7. Of Butterflies And Battles

A few days passed. Arganan worked at the florist shop like usual. The odd incident with the Outsider's power hadn't happened again since his first day of work.

In midst of all the days, however, he hadn't written anything down in his journal, so he made a point to do so one morning.

Vishnal helped me put my prosthetic arm back on, a few days ago. He's a very considerate person, actually, even if his clumsiness hinders him sometimes. Also, he is one of the few that see Frey on a more regular basis, given her status as Princess and him being her butler, so he would be a good contact.

I haven't encountered Clorica or Volkanon much, in general, and I should make further efforts to interact with them. Likely due to having other duties in-castle, as well as me working during the day at Illuminata's florist shop, but still. They've come in once or twice to ask for seeds or flowers, sometimes both. I should make an effort to get to know them more. I don't know how much they already know about my past, even if Ventuswill initially told me she wouldn't tell anyone, but it would be in my best interest to be on their good side.

"Arganan?" Nancy called from downstairs. "Don't you have work?"

Arganan put the journal down, checking his bedtable's clock. Damn. "You're right. I'm late." Already dressed and eaten breakfast moments earlier, he thought he would have enough time to write a full journal entry before heading to work. Evidently, he was wrong; at this rate, he'd be at least five minutes late if he didn't get moving. He moved downstairs, already seeing Jones at work with a patient as Nancy approached Arganan with a soft smile.

"Do you mind picking up some groceries for us on the way home? The clinic is pretty packed today." Nancy asked, just before Arganan was about to go out the front door. "I just need some oil and more potatoes. I wrote it down for you in case you forget!"

"I'm done work early today, so I can do that." He confirmed, taking the list from her. "Thank you."

"Oh, thank you!"

He then thought back to her previous statement. "You said the clinic is packed today?"

A sigh escaped her as she nodded. "Yes. Yokmir Forest has been the source of said troubles. We've had patients come to the Clinic sustaining injuries after attacks in the area. They always see butterflies beforehand."

"Butterflies?" Why butterflies? Why right before an attack? He knew he couldn't just wander in, however, and Nancy seemed to get the same idea as she looked him in the eye.

"It's best if you stay out of there for now." She told him, raising a brow, tilting her chin downwards just slightly. "Don't go getting yourself hurt if you don't need to, okay?"

He swallowed, nodded. "Understood." It wasn't like he could fight much, anyway.

"Hey, Arganan!" Doug greeted him with a grin. "Good to see you. Haven't seen you much, lately. Working hard?"

"You could say that." Arganan shrugged a little as he closed the shop door behind him. "Work at Illuminata's place is good. At least I can buy myself lunch, now, if needed."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Doug shrugged a bit. "I didn't have much coming here in the first place, so I get it."

Oh? This was new information . You weren't born in the town?"

The dwarf's face fell, and he shook his head lightly. "Not…no. I wasn't. Came here after I lost my parents, and I've been with Blossom since. She's done a lot for me, so…" A smile came to his face, but it was smaller than earlier.

"Ah. My condolences." Arganan decided it was best not to touch on that for long.

"Thanks." Doug shrugged, then looked towards the shelves. "Anything you need?"

"Uh…" Arganan fished the list out of his pocket, reading. "I just need some…potatoes, and oil. Nancy wanted to make croquettes tonight for dinner, and tasked me with getting the ingredients."

"Sounds tasty. Just give me a moment, I'll be right there with them!" As Doug moved to get the requested items, Arganan looked around, frowning. He hadn't seen Frey in a while, now, had he? At least, not for a few days since her guiding him around. Sure, Frey stopped in to buy flower seeds the day after his hot spring exploration and came to the flower shop to say hello every morning if not buy anything, but that was it.

"Doug?"

"Yeah?" Doug came back with the items in hand. "What is it?"

"Have you seen Frey at all, lately? I just haven't seen her much, in the past few days. Usually she stops by the flower shop at least once a day, but…usually she just says her hellos before running off elsewhere." It seemed rather regular of Frey to go and visit literally everyone in town. Granted, Selphia was a small town and there weren't a lot of people, so it made sense that she'd talk to everyone and anyone. Arganan had to admit he was impressed by her dedication to go and socialize with everyone, despite all the other duties she had as Princess. There was no way he could do such a thing in Lazulis, where countless traders, mercenaries and other travellers came in and out.

Doug nodded, blinking. "Oh, yeah. She was here this morning before she left town."

"The Princess left town?" Arganan blinked. What kind of Princess went and left town randomly? He immediately thought of Calista, and how she tried running away from the castle often back in Lazulis. "Does she do this, often?"

"I'm not fully sure if she does it all the time, but it's been kinda frequent lately, especially for the past two days." Doug shrugged, leaning against the counter after setting down the potatoes and oil. "She said something about checking out Yokmir Forest. Lately, she sticks around and gets all the farming and shopping done first thing in the morning, and then she goes outside in the afternoon. She always comes back by mid-afternoon to early evening, though, so I wonder what's taking her so long this time."

He felt himself freeze for a moment. Yokmir Forest—that was the place Nancy warned him about this morning. If Frey was still out there, by herself, and she wasn't back like usual, then…

For the love the Outsider, Selphia was going to be without a ruler if she didn't make it back safely—and only about a week after she arrived, to boot! Arganan immediately grabbed his cane leaning against the counter, before turning on his heel to leave the store.

"Hey, wait!" Doug started. "Your groceries…"

Arganan's gaze snapped towards Doug's startled expression. "Can you bring them to Nancy and Jones for me? Just this once? I need to go find Frey right now. I'll pay you back, later!"

"What!? Wait a sec—!"

Arganan was already out the door before Doug could protest.

Arganan was not a fast walker, nor had he gone outside the town before, so he went and grabbed Forte to come along with him, citing that it was an emergency and it concerned Frey's safety. After all, Forte was the Dragon Knight. And protecting the town and its people also included Frey, the Princess, so surely she wouldn't be against going with him.

Good news: Forte was more than ready to go find Frey.

Bad news: She wasn't exactly approving of him going with her to find Frey, given his health conditions, and wouldn't stop asking him about it every few sentences. But screw health conditions when someone else could potentially be dead at this point.

"You think Frey might be in danger?" Forte continued to ask. "I know she's capable of some self-defense, and I'm glad you asked me, but you really don't have to come along.

"Yes." Arganan sighed, pushed bangs out of his face. He lost the clip he used to put them back some time ago, during their trek in the woods. "That's why I grabbed you to go with me. You fight, I use minor healing magic. We find her, we bring her back safe, Selphia doesn't lose its Princess and all will be well."

"I see." The knight paured, before she asked again, as the two made it to the Yokmir Forest entrance, facing him. "Are you really sure you want to come with me? I know I'm not Jones, and I'm sure you're very concerned, but…"

"I wouldn't have come out all the way if I didn't." He insisted.

"What about your power?"

"The glowing incident?" Arganan looked down at the back of his hand, then up at her. "I don't think it's happening too soon. Ever since that one time, when you and Kiel saw, nothing happened since."

She didn't sigh, though he could see her giving up trying to make him turn back as she looked down at the greatsword she had with her, and then up at him. "I don't know if you know this, but the weapons and farm tools we use have a magic spell called Tamitaya cast upon them. This Tamitaya prevents our attacks from actually harming the monsters…instead sending them to the Forest of Beginnings."

"Forest of Beginnings?"

Forte nodded. "That's the world in which the monsters live. They enter our world through roads called Gates. To send them back to the Forest of Beginnings, you'll need a weapon with the Tamitaya spell cast upon it. Do you have such a weapon?"

He shook his head. "I didn't come here to do combat. I never did much fighting."

A soft hum escaped her, brows furrowing, but then they relaxed. "Given your conditions, it would be best if you avoided combat altogether and stuck with healing, as you mentioned earlier. But also given the urgency of this situation, and the fact that you're not turning back…" She paused, before giving him a longsword. "Use this. The downwards swing of it can be slow, so anticipate your enemy's moves and use it accordingly. But only use it if you really need to, okay? I'll handle most of the combat. This is just for emergency purposes."

She turned on her heel, presumably to start heading into the forest. Arganan gazed down at the blade she gifted him, before looking up at her. "Forte?"

Forte turned, faced him again. "Yes?"

"Thank you. For all of this." The words stumbled out of his mouth.

Forte simply smiled. "I'm just doing what we need to do. It's no problem at all."

The two made their way through Yokmir Forest. Thankfully, given that it was nighttime, there didn't seem to be many creatures actively awake and prowling the area. Forte got rid of virtually any creature that crossed their path (save for the sheep-like Woolys, because they didn't really go out of their way to harm anyone), and Arganan stayed back, out of combat as she told him earlier.

This will be over soon, he told himself. They would find Frey, get the heck out of there, and things would be fine. Ventuswill would look kindly upon him and actually trust him this time. It would help his reputation, also help Frey, and…

Well. Now that he thought about it, he really didn't have to go out. He could've stayed back, like Forte suggested, and leave this all to her.

So why did he make the effort to go after her?

He thought of Calista. Even when she got kidnapped by the Gurak, he didn't go after her himself; he just sent Asthar and the other knights to fetch her. So what made Frey different? Was it because he didn't have knights at his disposal to do what he wanted? Or maybe it was old habits dying hard, with him still concerned about what little he know of political positions and such in Selphia? Or…

"Mmph!"

He looked up as he and Forte stepped into another clearing, out of the thickness of the trees and bushes around them. Frey stood just a few paces away from them. She wiped sweat off her forehead, clutching a shortsword in her hand, and Arganan called to her without a second thought.

"Frey!" His voice came out harsher than he hoped, but it got her attention.

"Arganan!? Forte?" Frey turned towards him, eyes wide. "What are you doing here?"

"Doug told me you were going to the Forest. Alone." The former Count could only frown, trying his best not to glare at her. "And he told me you're usually back by evening. So when you weren't, I got worried and took Forte with me."

In a way, this all reminded him of every time Calista tried running away from the castle. Every time he scolded her. Every time the scolding got worse. (He shouldn't have let the scolding get worse, or just snap at her, looking back at it. They could've talked it out better than they did.)

"I fought my way here several times. I'll be okay." Frey managed. She swallowed, but her gaze attempted to look reassuring. "It's you that I'm worried about! Your health…"

"I'm fine. At least for today." He couldn't necessarily say the same about tomorrow or the day after. "But I don't think it'll be good for you to stay out so long, either."

Forte looked between them, before sighing. "I have to agree with Arganan on this, Frey. You've been out all day since early this afternoon, consistently, for this whole past week. I know Ventuswill wanted you to look into Yokmir Forest, but…"

"I know there's something in the forest." Frey stretched her arms behind her back, still holding her shortsword. "And I can't just back out of investigating it. Not now."

"What is it that you're investigating in this forest, exactly?" Arganan started. Frey looked towards him, staring, and he sighed. "If it concerns Ventuswill, did she at least give any reason as of why?"

The Princess faltered. "Well…"

A roar came up from up ahead, and the three saw what appeared to be a massive caterpillar. Before Arganan could say anything, he heard a 'thud' behind him, and he turned to see a mostly transparent, but sparkling, wall come up behind him. "What the…!?"

He turned around to ask Frey what was going on, but then he saw her wince. "I think we're stuck here until we defeat that monster!"

"What!?" They were trapped? "Wait, does this happen whenever you fight monsters?"

"Not all the time. But sometimes." Forte clarified.

No wonder Jones and Nancy told me not to go outside town alone. The former Count's jaw clenched as he thought of their warning when he first came to town. If I was stuck out here by myself, and unable to run off…

He shook his head a little, willing the thoughts to the back of his mind. He wasn't alone. Not now. He couldn't fight, but he could provide backup for Forte and Frey to the best of his ability, with what healing magic he had. Otherwise, best to stay out of the way.

There were no nearby trees or bushes, so the best he could do was…well, be a sitting duck. He saw Forte stagger back as the caterpillar suddenly glowed, its body covered in white light as it morphed, and as the light faded, it turned into what appeared to be a monstrous human butterfly. That was the best way he could describe the thing; the butterfly wings were certainly present, and what would usually make up an insect body was humanoid instead. Its face, twisted with malice, opened its mouth to roar at the three before it twirled, flinging itself at the three.

Arganan barely dodged, and same with Frey. Forte, however, got hit, and a yelp escaped her as she hit the ground. However, she did get up quickly, just as Frey moved in to hit the beast with her shortsword. "Forte, back me up!?"

"Will do!" Forte yelled back, before moving in to also slash at the beast. Arganan stayed back, watching the fight ensue. The beast was tough, however, not too easily fazed by even two people striking at it at once, and rings of light emanated from her body. Frey got hit, but Forte pulled her to her feet.

He knew that they'd be screwed if he didn't do anything. Taking a deep breath, he summoned what little healing magic he could. Forte and Frey gave the battle all they got, with Forte swinging her sword at the beast without ceasing. Her style reminded Arganan of how Sir Therius and General Asthar battled the Gurak, all those months ago. Frey, meanwhile, focused on spells, sending a fireball or two at the beast, but she'd occasionally switch it up with a shortsword, trying to stab it.

The beast didn't stop fighting, either. It swooped away from the party for a moment, but then twirled right back at them. Forte and Frey went flying, both hitting the ground with groans. Arganan tripped over his own feet as he dodged, hitting the ground. Thankfully, he didn't land on his left side, so he didn't break anything, but as he looked up, he saw Forte and Frey both struggling to stand as the beast began to emanate rings of light.

There was no way those two were going to dodge the attack.

And he doubted they could survive that hit. He didn't know what exact powers this beast had, but those rings looked powerful.

And if he knew anything about powerful light, it could destroy them all. What could he do; fight back? Find a way to deflect the blow?

Distract the beast. That was the best he could do. If he could buy them at least another minute, maybe—

He took a deep breath, and screamed.

"No!"

The beast turned, facing him, but that was when Arganan noticed a faint, blue light appearing around Forte and Frey in a dome-like form. Where did that come from?

He realized, after a moment, that Forte and Frey were staring right at him, eyes widening. Looking down at himself, he saw that the same blue light came from his own right hand.

"What the!?" Forte's gaze snapped towards him, eyes wide. "Arganan…?"

Arganan felt pain ripple in his own body as the beast launched the light tings. As the rings hit the dome, he felt pain spread through his arm and into his chest in waves. His knees weakened and buckled, his right arm trembling, and he fell to a knee, barely use his cane to support himself. The glow in his arm vanished, and so did the dome of light around Frey and Forte.

How did I do that? He shakily looked at the cross-like mark on his right hand. The Outsider…?

He'd seen that blue light earlier in the florist shop, when he collapsed. Why is it appearing now?

He vaguely recalled touching the sword he drove into the Outsider, back when he tried directly controlling it; the searing pain that ensued, the fear that he might just die. He recalled speaking with Dr. Jones after he collapsed in the florist shop, and how they talked about Zael having his own powers of the Outsider. Did that mean his guess was…

I'm right? I…have its power now?

A roar brought him back to reality, and he looked up just in time to see the rings of light emanating from the butterfly beast's body. One of the rings struck him hard in the ribs, and a wheeze escaped his lungs as he hit the floor again, feeling his chest scream within him.

"Arganan!" He wasn't sure if the voice was Forte's or Frey's, but as he tried to get up from the floor, his head spun at that moment. He felt his arms tremble and he hit the ground again, his head spinning even more. Shouting and the sound of a sword slicing into flesh echoed above him, followed by a beastly roar. Light shone in his eye, and he had no choice but to close his eye so he wouldn't be blinded.

It took a moment for him to slowly open his eye. His vision blurred, then cleared, his breathing heavy as lay there on the ground, his body too sore to move. He looked ahead of him, only to see a young girl laying on the ground, and no beast in sight.

The girl couldn't be any older than maybe sixteen or seventeen, given her youthful appearance; at least, that was what Arganan guessed. Her light green hair and the thin bow in it didn't help discern her age, nor did her green and lavender or pink clothing. His vision blurred again, and he blinked several times, trying to sit up. "Who is…?"

"Just stay down." Forte's voice cut into his ear, and he turned his gaze to his right, realizing Forte leaned over him right now. He heard rustling immediately after, heard Forte speak again. "I think I have a Healing Potion on me. Just stay with me, okay?"

"Nn…" It was the girl that groaned from several feet away, and Arganan snapped his gaze towards the girl, realizing that Frey was now by the young girl's side.

"Are you okay?!" Frey's voice turned to panic, turning a bit high-pitched.

"Mm…." The girl tried to sit up, and Frey cradled her in her arms, looking her over quickly for wounds.

"Are you hurt?"

"Uh…" The girl started, and Frey gasped.

"What's wrong?"

The girl broke into a soft smile, a faint giggle escaping her. "You have…a funny face…." And with that, she fell back into unconsciousness.

At that same time, Arganan's vision went black entirely, and there was nothing but silence.