One's Eden: Hanayuki Travel

Chapter 37: I won't be defeated

For the second time, Hanayuki’s lightning punch connected through Noah’s face. Noah’s body flew in the distance before she crashed to the floor. She immediately turned her body to make a proper landing.

Hanayuki didn’t waste time and went for another attack. Launching herself again at high speed.

“Motionless world!”

Noah hastily chanted her ability. Time and space stopped at her command. But Hanayuki’s body didn’t stop and kept on moving. While inside, both of them move in a motionless world. Noah took her sword and slashed forward, cutting along Hanayuki’s path.

Hanayuki limbo, her body avoiding the blade.

It was a piece of cake by Hanayuki avoiding the blade. Unlike in the world without a motionless world. Noah’s agility wasn’t too special. She is fast indeed compared to normal people. Right now, Hanayuki is at the top of the game.

She isn’t as fast as before? My attack will reach her.

Hanayuki thought and raised her feet. Kicking Noah’s left side. Second, she turned her body, kicking the right side of Noah’s body. Noah’s body shakes and what she never felt before goes through her body.

Motionless world ability wore off again.

“Lightning magic: Hi-speed combat!”

Hanayuki moves in all directions, punching and kicking Noah without a hint of mercy.

Noah tried to remain defensive, covering his head. The tables have turned. Even Noah realized it, without her ability. She couldn’t go toe to toe with Hanayuki.

All she could do was close her eyes and shed tears.

“I can’t lose… I can’t lose…”

Noah murmured.

With each pain, she felt. Drops of blood came out from Noah’s body. Shed tears. Noah recalls her main objective. The real objective she wanted to fulfill. In other words, her real goal. The truth is, Noah never thought of killing his sisters in the first place. Because there was no way she would kill the people she loved the most.

… … …

A long long time ago…, when Noah was still 7 years old, Alicia and Eula were still very young. She noticed how their parents never think or look out for them. The king is very busy at work and with other women. Their mother was never seen in the castle because the princesses had different mothers. All princesses are given huge rooms and everything they ask. But for young Eula and Alicia, this idea is something they won’t understand.

One day, Eula was crying.

“Somebody help me! It's dark… It's dark…”

Eula cried while her body was covered with a huge blanket. Worried sick about his sister's screams, Noah goes to the rescue to save Eula.

Breaking inside Eula’s room. Noah struck a hero's pose.

“Don’t worry, hero Noah, is here to help! Huh?”

“Our little sister is very silly… She is crying because she buried herself in a blanket. It's funny and cute, isn’t it?”

The one talking was their elder sister Yusael, who is currently 10 years old.

“What are you doing here?… It’s my job to look out for my sister.”

“I’m also her sister.”

“I hate you, Yusael. You always took the glory.”

“I never think about glory or anything. All I wanted was for my sisters to be happy. Of course, it includes Noah. All my little sisters' happiness is my dream.”

Yusael said and kissed Noah’s forehead. The kiss made Noah blush and, for the first time, she felt warmth and love. It wasn’t romantic, but knowing that there was someone worried about her was very new to her.

Eula pulled Yusael's sleeves and looked at her with dolly eyes. Looking for a kiss from their big sister.

Yusael bends her body to Eula and kisses her forehead.

“Kiss on the forehead means blessings. Eula, Justine, Alicia, and Noah. We were all sisters. All of you are blessings. I swear to protect all of you until the day I die.”

Noah started to respect his big sister Yusael. In this world, no one really cares about them but themselves. They will protect each other and do anything for each other. Other people are just strangers. Other people are seen as tools. Nothing is more important than this love they felt for each other. This bond they created.

The world is evil and vile to the princesses. Noah wanted to create a world where all of them could be happy. Noah saw other people as unnecessary.

“Destroying the world is the only way… I’ll destroy this evil world and create a new world. A new world… A peaceful world. A normal world where we can be normal people. A world where we can play and have fun together.”

Noah’s real motivation. Everything she’s doing is because she loves her sister so much.

Her intention was white. But her neglect of other lives is what brings her down to her ice-cold self. It brought her down to darkness.

With many sacrifices already made. Noah couldn’t turn his back any longer. She must continue and fulfill her goal.

… … …

“I won’t lose!”

Noah shouted and swung his sword as strongly as she could. Her sword intercepted Hanayuki’s lightning fist. Hanayuki backed off and saw her body covered with ice.

“I’m frozen.”

“I can’t lose… I can’t afford to lose… If I have to kill thousands of people. I will kill thousands of people. For people, I love it, because I want them to break their shackles and be happy. Just behave yourself and let me kill you.”

“That won’t happen…”

Hanayuki Said.

From the sky… The iron spear fell directly to Noah’s back. Piercing straight to her stomach.

“... I can’t afford to lose either.”

“How?”

“Before our duel started, I set up a lightning spear from above. Before this fight started, I made sure that you'd die. I apologize I lied earlier… This is not a fair and square fight.”

“Why is this happening? All I wanted was to make my sister happy. I want all of them to be happy…”

“What are you saying?”

“Do you really think I would kill Eula? If I’m planning on killing her. I could use Motionless World from the very start.”

“I can’t understand you.”

Noah had his body fall to the ground. She could not move anymore. Laying down sideways and looking at her, blood flowed out of her body. Looking at nothingness, she muttered her last words.

“Eula… Justine… Alicia… Big sister Yusael. I’m so sorry… I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to continue… I lost… I lost…”

“After killing my friends are you crying? Are you joking?! Why do you look so pitiful right now?!”

“Alicia, eat your vegetables… Justine let Eula borrow some of your dolls. There are plenty of them in your room. Eula, your cookies are the most delicious I’ve ever eaten… Big sister Yusael… I always respected you… You’re my hero… My sisters.”

Noah crawled and tried to reach the hand of the unknown.

Seeing her sisters from afar. She continued reaching them. The sisters walked toward Noah and had her hand.

“Don’t worry, we’ll stay at your side.”

Yusael said with a sweet smile.

“Big sister Noah, let's play.”

“Come here, Noah.”

Alicia and Eula pushed Noah from behind.

“Noah promised to play house with me first.”

Justine protested with her cheeks pouting like a squirrel.

Noah noticed that all the princesses were at a young age. Noah was confused about what she saw. Turning her glance to her hand, she noticed she had turned small. Her memories of reality were wiped out. The sadness and misery were all gone in an instant.

In this new world, she’s not a princess. No responsibility or expectation was given to them. They are all freed from the shackle of being royalty.

The five princesses… No, girls held each other's hands and played in vast grassy plains in a place called paradise.

…

In reality, Noah’s already lost his life. Her face looked very happy and fulfilled. Smiling in the last second of her life.

“ Is this a joke? This must be a joke, right? You should die in agony. You should die painfully!”

Noah dies happy and Hanayuki remains in a world full of sadness and guilt.

Before the sun rises. Hanayuki builds a tomb for Noah. While she did, she was thinking about Noah’s last words.

Is it right to kill her? What if it's better to give her another chance? I’m evil?

The questions whirl around Hanayuki’s head.

The sun rises and a new day has begun. Hanayuki put flowers on Noah’s grave and put both her hands together. Praying and apologizing for what she had done. Crying a burden with a heavy feeling on her chest.

“Big sister Noah die.”

Hanayuki heard a familiar voice. Turning her head, she saw Eula with a sad face shedding tears like Hanayuki.

“I’m sorry Eula… I killed her… My hands killed her… I’m evil.”

Hanayuki cried and cried. Eula felt how sad Hanayuki had become. Eula walked to Hanayuki and hugged her tightly. Comforting the girl until she calmed down.