It's not Sympathy
Scene 2: when does the wind stop?
Isolated once more by the stone tablet, Luc became another part of the picture as seen everyday in the hallway. What he was thinking about, no one had ever tried asking. His cold interior and his regal air and magician clothes were completely intimidating. Not a lot considered magicians to be sociable; they were superior in many ways and people have jumped to such conclusions talking to them would lead only to undesirable results. Such judgment wasn't too ideal when the rebellion was still small.
Take Lord Riou's sister for example.
"Hi!" the brown-haired, tomboyish girl greeted happily. Even if she was generally sociable with that winning smile of hers, a good eye can easily see the weariness in her mask. Luc didn't possess one; he wasn't a people person, see.
"Is there something you want?" Luc asked with no politeness or coldness in his voice. He was just newly instated in the army by his mistress, Lady Leknaat like three years ago. One can perhaps say he was still acting in a good behavior.
"Nothing really," she answered, clasping her hands behind her back and completely taking all Luc's view by standing in front of him. "I just want to meet the people around the castle. You've met my brother, right?"
"Not exactly, but who doesn't know the lord of the castle?"
"Yea, I guess. He's almost some sort of celebrity. Even if all of us are in the same roof, we don't really know each other…"
A bitter message in her voice made Luc feel like this conversation was as useless as it was in the beginning but Luc hadn't said anything. He was in quite a good behavior, no?
"Well, for my brother, I'd like to welcome you—Luc, right? You really made a show with that seer…you know Flik and Viktor? They don't seem to like you a lot, but that's okay! I'd like to hear how though."
Luc was tempted to simply say, "So?" but he had made a remarkable politeness in the very little scale of 0-1 he has. In this scale, we grade him 1, and bingo, that's the highest! "We fought in the same side three years ago in the Gate Rune Wars, but we're only fighting on the same side. It wasn't exactly the time making friends."
And of course, although it was unintentional, his politeness scale just became 0 for Nanami was silenced with what he said. Luc didn't mean to hurt her—he was just being 'outspoken', doing his end of conversation.
"Oh…yea, maybe you're right."
Luc didn't say anything, mildly interested now with what she has to say. After a little while, he already knew what have hurt her…and saw just how misplaced the smile on her face was.
Luc closed his eyes for a few seconds, opening them again, trying to think how to put his thoughts in words correctly. "I apologize for my words, but this is war and it's normal you are concerned for your brother. The change must have shocked you, but the situation might be worse for Lord Riou. You are among the people he is at least familiar with, who he can freely confide amidst this."
Nanami was speechless to what to say, having words of great wisdom and comfort coming from a stranger of cold exterior. Nanami's eyes laid on Luc's shoe as if she was feeling great shame before a smile came on her face again.
"You're right! It's not time for me to be sad, my little brother needs me! Thanks Luc!"
Well, the result wasn't exactly undesirable, but he was scaled with the politeness of 1, right? Even so, Nanami haven't approached Luc in a great period of time. It's probably because Lord Riou was extremely busy and she had more selection for a better company.
Take Millie and her out-of-the-world rodent, Bonaparte for example.
"Hi!"
"……….."
The cheerful, adorable girl was intimidated by his silence. Luc simply did not know how to react, but remaining silent was actually not his style.
"Is there anything you need?"
"Just saying hi…and introduce Bonaparte too—isn't he so cute?" Mille was practically dying to introduce her pet. The beady eyes could scare any child but Luc was not a child despite his features and Bonaparte was – strange, yes, but not scary.
Again with Millie's knack for making any person speechless, Luc remained silent. Millie didn't seem to mind the silence no longer, already assuming Luc had agreed with her. Satisfied by just doing that, Millie started talking and cuddling the monstrous pet and departed.
Luc was terribly uninterested with the population in the castle. He was rarely summoned so he easily grew bored. It was so tedious and dull around the castle for him. There aren't a lot to do. Some people can be bored in the castle too but unlike Luc, they decide to socialize.
Take Zamza for example.
Zamza was a self-proclaimed talented magician and fighter. He didn't particularly like to socialize—he enjoys bragging, and talking about himself. Regrettably, everyone in the castle knew already his past of expulsion in a magic academy for rebelling of the basic principles that the body must be trained like the mind too. He had acted high-and-mighty as usual about this, preaching every now and then about his assertiveness of this idea and how he made himself a big critic.
"I heard you were a powerful magician," Zamza said with a sneering face as he approached Luc.
"I am," he answered plainly, not at all cautious with the approach. "I have trained in the Magician's Island under Lady Leknaat for years."
Zamza looked at his countenance from head to toe and an even more annoying smirk crawled in his face. "Another student who follows a straight line? I see you are too dependent of others and their knowledge. Obviously, you are no different from other magicians. You will strive to reach a limited goal and let your weaknesses grow, thinking it is fine, but it isn't! Unlike you, I have trained my body and my mind and let them work together. I have no weaknesses and obviously, I am reaching my unlimited potential. Magic alone is useless, muscles alone is weak. Together, it is unstoppable—I am unstoppable!"
"Even if you have the formula, it doesn't mean it will result to a desirable answer that will satisfy all the questions of the problem," Luc said coldly. "That's an idealist greatest weakness. Isn't it ironic?"
"An answer?" Zamza said, laughing with much malicious humor in it. "Let us test this 'formula' then and see if it will satisfy everything! I will defeat you in a duel, little boy!"
Luc glared at the vein man. "There's nothing to prove and I have no need to waste time for meaningless actions. I've been ordered here only to aid Lord Riou, now if you have no more business with me, leave."
Zamza's lips quivered. "A coward, I see! Well, I understand why you cower before me."
"How delusional are you? Your thoughts are creating an imaginative layer of your false idea in reality. Open your eyes—I am neither a coward nor do I cower before you."
"You're stubborn and all talk, boy!"
"And you're just all talk. An adult bragging of his superiority on a 'boy'? You must be sensational."
What happened next had hurt Luc's pride a lot. Zamza's temper ended and he launched an attack at Luc. Cornered in front of the stone tablet, he wasn't able to dodge, and Zamza's fist hit his stomach straight on. Luc coughed and used his rod to support his weight. He was weakened easily by one strike but Zamza wasn't satisfied yet.
The on-lookers had been siding with Luc secretly but when Zamza deliberately attacked, it was out of the line. They didn't bother hiding their biased statements but with the current situation, it wasn't very biased.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" a soldier yelled as a frightened mother pulled her two children.
Luc was obviously not going to stay quiet anymore. He had shown mercy for he was fiercely loyal to Lady Leknaat and he was beyond immature like this wrenched man. But he will have to show the no one can step over him—no one was going to rule him.
Immediately, a glowering Luc who was raising his head called the winds to his side. The wind came in the powerful light of green, emitting from the power of Luc's rune. His hair and robes billowed from the wind. The soldiers who were planning to intercept were discouraged—they have never seen an angry Luc before. Aware of his powers, they fear it would be greater now that he is angry. They didn't want to first feel the power of an angry wind magician and they partly believed Zamza should taste it first.
"Stop!"
The soldiers were guilty, relieved, and disappointed at the same time. When the duel hadn't even began, the lord of the castle came and he wasn't obviously going to watch two of his recruits tear each other to shreds.
Lord Riou with Nanami and Eilie, the knife thrower gypsy, were told of what happened quickly by a soldier. Zamza have relaxed his composure but ready to tell his side of story to the lord where he can complain—like always. Luc still look like he was going to go ballistic completely.
"This boy insulted me! He refused even a duel and chickened his way out by his big words!" Zamza said irately.
Of course, everyone was simply on Luc's side this time. Oh they knew how Luc can by sometimes, but everyone would be Luc-ish when it comes to Zamza.
"I bet you said meaner things to him!" Nanami retorted, defending Luc's side.
Zamza looked affronted. "Take those words back!"
Even though Lord Riou was not known to be biased, he still has the urge to defend his sister. "She doesn't have to," he said, making sure his sister doesn't say anything back as well. "You can duel but only in an honorable manner. This is a squabble with violence—and inside the castle! Just pull back and think about it. I know arguments are natural especially since we're all different, but you two should know this better than me. It's best to just accept each other than try to settle who's right and who's wrong."
Luc ideally got the message that they were, in short, being immature. He could probably argue further, but he wouldn't because if he did, he would further prove Lord Riou's point while paradoxically saying the very opposite. With this thought, his head cooled down immediately and thinking without his emotion-biased thoughts. Zamza was different though but did submit. He gave Luc one last sneering look and left.
"Are you all right?" Nanami asked Luc.
Eilie watched Zamza go until he was out of earshot. "To be honest, I wished he'd learned his lesson the hard way. Maybe I can try asking him to hold an apple in his face for my target practice."
Lord Riou smiled at Eilie's comment, containing a chuckle. He approached Luc, putting a hand on his back. "I'm glad you tried to stop yourself than attacking immediately."
Luc tried to poise himself in a more dignified matter but the pain in his stomach hadn't receded yet. Luc didn't appreciate the hand on his shoulder either. He looked at Lord Riou frigidly and moved his shoulder rudely. "I do not get involve in squabbles, as you say, Lord Riou."
"Not you too," he said awkwardly. "Calling me 'Lord'…"
"It feels weird too," Nanami said.
"Yea, it does," Eilie agreed, nodding. "I'm not going to start calling you that, unless you actually enjoy it."
Eilie smiled at Riou, which the boy returned. "No, I don't," he said.
"It's a sign of neutral respect," Luc said. "We don't know each other personally. Like many others under your command, I respect you as the leader and therefore calling you with the rightful title. It's part of authority and discipline."
Riou blushed pink. "Thanks, but you can just call me Riou, Luc."
"…of course."
Still, Luc had always called the Tenkai with the prefix 'Lord'. It was respect, as he said, which was partly true, but calling him by his name would mean they were friends. Obviously, they weren't.
In fact, he barely addressed anyone by name. He called Flik, 'the blue guy', Viktor as 'the bear', Shu as 'the strategist', Viki as 'the teleportress', and so many other names. He never talked directly to anyone. If he did, he would be talking as if the person isn't in front of his face.
"You…"
The green bandanna, the mark on the right hand, and the blond, axe-wielding man who was with him—
"Do you know him?" Nanami asked curiously.
It happened a few months ago when Shu proposed an alliance with Toran Republic. Hearing the familiar government struck nothing in Luc but Lord Riou approached him to come with him. Normally, Luc didn't question his decisions but did so anyway. Either Flik or Viktor is a finer option since President Lepant of the Toran Republic knew them and their credits should win the chances of an alliance.
Lord Riou looked surprised. "I never really thought of it that way…"
Still, there was no change of party members especially with an impatient Sheena, son of the president. Freed Yamamoto, the former advisor of the deceased mayor of South Window, was to escort them. Riou felt a bit uncomfortable since the man was against his decision. He was rest assured Freed had no grudge against him but was just personally against it.
Riou's party made a stop by South Window by Freed's request. Riou happily obliged and there, his personal reason was revealed. As if putting a sword on a stone, he left his past for he knew he has a duty to resume in the war. They continued to Radat where Freed, a familiar face around, requested a man by the docks to lend them a boat. Kinnison looked a bit uneasy like Shiro.
"I'm not very used with the waters," he said. The archer had always traveled on foot but Sheena assured him sarcastically it was all land and trees to Gregminster from Banner Village. They were aware of it but Sheena didn't like to walk for long distances. It was convenient though; originally, Templeton, the mapmaker, simply requested Riou if he can check if any routes have changed in the Toran Republic. Since they were going to pass by a forest, Riou suggested Kinnison for the job and the archer good-naturedly agreed.
Everyone else has their purposes—Nanami was always by her brother's side, Freed was their guide, Kinnison was on by request, Shiro, his dog, was of course with him and Luc—well, apparently, Lord Riou doesn't think too much about these things.
As soon as they landed, Freed suggested for them to go straight to the forest as the path would be more dangerous at night. It was also to save time. Unfortunately, a boy, who eerily looked like Lord Riou, though he was dressed only like him, dragged Riou instantly to the inn. The lord didn't seem to mind, hoping it wouldn't take too long though.
Lord Riou was quite a celebrity. The people of the inn rose from their seats and the child, Ko was berated for bothering him by his sister, Ellie. At this point, something interesting happens.
"McDohl?"
Ko nodded at Lord Riou. "I forgot his name, but that's his last name—I think. It starts with T, but I forgot…"
Lord Riou seemed rather keen on confirming what he heard. He insisted on staying once they were free from the people just for this cause. He didn't reveal the real reason though—Luc didn't know either.
Later that night, Lord Riou left the inn but came back empty-handed. Once the morning came, he wasn't around. Nanami shortly asked where he was but he came back. When he did, he looked a bit off.
"Lord Riou?"
Freed looked bemused as Riou was heading to the wrong direction.
"Hold on," he muttered and turned to the path near the end. The party members looked each other but followed their leader.
Luc had no guess what he was up to until a blond man with a green cape, his face old from his age, came rushing past them.
"Riou, why did you lie?" Nanami asked, finding it hard to look for a reason to not get angry.
Lord Riou was quite an actor but he never used this to deceive anyone—without a good reason anyway. For some reasons, he said to the man who was guarding the path that Ko was in the mountains, attacked by bandits. He did look a bit guilty for lying but didn't reply to his sister. He walked through the once guarded path until he broke into a run, seeing a young man fishing at the end of the path.
Luc was the only one who recognized him. For that to be true, perhaps the others were curious if they were friends in some way. No one knew how Luc's friends were.
The man fishing was alert at the unfamiliar guests, grabbing a bo staff and ready to spring into action. It was Luc's words that made him relax.
"Do you know him?"
No one answered Nanami.
Lord Riou looked tentative. "Are you…sir McDohl?"
The young man in question gagged. "Sir?"
Freed's eyes finally flashed into recognition. "Tir McDohl! Now I remember. Lord Riou, he is Lord McDohl, the hero of the Gate Rune Wars!"
Only Nanami showed a sign of surprise. Kinnison looked interested at the news but had always been reserved like Luc. Luc already knew who the man was—and it seem, so did Lord Riou.
Lord McDohl looked weary. "That was a long time ago. Tir would be fine."
Luc was glad Tir wasn't looking at him as he was the only familiar face. There seemed to be a silent conversation between the two Tenkai's already.
"You looked very young," Freed observed.
"I get that a lot," Tir said, trying to smile. "But I'm almost twenty—where's Gremio?"
He wanted to change the subject quickly, making sure no one else gets to ask.
"I want to talk to you," Lord Riou said.
Lord Riou's luck ended when karma comes around. Gremio, the man whom Lord Riou lied from, came rushing and informing the young master of the situation. Lord Riou told them the truth guiltily, but determined to correct what he did.
Ko couldn't be found anywhere.
They searched the Banner Pass for any signs of Ko with Luc trying to ignore completely the presence of Tir. He along with his servant joined their party to search for him. Kinnison and Shiro separated for their own search in the deeper parts of the forest. After an hour later, they found the unconscious boy and a very large caterpillar—by a very large caterpillar, a monstrous caterpillar.
Aside from Nanami's constant complains of the disgusting creature, they were having a rather challenging time. Lord Riou seemed to be saving his Bright Shield Rune for Ko, leaving it to Luc to use his Wind Rune to heal them. Most of the time, he tries to blow the annoying spores or the beast when it comes. It was tiring since Lord McDohl was refraining from using his True Rune.
Something annoying happened. Just as they thought it was over, the giant caterpillar evolved to a giant moth—by giant moth, a very dangerous monstrous giant moth.
Having used up already his rune's power, the party was easily falling down. Doing one last effort with his rune, Luc summoned most of the power of his 'Wind Rune' with Shining Wind. It gave desirable results except for one angry moth.
Luc pulled back from the battle, knowing he has no more use but to give them a couple more of his Healing Wind.
"Young Master!" Gremio shouted.
Tir took a nasty hit from the moth and looked extremely pale. The moth buffeted everyone with its gust. Luc was fighting with his own elemental rune.
"Tir!" Luc shouted amidst the gusts of wind. He used his last power for a Healing Wind for the former hero. Green light surrounded the young McDohl like a protective shield against the moth. Tir didn't glance back at Luc, his concentration unfading as he used his strength to finally summon his rune. Lord Riou was doing the same thing, calling for the Bright Shield Rune to end this.
To make a long story short, the two True Runes together defeated the beast and they all rushed to Gregminister for Ko to be healed by the famous doctor, Lukian. All the way there, Riou was carrying Ko, healing him.
Luc was equally exhausted but uninjured. He bore the trekking a little more until they were escorted to the palace where Ko was treated, now peacefully sleeping, unharmed. Luc was leaning on the marble wall of the palace where they were told to wait. Without even realizing it, a warm light was healing him.
"What—"
Immediately, Luc moved and distanced himself to whatever was touching him. He was Lord Riou, looking paler than Luc.
"Sorry," he said. "I wasn't able to use the rune on you."
"I'm fine," Luc said curtly. "You should take care of your health, Lord Riou. You look pale."
Luc didn't need to make a ruse out of this since Riou's sister had overheard and started to worry about him.
"Luc."
It was a voice that he hadn't heard for a long time. Luc bore his eyes at Tir but was shortly interrupted by one of the castle guards, telling them that they can now talk to President Lepant. Luc thought Tir would look unpleased about the situation but he nodded, determined to face what he expects.
The alliance went well thanks to Lord Riou and the presence of Tir McDohl. Tir had assured Riou it was all his doing why President Lepant agreed and tonight, they feasted and rested on the McDohl mansion. Luc secretly enjoyed the feast; there were so many people—all of them familiar—Pahn, Cleo, and Gremio, the loyal servants of the McDohl, and Kasumi, the recruit Lord Riou chose. While Luc was also a familiar face for them, they didn't exaggerate too much, which Luc appreciated. He enjoyed their presence and Gremio's dinner. Meals have never tasted so good—and Luc is hard to please.
As the dinner was over, Nanami gladly went to take a hot bath. Kinnison and Shiro have not yet arrived but Riou was assured they could sleep comfortably tonight in the forest—even more than in the castle.
"Hey, Luc."
Luc was outside the mansion, looking through the dark figures of the houses in Gregminister, capital of the Toran Republic. Tir have finally found and cornered him.
"Yes?"
"You still look the same," he said.
"Is that supposed to be funny?"
Tir laughed. "No, not really, sorry. Thanks for saving me back there and hi, I guess—late introduction."
"There's no need to thank me."
"So modest," he said, smiling. "Isn't it a perfect time to gloat?" Luc snorted and Tir laughed hard. "Guess you've 'matured' now, eh?"
"And you haven't? Fishing the whole day without catching a single fish."
"Fishing is more worthwhile than crocheting. I guess you're still doing the same thing?"
"I am still under Lady Leknaat," Luc answered. "I will continue to follow her orders. It is not to change even fifteen years from now."
"I'll drop by then someday and see if that's going to be true," Tir replied, smirking. "If you're going to start wrecking havoc, I'll hit you somewhere on the head to get you right."
"..." Luc looked at the Rune of Life and Death bearer. "Don't act so matronly. I can take care of myself."
Before Tir can answer, Kasumi approached the door. When she saw Tir—as if Luc wasn't there, she stopped on her steps. Luc closed his eyes and swung his rod, teleporting to his room.
"Say Riou, why did you choose Kasumi?" Nanami asked Riou the next day.
Lord Riou, Nanami, Freed and Kasumi were heading back to Banner. Kasumi advanced to scout and clear the path and to find their two other companions.
"Kasumi is a ninja of Rokaku and participated too in the Gate Rune Wars," Freed said. "A ninja would be a great addition in the army."
"Actually, it's because I saw Tir and Kasumi blushed when they saw each other."
Lord Riou doesn't really think things through.
As they were halfway through the forest, they were reunited with Kinnison and Shiro. As Riou expected, they look fine—even finer than the last time they met. The archer assured Riou immediately that they knew Ko was found and they left to Gregminister thanks to Shiro's nose.
"Lord Riou," Kinnison said. "When we were looking through the forest, we found a secret entrance path to a village."
Afterwards was another story that fortunately no longer involved poisonous, giant bugs and former heroes.
"Hey, Luc."
Returning to the stone tablet where he was isolated, Lord Riou approached him.
"Yes?"
"We're going to infiltrate Rockaxe."
End of Scene 2
