A/N: Demon Slayer, hopelessly in love with its readers.
Nether: Have a question of personal growth? Come visit your local discount Santa for all your plot-related needs!
Enjoy!
Nine planes, nine planets, nein, nein, nein.
-Garr
January 1st, 2023
"Jeez," he said with a lazy laugh, "first piece of advice, lay off the roids."
I couldn't help but stare, this guy's eyes were as red as apples. Hair covered his face, everywhere below the cheekbones in this creamy white material. His lithe frame was uncanny, his limbs kept grabbing my sight. While human in frame, their length unsettled what notions of anatomy I understood. Laughter emanated, but this stranger dared not approach.
"You're funny," he stayed in place, "acting like you're afraid of something as fragile as me."
"What if I am," I hoarsely spoke.
"Then let's fix that, I'm Recon," he held up a mushroom, "the only thing I kill out here are the beetles. The uh, thing you're poking there."
"Okay," I looked behind me briefly, "why is poking it wrong?"
"Simple, they blow up."
"Oh!" I stepped forward dramatically, "okay, thank you. Forgive me, I'm not exactly in the best mood."
"Why's that?" Recon opened arms, "it's paradise everyday here."
"Long story," I frowned, "I'm Garr by the way."
He stopped as I searched for a spot lacking any of these landmine beetles.
"You're that king."
I stopped behind him, couldn't find a space too distant from the hostile mounds.
"Was," I shivered.
His weight shifted, turning to me completely.
"What do you mean was?"
"I...lost my position," I looked solemnly, "I-"
I froze, a memory of metal fingers seeping through. Recon, this was the guy responsible for this. He set the stage for Rika to be left alone with a were-beast...he brought the Mechanist, which brought Acherres. My breath surrendered depth, but no spark ignited. My body shivered, colder than I had ever recalled.
"-was booted," I bowed my head, taking a seat.
"Hm," Recon danced over to me, "seems a bit stupid to me. Who has more authority than a king?"
"God," I shuddered, "and...boy does He know how weak I am."
"Might not follow quite the same way," Recon kicked back with a roll, "but weakness? Oh yeah. I've ran from things I shouldn't, said things that weren't true. I know."
I twisted at his comments, looking at his soft, unflinching expression twice.
"Doesn't that bother you?" I winced.
"Depends on the position of the sun."
"That makes no sense."
"Sure it does," he smiled. "Have you ever gone to bed," waving his hand over the stars, "staring up at your ceiling, and heard the judge?"
"What judge?"
"The immortal judge," Recon stretched as if on a bed, "the one in your head that never goes away."
"I don't see how this applies," I grimaced, "sorry."
"See," he rose to a seated position, "when the sun's out? I'm distracted, I've got my game face on. But when it's time to lay down?" Recon shrugged, "that little judge reminds me."
"Oh," I blinked.
"It's something I've learned down here," Recon crossed legs, "you can't escape the judge, cause running from yourself is pointless."
I nodded sleepily, this was true.
"So to answer your question? Yes and no."
"Why run though?" I leaned forward.
"Cause not all guys are meant to be fighters."
"That's our calling," I shook, "what are we if not for that?"
"In my opinion, our calling is to make stuff happen. What are we, what kind of a world view is that?"
"It's how we're made," I scooted, "we've defeated everything with that spirit. Every invention in our history was made to fight something."
"Okay, but what good does it do you?"
"There is nothing in it for me," I wrinkled my brow, "I'd rather have an uncomfortable truth than a sweet lie."
"Ha," Recon rocked his head side to side, "pursue that for long and you'll be miserable. Besides, you look like a guilty man."
"How couldn't I be?" I gripped my clothes, "dude, I've failed so many people. Do you even know what's going on out there?"
"Besides the sudden drop in hollow people? Don't need to."
I stopped for a second.
"You mean the undead?"
"That's what they are? Dang, how many people were infected?"
"No people, but nearly a hundred NPCs. I've had to execute every single one."
"That's...pretty bleak."
"Had to be done. Worst part is, I don't even know if it's an infection or not."
"All I was asking, is what you're in for?"
"Failure to fulfill promises," I looked down, "tossing away responsibilities...all for the chance to punch a prick."
"For what?"
I stopped.
"A guy I thought was my friend. He made a challenge, trying to take my throne. Make me look weak."
"Pf and you walked into that?"
"I was furious," I stiffened, "not cause of his comments regarding Lis, but him taking my spot."
"You know her?" Recon grimaced, "shit, you're not her boyfriend or something...right?"
"I am right now...doubt it's gonna stay."
"Phew," Recon shuddered, "you're not gonna kill me?"
"I would imagine it," I narrowed my eyes, "though I can't say I would."
"That's a relief, cause then I'd have to tell you it's a bad idea. Neither of us want the monster waking up. But why give up on her?"
"Cause I've lost my ability to provide," my eyes teared up, "cause I got so weak, losing that fight."
"There's a difference between being weak and losing."
"Failure's hateful," I bent, "I can't afford it."
"It happens to everyone, dude. If anything, you're lucky. Most of the time here, your next mistake is often your last."
"True," I sighed, "God, I was a horrible king though."
"Okay, what did you actually regret doing?"
I stared at moist grass, an answer flying in my face.
"Deciding to be one."
"Eh, least we can agree on that. It's weird though," Recon laughed, "I was expecting someone a lot meaner than you. You're telling me you don't regret anything you did during your rule?"
"I wanted to let everyone find their own way to happiness here," I wiped my face, "I only made myself look brutal to keep dickheads from taking over."
"Okay fine, but no free housing?"
"Have you seen what free housing looks like?" I looked, "my whole point was staying out of people's way. I believe that letting people grow with minimal rules is how to win."
"And we'll have to agree to disagree. But what if you could go back?"
Something loosed in my stomach, an ember brought by an answer I dared not speak. I'd go with Rika, to a place where the sunshine is warm, but the days cool. I wanted to have my breath taken away by sights I've never seen, discover stuff I never knew. Exploring life with her, that felt natural.
"Not sure."
"I think you do," Recon smiled, "I know we met a couple of minutes ago, but loneliness really does make me friendlier. Chase it, before it's too late."
While a shiver was all my body replied with, an ease took hold.
"What would you do?" I blinked.
"One thing," Recon ate a brushed mushroom, "I'd bring Leafa to that dungeon. You ever met her?"
"Yeah, she was one of my instructors."
"Oh!" Recon smiled briefly, "oh...yeah sorry. She's got a bad habit of following what I tell her."
"Doesn't matter," I shook my head, "it's over now...I'm not a king."
"Well yeah, should've been using those biceps on monsters."
For the first time the whole night, I laughed. It was warm, lasting a few seconds before a persistent cold drained it from me.
"If she were there that day," Recon pointed the mushroom's stalk away like a pencil, "I'm sure nothing would've happened. You always regret the times you couldn't be there."
There that day, this phrase sparked something in me.
"Why have you stayed?" I turned.
"Cause I'm afraid of what'd I do," Recon frowned, "the monster in me will crawl out again if I leave this fog."
Rising to my feet, an anxious spring coiled in my step.
"We both need to go back," I shivered, "I'm sorry, I can't stay."
"Did I say something?" Recon frowned.
"Yes," I looked back, "it got me thinking a little. With what's ahead, I can't mop."
I had to move quickly, securing a location was crucial to what I had ahead. Those people back in Urbus didn't have a clue about Acherres, they didn't need to. As long as I defeated him, I could rest easy.
"Wait," Recon rose, "there's something that's been bugging me."
I hurriedly stopped, facing him completely.
"This fog, it does things to life around it. It controls things like a parasite. Do you hear the wind though?"
"No, this fog is all I could see for hours."
"A storm's coming," his eyes wet, "winds from the east are gonna blow this fog all around, spreading its...its disease."
"When?" I tensed, "Recon, surely there's something I can do."
He shook his head.
"Nature's set in motion. I don't know the day it'll hit, but from my time exposed to it here? I can feel it."
"Leave," I said, "if it's a hurricane, you'll die here."
"I don't know," Recon sighed, "if you knew what lingered in me...you'd tell me to stay."
"Yet you tell me to go," I shivered, "you know why I don't like you?"
Recon watched me carefully.
"You remind me too much of myself."
I turned away, my head low as I marched southwest.
"Don't give up on her."
Sun Dancer
[To Argo: Yo, gonna need a story]
[From: Your bank account?]
"Ha!" Oran laughed, "Graye, you seeing this?"
"I'd rather not," Graye groaned.
"What?" Lisbeth glanced as they walked.
"Just Argo," Graye rolled his eyes.
[To: Something you'll never have]
[From: Dammit! What's up?]
[To: I need a rumor spread]
[From: Eight inches? That's a bit out there]
[To: Seven, don't push it]
[From: Hm, I might]
[To: Have some wine with me for a night, I'll back it]
"And batter runs to first base," Graye muttered, "does he make it?"
"You serious, mate?" Lisbeth snickered.
[From: still trying?]
[To: On off-days. Listen, we're talking werewolves tonight]
[From: Kinky]
[To: No, no mercy for the furry]
Oran typed away, a bright moon shining over them as they neared a wall of lingering fog.
"So," Lisbeth said as she stared off, "Argo and him?"
"I wish," Graye sighed, "guy doesn't wanna settle."
"Thirty k later," Oran closed his interface, "and she still resists."
"You paid her for sex?" Lis chuckled.
"It's to spread the rumor, jackass. Argo actually brought a good point, the market will handle this. Course, now she's gonna charge people for knowledge of mine locations."
"Pirate," Graye shook his head.
"Ah as if you're not," Oran elbowed, "anyway Lis, we've got it covered."
"Thanks," Lisbeth bowed her head.
Stopping a few meters away, the [Moon Grove's] barrier of mist flowed below their ankles, dampening soil below. Staring into this appeasing wall, Lisbeth's eyes burned.
Feel like hitting Tai with my [Mace] for this. Being a wanker in my shop's one thing, but breaking Aid's spirit's too far. We're getting out of here.
"Still think you should give it a day," Graye said, "people need time to recuperate."
"Nah, I'll stick around a wee bit."
"You sure? You might leave me with Oran unsupervised."
"Oi," Oran turned, "I ain't that bad."
"Aye," Lis smiled, "head back to Urbus. We'll talk when we've settled."
"But you'll freeze out here," Graye put a hand out.
"I'm not worried," she smiled, "oh, Oran?"
"Ye?" Oran shut off his messenger again.
"One thing you should know about Tai, he's a lech."
"You're telling him that?" Graye laughed.
"Well, you two might have ideas for that. God sake, Tai was hitting on me."
"Oh?" Oran grinned, "actually...I might have a solution there."
"But please, spare Asuna any trouble."
"Who?"
"She's with him, orange hair, slender."
"Ooh," Oran looked up, "yeah, I know her."
A quick punch from Graye set his sights back down.
"Oi!"
"We'll talk later, right?" Graye looked to Lis.
"Aye."
He obliged, wishing her a goodnight while Oran dragged behind him.
"So how about we get ourselves a pair of new ambassadors," Oran rubbed hands, "make sure they're both female."
"Nope," Graye stormed off.
Looking about as her surroundings quieted. Stars swarmed overhead, oppressing with their sheer quantity, power, and distance. Beyond Lisbeth's island of green spun an expanse neither she or anyone from Earth could call familiar. Alone between a space of incalculable infinity and a wall sightless opacity, a pressured sigh left her lips.
"Ooh the stress is real," she brushed hair.
Stilted shadows flashed in her mind, eyes turning at great speed to prove falsehood, an empty savanna her only answer. Shuddering for a second, Lisbeth removed her left glove. Digits unnatural to her clicked as she curled, a brittle palm detached of tenderness expected of a human hand.
How different would it have been if I focused completely on this instead of Blacksmith-ing? It's connected to it, so it's not a complete loss. Guess I'll get to try it, for better or worse.
Something stirred, a squish surfacing a shiver from her spine. Triangulating its direction, however, a soft smile grew.
"If only I had something to do with all this ammunition," she said.
While her eyes were blinded by Moon Grove's fog, a set of heavy wet footsteps brought Lis to her feet.
"Yeah, if only."
A man in [Drifter Bone] emerged, his cheeks and eyes sharing a redness with moisture.
"How're you doing?" she faced him completely.
"Good enough, ready to go?"
"Nah," Lis laughed, "hang on, got a friend joining us."
"Who?"
"Girl named Haru."
Sun Dancer
January 1st, 2023 - 1000 Hours
Taiyama's fingers pressed against wood, his armrests plain under polished, embroidered bronze gauntlets. With his chin high, a leering set of dark eyes read an open scroll.
As a citizen, you are endowed with certain human rights. Among them include:
I. Right to Housing: All citizens shall have their needs for shelter met. All residences shall be inspected to insure they comply with Roof Code
II. Right to Speech: All citizens can freely voice their opinions, as long as it doesn't endanger public safety.
III. Right to Leisure: All citizens are given a minimal number of vacation days, as approved by the Work Code.
IV. Right to Belief: All citizens may profess or not profess any religion. Incitement of hate or hostility is prohibited.
V. Right to Needs: Food and water will be provided as needed and as sanctioned by circumstance.
VI. Right to Vote: All citizens are allowed to elect officials, as long as they are found virtuous
"Hm," Taiyama leaned back, "looks good. Way more rights than Garr's."
"Yup," PoH bowed slightly, "all it requires is your signature, and the glory is yours."
Writing speedily with a feather, Taiyama officiated new rules. Rolling it up, PoH smiled candidly at his new king.
Already more progress than Garr for sure,
"How about a new palace?" Tai glanced around, "this place reeks of poverty, not royalty. I need it to look the part."
"Depends where you'd like to move it," splayed a hand towards Asuna, "perhaps she would like a shot at designing it?"
"Not until we talk," Ceph officials rose, "Tai? Gonna have to keep this fast."
Their light voices brought Taiyama's right hand forward, motioning them closer. Seated beside him, a well-dressed Asuna watched with hazel eyes blurry, distant in its focus.
He's already looking around himself for pleasures, ever since he found that stash. Millions of Cor, sitting in a chest labeled 'For Town Creation'. The only other commodity kept were books, what's a brute doing with such a vast quantity of literature?
Whispering in Taiyama's ear, only PoH's eyes glinted, his king's guest short with his statements.
"He's gotta go," Tai's agent said, "his removal will be reduce your debt, but only if it's lights out."
"I was thinking about it," Tai nodded, "wasn't sure when, but I figured it'd be sometime soon."
"And don't worry about Lowyse, she's in as long as we bring her back to Solkyss."
"Actually, I'd rather get rid of her."
"Mm, sorry pal. Breaking a shake isn't in our memo, you can go to MoSS for that."
"And who the fuck is that?"
"Creeps from Atlea. These boys'll make anyone dance if they ain't singing for 'em."
"Whatever that means," Tai shrugged, "today?"
"We would prefer it as soon as possible, but that's up to your taste. We'd rather not knock again for the same order twice, if you catch my meaning."
"Yeah," Tai leaned back, "I'll see what I can do."
"Good seeing you," they both turned away, leaving on hurried feet.
Taiyama laid back, smiling at Asuna softly as she pressed away at a message.
Fuck, I don't know half the shit PoH's talking about. Everyone keeps coming with these big questions, all of them from dudes. Where're all the women at?
[To Lisbeth: I wanted to make things up to you, giving you what you wanted. I had him dethroned, but never intended him to be hurt this badly. I'm very sorry]
Sent away, hands returned to her lap.
"Hard to believe I'd name you queen," Tai laughed, "not like reality's changed."
"Oh Tai," Asuna rested her head on his shoulder, "you shouldn't work so hard, not after just coming here."
"Doesn't bother me," Tai raised his chin, "if anything, I kinda like it better here. I can finally find appreciation for all of my ideas." He turned gaze to PoH, "you were saying?"
"Graye Sight's asking for Korrin back, that they have your replacement ambassadors."
"Like I need their advice, why don't you go tell those fucks to actually do something useful? You know, instead of being everyone's nanny?"
"Perhaps with more tact, sire?" PoH raised an eyebrow, "I don't mean to challenge, but were you discussing Asterius with those strangers?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
"Could I convince you to perhaps hold off on that? At least until Project Renaissance is underway?"
"Project what?"
"My personal pride," PoH said, "taking Asterius down would surely disperse his subordinates, a big problem if we wanna commit to this."
"You need horses for this?"
"Some of those horses belong to a Purifier group. If we wanna incorporate magic safely, we gotta offer a way out. That temple being built? It's for them."
"Fine, we'll gather up the Tauran you specifically need to conduct this. Two things though. A, Korrin's not going free, and B, no new ambassadors till my new palace is ready."
"Even if they're voluntary?" PoH motioned towards a pair of brunettes.
Tai's eyes brightened, feminine features prominent in his sight.
"Oh," he nodded, "well I'm sure Asuna won't mind," he turned his head, only to find an empty chair beside him.
"She went to the library," PoH patted his shoulder, "she'll be back."
"Garr had a library?" Tai lowered his brow, "that's crazy, he's got no need for that."
[From Lisbeth: Aye, I saw what you did there]
[To: Lis please, I]
Asuna stopped to take a deep breath, erasing her message a second later. Burying her face beneath palms, sweat and tears conjoining.
I understand, Tai really went too far. I should let it be though, neither me or Lis want this conflict. I don't even think Tai intended anything past getting back at Garr, I can see that look in his eyes. It's the same look he gives during science courses.
Her sight glided around bookshelves, each rack varied in levels of breadth and leatherbound quantity. No fiction or non-fiction books rested, but manuals of geography, history, as well as stranger matters accumulated. Without a spot of dust on less scientific texts, however, it drew her hand in. Taking a silver leafed book titled The Journey of Saint Gigan, Asuna flipped to its first page, finding in it a seal of cogs, its imprint catching her eyes.
This mark's just like Tai's, the one on his wrist. Let's see, Gigan is perhaps the greatest hero in world history. A humble Elf, he alone broke the Blight tide across the Congregate, ended the Kobold Rebellion, and carried righteous Cel's will across seas.
Reading its first lines, however, she heard a call by name. Closing it, she swept eyes over other books, storing away her first find. In her search, books such as Rickety Myths and The Heavens Beyond found space within storage. Drawing from these shelves, however, a single slip of paper glided from within, its torn appearance flying gently, prompting a quick grab and glance.
They gather around the coastline, the compassionate and the cruel,
The former yearn for a child never born, the latter for a fate to come,
His pained cries ripple through time, a fate shorn by a mother's tie, and silenced a brother's vie.
Her lips pursed, its ripped edges almost biting into her fingers. Stuffing it away from whence it came, an eerie cold filled like water.
What a dreadful poem, something about it feels...wrong. I'd get rid of it if I had less respect. Still, Garr kept it hidden from open view, but what does it tell. Hopefully these books won't be nearly so dark, I need something happy. I don't remember Godfree owning anything like these.
Sun Dancer
January 2nd, 2023
Below skirting battlements, within a mountain's heart, and through man-built keeps within a central pathway, Castle Diebry livened around Yuuki. Passing towers, barriers encouraging entrance to choke-points, people marched by in ivory white armor. Reaching Nohr's gates, however, her group was stopped by three.
"Show inventories please," guards raised a hand, "sorry ladies, just following orders."
"You told me I wouldn't be raising hands," Nori looked to Yuuki.
"When'd I say that?" Yuuki blinked, letting guards cycle through her inventory, "oh, right."
"Oh Yuuki," Aoki laughed, "keep being you."
"Do we really have to check her?" one guard nodded to a passing Lind, an awaiting Silica staring.
"Dude no, she looks what eleven?"
"I'm sixteen!" Silica snapped.
Lind looked to his subordinate, "I think she just answered your question."
"Oh," Silica frowned, "oops."
"Could'a played that like a champ," Teika laughed, "so what're you guys? TSA?"
"We just don't want people bringing crop poison across checkpoints," Lind put hands on hips, "Garr might not be in charge anymore, but it's still a valid rule in my keep."
"Wait," Teika narrowed his eyes, "he's not?"
"Yep, was kicked out two days ago."
"Oh good," Teika sighed.
"And replaced by another king."
"Of course," his expression darkened, "another guy telling me what to do."
"They're clean," his guards stepped away.
"Good," Lind smiled, "don't see any reason to keep them. Word of advice before you go, try not to mock the Tauran about Garr. They're very touchy about him."
"We won't," Aoki smiled, "in fact we're just passing through."
"That so?" Lind put hands gently on hips, "well let me know if there're any beaches. Where the white sand stretches for miles."
Vast doors were pulled by rope, requiring both ground placements as well as battlement to drag its thick halves apart. Greeting rays of a savanna sun blasted through, hot air blowing in as members shielded eyes. Nori's, however, wandered wide as golden pastures opened.
"Wow," she muttered, "I could run forever in this place."
"We're not staying," Teika said before stepping forward, "Yuuki's free to, but we're moving further north."
"I think I'll be joining my friends," Yuuki pouted, "it's been so long."
"I wouldn't mind stopping by the blacksmith's," Aoki said, "Teika's axe edge is more whack than Silica's bed-head."
"I take great care of my tools," Teika said, "how can you say that?"
"It's true," Silica sighed.
"You'll like the shop I'm in," Yuuki nudged Nori, "hot girls all around."
"Great," Nori laughed, "any guys?"
"Well there's Wick, smart guy. If only I knew what goes on in his head, he's so quiet."
"Oh, okay."
Wandering north, Nori sprinted with bounds and leaps, rushing forth as air brushed back. Yuuki pushed to match her, legs thrusting as hard as they could, only to slow again after minutes of racing.
"Nori!" Yuuki laughed, "how much did you put to [Agility]?"
"All of them?" Nori danced around her party, "wait, yes all of them."
"How're you supposed to hurt anything?" Teika marched, "You should invest into something. [Dexterity], [Strength], [Intelligence], anything?"
"Don't need them if nobody can catch me," Nori laughed, "none of those stats really raise damage either. They just allow different takes. I can still win this with a [Club]."
"How about an exploding fireball?" Aoki prepped [Aethereal Nodes], "can you dodge that?"
"We in the same party?" Nori slowed.
"Course we are. I bet I can hit you with a single shot, whether by direct hit or explosion."
"Ha, and I bet I can dodge both."
"Fight, fight, fight!" Yuuki laughed.
"Guys come on," Teika groaned.
A [Training Mode] duel spun up, Nori distancing herself as Aoki charged rounds. Letting her reach a minimal of two dozen meters, a [Flammekanon] burst from rocky palms, Aoki's left hand raising with fingers curled as it flew. Spotting its glowing orange mass drove Nori to a full sprint, circling around wide, jumping over small deviations with little effort.
Using her left hand, Aoki guided her flaming bomb with a brushing sweep, sending it to follow her target. At the mercy of seconds, however, her spell's speed drained, showering grass and Earth with embers as it detonated above.
"Ya missed!" Nori veered.
Aoki prepped a second round, flinging it with a loud crack as it burned through air, soaring towards a straight running Nori. Legs pumped harder, distance growing as the mage's projectile slowed, a great leap resulting as a resounding clap broke. Without a stroke of crisp wind to conflict with her flow, Nori dashed by Aoki with a swift tap to the shoulder.
"Try again!"
Aoki sighed, priming a third round with faster hands.
"You gotta read her movements," Teika said, "don't fire until you do."
Hands slowed, a [Flammekanon] ready to launch, awaiting launch as Aoki watched Nori run. Looking back with momentary glances, Nori waved and cheered, keeping an elliptical orbit as she spun. A hand of stone was raised, pointing ahead of her before firing
Nori's eyes tracked, widening as it drew closer, legs slamming heels a second later. For all of her velocity, an intersecting explosive was all it took to send her sailing high.
"Got 'em," Aoki smiled.
A vast, rough tunnel swallowed Yuuki's party, rows of torches burning on both sides. Left in shade rendered by hundreds of stone covered feet, the air remained cool.
[You are now entering...Urbus!]
"So Garr's no longer in charge," Aoki blinked.
"Barely lasted a month," Teika chuckled, "shows how stable it actually was."
"Hope it ended peacefully," Yuuki danced.
"Who's this Garr guy?" Nori blinked.
"The former king of this place," Teika looked, "huge muscles, tiny height, doesn't take flamethrowers well."
A chuckle escaped Aoki, Silica glancing at her with furrowed brows.
"That's not funny," Silica said, "setting people on fire."
"It was hilarious," Aoki looked down at her.
"Really, cause Yuuki loves muscular guys," Nori smiled, "if she could find one. See unlike here-"
"Nori!" Yuuki jumped, "don't tell them, please."
"What's wrong with telling them you like that?"
Yuuki blinked for a moment, shoulders relaxing.
Oh good, she's still covering for me.
"Never mind!" she smiled, "must've misheard."
"Explains why she liked me," Teika flexed, "just look at these."
"At what?" Aoki narrowed eyes, "Teik, you're slim."
"Ah, but it's about how I carry myself."
"He's my muscle-man," Silica grabbed his hand.
"Course he is," Aoki smiled.
"She's a fan of big arms," Nori walled her mouth's right corner, "butts too."
"Should stop by Texas then," Teika shouldered his [Battleaxe], "trust me, you'd be an eight out there, especially with the right mindset."
"But why not a seven?" Yuuki stared.
"He means you're good looking," Nori said, "which is true, cause I'd date you."
"But who would be the wife?" Yuuki smiled sly.
"You of course! You're the one able to get up at like five and make coffee."
"Ooh, that reminds me. I gotta show you Wick's paintings, they're always so beautiful, cheery and happy."
"I'll be sure to bug him then," Nori snuggled up, "how far's the place?"
"We're nearing the exit, I'll show you!"
A crater town opened around them, its entrance guarded by two bronze clad Tauran. Staring up at alligator shaped helmets, Nori's mouth remained partly open.
Wow, wish I could've visited here. What's a Tauran, why're their helmets like that, what've I missed? So much sunshine here.
People huddled around buildings across town, watchful of others drawing near.
"Hey!" one shouted, "our spot!"
They shoved one guy out of line for a single story building, heckling him as he tried slipping back in.
"But Roof Code says you cannot have more than two hundred and fifty feet of personal living space."
"You lookin' for a beating? Altai's rules, scram!"
Silica grimaced as they passed them by, finding similarly defensive individuals around dozens of homes. Yuuki's face wrinkled slightly, checking left and right.
"That's funny, I don't remember there being a limit."
"Don't get involved," Nori whispered, "they look ready to fight."
"Okay, we're close anyway."
Following a central road, Yuuki's crew slowed as their leading figure stopped. Standing twenty feet high, a structure covered in windows cast a long shadow. A sign hung around its corner, reading 'Gold Leaf Dojo'.
"What happened to Lisbeth's shop?" Yuuki's smile faded, "oh they're probably trying new things! This'll be exciting!"
Sliding open the front door panel, Yuuki's red eyes were met with dozens of others.
"And slash!" she heard Leafa call.
A synchronized 'ha' filled the room, wooden sticks swinging diagonal right. Dozens of people, set up in wide rows of seven, and stacked five back. Sliding around this box formation of students, Yuuki's group was met with many eyes, their gazes long as their sexual ratios were observed. Almost all consisted of males, their corneas of varied color. While Teika walked among them, glares were given.
"Pig," one muttered.
"Patriarch."
"Class?" Leafa said.
They snapped their eyes forward, only for Leafa to jam a wooden staff into their one's guts.
"Distractions kill," she said, "if you wanna make it out of this, you better focus!"
"O-Okay!"
"Practice the diagonal cut, three count swings, one hundred times!"
A collective groan swept through like a breeze, followed by mostly disorganized slashes at varying speeds.
"Slow down," Leafa barked as she moved around her students, "it should take five minutes if you're doing it right!"
Watching over them from an opposing corner, Wick's eyes long caught on to Yuuki's group, preventing a smile from growing. Directing attention to Leafa's students, bruises rolled around in his brain.
Leafa's teaching is merciless. Makes me wonder if her father ever gave her a break.
Leafa met Yuuki and her friends with a warm greeting, exchanging bows between each other.
"Asuna was really missing you," Leafa smiled, "you should stop by her place."
"I know," Yuuki laughed, "she's sent me messages everyday, making sure I wasn't hurt. She's so sweet."
"Why're your students so stuck up?" Teika smirked, "they thirsty?"
Burning gazes were shot his way for a moment, Leafa sighing.
"They're new, please refrain from saying stuff like that?"
"Sorry, not sorry."
"So, is Wick still here?" Yuuki interjected.
Leafa nodded, pointing eyes to a far corner. Hopping briefly, Yuuki ran around training students, ramming into a partly suspecting Wick with a hugging tackle.
"How did I guess-" Wick gasped, "you'd do that?"
"Cause I'm painfully predictable?" Yuuki grinned, squeezing him.
"Please," Wick breathed weakly, "call...yourself that again."
"Ooh am I hearing sass?" Yuuki hugged tighter.
"No!" Wick's face turned blue.
"Darn!" she released, "cause I liked it."
"Wait," Wick breathed.
"Nope, sorry Wicky!" she dashed back to Leafa, "where's Asuna? I gotta give her a hug!"
"She's," Leafa raised her gaze up briefly, "oh yeah, she's living in the palace now."
"What?" Yuuki gasped.
"Yeah, she's queen with Taiyama in charge."
"Wow, that's amazing!" Yuuki hopped, "how about Lizzy?"
"She left days ago, gave me the shop after everything fell apart."
"Does that mean I'm not getting my axe fixed?" Teika chuckled.
"Oh so now you admit it needs fixing?" Aoki turned.
"I take care of my tools, doesn't mean they don't need fixing sometimes."
"Ugh," Aoki cringed.
"Wonder how my puppy's doing," Silica said quietly.
"Leopie?" Yuuki stared.
"Gone too," Leafa sighed, "joined a guild some time before."
"Aw!" Yuuki slumped, "almost all my friends left!"
Nori patted her friend's back, holding Yuuki gently as Leafa turned to Teika.
"Yeah sorry," she lowered her head, "we don't offer blacksmith services here. But I'm sure you can find a few around town, especially since the new king's paying for them."
"Wait," Teika leaned back, "he's their boss?"
"Yeah, he didn't want them falling apart from competition."
Loud shouting from outside brought several eyes wandering, a panicked neigh thundering from Central Urbus.
"The hell's that?" Aoki stepped out to check.
Her eyes delivered sights of mass formations, ALF marching in columns with great haste. Seconds later, a stone of great size crashed beside a building, crumbling pavement beneath it as Aoki jumped away, cursing. Screams filled the air as men and women filed through, a set of thundering steps broke away peace's veneer.
[Floor Boss Approaching!]
[War-Sun Asterius- Level 48]
Archaeology is a trade for nerdy adventurers who wanna spend time studying old stuff. Course don't let this fool you, [Buried Treasure] is a very real factor. There're rumors floating about that ancient weapons and armor schematics buried beneath us too, maybe even magical.
Or at least they say so. It's the whole "going to dungeons regularly" part that has most avoiding it.
-Argo, The Beta Tester's Survival Guide. January 20th, 2023
A/N: Were it so simple.
Hey guys, reviews as always are very welcome. Good or bad, constructive criticism always helps me improve.
See you again soon!
