The Argonaut and The Child of Light
Chapter 3: The Child of Light
"Lord Hermes, can I ask what it is we're even doing," Asfi asked trailing behind him. "You come back from your journey, and you haven't given us any new orders yet."
Hermes had to smile, his hands in his pockets as they made their way through the market streets. "Oh, just godly business Asfi, I don't want to issue any orders until I'm sure what everyone else is doing to solve our current predicament."
"And what predicament would that be?" his Captain asked, as Hermes came to a stop in front of a particular stall.
This stall was owned by a man who made frequent trips out west to Ulster. Hermes saw a large assortment of goods from the country ruled by the Tuatha Danann. Goblets, armlets and other fine golden and silver jewelry. It sold ornate tableware, and hunting knives, the gold and silversmiths of Ulster were some of the best in the world, Hermes knew that from his travels. However, he didn't come to the stall for finery.
No… I guess that's him, Hermes thought as he saw the boy he'd been looking for.
"Lord Hermes?!" Asfi hissed, as they stood across the street watching the boy. "What is it that we're… why are you staring at him?"
"A red spear, it really is as beautiful as they said in Ulster," Hermes said, looking down at Asfi. "Asfi, you know that boys name I'm assuming?"
"What?" Asfi said, confused now, but when she saw the spear the boy held over his shoulder, she slowly nodded at her god. "Yes…I believe that's Cian Mac Gallagher, a new member of the Hestia familia."
That news tickled Hermes brain, this boy and Bell in the same familia?
Oh Zeus… it seems your grandchild will have the support and rival he needs, Hermes thought, the ideas and vision of what those two could achieve flashing in his mind.
"I see… he caused quite the stir since he's arrived in Orario I hear," Hermes said, as he watched the boy.
After some haggling, Hermes watched the boy hand over a handful of valis. In exchange, the man handed over a simple, yet strong looking sword made of iron. It looked like all the swords of Ulster, a simple crossguard hilt, the metal around at the bottom of the blade in a sort of wing shape, thinning out a slight bit in the middle, before it was heaviest at the end of the sword. The boy Cian stepped to the side and swung it once, before nodding, and sliding it under into his belt.
Under the black cloak he had on.
"Now why would he be wearing a cloak I wonder," Hermes mused, as they watched the boy nod at the merchant and start to move through the crowd again.
"I don't know about the cloak," Asfi told him, as Hermes began slowly following the boy. Asfi seemed annoyed but went on. "He has caused a stir, through no fault of his own. When the guild first put out his level 1 stats and people saw he was near level 2 already, nearly every god in the city was trying to get him to join. They even are now; they send Hestia offers of money every day."
"Hestia won't even consider it," Hermes said, knowing the answer. "Her and Scathach were friends, she more then likely sent the boy here to Hestia."
"Huh?! Lord Hermes, how do you know that?" Asfi asked.
Hermes shook his head. "It's because I stopped by Ulster during my journey Asfi… has the boy gotten up to anything else?"
Asfi shook her head. "Not much, but just yesterday it's said he beat a silverback in the dungeon, he saved Bell Cranel and his party, defeating the beast singlehandedly. Rumors are saying his skills are all S now… what is going on Lord Hermes, why are you so interested in him? And this Bell Cranel."
"In due time Asfi…" He told his captain, what he heard from the Tuatha Danann in his mind. "All I'll say now… is bad things are coming from the West."
"Bad things?" Asfi said, sensing Hermes serious tone.
Hermes sighed as he watched the boy from behind, adjusting his cap. "Yes… very bad things, and that boy will be at the center of it. I've already called an emergency Denatus."
"What?! A Denatus?!" Asfi said. "What did you learn out west that constitutes such action?"
Hermes skin crawled. "Enemies not seen for centuries could be returning Asfi… let's just say we'll need that boy and his spear, along with every brave adventurer we can get. Come on Asfi, we have to get everything ready for this Denatus."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
Naaza paid close attention just like Lord Miach had always taught her. After a few more seconds, she saw the liquid in the vial turn to the correct shade of blue and smiled.
"Perfect," she said, finally satisfied as she turned off the burner and grabbed a cork. "These are going to fetch a-."
She nearly jumped when the bell to the shop door rang. After yelping and nearly dropping her new vial, she corked it, and grabbed a rag to wipe off the bits of paste stuck to her face. After wiping the wet rag on her face and washing off her hand she rushed towards the front, careful not to disturb Master Miach as he took the mortar and pestle to new ingredients. When her god got focused, he didn't like to be disturbed.
"Welcome!" Naaza said as she reached the front. "What can I… Oh, Cian!"
She cursed when her tail in turned started wagging. Cian smiled, and when he turned back around, she patted her face to be sure, and grabbed her tail to stop it. By the time he turned around, Cian was smiling his normal smile… but Naaza realized something odd, why was he wearing a cloak?
And why was he here alone? In the last two weeks he normally came with Bell, or their supporter. Still, it didn't mean Naaza wasn't happy to see him. Cian came to Miach and her often right after he got to Orario to treat the burn wounds he had. He'd even spent four straight days in their treatment room, Naaza and Miach watching his burn wound ever day, Miach had asked Naaza to keep an eye on him for most of it.
They had talked a lot then, and Naaza actually missed having him around. His bright blue eyes were always soft and inviting, and Naaza had been able to talk to him for hours. Lord Miach had been determined to help Cian, as a favor to his old friend Scathach, and Naaza didn't mind at all being the one to look after Cian for him.
"Hey Naaza," he said with his normal smile coming up to the counter. "How's your morning going?"
"I'm good, I'm really happy to see you again Cian…" She said trying to stop her stupid tail from wagging again, she met his eyes. "And… you? Are you feeling okay, I heard about you beating that silverback yesterday, when Bell came by asking for potions, he said you'd been a bit roughed up. Are you okay?"
"Oh I'm fine don't worry, I wouldn't waste all that treatment you and Ryuu did on me!" He said, holding a fist to his chest as he smiled, his red spear in his other hand. "And besides, even if I was seriously hurt seriously, I know I'd have you and Lord Miach to patch me up!"
Naaza's chest thumped, and all the patting she'd done to fix the color in her cheeks had been for nothing. She twirled and moved out a strand of hair over her eye, and smiled at Cian, who seemed completely oblivious to how she looked.
"Ha… I'll always be there to patch you up, you can be sure!" She told him, but after a minute, she remembered he was dressed odd, and here alone. "But are you sure everything's okay? Not… not that I mind, but normally you're here with Bell of your supporter, and… you have a cloak on?"
"Oh!" Cian said, his face getting red. "Sorry, I… I just-."
"No! No, you… you look good of course," Naaza said, making Cian's face get redder. "But I just want to help you if anything's wrong!"
Naaza smiled for him, and after letting out a sigh he smiled back… but Naaza could see something else behind his eyes.
"Ha… I… I just need to go and do something, outside of Orario, I'll probably be gone for a day or two," he said, reaching into his pocket and pulling out valis. "I was hoping for some potions!"
Naaza chewed her tongue inside her mouth. "Are… you sure? Cian, I'll-."
"Is that Cian?" Miach said, suddenly coming out from the back. Her god smiled at Cian across the counter. "Well, isn't this a pleasant surprise, always a pleasure Cian."
Cian quickly bowed. "It's good to see you too, Lord Miach, I was just here for potions."
"Ha, I thought so," Lord Miach said, looking at Naaza and smiling. "Still, don't be afraid to come by just to say hi. I'd enjoy it, and I know Naaza would too!"
"Lord Miach!" Naaza said, before her god laughed at her. She looked and saw Cian awkwardly join.
Naaza sighed, before going to collect potions for Cian. But of course, to her dismay, her tail let her down again.
Thankfully, she realized Cian was busy talking to Lord Miach.
"So, what brings you here alone Cian? A cloak too? Going on a trip?" Lord Miach asked.
Cian bit his lip. "You… could say that."
"Without Bell? Have you told Hestia?" her god asked.
Naaza had come up just in time to see Cian look at the ground. "Ye…yeah, of course I have. It's just something I need to do alone… oh, thanks Naaza! Here let me-."
"No, no need," Lord Miach said, shaking his head at Cian's valis. "For you, for Scathach and now Hestia's child, it's all free."
Normally Naaza would argue normally… but now, she didn't mind.
"Oh… wow, thank you both!" He said bowing to them. "I'll be back in a day or two, if it's any longer than that don't worry, I'm probably lost! Thanks Lord Miach, thanks Naaza, I love you!"
Naaza's heart nearly burst out of her chest. The dense probably didn't think anything of what he said, and only tied the potion bag to his belt. He took up the red spear and rushed out of the shop.
Lord Miach waved, before looking and laughing at her. "My oh my Naaza, you seem quite smitten!"
Naaza furiously shook her head. "Lord Miach! This isn't the time for that… somethings wrong. Cian doesn't seem like he'd just go off on his own. Why wouldn't he take Bell?"
"Oh, I know Naaza, he was lying," Lord Miach said, ducking behind the counter and grabbing a bag and filling it with potions. "Come, we should go and find Hestia."
Naaza's eyes widened. "Why didn't we stop him then?"
"Because… this is Cian's adventure," Miach said, walking towards the door. "And he simply doesn't realize that he doesn't have to do this alone yet. Let's go and help him, eh Naaza?"
Naaza quickly nodded. "Of course, Lord Miach."
Oh Cian… let us help, please.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The view from the top of Babel tower never got old for the Goddess Freya. She could see all, and what she saw now was not only interesting to her, but to her greatest child as well.
"Ottar," Freya called to the King. "Why don't you tell me what it is that's on your mind?"
The sprawling city of Orario was always under her watch. She even saw him now, the white-haired center of her new affections. Still, despite her own wants, she would always try and make time for those of her own children as well. She knew she'd have to prod Ottar, he'd never deign to ask anything of her.
Freya also knew what Ottar had spent the last two weeks watching so intensely, she just needed him to formally ask her.
"My thoughts are of no consequence, Lady Freya," Ottar said, and Freya sighed, she had expected this response.
She leaned on her hand and looked to her right at him by her chair. "Ottar, that is an order. Tell me what it is that's on your mind."
"Of course, Lady Freya," He said, stepping forward towards the window.
Freya stood to join him, and eventually, looked down on the city, and spotted exactly what it was that Ottar had been looking at. More specifically who.
"That boy…" Ottar said, as Freya saw him as well.
A cloak, a sword at his hip, and of course, that red spear, he headed towards the gates of Orario.
"Ah yes, the new adventurer in town, Cian Mac Gallagher his name is," Freya said, looking over at Ottar again. "And… what is it you find so interesting about him Ottar?"
"The spear… it's… his weapon," Her child said, his eyes trained on the spear Cian carried.
Freya smirked. "Ah yes, Chu Chulainn. Before him, it had been years before someone defeated you, I understand it had to be dull now. Fighting Evilus with him must have brought you great joy Ottar."
"Being defeated by Chu Chulainn… it made me feel alive, Lady Freya," Ottar said, in a rare much longer than normal sentence. "It showed I have someone to chase after."
"But if reports are true… Chu Chulainn perished," Freya reminded him.
Ottar nodded. "If that is true… I wish… I wish to feel what I felt fighting him again. To do so… I will fight his successor, and before I do, he must be as strong as Chu Chulainn was."
"Is that your wish Ottar? Is that the one thing you will ask of me?" Freya asked him.
Ottar turned to her and fell to one knee. "I would not deign to ask anything of you, Lady Freya. But you asked to know my wish… and all I want in life, is to grow stronger, and reach the level of the one who defeated me those years ago."
Freya smirked and looked back at young Cian Mac Gallagher. He was the same, the same as him. Freya could sense it, yes, he'd grow just like the other one would. Freya would have what she wanted… but if she could help her child have what he wanted as well… all the better.
"Very well Ottar," She said, turning as the new wielder of the red spear left through the gate of Orario. "I will help grant your wish. One day, you will get the fight against Cian Mac Gallagher you desire. Coincidentally… I see us both being able to get what we want through very similar means."
Ready yourself… Cian Mac Gallagher, and you… Bell Cranel.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Oh, that boy… I can see why Scathach took him in now," His goddess commented, as they worked their way through the crowds of people towards The Hostess of Fertility.
Bell's stomach churned. "This isn't like Cian… I know we weren't going into the dungeon today, but even on our days off the last two weeks, he's always come to the church first thing in the morning."
Goddess Hestia waved off his words. "Scathach's was always bad with time too. She was a bit of a troublemaker herself before she joined the Tuatha Danann. I'm sure he just overslept."
"I hope you're right Goddess…" Bell said, a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
It had been something about Cian the night before, something that was screaming at Bell he needed to find his new friend. They were the only members of the Hestia Familia, Bell had no idea what he'd do before Cian joined, when he thought about new members joining. It had been so sudden, Cian's joining, and Bell was excited, but didn't know how to act around him at first. It only took a few days to rectify that of course, as he liked to think he and Cian were similar in some ways, yet different in others. Both of them wanted to get stronger, that was the biggest thing. There had been something in Cian's eyes that reminded Bell so much of himself.
So, eventually he figured out what to call the relationship he and Cian had. He never had a sibling before, but having a friend like Cian, who had the same blessing he did, he liked to think that was the closest word.
He liked to think then, he could tell something had been wrong the night before. Their party wasn't supposed to go into the dungeon today, but he knew Welf and Lillie had to be waiting to go shopping for potions and other supplies. After the injured man had stumbled into town, they had all agreed on going that day.
But Bell had seen it, something was very wrong with Cian after he saw that man. He had kept clutching his chest, his blue eyes were distant, and Bell could tell. He didn't have armor on or anything now, as Goddess Hestia and him had decided to go ask Ms. Ryuu and Mama Mia if Cian was at the Hostess of Fertility still. Bell kept trying to tell himself nothing was wrong, he kept screaming at himself in his head.
Cian… you wouldn't do anything without me and the others, would you? He thought, as they made it to the tavern.
"Bell? Bell! Are you listening?" Goddess Hestia said, snapping Bell out of his thoughts.
"Huh?! Sorry," He said, looking down at his Goddess, who had a suddenly serious look on her face. "What is it Goddess?"
Hestia sighed, and her face grew soft. "I was telling you Bell… you need to keep a close eye on Cian then you think at least for the next few weeks."
"What?!" Bell said, the idea sounding ridiculous. "Goddess, Cian wouldn't do anything to hurt any of us! He's so-."
"No, that's not what I meant Bell," Hestia said, shaking her head, poking up at his chest. "Cian… he's still very, very hurt, and not physically. I know how much Scathach loved her children, all of them. Cian loved every single member of his familia with all his heart, and Scathach… and he just lost them all, do you understand how that could feel?"
Bell's heart thumped loudly. Of course, he had been devastated when his grandfather died… but he had never known his parents, and since, he'd found Goddess Hestia, and now had Lillie, Welf, Cian all his friends. His dreams were coming true, one day he'd be worthy to walk alongside Ms. Ais, to be her partner….
It occurred to Bell then, that he never really asked Cian what he was getting stronger for. Bell had assumed it was to make his old familia proud… but there had to be a deeper reason. Of course Bell had gotten to know Cian the last few weeks… but the more he thought, the more he realized, Cian always shot down questions about himself, how he felt, what his life was like.
"I… I don't suppose I could…" Bell said, meeting his Goddess's eyes. "Goddess… I don't know if I've been the best friend I could for Cian these last few weeks. I've… tried to ask him about his old familia, how he'd been adjusting… but it's always the same answer-."
"I'm fine, and then a fake smile… yes, he's done the same to me Bell," Hestia said, smiling at him, before nodding. "You're such a sweetheart Bell, truly you are… but Scathach was the same way. Cian is the kind of person who will put everyone else's worries ahead of his own… and then try to take on his problems by himself."
"Why would he do that?" Bell said, his worry starting to rise. "If he asked us, me, Lillie, Welf, we'd all be there to help him with anything he needs!"
"Because he blames himself Bell…he blames himself for the death of Scathach and the others," His Goddess said, letting out a shaky sigh. "And… he doesn't want the same to happen to us, he thinks he's protecting us. Which… which is why, I'm scared… scared he's done something very stupid."
"What?! What do you mean by that Goddess Hestia?" Bell said, looking up at the window he knew was Cian's at the front of the tavern.
Hestia shook her head, and looked with him. "Cian… he would have been out here by now if he was here."
Bell turned back to her. "Where could he have gone? Are we sure he-."
"Mr. Cranel, Lady Hestia," A calmer voice said, and Bell turned to see Ms. Ryuu stepping out from the front door, she bowed to Goddess Hestia and looked at him. "Good morning to you both… what is it you're doing here Mr. Cranel?"
"Ms. Ryuu!" Bell said, rushing up to her. "Do you know where Cian is?!"
"What?" Ryuu said, looking surprised. "I was going to ask you both why he wasn't with you."
"Ms. Elf," Goddess Hestia said, stepping up next to Bell. "Did Cian talk to you at all when he woke up this morning? Did you see him?"
Ryuu looked between them both for a minute. In all the time that Bell had known Ryuu, she had always been calm and collected… but after she looked between Hestia and Bell, he saw something that he'd never seen in her eyes before.
Her blue eyes went wide, and a small trace of panic set in.
"I… I heard him having a nightmare," Ryuu said slowly, not talking to them anymore, but to herself as she looked at the ground. "Then… then he asked, if I'd ever had to make a choice… a stupid choice that you knew was wrong but… but you did it anyway. No… no, no, that idiot!"
Ryuu's angry snap made Bell flinch and take a step back. This wasn't the normal Ryuu he was used to seeing, she was angry… but more so, looked absolutely terrified.
Goddess Hestia stepped forward, she hadn't flinched. "Ms. Elf, we need to know, do you have any idea where Cian could have gone?"
Ryuu still, wasn't talking to them. She turned and whispered to herself. "That man last night… no, no, no, dammit!"
"Wait! Ms. Ryuu!" Bell tried to yell, but the elf darted back inside, and Bell saw her hop over tables, passed the other terrified girls, frantically rushing to Mama Mia.
He saw Ryuu have a short exchange with the large dwarfess. At first, Mama Mia looked angry, but then looked outside and met Bell's eyes, before turning to Ryuu and nodding her head.
Ryuu disappeared upstairs.
Bell's skin went cold, he turned to Goddess Hestia, who's eyes kept staring at the ground.
"Cian… you idiot! Scathach… I won't… I won't…" She started.
"Goddess?!" Bell said, gently grabbing her shoulder. "Goddess! What is it?!"
The small Goddess's fist curled, and she turned up to look at him. "Bell, last night you told me a man with wounds similar to Cian's came stumbling into town just here correct?"
"Yes, but what does…" Bell started, before he trailed off, his mind putting the pieces together.
And then… he finally started to panic as well. Cian hadn't said much about his goals, his past… but one thing Bell knew, was that Cian one day wanted to hunt down the monsters that had killed his old familia.
"Mr. Finn… he… he said the guild would put out a quest for whatever attacked that village," Bell realized, looking at Goddess Hestia. "Goddess Hestia! I need to go to the guild, and talk with Ms. Eina, to see if Cian-."
"Hestia! Bell!" A voice said, and both Bell and Hestia turned to look down the road.
"Miach!" Hestia said, rushing towards the god. "Miach, this is bad, have you and Naaza seen Cian?!"
"Yeah, we think he may be heading towards something dangerous!" Bell said, running up next to his Goddess.
Miach exchanged a look with Ms. Naaza next to him. Bell saw the answer before they even said anything, and his skin tingled.
Ms. Naaza looked at them both. "That's why we came looking for you, he was at the shop only about half an hour ago."
"He said he was going outside Orario," Lord Miach said, meeting Hestia's eyes. "He said… it was something he needed to do. And that he'd mentioned it to you already."
Hestia balled her fists. "That boy… I'm going to give him the biggest earful when we find him! Bell!" She turned to him. "Go and get ahold of your supporter! Go find Welf too, and anyone else you think would assist us, we're going after Cian!"
Bell's chest exploded, but he could see how serious his Goddess was. He was as well, he wanted to start running then… but only one thought ran through his mind.
Cian… why? Why couldn't you tell me…
Bell would have gone with him, without a second thought. He'd ask Cian why after they went and found him.
Lord Miach stepped forward. "Hestia, we must be careful. Naaza and I stopped by the guild. The quest they put out calls for at least a Level 4 adventurer. Preferably two of them. The monster the man described attacking the village… nothing like it is in the guild's records."
"Lord Miach believes that is really could be the monster that destroyed the Scathach familia," Naaza commented, her tail dropping as she looked at the ground. "It makes sense now why Cian would be heading out there."
"Even more reason to go after him!" Bell said, before anyone else could say anything, his chest pounding as he looked at the three of them. "I'll go myself if I have too! I… I'll do all I can. Cian's a member of my familia, I won't just leave him to fight alone!"
"Of course, we're not saying that Bell, but it'd be best to know what we're heading to fight if we're going after him," Miach said, crossing his arms with a sigh as he looked towards Hestia. "Hestia, you still have no ideas what it could be that attacked Scathach?"
Goddess Hestia shook her head, her chin between her fingers. "No, I don't…. I never thought anything could defeat Scathach. And nobody I asked had-."
"Fomorians," An on-edge voice came, and everyone turned to the door of the Hostess of Fertility.
Bell's eyes went wide. "Ms… Ms. Ryuu!"
Ms. Ryuu was in an adventurer's outfit. Long brown boots all the way up her thighs with short green shorts covering her waist. A short sleeved patched white top, with long brown gloves up past her elbows, and a green cloak on over her back, with a hood up, and mask pulled up over her nose, meanwhile she had a long wooden sword on one hip, with two smaller swords from the far east on her other one. Bell was speechless, he knew Ms. Ryuu was an adventurer before… but he never imagined she'd look this impressive.
And feel this powerful.
"Fomorians?!" Hestia said, as stammered as Bell was. "What are they? I've never heard of them before, Miach do you-."
"No… it can't be," Lord Miach said, Naaza, Bell and Hestia all looked at him wide eyed, he sounded almost afraid. The god shook his head. "They were wiped out! It can't be!"
"It's the only thing that could leave a wound like Cian has on his chest," Ms. Ryuu said, walking just past all of them, turning to face them and shaking her head. "I wasn't sure at first… but it's the only logical explanation. I was going to discuss it with Cian later today when he returned… but he's made a stupid decision, one I'm inadvertently responsible for…"
Bell's chest exploded again, why was Lord Miach so pale?! The word… Fomorians, it sent chills down his spine, and he felt as if he needed a bath after just hearing the name.
"Lord Miach!" Naaza said, worried, as Miach slowly stumbled, and had to sit on a nearby barrel.
Miach looked at Ryuu and shook his head. "I… I have heard of wounds by Fomorian fire being everlasting almost impossible to heal, tendency to burn again. But… they were wiped out, so I never even considered it a possibility!"
"Will someone please tell me what a Fomorian is!" Hestia said, stepping between them. "One of my children is on his way to fight one, I need to know!"
"Goddess Hestia's right," Bell said, nervous but determined. "We need to help Cian! What are Fomorians, some kind of monster?"
Ryuu nodded, her arms crossed, speaking beneath her mask. "Yes. Fomorians were a race of monsters that dominated and ruled Ulster to the west hundreds of years ago. I learned about them when I was a child back in my homeland. Orario and Ulster made an alliance to defeat them, but it was the old Tuatha Danann who defeated their leader. It was the God Lugh, and his familia who defeated the King of the Fomorians, Balor."
"Lugh…" Miach said, his head in his hands, Naaza rubbing his back next to him. "I thought he defeated them! He sacrificed himself for it!"
"Sacrificed himself…?" Hestia asked, looking to Ryuu.
Ryuu shook her head. "He did defeat them… but he didn't kill Balor. He unleashed his godly power to seal him away in the mountains of Ulster, along with all the remaining Fomorians. Lugh was sent back to heaven for this…"
"What?! Godly power?" Bell asked, unable to believe what he was hearing. "If a gods power sealed them away, how could it be broken?!"
"It couldn't, but a crack big enough for the lesser Fomroians to get through could be caused by another gods power," Ryuu said, looking contemplative herself. "The only person in the legend that's said to be able to open the seal fully, a special person is required. Someone, with the blood of the Lugh familia."
"Yes… I remember now," Miach said, standing with the help of Naaza. "There have been dozens of them for the last hundred years, but one day, one of them it's said will face Balor and the Fomorians again…."
"Yes…" Ryuu said, meeting Bell and Hestia's eyes. "The Child of Light. It's said only they can fully open the seal, that they will be the one to face the Fomorians if they are ever released fully again."
Bell had no idea what that meant, he'd never heard the term before, but next to him, Goddess Hestia had looked at the ground. She stopped moving, and Bell suddenly became worried.
"Goddess!" Bell said, grabbing her as she went weak at the knees. "Goddess Hestia, are you okay?!"
Hestia was not okay; Bell could see the look on his Goddess's face. She slowly shook her head and moved out of Bell's grip.
"Scathach…" Hestia said, shaking her head as she looked up at Bell. "Bell…"
"Huh?! Goddess what is it?!"
Hestia sucked in a breath and met his eyes. "I'm coming with you. We're going to save Cian, we must, no matter the cost! Ms. Elf!" She said, looking over at Ryuu. "Please… please help us!"
Ms. Ryuu nodded, looking to Bell. "Mr. Cranel, it's said that even the weakest Fomorians were at least Level 4. We're going to need help to save Cian, and we must move quick let's-."
"Wait, wait!" Bell said, looking to Goddess Hestia. "Goddess! You can't come with us, you can't leave Orario, it's dangerous!"
"I don't care Bell," Hestia said, walking up next to Ryuu and looking at him. "I swore to Scathach I would look after Cian, and I won't break my promise to her!"
"I… I want to help to!" Naaza said, walking up to Bell, and shoving into his hands a bag, and Bell knew it contained potions. Naaza met his eyes, and Bell could see she was slightly ashamed. "I… I wouldn't do any good in this fight… but please Bell, bring Cian back."
Bell's throat started closing. A race of monsters that ruled over an entire country. How was that even possible? Some gods were using their godly power, and now his friend was heading to fight a level 4 monster! He gripped tightly to the bag Naaza gave him and nodded at her.
"I will… I promise!" He said, looking to Ms. Ryuu and Goddess Hestia. "Ms. Ryuu, Goddess, I need to go and find-."
"Master Bell!"
"There you are, we've been looking everywhere for you!"
Bell turned, and both Lillie and Welf both were rushing towards them.
"Welf, Lillie!" Bell said, as they came to a stop in front of him.
Lillie looked worried. "Master Bell, where have you been?! We've been waiting for over an hour!"
"Yeah," Welf added. "And Cian hasn't shown up either, what the hell's going on?"
Bell let out a breath, this saved him the trouble of going to find them.
He bit his lip and met their eyes. "Guys… you don't have any reason to come but… but it's Cian. He needs our help!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Hey Fergus! Hurry up with that stew," Diarmuid commented as he passed the makeshift kitchen. "Don't you slow him down now squirt; the fighters are hungry!"
"Oh yeah?!" Cian snapped, turning around with the wooden spoon in his hand. "And why don't you come over and make it yourself you lazy bum!"
"Bahahaha, real rich coming from the squirt who didn't swing his spear once!" The yellow lancer joked, shaking his head. "Maybe the kitchen's where you belong, you can be Fergus's assistant!"
"You asshole!" Cian yelled, pulling up his sleeves and dropping the spoon. "If you don't shut your mouth, I swear I'll-."
"It'll be out soon, don't you lot worry," Fergus said, placing his massive hand on Cian's shoulder and pulling him back towards the makeshift kitchen. "Hope you're hungry, we earned it after today!"
"Hahaha, you got that right!" Diarmuid said with a wave and wink at Cian. "Like I said, don't slow him down now squirt."
"Take that back!" Cian snapped, trying to pull out of Fergus's grip, but Diarmuid was already walking away from him. "I'll cut that mole off your face you stupid ass-."
"Ignore him… come on, he is right, I need an assistant tonight," Fergus said, pulling Cian back towards the table where a rabbit which had already been skinned was laying. "Now, butcher that up just like I showed you, and get ready to drop it in."
"I joined to learn how to fight…" Cian complained, picking up the knife and going to work next to the large man. "Not cook…"
Fergus laughed. "Haha, you can get nowhere in life on an empty stomach, remember that Cian."
Fergus Mac Roich was the largest man Cian had ever seen. He was even taller than Chu, and twice as muscular looking. That night he wore only a very tight white shirt that his arms were bulging out off, with a pair of trousers, and no shoes. His massive greatsword was leaning on the table only inches away from him, Fergus went nowhere without it. The Greatsword of Ulster was the name the Tuatha Danann had given him. It was fitting, since Cian saw him slice monsters three times his size in two with a single swing. Add in his impressive wind magic, you had a perfect warrior, strong as anyone, and fast as the wind.
He only had short black hair, and no beard. His face was full of scars, his nose a bit crooked. If you saw him walking through town, you wouldn't blame people for holding their children a bit closer and moving away from him… but that simply wasn't who Fergus was. The Greatsword of Ulster to Cian's surprise, enjoyed tea, cooking, feeding wild animals and drawing pictures of flowers.
Cian tried to hack away at the rabbit, but all he could hear was Diarmuid's loud boasting around the fire. He looked over and after taking a minute to gaze at the beautiful lake, the moon's reflection glowing off it, he saw the fire. Uathach, Finn, and Diarmuid were all there, mugs in hand, as Diarmuid surely was going on about something he'd killed or a lady he wooed. That night even Uathach looked interested, and Finn as usual drunk right along with him.
Over by the lake, Lady Scathach stood at the waters edge, Chu next to her, the red spear across his shoulders. The two talked, and Cian was annoyed he never got to be over there talking with them.
Instead, he had to listen to Diarmuid insult him, and boast about his accomplishments. Cian looked as the handsome yellow lancer stood and reenacted a scene from the battle that day. He nearly tripped, and Uathach laughed at him.
That almost made Cian cut his thumb open.
"Woah! Easy there now," Fergus said calmly, and Cian looked at the larger man smiling at him. He stepped over and took the rabbit and knife which looked like a toothpick in his hands. "Clean cuts, let the knife do the work, it could cook unevenly if the chunks aren't the same size, alright?"
Cian wanted to shout back he didn't have time for cooking, but he never found himself able to snap at Fergus… he was just so… calm, all the time. As opposed to Cian, who found himself angry all the time during his first two months with this new familia.
"Sorry…" Cian mumbled, as he tried to be more delicate, but all he could do was look over at Diarmuid with a scowl. "I can't believe him, treating me like I'm a child!"
"But you are a child Cian," Fergus said, a small smile on his face.
"I am not!" Cian argued, before realizing technically… he was. "Well, I mean technically I am, but that doesn't mean I should be treated like one!"
"Hahaha… you remind me of myself when I was that young, even though it wasn't long ago," Fergus said, ruffling Cian's hair and turning back to the massive bubbling pot of stew. "Yes, I think that's why I like you Cian, you remind me of myself!"
"I don't understand how you can say that!" Cian said, moving next to him with the pieces of rabbit and dumping them into the cauldron. "And I want to know how you do it!"
"Do what?" Fergus said, picking up his massive spoon.
"That!" Cian said, gesturing to him. "You're so… calm! Calm, collected, you never seem to get angry!"
"I get angry, it just never lasts long."
"That's my point! Diarmuid teases you too," Cian exasperated. "But you always just shrug it off!"
"That's because Diarmuid is a great man," Fergus said, the same thing everyone said. "He just likes to deflect his worry with humor and insults, I promise you he'd die for you."
"There you go again…" Cian rolled his eyes, turning his back to the massive level 5. "I'll never understand how you can be like this, even in battle. All of you, you're just so… so… good…"
Fergus tapped his shoulder and smiled when Cian turned around. "There's no magic trick Cian, we're just more experienced than you."
"But I want to prove I belong! I need to, that's all I want!"
Fergus laughed again. "If you didn't belong, you wouldn't be here. Don't worry, you'll get to where we are all soon, I promise you will."
"But I need to do it now!" Cian begged. "Please Fergus, tell me how I can be calmer, tell me how to shake off insults, I just need to feel less useless! I'll take anything."
Fergus contemplated and hummed for a moment, before smiling and nodding. "So, you want some advice huh? How to improve yourself in battle, how to become more composed in a fight and in life?"
"Yes!" Cian begged.
"Okay then, it's simple. I'll tell you, something Goddess Scathach told me when I was your age," Fergus said, reaching out and poking the top of Cian's head. "First… learn to use this, before," he turned and picked up his greatsword with ease, "you learn to use this."
Cian's mouth fell open. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Fergus let out a massive laugh from his gut. "AHAHAHA, I had the same reaction…. Cian, the first thing a person must do, before mastering any kind of weapon, fighting style or art… they must master their own emotions. That is what I mean. Learn to master your own mind, before you learn to master the sword or spear."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Equal pieces, clean cuts, let the knife do the work," Cian muttered to himself as he butchered the decent sized rabbit he'd managed to spear. "If you don't… they won't cook evenly."
He picked up the pieces he'd been cutting in the small pan he'd brought, before moving them over to the bubbling stew in his tiny cauldron. He'd been sure to pack light, but he made sure to bring a pot and pan.
Cian learned the hard way, Fergus was right. You couldn't get anywhere on an empty stomach.
He sighed as the smell of the stew hit his nose, and he fell back on his cloak. He'd managed to make a makeshift sleeping bag with grass and his pack. The red spear and new sword both laid on a log nearby, Cian reached to grab the folded paper that he'd put under his cloak while his stew cooked. It was dark now, he'd been traveling for about two days, and he knew for a fact he'd arrive at his destination tomorrow.
"Who would've thought that is was there…" He said to himself, the wind rustling through the trees as he looked at the notice from the guild. "Good thing I knew exactly where this was, I'd be lost otherwise."
Dungarvan. It was a small village right on the border between Ulster and Orario's territory. Ulster wasn't that far from Orario, if you knew where you were going like Cian did you could get there in three days. Even before he had been a member of the Scathach familia, Cian knew how to travel through the woods, how to survive and move quickly. He was used to roughing it and knew the routes around here like the back of his hand. Lady Scathach would occasionally come to help smaller villages in Orario's outskirts as well in their free time, so he knew the area.
He also had crawled and stumbled half dead through these woods just weeks ago. Now, he was very possibly going back to face his death.
At that same lake, which was the closest place the Scathach familia had to a home base. Dungarvan was the village only a few steps away from that lake. The people there had always let Lady Scathach and them all stay and set up camp. Cian was sure he could remember the names of most people who lived there.
That had been where the young man came from, where this mystery beast had destroyed everything. The same monster that had left a scar on Cian's chest. He knew it had to be true now.
"Level 4… this thing must be the real deal…" Cian said, folding the paper again and sighing, looking up at the sky full of stars. "I can do this… I must do this."
Even if he couldn't kill whatever it is it was, perhaps he could at least slow it down, do some damage to it and buy enough time for another party of adventurers to come and deal with it. He had been no use in that fight that got his familia killed… but maybe now he could be.
And… everyone else, Bell, Lillie, Welf, Ryuu, Naaza, Lady Hestia… I'm sorry, but this is for the best.
He wouldn't get another group of friends, another familia killed for his incompetence, for his weakness. Cian could see how he was ignoring Uathach's advice, he knew he could have been stronger if Bell and his friends were with him… but it just wasn't an option. He couldn't do it; he couldn't risk their lives. He felt bad lying, of course he did, but Lady Scathach had said sometimes the right thing to do felt like the wrong thing, and Cian liked to think that this was one of those times.
The paper he held called for one, preferably two adventurers of Level 4 or above, and at least a party of four to go against whatever it was at that village, at the lake where he'd spent so many nights with his old familia. When he'd gotten the noticed from Eina, she was reluctant to give it to him, but Cian had eventually convinced her. The moment he saw where the village was, where the monster was attacking now… he wasn't just determined.
No, he was angry. How dare that creature go and trample over a place he'd once considered home? How dare it stand and be where Lady Scathach and the others stood.
He'd do something about it, even if it meant his death.
He sat himself up and held out his hand. From its spot leaning against the log nearby, the red spear shot over into his hand, and Cian laid it out over his lap. The light from the fire danced off the gleaming red metal, and Cian still wondered what it could possibly even be made of.
The most important thing though, was still figuring out its name.
"I know Chu was strong… but I've seen him use your power before," Cian said, feeling like an idiot talking to his spear in the middle of the night in the woods. He watched the flames danced of the point of the spear and sighed. "I don't understand, why can't I remember… I know it's here; I know it's in my head!"
It wasn't just the spears name and its incantation he couldn't remember. He knew for a fact there was so much more that happened before, during and after the expedition that had gotten everyone killed. He vaguely could remember Chu and Lady Scathach calling him to talk to them before they left for the mountains.
"Your spear will protect you, always remember your spears name."
"Lady Scathach… I'm trying, I swear I'm trying," he said, shaking his head, looking down into the flames that crackled in front of him. "Why did you do it… a goddess like you… why did you waste your time with someone like me."
It had been the question that he had asked himself long before he crawled to Orario half-dead. Why? Why had such a powerful, beautiful, regal figure like Lady Scathach really plucked him out of that village? He had almost gotten the entire village killed that day Lady Scathach and her familia came. Cian had been so eager to prove himself, to be pulled from that hellhole where he scrounged along the streets wishing for something more.
Yes, he'd wanted to be a hero. He wanted to be like the heroes of the Tuatha Danann he'd grown up sneaking into story circles in the village to hear about. He even heard about Chu Chulainn, and the beautiful goddess Scathach, the member of the Tuatha Danann said to be the strongest. He'd never forget seeing her that day, the first thing he said to her, the first thing she said to him.
"Ms. Goddess! I can help your familia, please, let me come with you!"
"Ha! You need a bath first my boy."
Her red eyes, her dark violet hair. She always had a smile on her face, a look that could turn into a stern one within seconds. The way she could go from loving, caring goddess, to brave commanding warrior, it was everything Cian aspired to be, something every member of her familia learned from her.
He'd never figure out why now. Why she'd taken him, but he still had. Lady Scathach had given him a chance at a new life, a chance for a nobody like him, to become a hero.
And now… now I've let her down… I've let all of them down.
"I'm sorry Lady Scathach… Chu, everyone," he said, his hands shaking now, as the wind picked up and the stew, he had on started to boil over.
He had one chance now, one chance to do something for them, do something for the first family that he ever had. He could destroy, or at least help destroy what had defeated them, and was causing so much mayhem now.
This was his last chance to be the hero Scathach saw in him.
"I'll remember… I promise," he said, the tears starting to come down his face now, as he grabbed onto and squeezed the red spear across his lap. "Before I die… I'll remember the name of my spear."
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"I can't believe Cian would do something like this!" Welf said, as Hestia listened to the chats by the fire from inside her tent. "What's that idiot thinking?!"
"Don't be so hard on him Welf," Bell tried to reason. "He's probably still reeling from the loss of his last familia."
"I understand Master Bell, but Master Welf's right," The little supporter said, Hestia recognized her voice anywhere. "We're his party, he should have told us!"
"Little bit's right, we would've gone with him, no questions asked," Welf said again. "I'm gonna give him an earful when we find him. How far behind are we from him again?"
"Ms. Ryuu says not far. If we keep following his trail, we should run into him tomorrow, and the village where this monster was said to have attacked," Bell informed him, and Hestia could hear the disappointment in his voice.
"We're on a quest that calls for one to two level 4 adventurers," Ms. Supported added in. "We're going to need to read what Lord Miach told us about these Fomorians, and the report from the guild. We'll need a strategy in this fight."
"You're right Lillie, if we go in blind that'll be a huge problem," Bell said. "Ms. Ryuu told me she's a level 4, but that doesn't mean we can be careless."
"It's a good thing she agreed to come with us," Welf said.
"Ms. Ryuu didn't hesitate in agreeing to come," Bell said happily. "It's really great that she did, she's as close to Cian as we are!"
Oh Bell, you sweet, sweet dense boy, Hestia lamented. She knew Cian wasn't as dense as Bell was, he'd already confided in Hestia he thought the elf that traveled with them was 'beautiful'. The elf was hard to read, but it was clear she cared for him too.
Welf scoffed. "Ha, yeah, they're close for sure I bet."
"Huh? What are you talking about Welf?" Bell asked.
His supporter sighed. "Ignore that, Master Bell. We should discuss our strategy, now how many potions do we have?"
Hestia stopped listening after that, and pulled her legs up to her chin in her tent. They went on discussing battle plans, but all Hestia could think of was the smile Cian had given her every morning for the last two weeks. The boy was so dedicated to not being a burden to others, he bottled everything up inside himself. She'd done it herself in her many lifetimes lived, it was the same way Scathach had acted.
"You taught him well Scathach… he's just like you," Hestia said, thinking of her old friend, and her new child out there on his own. "Oh Cian… why must you be so much like her?"
She knew now that he really wasn't okay despite the smiles. Not since that first day she had given him her blessing, had she even seen Cian come close to shedding tears over Scathach and the others. And from the way he talked about them, and what Hestia knew about them herself, he knew that he had to have loved them deeply. Their death left a far worse scar then just the one on his chest, Cian was cut even deeper than that.
Scathach would have known what to do for him. It was one of many times in her life Hestia found herself wishing she could be her.
Her hand dug into her arms, and she sucked in breath, no… no feeling sorry for yourself Hestia! This was the one thing Scathach ever asked of me, and I'm going to do it!
She'd take care of that boy, and she'd be the best goddess she could be to him and Bell.
Especially if what she'd discovered about Cian was true.
"The Child of Light… Scathach, you were so brave," Hestia said, a small smile coming to her face as she shook her head. "It all makes sense now… don't worry, I'll keep him safe for you."
The reason Scathach had been so secretive about Cian, was the same reason she had told nobody about Bell's special growth ability yet. The difference however… was the Child of Light, according to what she learned from Miach who was from Ulster before coming to Orario, was that there had been hundreds of adventurers with the inherit skill 'Child of Light' over the years since the god Lugh had sealed away the Fomorians.
It was crazy to Hestia, but the God Lugh had given more of his divine power to the captain of his familia, resulting in the first Child of Light, with an increased growth skill. As the years went on, anyone who became the Child of Light became celebrity number one in Ulster. Every god and goddess on the Tuatha Danann and in Ulster itself wanted The Child of Light in their familia.
The result of this, led to many of the adventurers who received this skill, growing arrogant, and either throwing their lives away or becoming corrupt, forcing the Tuatha Danann to deal with them. Miach didn't know much more, but apparently there hadn't been a Child of Light discovered in Ulster for the last fifty years or so. It worried the Tuatha Danann in Ulster, because of the prophecy involving the Child of Light and these Fomorians.
If Scathach discovered Cian was the Child of Light, it makes sense why she was careful with his training, and why her and Setanta sent him to Orario…
If Cian had stayed in Ulster, he was closer to the Fomorians, closer to whoever it was that caused a crack in their seal. In Orario, almost nobody knew of the Child of Light prophecy, and it kept Cian away from other members of the Tuatha Danann who may not have the best intentions. Scathach always said half of them were fools. And by keeping Cian's training strictly with Chu and keeping him out of fights as much as possible, it made it, so he didn't level up to quickly and tip off that he was the Child of Light.
Hestia didn't know what Scathach had been waiting for, but it was clear that she wanted to keep Cian safe, that she cared about him. That meant Hestia would too.
"Excuse me, Goddess Hestia," A voice said, making her jump, but she looked to the flap of the tent, to see the elf crouched there.
"Gahhh! Ryuu!" Hestia said, grabbing at her chest. "You scared me."
"My apologies," The elf said, bowing at her. "I just wanted to inform you, we'll be reaching the village of Dungarvan tomorrow, and encounter the Fomorian."
"I'm aware, I heard Bell and the others talking," Hestia said, meeting the elf's eyes. "You seem to know a good amount about these Fomorians."
"Only the few stories I was told in my homeland as a child," She said, her wooden sword hanging off her hip, she crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Hestia. "I'm here to ask you, tomorrow, when we find Cian and encounter the monster, to please stay at a safe distance. The Fomorian will be at least Level 4, I believe I can fight it but not while protecting you at the same time."
Hestia's chest lurched. "You don't have to worry about me, Ms. Elf. What about the other part of that report? It's said it wasn't just the Fomorian."
Ryuu shook her head. "It's possibly another adventurer allied with the monster. I'll leave them to Mr. Cranel and the others. What's important, is finding Cian, and then getting to safety."
Hestia nodded, but she found herself smiling too. "You really care for Cian, don't you Ms. Elf?"
She paused for a moment, and Hestia saw something in her eyes, she didn't know what, but eventually she simply nodded.
"I do, he's a friend, I'd do the same for any of them," she said, looking at the ground. "And besides… I must apologize again, I'm the reason Cian left on this mission himself."
Hestia chuckled and shook her head. "And again, you don't need to apologize. Cian… he's a lot like Scathach and Setanta, they rubbed off on him. I'll knock some sense into him when this is all over, don't you worry!"
For the first time, Hestia saw the elf smile. She really was beautiful, she understood why Cian said that so often now.
"Thank you, Goddess Hestia," she said, her gaze returning to the ground. "I… I feel a particular connection to Cian, I will admit this to you," she turned her back to Hestia. "He… reminds me of myself. Both of us… we know the true meaning of loss."
Hestia could hear the hurt coming from the elf's voice. Her being similar to Cian, her words only led her to one conclusion.
"I'm sorry…" Hestia said, shaking her head. "I'm sure your old familia is proud of you."
"I'm not so sure… but thank you," she said, turning to Hestia one more time. "One last thing… the Child of Light, it's Cian now, that's what you and Lord Miach discussed, isn't it?"
Hestia bit her lip, there was no point in lying. She nodded. "He is… Cian has no idea that he is."
"I see, and you're not going to tell him?" Ryuu asked.
Hestia shook her head. "No. Scathach kept it a secret from him, and I believe it's for the best…. I know it isn't true, but I don't want him to believe Scathach took him in just because of that. Also, the less people who know the better. I hope I can count on your secrecy."
"Very well," The elf said. "Now, I must rest, we don't know what tomorrow will bring."
With that, Ryuu made a silent exit, and Hestia fell back onto her sleeping bag with a sigh.
"Cian… be careful until we get there, please…" She said to the roof of the tent, before thinking about how she could better help the last child of her old friend.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"They can't be far, these are fresh," Cian said, rubbing the dirt between his gloved hands. He looked up to see the path towards the village… and then the smell hit his nose.
The sun was high that afternoon, and it hadn't taken him long to get from his camping spot the last night to finally make it to Dungarvan. He had ditched his pack in the wood's outskirts. If he couldn't scrounge together more supplies, he'd pick them up on his way back.
If he came back. The sun beat down on his black cloak. Welf's armor was still in good condition, yet still a bit beat up from his fight with the silverback a few days ago. His wounds from that fight were mostly healed, and the black and red, light armor would do its job, he trusted Welf's handiwork. He was sure to keep the red spear in one hand, and his left hand ready to go to his new sword at moment's notice. When he approached Dungarvan for the first time, he didn't know what he expected to feel. Nostalgia, longing, a sense of familiarity perhaps?
No, he felt none of those, because all he could do was gag as the smell hit his nose. It nearly made him fall back into the mud and the footprints he'd been examining, but he pushed himself to his feet, his free hand over his nose, and looked up through the thick pine trees you'd start to see as you got closer to Ulster. He could see it shooting upwards from the buildings, as the thick section of forest led out to the village and the lake which was only a short walk away as well.
Finally, he looked up, and he saw the smoke.
"Dammit, hold on!" Cian yelled, gripping tighter to the red spear and taking off in a sprint through the forest towards the line of houses he saw through the trees.
His heart pounded, sweat fell down his brow in a cascade, and with each step he took he felt a shockwave pulsating up his foot through his body. The man had reported to the guild that the monster had been ravaging the area a few days ago, but he knew Dungarvan had a decent sized population for its size. It was his hope that by now there had been some response from Ulster, or Orario to come and find any survivors.
He thought he'd have to start in Dungarvan to track down the monster, not fight the monster there.
"HELLO?! IS ANYONE HERE?!" He yelled, as he burst out into the open and again when he did, he was struck with the smell like a brick.
He gagged and stumbled to his feet. It smelled like rot and mold, the smell of burnt meat over a fire, and each time he sucked in a breath with his nose it was as if the smell floated all the way up to his brain. His skin crawled, goosebumps traveling up his arms, as if a thousand ants were crawling on him at once. When he rose, his vision was clouded with smoke, and after taking another step, he tripped once more.
His face hit the dirt, and the red spear fell from his hand. Dirt got into his mouth, and he gaged again, his vision blurry as he spun onto his back and sat up to look at what he'd tripped on.
"Wha… what… oh… oh gods… gods…" He gagged, covering his mouth before he vomited everywhere.
He had tripped over a woman's corpse. She'd been trapped mid-scream, her entire body below her neck burnt to a black crisp, twisted like a charred tree branch. He looked up to see that he was in the center of town, a main road with houses and markets lining the sides. Some buildings were still smoldering with tiny flames dancing like insects. Most of them were now nothing but ash, burnt to the ground with corpses sprawled out over their porches, in the street with limbs missing.
Cian tried to stand but tripped over his cloak the first time. After he finally did mange to get up, his knees clacked together as he reached out his hand and found the red spear on the ground. It shot through the air into his waiting hand, and he used it to push himself upright.
That was when he saw them.
"Oh… oh god…" He said, before falling to his knees again, and throwing up every last thing he'd eaten on his journey. A pile of vomit formed on the side of the rode, as Cian looked up still on his knees again to see just what the creature had done.
Dotting the road were piles of corpses. They were stacked like the mounds of trash bags outback of the Hostess of Fertility. He used the red spear to push himself up again, and take small steps down the road, towards where he knew the lake was. He saw dozens of piles, some small, some large, and bodies set up in circular, intricate patterns, which he recognized from old books Uathach had made him study.
And when he stopped in the middle of the road, he saw the effigy.
"Gods… what… how…" He tried to sputter out words, his stomach still a jumbled mess.
Whatever it was, had set up a massive pile of corpses in the middle of the road, and in the middle of them, a massive wooden stack had been planted. It seemed the monster had grabbed trees, bushes and other shrubbery from around the village and settled them on top of the bodies and nailed them to the stake before lighting it on fire.
With a massive skull of what seemed to be a deer stuck on top of the spike.
And like that, Cian's head pounded, and his chest burned.
"GAHHHH! GAH, DAMMIT, NO, NO NOT NOW!" He yelled, falling to the ground and grasping at his chest, it burned yes, but it wasn't just his chest that agonized him.
It was the throbbing inside his head.
He fought through the pain, screaming each second as he reached to the pouch on his waist. Each bit of movement was agony, but he eventually managed to find one of the potions Naaza and Miach had made him.
And just as he uncorked the potion to pour under his armor, he saw it.
"These creatures practice old savage rituals," Lady Scathach's voice said, loud and commanding to the rest of them all sitting in front of her. "They'll burn the corpses of their victims and put them on display in sick ways. If it truly is Fomorians, remember they aren't like other monsters."
"These bastards can actually think for themselves," Chu said after her, the red spear across his shoulder as he shook his head. "They'll lay traps, ambushes, switch their fighting style. It's never been more important for us to watch each other's backs, remember that!"
"Fo…Fomorians…" Cian said, groaning as he picked up the red spear and pushed himself up to his feet, grabbing the red spear as he did. When he finally stood, the throbbing in his head had stopped… and he saw it. "That… that's what we were fighting! I… I remembered! I really remembered it!"
That meeting Chu and Lady Scathach had, had taken place only a day before them and Goddess Aife's familia had gone into the mountains. Parts of the operation and what surrounded it were still fuzzy in Cian's mind, but the most important thing was that he remembered!
"Fomorians… that… that's what wiped us out," he said with a shake of his head, his eyes unable to leave the massive effigy they'd left behind. "But… they're supposed to be wiped out; it doesn't make sense."
He just like every child who grew up in Ulster heard the story of Fomorians when they were young, about how the god Lugh and his familia sacrificed themselves to seal away their king Balor.
And how one day, the Child of Light would fight them again when they returned. It made sense now. Lady Scathach and Lady Aife were the two strongest familias of the Tuatha Danann, even more then Lord Dagda who ruled the council. If they really had suspected Fomorians had been returning, it would make sense to send them, Chu was so powerful just by himself, they had no choice. He could remember all the stories about Fomorians now… but why had it just now come back?
The more important thing was, he knew even the weakest Fomorians were at least Level 4, possibly 5.
He sucked in a breath at the effigy in front of him and gripped the red spear tighter. It was different now, now he had a name to put to what had killed his family. Now, he wouldn't wait for the Child of Light, he'd do all he could to end the Fomorian here and now.
"That's what heroes do… they do things others are too afraid to do," he said, letting the breath out and stepping past the burning effigy and kneeling. "Okay, lets see if we can figure out where they went."
He knew that the most likely place the Fomorian had gone was the forest somewhere. It was so massive that it would want cover. Still, he needed to be careful of the lake as well. He needed to know first off if there were any survivors, and if there had been any… what better place to avoid fire then the lake?
"Spirits of the past, come forth and aid me in my time of need," Cian chanting, his hands glowing blue as he drew the runes Uathach had drilled into his mind. "Show me the way towards my goal and help me in my quest. Spiorad Shati!"
His runes burst to life, and on the ground in front of him, blue wisps started taking shape, eventually his magic took the form of a small fox. The tiny creature spun in a circle, before sitting in front of Cian and nodding its translucent blue head.
He couldn't help but smile, thanks for the tracking spell Uathach.
"Hey buddy," Cian said, petting the tiny animal's blue head. "Go and check near the lake, come back up quick alright?"
The tiny creature nodded, before turning to run off. If Cian focused, after the creature returned, he could see what it had seen when scouting out the lake. It was one of the first spells Uathach had taught him, and it have proved invaluable in scouting expeditions. It was the only time Cian and Uathach had ever really gotten to be alone, and he relished those chanced of course.
He smiled as the blue wisps of the fox grew faint, as it went over the tiny hill leading towards the lake. Cian could see it from the center of town. It sprawled out for at least a mile, the crystal blue waters sparkled in the sunlight, and all he was reminded of in that moment was how beautiful it looked in sunset, and how many times he'd laughed and smiled with everyone just a short walk away.
"Okay… let's see what I can do for you all," Cian said, looking to his right at the effigy again, before sighing and turning back from where he'd come. "The least I can do is try to-.'
He saw the knife so late, that it almost impaled him. It came spiraling through the air and Cian leaned back and to the right so quick he nearly fell back. The blade of the small throwing knife had glinted in the sun, which had given him just enough time to avoid it. It passed inches from his eye, even chopping off a tiny piece of his black hair. It would have dug into his shoulder, but instead with a loud CLANG it hit the clasp of his cloak.
"SHIT!" He yelled as hit the clasp on his cloak snapped, and a gust of wind carried it off his body.
Cian recomposed himself as he fell backwards, he knew another knife had to be coming, and he shot his hand out calling the red spear back into his right hand just as his cloak which was mid air came shooting for him, another knife sure enough piercing through it.
He was ready for this knife, swinging the red spear another CLANG rang out as it hit the knife out of the air, and Cian leapt back.
"WHO'S THERE?!" Cian yelled, trying to goad whoever it was to come out.
Another knife followed, and another after that, followed by three more in rapid succession and Cian had to leap back again, swing the red spear and after he'd knocked those away two more knives came. One was high one was low. Cian gritted his teeth and leapt forward, his body parallel to the ground, before the suns glint helped him out again.
"THERE YOU ARE!" He screamed, seeing the next knife's glint near the top of the house to the right. "LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
He focused his energy to his hand and the long spear of lightning rippled to life. With as much precision as he could muster he dug his foot into the ground, and from his left hand he chucked the lightning as hard as he could. It shot through the air and a massive cloud of black smoke followed the explosion as the roof he threw the spear at caved in.
"GAOTH!" A voice shouted, and Cian's eyes widened when he saw the black smoke shoot towards him in a gust of wind.
Gaoth. He recognized the word, it was the old language of Ulster, how adventurers from there casted spells. Gaoth meant simply 'wind', it was simple yet effective, Cian was blinded by the smoke, it surrounded him, and he quickly reached to his belt to pull out the iron sword he'd bought. Sword in his left hand, the red spear in his right, he spun around in the smoke trying to find who it was that attacked.
"ASTAR NA GAOITHE!" The voice shouted again, and that was when pain erupted along his face.
"GAHHH!" He yelled, as he looked down to see a sword had just cut deep across his cheek, and he only had time to lean back to avoid the second one that would've chopped his head off.
"DIE ALREADY!" The voice shouted again, and that was when Cian felt a boot slam into his stomach.
He coughed up blood and he was sent flying down the road. He slammed into an old market stall that had already been burned down. The armor Welf had given him did its job, but Cian could feel crunches in his bones as both his sword and the red spear fell from his hands. His vision was cloudy for a moment, he coughed into his palm and saw more of his blood spewed out onto it. Lone corpses were to his left and right, the smell of death and rot hung in the air, and when he looked to the right he saw the red spear stuck in the ground.
Cian reached out his hand to summon it, but stopped when he heard boots crunching, then an angry voice.
"So… you survived that did you?!" It spat, and Cian turned to see a girl stalking towards him with two shorter swords in hand. "I won't make the same mistake again! You're dead! DEAD! I'LL KILL YOU!"
Cian coughed again and forced himself to his knees to get up. "Who… who the hell are… wait… it… it's you! You were in my dream!"
It was the same girl he'd seen in his dream the night before. The one he saw destroying the village with what he knew now was a Fomorian. She wore armor Cian had seen dozens of times worn by adventurers in the Ulster highlands. A skirt of black leather and cloth with a sturdy belt with metal in it as well, strong leather boots up to her knees, and for her top, the girl had a black leather cuirass with brown shoulder guards, then brown vambraces. Around her neck was a silver medallion, and her two short swords while simple, were radiating with swirling gales of wind.
Her whole body was. Around her, a gale had picked up, and Cian recognized this type of magic. It was wind magic that enhanced her speed.
That isn't good… she's a higher level than me, I can already tell, Cian thought, gritting his teeth as he examined the girl to be sure she was the one from her dream.
It without a doubt was. Cian saw she had long blood red hair blowing back in her gale of wind, a spot of freckles danced across her pale nose, and her green eyes looked at him with nothing but malice.
"It seems Lady Morrigan's spell worked, and you came here like she said you would," She said, before Cian saw her foot shift in the dirt. "TO YOUR DEATH LIKE AN IDIOT!"
MORRIGAN?!
Cian barely had time to think, the girls swords came down on where he'd been, but rolled to the side.
"LIGHTNING SPEAR!" Cian yelled, throwing the lightning towards her, but the girl dodged with ease, but it gave Cian time to thrust out his hand.
She came swinging towards him again, but the red spear came flying through the air. Her eyes widened and she leapt over the spear before it hit Cian's hand. She came just as it hit his hand, and for a minute, Cian parried away blows with the spear, the entire time on the back foot.
"I can't believe the captains so obsessed with you!" She yelled, swinging her sword up, and it sent Cian's spear up, before she stabbed forward and grazed across Cian's side.
"GAHHHHHH!" He yelled, before her foot came around and kicked him again.
"YOU'RE WEAK!" She yelled, as Cian rolled towards where his sword was and picked it up as she was on him again. "BUT HE ALWAYS WORKS TO FIND YOU! HE COULD KILL YOU IN SECONDS!"
"I don't know who you're talking about!" Cian yelled, parrying away one sword with the spear, before knocking away her second as well. He kicked forward and hit her stomach. It didn't hurt her, but it made her retreat the slightest bit.
Cian jumped back and sucked in a breath, on the crest of the hill leading down towards the lake now. He looked at both the girls' weapons and the wind around her. She had to be at least level 2 or even 3, her speed was becoming too much, so he knew he needed to find some way to buy time to think of any kind of strategy.
So, he said what was on his mind. "Still, I don't care who you are, or who your captain is! How the hell could you do this?! What did these people ever do to you?"
"I never laid a finger on any of them!" The girl yelled back, balking for a moment as Cian slowly back up, the sword in his left hand, gripping the red spear in his right hand. "I was waiting for you, Cian Mac Gallagher! Give me that spear, I'll deliver it to the captain, and maybe I'll let you live!"
She's moving too fast, I need to try and match it with my skill, Cian thought looking down at the spear.
He thrusted it out towards her. "That seems like a lot of bullshit rationalizing! I'll make you a deal too, tell me who you are, and I may let you have the spear!"
It was a lie of course. Whoever wanted the spear would have to pry it from his dead fingers. Still, he needed to know if what he'd heard was correct and begin his spell.
The girl scoffed. "Call it what you want! My name if Mebd Mac Caomhanach, member of the Morrigan familia and servant to my captain Connla! AND I'LL KILL YOU HERE CHILD OF SCATHACH!"
She lashed out with no more regard for talking. She came down hard, but Cian parried both blows getting sent onto his heels. He ducked down and tried to cut out across her with the spear, but she leapt back and kicked her foot up at him. Cian shot up his forearm and blocked the blow and remembering a move Fergus had showed him early on he smashed his elbow into the girl shin and made her stumbled, before swinging the red spear low and knocking her to the ground.
When she fell Cian spun and tried to cut the spear down across her stomach, but she got her sword up to block it. It clanged against the spear and Cian's blow sent her into the ground, and he tried to follow up with another blow, but her eyes shone with the gale of wind around her and she shot her hands forward.
"GAOTH!" She yelled, and a gust of wind smashed into Cian sending him flying backwards.
"ARGHHHH!" He yelled as he flew through the air, before he fell onto the hill, and rolled down, dirt filling his mouth and both his weapons clattering with him.
When he finally stopped, he heard the gust of wind again, and looked up to see Mebd baring down on him. He rolled and got back to his feet, spotting the red spear, and summoning it back to his hand. He caught it and fell into a stance, just as the boiling Mebd stood with her swords pointed towards him.
She isn't giving me time to chant… still… what she said, Cian thought shaking his head.
"The Morrigan Familia was wiped out years ago with Evilus!" Cian yelled, as Mebd came back for him again and the engaged in a vicious melee. He could barely see where she was moving, she struck across his cheek again, across his arm, on his side, and with each one he could feel more blood starting to drain from his body, if he didn't get clear soon, he'd be done for without even finding the Fomorian.
"Evilus was just a means to an end according to Lady Morrigan," Mebd yelled, coming for another kick, but this time when Cian ducked and leapt back, she dropped one of her swords and pulled out three small knives in one hand. She launched them at Cian and screamed. "It doesn't matter, she doesn't matter to me anyway, I don't give a damn! I fight for my captain, I fight for Connla, and HE WANTS YOUR SPEAR SO I'LL GET IT!"
Cian ducked away from the first knife, knocked away the second, but the third one implanted itself deep into his shoulder. He screamed, as agony shot through his left arm and when he tried to use it to raise up the sword he'd just bought but Mebd brought her swords down on it. They crashed into his smaller blade and shattered it to pieces, before Mebd spun and Cian saw her foot coming for his face again.
He couldn't move as he was sent flying further down the hill, smashing into a pile of corpses. His vision went blurry as the red spear fell just in front of him. His head was spinning, but he managed to blink, and when he finally did, he felt the back of his eyelids starting to burn.
"GAHHH!" He yelled, grabbing his eyes, realizing what it was.
The vision of his familiar, the small fox he'd summon was shot into his mind. It didn't hurt at all if you were ready for it, but Cian wasn't, and in that short time he saw what the small fox had seen.
And finally, he saw it. The same beast from his dream. He sat on a massive tree in front of the shimmering lake, a pile of burning corpses next to him. It's clumpy flesh with mold colored skin sat there with its smooth mace on its shoulder, as it tore into the carcass of a deer burnt black. In the quick vision Cian saw the limbs of dead villagers hanging from the cloth it wore around its waist, and finally it turned.
Cian saw the gold eyes, as it opened its jaws and fire spewed forth.
"DIE ALREADY!" Mebd yelled, and Cian's vision ended just in time for it him to see her coming.
He leapt to the side narrowly avoiding the attack and picking up the red spear. She stood and turned back to him, her arms shaking as blood trickled off her blades, Cian's blood.
Cian managed to use the spear to push himself to his feet, before yanking out the knife that was in his shoulder. He screamed as he did, and while he knew Mebd was there, all he could do was see the vision of the Fomorian.
That beast was only a short walk away, if he looked over, he could see the shore of the lake, and over the smoke coming from his pile of corpses.
"Why… why did that damned goddess pick you?!" Mebd yelled, as Cian-still leaning on the spear- looked up to see her green eyes trained on him. To his shock, she was crying. "You're weak! You're nothing! I don't care what Lady Morrigan thinks you are, you should be the one dead! I'll probe myself to the captain, I'll show him where he's wasted his time."
Cian coughed. His head still spun, but he managed to look up at the girl. For a minute, all he felt was pity. It seemed as if deep seeds of emotional turmoil were finally sprouting. Yet, after a moment, that pity turned to anger. He couldn't remember much… but he did know the old legends. The old legends said that only the Child of Light could break the spell of godly power the God Lugh had put on the Fomorians seal.
But, a crack could be caused, but another god or goddess's magic. Finn had told him just the other night, the Morrigan Familia was a member of Evilus, that Lady Scathach and the others had fought them.
It didn't take Cian much thought to realize who was responsible for the Fomorians escaping now.
"You're right… I am nothing, I may very well be weak," Cian said, digging his feet into the ground, and screaming as his left shoulder and all the other spots bleeding on his body screaming out in agony at once. But, with both hands on the red spear, he got back into the kata stance Chu had taught him so many times. "But that doesn't mean I'll let you, or your familia get away with what you've done. I won't let whatever you're planning come to pass. I swear it here, on this spear, and the memory of Lady Scathach and my old familia, I'LL STOP YOU FROM DOING WHAT YOU DID HERE!"
"HA, you're finally baring some teeth!" Mebd said, shaking her head. "I guess you're brave, but that doesn't mean you're not stupid. Connla's time would be wasted on someone like you!"
"Only truly weak warriors send others to do there bidding!" Cian said, spinning the spear to get feeling back in his fingers. "Truly strong ones go after what they want themselves!"
"DON'T INSULT THE CAPTAIN!" She yelled, more tears coming down her face now, as she cried and shook her head, anger leaking from her. "I'LL KILL YOU!"
"LIKE YOU KILLED ALL THESE PEOPLE?!" Cian yelled back to her, blood flowing through his veins quick and hot despite the heat. "You may not have killed them yourself, but your swords are just as bloody for sitting by and letting that monster kill them! If your captain orders that, then he's just as guilty!"
"Don't speak about things you don't understand!" She yelled, lashing out for him again. "The captain is good! He's honorable, he may appear cruel, but I know there's good in his heart!"
Yes, go on, keep talking! Cian thought, parrying away her blow, and flipping backwards onto one hand and pushing off to create more distance.
"Oh great gods of the Tuatha Danann," Cian started chanting as Mebd came back after him. Ducking back and parrying more blow with the red spear as Mebd lashed out and screamed. "I do humbly call upon your aid!"
"He saved my life! He didn't have too but he did!" Mebd yelled, the gale force winds around her picking up and moving her arms quicker, one of her blow cut across Cian's right shoulder and he almost dropped the spear. "When my brother Ferdiad went to that bitch Goddess Scathach to join her familia she scoffed at him! Told him he wasn't good enough!"
"To save the land and people I fight so hard to protect!" Cian said, trying to be as quiet as possibly, ducking under Mebd's swords and kicking at her hands, before leaping back and throwing the spear towards her.
She knocked it aside, and when Cian tried to summon it back to his hand, she knocked it out of the sky, and Cian had to duck under her next blow and forward to pick it back up the ground. He looked and cursed when he noticed they were getting closer and closer to the lake shore.
"So, what does he do?! He goes off into the woods towards the end mountains alone! He was level four but going alone is still suicide!" Mebd cried out, as she jabbed forward in an enhance thrust with her wind and nearly took off Cian's head. "I was only level 2 still when I went after him, it was suicide yes, but he was all I had, my brother was everything! And I found him dead, hellhounds eating at his corpse!"
Cian stumbled for just a moment, and Mebd took full advantage of it. She screamed again and blasted her hands forward. "GOATH!"
Wind smashed into Cian's stomach and the momentary strength he'd felt from being able to stand up to her left him as his feet left the ground. He was sent smashing into trees at the other end of the village, and when he finally stopped rolling his back smashed into a tree. He kept the vision in his head, and slowly reached up his hand to draw the runes in the air.
This may have hurt, but it had been what Cian was hoping for.
He heard Mebd running through the trees, and when she finally stepped past one, a few steps away from Cian, her wet cheeks were red, her chest rising and falling, as the wind from her magic still kept bursting around her.
"I almost died that day… but the captain saved me," Mebd said, shaking her head, raising up her swords and pointing them towards Cian. "So yes… I may stand by a watch atrocities. It kills me, you understand Cian Mac Gallagher? But I owe Connla my life, and I will prove to him he didn't waste his effort in saving me," she said, moving forward with her swords. "And I will murder Scathach's last child for what she did to my brother. This is your last chance… give me the spear and I'll make it quick."
Cian sucked in a breath. Heat beat down on him, sweat and blood trickled down his body. Welf's armor had held up well. Naaza's potion was keeping him going. He remembered Lillie's dungeon advice of always scouting out ahead. And… he knew in a situation like this Bell would have gotten up.
And so would everyone else, Chu, and the rest of his family. Everyone would have gotten up.
So he'd do the same.
"Bless me now… and grant me the power of lightning," Cian finished muttered, before getting up to his knees, and when Mebd saw the runs floating in the air her eyes went wide.
"NO, DIE!" She yelled, going for a killing stroke.
"STORIM DEALANACH!" Cian yelled, before lightning exploded up and down the red spear. It sent up a blast and Mebd had to jump back to avoid it. A cloud of smoke shot up, and when the lightning hit Cian's hand he felt a shock go up through his body as his Lightning Rod skill activated.
"GOATH!" Mebd yelled, as a gust of wind shot forward and knocked away the black smoke.
"LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
Cian's spear of lightning shot through the air, and Mebd had to duck out of the way. And bursting through the gust of wind just as the lightning spear put a whole through the tree behind Mebd, Cian smashed into her with the red spear. She got her swords up to block but her feet dragged back as Cian put all his strength into swinging the spear then. It sent her skidding back from him, as lightning sparked up his body, and wind shot around Mebd. The afternoon sun shot through the trees between them, as on that dirt road Cian faced her down and spun his red spear coated in lightning.
"Ha… so it looks like you won't disappoint after all," she said, twirling both her swords and adjusting her feet. "Still, I won't let the captain waste anymore of his time on you!"
"You'll pay for what you did to these people," Cian said, the lightning on his spear heating his blood, his veins pulsing as his heart nearly beat out of his chest. "You, your captain, and the rest of your familia, not just for them, but for Lady Scathach and everyone else."
He knew now, what those smaller shadowy figures in his mind were that day. The larger ones were the Fomorians, and along with them… the Morrigan familia had attacked them, they were the ones who released them.
Cian was going to make them pay for it.
"Ha, you're welcome to try!" She shouted at him, before adjusting her feet and launching forward. "Come on then, show you're a member of the Scathach familia!"
"I'm not a member of the Scathach familia anymore," he said, rushing to meet her charge with his now enhanced speed. "I'm part of the Hestia familia! And we'll climb to the top of Orario!"
He promised Lady Hestia and Bell he'd do it, and the more Cian had thought about it… the more he wanted to keep that promise.
He could smell sulfur behind him, as he rushed and met Mebd's first sword with the tip of the red spear. She used that sword to push it up and went low trying to swipe at Cian's leg. He leapt and spun back, swinging out with the blunt end of the red spear and it moved so fast with his skill activated it hit her face and sent her stumbling. She didn't stay that way for long, as when Cian went to thrust at her when she did, she used her momentum to flip back and launch herself at him again.
"Okay, now fighting other people is a whole different skill then fighting monsters. You can be great at fighting monsters, but shit at fighting other people," Diarmuid's instruction played throughout his head. "People can think and switch things up on you. Remember, always control the pace and tempo of a fight, trying to use your opponent's momentum against them."
She came again, and Cian leapt to the left. "LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
He threw the spear but didn't aim for Mebd. The spear hit right between them, sending up smoke again and before she could shoot it away with her wind, Cian darted forward with his enhanced speed. He thrusted out of the smoke, and he saw the red spear just barely graze across Mebd's cheek. Her blood shot up into the air, and her wide, surprised eyes, turned to angry ones as she turned and thrusted forward with her spear in a wild lunge.
Using her own momentum, her arm was overextended, and Cian caught it between his own arm and the shaft of the red spear. She tried to come around with her other sword but holding her arm Cian twisted his body and Mebd screamed as her arm was twisted a way it shouldn't have been.
"GAHHHHH ENOUGH!" She yelled, dropped the sword in the hand that was trapped and yanking it free, before coming around and thrusting at him with her other sword.
Cian's eyes widened as he was forced to let go, but Mebd's sword came up for his cheek. It sliced across his face, the same cheek that she'd cut when she first attacked. Cian could practically feel the scar being left, as he yelled and fell back. He tried to bring the red spear around to create distance, but he was far too close for it to be effective. Mebd knocked it aside, and spun to put her foot into Cian's cut again.
"ARGHHHH ACKKK!" Cian choked, as blood came from his mouth, he flew back and smashed into a tree just at the lake's shoreline. He could smell burning flesh as his vision went blurry, and he groaned trying to sit upright.
Blood trailed down the now massive gash on his cheek. He had no idea where Mebd was, but while he had the time he reached down into the pouch and yanked out another of Naaza's potions. Just as he heard her footsteps he uncorked and drank it. It helped his blood start to flow again, but each move of his arms, his legs, anything was complete agony. It was as if his body had been dragged by a horse for days, but he had to get up.
"And remember Cian, the important thing about heroes…" Chu's voice said, as Cian fell to his side, and looked over at the red spear on the ground.
"Is… they… they always get up," he said, pushing himself up again, and reaching his hand over to the spear, gripping it in his hand. "Come on… Come on Cian… you… you have-. GAHHHH!"
A foot came down on his wrist, and nearly shattered the wrist guard of his armor. Cian tried to pry it loose, but Mebd above him kicked his hand away, and kicked the red spear from his grip. Smartly, she stood in front of him to block Cian's vision of his weapon, preventing him from calling it back to his hand.
"I don't care about the spear, even if it is one of the divine weapons," Mebd said, narrowing her eyes down at Cian, and kicking his back. "But the Captain wants it… so I'll deliver it to him. And… and finally… finally I'll… no, you don't care."
Cian grabbed his wrist as he leaned up against the tree and looked up to see Mebd with her wind slowly dying out around her. The sun hit off her lightly freckled face, and Cian tried to move, but he knew it took some time for Naaza's potion to kick in fully.
But it seemed it was time he didn't have. He was bleeding from nearly every part of his body that his armor didn't cover, and while the potion would help… he was still in a horrible spot.
I have to get up… come on… come on Cian!
He wanted to get back now. Back to apologize to Lady Hestia and accept the verbal lashing he was sure to get, from her, from Lillie, from Naaza. Welf and Bell would try to help him, but in the end he would accept the yells from his friends. He deserved it.
And Ryuu? Oh man, he feared what Ryuu would have to say to him.
He tried to move again, but Mebd put her boot against his shoulder, the same one which had a knife in it moments ago and pushed him against the tree.
"For what it's worth… I hate killing, not that it matters," Mebd said, holding her sword to his neck. "I have to do this… the captain he… he-."
"He won't replace your brother," Cian croaked out, coughing up more blood. "Believe me. There are no replacements out there for the people we love that are lost. I… I learned that the hard way these last few weeks…"
Lady Hestia wasn't Lady Scathach. Bell wasn't Chu, Lillie was Finn Mac Comhail, Welf wasn't Diarmuid, Naaza wasn't Fergus… and Ryuu wasn't Uathach.
No, none of the new people he'd meet the last few weeks in Orario would ever replace the first family he lost. He realized, that had been what he was trying to do. He had been trying to see his new familia, his new party as the one he lost, in hopes that maybe if they took their place he would feel better about losing them.
But he was wrong, so, so painfully wrong. Bell, Lady Hestia, Welf, Lillie, Naaza, Ryuu, they were their own people. He hadn't told them about what he was going to do… because he thought that he was a burden to them, like he'd felt like he was a burden to his last familia.
But, one thing he'd failed to realize, that while they were different, both his families had one thing in common.
And that's that they would have been here for him now, had he just asked.
"I… I'm sorry Bell… Ryuu… Lady Hestia…" Cian whispered, as Mebd looked down at him with murderous eyes full of tears.
"You… you think you know me?! Understand how I feel?!" She yelled, pressing her sword to his neck. "This… is the only way, what would you have me do huh?!"
"Live… live and be the person they thought you'd be," Cian said, meeting the girls' eyes. "Tell me… would your brother be proud of what you've done?"
"ENOUGH! SHUT UP!" She yelled pushing him against the tree and moving her foot. She shook her head, crying still and raised up her sword. "I'll kill you! And I'll bring that spear to the captain, this is for Ferdiad!"
Cian could still barely move, but when she swung down, he tried to duck, but he saw her swords were precise. She moved and aimed them both for his neck, and Cian saw the steel glint in the sun and as it got closer, he finally saw the red spear, and went to summon it to him hand.
He saw it move in the grass, but the blades were already inches from his neck
Mebd screamed. "DIE CHILD OF-."
"FIIIIREEEBOLTTTT!"
"GAHHHHH!" Mebd screamed, and a jolt of energy shot through Cian, as a massive shot of fire smashed into her. She got sent stumbling back after barely managing to knock it away with her swords, but Cian saw the chance. He got to his knees and shot the magic to his hand.
"LIGHTNING SPEAR!"
The spell shot towards Mebd, and it hit her this time. It shot her back and she hit into a tree but was still on her feet. Cian thrusted out his hand and finally got the red spear back into his hand, pushing himself to his feet, but needing the spear to stay upright. Just as he got to his feet and saw the smoke clear around Mebd, he heard his name called.
"CIAN!"
Cian spun and saw Bell rushing towards him with both his knives. "Bell! What-."
"LOOK OUT!" Bell yelled holding out his hand. "FIREBOLT!"
Like they'd been doing in the dungeon the last few weeks Cian ducked out of the way and the firebolt shot past Cian. It hit Mebd who would have skewered him. She was ready this time however, knocking it away with her swords and coming after Cian again.
"It doesn't matter how many people show up!" She yelled, leaping to strike at him just as he got the spear up. "I'LL KILL YOU-."
Cian leapt back, but she still came down through the air with both her swords. He was going to react, but when they came down a flash burst in front of him.
A loud CLANG rang out, and a shadow came over Cian. He had fallen backwards, and looked up to see a green cape, long brown boots, and familiar blonde hair.
"R…Ryuu…" Cian said, as Ryuu with a long wooden sword in hand snaped her hand forward, and Mebd yelled as she was sent flying back.
"Ryuu!" Cian said, scrambling to his feet, but groaning and only managing to get to his knee with the help of the spear. "I… I'm sorry I-."
"Cian… are you okay?" She said, turning back to look down at him.
Cian's chest thumped hard; it was really her. He had known Ryuu was an adventurer before, but he had no idea she'd exude this much pure power. A part of him had expected her eyes to seem different, the soft, kind blue eyes he normally saw coming to make sure he didn't oversleep in the morning, he didn't expect them to be there.
But just for a moment they were, and she held out her hand for him.
"Ye…yeah… I'm okay," he said, grabbing her hand as she pulled him to his feet. "Thank you… for coming for me. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."
"It's your other friends you should apologize too as well," she said with a shake of her head. "We can talk late-."
"OUT OF THE WAY!" Mebd yelled, trying to come back at her again.
Ryuu spun with more speed than Cian could ever think to muster. She spun and knocked away Mebd's swords with her wooden on, before spinning it and slamming it into her stomach. It sent the girl flying back again, her eyes wide as Ryuu turned to her.
And those kind eyes Cian normally saw on her, they were gone.
"You made a mistake, in doing this," Ryuu said, her voice low, terrifying.
"It's like I said, it doesn't matter who comes for him!" Mebd yelled, the sun now a beautiful orange color, casting her shadow over the forest they were in. She pointed both her swords past Ryuu towards Cian again. "The captain wants him dead; he wants that spear and I'll deliver it to him!"
"Then your captains sent you on a suicide mission," Ryuu said, stalking towards the girl, her voice terrifyingly calm. "I don't take it lightly when people hurt my friends. It makes me get violent… and sometimes, I GET CARRIED AWAY!"
Ryuu's yell came so suddenly, Cian nearly fell back as she launched herself at Mebd in a blur. Her wooden sword flashed and knocked one of Mebd's swords out of her hand, before another flurry of attacks came. He guessed Mebd had to be at least level 2 or 3, so Ryuu had to be much higher than that.
Still… still I can't… he thought, as he pushed himself upright. He pulled the red spear into both hands as Naaza's potion finally started working. More energy flew through his veins, and he went to try and help Ryuu, despite the fact she didn't seem like she needed it. She had come for him, so he couldn't leave her to fight alone.
"CIAN!" Bell's voice said again, and Cian turned, only for him heart to fall to his stomach.
"CIAN!" "MASTER CIAN" "CIAN!"
"Wh…what?!" Cian said, his mind jumbled. "Bell, Welf, Lillie… Lady Hestia! What are you doing here, I thought you weren't allowed to leave Orario?!"
"Well, I couldn't just stand by while one of my children were being killed!" The tiny goddess yelled, before smashing into Cian's stomach and hugging him. "You idiot! Do you have any idea how worried I was?! Did you just want to throw away Scathach's sacrifice for you?! I… I was worried, dammit Cian…"
She squeezed around Cian's stomach, and it hurt at first from all the wounds but… he felt the back of his eyes start to sting as he looked down at Lady Hestia crying for him.
Yes… his new goddess. She'd never be Lady Scathach… she was Lady Hestia, someone completely different… but someone who cared all the same.
He looked behind him, and saw Bell, Welf and Lillie all smiling at him. They were all there. It hadn't just been Ryuu. Hestia knew she was breaking laws but had come for him anyway. They had to have figured out it was Fomorians; they were all plenty smart enough. They had known of the threat to his life, and yet they had come anyway.
He shakily sighed, blinking to stop tears, as he looked and hugged his goddess back. "I… I'm sorry… Lady Hestia. All of you I… I just didn't want to burden you with my troubles…"
"Oh knock it off!"
"OW!" Cian yelled, as Welf punched him in the arm, hard.
The blacksmith smirked and shook his head. "That's some crazy talk. We're a party, and more importantly, you're my friend, you're not a burden."
"Master Welf's right, this was so foolish of you Master Cian!" Lillie scolded him, dropping her massive backpack. She sounded annoyed, but she smiled and hugged around his waist next to Lady Hestia. "I'm your supporter, and not because it's a job. You saved my life!"
"You guys…" Cian said, wiping his eyes, before he looked at Bell, decked out in his armor and shook his head. "Bell… I'm really sorry."
Bell shook his head as well, and like Bell always did, he put on a smile. "Don't apologize Cian… just promise me next time you need help, any kind of help you tell me! We're a familia, the only members of the Hestia familia. I think that we should face any problems we have, head on together! I mean… that's what familias isn't it?"
"Bell's right," Lady Hestia said, wiping her eyes as her and Lillie removed themselves from Cian's waist and smiling at him. "You could never be a burned to us Cian, your problems are ours!"
"I know you'd always be there for me if I asked," Bell said, holding out his fist. "So, let's agree to do things like this together from now on!"
"Not just him, all of us," Welf said, holding his fist out too.
"And I'll be your supporter! Always!" Lillie said, holding up her tiny fist as well.
Cian's chest finally melted. At that moment, for the first time in weeks, since before the Scathach familia had undertaken that mission, Cian didn't feel empty.
He didn't feel alone.
"Yeah… yeah, I promise!" He said, putting his fist in with all of them, looking between them. "I should have asked you this earlier… but a Fomorian is destroying villages! They were what killed my old familia… I want your help to take it and Mebd down!"
"Right!" Bell said, as he went to his waist after pounding his fist against Cian's. "We should move out to help Ms. Ryuu! She'll-."
"Um… I think she's got it covered," Welf said, rubbing the back of his head and pointing towards the treeline.
"LUMINOUS WIND!"
Cian turned with everyone else. He took up the red spear with the rest of his party, just as Ryuu unleashed a massive green wave of magic. Her green cape flew out like they were wings, and the wave smashed into Mebd and knocked away her wind. The member of the Morrigan familia was swept off her feet, her red hair blew back behind her as she screamed and was knocked back behind the treeline.
Ryuu landed and turned to the group of them. "Is everyone alright?"
"We're alright thanks to you…" Cian said, his mind an absolute jumble, trying to digest what he just saw. "Ryuu… you're amazing! I had no idea you were that strong!"
"He's right Ms. Ryuu," Bell said with a shake of his head. "We wouldn't have made it this far if not for you."
"We'll have time to talk later," she said, turning her back to them. "Wait here, I'll go finish her off."
"Wait Ryuu!" Cian said, turning to the others. "We can't just let her go alone!"
"Let's go then!" Lady Hestia said, as all of them turned to chase after Ryuu.
Cian was in front, with Bell running next to him, and something about running next to him, running next to the only other member of his new familia spurred Cian to move faster. The familiar smell of lake water hit his nose for a moment, but it was quickly replaced by the smell of burning corpses.
And just as they burst through the treeline, was when he remembered the vision.
"Give up, you won't survive this!" Ryuu shouted over at Mebd, who was grabbing onto a bleeding arm, one sword in her limp hand.
"Ryuu!" Cian yelled, as he rushed to come up next to her, the red spear leveled.
Ryuu looked at him angrily. "I told you all to stay back!"
"You know Cian's no good at following rules," Welf said, pulling his greatsword off his back, smirking as he brandished it next to Ryuu. "Neither are the rest of us really."
"Welf's right," Bell said, pulling out the Hestia knife and his red one as he took a spot next to Cian. "We won't leave you to fight alone Ms. Ryuu."
"Lillie!" Cian yelled, turning back to Lillie who waited at the treeline. "You and Lady Hestia stay back, if things start to go south, get her out of here! And provide cover where you can!"
"I'm on it!" Lillie yelled, loading her crossbow.
"Be careful, all of you!" Hestia yelled, the worry evident in her voice.
Cian turned back with his friends. He looked over at the burning pile of corpse and massive tree that had been uprooted at the waters edge. The Fomorian was nowhere to be seen, but Cian knew it had to be close by.
Ryuu sighed but nodded, turning back to Mebd. "Like I said, you're surrounded, bleeding, you won't survive this."
"She's right, don't throw your life away!" Bell tried to reason with her.
She looked at all of them, and finally her eyes landed on Cian. "Can't take me on your own can you?"
"No… I can't," Cian admitted to her, meeting her eyes. "I won't give this chance to the other members of the Morrigan familia. You're not a killer you told me yourself, come on, do something better, it's never to late to make the right choice!"
Mebd laughed, cackled and shook her head, shuffling back towards the water. "You don't understand, none of you do! It is to late! Either I die here, or I go back and die at the hands of that witch, and I'd much rather die here!"
"There's ways around it, it isn't too late i promise!" Cian said, keeping his fighting stance and the red spear leveled. "Help us find the rest of the Morrigan familia! Tell us about the Fomorians, I promise that you-."
Cian was cut off, by the ground beneath them rumbling. The small beach pebbles shook and leapt from the ground, as every single person, including Mebd looked at their feet. A cold chill ran down Cian's spine. It was like a bucket of ice had been dropped down his shirt. His head pounded, and when he looked up at Mebd, all the bravery, all the anger… it was all gone.
Replaced by utter and complete dread.
"It's too late… especially now," she said, taking steps back again, tears falling down her face as she fell to her knees near the water, looking just at Cian now. "For what it's worth… I am sorry. Ferdiad… Ferdiad… you'd hate me for this big brother…"
"Guys…" Welf said, as they all turned where he was facing. "I know you said they were ugly Ryuu but… gods above."
"What… what in the world is that thing?!" Bell said, gripping harder on both his knives.
"The Fomorian… you all need to listen to me very closely," Ryuu said, stepping in front of them with her wooden sword. "That thing is equivalent to at least a high level 4 possibly level 5. Our main goal is to retread. I'll keep its attention, Cian, Mr. Cranel, use your magic to stop it from targeting the goddess. We slowly retreat towards the trees, back into the village, and the woods past them."
"We're running?!" Welf said.
Ryuu nodded. "We can't hope to defeat this thing without casualties… so yes."
Cian's heart pounded, and his chest burned. It burned… only he didn't scream, he could only gran and claw at the spot where his heart was… as he could remember this beast a little better now. He could see it smashing in the skull of one of Goddess Aife's children. He saw it devouring villagers, and setting everything on fire.
And where Cian thought he'd feel fear… there was nothing but anger. There was no chance this Fomorian could kill any of the Scathach familia… but it didn't mean it wasn't there, and it had just murdered the town that he'd almost called home.
"No… we're going to kill it," Cian said, his teeth grinding, as all his friends looked at him with wide eyes. "I promise, I swear. I swear on this spear, that I'm going to kill that monster!"
"Oh… are you now?" The deep voice said, followed by a large belly laugh which made all of them freeze, as the Fomorian sauntered past the mound of corpses, grabbing one, still burning and biting off the upper half of its body. "Mhm… I always did enjoy my meat burnt."
"I think I'm gonna be sick…" Welf said, as the Fomorian turned to them all again, the bronze smooth mace dragging behind him.
It was just as Cian saw in his dream. Taller than a house, moldy green colored skin, and clumps of flesh forming a hunchback. Its rows of jagged teeth were still stained red, as human limbs dangled from his makeshift belt and loincloth, as its clumpy fleshy skin continued up his massive arms and legs.
The beast sighed and looked at Mebd. "Lost your nerve again Mebd? No matter, we'll deal with you after I've devoured these humans."
Mebd went pale, and fell backwards, into the shallow water, her breathing became erratic, as she hugged her knees and rocked back and forth. Cian did feel bad for her now, but his attention was brought back to the Fomorian after it cackled.
"Look at the lot of you… were humans always so minuscule? It matters not," he said, hefting the massive mace over his shoulder and smiling at them, the orange sun casting his massive shadow over the beach. "Rejoice humans! For you have the honor, of being devoured by Mog, servant to the great King Balor! Rejoice! For you will bring me one step closer to releasing out King!"
XxxxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Connla… we should do something," Dullahan said, his eyes trained on the beach below them. "She's hurt. And there's no telling what that thing will do."
"Not yet," Connla said, leaning his spear over both shoulders. "So… that's the one wielding the spear now. It can't just be because he's the Child of Light… what made you so interested Scathach… and you old man."
"Connla, we should simply go take it now," Dullahan said again, sounding more impatient. "Take the spear, take Mebd, and leave."
"We can't, she's watching, you know she is," Connla said, looking at the Fomorian heft its mace to its shoulder and shout at the Child of Light's party. "She gave that creature a bracelet to wear, it's enchanted. She's watching all that's going on. It'll break the connection when that thing's dead. We'll have to hope his party can kill it, what level you reckon that elf is?"
"Four I'd say, she could take it," Dullahan said with a shake of his head. "But we'd win in minutes, against all of them. What if that beast does kill them, then turns on Mebd?"
"Then we save her, that's non-negotiable."
"And what if the Child of Light escapes?"
Connla eyed Dullahan. "I can destroy that boy and get the spear anytime… you know what's important right now."
"No, please enlighten me Connla."
Connla scoffed at him and looked back to the fight. "You're just trying to embarrass me, you know why."
Dullahan chuckled. "I am… still, either way, this will be a good chance to gage the Child of Light's abilities."
"Yes… you are right," Connla said, crouching from their spot perched high in the tree. His eyes drifted down to the red spear, and the boy holding it. "Let's see if you're worthy of holding that weapon."
A/N: Hellooooo everyone! SO, i decided that i was going to split up this climactic chapter 3. I'll be honest, i wanted to add the Fomorian fight and all that into this chapter, but i thought it would just drag on a little too much, so decided to stop it here, and then within the next day or two i'm going to post the next chapter of this story haha.
SO, in this first half, we see a LOT of development in the story. As i said, Cian's story with the Morrigna Familia and Fomorians will run concurrent to the Danmachi story haha. Short AN this time, tell me what you think and if you're excited! I'll have a longer AN after next chapter, see you in a few days!
