Author's Note: I'm back againnnnn. Writing in the app makes my fingers numb sometime lol.
Disclaimer: Ragnarok Online belongs to Gravity Corp and Lee-Myoung-Jin, the one and only.
"CHEERSSSS!"
The five of us — Destins, Summer, Crowe, Amelia and me clunked our glasses high, celebrating the success of our MVP party battle earlier on. "There's nothing good than a glass of cold beer after hard work!" the hunter proclaimed, waving her mug simultaneously.
I gulped down a mouthful of the sweet berry made ale and find it quite sugary to my taste, but it did a great job quenching my thirst. A barmaid dressed in traditional outfit ala Korean Hanbok came and served hearty meal that Summer had purposely ordered. It appears to me that she was a regular customer patronising this particular tavern.
But seriously, I can't deny the fact that the food offered here were heavenly indeed. The steam from the piping hot Kimchi Soup just enough to make me tummy growled from the inside. Slowly, Bibimbap were served with some Char-Siew Buns and cucumber pickles as side dishes. I was almost surrendered to the food. It's real food, people!
I bet Destins or even Amelia would've noticed my 'glutton' face as I was deliberately drooling at the meal. Summer told us to hold on a while before the main course serve to the table. So, alright — I shall withstand this agonizing temptation for a little longer.
Few minutes later, the same waitress emerged from the kitchen and on her hand, there was this huge chunk of Roasted Pork served with local famous vegetables and homemade gravy. She gently puts the plate on our table and spoke, "Please enjoy your meal."
With that, we start digging in the food as if we have been famished for the last couple of days. Talked about table manners. I chuckled silently at the thoughts seeing every of our comrade fighting for the sumptious roasted meat.
Tonight, the Flower Blossom Inn's atmosphere imbued with joyful laughter, telltales of the brave and slow music. A bard then went onto the stage, plucking his ukulele and sang a beautiful poem.
I watched the performance in silence, immersing myself in the eventful night that hardly comes often.
"Weee— now that we're all here. I have something to announce!" Summer stood on top of the chair, and pointed to Destins — who just finished his Bibimbap.
"Destins."
"I challenge you to an ale drinking competition." she declared aloud. The assassin looked at her if she has lost it somewhere.
"Huh?"
"Years ago when we had this drinking challenge, you chickened it out at the last minute! So tonight, let's see if you had man it up for these past couple of years, 'pee wee'—" the hunter smirked, much to Destins' chargrin of course.
"Pee-wee?" my voice slipped out, curiousity indeed would get me into trouble I swear.
"Hah! It's a nickname we gave to Destins after his humiliating withdraw from the competition. He was such a sourpuss back then, and often get himself into problems—" the assassin friend of mine immediately cuts off Summer, "Ahh— You seem drunk, my friend. Let's get you outta here now."
"H-hey, stop now pee-wee! We haven't settle the score yet in the drinking competition! C'mere now. Or are you scared, losing to me hmmm?" the hunter continues mocking Destins — showing no sign of backing off, as I observed.
I glanced at my friend there. His vibes grew heavier suddenly. I could see his crystal blue eyes were focusing sharp on the hunter girl.
"Well, so be it then if you insist that badly." said him, while taking a quick seat opposite of Summer, facing her directly.
"Heh, as expected of you. Now, shall we begin? I can't wait to see what kind of improvements you will show to me tonight." the hunter declared, placing a large empty glass in front of her.
"Look who's talking. Don't you worry. I have been practicing these last few years, anyway. In fact, lemme tell you this..." a small smirk appeared on the assassin's face as he spoke. "— I've never lost to no one after all those times. To be honest, I have been 'sharpening' my drinking skill."
Summer's grin grew even wider, "Less talk now, tough boy. Show me what you've got!" both of them chucked down a huge amount of ale as fast as possible, and continues refilling their glasses once emptied. It was so fast-paced that I lost count the number of times these two had emptied their mugs, and the bottles beside them.
In fact, Summer ordered a barrel or few just for this challenge. It seems to me she does have some slight inferiority complex issue with the assassin.
But the name — pee-wee, was something I did not expect of. It sounded so funny that I had to conceal my silly laugh whenever thought of it with Destins face on. It just doesn't suits him at all, hah!
Crowe and Amelia chuckled at the sight of the hunter and assassin's bantering during the banquet. Slightly afterwards, more people came over to our table and joined in the little game. They were cheering Summer and Destins up, while some acted as the referee.
"103th! 104th! — 105th wooooah!" the men surrounded the hunter girl rallied her to go on. "Hah—! Pee-wee, I told you I would win this—" Summer pointed at the quiet assassin, however she lost her balance and finally dropped to the floor, unconscious. The excessive consumption of alcohol must have knocked her out of commission.
I mean, yeah. Look at all the empty bottles there! For a woman this young, Summer indeed living outta her name as the 'Drinking Master' over here.
But, my friend there — Destins, was still seated calmly. His head though hung low yet his grip on the beer glass apparently stronger than expected.
"Hey guys, this chap here is on his 108th glass!" a middle-aged man proclaimed, excitingly. The redhead's face already fiery as ripe tomato, however he doesn't give up this easy.
I placed my hand on Destins' shoulder and asked softly, "You okay?"
The redhead nodded, possibly feeling sober after the tight match ale competition. "Yeah, I'm fine... Thanks."
He stood up slowly, but his feet wobbled. I fear the assassin would passed out anytime so I grabbed his arm in instant, making sure he'd be okay.
He then shook my hand gently. "It's okay, Leya... I'm fine... Get Summer some warm tea and she should be alright." said him, while swiping up status screen.
I acknowledged his order. However, Destins' relatively shocking face afterwards had me stopped for a moment.
My first question was — "Is everything okay, Destins?"
He pursed his lips. Crowe and Amelia soon reached out to us, their faces too wear the same worried look as I am.
"... Well, I have to go now, guys. Got a urgent job calling." The redhead commented, to my surprise of course.
"W-wait... Now? You're definitely in no shape to go for mission, Destins." I said, hint of concern in my voice. Amelia soon chipped in, "She's right, Destins. Get some rest and you could depart as early as tomorrow."
However, the redhead gave a bitter smile instead; and it seems he does not shared the same opinion as us.
Crowe already seen dragging the fainted hunter to the side, while placing a wet towel on her forehead. He looked at all of us and shook his head slightly, indicating to just let Destins go.
The assassin friend of mine then whispered in soft voice.
"I'm alright... Don't worry. I'll be back in a day or two."
I slowly withdraw my arm that supporting his posture. "Wait for me at Prontera South, Leya." Destins added, a gentle smile curled up on his face.
"We have a lot to discuss about the quest anyway. So, I'll see you in another 2 days, okay?" I nodded weakly. I just don't fond of this sudden parting that leaves me hanging in the middle, but I guess I could manage it somehow.
Destins then took out a Teleport Scroll, and ZAP— his figure completely dispersed into thin air. And I could only watched in silence.
I heaved a deep breath, and grabbed an immediate seat next to the sleeping Summer. I observed the decreasing crowd in the inn, as the waitresses picked up the dishes, wiping the tables and heading to the kitchen. Gradually, the lights turned off, indicating the place about to close for the night. But fortunately, Summer was a regular patron to Flower Blossom inn, therefore the proprietor allowed us to hang out a little more till the hunter regains consciousness.
I took a quick check on my status screen while at that.
Swapping through the Quest, I haven't seen any incoming messages or stuff that usually prompted me to go for the next task. Being such a careful person, I was literally unconvinced that the main quest would completed, just like that.
There have to be something else, awaiting us, no? And the mysterious NPC basically just disappeared. No contact, no engagement, no follow-up whatsoever even slightly from the moment we started this quest.
Right after me and Destins acquired Tiger's Foot, I have only received a 'Congratulations' mail; following by EXP reward that granted me one extra level, also some 100,000 zeny as completion gift.
Guess they are not so cheap after all huh — which I'm glad anyway. Now, with this zeny amount, it gives me tremendous space to breath; no longer bottlenecked by the financial lacking I had earlier. And I could go on several adventures without worrying of food shortage or camping outside instead of staying at the inn. I can even buy new equipments!
I shrugged the thought off immediately. What am I thinking right now? This is not the time to be rejoice over the 'reward' they gave to me. Sheesh...
Crowe and Amelia soon approached me, and I could tell they were pretty exhausted too. The paladin went on ahead and informed both him and the high priest will be leaving to Juno, the capital of Schwarchvald by dawn. The sample they gathered must be deliver on time, otherwise it would be contaminated if their journey delayed any longer.
I nodded, acknowledging Crowe's words. Smiling softly, I assured them, "I'll be okay. I will be watching Summer till she gets up."
Amelia patted my hand in gentle manner, and we exchanged contact just before parted — in case, I would need their help again in future questings or MVP hunting.
I then bid the duo goodbye and returned to my seat.
It was already 4am in the morning. I yawned briskly, stretching my arms in such lazy movement; indeed, I was really in need of good undisturbed sleep. Soon, Summer moved a little and rubbed her eyes.
"Geez... Where is everyone now, Leya?" the hunter asked, while checking out her empty beer mug. I shook my head and replied, "You fell asleep, Summer. Destins went ahead with urgent matter. And Crowe with Amelia returned to their rooms and rest. They'd be leaving later for Juno."
Summer's shoulder slumped a little, feeling dejected. Her lips pursed for a moment.
"Awww~ Guess I'll be missing those two lots." said she. The blonde hunter later took a quick glance over me, from head to toes. I was feeling a little uncomfortable from her stare, yet I brushed it off as my body soreness overwhelmed me.
"... Hmmm..." she squinted her eyes and moved closer. The smell of her body reeks of ale, which somehow putting me off in a way. "Heh." she smiles cheekily from the side and withdrew to her original seat.
"Huh? Something's the matter?" I asked, trying to be polite at the same time.
A brief silence soon falls in.
"You do resemble her a lot..." the hunter took out a cigar, lighted it and puffed out a tiny cloud of smoke. "No wonder he was attracted to you..." she murmured.
I returned Summer a quizzical look, and she replied with a wide grin instead. "Are you guys just friend or is there anything more, hmmm?"
"Who are you referring to?"
"Heh, playing dense, aren't you?" the hunter again, teases me. She nudged me with a light elbow push, and her lips curved into a broad smile. "Destins, of course! You dummy! That's what I'm referring to anyway. I'm curious, are you two just friend or—?"
"We are just friend that met under the same goal. Nothing more than that." I rested my teacup in a stern gesture, which surprises Summer of course. I didn't meant to startle her or so, but I just don't feel like having these sort of conversation at the moment.
My hands are tied, and my mind preoccupied with worries and whatnot, ever since I arrived here.
Furthermore, I have Bryan — though I wasn't sure if I would be able to return to the real world as promised.
Destins is a friend I was indebted to. He is a respectable man and had helped me more than I could repay him. Our relationship is just at that, nothing more.
"Hmmm..."
Summer looked at me as if I was some poor soul that wouldn't notice anything around me beside myself. "You are dense, indeed." said she, rubbing her chin like a scholar.
"Didn't you noticed his eyes everytime he looked at you?"
I do remembered the solemn crystal blue eyes that watched over me everytime we spoke. I do noticed there was hint of sadness; possibly shrouded with loneliness too, and the heaviness of his voice when we were together, discussing over things.
But I just can't bring myself asking about his personal life or his past. It would be inappropriate to do so as we're only met for two days.
"Yes, I can see that." I replied, dismissing Summer's assumption on my 'bluntness'.
"His eyes always full of... sorrow" I added again.
The hunter sighed in silence. She looked away, dumping her cigar at the nearest dustbin. "Destins and I... knew each other way before this, but we aren't exactly close."
"5 years ago, we were part of the expedition group that traversed into Thanatos Tower that lies at the uncharted land, far from Rune-Midgard."
"8 groups, 40 members comprises of all chosen guilds across Rune-Midgard volunteerily joined the venture in hopes of investigating the forsaken place."
She paused for brief moment. Her voice suddenly grew heavier. "But we never knew it was actually a suicide mission..."
I gasped. Those words never meant to have good meaning, I reckon.
Summer continues again, "Destins and his other friends, which I happened to acquainted with even shortly were some happy bunch of senior adventurers. Two Assassin Cross of higher rank, a Bard, a Priest and a... Crusader with the name of Divinia, came along with him."
She sipped the tea that already gotten cold over the times. "We got split up in an accidental occasion at the 6th floor, anyway."
"The monsters were too much for us to handle as we ascended the floors, and some parties decided to quit the mission."
"And that caused problem to the rest party that were still in the tower, which included Destins' team and others, handling the final few floors without reinforcement..." — "By the time we waited anxiously at the ground, there was a huge explosion on the top floor. We heard screams, anguish cries while watching adventurers ran out in fear as if their life hanging by the thread..."
The hunter's voice soon crackled, but she hold it back. "I lost my sister in that incident. She was in another party that couldn't made it out alive..."
I gripped Summer's hands tightly, reminding her that I am here if she needed a shoulder. The grief in her voice alone, confirmed me that she had a lot to take on her own yet the strong character in her forced the Hunter to strive for the best in her daily life.
"It's alright, Leya... I have her always in my heart." the blonde flipped out a golden locket that contained a picture of her sister.
She withdraws the precious item into her pocket slowly, and added again, "And... after all the commotion finally dies down, I'd only remembered Destins walked out from the tower... with Divinia's body on his arms."
My grip on Summer's hands loosen. "She was the love of his life... Can't imagine how he could've put up through all these years with this grief haunting him."
Summer heaved a deep breath, and uttered softly. "... I've never heard of him ever since that day. That fella just — completely 'vanished' from our contacts..."
"We'd never got in touch for the past years, until — he showed up here, with you..."
The Hunter looked at me, with a rather guilt-stricken eyes; "And to add fuel into the fire, you look a lot like Divinia..." — "It must be a painful reality for Destins to chew right now..." she added again, voice slowly trails off.
My lips grew bitter. I wasn't aware of Destins' predicament to date, till Summer shared it with me. No wonder he poised so friendly when we first met, as if we knew each other for nearly 10 years.
"I-I don't know what to say..." that's the best I could come up with right now. Indeed, I am at loss of words. The assassin friend of mine had so much more to endure, more than me to be precise.
And here am I, only focusing on myself and trying my utmost best to solve the mysterious quests as fast as possible and get the heck out of this place —without a care about the feelings of others and their history.
I felt a sudden irk at myself. How absurd and selfish of me...
The job progression that I wanted to discuss with Destins soon tossed to the side.
Yeah right. As if I could bring myself and tell him 'Hey, I wanna be a Crusader'. Destins probably hasn't fully let go of his pasts just yet. And I certainly hate to be the 'bitter' pill that he has to swallows each time we met.
I am just a replica of Divinia, his deceased girlfriend or wife perhaps, according to Summer.
The early morning sun ray soon illuminating the indoors of Flower Blossom Inn. It was already 7am, I glanced at the clock indicator displayed next to my Status screen.
Unlike the usual morning that I'd woke up to, with hopes and aspirations; I find the time passes too slow for my liking.
Summer stretched her arms lazily, and yawned. "Wow, didn't know we have talked for hours!"
She extended her hands to me, and I gladly accepted, though half-heartedly; "Thanks for putting up with me the entire night, Leya! Hee~" a broad smile curved on her lips.
I just nodded lightly and reply in meekness, "It's nothing. You're welcome by the way."
"Don't worry about the things I shared with you. You'll grow out of it once you listened too many telltales that adventurers would be happy sharing with you along the journey, with couple of beers of course." Summer uttered softly.
The hunter then approached the staircase, possibly heading to her rented room at second floor. "And do not tell Destins that I shared these with you. He has a lot to handle currently and I hope you understand."
I sat quietly, glancing over the hunter's shadow that gradually vanished into the staircase.
The morning that I used to look forward to, has now turned grey. Pondering about Summer's words, I knew maybe she was just trying to help the assassin friend of mine get over the pasts, and hence her advice at the end.
I take my leave soon and decided I would just stayed at Payon temporarily for training purpose. Somehow, I don't feel like I need to depend on Destins for now. He has done a lot for me, and I am forever grateful. I will repay his kindness one day. So now, I must at least, rely on myself a little bit more than ever.
Bryan was right after all. I can't continue living like this, depending solely on others — even in this parallel universe. I do not know if this considered as ego or selfish or so, but I prefer to call it as being independent.
It would be wise to stay low for couple of days, before meeting Destins again. And perhaps, it would benefited him as well, as I wouldn't dragged the young man everytime with trainings, power-leveling that he has to sacrificed his time for a low-level newbie like me.
A message soon prompted, interrupting my thoughts. Startled, I immediately clicked on it.
Hmm, those NPC again, I grumbled silently. However, to my surprise it wasn't about quest or event that I need to take this time, but rather, a notice of some sort.
The announcement sounds as such — 'Next quest would commence once your job level hit 40.'
I was actually beaming slightly, knowing that I have ample time to explore, train and going my own way before the next task comes forth.
Level 40 eh... That would be another 9 more job levels to go. My base level stuck at level 33 after receiving rain of EXP from the March of Valkryja quest, while the job just barely hit 10% at level 31.
Gotta work harder now, I hummed.
I marched forward then, heading to the nearest Kafra to save my location, storing key items and prepared my gears so that I would be well-ready for first long adventure, alone.
I can do it, surely.
— Somewhere, in the midst of Sograt Desert —
2 shadows lingering close to the ruins of pyramid, engaging in an inaudible conversation.
"It's Mussem, I told ya." a raven-haired assassin whispered, eyes sharply focused on the redhead.
"Mussem has been the mastermind of these works, Des. He's the one pulling string behind and made a fool outta us! No doubt about it." Destins heaved a deep breath, and paused for a brief moment. He was contemplating, quite deeply to be frank.
"Remember the time when you were going for Thanatos' head? And before you could do it, deathstalker barged in and suddenly they went killing spree on the adventurers, knowing they were vulnerable and focusing on the monsters?"
"It was Mussem's idea! He was aftering that stone!"
Arsyad, despite young and an ex-apprentice of Destins, he was there — at the incident 5 years ago, together with the other group. And he saw everything. Though in the beginning, with the pressure from the senior assassins and Mussem, the boy was literally convinced that whatever he saw back then, was just an accident.
However, part of him just couldn't rest still, and years went by — Arsyad determined to find the truth, while assisting his mentor — Destins from the dark.
Destins, on the other hand, wavered a little.
Is this the truth, or a half-truth that courted him to go into wild goose chase again; like he used to?
And the answer would always be the same.
"Assure me, Arsyad." his voice deep, indicating he isn't someone to be trifled easily, especially with rumours.
Arsyad knew his mentor well enough, and he wanted to prove his words right. "Here." he pulled out some partially burnt papers from the pouch.
"I manage to save these stacks of documents when cleaning out the archive few weeks ago. Fortunately, nobody suspected anything. And the leader was out of town too." he added again.
"Mussem's report to the Prontera Government, regarding the Thanatos Expedition 5 years ago and the incident that comes with it." — "... Check here, there was some mark of eraser at the beginning."
Arsyad directed the redhead to look carefully at the paper's content.
"He was covering the stuff happened there, and instead reported the tragedy as 'accident' to the higher ups at Prontera. Such blatant lie! So that his real intention stayed in the shadow, forever." the boy continues.
Destins flipped the papers, concentrating in the content. His grip suddenly grew tighter, almost tearing the wrinkled document away.
"You were saying, Mussem was aftering the stone...?" finally, the redhead spoke — breaking the silence.
"Yes." — "The Ymir's Heart." Arsyad answered, voice under his breath.
"The stone that granted the power of a God..."
— Chapter 7: Decision —
Author's Footer Note: Chapter 7 finally done! I got swarmed with works, so yeah.
Oh yeahh, I can smell some climax already huh. And finally we learned a thing or two about Destins' past. We are going deeper into the story now, slowly but surely.
Please bear in mind that I don't have proofreader and beta readers to assist me in spellchecking and all. Plus, my country banned in the last 2 years, so in order for me to upload new chapter every time, I have to type directly on the fanfic app itself.
So forgive me if the story structure is bit haywire. Allow me to take some time to adjust the plot, and construct it properly so that it makes sense.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I do!
Don't forget to SUB, FAVE AND ADD TO COLLECTION too! Thank you!
xoxo,
Little Dragon Girl