Rachel.
Rachel's eyes sprang open, frightening Nago and Gii. Her heart pounded like never before, the inquiring voices of her familiars deafened. She lay on the grass, unsure where she was within the world of grey. Light-headed and sight hazy, she sat up. Once her vision cleared and she confirmed herself not to be dreaming by pulling on Gii, Rachel stretched her left arm and curled each finger inward to make a fist, checking her joints. With great care she stood, mindful of possible damage to other areas. Nothing hurt; nothing failed to work.
"Princess, are you okay?!" Gii asked.
"I am… not sure. Did either of you hear a voice?" Rachel took their confused expressions as a no. She surveyed the area with eagle vision. As more senses returned, she detected no other living things as if cast into an alternate space. Slowly, the pieces of her fragmented memory reformed. A strange voice had sounded shortly after they arrived in this forest, warned them to leave… then a blank.
"Is everything alright?" Nago noticed her almost frazzled expression, as if she'd seen her worst nightmares.
"I will feel better once we leave this accursed forest." Was that a figment of my imagination? It felt so close. Her heart rate returned to normal. Rachel recalled Bang's warning before they had set foot in the forest; yes, it was nothing more than her imagination. "Come. I think it best to search for the owner of that ominous voice," she suggested.
"Shouldn't we look for the others?" Nago broached.
"I am sure they are all right. Dealing with the owner of this voice might be the only way to escape this pla—" A sudden ringing brought on vertigo unlike that which summoned her to this world, threatening to rend her mind. Her familiars called out as she wobbled to a nearby tree for balance. She clutched her skull and shook her head as if it would help. Just when the headache subsided, another ring revived the punishment. Within it a voice called, soft, familiar… fatherly.
"Rachel."
Rachel fought through the pain. It was her imagination, it wasn't real. But observing her familiars' shocked expressions told her otherwise. There, within the fog, a figure materialized. By the rustling of grass, it was no dream. However, the figure changed as it encroached, and when the owner of the voice emerged from the mist, pure, unadulterated rage consumed Rachel for the first time in years.
Greenstone
"That old man couldn't wait for us?!" Steam puffed out of Luna's ears as she stomped down the street.
"You can't blame Mr. Bang. You didn't exactly give him any indication you wanted to tag along," Sena said.
"You're taking his side now!?" Luna pulled Sena's cheeks until they were red. "Fed a meal and given a soft bed, you warm up to him and betray me!"
"No fu got fit fuall wrong!" Sena managed to say despite the constant tugging.
"Whatever!" Luna released him, Sena rubbing his sore face. "Anyway… we need to get going."
"To where?"
"Where that old pervert is, obviously! He said we could live with him if we wanted to, so why don't we? We won't have to worry about our next meal or where we're gonna sleep for the rest of our lives."
Sena sighed. "You just feel bad about everything and want to apologize, right?" Luna's silence and hard blush meant he hit the nail on the head. "He took care of us where others would kill us, and I really do think Mr. Bang is a kind person. What you said last night was mean, and we should both apologize."
Luna didn't debate him, grumbling. "Okay smartypants, how do we get to him? We don't even know where he lives." The siblings stopped in their tracks. He could be from the Kingdom of Illia; for all they knew he could be a trader from another continent. No leads, no educated guesses, and worst of all… nothing to eat. All hope seemed lost until the creaking of an approaching carriage caught their ears. They beamed at the trader who closed in, the same man Bang bartered with. Luna and Sena rushed over to him.
Sena gave Luna a hard look for her to leave all the talking to him. She reluctantly complied. "Excuse me, sir."
"Yes?"
"I was wondering, do you happen to know where that trader you spoke to yesterday lives?"
The old man stroked his beard. "Bang? What business do you have with him?"
"He helped us last night and we were… ungrateful to him," Sena explained. Which was an understatement; they had considered killing the man for his supplies. "We want to make it right, but he was gone when we woke up."
The trader hummed and hawed. "Do not hold it against me, but I feel uneasy giving personal information to strangers, even if you are but children."
"What's that mean!?" Luna snapped. "We want to find him to say we're sorry! Luna said some really terrible things and she wants to make up for it, and all we're asking you to do is tell us where we can find him! So, start talking, or does Luna have to make you?"
"That's enough, kid." Herman's companion stepped up to Luna. Tall and burly, she instinctively backed away.
Herman patted his friend on the back. "Stop, they're just kids. This saves us the trouble of searching the town for him." Herman stooped to Luna and Sena's level, a bit slow due to his old age. "Bang has already left? If so, his next stop was Watercrest, his home. I need to speak with him, and if you still want to see him, you can ride with us."
"Yes!" Luna fist pumped.
Sena bowed. "Thank you, sir."
"Please, no need for formalities. My name is Herman, a pleasure."
"Mine's Luna, this is Sena—c'mon!" Luna leapt into the carriage and Sena sighed after his sister. Herman just chuckled as the four travelers headed to their new destination.
Forest of Dreams
Ragna and Bang trekked across the foggy terrain, the latter grateful they had not gotten separated. He thought back to Luna and Sena, glad he hadn't taken them along or else they would share in his predicament. God only knew what would happen if they had gotten separated. But did they have money for food? A question from Ragna pulled the merchant from his musings.
"You doin' okay there, old fart?"
"Y-yes," he replied.
"Tired? We can break for five."
Bang shook his head. "Nothing of the sort. It's just… I met two children last night and offered them sanctuary in my home. However, they were not awake and I did not have time to take them with me, and I am no kidnapper. They were a feisty set." He chuckled.
"I'm sure those runts'll be fine, then. But I think we should focus on getting the hell outta here first… if we knew where the way out was." Ragna could only see a few feet in front of him. The Azure Grimoire might have augmented his physical abilities, but did nothing for his five basic senses. "Can you put a face to the voice? You said you've been through here before." Bang recalled more than him, remembering a figure. Based on their frame and ominous voice, the attacker was female.
"No, I cannot. This is the first time I have heard or seen such a person."
"Then we go pay her a visit. It's the only way we're gettin' outta here…" Ragna sighed.
"Pardon my rudeness, but why are you going to the Kingdom of Illia?" Bang inquired. "Do you have business with them?"
"Sorta." Ragna took a moment to gather the proper words and kept it concise, careful to omit anything that would lead to harsh questioning. "The Rabbit and I were asked to take care of something, and they tipped us off to the church for more information."
"I see. Excuse my prying, but I ask out of worry. Strange things have been afoot within the Kingdom as of late." The warning prompted Ragna to raise a brow. "I have not been to the Kingdom in some time, so I cannot vouch for its validity. However, it warrants concern. There have been cases of sudden disappearances in Illia."
"Disappearances?" Ragna repeated.
"Some assume it is due to dissenters of the church exacting revenge, but there have been so many speculations I have lost track. What worries me the most is the idea the church itself is behind it," Bang explained.
"Is the nation ran by the church?"
"For the most part. Religion is strong in the Kingdom of Illia, and it has been incorporated into their laws and lifestyle. Its people cling to it now more than ever for comfort and security. There is a king, but most decisions are made by the head priest, Father Hosios. Sometimes I confuse the two for who rules. At this point, there is a king for the sake of having one–royal blood means nothing to divine faith. And while I am unsure of the church's accountability for the disappearance of its residences, they have acted in the shadows before." Bang shook his head with a solemn sigh. "Things are not like how they used to be. The shining thorn of the continent has been met with foul rumors, and talk of war with the Royal Empire has run rampant. There have been small skirmishes, but it is only a matter of time until the two clash. I ask you to be on guard."
Ragna nodded his understanding, noticing the strange look on Bang's face. "Wanna ask me something?"
"I cannot say I am not curious, but who is this Jin person?" When Bang encountered an unconscious Ragna purely by chance as he trekked through the woods, he mumbled the name "Jin" a few times. Judging by the melancholy in his eyes, this Jin fellow and he were somewhat close. The way he rummaged for a response, seeming to try and answer wisely, meant the two were not on good terms.
"It's complicated," Ragna finally said.
"Is he an old friend of yours?"
"No, he's my younger brother." Ragna itched the back of his scalp. "A few years back he and I got into a bit of a fight, and I haven't seen or heard from him since. I doubt he thinks about me anymore. He's the kinda guy that moves on pretty quickly."
"Nonetheless, you still wish to rebuild your relationship?" Bang patted his shoulder. "I am in a similar situation myself. A former friend and I disagreed on a matter, and since then, I have not seen him. Tales of his exploits and accomplishments spread like wildfire through the lands, and I am happy for him, truly, but I cannot bring myself to forgive him. Or face him, for that matter."
"This guy a hero or something?" Ragna wondered.
"…You could say that. He—" The abrupt rumbling beneath them toppled the trader and nearly Ragna. From the splitting ground rose a massive arm made of rock, the earth construct emerging slowly. Ragna darted in front of Bang, drawing his blade and blocking its punch within a millisecond. He repelled the attack and knocked the golem back, then slashed the construct clean in half with a wide swing. It fell to pieces, and Ragna didn't have a chance to ponder where it came from before it reformed and swung a massive fist he barely managed to block. He split two trees clean in half before crashing into a third. "Ragna!" Bang gasped when the golem shifted its focus to him, the large green gem that served as its eye glowing brighter and sending a chill down his spine.
"Son of a…!" Ragna shook his head and stood up. Bang now in its sights, Ragna quickly closed the distance and severed the arm that swung at the trader. Seithr erupted from his grimoire as Ragna unleashed the devastating wave of darkness that cleaved a path through the foggy greenery. The golem didn't fall, the lack of force behind the attack indicating his powers had not yet fully returned. Ragna decided to complain about his deficit later and readied for the coming enemy. He zeroed in on where the green lines pulsing along its body which ran like a circulatory system converged at its chest. Ragna rolled his eyes at his own inability to deduce the blatantly obvious and charged when the golem did. Its slow punch was easy to avoid; he drove his sword right through the juncture and the golem disintegrated. "Well… that wasn't so bad," he remarked.
"Are you okay, Ragna!?" Bang rushed up to him, horse and carriage in tow.
"I'm fine, but…" Ragna looked at the golem's remains. "You wanna tell me what the hell just happened? Are these things wild in this forest?"
Bang shook his head. "Golems are constructed by magicians who copied their forms from the ancient golems of centuries passed. They are not wild monsters. But you seemed adept at dealing with the creature."
"Not really, just aimed for the obvious spot." Ragna clicked his teeth. "Guess we really do gotta hunt the owner of the voice down to get outta here before they kill us. Old man, walk ahead."
"Understood."
"Illia…" a figure repeated almost hypnotically. The person in question was mature and wore a red full-length dress with golden trim that had been torn in a fit of rager, her umber hair reaching the small of her back. From her severed space she observed the foreign travelers. Why hadn't they turned back? Why come through the forest? Now she had answers to those questions. "They really are after me. Right when I have come so close to perfecting it!" She chewed on a fingernail. These were not like the warriors Illia often sent, and if the woman could prove that much to her, she would assume the man equaled her.
She drew in a deep breath and chanted several incantations, slowly, so as not to waste a single moment. Time was precious. Skeletons and ghouls appeared from the inscribed sigils, screeching and wailing as they were forced back to life.
"I will eliminate you, just like the rest…"
Forest of Dreams: Center
An ominous presence loomed over Ragna. Although the clearing he and Bang stepped into was devoid of fog, they felt no relief; it was suspicious since the whole forest was covered by a thick mist. "Old man, stick close to me," Ragna warned. He and Bang stopped dead in their tracks as nearby bushes rustled, Ragna ready to draw his sword and fend off another creature. He relaxed when Rachel emerged with her familiars, her brow furrowed.
"Are you faring well?" Bang queried.
"Yeah, what happened to you?" Ragna added.
"I encountered a rather loathsome creature, that is all," Rachel venomously replied. Both men understood not to press the issue. "I would suggest we search for the owner of that mysterious voice, but it would seem we no longer have to." Remarkable power accumulated at the clearing's center. A tear in space appeared and through it stepped a skeleton, sword in hand, followed by ghouls and similar undead. Rachel spoke in a no-nonsense tone as she moved to Ragna's side. "Nago, Gii, see to it that Bang Shishigami is not harmed. Ragna, be on guard and do not slack."
Ragna rested his sword against one shoulder. "Moody, aren't we? Besides..." His eyes narrowed to discerning slits. "The real enemy is lyin' in wait. How d'you think we should draw 'em out?"
Rachel geared for battle. "We may not have to try too hard. It would seem this mysterious caster has some grudge against us. Perhaps they are allied with the little batch of misfits you attacked last night. So this is your fault."
"Doesn't that mean you're just as much to blame as me for the guild?"
"If the principle of summoning magic has the same properties as mine, controlling this many minions takes a considerable amount of energy. Let us hold out for a little," Rachel said.
"Yeah, change the subject. Real mature." Ragna focused on the task at hand rather than press her. A considerable amount of pressure oozed from the rip in reality; they needed to proceed with caution. Whoever the mystery caster was, they must have had a few tricks up their sleeves. But it wasn't like Ragna had much experience with magicians. He hadn't run into a user of Arsmagus or heard of anyone who could control the undead.
Ragna charged the approaching army and wiped out the front row with a single swing. Rachel remained close enough to Bang in case some made it passed them yet far enough to direct their attention away from the trader. Almost immediately after being cut down, the undead repaired themselves. Nothing impressive, but to accomplish that level of regeneration at such an incredible rate must have exhausted a considerable amount of power. Then again, it was all conjecture. Ragna's quick work made observing the regenerating soldiers rather easy, but nothing changed after several minutes. If these warriors were eternal, all the caster need do was wait for Rachel and Ragna to tire out and they didn't have that kind of time. Rachel enacted her secondary idea since her hypothesis was taking too long to prove.
Ragna ducked under an axe and sliced another skeleton in half. He scoffed when it rebuilt itself for the third time. "Uh, Rabbit, I don't think this is working!"
"I am aware. Step back," Rachel ordered. Ragna leapt away from the horde. With he and Bang at safe distances, she conjured a teleportation circle around the rift. The tear began to twist and writhe, then it exploded. The force of the shockwave pushed them back. When the dust settled, the horde had vanished and its caster lay on the ground.
"The hell? What'd you do?" Ragna asked.
"It would appear spatial magic is none too dissimilar from my world. If two spatial spells clash, the result renders both spells useless," Rachel explained.
"And you couldn't do that before because…?"
"Because I just learned that, you buffoon. Besides," Rachel gestured to their destroyed surroundings, "as you can see, the nullification of two spatial spells is quite violent."
Ragna sheathed his blade. "Cleared out the fodder, so that's good."
"Curse you!" The caster's growl got their attention. She was on her feet, eyes cold and filled with malice. But what troubled them most was the red gem on her chest pulsing like a heartbeat, quickening as she huffed and puffed. "I won't end up like them. I won't let you kill me like you did them!" The gem's flicker sped up as a purple seal appeared beneath her. A dark miasma seeped out of her pores, her eyes changed into a deep crimson, and sheer power radiated off her in waves. "Servants of Illia!" She extended her hands. A red circle formed, then another on top of it. The imminent danger prompted Ragna into action and Rachel to create a spell to counter what was to come. But before the spell finished, the caster stiffened.
Ragna and Rachel faltered as the magician's body turned pale. The toxic presence she exuded faded along with the life in her eyes and the glow of her gem. She placed her hand over the now-dull jewel and muttered, "Nabile, Reya..." before falling forward. The fog slowly lifting was a clear sign of the woman's demise, the sky visible once more.
"What in the name of…?" Bang stared dumbfounded.
Though relieved, Ragna was also confused. "What the hell just happened? Did we… win?"
"Servants of Illia…" Rachel muttered aloud, then faced her companions. "Come, let us be on our way. We have dilly-dallied here long enough."
Bang nodded and looked up. "Day has already broken, we must make haste. At the forest's center, we can cut straight through the terrain." After Rachel and Ragna got situated in the cart, the former spared the deceased magus a sidelong glance before they vanished into the forest.
Yokern: Inn
"Heeere's your beverages!" Brenda, the inn's waitress, lowered the tray of Rozio and Kent's drinks.
"Appreciate it." Kent flashed her a smile. The redhead giggled and he refocused his attention on Rozio. "There's about sixty men stationed in Watercrest and I've sent seventy of my men ahead. So far it hasn't been discovered yet. But they've been rather rowdy…"
"Whose fault is that?" Rozio grinned and drank a mouthful of his beer.
"Shut up. Like I said, things came up. Scouting for information under the radar isn't easy, you know? But I think you have something more important to tell me, don't you?"
Rozio sighed and leaned back in his wooden chair. "This guy came in and made a fool of my guys. Had no choice but to run with my tail between my legs. I wouldn't be surprised if I see him in Watercrest, either."
"He a bounty hunter? An adventurer?"
Rozio deadpanned. "Pretty hard to ID a guy beating the shit out of my men and destroying the place as I jump out the window."
Kent laughed. "I bet."
"He didn't seem to be affiliated with any of the major powers. Maybe he could be a bounty hunter, but I didn't see a badge or sash or anything." He swirled his beer in its tankard and sighed. "But here we are, having a drink."
"Have to savor these moments. They'll become precious memories when this world goes to hell…" Kent also sipped his beer.
"Precious memories, huh? Never thought I'd hear you spout some mushy crap like that."
"World's changing. Have to change with it." Kent sighed. "What do you think is gonna happen when we turn the runes into the Empire?"
Rozio sighed and rolled his eyes. "They'll twist the truth, say we were responsible for the recent murder… probably tie us in with whatever the hell's going on in the Kingdom of Illia for kicks, make them look good. It'd be a good push for war. But I'll be damned if I'm gonna die. Not when I have this." He looked at his sword leaning against the table.
Kent had a worried look in his eyes. "Don't use it unless you have no choice."
"Think I can't handle it?" He laughed.
"If the last time's test run was any indication, hell no. Who's gonna help me deal with these idiots if you go and lose yourself?" Kent pointed to a batch of his drunken men.
"The hell do you mean by that?!" one of them shouted.
"Don't be a baby!" Kent shouted back over his shoulder and disregarded the grumble and middle finger. "I just don't want you to shoulder all that by yourself. We don't know anything about this thing–it nearly killed us last time you tried to use it. There's no room for chances now."
"Neither is there for half-measures. I know what I have to do when I have to do it."
A rare moment of anger passed Kent's features. "You're so damn insufferable sometimes. But… the choice is yours at the end of the day. Just hope you know what you're doing."
"Yeah, don't worry. I won't unseal its power unless I have to." Rozio tapped the hilt. "Only as a last resort. And with all our guys, what's one dude?" He raised his mug and Kent knocked his against Rozio's. They both finished off the last of their beers, then their ordered food arrive. "By the way, you're paying for all of this. Oh, and this doesn't count the money you already owe me, to make that clear."
Kent deadpanned. "Okay, now I don't care what happens to you."
This took longer to post for a variety of reasons, most important was me writing (outlining) the arcs which follow this. Beta read by Wild Blue Sonder, lovely beta reader. Better shower her with praise.
Xbox432: Ragna isn't exactly the best liar.
BigBoys: And she will continue to give him shit.
AzureWarrior21: Thank you.
Guest: They will, as you saw.
KindredWriter: Thanks!
honter11: I don't like Naruto enough for that, so I'm going to have to turn that request down. Sorry.
