Short Story VI

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?”