3 weeks has passed The group heads north past Geffen. The pines, the cloudy skies, the withered trees,
and the colder breeze are enough evidence of where they are going and enough reason to wear heavier and warmer clothing. The woods are not that thick, and the grass are not that high, yet the fog that surrounds them limited there line of sight. The sun is high but it is covered by the dark clouds.
It is evident that the group is exhausted by the travel.
"Hey, Shinji, can't we take a rest for a while? We are travelling for almost 3 weeks and we only stop to rest and eat. Can't we just sleep for a while?" Miyuki said weakly.
"Yeah!! Miyuki's right!" Hitomi added " Com'n, lets built a camp there in that field and lets take a rest for a while."
Both Mico and Shinji look startled at the girls.
"Uuuhh..... Hmmm.. yeah you 2 are right. Okey men lets rest here!! Lets built some tents in this place." said Shinji in a lazy way. His eyes are also getting sleepy.
It takes them a couple of hours for them to build their crude tents, the 2 knights ties there peco-peco's on the nearby pines while the others are gathering dried up wood s for fire,
After the 3 tents are build, they immediately put thier things inside while Souryu and Mico arrange the center of the camp to make a fire. The clouds still cover the skies yet you can determine that the sun is already setting, the noisy clicking sounds of the crickets are evident that the place is getting dark. The wind has now halted, the place is extremely cold but there are no evidence of snow in the area. When the fires are now creckling, there they started to roast a fat boar that they have captured in there journey. While Yusuke and Mico starts roasting the boar, Miyuki, Hitomi and Shinji starts to roam in around the open fields.
"Hey." Miyuki speaks "what are the details about your lost students sr. Shinji?"
Shinji gave them a serious look but then turns to a smile in a short while.
"Aaaaahhh them" Shinji replied as he stroke his light moushtouche "yes those 2 bastards really hates to be scolded. 2 of our best knight students and are really good at handling swords, daggers, and there peco-peco's, they are too brave and really wants to be part of the frontlines when we are teaching them in Prontrera. They can kill a couple of those corrupted Abysmal knights in a matter of minutes. Because of that there heads became big and they brag there skills to there fellow classmates. Eventhough there physical strenght are not that amusing, there skill in dodging, running and using various weapons are really good. And im the one who teaches them all that they have learned thats the reason why they are that good." Shinji said and winks.
"Yeah those girls learns to brag because of him." Yusuke shouted as he inspects the boar that they are cooking.
"Yeah right.." Shinji replied " just cook that boar."
"Uuuhhh... sr. Shinji what are the names of your students?" Hitomi asks " In case that we see them.. hehehe."
By that time the sun has already set and the clouds has gone too, the moon is visible in the cloudless sky and the place got colder too. The fogs around the area also gets a little denser yet the grasses and rocks can still be seen on the ground because of the moonlight. The clicking sounds of the crickets has also halted and gives way for the owls hoot to be heard around the place.
"Hmmm.. good question." replied Shinji " The name of the 2 is Ms. Kumi Moto and Ms.
Hikaru Kinomoto. Ayane is a bit tall and has short black hair, while Kinomoto has brown long hair.
By there looks you can tell that they are still young. Only 15 yrs old but both of them are as tall as you Serra."
Hitomi gave a comical look at Shinji.
"You sure?? For your information I am 5.8 and I am 20 yrs old already"
That time Miyuki remembered something in Prontrera but as she starts to think about it..
"Hey!!! Food is ready!!!" Shouted both by Yusuke and Mico.
Shinji and both the girls looks back at the campsite.
"Yes!! We are coming!! We are still listening to Shinji's stories. "shouted back by Miyuki.
Shinji immedietely laughs and immediately stands up.
"Oh com'n lets have a break, come lets eat. they have cooked some rice too and I have some bread to, want some?
Both the girls goes in the camp followed by Shinji, the smell of the roasted boar fills the air, and makes them hungry. As the small group eats, they share stories about ghosts, monsters, and lots of their adventures. Shinji and Mico brags about how they are able to kill Baphomets and Deviruchi's, Souryu tells the 2 girls about the art of using spells better, Miyuki and Hitomi listened intently all the story the 4 adults has to offer. The night is getting deeper as owls hoot, the fog becomes less dense and the moonlight got brighter. The fields are getting clearer and their line of sight are improving because of it.
As the flames of the Bonfire becomes weaker, the group then decided to sleep, both Shinji and Mico goes inside a tent, Yusuke and Souryu at the other, while Miyuki and Hitomi stays for a while outside and pack some leftovers from the boar and then hide it in their bags. After that both of them got inside the last tent.
Miyuki takes off her cloak while Hitomi arranges the small bed and pillows. After that both girls lie down.
"Hey Miyuki." Hitomi said in a happy tone. " Do you think how many weeks will we waste to get to the village they are talking?"
"I dont know Hitomi but my guess is... uhh.. maybe another week."
"It's good to have a friend like you around." Hitomi replied "Hey do you remember that spaggheti noodles that you throw at our teacher ms. Minchin?"
"Yes I completely remember that." Miyuki respond happily yet annoyed. "You're the one who throw it and I am the one who's been blamed. Oops dont deny it."
"Heck!! yes!! I remember your reaction!!" Hitomi laughs.
Miyuki laughs too then she stands up, grabs a pillow and said "Yeah and this time im getting revenge because of your......."
"WaaaaaiiIAAIIIII!!!!! waaaaa!!!....... WaaaaaaaIIIAAA!!.. waaaaaaa!!!!"
Miyuki stops speaking, Hitomi stops laughing as both of them heard something was wailing just outside of their tents just about 10 meters.
"Did you hear that." Hitomi asks in a worried yet vigilant voice.
"Yes... its like someone is crying just outside of our tent." Miyuki responded in the same tone.
Miyuki then grabs her cloak while Hitomi grabs her short staff and reach out for her coat. Both girls then goes outside of there tents, Shinji, Souryu, Yusuke, and Mico are also outside of there tents and is now searching where the faint wails come from. The moonlight is ever brighter,
the fog got denser again and the faint breeze got colder. The hooting of the owl had stop and the flames from the bonfire is now out. The open fields is brighter because of the moon yet the surrounding forest is dark but cast out a mysterious faint eerie glow deep in it.
Shinji then calls out for the party to regroup in the middle of the field.
"Did you all hear that, it is like some cry or wail am I right??" ask by Yusuke in a panicky way as he he scratch his black hair at the back of his neck.
"Yes, your're right. it is like some voice of a girl or something." replied back by Mico in the same tone.
"Hey.. hey calm down calm down." Shinji said in serious tone "We still dont know what we are facing here, its better to be calm by this moment. It can be a spirit or a monster."
"Shinji." Souryu speaks " Im sure that its persons voice or to be accurate a girls voice,
maybe it is Ayane or Hikaru calling for help!! Com'n lets get to the woods and find them!"
"Well lets see...." Shinji replied " we shall split into 2 groups then......."
"Don't be too excited in finding me teacher.... im here. " a faint yet weak voice called out.
All 6 of the party members looks at the source of the voice. There they saw a girl knight standing just at the edge of the forest. Her hair is short and black, she is wearing a long, tattered, dull blue cloak. Just under her coat she is wearing a breast plate and some medium armor for her hips legs and feet. She is carrying a dull colored shield and a broken sword, and she is wearing the standard midgard helmet. Yet with her appearance she looks weak and very pale, her armor and clothing has drips of blood but the stain is not clearly seen because of the moon lights reflection. Her head is slightly bowed down.
Miyuki shouted "Hey is'nt that Kumi?"
"Yes I am Kumi.." replied back by the young knight in a weak yet clear voice. " I am Kumi Moto.
"Kumi at last we found you!!" Shinji said excitedly " Hey were is...."
"Dont come near me...." Kumi replied frantically in the same weak voice "Please dont come near me or I will be forced to attack you."
Shinji and the others was surprised by that statement, Shinji asks himself "what the hecks wrong with her? Is she okey?". However Kumi lifted her sword as a threat, but then lowers it as Shinji backs off. She then lifted her head after that, she has blood trickling upon the side of her face. Her eyes are lifeless and her face is very pale yet she is smiling warmly and looks happy.
"There, my master told me not to let anybody near me." she said in a happy tone "my master send me to you teacher so I can tell you to back off if your plan is to go to Al de barran."
"Our plans are many ms. Moto, part of that is to find you and your friend Kinomoto,
while another is to go north and investigate. "Mico said "By the way why are you wounded and your clothes tattered? Com'n we are going to give you medication and food." Mico said as he slowly walks to Kumi.
"Sr. Mico dont go near her." Miyuki said silently. "I can feel something in her."
"What?" Mico and Shinji reacted.
"So you sensed it Miyuki?" Kumi replied in the same weak and happy voice. "I admit that because of my curiosity and being too adventurous, I have been captured and turned into this." Then she giggled.
"Wha... how do you know my name?" Miyuki replied back.
"Kumi what are you talking about? What happened to you? Stop your jokes right now or else.." Souryu shouted.
Kumi looks at them curiously and bends her neck sideward, then she straighten up and then smiles again.
"Okey ms. Souryu I will tell you what happened. Me and Hikaru are travelling due north to Al de barran. Along the way we met a pale, small eyed bearded man, after that the small eyed man shouted some demonic chant and then monsters made out of corpses begins to show up out of nowhere and then start too make our lives a little more complicated.
We are caught by surprise but still we fought, but in the end the strange man and his small eyed colleages caught us." then Kumi giggled again.
Miyuki, Hitomi, Shinji and his party were startled by what they are hearing, Kumi looks at them and then continued her story.
"Do you know that the bearded man did not come from here, he is send by my master so he can communicate with me. After that the bearded man and his freinds brings us to their hiding place and began to torture us. After 2 weeks of suffering he creates a diabolical platform that consist of consist of writings and stuffs that I dont understand. He placed me in the middle and then in a couple of minute I became what I am now!" Kumi said in a happy voice.
Mico and Yusuke slowly draw there swords but Shinji warned them to draw it back.
"And now I am sent here so I can tell the message my master wants to inform you."
Kumi excitedly said "is'nt this exciting!!"
What is so exciting about this telling your sickening story about your miserable fate?" Hitomi asks in an annoyed way. "Can you please stop now and come with us?"
"Haaa.... You dont know what is coming am I right Ms. Fujiwara" Kumi replied back in a weak, determined yet excited voice. You stubborn wizards are nothing in compare to the Necromancers! But don't worry Hitomi, soon you will hear him in your ear, he will whisper to your ears day and night, he will whisper to your ears telling you to join him, he will whisper to your ears to make your life more worthwhile for the time has come and all preparations are now ready for his arrival!"
Hitomi is startled by what she had heard.
"The time will come where the waters will be defiled, forest will be corrupted, trees and plant shall wither, the place shall rot and the all the lands will turn to blighted grounds."
"Darkness shall grip the land, the plague shall spread sickness like wildfire and all those who are infected shall soon be my masters allies and loyal slaves.
Kumi's voice is getting more excited.
"And soon Demons shall rain from the forsaken skies and this wretched world will burn!!'
"SHUT UP!! SHUT UP!!!!" Miyuki shouted as flashbacks of the hooded man begins to fill her mind "This can't be happening... THIS CAN"T BE HAPPENING!!!"
Shinji and the others look at Miyuki, Miyuki is holding her head and has already collapsed on the ground. Her eyes were bulging and her body is trembling.
"Oh it will happen Miyuki," Kumi replied back excitedly, she is smiling wickedly and she looks very pleased by what she is saying. "that bothersome guardian had told you what will happen im sure of that and now it is too late for you to tell them the truth!! You have failed midgard Miyuki, you have failed your people and worse you have failed your friends!! Your a failure, and now the kingdom of Midgard shall fall into the hands of the Scourge!! Now please....."
Suddenly a bolt of light streaks from the side where Yusuke is standing and hits Kumi immediately and a couple of seconds her body collapse and she becomes unconscious. The others look at where the source of light came from. It is Souryu with her hand raised pointing at the fallen body of Kumi.
"Quickly grab her and tie her up." Souryu commanded them "We need to get to Al de barran and find help in order to bring her back to her normal state."
Mico, Yusuke, and Shinji goes to Kumi's unconsious body and tied her up. However Miyuki is still trembling in a corner of a tree so Hitomi and Souryu comfronted her and tries to calm her down.
"Miyuki! Miyuki!!" Souryu shouted "What happened? What does ms Moto meant about those doom things and stuffs?"
"Ms. Souryu." Hitomi said "Im not sure but maybe this is the reason why Miyuki wants to go to all the major cities here in Midgard. A phrophet told her that a greater evil is spreading in our lands and we must stop it. I suspect that the northern villages are under attack by that evil thats why Kumi would'nt let us go there, what do you think?"
Then suddenly Miyuki slowly stands up.
"Sr. Mico." Miyuki replied in a frantic voice "Come, there is not much time, the phrophet told me too rally all of us to Prontrera and leave the out....."
"What?? Are you sure?" Mico replied "What you are saying is nonsense, we shall go to Al de barran first before we go back to Glas helm, End of story"
"What? but but..."
"No buts Miyuki, this is a direct order."
"But..."
"Look here you lttle Priest! I dont care about that Doom stuff that ms.Moto had been saying but as far as things goes you are obligated to help us go to Al de barran and Juno so that we can help the people there in case there is a plague spreading there. I want to make this clear but you are caught without a letter of travelling so you must stick with us and do whatever I commanded, so just shut up and do your things you little bitch"
All had look at where they are standing.
"Look ms. Kanzaki, this is a strict Midgard policy and I can't do anything about it so I may suggest to you to stop whining and do what you have to do." Mico said in a more calmer tone "Sorry for what I have..."
"That's okey, I... I understand." Miyuki said in quiet and trembling voice, tears are coming out of her eyes.
Mico looks troubled on what he said as he leave, then Shinji came to Miyuki's side.
"Don't mind him, he really like to bully kid's and things like that." Shinji comforts her "But as far things goes I still stick to the plan.. So... " patting her head "just stick with us, we need all the men that we can get, remember, a single arrow can be easily broken with 2 hands, but a bunched up is virtually impossible to be destroyed to two. I promise we will follow you to where ever you want us to go after this mission" Shinji said smiling.
Miyuki lowers her head in shame, Hitomi thens pat her friends head and tries to comfort her. The others however starts to roll down the tents and pack up their things. The sun is already rising from the east, the skies are cloudless and the cold breeze pass right through them. The hooting of the owls had also stop and was replaced by the sounds of the birds feeding their young.
Hitomi looks at Kumi's unconcious body lying just near a tree.
As the sun rises Kumi's body is revealed and she looks slim but not that too thin. Her face however is very pale and looks weak but it is evident that she is not sick. Her hair is neat and looks clean within her helmet and Hitomi cleans up the trickle of blood that comes out of her head.
As Hitomi comforts Miyuki, Mico and Yusuke tied Kumi up a peco-peco and then all of them starts to pack up their things. Then they head off to Al de barran.