Three Elves & a Fae
By Zam
Chapter 2
With the sun long since set, Asila stood by the door of her and Rasha's room; paying for it had been a simple affair with Kuro's coin and Asila putting on quite the performance of vexation at 'needing to hire' a Fae escort.
The innkeeper had been very sympathetic, confirming to her that the Fae arrived through some means along with the giant tree accompanied by the 'Mobs' which had apparently once been tame beasts of the fairies turned rabid. As it was, Asila rather doubted the accuracy of the barbarians' words, but knowing the public story had merits.
Sending a look towards the dozing Rasha, Asila called upon the spirits and let their gentle power engulf the girl, be-spelling her into a deep sleep. All the while, little spirits of air clung to Kuro as the Fae patrolled the air and inn, invisible like a ghost.
'We're safe,' she thought, pulling the door open with a quiet click and motioned Motioned her friends inside. Then, the moment the door clicked shut a subtle wave of blessed energy flowed across the dull wooden box.
"We can speak freely now," She said.
Lihan sent a glance towards Rashi, eyebrow arched in a silent question.
"It seems the Fae are not immune to the spirits might," She grinned.
Irfan nodded and leant against the wall, head lolling back, "The mystery of these Fae is intriguing. Do you think they are really from another world?"
Lihan huffed, "From what the swordswoman said there must be some truth to it, but there may be a layer of context we are lacking."
Asila acknowledged the point but pressed on, "If it is true however, the heretical magics are almost certainly involved, if not, why would the Fae be in such a disadvantageous position?"
"An accident perhaps?" Lihan offered.
"Then we at least would have heard reference to it, but Rasha seemed as in the dark as us," Irfan countered.
Asila dropped down to the bed, chewing a nail, "Of course if it is the devils magic, how and why? Even with all the accursed Void's power, nothing like this had ever been conceived of."
Sighing Irfan added, "The fact they are not seen as invaders here is just as confusing, given humans usual barbarism towards anything different from them."
"The girl mentioned their general meeting the princess of this land, maybe there is a story to that?" Lihan suggested.
"There were supposed to be negotiations happening elsewhere," Asila added, before letting out a groan and flopping back onto the hard mattress, "None of this makes sense."
Irfan's gaze drifted to Rasha, "It is a shame we cannot just ask her for the truth, as she understands it at least."
"The warrior too," Lihan said, "We could capture them and take them home."
"No, no," Asila snapped, jumping to her feet, "These Fae could be being manipulated by the humans as our ancestors were."
Irfan nodded, "You saw how that Kuro reacted to even the prospect of a threat against distant kin, how do we know these Fae all wouldn't become incensed if we kidnapped some of their own?"
"It could destroy any chance we have of reaching out to them," Asila said, sending a challenging look towards Lihan who shrugged in defeat.
"You want to save them then?" Lihan asked.
It was a layered question, because any elf worthy of the title knew of the oncoming disaster that would one day strike the heathen continent. For all that the humans may threaten the Fae, a far greater disaster loomed, but of course, if they were Firstborn would they not already know?
Asila looked over at Rasha, sleeping soundly and looking ever so much like her little cousins. "I want to see if we can at least, they deserve the truth."
"Do we reveal ourselves then?" Irfan asked.
"Too dangerous," Lihan snapped.
Asila frowned, "These Fae seem to take debts rather seriously, given their behavior so far, and Rasha is already fond of us."
"But more so than to her own people?" Lihan countered.
"Knowing our nature will not endanger her people in of itself, especially if we impress upon her the need for secrecy," Irfan said.
"I dislike this," Lihan said, arms folded beneath his cloak, "It is a dangerous game to be playing, more so than our current gambit at least."
Asila thumbed her staff's falcon head, muttering, "As matters stand, we have no chance of passing as Fae for much longer, already I have seen them send us uncertain and confused looks. Minor now, but in a Fae city? No if we are to continue this mission, we will need a guide and right now Rasha is our best chance."
Lihan bowed his head in acquiescence, "Do we have any ideas on how to handle this then? Simply coming out and saying it feels… Ill advised."
"That I agree with," Irfan cut in as he pushed off the wall, "With Kuro so close by it could go wrong without Rasha even meaning it to."
Asila hummed, "I think we can guide her to the truth," at her friends confused expressions she waved her staff at the girl. "Their magic is strange, but they are tied to the world as we are in a way, drawing power from the sun; so, I do not think she will grow afraid if we call on the spirits in a way she can see. Of course, doing so now when she is trapped with us…"
"And after the Spriggan's warning," Lihan added.
"May not be ideal," Irfan finished, before clicking his tongue, "We can do it tomorrow, but we need to remove the swordswoman, or at least find a pretense to keep them apart."
Lihan's expression sharpened as he looked towards the door, "I heard one of the heathen priests performing a cleansing on the inn before you let us in. It may not take much to push them into action, and if they attack, the swordswoman shall be guarding our backs, or may even die and we can ferry the girl to safety."
Asila frowned but found herself nodding, "Even if the worst comes, they cannot harm us after all. If the Grand Purpose favors us, we may be able to simply render the swordswoman unconscious without raising suspicion but sparing us an interrogation."
"That can work, and if something unexpected happens we can always handle it," Lihan sad, clapping his hands lightly, "Can I borrow your ring?"
"Of course," She pulled it free and with a whispered word of thanks passed it off to the man.
Tossing away his cowl, Irfan donned the ring and was soon cloaked in magic, his visage growing much softer, his skin lightening, hair growing a dirty brown and his ears round.
"I shall go and make the arrangements then, is swordswoman away?"
Asila tilted her head back, eyes closing as she felt the flow of energies and nodded, "She's drifting around the back."
At his leave, Irfan sent her a sympathetic smile, "I think we are making the best decision we can."
Asila reached over and ran a hand through Sasha's hair, "I know, but I do not have to like it."
By the time the sun began to peak over the horizon no attack had come, an unfortunate result of humanities frail constitution. However it was but a bump in the road as it were and one they could easily address as Kuro 'woke' them with a breakfast of dried meat and a rather pleasant bottle of what she called moonberry juice before the sun even rose.
The relaxed atmosphere took a quick turn to confused, when Lihan announced their party's intent to walk.
"But why? We'd move so much faster through the air," Rasha whined, nibbling on the jerky.
Irfan put on his best, bashful fox expression and ruffled his sandy hair, "I'm not ah, a very good flier you see."
"We can support you," Kuro assured sweetly.
Lihan and Irfan sent Asila a look and she put on a good show of biting back something unpleasant as she bit her lip and mumbled, "Can't fly."
"You can't!?" Rasha cried.
"Don't be rude, Rasha-Chan," Kuro chided gently.
"Ah sorry!"
"It isn't rude," Asila assured, hunching her shoulders, "I just, after we came here I had a bad experience and have not been able to summon my wings since, or more, not willing. I don't think I could fly if I tried."
Rasha looked confused, but the look Kuro sent Asila was layered with a sort of pained sympathy, "I understand, we can walk, I'll pick the path and scout it out for us, be ready to move swiftly."
With that she had turned and left, leaving them to their breakfast.
Their party slipped from the town as the sun was cresting over the hills, casting the woods in a golden glow as dew glinted in the morning light as the people slowly awoke for the days labors.
Kuro led them on a winding path through the sleepy hamlet to dodge any potential pursuers before leaving the humans behind with a marked sense of relief for all concerned.
As minutes turned to hours, the well-trodden path grew more overgrown, dotted with unfamiliar plant life and distant islands of floating rock. A few well placed concerns by Irfan and Kuro began explaining the various wildlife or 'mobs' that might be encountered in 'Spriggan territory' and the best strategies to deal with them.
For all that, her terminology was confusing, the Fae was a veritable well spring of information. She was also very insistent that if any danger presented itself they were to leave the foremost fighting, or 'tanking' to her and to run if she ordered.
This plan became rather relevant as the shadows cast by the sun grew shorter and and the mid-morning rolled around. They had stopped for a small break and snacks including 'mints' Kuro had been given, which brought Rasha an especially great amount of joy.
"I can't believe I miss brushing my teeth," she grumbled.
"Mhm, personal hygiene is rather lacking on the open roads and woods," Irfan said, clapping his knee.
"Did you do a lot of camping ireal, Irfan-san?" Rasha asked.
Brow twitching in muted surprise, Irfan recovered quickly, "I did, I never get bored when out and about, I suppose that is why I adjusted to travelling here so easily."
"Mhm, I used to like hiking," Rasha said, and as Irfan gently pressed her to share more, Asila continued to watch Kuro's 'Sāchā', a collection of flowing, writhing masses of ashen smoke in the form of ravens that Kuro had called up with a chant.
The chance to see a Fairy spell in action had been fascinating, and the magics springing to life had given Asila much to muse on as they flittered away.
'I am reminded of the energy radiating from an elemental stone, but I have never before sensed a spirit like that, just what are these fae, spirits born of flesh?' It was a near heretical notion, but still-
"People are approaching," Kuro snapped, helmet back on her head, "Fast!"
Rasha drew her dagger with practiced ease but as she fell into a stance she looked stricken Irfan and Lihan were calm as ever, falling in at their ides, as Asila rose to her feet and placed a comforting hand on the girls shoulder. "I can watch Rasha, I know 'defensive magic'," She intoned, trying to mimic the Fae's odd manner.
Kuro nodded and drew a single white blade, her right hand remaining open and gesturing subtly -perhaps commanding her familiars?- as she shifted to stand in front of them, ears twitching and form alert.
"We do not want any trouble with you sirs!" She called out.
Just as was to be expected, the towns priest appeared from over the crest of the hill; a man of sharp features and small, focused eyes, with wrinkles lining lining his pale features and adorned in armored vestments, the balding man carried a wand shaped into a hammer.
Rather than acknowledge the Fae he looked to Asila, still in her human disguise, and with her companions hoods pulled up they too likely passed muster.
"Milady, I would beg your assistance, or at least your distance for what must come next," He raised his hammer high, "For we must purify this land!"
A man burst from the tree-line with a roar, a flaming mace held above his head, only to be sharply smacked aside by the butt of Irfan's spear, sending the man into rolling into the dirt.
A whoosh hit Asila's ears and Kuro cursed, flinging herself back and snatching an arrow from the air moments before it struck Rasha and not missing a moment she finished a full rotation and loosed the arrow with a swift chant right into the mace wielders throat.
"Tobias!" The priest howled, as the man fell, gagging on his own blood.
The priest began to chant and whoever launched the arrow forsook subtly and launched himself from the forest, howling like a demon and wielding a sword cloaked in cursed air.
Kuro's wings flared and, in a moment, she blurred into the man, using the flat of her blade to block his strike and slammed him into a tree with a shout. His body met the trunk with a sickening crunch.
That was when the earth began to rumble.
"No!" Kuros's howl was broken when she spun around to see Asila's staff buried in the ground, the dirt shifting into soft sand beneath her and Rasha's feet.
Asila saw the girl staring at her wide eyed, the Fae had heard her whisper, saw there were no Fae runes and looked equal parts stricken and confused.
Asila just smiled sweetly, "We're safe, Rasha," She promised.
Lihan had used the brief pause to launch himself at the priest and delivered a slash across his chest, not a deep one, and followed it by disarming him in one elegant motion, as the man flung himself back, a desperate cry on his lips to escape Lihan, Kuro cried, "Stop!" Stilling the elves blade before he even finished drawing it back to strike.
The Fae rushed forward and before the priest could even try to scurry away, she slammed him to the ground with a back handed strike across the chest and buried both her blades either side of his head, making him yelp pitiably as she stood over his torso, fury radiating off her frame.
"I picked this route on a coin toss and we snuck out of the village, how did you know where we'd be?" She rasped, like a murderous corvid.
The priest quaked but clamped his mouth shut, refusing to meet her eyes.
"Are there others waiting to ambush Fae on other roads?"
The priests' arms were wide, angling for his hammer that remained just out of reach.
Kuro reared back with a disgusted hiss, "I've been practicing my hypnotism spell. I can just make you tell me," That claim sent a jolt of shock through the priest and Asila would be lying if she said it didn't through her heart as well.
'Mental compulsion!?' How far would it go, how much might be revealed!? She sent a glance at Rasha and the girl was cringing, looking askance and away from the display.
Asila sent Lihan a subtle signal and the man nodded, stepping back from Kuro words falling near silently from his lips.
Kuro's shoulders sagged in defeat, as the priest began to mutter, "The Founder will preserve me" over and over again. She grasped his bald head in one hand and muttered, "I didn't want to do this, but I can't let you endanger anyone else."
The chant began to fall from her lips, lyrical and haunting, as Runes flashed to life before her.
Which was when Lihan had the spirits flick the priests wand-hammer back into his grasp, Kuro wasn't quite fast enough to grab her swords and was forced back by a violent swipe tipped with cursed wind.
The priests cheered in delight as he loosed a ball of fire that crashed against her chest mere milliseconds after a flash of gold rippled out from her armor and the man flung himself to his feet.
"All devils w-"
Kuro's burning form vanished into smoke as the true Fae materialized behind him him, golden runes shining around her wrist, she struck, hand like a knife or a dragons claw she ripped a hole in his back with a sickening squelch.
Rasha let out a shriek and Asila's search for threats ended when the girl buried her face in her robes to deny herself the sight.
Instinctively she ran a soothing hand through the Fae's hair but she kept her gaze on Kuro who looked back at them and then at the gagging, heaving priest, tears rolling down his dying face. With a pained snarl she reached forward and snapped his neck so hard his body practically flung himself off her bloodied hand and he struck the ground with a thud.
A single violent shiver ran across swordswoman's black clad frame before she stilled and slowly drew herself up and choked out, "I'll deal with them." With that her wings flared, and she blurred across the road, snatching up the man whose neck she broke and Irfan awkwardly handed off the dead man with an arrow in his throat.
With easy strength, Kuro dumped the pair atop the priest.
"Need a Firestarter?" Lihan asked all too casually.
Asila wanted to punch him, but at least Rasha hadn't heard even as she peaked out from Asila's robes, cringing away from the sight of dead bodies.
"I'll protect you," Asila whispered, "Just trust me, OK?" She continued to run soothing circles on the girls back and Rasha nodded stiffly, fingers sill coiled in her cloak.
"I can handle it," Kuro muttered, using her none bloodied hand to pull a scroll from within her jacket; kneeling down she pushed it between the dead bodies and performed a small chant, before Asila's senses screamed out in offence and fear as Kuro and Lihan jumped back.
A single rune flared above the scroll and then a miasmic black aura flooded out from around it, spreading across the humans like flames on oiled parchment it began to… devour them, rot them, utterly erase them in a sickening display or squirming flesh and writhing magic.
Asila covered Rasha's eyes, more on instinct than anything else and she did not protest, just leaned against her shivering.
"What in the…" Irfan caught himself but Kuro had heard him.
Casting a sorrowful look his way she muttered, "It's a Darkness spell, I was given the scroll with the spell stored in it in case something like this happened." Shoulders shuddering she forced her head up, "Tell no one of this until we get to Muiska and speak to the Faction Leader. Until she decides what to do, no one can know what… What I did."
She received uniform nods from them, and quickly took up her swords, slotting one on her back and using the other to slash at the remaining pile of dust on the dirt path, scattering it.
"There. Now no one knows what transpired here… Come on, we need to move. Please," She added weakly.
They followed in silence.
Their plan had worked, but it tasted like ashes in Alisa's mouth.
It had been hours since the battle, and they had finally fallen upon a crystal-clear lake resting just a little way off the road.
Kuro had slinked off to clean her bloodied gloves and left them with the food, along with a host of little familiar spirits dancing through the woods ready to sound the alarm if any beasts came.
Despite or more because of that, Irfan and Lihan were both on guard, though only Lihan showed it by patrolling the tree line, while Irfan lay against a nearby rock and soaked up the sun, but his gaze followed Kuro's on the other side of the lake, hidden by the elves hat.
Rasha sat at Asila's side, no longer quite clinging, but definitely hovering, her head low and eyes clouded as she nursed a canteen of water. Ever since the battle, Kuro had made it a point to stay at a distance, and Rasha had been more comfortable around people shew knew not to be her own than the other Fae, avoiding Kuro's gaze the few times she had glanced back and barely speaking.
"Are you alright?" Asila asked, they needed to 'talk', but even outside that she didn't like seeing Rasha so downtrodden.
"I… I don't think so… Sorry…" Rasha seemed to curl in on herself more, as if sharing that fact alone was shameful.
'Must be her first battle.' Shock from such death, or more, the horrific aftermath would certainly explain it, though it left Asila wondering if Rasha was even younger than she appeared. Elves after all began training and served their tour of duty young, but despite her dangerous job, the girl seemed ill equipped for the world at large.
"There is no need for you to apologize," Asila crooned, rubbing the girls back, "Do you want to talk?"
"I don't think I have the words," Rasha said mutely.
Asila hummed, "Let us try this. What right now is bothering you the most?"
"The most?"
"Yes," She smiled, "You seemed nervous around Kuro, you saw blood today and well, you had another surprise as well." She wanted, needed to discuss the matter of their nature with Rasha, but pushing now would risk driving her away and Asila honestly did want to help and their elven status seemed the least important to her right now anyway, no reason to go raising alarm.
"I… Its Kuro-San," Rasha took a hasty sip of her drink and smacked her lips, "I know, I know she was protecting us, but- But she ripped that man's heart out. She threw an arrow though a mans throat, she broke bones and, and-"
"Shh, shh, take your time, don't get lost in the memory," Asila held Rasha's free hand and gave it a gently squeeze, looking her in the eyes.
Rasha's breathing slowly came back under control as she pressed on, "She killed. She killed so easily, like it was something she was used to."
"Should a warrior not know how to fight?" Asila asked.
It had evidently been the wrong thing to say as Rasha slipped her hand away from hers, disappointment clear in her gaze, "You really don't get it? Do you?"
"Please then, Rasha, explain it to me. I want to understand, I want to help."
Swallowing the girl nodded, and with a cracking voice began to speak.
"We fairies, we aren't… We weren't Fae, we used to be humans, on another world, a planet with no magic and only one moon. Alfheim, it was a fake world, a game, we'd got into the Amusphere and it was just a… A simulation, no one got hurt, no one died, the fighting was all pretend."
Asila's mind felt ready to knot itself thrice over at those claims alone, but she kept the uncertainty from her expression as Rasha sucked in a breath and clutched the bottle in her hands tightly.
"Outside of games, in our country at least, you'd never really be in danger like that. A person could go their whole life and never see violence, never get attacked or see someone die, it was safe. Peaceful… Not at all like here."
Those words hung in the air for a moment and Asila shuffled around to sit in front of Sasha, leaning down to try and stay at eye level, "That is all… Rather extraordinary."
"I guess, but its true, ask any Fae and they'd tell you the same, but Kuro… Maybe she was made to kill in SAO, but she did it so easily and I… I was scared. I know they wanted to kill us. I know she did the right thing; I understand it and I hate it," her voice cracked as tears spilled from her eyes. "I hate this place. I hate what it's doing to us, I wanna go home!"
Asila reached forward and bundled Sasha up into a hug, letting the girl bury her face in her neck as she wrapped the tiny Fae in her arms and cloak, safe and secure as she ran soft circles on her back. "There, there, let it out, let it all out."
The Lindworm scale gloves Kuro had been gifted by a member of Kurotaka shortly after they retired from fighting due to aptly named Transition Trauma, were of high quality. Like most of her gear it was well above what she'd been wielding before the Transition, was dark, lined with silver, had a good durability rating and because of that, she only felt a little guilty when slapping it against the stone more violently than needed.
'The bloods gone, its gone!'
A part of her brain barked, but that just meant she went back to her sleeves, and then her hands, digging under her ever-dirty nails for more blood and rubbing until her skin ached and then right back to the glove.
'Idiot. Idiot! So careless, look at what you did!'
She should have cloaked them in smoke or invisibility the moment she knew people were coming. She should have known people would be coming at all by scouting ahead and dealing with them alone, or doubled back or just knocked them out or done literally anything else!
'Rossa, I'm sorry, you'd know what to do better than I ever would,' She heaved and forced back the tears, trying to tune out the sound of the avatar breaking, of the man dying on her hand, of Gwen's dagger in her gut. Her hand instinctively went to her left side where now only a scar remained.
She heard a cry and shot to her feet!
Only to see Rasha sobbing in Asila's arm and the woman sent her a sorrowful look and shook her head, before returning her attention to the girl.
Kuro dropped back to the stone and plunged her hands back into the lake, water trickling down her cheeks.
Rasha's body had finally stopped quaking and her sobs had quieted to a soft sniffle before Asila guided the girl from her arms, hand stroking through her mussed hair.
"Do you feel any better, dear?"
Rasha nodded, "I feel… Empty… Thank you, Asila-San. I just…" She quieted as Asila cradled her cheek.
"You've nothing to apologize for dear, I'm glad I could help," Her easy grin was gentle and grew genuine as Rasha returned her own small smile.
Rasha reached up and cradled her hand, murmuring, "Asila-San are… You and your friends are elves, right?"
"We are," She said simply.
Rasha nodded slowly, consideringly.
"Did you have any questions about us?" Asila plied.
"I… Did you come here because of us? The Fae I mean."
Asila shrugged, "Not exactly, we did not know of your people's presence here until we saw you flying in the sky a minute before the spiders grabbed you."
Rasha's brows rose at that, those strangely sharp eyebrows twitching, "Only then?"
Irfan gave a lazy wave, "We kept to the backwoods mostly, I like camping after all."
A tiny sound, almost a laugh escaped Rasha's lips at that and some of the lingering tension left her shoulders.
"To answer your question, Rasha," Asila said. "My friends and I were part of a group patrolling the Sahara border, human kingdoms like to send crusades against us and if we don't project at least a small presence they'll start mounting for new invasions."
"Then the Transition happened," Rasha said, not even a question.
"Exactly," Lihan cut in, "We felt the world shaking, the spirits cried out in discord and confusion, we feared something terrible had happened."
Rasha's expression said something terrible had indeed happened, if not I the way he thought, so Asila pressed on. "We left our comrades to send messages back to the capital, but we couldn't ignore the potential danger and raced through the Black Woods into Tristain and have been keeping to the border since then."
"That must have led to some surprises," Rasha chuckled humorlessly.
"It certainly did, though we were fortunate enough to avoid most of these Mobs until recently, and then we met you and," She shrugged, "The rest is history."
"But… Why help me?" Rashha blushed and leaned forward, "Not that I think your bad or anything I just… I don't know, everything here's so horrible at times and I'm working for your enemies."
"Well, we didn't now that at the time," Irfan chuckled.
"But I would have helped you regardless," Asila sent him a reproachful look, "I'm not the type of person who'd leave a child to be devoured by monsters, Rasha." She clasped the girls hands and smiled, "I promise, so long as I'm here, nothing will harm you."
The tiny Fae was flushed, as she ducked her head, "I believe you, Asila-San, thank you. I… I guess you wanted to know more about Fae?"
"The thought had crossed our minds," Asila's smile grew somber. "You heard what I said about the humans' crusades, yes?"
The girl nodded, "Heard a bit too, from the humans."
Asila's tone was level as she intoned, "Rasha, I won't try and turn you against these people, but just know to be wary of their Church. To them their Founder is a hero, for he killed millions of our ancestors."
"Millions?" She gagged. "That's horrible! The Tristains can do that?" Rasha's eyes were wide in alarm.
"Fortunately, their Founder," The name was like ash on her tongue but she needed to tread carefully, "Was a unique entity, one who carried a magic all his own that no other human has wielded. Still," She let her shoulders slacken and looked a little askance, "Our ancestors were terrified and enraged, and with Brimir's death at the hands of his elven… Consort," She wrinkled her nose. "We drove the humans out of our lands and to this place."
"So that's why they keep launching crusades?" Rasha reasoned, nodding as if the idea was familiar.
"More or less. Though their disdain for nonhuman life likely plays apart, the land was ours as much as it was theirs once though and they'd not be inclined to share at this stage." She gave Rasha's hand a gentle pat, "Our home is… perhaps, not dissimilar to yours, at least in the sense, we do not wage war or suffer terrible internal chaos and violence as these lands do. When we fight it is only in self-defense and as a people, we value peace deeply."
"But we have to be able to defend ourselves, or else many of our people, especially young one's like you will die," Lihan said, looking off into the distance.
Rasha flinched, but nodded, "I understand, I guess we're ah, I think the term is OCP," The girl blinked at their obvious confusion and chuckled. "Outside of Context Problem."
"How novel," Alisa chuckled, "And yes, I suppose that is one way to put it, though I confess I am worried for your people's sake as well. The humans Founder could only do what he did to our ancestors because they trusted him, I would not want to see your people caught unawares."
Rasha nodded solemnly, "I… Thank you, to be honest all we want is to go home, but, if we stay here, if we keep… Changing," She cringed. "I worry about what could happen, its scary. Are you," She frowned thoughtfully, "here to establish diplomatic contact then?" she said after a moment's thought.
"Would that I had that kind of authority," She sighed, "As it stands my hope is to learn enough to take back to my people to ensure that such an avenue remains open, but as it stands, we know too little and if our presence here became known, it would likely endanger your people."
Rasha hummed, nodding, "I can help, I owe you guys anyway and, I like you, I want to help," she insisted, as if trying to convince them, or maybe herself.
"Thank you, dear, we truly appreciate it, but first," Asila cast a glance at Kuro, "Do you want to talk with her? I think she's struggling too." Besides, it would be wise to let Rasha settle and avoid isolating her, and for all that their first encounter had been steeped in threat, Asila held no grudge to the Spriggan.
"I… Yeah, you're right, she didn't deserve me being so scared of her," Rasha said slowly.
"Its natural to be scared by fighting," Lihan cut in, "Just remember why it was being done rather than the acts themselves, that is the important thing."
"Right, I will, thank you!" And with that she was off, unseen spirits of wind trailing behind her, listening closely.
Rasha spread her wings and drifted across the pond where Kuro was on a rock, meticulously cleaning her glove.
The girl must have noticed her though as she looked up and adopted a kneeling posture, hands in her lap she bowed, "Hello, Rasha-Chan, can I help you?" She asked quietly.
'She looks like she's been crying,' Kuro thought, gut twisting in guilt.
"I just wanted... I wanted to say I'm sorry, Kuro-San!" She bowed towards the other Fae.
There was a beat and Kuro answered, "You don't have anything to apologize for, Rasha-Chan I should-"
"No, I do," She insisted, "You were protecting us, protecting me and I acted scared of you. That was wrong… I'm not scared of you, I'm grateful and that… That's what scared me." It wasn't entirely true, but it did strike to the heart of things, Rasha felt and at this point she was too overwhelmed to really try and parse out anything more complicated.
Kuro stilled, hands coiling into her pants and slowly unclenching as she murmured, "Thank you, Rasha-Chan. Even if what I did shouldn't ever inspire thanks, I am glad you're safe."
Something about her words didn't sit right with Rasha, even while another part of her said she should agree that murder shouldn't be thanked and so without thinking she said, "You're a good person, Kuro-San. Thank you," And after bowing one last time to the stunned Fae she drifted back to Asila, a weight in her chest finally settled.
Kuro leaned back on the smooth cut stone and watched Rasha return to her companions, the other Fae's words settling something in her.
But as Kuro watched Rasha rejoin them, Asila sending Kuro a wane smile and thoughts came unbidden, previously kept at bay by her mired self-loathing.
'Who are they?' It was, on its face, a silly question and yet, something did not sit right with Kuro about the trio.
'They're skilled, but they struggle to fly and they're exploring, despite the dangers?' She had half a mind to think them mired in denial or delusion, but they seemed to put together for that.
'Besides who am I to judge anyone's mental health?' She thought; eyes drifting over to Lihan who kept up a strict watch on the nearby woods.
'Lihan's my biggest worry. Irfan just knocked his foe aside, Asila's so protective of Rasha I doubt she's dangerous but Lihan… I had to stop him from tearing that priest open!'
'Someone so skilled with blades but no magic and so comfortable fighting…' The scar on her stomach ached.
It was an uncharitable thought, but it was because of such thoughts that Kuro had the responsibilities she did, because of that familiarity with killers that she was at least useful to her people rather than a burden.
'All of them were scared when I destroyed the bodies,' The thought made her stomach turn. 'But they seem fine with me now, it could just be they worked through it faster than Rasha did, even if they shouldn't, if they've been on the road its… Possible.' She reasoned, trying to not give into paranoia.
'But Lihan was still ready to kill an unarmed man, he moved so confidently not even a little hesitation and he's easily the most on guard, while the others, they seem fine now so…' She looked at the dosing Irfan and chatting forms of Asila and Rasha, then back to Lihan, the man's gaze met hers and held it for one, two, and then it drifted back to the woods, like it was just a passing glance.
Could he be an SAO Survivor like her? It was possible, Kuro knew she wasn't the only one who hadn't adjusted to IRL well. Friends who had out-aged her, parents who couldn't understand her and terror at the prospect of having to face all she'd done. What it had cost people.
Those factors and vague rumors had led Kuro to fling herself into the first virtual world she could, seeking some effigy of false strength by imitating a real hero and shutting out the real world.
'But he has friends, maybe they're even family? So maybe… Maybe they wanted to get him back into gaming, or like, help with his adjustment using the Amusphere?'
It made sense but didn't answer her burning questions.
'Who is Lihan? Can he be trusted?'
If he was another SAO Survivor, just using his skills and experience in a death game to protect himself and others that was fine.
But what if he wasn't just that? It was a small chance, but too important not to consider and as Kuro ran a hand along her arm to where the Laughing Coffin branded their tattoos, she resolved herself.
'If he's innocent, there's nothing to worry about, but if he was with them, or someone like them… I know can trick it out of him.' Her gaze drifted to the other Fae as a plan began to form in her mind.
'But first, we have to get to Muiska.'
Kuro wasn't about to be caught alone with a Laughing Coffin Member a third time.
"So, it would be, Rasha-Chan, Kuro-San and Sama for any Fairy Lords?" Asila hummed.
"Yes," Rasha nodded seriously, "If you're not sure just try to avoid using names, you've done well at that."
"And here I thought we were being subtle," Asila chuckled.
"I only noticed it now that I know," The girl amended with a blush. "Oh, and you may want to pretend to be a Puca, you said your magic is like prayer, if you disguise it as a song, you could probably play it off more easily than any of our other magic."
The thought of weaving magic into music, or using song to call on the spirits resonated with Asila and she wanted to see a Puca as soon as possible. However, "I could try that, but I may work to avoid casting magic lest I need to regardless. Though you said there are stored spells?" A very advanced concept, Asila thought.
"Yes, that's… That's what Kuro-San used with the scroll and I think with her double, that'd work well, oh and you could also say you're Sylph, they tend to be green haired, but there's some blonde and you're taller than most Puca anyway."
"Well," Irfan cut in with a grin, as Lihan sent the man a withering glance, "Given the height of musical talent in our group is Lihan out of his mind on cactus juice trying to play a harmonica, we may just have to do that."
"I was not inebriated," Lihan snapped, drawing nothing but gentle laughter from them.
"That doesn't help your case dear," Alisa said with a grin.
"You are bad people, both of you," Lihan said, stiffening as the spirits announced Kuro's approach.
Asila sent Rasha a significant look and the girl nodded, a serious set to her even as she smiled impishly.
"Ah, Kuro-San," Irfan called, pushing himself up with a tired grunt.
"Good nap, Irfan-San?" The Fae answered politely.
"Not bad, though hard to get any sleep with this lot," the elf smirked.
"The Rest Houses at Muisca have thick walls, if that helps," Kuro answered.
"We're leaving then?" Rasha cut in.
Levity faded and Kuro donned her helmet, "If everyone is ready, it'd be best if we arrive as soon as possible."
Asila rose to her feet, pulling Rasha up with her, "Let's be off then!"