Hey there people! It's another chapter of Kamen Rider Blade: The Sacred Stones! In the game, we got ourselves a kind of interlude before you choose Eirika's or Ephraim's path. So for this story, we're having a Hot Spring Omake! XD So let's do this!
Disclaimer: Same thing.
Interlude: A New Journey
It's been a few weeks since we've escaped Castle Renvall and we're now on our way back to Frelia. Right now, we were very close to the town of Serafew. That's good, because it's hot out today… and I mean really hot out. The sun was high in the sky and our food and water were about to run out too. "Ughhhh… soooooo hooooooot." Amber complained while in the caravan fanning herself with her hand. Even inside the caravans were a bit hot.
"I have to agree with you, Amber. Fortunately for me though, I'm already used to this kind of heat from where I came from…" Melissa–sempai said. Come to think of it, Melissa–sempai was from the United States before moving to Japan 10 years ago, since her parents are working in Tokyo. She once told us the weather back in her home was always hot; hence why she was used to it.
"Lucky you, big sis… we can't handle this kind of heat…" Akira added as he kept fanning himself with his hand.
"Yeah, but even so… this kind of weather really reminds me of summer back home…" Storm complained as he loosened up his top button to let the hot air out from his body.
"Serafew is just a few miles away, so I hope you guys can bear it well until we get there." Ephraim assured us.
"I heard Serafew has a hot spring to rejuvenate our health back to the fullest." Eirika told us.
"Eh?!" I asked surprised. "Really?! There's hot springs in this world?!"
"Yes. There is a hot spring here as well. The one that made it possible sure is a genius…" Ephraim said as he crossed his arms and looked down.
"According to Earth's Natural Sources, on page 713," Lute began while turning the page of her book. "It is said that a hot spring is made from the emergence of geothermal heated groundwater from the Earth's crust. It is said to contain many good minerals for your body as well as make your blood circulate better in your system." All of us Riders are happy about that.
"It seems like this hot spring brings many good benefits…" Artur commented.
"I've always wanted to try something like that, since we don't have any of those things in Grado…" Natasha said.
"Oh man! Hot springs! It's something we've missed for quite a while, right, buddy?!" Storm said eagerly as he kept shaking me back and forth
"Yeah, yeah, just stop shaking me! I'm getting dizzy!" I cried out.
"He's really energetic…" Ephraim said with a sweat drop.
"Yes, brother. He's always like that…" Eirika replied with one of her own.
"At least it's something that we can look forward to!" Mikoto said as she joined Storm pointing towards the direction of the city.
"Hot spring, here we come!" Both of them said in unison, as Joshua was surprised from their sudden action.
"Whoa, you two kids really need to calm down…" Joshua replied as he able to keep control of the horses heading its way towards Serafew.
After what seemed like an hour or two, we've finally reached back to Serafew. As most of us were getting off from the caravan, on the good side, the wind really helped us cool our heat down, but that doesn't help that it's still darn hot when it comes to the weather… "Fuh! I really need to take a bath after waiting in the caravan for so long!" Ross complained as his arms were literally covered in sweat.
As everyone gotten off from the caravan, Kyle walked his horse towards our direction. "For the time being, we should make our stop here and get some supplies before heading back to the castle. I will look around to make sure there aren't any Grado spies following us." Kyle informed.
"Come now, Kyle! Stop being serious all the time for once, you gotta need to get a break, after all…" Forde said nonchalantly.
"Easy for you to say, Forde. I've always taken my knighthood seriously; and I'll continue doing so…" Kyle said as Ephraim told the knights to do what they wanted to do. In the end, Seth and Kyle voluntarily kept an eye out for any signs of trouble, along with Gilliam, Franz and eventually, Forde.
"I–I guess we should take some to rest while the caravan is being filled up for the trip…" Neimi told us.
"Agreed. For the time being, everyone might as well stay at the inn and feel free to do things whatever they want." Moulder advised.
"Do not worry about it, Father Moulder. The villagers will be more than happy to see us again, especially with the appearance of Princess Eirika and Prince Ephraim, since we saved their beloved home." Vanessa told him.
"That's true…" Moulder said.
After an hour, after we've checked in the inn we're going to stay for the night, everyone went their own separate paths. Joshua and Colm went to a nearby arena to win some more gold coins for a later bet that he has in mind, not to mention to participate in the battle themselves to improve their skills. Lute and Artur went somewhere for the time being. And for the rest of us, we all headed towards the hot spring place where it was famous for the locals as most of them were visiting during their free time, but just for today, it feels like the whole place was reserved just for us…
"Welcome, twins of Renais and their fellow mercenaries. Have you come here to enjoy the hot spring of our humble place?" An old woman in her 50's, which I think is the owner of the place, said in a humble, kind, tone as she was happy to know her place is visited by royalty.
"Yes, we have." Eirika answered.
"Then, please. Enjoy your stay here as much as you want." The owner of the hot spring said as she led us to a place where it separated into two baths. One for the boys and the other one for the girls.
"Man, it's really similar to back in our place…" Storm recalled.
"Yeah, big bro… I can understand that too…" Akira added.
"A hot spring that lets my muscles relax… now this isn't an eyesore to me…" Kurai said with a smile on his face, which was a rare thing to see.
"Man, I can't wait for a jump into the hot bath!" Ross said eagerly.
At this time, Artur and Lute were strolling along the countryside near the forest as she began to look at something she stumbled upon earlier. "Hm… I wonder if… Oh, I see…" Lute immersed him her analysis after referring to her book and studying its habit for a moment as Artur took note.
"What are you doing, Lute?" Artur asked her, making her surprised for a moment.
"Oh! I was just observing this chemida beetle." Lute told him as she picked up one of them and showed it to him, with Artur letting out a sigh.
"You haven't changed at all, have you, Lute?"
"What do you mean?" Lute blinked.
"You spent most of your time sequestered in your room, studying your books. On the rare occasion you went outside, you were paralyzed with fascination." Artur further explained as Lute entered her analyzing mode.
"Of course! There are so many fascinating things to be learned from nature! There are a great many books out there, and I have read most of them, of course. But I've found that what is written can differ greatly from how things truly are. Take this chemida beetle, for example. I've been reading from "The Glossary of Falibrian Entomology" lately. According to the glossary, their wings fall off once they reach maturity. However, I have just found an adult beetle whose wings still work perfectly! Exceptions do exist to the rules, my books outline. This is a rare specimen. I wonder, should we take it back with us?" Lute asked him, causing him to let out another one of his sighs.
"I hope this isn't another of your pranks." Artur sighed.
"My… pranks?" Lute asked confused.
"Do you remember when I loaned you my copy of "Lux Aeterna"? You replaced my bookmark with the tail of a sedgel lizard. You scared ten years off my life, I swear it!" Artur exclaimed, but Lute doesn't seem to recall the memory for some reason.
"Did I do that?" Lute asked tilting her head.
"And!" Artur continued where he left off. "Knowing full well that I have a… mild… fear of spiders, you caught a small army of them and unleashed them in my room!"
"I thought that if I immersed you in the thing you feared, maybe you might be able to overcome your fear entirely!" Lute pouted. "And I went through a lot of trouble trying to catch those spiders!"
"…Why would you do that?" Artur asked her concerned.
"Well, I did get a bit of a kick out of the experience myself." Lute pondered before she looked at him. "Why? Did it bother you?"
"YES!" Artur exclaimed, causing Lute to jump in surprise before he regained his composure. "Oh, don't worry about it. At least you did it because you cared about me, right?" He asked her, as she could just nod at it. "I'll just accept it as the best gesture of kindness you can manage, Lute." He said as he continued to accompany her around with a new strange feeling inside of him.
With Joshua and Colm, they were hitting the arena and boy did they hit the jackpot. Every fight they've been in, they've won and they've been getting a LOT of gold coins as of late. Normally, Joshua will lose bets and all, but when it comes to fighting, that's a different story.
"Well, we made a lot of money for today, huh?" Joshua said as he was impressed by how many bags of gold coins they've got.
"Yeah, and not to mention I've got my hands on it as well." Colm added as he took out some of the gold coins in a bag under his cape. "And you got some skills…"
"It all comes with experience, I suppose." Joshua shrugged. "Hopefully, this will be enough traveling money for the rest of the way back to Frelia if we need something along the way."
"Yeah… and I can't believe my pickpocketing skills are as sharp as always…" Colm said impressed with himself before he puts all of his effort's collection into his pocket. "I guess we should call it a day too… I have my share of fun already…" Colm perked up before he started dashing towards the inn to make sure the ones that he had pickpocketed won't be able to chase after him later on.
While the rest of the knights were guarding around the area, Seth saw Franz do a little bit of a training with his lance as Franz noticed him watching his practice. "General!" Franz called out.
"Ah, Franz." Seth said with an assured tone. "Every time I see you, you're getting better and better. Your parry is a little stiff, but you are clearly improving." he praised him, which clearly made Franz a bit concerned.
"Are you serious? Do you really think so, sir?" Franz asked for his opinion.
Due to Franz's curiosity, Seth couldn't help it but to raise a question onto his subordinate. "…Why is it that, when I compliment you, you always ask me that?"
Franz was surprised by the sudden question as he suddenly apologized to him. "Oh, so sorry… I appreciate your praise, sir." Franz said before he started to explain to him, "I mean, you're General Seth, the Silver Knight. You're my hero."
That comment made Seth laughs a little bit while looking at the young cavalier. "No more flattery, Franz. Please." he replied back with a smile, before Franz denied it.
"But, General, it's true! Do you remember when Grado's forces overran Castle Renais?" Franz recalled, causing Seth to nod about it. "Despite grave injuries, you out–charged the enemy, broke their lines, and escaped. And then, you delivered the princess, on your own, to Frelia safety." Franz said amazed by that fact as he continued to admire him. "If I were you, I doubt I could have survived such a challenge… You are the only person I know who can make impossible feats possible." he praised once again.
Seth lets out another chuckle of his own before he replied back to him. "What pressure you put on me! How can I possibly fail now? You would lose all faith in me!" he complimented before he gets to the point. "Ah, but, Franz, you're still young. You will grow into a remarkable warrior, I have no doubt. Be confident. I'm counting on you. Train your mind and hone your skills." he advised to the young cavalier, which makes him happy.
"Really? Do you really think so, General?" Franz asked him, which Seth's only reply was a pat onto his shoulder.
"…Franz …That's enough." Seth told him.
"Oh, right! Sorry, sir!" Franz said a bit frantic, causing Seth to only shake his head.
"Come now, we should continue our guarding for the time being." he advised him, as Franz nods happily.
"Yes, General! And remember, I've got your back!" he chirped up as the two continue to scout. Unknown to both of them, another monster lurked around the bushes as it slowly went into the city, disguised as a human being.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh…" I sighed in content as I sat down in the hot springs sinking into the water until I stopped to just my neck. "This is definitely what I need…"
"Yeah, buddy… now it feels like home…" Storm replied as he sunk his whole body up to his neck before he rinsed his towel and placed it onto his head.
"We really earned this kind of rest, didn't we, big bro?" Akira asked after he did the same thing as well.
"Yep." Kurai simply replied as he was just resting in the middle of it.
"All of our weapons have been stored at a good place. It should be good enough for us to assure our weapon won't be stolen…" Ross told them as Garcia took a dip near the heat source of the water comes out.
"Ah, these old bones really need to relax after all of the hardship we went through…" Garcia lets out a sigh of relief after taking a dip in as everyone seemed to be in a relaxing mood right now.
"No bandits, no Undead to face… this is all what we needed, right, buddy?" Storm replied to me.
"Yep… all we need." I sighed.
"Too bad not everyone can join in at the same time… some would like to take later, while only a few can't take the heat…" Ephraim said to us as we can hear some of the girls chatting next to us.
"Man, this place really reminds me on one of our school trips, buddy. Remember the time where some of our classmates tried to peep on the girls next door, only to get caught in an instant?" Storm recalled.
"Ugh… don't even remind me… I had to beat the guys to a pulp, just to get them to stop so the girls don't have to come to our side of the hot spring to beat them up." I groaned.
"Not to mention most of them were in towels at the time…" Storm remembered.
"Wow… your world sure can be weird at times… even during these kinds of things…" Ephraim said with a sweat drop.
"Believe me, big bro… things are not always as what we'd expect." Akira assured him.
"But one thing I do know is that this place is safe ever since we took down those bandits and one of the knights of Grado from their grasp!" Ross reminded them.
"You are correct, son. That's why we earned this relaxation…" Garcia said before two more figures entered the hot spring area.
"Hey there. Mind if we join in as well?" We all turned around and Joshua and Colm were also here.
"Be our guest." I said. "What have you two been up to?" I asked.
Both Colm and Joshua looked at each other before a smile appeared on their faces and looked back at us with a simultaneous answer. "We have our way of doing things…"
"I don't think I want to know…" Akira said concerned before he noticed Kurai being silent the whole time. "Big bro, why are you keeping quiet to yourself?"
"It's because I was meditating until you asked me… and it annoys me…" Kurai said glaring at him, causing Akira to step back in an instant.
"S–Sorry…" Akira apologized before he went next to my side.
"Well, that's not nice!" Ross shouted at him.
"If you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen…" Kurai told him.
"But we're at the hot spring…" Ephraim replied.
"It's just a figure of speech!" he told the prince, causing him to be surprised for a bit.
"Is he… always like that?" Ephraim whispered to me.
"Yeah, don't worry about it." I told him.
"This is what I call a miracle!" Mikoto chirped after taking a dip inside the hot spring. Of course, all the girls had their towels on to hide their… well, you know…
"Yep, I couldn't agree with you more!" Amber added as the two girls began to chatter happily.
"My, my… those two have so much energy after getting to this place…" Melissa said in a motherly tone.
"Yes, I agree with you, Melissa. Although… it may be a bit too hot for me, but I guess I can bear with it so my whole body can adjust to this heat." Natasha replied as Neimi began to close in at the two.
"I–Is it really okay? J–Just because our bath is next to the boys?" Neimi asked concerned.
"Do not worry. This bamboo wall is thick enough to not let them see us. That, and since my brother is on the other side, along with Kurogasa, things would be in control…" Eirika assured.
"You know, Princess… you've been talking a lot about Kurogasa lately…" Vanessa pointed out as Amber and Melissa already knew about their relationship.
"Yes, it seems like you've put a lot of trust in him as well…" Natasha added, causing the princess to blush slightly.
"Eh, really?!" Mikoto asked getting the gist of it as she approached the small, followed by Amber.
"Oh yes, that's all she ever talks about." Amber teased.
"Amber!" Eirika shouted, blushing even more.
"Now, now, Amber. That's not very nice…" Melissa told her, as Amber kept quiet.
"Sorry…" Amber apologized.
"It's okay to share the tale to the others. It's just between us." Melissa consoled Eirika.
But before Eirika could tell them, all of the sudden, an explosion occurred, causing the barrier between the two sides to be destroyed into pieces as they saw a figure that consists of a fox head with sharp fangs, a long spike on his right shoulder as it wore a black leather suit, wielding a sword on its hand, with a short dagger on the other. It also had sharp horns on its head that it used to detect Riders, even from miles away. This is one of the trials that haven't been seen before… Trial A; It is a scouting Undead that is used to find and eliminate all of the Riders.
"I sense… Riders!" the Undead shouted angrily.
"This is bad! An Undead?!" Colm said in shock as Ephraim was surprised to see something that he hasn't seen such a thing before.
"What is that thing?!" Ephraim demanded.
"Crap… it's a Trial Undead!" I gritted.
"A what?!" Ephraim asked, still confused.
"A Trial Undead is different from the rest of the Undead. This one specifically hunts down us Riders!" Storm recalled before the Trial Undead was suddenly lanced off by Kyle as he spotted the Undead and tried to push it away to a wider place. And before we took action, we noticed the barrier between two sides of bath has been destroyed and well… uh…
"Kyaaaaaaaaa!"
Yeah… that pretty much sums up everything as most of the girls submerged their whole body down while covering themselves with their towels. "My, my… it seems like you boys need a little bit of a lesson…" Melissa–sempai replied with a smile and for some reason, behind that smile, an aura of darkness seemed to seep out from her body as she also covered her body with her towel… Now I know how Kurai actually feels when I witnessed it firsthand.
"Kurogasa, you idiot!" Amber shouted while throwing a bar of soap at me as the other girls started to join in, throw their soaps and anything they could get their hands on to throw at us, and most of us boys took most of the damage.
"Ow! Ow! It was just an accident!" Colm defended himself.
"Blame that thing for destroying it in the first place!" Ross added as Garcia seemed to be taking a nap with a towel covering his face, now noticing that just now the Trial Undead tried to attack us. No wonder most of the stuff were aimed at us after seeing Garcia still asleep.
"Let's just get our gear!" I said desperately covering my eyes and getting out of there while trying my very best not to look at the girls, especially at Eirika. Sure, I tripped a few times but nonetheless got out of there.
"Darn it, of all things, why did it has to be at this time?!" Kurai said annoyed before all of the boys could only get into our shirts and pants on before dashing out from the hot spring area, entering the fray where the battle is held.
As Gilliam and Kyle tried to attack the Trial with their lances, it simply parried off with its sense and speed as it was able to predict which one would strike first before Forde appeared from out of nowhere and gave it a slash of its own. Before they knew it, the Trial Undead stumbled down before calling in its own swarm of DarkRoaches. "What is this?!" Kyle asked.
"No matter what, when you destroy these creatures, do not inhale the green gas, as it is dangerous!" Gilliam warned the two as the rest of us boys began to run at their direction.
"What are those things?!" Ephraim asked shocked to see a swarm of DarkRoaches trying to overwhelm them.
"DarkRoaches! Minions of the Undead!" I said as us Rider boys got out our buckles and slipped our cards in as we continued to run.
"Henshin!"
TURN/OPEN UP
CHANGE
Four holograms of our Category Ace appeared right in front of us as we continue to dash forward until the four of us were now donned in our armors before taking them out one by one. "Ah, Prince Ephraim! Stay back! This is a dangerous creature as their gases can kill you!" Kyle informed the prince as he managed to pierce through another one of the DarkRoaches before an explosion occurred and he immediately stepped back.
"Yeah, not to mention these guys are ugly!" Forde teased before he kicks one of them away before it exploded and it emitted the green gas.
"I suggest you covered up your face since normal humans can't handle this kind of gas… only those donned this kind of armor can actually survive…" Chalice told Ephraim before he dashed forward and Ephraim followed what he was instructed by using his cape and covered his face with it before he joined in the fray.
"Garren, let's go into Jack Form! You and me!" I said.
"Ah! Right!" Garren replied back as the both of us took out our Rouze Absorbers and slotted it onto our wrist. While Lance and Chalice tried to help the rest of them, both of us took out our Absorb Queen cards, Absorb Capricorn and Serpent respectively and inserted it onto our Rouzer Absorber.
ABSORB QUEEN
After hearing the pulses on it, we immediately took out our Fusion Jacks, Fusion Eagle and Peacock respectively and roused it onto our Rouzer Absorber.
FUSION JACK
In an instant, two plates of the Fusion Eagle and Peacock covered our Absorb Queens, the plate of the Fusion Peacock having a gold diamond with the peacock in it surrounded by green that filled the rest of the plate, in a gold color before it hit us as both of us received an upgrade. After I assumed my Jack Form, I looked at Garren as he also has been upgraded as well. The upgrades that he received was a golden plate armor on his chest as his suit of diamond on his chest armor with the Fusion Peacock on it and on his shoulder pads were now covered in gold. His wings were similar to that of a peacock's tail and most surprisingly, his Rouzer is now equipped with a small blade, allowing him to attack at close range. "Sugei~!" Garren said, amazed to see himself in his new transformation. "I wonder if I'm able to transform into King Form since Tachibana never changed into one." Garren pondered.
"You don't have the Evolution Giraffa yet, kid, but for now, let's take that Trial Undead to the skies!"
"Yosha~~!" Garren chirped happily before both of our wings spread and flew towards the Trial Undead that was busy scouting our power level before we took it to the sky. It was quite a trip as eventually it spreads out a pair of moth–like wings before it started to flutter on its own before pushing us back with his sword and dagger in hand.
"Eliminate… RIDERS!" the Trial growled in anger before it made a mad dash towards me.
"Big bro!" Garren shouted as he flew towards my direction.
With that, both of our blades collided as sparks were made in the middle. While trying to defend the attack from my Rouzer with its sword, it tried to stab me or even scratch me with its dagger, but due to the interference of Garren with his newly equipped short dagger that was mounted at the front of the gun, in the end, it had to defend itself before it flutters it moth wings strongly, creating a gust of wind to push us back, making a quick dive and slashed us at the middle.
"Geez, this one is a tricky one…" Garren complained as the Trial began to turn around and glared at us, waiting for the next move to be made.
"No kidding…" I agreed. "Alright then, see how you like this!" I said rousing two cards.
SLASH
THUNDER
Two holograms of Slash Lizard and Thunder Deer appeared behind me as it slowly absorbed onto my Rouzer to initiate my signature weapon attack.
LIGHTNING SLASH
With that declaration, both Garren and I began to dash forward as it prepared its stance to defend itself and tried to go for a counterattack with its dagger in hand. In an instant, both of our weapons clashed in the middle, cutting away its sword in half before continuing to dash forward to cut one of its moth wings. Garren does the same on the other side. While it was distracted for a moment, he managed to cut another one of its wing, causing it to fall towards the earth. "Big bro, even if it crashes onto the ground, there's still a chance it will survive the crash!" Garren warned me.
"Well then, time for me to drop it on him then! But first…" I said rousing one card on my Rouzer.
FUSION
A hologram of the Fusion Eagle appeared and went into the Rouzer restoring my AP. "That's better, and now to finish it."
KICK
THUNDER
MACH
"What the– Are you serious big bro?! That's dangerous!" Garren cried out as the three holograms of Kick Locust, Thunder Deer, and Mach Jaguar entered by body before announcing the move.
LIGHTNING SONIC
"Better than nothing Akira!" I shouted as I dove down fast like a peregrine falcon would. Garren thought about it for a moment before he decided to do the same thing. He fanned out while diving down to follow suit before he roused two cards onto his Rouzer to initiate it.
DROP
FIRE
Two holograms of Drop Whale and Fire Fly appeared right in front of him as he passed through the holograms before the move has been declared.
BURNING SMASH
"Haaa!" Both of us cried out as we dashed down as both of our kicks connected onto the Trial as we continued to dash down.
Meanwhile, at the ground, the rest of our group were pushing them aside with the knights now protecting the citizens from the DarkRoaches trying to kill them, both Lance and Chalice are now back–to–back, being surrounded by the DarkRoaches as Ephraim joins in as well. "This isn't good/ does this happens all the time?" Ephraim asked Lance.
"Most of the time…" Lance told him with a sweat drop.
"Tch… with the knights guarding the people, we're the only ones that are strong enough to push them back…" Chalice muttered while looking around.
"Any ideas how to get out from this situation?" Lance asked him as Chalice saw both Garren and I dive our kicks down to where they are standing.
"I can think of one thing…" Chalice said as he took out a card from his side deck and roused it onto his Rouzer on the Arrow.
FLOAT
"Eh?" Lance asked surprised for before Chalice immediately grabbed Lance and Ephraim's wrist and floats to the side before a crash was heard on the spot. A small shockwave spread around the area, causing a crater to be made at the center and at that point, all of the DarkRoaches were destroyed as the Trial was at the middle of the crater, consumed in flames and electricity as both of us slowly raised ourselves up from the impact , me feeling wobbly.
"Wow! What a rush!" Garren chirped happily as I can still feel the jolt of pain rushing to my kicking leg.
"Note to self, always estimate the height before diving down for the kick…" I muttered to myself as the rest of the boys joined up and Seth and Franz just arriving to see what happened.
"What happened here?" Seth asked.
"I crashed the Undead and killed it… not to mention… it made me dizzy…" I said before I wobbled and fell unconscious.
Ugh… what happened? Oh yeah, now I remember… earlier today, when we enjoyed our relaxation in the hot spring, all of the sudden, a Trial Undead destroyed the hot spring wall and I ended up getting hit by a few bars of soap being thrown at us. And after that, we chased after that thing as we brought it up to the sky, slashing and dashing before we finished it off with double dive kick on it and at the end of it, I ended up unconscious… I soon woke up and was in a room. "What the– What happened?" I asked as I slowly got up.
"Kurogasa, you're awake!" Eirika said, happy to see me awake as I slowly pushed myself up.
"Ow… what happened?" I groaned while rubbing my head.
"You were unconscious after the fight and my brother and Storm brought you to your room…" Eirika explained.
"Why do my cheeks sting?" I asked her.
"Um…" Eirika got out. She was silent before she managed to mutter out one sentence from her mouth. "Amber slapped your cheeks a few times…"
"Huh? What for?" I asked confused.
"About… seeing us only in our towels…" Eirika said in a blushing state and she continued on. "And because of that, she told me to tell you that you're going to get your 'special' treatment… I don't know what that means…"
I shuddered at that. I knew what that meant. "You don't want to know…" At that point, the door flung open making the both of us jump. It was Amber. She had her head down and she was smiling evilly, and I think one of her eyes twinkled.
"Kurogasaaaaaaaaaa… it's time for that 'special' treatment…" Amber said darkly.
Oh no…
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
"Ite te, te, te, te, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh… I needed this…" I sighed in relief. After getting the 'special' treatment courtesy of Amber, I wobbled myself back to the hot spring. Thankfully, no one was in the hot spring area. I needed to relax off the pain.
"Kurogasa, are you alright?" A female voice asked as I immediately leaned against the remains of the barrier to make sure that I don't get another again.
"Eirika, is that you?" I asked as I heard a splash as she entered into the hot spring and leaned against the remaining barrier as well.
"Yes, it's me…" Eirika replied. "Um… about… the 'special' treatment… are you still hurt on your… um, bottom?"
"I'm… okay… still hurts though…" I said.
"I've never seen her so… vicious before… much more than a beast…" Eirika stuttered as I tried my best to forget that kind of experience.
"If it wasn't for Storm entering the room after hearing my scream of pain, she would go relentless on me… and I would be in the worst shape yet…" I cringed in pain.
"I see…" Eirika said as the whole hot spring was quiet, only to be accompanied by the sound of water flowing from a miniature handmade waterfall. "Um… you didn't… see me earlier today… right?" Eirika asked breaking the silence once again.
"No!" I answered rather too quickly.
I heard her let out a sigh of relief behind the barrier before she continued on. "I'm glad…"
"Say, what happened to the rest of the girls that were…'involved' in this mess?" I asked her.
"Well, other than Melissa, most of the girls were quite embarrassed and Garcia didn't know what happened at that time since he fallen asleep…" Eirika answered.
"Why wasn't Melissa–sempai affected by it?" I asked.
"It's because most of the boys who were involved didn't want their toes to be crushed, especially Kurai. He said that behind her smile, a sinister aura seeps out from her…" Eirika added.
I shuddered at that too. Now I know how Kurai feels. "I… see…" I got out.
The hot spring was silent again as we didn't speak much after 30 minutes of rinsing ourselves in the hot spring. "I'm glad…"
"Huh?"
"I'm glad I've met my brother again… so thank you… Kurogasa…" Eirika said. It was then I heard another splash signaling that Eirika was getting out of the hot spring and I heard footsteps about to walk away until… "Whoa!" she cried out and I saw the remaining barrier coming down towards me! She must've slipped and fell on the barrier! Oh crap!
*CRASH!*
As the barrier came crashing down on me, Eirika quickly recovered from her slip earlier and realized I was pinned under the bamboo barrier. Fear of me being drowned under hot water, she immediately pushed it away and tried to wake me up from my faint. "Kurogasa! Kurogasa, are you okay?!" Eirika asked a bit panicked before I slowly opened up my eyes from my faint and seeing Eirika worried about me.
"Ow… I'm okay…" I groaned, but then when I fully opened my eyes, I blushed madly seeing Eirika in nothing but her towel, which clung to her in very interesting ways, I could see her cleavage, and it looked like the towel was about to fall off!
Realizing what's wrong, she also noticed that I'm in nothing but my towel to cover the lower part of my body. She quickly turned around, as her face flushed red. "U–Uh, please excuse me!" Eirika stuttered before she quickly ran towards the other side of the wall and ran towards her changing room. Man, I was stunned. I'm trying to get a grip, not to mention I've seen her curves– wait, what am I thinking?! Did I have a bad thought just now?! Bad thoughts! Bad thoughts! Get away bad thoughts! Calm down, Kurogasa! Just calm down… all I need to do is take another few minutes soaking myself in the water and maybe the experience would go away…
After a while… it didn't go away… I walked out from the hot spring and I saw Storm who saw me flushed. "Did something happen? Your face is red as a tomato…" Storm said concerned.
"Um…" I got out.
"What is it? C'mon, you can tell me. I can keep secrets remember?" Storm asked.
I looked around to my left then to my right. "Never tell this to anyone. Especially Amber."
"Promise. So, what is it?" Storm asked.
I took a deep breath before telling him what happened. "…I, um– I saw Eirika… in nothing but her towel… only…" I finally got out. Silence surrounded us for a moment.
"If you're talking about the one from earlier today, I guess you can say I've accidentally saw them too…"
He misunderstood my situation. "No, no, no, no, no. Not from earlier, just now." I told him. "And I… saw her…" I looked to my left and right and whispered what I saw in his ears. His eyes widened at what I told him.
"…okay… wow… just… wow, buddy…" Storm blinked as he also felt awkward like me. "This never happened to me and Amber before… for sure…" He added.
"That's why I'm telling you to please keep this quiet for me, especially Amber! I don't wanna be given the 'special' treatment again…" I practically whined, which Storm let out a smile on his face.
"Oh, don't worry about that. Your secret is safe with me, buddy." Storm assured me.
"Ohhh, I can't believe this…" Eirika said still flushing red. 'I… I know Kurogasa didn't mean anything, but still…!'
"What is it Eirika? Did something happen just now?" Amber asked as she combed her hair down. Eirika could only keep quiet, which made Amber curious until she remembered something. "Did Kurogasa do something to you again?! If he did, I'll be giving him his 'special' treatment again!" she said as she held her broom nearby for her treatment on him, which made Eirika wave it off in an instant.
"N–No! It's not that… it's just…" Eirika stuttered, as Amber waited for her answer.
"Well? What happened?" Amber pried.
"Um…" Eirika got out. "Promise you won't tell anyone and hurt Kurogasa?"
"So, it DOES involve him!" Amber said annoyed while her fist started to shake angrily before Eirika began to plead.
"Please? Promise me, Amber? You're my friend and there are times you've helped me out…" Eirika said as she was about get teary, which made Amber instantly stop.
"Alright… you win. I won't hurt him…" Amber sighed before she calmed herself down and looked at her with her neutral look. "So, what happened?"
"Well, I was talking with Kurogasa in the hot springs, well, with what remained of the barrier up of course. I was getting out until I slipped and fell on the barrier and crushing Kurogasa. Then when I got the barrier off of him, he… he…"
"He… what?" Amber asked. Eirika was having a hard time trying to explain it.
"He… saw my cleavage…" Eirika let out with a blush. Amber also got one of her own.
"If it wasn't for our promise, I would've killed him on the spot…" Amber pointed out.
"I suppose it's my fault for letting it happen. He was really embarrassed." Eirika said.
"No it's not. You just slipped. That was a complete accident." Amber waved off. "Still, I guess he's just growing up… way too fast… even my boyfriend didn't go that far… at least… not until… we're…" She stopped there. Amber tried to finish her words but it seemed like it's her turn to stutter before she lets out a groan and entered her bed in an instant, covering her whole body under a blanket. "J–Just forget what I said just now and go to sleep or something!"
"Huh?" Eirika asked confused.
"I said just go to sleep already!" Amber shouted under the blanket. Eirika decided to go out on a walk to calm herself down.
Eirika was in front of the fountain as she was looking at the sky filled with stars. She was able to find peace in her as her blush finally wore off from her face. When she found her peace, she began to remember something about the past. Her brother Ephraim soon approached her. "Is something bothering you, Eirika?" Ephraim asked as he sat next to her.
"I was thinking about Lyon." Eirika recalled. "The last time we saw him was a year and a half ago…"
"You're right." Ephraim replied. "It was at Grado Keep. …Has it really been only a year and a half?"
Flashback – 1½ Years ago
"Ephraim! Lyon!" Eirika cried out looking about. "Where are you two?"
"We're over here, Eirika." She heard Lyon call back. "You'd better be quick. Ephraim says he's tired of waiting."
"Oh, please. I'm sure you could wait a few moments longer…" She said before running off down the street.
"You're late." Ephraim said with his arms crossed. "How long does it take you to prepare for such a simple trip?"
"Rest easy, Ephraim." A youth with hair resembling silver mixed with purple. "There's no need to be so curt with your own sister. After all, a king must learn to treat women with honor and discretion. That's what Father MacGregor says."
"Thank you, Lyon." Eirika replied with a smile. "You, unlike my brother, are a true gentleman." She giggled before regaining her composure. "I was up far too late thinking about my prayer to the temple flame last night. And I'm afraid I… I overslept…"
"Your prayer?" Ephraim asked scratching his head. "What are you babbling about?"
"Come now, you know that flame has been burning since the time of darkness ended." Lyon chided gently. "You must know the story that the flame will answer the prayers of any pilgrim!"
"Really? I didn't know that…" Ephraim replied.
"Oh, Ephraim…" Eirika sighed. "Father MacGregor is going to scold you for neglecting your studies so."
"…Don't even joke about that." Ephraim scoffed. "So tell us, what have you decided to pray for, Eirika?"
"I, uh…" She began. "It's a secret."
"I should've known." Ephraim sighed. "You're so boring."
"Well, how about you, Ephraim?" Lyon asked with a smile on his face.
"Me? Let's see…" Ephraim began, looking up in thought. "I guess I'll pray to become a stronger fighter."
"That's just like you, Ephraim." Lyon sighed with a shake of his head.
"Just like you indeed, Brother." Eirika agreed with her own shake of the head.
"…I can never tell if you're complimenting me or mocking me." Ephraim complained.
"Praising you, of course!" Lyon replied quickly waving it off. "Right, Eirika?"
"Hee hee… Yes, that's right." The princess added with another giggle.
"And you, Lyon?" Ephraim began. "What will you pray for?"
"What? Me?" Lyon asked, pointing to himself "Hm… I suppose all I really want is for all our people to be happy."
"…That's very, uh…" Ephraim began. "That's very much like you."
"Very much so, Lyon." Eirika agreed with a smile.
"…Now, I'm the one who cannot tell if I'm being praised…" Lyon grumbled.
"You're being praised, as always, Lyon." Ephraim grinned.
"Tell me, why the sudden decision to visit the temple?" Eirika asked. "Did my brother do something again?"
"Now listen, you…" Ephraim began before Lyon chuckled.
"Oh no. It's not what Ephraim's done. It's what he hasn't done. He's learned nothing at all about the Sacred Stone and the temple flame, so…"
"Father MacGregor became angry." Ephraim finished for him. "He said, 'One destined to become king and rule over a nation must know the history of his kingdom and must respect the Sacred Stones.' Ever since I came to Grado, my life has been chastisement and castigation." He complained. "Father MacGregor does not think of me to be altogether too… kingly."
"And yet General Duessel has nothing but praise for you, Ephraim." Lyon added. "He says you're brave and true, that you've the makings of a great king."
"A great king?" Ephraim parroted. "I honestly have no idea what that means. Eirika should succeed the throne. I would be happy simply taking my lance and traveling the land as a mercenary."
"Ephraim! That is nothing but foolish, irresponsible romanticism!" Eirika cried out. "Do you realize how much your words would fill Father's heart with grief?"
"Are we speaking of the same man?" Ephraim said with a short laugh. "Our father will likely outlive us all. For now, I'm content with just learning the lance from General Duessel. What about you, Lyon? Is there anything you want to do?"
"Me? Well, I…" The Grado prince began. "I suppose I want to become like my father."
"You were born to be the Emperor of Grado, Lyon." Eirika smiled. "It suits you."
"No, I don't think so." Lyon replied, shaking his head. "I'm not– One thing I do know from watching my father is that being emperor is hard. Every day, he answers the complaints of the people, and he almost never sleeps… My father is always so very tired. I hope one day that… I hope that I can help him."
"Lyon… You are so honorable." Eirika said, beaming gently. "You should learn from him, Brother."
"…Again with your criticism!" Ephraim cried out. "Tell me, Eirika. What say you to dressing like me and becoming king in my stead? You're so skinny I doubt anyone would notice you're not really a man."
"Ha ha ha…" Lyon let out, trying to cover his mouth with a hand.
"Ephraim!" Eirika cried out, stomping her foot to the ground.
End Flashback
After the twins had their laugh together in remembering their memory lanes, she began to ponder, regarding Lyon. "What do you suppose Lyon is doing now?" she asked herself as more questions began to come out from her mouth. "When Emperor Vigarde ordered the invasion… How do you think Lyon felt?" she asked while looking at her twin brother.
"He's always been so gentle, but he worships his father. He never questions him." Ephraim tried to remember the characteristics of their friend until when it came to his father. "But the emperor… He's clearly not behaving rationally. I just hope he's not so far gone that he'd hurt his own flesh and blood." At that point, Eirika got close to her brother and leaned over his shoulder.
"I just pray for the day when the three of us can be together once again." Eirika prayed for the best as Ephraim wrapped an arm around her shoulders leaning his head on hers, while looking up in the sky.
"It'll come. I've no doubt…"
The next day, as Melissa wore her headdress for returning back to Frelia, which was planned by Ephraim, she saw Natasha sitting on her bed, looking down for a moment as she approaches to her. "Is something bothering you, Natasha?"
Her sudden question startled Natasha startled, as she looked at Melissa's concerned look on her face. "Oh, Melissa… it's nothing…"
"You can tell me. We are like sisters ever since we've met each other. If there's something you want to share with me, I'll be glad to lend an ear to hear your problems…" Melissa said motherly tone before Natasha suddenly hugged her, surprising Melissa.
"Oh, Melissa… I don't know what's wrong with me! Ever since Joshua saved me and both of us began to go on a trip together, my mind is going blank. I couldn't concentrate on my healing spells and my chest hurts when I think about it! What's even worse is he's placing a bet that I'd fall for him and he witnessed something that was a sin yesterday! I don't know what to do!" Natasha cried for a bit as Melissa understood what she was talking about.
"Natasha… that is love." Melissa said in a kind tone, as Natasha looked at her as tears still flows out from her eyes.
"Love?"
"Yes, that is love. You are experiencing it. I know because everyone goes through that lane. It's the most beautiful thing that's happening to you!" Natasha could only look down for a moment.
"But… I–" Natasha tried to explain, but Melissa puts her forefinger on her lips.
"I know you're a cleric and as such, a religious person, just like me. You've given your life over to a divine calling. But would the Everlasting not smile upon the love shared by its creations?" she asked her as Natasha thought about it while Melissa wipes off her tears. "It is up to you to decide your path… remember that, Natasha." she said with a smile on her face as Natasha finally calmed down and hugged her friend tightly.
"I will decide it… thank you, my dear friend…" Natasha said as Melissa hugs her back.
And so, after helping the owner repair the bamboo barrier to its former glory and resupplying our caravan with food and water, we left Serafew and went on our way back to Frelia. However, during the rest of the few weeks back to Frelia, Eirika and I haven't talked to each other. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I don't want to talk to her, but… I just don't know what to say to her, not after what happened at the hot springs. "That's strange… my sister doesn't seem to talk to him like she usually does when we first headed towards Serafew…" Ephraim said concerned.
"Well, I know those two have their reasons…" Storm added.
"Yeah, I know… I can understand what you're saying, Storm…" Amber replied back to him.
"Did big bro get himself in a fight with Eirika?" Akira asked Mikoto who was ignoring him.
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Mikoto scoffed. After what happened last time, she wasn't talking to him, leaving Akira to sweat drop.
"I wonder what happened between the two of them." Ephraim wondered.
"Believe me; you don't want to know…" Storm and Amber said in unison, leaving Ephraim even more confused as I took a glance at Eirika but once she noticed me, she immediately looked away. I guess she's still feeling embarrassed about it… who doesn't if someone that you like sees you with barely any clothes on? In the meantime, Akira looked upon the Trial A Undead that was sealed in a Common Blank.
"I wonder if this card may be useful for big bro?" Akira muttered to himself as our journey continued on.
Eventually, we have reached back to Castle Frelia as we decided to regroup here in order to inform the king. "Ah, we've finally back to Frelia…" Moulder said happy to reach back to the place where he served for his king.
"Yes, after these couple of months, it's good to be finally back home." Vanessa said. As us Riders got out of the caravan…
"Kurogasaaaaaaaaaa!"
"OOF!"
Tana tackled me to the ground with a hug. "Ugh, hi… Tana…" I got out. "Good to see you again."
"Oh, I've missed you so much! You have no idea how boring this place was without you and your shiny armor!" Tana said as she rubbed her face onto my chest, making me flushed from her bold action on me.
"Princess! Please mind your manners around here!" Vanessa scolded a bit, as she kept sticking on me like glue.
"Wow, seems like we got ourselves a little competition that's gonna happen soon…" Mikoto said while looking at us, causing Eirika to be flustered.
"T–Tana! P–Please, get off from him!" Eirika said surprised by her sudden action.
"Ha ha… active as always, huh, Tana?" Ephraim praised her, making Tana look up and saw Ephraim before she let go and hugs both of the twins simultaneously.
"Ephraim! Eirika! Welcome!" Tana cried out before the twins hugged her before letting them go. "The two of you returning together, it's like a dream come true!"
"Of course! We did promise that we'll return back here safely with my brother." Eirika told her friend.
"You must know, I've prayed every day for your safe return." Tana said in a happy tone.
"I wonder if she is talking about the twins or him." Colm pondered.
"Who knows?" Forde shrugged.
"I'm sorry, Tana." Ephraim said, shaking his head. "I didn't want for you to worry."
"Oh, it doesn't matter now… All that really matters is that we've been brought together again." Tana said happily tone looking at me with her cheeky smile.
"Yeah, and not to mention we brought along new riders to assist us as well." Ross informed her.
"New riders?" Tana blinked before she got herself a shock. "You mean, there are more than these three?!"
"Yep." I said after getting up from Tana's tackle hug. Just before she could ask who it could be, a soldier walked in the castle and informed something to the princess.
"Princess Tana! Prince Innes has returned from the front!" the soldier informed her, causing her to sulk for a bit.
"Geez, what unexpected timing! I was just about to know who the new riders are!" Tana pouted as she crossed her arms.
"Don't worry, you'll know soon enough, Your Highness." Gilliam informed her and soon enough, a young man with warm grey hair like King Hayden's, wearing a sky blue trench coat and white shirt underneath with brown pants and boots with a bow behind him, entered the castle as most of the soldiers bowed to the prince, with Lute only raising her eyebrow as she continued to read her book.
"Welcome home, dear brother. I'm so happy to see you return safe and sound!" Tana chirped up when her brother entered in while she stayed close to me, much to Eirika's chagrin, as Storm, Amber and Melissa couldn't help it laugh a little.
"You didn't expect less, did you?" Innes replied with a scoff. "Do you think Grado's slugs could touch me? With my bow, I'll take down every Grado soldier from here to the emperor's palace!" He then turned to me. "And you're supposed to be?"
"Um, I'm just one of Eirika's escorts, along with my friends. My name is Kurogasa. It's nice to meet you." I replied as Tana suddenly hugged my arm happily.
"Yeah! He and his friends are one–of–a–kind warriors that we don't see every day!" Tana said.
"One–of–a–kind?" Innes asked a bit confused by that term.
"Yes, they are one–of–a–kind, Innes. I have witnessed it myself." Ephraim replied to him as Innes shifted his focus onto him.
"…Ephraim." Innes said sternly. Something tells me that both of them are rivals or something, judging by his tone.
"It's good to see you, Prince Innes." Eirika said to him, which he looked at her, with a nod before turning back to Ephraim with a serious look.
"…They say Renais has fallen. I believe I warned you before. This happened because you provided Grado the opportunity to strike!" He said in a harsh tone to Ephraim.
"Seems like we got ourselves another eyesore…" Kurai muttered to himself while crossing his arms.
*STOMP*
"Iteeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Kurai cried out in pain.
"Now, now… mind your manners, Kurai." Melissa–sempai warned him with her smile as he could only cringed in pain after being stomped with her Leangle Rouzer.
"Brother! Mind your tongue! This is no occasion for such harsh words. Ephraim and Eirika have lost their father to this terrible war…" Tana scolded her brother, causing him to be silent for a moment.
"I'm sorry to hear of your father's death." Innes said in a softer tone. "Hear me, Ephraim. Our most important task is to defeat Grado and end this war." He said before turning about.
"Oh, Innes…" Tana sighed.
"Wow… what an arrogant guy…" Akira said as he crossed his arms.
"He may look like it, but he's the most brilliant person when it comes to strategic and planning the attacks. He is also good with his bow and arrow." Gilliam informed him.
"He is somewhat like you, Akira. Both of you have brilliant minds and you use long ranged attacks as your specialty, but you have a gentle side, which Prince Innes rarely shows…" Vanessa praised him, causing Akira to rub the back of his head happily.
"Gee, thanks, big sis!" Akira chirped up.
"I'm sorry, Eirika, Ephraim." Tana apologized.
"It's all right." Ephraim waved it off. "It's comforting to see that, in all of this, at least he hasn't changed. Innes has hated me for as long as I can remember." Ephraim sighed.
"My brother looks upon you as a rival, Ephraim." Tana corrected. "He wants to be the best at everything. The best king, the best general, the best fighter, the best man…" Tana listed while counting with her fingers. "He won't allow himself to be beaten at anything."
"Well, eventually… there will be something he won't be best at…" Amber said confidently.
"Everyone has something they good at, young lady…" Garcia informed her.
"Tana, you talk too much!" Innes called out. Tana hid behind me while still holding onto my arm and as I looked at Eirika, she seemed a bit… jealous? From the looks of it, she really does look jealous but couldn't bring herself forward as both of us still can't talk to each other due to that little incident that night… Innes approached us once again as he looked at us with a stern face of his. "…My father would like both of you to sit with him in a war council… along with these… riders. I do not know what he meant by that, but that's what my father calls them. Will you come with me to take part in your official audience?" Innes asked him.
"Yes, of course. There's much that I have to tell him." Ephraim responded.
"It will be out honor to attend." Eirika added.
"Well, Riders… it's our call." I told them as the rest of the riders nodded in agreement.
"Well, as always, we might as well wait for you guys to get back…" Joshua said as he tilted his hat, causing Innes to be confused.
"Riders… What does Father mean by that Tana?" Innes asked while looking at his sister.
"Oh, you'll see." Tana said excitedly. "Guys, how about showing my brother a quick demonstration before you guys go meet with my Father?"
"Uh… well…" I got out.
"Pleeeeeease?" Tana pleaded giving me the puppy eyes. Oh good grief, now I know how Kurai feels when Amber gave him the puppy eyes before he joined us.
"T–Tana! Please! Now isn't the time to do so! Kurogasa and his friends can show him after our discussion with your father!" Eirika told her.
"Ah, she's right, Tana! W–We can show it later. I promise you that!" I also joined as Tana eventually gave up as her brother could only cross his arms.
"Aw~! You're no fun, Eirika!" Tana pouted.
"Very well. I shall see what kind of powers you 'Riders' have after our discussion. So, you better be true to your words." Innes informed before leading the rest of us to the King's Chamber. Somehow, Eirika was covering for me, and I have to thank her for that. For the time being, we should discuss thing with the king.
"It does my heart good to see you all here safely within our castle walls." Hayden said as us Riders and the Renais twins, along with Tana, and Innes were in the throne room. "…Would that we had more time for pleasantries, but… let us hear your news."
"Very well, I will begin." Innes said. "I've directed the body of Frelia's army south to engage Grado directly. Our troops are proving themselves superior and the battle progresses favorably."
"Hmm…" Hayden let out. "But the riddle still needs answering. Why did Grado begin this war in the first place?"
"Your Majesty, we may well have found something relating to that…" Eirika began. "We learned something on our travels, news that weighs heavily upon us."
"Ah, yes." Hayden said with a nod. "Our messenger delivered your report to us a few days ago. Grado is trying to destroy the Sacred Stones… Is that it?"
"Yes." Eirika nodded.
"From the looks of it now, since they have learnt the truth about the Sacred Stones on their wrists, both of them are having a big target on their backs." Kurai told the king.
"And things are going to be much harder after that…" Mikoto added.
"I know, young lady." Hayden nodded with a sad look on his face. "That is why we've strengthened the tower's defenses." He explained, gaining our attention. "Frelia's stone is safe for the time being. But we remain confused in this. What does Grado hope to gain by destroying the Sacred Stones?" Hayden asked. He was really baffled about their actions as he put his thought into this mess.
"We don't know, but judging by how serious they were in destroying these Sacred Stones, that means they must have a hidden motive…" Akira answered.
"Akira is right. The legends say the stones protect us all from the power of darkness." Eirika recalled.
Ephraim was also a bit concerned as he stepped up to give the king the details on it. "…I can't say if it relates, but I have heard a story about Grado. It's… been troubling me, and I would like to share it with you all." he said to us, leaving the ones in the room including us, to be confused. As he turned around, he began to call a name from outside of the door. "Myrrh. Come here, please."
The said girl came into the room and walked over next to him. "Yes?" Myrrh asked shyly.
"Who's this girl?" Hayden asked.
"Myrrh, can you please down your cloak?" Ephraim asked kindly. Myrrh was hesitant, but complied. She let her cloak drop, and… she has dragon wings on her back?! I kid you not; these aren't one of those wings that you use for cosplaying; these are actual dragon wings grown and imbedded on her back! Most of us were shocked to see it firsthand, other than Ephraim, which seemed like he knew what kind of response we'd give out. Heck, Tana was so surprised she took a step back and bumped into me as Innes just scoffed.
"Now, that's something you don't see every day…" Kurai muttered out.
"Ah, no way! REAL dragon wings on her back?!" Amber and Mikoto shocked in unison, causing Myrrh to suddenly stand close and cover her face on Ephraim.
"There's no need to be that surprised, you two…" Melissa–sempai said with a sweat drop.
"On her back… Wings?" Hayden asked confused. "Ephraim, who is she?"
"This is Myrrh. I met her while fighting in Grado territory." Ephraim explained before shifting his attention to the girl… dragon… I guess I should stick with the term, girl due to her appearance. "Myrrh, would you please tell everyone here the story you told me?" he asked her in a kind tone.
Myrrh looked around and saw us looking at her to know something that we don't. She was a bit scared before held onto Ephraim. "…Please, Ephraim, you tell them." she said shyly because of not getting used to the surroundings she's in.
"She's a bit shy." Ephraim sighed. "Very well. Myrrh tells me that she belongs to an ancient race of dragon folk. They're mentioned in a few legends. They're called the tribe of Manakete."
"Manakete?" Eirika and the rest of us Riders asked in unison.
"Yes. Their name appears several times in the tale of the Sacred Stones." Hayden replied. "It says they were neither human nor demon but a separate, aloof race."
"Please, Myrrh." Ephraim said, encouraging the girl. Myrrh looked at her surroundings and saw the faces around her.
"Don't worry, dear. Everyone in here is here to help you out." Melissa–sempai comforted with her kind smile, which made the girl feel assured. If it comes to advices and calm consolation, Melissa–sempai is the one to go too. She definitely has that kind of skill… just as long as we don't get to her wrong side that is…
"Yeah, we're here to help, after all!" Storm chirped up.
"So… mind telling us about it?" Akira asked her, which Myrrh eventually gathered up her courage and started to speak.
"We live in the east… in Darkling Woods." Myrrh started to talk. "One day…"
"Yes?" Eirika added as the rest of us lent an ear about her tale.
"We felt something. An ominous energy to the south." she added.
"From the direction of Grado. They felt a… force flowing out of the Grado Empire, which is different from the seven of them…" Ephraim explained as he pointed at us on 'them'. That alone was enough to make Innes raise his eyebrow on us while keeping his stern face as usual.
"Saleh and I… We went to investigate this energy. But on our way down, we came across a battle and were drawn into the conflict." Myrrh continued.
"Myrrh got lost and was wandering aimlessly in an isolated region near Grado's border." Ephraim further explained as Myrrh looked down.
"I met some wicked folk there. They deceived and enchained me, stole my dragonstone, and were preparing me for transport." Myrrh told us, causing us to be surprised.
"It seems like you've gone through a rough time, Myrrh…" Melissa–sempai understood.
"Grr… now I feel like I want to pound those guys into pieces for what they did to her!" Mikoto growled angrily.
"I agree with ya! Other than Natasha, it seems like most of these Grado people really do like doing wicked things onto the innocent!" Amber agreed.
"Um… big sis, Mikoto–chan… please calm down?" Akira asked with a sweat drop.
"So, what happened then?" I asked her.
"It was in that moment when Ephraim appeared and rescued me." Myrrh answered.
"I stumbled across Myrrh by chance when Grado's men had ambushed us." Ephraim said. "Everything she told me seemed beyond belief and yet… And yet, when I saw her wings, what could I do but believe?"
"This dark wave of energy still flows from the southlands." Myrrh continued. "Its current is strong and runs deep. It has awakened the evil ones. I want to stop it."
"Hmmm…" Hayden let out as he lowered his head in thought.
"Your Majesty!" A guard cried out, rushing in as he shoved the doors open. "I bring word!"
"What is so urgent you would interrupt a private council?" Hayden barked out.
"The tower holding the Sacred Stone of Frelia…" The man panted. "It's been destroyed by the Grado army!"
"WHAT?!" All of us asked shocked.
Hayden stepped forward and confront with the soldier. "That's impossible! What of the soldiers on watch? There were supposed to be many…"
"The enemy forces… They were led by Caellach the Tiger Eye and Selena Fluorspar! Our soldiers fell before even half a day had past!" He exclaimed, causing us to be shocked by it.
"Big bro… you thinking what I'm thinking?" Akira asked Storm.
"There's no doubt about it, right, buddy?" Storm asked while looking at me with a serious look.
"Yeah… Grado's generals." I gritted.
"Selena Fluorspar…" Seth said recognizing the name "Only General Duessel is higher in Emperor Vigarde's esteem… She's the one." he added.
"She came personally…" Hayden said in a regretful tone. "So they really do wish to see the Sacred Stones destroyed. Blast…" Hayden cursed.
At the Tower of Valni, two sides of soldiers collided with each other as the Frelian soldiers were being killed by most of Grado's soldiers, led by Caellach and Selena. Both of them approached the Stone at the altar. Caellach stared at the stone for a moment before he picked it up to take a good look on it. "Hah! So this hunk of rock is a Sacred Stone, eh?" he scoffed. "So much fuss over something as fragile as this. Watch!" he demonstrated as he clenched his fist tightly, causing the stone brake into tiny pieces as Caellach just laughed. "It crumbles so easily! Do we gain anything by this? Not that I care, but…"
"Black–hearted… fool… What have… you… done?" the Frelian Soldier scowled weakly at Caellach, which caught his attention. "Without the stone's… protection… the horrors… will spread…"
"Huh? What's this? Still breathing, are you?" Caellach said a bit interested before he walked towards the injured man with his axe in hand "Come. If you've any last words, I'll hear them, fool of Frelia!" Caellach mocked.
"You… monster…!" the Frelian soldier cursed, which made Caellach laugh out loud before he looked upon the weakened soldier.
"You waste your last words on insults? And feeble ones, at that…" Caellach continued with a sinister smirk on his face. "Hardly the right note to end the eternal on, wouldn't you say? Well then, die!" Caellach shouted before he chopped off the soldier's head, ending his life in an instant as the severe action caught Selena's attention.
"Hold!" Selena called out. "What are you doing, Caellach? Our job was to destroy the Sacred Stone."
"I know that." The man waved off. "And I crushed it, did I not? But if we don't clean up these Frelian curs, they might–"
"You do not raise you blade to anyone who is powerless to resist you!" Selena bellowed out. "The Emperor does not desire us to kill without cause! That would be murder!"
"Right, the Emperor…" Caellach chuckled lightly. "Your name's Selena, ain't it? Tell me, Selena. What makes that pasty–faced old fool's word so important?"
"Wretch… You dare insult His Imperial Majesty!"
"Hey, hey, I'm joking." Caellach said raising his hands in defense. "Don't get so worked up. I get it now. You're a true and loyal soldier. I'm leaving before Frelia sends reinforcements. Coming?"
Hayden could only sits on his throne, still in disbelief on what just happened just now. "How could this happen… How could I have allowed our Sacred Stone to be destroyed?" Hayden said worried. "Dark energies from the Empire's capital… Evil monstrosities roaming our lands… Vigarde's mad invasion… And now it's the destruction of our sacred talisman. And we have no idea of Grado's goals. We are in the dark times once again." Hayden looked down for a moment before he slammed his palm onto the table and looked at us with a determined look on his face. "But even so, we cannot sit here, wringing our hands. First, we must warn the nations that house the remaining Sacred Stones. If Vigarde seeks to destroy the Stones, they are all in grave danger! Jehanna and Rausten must be warned! The nations must join together to fight our common foe!" Hayden planned out.
"Do you think they will believe us?" Eirika asked him, which made him realize it as he sat down and thought again.
"Hm… It is a difficult tale to believe, I must agree." Hayden pointed out.
"I will go, Father." Innes said.
"Innes?"
"A direct visit from the Prince of Frelia is not something they can ignore." Innes pointed out. "I will travel to Jehanna, where I will forge an alliance with her Queen. If our Sacred Stone has been destroyed, then Frelia could be in greater danger. Father, I cannot let you leave the nation in such a time of crisis. It is imperative that I be the one to go." he persuaded, as Hayden lower his head down to think.
"And I will head for Rausten." Eirika added.
"Eirika?" Ephraim began. "You know I can't let you put yourself in such danger."
"Rest easy, dear brother." Eirika replied. "I will journey to Rausten by ship across the North Sea. There will be no danger. And I have made a vow. I will fight as you have until the day Renais is liberated.'
"And you have me and the other Riders to protect her." I added.
Ephraim was a bit surprised before his smile appeared on his face and nodded. "…I understand. King Hayden, I will take troops and march on the imperial capital from the west." he planned, causing Hayden to be shocked.
"The west?! Are you saying you will begin an assault on Grado from here?!" Hayden asked him.
"If we can take Grado Keep, the war will be over. The Sacred Stones will be safe." Ephraim said with an assured tone. "If we start here and press forward with all our might…"
"And once you reach the capital?" Hayden intervened. "Vigarde's generals will be there waiting for you."
"If they oppose us, we will fight." Ephraim told him.
Hayden could only let out a chuckle of his own as he looked upon the prince. "…You've got your father's foolhardy courage, don't you?" he complimented as a smile appeared on his face. "…Very well. I entrust all our hope to you three." he said as he began instruct them. "Innes, you will go to Jehanna, Eirika to Rausten, and Ephraim to the imperial capital. Funding you will have, but of soldiers, we have few to spare. For each of you, a difficult road awaits." he said before he shifted his attention to us Riders. "So, I ask of you, fellow Riders from another world. Lend us your strength one last time in assisting us from letting Grado destroy the Sacred Stones." the king asked me.
"Of course." I bowed.
"You have our word." Kurai answered.
"It's our duty as Riders." Storm added.
"We'll help out in any way we can." Akira said.
"You can count on us!" Mikoto said giving a thumbs–up.
"We'll send those Grado soldiers crying!" Amber winked.
"We'll win this. I'm sure." Melissa–sempai said.
Hayden lets out a smile on his face as Ephraim began to say something to us as well. "If any of us meet defeat, the battle will turn to Grado's favor. There must be no errors. We must not fail."
"Where I command, there are no mistakes." Innes said confidently while crossing his arms.
"I have no doubts. I'll succeed, I swear it." Eirika assured them.
"If that is the case, all of you shall depart first day tomorrow." Hayden said as he noticed there are some new faces that he hadn't seen before. "If I recall… I do not know another four of you riders before. Mind giving me your names?" Hayden asked the remaining four riders.
"Of course! My name is Akira, a Rider with the power of flames named Kamen Rider Garren!" Akira introduced himself.
"Kurai… Kamen Rider Chalice." Kurai said crossing his arms while giving him a slight nod.
"I am Melissa, as I am also Kamen Rider Leangle." Melissa–sempai introduced to the king politely.
"And I am Mikoto! The last person that have been recruited by Kurogasa and I am Kamen Rider Glaive!" Mikoto chirped up.
"Father, why is it that they have such weird second names? And why did you refer them as Riders from another world?" Innes asked him.
"You'll see! Well, Kurogasa, mind showing my brother what you mean by that? I'm so eager to see new armors as well!" Tana chirped up.
"Might as well." I shrugged as I turned to the other Riders. "Guys?"
The rest nodded before we took out our cards and slid it into our buckles before a deck of cards began to wrap around our waist as Kurai only puts on his buckle while holding his card on his hand. "Cards?" Innes asked confused as most of us got into our stance before we shouted one word in unison.
"Henshin!"
TURN/OPEN UP
CHANGE
In an instant, Innes suddenly backed off after seeing seven holograms of our Category Ace before it slowly entered through us, donning us in our armor. "What kind of sorcery is this?!" Innes asked was shocked after witnessing our transformation as both Tana and Hayden were impressed by the new appearance of other riders they haven't seen before.
"Don't worry, Innes. Even I was surprised when I saw it firsthand…" Ephraim assured him.
"Me too…" Eirika added as Tana just perked up in an instant.
"Wow! Those armors look so great!" Tana exclaimed.
"Well, this is just our usual appearance, that's all…" Garren said as he rubbed the back of his helmet.
"There's more to come, but that can wait…" I told her, which made Ephraim, Tana and Innes confused for a bit.
"There's more?" Ephraim asked.
"Yeah, but we don't have the cards for it just yet…" Lance told him.
"I see. Well, for the time being, all of you should get yourself a good rest. You will depart at sunrise." Hayden told us as we canceled out our transformation. Somehow, I can see Tana was getting more interested in me… as I can actually see her eyes sparkle too.
It was late at night, and after a filling dinner, I was in a room by myself with the door open. I lied down on my bed, thinking about everything that's happened so far. I mean, me, Storm, and Amber and I went to a Kamen Rider convention just to have fun until we suddenly sucked up by into a portal into this world. And not to mention, we became Kamen Riders and met with Akira and the others later on as the journey continued and they became Kamen Riders. And then after that whole war council and seeing Myrrh with her dragon wings, it's just all surreal. I really needed to calm down. And I always do with music. After the war council, after walking around the castle exploring around a bit, I found a guitar thanks to a minstrel who got a new guitar and didn't need the old one, so he let me keep it. So the music I'm going to play is from the anime Bleach. The guitar OST called Going Home. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, I'm good at guitar too. Oh, and piano, just so you know. So like I did back in Serafew, I sat on the window sill with one leg on it, and the other hanging on the inside of the room, and began to play.
As Eirika walked across the hallway, she heard someone playing the guitar and it was coming from the guest room, where Kurogasa and his group were staying. As the melody somehow soothed her, she decided to take a peek to see who was playing and it turns out, it was Kurogasa and he seemed really immersed in the music with every pluck of the guitar strings. Under the moonlight, it shone upon Kurogasa and she couldn't help but look at him with a slight blush before she closed her eyes and listened to the whole music as memories of the past began to shine in her eyes. At that time, a tear actually flowed off from her eyes as she recollected some of the memories that she cherished most.
At the same time, Tana heard the sound of the beautiful melody from her room as she walked out from the balcony but stopped halfway after seeing Kurogasa strumming the guitar with full of passion as she only listened to it by leaning against the wall. The sound of the melody somehow calmed her down as she wanted to listen to it to the very end. "It's… beautiful…" Tana said under her smile.
As she wanted to greet him and maybe want him to play some songs some more, she noticed Eirika was leaning against the wall inside his room and she really loved the song that he was playing. When she looked at Eirika and Kurogasa back and forth, she realized that somehow, someway… Eirika has really fallen for him. Taking note of it, she slowly backed off and turned around to go back to her room. "You're lucky…Kurogasa." Tana said under her childish smile as she happily skipped her way back to her room.
Huh… that's better. That really calmed me down. When I finished the song, I looked at my right, and I saw…
"Eirika?!" I asked a bit startled.
Eirika was surprised to see me as she panicked for a bit before she wiped off tears from her eyes. "K–Kurogasa! I–I was just listening to the song you were playing on your guitar… and... it's beautiful…" Eirika said while looking away.
"U–Uh… thanks…" I got out while scratching the back of my head.
"That song… really made me remember my past… about Renais when it was peaceful…" Eirika said while looking at me with her sincere smile and gaze.
"I see…" I said getting off the window sill and putting away the guitar before walking up to her. "Listen, about what happened back at Serafew, I–"
Eirika placed her forefinger onto my lips as she replied back to me with a slight blush of her own, "It's okay… I forgive you. It was all by accident, correct? I was just about to apologize to you as well after listening to some advice from Melissa." Eirika said.
"Really?" I asked.
Eirika nodded in agreement as she slowly walked towards the balcony. "I do not know why, but when I saw Tana hug you in your arms, I don't know why, but my chest… it hurts. When I asked Melissa about it, she only said 'I have to find out what that pain is, even if it takes me forever to figure it out… and when I found the answer, the rest is up to me to decide.' That's what she told me…" she said while looking at the balcony as the gentle night wind blew her hair softly while the moonlight shined upon her face, making me mesmerized by her beauty…
"Eirika…" I got out.
"Yes, Kurogasa?" she said while looking at me.
I then walked over to her and I suddenly, gently grabbed her shoulders. "K–Kurogasa?" She asked a bit startled.
"Eirika, there's been something I wanted to tell you." I said.
"Y–Yes… what is it?" Eirika asked stuttered as both of our faces were now very close to each other, causing her to blush.
"Eirika, I… I…"
"Hey Kurogasa, we're back!"
DANG IT!
Amber walked in happily with Mikoto as Kurai went to his bed to go to sleep, no further questions. And because of her sudden appearance, both Eirika and I suddenly took a step back and pretended to mind our own business as Amber looked at both of us. "Oh~? Is there something I missed?" Amber attacked with her usual tease.
"I–It's nothing, Amber. I just came here, listening to Kurogasa's guitar play, am I right, Kurogasa?" Eirika asked trying to make an excuse… well, actually more like a half lie, half–truth.
"U–Uh, yeah, that's right." I went along.
"Are you sure?" Amber asked. Oh boy, she had that mischievous grin on her face again. "You two didn't do any of… this, aren't ya?" Amber said while making a gesture with her hands of kissing with each other.
"Amber!" Eirika flustered as Amber giggled.
To be honest, that was about to happen until you ruined it! …is what I would've said. But what came out of my mouth was, "No we didn't." I sighed irritably. "Excuse me…" I said, then walked out of the room leaving Amber confused and Eirika worried.
"Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!" I said banging my head constantly on a wooden beam somewhere in the castle. I was this close! THIS close to confessing my feelings for Eirika and Amber just had to ruin the moment! "Dang it! Dang it! Dang it!"
"Whoa, whoa, what's wrong buddy?" A voice asked. I turned around to see Storm walk towards me.
"Storm…" I muttered.
"There's no need to bang your head on the wood like that. You might have your forehead bleed after that bruise on your head…" he said in a concern tone before he gets to the point. "Now what happened?"
"I was about to confess… and Amber's timing's bad as ever…" I said feeling depressed.
"You know, you can't blame her for that, right? It's just a mere coincidence that she came in that room…" Storm said to me in a calm tone.
"I was THIS close… to tell Eirika how I actually feel!" I cringed in anger as Storm could only just pat my shoulder to calm me down.
"There's always another time to let it out, buddy… it's just you picked the wrong time to confess, that's all." Storm said while looking outside of the window. "Don't you worry about it; I also experienced it with Amber in the past…"
"I hope you're right…"
"I know I'm right. I'm sure of it, buddy." Storm said to me with an assured smile before he lets out a yawn. "C'mon… we got a big adventure tomorrow!"
"Yeah… I know…" I sighed before both of us headed towards our room to rest for the night.
Eirika was sleeping in Tana's room for tonight in their sleeping dress. While Tana slept happily, Eirika couldn't sleep. She couldn't help but remember about Kurogasa's sudden bold action and not to mention his expression while he took his leave, leaving both Amber confused and herself worried for him.
"When I look at him sad, I couldn't help but be worried for him… and seeing both of our faces really close to each other, and wanting to say something to me… what was it?" Eirika wondered before suddenly she placed her hand onto her chest from a sudden pain. "Why is it that every time I think of it, my face feels hot, and my heart beats really fast and painful every time it beats? Please, make it stop…" she pressed her hand harder on her chest and eventually, it calms down as she looks up to the sky. "Why am I acting like this? Just… what is this feeling?"
Alright! That's another chapter of Kamen Rider Blade: The Sacred Stones down! And wow, this is a lot of words that Wild Fang and I put down! Heck, it's almost 15,000 words total! Anyways, that Trial A Undead in this chapter was made up by the Wild Fang, so credit for him for that. And as always, review!
Spades: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, J, Q
Diamonds: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, J, Q
Hearts: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, Q
Clubs: A, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, J
Trial: A
