What's up, everyone! Its DragonEmperror2810 here back with another chapter of A Deeper Bond.
So how's everybody feeling tonight (today). I hope y'all are having a blast because I certainly am!
Second semester is starting next week and honestly, I'm actually looking forward to it. I've been sitting here in my house all day long doing nothing but washing dishes and doing solo runs of CoD Ghost: Extinction modes over and over again and I'm honestly getting tired of this routine.
It's a good thing the internet is with me because my life would be pale without it. Bless them Markiplier, VanossGaming, Cartoonz and H2ODelirious for dropping off entertaining videos daily. If you guys haven't known about these guys, do give their Youtube channels a watch because these guys are really funny. No joke.
Anyway, enough exploiting about my everyday life. Lets move on to Reviewer's Review segment of this chapter.
To Warmach1ne32:
Oooooooh free wifi…I like the sound of that :D
To LoveGlutton:
Well I'm not entirely sure how you can be sneaky with all those huge units attacking at once but I'll give your word for it.
To Echo751:
Oh, I like your team combo very much. Its balanced and not too OP.
And thank you for the compliment, I wouldn't say my writing style as of now is good but I do try keep on improving over time.
To Bloodedge23:
Ah yes, an apprentice to the Knight of Silence, I've been waiting for someone to say something like that. I'm not sure if he's a ninja but his silence demeanor definitely makes him a decent shinobi candidate.
To redx1221:
Oh, I like the sound of that and I definitely agree with you. There aren't that many attractive units in the Granblue so there are definitely not that many people using them. I'm glad to see that someone wants to use and associate themselves with the particular clan
And with that, lets move on to the story!
How I Met your Sister
To my Beloved Brother, Blaster Blade of the Liberator squad
How are you feeling nowadays? I hope you're not too caught up with work like you usually do and fell ill because of it. I always hate it when you try to overwork yourself.
Remember the time when you tried to stay up late at night onshore swinging your training sword over and over again and end up getting a cold the next morning? I can still remember how hectic the situation was back then. The whole clan can't stop being worried about you and I'm no exception to this.
In any case, we're not here to recap the past. As of now, we've just finished our round here in Zoo and we're about to head to the United Sanctuary continent next when the boss decided to give us a few days' worth of vacation before we continue with our planet Cray tour.
I haven't seen you in a very long so I'd like to make full use of the break I have to meet you to catch up. You still remember the place where we always go to, right? It's the same old place we use to go to. I highly doubt you'll forget it. Just in case, I'll include a map in this letter just to be safe. Your welcome.
I hope to see you very soon.
Sincerely, Your Beloved Older Sister
P.S.: A few of my sisters will be coming along so feel free to bring some of your friends as well. Just try not to bring anyone too noisy. That includes that blonde friend of yours as well. We'd like to keep thing as quiet as possible.
"So where exactly is this place you're talking about?"
After receiving such a short moment notice, the Leading Jewel Knight, Salome and Blaster Blade Liberator was now on a journey towards the other side of the United Sanctuary continent. She wasn't sure why and where they were going (hiking) to but since she was recovered, she was more than relieved to be out of the bed and onto a journey. Though there was something that bothered her the most.
"It's not too far now. We just need to go over the mountains and we should be there." Blade stated. "You don't mind, do you?"
She smiled. "Not at all. I haven't gone anywhere for a long time so I could use the workout."
After much rummaging through her closet, she decided to wear a black tank top over a loose white shirt in which her right bare shoulder was visible accompanied by a pair of sky blue denim shorts that barely reached her mid thigh and finally a pair of brown hiking boots. A small brown leather knapsack was lightly strapped to her back, containing the standard hiking kits such as a bottle of water, some packed meals and a few other important necessities.
It wasn't by all means a recommended attire but she figured it was for the best.
"You know, I always thought I knew you Blaster Blade but then I realized I still have far more to go."
Raising his machete high, Blade cleaved through the numerous shrubs that was blocking their pathway. Safe to say, not a lot of people tread through this area very often. "What do you mean?"
She pouted. "All this time, you never actually mentioned you had a sister."
"Ah, yes about that." Blade sheepishly scratched his cheek at that. "The thing is, she doesn't actually like to talk about it too much."
"Why is that?" She questioned. "Does it have something to do with the tour she mentioned in the letter? Sounds like she has a rather important occupation."
She wasn't particularly interested in reading other people's letters but the Liberator himself had specifically gave the letter for her to read.
"More or less. On another note, did you bring what I told you to bring?"
"Yes, I did." Glancing behind her back, she gently pats her knapsack to make sure the thing she was talking about was in there. "Though I'm not sure if it still fits me. It's been a long while since I've wear it."
"Don't worry, you're not the only one."
…
From a regular person's perspective, a hike over the mountains might take them a night or two to complete. Fortunately for them, the Leading Jewel Knight, Salome and Blaster Blade Liberator weren't regular people. Hence, they were able to accomplish such feat and arrived at their appointed destination by noon at best.
"Wow…"
If Salome was given the option to choose someone to go on an adventure with, the elf warrior would confidently choose Blaster Blade Liberator. Because he was a prodigy in finding places with beautiful sceneries that could easily left a person in awe. And this particular occasion was no exception either.
After hours of seeing nothing but green trees and the clear blue skies, her effort was finally paid and she was greeted with the magnificent view of a beautiful of a large crystal pure lake hiding amidst all the thick trees and mountain ranges.
"This place…this place is amazing."
Blaster Blade's lips curved into a small smile as he watched just how truly amazed Salome was. "I'm glad you like it but it's still too early to be amazed." He said. "There's a lodge house not too far from here, let's take a break there."
"Understood." As strong as she was, the long way trip they've made all the way here had more or less made her drained and she could use a water break and some trip to the bathroom.
Following the cobalthead knight, they arrived at a wooden lodge house located right beside the lake.
It wasn't big. In fact the lodge house was only one-storey high and was only a few dozen of acres in size but it looked rather comfortable for accommodation.
However, judging from how the windows and doors were closed shut and there weren't any smoke coming out from the chimney on the roof, it was safe to assume that no one was home.
Since it was close to the body of water, the builder of the lodge house also built a water foyer as well in which people could either dock their boat or if they just want to lay down and get a tan.
"Doesn't look like anyone's home." She commented the obvious once they were standing by the front door.
Blade nodded, albeit for a different reason. "It sure does. I really hope the lock magic is still in effect all this time."
"What?"
Rather than giving her a straight reply, the Liberator unslung his blue knapsack, popped the clasp open and started rummaging through his belongings.
It took a while but she was relatively surprised when he took out a blank white card of all things.
Examining the card back and forth, the cobalthead gave a nod of confirmation to himself before swiping it onto the steel lock that was keeping the door closed shut; the only thing that looked rather futuristic on the whole lodge house.
Click!
Salome's blue eyes threatened to bulge out of her eye sockets when said lock clicked open and it harmlessly dropped to the ground with an audible thud.
"Huh, what do you know, it still works." Grabbing the knob, he gave it a short twist and opened the door. The wooden door obliged and opened without the slightest of creak.
"Well what are you waiting for? Come on in." He beckoned when he realized she was still standing by the front door way. "I hope you don't mind but it's a bit in messy since Wingal made a huge mess the last time we're here."
"Uh Blade...?" She inquired.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Does this…does this lodge house belongs to you?"
Silence. Blaster Blade glanced at her as if she had asked a ridiculous inquiry.
"Actually, I was the one who built it."
…
"You built this place!?"
To the Leading Jewel Knight, it was a Cray ground-shaking news that she never heard of. To Blaster Blade, it was something he didn't share her sentiment with.
"Yes but I couldn't do much since I was the only one building it."
Dropping his knapsack on one of the many chairs available in the living room, the Liberator surveyed the interior of lodge house. They were currently in the living room, which was by far the largest area he had built and hence was loaded with quite a lot of furniture. As far as he was concern, it didn't look like anything was out of place.
On the left side of the living room lies a cobblestone fireplace that was connected to the chimney they saw outside while several handmade wooden chairs and a coffee table adorned the center of the room, granting the area a much cozier environment.
Numerous pet baskets littered all over the wooden floor, no doubt belonged to his High Beast companions that he said he'd often bring back in the days. In fact, Salome could make do of Wingal's name carved into the edge of one of the basket right next to the fire place.
Multiple windows were also included in the room to provide the place with decent illumination but because they were closed shut, the whole area was barely bright.
"Hm, I'm surprised the termites haven't obliterated this place."
"In any case, there are two guest rooms over in that direction. Why don't you go on ahead and started changing while I clean this place up for a bit?"
"Huh…what?" Apparently, the elf was still shell-shocked by the fact that he had single-handedly built a lodge house on his own and he wasn't a carpenter to begin with! "What did you said?"
He smiled, not offended in the slightest. "I said, there are several guest rooms over there so why don't you go on ahead and start changing while I sort this place out?"
"A-Are you sure? We just got here."
"True but if my guess is correct, they're probably going to arrive here any minute so its best you start changing as soon as possible."
Salome clutched the straps of her knapsack tightly. Now that she think about, the hazelnut head has yet to know why they have to change but she learnt better than to question it. If he said they should then it was probably for a good reason. Still…
"If you say so."
…
Salome was truly at lost.
After entering one of the guest rooms the Liberator spoke off and a few minutes of stalling, the elf managed to convince herself to take off her clothes which was now neatly folded perpendicularly on the bed in the room. Yet, she still found herself being hesitant with the article of clothing in front of her.
She tried to remember when was the last time she had worn such a thing but she really couldn't. At best, she knew it was given to her back when she was still a new recruit in the Royal Paladin clan which was a very, very long time ago and she was quite sure she had grown a size or two after that.
That being said, it was the only thing she ever had. Her Jewel Knight sisters had once tried to coax her into going shopping with them but she politely refused their offer, saying that she had long past that age and she doubt she ever needed one.
For once, she regretted her decision.
Finally, she sighed in defeat. She had come all this way, it would be rude for her to not do it now. "Dear Soul Saver Dragon, I hope it still fits."
…
"Huh, I'm surprised it still fits."
Unbeknownst to her, she wasn't the only one who was concerned over such a thing. Blaster Blade himself was worried as he was clad in his swimming pants. After doing basic cleaning in the living room, he too proceeded on changing as well into his swimwear and managed to do so before Salome finished with her's.
It wasn't anything too fancy, it was just a pair of sea blue pants that barely reached his knees that has blue Neo Nectar flower-like patterns. By all means, it was a bit childish for his taste but he didn't pay any particular attention to it.
"Oh well, so as long as it doesn't rip off then I've got no complains."
The cobalthead snapped out of his pondering when he caught the distinctive sound of door clicking and creaking open. Thinking that it was Salome, he spun around to talk to her, "Ah Salome, have you finished chang—"
Whatever words the Liberator was about to next, it got stuck in his throat when he saw the elf.
A lot of his comrades often mentioned how beautiful the Leading Jewel Knight really was and he often agreed to it, albeit silently, and that was about it. He never really extended any further from such minor thought.
Currently, she was dressed in what he can roughly recognize as the Paladin's standard dark blue onepiece swimsuit with white and golden stripes adorning the sides. A United Sanctuary main logo was also emblazoned in the center of the one piece. The main reason why he added the adjective was because not a lot of troops liked and wanted to wear it so he was mildly surprised to see her dressed in one.
It wasn't anything too provocative nor plain but it made a decent job in outlining her curves well.
"P-Please don't stare too much, I'm fully aware that it's a few sizes smaller." The elf begged shyly as she covered her body with her arms.
It took a while but Blaster Blade was able to regain his composure after that. "No, no, no, its fine. You look fine actually."
"Really?" She questioned meekly.
"Yes, really." Silence. "So…shall we go out?"
…
"So Blade?" She askedaAs they stepped outside of the lodge house. She was half tempted on staying indoor but decided against it. It was fortunate that they were the only living souls in this area, otherwise, she'd never gone out.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Why do we have to wear this swimsuit exactly?" She requested as she shifted her weight in between her feet, still finding herself slightly comfortable for wearing the one-piece. "And when will your sister come?"
"Ah, that…you'll find out soon enough." Blade responded. "As for my sister, she should be here right about…now."
Curious, Salome followed his example and gazed at the lake.
As if on cue, something odd happened on the lake.
At first, the surface remained still but not soon after she said so, numerous ripples started to form on the surface before a huge pillar of water suddenly exploded out of the center, surprising the Leading Jewel Knight greatly whom didn't expect such thing to happen at all.
"W-What in the name of the goddesses—" She blurted out in shock as the tower of spiraling water started to become higher and higher and light drizzle started to rain all over them. "What's happening!?"
Whether if Blaster Blade was as surprised as her or not, he didn't show it. Instead, the Liberator smiled as if seeing such bizarre scene had made him remember something amusing from the past. "They're here."
It took a long while but the unsuspecting water tornado eventually died down and when it does, several few other things emerged in its place.
Salome peered onto the lake. She wasn't sure if her eyes were playing tricks on her but she could've sworn she saw a couple of figures on the lake where the water tornado previously was. Not only that but she could hear what also seemed to be the sounds of girls bickering with each other.
"Finally! Was it really that hard to use the teleportation magic?"
"Well sorry, it's not easy to picture your destination when you have a million things to think about."
"That's enough, the two. At least we made it here safely." A third one scolded. "But um, next time let me do the teleportation magic next."
As the three figures bickered one with each other, Salome tried to make do of whoever that was on the middle of the lake.
"Are those…mermaids?" Salome asked, still peering into the distance. It was the only conclusion she could come up with since they showed no sign of drowning despite being in the center of the lake.
Blaster Blade nodded. "They are." He said before moving. "Come on, let's go say hi to them."
Still having little understanding at the situation at hand, the elf simply obliged and followed him to the jetty. Meanwhile, the mermaids continued to speak at each other and has yet to actually notice their presence here but not for long.
As they got closer, she could finally make do of their fish tail that was splashing behind them, confirming her initial suspicion of them being mermaids.
"You ladies alright over there!?" Blaster Blade called out as soon as they arrived at the end of the jetty.
"Huh?"
Having heard his male voice out of blue, the three mermaids averted their gaze in his direction, finally granting Salome the opportunity to identify their faces.
First glance-wise, she couldn't recognize them facially at first since they had pairs of glasses and hats on to cover their facial features but something in the back of her mind was screaming to her that she definitely does know them from somewhere.
But the main question is where?
She didn't have time to ponder on it for too long when one of the mermaids spoke, "Blaster Blade, is that you?"
"Well considering how I'm the only one aside than you who knows this place then yes, it's definitely me."
"Have your tour trip around planet Cray made you forget how I looked?"
The mermaid laughed at that, her melodic laughter seemed to resonate across the environment, causing a mild breeze to form up and the leaves on the trees and bushes to rustle lightly. Again, Salome has yet to register who she was but her familiar tone of voice does struck a chord. "By Maelstorm, of course not, I just didn't recognize you because you changed your hairstyle." Having swam closet to the jetty, the mermaid and Liberator embraced in a light hug, the latter lowering his body ever so slightly so that he was in level with her partially-sunk mermaid body. "It has been a long while, Blade. It's good to see you."
"It's good to see you too, sister."
The Leading Jewel Knight's eyes went wide in total shock at that.
"Hey, hey, hey, don't forget about us!" One of the other two mermaids called out.
"Yeah, you didn't forgot about us, don't you?" The third added.
Blaster Blade laughed. "Of course, I would never forget the two of you, Rosa, Vert."
Still in shocked state, the elf could do nothing but continue to gawk as Blade went on and exchanged hugs with the two. Now that she heard her name, she could finally recognize them both. They were Vert and Rosa of the Prism Image idol group, one of Bermuda Triangle's famous idol groups.
"Speaking of which, where's Clear? Is she not with you ladies right now?"
It was Vert who responded to such inquiry, "Oh you know her, Clear is being her usual self, she's too shy to come along."
Rosa eagerly nodded in agreement. "Mmmhmm, mmmhmm, we tried to convince her to come along but she was being stubborn so we left her be."
"Ah, that's unfortunate to hear."
"So, Blade, what made you changed your hairstyle." The first yet unnamed mermaid asked as she leaned over the jetty, an intrigued smile plastered on her face. "Last time I check, you were quite adamant on keeping it that way. Why the sudden change in mind?"
"Well, I was planning on getting rid of it completely," He said before jerking a thumb to Salome behind him. "But the lady here was quite adamant on making it this way."
"Oh really now?" Tilting their heads to the side, the three mermaids focused their attention to Salome whom immediately found herself squirming in discomfort from all the attention she was suddenly receiving. From the amount of emotions that was glinting in their respective eyes, it wasn't all the hard to tell they were intrigued to notice her, especially the one in the front whom she has yet to recognize. "And who might this lovely lady be?"
Hearing the question, Salome took that as a cue for her to introduce herself. "Ah, I am—"
"Oh, oh, oh! Is she the one?"
Everyone glanced at the mermaid as if she had grown a second head.
"…I beg your pardon?"
"Rosa, now's not the time for that," Vert lightly scolded. "Just because she's with him, doesn't mean they're a thing."
"Aw come on but she looks cute!"
"Um, I—" Salome tried to speak but was cut off once more.
"Hmm, well you do have made a point there. She does look like his type," Vert stated finally seeing an agreement with her Prism Image idol companion. "Still, I didn't expect him to pick a regular civilian of all people."
"Does it matter? She's still cute!"
Salome pouted. Though she appreciate the 'cute' complimented obviously directed to her, she didn't appreciate being ignored like that.
Chuckling lightheartedly, the Liberator understood what her problem was and decided to intervene.
"Sorry to disappoint you two ladies but she's not a civilian."
The two Prism Image idols blinked their eyes in surprise. "She's not?"
"Indeed."
"In fact, it's better if I were to introduce her."
"Salome, I'm not sure if you recognize them right about now but they are Vert and Rosa of the Prism Image idol group." Having done with them both, she then averts her attention to the other orange-head mermaid whom simply decided to keep quiet and watch the situation. "And that one woman over there is my sister, Labrador."
"Huh?"
"Labrador, Rosa and Vert, I'm quite sure you still remember her from the war long ago but she's Salome of the Royal Paladin's Jewel Knight squad."
"Eh?"
An awkward silence permeated throughout the individuals after the brief introduction. It was so quiet that you can hear the lake water splashing about, wind blowing gently and the forest's leaves rustling.
Then, in one swift motion, all hell broke loose.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEH!?"
And that's it for chapter 14! Don't forget to leave a review and tell me what you think about this chapter because I'm exceptionally proud of this one since it was done in record's time.
Unfortunately, for this chapter, I've got no question to provide you guys with. Instead, I have a little news for you guys.
In case you didn't know, I've actually made a Deviantart account with the same username DragonEmperror2810 in which I've made a bunch of fanarts and things like that.
Recently, I've decided to make fanarts of Cardfight! Vanguard that are connected to this particular story which is A Deeper Bond. If you have the opportunity, do give them a chance to look. Links will be provided down below. Do look forward to future updates because I'll definitely add plenty more fanarts in the near future.
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