[Shinjiru Mono]
shinjiru mono – something/someone that one believes in
[Chapter 1] Meguri Ai
R E U N I O N
(yay to give-away-titles )
"Sister Kasumi! The Head Priestress is looking for you! Sister Kasumi? Ka-su-mi Light-wa-ter---!"
"Yes! Yes! I'm COMING!"
Struggling with the bit of tinsel I had somehow managed to get myself entangled in, I made a mental note that most Acolytes whose job was to take messages to and fro the Head Priestress were deaf. I had told them I was 'coming' for at least five times – while, in the meantime attempting to untangle myself – and nothing seemed to have got to them.
And yes, tinsel. I hate those things, but this time it was an occasion in which I felt I could live with the for a while. This was one occasion I wanted to be done as perfect as possible, though God had never gifted anyone with Perfection.
Priestress Minte, my mentor, was getting married.
With Fubuki, the Sniper, of course. Oh, we have all gotten hints that this was going to happen, especially when Fubuki-san's visits gradually became more frequent and not only for Guild Quests, or when Priestress Minte had always looked the best when she was out on a job with him, or…
Now, it was finally their big day, and I was going to make sure everything went right. Of course, with the exclusion of jobs. I could NOT handle a job now. I was going to REJECT it. Of course I was going to do that. This marriage was the most important thing to me now. Priority number one.
Priority number two being finding the Merchant who had helped me and thanking him personally. But that's that, and it didn't matter now. I nodded to Coral, who had actually begged for a day's leave from the Monk Guild to come and help with the ceremonial preparations, and she nodded back.
I cast a hurried Increase Agility spell on myself and sped through the corridors, weaving through random Acolytes and other Priests I had never bothered to get acquainted with even though my title as the Resident Failure had long been taken off me. These people had never bothered with me, and I shall not be bothered with them. God forgive me for my being stubborn.
Like Newton's Law implied on everything, I did not stop till a force was applied on me to make me, and however this felt like Déjà vu – somehow, someway – I tripped on a mop and felt the direction of my energy change its course. Downward.
"Whoa. Careful there. The floor isn't very clean from what I've heard, the person on Duty left for something."
I didn't hit the ground by some miracle. Said miracle just happened to be someone holding me up by the scruff of my collar. Okay, so it wasn't the most romantic thing in the world, but I thought to myself – since when has my world been romantic? Moreover, I didn't really care now, since the voice sounded terribly familiar. It seemed as though my brain was trying to match face with voice, causing my vision to whirl till the shoes of the Head Priestress came into view.
"Ehm. Hi there, Sister Maryah…" I managed lamely, putting on a cheesy grin as the hand on my collar released me, allowing me to stand up straight and stare right into the stern, wrinkled face of the Head Priestress.
"Kasumi Lightwater, you have a Guild Quest from a Blacksmith, and you will go with him and several others on a Pilgrimage."
Eh… What in God's name? "But, Sister! I thought…!"
"Don't persist. I know you only want to do Guild Quests from Merchants, but the other Priests and Acolytes have their own jobs to do. You are the only one free for this!"
It was stubborn of me, I know, to only want to accept jobs that Merchants had sent to the Church in hopes of meeting him again. Don't get me wrong, I just wanted to say thank you. I had succesfully become a Priest, thanks to his advice I was rid of the title "Resident Failure". I needed to thank him, that was all.
I needed to ask him for his name.
"I…" I paused, reluctant to agree yet knowing that it was a Sin to refuse to take the job. "Okay. I will go. But not today! If it's today, then-!"
High Priestress Maryah held out her hand and silenced me, "Yes, his party members have not arrived yet and he will be staying here with us till tomorrow. Which means you are free to continue helping with the wedding ceremony. It will also give you some time to get acquainted with him… Here, I believe you have met before, Kasumi, this is-…"
What? What did she say? My mind froze as something seemed to click. As if in slow motion, I turned to face said Blacksmith, and then everything went in fast-forward almost immediately.
"-…Tetsu. Tetsu, Kasumi. She'll be your Support Priestress for the Pilgrimage you talk of."
"Yo. We meet again, Kasumi."
Ahah. Ahahahahahaha…
"Nice to meet you, again."
Kasumi, you idiot you. You had almost rejected an invitation to meet the guy you wanted to thank?
I-d-i-o-t.
"Like this?"
"Higher!"
"This?"
"No, no! A little bit more left! Aa! Right! Left a bit! Too much! Right! Oh, now you've shifted it down! HIGHER!!!"
"Coral, I'm TRYING."
The young Monk (Nun?) – or Duelist, as she insisted upon being called – grinned sheepishly at her ex-mentor, "Can't help it, Vio-san. We all want this as good as possible, and you know it. Aa! Right! That's it! Don't move! Wait, I'll pass you the nails…"
I stared at the two, mildly amused as I tried to separate my pile of tinsel. The church had hardly used these decorations for much, other than weddings – which were very rarely seen lately – and the annual Christmas, Easter and Good Friday, these bits and pieces of decorations remained in the Church's attic, tangled, dusty and messed up.
"Bridal Gown I'm selling at a cheap 40,000z! Come on, buy! It's much cheaper than in that ghastly shop they have here. No? You want more discount?"
I turned at the voice, seeing Priestress Minte sheepishly scratching at her chin as Tetsu pressed on, waving a beautiful Bridal Gown in front of her and Fubuki.
"A little… cheaper? Please?"
"I've really gone as low as I can! Please, if I go any lower I'll be upsetting my guild mates – 38,000? Good enough?"
Minte sweatdropped, looking to her fiance, flustered. He grinned, patted her on the shoulder, and dug out his bag of zeny, "It's a done deal."
"You always know a good deal when you see one, mister." Tetsu rubbed his nose, giving Fubuki a thumbs-up after they handed each other their respective items of the deal. "Okay, go on Miss, you'd better get that gown on. Sir, you also need to get changed. Ceremony's starting soon! Go on go on!"
I continued to watch the show as a small smile tugged at my lips. It was funny watching the two of them, usually so cool and composed, become so flustered on their big day. It was only minutes before when Fubuki and Minte realised they had forgotten to buy her Bridal Gown, only the Veil, and chaos ensued. Tetsu had however, found a Gown in his cart and away from chaos came haggling. I was surprised he could give it to them at such a good price without any glitches.
"Having problems with the tinsel?"
My head shot up, dragged right out of my thoughts as I stared up at Tetsu, blinking before looking back at my pile of tinsel, which had seemingly become more tangled for reasons unknown to me. "Uhm, no… I'm doing fine!" I gave him a smile, and proceeded on making the pile become a clump.
He raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure?"
"Yep."
There was a pause, and momentary silence as I continued to pull and tug at the clump of shiny bits and pieces, before he started,
"You've become a Priestress, I see."
"Un. I did, just recently." I paused, mouth suddenly going dry. Oh, I had wanted to say that particular thing and yet when time came it was so difficult. Why was "Thank you" so hard to say? I chewed on my bottom lip, searching for something to say. "Thankstoyou." It came out like a slight mumble, but I think he got it, since a grin spread over his face.
"Come on, I'll get you out of that mess." He raised an eyebrow again as I heisitated with giving him the tinsel, but continued, "If you go on being this stubborn, the wedding will not be able to take place in time."
Right. I give up.
"Good girl." It was my turn to raise an eyebrow at him as his fingers gave the clump a few tugs, pulls, and twists… and voila. Tinsel.
"Cool." I couldn't help but stare.
He smirked, "Never underestimate the hands of a Blacksmith."
I laughed. He frowned, as though insulted, then joined in laughing.
"And in front of God and everyone present, I hereby announce you two as husband and wife!" Vio finished with a flourish, nodding and slapping the book shut, a grin suddenly cracking over his serious face. "With the rings exchanged…" Here he paused for relish as the rest held their breath. "…You may kiss the bride."
There were a few sniffles coming from the audience, when I realised a few people were crying. That was corny. This was touching, but crying? Too corny. Tetsu nudged me and grinned,
"Some people just overreact."
I grinned back, deciding that he must have read my expression or something.
Then there was a slight whoop, followed by a dull thunk, and I seemed to be the only one, excluding Tetsu, who turned away from the kiss to see a Wizard – High Wizard I think, from the colours of his robe – plonk his staff right onto a female Crusader's head while she covered her mouth. I raised an eyebrow, while Tetsu waved after motioning for silence.
I sweatdropped, and turned back. Questions later, this ceremony was special and I didn't really want to spoil it. The newly wedded couple broke apart, flushed, and with eyes diverted, smiled slightly. Everyone stood up, and I followed suit. A round of applause followed, even from the newcomers at the back, as Minte and Fubuki walked the aisle hand in hand.
The Acolytes threw flowers and confetti in their path, and Vio joined in with his own multitude of blessings, even Coral, who's speciality was not to Bless, joined in with her own Blessing. I watched the two of them pass me with a bright smile, feeling something twinge at the corner of my eyes as I closed them and brought my hands forward. "Gloria."
The Church walls echoed the voice of heaven. Heck, I know that sounded cheesy, but it was all I could think of as I smiled at my mentor and her husband; they smiled back, and continued down the aisle.
Tetsu mumbled something about wasting money and getting into deep trouble with his Guildmates and he tossed forth a handful of wild, fragrant flowers. The petals fell softly around both of them as the High Wizard joined in with Storm Gust.
It was mulitcoloured confetti, and two Acolytes held open the doors of the Church as the pair walked out into the bright sunset; crimson and gold hues throwing an aurora of patterns onto the gown Tetsu had sold to them for an amazingly cheap price. The crowd outside cheered as well – they knew Minte and Fubuki well and were always helped by the two of them – and the couple proceeded to start bowing.
Minte held up something that she held in her arms. What was it? I squinted and walked forward, elbowing my way through the crowd and watched in awe as she threw it up and back, behind her. Continued to watch in awe as the bundle of something white and fluffy soared through the air…
…And land in my arms. The crowd immediately ooed and aaed, leaving me clueless with a bundle of fresh smelling white flowers in my arms.
"Huh?"
Minte turned at the various noises coming from the crowd and saw me with the… bundle of flowers. She smiled, then winked at me.
What in the name of God?
I would have asked Minte if she and Fubuki weren't whisked away to the Teleporter by the crowd. The various shouts and calls from the crowd told me that they had prepared fireworks on Comodo for the two of them and everyone was welcome to go and watch. The crowd moved on to the poor Teleporter, who, in his distress, nearly teleported himself away but ended up calling for help from a few nearby Acolytes. I hung back, clutching at the bundle of flowers, looking as lost as I could possibly look.
A pat on the shoulder caused me to jump, and I turned only to bump against Tetsu..
"Whoa, no need to be so frantic… I just needed to introduce the Group we're going with on this Pilgrimage your Church calls…" He grinned, purple eyes flashing as he motioned to a few people behind him. "Hiro, the High Wizard – he has another name, actually, but it's too long so it's just Hiro."
The High Wizard grinned, golden eyes flashing with mischief, which lead me to believe that he probably didn't need that much of respect.
"Akisame, the Crusader. Aki for short, since nobody really calls her full name."
The girl grinned and bowed. I blinked, staring at her. She looked strangely familiar.
It clicked, somehow or another in my slow brain. "Oh! You're that swordswoman training in Payon!"
"Huh?" She blinked a few times, before grinning, "You're that sneaky acolyte! Hey! Nice to meet you again!"
I facefaulted. Sneaky huh? Well, I did suppose it was my fault for running away from people with the thought that they would ask for buffs.
"The wizard, Rauki," Tetsu motioned to a rather shy-looking brunet who was being held in a headlock by a boy his age, "And the Hunter Denki. They aren't related, in case you were wondering. They're just… friends."
Denki grinned, "Oh, but you can call Rauki 'Uki', or 'Monkey'. We all call him that back at home."
"Uki" grimaced, "I'm not a monkey."
I stared at him, blinking. "You don't really look like a monkey…"
"Oh he does! You just don't see him climbing up trees and leaping from branch to branch…" Denki blew at his fingertips as "Uki" shot him a glare,
"That was to defeat that Orc Hero that was about to kill you, idiot."
"Oh yea? Idiot?"
Tetsu grinned, and shook his head at me as I stepped forward in an attempt to stop the quarrel. "They're always like that."
"By the way, what was all that hustle bustle about?" Akisame blinked, looking around. "Everyone's gone…"
"Oh, they went to Comodo to see fireworks."
"Fireworks?" The female crusader's eyes lit up almost immediately. "Ooh! I want to see fireworks too!"
Hiro sighed, "The teleporter and the Acolytes look pretty busy to me. I think you'll have to wait."
Denki whistled as a hawk circled the area above us and landed on his outstretched arm, "Yep. According to Kanata here that mob," he motioned to the crowd, "Are probably going to be clogged there for a while. The teleporter's exhausted and so are the Acolytes."
Hey cool. I knew someone who talked to birds.
"Actually…" I cut in just as Rauki was about to say something, "I can teleport everyone here to Comodo…"
Akisame turned to me, eyes bright. "Oh please please please please please do…"
I scratched my cheek and pulled out a blue gem from my thigh pouch, crushed it and muttered a few words, watching as a small ripple wobbled atop the surface of the pavement. This group of people were nice… I hope I didn't mess up my spell and send them to some other Realm or something…
Akisame let out a whoop, grabbed Hiro by the sleeve and dragged him in. Rauki snorted and walked in after them – perhaps he wasn't as shy as I thought he would be? – and Denki followed beaming.
I looked to Tetsu, wondering why he wasn't walking in with the rest.
"You've got the Bridal Bouquet?"
"What Bridal Boukei?"
He pointed to the bunch of flowers I still held in my arms.
"This is a Bridal Boukei?"
"Yep. You're lucky."
"I am?" I felt sorry for myself to have been so clueless. I had already lost patience with myself and was wondering why Tetsu didn't.
"You don't know the legend about the Bridal Bouquet?"
I shook my head, indicating 'no'.
He sighed, and smirked. "Well, leave it all to Tetsu who has seen all, and knows all!"
I rolled my eyes and he stuck out his tongue.
"The Bridal Bouquet is actually blessed with the luck and pure love of a maiden bride… any girl without any significant other who catches it will be blessed with the joy of meeting her significant other sometime very soon."
I raised an eyebrow in disbelief as he finished with a twirl of his fingers.
"Do you even believe in those rumours?"
He shrugged, "When they happen, and they're good, I believe them. That's my life motto. Come on, we'll be late for the fireworks."
Elated would be the understatement of the century when I awoke the next morning and saw that my soon-to-be party were still intact and in one piece even though I had sent them flying around from place to place after the fireworks. It seemed that my subconscious didn't really want to return to the church that easily.
Though butteflies swam in my stomach and time really seemed to lag as I took my last bath – at least for a while – and brushed up, checking if the stock of gems and potions I had were ample, and if my weapon was at my side, it only seemed like a few minutes had passed as I stood outside the church, ready to leave peaceful Prontera.
I would have never dreamt of leaving Prontera, let alone for a few weeks, but it had happened. And it didn't seem that impossible now, as Minte fussed over me with blessings and Coral sneaked off with my weapon, only to return with a better one. Vio-san seemed to fuss too, and handed me a thick bible as well as a book to read before going to sleep every night – the book had tips on Healing and Supporting, one of the best; I suppose he would say that since he wrote it. Fubuki was not one to fuss, but Minte's fussing affected him somehow and he had his bit with fussing too.
I didn't like fussing.
Past tense being the key in that above thought.
It was as if, all of a sudden, I was leaving close friends, even family. I didn't know my parents, since I was raised by a relative, and the church was the place where I had spent most of my time.
Even Sister Maryah's lectures weren't as tiring as usual as she gave me a Rosary for luck.Tetsu waved madly down the street as the loud screech of Kanata echoed in the early morning air, and with one last goodbye and one deep breath, I stepped away from the church, out of Prontera, and into the unknown world out there.
"What is this? Where are we? Who am I???" Denki threw his hands up into the air as Kanata let out a screech of warning, dodging the sudden attacks from her 'partner' as he moaned. I would have moaned along with him. Tetsu had decided a map was not needed, and Aki agreed, claiming to know the area around Prontera very well, Hiro backing her up. We walked following their vague directions – each saying a different thing each time – and ended up somewhere we did not even recognize. All we could see now were endless plains, all we could hear now were the screeches of something in the distance, and all we could smell now was the salty breeze of the sea.
"This is salty air, we are somewhere on a lovely empty plain, and you are Denki, the idiot." Rauki sighed as he answered monotonously while Denki shot him a death glare. No one else really had the energy to bother.
"I'm going to die of hunger!" Aki moaned as she leant against a tree, her shield propped up against her while she gave her sword a final polish.
"I'm going to die of thirst." Hiro muttered darkly. "And all we have around us is the sea – if we ever get to the sea, that is, then it would be: water water everywhere but not a drop to drink."
Tetsu grinned, "Actually, I do have some water the Priests gave me at church. It's holy water, but I'm sure you can drink it?" He looked to me and I nodded, something glinted in his eyes as he brought out the bottles, "One bottle for 100,000z!!! Discount discount!!!"
I raised an eyebrow while Hiro stared at him in disbelief, "100,000z? That's daylight robbery!"
"No, it's looting while the town's on fire." Aki corrected, grimacing. "Tell me, are all blacksmiths as money-minded as you are?"
"Nothing wrong with liking money" Tetsu waved a bottle around as he took a gulp and very purposedly sighed in contentment, "No matter what everyone says, the world spins because of money. No money, no anything. With money, you can buy everything, and that's a fact."
I would have cut in with an argument of my own, suddenly feeling rather annoyed with his statement, but I kept silent. My mouth was too dry to argue. Aki seemed to pull herself together with the last of her energy and slammed her large sword right into the ground next to it, eyes alight with fire.
Hiro put a hand on her shoulder and dropped a bag of money – I think it was money from the sound of it hitting the ground – next to Tetsu. "Bottles of Holy Water for everyone here."
Aki turned, her expression anything but willing to let the matter settle like this. "But Hiro-!"
He shook her head at her and pushed her down. "We need to calm down. The heat is getting to us and for all we know that's what's gonna take us apart."
"Agreed." Rauki nodded as he held Denki down with one hand; the Hunter's fists were tight, and his teeth were gritted. I knew how much Tetsu's statement affected the group. I was affected too.
Money.
Money couldn't buy everything.
And worse still, in a situation like this he was offering salvation to his party members for money?
That was… unforgiveable.
"… The worse thing that can happen to us now is to lose hold of group-work and cooperation. We know we all need that for this quest we are on." Rauki continued as my mind once more went back into focus with my surroundings, "So we're not going to get into a fight because of such a small thing." He looked pointedly at Denki, who let out a sigh of frustration and leapt up a tree, Kanata swooping down to fetch the bottle Tetsu held out with a smirk.
Hiro took two bottles from Tetsu and tossed one to Aki, who could only glare at the blacksmith as she uncorked her drink. The remaining bottles were tossed to Rauki and I. Rauki kept silent as he drank. I kept silent too, only feeling the fumes in my stomach pushing upward, the anger expanding ready to explode.
I hoped the water could douse the flames.
God bless.
I looked at Tetsu while drinking, watching as he indifferently continued to drink from his bottle. It just suddenly seemed like I was seeing him from a different point of view now. I used to think of him as someone I really liked and respected for helping me… But yet…
Something flashed through my brain. What now? My memories were mostly foggy. A hand, a sentence of offering, and a vial of blue liquid. What? What was my brain trying to remind me? A smile, a bridal gown, pearl white. What? What? WHAT?
My brain was trying to tell me something, but I had forgotten so much. I know I didn't have amnesia, but it seemed to forget all the tiny details that in the past seemed so small and unimportant, but were none of that now.
What was it that I forgot?
I shrugged the nagging thoughts off with the last gulp of water. The atmosphere was stiffling; Denki and Aki were still fuming, while Rauki and Hiro just kept quiet. Tetsu was tidying up his cart, indifferent to his surroundings, and probably to the death glares sent at him from the Hunter and Crusader. And me of course, I can't forget to mention that.
He cart packed, he started to count the zeny in the bag Hiro dropped him. His fingers were nimble, and soon had the coins transferred from the bag into two neat piles. Two unequal, but neat piles. He scooped up the larger pile and dropped the zeny back into the bag. I watched, eyes not leaving him – it was probably because I glared at him for so long it became a habit – as he drew the string of the bag and tossed it back to Hiro.
Hiro caught it, grinning. "Knew you'd do that, buddy."
Tetsu shrugged, pocketting the remaining coins, which were probably no more than 1000 zeny. "Can we go now?"
Aki and Denki were still glaring, though the glare was not as intense as usual, and Rauki smiled a small smile.
I felt slightly better about our party's blacksmith, but his statement still bothered me.
We set off, with no more words exchanged.
Large marble pillars loomed up above the treetops as we stared in awe, though no remarks were exchanged. The party was unusually silent throughout the rest of the journey, and after many attempts at starting conversation, even Hiro had fallen silent. Days had past, and there was nothing else other than silent walking and individual ridding of creatures as I provided as little support as possible, trying to remain invisible.
And we had reached the first city after days of empty fields only occupied by monsters. There was one problem, however.
This was definitely not Glast Heim. We must have taken the wrong turn. I have seen these pillars before, in the book Vio-san had given me ("Sights and the History of Rune Midgard"). This was Juno, the city of Sages and Alchemists.
Only silence was exchanged as everyone sighed and took a step forward, only to stop, rigid, as a nearby branch cracked. Tetsu drew his sword, Denki let out a low pitched whistle as Kanata left his side to circle the air, eyes alert. From the looks on Hiro and Rauki's faces, they were already calculating the next enemy and readying a spell to use. My hand gripped for my Flail as Aki tightened her grip on her shield.
The silence was broken by Kanata's devastated screech as something struck her midair, causing her to plumet to the ground in a dead tumble. Denki rushed forward, cradling the Hawk in his arms as he dropped his bow and arrow.
"Idiot! Denki, get away from there! Pick up your damned weapons and MOVE! Are you brainless?!" Rauki's insult didn't seem to reach the Hunter, and with a muttered curse, Rauki rushed forward to where Denki was, crouched. It was only then when I remembered my role in the party, I rushed forward and held out my hands,
"Hea-…"
My spell was cut short as Aki shoved me out of the way, a large air current slicing through the Ice Wall Rauki had put up in that very second, shattering the ice and sending spinters of crystals flying everywhere.
"What is that?!" Came Aki's screech as a blur of white bulk crashed into the Ice Wall. Rauki shoved Denki out of the way and shouted out a spell name, but was cut short as the impact sent him crashing into a nearby tree. He didn't' move after that.
Something caught in my throat as I backed away, feeling as helpless as I could ever feel. I knew this feeling. Just a few years ago in Payon cave I felt similar, only now I felt worse.
Someone screamed. Was it me? Was it Aki? I don't know, I only knew it was the voice of a girl as Denki seemed to snap out of his trance, leaping out of the way and grabbing his weapons at that same moment. It was amazing how he managed to do that while still cradling Kanata. He growled, setting the bird down gently on the ground and pulled back two arrows across his bow, pupils dilated.
At this point, I couldn't differenciate fear from hatred in his aura.
"DOUBLE STRIFING!!!"
The arrows hit the bulk of white and it stopped its rampage, turning to Denki. It was a large horse, covered with heavy armour, and on its back was an equally large rider. I think I screamed, I didn't know why though, and I wasn't sure, but Denki's attack seemed to not even faze it as the horse let out a neigh, rising on it's back legs and striking the Hunter – who was sending forth nearly all his arrows at high speed – in the chest.
Denki seemed to crumple with hardly even a cry as the horse landed on all fours and turned, eyes alight with something unholy.
"Lord of the Dead. What the heck is he doing here?" Hiro growled, stepping forward. "Aki, I'll need some backup to take this big guy here down."
The Crusader nodded dumbly, and drew her sword.
"Kasumi. You need to try to get to Denki and Rauki and Heal, okay?"
I nodded dumbly too, suddenly finding my tongue knotted. It was as if my body moved mechanically, Kyrie Eleison, then Increase Agility, then Gloria as I made a lunge from behind trees. If that thing didn't see me, and I took a slightly longer way, I could get to the fallen two, and -…
It was as if it read my mind, and pointed its sword toward the ground. It rippled, and things rose from it; they looked like zombies and yet they felt different. I only knew they were undead. My mind went blank as they locked on, their empty sockets fixed on my eyes. As if they even had eyes, I couldn't tear my eyes away from them.
One of them stepped forward, and reached out to me… I let out a stiffled scream, and closed my eyes.
"Baka! Heal them!"
I opened my eyes to see the zombie fall to the ground, in a neat pile of ashes as Tetsu braced himself, sword drawn, cart abandoned.
"Heal!!!" I called out, almost in desperate prayer, and the zombie I 'purified' promptly crumpled into ashes just as Tetsu slashed the other down.
"Kasumi, Blessing and Increase Agility."
I heisitated at Tetsu's request, his eyes never leaving the Lord of the Dead and his horse – which I had only just realised, was barely a few wisps of glowing flame – and chewed on my bottom lip.
"Blessing! Increase Agility!"
Tetsu pushed off, missed almost completely, and was thrown to the ground with a swipe of the Lord's hands.
I knew it.
That incident had affected me so much…
…I didn't want to help him.
He cursed, trying to push himself off the ground as the Lord charged at him.
"Sacrifice!"
The large hooves of the horse gave into contact with heavy metal as Aki smirked at Tetsu. "Now I'm going to ask you for money for this." She shoved the horse backward with amazing strength, and – to my utter amusement – threw her shield. "SHIELD BOOMERANG!!!"
Tetsu cursed as he stood up, supported only by his sword, and looked at me, expression unreadable. "Why did you…" He was panting. Hard. He was even having problems talking properly as he winced, "Curse me instead?"
I shook my head, tight-lipped. I couldn't answer to that. Not now.
"Kasumi! Heal!" Aki's plea shook me from my thoughts as I held my hands out.
"HEAL!"
"Blessing!"
"BLESSING!"
"Give us a Magnificat!"
"Magnificat!"
The requests from Hiro and Aki stopped me from thinking too much as I busied myself with supporting them. Only when they ceased to call for me did I turn and make a dash for Rauki. Then came my mad heal rampage.
"Heal! Heal! Heal! Heal!!!"
Rauki groaned ans shifted as I gritted my teeth and continued.
"HEAL! HEAL!! HEAL!!!"
I didn't stop till he opened his eyes.
"Kasumi! Blessing!"
I turned, almost blindly at that, my mind whirling with only Aki and Hiro's voices to guide me, "Blessing!" Then, almost like a machine, I made a dash for Denki.
"HEAL! HEAL! HEAL!!!"
It was only after a few rounds did Denki cough, and I immediately directed my attetion to Kanata, healing madly until she could take to the air.
I didn't think of course, now was hardly the time to think. I could only see from the corner of my eye, that Tetsu was having a hard time. Oh, he must hate me now, but I didn't want to help him. And because of that, it was probably better for me to leave him alone.
Increasing Denki's Agility and almost whirling, I could hardly support myself on both feet as I heard the reassuring whisk of Denki's arrows, Kanata's loud screeches, and Rauki's spells.
It was as if everything started to echo. I couldn't hear properly, and it was as if not only my vision went static, my ears seemed to fizz too.
"KASU—MOO—I—CAS—GER…"
What? Was Hiro calling my name?
"LORD OF VERMILLION!!!"
A sudden clarity to all the static-like-sounds in my head, a whoosh of hot air, something grabbing hold of me and bracing…
…And then the impact. It was as if I flew. My stomach lurched, and my brain sent signals to all my nerves. I did what I was told. Close my eyes, hold on tight to whatever was grabbing me, and brace.
I hit something, and something let out a choke as I – and whatever thing that grabbed me – hit the ground hard.
The ground. Dirt. Slight breathing. A throb in my head. Aches all over my body. I winced, willing my eyes to open, willing my brain to function, willing my limbs to work.
It was only when I could open my eyes fully and take in my surroundings when I panicked.
It wasn't a thing which grabbed me, it was someone. And it didn't hurt that much when I hit the wall of a building because Tetsu was the one who took all the impact. And he wasn't breathing much.
Dear God, forgive me for being silly and stubborn. If this is my punishment then curses to you.
"HEAL! HEAL! HEAL!!!"
It's not working. It's not working. It's not working.
"HEAL!!! HEAAAALL!!!HEA-…"
My vision fogged over, the static once more sounding in my eyes as everything turned to yellow…
…then to black.
[Owari]
Author notes::
That was one crazily long chapter. Oo And a little pointless But ah well…
More things about the characters I introduced this chapter
Tetsu (the merchant dude as a blacksmith)
It was honestly very very hard to write for him… Like all of a sudden I didn't know how to write… Still the old combination of hubby and Terry's blacksmith, but I found him a bit too unrealistic so I added in his love for money as a flaw… then I realised the serious plothole… This means that I will have to explain more the next chapter
Akisame (the swordie training in Payon cave, now a Crusader)
I finally got to develop her! Not that I really did much to develop her – her personality was once more based off a friend of mine on RO. I changed a bit here and there to make her fit in slightly more… and well, I guess it's just much more fun to have another girl travel with Kasumi for once… To the real Aki: Thank you so much for your support though you can't play now…
Hiro (High Wizard)
He was supposed to be based off one of my friend's High Wizard, but I gave up halfway in trying to write for him and changed him a lot. Still a fun guy to write for; though I told myself the inability to write for him is due to my lack of understanding of my friend… Marcus, we'll miss you! Have a great time off RO!
Denki (Hunter)
Classmate's Hunter, modified slightly to get the touch I wanted for the variety of personalities… Nothing much to say except that I simply enjoy writing for him… He's really fun Daniel, hope to see you on RO once more, though that's quite impossible…
Rauki (Wizard)
Classmate's Wizard, once again modified slightly. I guess we needed a calmer guy with more logic in the group (not that Hiro lacks any logic), so he's in… He's fun to write for though it's really hard to get his personality… Eep… Li Han, you said you'll come back to RO once you get back to the computer, I'll be waiting…
Vio (High Priest)
Ex-classmate's High Priest, editted and modified by yours truly... Another one of my friends who has left RO... And I certainly do hope he won't kill me if he reads this, thank you very much.
And again, thanks to everyone for your support!
