TWF: Heya, this is the Wild Fang and Fen–kun speaking! What is up, everyone?!
Fen: We're starting a new chapter of Kamen Rider Blade: Dark Ace! That's what's up!
TWF: I know you guys are actually on the heat, due to this World Cup we're having at Brazil right now, but that doesn't stop us from doing our job!
Fen: That's right man! And USA has a long way to go, but hopefully they'll take it all the way!
TWF: For now, let's enjoy this chapter!
Disclaimer: Same thing.
It was the next day and as the sun rose, light peaked through the window as Lyon and Sasha lied on the bed together with Lyon's head on Sasha's chest, sleeping peacefully. Of course, Sasha was just waking up to see Lyon still sleeping. "Mother…" Lyon smiled a bit as he snuggled closer to Sasha.
"Oh Lyon…" Sasha smiled softly. "You were always like this whenever you're sleeping with me."
"Ugh~!" A groan sounded at the entrance, as Sasha noticed Kizuna wobble into her room. "What... hit me?"
"Ah, Nee–san. Good morning." Sasha greeted her sister.
"Huh? Oh… morning." Kizuna waved.
"How are you feeling?" Sasha asked.
"Like a truck ran over me 500 times over my head…" Kizuna groaned.
"That's what happens when you drink something hard for you." she said, concerned.
"Yeah, I know." she waved off.
"You tend to be stubborn at times, especially when Kaa-san and Mother told you to stop drinking after your coming of age…" Sasha reminded.
"Yeah, yeah…" Kizuna grumbled. "Anyways, where's Lyon–chan?"
"Sleeping here." Sasha said, looking down at Lyon who was still in her embrace.
"Oh…" Kizuna said before going over to the bed. "Scoot over…"
"Huh?"
"I need to bond with my favorite little bro, that's what!" Kizuna perked up.
"No, Nee–san!" Sasha exclaimed, making Lyon groan a bit before snuggling close to her and fall back to sleep. "Do you even remember what you were about to do to him last night?"
"Huh? Last night?" Kizuna blinked.
"Yeah last night. You were so drunk you were about to kiss Lyon!"
…
…
…
"…I did what?" Kizuna blinked again.
"You heard me, Nee–san." Sasha pointed out. "Not to mention it was about to be on his lips."
"On his lips?!" Kizuna asked shocked.
"Yes! You were almost about to take away his first kiss!" Sasha said. "He was saving it until his coming of age or even possibly his marriage with Mei–chan!"
"EHHHH?!" Kizuna asked in total shock, backing off from the bed.
"And you do know what happened last night as well?"
"What?"
"You kissed Marcus on his lips!" Sasha pointed out.
"EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
"Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm…" Lyon moaned.
"Uh–oh…" Sasha cringed. "I think your screaming woke him up…"
"Uh… whoops?" Kizuna got out.
"Mmmm…" Lyon groaned again. "Nee–chan, please… I wanna sleep some more…"
"Okay Lyon–chan, go to sleep. I'll wake you up." Nee–chan said.
"Mmmm… ok…" Lyon said before falling asleep again.
"Phew…" Kizuna sighed in relief. "That was close…"
"Yeah… and you were almost about to shock him after last night…"
"Yeah…" Kizuna trailed off, thinking about it. "But, really…"
"What?"
"Did I actually kiss him, without me noticing?"
"Yes."
"Oh man…" Kizuna groaned.
(Cue Theme Destiny by Neko)
(There's no escape 'cause I now believe in my fate. So there's no run away. I know the future is comin'… IT'S OUR DESTINY~!) In the beginning, the seven original Blade Riders in their prime showed their backs as they walked towards the end of the hallway, showing a portal of light. On cue, the original Riders turned around to face the camera as the portal brightened the whole screen, before it was covered the reverse of Rouze cards.
(For this time, the role you played is mine. In this world, you're a hero to me) At the first beat, the Rouze cards scattered to reveal Lyon looking at the horizon from an angle as the wind blew fast. The scene changes to the other side, showing the evil forces ready to battle them, the camera panning right fast. Then it quickly changes back to the children of Magvel looking at the same thing panning left across the screen fast.
(Taught my fate, not to run away. You saved my soul from deep inside the sea) At the end, it ends with Metis, who bows her head and sheds a tear before it dropped and splashed, reforming into the title.
(For this time, the role you played is mine. In this world, you're a hero to me) The title Kamen Rider Blade: Dark Ace appears on the screen staying there for a few seconds as the background faded to black before the title disappeared.
(Taught my fate, not to run away. You saved my soul from deep inside the sea) The camera pans forward fast from a side view, showing young Mikoto run through her portal only to come out from the other side as Sakura, followed by young Melissa to Toby, young Kurai to Ryuu, young Akira to Elsie, young Amber to Sasha, young Storm to Kizuna, and finally young Kurogasa to Lyon before the camera pans really close to Lyon's eye and the screen fades white to the next scene.
(Ano hi egaita kyou ni, kimi to~ futari) At Castle Renais, Kurogasa, now in his 40's looked the horizon before his wife Eirika came up next to him. The two smiled at each other before they looked down at the courtyard to see Lyon sparring with Ephraim. Lyon stopped momentarily to see parents and smile at them.
(Yakusoku sareta sekai, yume no~ naka ni~) In the modern world, in a shopping mall, Sasha, Sakura and Elsie are looking for something to wear. Kizuna happily showed them the latest dress she found, making the girls interested. Toby and Ryu, who sat at one spot with the girls' baggage sighed while Toby looked at the Rouze card he held in his hand.
(Tsumanai kibou ni afureta kao ni) In Grado, an unknown force of darkness arises and it spreads to all of Magvel, before the scene quickly changes to the modern world also being covered by that same darkness.
(Boku wa, itsu shika kokoro wo yurushiteta~) Metis held her hands in prayer, standing in front of the desert while looking at the threat in front of her, while the kids from the previous adventurers looked at it too. Also, a mystery man stood next to her, looking at the view with a serious expression before the seven Riders flew towards the battlefield.
(There's no escape coming for ya! Shinjiteru kara ima wo) The seven Riders dash towards the battlefield slashing and stabbing any enemy that comes their way using their Rouzers.
(Mi ushinawanaide, it's our destiny~!) The rest of the group also ran forward and as it reaches the English part of the lyric, the screen slows down to reveal the older Seth wielding his lance, an older Marisa slashing enemies down with her assassin–like eyes, Ewan casting dark magic and Ross dashing forward with a loud roar, and Myrrh in her dragon form.
(Tatoe sekai no subete ga teki ni na tatte, kimi to issho nara) The seven Riders stopped at they saw a huge monster of darkness towering over them, but that doesn't stop them as the Riders enter their final forms and executed their Royal Straight Flushes and Straight Tempest Crash.
(No time for regret~!) When the attacks hit the monster, a bright white light engulfs the entire screen.
(For this time, the role you played is mine. In this world, you're a hero to me. Taught my fate, not to run away. You saved my soul from deep inside the sea.) At an open field, the former Blade Riders and Eirika walked towards a spot and stopped to face their children. The former Riders gave their children a smile, and the new generation replied back with a cheery smile of their own and the music ended with a Turn Up, revealing the Spade.
Chapter 10: Za'albul's Poison
Down at the dining room that's connected to the lobby, Marcus was sitting down by himself at a table, thinking about the events of last night.
"I can't believe it… I know Kizuna was drunk but… she kissed ME of all people…" Marcus said to himself.
"Um… Marcus?"
"Huh?" he blinked, raising his head up and noticing Kizuna standing in front of him. A faint image of a drunk Kizuna kissing him formed in his mind, surprising him. "Whoa!" he exclaimed, ending up tumbling on his back, due to his shock.
"Hey, you ok?" Kizuna asked. "You look kinda a bit awkward right now."
"U–Uh… I'm fine…" Marcus said getting up and getting back his composure.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I am fine."
"Oh… ok." she shrugged.
"So, um… what can I do for you?" he asked.
"I wanna apologize for last night." Kizuna trailed off, looking away from him. "You know… 'that' thing."
"Oh… 'that'…" Marcus said.
"Yeah…" Kizuna said feeling a bit awkward.
"I do not fault you. You weren't yourself."
"I know…" she said, "I kinda created a lot of trouble while I was drunk, huh?"
"Yes, and it was quite a mess…" he added.
"…and did your cousin teasing you about this?" she asked.
"No, much to my relief." he said.
"Boy, thank goodness…" Kizuna sighed in relief.
"I–In any case, we should prepare to move on with our journey!" Marcus said as he hastily stood up on his chair. "L–Let us be on our way, Kizuna. We cannot let them wait for us."
"Right," Kizuna nodded.
Ahhhhhhh… what a good sleep I had.
To accompany with that good sleep, I dreamt of my family back home. Father, Mother, Kaa–san and Tou–san were there calling me back home, with Kyoshiro waving happily at me. At the same time, Mother was holding a baby wrapped in a white cloth, though I still do not know the gender of the child. One thing I do know was that she was smiling gently while looking at the child.
"I know for certain that Mother would definitely be happy about this." I smiled gently, still recalling the dream I had.
"Ah, Lyon–chan. You're awake." I heard Nee–chan's voice, with a towel around her neck. I guess she just finished taking her bath.
"Nee–chan…" I said while rubbing my eyes. "Where's everyone?"
"Everyone is getting prepared to go after breakfast." she answered.
"Oh…" I trailed off.
"Come now, better go take a bath." Nee–chan said. Just as a reminder, unlike on Earth, the bathrooms in this world's inn are not located in our room, so, yeah…
"Right…" I said before yawning and stretching out.
"And try not to go into the girl's bathroom by accident." Nee–chan said.
"Yeah, I'll try…" I shuddered a bit.
As I walked out from the room, with a towel on my shoulder, I couldn't help but keep thinking about that wonderful dream I had last night, including the news that Uncle Duessel told me. I've always wanted to become a big brother to my siblings, including Kyoshiro, since I was the only child in my family.
I wonder if my luck would change around me.
"KYAAA!" I heard Sakura–chan scream, snapping me out from my dreamland… and turn pale instantly…"L–Lyon–niichan, what do you think you're doing?!" she squeaked before immediately taking her towel nearby and cover her modesty. "I'm in the middle of the bath here!"
Oh dang it! Me and my bad luck!
"I–I'm sorry!" I stammered badly blushing red as her hair, turning around away from her.
"Lyon–niichan no ecchi!"
"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!" I repeated myself before closing the door behind me and immediately took off elsewhere. Oh, why do these things happen to me all the time?
"So, Lyon." Ajax said, as we are now eating breakfast at the nearby shop. Ajax and I sat close to one another, whispering to me. "I heard you got yourself into trouble again?"
"It was on accident…" I sighed.
"Seriously, what is it with you and girls that you always get bad luck?" Ajax asked.
"I don't know…" I slumped my shoulders. "Father also suffered the same fate like me…"
"Quite right." Ajax recalled. "Father told me regarding Uncle Kurogasa's bad luck whenever he's around your Mother."
"Yeah…" I sighed further.
"Do not worry about it, cousin. I'm sure it's just temporary." Ajax assured. "Once you've tied the knot with your loved one, I'm sure lady luck will change your luck, eventually. I'm certain that's what happened when your parents tied the knot ever since that day."
"I guess so…"
"So besides that, before all that you looked really happy." Ajax said before taking a drink.
"Well… that's because I heard from Uncle Duessel that Mother's pregnant.
*PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFT!*
Ajax spat out his drink in spray of mist before saying, "EHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH?!"
"What?" I blinked, looking at him in total confusion.
"Wait, hold up…" Ajax stopped me, as my other friends approached me, including Midas. Those who already knew couldn't help but smile about it. And I noticed that even Uncle Seth, Uncle Kyle, and Father Moulder knew about it and just smiled happily.
"Your dad popped a balloon in your mom?" Midas asked, as if he's not that interested. I nodded at his question. "Wow… lucky bastard. I wonder how many times that took." he chuckled.
"O–Oi!" I said blushing slightly. "Please don't mention that!"
"Boy, my mom would be surprised to hear this kind of news…" Arty said.
"And so will my Father." Ajax nodded in agreement. "To think after all of these years, Aunt Eirika would get pregnant again. Looks like your life as an only child will be soon over, Lyon. And I'm proud of you to actually have a real sibling by blood too."
"Yes, another child of royalty has now entered our ranks." Maximus said.
"Congratulations Prince Lyon." Libertas smiled.
"Thanks Libby." I smiled softly.
As everyone continued to compliment me for the news, my days were starting to get better. I can tell that if I told Mei–chan about this, I'm certain that she would be happy as well.
I wonder what she is doing right now.
"It looks like you have received your mission, Princess…" Marisa said as Metis, along with the other clerics, walked out from the large temple and the said princess approached her.
"Yes." Metis nodded. "I am assigned to a village that is near Za'albul Marsh."
"That marsh is sometimes a treacherous place to be in." Marisa commented.
"I am well aware of that, but that is not going to stop me from completing my pilgrimage."
"I see…" Marisa nodded. "As I said before, I shall accompany you until your pilgrimage is over, Princess."
"I know, Marisa." Metis nodded as she looked around her surroundings.
"I know how you feel, Princess." Marisa said as she also looked around her surroundings, noticing many structures in total destruction and many people were injured due to it, as the tasked clerics are now healing a few of them. "Who would have thought there would be monsters attacking this place after years of peace?"
"Yes. Father and Mother told me about the adventures they had when they had to slay the Undead and the Riders back then had to seal them up."
"Yes. I remember it all too well." Marisa nodded.
"Let's do what we can to help here first then head to the village." Metis suggested.
"At once." Marisa nodded.
"And Marisa?"
"Yes?"
"Please… as I said before, just call me by my name, whenever we're alone." Metis reminded.
"O–Oh," Marisa blinked. "I apologize… Metis."
"That's better." Metis smiled.
"After we get through this marsh, we should be able to head towards the village near there." Uncle Seth informed me.
"But it's going to take a while to get there, as we've just entered in." Uncle Kyle said.
"And this swamp is truly not suited my taste!" Themis complained.
"Oh toughen up," Ryu groaned.
"Easier said than done." Themis huffed. "Honestly, it's no wonder Mother had to hit your Father's toe a lot whenever he insults her. It makes me want to hit your toe too."
"Che…" Ryu scoffed. "Don't even think about it, woman…"
"Look, just accept it matter for now, Themis…" Toby sighed. "Besides, we'll get out of this swamp eventually, right?"
"Oh… right you are, Toby." she agreed without making eye contact.
"Heh, heh…" Maximus snickered.
"Should I step on your foot instead brother?!" Themis snapped.
"No…" Maximus said quietly.
"Right answer." she said, huffing away from his attention.
"Oh, Themis…" I sighed. As I looked outside of the wagon, I noticed Libertas looking at AJ from afar, distracted for a moment.
"…" she remained quiet to herself, not leaving her gaze on him, as he was talking about strategy with Uncle Seth and Uncle Duessel.
"Libby?" I asked, startling her.
"H–Huh?!" She stuttered, looked at me.
"Everything okay?"
"E–Everything's fine, my prince!" she squeaked.
"Really?" I asked. "I thought you were distracted by something."
"I'm quite certain, my prince." she said firmly. "You're just seeing things."
"C'mon Libby, I know you were looking at AJ from afar."
"Gh!" Libertas flinched before slumping her shoulders. "Am I really that obvious?"
"As obvious as your green hair." I smirked.
"Prince Lyon!" she got out, catching AJ's attention.
"Libertas?" Ajax asked, making her flinch.
"Y–Yes, m–my prince?" she stuttered.
"Is something the matter?" he asked.
"E–Everything is fine!"
"Are you sure?"
"YES!" She squeaked.
"Oi, Libby, calm down…" I whispered.
To make things worse for her, Ajax slowed down his horse and managed to get to her side, making her blush more obvious, though… he didn't notice it.
"P–Prince Ajax?" Libertas stuttered… as his action caught her off guard by having his free hand placed on her forehead.
"Are you certain you're fine? You didn't eat any bad food back at the city, did you?" he asked.
"N–No, of course not!" Libertas said.
"Hmm…" Ajax pondered before taking his hand off of her head saying, "Okay, if you say so." and moved his horse away from her.
"Phew…" Libertas sighed in relief.
"You're bad when it comes to telling him your feelings, Libby." I chuckled.
"Prince Lyon, please stop it!" she hissed.
"If you keep this up, sooner or later, he'll swoop away another girl into his hands." I teased further.
"Oh, truly?" she said in annoyance, as her left eye twitched a bit. "So, will you feel the same feeling if Princess Metis would be swooped away by another man's arms, beside yours?"
"Gh!" I flinched.
"Hmph… that's what I thought." Libertas smirked.
Dang it Libby! You're not playing fair!
"An eye for an eye." Maximus chuckled.
"Maximus!" I exclaimed.
"She did bring up a good point, cousin." Maximus said. "And besides, you and Metis still haven't told each other's feelings… much like a certain someone." he snickered, looking at his little sister.
"OH SHUT UP!" Themis yelled.
*STOMP!*
"YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEOWWWWWWWWWWW!"
"Young kids these days…" Father Moulder sighed.
"Those two…" Uncle Saleh said.
"It would seem like history repeats itself." Aunt Myrrh said. "The history of Melissa, Kurai, and the toe crushing move."
"It would seem so, Lady Myrrh." Uncle Saleh said.
"I wonder how they are doing right now. On Earth, I mean…" Father Moulder asked.
"We can't tell, since our Portal cards have been sealed up…" Ross said while showing the blank Portal Card. "See? I even keep it with me, just in case this card works again."
"But seeing as the danger is still here, it means we still can't use it yet." Uncle Seth said.
"Meaning that we'll have to wait longer." Uncle Kyle added.
"C'mon you overgrown freaks show me what'cha got! Try and take down Jason the Jabber!"
"Hey, stop the carriage!" I said, and the rest did the same.
"N–Ne, Lyon–chan. W–What's the matter?" Elsie asked me on another wagon.
"Did you guys hear that?" I asked, as the sounds of clashing swords sounded, even though it's faint.
"I did." Ajax frowned.
"It sounded like… Jason?" Nee–chan asked.
"Gah! Hey, watch the bandanna! You think you can get away from Jason the Jabber? Well think again!"
"Yeah, it's Jason…" Everyone deadpanned. For those who don't Jason is the son of Uncle Gerik and Aunt Tethys, and the younger brother of Diana, his sister.
"And if he's here…" Nee–chan trailed off.
"Yep, there's no doubt about it." Ajax sighed.
"His sister would be there, just to ensure his safety… as usual." Epona added in detail.
"Let's get to where he might be and see the situation ourselves." Uncle Duessel suggested.
Right!" I nodded. "Let's go!"
"Hey! I said to watch the bandanna!" Jason yelled, dodging a sword strike from an Underling. He was a young man with spiky light green hair wearing his father's purple bandanna on his forehead, wearing a sleeveless purple shirt, a leather left shoulder guard, white pants, brown belt, and brown boots while carrying a sword.
"Hah! For a petty human, you're quite strong!" the Tiger Underling claimed. It is in its tiger form, wearing blue leather armor with brown pads to protect the lower part of his body and tail. His paws and claws remained on its own as it is wielding its large axe. "I've never had such a challenge before!"
"Oh yeah? Jason the Jabber is just getting warm up!" Jason claimed before the two rushed forward, clashing their weapons once again.
"Honestly, why does my little brother get eager when it comes to battle?" a female dancer sighed. She had crimson long red hair that's tied in a dolphin tail, wearing a red glittering dancing outfit with gold linings on the edge of her upper garment and beautiful pants. A see–through peach sarong was around her waist, and she wore red dancing shoes and gold bracelets on her wrists, the same one her mother once wore during her prime. "And here I thought we're on our way to get to the other village for our task… until this happens."
"No worries Diana, we got this!" Jason assured.
"That's when I worry the most." Diana sweat dropped.
"Take this!" The Tiger Underling yelled, charging at Jason with his axe.
"Hah!" he ducked down, nearly missing by a few inches from hitting his head. "Hey, how many times do I have to tell you?! Don't go for my bandanna!"
"Why would I even wanted to follow your rules?!" it snapped.
"Why would even a monster become idiotic as my little brother…?" she sighed while crossing her arms.
"So, this is where you are." I said, catching her attention.
"Eh? That voice…" she said before turning around and noticing me. "Lyon?"
"Hey, Diana." I smiled.
"Oh my gosh! Diana!" Sakura–chan perked up, heading towards her happily.
"Sakura! You're here too?" she replied as she immediately hugged her happily. As for Jason? Well… he's too busy with his 'epic' battle with an Underling…
"Fancy meeting you here." Ajax said.
"Oh, Ajax!" Diana said. "It's good seeing you too!" She then turned to Maximus. "And a hello to you too Maxxie boy."
"Gh!" Maximus flinched… with a blush?
"What's wrong? Aren't you happy meeting me again?" she asked, teasing him happily.
"If not for the circumstances, I would… be happy to see you too." he replied.
"Oho~? What's this now?" Themis smirked. "Oh, my dear brother, I didn't know that–"
"Not a word out of you sister." Maximus grumbled, closing his eyes with one of them twitching. And I think he popped a blood vessel.
"You know what they say: Payback's a–"
"Don't finish that sentence Nee–san." I said. "Please… for the sake of others."
"Oh… okay." she shrugged.
"You are an even match for the Jason the Jabber, fiend!" he smirked as both of them are panting after their harsh battle. "But, the Jabber will put this battle to an end… with my signature technique!"
"Oh no…" Everyone groaned.
"Not again…" Ajax said in dismay.
"He fails this every time…" Toby added.
"Come at me! Let's see this technique of yours, mortal!" the Tiger Underling roared as it immediately rushed toward him.
"You're finished!" Jason said as he also dashed forward… before his foot got stuck in the mud, making him trip over… and his sword flew towards the unexpected Underling.
"Gh!" the Tiger Underling flinched… as the sword pierced through its chest. "What… technique…" it muttered before it fell down, no longer moving its body.
"H–Ha, ha!" Jason boasted loudly as he quickly got up and stood on his two feet while the mud is covered all over his face. "H–He was caught off guard by my moves! He never saw that one coming from Jason the Jabber!"
"Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh…" Everyone sweat dropped.
"As expected of Jason…" Maximus sighed.
"Mhmm…" I added.
"W–What's with everyone like that?!" Jason stuttered. "D–Didn't you just see how my move worked well?"
"It's just a fluke." Midas bluntly said.
"And there's mud covering your face…" Diana sighed.
"W–What are you saying? My technique was flawless!" he startled. Then he remembered something. "Hold on…"
"What's wrong?" Toby asked.
"When did you guys get here?" Jason asked, making our sweat drop heavier, saved for Diana who sighed at her brother's words.
"Oh now you notice us…" Ryu rolled his eyes.
"Hey!" Jason snapped.
"That doesn't matter anymore." Nee–chan sighed before approaching Jason and cleaning his face with a handkerchief. "Here, you got mud all over your face."
"Eh?" he blinked. "Ah, you're ri– w–whoa there!"
"Hm? What's wrong?" Nee–chan asked worriedly as he took a few steps back from Nee–chan.
"I–I can clean this up on my own, S–Sasha! Don't worry about it!" he panicked as he immediately wiped it off from his face, much to Nee–chan's confusion.
"Huh?" Nee–chan asked confused.
"Is it just me or…" Nee–san whispered.
"Yeah, he's in love with Nee–chan…" I whispered back.
"Honestly, young men these days…" Epona sighed.
"It's a good thing we've already went passed that, isn't it, Sire?" Uncle Kyle asked.
"Indeed we have, Kyle." Uncle Duessel nodded. "You two, where are you heading? And why are only the two of you on your own?"
"Uh… well…" Jason began.
"You see…" Diana said.
"Go on." Father Moulder said.
"We're here… on our own, right now." Diana explained.
"What do you mean by that?" Father Moulder asked.
"After both of us finished our task, at first, we were about to head back to Father's place in Jehanna." Diana began before glaring at her little brother. "But, considering the fact that Jason is not satisfied yet, he said he would try to search for more tasks first before heading back home. As of right now, he's searching for more battles ahead of him…"
"How surprising…" Toby sweat dropped with sarcasm.
"Hey, it gets bored around the house okay?!" Jason said.
"Oh that reminds me, Diana have you or Jason seen Mei?" I asked.
"Why the sudden question?" Diana asked.
"Because he misses her." Nee–san teased.
"Oi!" I blushed.
"Well… we didn't hear any news at the bar." Diana recalled.
"True. But we do know that she's on her pilgrimage, just as the boss from the bar informed us about." Jason nodded. "I guess you can say we haven't yet."
"Huh… I see…" I sighed sadly.
"Lyon–chan…" Nee–chan said worriedly.
"Well hopefully, she'll be at the capital of Grado." Ross said.
"Yes, but there's going to be another problem." Themis recalled.
"What do you mean?" Maximus asked.
"I did say that she will receive her task at Grado, right?" she reminded. "But that's just it. Once she receives her task, she'll be sent to another place to perform her task, along with a few selected clerics. Believe me, I've been there before."
"What?!" Everyone asked surprised.
"Why didn't you say that earlier?!" I snapped.
"I'm sorry cousin." Themis apologized. "It just came to me."
"Then…" I trailed off.
"Yes, there would be a possibility that…" Themis said.
"She's being shipped elsewhere, other than Grado." Midas concluded.
"Yes…" Themis said sadly.
"No…" I said as I fell to my knees.
"Lyon–chan…" Nee–san said worriedly, coming towards me for a hug.
"Then… we've came to Grado… for nothing?" I muttered.
"Not exactly." Diana said.
"What do you mean?" Marcus asked.
"Usually, whenever the pilgrimage of the clerics, occur, they will perform their task." Themis said. "But, there is a limit to where they would do their task. And Grado would be the boundary of it."
"Then…" I looked at her, with a glint of hope in my eyes.
"Rest assured, dear cousin. True, she's not at Grado at this point, but she is still within the territory of Grado itself." Themis comforted. "Though, it might take a while to actually find her, considering Grado has the biggest land across Magvel…"
"Yokatta…" I sighed in relief.
"It's not a wasted effort after all." Ryu scoffed.
"Uh… you know." Midas began. "While we're continuing our empty chats, we're totally surrounded by these DarkRoaches here."
"Huh?" we all asked confused, then looked around, noticing that we were surrounded by DarkRoaches.
"Oh great…" Hector said.
"Just what we need…" Leo said.
"EEEEEEEEEEEK! Icky cockroaches!" Sakura–chan squealed in terror… while jumping into my arms?
"H–Hey!" I blushed.
"Save me, Lyon–niichan!" Sakura–chan exclaimed.
"Then… what's the point of having the Buckle in the first place?" Ryu asked, sweat dropping.
"A–re?" she blinked innocently before looking at her belt. Then she laughed nervously and said, "You're right. Gomenne~!"
"Get off of me…" I grumbled, gritting my teeth, with my eyes closed, one of them twitching while popping a blood vessel.
"R–Right, haha…" Sakura–chan said sheepishly before getting off of me.
"Let's just go…" I added. "Henshin!"
TURN UP
"We better be not left behind. Let's suit up, everyone!" Toby commanded as they are already in their poses while the Buckles emitted their respective sounds.
"HENSHIN!"
TURN/OPEN UP
CHANGE
Six more holographic rectangles emerged from their buckles and pulled back towards them before donning in their armor and wielding their respective weapons.
"Let's do this!" Lance–neesan chirped.
"Battle formations everyone!" Uncle Seth called out.
"At once!" both Uncle Kyle and Ross said in unison.
"Be sure to keep up our defense and offense as well!" Uncle Duessel said.
"Hah, these fiends will be no match for Jason the Jabber!" he grinned happily while resting his sword on his shoulder. "Let me show them the strength of what the Jabber can really do!"
And here we go again…
"Hehehehehehehe… more mortals to poison…" An Undead chuckled.
"And more to crush down…" another Undead said.
The first Undead is in its greyish bodysuit with a rhino head, with more thick paddings on its legs and shoulder pads. With more spikes on its back, it also wielded a large katar equipped on each of its wrists. This is the Rhino Undead.
The other Undead on the other hand is truly different in terms of its appearance. As its greyish body armor seemed to be similar to other Undead, it has a chest armor that spiked out from him, which resembled legs of a scorpion. His helmet also had the stinger of scorpion behind its helmet, a pair of claws instead of hands wielding its axel and sharp spikes on its legs. Also, its back is also similar to the shell of a scorpion's back, with its tail well hidden.
This is the Scorpion Undead.
"Heh, heh, heh, soon this whole world will be filled with my poison." the Scorpion Undead chuckled.
"And none shall survive our onslaught." The Rhino Undead added.
"Indeed."
"Well now, shall we go and inflict the poison upon them?"
"Let's go. I can't content my excitement any longer." the Rhino Undead chuckled.
THUNDER
FIRE
TORNADO
BLIZZARD
The holograms of Thunder Deer entered my armor, Fire Fly entered Garren's armor, Tornado Hawk entered Chalice's armor, and Blizzard Polar entered Leangle's armor. The four of us jumped up high with our kicking feet down towards a huge swarm of DarkRoaches as our elements surrounded our kicking feet.
"ELEMENTAL RIDER KICK!" We shouted.
"Ghhhhhhhhhhh!" the DarkRoaches hissed in pain after the kicks were connected, making them fly a few meters back before an explosion occurred.
"Away with you!" Jason said while swinging his sword wildly, making the DarkRoaches hiss in pain. "You're no match with the Jabber's strength!"
"Jason, please stop it…" Diana sighed as she noticed the approaching DarkRoaches. Looking at her surroundings, she quickly took a vine, made a lasso and threw it at the bunch, securing them on the spot. "Now, be nice and stay quiet."
MIGHTY
MIGHTY
MIGHTY
Lance–neesan, Larc–neechan, and Sakura–chan readied their Mighty Gravity, Ray, and Impact attacks.
"GWARGGGHHH!" the DarkRoaches screamed in pain after the kicks hit the target as the three of them landed back on the ground.
"Nice move, as always, Sakura." Diana smiled.
"Thankies~!" Glaive–chan chirped.
"That takes care of them!" Lance–neesan chirped.
"But we got more to deal with!" Larc–neechan said.
"Pfft, no worries, we got this!"
"Rather than boasting about this, we should really look around our surroundings…" Diana suggested as a few more batches of DarkRoaches rushed towards them "These fiends will not give up that easily."
"We know~! That's why we're gonna go kick some butt!" Lance–neesan chirped as she's the first one to dispatch to the said bunch.
"Matte, Nee–san!" Larc–neechan exclaimed before following suit.
"Take this!" Ajax shouted, stabbing two with his lances.
"HaaaahHHH!" Ross yelled, hacking another with his axe. "How do you like that?!"
"Nice one, Ross." Ajax gave a thumbs-up. "You never cease to amaze me with that axes of yours."
"My prince, watch out!" Libertas' voice shouted in the sky, as she immediately swooped him away from the danger, as the DarkRoaches tried to ambush the prince from behind, but it was all in vain as Duessel and Kyle entered the fray, slashing them off with their respective axes. "Thank goodness you're alright…" Libertas sighed in relief.
"Thank you Libertas." Ajax thanked.
"You have to pay attention next time!" Libertas scolded a bit.
"Heh, heh… sorry." Ajax said sheepishly.
"Goodness…" Libertas sighed.
"By the way…"
"Yes?"
"How did you get here so fast?" he asked. "I was certain you were with Epona just now…" his question made Libertas flinch for a moment.
"Uh… well…" Libertas began.
"Hey, a little help here would be nice!" Epona called out, piercing a DarkRoach with her lance.
"C–Coming Epona!" Libertas called back. "L–Let's go, help Epona my prince!" She said quickly.
"Yeah, I bet she's in trouble right now…" Ajax agreed as the two immediately flew towards Epona.
"With the combined might of the Light…" Castor chanted.
"…vanquish the evil from this world! Bolt Blast!" Father Moulder finished as the two managed to cast a rather strong thunder blast, turning the DarkRoaches into vapor instantly.
"Brilliant! We did it!" Castor exclaimed.
"Yes we did." Moulder said.
"Take this!" Marcus shouted, piercing a DarkRoach's skull with his lance, but five more surrounded him. "Gah, there's no end to these bugs!"
"Yeah…" Hector cringed in annoyance. "If we don't take out the leader of this bunch, there's no end to these menaces!"
"But, where is their leader?" Leo asked.
"How the heck should I know? That's Prince Lyon's job in the first place!" Hector replied.
"Stop yappin' and more slashin', kiddies!" Midas shouted while backing off from the green mist.
"And here I thought we girls chat a lot." Arty said before firing an arrow.
"Agreed." Themis added before whacking her enemy with her staff.
"Back off!" Saleh exclaimed, shooting out a stronger version of a thunderbolt at one of the DarkRoaches, instantly destroying it.
"Thank you…" Myrrh thanked.
"You're welcome, Lady Myrrh." Saleh nodded. "Until we've found you a new Dragonstone, I shall protect you from harm."
"I know you will." Myrrh nodded.
"Okay, now stay behind me, things are about to get nasty." Saleh said.
"Headshot!" Maximus shouted, firing an arrow and hitting a DarkRoach's head, dead on. "Hah, another one shot down."
"Even with that headshot, that doesn't stop their advances, Prince Maximus." Seth informed.
"I know, Seth." Maximus nodded. "Blast, what's taking you so long in finding the Undead, Lyon?"
"Gah!" I cried out as I tumbled to the ground, thanks to Rhino Undead tackling me down.
"C'mon, is that all you got?!" The Rhino Undead snarled.
"Lyon–chan!" Larc–neechan shouted worriedly as she approached me.
"Hey, no one messes with my little bro!" Lance–neesan snapped as she started chasing it.
"Daijobu, Lyon–chan?" Larc–neechan asked worriedly.
"Peachy…" I groaned, getting up.
"Time to use my new move!" Chalice said before rousing three cards on his Chalice Arrow.
FLOAT
DRILL
TORNADO
The holograms of Float Dragonfly, Drill Shell, and Tornado Hawk entered his armor.
SPINNING DANCE
As the tornado engulfed him, he started spinning his body around while extending his Arrow at the front. As he levitated in the air, he immediately dived down, aiming his corkscrew kick at the Rhino Undead.
"Gh!" the Rhino Undead cringed as it held on to Chalice's attack.
"He's vulnerable now! Let's inflict damage to him now!" Leangle suggested.
"I–I got it!" Garren stuttered before rousing her three cards.
BULLET
RAPID
FIRE
The holograms of Bullet Armadillo, Rapid Pecker, and Fire Fly entered her armor.
BURNING SHOT
Garren aimed her Rouzer at the Rhino Undead and after it charged up, she shot a series of fireballs at it.
"Grraaahhh!" it roared in pain as the fireballs bombarded it, inflicting more damage at it.
"This is the end!" Chalice declared as his corkscrew kick eventually broke through its defense and inflicted the kick.
"Gwarrrrrggghhhh!" it roared in pain while plunging into the swamp. Moments later, an explosion occurred, followed by the revealing of its category.
"Bro, he's all yours!" Chalice said.
"Right!" Leangle said before taking out his Proper Blank and threw at it the Rhino Undead, the latter being absorbed into the card before it flew back to Leangle's hand. "One down."
"GAH!" Glaive–chan cried out as she was knocked down by the Scorpion Undead.
"Sakura–chan!" I cried out, running towards the Scorpion Undead with my Blay Rouzer and Sieglinde in tow. "GRAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"What's the matter? Can't stand up to me?" it chuckled.
"Not on my watch!" Leangle shouted as he tried to thrust his Rouzer forward, only to be parried to the side, followed by a strong slash on his armor.
"Is that all you got? You're pretty weak…" it scoffed.
"Take this!" I shouted putting away Sieglinde momentarily before rousing two cards.
SLASH
THUNDER
The holograms of Slash Lizard and Thunder Deer entered my Rouzer.
LIGHTNING SLASH
Electricity jolted on the Rouzer and transferred to Sieglinde adding more and intensifying it along with the power. "HaaaahhhhHH!" I shouted while dashing towards it. It already anticipated my approach when suddenly–
*STAB!*
"Lyon!" Leangle exclaimed as its tail… stabbed my stomach, piercing through the armor and its tip managed to hit my skin.
"LYON–NIICHAN!" Glaive–chan shouted in horror.
"Ughh…" I choked out as I automatically de–henshined and I coughed out blood before the Scorpion Undead yanked out its tail rather hard and I fell to the ground.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You are fool to try and face me!" The Scorpion Undead laughed. "Now, to go for the kill…"
"Not on my watch!"
"Huh?!" the Scorpion Undead gasped as blurs of punches and kicks were inflicted on it, making it stumble back a few steps. "Who dares harm me?!"
The figure was humanoid having a white skull with black linings that resembled a brain of some sort and a pair of fangs. Its fully black bodysuit had a pair of blades that mounted on his shoulders, wrists, thighs, and greaves. It also had white plate on its chest and a chain of some sort wrapped around his left wrist.
"That's– Trial B!" Chalice called out.
"Not just Trial B…" Leangle realized. "It's Hirose!"
"You…" the Scorpion Undead growled.
"Enough is enough…" Hirose warned. "I shall not let you harm humanity…"
"Why side with them, fool? You have the gift to create your own paradise!" the Scorpion Undead growled.
"Wrong." Hirose said firmly.
"What?!" The Scorpion Undead snarled.
"I won't let you do whatever you want! It wouldn't be what Shiori would want me to do! She would want me to protect people! And I shall do that now! Just like Kenzaki Kazuma, I will protect this world from the Undead such as you!"
"Grr…" it growled while slowly taking a few steps back. "I'll be back, fool!"
"Hey, he's getting away!" Chalice exclaimed.
"We can fight it later, focus on Lyon here!" Leangle reminded while the Scorpion Undead immediately disappeared from their view.
"Lyon–chan!" Nee–san and Nee–chan cried out, running over to me along with his the rest of the Riders who went back to civilian form.
"I–Is he okay?!" Elsie panicked as Sakura–chan cradled me in her arms with tears coming out of her eyes.
"Lyon–niichan! Lyon–niichan!" Sakura–chan sobbed.
"No use… he can't respond…" Ryu gritted his teeth tightly. "That fiend…"
"I know how you feel, but for now, let's focus on him." Toby suggested. "Get the healers quickly. We need to aid him."
"R–Right!" Elsie squeaked… while my vision was getting more blurry…
*CRASH!*
"Oh!" Eirika gasped, surprised to hear one of the plates crash onto the floor while she washed the dishes, catching her husband's attention while he played with Kyoshiro on his lap.
"Eirika? Everything okay?" Kurogasa asked.
"Y–Yes anata…" Eirika stuttered. "One of the dishes randomly slipped out of my hands and I dropped and broke it."
"Huh? That's not like you to drop dishes like that." Kurogasa said.
"I know that…" she trailed off. As Kurogasa noticed his wife's current expression, he couldn't help but feel worried as he put Kyoshiro on his baby chair and approached her.
"Is something the matter?" he asked while he bent down and picked up the large pieces of the broken plate.
"I don't know… for some reason… s–something bad happened to our son…" she trailed off while looking at her hands, slightly trembling. "I–I just had that feeling, anata…"
"Eirika…" he said as he put away the broken plates into the bin and approached his wife, hugging her for comfort.
"I–I just have that feeling, anata…" she said as she slowly began to sob.
"Calm down, Eirika. I assure you he's going to be fine…"
"B–But… a mother's instinct told me h–he's in grave danger… it hurts so much in my chest, I can't control my tears…" she sobbed on his chest while he continued to calm her down by combing her hair.
"It's okay… everything's going to be okay." Kurogasa said.
"Blast… It's not working…" Themis panted.
"What do you mean it's not working?!" Kizuna snapped.
"Please, Kizuna. Try to understand our situation." Themis replied as she looked at Lyon, panting heavily while sweating on the bed. On his stomach, a purple rash was on his skin, along with cracks on it. At this time, they are at the nearby village inn after the battle they had.
"Mere magic won't work…" Hirose said. "An Undead's poison isn't like the normal ones. The venom that's been injected into his body will further deteriorate his body. The healers can only slow down the venom's effect…"
"W–Wait, are you saying–" Sakura sobbed.
"No, I'm not saying that." Hirose said. "There's only one thing that could cure him."
"What is it?" Sasha asked.
"You need to find the Camel Undead and combine his power with one of your healers' staff."
"I–Is that so?" Kizuna said worriedly.
"I may be a Trial, but I do not lie when it comes to that…" Hirose said.
"Then, if that's the case, I suggest we try to search for this Camel Undead!" Kizuna suggested.
"How can we? We don't have a clue of where it is." Maximus said.
"But we can't just sit here and do nothing!" Kizuna snapped. "Lyon's dying for crying out loud!"
"Nee–san…" Sasha said worriedly.
"I don't know about you guys, but I'll be going out there to search for it!" Kizuna said before stomping out of the room.
"Nee–san, wait!" Sasha exclaimed.
"Leave her be for now, Sasha." Themis said. "For now, us healers will stay here and tries to slow down the venom spreading in his system."
"And I shall assist you to find it in order to aid him." Hirose offered. "I can detect the targeted Undead, just as how I was able to find all of you."
"Alright." Maximus nodded. "For now, we'll believe in your words and plan what to do next."
Inside the carriage, Metis, Marisa, and a few more clerics and guards were heading towards the designated village, as it was in the evening. Along the way, Marisa noticed Metis looking at her lucky charm worriedly and clenched on it while holding it close to her. "Metis, is something the matter? Are you not feeling well?" Marisa asked.
"I… I don't know…" Metis said.
"What do you mean?" Marisa asked.
"I don't know…" Metis shook her head. "For some reason, I feel… something bad happened to Lyon."
"Are you certain?" Marisa asked again.
"I don't know… and my chest suddenly felt tight…" she added.
"Maybe you're in love, Metis?" one of the clerics asked.
"W–What?" Metis blushed.
"Are you in love?" The cleric asked again.
"I…"
"Hey, you know you shouldn't ask such a thing!" one of them said.
"Why not? Aren't you curious about it as well?" the cleric questioned them.
"Even so, until we have finished our pilgrimage, having a relationship with someone is forbidden." the elder cleric said. "Keep that in mind, girls."
"Yes Sister…" The clerics said in unison.
"This applies to you too Metis." The elder cleric said.
"Y–Yes Sister…" Metis nodded.
"I understand you may have someone waiting for you, but you must not let it be an obstacle for you. You may be the Princess of Jehanna, but the title matters not when it comes down to our teachings. We shall always teach and help everyone equally."
"I understand…" Metis nodded as she looked outside of the wagon, still having a worried loom on her face. 'Lyon… please be alright.'
TWF: Oh man, talk about bad things happening to Lyon… it's kinda like what happened to Kurogasa when he faced Valter for the first time.
Fen: Yeah, only this time, it's poison doing the work not internal bleeding!
TWF: Gh! Let's just hope for the best that they're able to find the Camel Undead before time runs out for Lyon! The next adventure would have all of the healers be focused on slowing down Lyon's poison in his body.
Fen: And a lot of praying for a miracle.
TWF: Yeah… so tune in next time for the next chapter of Dark Ace!
TURN UP! THE ETERNAL TRUMP CARD OF HOPE!
TWF: And btw, I cheered for Germany to win… lol
Fen: USA! All the way!
Spade: A, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, J, Q, K
Diamond: A, 2,4, 5, 6, 7, 9, J, Q, K
Heart: A, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, J, Q, K
Club: A, 4,5, 6, 7, 9, J, Q, K
Trial: A, B