The Candle of Life
originally created by Devi Yunitasari
Fifty Guardians
had died in the last attack. Sorrow, pain, and fear mixed in an emotional
feeling called hatred. Everybody wanted to curse at the situation they had to go
through, but they could not. If there was no that power, they would probably
give up and let the witch to put out the light. But still, they believed in
that power and fought against the witch. That power which everyone called “hope”.
***
“Dad, is everything going to be alright?” Erza asked
his father who was busy preparing himself to continue his mission.
“As long as the Candle of Life still lit up, I think
it’s safe to say that everything will be alright, Erza,” answered Erza’s father
while giving Erza a reassuring smile. Erza just kept quiet and hang her head
down.
“Well, I think I should get going now, take care of
yourself, Erza, and promise me that you will never leave the house, okay,” Erza’s
father put on his robe and was about to go when suddenly Erza shouted,
“Dad, don’t go!” Erza ran into his father and tugged
the hem of her father’s robe, did not intend to let her father go.
“I will be fine, Erza, I promise that I will be back
as soon as possible,” Erza’s father hugged Erza tightly, trying to calm down
Erza.
“M-mom, also s-said that before, b-but…b-but… she
never comes back, I-I don’t want to lose you either, Dad!” Erza started to cry
on his father’s embrace. Seeing Erza cried, Erza’s father contemplated whether
he had to continue his mission or not. But, after considering his
responsibility as part of the Candle of Life Guardian, he realized that he had
no choice, but to continue his mission.
“Listen to me Erza, you know that now our village is
in danger, the witch from the Darklord Village want to put out the Candle of
Life’s light, and take over our village,” Erza father’s said.
“B-but, you don’t have to s-sacrifice yourself, Dad!
Then if you insist, I’ll come along with you, Dad, I think my ability now is
enough to be a part of the Candle of Life Guardian,” Erza stammered.
“Erza, you know that father and mother’s biggest wish
is to see you become a part of the guardian, but it’s not now, you still have
to improve your ability,” Erza’s father stared at Erza and wiped the tears on Erza’s
cheek.
“Okay then, Dad, but, please promise me, that you’ll
come back home soon,” Erza said softly.
“I will,” Erza’s father kissed Erza’s forehead and left.
“Be safe, Dad!”
Erza whispered
as she saw her father went away. After that, she locked and casted a barrier
spell on the door. Then, she flopped down on the couch and began reading a book
which was given by her mother. Two hours passed by, and Erza decided to do the
chore. When she was sweeping the floor, suddenly she heard the pitter-patter of
tiny feet outside of the door. She panicked and rushed toward the door.
Knock… knock… knock…
Erza froze on her spot, as she heard someone knocked
on the door. The feeling of fear and anxiety filled on her mind. ‘What if, if
it’s one of the witch, but why she had to knock on the door first?!’
Knock… knock… knock…
Another knock and a faint voice of a boy were heard
afterwards.
“Excuse me, is there anybody home?”
Erza found that there’s no hint of threat behind the
voice, so she hesitantly casted a spell to take out the barrier spell and peeped
through a small hole on the door. Surprisingly she saw a boy who looked like at
the same age as her, but she immediately noticed that the boy had really wide
ears. ‘Is he from a Fairy Clan?!’ Erza mumbled.
Knock… knock…
Erza finally opened the door and saw the boy beamed at
her. Then, Erza timidly asked,
“W-who are you?”
“Uh… Hi! I’m Hulio! And you?” answered the boy softly.
“Uh, I’m Erza, uhm, sorry, why are you knocking on my
house? I mean, it’s very dangerous outside, how come you came here? And are you
by any chance come from Fairy Clan?” Erza asked Hulio multiple questions.
“Wow, hold on! Ah I’m sorry I think I am kind of
scared you, aren’t I? But, before I answered another questions, may you let me
in?” Hulio said.
“Oh, sure!” Erza, moved aside and let Hulio come in. Then,
she immediately closed the door and casted a barrier spell.
“Yes, I’m from the Fairy Clan, actually, I don’t
really know why I ended up in front of your house after I tried to cast a new
spell,” Hulio rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
“That’s weird,” Erza muttered.
“Do you live alone here, Erza?” Hulio suddenly asked
and changed the topic.
“No, I live with my father, but he is in the middle of
a mission now,” Erza answered, while sitting on the couch.
“Uhm, do you know about the Candle of Life?” Hulio
stared at Erza curiously.
“Yes, it’s the candle which has the magic light that can
create a seal to protect our village.” Erza said.
“Is your father
a Candle of Life’s Guardian?” Hulio asked.
“Yes, he is,” Erza gave Hulio a faint smile and looked
away.
“I think we have the same problem here,” Erza, turned
her gaze at Hulio, and stared at him confusingly.
“You want to help your father to protect the village,
right? But, since the attack from the Darklord Village happens, your father
just asks you to stay at home, and never let you go outside, right?” Hulio said
while raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, I’m really worried about my father; I’ve already
lost my mother, my mother is also a Guardian, hey, are your parents also
Guardian?” Erza asked, and Hulio answered
“Yes, they are, hey, how about we are going to the
Dungeon?” suggested Hulio excitedly.
“Dungeon? You mean the place where the Candle of Life
is protected?” Erza asked,
“Yes, definitely,” Hulio answered briefly.
“But, how? I mean, that place is protected by a strong
seal, and also my father have told me not to go outside.” Erza said, she really
wanted to go, but she has promised to her father that she would not go outside.
“You know, that seal is created by the Fairy Clan, so
I think by using the spell that I just learned secretly, I will be able to get
into the Dungeon. You’re really worried about your father, aren’t you? So do I.
Let’s go there and help them!” Hulio tried to convince Erza.
Although Erza felt hesitated at first, she finally nodded
and decided to go with Hulio.
“Okay then, our mission is begun! Take my hand Erza!
And close your eyes!” Erza took Hulio’s hand and Hulio casted a spell. After
that in a blink of an eye they disappeared.
POOF…
“We are here! Open your eyes, Erza!” Hulio whispered.
Erza slowly opened her eyes, and she gasped after she realized that they had
already inside the Dungeon.
“This can be real!” Erza exclaimed.
“S-shh… Keep your voice down! Let’s go! Follow me!”
Hulio and Erza walked deeper into the Dungeon.
“Where are we going, Hulio?” Erza asked, because she really
had no idea where Hulio would take her.
“To the place where, the Guardians protect the Candle
of Life,” Hulio muttered.
“What? You know
where it is, hey, you have gone here before, haven’t you?” asked Erza
accusingly.
“Yes, and stop asking, can’t you?” Hulio felt a little
bit annoyed by Erza kept asking him questions.
“Ah, here we are! Let’s hide here!” Hulio and Erza hid
behind a large pillar, and from afar Erza saw her father with the other
Guardians surrounded the Candle of Life and casted spells on the candle. But,
suddenly, the Dungeon was shaking, and one by one the witch entered the
Dungeon. The Guardians was really taken aback by the sudden attack from the
witch.
“Hulio, they…ar-..!” Hulio covered Erza’s mouth by
using his hand and gave her a sign to stay quiet.
After that, Hulio and Erza saw the battle between the
Guardians and the witch. Both of the Guardians and the witch casted spells on
each other. Erza, really wanted to help her father, but Hulio kept holding Erza
and kept saying that they had to wait for the right time to show up and helped
the Guardians.
As the time passed by, Erza could see that the
Guardians power became weaker and weaker. So, she ran toward the battle and
Hulio failed to hold her.
“Examus!!!” Erza casted a spell on a witch who
attacked her father.
“Erza! What are
you doing here!” Erza’s father was really shocked after seeing Erza’s
appearance.
“I’m s-sorry, Dad! I-I really want to help you” Erza
stammered.
“But… w-watch out Erza!” Before Erza’s father finished
his speech, a flash of light suddenly came, and made all the Guardians collapsed
to the ground.
“Dad!!!” Erza screamed as she saw his father fainted.
“E-Erza, are y-you alright?” Erza’s father said half
consciously.
“LET’S PUT OUT THE CANDLE’s LIGHT!”
Erza turned his gaze toward the Head of Darklord
Village who slowly approached the Candle of Life. She wanted to stop the Head
of Darklord Village, but she also did not want to leave her father who was
lying unconsciously on the ground.
“STAY AWAY FROM THAT CANDLE, YOU WITCH!”
Suddenly, Hulio shouted furiously at the Head of
Darklord Village. Automatically the other witch was pointed their wand toward
Hulio who did not seem afraid even a bit.
“HOW DARE YOU ORDER ME AROUND, YOU FOOL BOY!” the Head
of Darklord Village casted a spell on the Candle, and made the light of the
candle went away. Suddenly the condition of the Dungeon became dark and cold.
After that, the Head of Darklord Village approached Hulio and pointed her wands
toward Hulio.
Erza who saw the whole situation just sat beside her
father and froze at her spot.
“You’ll regret everything
you have done to this village!” Hulio smiled mockingly at the Head of Darklord
Village and a second later, there’s a strong light which made the Head of
Darklord Village and all the witch disappeared in a blink of an eye.
After that, Hulio suddenly fainted to the ground. Seeing
Hulio condition, Erza immediately ran toward Hulio.
“Hulio, are you okay?”
“E-Erza, c-can you help me?” Hulio did not answer
Erza’s question, but he offered Erza to help him instead.
“Y-yes, I can help you, b-but what should I do?” Erza
stared confusedly at Hulio.
“Lend me your power, I will try to heal all the
Guardians and return this village to the way it was,” Hulio tried to stand up
by using his remaining power.
“My p-power? But, I don’t understand what kind of
power do you mean?” Erza asked.
“Just hold my hand, close your eyes, and repeat the
spell that I cast,” Hulio answered. After that, Erza hesitantly held Hulio’s
hand and closed her eyes.
“RETURNSIO!”
Erza repeated the spell that was casted by Hulio.
Then, she opened her eyes and found that the darkness was gone. She then turned
her gaze to her side, but she couldn’t find Hulio. Instead she realized that
she no longer held Hulio’s hand, but she held a candle which had green light.
“Erza, are you okay?” Erza’s father hugged Erza who
was still in a dazed from everything that happened.
“I’m fine, Dad!” said Erza softly.
“Erza, where did you get that candle?” the Guardians
suddenly gathered around Erza.
“I-I…” Erza really did know, what she should say.
“Wow, you have saved our village, Erza!” the guardians
shouted in unison.
“What?” Erza was so confused.
“I’m really proud of you, Erza!” Erza’s father beamed
at Erza while patting her shoulder.
“No, Dad, it’s because of Hulio! Ah, uncle! You are
from Fairy Clan, aren’t you? Do you know where is, Hulio? Because he is the one
who has saved this village and defeated the witch,” Erza, asked one of the
Guardians who came from Fairy Clan, and he answered.
“Hulio? Who is Hulio? There’s no member in Fairy Clan
whose name is Hulio! Anyway, I’m really thank you, although I am also curious
on how can you defeat the witch.”
“It can be true,” Erza murmured.
“It’s okay, Erza, because the most important thing is
that our village is safe now!” Erza’s father gave Erza a reassuring smile.
“But still, who is Hulio, Dad? And where is he now?”
said Erza.
“Uhm, I think Hulio is a spirit who was sent by the
God, because we did not let our hope go down and did not give up even though
the witch was really strong,”
Hearing her father’s explanation, Erza Frowned and
said,
“Hulio? Hope?”