Me: Dammit…
SAN: It's okay, AF. You got into classes.
CTE: What are you talking about? We have to go to two places now, and you can't get into one class because they can't overlap your classes like last year!
Me: I didn't expect it to be so hard to get in! Other than that, the colleges are now screwed up because of the budget cut!
CTE: AF doesn't own the "Tales of" or Special A.
SAN: And we apologize for the long delay.
Chapter 3: Leefa, the Village of Earth
It was a nice day to go outside of the kingdom walls. The green grass, the blue sky, the bright sun, the dusty trail… yep. It was days that people wish to travel the journey without worrying about monsters outside. Mostly, only soldiers, royalty, and travelers, especially those who are traders, would go outside of the kingdom walls if they had business elsewhere. They would also have to bring weapons and necessary item for the journey or trade when they have to face bandits and monsters. Also, our two main characters were about to walk on the trail without soldiers or any bodyguards. Because the prince didn't want to attract attention, Kei and Hikari had to go to the other way around where only soldiers would exit. Before they would step out of the walls, a young boy shouted out.
"Wait! Big Brother!" The two characters turned around to see Kei's younger brother, Sui, running to their direction. When the young boy reached to the two, he panted and held onto his knees for support. Kei felt like he wanted to smack his brother's head and yell at him, but he groaned and smacked his forehead instead. There goes his plan to have a safe secret journey.
"Sui. What are you doing here? I thought you wanted us to have a safe trip." Sui took a deep breath and looked up, having the serious look on his face.
"I know that you and Hikari are going, but this is urgent." The young woman looked worried and asked.
"Is there a problem?" Sui nodded.
"There has been trouble in a village, called Leefa, and the knights need Kei's help to find out the problem before they blame father and mother for this mess. There has been monsters attacking that place sometime, and there aren't enough knights to take care of the situation. There are civilians getting hurt by the attack, and that village is going to be overrun by monsters. Please, help them." Kei sighed.
"So, I have to kill those monsters before they destroy the village, correct?" Sui nodded, and Hikari reassured him.
"Don't worry, Sui. We'll make sure those monsters don't take another step into the village." Sui made a face and stared at the woman in disbelief.
"I think Kei is more suitable of taking care of those monsters more than you." Irritation ran through Hikari's veins as the woman glared at the little Takishima. Kei shook his head and grabbed Hikari's wrist, pulling her away from his little brother. Before they walked through the gates, Kei stopped and turned to his little brother.
"Oh, Sui." The little brother brightened and nodded from his older brother's call.
"Yeah?" Kei turned around, smiling brightly.
"I may be suitable for defeating monsters, but Hikari is very useful once you see her helping people." Sui's dreamy vision stopped, and he blinked at his brother in confusion, wondering what Kei was talking about before those two walked out of the walls. Once Hikari and Kei were outside, the woman asked the prince.
"Hey, Takishima. Where's Leefa?" The woman asked when she looked at the prince beside her.
"Leefa is to the east. It is just half way from where you are going. If we are able to see a fork in the road, we have to turn to the right in order to pass the border of Hakusenkan Kingdom. We might run into monsters on the way since the barrier could only expand outside the kingdom walls." The prince explained.
"Really? I thought that the inner walls were the borders." Takishima smirked and looked ahead.
"The borders actually expanded further when my family and I were negotiating with the villages, providing them the necessities to survive. Since Hakusenkan has one of the largest crystals, the Volcan crystals, we provide them Veriken crystals, smaller crystals that have similar power to the Volcan crystals. Those crystals protect those villages from monsters." Hikari nodded and looked ahead.
"That's right. I heard about the Volcan crystals and the Veriken crystals. They possess a power to drive away monsters, preventing them from entering a populated area. There are also three Volcan crystals, and three royal families, making kingdoms in different areas, guard them. Those Volcan crystals can produce Veriken crystals, right?" Kei nodded.
"That's right. Therefore, those villages, that receive the Veriken crystals, become the borders of Hakusenkan Kingdom and become the territory." Hikari nodded, but she was confused about Sui's request.
"How come Sui asked us to go to Leefa to help the village? Isn't Leefa in the border?" Kei shook his head.
"No. Leefa is just recently added, but it doesn't have a Veriken crystal. There are still monsters coming and attacking the village. Therefore, we provide a large number of knights to that area before the Veriken crystal arrives to the area." Hikari frowned and charged ahead.
"Then, what are we waiting for?! Let's go help them as soon as possible!" Kei sighed and followed his friend, feeling that her excessive energy was going to wear him out. However, he remembered something after they fought against the thief.
Hold on. Aoi said that her ring was different from any other ring, and it had an unusual gem and band. The gem is red, and red gems do not exist in this world.
He touched his face where the cut used to be and wondered.
She was also able to heal my cut on my face, and her hand was warmer.
His hand was cold because the vehah ring emitted an icy ki that could turn a room into ice and would probably freeze everyone. If it weren't for the band to contain its power, he would have frostbites on his hand.
What kind of power does this gem have?
He wondered, but his childhood friend interrupted his thoughts.
"Takishima! We have to go, now!" He sighed and put all those thoughts back in his mind after they finish a small task.
0000
Leefa was known to be a populated place living on canyons. Houses lived away from the large crack, but other buildings were near the edges and in the canyon. The other buildings were resting houses where the miners would take a break after careful digging. They were digging for gems, but all they could find were Bois gems. However, they were still digging for these powerful gems no less.
Hikari and Kei reached to the Village of Leefa and were horrified by the scene. It was chaotic. Knights were running around the village attacking monsters, and travelers were defending themselves with Bois rings. However, these Bois rings were weaker and thus made little damage on these monsters. These monsters looked like wolves, but these wolves had a dark coat and eerily yellow eyes. They snarled and drooled as they approached the knights with no fear. Screeches were heard above, and giant falcons soared above. They were no larger than ordinary falcons, but the feathers were purple and had blinded green eyes. Because the village had no Veriken crystal, the village was prey to these predators. Hikari frowned.
"Takishima! We have to go help everyone!" Kei nodded and ran forward with Hikari following him.
"Move it men! We have to protect this village under our Majesties' orders!"
"Sir! Airborne monsters are attacking the south gate!"
"Dammit! At this rate, we won't be able to hold them off much longer! We have to retreat!"
"No need to." In one slash, Kei demolished two wolves, and the people and monsters turned to see Kei Takishima.
"Prince Takishima! You're here! Thank the gods!" A soldier cried out in relief, and Kei frowned.
"Don't thank me yet. There are more monsters coming this way. Here they come Hikari. Get ready." Hikari nodded and took out her knife.
"Right!" The knight and the young woman dashed forward as three wolves and one falcon charged straight to them. Kei dealt with the airborne monster, but he also had to watch out for the other three land monsters since Hikari was fighting against three speed monsters. Hikari was avoiding their bites and sneak attacks, trying to get a good slice on one of them. However, they were proven too fast and too much for Hikari. A wolf slammed against her with its tail, and HIkari was knocked away to the ground.
"Kyaa!"
"Hikari!" Kei cried out, as he finished off the falcon by slashing it across its chest. Hikari raised her legs and jumped back on her balance before dashing back from the wolf's sudden bite.
"I'm okay!" Hikari ran to the previous attacker's side and slashed its ribs multiple times before kicking it. The wolf coughed before it met its dying end, and the body rolled away from Hikari. The next two wolves stayed together, and Kei realized what was going on.
"Hikari! We have to take out two of the monsters separately!" Hikari frowned.
"Couldn't we take one out and take the other next?" Kei shook his head.
"No. If we focus on one monster, the other monster could attack one of us anywhere. We have to split up." Hikari frowned.
"Does that mean no contest?" Kei smirked.
"How about this? If one could finish off one of these monsters and help his teammate, that person is the winner of this battle." Hikari smiled.
"So, this battle is a tie or win?" Kei nodded.
"That is correct."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" The two wolves ran toward Hikari, and the young woman ran recklessly toward the wolves. Kei was able to spot the wolf behind the other one and dashed toward it. Before it could clamp its jaws on Hikari's arm, Kei stabbed one of its forelegs and made it yelped in both surprise and pain. Hikari was able to attack and slightly stun the enemy first with a flick of her wrist. The fighting went on for a minute, and Kei was able to slash the wolf to its end. He turned to see Hikari about the finish off the wolf. Kei knew that he would have let her fight it, but the temptation of winning against Hikari and teasing her was too great. Therefore, he dashed and killed the wolf after Hikari could only make three combos.
"Looks like I won, Miss Rank Two." Kei smirked, and Hikari was flustered.
"Don't call me, Miss Rank Two!" She cried out.
After the battle against the monsters, the other monsters noticed Kei and Hikari and turned their attention to their attackers. The two held their weapons into a defensive stance and were ready to make a quick dash against the next upcoming monsters. However, the monsters noticed something and didn't attack. They all turned around and left the village without any signs of fear or anger. Kei and Hikari were baffled by the monsters' behaviors. Weren't they were going to attack them at first?
"Takishima? Is it over?" Kei observed the scene before him, unsure about the situation. He called out one of the soldiers.
"You, soldier!" The startled soldier looked around and pointed to himself.
"M-Me?" Kei nodded.
"Yes. Check the area to see if there are any monsters left with a few soldiers with you." The soldier saluted.
"Y-Yes, Prince Takishima!" He left the two behind, and Kei turned to Hikari.
"Should we check the village? We can uncover things that might have attracted the monsters in the first place." Hikari frowned.
"I'm more worried about the people here, Takishima. Let's see if there are any injured people." Kei smiled. This was the Hikari he still knew; she was still caring for other people's needs instead of hers.
"All right. Could you help them, Hikari?" Hikari nodded.
"I can. I know how to treat wounds after a monster raid, so you can count on me." Kei nodded and commanded one soldier.
"You, there! Guide Hikari to any injured people. She's a medic, so you can depend on her." The soldier bowed.
"Yes, Prince Takishima." Hikari turned to Kei and smiled.
"I'll see you later." With her farewell, she followed the soldier and left Kei smiling. Kei later put his thinking mask on and looked at the scene before him. Buildings were damaged, and its walls were cracked on the edges. Doors were broken in, and windows were left broken with cracks and shards on the floor. There were villagers gathering in one place where the knights protected them, but Kei didn't want to know how many people died during this monster raid. No. This was no ordinary monster raid like the rest of the villages he was sent to oversee. If this were a monster raid, it would have involved one group of monsters entering the village for food. It would involve five or less monsters, and it would attack humans to defend itself. This was something else. Something drove them to attack here, but what is it?
"Sir!" Kei turned around to see three soldiers running toward him. They all stopped and saluted.
"Sir, there seems to be no more monsters, but they are roaming around the village. It's like they are trying to get in for something, but something else is preventing them from entering." Kei frowned. It was what exactly what he was thinking.
"Do you know where the source is?" The soldier from behind raised his hand.
"I heard from one of the surviving miners said that he heard a growl and screech inside the cave where they were working in before the monsters attacked them." Kei wasn't surprised that there were deaths, but the description of the growl and screech baffled him.
"Growl and screech?" The soldiers nodded.
"Yes. We might have suspected that there are nests in the cave last night or a few nights before, and these monsters might have been trying to take their territory by overrunning the village." Kei sighed. He hasn't know the world so much during his grandfather's rule, and he was now making decisions that will lead to distrust of the Hakusenkan kingdom. He didn't have a choice. These monsters might be harder and stronger to deal with than the other monsters they fought in the village, and Kei has to grow stronger in order the help his people.
"Then, we'll have to retreat and move the village away from the caves. We'll send in stronger soldiers to deal with these monsters." The soldiers saluted.
"Yes, sir. We'll go announce the people at the mayor's house." Kei shook his head. He knew that Hikari will be there, and he knew that she would go against the soldiers.
"No need to. I will tell them myself." They were not sure about his decision and asked him.
"Would you like us to accompany you, sir?" Kei sighed. These soldiers were still unsure about his decisions after his father and mother's acceptance of the throne.
"I reassure you that I am aware enough about the situation. Please prepare the wagons for transportation." The soldiers saluted.
"Y-Yes, sir." They turned and left the prince under his command. The heir sighed and turned around to go to the mayor's house. He was sure that Hikari would go against his announcement.
0000
"Here you go, miss." Hikari patted the little girl's bandaged arm, and the woman smiled. The young woman was very helpful and had used so much of her energy to wrap bandages around the wounds. There were some casualties and a few severe ones that needed medical attention, but this young lady attended their needs and has done the impossible. For a lady at this age, she seemed to brighten up the atmosphere by her existence, and people said that when she touched them, the pain went away. The woman smiled.
"Thank you. How could we ever repay you?" Hikari smiled and shook her head.
"I'm doing what I like to do. Help those who are in need."
"Hikari." The young woman turned around to see the Takishima heir and stood up an instant.
"Takishima! What's the situation?" Kei sighed.
"We have to get away from this place." Everyone was surprised and shouted in anger.
"What?!"
"Why?! Why do we all have to move?!" Kei held his hand up and explained.
"Everyone! Listen to me! This village has become the nest of monsters, and the monsters outside the village will attack again if we don't move! Reports from our soldiers said that the cave has become the nests of powerful monsters that we cannot handle." Everyone behind Hikari whispered to each other.
"How's that possible?"
"It must have happened last night or a few nights ago."
"That's impossible! My husband was at the night shift last night."
"No monster that large could have passed us. We should have noticed movement outside." Hikari noticed the tension of the village and looked at Kei with sad eyes.
"Kei…" She whispered that no one could hear, but she saw him flinched slightly. He could hear her clearly, even when they were a few feet apart from each other.
"Therefore, we ask you to evacuate immedi-"
"No way!" Three men shoved through the crowd with rage in their eyes.
"You bastard! You just want everyone to get out of the village, so you could take the mines for yourselves!"
"Just when we were about to settle down, we have to move?! You Takishimas must want us to go just to take the caves for yourselves!" Hikari was outraged and turned around to shout.
"How could you say that?! He wants you to be safe from monsters to prevent this happening again! Do you not care what will happened to other people who live here?!"
"Care? Do you not know how much hardships his grandfather put us through?" Another sneered at the girl.
"This heir is the grandson of the previous ruler who placed high taxes on us, put many of our neighbors, friends, and family members into prison, and judged us for our appearance. Look how he dresses and acts in front of us! It's the same as that tyrant!" Hikari stood her ground and glared.
"He's not like that! I know him better than you do! He is much kinder, and he helped me escape to find a safer place outside the border! Do you call that kind of person who helped everyone find a safer place a villain?" Everyone behind the men was now questioning Kei between themselves.
"It's true. The prince is the grandson of the tyrant."
"But he wanted us to protect us from attack like these. How could that be the work of a tyrant?"
"The previous ruler had that same face when he was making the so-called speech of protection. Could we even trust him?"
"The young woman knows the heir more than we do, and she was the one who took care of our injuries. Does that really mean that he cares?"
"I can't decide who to trust: the men or the Takishima heir." Hikari turned around to see Kei looking away, and she knew that Kei was sad. They both didn't say anything to each other but keep each other in silence. Hikari knew that it wasn't his fault! Kei's grandfather did many bad things that nobody could forgive, but that doesn't mean that everybody could judge Kei as his grandfather. Her heart strained, and she felt anger toward the people. How could people like these become so mean to those who are nice?
"Enough." Everyone parted away to reveal an elder, and the old woman walked up to the three men.
"M-Mayor! This young heir wants us to move from our homes! Tell him that we are staying!" One exclaimed, but the old woman glared at the three.
"Tell me. Do you want to endanger everyone else's safety just by staying here where the monsters attacked?" Another shook his head.
"No, but this is Kei Takishima! He's the grandson of Kaname Takishima!"
SMACK!
Everyone was appalled by the old woman's action. The woman slapped one of the men, and the villages were now whispering to each other. However, this slap wasn't a taboo. It was a surprising event.
"S-She used her right hand!"
"I heard about this! Her legendary hand was the same one that saved the current king's life from a monster back in her younger years! I've never seen the same thing done this against a person."
"Even though she's old, her strength never ceased to amaze me!" The Takishima heir has heard this legendary hand long ago that saved his father's life. It was a villager who worked as a miner, and a monster was attacking his father. The other people ran; she did not. She was worried about her people and ran straight to the monster, fighting it with her bare fists before she used the pick to finish it off. After the battle, the current king recognized her and the village for her heroism more than the gems in the cave. Right now, he has seen the old woman's right hand in action that wasn't used in battles. She glared at the young men filled with disappointment and anger.
"Never in my years I have lived to hear something so foolish out from your tongues and hear something like this from my own people. These monsters have us surrounded and will attack us in any moment, and all you can think of is going against the people who saved you and protected you. Think of your family and friends living here. Do you want them to be killed as well?" The men were panicking and shook their head.
"N-no! But…"
"Then, be silent. He may have his grandfather's attitude and face, but he does not have the mind of his grandfather. If you keep speaking ill of this young man who is trying to save us, then you are no better than his grandfather." The men fell silent and stepped out of the wise woman's way. It seems that the villagers know better than to go against the woman who did a heroic thing and who have lead their village into prosperity. If not for her, they would have been scorned as a disgrace of the land. The elder walked up to the two childhood friends and smiled.
"I am sorry. We all have been through tough times since the pervious king ruled the land, and his rule has clouded our judgment toward people inside the castle. We are to blame for judging your appearance and your actions prematurely." Kei sighed in relief and shook his head.
"It's fine. I am willing to help my people from dangers like these unlike my grandfather who ignored the cries of the innocence." The old woman shook her head.
"No. You are not at fault for his mistakes. Your grandfather prevented you from going outside and see how the world is, and he has used his corrupted power against you." Everyone, even Kei, was surprised. How did the old woman know that he was kept inside the castle? Kei questioned her.
"H-How did you know? Nobody has heard about my confinement inside the castle walls expect for the people who lived there." The old woman smiled.
"Your father told me about you while you were a child. He also told me to keep you a secret until you are old enough to see the world as you instead of your grandfather. I am glad that you have grown into your own being." The old woman turned to Hikari and smiled.
"And when this young woman tended our wounds and knew you, I knew that you are going to grow into a kind ruler of this land." Kei heard Hikari giggle, and the heir blushed.
"Th-thank you." Later, a soldier ran up to Kei and saluted.
"Prince Takishima. The wagons and more recruits have arrived under your order. We are ready for transportation at the entrance." Kei nodded to the soldier and looked at the villagers.
"Please, I ask for you to lead your people to the entrance. I promise you safety among my men all the way to another village or in the castle walls until we can provide you another place to live safely." The old woman nodded.
"Yes. Thank you. Let us gather what we have left in this village before we leave Leefa."
"Mayor!" A young woman cried and ran straight to the old woman. Everyone turned to the distressed woman, and Hikari asked in fear.
"Miss? What is it? What's wrong?" The woman shook her head and cried.
"My son! My son, Ikuto, went after the monsters down at the cliff!" Gasps were heard, and the old woman began to worry.
"That's dangerous! Monsters appeared from the cliff. When did this happen?" The woman explained.
"It was after everyone was gathered at the house. I had my son by the hand and kept him with me for the whole time. After the attack, he said that he wanted to stop the monsters, so everyone could stay. I told him that's dangerous, but he ignored me and got away." Hikari reassured her.
"Lady. I will get him back for you." The villagers gasped and started to think Hikari lost her mind.
"Are you crazy?! That's suicide!"
"Think, woman! These are mothers of those monsters. They'll kill you and feed you to their offspring!"
"These maternal monsters are stronger than the last monsters! They'll kill you!" Hikari glared at the villagers.
"Then, what do you suggest?! Leave the child behind and save yourselves? If you were in the child's place and you think like that child, how would you feel when all of your family and friends left you in a middle of a monster nest?" The villagers didn't speak, and Hikari continued.
"You will feel scared, helpless, and most of all betrayed. You would be scared of dying, but knowing that those who you love and trust abandoned you to save their own lives is much scarier than looking at death in the eyes." Silence hung over the people, and Kei heard something in Hikari that he did not know. Something stung him, and it hurts a lot more than training with the knights.
"Hikari…"
"Then, what do we suggest we do? No one here has the proper vehah ring to fight against the monsters, and there are a few vehah gems around the world to obtain them in deeper and more dangerous places than this." One of the other villagers cried out, and Hikari smirked.
"I said it as before. I will go. I know how to escape in tight situations while fighting against stronger monsters while I was young and traveling with my family." Kei was now the one surprised and felt that this was his fault. Hearing this from Hikari and her survival made him both proud and sad. He wanted to make up to her for facing danger, and there's one way he could repay her.
"Hikari…" He stepped up and looked at the villagers.
"I will accompany Hikari to save Ikuto to keep my promise for you. Please, continue what you must do." He turned around to the soldier and placed his hand on the shoulder.
"This is my order. Wait for us. If the child comes to the entrance, take the child and go with the others without Hikari or me. Tell all of the other soldiers that they must protect the villagers with their lives even if I'm not with you. Do not fail this mission." The soldier stood proud and saluted.
"Yes, Prince Takishima." Kei turned to Hikari and nodded.
"Hikari. Let's go." The Hanazono woman nodded and turned to the mayor.
"Mayor. Where is the entrance for the cliff to the cave?" The mayor pointed to the left.
"The entrance is down this way. If you see a ladder at the cliff, then that is the entrance to the cliff. However, I would suggest jumping down on smaller ledges because some of the ladder are broken by monsters." Hikari nodded.
"Thank you. That's all we need to know." The mayor smiled.
"Good luck, and may the Light guide you to safety."
Yeah. You all have heard about the discussion up there. The colleges and universities that are supported by the government are now laying off professors, cutting classes, and increasing the fee for enrollment because the government ran out of money. College isn't the reason why I am putting all of my fanfictions on hiatus. It's the days off and the workload of the classes piling up that are making me work harder. This year is going to be a disaster, and people are complaining that it's not enough to fill up the unit requirements to graduate. I'm sorry for not updating for a long time. Please bear with it. The college students and I are in hard times.