Disclaimer: I do not own Familiar of Zero
Guide: "words", (thoughts), [sound effects], {quick in story author's note}, SHOUTING or LOUD NOISES. Line means scene change, Bold is important things or supernatural being speaking.
Chapter Start
Peter POV
Peter had been tracking the band of mercenaries for hours following the three from the tavern as they went to regroup with the others. He had been following on foot in order to stay undetected.
He thought he would've had trouble following men on horseback but he was pleasantly surprised to find he had no trouble keeping up, in fact, not only was he fast enough to keep up with the horses he was fairly certain he was much faster than them. But it wasn't just his new found speed that amazed him his endurance did as well. He had been able to keep up with horses at full gallop and keep up that speed for hours on end without even the slightest hint of fatigue.
Eventual the men he had been following reached their destination, he didn't want to be spotted so he stopped a ways away from their camp and head up one of the many hills overlooking the valley. It was pitch blackout and their campfire looked like a feeble candle flame from his distance.
Yet he could see everything as well as if it were the middle of the day in spite of the darkness and distance. As he observed the camp he saw they were keeping the girls tied up in the center of the camp. Which meant they were in full view of everyone so sneaking in to save them wouldn't be possible.
He continued observing the camp and saw that there were about thirty or so of the bandits. Several armed with ranged weapons such as crossbows and even a few muskets.
Muskets were fairly new inventions being relatively expensive and lacking the range and accuracy of bows many had yet to adopt them. Still they were better at penetrating armor and were easier to use than bows which usually took years to become proficient with.
He decided that those with range weapons were the biggest threat so he decided to take them out first. Seeing as he had no ranged weapon himself he decided to improvise picking up several large stones off the ground. He prepared to take down one of the men armed with muskets first.
He drew back his arm and prepared to throw it and once he had found his aim he threw the stone with all his might. The stone took off at incredible speed an audible crack was heard as it broke the sound barrier. The rock struck the bandit punching a fist size hole through his chest.
The bandits close enough to their comrades death or hear the sonic boom screamed out in shock. Peter for his part was also greatly surprised at what he had just done.
The result was more or less what he had been expecting but he still couldn't help but marvel at his new found strength. The men in the camp had begun searching the area for him, deciding he should take out all those with range weapons first peter then set out to kill them all hurling stone after stone down at the enemy.
Regular POV
Thea was woken from her sleep to the sound screaming and panic as her eyes fluttered open she saw one of the bandits that captured her screaming for her to get up and move. She was about to ask why when she heard a loud cracking sound not at all unlike the crack of a musket, though not quite as loud sounded out and the man standing in front of hers head seem to explode spraying her in his blood.
She was about to scream in panic when a familiar hand covered her mouth. With fearful eyes Thea look over to see Alice looking at her in concern. "Calm down if you scream you'll only attract attention to us" said Alice silencing the girl.
"What's going on" asked Thea in concern.
"You hear that sound" asked Alice referring to continuous cracking sounds filling the air.
Thea nodded in understanding before Alice continued "yeah me too I could be wrong but it sounds to me like muskets and by the number of the shots I'd say there's a lot of them. Probable a dozen or more men by the sound of it probable hold up in the cliffs overlooking the camp".
"Who is it are they here to save us maybe it's Peter" asked Thea hopefully.
"It could be or it could be a rival group looking to steal are kidnappers merchandise namely us" said Alice pessimistically.
Suddenly they were interrupted mid conversion by a very angry sounding bandit. The two women looked on to see one of the bandits and noticed this one look quite different he had bright crimson hair, bronze skin, and amber eyes likely of Germanian descent. He was well dressed and carried a wand in his right hand. Meaning he was likely a fallen noble and probably the bandits leader.
"WHO IS IT" he angrily demanded aiming his wand at them.
"What are you talking about?" asked Alice.
"Who's out there shooting at us" the mage demanded.
"How are we supposed to know" said Alice feigning ignorance.
The former noble snarled in anger before smacking the girl across the face but Alice merely glared back in defiance not saying a word. The bandit mage raised his wand pointing straight at the defiant women the tip glowing with a dangerous light. But Alice just kept glaring at him tight lipped not saying a word.
"Talk or you die" said the mage before firing a small blade of air at her cutting her across the cheek. But Alice didn't so much as flinch at the pain or show a hint of fear as blood poured down her cheek.
"P-please don't hurt her I'll tell you everything" Thea stuttered out fearing for the older girls life.
"NO DON'T TELL THEM ANYTHING" Alice shouted in anger.
"But if I don't-" said Thea before being cut off by the mage.
"You girl talk now" said the mage.
"Don't -"Alice began to speak before being smacked once gain by mage.
"Do not speak unless I say so I will not warn you again" said the mage.
The mage was now pointing his wand at Thea "Tell me who it is or your friends life is forfeit" said the mage.
"I'm not sure but I think it's my brother" Thea explained.
"I see so this idiot brother of yours must have hired some mercenaries and come here, then your coming with me" said the mage grabbing Thea by the arm holding his wand straight at her the tip faintly glowing with a threatening light. Holding her in this threatening position he made his way to the center of the camp into clear view making sure not to lower his wand from his hostage.
"ALRIGHT I HAVE YOUR SISTER CEASE FIRE AND COME OUT" the mage shouted out nervously. And after a tense moment the sound of continuous shots flying through the air stopped.
And after a minute of waiting a shaded silhouette began approaching the camp at first all that could be seen of the man was deep red eyes that seemed to pierce through the darkness but as he got close his other features became apparent and Thea was able to make the figure out
"Thank the founder you came" she cried out in joy.
"So the girl was right it was her brother that was behind this alright tell your men hiding up in the hills to stand down or else" said the mage.
And what guarantee do I have that you won't try and kill me once I do, all you have to do is hand over the girls and I'll leave. Your free to keep all the goods that you stole from them, refuse and my men will attack" Bluffed Peter knowing full well he had no such back up.
"And why would I do that taking and ransoming hostages is big money after all. And besides I'm not that worried about your mercenary friends." said the mage with a smirk.
"And why not we've killed a good number of you all ready I give the word and we slaughter the rest of you" threaten Peter sounding more confident then he felt.
"One crook knows another trust me those mercs aren't gonna keep fighting after their employer is dead and besides you only manage what you did with the element of surprise now that we we're aware of the enemy will crush you if the try and fight after all I doubt you have any mages on your side" said the mage.
"Now stand down and I'll consider letting you live as my hostage" said the mage.
Peter gave only a defiant glare in response, "fine then die a fool's death, men kill him" order the mage.
Following their bosses order several armed men charged him weapons drawn. The first of them to reach Peter was mountain of man nearly seven feet tall and heavily muscled he swung his war hammer down intending to kill the man.
Only for Peter to deftly dodge the blow and with one swing of his sword cut the large man in half at the waist.
The other bandits looked on in shock at this stopping dead in their tracks. Peter taking advantage of their surprise launched himself forward reaching the stunned men in an instant. And with great speed cut down three more of the enemies number before the had a chance to react.
Snapping out of their surprise several of the men armed with bows took aim at him and fired, Peter to his great surprise found the arrows seemed to move in slow motion (there so slow) he thought in surprise before deflecting them with his sword.
(No they're not I'm just fast) Peter thought in amazement. As Peter continued to fight the enemy he was able to easily duck and weave around their attacks striking down all enemies in his path. He was surprised to find himself stumbling to the ground courtesy of the bullet hole in his thigh.
Looking up in surprise he saw one of the bandits holding a musket the barrel still smoking. (I didn't even see that one coming, I guess bullets move much faster than arrows going have to be more careful next time) thought Peter as he quickly jumped to the side just barely avoiding getting his head taken off. But undeterred he rushed forward determined to defeat all that would stand in his way.
After about a minute of this all the remained was Peter and the lone mage leading the bandits and the few bandits that had stayed out of the fight. "Watch the girl while I deal with him" said the mage an enraged look on his face.
The remaining bandits nodded grabbing Thea and holding a sword to her throat. "My name is Frederick the Inferno what is the name of the man I'm about to kill" Frederick asked a scowl clear on his face.
"Peter" Peter replied drawing back his sword into a striking position. Frederick fired off a fireball Peter quickly lept to the side to avoid it but was surprised when the attack exploded on setting him on fire and sending him flying through the air.
As he was flying through the air Fredrick sent a high speed ball of condensed air flying at him. The spell slammed into Peter's midsection crushing bone and sending him plummeting to the ground his body landing in broken flaming heap on the ground.
"PETER NO" Thea wailed out in sorrow at the sight.
"Well that was simple enough given how he dealt with my underlings so easily I'd have thought he'd put up more of a fight" said Frederick.
Just as Federick turning to walk away, he heard a voice call out. "Yeah I'll admit yeah got me good with that one."
Hear the voice of the man he thought dead shocked Frederick. Spinning on his heels to turn around he looked on in shock as the burnt corpse of his enemy stood up and patted out the fire. The whole crowd looked on in sick fascination as incinerated skin and muscle regrow in seconds and shattered rips pieced themselves back together and forced themselves back into place.
"What manner of demon are you" Frederick muttered out in shock.
As if ignoring the muttered insult Peter casually asked "I've never seen a fireball spell that explodes like that I've seen fire ball spells used before but never have I seen them do that".
Snapping out his shock Frederick replied pride in his voice, "I'm not surprised not many fire mages can combine multiple elements together in one spell like I can. You see when I cast that spell I create inside of it a compressed sphere of pure oxygen with only a thin shell of magic separating the fire and air. When the spell makes impact the shell shatters and the compressed oxygen and fire mix creating an explosion. I am not surprised you didn't see it coming and mistook it for a common fireball spell many have made that same error and paid with their lives. Since I answer your question would you be so kind as to answer mine just … what are you"
"Very well" said Peter allowing his eyes to shift to crimson and his fangs to drop. "I'm what is called a vampire I just recently became as I am so I can't give you all the details but the vampire who turned me explained that were basically super powered undead that feed on human blood".
"I see so your so kind of monster that explains why you were able to survive my attack but let's see if you can survive being burnt to a pile of smoldering ash" said Frederick threateningly.
Frederick then fired large fireball spell into the air the attack that broke apart and dozens of miniature fireballs rained down from the sky, each one exploding on impact with the ground like a grenade sending shards of rock from the ground lying off in every direction.
Peter docked and weaved around the rain of attacks careful to avoid not only the fireballs themselves but the blasts they produced as well. But despite his best efforts he found himself being peppered by shrapnel and knocked around by the occasional stray blast the attacks were simple to numerous to avoid all of them.
Finale after what seemed like an eternity the attack came to an end. Seeing an opportunity to strike people prepare to close the distance when he was forced to duck under a blade of wind moving at great speed that nearly bisected him.
(He's not giving me a chance to react how is he casting so quickly) Peter thought in worry.
He watches his enemy careful as he cast another air blade at him which he narrowly avoided which is when he noticed how his enemy attacking so quickly (he's silent casting that how he's doing it that takes a lot of practice and skill to pull off I've got to break his consecration and close the distance somehow) Peter thought.
(Got to keep dodging wait for an opening he can't keep this pace up forever) said Peter. As he dodged a flurry compressed air balls he sharpened his senses and slowed his perception of time as much as he could and watch for an opening till finale he saw it for just a brief second in between spells Frederick was vulnerable Peter rushed forward as fast as he could appearing to disappear for a moment.
Frederick raised his wand preparing to cast a spell when his enemy vanished from his field of view appearing behind him. As he turned to face his enemy he collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from the slash that had appeared on his midsection.
"I made the cut too shallow to kill you immediately on purpose with a wound like that you won't be able to keep fighting. Surrender and answer some of my questions and I'll heal you refuse and you'll bleed to death" said Peter.
Frederick only response was burst air magic. Peter quickly leapt back to avoid the attack. Frederick had surrounded himself with intense swirling wall of wind like a self contained tornado constant blowing outward. "Trying to keep me away are you, give up you won't last long if you keep this up that injury will bleed you dry" said Peter trying to talk the mage down.
"And then what you turn me in and I spend the rest of my life in a Tristianian prison no thank you" said Frederick.
Hand shaking he raised his wand up to his bleeding midsection and began to burn the wound shut. "I'm impressed not many people have the will or discipline to do that, and it's not just that your technique your judgment it's not something a mere bandit would have. You were a soldier at one point weren't you".
"Yes I was I served in Germanian for years before a superior officer framed me for one his screw ups and I was arrested but I escaped and was forced to flee the country. Why does it matter" explain Frederick with anger in his voice.
"Your skilled and determined you could have easily made a living doing honest work yet you sink to this why" asked Peter.
"Your joking right I didn't spend years training my magic to just fade into mediocrity I'll build a fortune and use it to get revenge on those that framed me and your not going to stand in my way" said Frederick.
"I'm not trying to stand in your way, I just want my sister and the others back" Peter replied.
"If you want them that badly then take them any ransom I'd get from them isn't worth have my whole operation destroyed so take them and leave the loot we seized and go and talk to the mercenaries you hired with you" Frederick offered.
"Fine" said Peter sheathing his sword as Fredrick put away his wand. "Let the women go and let them walk" Frederick ordered. His men obeyed releasing the women and backing away.
As Peter and girls walked away Frederick thought to himself (The day will come when you'll regret not killing here today boy).
Vallière Estate regular POV
Karin de la Vallière was not a happy woman at the moment as she sat in her chair sipping tea her thoughts lingered back on the events of the last few years which had been especially hard on her family it all started when her youngest summon a strange familiar not an animal or magical beast as was the norm but a person of all things.
It shouldn't have been all that surprising considering how odd her magic was but it was what came after that things began to go downhill. It took less than a day for the familiar to repel and flee.
After that louise was kicked out of the academy after all a mage that could control ones familiar could hardly be called a mage at all. Soon after that Louise ran off to Albion with that traitor of a fiance of hers on some mission from the princess and has been held hostage by Reconquista ever since.
They had been using the girl's connection to the influential Vallière family and the crown to pressure Tristan.
And to make matters worse her other daughter Cattleya's health had been getting progressively worse. As she was mulling these events her Butler Brom interrupted.
"Duchess, I'm terribly sorry to disturb you but there is a matter of utmost importance that requires your attention.
"No it's fine go ahead" said Karin in calm even voice not at all like turbulent raging voice in her head.
"A man named Joseph is her to see you about a murder" said Brom gravely.
Chapter End
Author's note: If you liked the chapter or have any suggestions please let me know in a review.