Chapter 5: Miracle


Elluel...

"We're here Master!" Mir exclaimed and it's all thanks to the VIP Teleport Rock.

"And we got time to spare before sunset." said Evan. "Mercedes should be awake by then."

"Right. Let's go." said Shade as they made their way to the royal chambers. There, they went straight in and, "Whoa! Empress?!" The heroes were stunned to see Cygnus, Neinheart and the 5 chief knights. "The elders told us about their queen's dire situation." Cygnus began. "So we came here to see the problem and try to find a solution." said Neinheart.

"With all due respect, we did all the work earlier on starting from yesterday to today." Phantom stated. "That was fast." said Hawkeye. "Yeah, the queen should-"

"Wait, look!" Luminous pointed out for the heroes as, "Impossible..." Evan got on his knees as tears filled his eyes. It turns all their efforts were in vain for Mercedes remained in deep slumber. "Sunset's nearing...what will we do?" Aran asked with worry. "Don't ask me. I'm out of options." Luminous replied sadly. "Same." said Phantom. "It seems her fate has been sealed. Even though we tried..." said Shade. "There's nothing we can do Master. Her fate is sealed." said Mir. Evan felt like he could not accept this. Even with the heroes' efforts, it all came to nothing in the end. "Well...I guess this is goodbye then." Evan wiped his tears first and went to Mercedes.

"Mercedes. If you can hear me, I'm very sorry. We did everything we can to help rescue and free you from the curse but seeing you still in this condition...it pains my heart. I've failed you! We all failed you! Knowing that we'll never see you again...I...I...I just want to say that you and I fought side by side together, we've had a great time hanging out, I even cared for your safety and wanted to protect you but...I wish I have more to say but just to let you know that most importantly in my life...

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"I love you." Evan then got on one knee, leaned forward and planted a kiss on the lips of the Queen of Elves. The others watched in surprise as Aran, Shade, Phantom, Luminous and Mir lowered their heads in sadness. Once done, Evan separated from Mercedes as he closed his eyes in sadness.

The elders were also saddened to see that they'll lose their queen as already, the sunset is almost through. Then, Danika noticed something. "Uh...guys?"

All looked up and gasped and Evan still mourning to himself opened his eyes and gasped.

On the bed, Mercede's eyes twitched a bit. Next, blinking for a second and slowly, her eyes opened as everyone's sadness became joy as the first person she saw was, "E-Evan?"

"M-Mercedes!...You're alive!...And awake!"! Evan exclaimed as she sat up and as of now, the sun has finally set. He then embraced her in happiness as, "I knew you'll come for me...I knew you won't forget me and...I know you'll save me..." Mercedes spoke to Evan as she embraced him back with a smile. After that, they separated as Mercedes looked to see the familiar faces. "My queen...it's so good to see you again!" Astilda spoke first. "We almost lost you and then...I don't know what to say! It's a miracle!" said Philius as Danika cried tears of joy. The other heroes also had tears in their eyes as, "Hey nerd. It's okay for a man to cry." Phantom teased as he wiped his tears. "S-Shut up petty thief! You're...making me cry some more!" Luminous replied as he tried to hold back his tears.

And back to them, "On the day I took the curse, I see only darkness. I waited...and hoped to be saved. I cling to the hope knowing that I will soon wake up. And you must know that you never failed me Evan." Mercedes explained. "Really?" He asked. "Yes. My elven ears heard everything from yesterday and today. You never gave up because you care for me, you wanted to protect me and your fiery will and determination to save me is extraordinary. And most importantly...

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"I love you too." Those words made Evan felt warmth in his heart and body and the next thing it happened, Mercedes pulled Evan in as their lips are pressed and they melted into it. All awe at this even Cygnus and her court and then, Luminous remembered something. "Neinheart?"

"Yes? What is it?" The tactician asked as Luminous took out the journal he found in the castle and handed it to him. "You'll find some valuable info inside." Neinheart looked surprised as he browsed through and already, Evan and Mercedes finished their kiss when suddenly, Aran, Shade, Phantom and Luminous went to them and all had a group hug. "Our bonds really connected us together! That's what makes us strong and united as heroes!" said Shade. "Yeah! Now that everything is settled, we can party!" Phantom cheered. "What are you all talking about?" Mercedes asked. "Well, you didn't miss much but we'll tell you everything." said Aran as the heroes conversed.

At the same time, Neinheart is still reading through when, "It can't be..."

"What is it?" Cygnus asked and he showed her one of the pages of the journal. After reading through, "I see...this journal belongs to Eleanor the Black Witch and it has a record that involves Ariant. Well Neinheart, you know what to do?"

"Indeed. I'll handle the task."

Ariant...

"YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME! YOU KNOW WHO I AM!? I AM QUEEN AREDA! RULER OF ARIANT! I-"

"Oh shut up and rant all you want in prison!" A Cygnus soldier shut her up as he and his companion took her away from the palace as the people watched in wonder and amazement on how it unexpectedly happened. There are some Cygnus Knights nearby also ensuring that no one interferes.

Outside the palace, "I can't believe the queen did this behind my back..." Abdullah VIII exclaimed in horror as he and Neinheart watched Areda scream and shout while being taken away out of the region. "Yes I was most surprised in being tipped that she made a deal with a villain from the Black Wings and it's recorded in the journal." Neinheart replied. "And to think she has rotted the empire with her corruption..." Abdullah VIII added and then, "Tigun! Get some men and hunt down the Red Scorpions and end their thieving activites for good!"

"Uh okay! But what about the Sand Bandits?" Tigun asked. "Forget them! Matter of fact, you see any, get them to help you since they've been fighting against the Scorpions for some time!"

"Uh okay then!" The captain gathered his men and they left the palace grounds. Then, the palace dancer Sirin came out and, "Am I dreaming?!"

"No dear. It's time I step up and restore Ariant! All my days of sleep and naptime are set aside and I could also use some assistance." Abdullah VIII replied. "Welcome back your majesty. I'll help you as much as I can!" A pleased Sirin replied as they got to work. "And our work here is done." Neinheart thought as he and the Cygnus Soldiers and Knights withdrew.

A few days later...

"Interesting. Ariant experienced a miraculous change in the government and with Areda stripped off her power and imprisoned, the empire can build up again." Evan is seen reading the newspaper and he just finished. Putting it aside, he can be seen sitting on a beach mat for he and his peers are at the beach outside Gold Beach Resort for the vacation Phantom mentioned before. He also wore red swim trunks with a crimson vertical line on both sides.

Everyone is having fun as in the water, Aran is sitting on Shade's shoulders and having a chicken fight with Oz who's sitting on Eckhart's shoulder. Both girls wore bikinis as Aran wore a white string bikini and Oz wore a red and pink polka dot string bikini. Also, Danika is seen going for a dip and she wore a maroon and red violet striped bikini.

Nearby, Phantom is flirting with some bikini girls at some bar and Hawkeye is ordering some drinks. On the sands, Lilin who's wearing a one piece purple swimsuit is building a sandcastle with Lania who's wearing a yellow one piece swimsuit. Mir is also there looking after the 2 girls as he watched several Clangs and Lorangs scuttling by. This made his hungry for seafood.

On his right, Irena just stripped down to her green string bikini with frilled beige outlines causing Mihile to feel aroused and the next thing it happened, the chief knights of light and wind are making out while nearby, Luminous is looking after some Torties as he fed them bits of food and they ate.

Also, a game of volleyball is taking place as Elex, Brighton, Belle and Claudine are seen in the game. Neinheart is seen as the referee while the rest of the resistance are in the sport. Also, Belle wore an orange string bikini and Claudine wore a dark grey one piece frilly swimsuit.

As Evan continued to enjoy the beach. "Mind if I join you?" He looked to his left and gasped at the sight of Mercedes who wore a baby blue bandeau bikini which is a bit revealing on the front. "Whoa..." Evan turned beet red as Mercedes sat beside him, "You like what you see?" She whispered flirting a bit. "Y-Yeah! I mean, you're really beautiful in that bikini-wait why did I say that?!" Mercedes giggled at Evan's compliment. "The girls took me out to shop for swimsuits."

"That explains it." said Evan as Mercedes cuddled to him. "So how should I put it...Eleanor the Black Witch was behind all this right?"

"Yeah. Never thought the Black Wings can still strike despite their leader disbanding her organization after the Black Mage's defeat." said Evan. "It seems some of them will do anything to oppose the empress or bring us down."

"Agreed. And to think I was targeted for some assassination in which the death curse is upon me but miraculously, I survived thanks to you." Mercedes added as she sighed. "Hey, it's over now. You don't have to worry. I promise that I'll protect you and stay by your side right?" Evan assured to the woman he loved as she smiled and then, "Also, I heard you got something called a snow rose?"

"Yes. Von Leon entrusted me to treasure it in the midst of his dying breath." Evan replied. "I must admit, without his aid, we would be unable to save you." He added. "I see...no wonder you guys stated that he redeemed himself for his actions." said Mercedes when, "I got ya drinks!" Hawkeye showed up with 2 glasses of iced lemon tea. "Thanks Hawkeye!" Evan thanked him as the Chief Knight of Thunder went to join Phantom in hooking up with some hot chicks.

As the couple starting drinking, "I also heard that...this rose thrives in cold and snow and it represents something?" Mercedes asked. "Yes. The snow rose represents everlasting love. Von Leon gave it to his beloved during the early years before he sold his soul to the Black Mage. This is why he entrusted me with the rose. He saw through me the love I have for you." Evan replied. "Oh Evan..." Mercedes pulled him for a kiss. After that, "So where is the snow rose now?" Mercedes asked. "I had Philius leave it in your royal chamber." Evan replied. "Well...if nothing else, let's enjoy our relaxation." She then undid her top and Evan's mouth dropped and as she lay down, "Will you be kind enough to-"

"I know." Evan grabbed a bottle of sunscreen, squirted some on his hands and started rubbing the stuff on Mercedes' back as she relaxed from it. "Oh man! This is so hot! I can't believe I'm doing this!" Evan thought as heat is building in his body and dirty thoughts are filling his head as he continued rubbing the sunscreen.

From the bar, "Phantom! You seein this?" Hawkeye gestured to the master thief as he noticed it. He snickered as he gave hand signals to the Chief Knight of Thunder as he gave him the thumbs up. He soon found a Clang scuttling by and picked it up. "This, is gonna be hilarious." Hawkeye thought with a smile as he sneaked to Evan and Mercedes' spot. Once ready, he set the Clang down and it scuttled to them.

And there at their spot, Evan decided to apply more sunscreen and as he's about to do so, Mercedes moaned. "Ahhhh...what is this feeling...it's scuttling on-"

"Wait, scuttling?" Evan then turned and, "A Clang?"

"What? AHHHH!" Mercedes got off sitting up as the Clang was sent flying out and then, Evan saw it as his eyes widened and his face was redder than just now as he stammered a bit. Mercedes noticed this and then, she looked down and realized it. "EEEEK!" She covered her bare cleavage and looked around for her bikini top only to find it gone.

"Hey Mercedes. Looking for this?" Nearby, Phantom is holding onto it as he and Hawkeye laughed and hi-5 each other. "Say Evan! How was it? It really is fun for you to see her milk jugs! The perfect size for you!" Hawkeye teased. "Yeah! I bet they're so full you can feel them fill up your palms of your hands easily!" Phantom teased. "Wh-What?!" Evan was so embarrassed he covered his face as Phantom laughed some more and threw back the bikini top. Mercedes quickly put it on with her back turned and once done, "You boys are so DEAD!"

"Huh?" The next thing it happened, she turned to face them and she has her bowguns armed and ready. "Uh-oh. RUN!" Phantom and Hawkeye darted off as a barrage of magic arrows was fired as they continued to flee.

Once they're gone. "Sorry Merc." Evan apologized. "It's fine. I mean..." Mercedes blushed. "I don't mind you looking at them...though in public it's not a good timing." said Mercedes as she blushed. "Wait, what?" Evan was so stunned that he covered his face again. Mercedes laughed as she removed his hands off his face. "If there's one man I'll always be with, he's right in front of me."

Evan smiled as he and Mercedes sat together again and snuggled to each other as they admired the beach atmosphere seeing their friends have fun. After that, "So Merc...wanna make out?" Evan got his answer as Mercedes pressed her lips onto his' as he lay down first followed by her as they made out together while cuddling.

From a distance, Mir saw it and grinned in satisfaction.

THE END