Take Up the Cross – Chapter 22: Elf Breaking

Joyful humming fills the room, improving Adris’ mood as he reads a book with a whimsical name. Called Foibles, Fulfillments, and Failures of the Castellani, the introduction assures the reader of the author’s dispassionate and impartial review of the stewards of Castile, the country that the Gran Castillo resides in.

Far from it, the first chapter excoriates these earliest stewards:

“Imbeciles appointed for their supposed loyalty, they failed to see that loyalty begins with continuing traditions, rather than changing them to line their pockets with silver. Of their excesses, base greed is ever the reason and crying excuse for their failures. Do not even seek to overlook their-”

Closing the book, the author’s name is…

“An Anonymous Historian.”

Shelves all around hold books, mostly dealing with history and politics. They might be useful, if they weren’t all…

(With an entire library dedicated to anonymity, I question the accuracy.)

A pouring sound comes, a pleasant scent beginning to banish the smell of old parchment and ink. Within this bland room of shelves, books, and pastoral landscape paintings…

“Enough for on~ly two~; a romantic flavor I ca~ll ‘you’~! But what’s a lady got~to do~?”

A whipping emerald tail dances on the carpet, while the owner serenades a boy. With childish, yet also aggressively romantic, lyrics, Ave makes her intentions obvious.

Contrary to her usual bumbling, the freshly prepared mixture of dried leaves, fruits, and spices she steeps leaves Adris curious to taste the result. Arranging cups on saucers, the beautiful pieces of blue crystal bear no indications of how they’re sculpted or shaped.

With the set pulled from a box of wood of such fine quality and embellishment that Adris could live off of its sale for two seasons on Xin, he’s jealous of the girl’s apparent wealth.

“Tea is freedom.”

A pure smile of fantastic pleasure has been affixed to Ave’s face since they entered.

Putting aside his book, Adris inspects his bonds.

(Useful silver, isn’t it? If you can detect the presence of this material, Moon, then I assume this is also contained in the axe that Kol always seems to lose? How about this very location…? I’m understanding you more and more.)

“Do you use sugar? I… I have enough for you, probably…” A pleasant voice starts with great spirit, before ending in dismay.

(Sugar? Such amazing splendor, that even the lowest of this world can enjoy it.)

Though natural sweeteners exist on Xin, the mild cane sugar of the Imperial Court is far beyond his status.

“No, to cover up the natural flavor of your tea, wouldn’t that miss the point?”

(Always reject with a compliment; always seek the better impression with your host, no matter the temptation.)

“Oh! You have excellent taste!”

While she is left busy…

(Since you are the first, let us begin our interview.)

“A judgment most unkind shall be rendered, should one overstep one’s so-desired ‘hospitality’.” The emotionless girl had been only blunt after conceding, but Adris feels she suspects something.

Lining up Ave’s personality traits, Adris categorizes his thoughts concerning her while inwardly thanking her for aiding his plot.

(Rather than mind or body, why not your deepest concerns?)

They are easily listed:

An elf’s pride is how she defines her life, though moments of hesitation come when she speaks of her people.

Though strong as a party mule, she no doubt bears insecurities concerning her contributions otherwise.

Her overall poise and mannerisms are flamboyant, but a shy, caring sort of girl lurks underneath, eager to please so long as others offer respect or fascinate her.

(The looks she flashes at me, undisguised and sloppy, are followed by careless affectations… Innocence is easily stormed.)

Feeling a gaze directed at him, Adris lifts his head to peer at a nearby painting. A moss-green ponytail whips suddenly, the girl returning to her work with one hand while the other goes up to pull at her hair.

The girl’s tail flicks energetically, leaving Adris refreshed by the awkwardly naive fascination directed at him.

(Breaking down her defenses with a passionate assault would probably be…)

Looking at her face, she turns her eyes to him before snatching them away.

(… Way too easy! I don’t want her to fall in love with me. If I’m going to make her my strength, I don’t need jealousy and even less focus. Besides, I don’t feel like…)

At the idea of being loved, Adris feels both deep pain and also a longing he cannot define.

(… that feeling is too dangerous.)

Adris viciously murders it.

“I am forced to admit little knowledge of your people. No book here describes them, either.”

“Hm?! Oh, elves? My, a noble interest~!” Instantly regaining her easygoing nature, the one-sided gazes cease when the girl claps her hands and gushes about herself.

“Yes, we are caretakers of the old forests and nature, inheritors of the pure wind and beloved by the spirits of it!”

Moving her arms with flourish, she paints a fairy-tale portrait of her life.

“I, myself, am a… [Sylvan Caller!] Chosen by the spirits to play with them! We’re one of the oldest peoples of Zennia! You can barely find a spot on it that an elf hasn’t been before, as the wind goes everywhere!”

“And you said you were… ‘an elf of the deep earth?’”

Stopping suddenly, her open mouth can’t find words. As Adris considers the strange notion of wind underground, she recovers.

“Ah-ah, yes, there are tribes of elves that have since moved from the forests, migrating over time! Mountains, the depths, cities, and even the sea!” Her wriggling tail punctuates her explanation, as rushed as it is.

(Your kind lives in the sea?)

With anthropomorphic, half-human fauns, it’s not impossible for him to imagine it now.

(Some snakes are excellent swimmers, after all.)

“Yes, yes, our great race is everywhere, supporting the arts and the dramatic, music and theater our forte, pillars of ancient wisdom and intellect for these… um… difficult times!”

Pouring tea into a cup through a strainer, she carries the crystal plate to set it before him. The uplifting smell of the spices and tea purges all thoughts of the Castillo with a single waft, a smell both more earthy and appetizing than Cethran’s brew.

“With bodies gifted with litheness, yet also strength, by mighty Pellaeon, and an irresistible sense of style, you can hardly find a people more dedicated to enshrining the beauty of…” Coiling in front of the desk, Ave holds her plate with one hand.

Before she can drink, she wilts under Adris’ piercing gaze.

“Beauty… um… is this…”

“No, the story is quite interesting and I wish to continue, but…”

Lifting his bound hands for her, he smiles wryly at the sheepish girl.

“While I can handle eating food with the price of somewhat diminished dignity… to drink from a cup is…”

Going from confusion, to shock, to horror, to a strained expression covered by a smile, to a sad look of self-loathing, the expressive girl sets her cup down and clutches her hands before her.

“I-I’m sorry! I didn’t… didn’t even…” Bowing while apologizing, a completely red face is finally covered by her hands.

“… why, so obvious!? I didn’t even pay attention! Now I’m an idiot! Oh Pellaeon, why do I always do this when it’s important…! Now he’s uncomfortable!! … ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!”

The elf is crumbling before Adris’ eyes, a silenced scream issuing from her as she openly laments her failure.

(Only now do you realize the totally obvious? Maybe we can work something out…)

Feeling like bullying the airheaded girl, Adris offers a helpful solution.

“It would be quite rude to pass up on such delicious-seeming tea.”

Her attention returns, eyes watering as she tries to regain her composure.

“Would you consider serving me, yourself?”

A cute face is blank as she interprets his words.

“… Servvvve? Like… how? Oh, you mean? Hold the cup? And?”

Working through all of the necessary steps, the addled girl then blushes.

(Are you as easily…)

“Of course! If you… don’t mind? I’ll be careful…”

Moving to join Adris behind the desk, she thoroughly fills the small area with her winding coils.

The shivering snake girl picks up Adris’ cup and slowly brings it to his lips. With eyes darting from the quaking cup to his face…

(Please… don’t spill it!)

Instead of spilling it, she gasps before bringing the steaming cup to her lips to blow on it. Watching her cheeks puffing up cutely brings a relaxing smile to him.

The cup finally returns for a sample.

(My… the taste is superb.)

Unlike anything from Xin, the background accents of cinnamon and zest join with the leaves’ mild taste. The aroma is the most compelling flavor, finally calming the tensions of a boy riding high on two days worth of adrenaline.

“You are quite the artist. A finer flavor I’ve never tasted.” The sheepish face before him brightens, his compliment sliding easily into their original conversation.

“Yes, elves seem to be a race unlike any seen in my home. I admit to being… Fascinated by you and your kind.”

Ave rushes to sip her hot tea before pulling it away, her lips scrunching as her tongue flicks out. A disgraceful yelp accompanies her regretful look, leaving Adris impressed by the somewhat witless girl.

(I could write a comedy about you and retire.)

“Ah, ‘f-f-f-fascinating’, is it? Such as it is… you want to hear more?”

Nodding his head in acknowledgment, the girl ponders for a moment.

“Okay… Oh, we can begin with…~!”

The girl launches into a narrative immediately, the pretty elf losing her tension and the shrillness in her voice as she comfortably coils up.

“It’s such an epic tale, too! The conclusion of the First War of the Three, the battle at the town of Fanarocco, which would be called Tomelloso today after the vile Castellani conquest, saw the three armies fight each other!

The demonic army of the Three Great Evils, the Horde of the Starborn Lords (INVADERS), and the free nations of Zennia!

Hyarno, High Elf Lord of Sideria, led the charge against the dark lord Magnus, Last Banner of the Tiberian Empire! Tales can be sung of…~!”

With a throbbing head, Adris tries to survive the innumerable strange words thrown at him.

(… Even if it’s painful to listen to, why is the definition “INVADERS”? That sounds definitively important! But not relevant to your…)

“Yes, it is… a thrilling story, but you mentioned a treasure of Pellaeon? I understand that it belonged to Hyarno; but, given its proximity to us now and its value, a more simple explanation might suffice…”

The duration of her oration is lost to him, for Adris’ brain has melted at the onslaught. Though dutifully asking questions and skillfully honing in on important details, he cannot reign in the tangential dives into the esoteric and flowery this once simple girl forces him to suffer through.

(I thought you were naive, but you’re not! You’re just so… uselessly focused on one topic!)

This elf is…

(An elf-loving elf!?)

“While it’s all academically interesting and I would love to eventually hear more, can you not tell me about this [Spiraling Red Tower]?”

Within the unending details of elves, the Castillo had come up, and with it her objective…

“Hm? Where the Song of Elveara is? Yes, it’s within the [Songster Heights] of the Gran Castillo, at the very top of the Red Tower! One of the few places you can see from the outside~!” Ave’s eyes sparkle when returning to the Song.

“Unmentioned of in even the lore of the Coalition of Wills, here is the final resting place of the Elveara after Hyarno passed on into shaded shadow after his glorious charge! Stolen by the wicked Alchemaster from the spoils of the battle, in the Castillo it lies waiting to be rescued!”

“Such a treasure… how could you pass up on seeking it?” With a solemn voice, he commends the deeds she seeks to write.

“Right~! If I have the Song, then no matter where I go, elves will-!”

Stopping in mid speech, she exits her manic state, finally remembering that she’s talking to Adris. Shy again, a difficult look is on her face as she avoids admitting the truth.

(If it’s concerning your objective here, then not sharing it must be quite difficult, considering how open you’ve been with literally everything else.)

“Elves will recognize your greatness all over Zennia, of course.”

“… hm!? Yes! Of course! But… no, it’s not… because of vanity!” Agreeing at first with his attempt to gloss over the issue, she suddenly pales at being the spotlight of her own ambitions.

“No, retrieving it will aid everyone…”

(Vanity is a noble goal, fret not. If you seek glory, you should take it if you can. Some deep desire to be accepted drives this girl. While she often loses her confidence, her flamboyancy is not some front. The attention and good taste she applies to both her style and public face proves she is not a poseur.)

Like the boy, this girl is playing a part of her own creation; except, unlike Adris’s charade, this part is what she wishes to become.

(You pass, on goals at least. The higher the goal the greater the risk. The more you might be incapable of reaching it, the more you’re willing to descend into bondage to obtain it at all costs.)

As she looks shy at confessing her dream, he decides to press on with the gabby girl.

“You said the other girls aren’t as motivated about your ambition as you’d like? Perhaps if I knew more about them and how they act, I could… advise you on demonstrating this value?”

(Just as long as we don’t have to talk about more elves.)

“Hm? The others…? Right, that s-s-stupid girl is always insulting me! It’s always complaints about what I’m doing! She says it’s idiotic to try to find an elven artifact! Then she makes fun of my spirit talking, while saying she can “cast any spell,” but all she does is use those rods or draw runes! Ah, no… there was…”

Talking irately at first, she then cradles herself with fear. Her eyes shake at a buried memory resurfacing.

“No secret will pass from my lips, Ave. What is it that bothers you?”

The girl bites her tongue, before relenting and leaning closer.

“… No, she did try casting a spell once. She opened that book of hers, the one with the weird writing on it! And… and when she started… with the p-p-p-pages turning on their own… well…”

The blue lights flicker as Ave finds the courage.

“… no, but the earth itself was crying out. Even though it didn’t work right, whatever she was trying to do, the earth spirits were terribly afraid.”

(Well, calling her “the most dangerous” wasn’t wrong.)

As she recovers from her admission, he renews his concerns about the “perfect” lady with her secretive book.

“Such information is, as I thought, a useful way to help resolve your problem. The observations of a girl as kind, and close, to them as you are should be quite astute, yes?”

Ave looks unsure for a moment, but then smugly smiles.

“Welllll, I have noticed some things about them~!”

“Ah, Still is so kind! More than just sewing, she will also cook and make things for me! When anybody needs help, she’s always there! Anytime I’m sad, she tries to cheer me up! Although she doesn’t like me hugging her… Or standing next to her… Or often being in the same room as her?

But, she’s just an independent girl, right!? She’s so cool~! Um, though she doesn’t help Kol, but that’s just… well, sort of…”

Singing Still’s praises alone for the last ten minutes, Ave’s monologue focuses on her idol worship.

Adris easily interprets her undisguised body language. A library of mental pictures of her cringing, swaying, smiling awkwardly, and sometimes losing all hope guide his understanding of her mentality.

Once leading her to discuss the party and its “grand battles,” he’s been regaled with every last bit of tactical information he requires.

(As long as I avoid making it sound like I’m interested in something useful against them, this girl is…)

A sieve.

(Beginning this quest to defeat the accursed rabbit out of sheer necessity… you four are really desperate. You need me for this bounty, is it?)

“And… when Kol needs… money, and I give her some, Still always helps me buy things I need later…”

Speaking lower and lower, she sighs while waggling her fingers on the table.

When she notices Adris glancing at them, she stops moving them. With little distance between them, every action he takes leaves an impression on her.

“You’ve really worked-”

“Um! If-”

They both begin to speak at the same time, then go silent. Nodding his head, she begins.

“I… I know that you don’t want me this close, and I’m sorry that I screwed up offering tea when you’re… inconvenienced like this! I really am sorry!”

Apologizing profusely, the girl then purses her lips.

“Since you’re done with your cup, I’ll move away now…”

(Are you not… attracted to me? No, rather, shouldn’t you be mad that I’m forcing you to be this close?)

Something is off, a strangely repeating theme tugging at his mind.

(Why not try a direct attack?)

“How could any man, even one as important as I, be offended by the presence of a kind and beautiful girl? Rather, I should accept just blame for requesting such an…”

A shocked face is yanked back by her snake body moving, interrupting him as he’s suddenly concerned.

“… Is something wrong?”

“B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b…?”

In the dimness of the study, the elf in front of him becomes stuck on a single sound.

“Are you okay?”

Stern now, he clumsily reaches out to touch her still outstretched hand.

“Beautiful!? Huh!?”

Jumping at the touch, she pulls her hand away. When Adris withdraws his slowly…

Ave, quick as a snakebite, reaches in and softly grabs his wrist.

While he keeps his expression calm, his heart beats in unsteady confusion. Also now mildly excited by this contact, he suffers patiently under her wild-eyed inspection.

Her body temperature alone…

(Part reptile, but wam-blooded?)

With him not reacting badly, she does the next logical thing to her…

The feel of them, even if they’re small, is lovely. Even felt through the bodysuit and dress, the soft mounds send his mind racing, all while he remains outwardly calm.

Licking his bottom lip, Adris allows his expression to become savage and libidinous.

“… I am a bit surprised by how direct you are. You are quite lovely, it’s true, so I won’t fault you for knowing your appeal; but, are you sure…?”

When the girl’s brain resumes functioning, she yelps and hides in the corner.

His hand free, Adris wonders…

(Has she lost her mind? Is the cross…?)

“Eh? Eh? Ehhhh? No, you… don’t mind? You’re… fine touching me? You want to touch me? Is this real?”

Sounding like a broken person while talking, her eyes are comically wide.

A dangerous woman’s voice plays in his mind.

“You wanted to taste me? Without any compulsion? It was of your own free will?”

(That’s why you really wanted me, Lycia. That’s the missing part.)

It’s not that humans and non-humans can get along and choose not to. It’s that…

Something instinctive is buried in humanity’s mind. Repressive and overriding, it is quite intentionally placed, no doubt.

(Cethran, give me a fucking clue! Stop speaking in riddles and explain things properly!)

Adris had misinterpreted Cethran’s description of humans abhorring “monsters” and carnal pursuits to be based on religious reasons, even strictly societal-moral ones.

(But humans are always deviants, some scum even find animals attractive. This is far more pernicious if this rare!)

Trying not to shake, his rage is peaked at his “mentor.”

“Um, you… you are human, right?” She speaks with a glimmer in her eye, her lips growing fuller as she wets them. The interest she has is no longer subtle.

(If you are so deeply confused, then let’s begin.)

Lust, confusion, shock, and the mysterious.

Thrust into this situation by a mistake, Adris will capitalize on her emotional instability.

“Did you doubt me when I said I was from another world?”

His voice deepens to become a roaring storm.

He turns his chair with his legs, the scraping on the floor punctuating the current situation: Ave, backed into a corner, while he leans back menacingly to regard her.

With a face now partially hidden from the light, his dark smile carries both terror and fascination. Cowed by this change in tone, she shivers; yet, the glimmer in her crystal green eyes only excites further.

(All women desire a sense of undefined danger. As long as I thread it carefully…)

“If all elves are as beautiful as you, surely that would be a splendorous paradise; but, if you say they are more beautiful than you, I can hardly conceive of it.” Sharing his truthful thoughts, he strikes for her vanity.

“Even for I, a being of great power from another world, such an artful appearance as yours isn’t easily obtained… Any man would seek to obtain such a treasure.”

“Nonono, I’m not… super… special, right? No, but you’re… human… right? Wrong? I’m being… praised…!?”

“You care for your friends, have ambitions for your people, and hold a willingness to write your name into legends. You speak with the spirits and are brave enough to invade this dangerous place. What isn’t wonderful about this girl?”

Completely enthralled, her voice can only protest with a squeak.

“… but as you spoke of your quest, isn’t something missing?” Adris’ voice is mournful now, his change in tone making her swallow hard.

(Having played her up, I will now break her down.)

“With how you’ve explained your progress…”

Briefly closing his eyes in thought while sighing, he then stares her down while offering his assessment.

“… You can never reach your goal with your current strength, nor reach your fullest potential without first gaining something necessary.”

Ave freezes, her blush morphing into a deep look of sadness.

(You can feel it on some level. The four of you can’t do this as you are. You can’t even escape this place, anymore.)

“It’s unfortunate, but this mansion is quite cruel. For all the efforts of those who march into it, something stronger is needed to overcome its sinister nature.”

Her hands are tight as she holds them to her breasts, looking small and threatened.

“Those who tread upon it are shown despair, too often. Think of what you’ve brought with you to face the mansion. Though you speak with spirits, is it… sufficient? ‘Loss within the mansion,’ what does it mean…?”

The girl shakes, even her snake tail quivering, as her breathing rapidly increases. Her eyes twitch as some memory replays for her.

“No, but it doesn’t have to be that way, Avenalliah.”

Upon hearing her full name, the elf breaks from her nightmare.

(A comforting figure appears before her, even if… I’m short…)

“All you need to do is find a source of strength. Something secure, belonging to you. A source that will care for you, and will never leave or betray you.

One which can deliver to you what you deserve and give you access to all you desire. The highest Tower and the hidden Song!”

As he smiles benevolently, she searches his face, hidden as it is but for a proud glint of gleaming silver.

“If that power were offered to you with an open hand, encouraging you to let go of fear and embrace adventure… allowing you to become what you desire to be…”

Misty, green eyes full of longing betray her eagerness.

“… would you take it, walk with it, make it yours as you give yourself to it?”

Time passes in silence, uncertainty lingering on her face. When she finally finds courage…

“What would I have to… do… or give up to get that?”

Though she asks this softly, he realizes it’s her deepest fear.

“No, it’s just… I couldn’t… do something that would hurt the others. Um, even if I don’t like her… I wouldn’t leave any of them behind!”

Talking a bit wildly, she tries to reject some betrayal she appears caught in, though no real offer was even stated and she has agreed to nothing.

“What are you talking about?”

Gaping at the wistful question, she looks flabbergasted.

“No, but… what, you were…!?”

“Ah, I was just interested in hearing how committed you are to your goal.”

With a cheerful voice, Adris seems oblivious to her concerns.

But when he lets his eyes relax…

“Or, did you desire something…?”

(A polite and caring girl would never accept temptation. You always act for the sake of your friends, right?)

Waving her arms wildly, she laughs stupidly while stuttering.

“N-nonono, right, just a question! E-e-e-everyone going into the Castillo should… know the answer, right? Or… rather, know what they… think, right…?”

(There’s no further need to tempt her, for the seed was planted successfully.)

“It might be asking for a lot, but…”

Ave’s expectant face is still just as cute, more so now as she hangs on his words while waiting breathlessly for him to finish.

“Could we have another cup? When sharing tea with you, I feel relaxed… and quite welcomed.”

When she slithers over mutely to fumble at making a new pot, he knows the impression he’s been desperately trying to leave is now unshakeable.

(And you pass, anyway. Even if you might be a bit unreliable, I’d never turn down someone who truly believes in my role.)

Suddenly feeling a pang of something, he relaxes his posture.

(… And it’s not like I won’t take care of you, too…)

Opening his mouth in surprise at the errant thought, he wonders where it came from.

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