Note: We're progressing along!
Also, I'm kinda expanding and sort of changing the roles of the Benevodons that'll be expanded on later. Given that it's a video game (one from the era of 90s RPGS), some things couldn't be expanded as much as they probably could've been, but I couldn't help but go through with this idea I had with them, as well as direct connections with the Elemental Spirits, so that'll come into play later.
Also, sorry if the characters are seeming a little bland at the moment. I'm trying to get their traits to shine through despite the situations, yet sometimes things need to be subdued to show how serious things are at times.
The events listed here are meant to take place relatively around the same time, give or take a few hours between each other.
The Golden Road
Outside of Maia rested the connection point that went through the entire realm of the kingdom, linking it the port town of Beiser and eventually, the heart of Valsena itself. The trade route was constructed and laid out with cobblestone since long before the Valsenan soldier could ever remember, it having origins long before maybe even the kingdom of Valsena was formed. Merchants and anyone that had goods to sell traveled down this linking road, taking things to and fro from every corner of the established area of the kingdom, so eventually, due to it leading to the exchange of items and thus, the exchange of money, the branching, linking walkway came to be known as The Golden Road.
The area in general, despite the trail being relatively easy to keep track of and travel on, the surrounding land was very mountainous and bore high places of rock and very little trees. It wasn't barren and dry, the area quite covered in greenery and had several small creeks and rivers scattered throughout. Still, if one wanted to go exploring, they would've needed to do quite a bit of climbing and some dangerous maneuvers to get higher.
Should one go southwest and follow the branching path that way, they would've come across the secondary main city of Beiser that served as the secondary entrance and exit out of the realm. It bore less space and no bazaar in comparison to that of Maia, yet should one make the trip and stay the night, they would find something that would far outclass that of any stand in all of Maia. Albeit, what they would find there was hidden from the light of day for a reason.
Yet for the two (technically three) traveling on said road, their destination was north. And one of them wasn't exactly, despite wishing to get this whole 'Mana Sword' business off his shoulders, eager to go.
He hadn't accomplished what he had set out to do. He hadn't yet received full strength to beat back against that damned wizard.
And now, here he was, ultimately going back with his tail between his legs. "I keep telling you, you're not going to simply be able to do this." yet it wasn't due to the reason that he would have foreseen.
"I still don't understand why you couldn't have just spared a few lucre." though that would only be if he survived the trip.
"A 'few lucre' would've been hundreds, hell, possibly thousands!" the soldier argued back. "And where were you going to keep all that stuff anyway?"
"You've got muscles, you could hold a thing or two!" Angela retorted.
"While you only held one or two. Or none at all."
The magician went silent at that. "Well...well, I could've just went with one thing!"
"Somehow, I doubt that."
"Yes I could've!" the young woman spat back. "You...you…" she then groaned and folded her arms. "You could've just lent me some cash to have something."
Duran let out a breath and turned away, having more on his mind than Angela simply wanting to empty his pockets of what little money was left that was mainly spent on the boat trip to Jadd. So much had happened since then, much of which was not what he or anyone else that he had met along the way had in mind. "You know…" a part of him groaned when he heard the winged woman inhabiting him speak up. "It isn't going to work."
"Look," Duran began. "It's simple. King Richard can simply take you. And even more, the Valsenan Guard can help accomplish what you need to do."
"But I can't bond with anyone else!" Faerie argued. "I can't just go into someone else's body! I keep telling you this!"
"And I keep telling you that I'm NOT going off on some quest like what you have in mind!" the young man was growing angry, clenching his fists. Then, he tried to simmer down, taking in air through clenched teeth. "Look, it's...it's going to be better this way. I get why you did what you did, and if you just said that you were dying, I would've taken you in. But this...no. I'm not taking this on. I'm sorry. I just can't." Just like he couldn't find the path to strength that he had set out to do. Indeed, since this whole trip started, things seemed to have been going wrong since day one. And it was all that Crimson Wizard's fault...where that bastard was now, Duran had no idea. Yet when King Richard would take care of this...when he was completely healed up of course, then he could resume his initial quest to better strengthen himself. After all, if the world had been going good so far, then surely a few weeks...maybe a month or two wouldn't hurt it. Despite what Faerie said, Mana couldn't deplete itself THAT fast. And when King Richard did take over, then...well...then he could continue with his own journey. 'I'll finish what I set out to do. This...this is just a mild setback.' Duran told himself, the fact he was going back despite his vow still tearing at his chest. He reached up and held the hilt of his father's sword tightly in his hand. 'I WILL get stronger. Come literal hell or high water. Or both. I WILL succeed.'
He said no more, Faerie having given up, once again, trying to talk to him. 'Lumina,' she groaned, conversing with the Light Spirit, keeping her thoughts to herself and speaking to him via a separate telepathy link. 'Are humans usually this stubborn?'
'Hate to tell ya, honey, but this is kinda par for the course with them.' he said with a nervous chuckle. 'But you've gotta understand. Their lives are infinitely shorter than ours, so their priorities usually don't involve things like saving the world.'
'Still...they could at least understand that Mana's depletion means that everyone in the world will be affected, including them.'
'Humans usually don't understand the depth of the relations between Mana and the world either.' Lumina continued. 'And they, unfortunately, have forgotten just what the Benevodons are capable of.' his usually chipper voice grew grim, Faerie feeling the dread radiating off of the representative of the Light that was tied to the universal life force of Mana. 'After all, any creature that were there to see the true destruction they wrought on the world are now dead. The entire world that was when they were free is dead.'
Faerie went silent at that. True, while her existence had, at least by mortal's standards, been long, she could never hope to compare with that of an Elemental Spirit. They were here since the beginning, or rather, at least near the beginning of the world. And how long that beginning was, no one but them knew. Yet now, should time pass on even further, the closer and closer the world drew to maybe seeing just what destruction had occurred in those days.
Angela was still huffing as they went along, crossing her arms and grumbling to herself. Just one thing, that was all! She wouldn't do any more than that, she promised! Well...ok, maybe adding another one or two, but still! And Duran was so insensitive about it either, going on about how she was wasting HIS time and how HE had to be somewhere and he didn't have time to WAIT on her, so either she was coming, or he would up and leave her there. The nerve of him! Didn't he know who she was?!
Well, perhaps that was still best left unsaid, remembering well the aggression in his eyes when he brought up the Crimson Wizard, of whom she was certain was Koren. She didn't bother to ask, but she assumed that, given that, Duran's general opinion on Altena as a whole wasn't too positive. Goddess only knew what he'd think if he found out what relation she had to them. Still, her mind wandered back to the expansive, noise filled bazaar she had been dragged away from. Despite being dragged from it so suddenly (and Duran going Goddess knew where, someone mentioned something about some 'crazy midget'), she found herself lamenting that she had to leave. Buy anything or not, it was invigorating to even be in such a place. And one could buy whatever they wanted? And have no eyes leering at them from well dressed, high ranking members of the staff and guard? Well, perhaps she would garner some eyes (especially given what a needle and thread and a pair of shears had gotten her in designing her own clothing), it would've been better to have their eyes upon her than those of her home.
Especially from a pair of cold, green eyes that rested in a mask of still beauty.
Angela looked down at her attire, the sun feeling good on her bare skin. Not exactly the attire of the heir to the throne (or rather, 'former' heir by now), as said by Jose, Victor, and essentially on the minds of everyone but they were too afraid to say it. Still though, what could they do? She had grown used to lectures and disapproval, having had many years of it to build up her tolerance. At least, that's what she told herself. She had crafted this piece of work from a rather ornate dress delivered to the castle all the way from Valsena itself, yet, like everything else that went through the gates, it was all the same: constricting, tight, and overall, suffocating. So, she made a few (ok, a lot of) adjustments. She still remembered the gasps of shock she received upon arriving at dinner. Of which she got none of, her mother practically seething when she laid eyes upon her.
Oh well. Food that night was too fattening anyway. At least, that's what she told herself.
"What's up with you?" Faerie asked, noticing the young woman deep in thought.
"Nothing." Angela responded. "Just...stuff."
"What kind of stuff?" the winged woman questioned.
"Just that. Stuff." Angela repeated. "Nothing you'd get." she continued on, passing the fluttering, tiny woman.
"Maybe I would…" she muttered to herself, retreating back into Duran.
RUSTLE RUSTLE
At least, she would've, had not something in one of the numerous bushes that lined the yellowed, aged pathway they traveled on caught her attention.
"What the-" Duran began, silencing himself as the noises continued. Rustling was heard all around, Angela drawing closer to him, gripping her staff. He grabbed his sword, ready to draw it out at any time. Whatever it was, it was drawing closer, just nearly here…
A head popped out, everyone's eyes widening at what was before them.
A small, rodent-like creature with large, brown eyes and small buck teeth looked upon the two humans, tilting its head in curiosity. Large, almost cat-like ears poked out from a large, orange hood and tilted, the creature approaching closer until it exited the bush altogether. It wore a green robe and had a long, bushy tail. It seemed to be an amalgamation of several animals, yet bore an overall babyish look.
"Aw, a Chobin Hood!" Angela cooed. "It's cute!"
Duran only lifted his brow. "What's a Chobin Hood doing all the way out here?" the creatures were more suited to forested or plain like areas. To see them be so close to such heavily populated areas seemed like rather bizarre behavior.
"Wait a minute…" Angela then said, the warmth brought by the creature's cute appearance dying down. Then, she began looking around.
"What is it?" Faerie asked, confused.
"Chobin Hoods rarely travel alone." the young woman answered quietly. "This guy's friends must be-"
RUSTLE
Just then, several heads popped out from the bushes, dozens of rodent-like creatures popping up and gazing upon the duo, Faerie having made herself scarce the moment they all came up.
"Nearby."
Indeed, they were. And from how they then raised their bows and arrows in their direction, it seemed they weren't too happy about intruders being in their newfound territory.
Ruins of Astoria
The duo of hellriders flew high above the charred remains of the once peaceful community by the lake, keen eyes surveying for any sign of their targets below. The language barrier between them and their handlers made communication difficult, yet some things were universal, such as what to look for and when ample potential prey was to be found. But their searches were more specific this time. They had four to look out for, four to hunt down. And, should they find them, four that they were to bring back.
Sometime Later
"Are they gone?" Ralph asked his mother, Elisa looking out to see no large, dark shapes in the sky. She nodded.
"It's all right!" she shouted, though only loud enough for everyone to hear. "They're gone!"
Everyone emerged from their hiding places, some in the bushes and trees, others from the ruined structures that still, somehow, miraculously stood. The people gave one last look at the sky to make sure, and while they were assured by the red haired woman's words, they still proceeded with caution. From another hiding place, ironically under the bridge that they had hidden under when they first retreated here, Riesz and Hawkeye looked out to see the residents of the once intact town mainly wandering around aimlessly and looking upon the torn down, ruined establishments and homes that they used to dwell in. Might as well, seeing as there was little else to do. There were some scrounging for potential items and food that hopefully didn't get destroyed, some salvaging a few unbroken pumpkins from the fields, but aside from that, everyone seemed to be at a standstill.
"Not a pretty picture, is it?" they looked back towards the old man that had owned the underground bunker.
"No, it isn't." Hawkeye sighed, the sight of all of this making his blood boil.
"Just what manner of creatures are those?" Riesz questioned, looking to the skies where the birds previously flew.
"Hellriders." Kevin answered, having emerged from his hiding spot. "Cousins of Helldivers. Only bred to be bigger."
"Well, yeah, they ARE that." the violet haired thief answered.
Kevin nodded. "Beastmen made them through selective breeding. And feeding them a lot of testosterone rich meat." since they had arrived in the ruined village, both the thief and princess noticed that the young beastman kept his eyes from looking too long at the damage, mainly staying by the edge of the lake. "You know," he began. "Maybe...we can go to Mintas." he suggested.
"Where's that?" Riesz questioned.
"It's in...Ferolia." Kevin realized just what he was suggesting, as well as how it'd definitely be a no go. "But...but it's just a farming village." he said, trying to find some sort of hope in what he had said. "And someone there knows me. She's got a Chocobo, and-"
"That's great and all," Hawkeye interrupted, then gesturing to the lake. "But just how far are you wanting us to swim?"
Oh, yeah. There was that. "Swimming's easy though!" Kevin then said. "Just kick and move your arms." he then did the motions.
"Oh no, it's super easy." Hawkeye agreed. "For a few feet. We're talking miles and miles of water."
"...oh. Y-Yeah…" the golden haired young man sighed. It only proved that he didn't entirely think this suggestion through. Sure, he could do it, but there was a vast difference between the endurance of his kind and that of a mere human. And even then, his transport outright told him to take a boat, he having technically only swam halfway across the lake. "Though…" he tried to think of something else. "Maybe...we can build rafts?"
Riesz sighed and shook her head. "Whatever condition or temperament of the…'people' of Mintas may be, it'd still be heading right into enemy territory. I'm sorry, but it's out of the question." Kevin lowered his head, mentally kicking himself for not thinking of any of the aforementioned things.
"Speaking of," Hawkeye suddenly spoke up. "What are you doing here anyway if you're not with the other guys?"
Kevin immediately stiffened, his sharpened teeth biting down hard on his lip. "I...I'm here for a friend."
"What kind of friend?" the thief questioned, yet Kevin began to back away a bit. "Oh. Sorry. I didn't mean anything by it." Kevin jumped a bit from suddenly feeling a hand on his shoulder. "Truth be told, I'm here for a friend too."
"Y-You are?" Kevin asked, still feeling the re-emergence of emotions he had been fighting to repress since he had come here.
"Yeah." Hawkeye replied, then turning to Riesz. "And she's here for a lot of friends."
"Rather bold to assume what I'm here for." the blonde young woman stated matter-of-factly. "But...yes. I'm here at the behest of Laurent." it was unintentional, yet she tightened her lips when she glanced at Hawkeye. True, it was clear he had nothing to do with any of what occurred there, yet she couldn't help but remain cautious. The same went for this 'Kevin' character, despite his rather contrary nature from what they had all seen from the other beastmen. Yet from what she had seen from his dealings with that rock thrower, his strength couldn't be questioned.
"Hey, you can drop the whole careful act." Hawkeye said aloud, Riesz, to her misfortune, unable to hide her true feelings. "Isn't it obvious that this guy isn't all bad?"
Riesz remained silent, staring at Kevin as if she were observing some strange new specimen. "I don't believe he is." she clarified. "Nor do I you."
"Watch." Hawkeye then whispered to Kevin. "She's gonna be all, but…"
"But,"
"Called it."
Riesz raised a brow. "But," she repeated. "I can't simply ignore all that's been done either. For now, you have my trust, yet bear in mind." she stated, tone smooth but firm. "I admit to being a discriminating sort in some matters."
Hawkeye was about to speak again, only to hear someone cry out. "Hey, you!" the old hermit shouted, having been keeping Charlotte and Mick down in the bunker and out of the open. "Get back here!"
The three looked back to see the nearly naked mayor running away with what appeared to be an apple in his mouth, being chased by the balding old timer that had greeted Riesz and Hawkeye when they first retreated here. "Heh." the thief chuckled. "Strip him, light a fire and put some honey on him, and he'd be good to put on a skewer."
"What is going on now?" Riesz sighed, turning to assess the situation, only to see the old man leap and actually catch the bearded official, causing him to plummet to the ground and releasing several fruit and vegetables from his overly stuffed pants.
"Finally caught you, thief!" the old man growled, the Mayor of Jadd looking back at him.
"I'm no thief!" he argued back. "You said anybody could help themselves to your stash!"
"Yeah, as in, help themselves to ONE helping! Not five! You've eaten enough for the whole day!"
"I've been down in that cell for days! I need to have something!"
"I thought you said that they actually fed you!"
"Well...yeah, they did! But it was-" the Mayor paused, realizing that three pairs of eyes were looking down at him. Two of which were heavily narrowed while one was mainly confused. Though it was the other two youths he was most concerned with. "Uh oh."
Outside Maia
Golden Road
"Eeee!"
"Don't just stand there! Move it!" Duran commanded, blocking a few incoming arrows with his shield.
"I'm going as fast as I can!" Angela shot back, letting out another yelp as a small, yet rapidly traveling arrow flew in her direction. The two were running forward, the party of small rodent-like archers pursuing them, firing at will and when they ran out of arrows, grabbing more that were on the ground from their fellow Chobin Hoods to fire back at the two humans. "What's their deal?!" Angela cried out, ducking as another projectile flew over her head.
"Hell if I know!" Duran answered, continuing to raise up his shield to deflect the arrows. "These guys aren't even supposed to be here this far!"
"I wonder what brought them down here then." Faerie answered from within her host, wincing when an arrow grazed the young man's cheek. "Oooh! Watch out!"
"It's not like you can't do something, you know!" Duran said, ducking.
"Uh, uh! No way!" Faerie said back. "I'm not going out there!"
"Can't you at least, I don't know, gah!" Duran was interrupted by yet another arrow just barely striking him in the head. "Fly around them, or teleport them away or something?!"
"I don't have that kind of power!" the winged woman answered. "Watch out!"
Just then, both he and Angela stopped, a large wall of rock in front of him, unable to stop himself before he ran right into it. The young woman with him couldn't help but release a snort, yet the humor was short lived as collective, high pitched snarls and chitters were heard, both of them turning around to see that they were surrounded.
"Then what about Lumina?!" Duran then asked, violet eyes surveying the mob before them and trying to find some sort of way out.
Angela said nothing, though she saw the Chobin Hoods beginning to grow confused, looking at each other as if pondering who the male human was talking to. Some scratched their heads and shrugged. She also believed she saw one make a swirling motion with its furry, clawed finger as if telling its friend that this guy was coo coo in the head.
"Can't exactly do that." Lumina then said, letting his voice be heard by both Duran and Angela. "But," though he was unseen, the young magician felt his eyes center on her. "The little lady here might be able to make use of me."
"What do you mean 'make use of you'?" Angela questioned. But then, she remembered. Back in Jadd when they were making their escape.
"Why can't you just do something on your own?" Duran asked, still looking for some sort of potential way they could deal with these rats.
"Well...thing is, we spirits kinda reside in a different dimension, where we go whenever you guys don't need us at the moment. In essence, you have to summon us once you get our permission to make use of our powers."
"Wait...what?" the young man raised a brow. "The hell kind of sense does that make?"
"You can't just expect us to stick around ALL the time!" Lumina told him plainly. "I mean, yeah, we're always kinda around, but we gotta go somewhere to have some downtime! If I've learned anything, serving humans can take a lot out of somebody. I'm still feeling a bit of the aches from the last time I had to tag along with a rag-tag group."
Duran groaned, Angela only raising a brow. "Ok, fine." she then said. "Then how do we…'make use of you'?"
Lumina then giggled. How he could've giggled at a time like this escaped both of them. At least when Duran ran into the rock wall, it was at least somewhat funny, Angela thought. "You, little lady, can utilize my power."
"How?"
"You must channel it."
"Yeah, I get that. How though?" she got little else out as she saw the tip of an arrow head dangerously close to her, the Chobin Hood aiming for right between her eyes.
"Hey, c'mon, work with me! How?!"
"Channel my power, hun!" Lumina said. "Feel my energy flowing through you!" Angela grabbed her staff and held it outward.
"Ok, back off, rats!" she bellowed. "Otherwise I'll destroy you all!" the Chobin Hoods only looked to each other, then back at her. They still held their bows and arrows, ready to fire, yet they were befuddled as to what she meant. "I mean it!" Angela began to concentrate, closing her eyes and straining.
"Feel my energy…" Lumina told her. "Channel it through your staff."
"I…" Angela strained. "I'm trying…" her grip on the staff grew tighter, her knuckles turning white from underneath her gloves. 'C'mon...c'mon.' she inwardly begged. 'Do something! Anything!' she strained and groaned, her arms and legs trembling. 'Please!'
"Feel it!" Lumina told her. "You're trying too hard!"
'What?! What do you mean I'm trying too hard?!'
"You're applying too much pressure!"
"I-I don't get it!" Angela said aloud. "You're not making any sense!" Just what was she doing wrong?!
"Oh, hell with this!" Duran shouted, having had enough. Lunging forward, he slashed his sword as several arrows were shot in their direction.
Rabite Forest
He couldn't help that he was hungry! He remembered well the faces he received when he had been found out, especially those of those three kids.
'Haven't you got enough in there, big guy?' that one kid said, the one with the purple hair. The urge to up and tackle him was strong, yet the Mayor (or rather, former Mayor) of Jadd found that it simply wasn't worth it. He wasn't afraid to admit that he'd get his ass whooped in a good minute or so, possibly a few seconds, but also because, frankly, all of this was too much.
Here he had been, going about the business of the town, collecting annual taxes (which may or may not have been just a LITTLE higher than last year's, his mind sort of slipped on that), and overall doing his job (of which he DID do, despite what anyone said otherwise). Then, out of nowhere, these furry freaks up and crash into the place and turn everything upside down! They tore though the city's defenses, invaded his manor, stripped him down (why they did that still escaped him), and then threw him in the cellar! What did that purple haired kid know? He had been down there for a good while! And...well, yeah, he was fed, but it was this nasty slop that they probably fed those large birds or hounds that they had with them. No, they probably fed those things better than they fed him. He refused to eat it, his palette FAR more refined than whatever they were giving him. Which only led to them only providing him with water, and even that was just enough. And even more, it was in a little bowl, as if he were some sort of dog! He remembered one of them making a jab at him that he'd look good with a collar around his neck.
'Like that damn kid would know anything. Kinda looks shady himself…' the bearded man thought, leaning back against a tree. He had taken to retreating outside of the ruined Astoria for some air, as well as to get away. He knew the townspeople hated him now...but what did they know? Did they even know who he was? He was the one that kept up their lives of comfort! All they had to do was just provide a reasonable amount of lucre (give or take a hundred or so), and he'd make sure that no outside threats came their way. Which….they did anyway, but how was he supposed to know that they would come from the air?! None of this was his fault, and here he was, being treated like a criminal!
It just wasn't fair…
"Hey." the Mayor turned to see a brown haired boy standing by there, looking up at him. "Whatcha doing out here?"
The bearded man sighed. "Just...thinking is all." he responded. "What are YOU doing out here, kid?"
"Just...kinda wanted to get out." the child said. "It's boring hiding all the time."
'Well, I can kinda relate to that, kid. Being all cooped up isn't any fun.' the bearded man only hummed. "But shouldn't you be getting back?"
"I just got here though." the child retorted.
"Your mom's probably gonna get worried." 'And then blame me for it.'
"Ralph!" both of them heard another voice, this one belonging to a blue haired boy coming their direction. "What do you think you're doing? Your mom's worried sick!"
'See?' the Mayor thought.
"I didn't go too far. See?" Ralph pointed to the sign that directed to Astoria one way and Wendel the other. "Sign's right there.
"Hey." the Mayor suddenly said. "You...you're one of those kids that beastman had with him."
"Yeah. Mick." Mick said, gesturing to himself.
"You should get back too." the bearded man said. He was not up for getting into even more trouble with anybody else.
"Hey, I only came out to find him." the blue haired boy said. "Why'd you come out here, anyway?"
"I don't know." Ralph shrugged his shoulders. "I was bored. And, well," he looked to the Mayor. "You looked kinda bummed out after, you know…"
Wait a minute, the bearded man thought. "You came out here...to check up on me?"
"Well...yeah. Guess so." the brown haired boy shrugged again. "I mean…"
"Wait." Mick suddenly said, eyes darting around. "You hear that?"
The bearded man and Ralph looked around, confused. "No. Why?" the Mayor said aloud.
"Exactly." Mick then said. Indeed, when they listened closer, neither the man nor the other boy could hear anything out in the woods, even if they hadn't gone too far from the town. No crickets chirping, no sign of any Rabites hopping around or chewing on grass, no sign of any of the natural fauna going around and about their business. They seemed to either go quiet or hide from sight, perhaps both.
Sensing danger as well, they all looked around, trying to spy something. Nothing seemed to be lurking on the ground or in the trees, or whatever was spooking everything was just good at hiding.
Though, unknown to them, the true danger lied in what was above. Said danger having spotted them and then swooped down, the two children in its piercing, golden eyes.
Astoria
"Maybe...you were too hard on him?" Kevin suggested, his sights still on the exit of the town. While he was still allowed to be amongst the residents here, it was only due to him being in the company of the two here, as well as the testimonies of Charlotte and Mick. Yet even then, he could tell that his presence here wasn't received warmly. Either he received passing glares or no looks at all, those people outright refusing to acknowledge him at all.
"Too hard? More like not hard enough." Hawkeye told the beastman directly, his usual ease and laid back demeanor completely gone. "Kevin, people like that have had everything handed to them throughout their whole lives. You think that he gives a second thought about taking all that food? Let alone anyone here?" the thief gestured to the crowd in the ruined lakeside village.
"But, still…" Kevin began, rather conflicted on the whole thing. If anything, he was more or less looking for a reason for the humans here to hate him less.
"I've seen people like him before." Hawkeye continued. "Guys like him have it good because they step on others to get there. They don't have any concern over anything but what's in their pockets and, in many cases, bellies. That's why all these kingdoms and monarchies function. Some fat cat's up at the top while they drain and sponge off the work of the little guys. And he might go under the label of 'Mayor', yet he's been living like a king, I guarantee it. It'd be different if he took just one apple, but several?" the thief huffed. "People like that make me love my job."
"So, you enjoy the art of thievery?" Both young men turned to see Riesz standing there, arms folded over her chest.
"When it's guys like that? Yeah, pretty much." Hawkeye admitted. Hey, he wasn't going to beat around the bush with it, seeing the looks on those classy rich folks when their undeserved riches got stolen was one of the most satisfying aspects of the job. Granted, ideally, that wasn't what was supposed to happen, yet whenever it did, he wouldn't lie in saying he reveled in it.
"And you wonder why I'm wary of you." the young woman shook her head and sighed. Yet that was as far as she went, turning back and walking away to the shoreline of the lake. She didn't appear to be angered, yet rather deep in thought. Simply put, Hawkeye couldn't help himself, inching closer towards her without drawing her attention. "Maybe we could...no, no. That wouldn't work." she was mumbling something to herself, half sentences and statements that somehow seemed to all relate to the same subject. What that subject was, he was unsure.
"Care to share?" he said, only to yelp when he got the edge of a lance mere inches from his neck.
Riesz groaned as she drew her weapon back. "Don't do that!" she chided. "I could've sliced your head clean off."
"Nah, I doubt you would've been that fast." Hawkeye shook his head, smiling. "Course, if you actually want to go for a spar, I'd be fine with that."
"That means something else in your mind and you know it."
"Ah!" Hawkeye gasped as if offended. "Dear me! What do you take me for? Some sort of deviant?"
"I'm not sure. Though given you've already admitted to enjoying your…'profession', you could perhaps be capable of anything." Riesz told him plainly.
"Aw, now you're just hurting my feelings." the thief whimpered, though he couldn't stop the smile on his face. Still, fun or not, it wasn't exactly why he approached her. "Anyway, you seemed rather deep in conversation with no one in particular."
It was then that, to his surprise (and subsequent delight), he saw a small blush come to the young woman's cheeks.
"Oh no, you heard that?" she asked, clearly embarrassed.
"You mind sharing, or is it private?"
Riesz was silent for a moment, pondering on her next move. Truthfully, she saw no harm in simply alerting him as to what she was thinking, even if she'd yet to come up with a sound solution to it. Though as she opened her mouth to speak-
"HELP!"
Everyone's attention was drawn to the entrance of the town, the Mayor running in and falling to his knees, clearly out of breath. People began to gather around, Kevin seeing Charlotte emerging from the bunker and running over to see what was going on. The beastman gently took her by the shoulder and held her back, sensing that something dire had happened. Riesz and Hawkeye approached the fallen man. "What's going on?" the amazon questioned. "What happened?"
"Those...those birds!" he choked out, trying to get in some air.
"What birds…" Elisa began, only to realize what he meant, eyes widening in horror. "Where is he? Whe're Ralph? Did you see him?!"
"And whewe's Mick?!" Charlotte shouted, able to hear everything and trying to fight Kevin to get closer.
The Mayor of Jadd was quiet, only lowering his head. No words were said, yet it was clear to everyone, to their collective horror, what had just happened.
The Golden Road
The swipe of the sword sent the lot of them back, knocking some of them off their feet. Nevertheless, this only allowed the Chobin Hoods near the back of the group to come forward and take off where their brethren started.
"C'mon!" Duran shouted, Angela and he climbed up one of the ridges that led to their destination. True, they would have followed the road there, yet given the circumstances, that was out of the question now.
Or rather, Duran climbed up, Angela had to be pulled up each time another ledge came up. "I'm going as fast as I can!" she said, hoisting herself up only to slip and he once again went over to keep her from falling. "Hey, give me a break!" she said, seeing his frustration. "I'm not used to stuff like this!"
"Probably not any physical activity." he said aloud. "How do you even manage to keep yourself at that weight?" it wasn't said out of maliciousness, yet just him saying his thoughts aloud. Still, it was only afterward did he realize that such a thing probably should've been kept to himself.
"How dare you!" Angela snarled, face turning red.
'Wow, don't you know to never mention a woman's weight?' Faerie told him. 'I've never been around humans, and even I know that!'
"Not exactly a good time!" Duran said, the Chobin Hoods coming closer and closer. He practically grabbed Angela by the collar of her necklace and dragged her up further, nearly at the top.
"Hey-ow! Ow, ow, ow! Cut it out! I can't breathe!" He let her go and seized her wrist instead, pulling her up. Just nearly there!
They ducked as another slew of arrows came their way, one grazing Duran's cheek, yet still, he persisted. Finally reaching the top, he and Angela made a dash for the entrance of the cavern before them. Though they didn't have to rest, hearing the hoard coming. And soon enough, a good few of them climbed up, their large eyes boring into theirs.
Only...they didn't move.
A few in the front took a small step, yet immediately drew back, looking around, caution coming to their rodent-like features. They turned back and chittered to themselves, then, to everyone's surprise, humans, faeries, and elementals alike, they all scurried off, not even trying to go through the entrance of the cavern. Soon, they all disappeared from sight, leaving everyone on their lonesome.
"Ok...what was that about?" Angela questioned, Duran having no answers.
Still, they were close now. Just a small distance away was the bridge. And from there, their passage into the kingdom.
A passage in where Duran had to swallow that...for now, he had failed.
Note: Next up is, of course, the battle on the bridge. I'll admit that, probably for some time, I'm going to be focusing on this fic, as both it was made when the remake came out, and that it's getting pretty good traction thus far. Again, thank you guys so much! Tensions rise for Angela and Duran in the next chapter, so please stay tuned!