Hey, guys! Sorry for not keeping to my schedule at all. I should probably make it official that updates are NOT going to be monthly. I'm surprised I have yet to drop my excuse of a fanfic. Either way, I don't own Elsword. Yeah, I know I went against my own pattern of POVs but, I really wanted to get this in! Also, please note that I'm editing this like.. 1:00 in the morning, AKA the day of on of my standardized tests so there will be mistakes but I tried my best, with editing. The actual content, I honestly don't know how much effort was put in that (that does not mean I didn't try though). Enjoy!
The Esper and the Fox
Chapter 10: The Injured Esper
Add's POV
Gunshots echoed throughout the vast caves, mixed in with sounds of whirring drills and clashing metal. Insane laughter bounced off the cavern walls, not me for once (well, not entirely). That fucked up voice belonged to none other than the killing machine herself.
I cast a glance at the Nemesis. She was tearing every machine apart, going as far as dismembering, even obliterating, some of them. Her face was anything but stoical. Her amber eyes were as wide and wild as a feline's. The feral smile practically split her face in half, displaying her perfectly white teeth. The constant red aura radiating from her person and the three pairs of menacing metal that resembled wings only enhanced her appearance, not to mention combat abilities. She looked fucking insane. Why?
Proto has a... unique condition involving "emotions". Despite having no emotional chip, circuit, or code in her body, her algorithms seems to automatically reform her data in order for combat mode to reach its potential. This sudden outburst of emotions is merely a side effect, at least that is what almighty Eve said. Why the hell she has to go batshit crazy half the time? Who knows.
At least the emotions don't completely override all commands but kill. In fact, I do not even need to nor want to imagine such a scenario.
I easily sidestepped a pitiful attempt at stabbing me, pivoting to face the Nasod as it recovered footing. Extending my arm, space-time power crackling at my fingertips, I opened up a subspace which sucked up the rusty robot and the few within the space's vicinity. The void itself damaged them before exploding. Nasods fell one after another like wasted drunkards as sounds of metal hitting rock resonated around us. I easily blink from Nasod to Nasod, landing deadly blows enhanced with spatial abilities that forced metal to cave in and break. After placing myself in the middle of a mob of robots, I spiraled up into the air, pummeling those below with compressed balls of plasma. The surrounding robots lay lifeless like the scrap metal they are on the ground, some exploding or spazzing out. I surveyed the damage as I drifted towards the ground.
Not long after touching the ground, a gunshot sounded before an explosion occurred right behind me, the wind tousling my hair. I twisted my head back to see a combusted Nasod on the rocky floor as Proto unsummoned her big ass gun and whipped around to plunge a spear into the Nasod behind her. Chunks of metal circled her figure protectively (as if the fiery aura and metal wings weren't already enough).
"You're slacking~," Proto smirked wryly, "Perhaps your skill has decreased upon becoming a hermit."
Oh, how I wanted to slap that twisted delight off her face.
Plasma balls revolved around me at my command. With a flick of a finger, I shot one of them at a Nasod to my left before sending a second one grazing right past Miss Psycho. The deadly substance collided with a Nasod in midair before exploding.
"Sorry, what were you saying? I couldn't hear you," I replied with a smirk of my own.
"Oh? I was just asking if the Esper needed his 'knight in shining armor', as you humans say, or should it be his princess in shining armor?"
Not even waiting for a reply, Proto positioned herself amongst a crowd of Nasods, planting one foot behind her to get a better footing. A three-pronged spear appeared before her, summoning a black hole. The void sucked in the surrounding Nasods, along with some loose rocks. It tossed my hair in the process as I kept my feet firmly planted on the rocky floor, even bending space a bit in order to avoid being a victim of her attack. I swear she was trying to suck me into that thing. As the strong winds came to a halt, Proto jerked back the pronged spear, signaling for the void to explode. Heaps of scrap metal landed with a thud.
And to call this a rebellion? Fuckin' weak.
"Well, looks like we're done with this shitty place," I stated after a quick scan.
"Combat Mode: Deactivate. One moment, I cannot leave until I have done a thorough investigation of this place," Proto replied, back in her emotionless state. Geez, I can never tell which side of this madwoman I hate more.
"Get someone else to do your shit. I'm leaving." I ripped open a crack in space and time, preparing to jump in.
"Add, get down!" Proto's sudden outburst broke my focus as the portal disappeared. The next thing I knew, my left arm hurt like hell.
Ara's POV
Damn it, damn it, damn it!
Eun sighed, Child, this is exactly why I proposed that we not steal these moonstone fragments.
But Velder gets tons of them! One bag missing from the shipment shouldn't cause harm. Well... Not too much.
Yes but you already have plenty from those bandits. There is no need to go all the way here to Velder.
This may be my only chance, Eun!
Even so, did you have to trip at such a time?
Hey, it's not my fault tha—"Eep!"
I narrowly dodged an arrow before jumping onto another rooftop. One arrow nicked off a lock of hair while yet another one pinned my cloak to the roof. Pulling out the projectile, I ran at an even greater speed, in hopes of losing the Velder guards.
Good thing Velder hasn't received a foot of snow yet. My footprints would be everywhere.
Landing on yet another roof, I planted my left hand on the edge before swinging my legs to drop down into the alleyway, the pouch of shards swaying at my hip.
Think I lost them?
For now. Little one, it would be wise to return to Feita this instant.
Yeah, yeah, Eun.
Before I even took a step, a shadow loomed over me. I turned, adjusting my hood to shield my eyes.
A small group of what seemed to be gangsters blocked my exit and they were closing in.
"What do we have here," the one I deemed the leader questioned.
I grit my teeth.
No way am I going back up to the roof though.
I slowly backed up as the strangers took slow steps forward.
"Are you lost, little girl," another one snickered.
So they haven't figured out who I am.
My back hit against the wall and I waited for them to get closer.
"Why don't you come with us."
Closer...
"We'll take good care of you."
Closer...
"We can show you something fun."
Now.
I swiftly extended my right arm. A pitch black substance shaping itself into a weapon before me as I gripped it. The black matter dispersed at my touch to reveal my double edges spear. I twirled it around as I took a few steps toward my former threat. The members immediately sensed the change in atmosphere, some already backing away.
"What is the meaning of this?" The leader asked, his heightening voice betraying him.
I keep my mouth shut, eyes still hidden from view.
One, two... Five of them.
Good, I won't need to kill so many.
I slowly got into a crouched position, my voice nothing but a whisper.
"Darkness Sever."
Within a second I cut through the line of targets, summoning some sort of reaction whether it be a flinch or a gasp of pain as blood began to spill. Quickly I charged at them, slamming my shoulder while producing a shockwave to render them paralyzed. I ran up to them one by one, hitting their heads with the blunt of my spear. They fell unconscious, not even able to muster more than a groan. I searched for anything useful on their person. Nothing.
With that, I unfastened one of their cloaks, rolling it up and throwing it a reasonable distance away.
I walked up to one of the unconscious troublemakers and positioned my spear vertically above him.
...You know little one, you could always spare their lives.
I can't. You remember what happened before.
Eun gave no reply as I strengthened my grip on my spear.
May you rest in peace.
Stab.
I penetrated his heart, then the next and the next, till all were dead. I jerked my wrist, shaking off some blood from the spear. I then moved to disrobe my bloodstained excuse of a cloak, cleaning the rest of the crimson liquid off my blade with it. Just to be safe, I burned the fabric with some conjured fox flames. I extended my hand and released the spear, allowing it to be swallowed by darkness and disappearing once again. Walking up to the cloak I previously took off of the bandit, I shook off some debris and adorned it, walking out of the alley as if nothing happened, the moonstones secured to my hip in a bag.
"Jeez Ara, couldn't you have been more careful," Allegro commented as he rubbed some ointment over yet another bruise.
"It's not like I can just stop tripping at the worst of times," I replied, wincing as he disinfected a cut on my shoulder.
"You didn't have to go to Velder in the first place," he mumbled.
"Why do you and Eun always blame me~," I childishly whined.
Maybe I would not if you had been more careful.
"Maybe I would not if you had been more careful."
I let out an exasperated sigh as the alchemist patted on a bandage on my shoulder. He handed me a tube of liquid and instructed me to drink it while he heads off to liquefy the moonstone shards.
Unplugging the container, I chugged the medicine down in one go, grimacing afterward at the bitter taste.
It wasn't long till Allegro returned with three tubes of glowing magenta substance, a bag filled with some requested items, and, to my surprise, a new cloak.
"Here's a new cloak. It's pretty cold out now and I figure you'd want this instead of that one you stole.
I held up the garment, eyes widening the slightest. It wasn't brand new but you could tell it was well cared for and way better than my previous ones. It was made of brown suede and hemmed with fur. It was hooded, sleeved, and even contained inside pockets. I stood up, adorning the cloak that fell to my ankles.
It was just a nice fit, maybe big enough to fit another winter.
"Thanks, Allegro. And thank Aisha for me too," I smiled softly.
"How did you—"
"You don't often get something like this in Feita and I doubt this is your hand me down. Besides, even if I haven't met her in person for a while, this undeniably smells like a certain magician. It fits surprising well coming from that shortie."
Allegro chuckled lightly, "She'll be glad you like it. On another note, are your feet alright? I can try finding some boots—"
"No, no. I don't want to ask for that much. Knowing you two, I'll probably be getting boots made by one of Elder's finest shoemakers."
Allegro laughed nervously, "You're over exaggerating..."
"Besides," I stuck out one of my feet wrapped in fur, "I've wrapped my feet with something warmer. I'll survive." I uncapped one of the vials and begin drinking the glowing violet substance.
"Alright, is that all you need?"
I finished up the drink, wiping my mouth with the back if my hand.
"Well, I was actually wondering... I know it's a bother, but... Is it possible for me to get a second cloak like this, only a bit bigger?"
"I don't think that's possible at the moment but I have a cloak of mine you can—"
I shook my head fervently, "No way. I was just asking in case you had a useless one lying around. Wasn't likely. I guess I'll be going!"
I stashed the remaining two vials of liquid in the inside pockets of my cloak.
Quickly, before Allegro could ask for the purpose of an extra cloak, I opened the flap and left the tent with the bag in hand.
Too bad I couldn't get one for Add.
He'll be fine, child.
My padded feet hit the unpaved ground as I walked towards the East Gates of Feita. The harsh winds whipped around me but at least it wasn't biting. Snow was lightly falling from the sky.
As discreetly as possible, I ducked behind a nearby clump of tents, my form changing to that of a fox's after setting down the bag. In my animal form, I carried the bag by firmly clamping it between my teeth. I waited only a moment before I spotted a cart.
Acting quickly, I got myself and the bag safely within the carriage. I kept my ears alert as the vehicle moved, eventually through the East Gates, into Pilgrim's Site. After riding a reasonable distance from Feita's entrance, I leaped off the carriage with the bag, striding over to the void. A few turns of my head confirmed that the coast was clear. I jumped in, the familiar feeling of distorted space and time greeting me as I reached the other side.
With only a bit of confusion, I found my way to the entrance of Add's house, if you could really call it that.
You think he's back yet?
Who knows.
I sighed if that was possible for a fox. I mentally prepared myself before turning back into a human in order to unlock the door and wasted no time reverting to a fox once done. An empty swirling portal greeted me as I jumped through, the feeling of time and space altering seized me once again.
I scanned the place.
Looks like he's not back yet.
Once again, I went through the annoying process of turning into a human and back just to snap the lights on in between.
I shut the door with a hind leg and set the bag of supplies against the side of his desk.
Well, looks like I'll be—
The sound of crackling broke the silence as my eyes spotted the familiar twisting of air.
Nevermind.
I backed up as the air was ripped to reveal a black void, purple shards surrounding it.
A familiar cloaked figure stepped out.
Something looked wrong.
Narrowing my eyes I thought I saw a slight stumble.
What was more disturbing was the faint whiff of blood.
Before I could further my inspection, Add collapsed on the ground.
Oh crap.
Child, if he is to live, he must be treated soon. Immediately if possible.
Well, sorry if everything is proceeding very slowly. I was gonna advance farther than this but apparently, I didn't. I really need to get this story going, hopefully by the end of the next chapter if everything goes as planned. I cannot thank you enough for those patient people that have waited for my updates and haven't gotten too tired by this story, so thank you! I'll admit I was procrastinating a lot but now I'm drowning in standardized tests and finals. I really need to make it up to you guys for all these late updates...
Reviews:
Hikari-No-Aria- Yup, I just randomly decided to add in Proto while writing this XD Yeah, I figured they would have some sort of verbal fight but I don't think I did that part justice. Hope you somewhat found this chapter entertaining ^-^
MargaritaDaemonelix- Thanks, I just randomly made up the middle name though and I noticed that Fanfiction missed the space between the first and middle name DX Waiting for hell to blow up? I feel like your making it way better than how I'm gonna end up writing it XD Sorry for the long wait.
NemesisDrive- Well, sorry for the...um, two months(?) of waiting. Lol, amazing brain? I have no idea what you're talking about XD and even if I do I think every last bit of it was squeezed out by standardized tests and upcoming finals X(