Chapter 7: Road to Recovery
The next morning Aniya woke up at her usual time and the maid, whom was given the day off the previous day, tended to her once again. The day was starting off like it normally did: the maid brought breakfast and Aniya ate it like usual, however this time Aniya had a particular request…
"Um, miss?" Aniya asked the maid near her that was taking away the tray that held her breakfast before
"Yes milady?" the maid replied
"I need a favor."
"Anything you need milady."
"Please stop calling me 'milady'; I'm not exactly royalty," Aniya paused for a moment, "Just call me Aniya."
"Um…will 'Miss Aniya' do?"
"Hmmm, I suppose…"
"Anything else mila-… Miss Aniya?"
"Yes actually…" Aniya paused again, but this time a little bit longer than before, "I need something from outside…"
"And that is?" the maid asked slowly
"…A branch from a tree, it doesn't need to be big."
"A...branch?" the maid asked while looking completely puzzled
"I see you're confused," Aniya chuckled a little, and then spoke seriously "I will explain in a little bit."
"Um…as you wish Miss Aniya," the maid said as she bowed and took her leave tray in hand
After the maid closed the door behind her Aniya had taken a deep breath as if asking her request was a giant load off her shoulders. A short time afterward Aniya listened for anyone coming, and when the coast was clear she grabbed her right wrist with her left hand and made a fist with her right and closed her eyes.
"Okay…" Aniya said under her breath, and after she did her breathing seemingly became more strained
Aniya slowly opened her right hand and as she did revealed a very small pebble sized ball of energy, yellow in color, and then opened her eyes again. She then tossed the ball into the air just above her and the energy ball remained in place, and then she went back to what she did just prior and created another, only this time the energy ball was blue in color. Shortly after completing the second ball the maid walked in, branch In hand, and witnessed what Aniya was doing.
"Miss Aniya! W-what's this?" the maid said in shock
"These…are…Elemental Orbs…" Aniya said between breaths after she noticed the maid
"Um…"
After catching her breath Aniya continued, "Don't worry they aren't dangerous…in the meantime…"
"Oh, yes," the maid said looking down at the branch, which was two feet in length and added "Will this do?"
"It's fine, can you bring it over here?" Aniya said as she tossed the second ball into the air, aligning itself with the brown one, and released her right hand
The maid walked over to Aniya's side, albeit cautiously, and handed Aniya the branch while looking at the two floating orbs. After taking the branch in one hand Aniya slowly removed the covers with the other, and moved her legs so that they were hanging off the edge of the bed. Taking a small number of steps backwards the maid spoke cautiously.
"Um…Miss Aniya?" the maid asked worriedly
"Here we go…" Aniya said sharply
Aniya after finishing her sentence snapped the branch in two, and then placed the separate pieces on her legs, after which started a small incantation. The maid, still watching, grew even more surprised at what happened next: the two orbs that were idle above Aniya's head started to glow brighter and brighter, almost to the point of blinding the woman. After a short time the orbs light faded and all returned to normal, however the two pieces of the branch were on Aniya's legs were replaced by "vines", which also appeared to be extremely tight, the same color as the branch, and extended from her thighs to her feet. Regaining herself the maid opened her mouth to speak.
"Miss Aniya?" the maid started, "What did you do?"
However Aniya was unresponsive to her words and upon closer inspection showed that she was asleep, and the orbs faded until they were no more. Seeing this the maid walked over and gently picked up Aniya's legs, put her back on the bed, and put the covers over her. Afterward the maid noticed that the Ark on the nightstand was glowing slightly and cautiously walked over to it. Upon getting close enough the maid reached her hand out to touch the Ark, however when only an inch away the maid felt all the energy in her body drain and subsequently passed out, but was close enough to the nearby chair that she fell into it braking her fall.
…
~Several Hours Later~
…
The maid woke up in a drowsy state and noticed that Aniya had already woken up and was simply sitting idle, watching her. Regaining herself the maid got up from the chair and corrected her uniform, then turned to face Aniya, however Aniya was the first to speak.
"I'm sorry about that," Aniya started to say, "I should have warned you."
"Miss Aniya, what happened?" the maid asked cautiously
"I cast a small spell as you saw," Aniya started as she pointed at her legs which were still covered, and then added, "It will help me walk again, and will 'fall off' when I can."
"Miss Aniya, why are you in a hurry?" the maid asked curiously
"Because I have a bad feeling…"
"About what?"
"Hmmm, it's probably nothing."
"I see…" the maid started but then noticed outside the window that the sun was nearing the horizon, then said slightly shocked, "Oh no!"
"What is it?"
"I have to get your dinner ready!" the maid said as she quickly bowed and left the room
Shortly after the maid left Aniya removed the covers once more and swung her legs so they were hanging over the edge once more. Taking a deep breath she put her feet onto the solid floor, and as she did the vines on her legs seemed to tighten, to the point that she cringed slightly.
"I forgot how painful these can be…" Aniya said under her breath
Brushing off the pain she attempted to stand up on both feet but fell onto the floor again, as she did some days prior. Grabbing onto the bed, and using it as a brace, Aniya tried multiple times to get onto her feet however each time she tried she fell down the same way, after a time she stopped trying and rested as each time she tried it drained her more and more of energy. After a short time Aniya's rest was broken by the sound a tray dropping, not to her surprise as she turned her head Aniya saw the maid looked at her in total shock.
"Welcome back." Aniya said with a smile
However the maid was not amused as was shown on her face she rushed over to Aniya's side and helped her up and sat her bed facing her.
"Miss Aniya why must you scare me so?" the maid said angrily while she had her hands on her hips
"I can't help it..." Aniya started, "I can't just lay here forever, there is no telling when my legs will heal to the point I can walk again…"
"But the queen said-"
"I know, I know, I can take as long as needed…" Aniya said interrupting her, "But another reason why I am trying to leave is that I know that I am not wanted here in the palace…"
"W-what are you talking about?" the maid said shocked
As the maid finished talking the Ark started glowing again and she took a step back. Aniya, however, was completely unfazed by it and continued to look upon the frightened maid.
"When you tried to touch that," Aniya said as she pointed at the Ark, "I saw some of your memories…"
The maid did not answer, she only stood there dumbstruck
"It and I are connected you know…" Aniya continued, "When I used magic earlier, I 'activated' it at the same time…"
The maid still did not answer
"Every time you leave this room you talk to your fellow maids and butlers," Aniya said growing in seriousness, "And each time you talk about how I don't belong here…"
"I, um…" the maid tried to say
"You are right you know I don't belong here…"
"It is true, we did say things like that…" the maid said regaining herself, and then added "But that is because we don't know you…"
"What does knowing me have to do with it?"
"W-well…"
Aniya said nothing as she waited for the maid to speak
"The queen treats you like a VIP but we don't know why."
"I will explain that…" a soft voice came from beyond the door
As the door opened both Aniya and the maid turned their heads and witnessed whose voice it was that had just spoke.
"Cisna…" Aniya said softly seemingly surprised
As Cisna walked in it was apparent that she was angry as she had a very serious look on her face, and when she was within five feet the maid gave a deep bow and held it as if she was afraid of the queen's reaction.
"Rise…" Cisna said as she extended her hand
The maid did not speak as she stood upright again but avoided the queen's gaze
Aniya also remained quiet as she waited what Cisna would say
"This woman saved my life and this country…no, the entire world…" Cisna said seriously
"My queen I-" the maid started to say
"You can tell that to everyone else..." Cisna said interrupting her, "Now you may leave…"
"Yes, my queen," the maid said meekly as she bowed again and picked up the dropped tray and left the room closing the door behind her
"Now for you…" Cisna said as she turned to Aniya who was still sitting on the beds edge
"Yes?" Aniya answered
"You need to rest…" Cisna said slightly angry
"I can't stay here Cisna…"
"Why not?"
"I can't explain it now…" Aniya started, "But something feels…wrong…"
"Wrong?"
"Yes…" Aniya continued, "If I don't leave here people may be in danger…"
"Mureas…" the Ark spoke slowly
Cisna and Aniya turned their heads towards the ark, which was still glowing, and shortly afterward the glow faded until it was no more. Afterward they turned to each other and locked gazes both equal in the amount of seriousness.
"What…was that?" Cisna asked
"The spirit…" Aniya answered, and then added "I'm sure Framboise told you already."
"Yes…but the others were not known to…do that…"
"Its power exceeds the others by far."
"So I see…"
"But I know you did not come to visit to talk about stuff like that…" Aniya said trying to change the subject
"Oh yes! Although this isn't the way I planned it…" Cisna said returning to the way Aniya knew here before, "How have you been?"
"I don't like places like this…too upscale…"
"Well, you are an adventurer," Cisna said with a chuckle
"True," Aniya said chuckling as well
"I can't stay long…duty calls…" Cisna said with a sad face as she finished chuckling
"Ah yes, the duties of a queen…"
"Yes…but before I leave Aniya…" Cisna said as she turned to leave, "Promise me that you will rest."
"I can't keep that promise, Your Majesty…" Aniya replied seriously
"Well…then promise me you won't do anything foolish…"
"Hmmm, that I may be able to keep."
"Okay!" Cisna said with a smile
Aniya returned the smile and Cisna made her way out of the room, giving one final wave before she closed the door. Shortly afterward the maid, who had left just before, came in with Aniya's dinner, however this time on her face she showed newfound respect for Aniya as the information she learned, and subsequently passed on to her peers, was completely unexpected. As Aniya was eating she explained to the maid a little more in-depth about what happened and how she saved the world and the maid grew more and more interested. After Aniya finished eating the maid left for the evening, and Aniya went to sleep earlier than normal.
…
~The Next Day~
…
The morning went somewhat without incident; the maid brought Aniya her breakfast as usual, but when finished she tried to walk once again, however she did not attempt it alone, the maid assisted her by holding her up so that she did not fall. With her help Aniya was able to put one foot in front of the other, albeit in baby steps, and almost made it from one end of the room to the other before her legs gave out and subsequently made her fall taking the maid with her.
"Well…almost made it…" Aniya said with a small chuckle
"Yes, almost," the maid said in agreement
"Now we just have to make it back."
"I'm here to help you Miss Aniya."
"Thanks."
Helping Aniya up the maid got her to the bed once again, however they did not stop. For several hours the two trekked back and forth from one end of the room to the other, each time Aniya falling but also getting closer and closer to the wall before she does, and after numerous attempts they finally did so. After the last attempt Aniya, on the bed once more, finally rested seemingly exhausted after trying to walk.
"How do you feel?" the maid asked as she sat next to Aniya
"I feel my legs getting stronger," Aniya said as she rubbed her leg
"That's good to hear."
"I would say in a week or so I can walk like normal again."
"A week? That's fast."
"It will take a lot of falls before then though…" Aniya said chuckling again
As Aniya finished talking the room's door opened and through it appeared Framboise who was her cheery happy-go-lucky self.
"Hey Aniya!" Framboise said cheerfully
"Framboise!"
"Greetings Lady Framboise," the maid said as she stood up and bowed to Framboise
"What are you up to?" Framboise asked
"Trying to walk…" Aniya replied
"Trying to?"
"Yes."
"I will take my leave Miss Aniya, Lady Framboise," the maid said as she bowed and grabbed the tray that held Aniya's food and left the room leaving Framboise and Aniya alone.
"So you can't walk yet, huh?"
"No not yet, but these are helping." Aniya said as she pointed at her legs and the vines surrounding them
"Oooh I've heard of magic like that!" Framboise said, and then added "Combination magic, using multiple elements, very powerful but can be dangerous."
"It depends on what elements are used that can make it dangerous…" Aniya added
"True."
"I know you came here for a reason Framboise, so what is it?"
"Straight to business huh?" Framboise said with a sigh, and then added "Alright then…"
Aniya moved over slightly and motioned for Framboise to sit next to her, which she did
"I asked several guinea-, um I mean several soldiers that I gave Arks to but none of them had the same experience as you did, or anywhere close." Framboise started
"I suppose that is a good thing…"
"But what I don't understand is what the difference is?"
"What do you mean?"
"So what if they don't contract with a spirit? They can control the Knights all the same."
"And as I said before they won't be as powerful."
"How much more powerful can a Knight be?"
"If one of them were to go up against the other 'True' Knights they would be crushed quickly without one."
"*gulp*I see…"
"But the other Knights are gone…"
"Absorbed by this 'Madoras'?"
"Yes, and he is gone as well…although…"
"'Although'?"
"I have been having a feeling that something isn't right…as if it is not over yet…"
"If you are referring to the Magi, we are currently defeating the remnants little by little; they won't be a problem for much longer."
"Maybe…"
"Well I can't stay too long, got to get back to my research," Framboise said as she stood up and turned to face Aniya, and then added "We are researching different parts for the Knights."
"Don't dig too far Framboise…"
"Where is the fun in that?"
"Some things are better off left untouched that's all…"
"Hmmm, how about if we discover anything dangerous we'll stop, how's that?"
"Good enough I suppose."
A moment later Aniya and Framboise both turned their heads in the direction of the door which was opening, and through it came both Caesar and Kara, with the latter having a mean look on her face. Seeing the two Framboise said her farewells to Aniya as she made for the door, and as Framboise passed the couple she gave them both a nod, and in turn they gave a nod back seemingly agreeing on something. Walking closer to Aniya the couple noticed what was around her legs, and of course Caesar was the first to speak.
"Nice 'legwear' Aniya!" Caesar said as he chuckled
Without much warning Kara elbowed Caesar in the stomach causing him to grunt a little, but still chuckled almost as if he was expecting it.
"So how have you been?" Caesar said continuing
"I've been alright," Aniya said chuckling
"That's good."
"Eldore told me you two got married, how has that been going?"
"I make most of the decisions." Kara added
"I help…sometimes…" Caesar spoke sheepishly
"Heh…never knew you to be one for politics Kara." Aniya replied
"Neither did I…" Kara said, then looked at Caesar and added, "But someone has to watch over this one…"
"Yeah…no telling what he would do…"
"Hey!" Caesar said interrupting the two, "I DID rule Greede for one year alone you know!"
"True…" Aniya said in agreement
"That you did…" Kara said also agreeing
Then the trio burst out laughing so loud that someone from outside came in to see what the commotion was, and seeing nothing wrong went on their own way. Calming down a little the trio returned to their serious state.
"Anyways…" Aniya started to say then paused
"Everyone else will be coming soon." Caesar said almost reading her mind
"You two were just the first to arrive?"
"Yep, we had a talk with the queen before coming here…"
"She told us she visited you last night and about what happened…" Kara added
"Hmmm, I see…" Aniya said slowly
"It's almost like Dragon Sight…" Caesar continued
"The question is…why do you have that ability?" Kara asked
"Only the Dragon Knight, and by extension myself, had it before."
Aniya did not answer immediately, she glanced at the Ark and then back to the couple, and then opened her mouth to speak only to be interrupted by the door being opened and through it came the rest of the company, Cyrus included.
"Hey Aniya!" yelled Yulie as she came running
"Hey back Yulie!" Aniya replied but then looked at Caesar and Kara who still awaited an answer
"Well…I'm sure it can wait…" Caesar spoke as he took a seat with Kara following him
"So you can use magic again Aniya?" Eldore asked
"A little…" Aniya replied slowly, and then added "Only small spells though…"
Eldore raised an eyebrow as he replied, "Small huh?"
"Believe it or not this was the cause of small spell," Aniya said pointing at her legs
"Hmmm…"
"But anyways…everyone is back again…"
"Indeed," Eldore said agreeing, and then added, "Shall we pick up where we left off?"
"Yes…" Aniya paused for a moment, "Where were we?"
"We just met Caesar for the first time at the manor of Greede," Leonard spoke
"Thank you Leonard."
"No problem."
"Caesar had just broken the news of the fake statue to his father, and was subsequently 'disowned' by him and we received a letter to give to Amir so that we can move the Demithor…"
…
~PAST~
…
Upon leaving the count's room the group found Caesar waiting for them, and subsequently followed him back to his own room whereupon Caesar asked the group if he could tag along. Everyone, with the exception of Kara, welcomed Caesar's company and soon they were in the downtown quarter once again.
"So where will we find this Amir?" Yulie asked
"At the bar most likely, but if I know him he's 'under' it…" Caesar replied
"So…he's a drunk?" Kara asked coldly
"Not really," Caesar then chuckled, "But he does like to run up a tab…"
"Oh brother…"
A short walk later the group found the bar that Amir was enjoying himself at. Upon handing him the letter from Count Drisdall he seemed enthused to move the Demithor, however warned the group in order to do so they have to brave the "belly of the beast" so to speak and that is hasn't been cleared as they are not in the mining season. Caesar then reassured Amir, and the rest of the group at the same time, that it will all work out and that there is nothing to fear.
"Um, one last thing before we go ladies and gentlemen…" Caesar said somewhat meekly
"Hmmm? What is it?" Eldore asked
"Is that the gear you have on you?"
"Yes, what of it?"
"The underbelly is a very dangerous place; you all need better gear before we go."
"We don't really have the time to make money we need to hurry…" Aniya started to speak
"Let me worry about that!" Caesar replied, and then added "Follow me."
With those words the rest of the group followed Caesar to the nearby shop whereupon he told the rest to gear up with whatever they wanted.
"Um, didn't the count 'disown' you? So how can-"
"ANIYA!" Yulie yelled, "I'm sorry Caesar…"
"Don't worry about it, she is right though…" Caesar said calming her, and then pulled out a rather large sack of money "I kept my own supply funds just in case…"
"Just in case…?" Kara thought to herself
Afterward the group got new armor and weaponry, courtesy of Caesar, however in doing so drained him of the supply of funds he had.
"Hey…" Caesar spoke to Aniya
"Yes?" Aniya replied
"Everyone got new weapons…why didn't you?" Caesar said pointing at her sword
"This…is a treasure…" Aniya paused, "I'll never part with it…"
"I see…"
"By the way Caesar, I'm sorry for what I said, it was wrong of me…"
"Don't worry about it. It's not the first time the old man said that…"
"Huh?"
"So are we all ready to go?" Caesar asked the group seemingly ignoring Aniya's curiosity
The entire group nodded in agreement as everyone finished putting on their new gear.
"Let's go then!"
…
~PRESENT~
…
"'Not the first time' Caesar?" Cyrus asked
"Yeah, I've done a lot of things that made the old man angry." Caesar replied
"So he 'disowned' you multiple times, but he always took you back."
"Yep…I'm kinda surprised though I didn't know this was going to be about me…"
"It's not; we are just learning things from Aniya's point of view." Eldore commented
"Oh, so it's kind of a consequence?"
"Something like that…" Leonard replied shyly looking at Yulie who didn't seem to notice him looking at her
"If you all want I can skip things like that…" Aniya replied
"No, it's better this way," Caesar replied, "It is best if some things are brought into the light."
Aniya looked around the room and everyone else agreed with Caesar's words
"That is similar to what you said before Aniya." Yulie commented
"True…okay then…" Aniya replied continuing
…
~PAST~
…
After leaving the shop the group, after a short walk, found themselves at the entrance to the underbelly of the Demithor. After opening the door the entire group except for Amir, Caesar, and surprisingly Aniya, covered their mouths as the stench of the area was overwhelming.
"Yeah, everyone is like that the first time coming here." Caesar said with a laugh
"You'll all get used to it in no time." Amir spoke trying to reassure everyone
"This place will take us outside right next to the Demithor's head," Caesar paused, "but let's be careful, there are many dangerous monsters here, especially around this time of year…"
"I doubt its anything that we haven't seen before," Leonard commented
"Don't be so sure of that Leonard…" Caesar replied seriously
"Your overconfidence will be your downfall Leonard…" Kara added darkly
"That sounds kind of cruel Kara," Aniya commented
"Enough let's go." Eldore commanded
With Eldore's words the group entered the underbelly of Greede, and only a short ways in they realized what Caesar meant by dangerous monsters, and the reason he said to be cautious. The group found themselves surrounded by numerous spiders, similar to the ones they fought in the Nordia Tunnels; however these were a different color and seemed to be much faster.
"Heh, and these guys aren't the biggest problem…" Caesar commented as he slew several of the spiders
"Take back what you said now Leonard?" Yulie added
"C'mon this isn't so bad…" Leonard replied cockily
"Leonard I'm going to kill you!" Kara said angrily
"Less talking, more fighting!" Eldore yelled in reply
A short time later after what seemed like dozens of spiders everyone sheathed their weapons and took a small breather, however Aniya did not, and she still had her weapon readied.
"It's not over…" Aniya finally said
"What?" Yulie asked in reply
Out from the shadows was something that looked far worse than the spiders: a crystal-like monster, however the creature did not notice the group, or it did not seem to care. Walking up to her side Caesar put his hand on Aniya's shoulder which then caused her to finally lower her weapon.
"That is an elemental monster." Caesar spoke
"A what?" Aniya replied
"They cast magic of the natural type." Eldore added
"You know your stuff old man," Caesar replied with a chuckle, and then added "While they are dangerous, they are normally oblivious to anything around them."
"In other words don't bother them, they won't bother you?"
Yulie asked in reply
"Exactly."
"On a side note," Kara started, "Aniya do you even know how to wield that weapon properly?"
"What are you implying Kara?" Aniya replied sternly
"During our fight you barely were only able to kill two of those spiders."
"I haven't mastered its use yet…"
"What about when you fought that Fire Lizard?"
Aniya remained silent
"You did what we couldn't but now it seems you are weaker now…"
Aniya still remained silent but her grip on her weapon, while lowered, tightened.
"Okay, okay…" Caesar said while stepping between them, and then added "Maybe she's not having a good day."
Kara scoffed and then turned around and started to walk off deeper into the maze along with the rest of the group Aniya loosened her grip on her weapon and after a short time strapped it back to her waist and followed everyone.
…
~PRESENT~
…
"I guess you can say that was the start of my resentment toward you Kara…" Aniya said coldly
"I…see…" Kara replied slowly
"It's funny though," Caesar added, "Back then when you fought with that weapon, we would have never guessed you will be so proficient with it later."
"You can thank Dels for that." Aniya replied
"So when you fought us, it was due to Dels tutelage?"
The room immediately fell silent at Caesar's words; however the silence did not last long as Cyrus spoke up quickly.
"You all what!?" Cyrus shouted
"Yes…" Aniya said as she put her head down, "At Red Horn…"
"That is the main reason for this story Cyrus…" Eldore spoke up
"I don't believe it…" Cyrus said in shock, and then added "That's treason…"
"She had her reasons," Kara added and then paused, "Though you weren't supposed to find out Cyrus, not yet at least."
"Sorry…it slipped…" Caesar said meekly
"Oh well…" Aniya finally said looking up at Cyrus, "What will you do now Cyrus?"
Cyrus was silent for a few moments and finally spoke, "I will wait and listen to the circumstances behind this, and then I'll decide."
"Alright…"
…
~PAST~
…
Walking further into the underbelly, and slaying numerous monsters along the way, the group found themselves in a fork like room with a large lever in the middle.
"This is the first obstacle we have to overcome ladies and gentlemen!" Amir spoke
"The path to the Demithor's head is locked behind a series of doors that can only be opened by certain levers," Caesar added, "And here is the first of such…kinda."
"Kinda?" Yulie asked
"This lever in front of us controls two doors in this room, but the lever we want is to the left down a long corridor, the right door leads further in."
"I'll go…" Aniya spoke
"Okay," Caesar said as he nodded in Aniya's direction and walked toward the lever, then called over to Leonard "Help me out with this Leonard; this thing can be a pain."
"Gotcha!" Leonard replied as he went to the opposite side Caesar in a pulling position
"On three!" Caesar shouted Leonard nodded as he readied himself
"Heh…THREE!" Caesar yelled as he pushed the lever as hard as he could which also caused Leonard to pull as hard as he could Despite the surprising movement, the two managed to get the lever to move, albeit slowly, and the door on the left swung open.
"I'll be back…" Aniya said as she drew her weapon and ran through the door
After a short time of running Aniya's run started to slow, turning into a jog and finally into a walk as she noticed there were no monsters in the area. She started to think about what Kara said: about how her proficiency in the longsword is very low. Because of this Aniya walked started to practice swinging with it, although she knew she would not get much better in such a short time. A short time later Aniya came upon a much smaller version of the lever in the forked room, and despite it being similar it was somewhat easier to move as opposed to the larger one.
"Okay."
Making her way back Aniya found the rest of the group waiting on her, and as soon as she mentioned that she moved the lever Leonard and Caesar both readied themselves to move the lever again. As the lever moved the left door slammed shut, and the door to the right swung open.
"Alright let's get goin'!" Caesar shouted
"Caesar…" Aniya spoke to get his attention which also caused the rest of the group to take notice
"Yeah? What's up?"
"Is the 'guardian' active?"
"Uh…" Caesar started with a nervous chuckle, "I forgot about him…"
"Guardian?" Eldore asked seriously
"A golem, we keep it here to prevent intruders from sneaking in and doing any damage."
"How did you know about it Aniya?"
"I was here last year, hired to help clean up the underbelly, and I was told about it…" Aniya replied
"Last year…" Caesar said somewhat to himself, then aloud "I think I remember...didn't you have your hair up then?"
"Yes, I did…but let's get moving…" Aniya said as she started to walk off
"They called you the 'Demoness.'"
This caused Aniya to stop in her tracks, but seconds later continued to walk toward the door with the rest of the group following shortly. After another short walk they all came to a wide open room with a large, seemingly dormant, structure in the middle.
"Um…is that?" Yulie asked worriedly
"Yes…it's the guardian…" Caesar said with a sigh
After Caesar's words parts of the structure lit up, and it stood to its full height, almost the same as a Knight.
"In…tru..ders…" the golem spoke as it started to move toward the group
A/N: Real life can be a pain sometimes. I apologize for the long wait. Here onward is where the story will start to get a little more interesting, initially I was planning on leaving the secret of Red Horn for later but it seemed to bit better here. Please review if you have enjoyed (or not) the story so far...
