"Should we angry to her?" Erin asked me suddenly as we ate.
"Well she stayed alive. And it was Niff fault to provoke her. Not matter the truth, she still pissed that her boyfriend used that way." I commented while setting the table.
It's been a year since we here. While Shiva had been warned she still facing The Empire. But this time she prepared. She used her full power on Niff to make whole nation iced like the game. She almost got cornered. Fleets of Niff military surrounded her.
Only it's a trap set by her. With empire put thirds quarter of their force to her it almost look a certain victory. Only for those fleets destroyed by big ass blades that rained down on them, courtesy by Bahamut.
We forgot that he the only Astral that not went on slumber. Not only that, Bahamut even got time to attack Zegnautus Keep too. Funnily enough, that Shiva not touch civilians. There's a stories that all soldiers iced while civilians personnels untouched.
It only stop when Oracle to be, Lunafreya. Begging to stop their rampage. Because of this many things happened both big and small. But the most important are like this. Faith to Astrals never been so higher on Eos. With Luna action being the main show. And everyone angry at Nifleheim. The Emperor branded as heretic even by his own people.
Many civilians are rumored migrating to Tenebrae where The Oracle resided. Altissia where Leviathan rest. And Duscae where Titan rest. Most people now believed that Nifleheim are now cursed land and sort of that.
Niff military are decimated and it would need time to restore it and many of their world wide force are being recalled to capital. Insomnia got time to breathe. And starting to pump trade with the rest of the Lucis. They trade everything that Insomnian made products to outside the wall. Because of it, Agni and her parents are scrambling.
And because no attack from the Empire. Citadel send Kingsglaive and Crownsguard soldiers to help Hunters HQ. Glaives especially, are undertook highly dangerous missions A.K.A daemons. This bring Regis on good light. Reminding the rest of Lucis that he still their king and care about them.
And with increased on HQ missions so did our orders. We successfully copying Oracle magic in past year. After sleepless weekends on Haven and study the runes. We are able to make our own runes. Unlike Oracle's that tied to the life force. We tied it to this land energy. As long as Eos exist so did the runes.
We tested them by creating prototype on flat ground then asked Andy to became daemons bait. When he did arrived to the our Haven he said no daemons nearing it for two hundred yards. During our school holiday we contracted by HQ to make new Havens in designated locations.
And our potions are improved too with new power. While we can't heal people directly like Oracle but we can used this as enchantment on things. Our potions getting more potent. So potent that if you throw them to daemon it will set the liquid on fire instantly and harm them. Though that depending how powerful the daemon.
While we still not rich. We got more Gil and we agreed too keep it for future. Like cornered animal. Emperor will went aggressive. And we need to get prepared for it.
"How long this window still opening, D?" Erin asked while still eating.
"This is the butterfly effect. Empires getting stronger after beat Shiva. Now that they lose, it could be a decade and they would still don't have enough power." Good or the bad are very depending on fate.
"And Insomnia making full trade too. Economy sector are very hot now." She show the economy section from newspaper.
"No kidding, you saw that Aegis family face. They practically sounded like found pile of gold. And now working like on the gold rush event." We can't even talk to Agni for too long.
"Yeah this is a rare event. Who would though warn Shiva can have this big ass effect." She just sighed.
"And everything getting cheaper too. With land getting more safer because Glaives and Guards assistance. Distribution are flowed nicely." Very nicely.
"Technologies too. Insomnia made cars are starting to gotten more common unlike the game. And don't forget about the lightbulbs." She pointed out.
Insomnia made vehicles are replacing old styled cars. And the damn anti daemons lightbulbs was on the shelves too. Along with phones and computers, those are always too quick to out of stock for this past year.
And what Citadel got from this? Well, first they got popularity. The lands maybe under Niff rule. But the people would be always Lucian. And Citadel can start to stockpiling for future if they need to close the wall again. Or that was Mrs. Aegis told us.
"So D, what today plan?" Erin asked.
"While we still won't be able to copy Crystal magic. I want to try on magical storage. It look useful." So no hassle to bring everything.
"And let's try telekinesis too." She added.
"After breakfast?" She nodded eagerly.
--
"You know, we need more resources for our magic. Our own body doesn't have enough juice to fuel high level spells." Erin just spinning small rocks around her using telekinesis.
"Then we need think about the resources." I'm doing the same but laid my back on the roof staring at the clear noon sky.
We starting to get used to the climate. And for some weird reason Erin still pale looking colored. People starting to call her Little Ice Cream of Lestallum because of it and her hobby to eat sweet. Me, I'm just getting darker but still on the light side.
Maybe there's a reason that we arrived in children bodies. It gave us time to train it. With we ruthlessly train ourselves for a year. We gained muscle on our body. Stamina too, I can run around block twenty time and Erin can twelve.
Because school is boring we study on other things. Physic, matematic, this world biology, even small bit of engineering and arts. We felt that we need preparing for everything.
"How about Eos natural energy?" Suddenly I got and Idea.
"Like Naruto?" She predict.
"More like Dr. Strange." I starting to sit in crosslegged position then take a deep breath and feel energy around us.
"We draw energy." Making line of energy like when Ancient One teach Strange.
"Creating spell that conjured shields and weapons." Then creating circle of rune and line.
"To make magic." I got the full rune iin front of me. She just jawdroped at the sight and I smiled smugly.
"Eos got Oracle and Magic King why not Masters of Mystic Arts too." She just stand and took same start. Then she took a stance an summon runes on both hands.
"Want a bit spar test?" She challenge me.
"We need seek secondhand book on programming." I took the stance too.
--
"What happened to both of you kid." The shopkeeper asked in concern on our beaten face.
"Combat training don't worry we got used to it." Because it's. When sparing we always harm each other badly. If we can't take hurt from human then we got no chance against daemons and monsters.
"Shouldn't kid at your age gone playing or studying?" She got very skeptical.
"We live in dangerous world. We want to eat not getting eaten." Erin said as she put the books to the counter.
"And your parents let them to fight?" Both me and Erin just laughed.
"We only have ourselves." She surprised at that.
"Not even foster parents?" She got panicking.
"You must be new here. Let us introduce ourselves then. I'm Daniel and she is Erin. Only humans who stupid enough to learn magic." Understanding dawn on her.
"You are the rumored kids that murdering thief in the middle of market on board daylight." She stepped back instantly.
"He not dead as much as we want to. Anyway this is the money. Have a nice day." We walked out the store laughing hard.
"Murderous kids?" A kid voice made us stop our laughing. We looked at the source and we stopped instantly.
"We got fucked." I slap Erin head instantly after saying that.
"Yes, we do." We didn't move an stare at the boy.
"Shouldn't he on the other side of continent?" She stare a the boy blankly.
"I don't know but we better to take a run." And so we did. The boy called us but we don't care. If he's around his dad too. Then suddenly two boys around my age blocked our path. Two very familiar boys.
"And they must be around too." Erin said their sight.
"What did you do to His Highness?" Big dude that definitely Shield look at angrily.
"We're running from him dammit. Now move." Erin said seriously.
"Then you must did him wrong." The Advisor said.
"Man, listen up. We're running from what he is, what you are. We want to live peacefully. Hanging around with you is death wish." Only The Prince nearing us and crying hearing my words.
"Apologize to him." Gladiolus demand me.
"Hell no, It's a fact. Can you assure our safety if we nearing you?" They stopped at that.
"Of course you can't. You not even care about the people that endangered by you." Erin retord them.
"What if your enemies attack us because we just talked to you? To you we're just nobodies you met. To others we're intel, now move or we do it for you." And world savior just crying behind us.
"Gladio they're right, we endangering them." Ignis just told a grumbled Shield. We move pass them.
"Next time look around where you at. You can fight that for sure. But bystanders can't and you risk them on crossfire." Erin word definitely left impression on Ignis.
"D, back to run?" I just nodded and save our ass.
--
"Fucking hell, they here. And we just make a prince crying." We now huddled on my room hiding under my bed.
"Better than get killed." Then the bell ringing.
"Shit." We both said and the same time.
"Don't respond. We almost got iced last year. We don't need armigers rain down on our ass now." I told her.
"Can't agree more." Then my phone ringing. I checked on the caller ID.
"Agni, what's up?" I told her.
"I'm in front your house. Are you not home?" Me and Erin looked at each other.
"Are you with black dressed boys?" We starting to pale.
"Yeah, they looking for you whole afternoon. Apparently you dropped your books. I'm on the way to visit you when we stumbling each other." I'm just bang my head to the floor.
"Agni run away from them. You can't die for you always gave us discount." Erin said in panic sounds.
"Rin, you don't need to..." I just interrupt her.
"The little kid is Prince Noctis." The call went silent.
"And I just brought them to you, sorry about that." She sounded sheepish.
"Get our books and kicked them out. Told them to stay away from us and you." Erin told her.
"Hey, that not best way to treat royalty you know." Agni chided us.
"We like to apologize for inconvenient that caused by us." Ignis voiced his apology.
"Then you can do it by put a mile distance between us." I told him.
"And they left, still that very rude from both of you." Agni lied to us.
"Politeness won't work if you're dead." We still felt Noctis in front of the house. We don't think of him earlier because we thought he just Glaive that on the town.
"Agni, Lucian Royalty are natural magical being. We still sense Noctis in front of the house." Erin said blandly.
"Opps busted, oh come on both of you. I'm already in contact with with them. Please suffer with me." She teased us.
"Fine we suffer together." We got from under the bed and move downstairs. When we got to on the front door we greeted by prince and his retinues.
"You don't need to be hostile to us you know." Ignis tried to reason.
"How many assassination attempt on him?" Pointing shy little Noctis who hiding behind Gladiolus.
"Point taken."
"Stay away from us." Erin grabbed Agni and bring her to our side. I tried to close the door only for Agni to hold it.
"I thought you both like the royalties." She put a confused expression.
"When they on the throne and across the continent. Now they just kids with liability to get us killed." That just piss of Gladiolus. He went to grabbed my shirt and lift me of but he stopped at there.
"Move and I'll kill you." My voice went cold as the tension rise. And there's ice spear pointed on his neck that drip blood.
"You too four eyes." I saw Erin did the same with small ice knife on Ignis neck.
"D, Rin this is might not the best thing you did now." Agni said in shaky voice. Noctis just helpless kid that frozen at the sight.
"How can you assure our safety?" That only word from my mouth. When you can't run then you fight.
"I put my honor as Shield..." Me and Erin just laughing at that.
"Honor are worthless if you die, right D?" We are very desperate especially after Shiva affair last year.
"You can't make dinner by just honor." They still very naive.
"Let them go." Little Noctis said. He bring a wodden swords.
"Your Highness please don't fight them. They never hold back when they annoyed and capable of killing people despite their age." Agni tried to mediate us.
"How can little kids like them can take live." Gladiolus asked skeptically even when his neck bleeding.
"Rin stabbed thieves a year ago and almost he almost died of blood loss if D not set his wounds on fire." That shut everyone.
"So please both of you don't make matter worse." We both not budge.
"Fine, let them go or I'll never put discount on your groceries." That threat is enough released the royal retinues.
"Please don't, your dad promised me that he will get garulas sirloins. But I can't buy those without your spice discount." I gone panicked and not even care that I just death threatening royalty.
"He wants to make large steaks for next dinner." Erin in the same panic mode.
"What the hell? Are they mentally retarded?" That what Gladiolus said.
"More like their stomach is their brain. Now apologize to them." Agni pit us down.
"Sorry for almost killing you." I just grumbling at that.
"You lucky that Agni here. Though it would be funny story. King Noctis Shield saved by store girl. Gotta write that on book." Erin always got a time to mock people.
"You better get him a real knife and train him harder. He still shaking." I pointed trembling Noctis with his wooden sword.
"He's not ready." Ignis said. Only for me to point out Erin who look way younger than him.
"Then you make him, or he never will." Erin said her mind.
"Come on Your Highness, we clearly unwelcome here." Ignis asked his friends to follow him.
Then we watch scared Noctis, shamed Gladiolus and disturbed Ignis left us. I just hope we don't broke them one way or another.
--
"That's very dumb you know. But I can't bring myself to blame you both because it fact." Agni said that she eat dinner with us.
"Nobodies like us tend to be just a numbers and statistics on their eyes. You heard that Prince Noctis assassination attempt that hurt him?" Erin told her.
"The one you told me that caused The Prince injured and need to visit Tenebrae for healing, right?" She confirmed.
"To even injured him. How many guards that need to die?" She looked down at that.
"You're right, we just nobodies and numbers." She sighed.
"We're small people that have small problems. Nearing those people is risking our life. I like King like others but he better to sit on the throne than walk on street and endangering civilians." I said my mind.
"Nevermind you both weird, so I go a long with it." We ate in silence after that.
"So, when the wedding?" Agni question stopped us.
"Whose wedding?" Erin asked.
"You both." She just smiled smugly.
"Aren't you skip ten steps ahead? And what made you think like that?" She indeed very mature.
"I'm smart enough to understand that you both together together sort of relationship." We both blushed at her words.
"We're not even dating, and basically were underage. So no, we just working on it along the way I guess." We still have very long time to figured it out.
"Fine, I won't push it. Can I asked you question?" She asked.
"Sure, go ahead." I just shrugged.
"Can you teach me magic?" We stopped at that.
"You sure, magic is dangerous. Like really dangerous." Erin warn her.
"And you not allowed to become hunter as long as Ezma there." I added it.
"I'm a trader, having magic seem profitable. I come here today to make a deal with you both." She's very serious. Me and Erin looking at each other for a while then look at her.
"We're listening."
--
"You plan to becoming a musclehead?" Erin questioned me.
"Yes, great physique is an asset nonetheless. Have you played Episode Gladiolus? Dude able to smash monsters with fucking stone pillars." I continuing my pull up.
"Me too, I hope you don't mind very muscled me." She did pull up too.
"Nope, it way better then being dead." I forget the numbers of the pull.
Last night are the most intense deal we ever had. Agni went full merchant mode on us. People genius on math or science. She is the deal maker. We almost think she was the devil incarnate. And we had to call Dave too.
So, the deal went like this. We teach Agni our non experimental spells. And she got the right to distribute our products. Me and Erin will still making batch of curatives to HQ. But now the Aegis handle the distribution. So, no longer hunters visit. All we need is drop the batches on Agni house.
And she got the right to make and sell curatives to public. She set the price and we got the cut. And if needed we can help her to restock it. But she make them more pricey because on public it sold in retail while HQ always in bulk. Making new Havens are still contracted to us because it can't be traded.
For all night we teach Agni on our non experimental spells. That including OE or 'Oracle Enchantment' on curatives V2. She still easily getting tired because she still new.
What we got from this? Food stuff got cut. Heavily cut and depending on the market we could get free stuff too. You may though it unfair deal. But trust me, cheap ingredients will save your wallet.
"So you plan on getting Gladiolus grade body?" She asked.
"Yep, to even able swing greatsword with such a speed and power is big asset." I drop and check my shirtless self. It full of muscles and scars. It only need one year, twice a day training and food full of protein to get this.
The scars is what I got from training. Erin got scars too. We don't held back that what we agreed to each other. You must be thinking how cruel I'm to hurt a little girl. Well, she said that if I'm not hurt her and got serious. She would the one who did and hurt me until I did too. Trust me, despite her current size. She was very fast with bladed weapons.
So every week or so we got cuts and bruised from each other. And we don't used curatives on us. We do that because we tried to remove dependency on it and resistance to pain. So, sewing wounds is added skill to us. It's an usual sight around Lestallum of both of us walking around in bandage like abused childs. Locals understand but it usually threw newcomers and tourist a little.
"And funnily enough, stronger our bodies less strain on our magic. We should remind Agni after this." She said as we getting to the roof or sparing ground.
"So, whats today spar?" I asked.
"Magic, Dr. Strange style is a bit harder than I thought." We taking a stance.
Ancient One is right. Spell just a programming. Now we don't even need elemental energy to conjure elements. Though it's not very easy. Runes and spells is arts of programming. The better you on programming stronger you are. Problems is, both of us sucks at it. But luckily computer exist in Eos. So, books on digital programming already exists.
"Begin." That word start the fight.
--
"I know you need getting stronger but that not look healthy. Sure you don't use potions?" Agni asked as we sitting on the table eating lunch. Her seat was behind me so I just need turn around.
"All I need is pure alcohol, bandage and sewing kit." I munching. Not even cared for my bandaged arms.
"You both crazy you know." Agni just sighed at me.
"Trust me, I've lived harsh live on Nifleheim desert or snowfield now. And almost got eaten by sea devils when stranded here." Half truth half lie.
"Why I'm even befriend you both." She just talking to herself.
"We make money for you" Remind her of the deal.
"Yeah yeah, thank you for your hard work. Next question, why don't you jump into culinary business. Your main dish getting better and Rin always best at sweets and desserts." That really surprised me.
"Shit, you're right. I don't need actively getting killed. And with enough renovation, first floor can turn into restaurant." Why I don't thinking about that. People like Coctura or Weskham are gain money through their food. Look at wallet killing Maghoo and Mother Pearl foods price.
"I need to seek cooking school to replace highschool..." Only Agni interrupting me.
"Don't, please stay in magic business." She went panicking.
"Why, it's safer that way?" And possibly more profitable too because Lestallum is also a tourist spot.
"Because you helped people." She's right.
"So I guess curatives starting to sell well." She nodded.
"There's some sort of disease spreading last few year. With sure mortality, it usually happened among hunters that wounded. Strangely enough it cause the physical body dispersing after death." Shit, The Scourge.
"Then you come with potions and elixirs. For your first few months you save a lot of hunters. Then after you learn to copy Oracle magic. Your potions can heal that disease. Like...like..." She finding it hard to say.
"Like the Oracle herself. I thought people would scorned us for carbon copying holy woman power." I still wonder why Gentiana not warn or straight up iced us yet.
"People doesn't care as long it work. Even doctors across Cleigne recommend your postions. If this continues, I had to make bulk order for you." She informed.
"We save that many?" It getting bigger each day.
"You unknowingly saving the world." That words getting me stressful.
"Fuck." I don't care who I'm with anymore. Oracle existence are healing people to delaying the darkness by holding the spread of Plasmodium. But currently we could put that healing power to bottles of soda and energy drinks. And sell it to store shelves with extra Gil.
Unknowingly we can delay the darkness and keep the day longer until Noctis purge The Scourge. But that going to bring Ardyn attention to us. We fucked up big time.
"But are we? His only purpose is to revenge on Crystal and Astrals. Luna getting stabbed because she have connection to Noctis to mindfuck him. Is he even care about other living being?" An idea forming in my mind.
"D, you okay?" Agni asked. I just looked at her.
"We will save the world and get paid for it." Because sure as hell I need that retirement money.
--
"So they clones?" Erin looking at my new project.
"More like production line drones." My drones that have my likeness working on making new potions and elixirs.
"But they look like you." Erin pointing out.
"It just the shape Rin. But like any robot they have programmed job." They automatically creating curatives faster than just both of us.
"How they not dispersing?" Good point.
"See those runes on their forehead. That's the control 'chip'. Like Haven runes, I tied them to natural energy. But it can only have one program. Lift the boxes, move boxes, make curatives and so on." Two week of sleepless nights.
"How they can cast spell?" I'm pointing the hand of the caster.
"I put the runes for OE spell in their hand. It energized by their chip runes." Fuck Niff tech. This is the true magical technology.
"So magic robots." I just nodded.
"All we need is quality control on the products before distribution." I told her.
"Any weakness?" She asked.
"The runes will burnout in a week time. Unlike Haven rune that have solid foundation like soil or stones. The foundation just not strong enough. After that, the drones will disperse." Nothing is last it seems.
"Show me the formula maybe we can amp it to giving them extra week." Not bad idea. I pull the papers from magic storage. Yeah, found the calculation it need to create it.
"Are you sure for doing this?" She said while still looking at the papers.
"I don't like it that much. But we actually found a way to halt eternal night. And maybe save life while getting paid. Beside we use the copy of Oracle power. We better be return the favor by helping her." I told her.
"Yeah she get people heart and we get people pocket. Yet still noble all the same." Erin chuckled at that.
"Such a wise words o Travelers." Gentiana voice froze us metaphorically.
"So did Astrals have any message for us?" Unlike The Chocobros minus one. You can't run and fight Gods that pop everywhere and freeze your ass instantly. So, we chose to be polite on her, less we get iced.
"The Frostbearer send her gratitude to assist her for her endeavor." She opened her eyes while said that.
"Eh,...your welcome. Sorry about your boyfriend but don't worry. When Noctis ascending he will earn his peace." She nodded at Erin words.
"And we thank to you too. Nifleheim pull their world wide forces back to Empire. World getting a bit more breathing moment." I added.
"As The Frostbearer gratitude. She asked The Bladekeeper permission to give Travelers a substantial reward." She gave us two papers with line of numbers and letters.
"Oh, shit..." That what Erin said as she look at it.
"Do you have temple dedicated from you or something? We definitely need to pilgrimage there." To normal eyes this just lines of numbers and letters. But this a code and formula for a spell. No, a branch of magic. And if it came from Bahamut then this definitely Crystal or Oracle codes.
"Remember this Traveler, Chosen King and Oracle duty to end The Darkness from the world. But Warriors of Fortune tasked to save it's people." She opened her eyes and smiled softly before fading from existence.
"So any hope to have peaceful life was gone to the wind right?" Erin stared at the place when Gentiana pop.
"Yeah, we just hired by Gods to save people of Eos." Gone there hope not to get killed on daily basis.
"We should charged her with extra interest before she pop out." Erin said like she missing big deal.
"Maybe the reason she gone early so we don't charge her." Definitely need to put some bonus there.
"I hope we get bonus after this shit end." She put an annoyed voice.
"Damn right, we don't get enough paid for this shit."
--
"So, you successfully copy Crystal magic and improving OE. Where did you get those?" Agni was very worried.
"The lie is that we found the equations ourselves." I'm still munching tonight dinner. While we used Crystal and Oracle as base they still not powerful to us. We lack of compatible source.
But it not without advantage. With integrating Crystal and Oracle magic. Our offensive combat have increased on effectiveness. And we upgraded our curatives to V3 because extra 'programs" in it.
"The truth?" She got intrigued.
"We hired by Astrals to save people of Eos." She jawdroped at Erin words.
"You not joking right?" She got scared.
"Yeah, High Messenger Gentiana herself visiting. Instead of pulling copyright on us. We got hired as Warriors of Fortune to help Chosen King endeavor." We craft a special lie for Agni.
"So let's start when humanity exist."
--
"And because of that, The Scourge and daemons resurface." We finished the history of Eos. Though we left Ardyn story. She don't need to know that
"Solheim fall because the think they can fight Gods and starting whole Astrals War." We nodded at that.
"And mysterious disease is actually The Starscourge that turn human and animals into daemons." We nodded again.
"Founder King and First Oracle driving The Darkness at bay. But it only temporary until The Chosen King eradicate it." She just monologuing at this point.
"But Nifleheim integrate The Scourge in Magitek, that causing rising on deamons activity and longer night." She still pale at that.
"Their MT is not a tin can. It's infected humans that weponized." Can't really tell them they are clones. But in data log, Verstael did use humans if I'm not wrong.
"Didn't they know that they killing their own people?" She said in low voice.
"They kinda thought that The Scourge is next big hit. And the risk is worth it. Men, woman, no matter the age. You infected, you will either turn into weapons or just harvested for fuel." Than what happened when blinding man leading a nation.
"That's why you tried to run from Niff. When getting killed in the escape is more preferable than those kinds of fate." She look at me.
"Yes." That's my only answer.
"But now that you can fight The Scourge and Astrals hired you." She said.
"Yes." Now it's Erin who answered.
"Why told me?" She asked.
"We need supplier and distributor. We both fight on two ways. Fight daemons directly and through the curatives. We need you to distribute them across the continent. Across Eos if you can. More people healed, longer the day and lesser daemons." We can't run anymore anyway.
"How you fight them directly?" Me and Erin just smiled at her.
"Working with hunters of course." Stupid yet better than nothing.
"We will working with hunters finding daemons lairs. They will clean them then both of us will slapped Haven runes all over the places. With no place too hide they'll burn in daylight." We still don't want our ass got killed.
"So, you both take saving the world business seriously?" Agni smiled at us.
"What can we say. Hired by kings is one thing. By Gods is another level." Whole other dimension too.
"Aegis family trade accept the deal with both of you. Let's save the world guys." If money involved she always getting pumped up.
AN/
We got the powah. Yeah, anyway year two is done. I always thought why Oracle need to heal her patients directly while Noct can put shit on bottles.
Anyway don't forget to favorite, follow, and review, Ciao.