Chapter 11

"Uncle Minami! Uncle Minami! Tell me the lore of the five ancient beasts again," a young Ryoutarou exclaimed, running towards the owner of the antique store as he was closing his shop.

Minami chuckled and lifted the boy of 6 years into his arms, "Of course, Ryou my boy. How was your training today?"

"I managed to beat down two guys twice my age with my wooden sword! Though," Ryoutarou pouted, "I wished Kaho-chan was there."

Minami pinched the blushing cheeks of his favourite customer, earning a shout of protest from the child. Carrying his satchel in one hand and the lad in another, they made their way back home.

"Tell me the story again, Uncle Minami." Ryoutarou pleaded with big, puppy eyes. Smiling warmly, Minami began the story as the marketplace bustled about them.

"Long ago, before the time Eva even settled on this land, before the existence of humans and fae, there lived five ancient beasts who roamed the lands freely. No one knows how or where they came from but they were beings of the Old Lands, the last of their time.

One being was in the shape of the lion, his mane casting warm and bright sun rays onto the fields. The very roar of León can be heard at the beginning of every summer throughout Seiso, across the Four Seas to all the nations. People born during the days of León's roar are brave, daring, and great warriors."

"Like me!" Ryoutarou proclaimed proudly.

"Yes, like you, Ryou." Minami smiled warmly. As the sun sets behind them, the older man continued:

"The one who soared the skies was a beautiful dark raven named Hrafn. Her feathers shone like the night skies full of stars, her eyes held the thoughts and wishes of men and fae alike. It's said those who possessed even a barb of her feathers gain the knowledge of the world, becoming the wisest being across the entire universe.

If Hrafn was the being of the air, Pēṭjar ruled over the earth. A creature the shape of a wolf but the features of a mouse burrows beneath the ground we stand on. She has been a symbol of plentiful harvest, with many of us offering her our first produce at the holes and crooks around the valleys, forests, and streams. In return, she blesses us with plentiful food to last through the cold winters."

"Now, the scary ones," Ryoutarou whispered, in fear the ancient beasts would come after him in his sleep.

Arriving at their home, Minami set the young Ryou on a wooden stool as he took his seat by the fireplace. The smell of warm stew and fresh bread flooded the house, indicating the presence of the busy women in the kitchen. Ruffling the boy's hair affectionately, Minami carried on:

"When there's light, there is darkness. A balance is needed to keep the flow of time. Ormr was a giant serpent, its body presumed to stretch across the Four Seas. Some believed its head is the very peaks of the Salji Mountains. When León carries his blessings to warriors, Ormr brings curses to the guilty. He has never played the villain but more of a judge. However, seeing as a lot of people use Ormr as a figure to scare children into behaving, it has given him a bad name."

"I know that, but he's big. And looks scary from the books I read." Ryoutarou pouted.

"That's how we flawed humans see him as. There is no need to fear him at all, young Ryou. Remember that León and Ormr are good friends and whoever carries the blessings of León, is welcomed by Ormr."

"Dinner's ready, boys." Ryoutarou's mother called cheerfully. Minami promptly got up and gestured towards the pouting boy to head to the kitchen even though their storytelling was promptly cut short.

Giving Ryoutarou one last ruffle, the man whispered:

"I will continue later. Time to eat up, Ryou."

Ryoutarou promptly kneeled and began chanting in the Old Tongue. Thanks to Mistress Soqov's guidance, he learnt the Ancient Language only known to a few. A temporary protection spell was what he needed now against the ongoing onslaught of worms. He hugged Sarafina close to him as the worms surrounded his shield, engulfing them into darkness once more.

Then, they were moving. It seemed like the tiny creatures were taking them down an unknown path. Ryoutarou can only pray to Eva that it's to where Mizue had gone to.

After a few moments of silence and the occasional bumping, they stopped. Slowly, cracks of light ebbed into their vision as the worms dropped off and scurried off whence they came. They were in a makeshift throne room; a clear glass of water surrounded the throne with moss-covered steps leading towards it. At the foot of the throne laid the person they had been looking for - Mizue.

"Mizue!" Ryoutarou exclaimed and rushed towards her. Before he could step onto the moss steps, roots from the ground twisted around his lower limbs, halting him mid-run.

"What?" The man struggled against the roots. Unsheathing his blade, he cut the roots off but they held on tight, and more came to twine itself around him.

"Don't struggle, master. Those are thornapples. The more you struggle, the stronger their grip." Saraphina explained. Relaxing and putting away his blade, Ryoutarou felt the roots slowly retreating, clearing a path for him towards the throne. He walked forward slowly but surely, keeping his eyes on Mizue as he made his way towards her.

Once they reached Mizue, Ryoutarou promptly scooped her up into his arms. Hugging her tight, Ryoutarou whispered her name like a silent prayer as he stroked her hair tenderly.

"My, my. Such a tender caress from a warrior. Tell me," a deep and chilled voice sounded from Mizue's lips. Ryoutarou and Saraphina stilled in shock as Mizue turned and smiled eerily, her once sea-green eyes were etched black like a never-ending abyss of darkness, peered at him.

Getting up and sitting on the throne, she continued: "What is this woman to you, warrior?"

"What have you done with her?!" Ryoutarou bellowed. As he swiftly unsheathed his sword, the thornapples came back with a snap of Mizue's fingers and grasp onto him tightly. Even when Ryoutarou stilled, the roots have yet to release him. Saraphina was helpless as she too was trapped by the roots.

Grinning like a cat that ate the canary, Mizue chuckled. The icy voice continued with a tilt of her head:

"Why, nothing. She was already dead when I came to her."

The air left his lungs as if someone punched him in the gut and proceeded to remove them forcibly with no anaesthetic. His skin paled to the shade akin to the snow of the mountain, his voice barely a whisper as his mind tried to comprehend what the creature wearing Mizue's face had said.

"She's… she's dead?"

Shaking his head in denial, Ryoutarou struggled against the thornapples as they tightened their hold on him, close to cutting off the circulations to his limbs.

"IMPOSSIBLE! She had been with us all this time! There's no way she's dead! You're a liar, whatever bastard creature you are!"

A root promptly wrapped itself across his mouth, gagging him shut. 'Mizue' frowned, clearly displeased with how the man had addressed her.

"Watch your language and tone, boy. You shall show respect in my presence."

Saraphina eyed the 'Mizue' standing in front of them warily. She knew something was off when Mizue returned and now she knew why. If what this being said was true, then the worst had happened to the young heiress of the Salji Wolves and she has a notion who's the person wearing Mizue's face. The fairy blinked back the tears that threatened to fall at the thought of the young girl dying all alone within these cold caves.

"Hmm… it seems like your little companion understands the truth of what I said," 'Mizue' smirked, "would you like to tell your master the truth then?"

Ryoutarou eyed Saraphina from the corner of his eye, pleading with her to tell him it was a lie. The fairy could only shake her head in sadness as the truth finally dawned upon her chosen.

Chuckling merrily, 'Mizue' sat back on the throne and played with the necklace hanging around her neck. A dainty chain holding a sabretooth shaped into a teardrop. Smiling at her captives, 'Mizue' started:

"Well, since I'm in such a good mood, and it's been so long since I've had any guests. Let me introduce myself officially by showing my more… humane form then."

In an instant, like a puppet snapped of its string, Mizue's body flopped onto the throne limply. Her skin began to turn an ashen sallow colour with a tinge of blue, her sea-green eyes returning yet settled into a dull tone. Her face began to sink in, the skin clinging onto the bone beneath.

Everything about Mizue screamed dead.

Ryoutarou bit back a sob and cry. Saraphina let her tears silently run down her face. Both feeling an immense sense of despair and loss for a dear friend, even more so for the father who had lost his only family.

Like a snake shedding its skin, something stretched out from beneath Mizue's skin. The being lifted itself from underneath and like tearing through paper, it broke itself out from her. The beast stood on the legs of a stag, a grey torso wrapped in dark ivy and thornapples stretched above. Inky black hair tumbled down its back, akin to the darkness that wraps itself around you in your sleep.

The face was one of beauty yet something sinister and dark laid beneath the surface. Sharp features with a dainty nose, small lips curled into a smirk. Its eyes were the same as those that possessed Mizue's body a few moments ago.

Stretching its body, Ryoutarou could see worms slithering underneath the surface of its thin skin. Trying to keep himself from vomiting, he shut his eyes tight.

Cold hands with sharp claws caressed his cheeks, the same eerie voice spoke: "Don't keep your eyes off me, young warrior. It will be easier for me to take your mind if so."

Opening back his eyes, he stared into the two pools of darkness that chilled him to the bones. Releasing his face and returning to the throne where Mizue's body rested, the creature merely discarded her body to the side like trash as it took its seat.

"Well, let's start with some introduction then," the beast gestured towards Saraphina, "I know what you are but then I have no interest in the war of mere fae and humans."

"What I want to know is," the roots wrapped around Ryoutarou forced him onto his knees in front of the beast. Grasping the man's face in its hands, the being narrowed its eyes.

"Why is one of León's precious warriors a part of this feeble war?"

At the courtyard of the royal castle

Kahoko strapped the last of her baggage onto her stead. Saddling the mare, Kahoko glanced at where the prince was on his white stallion.

Before her gaze could linger longer, the trumpets blared from the watchtowers announcing their departure towards the Kingdom of Gellert. It would take a whole Second Summer to and fro from Seiso to Gellert on horseback. A troop of ten guards, five on each side flanked the three in the middle. Kahoko rode in front of the prince, with Grand Duke Ousaki behind him.

There were to be only three stops at the towns in between both kingdoms, with rest by the road or in the forest when the sun sets for the day. So far, they have made good time with their first town in sight after a week of travel.

Checking into the inn they had reserved, Kahoko flopped onto the bed, letting her skin soak the softness of the mattress after a week of sleeping on the cold damp earth. Just as she was about to be lulled into dreamland whilst making up her mind to skip supper, a knock sounded on her door.

Knowing the only person who dared to step into her room, Kahoko smiled as she called the individual in.

Shinobu shook his head at the mess of clothes strewn around the room. Mumbling to himself after shutting the door, he picked up the young lady's discarded traveling cloak and laid it on the chair near the dressing table. Her room was much spacious than that of the men, probably due to the reason of being the only female in their traveling group and not needing to share a room with two or three other people.

The bed sank with the extra weight of the grand duke next to Kahoko's right. A peaceful silence settled between the two as the light streaming through the window dimmed.

"I'm tired and if you want me to perform my mission to the best of my abilities, I suggest that you tell me what's going on in that mind of yours, Grand Duke Shinobu."

Chuckling, Ousaki shifted himself to a more comfortable position, leaning against the headboard of the bed.

"Thoughts on the prince after meeting him officially?"

"Ugh!" Kahoko shot up from her bed, angling herself to glare at the grand duke.

"He told you that, didn't he? The whole 'I-want-to-be-your-friend' proposal or did you plant the idea in his head?"

She narrowed her eyes at the older male.

Smiling innocently, the grand duke replied: "It was his idea and I merely gave my support. Both of you are children caught in a war that should have never happened." Shinobu's expression turned solemn. "All this could have been avoided if things were made right back then."

Her eyes soften at the sight in front of her. She had known the grand duke when she was taken in by the maestro. He was the one who coached her on how to wield Corda as both an instrument and a weapon. He was the person who tended to her injuries when the spells backfired, the one who encouraged her when she doubted her abilities upon seeing others excelling further and becoming more in tune with their instruments than she was.

She had suspected Shinobu to be holding onto Corda's counterpart, Shana, seeing as he was quite well versed with the war and how each chosen and their instruments work. However, that idea was soon discarded when it was revealed that the crown prince had Shana all along, and with the grand duke being his close aide, it would explain his vast knowledge on the matter.

Taking the older man's calloused hand in hers, she gave it a gentle squeeze. Noticing the expectant look reflected in eyes a shade darker than her own, she sighed in defeat.

"I will try to be his friend even though we are pitted against each other in this mess. I can't guarantee it will turn out the way you want though."

Squeezing her hand back, Shinobu cracked a gentle smile. "That's enough for me."

The grand duke then proceeded to leave. At the door, he glanced back at his pupil. "Aren't you going to join us for supper?"

Pondering on her decision made earlier, she answered: "Sure. I will be down after I have freshened myself."

"See you then." Grand Duke Ousaki smiled back at her, shutting the door behind him.

Mushing her face against the pillow, she questioned if she was secretly a masochist after all.

Donning a white cotton shirt and pair of brown pants, topped with a black corset, Kahoko descended to the dining hall. The atmosphere was noisy and lively. Merry and rowdy bellows of laugher, the clinking of beer mugs, the occasional banging of tables and cutlery from a bet lost enveloped her senses.

Glancing around from her spot at the stairs, she noticed the group propped at a private booth at the far-left corner. The grand duke, having noted her arrival, raised his hand as a signal for her to come over. Making her way through the crowd and barely dodging the wandering hands of a burly drunkard, she plopped herself on the empty seat next to the disguised crown prince. There were only three of them at the table, with the knights seated at the tables on their right and left. After signalling to the waitress for the night's supper, she cast a glance at the man beside her.

He was dressed similarly to the disguise he donned during their first face-to-face meeting. Black hood pulled over his cerulean hair, half of his face hidden behind a grey mask, sitting in a manner akin to a man of high status but giving no hint of the royal blood underneath. Noticing her stare, he gave a small smile that caused her to blush slightly, caught off guard by the friendly demeanour before her.

"Good evening, Mistress Melody," came his curt greeting. "How's your room?"

"It's comfortable, Your Royal Highness." She replied in short.

"There's no need to address me so formally in such settings. Call me Tsuki."

"Then, you should just call me Hino in exchange." Kahoko smiled cheekily at the prince.

"Sure. Hino." A warm feeling settled down her spine. Letting herself enjoy this moment, all thoughts of war and whatever was going on between them were stored to the back of her mind.

"Tsuki." She tested his name on her tongue, liking how it feels. As if she was back to the quiet moments in her room, talking to the moon on a clear night sky.

Len's grip on his mug tightened, which went unnoticed by the woman next to him but made the grand duke smirked behind his drink. Their supper promptly arrived, an array of meats and cheese with warm venison stew and a few slices of stale bread. The knights dug into theirs heartily, laughing away the tension and exhaustion from a week on the road.

They dug into their meal silently, with only the sound of their cutleries clinking accompanying them. Being naturally fast eaters, both Kahoko and the prince finished up their meal before everyone else.

Fiddling with her thumbs under the table, Kahoko turned to the masked man beside her and smiled.

"How's the journey been for you, Tsuki?"

"Good."

"Uh…. How was the food?"

"It was alright, I guess."

"How's your room?"

"It's big enough for Grand Duke Shinobu and me, with two beds inside."

"Ah." Kahoko gulped nervously. "Then, have you been down to the town's market?"

"No. I'm not allowed to venture out on my own as you know."

'Crap. Wrong topic. Divert! Divert!'

"Is that so?" The assassin laughed off the awkwardness. "Perhaps I can fetch something there for you tomorrow morning if you want."

The crown prince merely hummed in response.

'Why are his answers so short and cold?' she thought, helpless.

Coughing politely, the grand duke managed to divert their attention to him instead. Kahoko flashed him a grateful smile and let out the breath she had been unconsciously holding in.

'Thank Eva for Shinobu-sama or else that conversation may as well be the blizzard on Salji Mountains.'

"Tsuki," Ousaki addressed Len with his pseudonym. "You can check out the marketplace tomorrow if you want. We aren't in any rush now as we have been ahead of schedule and our departure is on the dawn after."

Silence enveloped their table once again. This time with anticipation of the prince's answer.

Sighing in defeat, Len conceded to the plan of his two supposedly 'personal guards'.

"Alright."

Kahoko cheered internally. At least, she wouldn't be stuck inside the inn of such a lively town babysitting the prince. However, her joy was short-lived when Len looked at her with a pointed stare.

Kahoko was slowly regretting her loose tongue.

"You are to accompany me around tomorrow then."

She really was a masochist after all.

Ryouatrou could only look at the creature in confusion, caught off guard by its question.

'León's warriors? Feeble war? Did it mean the Saksid War?'

With a snap of its claws, the root gagging him slithered away. Taking greedy gulps of air, it felt like he could finally breathe normally again.

"Answer me, young one. Why are you even part of this war?" The creature's misty eyes bored into his soul. "I thought León knew better than to involve himself in the dealings of you temporary beings."

Finding the man stumped with confusion, it turned its attention to the fairy still within the thornapples' grasp. Bringing her forward, it asked Saraphina the same question again.

"You should know what I am talking about, especially considering the fact you have lived on these lands longer than he."

Tightening the roots' hold on Saraphina, it questioned again: "Why is one of León's men part of this war, Guardian of Ergo?"

"We did not know… he was… one of his warriors." Saraphina gasped out.

"Tsk. That's not an excuse. Even if it's beneath the surface, the fae should be able to discern that his magic is not ordinary."

"We…" Saraphina continued, gulping like a fish out of water. "We thought he just had higher magical capabilities, a deeper well than the normal human mages."

Releasing the roots' grip, the creature let the tiny fairy breathe easier as she rattled on. Judging by the look on the warrior's face, it seemed that he wasn't even aware of his abilities.

'This shall keep me entertained for a while,' the beast thought gleefully.

"We only knew he was one of León's warrior when he displayed an outburst of his strength during training shortly after we made the contract. We truly do not know the plans León has or why he has never once come to us to forfeit our chosen from the war. We thought maybe he was just a mage with a deeper and stronger well after all but we knew better. We know that he may be able to turn the tide of the war this time."

'This time?' Ryoutarou thought in bewilderment. 'This isn't the first war?'

"And maybe, León is allowing this to happen because he has a wish himself," Saraphina whispered the last part.

Quirking an eyebrow at her, the creature seemed to contemplate what was said. Maybe it was time they play a part in this ongoing war. Though it has never truly affected them all, it didn't mean it isn't a thorn in their sides at times. If he played his cards right, he can probably use this to best the rest.

"Interesting theory there, Guardian of Ergo. Maybe instead of going with León's wish at the end of it, if he," the beast gestured towards a silent Ryoutarou, "does win this war, let it be my wish instead that's granted."

Saraphina and Ryoutarou eyed the creature wearily. Snapping his fingers again, the thornapples trapping them merely dispersed into thin air. Both master and fairy laid on the ground, too weak and numb to even chance a fight against the being in front of them.

Stepping down from its throne, the stag-like beast stood before Ryoutarou. Lifting him off the ground by the collars of his cape, the beast suggested:

"I will help you win this war, young warrior. If you play your cards right, everyone you love will be spared from its aftermath once my wish is granted."

Ryoutarou bit out, "I wouldn't make a deal with a beast such as you after what you did to Mizue."

He then spitted onto the being's face. Saraphina gasped in shock whereas the creature merely let out a chuckle as the warrior's saliva slid down its cheek.

"How many times do I have to say this?" The grip around his cloak tightened. "She was already dead when I came to her. I can't possess a living host with a soul inside, it would be against my nature of things."

"Pray tell what even are you if you have such powers to rival León's." Ryoutarou taunted.

Giving the man a dark smile, the creature replied:

"Such foolishness indeed you temporary beings are. I have lived on these lands much longer than your kind; this was our land before you beings tainted it with your filthy blood. Your brave talk will only lead to your death sooner or later."

"If you are so sick of my bullshit, kill me off then."

"Hah! You do not even know who I am even though you lowlifes make such grand tales about each of us."

Ryoutarou's eyes widened as the fact began to dawn on him of this creature's identity. One of the five ancient beasts, the one who is Death himself.

"It appears your slow brain has finally caught up." The beast smile as its skin began to morph once more.

"I am Dáinn, The Dead One."

A/N: Yes, it is I.