Sorcerer Hunters
"Starstone"
Chapter VIII
Author's Note: Welcome to the beginning of the anime series!
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"I am glad that the five of you are a true team of sorcerer hunters at last," Big Momma told them two months later. "Gateau, I see that you are finding that your additional training is helping you in a less-experienced team. And the rest of you," she addressed the others, "Have found that Gateau's presence completes the balance of your skills. You are now able to take on much larger and more difficult assignments, and complete them much more quickly and easily than before."
"We're looking forward to finally really earning our pay," Chocolate smirked. "We can handle a lot more than what you've been giving us."
"I know that, but I wanted to give you some time to experience the world on your own," the goddess explained. "You will find your new assignments to be much more tasking, and much more dangerous. You may discover things about yourself, as you face your enemies, that you do not like. Yet you will be forced to continue for your own safety, as well as the safety of your teammates. Do you understand?"
"We understand," they chorused.
Carrot flexed his muscles, despite the fact that he now looked significantly weaker next to Gateau's gigantic build. "So where are we headed first, Big Momma?" he asked. "There are pretty girls to save, right?"
Big Momma nodded, her godly features becoming serious. "There are girls in danger, Carrot, but I warn you that you must proceed with greater caution than you have shown in the past."
Gateau nudged Marron and whispered, "Has he ever shown caution in the past?"
Marron shook his head. "Not yet."
"The reason you must be careful," Big Momma continued, "Is because many of your assignments–including the one I am giving you today–will require you to test your skills against sorcerers who not only misuse their powers against the laymen, but who have dabbled in the forbidden magics."
Marron's eyes grew wide. "The forbidden magics?" he whispered.
"Forbidden magic," Gateau growled, clenching his fists. Marron glanced at him, and saw that his friend's face was tight with anger. He realized that he had never known Gateau to get angry, and was thankful when the tall blond composed himself and relaxed his hands. On a whim, Marron placed his hand on Gateau's arm. He was rewarded with a small smile, as if Gateau were apologizing for getting angry. They returned their attention to the goddess before them, although the young mage continued to wonder where Gateau's powerful anger and hatred of forbidden magic had come from.
"The forbidden magics were named such because of the terrifying things they were used for during the Sorcerer's Wars. Honorable sorcerers do not need the powers that this magic provides; Evil sorcerers use the forbidden magic in today's world to increase their power and wealth at the expense of common people."
Marron nodded, well-read on the terrors of the Sorcerer's Wars. Big Momma went on. "Unfortunately, because of the properties of the forbidden magics, it is almost impossible to detect them. We are only alerted of the presense of magic misuse when it is already too late for most of the victims. At that point, a team of sorcerer hunters is called in. Your task is to destroy the sorcerer who has resurrected these powers, and to rescue and provide aide to as many of the victims as you can."
"But not all sorcerers are bad, right Big Momma?" Chocolate asked. Next to her, Tira nodded.
"No, my child, they are not. Nor are all of the uses for the forbidden magics evil. But many are, and anyone who uses a sorcerer's power can feel the tempting call of the forbidden magics."
Marron bit his lip. "So what is our task, Mother?" he asked. "Where are we going? And who must we defend?"
Dota pulled out a hand-mirror and pointed it at him. "Zap!" she said. "You remember studying about the Gameru, right?"
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Their campsite was quiet. A few fish burned on stakes over the firepit, and the team of sorcerer hunters stared into the flames. Finally, Marron stood up and walked into the forest.
Chocolate and Tira watched him go, then glared at Carrot.
Carrot tried to look away. "...What are you looking at me for?"
"You idiot!" Tira jumped up and clobbered Carrot with a log. "He's your brother!"
"Darling, you really should go after him," Chocolate added, nodding.
Carrot held up his hands. "No way! I'm not going to go chasing after him in these wood–"
"Is that so?" Tira stepped forward, a rose in her hand. "I think that's very naughty of you, Carrot."
Carrot jumped to his feet. "But hey, you're right! He's my brother, and my brother's my brother, right? I'll go find him," he called back over his shoulder as he raced into the woods.
Gateau continued to stare at the fire. Chocolate nudged him with her foot. "You didn't know, did you?"
The tall blond shook his head. "...You knew?" he asked.
Chocolate shrugged. Tira nodded. "We guessed," the younger sister told him. "But it really wasn't our business to ask him."
Shaking her head, Chocolate poked a stick into the fire, stirring the coals. "You know how sensitive he is about always being mistaken for a girl," she pointed out to Gateau, who nodded back at her. "There was never really a good time to ask him... He doesn't go out of his way to chase after girls the way Darling does."
Gateau stood and started walking into the forest. He stopped. "Why do you think he never told anyone?"
The Misu sisters looked at each other and shrugged, and Gateau continued walking, disappearing into the dark forest.
A moment later, an explosion of black fire lit up the sky. Carrot came racing back into the campsite and dived into his tent. Chocolate eyed him suspiciously. "What did he say, Darling?" she demanded.
"He, er..."
Tira walked over and kicked the tent. Carrot yelped. "Owow! He told me to, um... fuckoff," he mumbled. He poked his head back out of the tent and attempted a weak laugh. "It's a little out of character for him... I think I'll just talk to him again tomo–OwowOW!" he howled, as the Misu sisters simultaneously kicked him in the face.
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