The Author's POV

Late at night.

The sun had already begun to set, and slowly darkness enveloped the city of Issanor.

Following Ren's match, Jin and Amanda also went next. After a long and arduous fight, the both of them were able to come out on top and thus make it to the rounds of eight. This may have been something noteworthy in the past, but Ren's actions had completely overshadowed their achievements. The same could be said for the other contestants as well.

Not that Amanda cared as after winning her round, the first thing she did was change her clothes into more comfortable ones. Following this, she was led by an elf toward a restricted area in Issanor.

As she had already been to the place before, Amanda was already quite familiar with where she needed to go, and before long, stopping in front of a familiar tree, the elven guard she came with placed their hand on the tree causing it to move upwards and revealing a familiar entrance.

Rumble—!

Giving a polite nod to the guard, Amanda entered the place. Through her memories, she navigated the place and paused before a certain room.

Raising her hand, she knocked on the door.

To Tok—

"Come in."

A smooth and pleasant voice spoke up as soon as Amanda knocked on the door.

Getting confirmation from the queen, Amanda entered the room where the first thing she saw was the elven queen standing beside the capsule her mother was resting in.

With her hand over the capsule, the queen stared at Amanda's mother with sadness in her eyes.

Then, turning her head to look at Amanda, she smiled.

"You're finally here."

"Mhm."

Amanda nodded; she was still a little bit reserved with the queen as she had not known her for long, however, from the way she was treating her mother, Amanda knew that she truly cared for her.

Unaware of what Amanda was thinking, the smile on the queen's face deepened as she raised her hand and revealed a familiar-looking fruit. With doubt on her face, she looked at Amanda.

"I've checked out the fruit that you've given me. I can't really tell if it will work or not, but are you sure that the individual that has given you this is trustworthy?"

"He is."

Amanda firmly nodded her head. Not for one second did she believe that Ren would try to lie to her about the fruit.

Seeing the resolute look on Amanda's face, the queen sighed before softly mumbling.

"I see."

Honestly, despite Amanda's confirmation, she was still on the fence about the fruit.

The moment Amanda explained to her how she got the fruit, and who gave it to her, the queen quickly had her servants do a background check on Ren.

matter was far too important for her

had achieved back on earth to even his exploit in Henlour. They had left nothing behind. There was

truly surprised when she saw his exploits,

on a fruit that in no way shape or form the dwarves

her head. It didn't really matter if it was luck or not at this point.

Natasha had been in this state for over fifteen years. She truly hoped that the

sort of preparations are needed for the fruit?" The queen asked Amanda, who nodded

the fruit and extracting

"Okay."

fruit halted mid hair. A white glow slowly enveloped the queen's hand as she

down from the fruit

the liquid dropped toward the ground, right when it was about to touch the ground, twisting her fingers in a circular motion the juices came to a stop. Then, bending her fingers in her direction, the liquid moved in her direction, slowly accumulating together and forming a small

all of the liquid from the fruit, the elven queen motioned with her fingers and the ball in

towards Natasha who was laying down on the capsule, the liquid slowly

her, the queen turned to look at

"Open her mouth please."

"Okay."

her chin. Applying a little bit of pressure, she slowly opened her mouth and the

and once it did, Amanda finally let go of her mother's chin and looked at her with eyes filled with

face, as her eyes were also filled with

One second.

Two seconds.

Three seconds.

to tick away, and it wasn't before long that a couple of minutes had

"Did it not work?"

the faces of both Amanda and the queen as the two of them had a

Ren had previously mentioned that the curse would break as soon as the liquid was ingested, and ever since giving her mother the fruit, she had not once shown signs

Twitch.

just when they thought that all hope was lost,

"!"

the queen's insane perception she was naturally able to pick up the twitch, and when she did her

Twitch. Twitch.

twitch, Natasha's eye once again twitched and her pale complexion slowly turned rosier. It wasn't before long that Natasha's complexion returned to a healthy young glow, raising hope for both

Twitch. Twitch.

couple more twitches, Natasha finally opened her eyes revealing her beautiful obsidian black eyes that seemed to suck the soul away of anyone

eyes, she had to squeeze her eyes multiple times to get adjusted to the bright lights coming from above. Then looking around the room, she

"...Where am I?"

***

really didn't

To be honest, despite having made so many preparations, I

few powerful pain killers. The hope was so that they could help me endure

directly eat at my soul, and so this was not something any potion or pain killer could really

try. Perhaps I would be left pleasantly

turned to ask Angelica who was standing in the corner of the

"Are you ready?"

only one that needed to make preparations. Angelica was also preparing