Section Forty-Eight · The Legendary Childhood Friend Who Fell from the Sky (One-Sided) (Continued)

Yelena's grayish-white eyes widened until they were nearly as large as bells.

She could hardly believe it... Unbelievable. How could something like this exist in the world!?

Fourteen thousand years. Fourteen thousand years!

She had even noticed the "we" in the Fire Keeper's choice of words. That only made her even more shocked!

"You... you! Why did you—how could you!?" She could hear the truth in that statement, and her voice became incoherent as a result.

How could you!? How could you reach this level!? It was only a tradition, a custom, a story, a dream! How could you do this without leaving any room for compromise!?

"If you had witnessed that scene from fourteen thousand years ago with your own eyes, as I did, then you would understand." The Fire Keeper's response was as gentle and calm as ever. "But I will not lend you the Eye Protector, because you do not know how to control flames, and because it is my most precious treasure. Unless it is Miss Surtr's order, only eternal death can separate it from me."

"..." Yelena fell silent.

The candle continued to burn, crackling softly. Outside Firelink Shrine, the sounds of slaughter were gradually dying down as well.

"...I will not surrender." The white rabbit gritted her teeth.

"Why would you surrender? I am not competing with you for anything." Yet the Fire Keeper's response once again caught her off guard. "I am Miss Surtr's Fire Keeper, her follower, her guide, and her instrument. I only care about whether I can share Miss Surtr's burdens. I do not need to concern myself with how many confidantes or partners Miss Surtr has."

"If Miss Surtr ever needs me to help her enjoy herself when she shares your bed, I will gladly do what I should.