"Pardon but I've not met your highness since the large gathering of scholars last month. I've not set foot in Ereve until now." Freud explained with a genuine look of confusion on his face. Aria placed down her teacup gently but with a similar puzzled expression. "But you're the only one with a spirit pact with the great Onyx dragon king Afrien. The appearance also matches up." Freud nodded in understanding.
"Yes, from what you have told me it appears so. However a month ago when the attack happened, I was with the chief of Rien, Aran and a week later, Elf Queen Mercedes. I could not be here and there at the same time, flying would only get me so far especially when I'm no where near your area, in fact, I was about to stop by at the harbor for supplies before you contacted me and I made abrupt changes to get here." Phantom who was quiet up till now was observing Afrien's scale and brushing it much to the dragon's dislike.
"Aria dear I think he speaks the truth. The dragon that the hooded individual brought with him had younger and newer scales while Afrien had been worn out slightly from what looks to be training and battling. The size is also much different." Freud looked amazed and impressed at the same time. "That is correct, we've been practicing on several techniques. Might I inquire as to who you are? You seem knowledgeable about the quality of something."
Phantom gave a short glance at Aria who nodded her head, a sign that told the thief to go ahead with introductions "Right, I believe you've heard of me. I'm Phantom pleased to meet you." realization dawned on Freud's face, no wonder Afrien didn't like him at first glance "Never thought I meet the master thief himself, I suppose I can piece two and two together and assume you've not obtained the 'jewel' you're after?" there was a twinkle in Freud's eye as he said that.
Phantom immediately knew what he was talking about "Ah yes. A knowledgeable one indeed, I see why you're a scholar." Aria seemed oblivious to this exchange and cleared her throat gaining the two's attention. "My apologies, it appears we've strayed from the topic at hand." Afrien who was quiet all this time finally spoke up "Freud, since the 'hooded individual' is supposedly similar to you, if he wanted attention would he have not used your name? It should be quicker."
The group listened and agreed at what Afrien had said. Freud turned to answer his friend's question "Indeed, which can only mean he wants to be discreet. But that probably won't be enough to let us know what he's planning so the question now is, what is his motive? There must be something he's after."
Aria sighed "We don't know, but I find it odd that he knew that I would be in trouble at that time and place to come down at the perfect moment." There was a silence.
"Empress, another matter I've been meaning to ask, what are you planning to do about the black mage?" Aria's eyes seem to become sad at this. "I'm afraid we can't do anything at the moment. The Knights have become afraid, they think that fighting isn't possible since the best knight we have, Chromile has died in battle. The people have settled on living while hoping that we can defend, they want nothing to do with the Black Mage."
"However Freud, I've heard of a small rumor about you. Something about gathering allies to combat the Black Mage. Are you serious about that?" Freud gave a determined smile "Most definitely, I've managed to gather the help of Chief Aran and Elf Queen Mercedes."
Phantom gave a chuckle "Those are some powerful people there. Want to add to the list? I don't mind helping." Freud and Aria both turned to him in shock, Freud was the one who spoke first. "I wonder Phantom, do you have any ulterior motives about this?"
"It depends on your meaning of ulterior motives. If the Black Mage is gone, then dear Aria would not worry so much." Phantom gave a rather dark chuckle before his eyes turned serious "I wouldn't let the world she cares so much about die." Freud turned to Afrien who gave the thief a look of new found respect, the mage had instantly come to a decision.
"Welcome on board Master Thief Phantom." Aria never looked more speechless before in her entire life and Phantom chuckled at the expression, mentally saving it into his memory.
XXX
EunWol had first searched in Leafre. He had been told that that was the only town who co-existed with dragons and was biggest clue. The pirate had went to the chief first to see if there was any information that he could obtain, and if his hunch was right, he should find something there.
"A person with brown hair, blue eyes and a dragon? Well that could only be one person dear stranger, I'm sure you've been looking for Freud. He is the only one to make a pact with the onyx dragon Afrien and Afrien follows him everywhere." Bingo.
"Then do you know where he's currently at sir?" EunWol asked politely. The chief of Leafre thought long and hard before something clicked in his mind. "Ah, yes! He said something about visiting Chief Aran and then Lady Mercedes. I suggest you look for them, when Freud goes out somewhere that far he doesn't come back for over a month." EunWol nodded and said his thanks before leaving.
Well, at least he could experience different places, he always wanted to as a child and now he had a reason to.
XXX
Evan contemplated on going to who next. He first had to find out who Freud has come in contact to. If he remembered right, Phantom had mentioned how Freud's research area was in Leafre. He could search there first, maybe chief Tatamo knows something.
Just as he lands near Leafre three days later, of all his luck he almost bumped into EunWol. He had kept as still as possible and not even breathed when the pirate walked on the road near him. The pirate looked at his direction and Evan felt his heart stop. EunWol just shrugged and went back to walking on the path, when he was sure the pirate was far away, he let out the biggest sigh of relief.
"That was close….Mir could you stay here?" Mir nodded and crouched down, hidden in the shadows. Evan then continued walking on the path and soon reached Leafre, he easily located chief Tatamo and immediately walked towards him, pulling the hood lower then before.
"Greetings Chief Tatamo." the chief turned towards him with a gentle smile. "Oh hello there stranger! My we have lots of visitors these days!" Evan gave a smile of his own. "Yes indeed, Leafre is becoming more prosperous. Not to change the subject chief but do you know where the scholar Freud is?"
"Oh my, he's getting more famous as well! Just now another stranger asked about his whereabouts, I told him that Freud went to see Chief Aran and Lady Mercedes." Just Aran and Mercedes? What about Luminous?
"Did Freud mentioned to you about meeting a fellow mage?"
"Can't say he has. Who are you to Freud anyway? You look slightly different then the guests he usually has." Evan needed to think about an answer an quick! "Ah, I'm an acquaintance. I, um needed to check with him about something."(Evan slightly cursed, he still sucked at lying) But Tatamo bought it and nodded in understanding "Oh yes, many does that since he's wise for his age I myself do as well."
"Well I better go find him then. See you chief Tatamo."
"Take care stranger!"
XXX
"Mir, Freud hasn't met Luminous yet do we go to Luminous or will he go to Freud naturally?" Mir shrugged.
"I don't know Master. Luminous doesn't say much about how he came to know the others but there was one girl he kept mentioning…..Luna? No, Tuna? No…."
"Lania, Mir." Then Evan remembered something, Lania had told him without Luminous knowing that she had once lived before but her name wasn't Lania it was…"Lucia! Oh god Mir we might be able to save her! Lets go to Aurora!"
XXX
Luminous was confused. Lucia kept on growing further apart from him, it was like she was fearing something but not for herself but for him. The serenity mage always knew that the girl he loved was far too selfless "Lucia, what seems to be the matter?"
"Luminous…I-I feel like something terrible is going to happen." Luminous quickly embraced the girl and felt her sobbing into his robes, her tears wetting it, but he didn't care. "Its alright, I'm here. Forever and always." Lucia looked up her eyes still teary, "How do you say that with such conviction? Anything could happen!"
Luminous didn't manage to answer before his teacher came in "Luminous run! The Black Mage has come for you!" The light mage seemed stunned, for him? Why? "Lucia did you know?"
"I was told that the Black Mage was after you. But I don't want to lose you Lumi! I can't….!" His teacher was urging him to hurry, "You don't have the magic it takes to nullify that putrid black magic! Hurry flee!" Luminous seemed to find that idea horrifying "And leave you here alone?!" the black magic started seeping in, it seem to form a claw and scratched at the ground, repeatedly as it tried to grab Luminous.
"You can't escape destiny." Luminous wanted to reply and shout that he could but he knew that was something he had been told countless of times. Luminous looks over to Lucia to see a firm look, she was determined to let him leave alive even at the cost of death.
"You can't escape destiny but you can change it to what your will desires." The three twisted to look at a cloaked figure who stood beside a medium sized dragon. "Who are you intruder?!" Luminous felt the other look at him and the serenity mage almost missed the sadden look that reflected in the other's barely visible blue eyes. "I'm not an enemy."
The hooded figure mounted the dragon and charged head on and crashed through the door. "You fool!" his teacher roared but Luminous could not take his eyes off the figure. The dragon breathe fire at the black mist only to find it ineffective the figure wanted to tell him something, but what?
Luminous's eyes widen as something materialized into the hooded man's hands, the weapon of serenity mage, a Shining Rod. The man twirled it and pointed at the black mist "Illuminate!" a bright flash, and the danger was gone. Luminous may be one of the best light mages, but that was skill even he had not acquired, Luminous turned to his teacher only to see him gaping like a fish "B-But how? E-Even we who use the strongest light techniques had no way to stop that horrid thing!" the figure immediately flew out and only passed by him for a second but Luminous heard it.
"If you want the knowledge of what I hold, seek me out."
Godamnit Evan! The way i put you is both badass and a bit OOC!
Evan: H-How is this my fault?
Fang: Nah its not your fault but at this rate i think you're either gonna get a new persona or you're going to start to act like Phantom which is a no no.
Evan: P-persona? Like me going from nice to c-cold?
Fang: Yup~ But no worries, i see it as Phantom's fault for being a bad influence. I mean don't show your ruthless side to the kid Phantom!
Phantom: Alright, that's enough badmouthing me. I see it as a great improvement to dear Evan. *Drags Fang away*
Fang: Noooooooooo! Phantom's gonna kill meeee! A-anyways Phantom before you drag me to a dungeon or something could you please end this?
Phantom: *sighs* Alright, Please review everyone~ *Continues dragging Fang much to Fang's screaming protests*
