at full speed.
"Damn it…... So it's started. Hold on, Livio." Oliver took a deep breath, readying himself. He gathered the wind around him, preparing to launch forward.
"Mind if I join?"
Oliver turned to see Ethan standing behind him.
"You're late." Oliver smirked. "Brace yourself. We're going full speed."
He grabbed Ethan, lifting him with his ability.
The two of them soared above the forest. Then, with a powerful gust, Oliver launched them forward at full speed.