Chap 2
"System Call, Heal Element," a young girl named Selka Zuberg, now age 16, called out. She was trying to revive the Zephyria plants that grew near the church; however, no matter how much effort she put into it, these particular plants wouldn't bloom.
"Ugh, why can't I do this?" she sulked. "I just can't grasp things the way she did." She flipped her light brown braid behind her back and then stretched her arms above her head. "Oh Alice, I wish you were still here. You could have taught me so much more." Selka looked at the church in front of her; it's been her residence since she was ten years old. Although small in size, it was the focal point of town and home to orphans. Since the day her older sister, Alice, was taken, Selka felt it was her responsibility to continued in Alice's footsteps. Thankfully, Sister Azalia, an elderly woman, understood Selka's wishes and helped to train her in the sacred arts as well.
"Just thinking about all the requests from the villagers is giving me a headache. I think I need a break." She decided to take a walk around her quaint village. It looked like a medieval town; surrounded by a river, mountains and a plethora of trees. She smiled while recalling memories of watching a young boy with an axe head out each and every day to chop at the Giant Gigas Cedar Tree that once stood before the front gates.
"Thank goodness Rulid is still intact." She glanced from side to side, watching as all the usual daily activities carried on like normal. "I can't imagine how the larger villagers are dealing with the aftermath of what the Administrator had done. All those people…made into a weason…" She paused as she remembered Alice's tale about what had happened that awful day. "I suppose that's the one good things about living in a small, remote place; no one takes interest in it." Selka continued to roam round, enjoying the breezy evening.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" a guard named Jink, age 19, shouted. He was currently watching the front gates.
"Sorry." Selka rubbed her head after colliding with him. "Must have been really deep in thought."
"So unlike your sister." He rolled his eyes.
"Oh, it's you, Jink." Selka gave a fake smile. "How are you?" She never really liked Jink because he was constantly asking her about Alice. It was fairly obvious that he had a crush on her sister; however, Alice had no interest in him. "So, um…how's things at the gate?" She peered over the captain of the guard's shoulder. "Anything out there?" She bounced left and right trying to get a better view of the blackness just outside the village.
"No," Jink steadied the young girl. "It's quiet out there. Although sometimes I wish something would happen. My superior skills as swordsman are being wasted."
Selka cupped her hands over her face to muffle her laugh.
"You think that's funny?" Jink sneered.
"No, I just remembered how you lost to Eugeo that day. The look on your face was priceless."
Jink's face turned red with anger. "I never should have lost to him."
"Perhaps it served you right for treating the way you did." Selka stated. "You put him through hell."
"Eh, like anyone cared." Jink shrugged.
"I did." Selka returned with a huff.
"How sweet, you had feelings for him," Jink grabbed her upper arms and pulled her close. "But he's dead. So is my chance at being village chief." His grip was tightening, causing Selka to wince in pain.
"No one would choose you for such a high position," Selka gritted out. "Now, let me go!"
"Hmm…" Jink's thumb brushed against the young girl's chest. "I did plan on marrying Alice, but…" He leaned in and kissed her roughly then slapped Selka hard across the face. She fell to the ground, stunned. "Looks like I found plan B." He loomed over the frightened girl.
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"I can't believe Administrator wants this place" Fizel Synthesis Twenty-Nine trudged along through a thick, dense forest. She was traveling with three other Integrity Knights. "It's in the middle of nowhere."
"Stop complaining," Linel Synthesis Twenty-Eight answered. "This is Pontifex's desire and we much do what she tells us."
"I know, I know…but why can't we go to Centoria? There's way more people there and we can get double of what she needs."
"We, as Integrity Knights, are supposed to protect the human realm," Renly Synthesis Twenty-Seven jumped in. "If we suddenly attacked Centoria, people will know something is going on." He used to be a frightened boy who often froze up in battle; however, after his second synthesis ritual, he's now a tough opponent. Renly's always eater to use his divine objects, the Twin Edged Wings. "The Pontifex is smart for wanting to start small. Remember, people think she is dead."
"Yeah, yeah," Fizel crossed her arms behind her head and continued walking around. "Wish we could have rode dragons though. It's taking forever to get to Rulid."
"Isn't Rulid your village?" Renly looked at the blonde next to him.
"Yes, I grew up there," Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two replied.
"And you're not concerned about what we're going to do to it?" Renly quirked a brow.
"Not really," the blond stated nonchalantly.
"Wow…" Fizel jumped in front of Eugeo, causing him to stop. "I wonder what Administrator did to you?"
Eugeo shrugged.
"Fizel," Linel scolded. "You know you're not supposed to ask personal questions about other Knights. What's done between Administrator and her knights is none of our business."
"I just wanted to know why he has elf ears," she pointed at her own ears. "None of us do. Are those supposed to make him stronger or something? Cuz if that's true, I want some!"
"Stop gawking at him and keep moving," Renly cut in. "It's already getting late."
"Okay, okay," Fizel moved along but grabbed Lizel to whisper in her ear. "He's so different from when we met him on the stairway back at Central Cathedral." The other girl nodded.
"Come on, you two," Renly called over his shoulder. "Hurry up."
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"Well, that was fun." Jink laughed as he zipped up his pants. "At least, it was fun for me." He looked down at the girl laying on the floor inside the small guard house. Selka had pulled herself into a tight ball; blood dripping down her legs, her clothes torn, her face bruised from being beaten. "Not a bad fuck but you'll have to improve once we get married." He reached down and pulled Selka to her feet. "You're going to satisfy me, the next village chief, in all sorts of ways." Jink sneered before crudely kissing Selka while cupping her exposed breast. Selka whimpered in protest but was too weak to fight back. "I have to take a leak." Jink shoved her away. "Stay here like a good girl. I'll be right back." He opened the door to find his path blocked by a blonde Integrity Knight. "Outta my way, I've got something to do."
"…" Eugeo grabbed the front of Jink's shirt; he then hauled him out of the house.
"What's your problem?" Jink snorted.
"Integrity Knights. Please, help me!" Selka called out through bruised lips. "Don't leave me with him." She was standing on wobbly legs while leaning half-way out the doorway.
"Selka?" A flicker of recognition flared up within the blonde but it was quickly diminished.
"Come on, Eugeo!" Fizel pulled on the blonde's arm. "We don't have time for this."
"Eugeo?" Jink took a closer look at the blonde. "This can't be him. He died two years ago."
"You're right, that Eugeo did die." Lizel stood next to the blonde. "This is Eugeo Synthesis Thirty-Two."
"He's an Integrity Knight?" Jink said incredulously. "There's no way, he was just a wimpy woodcutter."
"Wimpy?" Eugeo narrowed his eyes at the other young man. He then called out "Enhance Armament," plunging his sword into the ground; instantly changing it from grass into a frozen landscape. Ice slithered towards Jink, enveloping him in a thick block of ice. Icy thorns with tiny blue roses wrapped around the terrified young man. "Blue Rose Bloom." The roses opened and began stealing Jink's life energy.
"You can't do this me," Jink started to panic. "I'm…"
"No longer allowed to exist," Eugeo finished for him. Within moment, Jink was gone, his body now transformed into golden specks, which started to float up into the air.
"We'll get them!" Fizel and Linel shouted as they collected the fragments into special containers.
"Wow, Eugeo, that was pretty intense. Remind me never to get on your bad side," Renly placed a hand on the blonde's shoulder. "I can see why Administrator is so enthralled by you."
"I didn't do that for her," Eugeo shrugged off Renly's hand.
"They why did you do it?" Renly inquired.
"I…I don't know," Eugeo rubbed his forehead.
"Figure it out later. It's time to go," Linel spoke up "We have to complete our assignment."
"Right," Eugeo and Renly agreed.
Selka watched the group of Integrity Knights enter the village, tears filled her eyes. "Thank you, Eugeo; for evern if you succumbed to the same fate as my sister, I will always remember the real you. I just pray that Kirito can save you as he did Alice."
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"What do you mean you haven't seen my daughter since this afternoon?" Gasupht Zuberg yelled at Sister Azalia. "Isn't she your responsibility as a student of the church?"
"She is, but perhaps she's stepped away to get refreshed. You know how she struggles with the arts. No matter how hard you push her, she will never have the natural talent that Alice did."
"I'm aware of that. Just make sure Selka is found quickly."
"Yes, sir." Sister Azalia bowed deeply as Gasupht left in a huff. It was never a good idea to infuriate the village chief.
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"Hello," Fizel stepped out from a thick bush on the left.
"Hello," Linel stepped out from a thick bush on the right. They both blocked an angry Gasupht's path. "Can you help us?"
"Not now, girls," he mumbled as he went to slide past them. A blade went flying past him into a tree right before his face. "What is the meaning of this?" He stopped short. "Who are you people?"
"We are from the Axiom Church," Linel pulled out a dagger as Fizel mirrored her actions. "We have a special request."
"I'm not doing anything you people ask," Gasupht flatlined.
"You don't really have much of a choice." Renly walk up behind the village chief, twirling yet another dagger between his fingers.
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"Oh, where did that girl go?" Sister Azalia paced back and forth on the church grounds. "Selka, why do you do this to me?"
"I'm sorry, sister," another sacred arts student reported in. "We haven't heard any news."
"Tell everyone to keep looking," Sister Azalia sighed and rubbed her eyes. "She has to be somewhere."
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"Everyone gather your families and meet in the center square." A young boy dashed around Rulid. He was told earlier by Renly to relay this message to all the villagers. For if he did a good job; he'd get a monetary reward. "Everyone needs to cooperate and get there quickly. The village chief is counting on all of us."
All the townspeople stopped what they were doing and rushed to see what the summons were about. When they got to the center square, they were surprised to see Gasupht, on his knees, tied up with two blades mere inches from his throat.
"Everyone move into the center or else your leader here meets his end," Renly ordered. He stood with his arms crossed while watching the villagers dutifully follow instructions. Most were either scared or confused.
"Are you here for the Village Chief?" a male's voice rose above the crowd.
"That's impossible!" a woman bellowed. "He would never break the Taboo Index."
"Yeah!" the crowd shouted in protest.
"Control your people," Fizel drew her dagger closer, causing it nick Gasupht's skin. "We don't want things to get messy. Though it could be fun," she smiled.
"You and this display of your superiority are causing people to panic," Gasupht glowered, scanning the crowd. He was hoping to see Selka, but to no avail.
"Well, good thing this is a one and done deal," Renly took out his Twin Edge Wings and spun them around his hands. "Repeat our previous conversation and try to sound convincing."
Gasupht gulped. "People of Rulid. The Axiom Church has a great need of us. We are to feel honored."
"Honored?" A young woman spoke up. "Whatever for? We live and breathe the church's callings each and every day. What more can we possibly do?"
"Our village has been chosen first," Gasupht continued. The crowd was hushed.
"First?" Sister Azalia was attempting to get closer to Gasupht but the crowd was too tightly packed. "For what?" she questioned.
"A chilling experience," Renly answered with a cocky grin. His response caused fear and apprehension from the townspeople. "Is everyone accounted for?" he kept his voice low, scanning the crowd. Gasupht nodded, saying nothing. Truth be told, he was just as frightened as the rest of his village.
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"They certainly are taking their time," Eugeo muttered while standing at the edge of Rulid. He was told to stay back and await a signal from the others. His emerald green eyes looked at the now deserted front gates; for despite living here for seventeen years, nothing registered any memories for him. Homes, bridges, rivers, and cultivated farmland that should have been part of his past were now nothing more than a place the Pontifex wanted. "I think I'll move closer in." He slowly walked down the paths of his childhood and young adult life in Rulid without reminiscing about anything. It was all a blank slate. He thought of nothing other than his role in Administrator's plan.
"You can do better." A voice echoed inside his head. "Why don't you add Amplify Arts to the end of Blue Rose Bloom and watch what happens."
"Huh?" Eugeo stopped and pulled out his sword. "Amplify Arts? What is that?" He inspected the Blue Rose Sword from all angles. "Can you do a different Finishing Art?" Suddenly a bright light reflected off his blade. Eugeo looked up and saw the crossed Twin Wing Blades catching the rays of the sun. "Looks like they are finally ready. Enhance Armament." He stabbed the ground beneath him. "Blue Rose Bloom."
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"Fizel, Linel, move it!" Renly pushed Gasupht towards the townspeople causing gasps from the crowd. People raced to help their chief as the three Integrity Knights made haste away from the center square. "We don't have much time. Let's get out of here."
"Right!" the two girls replied hastily. They were running as fast as they could behind Renly. The temperature was quickly dropping. Out of the corner of their eyes, they could see ice racing alongside them; heading toward the town's center. It's icy grip was encasing everything in its path. The once lush landscape was becoming a crystallized frozen hell. Linel looked to her left as the cries of a small girl caught her attention. She stopped briefly; mainly out of curiosity to see how events would play out.
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"Mommy! Daddy!" the girl cried out as she held onto her small teddy bear. "I'm scared. Where are you?" She backed into a corner against her home; her eyes consumed with terror as the ice came closer and closer. "Leave me alone! Go away!" She threw her bear towards the ice, but it was caught in thorny vines, wrapping it in a sadistic hug. The little girl stepped nervously towards her little bear. "Alice-chan? Are you okay?"
"Amplify Arts," Eugeo said apathetically while approaching the little girl. He was walking along the ice as if the click surface wasn't even there.
"Hey mister, are you here to save me? Will that sacred art stop the ice?"
"Stop it?" Eugeo stopped in front of the little girl. "I'm the one who started it."
The little girl's eyes widened into saucers. "You're a bad Knight."
"I'm whatever Lady Pontifex wants me to be," came the automatic response.
Suddenly, the small thorns grew large and sliced into the bear's body, ripping it to shreds. "Alice-chan!" the little girl whaled. "Why'd you do that!"
"Because I hate that name," the blonde's eyes flashed an icy hue; mirroring the ice around him. The little girl cried even louder. "Enough of this," Eugeo pointed his sword at the girl. "It's time for you to join little Alice-chan. Don't worry though, your parents and everyone else in this village will be joining you as well."
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"Eugeo's skill is different from before," Linel shakily stated as she regrouped with the others.
"What do you mean?" Renly raised a brow. "He's supposed to freeze people and then once the ice has settled, we go in and take everyone's sacred power so Lady Pontifex can covert them into a new sword golem."
"He is doing that…"she puffed out while running, "I think…he's added…something to his finishing arts."
"Whatever it takes to get the job done I suppose," Fizel grabbed Linel's hand and raced faster.
"Look! The front gates!" Renly slid to a stop just outside of them. "We should be safe this far out." The girls joined him later, all three trying to catch their breath.
"Now, we wait," Linel turned and watched the small village of Rulid and its townspeople become the first of what would become many, sacrifices for the Pontifex.
End Chapter 2
