Chapter 11 – Summer Camp
"Now..where were we? Owhh..pftt…"
"Stop it Nao. It's not FUNNY at all" Mai annoyed. She had already back in her usual clothes.
"Pftt..Listen Mai-chan. They on our side now. The KINGDOM has new King. The Obsidian Lord they called" a moment of silence try to process the new information.
"Otou-sama…" Shizuru voice broke the silence thinking about the fate of her father.
"And…Hime, I have someone you would like to meet. Come." Nao gesture for Shizuru.
"Be careful with her Kaichou. She's trickery." Mai warn again. Nao chuckle. "Don't worry..I will not RAPE her." Natsuki eyes widen at the word 'rape'.
Shizuru follow Nao to another room upstair. As Nao open the door, Shizuru could see her father, now lying on a bed. Reaching for her father "O-Otou-sama" she embrace her father. Her father hissed.
"Ahhh.. Otou-sama." Shizuru surprise as she notice the bandage wrapping her father shoulder and chest.
"ahh..My daughter. ..It's alright. Just a little scratch." Her father trying to sit.
"I'm sorry..Otou-sama. I have disappointed you."
"No, My daughter. You're not. It's is me who failed. As your father, and….as a king."
"Otou-sama…."
"I'm sorry, my daughter." Her father reaching for Shizuru cheek and caress it gently. "I was blinded by greed and bloodlust. I don't remember when was it started. All I remember is that when the knight present me a black sword that he'd founded, I was amazed by it's overwhelming power. I know, something is wrong with it. I know the evil start to lurking inside me..but, I cannot stop myself being swept away. I was lost."
"Otou-san…"
"Until….Reito took that sword from me, I finally awake and realize my mistake. But it was too late. Reito now reign the throne just like the prophecy told. The destruction of the kingdom has began. The kingdom now in chaos." After a moment of silence, the king sigh.
"Shizuru..My Daughter. I'm so sorry. I have failed you greatly. I failed being a father to you, I failed being a king to my people.." her father sob sadly. "and I have failed to stop the destruction. It was all my fault."
"Otou-sama…" Shizuru tightly hug her father.
Seeing the sadness and deep regret in her father words, Shizuru patiently embrace her father and stay with him throughout the day.
Unknown to them, Natsuki was standing outside listening to the conversation. Quietly, she descend the stair and back to the bar.
"So, how was she?" Mai asked.
"…" No answer came from Natsuki.
"Luckily, I was able to teleport to the forest nearby with the help of the teleport stone I've found in the cave before the attack reach us." Yukino explain.
"and I found them in the forest with the king wounded deeply. The shot on his shoulder is deep and the healing is very slow even though Alyssa has cast the Cure spell on him few times already. Alyssa said maybe the weapon that cause it has the death element."
"Speaking of Alyssa…where is she?" Mai search someone within the crowded.
"Owh..she's been back to Aries yesterday to do some research. She said something about the Obsidian stone and the Mythril Sword." Nao explain while filling her nail.
"And…Mikoto?" Mai asked again.
"Your cat been going to the mountain area. She'll be back when she's hungry. Don't worry." At the mention of the cat, Mai blushed. "She's not my cat."
That pique Natsuki's interest. Mai has a cat?A female cat. She had pictured an image of mountain cat in her head.
"Well.." Mai standing up. "I'm going to kitchen. It's already past lunch time, and I bet you are all hungry.." turning around to leave.
"MAIIIII!" a black round figure jump out of nowhere immediately clinging to Mai.
"Speaking of the devil.."said Nao. Eyes still glued on her smooth filling nail.
"MAIIIIII! I'M HUNGRY!" the small child whining, tears in her eyes.
"Hai..hai..Mikoto. I cook your lunch first, okay."
"YEAH!"
Mai walked toward the kitchen with Mikoto still clinging on her.
That was Mai's cat? Natsuki had surprise look on her face. As if know the question in Natsuki head, Nao chuckle.
"Now..THAT is Mai's cat! Be careful with her, she feisty" Nao standing and walk toward the exit "Ahhh..My rest is over. I need to go back to my post, or Captain makes me the pink sentai again." Nao shuddered.
….
….
The next morning
Natsuki descend the stair toward the bar. As she reach the bar, she could see new and familiar faces talking, bickering and some are fighting with each other. Haruka as always, fighting with one of the Schwartz. Maybe she training him on close combat. While Mai as always, serving Mikoto with a big bowl of ramen. Shizuru sitting next to her father together with Yukino talking about something with paper in front of them. Nao nowhere to be seen, maybe she's on her sentry. The new faces are another red head tied up weirdly with a labrys in her hand. Another hand holding a rope that tied to a man dress funnily in pink. She laughing maniacally. A bright yellow hair short girl sitting next to a white haired woman with indifferent face. The said yellow head girl had a glasses and currently reading book while the white haired woman just observe her. Two more girls in some corner seems to cuddle comfortably with each other while one sometime giggle throughout their conversation.
"Oh..Natsuki, You're awake. Good Morning. Now, take a seat while I get you your breakfast" Mai said as she walk by.
Scanning the area, Natsuki found another empty table at one far corner. Walking there and taking her seat, she was unaware of the ruby eyes looking at her with longing. Mai return with ramen in hand. Tasting a little bit, she note that it taste delicious. So she slurp down the meal hungrily. But in the middle of it, something is missing. Hmmm..ooohh.. I forgot. "Mai, do you have mayonnaise in your kitchen?"
"Wait." Mai then return again with a bottle of white substance in her hand.
Scooping a large spoon into her ramen, she continue to devour it.
….
…
"Now that everyone is gather, except for Nao and Akira, let start our meeting!" the red head from earlier announce loudly. Everyone quiet down and focus their attention to her.
"Okay,hmm… first I want our new members to introduce themselves. You first.." She point at Haruka.
With a confident look Haruka standing. "NAMES HARUKA ARMITAGE. I WAS THE BRIGADIER GENERAL OF THE ROYAL KNIGHT. MY MOTTO IS POWER, BEAUTY AND GUTS. ELEMENT EARTH!" she had clenching her hand in a fist hoist at her front.
"I like you. You can be my Green Sentai!" the red head pointed to Haruka. They both smile to each other. Some plot playing in their head. "Now next!"
"My name is Yukino Chrysant, nice to meet you all. I was the Second Lieutenant and adviser to the Brigadier General Haruka in the Royal Knight."
As Shizuru and her father finish introduce themselves to the crowd, it's now Natsuki turn.
"Natsuki"
"….." after a moment of silence. "That's all?" the red head asked.
"What else you want me to say?" Natsuki look defiantly.
"From?"
"Fuuka."
"Family name?"
"Kuga.."
"…"
"What?" Natsuki snarl.
"Magic?"
"Ice."
"You mean Water element."
"….." Natsuki raise her left brow.
The red head sigh pointing the index finger to her forehead. "Okay, now our turn. I AM SUGIURA MIDORI. THE CAPTAIN OF THE SCHWARTZ. AGE SEVENTEEN. MY MOTTO IS FOR LOVE AND JUSTICE! . MY ELEMENT IS EARTH..HMMP..HMMP" she look straight to Haruka, in which they stare at each other smugly before continue on.
The yellow haired girl standing and bow politely. "My name is Alyssa K. Searrs the holder of the Sun magic and this is Miyu Greer, Wind Knight. We are representatives from Aries." came the small voice from the Alyssa. The white haired one still in silence. Face indifferent.
"and as I see, you already meet Mai?" the captain gesture to Mai.
"Hahaha..even so, Captain. My name Mai. Tokiha Mai. I'm a Fire Knight and this is Mikoto." She point to Mikoto that once again clinging to her waist. "She's the Fire Knight also."
"The two lovey dovey over there is Chie Hallard and Aoi Senoh. Chie is Earth Element, while Aoi is Water element." Said Midori as she point to the two people at the corner.
"Two more that didn't present here. Yuuki Nao is on sentry, she's the Wind Knight. Another one is Okuzaki Akira, she also Wind Knight. That end our introduction. Now we go to our retaliation plan."
"First…" Alyssa melodic voice cut in. "I have to tell you something about the Obsidian Stone and the Black Mythril Sword." Standing again she began telling about the history and the information she gathered in her research about the two items. As she ended her talk, all that present had a grim on their face as they realize the risks they will take.
"Now.." The captain said with a solemn in her voice. "If anyone want to withdraw, now is your chance." Looking around, but nobody moved from their place.
"I WILL FIGHT! WHO'S WITH ME!" she yell.
"ME!" Haruka first answer loudly.
Natsuki sign. Are all Earth Element Knight the same stupid loud one?
As if on queue, the other following after, yelling their fighting spirit to never back down.
"FOR LOVE AND JUSTICE!" again Midori yelling her motto raising her labrys in the air. "YEAHHHH!" came the uproar reply.
Stupid peoples. Natsuki mused. Smiling to herself.
…
…
As a plan, Alyssa has being back again to Aries to draw a plan with the Aries Kingdom to battle the Obsidian Lord. The King also gone together with them. They have two weeks to prepare. The plan was while the Obsidian send his soldiers to the battlefield fighting their long time enemy, they have a chance to ambush the castle and defeat the Obsidian Lord himself, and most importantly destroy the obsidian stone forever. The Windbloom Kingdom and Aries has been on enemy term since the prophecy and the genocide incident. Battle between the two nations never ceased to end. The rebellion Schwartz has been gaining support from the Aries for supplies. Aries, to show their trust, appointed their best sorcerer and knight to help the Schwartz, Alyssa and Miyu. At first they didn't believe of Alyssa's abilities, but time have proved her power. The Sun sorcerer is quiet capable of Light and Time magic. Although, her small stature and weak state is a drawback, she always sticks to her friend, Miyu for defense.
Nao, sometime going back and forth for her sentries. She seldom spending her time in the bar. While, when she had her time off, she utilized it fully by annoying Natsuki. That has been going on since day 1 Natsuki took a step into the Schwartz. Her drink had been spike with salt, when she open a door, a bucket of water drench her, walking outside, she had step on another trap and next thing she knew was, she hung upside down by a rope. She swear she could hear Nao laughing in the background. It was day 3 that finally Natsuki snapped. She was alone during one of her training session throwing knife on some target. Left brow twitching, she freed herself from the annoying webs that manage to trapped her.
"THAT'S IT, NAO! COME OUT COWARD!" Natsuki bark loudly. She heard chuckle and it's not mistakenly from none other than Nao.
"Tsk…Materialize!" Natsuki change into her armor and with sword in hand she attack the nearby tree. Nao jump out and land on the ground at the middle of the area. Tongue flicker out licking her claw, like a cat after eating.
"Grrrr….. you…" again lung forward attacking Nao.
Just as the wind, the bearer of the wind element is much faster in motion. Nao can evade easily every attack that Natsuki commence since she fast and her armor seems much lighter.
"haha..is that how fast you can get, pup?..looks like you only know how to bark" said Nao mockingly.
"Shut up and fight me head on, spider!" again swinging her sword. but not only Nao evade it, she also able to stand on her sword and smirk at her.
"Owwhhh..how boring.." she yawn.
"Grrrraaahhhh!" Natsuki increase her attack speed and power. In her anger, unconsciously, she triggered more power. A whirlpool of wind encircling around her feet, and swinging her sword, it became too fast that Nao unable to evade it on time. As a result, the sword manage to graze her cheek. Blood running down to her jaw. She hissed. Hand covered her injured cheek.
That elicit anger in Nao and she began to fight seriously. Grunt, growl, crush of falling trees, explosion and yell could be heard at the site. Sometime they curse and mocking at each other.
"IS THAT ALL YOU CAN DO SPIDER. HAH! AIN'T YOU JUST TALK BIG! JUST LIKE ANNOYING BUG, I WILL CRUSH YOU UNDERNEATH MY FEET, AND THEN I WILL GIVE YOUR MEAT TO THE FISH!"
"OOOOWWHHH..I'M AFRAID, I JUST SOOOO AFRAID. KIDDING! I FEEL LIKE I WANT TO PUKE. WHAT WOULD A SMALL PUPPY DO? WHERE YOUR MASTER, PUPPY? HAVE YOU LOST? HAHAHAHAHA!"
As they ready again to clash their blade, a red boomerang flying across and successfully stop them on their track.
"Will you two be kind enough to STOP YOUR STUPID FIGHT!" Mai had annoying twitch on her forehead. "I can hear you from far away. Look at this place. Oh my God!." At that Mai eyes narrowing into a slit. "When I get back here, I want this place clean and clear. Do you two understand!"
Nao and Natsuki still glaring a dagger at each other.
"puppy"
"spider"
"Grrrr…." came a growl from them.
Mai voice seems to drop more dangerously. "Do you two understand…"
They both yelp at the same time and immediately stand at attention "Yes, mom!" hand in salute. "Good. I'll be back checking on you two again. If I don't see this place clear, there will be no dinner for you two tonight." Mai voice dangerously cheerful and her smile crook a little.
"stupid pup"
"stupid spider"
They both mumble quietly. Looks like the wind and water could never be mixed together. It creates a hurricane.
As days past by, sometime Shizuru would quietly and sneakily visit Natsuki during his training. Sometime, she would leave him breakfast, a toast of sandwich and a coffee for Natsuki. Unable to face Natsuki as she still afraid Natsuki still angry with her. He had all the reason to be angry. He was one of the genocide victim that her father initiate. The king had once giving Natsuki a sword and ask him to go ahead and kill him so that he can revenge her family death. But, Natsuki had thrown away the sword and leave without words.
It was one afternoon, as usual, Shizuru quietly stalking…no..observe Natsuki. She has afternoon tea and cake in her basket seeking opportunity to sneaking through and leave the basket. Natsuki leaning against a tree, quietly resting after a magic training session. He's been pushing his mana power to new limits and found new magic each time and it a wonder how fast he can coop with the new limit and new magic. Alyssa has been his good tutor and teaching him with new magic. Many questions arose about Natsuki's magic. They have known that Natsuki is a water element knight and casting an ice spell is usual amongst high level water knight. Natsuki came to know Alyssa also have the same ability to cast the magic without reciting spell. So far, as Alyssa mention, it's rare to find a sorcerer or knight that cast a spell without recitation. As rare as it is, only Alyssa and Natsuki have the ability so far. Another mystery is, as proficient as Natsuki with all water element magic, he also can casting a wide type of magic apart from the water element. The time magic, light magic and also life magic. Undoubtly, he also conveniently can casting other elemental magic. It's a wonder as there were no knight can master a wide range of magic like a sorcerer does. Not that they know so far. It makes Natsuki a Knight-Sorcerer class. That reminded Shizuru about their encounter with the pollution in the cave. Natsuki has cast a healing spell on her. But she had been too busy thinking about other thing to care much at that time. If she had known…What if she had known? Does thing turn out differently?
Now, it was Alyssa that realized such potential in Natsuki. Not her. Even though, she also a sorcerer. Sadness tugging at the corner of her heart.
Alyssa had been going back to the bar, taking her rest. Lower on stamina, she cannot exercise for too long. She can be easily tired. During night, she hardly ever going out and just spending her time in her room. Where else, Shizuru will waking up every night to train her magic and improve her mana power. They contradicted each other significantly. The Moon and the Sun sorcerers.
"You can go out. I'm not angry anymore." Natsuki voice broke her from reverie.
Still she feel unsure. Natsuki sigh "Isn't it easier to just sit here rather than stalking me from behind. Its so obvious and I don't feel comfortable." Natsuki pat the ground beside her.
Standing out of the bushes, she had a guilt plastered on her face and her feet glued on the ground.
Natsuki grumble. "Hurry up, woman..I'm…I'm hungry.." with that, Shizuru slowly and carefully walking toward him, take her seat gracefully and opening her basket.
...
Their relationship much better after Natsuki had finally talking to her again. Even though sometime she felt awkward and guilty, she try to stay with him and never miss his breakfast and afternoon tea. Although she should take her rest during day, she patiently waiting nearby with a basket of food like a loyal dog would. She never wished more than Natsuki to forgive her, forgive her family. Being friend again was enough. She wouldn't dare to ask more. During lunch and dinner Natsuki never seat by himself anymore. Sometime he would sit with Mai and Mikoto, and sometime he just sneak quietly beside her. But when it was with Nao, they have a food fight and it end when Mai finally decide to stop them as she order them to clean the area. They would bickering endlessly, but when it came to escaping, they found their same ground of agreement.
When night come, sometime, Natsuki would spend his time training with her. She has become Natsuki tutor for dark and moon magic. Sometime she would emphasize on the light magic and life magic that she know. Helping him in light magic lessen the burden for Alyssa in training Natsuki. Lately Alyssa had been spending more time locking herself and Miyu in the room doing research, and when she out for lunch she would be reading books. During night, Mai would send Alyssa a dinner to her room.
"Now, that's all for tonight, Natsuki."
Natsuki has been panting heavily, tired after training again pushing his mana to its new limit. His mana had been increasing drastically throughout the training sessions they have so far.
"Ne..Shizuru.."
"What, Natsuki."
"Can..Can I ask you something?"
Shizuru gulping. What could Natsuki want to ask her?
"Wha-what is it, Natsuki?"
After calming his breath, he took a seat and leaning his back on a tree.
"Why charm didn't work on you?"
"Ah-ah…" Shizuru didn't realize she has been holding back her breath. "Let see…hmmm…" taking her seat carefully beside Natsuki, she trying to explain in a much easier way to understand "The charmer cannot be charmed. That's how I put it." Looking back at the questioning face of Natsuki, Shizuru continue. "The one who learning charm are immune to it. As they already know the feeling of the charm spell, they know when the spell has been casting on them and immediately..no..unconsciously dispel it. Charm cannot even inflicted someone that know or realized they were being charmed or people had cast charm spell on them. Once they realized, the charm spell broken. Charm is one of the weak dark magic. So, casting it under the full moon light can increase its accuracy and power."
Natsuki nodded indicating he understood. "Then…have you done charm spell on me."
"Nat…"
"Tell me, honestly."
She was quiet a moment before she had a strength to confess.
"Yes."
"So…." Natsuki look downward. Maybe the ground look more interesting to him.
"Did it work... on me?"
Shizuru look at the full moon. In this dimension, they have two moons. One was the red moon, the other is the blue moon. When both moon rise at the same time, it create a purple color light and it's the peak night for Moon sorcerer in which their magic are very powerful. Now is the red moon.
"No." Shizuru answer simply. "I had tried on you. Not just once, but twice… but none of it work. If its work, surely I have you in my hand, and I wouldn't had to plot a date with you. But..I'm grateful for that."
Natsuki blushed. Looking side way.
"Why?"
"I don't know, Natsuki… I don't know." Shizuru hug herself. She could feel coldness creeping under her skin.
There was a shuffle sound from Natsuki, and not long after a cloak wrapped around her. Looking back at Natsuki, she could see gentleness in his eyes.
"O-ookini." Shizuru had blushed a pink shade.
"Ummm.." Natsuki answer awkwardly. Looking to his side and scratch his cheek.
Shizuru closing their distance and as she receive no protest from Natsuki, she wrap the cloak around them as she scoot closer.
Yes. I just be content with you forgiving me. I didn't dare asking more than that from you, Natsuki.
