Vayne: And section two begins. I hope you all enjoyed the Cheve, now let's shift perspectives!
Section II: I Don't Hate You
Chapter Six: Where?
As usual, Elsword watched the initiates practice their swings. It had been almost two years since Eve and Chung had gotten married, and in that time assassination attempts had doubled. Today was a good day, they had not had any reports of threats, the sky was clear and sunny, and most importantly of all, Aisha was not around. Elsword groaned at the mere thought of her. She's such an annoyance, always interfering with my duties. Elsword sighed, and left the beginners to the nearby captain and walked up to the advanced class. He was disappointed to see a large group sitting doing nothing while the others were training hard on their own time. Elsword snuck up on the group, and slammed his sword against the hard marble floor, making them all jump.
"So, you're so advanced you don't need to practice? Well, perhaps you're ready to learn some of my techniques. Grab your swords!" The students did so, and stood at the ready. Elsword smirked as he saw them all sweating. Elsword continued, "Such a technique like this will be easy for such advanced people like you." In one motion, Elsword slammed his sword into the floor, and three massive pillars of fire ruptured from the floor in front of him. Everyone stared at him, and he glared at the students he was punishing, "Well? Go on, do it."
The delinquents, knowing their punishment would be severe if they did not do as Elsword said, began to mimic his motion with underwhelming results. The sound of steel hitting the courtyard floor flooded the open air, and Elsword noticed Chung and Eve had walked onto their balcony to see what was going on. He noticed Eve rubbing her eye, indicating they had been woken up by the constant, almost monotone sound of the sword strikes. Elsword held up his hand.
"Let that be a lesson. If you keep on training whenever you have the chance, I won't need to make you look like an idiot." Elsword smirked, and looked up to Chung's quarters where both girls still stood, "And you won't disturb the princesses' valuable slumber." At this, the initiates all stared up at the tower, and all began to practice with one another when Chung waved at them. Elsword smiled, and sat down on the fountain to make sure his lesson was not in vain.
The hedge maze was silent, and the only sound was almost silent footfalls. Aisha skipped along, humming a melody her mother had taught her long ago. It had been a fun few years. Whenever she had the chance, she would insult and annoy Elsword at every turn. She skipped into a large field, a part of the maze she had never seen before, and saw Raven kneeling in front of a large tree statue of an elven woman playing a ceremonial harp. Aisha was curious, as Raven hadn't noticed her. Hmm...Interesting. I wonder what this tree carving means to him. What would Rena do? Set it on fire? But it's so pretty; I don't want to do that.
"What are you doing here?" Aisha jumped. She had been so wrapped up in her thoughts she hadn't realized Raven was leaving the field. Aisha began to make a witty remark, but was stopped short by Raven's hard gaze. She had the sinking feeling that Raven would react violently to any insults right now.
"I...I just...was looking around." Aisha stuttered, and it was the truth. She had never really taken a look around the hedge maze, as her sense of direction was horrible.
"I see. Can I ask you to leave this area? I am...in the middle of something." Without waiting for her response, Raven turned and walked back to the statue, where he got back on both knees and lowered his head. Aisha jumped as someone pulled her around the corner. She was about to scream when she realized it was Rena.
"Rena! You scared me!"
"Shh!" Rena covered Aisha's mouth, and glanced around the corner. Raven was still on his knees. Rena silently pulled Aisha down the path, further into the maze.
"What's wrong?" Aisha asked once Rena finally let her go.
"Don't go into that field. Raven's always there, being weird in front of that tree carving. If you linger, he attacks you for no reason. Trust me, you wouldn't stand a chance. I got caught there, and I only survived because Eve and Chung stumbled across us."
"Ok...I'll...keep it in mind." Aisha sighed. Now I'm glad I didn't set it on fire.
"Want to walk in the maze? It's been a while since we've done something together." Aisha was about to say yes, but then she remembered something as she glanced at the castle.
"Oh! I forgot I need to find some ingredients for a potion I'm working on!" Rena giggled. Good old air headed Aisha.
"Well, better get to work on it."
"Rena, I have to go to the forest, so watch Eve for me okay?"
"Got it. Hope you find what you need." Aisha nodded, and ran off towards the castle. Inevitably, Aisha got lost and had to ask a servant for assistance getting out. After she gathered her things; a pouch and her staff, she uttered a phrase and vanished from the castle.
Aisha appeared deep within the forest east of the city. She turned, and saw a doe run into the bushed, startled by her sudden movement. Then, she noticed something on the floor. Blood? Aisha walked over to the stain, and gasped as she saw a bird, the size of her hand and with bright red feathers, laying on the floor. It was still alive, and its wing was badly injured. She gently picked it up, and it chirped weakly in protest, scared its time on Elrios was up.
"Poor thing." Aisha cooed, and pulled a small bottle from her pouch. She uncorked the bottle, and put the sticky liquid on the bird's wound. She placed her staff on the wound, and the liquid began to glow as it healed it. The bird stood upright on her hand, and stared at her. She smiled warmly, and the bird flew off. It circled around her, chirping happily, before it perched on her head, "Friendly little guy aren't you? Maybe I should keep you." Her new feathered friend chirped in reply, "You'll need a name...How about...Eta?" Another chirp, "Perfect!"
Aisha looked around the clearing, and sighed. She was in luck, as one of the ingredients she needed was right in the field. Carefully, she began to scratch off the thick bark of a small purple weed, careful not to touch any of the highly toxic juices. She heard Eta chirping in the background, but was too focused on her work to do anything else. She stopped when she heard a sudden rustling, and her hair was on end. She rolled to the side as someone slammed a large hammer on the floor where she was. She was near her staff, but another bandit was between her and it. She threw the soaking bark pieces at the bandit, and the toxin began to melt his skin. While he was incapacitated, she grabbed her staff and struck the poisoned bandit with a large bolt of lightning, killing him. The one with the hammer charged her, but she was already finished charging up a large fireball. She hurled it at him, and he was reduced to nothing more than a pile of ash. She lowered her guard, not sensing anymore bandits.
"That was close. I think I should wait to get thes-" Aisha was cut short as a hidden bandit hit her in the back of the head with a large stick. She fell to the floor, and another bandit pinned her down while he tied her arms behind her back, "Get off me asshole! Once I get free you-Mmmph!" Aisha was cut off again as another bandit gagged her. For safe measures, they also tied her legs, and she was carried off into the woods, "Mmph! Mmmph!" Aisha screamed as loud as she could. She noticed something she hadn't noticed before. A transparent darkness seeped from the bandits. They were under a demon's control. She wouldn't be untied, as they were smarter than a normal bandit. She glanced around in horror as the light suddenly faded. They were taking her into a cave. She screamed again, as loud as she could through her gag. For the first time in her life, Aisha was begging to be saved.
The next day.
"Where is she?!" Eve paced back and forth in the main courtyard. The initiates who were training were nervous, trying to figure out what was wrong.
"Eve, calm down. Panicking isn't going to help." Chung forced Eve to sit down, "Rena, any sign of her?"
"No ma'am. Scouts reported back recently, and they found nothing." Rena was worried as well. Aisha was her best friend. Without her, she would feel all alone. Raven was silent, and that made Rena angry, "How can you be so silent right now?!" Raven remained silent, his eyes tightly closed. Rena wanted to hit him.
"Raven's thinking about what to do, Rena, please give him some space." Rena stormed off, walking right past Elsword as he approached them. Chung was confused, as Elsword came from the stables and he had his armor, weapon, and horse.
"Mi'lady."
"Yes Elsword?" Chung hoped he wasn't going to ask what she thought he was.
"I request permission to search the forest for Aisha." Everyone, even Raven, stared at him in amazement. Elsword clearly hated Aisha, so why would he want to look for her? Chung however, didn't want to see Elsword possibly get hurt.
"No! I forbid you to go after her!" Chung ordered, but Elsword stood still, "I can't risk losing you Elsword." Raven walked up beside Elsword, and held out his hand for the reigns.
"I'm sorry Mi'lady." While they were trying to figure out what he was saying, Elsword punched Raven square in the face, knocking him to the floor. Elsword leapt onto his horse, and quickly galloped out the gates before the guards could try to stop him.
"Elsword! Stop!" He heard Chung call, but continued to ride through the crowded streets.
"Out of my way!" Elsword yelled, and they cleared a path to the gate. Within a minute, Elsword was gone from the city, and galloped halfway to the forest, where he dismounted. He knew they would come looking for him, and he sent his horse to the farthest part of the forest, and he would start on the other side. He vanished into the forest, and began to listen closely to his surroundings. The leaves were silent, no wind. He suddenly heard something chirp, and a bright red bird flew up to him, "Whoa!" The bird fluttered in front of him, chirping constantly. Elsword knew this bird species; he had owned one before, "A Crimson Spearhead? Do you want to show me something?" The bird chirped and nodded its head, then flew off into the trees. Elsword chased after it, and soon smelt something burning. Elsword broke into a small clearing, sword drawn. He saw a dead bandit on the floor, and a pile of ash. The bird continued to chirp, and was beckoning for Elsword to continue following it. He ran after it, and suddenly stopped and hid behind a large, fallen tree. The bird landed on his shoulder, and he looked at him, "Can you draw me an audio picture of the entrance?" The bird nodded, and flew off towards the cave entrance. As it flew around, it chirped loudly, annoying the guards. Large cavern, three...no, two guards. Elsword picked up a rock, and threw it up. The guards began to walk towards the tree he was behind, inspecting the noise. When they drew close, Elsword jumped at them, spun in the air and severed both bandits' heads in one horizontal strike. Elsword cleaned off his blade, and noticed the demonic aura surrounding the cave. Elsword knew Aisha was in deep trouble, and ran inside.
It was dark, and Elsword couldn't see. The Spearhead accompanied him, and he used the sound of the chirping to find his way. It was actually a small cave, that led to a giant cave with no more branches inside. Elsword saw lights, and slowed. He heard a demonic ritual, and saw Aisha was tied down to a large altar, and a small demon was funneling black mist into her. Elsword quickly rushed forward, and cleaved the distracted demon in half.
"Aisha!" He shook her, trying to wake her up. No reply. He picked Aisha up, and ran out of the cave. He ran north, heading to his horse. As he neared the edge of the forest, he whistled. His horse soon showed up, and Elsword realized the Crimson Spearhead had followed him. He didn't dwell on it, and placed Aisha on the horse. He mounted, held Aisha tightly, and returned to the city as fast as he could possibly go.
Chung sat on the fountain in the courtyard in tears. Elsword had been gone for several hours, making her worried. Eve and Rena were next to her, trying to help her stay calm.
"I'm sure Elsword is alright. He's an amazing fighter." Rena said calmly.
"I should have stopped him! Why did he do it?!" Chung sobbed. Eve rubber her shoulder.
"Please Chung, have faith in him. But still, I wonder why he was so willing to find Aisha of all people." Rena nodded. Even she was curious. She stood up suddenly, hearing the faint sound of hooves.
"Rena?" Chung knew Rena had better hearing; could she be hearing Elsword? At that time, Elsword rushed into the courtyard on horseback.
"Elsword!" Eve sighed, happy to see him.
"You are in-" Chung was cut off as Elsword slid off his horse, grabbed Aisha's unconscious body, and ran for the castle.
"Medic!" He yelled as he ran inside. They ran after him, gravely concerned. As Elsword ran past a guard, he slowed, "Get the royal magician, now!" The guard quickly ran off, and Elsword kicked in the door to the infirmary. He hurried inside, and placed Aisha on the bed. Chung didn't even care Elsword had disobeyed her. She was fearing for Aisha's life.
"Elsword, what happened?!" Chung ordered for an explanation while Rena and Eve sat next to Aisha.
"Aisha was ambushed by bandits and kidnapped. They were possessed by a demon, and it was funneling dark energy into her. That's all I know." Elsword explained, and they all heard a sudden, soft groan.
"Aisha?" Eve whispered, and Aisha looked at her in confusion. She looked around the room.
"Where am I?" Rena chuckled softly.
"The infirmary Aisha. It's goo-"
"Aisha? Who's that?" Aisha tilted her head to the side, and Rena stared at her in horror. Elsword cursed.
"She's lost her memory?" Eve breathed. They all looked at Elsword, who was staring out the window in thought. He felt like he had an idea, it was on the tip of his tongue.
"The demon energy must have wiped her memory, or at least suppressed them." It clicked when Rena said that, and Elsword looked up.
"Mi'lady?" Elsword looked at Chung.
"Yes?"
"I think I have an idea. I need to leave the kingdom however. Do I have your permission?" Chung thought it over.
"Very well. You have a week." Elsword nodded.
"Plenty of time." With that, Elsword returned to the courtyard, mounted his horse, and began to make tracks for the harbor.