Y/N's POV
"What the f---"
The sound of the explosion was ear deafening. Just barely had I been able to dodge, only my jacket being slightly singed by the blaze.
"Now that's one hell of a greeting."
I assessed dryly, ducking just in time for another fire ball to marginally pass over my head. I knew the students the master had collected were a bunch of eccentric weirdos. But this was just too much.
Oh, I hope that man is prepared to reap the consequences of this ridiculousness.
After such a hot invitation it would be plain rude to keep that bastard waiting.
Already thinking of all the ways I could return this fiery greeting, I evily cackled to myself:
"What a wonderful surprise. To think that other than achieving my goal I would get to play too."
Exhilarating to my top speed, I soared through the rocky landscape. My target wasn't very well hidden. Maybe he didn't expect someone to ever come this far? He did make it rain fire balls after all. Or maybe his old brain had gone senile, making him forget how big a giant was? In any case this humungous ancient looking man was sticking out like a sore thumb. Not to mention the burned path, created by his attack, leading straight to him.
A little disappointed by this underwhelming followup to an attack that had managed to damage my clothing, I began my own introduction:
*Crash*
Boulders flew through the air, as the giant man was pushed deep into the terrain. I had merely met him with a punch and this was the result?
Man this is disappointing
I mumbled to myself, watching the giant try to stand, coughing up blood.
Not ready to give up, he forced up his bleeding hands, sending an impressive fire tornado my way.
"Hm, that's a good one."
I hummed, watching the blazing 'natural' disaster desintigrate our surroundings, as it made it's way towards me.
Feeling it's heat, I jumped a few steps back and readied a little elemental jutsu of my own. With a roar a huge Tsunami like wave materialised before me, drowning both the fire and my opponent in gallons of water.
"Your age must be getting to you, else there is no way you would have been defeated so easily."
I spoke, walking up to the massive drenched man, who was currently coughing up the reminents of my little wave attack. Giving him a bright smile I held out my hand, asking:
"Mr Glout, I presume?"
"Puharara, that I am. Might I know what a monstrous individual like you would need from an old hermit like me?"
"Our teacher recommended you. Thankfully it seems that you are still alive. It's nice to see that some giants still grow old."
"I was wondering where you learned to create that wave. Seems like the master had another talented student after me."
"I did have a lot of time to perfect what he taught."
"Well then little elf what do you want from me. I doubt you just came by for a visit."
"Yes, I have a request..."
__________________________________________
Ace's POV
Numb I sat in my room staring at my stuff. It was all packed. Ready for me to leave. To leave the person I wanted to be with forever. The person whom I had to stay away from. I felt lost, empty. Like my heart couldn't decide whether it should cry or scream.
"Dammit, Y/N. Couldn't you have told me earlier? What am I supposed to do with myself? I already f*cking love you. I don't want this. I-"
Frustrated I punched the wall, shouting out everything that I wanted to tell that elf to her face. How she shouldn't keep such important information secret. That she should stop looking at me with those clear affectionate eyes. That she should have thrown me out as soon as I could walk. That she shouldn't even have given us the chance to grow close.
Exhausted I let myself sink to the floor, burying my head in my arms.
It had all begun with the comment Y/N's sister had made a few hours ago. That I was a danger to Y/N. That I should ask her what happens when an elf falls in love.
A while after anchoring at the dry inconspicuous island Y/N had sat me down to fill me in on her plan. Apparently this island was inhabited by a giant who specialzed in fire jutsu and he had agreed to teach me for a few months. It would be enough time for Y/N and her family to finish the funeral ceremonies of her parents and sort out everything in Shantital. Afterwards she would come back to pick me up and I could then decide whether I wanted to stay with her and Lou or start a new life on my own.
It was a surprise to hear this. Although I had guessed that Y/N was planning something in this direction.
However the last part of her offer somehow left me unsettled. I didn't want to leave her side. Even a few months sounded like a hellishly long time to be apart. But leaving her forever?
I had once planned to go back out to sea. Maybe I would meet up with Luffy or search for the remnants of my crew. But now I wasn't so sure whether I truly wanted that. Afterall a life without my elven mermaid was something I didn't even want to imagine.
My heart already knew that if she would give me the choice of staying or leaving I would've choosen to stay every time.
However that was before I heard the horrible truth.
Ever since this morning one thing had kept bugging me. Those words her sister had said. Could I be a danger to Y/N?
I couldn't have just ignore such a possibility. Never in my life did I want to be something that could hurt her. I had to ask Y/N, ask her what her sister was hinting at. And so I did
Her answer left me in shambles:
"By the way Y/N I was talking to your sister earlier and she told me to ask you something."
"S/N? Alright, what do you want to know?"
"She said I should ask you what happens when elves truly fall in love."
"Oh, that... She just had to bring it up, didn't she. I'm not sure if this is a good time to tell you about this. Not that it's that big of a deal really. It's just- How can I explain this... Love has a strong effect on an elf's body and soul."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"It's pretty complicated. But I'll try to explain it to you. You see since elves have very long life spans and a very small population it can be very hard for an elf to find a partner. Therefore nature added a few unique traits to them to keep them from extinction."
"And those would be?"
"I myself am not entirely sure how it works but when two elves fall in love there is a crossover between their souls, making their lifespans melt together. So for example if one had only 500 years left to live and the other 2000 years and they became partners they would both end up living for 1250 years.
Looking at it in pure biological terms this gives an elven couple the maximum time and opportunity to procreate.-"
"Wait, slow down. So if you fall in love with someone older than you they will just suck up your lifespan like some leech?"
"Yeah it kinda sucks... But listen to the end of my explanation, will you? You see this is actually the best possible outcome that only happens if the couple were to die of old age. The link between the life forces of elven lovers is permanent. Once it is created not even death can seperate the souls. However no living being can survive with a half dead soul. Therefore if one partner dies due to something other than reaching the end of their lifespan the other ends up passing away soon after aswell. Take my mother for example. She died early and so despite all efforts my father passed only a few days after her."
"What? So the moment you fall in love with someone you don't own your own life anymore? That's really unfair. What if your partner gets himself killed? What if you want to break up?"
"If my partner dies I do too. It's as simple as that. As for breaking up between elven couples it doesn't really happen. Thanks to said special traits elves are psychologically build different than humans. Once a bond is made the couple looses all attraction towards others so cheating isn't an issue and violence doesn't come naturally to us either so physical abuse is pretty much none existent. Especially with the strong emotions that are needed to create the bond in the first place. A small summer fling or crush would never suddenly bind two mismatched people together. You need to have truly deeply known and loved the person for years, having spent loads of time together."
"So... you would die if an elf you're in love with dies?"
"That's right."
"What- What if you were to fall in love with a human?"
"..."
"Y/N?"
"Promise me you won't do anything rash if I tell you."
"Why?"
"Be- becauseI'mscaredtolooseyou."
"What?"
"Never mind. Just promise, please."
"Alright alright, I promise. Now tell me already."
"Well... since everything I mentioned so far are traits unique to elves there are a few difficulties when coupling elves with other races. The elf would still subconsciously form a bond with a human if they truly fell in love with them. However humans aren't very loyal and can be pretty violent and aggressive which can lead to major problems.
Also only elven souls exchange parts of themselves with their lovers soul. Human souls don't do that. Therefore if a human and an elf truly fall in love only the elves soul will be bound to their partner whilst the human remains uneffected. So for example if we were in love and you died I would die too. But if I died and we were lovers you wouldn't be affected.
This also means that the lifespans of a human and an elf cannot melt together. So staying with the expample you would keep your human lifespan and I would technically keep mine. The only cruel twist is that the fact remains that the elf's soul is bound to their lover. Therefore the elven partner would be fated to die when their human partner's lifespan runs out. Lastly elves and humans age differently which can lead to difficulties too."
"Hold up, what?"
"Elves and humans age dif-"
"No, not that. What did you say before that?"
"Ah- well- When elves fall in love with a human they would die when their partners life runs out?"
"So you are telling me that if we fell in love you would have to die the moment I do?"
"I- Um- Yes.."
"When were you going to tell me?"
"Well, I-"
"Y/N, when were you going to tell me??? Is this another secret you planned to keep for the rest of your life???"
"No, Ace! That's not true! I- It's just when the h*ck should I have gone and told you about this? Would you randomly bring this up in conversations if you were me? 'Oh by the way I'm an elf and my soul will latch onto yours if I fall in love with you, making me die early?' "
"I don't know when you should have told me. Just that it should have been earlier than this. Y/N, we have been living together for years now. Why- just why would you put yourself in danger like that?!? Am I just so unattractive to you that you never feared falling for me in the first place?"
"No, Ace that's not it! I- I-"
"Actually never mind. I don't want to hear it. In the end it wouldn't matter anyway, right? Afterall staying here will just make me grow attached. Is this why you are actually sending me to train on this far off island? You know you might be a little late with that decision. I already-"
"Ace, please."
"I- I'm going to pack my stuff. Even if it's not dangerous for you... Us being close... I don't think I can do that anymore."
"Ace! Ace, I beg you. Ace!"
Anger, sadness, confusion. There were so many emotions raging inside me as I stormed out of Y/N's room. They fought against eachother in my mind, draining me mentally until I felt like I couldn't feel anything anymore.
It had been a very close call earlier. In my rage I had almost spilled out all my feelings. I had almost told Y/N it was too late to Rio us apart, that I already loved her. A confession which I now knew I could never make. Not if I didn't want to endanger the very person I was confessing to.
I felt like I was stuck in a bad dream. It all seemed so unreal. Like I might just wake up and find Y/N next to me, stroking my hair and telling me that I was just having a nightmare. Afterall it was only last night that we had happily slept in one bed, snuggled closely together. But now I wouldn't even be able to see her for months and probably shouldn't for the rest of our lives.
Breathing in deeply, I tried to clear my mind, but it didn't work. I felt like someone had taken my brain and just bashed it into a blend of confusion.
My angry outburst had subsided. All that was left now was me on the floor of my room, head buried in my arms, feeling utterly empty.
"F*ck! F*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck f*ck."
Frustrated I pulled my hair, my swears echoing the pain of a man feeling hopeless. Hopeless, what better way was there to describe my situation.
My screams, my anger, my love. What could I do? I wasn't a god. I couldn't change the laws of nature. I had been prepared to be asked to decide whether or not I wanted to stay with Y/N. But never had I even imagined that the conditions would be like this. If I stayed with Y/N I would spend the rest of my days yearning for her love, knowing the moment she returned my feelings I would become the reason for her death. However if I left her I wouldn't be able to go about a day without missing her. She would haunt me forever in my memories. Even with miles between us I would still painfully yearn for her love. But then at the very least she would be safe.
Y/N, how can you feel like both the worst and the best thing that has ever happened to me?
I have to go.
Forcing myself to stand, I picked up my bag. I would leave now. Before I changed my mind and did something stupid.
I could find this Glout guy by myself. Y/N didn't even have to show me. That way I wouldn't have to see her. That would be for the best.
Honestly I was scared by what I might do if I saw her now.
Therefore, keeping my presence hidden, I snuck onto the deck, swiftly jumping onto the rocky ground of this ugly island.
Now I just had to put as much distance between me and the Lutz and everything would be fine. Yes, everything will be fine. Everyth-
I was about to begin to run, when a certain figure suddenly startled me into a standstill.
Beautiful h/C hair, sad regret filled eyes that entranced me the moment I looked into them. She was so mesmerizing I thought my heart might stop. But then the pain shot through my soul. The pain of having to push someone away whom my entire being wanted to hold on to.
"Y/N- Why are you here?"
I barely chocked out, my throat suddenly feeling clogged up.
"You are leaving?"
She noted, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yes."
I answered coldly, making her flinch.
For a moment noone said anything, the unnatural silence hanging between us like thick suffocating barrier. Then, breathing in deeply, Y/N looked me in the eyes, softly requesting:
"Maybe, when you've thought things over we can talk?"
Had Y/N always looked this fragile? She seemed like she might break down at any moment. Still she stood before me, glowing with some sort of determination.
I wanted to rush to her, wanted to hold her tightly. I wanted to hear her say that it was all a bad joke, that years of our relationship didn't just go up in flames, that she loved me and I would never have to let her go.
But I knew those were all nothing but hopeless dreams. Never ever would I be able to hold her again.
F*ck! I felt myself choke up once again, felt the raging storm of emotions break loose inside me.
I could not look at her any longer. I had to get away. Far away, before I had another emotional disaster. Thus trying to cut this conversation off, I gave her another brisk, vague answer:
"Maybe."
Sadness washed across Y/N's expression as my frosty reply hung in the air. Finally she stepped aside, jumping back on the ship. Turning around one last time, she whispered:
"Stay safe, ok?"
Then she was gone.
It took my all not to follow her. My entire being was yearning for her to come back. I wanted to beg her to let me be with her, beg her to love me. But I knew I had to resist this urge. I had to lock away my feelings even if it meant the death of my sanity. Afterall her safety was all I should care for.
Y/N- How will I ever get over you?
__________________________________________
Author's note:
Sorry guys! Love isn't always chocolates and roses. Sometimes it puts us in front of very difficult decisions.
What would you do if you were Ace?
Do you think the two of them can sort things out?
This story is coming to a head and I'm honestly excited to write the finale.
I hope you liked this chapter.
See you in the next one!