Chapter three

Oh Luke, where is he? I want to see him so much. OOPS! I think i'm blushing. Anise

The journey to took the rest of their day. The fon master's exhaustion made them stop for a while when Guy introduced himself as a servant in Duke Fabre's manor. He had been polite enough shaking hands with the Colonel and Ion but had lunged miles away when Tear approached trembling violently. The closer Tear went to him the more he backed away and Luke had explained that Guy didn't like women much which Jade had interpreted as a phobia. Anya had kept her distance from him then although occasionally striking up conversation on fontech. It had almost surprised her to see the eagerness with which Guy discussed the subject. However they were attacked by oracle soldiers and in the struggle Tear had come between Luke and the soldier about to slay him and instead had her shoulder cut. So they had been forced to spend the night camping outside. What Anya had learned though, was that her combat wasn't much of help against animals and therefore lurked around the fon master.

Upon nearing the gates of the next morning, however the group caught sight of oracle soldiers who were now in charge of retrieving the fon master.

"This is troubling", Tear said out loud, "We cannot pass undetected".

They heard the hooves of horses and slight jangling of a coach behind them.

A man from inside informed the oracle soldiers stationed at the gate, "We're from Engeve. There's another coach right after us", the soldiers nodded and permitted their entrance.

"And conveniently enough, there's a coach on its way", Jade mused out and everyone except Luke took the hint that they were going to get into the coach and pass.

"Hey, stop making decisions without me", Luke shouted out after everyone made their way towards the approaching coach.

Tear walked back to him, "Luke, grow up", she stated bringing her face close to his and then stalked off towards the others.

Luke came running and stood in the way of the coming coach, "STOP!".

"Oh it's you", the driver of the coach who happened to be none other than Rose, the mayor of Engeve exclaimed, "Fon master Ion and Colonel Jade Curtiss?".

"We are in need of your assistance", Ion told her after motioning towards the oracle soldiers at the gate.

"Hop in all of you", Rose told them and they obeyed immediately.

After a minute of travelling they heard Rose, "A coach of ours passed by here few minutes back", at which the soldiers grunted in permission and they made their way through the archways to St. Binah. The group got off and thanked Rose.

"Well, Anise should be at the 's place if she's still alive that is", the Colonel announced as though talking about the weather. Anya and Luke stared at him in disbelief.

"You don't have to say it like that", Luke almost shouted at the Colonel.

"Anise is tougher than you'd think", Ion informed them smiling.

"Now that that's over, why don't we check with Mc. Govern?", Jade asked.

"You're unbelievable", Guy muttered.

They were shown inside to a conference room where an old man with two feet of snowy white beard and hair in bright clothes was seemingly arguing with a younger man who could only be a soldier by his attire.

"I'm sorry for the intruding", Jade told the pair as soon as the six of them entered.

"Ah. Jade", the older positively beamed with happiness while the younger man frowned slightly in distaste.

"It's been a while, Field Marshal McGovern."

"I'm retired now," he replied with a shake of the head, "There's no need for formalities like those anymore. And what about you? Isn't it about time you accepted a promotion? Even at your age, you could easily have made Lieutenant General by now."

The Colonel only smiled and replied, "Actually, I seem to have my hands full enough just being a Colonel".

"Is Jade someone important?", Luke asked and Anya replied, "Yes. He is known for his unbeatable position in a battle even by the most respected military people in all of Auldrant and he's known to be Emperor Peony's personal confidant".

Before Luke or Guy could however ask how she knew all this Jade passed a letter from Anise that he had been reading earlier to the trio behind him, "Luke half of this letter seems to be addressed to you".

Surprised, Luke began reading the letter.

Hey Colonel, I was so scared for a moment but I'm alright and I'm taking good care of you-know-what. The oracle soldiers and god-generals seemed to have infiltrated St. Binah so I've already made my way to Kaitzur. And oh how's my beloved Luke, oh I can't believe I just confessed my feelings I'm so embarrassed. Luke I miss you so much. Anyway give my greetings to Ion. Bye-Bye. Love Anise.

"Getting popular with the girls huh?", Guy asked the red head slapping him on the back a little and Luke looked as though he was going sick.

"So where's our next journey?", Tear asked not participating in the humor the others enjoyed.

"Kaitzur", Jade told them, "We'll meet up with Anise there. Thank you for your assistance", he added to the with a slight curtsy, "We will bid you our leave".

They made their way outside when a villager passed by complaining about a broken bridge leading to Kaitzur.

"Well, looks like we'll have to take the long way then", the Colonel announced with a sigh. Just as Anya was about to ask their route she was pulled by Tear to a corner with the others. When she looked questioningly the Colonel answered, "It's the God-Generals".

"You mean the ones who attacked us on The Tartarus?", she asked and he nodded.

Outside, a short boy with a mask and unusually spiky green-grey hair was talking inaudibly with Legretta and Largo. They seemed furious about whatever was the topic of their discussion and occasionally heard snatches of Jade or Ion's name.

"", suddenly they heard a high pitched laughter and looked up to see an exquisitely white haired man sporting white sunglasses sitting cross legged on a chair which was hovering few feet off the ground.

As he spoke, his drawling yet slightly feminine voice was louder than the rest of his comrades, "I told you before, it is I, the one and only elegant 'Dist the Rose' who can match up to that beastly 'Jade the Necromancer'".

"You mean Dist the Reaper?", they distinctly heard the green haired boy comment at which the man called Dist started calling him names which the latter ignored and turned back to speak with Largo and Legretta once again.

"So we head for Kaitzur?", Legretta asked, "It will likely be their next stop".

"First division", Largo ordered the soldiers stationed at the gate, "Withdraw".

"Hey! Stop ignoring me", Dist screamed out and the other three made their way away from St. Binah. They could see Dist talking to himself and then fly away.

"I see that Largo survived", Jade was the first one to break the silence and everyone followed this as their cue to safety.

"Who were those people?", Luke asked.

"Members of The Six God-Generals of the Order of Lorelei", Guy told him, "There's Largo the black lion, Legretta the quick, Sync the Tempest and Dist the Rose all of whom we just saw. There's Arietta the wild and the only one we didn't see was Asch the bloody", he concluded.

"They are Van's immediate subordinates who work under his commands. By the sound of it, they were looking for war", Tear explained when Luke still looked vague.

"Master Van wouldn't try to start a war", Luke shot back, "It's Mohs who's doing that".

"Grand Maestro Mohs' wishes are of peace", Tear returned.

"Can we please rest here for a while?", Ion suddenly asked them and indeed the boy looked so bloodless that even Luke was concerned, "Hey, you look pale. How about staying in the inn till evening?", he asked at which everyone nodded.

"Oh well, I guess I don't have a problem", the Colonel shrugged, "My old bones do get worn-out after a long journey", with that he made his way to a shop to refill their supplies.

"How about getting an actual sword, Luke?", Guy asked eyeing his wooden sword.

"Oh yeah", Luke said, "Let's go".

"I'll accompany you", Anya said from behind Guy and he jumped a foot away muttering something about her going alone. She sighed, "I'll need a weapon too you know. Let's go", she pulled Luke away before Guy could say another word and was forced to follow.

Soon enough both Guy and Luke had found a Cutlass and a Rapier for themselves that seemed the best in the shop's collection of bow and arrows; light swords and double blades. However Anya was having trouble, "there are no weapons of my type here", she mumbled when the shopkeeper asked her if she needed help.

He looked a bit surprised and told her that there was another shop near the large tree where she might find something and she happily pranced out of the shop.

She found the shop quite fast and studied the weapons on the wall. Having used heavy swords in training, thanks to her grandpa's constant reminder of keeping the family tradition alive, she was disappointed at the lack of her 'type' of weapons and was about to leave when the shopkeeper arrived and aided her in finding a suitable sword, a little surprised that a female should be using such weapons.

"Zweihander, a beauty isn't it?", he stroked the bronze hilt, "It'll be 2040 gald", he told her when she seemed to have made up her mind.

She counted out the money and swung the sword over her shoulder like she used to in Midgard and made her way to the inn. She asked where Colonel Curtiss was and was pointed to a room immediately.

As soon as she entered humming a little, she found Guy's eyes wide and Luke's jaw open. Tear and Ion simply looked surprised and Jade had a slight smile which Anya thought suited him much better than his usual stoic expression.

"What?", she snapped when no one spoke for seconds.

"Y-you're going to fight with that t-thing?", Luke stammered pointing at the sword in her hand.

"Oh no", she told him her voice dripping with sarcasm, "Actually when we start getting cold, I'll need this to chop firewood". She heard Guy's stifled laughter and turned to see Tear and the Colonel wearing amused expressions.

"You're an unusual warrior", Ion told her. Ah, warrior Anya thought, that just makes me sound a lot cooler than I really am.

"Hey Jade! Are you alright? I mean with that fon slot seal and everything?", Luke asked the colonel.

"Oh yes, thank you for the concern", Jade replied.

"Master", Mieu piped up, "You're so considerate".

"No, I'm not", Luke snapped at Mieu blushing.

"So what happens with fon slots sealed?", Anya asked sitting next to Ion.

"The seal reduces my capability to use certain artes", Jade explained, "Its password keeps varying periodically. I'm unlocking it little by little, it will take some months to undo the seal. But nevertheless, I can keep up with all of you at my present condition", he finished with a slight smile.

"You're obnoxious", Luke and Anya said at the same time.

Jade shrugged "It is just in my nature to be honest".

"Well then", Luke said, "Let's leave Ion to the mighty old man over here".

Everyone except the Colonel and Ion made their way to the other room they would be sharing.

After three hours of rest to which Luke had wanted to add an hour more until Jade threatened to leave him here, the group made their way to Fubras River. If they could get to the other side of the river they would reach Kaitzur port and onto Kaitzur by sea as Jade had explained.

Occasionally when they ran into monsters Anya now tried out her new sword. It was lighter than her gunblade Venus and she found it easier to control. Although her attacks didn't include artes about which she made a mental note to ask Tear about it, there were no complaints from anyone save for Luke.

Once within the banks of Fubras River, Jade stopped them suddenly.

"Luke, I've been watching you fight and it seems that you don't possess the knowledge of skills particularly concerning artes", he told the red head who fumed immediately.

"What the heck did you just say?", he began, "Master Van taught me all that I need to learn alright. Why should I bother with something unnecessary?", he stated turning his back making his way forward.

"Luke", Anya shouted out in a strict fashion much more suitable for a professor, "Jade's a professional. I think you really should heed what he says and that reminds me", she turned to the colonel, "I was wondering if I could learn to perform artes too?".

The colonel pondered this for a second and then agreed to which Anya beamed, her cute self returning while Luke swore under his breath. Teaching artes didn't take long. Jade was particularly surprised at the ease with which she learnt and improved her mistakes where Luke was only getting annoying by the second. He moved onto explaining Field of Fonon change, Tear aiding him with which Anya had a little trouble and Luke mastered the basics.

They made their way once more, Anya muttering to herself no doubt trying to comprehend fully everything Jade explained.

"It's alright", Jade told her coming up beside her and startling her out of her thoughts, "One cannot get everything right at the first try. You had some basic concepts of artes or at least may have tried before, I'm guessing".

She smiled, "You're guessing wrong then aren't you?", it was more of a statement.

"But a civilian and a first timer couldn't get hold of things that fast", he told her, "You're a good liar I must admit".

"I don't lie", she simply told him, "And besides, learning is the only thing I was ever good at", she talked more to herself than him and for a moment a melancholy shadow passed over her features. But the next second she looked up at him with an animated smile again, "You should be glad I'm not wasting more of your precious time", with that she trotted forward to annoy Luke and scare Guy again. It had become a sort of game overnight where she materialized everywhere possible near the duo and crooned 'Guy'. It seemed the Necromancer wasn't the only one behind masks.

Tear who was in the front gasped suddenly and they saw a liger blocking their path.

"There's someone behind it", Jade stated and sure enough the pink haired God-General, Arietta the Wild was right beside the Liger, her face half hidden by a doll just like before.

"Arietta", Ion started, "Please don't come in our way. We don't want to hurt you".

"Ion", Arietta looked up, "I won't do anything to you but these people are my enemies. They killed Mommy", she shouted tearfully.

"What?", Luke asked, "We didn't kill any woman".

"Arietta has been brought up by monsters ever since her parents died in the Hod war", Guy told them softly.

"I think she's talking about the Liger Queen", Tear said.

"I will never forgive you. I will avenge Mommy and chase you to the end of the world", Arietta told them tearfully and raised her doll. At that moment the ground began shaking and it parted just behind arietta. Purple fumes spewed out of the earth and Arietta fainted so did the liger.

"It's an earthquake", Jade shouted.

"This stuff kills you?", Luke asked terrified.

"If you inhale a large amount of it for a long time, yes", Tear told him.

"We have to escape. Quick", Jade told them when Tear began singing, "Fonic hymns at a time like this?", he asked.

"Wait. I recognize this as one of Yulia's hymns", Ion told him.

The shaking stopped and Tear explained that she had applied a vibration of same frequency as that of the core and that it was temporary.

Jade summoned his lance and made his way towards the God general, his face impassive, no pity or hesitance for the human life he was about to take. Anya didn't know why but it scared her.

"Wait", Anya went to the unconscious girl's side, "You can't do this", she looked up at him, her voice pleading from where she knelt.

"She'll only come after us if I let her live", he replied quietly.

"But how can you kill someone defenseless and unconscious?", Luke shouted out to the colonel.

The colonel stared at the God General making his lance disappear and turned his back to leave soon.

"Can we at least move her so that the miasma won't hit her when it comes back again?", Guy asked.

"I don't see a problem with that seeing as how I'm already letting her live", the colonel replied shrugging.

Anya picked up the sixteen year old girl almost as though she weren't an enemy and set her down gently on the ground. What no one noticed was that the cuts on Arietta's arms were healing as Anya put her down, that is no one except Jade who merely watched the scene without a word. Tear watched with widening eyes for a second and narrowed her gaze but followed the rest of them.

They hurried towards the Malkuth side of Kaitzur. As soon as they entered they realized that they wouldn't be able to pass without passports. A short girl with two large dark ponies was heatedly arguing with the guards on the other side.

"I told you I can't find the passport. You'll pay for that. Just wait", they heard her mutter under her breath as she turned towards the group.

"Colonel", she exclaimed as soon as she saw them, "Oh Luke", she giggled and ran to the red head, "I was so worried about you" she told him hugging.

"A little more late and we would've actually started worrying about you", Jade informed Anise.

"How about worrying from the beginning?", she asked the colonel.

"Yes. After all we wouldn't have been able to do anything without that letter", he replied back.

"Honestly colonel, you can be so mean", Anise told him.

"Anyway what do we do about the passports?", Luke asked them.

"You won't need any once you're dead", a voice from somewhere up shouted and the same red haired intruder on the Tartarus struck Luke who parried slightly and fell. The newcomer was about to run his sword through Luke when a brown haired man parried gracefully.

"Stand down Asch", he ordered in a tone not to be disobeyed.

"Get out of my way", the red head shouted.

"Who gave you orders to do this?", the brunette asked the red head who ignored him and left right away.

"Van!", Tear exclaimed bringing out one of her knives. Uh-oh,this looks bad, Anya thought.

"Put your weapon away Tear. You misunderstand my intentions. Come to the inn when you're ready to talk to me", Van told her calmly, "And Luke, that parry was pathetic".

After an hour of discussing matters and resting, the group made their way to the Kaitzur port with passports this time. Anise chatted on endlessly about marrying into money, a topic to which no one really took a liking except Anya. The two got on like fire on house almost about everything they talked about. Once Anya had seen Anise battling, she had to admit that for a young girl, she was good. But what surprised her was the doll, Tokunaga which enlarged and shortened on Anise's command.

"So Anya", Anise asked her, "What do you do in Midgard?".

"I don't get you Anise", the older girl looked confused.

"You do some kind of work right? What do you do?", Anise asked her keenly.

Anya fiddled around with her hair. What was she supposed to tell her? The truth? No, not now. But something close, yes.

"I teach", she lied, "In a school", and she knew Anise had expected something different, something much cooler.

"Oh", just as expected, Anise had a disappointed look, "Are you old enough for that?", she suddenly asked her.

It took her by surprise, "Well, as old as a twenty three year old could get", she told her sure that no one was bothering with their conversation.

"What?" Guy turned back to her. Apparently the others had been listening.

"No way", Luke said "You don't look that old".

"Luke." Jade called in an admonishing voice, "There's no way a child like er is old. Thta's almost an insult to my long life."

Anya rolled her eyes, "Actually, it's a trait in our family I guess. It's been there for quite a few generations now. Would you believe it, even my Grandpa looks like he could be in his forties and he still manages to wield a sword like mine", she told them shaking her head.

"Would your grandfather happen to be a retired soldier maybe?" Jade suddenly asked.

"N-no. Nothing to do with military at all", she told him in a slightly high pitched voice confirming his suspicions of her lying but he left it there.

How much more could a person possibly hide and just what exactly about her identity was she refusing to share? Jade was only beginning to find out. There was more to this girl than met the eye.