Tales of Errantia

I hit a roadblock with my stories in general. I shouldn't have made three stories, I bit off more than I could chew. I had to look at myself, and my three stories, and had to cut my losses. I'm sorry for those who like my Fire Emblem story, but I couldn't bear to write it. I'll focus on my Pokemon and Tale of stories before moving on to newer projects. Thank you.

Chapter 8: The village and the Early-Bloomer

-0-

My group trudged on after leaving Stonebury. Zaveid led the way to the mountain where Orgue was hiding with the other Malakhim. Chizuru was trying to make conversation with Symonne but was ultimately failing. I walked a bit faster to catch up to Zaveid, as I caught up to him, he turned to me. He had his ever-easy smile on his face as he spoke, "Hey, our group is livelier, isn't it?" The man looked back at the two women of the party. It seemed that Chizuru was now trying to strong-arm Symonne into talking, she looked so annoyed by the taller woman. It made me laugh quietly so she didn't hear. Chizuru seemed to not care and continue talking her ear off.

I turned to Zaveid, "You could say that. You're not mad?" I looked at him. He stayed quiet for a bit before finally opening his mouth, "I'm still skeptical of Chizuru, but…" He took his steps a little softer, his voice quieter as he closed his eyes, "She seems like someone who keeps her word… Just like her." I nodded along.

That just made me surer of what I should do. There was a chance for me to do what I couldn't do before. I tightened my fist and continued walking beside my friend.

The walking wasn't that exciting. Few Daemons here and there weren't that much of a problem. We made our way to the main road that led to Loegres. We approached the gate and entered the city. As we entered, I felt Symonne's presence to the side of me as we entered. She looked around warily, but she didn't turn her head, instead, her eyes wandered everywhere, it was a bit creepy.

"We're being watched."

"Yeah, I sense eyes on us. Not kind, but not malicious either." Chizuru piped in. Her eyes flitted about, making sure to do so discreetly. I took in the kingdom; the people here were smiling. The Daemons outside won't be causing any harm to them. That was the hope after all.

Not only that, but the place was crawling with Exorcists. They walked in pairs with each other. Some talked with the people, others were more serious and didn't leave their positions at all. Simply staring right in front of them. There were knights stationed as well. Also in pairs, but some had accessories attached to them. Some had scarfs, an arm tie, or a red necklace.

"C'mon, let's get to the other gate and leave this place." They entered the North Gate, and Zaveid told them they were to make way to the South gate, so they could get back onto the road and make way for their destination. I nodded and began to walk to the central plaza with everyone in tow. We made sure to walk to the side to not draw too much attention towards ourselves. It seemed that everyone was ignoring us, no matter how weird we were.

I looked at Symonne, who hasn't left my side, "Are you hiding us?" She gave me a look that questioned my intelligence. Should have seen that coming, hehe.

We weren't in much of a hurry, so my eyes wandered about. To the people, to the knights, to the Exorcist. They seemed so jovial, so excited. Kids laughed and danced while the parents watched them warmly. The Exorcists were amicable with the people. No hatred could be sensed from them. It felt like they were doing the right thing, protecting these people from the Daemons and the 'Daemonblight'. The knights talked to each other, whether that be about anything at all or just drivel amongst two coworkers. It seemed like the outside world didn't exist for now. Just here. Just Loegres.

I was able to catch some of the many conversations.

"Young boy, haven't you eaten anything yet!"

"So, about last night…"

"Hey, do you know where my wallet went?"

"Careful over there! I don't want you to get hurt."

"Hahaha!"

"Hellawes is still hurting and closed off."

"Did ya see!? Did ya see!?"

"Sure did! The part where you swung and missed, right?"

"Not that Part!"

I couldn't keep the smile off my face when I heard the happiness in those voices. It seemed, that just for the moment, nothing bad was happening. I hummed a tune I heard from Lastonbell. Zaveid walked ahead of us, ready for the next step in our adventure to beating the Abbey. Symonne walked only a few steps faster than me, being in the middle to help maintain her illusion.

And Chizuru…"Hey, Sorey what's that?" She slung her arm around my neck and pointed at a Normin just lazing around. "That's another Malak." Her eyes shined, "Really?!" I snorted, "Yes." I don't know if she was playing dumb or not, but I decided to get to know more about our new member.

"Chizuru, how much do you know about the outside world?"

"Some parts, especially when I was still a human. The Rangestu clan were always hired to be bodyguards or for other bloodier missions. I got to see a lot of the world…But I seemed to have forgotten a lot of it. I know of my sons, but that's all." I winced at that information.

"Really? That must be hard, I'm sorry." My apology was cut short by her laugh of remembrance.

"No worries, Most of the emotions were cut off when I became a Malak, so even if I did remember anything else, it wouldn't mean much to me."

"Even if it was someone important to you?"

Chizuru looked at me puzzledly. I guess she was confused as to why I wanted to know, "I'm just asking to get to know you better, you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"No, no. That's alright. I owe a debt to you and everyone else here—if it was someone important to me, then I would probably apologize to the human me for not understanding what she felt. Of the people in her life." I nodded to her words. Once someone was reborn, only glimpses of their past could be recovered. She patted my shoulder, her hand was strong, it spoke of experience only I could ever dream of. Even if I was the shepherd of Glenwood, she was a fighter of immense power.

Before I could say anything else, her eyes turned to another point of interest. "Hey, what's that!" Of course she acted like a child. My sense of admiration was gone.

"Those are balloons."

"Think we could get one!?" I shrugged before tapping Symonne on her shoulder, she turned to us, but more specifically, Chizuru. I flicked my head towards the balloon, asking if she wants one. The woman pointed at the balloons as if she was a child in a carnival. Symonne looked at me incredulously. "really?" I scratched my head and laughed nervously.

"Pay for it yourself you annoying woman."

"But I don't have any money."

I sighed and butted in, "I'll pay for it." Chizuru looked at me happily while Symonne glared at me for wasting time. Zaveid stopped and joined us, "Hey, it could be fun." With that, Symonne growled before following us. The illusion dropped around the three of us. Thankfully, we did it where no one was looking in our general path. Paying for all of our balloons. In total 15 of them. One purple for me, one red for Zaveid, and 13 for Chizuru.

She looked like a kid in a candy store.

"Good, now move it." Symonne moved in her illusion. she started stalking off, with us following her. It was easy to tell that she wasn't that happy. "C'mon, if we don't have fun once in a while, then what's the point?" Zaveid said, shrugging his shoulders at Symonne. Before I could add anything, she stopped suddenly, making me bump into her by accident. We all stopped to see what she was looking at.

A group of seven individuals walked out of a bar. Long black hair led the way for the group. With a new tagalong that wore brown robes and a hood.

They moved a lot quicker than I realized.

"The hell are they doing here?" Zaveid leaned on the side of a building watching them leave towards where our group came from. "Probably has something to do with that new person they were with," I suggested. I didn't want to tell them about what Laphicet told me. They didn't need to know about this.

"It doesn't matter, we have our own things to do." Symonne intervened on Zaveid's wondering to keep us on track.

It would've if Chizuru didn't walk forward. Her entire demeanor changed. Gone was the whimsical woman and what took her place was someone else. She looked at the group that was leaving, slowly drifting towards them, almost listlessly. Like a puppet being dragged on its strings. I grabbed her arm. She let go of her 13 balloons. I could hear her breathing.

"Chizuru. Are you okay?" She looked back at me, before looking at Zaveid and Symonne. Her breathing began to lessen, and the look in her eye. Lord the look in her eye. It, thankfully, also lessened.

She nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine." She looked up where her balloons drifted off into the sky. "I can buy you more," I said to her. She shook her head, before turning to Zaveid, "Well, let's be off." The wind Malak nodded and led the way. Symonne stood back and waited.

I turned to her, "Symonne?" I didn't get any answers from her before she finally looked at me with an unreadable look on her face. An emotion that eluded me. Or maybe it was something that I did recognize, but now—Couldn't understand.

"Let's go," I said to her, I offered her a smile and held my hand out. She looked at it…Before nodding and walking. I sighed before walking alongside her and we soon joined the others in our walk to Orgue.

-0-

I breathed in deep, before exhaling all of it through my nose. Looking all the way up to the peak of this mountain the saved Malak was staying. The peak was so high that most of the peak reached the clouds. Lots of crags made the path narrow, we had to move one by one to reach the base of Rayfalke. I looked around to see if Orgue was around, I couldn't sense him so I decided to walk closer.

Chizuru placed her hand on my shoulder and got in front of me. "Someone's coming!" I reached for my sword and lowered my body. FWOOSH! Fire spouted out in front of us, before vanishing and revealing a slim man with red hair that went down to his knees. His eyes were sharp and had an angular face. He bowed to us.

"Saviors! Welcome." He said with appreciation and elation dripped from his voice.

"Uh, hey." I gave him a wave, to which he immediately looked and his eyes sparkled. He ran up to me jeezus! "It's you!" I looked confused, "Me?" He nodded, he looked like he was going to cry, "Yes, you! The one with the silver flame! The one who can turn Daemons back into people! He who shall exorcise the exorcist!" The tone of his voice turned grandiose, as he was telling a legend or tale. I felt my cheeks burn. They started to burn even more as I heard Chizuru and Zaveid laughing.

I looked back at him only to see him strike a pose. He then turned to Zaveid, "The Green God of wind! The man with the sharpest aim! The Vigilante in black!" Zaveid didn't blush, he only puffed out his chest and gave a smug smile. Of course, he would love the praise.

He then twirled and struck another pose, this time pointing at Chizuru, "And Finally-wait who are you?" The man almost fell over. He looked closely at our fire warrior. He clearly thought of Symonne. Chizuru smiled kindly at the man.

Speaking of Symonne, where was she?

I felt the tug of my cape from the back. I looked back to see the purple girl who had let go of her balloon and had her baton in her hand. She had sweat coming down her face as she looked at the man as if he was a rabid fan.

"Savior where is your third member? Don't tell me!" He gasped before he was hit on the head with a meaty thwack. The other man was younger, with neatly combed hair that had different shades of blues in it. He gave us a reassuring smile, "It's so nice to see you guys come here." His familiar boyish voice rang out.

"Orgue!" Zaveid said out like he was a friend he hasn't seen in a long time. It was this casualness that got him so liked or got people very annoyed real quick. The boy clasped his hands together and bowed to us. "Thank you for coming. Many of the Malaks are still trying to recover from what happened to them, but they are slowly getting there." His voice was melancholic.

I smiled, "I'm glad. That's great to hear, do you think we can see them?" He lit up when I said that. He nodded but before he could do anything, I felt Symonne lightly push me, "That's not what we came here for. Ask if he has any significant information about what the Abbey is doing." Shoot, I easily forgot what we originally came here for. I stopped him, "Before that, we came-"

"We can walk and talk. The others will be excited to see you guys." Orgue didn't let me speak, I could tell from his body language that he was really happy to see us. I sighed and chuckled as I felt Symonne jab me. That was going to hurt much later. "Useless." I mean…I tried my best?

-0-

We moved farther into the mountains, around I think 1/3 of the way to the top. We asked further questions about the Malaks. They've been having nightmares to which they end up waking up and screaming. I only could grit my teeth as I heard about the multiple stories for them. Being chained up, whipped, and experimented on by the higher-ups.

"Savages." Orgue nodded at Zaveid's simple but brutal words. It was true, even if the exorcist didn't believe they were wrong for doing so, they were being savages to the Malakhim. Symonne stopped hiding and walked a few paces back from the group. She wanted me to help her, but she was ever so distant. It felt like any progress I make I take two steps back. Chizuru kept her eyes alert and her curiosity linger on every point of interest that caught her eye.

As we walked I felt something pulse within me. Laphicet?... No answer. If it wasn't Laphicet, then what could it be? It didn't feel like anything new. Not the faces. Nor it was…Maybe. Maybe the divine artifacts were humming. I thought about it more, but shook my head, if they were humming, why? They didn't hum when Zaveid was around.

I was brought out of my thoughts by the feeling of eyes on me. It wasn't anyone here. Orgue and Sevis, the slim man with red hair, were busy talking with Zaveid. Chizuru's attention was focused everywhere else. Symonne was staring at my back, but this was a different perspective—more annoyed than pained, more indifferent, more like…

"Boulder!" Sevis cried as he pointed at the upward path we were walking on. A huge falling rock was speeding towards us. I saw Orgue summon his staff from when he was used as a slave. I brought out my sword to slash it. "Get behind me-Wait Chizuru!" I tried to grab her as she ran forward. I caught the glimpse of her face as she passed me. A big, wide, happy smile. She zoomed upwards to meet the boulder. Unsheathing her blade, she span it with gleeful hunger. Clasping it with two hands, she swung upward, and then horizontally, then diagonally, then the other way, again, again, and again with frightening speed.

The boulder wasn't even a sizable chunk as it passed Chizuru, the dust flew into the sky.

I stood frozen at the precision of her blade, before feeling the eyes shifting from a blasé to a look of caution and interest. I couldn't hold it any longer.

"This usually doesn't happen. The mountain was safe when I was helping the other Malakhim here." Orgue looked around, surveying the area. I looked at Zaveid to see him looking at me, it seems that he also knows someone was there. Symonne looked bored, I guess she didn't bother telling us she noticed us.

"Ah! More boulders!" Sevis pointed upward again, this time the boulders came not just from the upward slope, but from the sky as well. "Symonne! Zaveid!" I yelled their names to get them into action. I brought out my sword and smashed a smaller one into bits. The other got to work. Zaveid helped protect Sevis and Orgue, who wasn't as experienced as us. Symonne easily wiped the other large rocks out of existence. Chizuru was having the time of her life, slicing the rocks like it was an art form.

Dust got in my eye. I had enough. "I know you're here! Why don't you come out!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. The boulders ceased. The eyes turned back to me, I focused on the eyes. I didn't understand what the merging of Laphicte and I was doing to my body, but I tried to will something forward. For the first time, the eyes froze.

The eyes stayed on me, it stayed and stayed. Observing me and my flaws. It lingered for what seemed like years, and like a candle, flickered and disappeared. "They're gone, for now." I looked at Orgue, "Let's go." He nodded back and walked, but he didn't let go of his staff.

-0-

The settlement was something else. The earth Malakhim made spacious flat areas on the side of the mountain, where the other Malak's got to work, they built houses, fireplaces, camps, everything that made the place feel like home. Some of the water Malak's found water in the ground and built a well for water, some discovered a lake to fish. Some fire Malakhim made sure to have lights around the hamlet to ward off Daemons. Wind Malak started a wheat farm, to which they cut the wheat perfectly using the wind at their behest. It was amazing.

It felt like I was back in Elysia.

Everyone else was in awe, too. Except for Symonne. Though I thought I saw a little interest, and a big reluctance.

"Let's go to my house, We can discuss it there." Orgue led us towards his house, it was a bit bigger than the others, it signified his role in this small Malak town. We got cozy and sat down, only Symonne was left standing, looking around the area. Even now, she didn't feel safe.

"So, what do you guys want to know about?"

"Ya got any information on the Abbey, any place we can hit that'll leave them reeling?" Zaveid shot out his question. Orgue and Sevis contemplated, "Well, from what we gathered from the people you saved, a lot of their memories from at the time at the Abbey were very withheld. Only small snippets and such. You might have to question them directly."

"I see." I looked toward Zaveid and Chizuru. They both nodded and prepared to get up, "Wait!" Orgue stopped them. "They're still recovering, please be gentle with them. I just want them to not relapse into screaming again." His tired voice hit me. The pain and anguish they had to recover from weren't measurable by any standard. "You got it, chief." Zaveid snapped his fingers and headed for the door, Chizuru bowing before she left with him.

I relaxed before beginning to talk to Orgue. We talked about many things. Mostly about the village. How many were very grateful to us, and how they wanted to help in any way. I didn't want them to get in our fight. It wasn't fair for them to fight after surviving what happened to them. I made sure to make that clear. That they weren't to fight on our behalf. Protect themselves, sure, but to not start any fights in an attempt to aid us.

"Are you sure?" Sevis said, as his face showed worry. "I'm sure, We don't want to burden you guys anymore." Sevis formed an x with his arms, "Oh, we're not burdened at all! We want to help save the other Malaks still enslaved." Orgue continued where his pal left off, "And we'll continue to do so. Just send any Malak our way and we can help them recover. Plus, we were able to save some on our own, but it isn't as effective as how Zaveid saved us."

I heard the flap of the house open, it seemed that Symonne was gone as well. "Well, I guess I can go through the hamlet then."

"By all means, many people would like to talk to you," Orgue said. I nodded at the information.

I stood up and quickly left. Not before hearing some part of their conversation, "That flap just now…" "It may have been the third member, the purple one." "Damnit! I wanted to meet her; I even made a poem just for her! I'll just have to wait before I can sing it to her." "Hehe—That's just like you Sevis."

Smiling at that, I have something to talk to Symonne about.

Leaving the house and looking around, there weren't many Malaks wandering about, probably doing their best to help the hamlet thrive. I was able to bump into some people, to which they cheered brightly at me. I guess I'll have a chat with them.

-0-

Without the light

"Hey now, easy there. Your wounds are still fresh." Zaveid gently yet firmly held up the Malaks head and placed it onto the pillow. The Malak gave a sharp gasp, before inhaling heavily. He steadied his breath before weakly smiling at the two Malaks who came to visit him. "Thank you, I recognize you." He said to Zaveid. The man only chuckled before he sat down on one of the stools nearby the bed. Chizuru stood perfectly straight, though she held a kind smile on her face.

"It's like I'm meeting two angels right now." Chizuru laughed, "Don't go dying on us now." The Malak smiled at her words. He still had a sense of humor. Zaveid wished they could talk like this, with no worries about the future, but they couldn't. Not at this point in time.

Zaveid rubbed his hands together before sighing, "Say, Arjun, could you tell us about your time as a puppet, do you have any information that we could have?" The happy smile slowly left him, and a more melancholic and heartbroken face appeared. It hurt Zaveid to stare at it. "Well, my story isn't that special, if you look around here, there are many Malak who is the same as me. Though, each of us had a role to play." Chizuru tilted her head. A role for them to play?

"And what was your role?" Chizuru asked him. They needed any information that would be able to help them in any shape or form. But, both of them realized their mistake. He froze on the spot. It was like a switch just flicked off and he stopped working. Then they heard his breathing. His face turned pale, pained, and his voice turned even more hoarse. "It was…It was…"He started to breathe irregularly. "Hey, Hey!" Zaveid grabbed onto him. "Hey, his pulse is beating fast!"

"Stand back!" One of the Malak caretakers moved in front of them, "He's going into shock. Do any of you have quickness?" Zaveid raised his hand, "Alright I need your help." Zaveid stood by him. While the wind Malak got ready to help, Chizuru walked around the tent.

She looked at the patients. Unlike their friend here, many others weren't bandaged or physically wounded. They all looked perfectly fine. It made sense; it's been weeks since Sorey's party fought these ones. But mentally? They were far more damaged than any other warrior. To think this is what the Abbey was doing. She couldn't comprehend why. Her family was one who upheld promises and honor, but what honor lies in this? What strength do you gain? While her sons didn't absorb all of her teachings, she hoped they have gotten this one.

"Hey, Chizuru, he's back!" Zaveid called out to her, it seems her small travels end here. Making her way back, the man looked better than a few minutes ago. "I apologize for bringing up those rather torturous memories." She bowed before he put up his hand. "No, don't be. If this can help you guys then I would rather relive those memories than discard them." His voice held contempt for the enemy.

"Take your time." Zaveid was sitting down, handling alcohol for them to drink. "I don't think that's healthy for the patient." Chizuru looked at the glass full of the reddish-brown liquid. Zaveid poured it into the two before placing one near her. "It ain't for him." She sat down and looked at the glass. "I'm curious as to why…" Before he could explain, the man caught their attention by coughing, and not the good kind. He hacked and coughed some blood.

"Want me to get the doctor?" The man shook his head, "No." The Malak steeled himself before looking at them, "My role—and what I did for the exorcist was a crime against other Malak. I don't deserve forgiveness for what I did." Zaveid focused on it and started to wonder what they made him do.

The Malak breathed, "I remember a lab, blood, chains, and a man with a monocle. I remember my staff." His words trembled from his mouth, "I remember that they bring in multiple Malaks, all damaged in some shape or form. From either being too battered from fighting Daemons or punished by their exorcist if they regained any sort of self. They were brought to the lab to be put to some sort of use when they couldn't be used as a shield." He snarled, but tears started to form. "Lights flashed, and that man's word put me into a lull." Zaveid tightened his fist. "Soon, the screams began." Chizuru's eyes sharpened. "I was…I was merging them together. To form an 'ultimate Malak'." He started to break down. "We reshaped them; I remember contributing to it!" Zaveid sat, his face showed nothing, but Chizuru noticed the rage within his eyes. "I don't deserve kindness." Zaveid turned his attention back to the Malak.

"Don't say that. You didn't have any control." "So? I remember it. I did it with my hands." "No, you didn't." "Yes, I did!" "C'mon, man! Don't be an idiot." Zaveid and the Malak started to argue back and forth. Chizuru munched on the information.

"Do you know where?" They both looked at her. "What?" The man asked. "Where was this lab?" The man snorted, "There's many." Chizuru didn't look deturbed, "Then we'll hit each one." The man stared at the woman before speaking, "That's impossible, there's too many of them, each far from one another, it'll take years to find them. And who knows then? They're heavily guarded by the exorcist, it's practically suicide."

"And we do the impossible." Chizuru pressed on. "Our leader has a goal that seems mad, but you see, he's done the impossible." It was obvious what she was talking about. There were rumors that a person, or maybe an avatar of a god has been turning Daemons back into people. Zaveid couldn't help but be a bit awed at her confidence in Sorey. Then again, he was banking on him being able to bring Theodora back.

The man looked at the two, his face…Changed. Before this, his face was one of tiredness, hopelessness, and some downright anguish. Now – it felt like someone splashed water on their face when it was groggy. Wide and open. And so he looked at them. His fist crumpled his blanket before he stared at the ceiling of the tent. "I only know of one…" Chizuru smiled at that, she nodded as if to say, "That's alright."

Zaveid crossed his arms and leaned back, maybe this could work – just maybe.

-0-

Talking to some of the Malaks gave me a good perspective on this. Many have their own stories to tell. A lot of them were vague, but that didn't stop them from being harrowing. Nor did it stop them from being happy to be freed. It didn't damper the mood that they now had in this quaint village.

I bid them farewell and continued on my way to find Symonne. She wasn't anywhere in the village, so she must be at the entrance hopefully.

I bit my lip when I didn't spot her here either. "Dang it, Symonne." I started to jog out of the village and back unto the mountain track. I had the feeling that she wasn't back from where we came from. So I headed upwards. I needed to find her before anything else happened.

I focused my flames to try and ward off any Daemons, I think that might work, I wasn't too sure about it. My hand was ready to unsheathe my blade at a moment's notice.

"Are you looking for your friend?" Ah! Rolling, I got back up and faced the voice. The voice was all too familiar to me, her voice always that dull and bored tone. Black headband, green ribbon, umbrella, and the giant yellow ribbon in the back. Not surprising, was that she wore no shoes nor any gloves. Those were gifts from her brother.

The same feeling was here when I saw Zaveid. I knew them, but not right now. But…It felt good to see a face I recognized. "Hey. Are you deaf?" I blinked and looked at her again, she titled her head and her eyes were half-lidded. "You've been staring at me for quite a while now, what are you? A creep?"

My ears and cheeks felt heated, "No! Never!" I waved my arms frantically. "So you're daft then." Same old Edna. I sighed before putting my arms down, "Can you tell me where my friend is?" I wanted to get back on track.

"I don't know." She shrugged her shoulders. I groaned. Thanks a lot. "Well, do you have any clues? Anything at all?" My skin felt tingly and itchy, Symonne where could you be?! Edna began walking, without any shoes it looked painful, but she didn't appear affected at all. She passed me without care and continued. "Hey. You didn't answer my question!" I began to try and catch up to her. "Hey!"

"If you want to find her, shut up and follow." I zipped my lips. Even now, she still kind've scared me. Quickly increasing the pace, I searched high and low for Symonne with Edna acting as my guide. Again, like Zaveid, It felt like I was back with my friends. We walked for what felt like only 5 minutes. I wanted to say something more, something that could make her at least snort or scoff. It was my friend. But she wasn't, actually. This... Was a different time, a different era. I don't know them, at least now. Zaveid, even though he was still cocky and suave-like, was different. Edna would be too.

"Are you sure you're leading me correctly?"

"Do you doubt me?"

"N-no. Of course not. You seemed to know the place better than I do."

"Pft. Only a fool trust someone they just met."

Ouch, but not untrue. It was just that I already did know her. I just couldn't say it. Edna stopped in her tracks before surveying the path ahead of us. Walking up beside her and looking ahead, it was easy to see why she stopped.

A pack of Daemons. The only thing I didn't know was if Edna could fight like she was able to in the future. Hopefully, but maybe she was a bit rougher like Zaveid had been when I met him. "Can you fight?" With a shing, my blade was brought out of the sheathe and rested in my palm. She scoffed.

"Of course, I can." She got into the same fighting stance as she did in the future. Smiling, my sword twirled before alighting with the silver flame.

The first two Daemons lunged at me, one orc and a werewolf. Perfectly sidestepping to the right of the wolf, two cuts formed on the side of the Daemon as it howled in pain, "Shatterfang!" Silver flame consumed him as he was quelled. A man fell from where the Daemon was once. I thought I heard a small and short gasp, but I ignored it.

An umbrella smacked into the orc's head before Edna kicked it in the shin, and if the pain was of any indication, the kick probably broke something. She then opened her umbrella and pointed it at the orc, "Raining Gravity!" She swung her umbrella like a mace, battering its head before sending it down to the ground with another hefty kick. I conjured up the silver flame and threw it toward the orc. Another one quelled.

I twirled my blade before dashing at the last three, "Heavenly Torrent, Lion's Howl, Beast Thunder!" I swung my blade with the fervor of a minotaur, "Chain Blast! True Fang, Tiger Blade, Wolfwind Fang, Starfall!" Instinctually, I yelled, "Edna!"

"Huh?!" She looked at me alarmed before slamming her foot down and trapping the three Daemons, "Out of my way!" I swerved as I ran at them and sent out a pulse through my blade and crashed it down, "Eternal devastation!" Rocks flew as they splintered and carved into the beast.

Sheathing my sword, I turned to Edna – "Woah!" I put my hands up as an umbrella was placed by my neck, "How do you know my name." It didn't feel like a question, but she placed it even closer, on my jugular. I sputtered, "W-w-well…I-I…I…" Her eyes were aloof, but I could tell that caution and danger lurked behind them. I couldn't think of a good answer. Her mood was ebbing away, she didn't seem to like me anymore.

"Your brother told us." We turned our heads to the voice, Symonne lazily stood on top of a boulder as she looked at us. She descended down as Edna slowly pulled her weapon back. She didn't look convinced. "I don't have a brother." She would be a good actor at how good she sold that; too bad we knew better.

"Eizen." I wasn't a good liar, so I just sprinkled some truth in. Her eyes widened by a hair's margin. She clicked her tongue, "He wouldn't send anyone here, that's not like him at all." Symonne quickly rebutted, "We weren't here for you, we were here for the other Malak. Eizen just so happened to tell a story about the two of you. We wouldn't even know you'd be here, but you two look so alike…" Partially a lie.

"…" Edna looked away and opened her umbrella to obscure her from us. "Well, you guys are reunited, now buzz off." Her dry humorous and aloof mood was gone and was replaced with something else. My heart twinged a bit at that. Her voice was a lot more threatening, and her walking felt more like stomping. Stone popped from underneath her and she was flung into the sky, somewhere upwards towards the peak. I watched as she disappeared from my sight. My right gloves wrapped and stretched around my fist as I tightened it. I don't know why. It was better if we never see each other again, it was better to be that this would be our only interaction. My voice only made noise.

Still…

I turned to Symonne, to which she walked to my side, and looked to where Edna went. "…" "…" This awkward feeling filled my belly; I scratched my head. She twirled her baton and places her hands behind her back. My main goal was to find where Symonne went, and now I found her.

"What were you doing? Where were you?" Looking at the pale girl, I watched as her eyes wander, before they were placed on me. I noticed her breathing; she was breathing through her mouth. In, out, in, out. Her chest expanded and contract. I stared as she began to speak, "I—needed air." I replied, "Is it because of the village?" Symonne didn't struggle with finding an answer, as I was finding and understanding her emotion, she struggled to say it out loud.

"…Y-yes." She looked down. I knew she wouldn't say anymore, so—I didn't push. "Let's go back." I saw a slight nod.

As we trudged back, I couldn't…Help but think about Edna. That moment was so brief, so quick, that I felt a withdrawal. Zaveid was with me for most of the time I had been here, but Edna wasn't even 30 minutes. She was gone. I. I…

We needed to meet up with Zaveid and Chizuru. I moved forward, Symonne walking close.