Conrart pinched the bridge of his nose for what was probably the twentieth time today. The festival was in full swing, a large crowd gathered in the town square. People ventured around the stage at the center of it all, with tents and vendors lined in rows, selling food, goods, and some even had games. There was a woman doing tarot reading, everyone was having a wonderful time. Not one person seemed to have figured out the plot behind this festival. Conrart rubbed his temples for a moment as he patrolled. He was extremely worried, and started to sympathize with the anxiety ridden mess that Gunter turned into at times. He crossed his arms and glanced around the crowd. If he was this high strung now, he couldn't imagine what he would be like when Yuuri took the stage.

His eyes fell on a hooded man in a long coat. The man had a stone faced expression, arms over his chest. There was a weapon at his hip, a strange sword with only leather wrappings as a grip. Conrart got a bad feeling about him. He could tell just by looking that he was incredibly dangerous, but he couldn't yet tell if this man was a threat. A man stepped onto the stage after the previous performers to announce the demon king's imminent arrival. Conrart watched, glancing at the man in the crowd again. The man was searching with his eyes, glancing from the stage, to the rooftops, then back to the stage, and finally the alleyways. He turned and left, heading for one of those narrow streets. Conrart turned and tailed him, eyes narrowing. The royal protector was able to make it through easier, people were more willing to step out of his way thanks to the uniform. By the time the man stepped into the alley, Conrart had caught up.

"You there." Said the half human. "Identify yourself." The hooded man stopped, but did not turn. Conrart's hand met the hilt of his sword

"Conrart Von Weller, yes?" The man said, his posture betraying no emotion or intent.

"I won't ask again, identify yourself." He demanded, gripping his weapon.

"My name is Luft." The man replied. "But I'm not who you should be worried about." Conrart drew his sword, he recognized the name. Luft and Wolfgang were the two leaders that the bandit had told him about. "Now you've done it." Luft whirled around and slashed at Conrart with his strange blade. Conrart lept back and countered with a lunge, but was parried. "I am not quick to forgive those who draw a weapon on me, Von Weller." Luft's voice was a hiss. His icy eyes burned like blue fire. His strong chin drew back as bared his teeth. A low brow made his glare all the more menacing, but little could intimidate Conrart. The half human stepped and feinted left, then slashed downward, aiming for his opponent's face. Luft stepped back and countered. They drew closer. Conrart's blade was lightning, while Luft's danced and whirled as wind, crashing together in a storm of combat. It had thrown the protector off at first, Luft moved more like a dancer than a swordsman, his long coat whirling around him like a dress at a ball. Their exchange ended in a bind, and Conrart attempted to disarm Luft. Once again, the mercenary threw him off when he threw his single edged sword skyward. Hus leg shit out and swept one of Conrart's from under him, he spun again, and kicked the half human in the chest. Conrart fell, but rolled away and back to his feet in the blink of an eye. Luft caught his sword and lunged, but Conrart parried and countered. Luft jumped back, but the tip of the sword caught the vest beneath the coat, tearing it and carving a shallow red trench across the mercenary's chest. He took a deep breath, his eyes locked with Conrart's, then glanced to the square behind the half human. The king had since taken the stage, but none had noticed the scuffle between the two swordsmen. Luft's eyes darted around, searching the rooftops again, then flashed in something akin to fear. "I'm done fucking around." He said, the wind kicking up around them.

Luft leapt, impossibly high, wind buffeting Conrart as he passed overhead. The wind demon landed, and then a whirlwind sent the crowd into a panic as Luft jumped even farther this time, over the crowd, sword drawn, heading straight for Yuuri. Conrart barely had time to yell before something caught his attention. Luft swung his sword, seeming to narrowly miss the surprise, but calm king's face, his sword rang out as the blur of a projectile struck it, stopping whatever it was from embedding itself in Yuuri. Conrart sprinted through the square toward the stage. Guards were surrounding the wind demon, who was at the ready. Wolfram, by the king's side as always, had conjured a flame in his hand.

"Stand down!" Conrart yelled, climbing onto the stage.

"I shall not!" Wolfram yelled, drawing his sword.

"This man just saved his majesty, I'm ordering you to stand down!" Conrart said again, pointing with the tip of his still nude sword. A crossbow bolt lay on the stage, a few feet from where Luft, Yuuri, and Wolfram stood.

"So that was the noise." Yuuri said, smiling at Luft. "Thank you for the help."

"You're surprisingly calm for someone that just found out they narrowly avoided death." Luft replied.

"It's more common for me than most." The king chuckled sheepishly. "May I ask you your name?"

"It's Luft, former leader of a mercenary group, the ones targeting you." He said, putting his sword away and extending his hand. "We have much to discuss, it's a pleasure to meet you." Wolfram stepped between them and spread his arms.

"Oh no you don't." The blonde said, scowling. "You can look but you can't touch." Luft grinned and leaned a bit closer, crossing his arms.

"Oh? A territorial lover?" The wind demon tilted his head. "Shame, I'm newly single, though you have nothing to worry about, blondie, you're the one I'd be interested in." Luft stepped closer and Wolfram went red. Conrart felt the urge to jump in, but kept himself calm. Arms suddenly wrapped around the blonde's waist. The fire demon was pulled back, gray eyes locking with Luft. Surprise went through Conrart. Yuuri seemed unsure, certainly, but even being a little protective of Wolfram was a new development.

"Don't." Yuuri said, and for a moment his eyes changed, his voice changing for that one word. He sounded like the demon king, the other Yuuri. It was only for an instant, but Conrart saw it, and it seemed Luft had detected something as well. Now wasn't the time to ask about that, however, now was the time to gather information and plan their next move against this group.

"Shall we get our new acquaintance to the castle, your majesty?" Conrart asked.

"Will you come share what you can, mister Luft?" Yuuri asked. The wind demon smirked and tilted his head. His hood had slipped down, revealing a long shock of wavy brown hair. Just looking at him gave Conrart the distinct impression that he was looking at a rogue type.

"Your majesty, I will gladly help you bring my previous comrades to justice." Luft said. "The ones that followed my former partner, that is." Yuuri seemed to realize he was still holding Wolfram, and sheepishly let go.

"And what of the ones who would still follow you?" Conrart asked.

"I will not have them see to this, having to face one's former brothers." Luft replied, looking away and clenching his jaw. Conrart could relate to that. Luft's fist clenched at his sides.

"Let's get back to the castle." Yuuri said, turning and taking Wolfram's hand to lead the blonde. Luft glanced at Conrart, tilting his head.

"Now that I get a better look at you, you're not bad." He said, a slight smirk on his face. "You're certainly not that pretty boy, but you have a soldier prince look for sure." He stepped forward and Conrart stepped back in confusion. Luft was shorter, but he stood tall enough to meet Conrart somewhat face to face. For a brief moment, he saw a bit of his mother in the mercenary, namely that it seemed he too was extremely flirtatious. Luft chuckled, crossing his arms and straightening his back. "Shall we go then, Lord Von Weller?" He asked.

"Allow me to escort you then." Conrart said after clearing his throat.

"You also owe me a rematch sometime." Luft said as they turned to head for the castle. Conrart smiled slightly, he might be able to learn a thing or two from this man's fighting style.

"I believe that can be arranged." He said, his hand coming to rest on his sword.

Author's notes I

I just wanted to thank you all for your reviews and support. When I get your feedback, support, guesses, and so on, it always makes the writing go easier and faster. Seriously, thank you guys so much. Maybe you'll give me the confidence to finally finish one of my original works.