A/N: Once again, big thanks to everyone for sticking with me this far. Seriously, love all your support. More action time ahead!
Fortune Summoners: Journey of the Elementals
By: Snidne
Fortune Summoners © Lizsoft
Recettear, Chantelise © EasyGameStation
Standard Disclaimer:
All characters are copyrighted to their respective owners and do not in any way, shape, or form reflects the nature of said owners (Unless, of course, they actually do).
This story is a work of fiction and is not meant to resemble any person, place, or situation outside of sheer coincidence.
Due to the nature of this story, it is intent for Mature Audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
You have been warned.
We now present you our Feature Presentation with no commercial interruptions. Enjoy the story!
Chapter 21: A Kingly Fight
The sight of land had never been more glorious to them as the ship carrying Louie, Sana, and Tielle settled onto the beach. "Oh sweet ground, how I missed you so," Tielle said, hugging the sand. Louie merely gave a sigh while Sana giggled at the Elven girl's antics. Louie turned to Cliff who was overseeing the crew help secure the ship to the ground.
"So you think this might be the island we were looking for?"
"Most likely. We weren't near land when we got caught up in the fog and this place showing up when it did… well, we'll have to explore this place to be sure, but I have a good feeling." Louie turned away to gaze at the forest that was growing just beyond the beach. Somewhere out there the Elemental King lay in wait. But they couldn't go searching just yet. The sun was starting to set and getting lost in the forest at night was a bad thing. For now they would have to spend one more night on the ship before they looked.
The next morning had Cliff and his first mate join the three on their trip into the forest, hopefully to find the Elemental King and perhaps some food. Though they had enough provisions to last about a week at sea for everyone, the impromptu battle against the Kraken had damaged the ship and they would need to repair it to the best of their abilities while on the island. Though they carried some tools to help with the job, without a proper dock and professional equipment it would take a while to fix everything up to sea worthy sailing.
Cliff led the way, relying on his memories of his first time landing on this island to help guide them. Along the way they found several fruit trees, but little wildlife, mostly rabbits. After nearly two hours of walking, they came across a rather large lake of crystal clear water. Tielle jumped for joy and rushed to the water's edge, dipping her hands down to drink from it. "Careful Tielle, we don't know what's in it."
"It should be ok," Sana said. "My Elemental Stone is telling me that the water is safe to drink." Sana also stepped forwards when she stopped, feeling a strong energy around them. "Wait… something is here!"
The moment she spoke, the water in the lake began to glow, causing Tielle to panic and step back. A giant, serpent-like body rose out of it, looking much too big to have fit inside the lake without it being seen. Light blue scales adorned its body, its face distinctly dragon-like. It rose up high above them before looking down upon the group. "Who dares to disturb me in my sacred domain?"
Everyone panicked for a moment, before Cliff stepped forwards. "It be you… the Guardian of the Sea. We meet again."
The water dragon looked at the old captain before nodding. "It seems you have once again managed to enter my realm. Though I do not recall inviting you or your… guests."
"Um," Sana began, mustering all the courage she had, "you are the Elemental King of Water right? Legeas?"
"So you know of me… I cannot sense evil ambitions in you, so what have you come to speak of me about?"
"The other Elemental Kings," Louie began. "Their powers have all been stolen by someone. You are the only one who is left. We came because we were concerned and to let you know of what's happening."
"I am well aware of the plight of my brothers," Legeas said. "I am connected to all water, the life-giver. The events of the past seek to repeat themselves. But you have come for nothing. So long as I remain here, I cannot be found, let alone targeted."
"Then maybe you can help us find out who is behind everything? At the very least, if you could lend us some of your strength to save the others…" Tielle started to say.
Legeas interrupted her. "No." Everyone was shocked by the blunt response. "Though we are all required to maintain the balance, I am even more so important to that. Water is the life-blood that sustains all living things on this world. I cannot risk anything happening to me in order to continue to do my duty. You already have the Elemental Stone connected with me in your possession, which is how I assume you managed to find me in the first place. That will be enough."
Sana wanted to say something, but she was unsure what. Tielle however had no reservations in speaking. "You have to help us! Ignus and Eolia are also doing what they can to help. Don't be selfish!"
"Tielle, maybe you shouldn't…"
"Silence, Elf. You do not wish to test the limits of my patience," Legeas said, glaring at her. "See reason. The only way I can do anything of help is to stay here, away from human eyes. Keeper of my Stone," he said, facing Cliff, "I will trust that you speak of this to no one. I will ensure that you have safe passage back to your lands, but you will not seek me out again."
"You have to be kidding me," Louie said. "Are you really-?"
"Aye, I can agree to that," Cliff said, surprising everyone. "We tell no one. But our ship needs some repairs and new supplies. As soon as it's fixed, we be sailing away. Till then, I request you let us stay on this island."
"Agreed."
"Great. Now what do we do? Did we really come here for nothing," Louie complained.
"I wouldn't say 'nothing'," Cliff's first mate had said, having been quiet this whole time. "In fact, I think all this guy needs is the right… motivation. Like this!" Black flames erupted from his body, surprising everyone. They pulled back and when the flames died down, a figure in dark armor covering his body was in the man's place. "Your lies are quite convincing, Elemental King Legeas. But it will take more than that to fool me."
"Lies," Sana questioned.
"You! You're that Dark Knight Elan was talking about," Louie said brandishing his sword.
"Aye, what have you done to me First Mate?"
"He should be resting up in port. I only knocked him out and took on his form with a little help from some magic," the Dark Knight said. "When I saw you three at the port, and figured out what you were planning, I knew the best chance of getting to where the Elemental King was hiding was to follow you. I thank you for your assistance to our plans."
"It is you who are the foolish one! I was waiting for you to reveal your true nature, abomination!" The Elemental King opened its jaws, as a rush of Elemental energy gathered into its mouth. The mortals who were near, even Louie and Cliff who had little experience with magic, could feel the power of the strike the Elemental King was about to unleash. Legeas launched the sphere at the Dark Knight, but it didn't get far before being disrupted by a barrier. "What!? What sorcery is this?"
"Ah, ah, none of that now. We can't have you interrupting a sword fight." Everyone but the Dark Knight looked surprised at the sound of the voice, as a magic circle appeared and a young female stepped out of it. "Well, well, if it isn't the crybaby of the group. Seems you girls just have to keep getting in my way no matter where I go."
"The Dark Witch," Sana exclaimed.
"Great, just one after another," Tielle complained.
"Selene, hurry and do what you must. I will ensure that it goes uninterrupted," the Dark Knight said, drawing on his sword.
"I hope you don't think you can stop us," Louie said, readying himself. "Captain, get back to the ship! We can handle these two!"
"Aye… for your sake, keep safe!" Cliff turned and ran intent on warning the rest of his crew what was happening. The other three prepared for battle, Sana holding her staff and Tielle readying her arrows.
The Elf struck first, ignoring the Dark Knight completely in favor of trying to skewer the Dark Witch. Selene simply passed through her barrier that separated them from the Elemental King leaving the arrows to strike against it harmlessly and drew on her magic to ready the ancient spell that would drain the King of his power. The Dark Knight chose that moment to charge in; Louie rushing in as well as they met with a clash of blades. Both seemed equally matched, but one could tell that Louie was straining everything he had just to match the Knight's strength.
A torrent of water pushed the Knight away and gave Louie some breathing room, compliments of Sana. She followed it up with several ice spells, to which the Knight smashed them with his blade. Tielle refocused on him, unleashing her arrows at the joints in his armor where it was weakest. He moved subtly however, which allowed them to merely bounce off the thicker pieces and leave him unharmed. Louie took that moment to charge in on the offensive, his aura becoming active.
The two swordsmen clashed, Louie faring much better this time around. Blade met blade as they swung with all their might, the two not giving the other an inch. Every opening Louie found he struck, chipping away at the armor the Dark Knight wore. Every opening the Knight found was blocked by Louie's shield, though he had come dangerously close to cutting open the young swordsman's chest.
As that battle raged, another between the Dark Witch and the Elemental King was building. Legeas shot volley after volley of water spheres at the Dark Witch who used her own electrical ones to counter. All the while, she continued to prepare her spell, as several magic circles began to appear around the Water King. It would take some time to set up, but she knew the moment that it was complete it would be over. She just had to last until then.
Which was harder than it looked, considering that she had to divert magic power from her task to set up barriers to prevent the Elemental King from striking her. The barrier around them both wouldn't fade until she was knocked out, so she had no worries from being attacked from behind so long as the Dark Knight continued to keep them from having to divert even more energy to upkeep it. Legeas unleashed a wave of water at her, which she pushed aside.
A cry of pain from Louie as he was knocked back only brought a smile to Selene's face. Sana was quickly healing up a large cut on Louie's leg, while Tielle was standing between them and the Dark Knight. She fired several arrows into the air, as they came raining down as pure energy. The Knight quickly dodged, but made no move towards them. His blade was still out and ready to cut them down should they attack. "It's no good… nothing we do is working."
"No, he's definitely tiring out," Louie said, keeping his eyes on the Knight and testing his leg. It felt like it would hold his weight, so he readied himself again. "Even the smallest effort will work! We have to wear him down."
"I will admit, your skill with a sword is good. But it is not good enough," the Knight said, raising his sword and slamming it down onto the ground. "Earth Breaker!" The ground seemed to shatter at the force, as the earth upturned and a wave of energy behind it sped towards the group.
"Shield!" Sana quickly cast her magic, wincing as the force of the attack broke through her shield and knocked her back. Thankfully, most of the damage had been absorbed by the spell, but it still dazed her for a moment. "What power..."
An unearthly screech filled the air, as the three looked to see several magic circles binding the Elemental King. They could only watch, horrified as they saw the Elemental King's power being stripped before them. His energy was breaking away from him, receding into a sphere above Selene's hands, gathering and pooling there until it solidified into a light blue orb. The Elemental King crashed backwards into the water, becoming still as the barrier around them dispersed. Selene collapsed onto the ground not long after, sweat on her brow and her breathing struggled as the spell had taken its toll on her.
"No! Were we too late," Tielle said worriedly. Louie didn't think about answering that, merely rushing towards the Dark Witch, eyes aimed at the orb. Something within him told him that if he could only get to it, everything could still be saved.
Unfortunately, the Dark Knight had seen him move and intercepted, knocking Louie away and onto the ground, the swordsman losing his grip on his blade as it went flying off away from them. Louie quickly struggled to get back up, intent on fighting even without his trusty sword, when he felt the naked edge of a blade on his neck. "Careful. One false move and you'll soon find out just how long you can stay aware of having your head removed from your body." Louie froze, gritting his teeth. Tielle had readied an arrow, but seeing Louie's predicament had stopped her from firing. "Now… unless you want your friend to die, you will allow us to leave this place. We have no more business with you."
None of them wanted to let them get away, but with Louie's life on the line, they knew that they would have to let them go. Losing Louie would serve no purpose in the long run considering they would likely escape anyway. The Dark Knight waited until Selene was up, looking a bit worse for wear, but otherwise doing well enough. He twisted his blade and struck Louie in the back of his head with the flat of it, knocking him out cold. Backing off, Selene quickly spoke a spell that would teleport them away from this place. The orb that contained the power of the Elemental King was firmly in her grasp.
"Nice try, heroes… but it's all over for you," Selene taunted. "Soon, the rise of the demons will be at hand!" With that they teleported away. Once they were gone, Tielle and Sana quickly raced to Louie to provide treatment. They tried to focus solely on the task at hand and not the sickening feeling of the fact that the last of the Elemental Kings' powers was in the hands of their enemies. Which meant that Ignus's warning would eventually come to pass.
The collapse of the world…