Hands that Killed

HANDS THAT KILLED

Inside of the deep forest, a two adventurer could be seen. The two of them were busy fixing the place they've decided to stay for the night. They figured that they should camp, just like what they always do, since the next town is still too far.

"Eli, I can handle this. Just look for some food for us to eat later" Von said while gathering the sticks and woods they've collected earlier.

Eli was about to follow Von's order when he noticed something from a distance. "Von, I think there's someone else who's gonna camp here just like us"

Von looked at the direction where Eli was looking at. There, they found a smoke which they quickly assumed that it came from a bonfire.

"Do you want to take a peek to see where that smoke is coming from?"

"Hmm! It might be from an interesting person!" Eli said in excitement.

Both of them went to find where the smoke was coming from. When they finally saw the source of it, they saw a lone man who's crying in front of the bonfire.

Von and Eli talked to each other using their eyes. They were unsure if they should leave the man alone or ask him what's wrong. But before they even agreed on a decision, the man already noticed their presence.

"Who's there?" the man asked as he took his own weapon.

Eli raised his hands, a sign that he means no harm, while walking forward so that the man could see him more clearly. Von followed Eli but she didn't bother to raise her hands.

"Uhh... Hi?" Eli greeted.

"We don't have any ill intentions, good sir. We just noticed that someone besides us were near the area, so we came to check who it was"

The man sighed in relief. He decided to trust Von's words. He put down his weapon then proceeded to introduce himself. "I'm Wesley. You guys are?"

"You could call me Eli."

"Von"

Wesley nodded to acknowledge Eli and Von's short introduction. He invited the two to sit down, where the both willingly did.

"The two of you are an adventurer, am I right?" Wesley asked.

"Yup!" Eli enthusiastically answered.

"If I may ask, why were you crying earlier?" Von asked directly. Eli's eyes went wide when Von just bluntly asked that question.

"Von!" Eli scolded her in a low voice.

That was the time where Von realized her mistake. It just registered to her that she asked an insensitive question.

Von was about to take back her question when Wesley willingly told his story to them.

"I killed someone" Wesley admitted.

Eli coughed in shock when Wesley suddenly confessed. While Von remained unfazed and was patiently waiting for Wesley's next sentence.

"Another murderer, huh?" Von just thought on her mind while remembering Kurt and the others from that village. She wondered if Wesley came from that village or not.

"I killed the person I love" Wesley continued.

Eli blinked a few times and then gulped. "W-why?"

Wesley ignored Eli's question, "or perhaps you could say a weapon but could change a form into human?"

Von took a glance at Eli after what Wesley said. Eli certainly become more nervous at what they've heard.

"She's a weapon that was created to give threat to the royalties of the Kingdom of Hesperia. I didn't knew about that until she confessed"

"Give threat to us? Who would do such things?" Von asked in her mind.

"Today was supposed to be our anniversary, but I killed her... I got rid of the 3 pebbles that was the source of her life. I know the organization of who created her will eventually look for me once they knew that she is no longer functioning." Wesley explained.

Wesley took a deep breath to calm himself somehow. Both Eli and Von noticed the tears that was forming in his eyes.

"I love her but if I let her do what the others want her to do..." Wesley stopped for a second then sighed. "I... just can't stand and watch her to do those things..."

Von understood where Wesley was coming from. She's indebted to this man for getting rid of a weapon that might harm the kingdom. But she did not admit that to the man.

Silence won over the three of them after that. Eli, who was supposed to be the energetic one, couldn't even speak since he doesn't know what to say.

While Von was too busy thinking of ways on how to tell the information that she received to her siblings. She then remembered his brother, Zyruse.

"Hey, where do you plan to go?" Von asked.

"I don't know yet"

Von nodded. "Then, I suggest you to go South. You might meet a guy there. When you do ask him like this : 'the second had delivered something to the second, are you the second?' . If the guy was confused, then you should leave. But if he said 'The Z', then you should trust that guy. Tell him what you told me, then I'm sure he'll give you protection."

Wesley was doubtful and confused, but he still nodded.

For now, this is the only way she could think of to help the guy. Even if she have to help the second prince to get some points for the crown. She doesn't really care on whoever gets the crown anyway.

•••

"Wesley, I have something to tell you" the woman whispered to the man who was next to her.

"Hmm? What is it, Elise?"

Elise was still skeptic about telling him about it, she was worried what her lover might say about it. Nevertheless, she gathered some more courage to convince herself that she have to tell the truth to him.

"Will you hate me if I say that I will soon destroy the Kingdom of Hesperia?" Elise asked.

Wesley took it as a joke and laughed. "Of course, not. How are you even able to do such things?"

"I can do such thing, Wesley. I am a weapon who was made to destroy the royalties and the kingdom after all" the woman said in a serious voice.

That was when Wesley finally realized that Elise was indeed being serious. Wesley looked directly at Elise's eyes. He noticed that Elise seemed was unwilling to do those things, but she doesn't have a choice but to follow the task that was given for her. That was the very reason why she was created in the first place.

"I won't let you interfere, Wesley. Even if I love you, I will not let you ruin the reason why I was born. This is my purpose, Wesley. Please, understand..." Elise said when she understand what Wesley's eyes was telling her.

But Wesley knows that Elise was lying. Elise just doesn't want him to get hurt that's why she's telling him that. He knows that if he did interfere, the people who created Elise will hunt and kill him.

"Hmm! I... won't interfere, Elise" Wesley lied. Elise smiled to what he said as she was satisfied with his response. She slowly closed her eyes when she feel that she was getting sleepy.

•••

Elise woke up when she felt that some water was dropping on her face. When she opened her eyes, she saw Wesley who was above her. He was crying. She then noticed the two stone that was on his hands.

Elise gave a small smile. It was her two life source. She now only have one left. That means she only have a few hours left before she totally get destroyed or die.

"I'm sorry, Elise" Wesley sniveled.

Elise shook her head as she hold his cheek, trying to comfort him. "If I have to be broken and it's by your hands then it's okay. I knew it would turn this way. I'm glad"

Wesley was shaking before he took out the last pebble. He had to do it now or he might change his mind if he prolong it more.

"I...love.... you, Wesley...." was the last words that Elise said before she totally disappeared.

Wesley cried for the whole night while tightly holding the three pebbles that was not emitting any light anymore,

"Elise... I'm sorry" he said multiple times.