27 ~Weapons~

By: Little Ucchan

Chapter 4: The Morning After

"Geez, Sage. Can't I show my affection for you once in a while?" ~Kento

Stretching his arms above his head, Cale let out a bear-like yawn as the sunlight of the early morning hours seeped through his shuttered window. Blanking for a moment, the young man reluctantly hauled himself out of bed, picking up his lazily discarded clothes from the other night.

Truth be told, he'd rather not leave Metna so soon. He was actually planning on hitting a few taverns, how numerous they were, in hopes of uncovering a new job opportunity. That was the problem with being self-employed. You had to actively look for a job and sell yourself if you wanted to make a living. But being a veteran of the game, with a nice ten-year resume of experience to show for it, he knew how to land a job. Though it would be nice to be paid a salary for a change.

Cale mentally winced, appalled when he found himself wishing he had agreed to Dais' 'generous' offer. Snap out of it! He plopped down on the edge of his bed, snapping on one of his shin guards and yanking his boot over the armored plating. Just forget what happened last night.

Alas, he couldn't forget. He was departing Metna prematurely because of it.

He couldn't stay. Not when the Guild was aware of his location. What a pain. Cale wasn't the type to run, but he knew when the odds were stacked against him. He could only hope that Dais would keep his word and keep the Guild off his back. He'd normally, never trust a Celdonian Sorcerer who also happened to be an Elitist. That was trouble times three! However, oddly enough, he had taken a liking to the aristocratic gentleman.

There were a few things he had picked up from the white-haired man, most not being spoken to him directly. For one, he knew that, although a Sorcerer, Dais didn't graduate from CIHA. The course curriculum had almost all students graduating by the age of thirty. 28 for the gifted. And until then, apprentice Sorcerers never left Celdonia. Dais, on the other hand, has spent some time in Altai (explaining his clothes), and is a reputable Guild member of the highest rank, a feat that could not possibly be accomplished overnight. Considering that Dais is only in his late twenties, he could not have graduated from the Celdonian Institute of the Higher Arts. He either got kicked out or dropped out himself, either outcome earning a few brownie points with Cale, who despised the institution and what it taught. Plus, Dais didn't demonstrate that Celdonian pride that was characteristic of all the country's citizens. It made him more tolerable to be around. Perhaps, even amiable.

But… he was from the Guild, so Cale couldn't take his trust with him that far. Dais was just following his orders. That was it. Though it irked him that he had to constantly reminding himself of that. The truth was, at the close of their conversation that night, he felt the Celdonian had empathized with him. He knew Cale's reasons, because they were his own, at one point. The mercenary was certain of this. Dais lived a carefree life on the edge, during some moment in time. So in a way, Cale couldn't help but trust him to not have the Guild pursue him after his rejection of their offer.

He snorted in disgust, pulling on his light, slim-fitting jacket over his short sleeve and buttoning it up halfway. You're getting soft, Cale. Guild members don't 'empathize' with anyone. He roughly pulled his chest protector over his head, clicking into the place the latches on either side of his ribcage in order to secure the armor around his torso. He shook his head. Too soft.

Cale stood up, and in one fluid motion, draped his red cape around his shoulders, fastening it with a gold clasp that hung loosely around his neck. He put on his shoulder guards next. Fixing the collar of the cape in the wall mirror across the room, he checked his appearance before moving to the washbowl on the table. Pouring in some fresh water from the pitcher the maid had left him, he briskly splashed his face, wiping himself dry with a nearby hand towel. Cale then clasped the last pair of guards around his forearms, straightening up the fabric underneath before he deemed himself ready to go.

But where to? He had no destination as of yet. And the sun was beginning to rise high above the rooftops of the city.

He sat back down on the bed and fell back onto the mattress, letting his arms dangle from the opposite side. His fingers brushed against something long and smooth. Further prodding identified the object as his sword. Cale grabbed the sheath and held out the weapon in front of him, mesmerized by the glistening polished finished of the hilt and scabbard. He had studied fencing in Altai, and had a beautiful, well kept, nodachi to show for it. Cale loved swords. Especially this one.

The mercenary gripped the handle of the blade, unsheathing it halfway, watching how the sun's rays reflected off the surface of the stainless metal. He wondered when was the last time he got himself involved in a really good sword fight. It's been so long. Lately, he's just been traveling, doing odd jobs here and there. Where was his edge? Where did the exhilaration of his youth go?

He knew the answer to that one.

Havenglade.

Cale smirked, sheathing his sword and leaping onto his feet. Maybe it was about time he headed back home and paid his childhood friend a visit.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

The huge structure loomed before him. Dark. Shady. Almost ready to swallow him alive if he wasn't careful. He had heard the rumors of this temple, and although he was certain half of them were lies, he was surprised to find that all the descriptions of the ruins were quite consistent. Same with the overall emotion present when he heard the tales circling around Essa. Every person who had told him about it had described a type of paranoia that had consumed them upon their encounter. Some were actually still jittery when speaking to him of their experience with the temple ruins. And he understood why. Standing right in front of the entrance hallway, an unexplainable chill ran down his spine. He didn't know what had caused it, for he wasn't afraid at the prospect of entering the ruins. But nonetheless, his body was reacting to something that he couldn't explain. And that uncertainty was probably what was preventing him from entering now.

"Freaky place."

He didn't turn to his companion, studying the heavy stone structure with his eyes, hoping that maybe he'd find out why he felt this way.

The woman crossed her arms, not in scorn, but rather to keep herself warm. "Is it here?"

"No."

She looked at him disbelievingly, that expression on his face meaning anything but the fact. "No?" she questioned when he didn't elaborate. "Then what—?"

"Shh…" He raised a finger to his lips, asking for silence. Closing his eyes, the man fell into a trance-like state as the world around him slowly slipped away from his conscience. She waited till he was finished, knowing better than to disturb her partner when he was 'searching.' But that didn't mean she was waiting patiently.

The tapping of her foot against the ground and the eerie wind that whistled past them on occasion were the only two sounds that could be heard early that morning. She looked around her uncertainly, taking in the old, mossy look of the temple they were investigating. It didn't seem that bad. Heaven knows she's seen worse. But yet… she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

After waiting for an exceedingly long period of time, not being able to stand the silence any longer, she called out to him. "Well?"

He calmly opened his eyes, and as the effects of his meditation slowly wore off, his face became more and more disturbed. "I sense… a great source of power."

"A great source of… Do you know what's causing it?"

"Not exactly." He shook his head, then added as an afterthought, "It could be a ~Weapon~…"

"But?" she asked, knowing there was more.

He frowned. "There's something different about it," he confessed, shrugging his shoulders in an apologetic manner. "At this point, I can't be certain what it is."

"Then we should go in," the woman stated, clenching her fist. "Right?"

The lack of response made her resolve weaken, subduing her eagerness to rush forward. "Right, Ryo?" she asked again, looking at her partner for confirmation.

"…I don't know." He narrowed his eyes at the ancient ruin, seemingly mocking them with its stoic exterior. "Do you… feel that?"

"Hmm," she nodded, hesitantly at first, then with more assurance, her gaze shifting from the raven-haired man to the yawning dark entrance awaiting their decision. "I thought it was just the wind. But now…" She shivered slightly, wrapping her arms around herself for protection. "I can't help but feel a little afraid."

"It's like it doesn't want us to enter."

She looked at him, puzzled, her long, tail-like braid swaying with her movement. "It?" she asked carefully.

"…Never mind," Ryo chuckled, putting on a disarming smile before turning his attention back to the temple. He couldn't believe that he was going to do this. Standing a few yards away from the front entrance, he never imagined that he'd turn away from their strongest lead.

But it's a dead end. Something was guiding him to think in that direction at least. He didn't know for sure. A hunch at best. However… he had one other way to find out besides entering the temple himself. The only problem was that his partner would not allow it.

Ryo almost sighed aloud, turning to face the girl who had forcefully tagged along on this 'little' quest of his, despite his (and not to mention the village elders') protests. This whole trip would have been easier if she wasn't around. Not that he found her to be a nuisance. On the contrary, she was a great help, to his surprise. But her tendency to worry about him made Ryo consciously tone down how 'adventuresome' he would get, for her sake. He knew all too well that any danger he'd throw himself in would place her in the thick of it as well. But his being more reserved didn't necessarily guarantee that she would be as well. Can't calm a raging spirit.

"So…" she drawled, drumming her fingers against her folded arms. "Are we in or out?"

"What do you want to do, Luna?" he asked instead.

"I'm fine either way," she replied, knowing that his uncertainty wasn't without cause. "It's really your call." On a spur of the whim, she added, "But if we're out, you have to buy me a piece of jewelry."

He smiled softly, charmed. "Deal."

She uncrossed her arms, spinning on her heels to openly gawk at him. "Really?!"

"We'll stay in Essa for a day or two." His smile broadened. "Plenty of time to pick out exactly what you want, right?"

Luna nodded, completely amazed. They never took time off to actually relax during their travels, the mission always the first thing on her partner's mind. But for the next two days…

"We'll head out to Metna afterwards," Ryo informed her, breaking the mild assumption she had of their quest actually not occupying his mind, seeing that as wishful thinking. She subdued the urge to cross her arms in irritation, now knowing how the next day or so would play out. She'll be out shopping and he'll be preoccupied planning where to go next and preparing for their leave. No vacation for him. Essa was just a pit stop.

She sighed aloud. His devotion to the task the village elders had given him worried her at times. True, dedication and faith were key elements to completing the mission. But the mind needed rest; his most of all. Complete concentration day in and day out would eventually wear him down. And Ryo's been like that ever since he first picked up the Twin Fire Swords of Laii.

"Luna?"

She blinked in surprised, Ryo staring back at her, a questioning expression on his face. "Something wrong?" he asked.

"Oh, um…"

A pause… then a forced smile.

"It's nothing."

He nodded, silently. Looking over the ruin one last time, Ryo absently ran his fingers down the metal guard encasing his left forearm. He felt a tinge of power surge through ~Kaji~, somewhat bothered by a force nearby.

The temple.

There was something about it that he couldn't place. But he'd find out.

During their stay in Essa… he'd find out.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Hmm…" The young girl stretched out her arms above her head as the morning sun warmed her face, a gentle breeze ruffling her hair simultaneously. "A perfect day." She whirled around energetically to smile at her companions, walking backwards down the road towards the front entrance of the city.

"Don't you two agree?"

A disgruntled snort accompanied by a leveled glare greeted her sweetly innocent inquiry. And what reason did they have to be in a sour mood that fine spring day, walking through the streets of Essa? Well, Sage, the one who continued to glare at his sister's now turned back, was still bitter about leaving the temple grounds, against his will (of course), the other day. It had, fortunately, subsided over the night. That is… until he found out only less than an hour ago that they were leaving for Ledon.

Tch. Satsuki really didn't trust him to exercise some self-control while in Essa, organizing to leave the first chance she got just to get him as far away from the temple as possible. It was actually a good call, on her part. He was thinking of sneaking away in the dead of night, but he knew Kento's reflexes better than anyone. After all, he wasn't hiring himself out as a bodyguard when he first met him just for kicks. The Altainese warrior was well suited for the job, especially at night, keeping intruders out and — in his case — would-be escapees in. Out of all the mercenaries and bodyguards out there, Satsuki just had to pick the one from Altai. True, in a real match, swords were better than fists, and he was very apt in the art of fencing. But seeing as how he would never raise his sword at the man… well then Sage just had to give up on sneaking out of the inn while everyone was asleep.

Then that left today. But of course… they were leaving. And Satsuki made sure that he found out at the very last minute.

Sage sighed. His sister really did know him well. If he had known about this earlier, he would have argued all night! He was very good at debating. And in fact, Sage did argue once he found out that morning and still continued to do so until he was presented with the prospect of facing both Kento and Satsuki's wrath. Only then did he back down.

Now, the blonde was in one of his moods, half-sulking half-angry, as he walked behind his sister who was happily skipping down the streets, swinging her hands to and fro. Victory was hers.

And as for Kento's reason for being less than enthused… Well, he'd been up since first light. And lack of sleep was making him grumpy.

"Why did I have to get stuck shopping for provisions?" he griped, adjusting the large bag strapped to his back.

"Because I was watching my brother."

"I wasn't going to leave!"

"Well then why did we need so much?" Kento carried on, as if the swordsman hadn't spoken at all.

"Because, Ledon is three days from here. There's not many places to stop over on the way so we had to stock up." Satsuki then shot a quick glare at the burly man before turning her head away. "Besides, you eat twice as much as Sage and I combined, so I wouldn't complain about the weight of the food if I were you."

He let out a sheepish grin, deciding against voicing any further complaint… for the moment. Sage, meanwhile, was taking up the rear of the group, purposely lagging behind. He was quite cross at how they were behaving towards him. Geez, if they're going to be like that all day then I just won't talk!

Their group was just approaching the city limits, the vastness of the world waiting in front of them. Sage cast a parting glance behind, then diverted his eyes towards the forests to the east where the temple ruins lay snuggled deep within its breasts. He sighed in disappointment. So much for that. He turned his attention forward, towards the travelers that were now entering Essa, and came across a young couple in the distance. Normally he wouldn't be people watching so openly, especially while on the move. But the girl was enough to grab anyone's attention.

A young woman of a rich, dark complexion was walking down the main road with her male companion, dressed in a rather unconventional outfit resembling a gypsy's garb. The long, black shorts she wore that fell just above the knees fit her like a second skin, her midriff acting in the same fashion. Like everything in her attire, her hair was of an ebony hue that gleamed a dark, metallic gray in the sunlight. Thick locks fell around her face, particularly towards the left, the rest kept back in a tight ponytail braided down to the tip. The only items that stood out from this woman were the numerous gold pieces of jewelry — dangling from her wrists, neck, and ears — and the cloth, close to the size of a grown man's cape, folded and loosely tied around her waist, exposing the entire length of one leg, but not the other.

She's from one of the island nations. Her physical features told him that much. But as for being a gypsy… No. Sage shook his head. She's a gypsy in garb, but not in profession. The way she carried herself resembled someone out on a mission, her walk laced with purpose and confidence. The swordsman could only come to the conclusion that she was born in the south, but she was not raised there. And the man she traveled with only emphasized that fact.

He was dressed ordinary enough; white pants and double shirts, a loose black tank top with a short sleeve and collar shirt underneath. A very common style among the youth in Argon, but not of an Islander. True, the man could pass as one, his appearance also dark, but not close to the same level as his partner. His skin was only tanned. His hair, like the girl, was a deep, jet-black color, going pass the shoulders and tied loosely at the base of the neck. Very unruly, like how he could imagine Kento's hair would get if he grew it out. But his facial features and structural build suggested that this man came from the east, but not Altai. Hmm… Kento had told him of other, smaller nations along the coastal border of his homeland. Maybe these two came from one of them. But what would they be doing so far away from home? And in Argon at that? Altai was a very large country to cross over, by land or sea.

While Sage was playing with the idea in his head, seeing how his two traveling companions continued to ignore him, he failed to notice that the young man had cast his eyes towards him, having had been aware of the attention the blonde had been giving him and his female companion. Tiger blue eyes roved over his form, examining his attire and summing up the swordsman in almost the same fashion that Sage had. But his eyes caught onto something that the other had missed. The broad sword hanging from Sage's belt. His lips twitched into a contained smile. Interesting.

Sage looked back at the pair, unexpectedly coming across a set of brilliant blue eyes watching him watching them. He was planning on diverting his gaze, as if nothing had happened, but found that when he tried, his head started to hurt. It was a slight feeling of discomfort at first, but soon escalated to a throbbing pain right behind his eyes. Wha…? He was forced to slow down, entranced by the man's eyes, but at the same time reeling from the encounter. What is he doing to me??

"Hey Sage!!"

He was suddenly whacked hard across the back by a very large hand, sending him stumbling forward, almost tripping over his own two feet. He staggered to a halt, the pain in his head subsiding only to be replaced with the sting he felt on his back from where Kento had slapped him without warning. "Kento…" Sage clenched his fists, about to round on the other man when he found a strong arm wrap itself around his neck, the Altainese warrior quickly pulling him into a headlock.

"Man, what are you doing, lagging behind like that," he chided lightheartedly. "Shoot. Me and Suki almost left you!!" He then arched a suspicious brow at him, eyes narrowing simultaneously. "Don't tell me you were planning on going back to Essa."

"No," he tersely replied, breaking out of Kento's hold. He placed and irritated hand on his hip, quickly raking his fingers through his hair to rid it of its disheveled state. "Mind telling me what that was for?"

Kento's grin widened as they continued down the road, casually placing his arm around Sage's neck, this time in a more buddy-buddy manner. "Geez, Sage. Can't I show my affection for you once in a while?"

Affection? Yeah right. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes.

"C'mon," Kento pulled him in closer. "The sun's almost directly overhead. Gotta make up for lost time." He was actually concerned about their traveling distance now?? Oh, there was something very wrong with this picture.

But before Sage could call him on it, Kento tilted his head so that his mouth was near the blonde's ear and whispered something that left the swordsman speechless. He almost forgot to keep walking, but Kento's arm, still slung casually over his shoulder, nudged him forward, sharply reminding him not to draw any more attention to their group. A later explanation for his actions was all that he could offer. But…

Kento cast a fleeting glance behind him, spotting the pair as they entered Essa. The woman was talking to her companion, the man half attentive to what she was saying. To anyone else present, nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Just a young couple coming into the city and an energetic pair of friends departing. But…

The man pulled the slim bag over his shoulder again, moving it back to its original position. Kento scowled at his retreating back, a foul taste entering his mouth at the memory. Sage wasn't in any condition to notice at the time, but the raven-haired man had rolled the excessively long bag under his arm, cradling the upper portion of the bag in his palm with his thumb folded downwards, the tip resting on something slightly protruding from underneath the cloth. It had happened in less than a few seconds, but the concluding pose got Kento's blood boiling. He knew a draw stance when he saw one, and there was no doubt in his mind that the bag he carried had at least two swords in them.

Laiians. Although the heritage of the woman was questionable, both were from the small republic next to Altai's eastern border. And the fact that they were here in Argon didn't do much to ease Kento's mind.

He'd explain later. That's what he had promised Sage. But the truth was, he wasn't exactly sure what was going on himself.

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

"Why did you prepare to draw??" Luna repeated, looking sternly at the man. Ryo casually swung the bag carrying the Twin Fire Swords over his shoulder, raising a wary brow at the woman.

"Why did you?" he turned the question around, his eyes fixated on her hand, which was still behind her back. She immediately released her grip on the throwing knives concealed underneath the cloth tied around her waist.

"He reacted to your 'searching.' I thought he was going to move."

He shook his head. "He reacted only because he's actually sensitive to spirit probing." One of the few out there. "You shouldn't act so rash so soon," Ryo lectured, although he knew the reason why she would. "Especially with a Zan'Shao."

Luna blinked at him, looking back behind them before staring at her partner again. "The blonde? A member of the warring clans?"

"No," Ryo chuckled, shaking his head. "The other man." It was apparent to him, judging by her bemused expression, that she really didn't know of the danger the swordsman's companion had presented. It explained why she was so quick to round on him for pulling out the swords. She thought it was unnecessary. He very well knew otherwise.

"He had his hand on a three sectioned staff tucked away in the back of his belt." Ryo watched in amusement as Luna's eyes widened in surprise. "He reacted to your move. So I reacted to his." He then laughed again, trying to put Luna at ease, for she was beginning to feel guilty for starting what could have been a very nasty fight. "Don't worry so much. Nothing happened, after all."

"I guess," she sighed. "What region was he from? Did you see?"

Ryo's eyes narrowed slightly. He did see the piercing in the man's upper left earlobe, the orange gemstone burning bright in his mind's eye. Chouka. He was of the Rei Fuan, one of the strongest clans in the nation. A battle with him would have proved to be very bloody indeed.

"No," he lied, deciding to spare her the thought. "I wasn't able to catch it."

"Really?" Luna found it strange that he didn't notice the color of the earring and still be aware that he was a member of Altai's warring clans. But Ryo was in the middle of a spirit probe when the Zan'Shao made his approach, so it could have slipped his attention. "Well, then did you find out about that tall blonde?"

Ryo thought back on it, and frowned. His concentration had already begun to slip when he had to move his swords into a drawing position, but that only meant it would have taken a bit longer. No problem. He had kept his gaze locked firmly with the other man, not about to let him fall out of his grasp when…

"Tch." Ryo crossed his arms over his chest.

"I take that as a no."

"The connection broke off too soon," he replied. "I couldn't determine whether or not he was the rightful owner."

She huffed irritably, blowing some bangs away from her face. "That guy knew about the spirit probe as well, didn't he?"

A nod. "I'm sure that he slapped him on purpose." But that would be expected from someone of his standing. He had better watch himself next time.

"Did you at least find out what ~Weapon~ the blonde was carrying?" Luna asked.

"~Korin~," Ryo replied, actually having the answer to that question. "One of the light ~Weapons~ of Halo."