Three Elves & a Fae

All credit to Zam

Chapter 3

The woods of Tristain had bled into the thick and heavy jungles of Spriggan territory, as floating islands became common once more and road markers carved in the visage of Evil Gods and crumbling ruins could be seen throughout. It made Kuro relax, just a little, knowing Muiska was close.

It was a fortunate thing that the rest of the two-day trip back to Muisca was a fairly simple affair. There had been a brief encounter with a skull armored Gryphon, but the combined skills of herself and Lihan scared the mob off.

Slowing the journey to a walk was difficult, but it seemed the three Sylph hadn't been lying about their hiking skills, they'd not complained once during the entire trip, while Rasha would simply hover if her legs grew weary, buzzing around like a firefly.

"Over the next crest is the Shrouded Stronghold, Muiska," Kuro said in her best tour guide voice. She was surprised to see how… rivetted, the other Fae looked. "First time here?"

"It is," Asila said, "I admit we don't know much about it at all, so this promises to be new and exciting."

"Ah, fair enough, though try to hold your applause, ma'am," she added with a wink.

The final hill was passed and laid out in a low valley was a litany of straw roofed houses, built upon the ruins of a once great metropolis of stone that now stood crumbling and overgrown. A great ziggurat rose from the earth, standing tall like a palace, but it took was riddled with cracks and age, the entire place was steeped in a thick mist.

The other Fae's strides stalled, "That's your capital?" Lihan asked, in something like veiled annoyance, before muttering "ow!" at Asila's jab.

Kuro chuckled, glancing over her shoulder as she led them towards the misty farmlands beneath the jungle canopy that surrounded the capital "We Spriggan are illusionists and tricksters, so what do you think is the best way to disguise our home?" With that she waved a finger, counting, "Tak, tak, tak," and the gasp arrived as the mist parted, the tree-line gave way, revealing Muiska beneath the approaching night sky.

Where once there had been ruins there were now cozy apartments, adorned with elegant vines that bloomed beautiful flowers. Trees so elegant they looked to be crafted rose up into the sky, housing watch towers. Engravings covered the walls and runic patterns lined the cobblestone streets. Small fortified buildings of smooth stone in sharp, boxy styles could be seen on every block, broken up small ziggurat manors and ornate houses. Ore lights on evert street were slowly humming to life, providing light to streets that could be charitably described as bustling with ashen skinned Fae filling the sky with shadowy sparkles.

"H- How, does this work?" Asila asked, gaping like a fish.

Kuro looked her over and saw Rasha facepalming but just shrugged, "No clue, this is the Transitions work. Though I am sure there are some very clever Fae working on the secret. This kind of illusion magic would help us a lot."

"Yeah, I'd sleep easier knowing we could do this," Irfan mused, as they picked up the pace, passing by cleanly cut stone rivers that crisscrossed the city streets, flowing with sparkling waters.

"I notice there's still signs of ruins, here and outside," Lihan said.

"Hm? Oh yeah, I was told the lore of Alfheim is that ancient Spriggan betrayed the Alf king and served an Evil God or something. So they were struck down by their kinsmen and had to rebuild in secret. That's why half the city is above ground and the other half below with secret entrances scattered all over the place- Oh, Tokeko-Senpai!"

Asila had, had to force her burning curiosity down, her nails still dug into her staff as she considered what magics might enshrine and entire city in an illusion she struggled to sense!

Once again, Rasha's claims of Alfheim being once fiction and the Fae being some form of human was put to the test. Conflict ran high between the Fae's manner which was far too civilized for barbarians, their strange ignorance, and now their own lore and the tone in which Kuro discussed it only further confused her.

'With whatever spell of tongues lets them speak the local language not translating some terms, I must wonder if human is merely a filler word, used when another might be more fitting?'

Forcing her curiosity and confusion down, Asila focused her attention on the Fae Kuro was addressing, she was tall, for one, with wild black hair done back in a ponytail that did nothing to hide the spikes. Her uniform matched Kuro's in its black and silver lined aesthetic, complete with a hunting bird heradly on her belt; but in place of a blade, adorning her back was a rune covered bow. Sharp features bore a cheery grin as she answered, "Heyo, Kuro-Chan! Seems you've picked up some stragglers."

"Haha, I assure you, senpai, they are all very skilled," Kuro said, bowing to the taller and seemingly older Fae. "How's Nawaki-Kun doing?"

"Well he's complaining about studying, so that's normal at least," Tokeko answered, before standing a little straighter. "Oh right, do you still have your…" She trailed off as Kuro removed her helm, head shaking.

"No, I had to use the Scroll, I'm sorry."

Toekko cuffed Kuro gently on the arm before sigh, "Don't apologize, I trust you to have only done so because you needed to. OK? OK?" She stressed.

"OK, thanks, Tokeko-Senpai," Kuro whispered.

"All right, well seeing as that happened, big sis will definitely need to know, and given she already wanted to talk to you-"

"Eh, have I done something wrong?" Kuro gasped.

"No, no, not at all," The Fae waved of hastily, "She just wants your perspective on something and," Tokeko frowned, "She thinks more stuff is coming, word from Alicia-Sama's people, but we don't know anything for sure yet."

Kuro ducked her head and sighed, "And we still haven't cleared out the World Tree."

"When it rains it pours," Tokeko commiserated, before clapping the younger Fae on the arm, "Listen, I have to meet up with my party and go hunting, but we'll talk later, yeah? You'll be coming by the guild hall and sticking around, ya hear?"

A small shiver ran across Kuro's frame before a smile broke free and she nodded fiercely, "Yes Senpai, I need to show Asila-San's group where to sleep but after that, I can see Morgiana-Sama and I promise I'll come by the Guild Hall."

"Good, feel free to bring your new friends too if they like, we have space. See you," She sang, ruffling Rasha's hair as she passed and giving them all a pleasant smile.

"Safe hunting, Tokeko-Senpai!" Kuro called, turning to watch the other Fae fly into the sky and disappear into the mist, worry etched on her features.

"Well," She finally said, "We can't keep the Faction Leader waiting, please, follow me."

Asila made it a point to try and take in a s much of the city as possible, fortunately Kuro seemed to think little of it, letting them meander and linger as they drifted through streets not exactly designed to be navigated solely by foot.

Just as Rasha had said, despite the Fae being divided into nine tribes they seemed to get along famously. 'Another marker they are akin to we and the united clans Senate,' she mused, at the sight of different wings and manners of clothing scattered through the city. Sharp blue wings and and strange cog bearing one's were the most common, the twin sets of Fae seeming near opposites, with the former being tall and lithe, looming over elf and Spriggan easily, while the latter was diminutive and almost childish.

She sent Rasha a look, and the girl met her gaze, frowning as if in thought before popping her lips, "So I guess Lord Rute and the Leprechauns are still close with Morgiana-Sama, given all the cogs I'm seeing?" The girl asked.

Kuro hummed, "Yeah that alliance was a bit before my time, but there were still lots of artificers and crafters hanging about in the nearby villages that had to be evacuated after the Transition, they've proven really helpful with upkeep."

'So there are political alliance, naturally I suppose, and Rasha mentioned water Fae as the Spriggan's neighbors, so the blue one's must be Undine,' Her mental note taking came up short at the sight of round ears and horse drawn carriages in a sort of circular segment of street with a fountain at is heart, lined with several stands and what must have been stalls.

"Humans, here?" Irfan asked before catching himself and hastily adding, "With how tense everything is, I did not expect that."

Granted said humans looked stiff, even as they grinned at the robed Spriggan and little leprechauns in suits bartered with them, trays of shining coins on hand while carriages laden with foodstuffs and seemingly random assortments of other goods.

"Oh yeah, one of the benefits of the negotiations, we're finally get food imported, not enough or fast enough admittedly," Kuro said, a frown marring her features as Tokeko's hunting party took on new meaning. "But enough to bolster our food stores while we wait on the next allotment. I think the merchants bring other stuff to, trying to see if there's a market for anything from silk to vases and everything in between."

"I suppose traders are the same in every world," Asila mused, drawing a chuckle as they passed the humans by.

"Any good sauces?" Rasha asked suddenly.

Kuro groaned, "We all wish, same for tea, lots of wine, but plenty of us can't drink and Morgiana-Sama definitely doesn't like it being in the city," Kuro added more grimly.

"Mhm, Mortimer-Sama was apparently considering a probation but got talked out of it, just as well the people drinking out of alcohol before it could get real bad," the girl said, tugging at the hem of her pants.

With that the conversation petered out and Asila found herself resting a comforting hand on Rasha's shoulder, drawing a small smile from the girl as she walked just a little closer and they continued their round about trek towards the central ziggurat.

Lihan's cloak obscured his torso and let him keep a hand resting on his blade as they followed the Fae through the winding, chaotic streets of the city. They were seemingly being allowed to pass through with no comment, but from what little he'd gleamed from the girl and his own eyes said they would stand out despite the Fae's peace with their cousin tribes. And that would make any oddities in their behavior more pronounced and thus place them in more danger.

'Yet, I do not think it is us who they are looking at,' He mused, eyes trailing along the scattered Fae as groups parted for their party or watched Kuro with some interest.

It was not hostility, or more, Lihan didn't think it was, some seemed pleased or even excited as the archer had been, waving or sharing salutes with the swordswoman. Most of those however were uniformly marked by bird imagery, similar to the archer and Kuro's own.

'Others however, not so much,' he thought, seeing a pair of guards quietly cringe as she passed and mentally filing it away with the scattered sets of accusing eyes he'd already spied.

"That's the other SAO Survivor, right?" Someone asked, only once they had passed by, and earned a jab to the ribs when their partner saw Kuro startle at the words.

"Shut up," Their partner muttered.

"But didn't they-"

"None of our business, come on."

After that they were too distant to hear and Lihan didn't trust his bond with the spirits enough for a prayer to go unnoticed.

'The girl mentioned this before, SAO; some disaster, a war or revolt perhaps?' All he'd been able to gleam so far was that those touched with the title lived lives marked by violence, something that most Fae allegedly knew little of. 'At first, I assumed her merely naïve, but perhaps not…'

Lihan forced his musing back as the bronze, pyramid came into view. Truly a master work, the walls were lined with fantastical carving of piercing detail, depicting armies of Fae that seemed to fly like a murder of crows blended with a storm surging towards a Great Tree, while others showed epic battles against fierce monsters, with Fae runes running along the top and bottom of each 'step'.

"This it the central Ziggurat, Morgiana-Sama should be here, or she's at the Kurotaka Guild Hall, either way her second in command will be able to take your missives, Rasha-Chan," Kuro said, motioning towards the looming door.

"Ah, thank you, Kuro-San for showing us all the way here," The girl bowed, and Asila mimicked the motioned, followed slowly by himself and Irfan.

"Ey, Kuro-Kun, Big Sis wants to speak with you," One of the Spriggan guards called.

Kuro sighed, hands waving as if in surrender, "I know, but I also need to show these guys to a Rest House, and my report may take awhile." She sent them a pleasant smile, "Unless you four wanted to take Tokeko-Senpai up on her offer? Kurotaka is made up of good people, but it can be, heh, noisy."

Asila rested a hand on Rasha'a shoulder and bowed a little, "I think she was just being polite asking us to stay, we wouldn't want to impose."

Now, Kuro was frowning, "Just so you know, Asila-San, that wasn't just an offer for a place to stay, but," She looked down at Rasha, "A place to talk about what happened, if you need one."

The guards previous cheer dimmed, and one said, "Something went wrong?"

"Obviously," the other snapped, "But it's not our business unless they want to talk about it at the Guild Hall. Not in the street," his partner stressed as nearby Fae tried to listen in without being too obvious. and failed

Asila glanced at Rasha who thumbed the fabric of her dark red pants before shaking her head, "Thank you, Kuro-San, but I think I'll wait till I'm back in Salamander territory, we're… Making our own ways with this… Stuff."

Asila nodded along, "It would be best for us to decompress with only those we know well, but please pass out gratitude onto your Tokeko-Senpai, it means a great deal to us."

Kuro bowed, "I shall. With that in mind… Lihan, how about I show you to a Rest House, while the others see Morgiana-Sama, then you can show them the way while I give my report?"

Lihan was too well trained to stiffen at the thought of being isolated; but he'd be lying if he hadn't noticed the dark Fae staring once or twice, just as she had seen him watching her.

"That sounds like a workable plan, this place does seem somewhat maze like," He said coolly.

"Want me to come along, I know how you get with directions," Irfan chuckled.

"That was because your instructions were terrible," Lihan answered with a withering glare. If this was a trap, better that Asila have back up than himself, her closer ties with the spirits would ensure a swift escape to tell what they'd learnt while he... He was but a simple soldier.

"That is very kind of you, Kuro-San, thank you," Asila answered, giving them both a smile as she passed, before following Rasha to the doorway, as Kuro was waved off by her fellows.

"Well, this way," She said, a low undercurrent of tension in her tone.

'What are you planning, Fae?'

The interior of the central ziggurat was as beautiful s its exterior, strange orbs radiating warmth and light, illuminating elegantly crafted halls of smooth stone, decorated with brilliant art and symbiology. But Asila found that very hard to appreciate when lost and crowded in cross cutting halls and stairwells that seemed to lead every which way!

"Up, up, up they said," Irfan grumbled.

"I heard the Faction Lord runs the top three levels, with the peak being the Sprigan's flight tower," Rasha chimed in before still, "Ah, I think this is it!"

Unlike the passed levels that were lined with roomed and corridors this floor seemed like nothing but open space, a wide foyer, lined with map tables, small study tables, weapon racks, art and seating, with a large desk separating the next stairwell from the rest of the room.

It was also fairly busy, but even fewer paid them any mind save for a quick once over, while the be-speckled Fae in dark robes motioned them towards the central desk, where scrolls and ledgers were stacked neatly, "Courier mission is it?"

"That's right!" Rasha chirped, holding up two scrolls, "For the Spriggan Faction Leaders eyes only, Lord Mortimer said."

"He would say that," Chuckled the Fae, rolling one of the Scrolls in his hand, "All right, Big Sis isn't in a meeting right now, so head on up, and be sure to knock."

"Thanks!" Rasha said, skirting around the table.

"Thank you for your service," Asila added, as she and Irfan trailed after the girl to no comment from anyone. 'Such a trusting people, no wonder the humans want to use them.'

Like the stairwell, the door in question was more than twice the width of the past one's, allowing for three Fae, or two elves and a Fae to easily walk side by side right through it. The door itself seemed was lined with elegant engraving and bore the same silver wings Asila had seen among the Kurotaka people.

"Hello?" Rasha called, knocking on the dor.

"Ah, liberators," Cried a booming voice, "Come on in!"

Asila and Irfan shared a nod and pulled the doors open to reveal a large office, crafted from the same shaped stone and bronze as the rest of the ziggurat, it was lined with shelves, statues, and strangely, deeply realistic portraits showing everything from partying Fae to portrayals of distant landscapes and mighty beasts.

In the center of the room was a veritable giant of a woman, long dark black hair done up in a tight braid, with ashen skin, strong shoulders festooned in a dark dress, clearly designed for combat. Her eyes sparkled as she threw up her arms and rose from the desk, "Welcome, welcome, my new favorite people!"

"Your paperwork will still be here when they're gone," Chimed in another Fae, a grey-haired man in robes, seated at his own desk and looking over a list. His words drawing a chuckle from another Fae who sat on a windowsill, looking over a scroll and adorned in leather travelling gear.

"Hush, I need a stretch," countered the woman, lazily vaulting over the desk.

Asila took what tine she could to carefully cast her gaze across the table's contents. Too much was in what she could only describe as Fairy runes, she'd seen them on street signs and businesses, but could find no commonality between them and the Fae's spell languages. She could also see scrolls marked with the Barbarian script and most interestingly, maps. Some too detailed for her to understand at a glance, but two laid out next to each other with colored markers showed the human kingdom and an unfamiliar island.

'Alfheim, and I would guess where their cities are now located perhaps?' She thought, trying to place the corresponding white and black markers resting atop the picture of what she guessed was the World Tree and a stylized ziggurat like the one they stood in now, corresponding to where she had seen the Fae's World Tree and where she currently stood.

The towering woman did in fact start stretching, while grinning widely, "So who's the adorable little Salamander and friends?"

"Good evening, I'm Rasha, and these are Asila and Irfan. They've been a lot of help," Rasha replied, bouncing on her heels.

Asila took the moment to offer a steep bow, "It's an honor, Morgiana-Sama."

"Oh, stop that, or I might get a big head," She chuckled, patting Asila's shoulder before leaning back against her desk, all ease and confidence.

'I was expecting someone like a Senator, stern dignity and a distant airs, but this woman, she'd not be out of place lead a camp of revelers,' Asila mused.

"Speaking of help though, I don't suppose you know where Kuro-Chan went do you?" Added the Fae woman.

"Ah, she is showing our third to a Rest House," Asila said, smiling sweetly.

"Ah, I guess I'll have to talk to her later than," The woman frowned, before arching an eyebrow, "Tell me did she actually sleep on this mission, or just power bomb stamina potions?"

There were several ideas there Asila wanted to question, but she knew the only safe thing to do was answer the question. "Not that I saw, though I might have missed something."

Rasha nodded, "She said she'd stay up all night when we were in the human town, but after that… I don't think she slept.

Irfan just shrugged helplessly, before shaking his head.

Morgiana groaned and pinched the bridge of her nose, "That girl is going to be the death of herself before this mess is over with. Drake," She snapped, "Cancel the plans I had for her tomorrow, that girls getting some sleep if I have to knock her out."

"What about the World Tree Raid?" He countered.

"That's still a week or two away, we can come back to it and before you ask, I'll talk to her tonight about the other stuff," With 'Drake' seemingly satisfied, she turned back to them.

"Thanks for that, Kuro-Chan's a good kid, but she needs to learn to look after herself as much as her allies. But speaking of allies," She sent Asila and Irfan a considering look, "Does Sakuya have something for me too?"

"They were just wandering and helped me out with some mobs and decided to come along," Rasha answered for them, and revealed her twin scrolls.

"Ah good for you lot then," Morgiana said easily as she toyed with the scrolls, "The royal seal at last, now we can get some use out of that lazy baron."

"Do we really want to rely on that noble?" Drake asked, finally looking up from his work.

"Building trust has to start somewhere," Morgiana said lazily, "But it helps to have a little something in your back pocket, can you handle this?" She asked, glancing at the other Fae.

"You got it big sis, though..." She said slowly.

"Yeah, I'll have her ready in time."

"Thanks, I'll be off then!" With that the Fae pushed opened the window and leapt from the window wing flaring to life and with a sparkle they shot into the sky.

The spectacular display was apparently so mundane, Morgiana had already cracked open the other scroll a devilish smirk on her lips. "Oh, this is cute, Eugene wants my help if they encounter another field boss! Think he's flirting, kid?" She asked, sending Rasha a wink.

The girl flushed madly, "I- I dunno!? I just think he thinks you're really strong!"

"Adorable," Morgiana cooed, ruffling Rasha's hair, "You guys have anything else to report, strange mob behavior, bandits, that kind of stuff?"

It must have shown on their faces, or at least Rasha's as she stiffened and some of the color faded from red ringed cheeks, "Um… On the road, W- We got attacked by a priest and some people... Kuro-San… She killed them all."

Morgiana's expression grew cloudy, something fierce in her form as she bit bac a growl, and knelt before Rasha, "Tell me what happened."

"Do you want us too?" Asila asked gently, hand on Rasha's back. "Rasha's so young, and we were there for the whole fight." It also wouldn't do for Rasha to let something slip or paint a picture too distinct from what Asila needed the Fae leader to see.

Rasha looked at her worriedly, but her hand had also grasped her cloak, kneading the material anxiously, something Morgiana noticed as the woman nodded, "All right, let's sit down and you can talk me through it."

Lihan kept close enough to Kuro that if she or any other Spriggan made a move he'd be able to strike first and deeper than the swordswoman. His eyes always watching for how the alleys might close in to make a good spot for an ambush, ears listening intently for the telltale drawing of steel or spell chants.

However all that he got was much the same as before, a sort of passive acceptance, barely more than an arched eyebrow before their gazes glanced right off of him. Meanwhile Kuro continued to catch eyes, not everyone's, but enough people it was clear she had a reputation.

Another silver winged marked Fae had come by, greeting her companionably and there were a few cheerful greetings to be found, but most always tinged with an undercurrent of tension Lihan could not quite place.

'Then there's the more overt reactions,' he thought, recalling a scowling Fae who made it a point to catch Kuro's gaze before loudly ignoring her and flying down an alleyway. Meanwhile several scurried to get out of her way, while others seemed to grow just a little defensive, bodies tense and eyes wary. He heard several references to this SAO, another spoke the human name Gwen and Lihan was sure he'd heard "dead" drift into conversation.

Kuro bore the attention she garnered with an awkward sort of peace, smiling politely, nodding, and waving at those who wanted attention and politely ignoring anyone else, while tension ran across her shoulders.

"You seem to be well known," Lihan said quietly, as they left the main street and began heading towards a large building, almost like a stadium, with a wide doorway leading to what looed like a stage.

"Ah, maybe a little," Kuro said absently, like she did not wish to discuss it.

Lihan hummed in thought, 'It seems the girl was right, at least partially, some of these Fae seem truly wary of Kuro despite her behavior.' Was he missing something to do with this 'Gwen' -an oddly Halkagian name- or perhaps Rasha's previous claim had been wholly the truth? That the Fae truly were alien to violence, making the exceptions who could and would kill aberrations and perhaps even evil in the eyes of their kin?

'She's obviously in a complicated situation. If she knew violence and death before coming here, perhaps she was even a criminal and is seeking redemption through service to her people?'

It was a strange thought, these Firstborn so soft to the ways of the world that they would need to call on people who could break their taboos to survive in a new land where violence was commonplace.

'If nothing else, Kuro is certainly a capable fighter, so she would perhaps be too useful to leave locked away.'

It was hard for him to come to any other conclusion given Kuro's dogged commitment to protecting her kin and the reaction of so many among the Spriggan to her presence, especially when weighed with Rasha's claims and simple logic.

Lihan was drawn from his musings as the hallway Kuro had led him down came to an end with another bronzed gate revealing what looked to be an open arena. Stonework with Fae runes jutting out of the ground made up the floor, high walls rose up around them revealing empty stands and hanging banners, fluttering in the wind. The twin moons shimmered behind the drifting mists, casting ominous shadows across the grounds.

Kuro turned around, coat snapping and Lihan lurched back, waiting for an attack, but none came. Instead, the Fae stood there, as if waiting for something.

"This isn't a Rest House," he finally said.

"It isn't," She conceded, gesturing around grandly, "This was to be a PVP arena for the Spriggan dueling tournament. Then the Transition happened and well, obviously no one wants to use it for that now. We were using it to train people to fly and some use it for practice, but not at this hour. We're alone," Kuro slid one of her sleeves up, clasping just above her elbow.

"I suppose we are…" Lihan ventured, waiting for the blow to land and watching her odd gesture with open confusion.

They lingered in silence, tension mounting, watching the other warily for what felt like an age.

"Do you… Not recognize me?" Kuro said slowly.

"Should I?" Lihan's mind burned as scenarios appeared in his mind and were just as quickly discarded.

"Lux, my name in SAO was Lux!" She snapped, only to stop short and look at him wide eyed. "You… Have no idea what I'm talking about…" She grasped her face and groaned.

"You mistook me for someone you knew?" He ventured, easing off his defensive stance just a little.

"I did… Lihan were you in SAO?" He shook his head. "I am so sorry, I… I feel very silly right now, Lihan-San," Kuro bowed, "I saw you going for that priest with intent to kill and just assumed you were… Well it doesn't matter what I assumed, I'm sorry."

Were Lihan less composed his heart would be hammering in his ears rather than just thumping very loudly, but he forced a calm air into his tone, "This world is a dangerous one and he meant to kill us, I was not really thinking, just reacting and I was… Lost in the moment," he mumbled, looking away as he'd seen Kuro and Rasha do when they did not wish to discuss something.

"I see," Kuro said softly, "You're not the only one whose been relying on Transition born instincts, and if you've been fighting Mobs a lot," She sighed. "Well, whatever the case, I'm sorry for wasting your time," she rolled down her sleeve and strode by him, "Come on, the Rest House actually is close to here, then we can get the others."

"Right, lead the way, Kuro-San."