(Author's Note): So I had to go back to fix multiple stuff from older chapters. For instance putting Veronicas name as my name so…Sorry about that. Don't know how I didn't take notice. I read over my chapters when I post them after the first time, I just didn't notice it! It's really embarrassing...Thanks for sticking it out with me.
Chapter 7: Hotto (Revisited)
"So Gallopolis is our next destination?" Trunks asked curiously as he gathered his belongings.
"Well according to what Noah told us that is where he saw Yggdrasil's branch. It's safe to say we can start making our preparations." Erik replied as he handed Trunks some Medicinal Herbs he picked up at the local shop. Trunks nodded.
"Perhaps something stronger would benefit us as well. I know that the Bongo Drongo in the area sometimes carry extra Strong Medicines. So perhaps our local thief wouldn't mind pilfering a few for us? Then maybe we can head out for the branch."
Erik shrugged.
"Whatever you say."
Serena clapped her hands together, startling the two.
Veronica and Serena had been taking a nap to recuperate during their interrogation process with Noah.
"Did you hear that Veronica?" Serena questioned as she glanced down at her pint-sized sister. "A branch from Yggdrasil herself!"
Veronica nodded.
"Lighting a path for the Luminary…" Veronica trailed off in deep thought."...This is the moment we've been waiting for."
"To Gallopolis!" Serena shouted excitedly.
"Not so fast. Haven't you've been listening? We still need to gather more supplies...Despite what you wonder twins think...Magic can't cure everything. Noah said he had experienced a heat stroke while he was out there exploring those desert plains. If we don't properly prepare ourselves we can forget about saving the world."
"Good you go get those supplies then." Veronica replied, "I have better things to do."
Erik groaned.
"I thought this was supposed to be a team effort not make Erik do everything while you lot lounge around!"
"I'll go with you." Serena announced. "Besides Veronica wants to teach Trunks a very special spell. One she thinks only the Luminary can master."
Erik's brow raised at this.
"Oh? Not even the great and powerful mage can muster up the courage to use such a spell?" Veronica shot him a glare.
"For your information this spell was intended to be mastered Yggdrasil's Chosen. Believe me, I've tried only to have it backfire on me multiple times. Even magic has its limitations. It just depends on the person's affiliation with it."
"And let me guess that next you'll be telling me you guys have this grand library in Arboria that teaches you all sorts of spells you'll never be able to use."
"That's correct."
"Unbelievable such a waste."
"Well this one isn't!"
"What kind of spell is it anyways?" Trunk's asked as he pulled his pack over his shoulders.
Veronica tapped her chin.
"I guess...You could say it's similar to teleporting."
"Tele-por-what!" Erik exclaimed as Trunk's mouth went wide. "If that's the case then let's hurry up! Let Trunks learn the spell, and mosey right over to Yggdrasil!"
"Hold it!" Veronica snapped. "Mosey he says… This spell only works on two conditions. It has to be used out in the open."
"A-huh. That's easy enough-"
"And secondly, Trunk's must have at least visited the place once before we can actually just zoom over...Yes, zoom sounds like a better name for it."
"So...I still have to go gather materials?" Erik asked.
"Precisely." Veronica said earning a groaning ramble of curses from Erik's mouth. "So Trunks if you please...I plan on teaching you the chant at the top of the waterfall...Just so if there's any mishaps you'll at least have some sort of safety net. Are you fully prepared? There's no going back from this. Who knows where Zoom might take you."
Trunks nodded quickly. "Very well. Let's get started!"
Serena watched Trunks and Veronica head off, before turning to Erik who was still grumbling to himself.
"Shall we head out too?" She asked, "Erik?" He glanced back at her and scratched his head.
"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but...Maybe you should sit out this one." He told her carefully. "I mean your not exactly...the stealthiest one." His eyes were trailing over her outfit.
"B-but I thought you'd like the company and...I don't want you to feel used either, I appreciate your skill set."
"And you also realize were heading out to steal?"
"From monsters." She redefined for him. "That have been terrorizing the locals."
Erik echoed her words with a laugh.
"So that's where the line draws. Alright fine but you gotta get some new shoes. Those heels they make a ton of noise and-" Erik was cut off when Serena bent down and pulled one of her heels off. "What are you doing?"
She proceeded to smash one of them against the ground. When the first heel snapped off Erik was pulling her arm. "Hey - just what the heck do you think you're doing?"
Serena looked up at him, blinked, looked down at her now-heeless shoe and smiled.
"Becoming a thief." She told him as a matter of fact. Erik dropped her arm instantly. He looked flabbergasted and just waved her off. Serena took it as a good thing though, an approval. So she went on to move onto the other shoe.
When she was finished and the heels were properly disposed of. She caught back up with Erik by the front gate. "I'm all set." She told him, "So please, show me the ropes Erik." She couldn't help but smile. This was after all her biggest chance to really get to know him while the others were off elsewhere.
Surprisingly Erik chuckled at this but when she tilted her head in wonderment, he quickly averted his gaze. A small glimpse of pink tinted his cheeks.
Serena couldn't help but grin.
XXX
For the most part Erik stood, crouched in front of her. Ushering her to keep behind as they crept, hiding behind various objects, sometimes even crawling on all fours.
Honestly it was a little ridiculous, they could of just fought the easier ones. There was really no need to be darting around enemies that were easily by-passed on foot. They could of just settled down when they got closer but Erik really was into the whole bit.
After what felt like ages, Erik decided to peer around a tree to check his surroundings and then dart back behind it.
Serena followed his gaze, they had finally reached their destination. Erik glanced back at her, nodding for her to move forward. She went to move but as she did she tripped over her own feet. Snapping a few branches as she fell right into his arms.
Serena cursed her idiocy, and went to apologize to him. His narrow-slit blue eyes silenced her instantly. She could hear the monsters gathering on their position but even so, her body became still under his intense gaze. She could only watch as he brought his left index finger to his lips.
She swallowed heavily but nodded and proceeded to mirrored his actions with her right. Surprisingly the enemies dispersed again and they were thankfully safe and out of harm's way. Erik closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he released it, he glanced down at her and smiled.
She was unsure what to say and instead waited patiently for him to voice his opinion on the matter but instead he simply allowed his arm to drop back to his side. "Erik?" She called but he didn't answer. Instead, he glanced over his shoulder towards the camp in the distance. Serena would watch in fascination as he began to count the enemies.
Steadying herself within his hold, Serena tried to peer slightly out to see for herself. Erik however was quick to let out a very low cough. She instantly looked back up at him to see him staring down at her, nervously. Serena's brows knit together. "Are you alright?" She whispered and he fidgeted slightly. She watched as his eyes dropped lower, then back at her, and then lower again. Before she could address what the issue was - she watched him hit his head back against the tree, groaning.
His face fashioning a deeper and more scarlet red than ever before. Serena made motion to move, but it was hard with his right arm still roped tightly against her waist. She knew it was to help keep her nice and steady but she really felt worried for him.
With her freed right, she allowed her right hand to brush across his cheek. Funneling her magic into her fingertips as she checked to see if there were any injures. He seemed to relax into her touch and she smiled. At least he wasn't fidgeting anymore but what bothered her the most was that she couldn't find anything wrong with him in particular.
It was so strange yet - she found herself wanting to help him. Yearning to find that answer so that perhaps she could get closer to him. She hadn't noticed she had already moved closer. It wasn't until she felt his unsteady breath against her lips that she realized how close their proximity was.
With widened orbs. She pulled her hand away, and flushed in embarrassment. Slowly she mustered the courage to glance back up at him to see him in turn staring down at her own with curiosity.
Slowly his left hand brushed against her right cheek.
"Are you alright?" He mocked right back in a low tone. She sputtered against his hold. To which she would earn one of those rare chuckling grins. She didn't know what had come over her - but it did. It most certainly did as she tugged on his tunic string and pulled him to her so that she may be within reach to kiss him.
There was a jolt instantly.
In the air, or between the two of them. She didn't know but when she pulled away from him - she saw it. A bright green pillar in the sky, that pierced over the trees. Reeling over it, she realized it was hovering over what seemed to be Hotto. Serena gasped, heart panicking as she pulled away from a star-stuck Erik.
"V-Veronica!" She cried out, not caring anymore if they were discovered or not.
Her sister was in danger.
She had to go and she would not look back.
XXX
TBC
XXX
Dang Serena you left your man straight up in the cold. That's going to burn later.
And yes, she kissed him.
Yes that's not how it goes in dragon quest but this is romance, romance theme so they going to go at it eventually...Eventually.
(Author's Note): I know the chapters are short but I have a hard time focusing a lot and I'm always super tired. So I take naps after and usually am out for the remainder of the day. My work takes a lot out of me.
So sorry if any errors again, I was just super beat when I put this up...I almost fell asleep in my chair. So here's hoping my spell check caught everything. See you!
