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Emma wasn’t much of a liar, unless she had to be for the sake of not worrying others. She just hated lying to her family, she really did. However, it was the only way that they would accept their departure of the demon world.
Her secret reward that was buried for so long was finally coming into fruition. Not to be revealed, but to deal with in the human world by herself. That’s why she lied, because her family would never accept the conditions in which she was about to endure.
Most importantly… Emma was breaking her promise to Ray.
The promise of not losing what matters most.
-
Once, Ray had made a promise to her.
To live.
He vowed to stay for, care for, and protect his family. The ones who saved him from dying on his 12th birthday. He refused to die, not if it meant leaving them behind again. That resulted in him continuing to stay alive for them, no matter what demons or dangers came for him. He still kept that promise to this day, having no intentions to break it.
The orange haired girl was glad for her best friend that day. She’s still proud of him. Ray was alive. Stronger than ever, a loyal companion…
And a keeper to his promises.
Emma wished she could say the same for her promise to Ray. It was bound to be broken someday, though she realized it as soon as she was in front of the Demon King for the second time.
Emma unofficially broke her vow to the boy, when she reforged the promise for the greater good.
And as she knew it, every promise came with a price…
Rewardingly.
-
“Hey, Emma. Promise me something.”
The girl glanced at the black haired boy beside her, holding a research book in her hands.
They were studying for how to find the entrance to the 7 Walls. She had suggested sitting on the floor, shoulder-to-shoulder. Though, she didn’t think an important conversation would arise from this.
“What is it, Ray?”
Not taking his gaze off from his book, he placed his hand atop hers.
“Don’t lose your way.”
Confused at first, she then lightly chuckled at his ‘joke’.
“Of course I won’t lose you, Ray, because you are my only way of where I belong.”
Ray sighed, not finding any humor in what he or she said.
“I’m serious, Emma.”
“...Oh.”
She instantly felt bad, despite her words being jokingly true.
“Whatever, you’ll know eventually.”
Ray put his hand back on the book cover, turned the page, and resumed his silent reading.
Her hand suddenly went cold, like it longed for his comforting, warm touch again. Truth be told, Emma didn’t understand what he meant. But whatever it was, made him worried. Perhaps it was just a warning for a future they didn’t know, or just some safety words for when she goes to the 7 Walls again to reforge the real promise.
Either way, Emma decided to continue holding on for as long as she could.
“Okay, I promise.”
Until the very end.
-
Emma knew.
She finally understood what Ray meant on that day. The rules of the promised reward. It was only meant to be a friendly reminder. A reminder of which Emma realized too late.
‘Don’t lose your way.’
It wasn’t funny at all, especially considering what the reward was revealed to be. She would indeed have to lose her way, even if she didn’t want to.
The way with her family, and Ray himself.
Despite the losses she was about to endure, she accepted the reward’s terms with a smile. She wasn’t worried, upset, scared, nor angry. Or at least, not anymore.
Her family would find her.
They would play Hide-and-Seek , a fun game to play. Just like the good old days, where everything was simple.
It was okay, they knew her way to go.
That’s why Emma was able to continue smiling until the end. As long as she was with her family, she could get through all her worries and challenges.
As for her other way… he would surely find her too.
Emma may have officially broken her vow to Ray after implementing the real promise… though everything would be alright.
Someday, all of her lost ways would be found.
So until then… Emma let go.
Letting go of her way… she awaited to find again her broken promise from the boy.
But this time, she would keep it.
Forever in her vault of hidden memories.